#and not a mystery that has answers that can be determined before the question arcs

[nenoname]

watched a video on higurashi ch 2 and 5 again and yet again my brain is going twinstwinstwinstwinstwinstwinstwinstwins

[manszen]

lovers in denial

pairing. fem!reader x trafalgar law.

summary. you and law like each other but both of you don't want to admit it.

contains. fluff, crack maybe, depicted during wano arc before luffy's arrival.

word count. 1.3k.

note. woohoo, my first time writing for one piece!

“i mean this in the most friendly way possible, but you are easily the most attractive person i know.”

law trips over an imaginary pebble and immediately scowls at you.

it's a wonder how the conversation went from the current issues at hand as you wait for a certain captain to reach wano, to somehow gauging law as an attractive person — and by your words, the most one at that.

he blames his current rapport with the straw hats for being so strung up all the time. he prides himself as a collected person, but that patience wear thin whenever the straw hat and his crew skip some of the details in his well-thought plan that he's left with nothing but to improvise. and it seems the disease of being caught by ill surprise has spread further in his system that even you start to affect him.

"is it your height?" you ponder, leaving him glowering behind as you continue trekking back to your hideout. "no, that's not it."

he clicks his tongue in annoyance, catching up to fall back to your steps while keeping silent. still, you wonder out loud, determined to find the reason why you end up with such a statement.

"is it your looks?" you put a lone finger under your chin, head snapping his way as you ask yourself.

your eyes catch his golden ones, before trailing them down to his lips, settling at the rough sharpness of his jaw; and he itches to tug down his hat just so he could hide away from your intense scrutiny.

"maybe?" you still sound unsure even after a long time of observing him. "i think you're much more attractive when you smile. but maybe it's because of your smart, mysterious aura?”

before law can open his mouth for a due retort, you continue on, "or maybe it's your tattoos that makes you attractive.”

the last one doesn’t sound like a question. at all. it’s more like an observation — a bold statement, if you will. and the corners of his lips somehow curl up.

you don’t even notice that you stopped walking. your gaze shifting to the tribal heart tattoo peeking on his chest, barely covered by his black yukata; and for a moment, there's an unreadable expression in your face, as if you’re imagining the whole expanse of his chest, lean muscles and all that, within the safe confines of your mind.

it’s more than enough to burn through law's already warming skin.

"hey, you’re staring," he gruffly points out, stepping ahead of you.

your eyes widen before turning all defensive on him.

"like i said,” you huff as you catch the quick stride of his long legs, “i mean that in the most friendly way. there’s not much to see back in the polar tang, you know?”

“and? you think i’m attractive simply because you have no options?”

you almost skip a step, almost falling forwards as you digest at his newfound conclusion, chuckling how it’s been the right answer all along, “that’s it! i always knew you’re a genius, captain!”

he rolls his eyes, albeit smiling at the sound of your twinkling laughter, “and what else have you been mulling over instead of helping me gather intel?”

“boo, you’re such a killjoy, captain,” you pout, kicking some random dirt like a kid. “i take it back. you’re not attractive…”

law raises a delicate brow, glancing at you with an intent to keep the playful vibe between you two. he asks then, surprisingly with mirth in his deep voice, “are you lying upfront to your captain?”

he watches, amused, as you try all your might to keep your teasing smile at bay.

“captain!”

the easygoing trance is broken when the two of you recognize bepo’s call, followed by more greetings from shachi and penguin.

“this isn’t over,” law leans down to whisper in your ear. it’s odd, but he doesn’t want the conversation with you to end just yet. still, a captain is a captain with all the duties and responsibilities.

he leaves your side with a heavy sigh and hears you chuckle at his empty warning. then, ever so softly, you say ‘aye, aye captain’. unbeknownst to him, your words bring out an incandescent smile to his face.

as he reaches the others, he’s immediately grabbed and crowded in something similar to impish teenagers.

“captain, what was that just now?”

“i swear there were flowers blossoming behind your trail!”

“and here i thought wano’s land is not cultivable.”

“cultivable? honestly, it was like watching newly weds.”

“did you run off to get married, captain?”

“are you not a virgin anymore, captain?”

these are the questions that are thrown once you’re out of earshot. one by one, he eyes the three heads in front of him: bepo, shachi, and penguin, before forcefully smacking them with the hilt of his sword.

“captain! what was that for?!” they cry out, immense pain evident on their faces.

law pinches the bridge of his nose. his once light and airy mood dissipating upon the rapid interrogation of the three, his stress returning tenfold, “where the hell did you get that idea?”

he’s simply gathering intel with you. after all, wano is a country closed to outsiders. therefore, no amount of information has been leaked to rest of the world. that and it has been under kaidou’s clutches for so long. so how come these three idiots think he’d run off to marry? while on a mission? what’s more, run off to marry you? and penguin didn’t even hold back with the last question.

even asking his virginity, really?

he feels the urge to smack penguin again, with more force to it this time, and sensing his rising anger, penguin immediately backs away. his hands raising in surrender.

“c-captain, didn’t you say you like her?” he sweats, smile nervous and teary.

“since when did i say that?” one step toward penguin, penguin doing two steps back.

“oh, w-well… shachi told me!” he squeals.

law’s head whipped around to find shachi, who’s now tightly gripping bepo’s orange boiler suit from behind.

“c-captain! haha… bepo! bepo told me!” shachi shrieks and hides from his scornful glare, as bepo yelps upon being harshly put under the spotlight.

“captain…” bepo whimpers. his eyes in near tears, furry paws clasp together as if praying his captain sees the truth behind their tittle-tattles. as law gives his undivided attention to the helpless polar bear, he realizes then that he just made a definite mistake on his part.

“i never said that,” he glowers instead, settling for the only thing he can do: admit his truth and frown upon their claims.

“well, you never denied it either,” shachi bravely comments from behind bepo, deeming it’s the safest place to survive his captain’s fury. “that’s just the same thing!”

while in the far corner of his eye, he perceives penguin breaking into more tears, maybe regretting his decision for not running behind bepo. “shachi, shut your trap,” penguin sniffles.

“but, captain,” bepo starts and law sighs in defeat, “you do like her, right?”

law tries to cool down his expression, preventing even the slightest emotion to slip through that will feed these rascals their delusions. and yet at the back of his mind, he remembers your subtle, not-so-subtle observation of him, your cute ‘aye, aye, captain’ from earlier, and all of a sudden, every fluttering butterfly comes rushing back to him.

as a medical expert, he should know what an irregular, fluffy heart rate means.

this is getting ridiculous, he thinks.

he shakes his head, banishing it all away. too quickly, he feels exhausted. he knows that when bepo, shachi and penguin have something to put their minds on, there’s no escaping it. so he grumbles, lacing a captain’s finality to his words, “just don’t put her in a position where she’ll feel uncomfortable.”

and with that, the three heart pirates swoon as if they themselves are experiencing their captain’s springtime of youth.

stealing, modifying, translating, or reposting this work on other platforms is strictly discouraged.

[omamervt]

yo yo! ttrpg trick or treat!

I mean if you're gonna come at me with this I'm never gonna turn down a chance to talk about City of Mist and its spinoffs, the game I am the most normal anyone has ever been about anything. (if I understand the rules correctly, this is Treat)

ahem.

City of Mist is an urban fantasy noir RPG heavily inspired by Netflix's Daredevil TV series. It now comes in LGBT-themed Sentai flavor (Queerz!) and Cyberpunk flavor ( :Otherscape) as well, with a High Fantasy version (Legend in the Mist) in the works! It also has some pretty great community support, just look up City of Mist Garage on DriveThruRPG!

The thing this game does that makes it special to me is that player creation and advancement is almost 100% driven by character development, and it does it better than most other RPGs that I've seen that try to offer the same.

at character creation, you choose four Themes for your character. You use these themes to determine what kind of character you're working with, and what kind of skills their life experience might have given them. It's also how you can tie in fantasy elements and give yourself literal super powers.

Once you've chosen your Themes, you answer four questions about your character for each Theme. These become your Power Tags, which you use in place of stats to make your roll modifiers, as well as your Weakness Tags, which you or the MC can invoke to give you a -1 to a roll, or to add a complication to the current scene. (this also gives you an XP point in that Theme so it's worth it to you to let this happen.)

But the other thing that comes with every Theme is a Mystery or an Identity. The idea of City of Mist is that you aren't born with powers, you Awaken to them when a Mythos - an idea, concept, or character from a story - decides to enact its will through you. Examples from the pre-made characters would be Excalibur, the wealthy socialite who became the Rift of King Arthur after she finds the Ultimate Weapon, which manifests for her as a piece of jewlery that transforms into whatever she needs in the moment. But the idea of a Mythos never fully survives contact with reality, as your character is still the person they were before - someone with a life, family, friends, goals - an identity. Another of the pre-gens is Kit, a Kitsune spirit who manifested itself fully in our world, but has disguised itself as a teenage girl after falling in love with a boy. Her affections form an identity outside of her purpose as a Mythos.

You as a player have the choice between trying to live the life you had before by creating Identities for your Logos themes - things that anchor you to your life in this world - or by pursing mysteries for your Mythos themes - finding out what your Mythos expects of you, and then deciding whether or not to do it.

Progression in this is interesting because the main story will put your characters' identities in conflict with the will of their Mythos, as well as the needs of the group as a whole. As you play, you can decide that your character is ignoring their Mystery to the point that getting answers no longer truly matters to them, or abandoning their Identity to the point that they wouldn't recognize their old self anymore. The attention to the themes you advance the plot of will grant you new powers in those themes, whereas the ones you allow to fade away will eventually be replaced by new character aspects that became important in the meantime. And it happens entirely at your discretion - the MC can't tell you to mark Crack/Fade on a Theme, they can't force you to explore your characters' personal story arc, but doing so MAKES YOUR CHARACTER GROW AND CHANGE, WHICH IS HOW YOU LEVEL UP!

I could probably write a few more paragraphs about this game if anyone cared.

[showurselfranter]

Alright, buckle up people! I am going to try and explain to you why Frozen 2 is better than Frozen 1 in the form of what people hate vs my counterpoint!

1. The story was rushed

Counterpoint:

The story isn’t rushed—it’s layered and complex. Frozen 2 tackles multiple themes: self-discovery, connection to history, and the balance between duty and personal fulfillment. While it moves quickly, that’s because there’s so much depth packed into it. Each character gets a meaningful arc, and the pacing mirrors the urgency of solving the mystery before it’s too late. The intertwining of Elsa’s journey, Arendelle’s history, and the sisters’ bond is beautifully done.

2. Anna and Elsa didn’t end up together

Counterpoint:

This is a strength, not a flaw. Anna and Elsa are strong, independent women who realize they can thrive in different ways. Elsa finds her place in the Enchanted Forest, where she truly belongs as the fifth spirit, while Anna steps into her role as Arendelle’s queen. They’re apart physically but still connected emotionally, showing that their bond is unbreakable even when they’re in different places. This separation reflects growth for both characters—it’s not about being together all the time but supporting each other from afar.

3. Kristoff was a useless addition

Counterpoint:

Kristoff’s subplot may feel small, but it’s important. His story shows that love and relationships can involve vulnerability and patience. He spends the movie trying to propose because he respects Anna’s independence and wants to support her without overshadowing her journey. Plus, “Lost in the Woods” adds humor and heart—he’s not useless; he’s just not meant to be in the spotlight. That’s refreshing for a Disney love interest.

4. What the story was

Counterpoint:

The story is about uncovering the truth—about Arendelle’s history, Elsa’s powers, and the balance between the past and present. It’s deeper than the traditional Disney “villain” formula of Frozen 1. Instead of fighting an antagonist, the characters confront systemic issues (like the dam and the harm it caused the Northuldra) and their own inner struggles. It’s more nuanced and thought-provoking than a straightforward fairy tale.

5. Anna becoming queen

Counterpoint:

Anna becoming queen is a natural and well-earned progression for her character. She’s been the glue holding Arendelle (and Elsa) together since Frozen 1. In Frozen 2, she shows incredible bravery, determination, and leadership, especially when she destroys the dam to save both Arendelle and the Northuldra. Elsa stepping aside for Anna feels right because Elsa was never fully comfortable as queen- Anna is. It’s a beautiful way to show that leadership isn’t about power; it’s about who’s best suited for the role.

6. The songs were a useless part of the story

Counterpoint:

The songs in Frozen 2 are essential to the story. They’re not just catchy—they carry emotional weight and push the plot forward:

• “Into the Unknown”: Reflects Elsa’s internal struggle and the call of destiny.

• “Show Yourself”: The emotional climax of Elsa’s journey where she finds her true self.

• “The Next Right Thing”: Anna’s turning point after losing Elsa and Olaf—it’s about resilience in the face of despair.

• The songs deepen the emotional connection to the characters, and they’re far from useless.

7. Elsa being the fifth spirit

Counterpoint:

Elsa being the fifth spirit ties the story together perfectly. It answers the question of why Elsa has powers while Anna doesn’t—Elsa is the bridge between the magical and human worlds. It’s not random; it’s a natural extension of her character arc, as she learns that her uniqueness has a purpose. Being the fifth spirit isn’t just about her powers—it’s about embracing who she is and where she belongs.

SO..... don’t get me wrong—Frozen was amazing. It gave us a beautifully fresh story, lovable characters, and iconic songs. But Frozen 2 feels more mature, emotionally resonant, and ambitious. It took everything great about Frozen and expanded on it in the best way. What do you think? ��� PS. This is all about the story, it doesn't even take into account the animations and backstories!

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 2/5

Book Blurb:

One mysterious mansion. Two rival journalists. Three weeks to uncover the story—and love—of a lifetime.

Obituary writer Nadine Barbault doesn't mind being called "Lady Death." It suits the ice queen persona she's cultivated to survive the fast-paced Toronto Herald. So when Nadine learns that famous (and reclusive) author Dot Voline has died, she doesn't hesitate to run the obituary…only to discover that Dot is very much alive.

Nadine's screw-up has brought Wesley Chen of the rival Spear no end of joy—she's been a thorn in his extremely ambitious side for years. But the renewed interest in Dot also surfaced chatter about a mysterious past scandal. Intrigued, Wes goes to the source to learn more—only to discover Nadine had the exact same idea…and the infuriating woman isn't willing to respect dibs. Typical.

At first, Dot refuses to speak to either of the squabbling pair, but then they receive an unusual request—work together, and Dot will share everything. The offer seems too good to be true…and of course, it is: in a bitter twist of irony, Dot dies for real before she can finish recounting her story. Not all is lost, however. The estate's executor allows Wes and Nadine access to Dot's sprawling wonderland of a mansion for three weeks to find their answer. That's three weeks of working together…three weeks of endless sweltering in tight spaces…three weeks of learning there could be something more between them than a desire to win at any cost. 

And maybe, just maybe, under the rubble of all those could-have-beens they'll uncover more than the secret of Dot Voline's long-ago scandal—and Lady Death will finally embrace what she's wanted from life all along.

Review:

Two rival journalist, a mysterious story to uncover, and a unlikely romance! Nadine Barbault is a political columnist turned obituary writer who accidentally publishes the obituary for a famous author, Dot Voline, who is very much alive. Then there is Wesley Chen, journalist for a rival news outlet who is also ready to sink into the renewed interest in Dot and write a new story... only Nadine is determined to write one too. Now both Nadine and Wes have to wok together to unravel Dot's life because she refuses to be interviewed by them separately and will only answer their questions if they're together, yet as they spend more time together they're beginning to realize that maybe they might be falling for one another instead. This read more like a general fiction story than a romance , in fact this was the barest minimum romance, and calling it a romance is exaggerating. This story is very much more a out Nadine finding her own passion and about writing Dot's life, the romance is the last thing this book actually focuses on sadly. I was expecting a fun romance but I did not get the romance I was hoping for. This book really mislead me because I was expecting fun banter with a rival love interests and romance vibes, but its much more focused on the story and on the general fiction vibe (and that's totally cool if you're into that but I just am not).

Release Date: May 6, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca | Sourcebooks Casablanca for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[bibibbon]

Here's a synopsis of my first attempt at a MHA rewrite:

Izuku Midoriya has always dreamed of being a great hero, but unfortunately he was born without a quirk, resulting in years of bullying and loneliness. However, this all changes with an event that makes him a protégé of All Might Star, Japan's number one hero. Soon he receives the mysterious power known as One for All, becoming the twelfth holder.

Ochako Uraraka, a determined girl with the power to manipulate gravity, fights to prove that she can be a hero worthy of what her family thinks of her. In addition to trying to understand what her family is hiding from her.

Tenya Iida, a natural leader with impressive speed, follows in the footsteps of his older brother, a renowned hero, but he must face the challenges and pressure of being a perfect hero, still trying to figure out what kind of hero he wants to be.

Momo Yaoyorozu, a brilliant strategist and creator of objects, faces internal and external challenges, determined to prove that intelligence and skill can overcome any obstacle.

Shoto Todoroki, son of the powerful and strict hero Endeavor, struggles to find himself and discover the hero he so desires to be and to escape the shadows he lives under his father.

Together with his friends and classmates from the prestigious U.A. Academy, Izuku forms the valiant group known as Team Ultra.

What you think?

Hi @lorddog45 👋

Thank you for sending me you're synopsis I am glad to have read it and I am sorry for not answering this sooner since I couldn't find a way to gather my thoughts.

I will be honest I don't think I will be able to say all of my thoughts in a coherent manner, so I apologise if this answer may be hard to decipher.

Izuku midoriya

What caught my attention the most about his synopsis is the fact that he is the 12th user of ofa instead of the 9th. This makes me wonder if you are planning on adding more users and why?

I also think the wording you chose to describe izuku's dream of becoming a hero is really interesting. Izuku here wants to be a "great hero," not the greatest or the first or even the best hero, but he just wants to be great. This may be me reading way too much into it but the idea of being a great hero reveals things to izuku's character like how he wants to genuinely just do good, how he wants to fit in even though the system has abandoned him and injured him multiple times and how he simply wants to be something even though he is labeled as a deku.

Ochako Uraraka

OK, it seems like you changed a bit of ochako's arc, which is really interesting to me. She goes into this seeking family validation and approval, trying to prove herself. It seems like you're sticking to ochako's original arc here (before hori added the whole thing about her wanting to be a hero for everyone else), which is really interesting. The brief description of her reminds me heavily of shoto and iida's own arcs whether it be iida trying to live up to his family's reputation or shoto trying to escape his family and having a lot of secrets surrounding his family.

I will be assuming that ochako's family secret is their financial struggles for which her family are trying and failing to hide from her and that's why she is pushing herself so hard to be a hero so she can earn money and put her parents at ease.

Tenya iida

Iida's arc, similar to izuku's, is really similar to his canon one. Iida admires his brother and wants to be exactly like him. His arc consists of him really questioning what type of hero he wants to be and why he really wants to be a hero. His Canon interaction with Stain tackles this really well, and he tries to further better himself and his overall skills. The pressure to do well and be the best is similar to ochako's, so I feel like they would get along here.

Momo yaoyorozu

I love how you left the description of mom's arc somewhat vague. She is someone who heavily prides herself on her intelligence and ability so her losing confidence and beginning to feel insecure and auffer from imposter syndrome due to competing at the toughest school such as UA is something that she heavily struggled with in Canon. Momo's character is heavily infuelcned by her environment and things like society and appearance, which are issues that can be tackled with her character.

Shoto Todoroki

Shoto's arc is similar to his canon version, except this time he will get to actually get a good ending and have enji suffer consequences. The wording that you use for his description heavily reminds me of iida and Ochako's own issues which I genuinely feel like shoto interacting with them would do good for his own character as he has pressure from his family and feels haunted by his father and mother. The idea of wanting to fit in and figuring yourself out is also something that correlates to both izuku and iida, making this group really easy to develop close bonds with.

I love the idea of team ultra!!! It seems like you put a lot of thought into their own description considering how I was able to pick up quick details with how they would be a great team that share really similar issues and goals that they can overcome by interacting with one another. This team sounds like they would have a lot of chemistry together, and I am excited to see what you have planned out for them.

[citrus-cactus]

Haru's Birthday Weekend (Prompt: 👾)

What is your favorite episode of Appmon, and why?

OK, I wrote this prompt, so you'd THINK I'd have an easy answer to this, but I'm gonna break my own rules, because as it turns out I can't pick just one episode, lolol. And then I was going to do a Top 5, but I can't do that either! So here are my Top 7. I could probably have turned this into a Top 10, especially since all of the final episodes are SO strong, but I did try to limit myself to one episode per Appmon "arc" (which I'm not sure I could even delineate, but this sounds about right, so good enough!).

Also, periodic reminder to PLEASE WATCH APPMON. IT'S SO GOOD.

Under the cut because of end-of-series spoilers, and to spare your dash!

Also, excuse the bias to these screenshots. I run blogs dedicated to Haru and Knight, and I'm too lazy to take more right now kjdfahkfh

Episode 4 ("Take Your Dressing! Cameramon's Halloween Scandal!")

This episode is a GREAT early episode for its focus on Haru and Gatchmon's characters and their Driver-Buddy relationship, particularly showcasing how Haru is able to think on his feet and use his wits to win the day. Plus it's Halloween-themed. And Haru USES HIS GOGGLES. Literally, what's not to love?? XD

Episode 18 ("Haru and Yujin's Bond - Stop! Rampaging Resshamon!")

I LOVE this episode for paying homage to the Pokemon Go craze. Amazing and incredibly relevant, considering the show originally aired in 2016, rotfl. A very fun premise that also places a lot of emphasis on Haru and Yuujin's relationship, including Haru's worries about revealing his secret life as an AppDriver to Yuujin and insight into Yuujin's character, all important groundwork before Yuujin becomes an AppDriver in his own right.

Episode 25 ("Infiltrating to the Deep Web at last! The Mysterious Cyber Kowloon!")

OK, THIS actually might be my favorite episode. It has it all: gorgeous animation, an AMAZING setting, surreal comedy, a lot of drama, and ultimately our main trio of heroes biting off more than they can chew, ending on a positive note nonetheless. It's SUCH a well-done episode, and is an exciting and satisfying way to wrap up the first half of the series.

Episode 31 ("The Traveling Companion!? Tripmon's Terrible Trip")

While you might THINK I put this episode on my list for the Haru/Yuujin moments, it really made it on here because of its focus on Offmon, his fears, and ultimately... his secret. I love that little guy and the themes of the episode, plus Tripmon has a GREAT design and is a fun Monster of the Day!

Episode 36 ("The Conclusion of General Election! The Hand of Devil Approaching to Eri!")

AKA The One on the Yacht. My favorite Knight episode, if only because the storyboarding/direction is ON POINT and Eri is such a badass. The whole episode is such a wonderful showcase of her character and her plot thread (plus, Knight reveals his true colors to our heroine, in a truly stunning scene) <3

Episode 42 ("Rei's Determination! The Great "Search for Hajime" Operation!")

I've said it before and I'll say it again: the first half of this episode are the best 15 minutes of filler in the entire series. And it's not even really filler, since it's all about Rei getting an AMAZING focus episode that's simultaneously hilarious, satisfying, and completely heart-wrenching in the end. Plus more of Elena and Alice! WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE???

Episode 49 ("The Miraculous Final Evolution! The God Appmon Advent!")

(I don't have a screenshot for this one yet, sorry!)

THE LAST FEW EPISODES ARE SO IMPORTANT, but I wanted to talk about this one specifically. Our heroes (minus Haru) rally and unlock their God Grade Appmon in truly touching and wonderful scenes with their Buddies, with Minerva's question coming into play one last time. And then the visuals of the fight to follow (where the kids hover on platforms at their Appmon's sides in a way that's incredibly evocative of how their Buddies float around around when they're Unrealized) are so epic, in a way that you KNOW this is what the whole series has been building toward. It’s about the SCALE. It’s about the PARALLELS. 👍👍👍 And then we have Haru: despondent, betrayed, bereaving, and being egged on by YJ-14, before... well. Some truly amazing scenes, I'll leave it at that. This episode has me screaming, crying, frothing at the mouth, etc, and that feeling doesn't stop until the series is over. It's SO GOOD.

Thanks for reading!

[toku-explained]

ChocoDon & ChocoDon

Arc: Yuma remains unconscious in hospital. At SKIP, the GDF are refusing to answer their questions about Kitsunegamori, and actively suppressing online discussion, Ishido decides to tell them the truth. Yuma's spirit is forced from his body by Sweed, wrenched from Rution's grip, she takes him to SKIP, invisible observers, as Ishido reveals the top secret info. 16 years ago what appeared to be a black hole suddenly appeared near earth, then just as mysteriously was compressed into a single object and fell to earth, disrupting earth's magnetic fields and awakening the long dormant Kaiju of earth. It's taken a long time to even narrow down the location Onyx landed to Japan. The GDF have kept the info hidden because Onyx is just that dangerous, but they have determined Onyx is approaching it's energy capacity, causing the increased Kaiju activity in Hoshimoto City. Sweed attempts to convince Yuma that Rution merely bought him time, earth is doomed either way, so she is more than prepared to sacrifice herself to save her home. YouPi is able to detect Sweed's presence by not properly communicate it. The GDF attempt to collect Onyx from the air unsuccessfully, before Sweed calls in Zadime, aiming to destroy Onyx's seal. Yuma returns to the hospital, but hesitates on seeing his body holding the Arc Cube, Sweed arguing Arc told him nothing to ensure he would fight. Yuma goes to Arc, who admits this is true, he was afraid, but also he has grown attached to earth these 16 years, and Yuma's imagination has given him his form, he wants to protect that. Even as Sweed protests, the two agree to fight, and appear to fight Zadime as Onyx is close to shattering, SKIP all watching from nearby. As Arc approaches, Sweed appears and psychically holds him in place, SKIP can't see what is effecting him until YouPi manages to hone in on Sweed thanks to it, with proof of the interference Ishido is able to fire on her with YouPi aiming, she moves rather than be hit, but it frees Arc to fight. Solis Armour cannot handle Zadime as Onyx starts to crack and unleash powerful gravity waves. Yuma urges Arc to unleash his imagination, and he appears to absorb Onyx's energy into a new Arc Cube, transforming into Galaxy Armour. Galaxy Armour has 4 blades it can manipulate psychically, or can be merged into the Arc Galaxer, which he loads 3 Arc Cubes into to fire a beam to destroy Zadime, overwhelming Sweed's barrier and seemingly destroying her as well. Arc vanishes by wormhole so Yuma will be back at hospital, and SKIP reads no signs of Onyx readings, stunning Ishido. And at the Monohorn, a crack in the sky has appeared, and the Monohorn has either vanished into it, or been destroyed by it.

Gavv: Gavv frees Tamaki from the Press, then as Shoma pretends to stumble on her, she is naturally confused. Grotta enjoys fighting Valen, but she's on a whole other level and leaves after demolishing him. Shoma returns Tamaki to the mansion, she disclosing how she feels like a monster attacked her. Sachika won't tell Shoma what happened to her. Hanto is angry to learn Suga knew about the Granute human disguises, and on learning the stomach mouths can't be hidden forcibly checks the scientist for one. At a Stomach Inc meeting, Lango brings up the pest Grotta encountered, causing Jeeb and Shita to let slip about also having problems with the Red Gavv Lango fires the twins and orders Nyelv to provide upgrades to fight the pests. Shoma's cleaning is improving, he opens the mansion door when Hanto comes round looking for Tamaki. Recognising Hanto is investigating Granutes but wanting to protect him from them, Shoma tells him she isn't free but takes the ID for her. Nonetheless Hanto stakes it out, and witnesses and art dealer named Sadina call on the mansion. Masako stops by the Office, Suetsugu finally admitted to throwing the paint on Sachika. Sachika has always had problems empathising with people out due to childhood issues with people claiming she doesn't know what it's like to be them, but Shoma and Masako both comfort her. Next day arriving at the mansion, Shoma and Sachika spot Hanto, whose been waiting for Sadina to turn up again, allowed in to view Suetsugu's works. Between the three of them, Hanto explains his suspicion, and the three come up with a plan to expose him, Shoma "accidentally" spills tea on him and thus reveals his Gavv, forcing the Silverfish Granute out again. Hanto and Shoma both give chase, and separately transform. Suetsugu has a breakdown that his work wasn't truly appreciated. Despite her trauma, Sachika stops his destroying more of his art and runs off with paint as he cries. Gavv switches to ChocoDan and Valen defeats the Granute, only for it to pop up again, Nyelv has already upgraded him to be "immortal", Shoma knows it's a trick of some kind, but can't work it out. Sachika comes in and throws paint, calling her Granute out on lifting people just to hurt them. When next time it survives the paint is gone Gavv realises what's up, and finds him making clones of himself and exposes him, so he instead overwhelms them. Gavv uses a ChocoDon to create the ChocoDonGun and lend it to Valen, and another for himself so they can shoot down all the bullets and then defeat the Granute for good. The battle won, Sachika realises she's witnessing the Kamen Riders, so takes some pictures for Hanto including a selfie, before they both runaway. The service ending, Suetsugu makes a proper apology to Sachika, and gifts her a painting. Hanto and Shoma both claim they just lost the Granute, and both tell her not to look into Kamen Rider anymore, trying to protect her from recklessness, but forget to not say what they're thinking.

Boonboomger: Genba arrives to find everyone preparing a welcome back party, welcoming him back and accepting his apology, Taiya agrees to pay Sakito and ByunD, and they show the new Boonboom Car that is now ready, the Champion Carrier. The Carrier serves to carry the Boonboom Cars between legs of the BBG, finished with help of the Toqgers' systems, and as a test they're taking the Boonboom Cars to a Children's Science Fair sponsored by Naito Raita. All in Champion Form, BunRed drives Champion Carrier, carrying Genba in Safari, Mira in Classic, Chassiro in Dozer and Jou in Patcar 2. The Sanseaters wonder where Mad Rex has gotten to, Disrace tells them the Boonboomgers killed him again and stirs them up to seek revenge, Yarucar knows the others are getting swept along too easily but accepts it, Itashar creates Electric Guitar Kuruma. Boonboom and ByunD are explaining that due to each course of the BBG having it's own hazards it's important they select the right Boonboom Car for each race. Suddenly they find themselves being chased by the Killer Cars, the Sanseaters in Killer Trailer, the Kurumajin riding atop, and squads of Nejiraiders riding in Killer Wagon and Killer Off-Road, they start boarding the Carrier, so the others fight them while Taiya continues to drive. Disrace is watching when he gets a call, confirming they've found what he was looking for in the condemned list, and send an image of a familiar figure. Taiya tells everyone to return to their cockpits, they're being pushed towards a cliff, Taiya manages to force only the Killer Cars off, sending Killer Off-Road flying into the Kurumajin. They hide in a cave and plan maintenance, joined by Boonboom, ByunD and Sakito, but they're then ambushed by Disrace, who reveals he recognised Boonboom after a recent battle, from a list of completed hits, and that Boonboom was once the Hashiliens R&D specialist and Wild Spinder's favourite, shocking even ByunD. He angers Taiya enough he fires on him, with Genba having to calm him down, before leaving. ByunD is furious, physically attacking Boonboom for it. Genba deduces Taiya and Chassiro knew, Chassiro didn't know about being Spinder's favourite though, they kept quiet at Boonboom's request, as he was scared they would leave. Jou and Mira assure him they trust him, but ByunD is still angry that this is what Boonboom was doing after he disappeared from the BBG, and forces Sakito to leave with him. The revived Kurumaju appears at the Sanseaters bidding, so Boonboomger Robo Safari Custom faces it, supported by Champion Carrier's rider form to defeat it. Boonboom resolves to tell ByunD about everything that happened after he left the BBG. At his headquarters, Wild Spinder questions the assassin who reported Bundario executed, and dismantles. Now knowing Bundario is alive, he seeks to experience his Gyasoline firsthand.

[writerleo86]

Terravenger Season 6 - The Bringer of Chaos Arc - Episode 536 (Do Not Copy) - 04.07.2024

    Inside the dark bedroom at another side of the large old temple, the mysterious youth held his right fist before him as he stood in complete fear.

    His intruder Mercury continued standing by the front door of the room as he softly asked "What has happened?"

    The frightened boy took one step back and cried "Can you sense it? It is Mr. Merlin. He is in serious danger."

    Mercury waited for a moment as he studied what happened elsewhere using his telepathy.

    Then he cried "Scry... The Bringer... He has murdered Scry, his own son!"

    "And Mr. Merlin," added the boy. "He is ready to avenge poor Mr. Scry by battling his killer, Mephistopheles himself!"

    "His own subordinate?" questioned Mercury. "The other son of the Bringer? He is preparing himself to fight the Bringer for his brother's honor?"

    The boy fell to his knees and replied "You must understand Sir. Mr Merlin... He does not possess the ruthlessness of those you have faced regarding the Agents. Mr. Merlin possesses the right power that can change one planet. He is able to cleanse everything of its evil."

    The boy soon lowered his head and told the detective "But Mr. Merlin must not die. He must be the one to rid the darkness by using his great light."

    "His great light?" repeated Mercury.

    The boy looked up at the detective with a kind smile and told him "That light is probably the reason why I was drawn to him. Mr. Merlin is the only person that has been more than generous to me. I must do whatever I can to assist him."

    "No,"

    Mercury lowered to one knee and placed his left hand on the right shoulder of the threatened youth.

    The knight directed "You do not possess the strength to even battle a force as high as Him. You may be made from my DNA. But you are no match for the Bringer."

    After that, Mercury rose and faced the other side with a kind smile.

    "I..." He told the boy. "I will go in your place and help your friend. We... Merlin and I will be the ones to end Mephistopheles one way or another."

    Tears fell from his eyes as the boy asked "Will you do it? You will help Mr. Merlin?"

    The smiling Mercury shook his head and answered "I will do what I can for you, and for your friend. And I will do it without fail."

Terravenger -- Season 6

Episode 536:  The Final Battle Begins; He Who Brings the Great Chaos

    At the grand hall, the emotional Merlin walked a few steps forward as a large globe of violet-red light continued to shine around him.

    The wizard looked into the eyes of the demented Mephistopheles with anger. Merlin soon placed his palms forward.

    "Flamma Ascendo!" He called.

    A line of fire rose before the large Mephistopheles as a determined Merlin yelled "Medium Pila!"

    Second, the shape of the fire formed into a small dome which covered the body of the vicious villain.

    Suddenly, some of the long spears made of bone levitated from the lifeless body of the youth Scry as Leo walked forward with a wicked grin.

    Leo responded "Merlin! I shall play along with this! Hold him steady so I shall end his life!"

    The dome continued to burn the body of the suffering Mephistopheles as Leo using his telekinesis threw the spears at the demon.

    "DIE!" yelled Leo.

    The front parts of the spears penetrated the entire body of the wicked demon. And it caused a medium-sized explosion which blew wind around the individuals.

    While smoke formed around the area where Mephistopheles stood, five large balls of red energy shot from the smoke to the small group. And Darrin Sebastian hurried before his master.

    "I am coming, my magus!" He yelled.

    Darrin soon blew a large ray of red energy from each palm. And both rays found a large plate that negated every projectile that was shot from the smoke.

    Then Kiona Dupree appeared in front both Leo and Darrin from thin air as the smoke cleared. The vicious Mephistopheles hurried toward them and Kiona placed her palms on the ground.

    She called "Endless Fantasia!"

    Long black vines began to rise from underneath the ground and wrapped around the entire body of the Light-Bringer.

    Next, the swift Kiona appeared on the Light-Bringer's back. As she wrapped her right arm around his neck, Kiona bit the left side of the Bringer's neck. And the devious girl began to drain small portions of her opponent's energy.

    "Foolish mortal!" implied Mephistopheles. "Your wish is to drain all of my power?"

    Kiona continued to such the energy from his neck as Mephistopheles warned "You will not be able to bring out the entirety of my ki using such a mere ability."

    Meanwhile, the eager Darrin took off both his buttoned coat and collared shirt. The muscular youth soon pushed his hands forward. Each wrist quickly transformed into a long cannon made of pure silver. And Darrin aimed both his weapons at the head of his target which was Mephistopheles.

    "Dupree!" ordered Darrin. "Remove yourself! I will go full force this time!"

    The fearful Kiona pounced away from Mephistopheles immediately.

    Then Darrin fired a large wave of pale-blue energy from each cannon as he yelled "Die now!"

    Both cannons hit the decided Mephistopheles. A medium explosion was soon formed around the target.

    Before smoke from the explosion could spread all over the area, a long wave of purple fire shot in a spiral pattern from inside. The projectile blew through his chest. And Darrin was pushed toward the opened doors.

    The smoke began to clear as something slowly walked through it. The dusty Mephistopheles continued to walk toward the patient Leo. But the armor covering both his chest and back were burned off. And cracks covered parts of his body including the right side of his forehead.

    "What a pestilence," He implied.

    Leo quickly formed a small ball made of bright green light from his waving hands. Then he blew a large cabinet of the energy toward his target.

    He softly called "Angelus Lapsus!"

    The tall demon floated above in order to dodge the great projectile. He looked down and spotted five small orbs of black energy floating before his opponent.

    Leo gave a wicked grin as all the orbs combined and formed a barrier of fiery red light which surrounded him.

    The sinister man thought to himself "Only those based on the holy element Light can penetrate him. That was shown when Mr. Sebastian performed his attack. His cannon was based on this sacred element."

    And Leo stared at the protective barrier placed around Merlin as he thought "It appears the Golden Son has adapted as well. Then again, a child of the Bringer would have to learn about his weakness from the beginning."

    The determined Merlin faced Leo with a short smile. After that, the wizard slowly placed his right hand forward.

    "Accendo Aureus!" He whispered. "Tenentes!"

    A ring made of golden light surrounded each wrist of Mephistopheles. The arms were risen as each of the villain's ankles had a shining ring as well.

    Leo formed a large purple energy that resembled a skull. The mouth of the skull quickly blew out a barrage of small balls made of the same energy.

    And Leo thought to himself "I am certain the holy element Dark will be just as perfect."

    The storm of projectiles finally shot every part of the cold demon's body.

    Once he lowered his head, the blue skin began to peel from his body. Two more horns grew from the top of his head as his entire body became more muscular. And the top of his ears grew longer as the color of his new skin was dark-purple.

    As a fiery pale-blue light gathered around his body, the emotionless Mephistopheles lifted his head and revealed his glowing red pupils from his black eyes.

    Both opponents stared at their enemy's new appearance as the wicked Leo implied "It has been so long since I have laid my eyes on this."

    Leo gave a sinister smile and revealed "He has chosen to grace us all with a battle using his true form."

    The fearless Merlin thought to himself "I have never seen this appearance before. It appears I have more to learn about my own father."

    Once the shining rings were destroyed, the newly Mephistopheles lifted his head. Meanwhile, the ceiling above them began to open which revealed the blue, evening sky.

    A globe of black light formed before him as Mephistopheles pointed his right finger to the sky. The globe floated forward until it surrounded both Merlin and Leo.   

    Second, the demon created a globe of shining white light which was the same size as the other. This projectile slowly levitated into the other globe. And they both created a larger globe made of destructive red energy.

    Next, the great projectile slowly lowered toward its creator's enemies.

    Leo looked up in complete shock as he thought to himself "The clever fool! He has combined both elements Light and Darkness to create Chaos itself!"

    Merlin cried "There is no way either of us can escape from this!"

    Mephistopheles slowly lowered his right arm as he softly called "Deity's Gift! Grand Sacrifice!"

    The destructive globe continued to lower down to the two targets until it slowly froze above them.

    A soft male voice called out "Tempus Comminuet!"

    Then the large globe of frozen energy quickly shattered into millions of small pieces which slowly sprinkled from the sky.

    The warriors including the emotionless Mephistopheles looked up at the dark sky and discovered someone floating down toward the opened area.

    "What do we have here?" asked Merlin.

    The second fighter Leo gave a twisted smile and replied "It appears that the Magician himself has entered the battle."

    The focused knight Mercury lowered from the sky as he carefully looked around at his surroundings.

    The questioned Merlin called out "The Knight of the Sky himself! Mercury Fakinos!"

    And Mercury spotted the wicked Mephistopheles with his gloomy black eyes.

    "The ki!" thought Mercury. "That strong and murderous intent. It is him, He Who Brings Chaos to Those Deserving -- Mephistopheles."

[annarellix]

Murder in Manhattan by Verity Bright(A Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery #14)

Glitzy parties, sightseeing at the Statue of Liberty and strolls through Central Park with Gladstone the bulldog… Lady Eleanor Swift is loving her first trip to the city that never sleeps, until she witnesses a murder!

After crossing from England on the SS Celestiana, Lady Eleanor Swift sets up her home-away-from-home in a lavish apartment in New York City. She is soon the toast of the town, with no high-class soirée complete without her presence. Of course, she drags her butler Clifford and Gladstone the bulldog along to every party too.

But when she witnesses the charming doorman of her building, Marty, knocked down and killed in a hit-and-run, she finds fashionable society suddenly closes rank. The only local detective interested in helping her find the culprit is street-smart beat cop, Officer Balowski.

Resolved to get justice for Marty and his family, Eleanor searches Marty’s tiny apartment and is shocked to find five rolls of banknotes tucked under the floorboards. Money talks, but Marty was struggling to make ends meet, so where did the cash come from?

The next day, wealthy entrepreneur and flashy philanderer Ogden P. Dellaney – a man Marty used to work for – is found dead downtown, miles away from his swanky Upper East Side mansion. Eleanor and Balowski are sure the deaths are connected, but not even Dellaney’s wife is willing to answer their questions.

Then Eleanor is served with an eviction notice and Balowski is fired from the NYPD. It becomes clear that something is rotten in the Big Apple and Eleanor is determined to get to the core of the mystery before the murderer strikes again…

My Review:

It’s not easy to say something original after one took part to 14 blog tours and review all the previous instalments. This is the best novel so far as there’s a continuous evolution in the character’s arc and this is one that sees our heroes facing a new environment and people who are an unknown quantity.

You can’t know who you can trust and there’s a lot going on under the façade of the Manhattan high society.

It’s the age of Charleston but also of gangsters, Prohibition, and corruption.

Eleanor and Clifford, with some help from local people, face this new world and a couple of murder.

I love how the authors always add interesting social remarks to their stories as the social naivete of Eleanor can help her to see beyond the conventions.

The mystery is twisty, action packed and fast paced. I couldn’t stop reading and turning pages in a sort of one-more-chapter-syndrome. I had fun and was kept guessing even if some gut feeling suggested me who the villain was.

Not the best to read as a stand-alone but will surely be love by those who read the rest of the series.

Highly recommended.

Many thanks to Bookouture for this ARC, all opinions are mine

The Author:

Verity Bright is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing partnership that has spanned a quarter of a century. Starting out writing high-end travel articles and books, they published everything from self-improvement to humour, before embarking on their first historical mystery. They are the authors of the fabulous Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series, set in the 1920s.

https://twitter.com/BrightVerity

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Verity Bright here: https://www.bookouture.com/verity-bright

Buy Link:

Amazon:https://geni.us/B0BXLMZ5JVsocial

You can sign up for all the best Bookouture deals you'll love at: http://ow.ly/Fkiz30lnzdo

[cornus27florida]

Floriography of the Flower Bouquet that Frederick gives to Gwen during her dinner party (Gwen's dinner party arc)

Hello everyone!

I decided to make this CPC-related post to be quite 'short' and the focused one - This post is blossoming due the simple question in the discord CPC server which as following :

i was wondering if anyone knew what flowers those were!! really curious if they have a meaning in flower language or something that could apply here (look at the top image)

Before going further let me explain first what's "Floriography" means. Floriography is the language of flowers. All flowers hold different meanings (also all flower arrangements is beautiful in their own way! - Saffron), often based on the type of flower, the colour of the flower, or both. And floriography is the art of communicating through different flower types. Once you learn and understand the meaning of flowers, giving flowers as gifts becomes so much more thoughtful as you can convey just how you feel with a bouquet! [taken from this following link : https://www.bloomandwild.com/floriography-language-of-flowers-meaning]

About Flower Arrangement, there's actually a craft study about it which differentiated to western style (the ones that more familiar to mass as it sold in flower shops at orders) and eastern style (which called as Ikebana). The link if want to know more about Ikebana as following:

Ikebana (“living flowers”) is the Japanese art of flower arrangement. It is also known as Kadō (“way of flowers”). The tradition dates back to the 7th century when floral offerings were made at altars. Later, they were placed in the tokonoma (alcove) of a home. In contrast to the western habits of casually placing flowers in a vase, ikebana aims to bring out the inner qualities of flowers and other live materials within certain rules of construction and ultimately – express emotion.

Its materials are living branches, leaves, grasses, and blossoms. Its heart is the beauty resulting from colour combinations, natural shapes, graceful lines, and the meaning latent in the total form of the arrangement. It is a disciplined art form in which the arrangement is a living thing where nature and humanity are brought together. It is steeped in the philosophy of developing closeness with nature. Ikebana is a way of arranging flowers according to ancient principles. Branches and flowers are placed at specific angles to represent ten (heaven), chi (earth), and jin (man). The way they’re placed represents the strength, delicacy, and ephemerality of living flowers. Funnily enough, the word ikebana comes from ‘ikuru’ – to live and ‘hana’ – flowers: literally means ‘living flowers’.

IMHO before analyzing the Flowers, I've theorized (or more in sense, as Headcannon) that Frederick has low sense of flower selection (due to being bullied in the military school with the nickname 'Sunflower', he kinda used to think that Flowers are generally negative/mundane things - hence he never bordered to looks deeper in term of Floriography) so it might that he bought (earlier before the trip, as if it happened mid-trip it will pushed his brothers to do the same=which seem that neither Blaine or Lance do it) or brought (Frederick taking some 'random' Flowers in Plaid Palace royal garden, then preparing them himself to make some nice flower bouquet for Gwen ). Frederick's flower bouquet is accentuated simplicity but also some senses of mysteries in there (identifying+recognizing, determining than searching the floriography of the flowers of his bouquet is challenging but not by means something to disliked.. I LOVE IT!! I am not confident with the answers, but deep down I always love flowers and in my College life - I joined study club where one of the task is to determining plant names)

For myself personally I feel the latter (making the flower bouquet himself) is more in-character to him. He's dumb but has big heart + he know some things about making bouquet from all his experiences preparing party. I think it's not hard to imagine that he also the one that preparing the get-off gifts to the guests by preparing bouquets. So, Frederick probably have no thought about the meaning of the Flowers when making the bouquet but he just make sure the flower bouquet for Gwen will be presented nice. Although to answer the question, I have my own intake which as following!

So.. if I could make the conclusion (is more theory, as I am not 100% sure) - The flowers that Frederick tried to give to Gwen during the dinner party and their meanings :

Angel breath or Baby breath: symbolyzes Innocence

Heather flower: Admiration, Good Luck, Protection powers

(1) The White clusters : probably Heather and Angel breath; Innocence, Admiration, Good luck, Protection powers

(2) The Green clusters - as imho those are not leaves, it looks like some cluster of flower petals : Bells of Ireland ; Great way to ease worries (or own wedding day espc), symbolize luck

(3) The Orange clusters - the hardest one as have many option and need to search the meaning - but if I limited to choose only one then I'll pick Pansy; The word “pansy” is derived from the mid-15th century French word “penser,” which means to think or ponder. The pansy flower meaning can differ according to the color variety. The Orange pansy flower isn’t as common as some other colors, but usually, they are going to symbolize joy, happiness, and optimism. Orange pansies are often used in salads as edible decorations. *hence silly comedy that comes to my mind: Frederick also giving those orange pansy as addition (or garnish) to the salad menu for Gwen's dinner party

So those are all there!

As always if wanna see the full conversation rather than the compiled version, just heads up to the discord https://discord.com/channels/825884625087758347/825884835481911337/1087831356811255938

[digital-dhampirs]

vnc 55.5: some scattered thoughts

Heya fellow vnc simps, long time no see! I apologize for now empty this blog’s been in the past two months, but can’t… exactly… say it won’t continue in the future, as it probably will. however I do have tHoughts and eMOTIONS on vnc 55.5, so here’s some scattered thoughts on the incredibly beautiful im in agony oh god mochijun why chapter 55.5

as always, massive spoilers for VnC 55.5 ahead!

new year new vanitas

VnC 55.5 feels like the midpoint of VnC as a series. It might not actually be the middle, but it feels like a huge turning point for both Vanitas and Noé’s relationship and the narrative as a whole. VnC 55.5 neatly answers two of the biggest questions the story’s been following from the very start— 1) why does Noé kill Vanitas, and 2) why did Vanitas kill Luna. The two driving mysteries behind the Exposition Universalle arc and the story as a whole are given… if not exactly complete answers, definite outlines of answers.

It almost feels too abrupt.

I think a lot of this abruptness comes from Vanitas’s sudden change in attitude and demeanor. He’s taken a complete 180 from how he was acting just a few hours ago. Why did Vanitas change his outlook on sharing the secrets of what happened “that night” so quickly? Why didn’t Vanitas just tell all this to Mikhail and Noé last night? Did he think Mikhail wouldn’t have accepted that answer, or would’ve told Noé to invade Vanitas’s memories to check? Why was Vani so insistent on hiding this perfectly reasonable explanation for killing Luna in the first place?

Let’s try and think about some possible reasons for this sudden change in behavior.

Firstly, it seems like Vanitas has finally given up the security he got from insisting that his ‘revenge on Luna’ was born out of a hatred for them. He still calls his mission revenge upon the vampire of the blue moon, but it seems like it’s closer to revenge for Luna than revenge upon them. Vani seems to be slowly accepting the fact that he didn’t truly hate Luna, and is doing what he’s doing at least partially because he saw them as the mother he never had.

Secondly… something definitely changed in the VaniVerse after that conflict with Comte. I still can’t get that expression Vanitas had right before Comte left out of my mind. I’m pretty sure he realized something, or remembered something, or came to some sort of conclusion. I’ve no idea what that realization was but I feel like that little moment was important.

And thirdly, most crucially, Vanitas has given up on making Noé kill him.

The most devastating part of this chapter for me was the realization that Vanitas didn’t keep Noé around to protect himself from others. Vanitas kept Noé around to protect others from himself. After their initial fight, Vanitas determined that Noé would likely be strong and sturdy and morally good enough to kill him if necessary. So he recruited him. Ostensibly as a shield, but in truth as a failsafe.

Despite being incredibly strong, Vanitas never goes on missions involving cursebearers alone. The only time we see him intentionally go off by himself is when he’s facing the human Chasseurs. Even during the first chapter, Vanitas has Dante by his side. He seems largely disinterested the whole time and provides no considerable help to Vani during the fight. But Dante is there, watching, the whole time. And Dante has a gun.

With this we can read Vanitas’s behavior throughout the past 55.5 chapters of VnC in a whole new light. His constant cheerful responses to Noé’s animosity back during the Parisian Excursion arc were goofy funtimes back when I first read ‘em, but now I just see Vanitas pulling what we see him later do with Jeanne— acting like a complete asshole in order to push people away from him. Remember that bonus comic from a while back, where Vanitas asks Noé if he’s really that interested in kisses after their first encounter with Jeanne and Luca? I thought that was just more cute adorable funtimes with some extra fanservice on the side. But now… holy shit, Vanitas was actually flirting with Noé in an active attempt to make Noé dislike him.

Vanitas’s cheerful responses to Noé’s animosity aren’t him being goofy or arrogant, it’s him purposefully acting like the type of person he likes the least. He wants Noé to keep disliking him. Because Noé can’t get too close, or Noé might hesitate when the decisive moment inevitably arrives.

But Noé doesn’t do what Vanitas wants. He just pushes and pushes and gets closer and closer. And every time Noé starts to get too close, we see Vanitas shove him away. But Vanitas can’t keep this up forever, and when his latest and most violent attempt to make Noé despise him fails, Vanitas truly gives up on making Noé do what he wants. He gives up on making Noé kill him. And because of that, he’s now able to tell Noé the truth about the past and his intentions behind their partnership.

I’m absolutely intrigued by how Vanitas is gonna behave around Noé from now on. Because this feels like… this feels like the huge turning point their relationship has been building towards from the very start. This feels like the culmination of everything they’ve been through and everything they’ve been building towards. They are finally at least somewhat able to admit they love each other [platonically or romantically] without veiling it behind walls of dislike and animosity. And I seriously can’t wait to see how they adapt to this change in the status quo in whatever challenge they’ll be facing next.

oh noé

The tragedy of all this is, of course… even though Vanitas has given up on making Noé kill him, we as the readers know how the story’s going to end. Noé is going to fulfill Vanitas’s wish. He’s going to kill him. It isn’t a matter of if, just when and how.

The moment Vanitas started talking about his wish I knew it was coming. I knew he was gonna say it. I knew he was gonna have that same wish Louis had, the wish that’s haunted Noé since the day Louis died.

I knew it was coming and it still feckin hurt me.

Interestingly, Noé doesn’t react the way he did with Louis. He doesn’t immediately refuse. He just quietly starts to cry.

Noé’s definitely upset here, but I can’t help but feel like he’s also just a little bit relieved. He couldn’t save Louis, because by the time he reached that crucial moment when Louis could have told him anything it was already too late. But now Vanitas has told him, and now he knows, and now he can do something about it. He can sit next to Vanitas, lean on him so he can’t just run away, and talk to him properly.

And then, of all things, Vanitas apologizes to Noé, and tells him that even though this is what he wants Noé to do, he’s accepted that he can’t make it happen. They can talk to each other properly, and maybe Noé can reach out and save Vanitas.

Except he can’t.

Instead, he’s going to kill him.

mochijun why do you do this to us

mikhail

One of my main questions going into 55.5 was whether the Exposition Universalle arc was over or just getting started. This chapter really makes me lean towards the former. Mikhail gets what feels like a temporary farewell in this chapter, and it seems like we probably won’t see him again for a solid amount of time. If I had to make a guess, I think Comte and Mikhail’s story is gonna get set on the back burner a bit in favor of a few other arcs in the meantime (@/ gano and the vampire eradication faction, @/ the senate and its hunt for chloé and JJ, @/ the dhams, @/ loki, @/spi—-).

So Mikhail was all over the place this chapter, as he always is. I feel like the kids psyche is just so completely broken that at this point even he has a hard time determining when he’s actually displaying genuine emotion and when he’s acting in a certain way to get what he wants. At his core Mikhail has an incredibly simple motivation and value system (hates pain, likes kind people, wants to be happy with Luna and Vanitas forever), but his morality was completely twisted by his upbringing before he even hit the human experimentation lab, and then the complexities of the situation he’s ended up in with Luna and Vanitas have just made things even worse. (side note, I still don’t understand why Vanitas didn’t just tell Mikhail what happened to Luna on that night, and it makes me think he’s still hiding a considerable portion of the truth of what happened to Luna from the fam, if not outright lying.)

Mikhail seems genuinely horrified by the idea that Luna’s death might be his fault, and he seems genuinely upset when Vanitas tells him he’d prefer it if Noé were the one to kill him. But I also think Mikhail knows when to play up his childish emotional response and when to turn it off when Vanitas isn’t responding to it. And it just. Mikhail… just… holds head in hands… he’s so broken. I wish Misha could just feckin cry without wondering if someone will respond to his crying. Express his emotions and his childishness without also using them as an attempt to manipulate someone into doing what he wants them to do. But that’s what the world around him has shaped him into.

While we’re on the subject of Mikhail… Noé’s guilt over Misha’s injuries is palpable and I love to see it.

other neato stuff this chapter

In no particular order,

we get solid confirmation that Luna made Mikhail their kin before turning Vanitas. Strangely, Vanitas seems much more competent with his Book than Mikhail is— were they turned at around the same time? Or did Luna refuse to teach Mikhail to use the book after turning him for fear that he might be rewritten?

Mlle. Amelia actin kinda sus this chapter ngl

I love how Dante has now been threatened by both Dominique and Jeanne

speaking of Domi and Jeanne I’m delighted to hear that they’re talking and desperately hope to see their conversation in the next chapter

Noé’s face goes really weirdly blank when Vanitas mentions Comte; gotta wonder why

love how the smoke effect throughout the chapter looks similar to Luna’s hair

the end (for now)

As always, all the theories/ interpretations here are based on my current understanding of the manga and I am likely dead wrong about a lot of this. So! Please take everything here with a grain of salt. Thanks for reading these scattered thoughts on vnc 55.5! I can’t wait to see what mochijun has in store for us in vnc 56…

fun fact

same energy also what whuh why is noé using his left hand what does this mean is this a clue what

[duhragonball]

Dragon Ball Super 047

Fuck! 

It’s the Zamasu Saga. 

Son of a... !

*groan*

This arc is the drizzling shits.  It’s easily the worst part of Dragon Ball Super, and it’s far, far worse than anything in Dragon Ball and DBZ.  Is it worse than Dragon Ball GT? 

You know, it might be.  I would say it’s definitely as bad as GT, which makes it pretty vile.  Part of the reason I’m rewatching this is to figure out the answer to that question, but... you know, life’s too short for this.  I’m sitting here trying to compare the worst of the worst, trying to decide which turd sandwich is least appealing, and I feel like this isn’t a good use of my time. 

I’m not gonna do the “Roaming Lake” bit like I did before.  For a time, I considered comparing each episode of this arc to the best episode of GT, except I really can’t decide which one that is.  I keep thinking back to that one where Goku said General Rildo was stronger than Majin Buu.  That one seemed a little better than the others, but it was still an awful episode.  I’m not sure I can compare these things properly. 

I’m just gonna go through this thing, and point out similarities to GT as I find them, and we’ll see if we can figure out an answer when I get to the end.  Okay?  Okay.

So we’re in the Future Trunks Alternate Timeline, which hasn’t been seen since Dragon Ball Z Episode 194.  I think several years have passed since Trunks defeated the Imperfect Cell of that world, but I’m not sure how long it’s been. 

What is certain is that things have gotten much, much worse.  This episode opens on Trunks sneaking through a ruined city while some shadowy villain keeps blowing it up.  Then he makes it to some dingy secret laboratory, where Bulma is preparing just enough Time Machine Fuel for a one-way trip to the past. 

Then their mysterious enemy barges in, destroys Bulma’s equipment, and then kills her.  Trunks flees, knowing that he cannot save his mother, and the trip to the past is the only hope the world has left. 

So that’s our first GT comparison: Killing off underutilized characters as a substitution for genuine drama.  GT set up elaborate death scenes for Majin Buu, Piccolo, Krillin, and Android 17, which all fell flat because those characters barely got to do anything in GT anyway.  Future Bulma is a really cool character who didn’t get a lot of screentime in the Androids/Cell saga of DBZ, so this whole arc could have been an opportunity to do more with her.  Instead, they just kill her off five minutes into the first chapter of the story.  And for what?  To motivate Trunks? 

I mean, let’s seriously think about this.  If this was such a great idea, then why didn’t Toriyama have the Androids kill Future Bulma in the original Androids/Cell saga?  Well, for one thing, that would be too fucking dark.  Trunks had already lost his father and all the other Z-Warriors, and then finally Gohan.  Killing off his mother would literally be overkill.  More importantly, it mattered that there was someone waiting for him back home.  Someone who believed in Goku and the others, and knew they could make things right. 

We’ve barely gotten started, and I’m already pissed off.  I know this is an easy thing to look past.  So many characters in this world have already died, but it’s a big deal.  One of the Zamasu Saga’s many, many sins is the way it tries to just repeat the Androids/Cell Saga, just as Dragon Ball GT tried to repeat story beats from past Dragon Ball stories.  This arc is basically determined to hit the reset button on the whole dystopian future concept.  All the rebuilding we saw in DBZ Episode 194 is erased.  Trunks victory over the Androids and Cell is made irrelevant because of this new menace, and the only solution is another desperate time trip to get help from the past.  At best, this arc can only be a warmed over retread of what we’ve seen before.  But they already fell short of that pathetic goal when they made the mistake of killing off Future Bulma. 

Back in the present day of the main timeline, Goku’s crops are ready for harvest, and he invites Piccolo to help him, since this is the sort of training he used to do with Krillin as a child. 

Then Krillin shows up and mentions how Vegeta has gone back to Beerus’ planet to train, so Goku teleports after him so he won’t get left behind. 

Then the boys all eat jumbo cups of instant ramen!  This shot looks like the one of Goku, Toriko, and Luffy from that crossover special, and it turns my stomach.  Just three goofy pals, eating a wacky snack together!  Must be Dragon Ball Super!

This is probably meant to contrast the bubbly peacetime of Goku’s world with the living nightmare of Future Trunks’ world.  They did this a lot in the Androids Saga too, except the contrast wasn’t quite so sharp. It worked in DBZ because things were kind of grim in the present day, but the characters still had hope because they could still fight and train.  Trunks’ warning from the future was that they would be doomed to lose their next battle, and the conflicting themes of the arc were Goku’s defiant optimism versus the seeming inevitability of fate.

It worked in Dragon Ball Z because Dragon Ball Z was all about the world teetering on the brink of disaster, and the only thing holding the line was a bunch of guys shooting hand lasers in their pajamas.  The only way to raise the stakes after Frieza was for a guy to come from the future and tell Goku he had already lost and the world was already doomed, so Goku could look him in the eye and say “I’m still going to try.” 

It worked then because Z stands for the end, but not yet.  Super stands for “let’s bring back some old IP and see if we can cobble together a sequel.”  Super is Goku being a total goofball and Vegeta having a rod up his ass at all times, and nothing ever really matters because Beerus and Whis are always the strongest characters in the room, and they won’t let anything too serious happen because they enjoy eating Earth food too much.

While they eat, Goku talks up how much fun the Tournament of Power will be whenever it finally happens.  This is the thing that makes the Zamasu Saga really stand out from GT, because at least GT never taunted me with the idea that something good would actually happen later.  This whole Zamasu Arc just keeps gloating about the fact that the Tournament of Power can’t start until we get through this crap first. 

“Tee hee!  Fifty more episodes until something cool happens!”

Back in the future, Trunks makes his way to a bombed out apartment building, where he meets Mai, who is now an adult in this timeline.  They share a can of meat, and talk about how Bulma died for this one-way trip to the past.  Before she got killed, Bulma said there would be a chance for Trunks to return, but he doesn’t know what she meant. 

Trunks has a cool flashback to some cool shit in Dragon Ball Z.  The coolest shit, actually, since it’s mostly footage from the Cell Games.  I miss Cell so much.  He was the best.

So Trunks and Mai head to West City, where they plan to use the Time Machine in the wreckage of the Capsule Corp. building.   Trunks believes that their enemy, “Black”, can track Trunks’ ki, so he has to suppress his powers and travel as discretely as possible. 

And yet Black still tracks him down, just like how he followed Trunks to Bulma’s lab at the start of the episode.  He puts up a fight, but if that were going to work, things wouldn’t have gotten this bad.

Mai tries to distract Black with a shotgun, and that... doesn’t work. 

Trunks rushes to her side and declares that Black has killed her.   So for those of you keeping score, Mai has “died” 1 time in this arc.  This is stupid for a couple of reasons. 

First, they just got done killing off Bulma.  Killing Mai in the same episode is just redundant.  I mean, they shouldn’t have killed either of them, but both is a step too far, and they killed them both in the same episode.

Second, Mai survives this, because they’re going to tease killing her again later in the arc.  That’s how creatively bankrupt this shit is. 

One of the defenses I see of Dragon Ball GT has to do with whether Akira Toriyama contributed to, or approved of the series.  The logic is that you have to like it because his name is on it, and he provided some character designs and other art assets to the project.  If it was bad, then he would have repudiated the whole thing from the start.  Conversely, some GT critics use the lack of Toriyama’s involvement to justify hating the series.  It sucks because Toriyama didn’t write it, end of discussion.  Both of these arguments are stupid.

Because Toriyama did plot this Zamasu arc. I don’t know how detailed his notes were, but I’m pretty sure most of the shitty ideas in this thing were his.  And even if they weren’t his, he didn’t do nearly enough to correct course.  I respect Akira Toriyama a great deal, but this Zamasu arc makes him look like a hack. 

The episode ends with a clear view of the main villain, and it’s an evil Goku wearing a black costume and a Potara earring.  This probably would have been more of a shock if they hadn’t given away this character’s design in the opening credits. 

This was a big deal in 2016, as the fandom was genuinely intrigued by the mystery of this new villain.  Could it really be an evil Goku?  How could it be, when the Goku of this world died of a heart virus decades ago?  Maybe it’s a Saiyan lookalike, like Turles.  Maybe a bad guy switched bodies with Goku, like Captain Ginyu. Maybe it’s an android designed to imitate Goku.  Maybe it’s an evil future version of Goten!  Wouldn’t that be wild? 

I think there was some fringe theory that the heart virus that killed Goku somehow gained sentience and reanimated his corpse.  Maybe I came up with that one.  I can’t remember.

And the potara earring just raised further questions.  Where’s the other earring?  Where did he get that one from?  The design of Goku Black was certainly good for making the audience ask questions.  Everything about this guy’s look is a mystery. 

Also, fans just liked the idea of an evil Goku, whether it was a corrupted Goku or just an impostor.  One of the most popular legacies of this arc is the fan character “Chi-Chi Black”.  I’m not sure where it originated, and I’m not sure there was ever a single concept to Chi-Chi Black.  Sometimes she was the real Chi-Chi seduced to the dark side by Goku Black, and sometimes she was just an impostor using her likeness.  I think the only consensus was that it would be cool to have a girl version. 

But a mystery is only as good as its solution, and I’ve spent this whole post telling you how awful this saga is.  That should tell you how impressed I am with the big reveal.  The shot of Goku Black looking down at Trunks is probably the high water mark of this whole saga.  One episode in and it’s all downhill from here.

[whimsicaldragonette]

ARC Review: Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

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Publication Date: January 10, 2023

Synopsis:

A curmudgeonly professor journeys to a small town in the far north to study faerie folklore and discovers dark fae magic, friendship, and love, in this heartwarming and enchanting fantasy. Cambridge professor Emily Wilde is good at many things: She is the foremost expert on the study of faeries. She is a genius scholar and a meticulous researcher who is writing the world's first encyclopaedia of faerie lore. But Emily Wilde is not good at people. She could never make small talk at a party--or even get invited to one. And she prefers the company of her books, her dog, Shadow, and the Fair Folk to other people. So when she arrives in the hardscrabble village of Hrafnsvik, Emily has no intention of befriending the gruff townsfolk. Nor does she care to spend time with another new arrival: her dashing and insufferably handsome academic rival Wendell Bambleby, who manages to charm the townsfolk, get in the middle of Emily's research, and utterly confound and frustrate her. But as Emily gets closer and closer to uncovering the secrets of the Hidden Ones--the most elusive of all faeries--lurking in the shadowy forest outside the town, she also finds herself on the trail of another mystery: Who is Wendell Bambleby, and what does he really want? To find the answer, she'll have to unlock the greatest mystery of all--her own heart.

My Rating: ★★★★★

*My Review and Favorite Quotes Below the cut.

My Review:

This was absolutely delightful! I loved every second. One of my top reads of the year thus far and I suspect it will remain in the top 10 at least.

Emily Wilde is a gruff, curmudgeonly professor AND a woman of 30. She doesn't know what to do with people or how to act around them (in fact, I am suspicious that she is autistic, because she displays a lot of the characteristics) and is constantly accidentally causing offense. However, she is a genius with faeries of all kinds and her expertise and ability to find the story that underlies a situation is unrivalled.

The book is written as her field notes, and her stubborn, perpetually annoyed (particularly at her colleague Bambleby, who attracts people as easily as she repels them) voice is so strong that it makes for incredibly enjoyable reading.

I am so glad there is going to be another book because I could not get enough of Emily and Bambleby. Their love story was so exactly the type I adore, full of exasperation and grudgingly fond insults and a deep, hidden loyalty.

I also adored how Emily found the people of Hrafnsvik (and especially her colleague Bambleby) sneaking into her heart and becoming her friends quite against her will. It perplexed her greatly throughout the story, because she is so determined to care only for her research, and she doesn't know what to do with the affection she feels and is shown.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing an early copy for review.

Favorite Quotes:

I managed to drag my trunk up the dock and through the village—few were about, being most likely in their fields or fishing boats, but those few stared at me as only rural villagers at the edge of the known world can stare at a stranger.

---

“Intellectual curiosity. I am an explorer, Wendell. I might call myself a scientist, but that is the heart of it. I wish to know the unknowable. To see what no mortal has seen, to—how does Lebel put it? To peel back the carpeting of the world and tumble into the stars.”

---

He smiled again. “You are not so terrible, Em. You merely need friends who are dragons like you.”

---

It is an intuition I have come to trust, for if you spend enough time studying the Folk, you become aware of how their behaviour follows the ancient warp and weft of stories, and to feel the way that pattern is unfolding before you. The third question is always the most important one.

---

I snorted. “One doesn’t need magic if one knows enough stories.”

---

He sighed. “Well, I don’t expect you to do anything with this information. I have grown rather used to pining, so it won’t put me out to keep at it, I suppose.”

---

“You’ve done nothing but talk at me since I told you I loved you.” “Is that a problem?” For he hadn’t said it as if it were.

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 3/5

Book Blurb: It’s taken Viking hunter Sven Knutson six frustrating months to find her. To track down the angel responsible for compromising the Forgotten Brotherhood and waking the drakon. She may be clever. Resourceful. But no one ever gets away from Sven. Ever. All Rivka longed for as an angel was a chance to serve on Earth and help humans. Instead, it all went impossibly, horribly wrong, and she still doesn’t understand how or even why. All she knows is that she’s on the run—not only from Heaven’s dangerous elite guard, but also from the Brotherhood, who want answers. She might just have to trust the immortal Viking whose icy blue eyes make her feel almost wickedly human. Because someone wants Rivka dead and the Brotherhood eliminated. Someone powerful enough to take on the most dangerous assassins who have ever lived. Someone who could unleash the fury of both Heaven and Hell…and Rivka is the key. Each book in the Forgotten Brotherhood series is STANDALONE: * Fury Unleashed * Arctic Bite * Burning Ash * Bjorn Cursed * Ancient Desire * Hunter Avenged

Review:

A angel on the run being framed for a crime she didn’t commit and the immortal viking sent to hunt her down. Viking hunter Sven Knutson has spent six months hunting and tracking the angel responsible for compromising the Forgotten brotherhood and waking the drakon, she must be captured and questioned. Yet she keeps slipping his fingers, and this is the first time since... well, ever that his prey has escaped him. Rivka is an angel who only wanted to serve on Earth and help humans, instead things go horribly wrong and now she’s being hunted and she doesn’t even know why. With both Heaven’s dangerous elite guard and a member of the Brotherhood hunting her down for answers she doesn’t know who she can trust and how long she can keep running before it’s too late. When she runs into Sven while working under one of her fake identities she knows the game is up and what surprises her even more is that he wants to protect her. From the moment he laid eyes on Rivka, Sven has become obsessed. With someone powerful hunting her down he is determined to keep her by his side and figure out what is going on, and despite how much he denies it, he is falling for her. Rivka has never known love and has never considered herself good enough or desirable enough, yet the way Sen looks at her and protects her, makes her hope that maybe there is a chance. Yet the more they dig into the mystery of who is framing Rivka and trying to kill her to cover something up the more dangerous things become and the less time they have together. Their love was never meant to be but Sven will fight Heaven and Hell to get his angel and he just might have to. This is a part of a series but can be read as a standalone, I did read two books in the series but I did not read them all and had no problem with following the story. Overall it was okay but I guess I wanted something more from the relationship and romance aspect for them. The overall mystery of why Rivka was being framed was okay but it does feel rather like not much is happening. Overall, an okay read for fans of angels and vikings and instalove. 

*Thanks Netgalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC, Entangled: Amara for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[writerleo86]

Terravenger Season 6 - The Fallen Magus Arc (End of Arc) - Episode 488 (Do Not Copy) - 11.21.2023

    Standing on a sandy ground by the large ocean were the villainous Leo and his followers -- Darrin Sebastian and Kiona Dupree.

    Kiona walked two steps toward her master and revealed "I was able to recover his body. I can perform a proper funeral for Rocky."

    Darrin implied "He might have been insufferable most of the time. But Rocky Samuel knew his craft. We should do a proper burial for him."

    "Very well," Leo told them. "Mr. Samuel has done quite a fine service for us throughout the years. Burying him in a proper manner would be a kind gesture."

    The two younger warriors bowed their heads and hurried off as their master turned away. Leo soon spotted someone sitting on a large rock before his left side.

    And Leo calmly asked "And who might you be?"

    This was a young woman with fair skin, a slender body, and a pair of brown eyes. She had black hair that nearly reached her shoulders. And a long red lock came down from within the right side of her hair. She had worn a light-orange shirt with long sleeves and her waist showing. Around her belly button was a tattoo of a small red heart surrounded by black barbed wire. She also had on a pair of tight pants that were made of brown leather. She had on short brown boots that had low heels. A small badge was placed on the front left side of her shirt which was made up of a black square that had a pale-violet skull with three black spots at the center. And she had dark-purple polish on her fingernails. She also wore thin black eyeliner and ruby-red lipstick.

    The high-spirited woman pounced off her seat and faced the wicked seer with a huge smile on her face.

    "Why can I not read your mind?" questioned Leo.

    The woman folded her hands behind her as she leaned her head to her left side.

    Leo also asked "And how am I not able to determine the strength of your ki?"

    The woman finally told him "I took a page out of your book. I can block any telepaths from entering my mind, including the likes of you."

    Leo stared at her brown eyes until he implied "It is an object of science that lets you block my telepathy. But what I wonder?"

    The cheeky woman leaned forward and replied "I would really like to be the one to test your power. Battle me!"

    The smiling Leo lowered his head and informed her "You must truly be jesting. You wish for me to battle using my greatest spells. You are quite the daft one."

    Then he ordered "Find another to play your childish game."

    "But would you like to see how much you excelled?" asked the woman.

    Leo stared at her in a questioning manner as the cheerful stranger told him "You won't know how much you've grown in the strength department unless you have an opponent to use your abilities on. I simply want you to get ahead."

    Leo soon gave a soft laugh and responded "You truly must wish to be harmed. You are not a smart person."

    The woman spread her arms apart and said "You won't know until you try it out. Come on! Let's see your powers already."

    And Leo stood ready to fight as he answered "Surely you are obtuse. Very well. I accept your offer. I shall make you my next victim."

Terravenger -- Season 6

Episode 488:  The Fallen Magus Arc -- A Mysterious Scarlet Fighter

    First, the mysterious woman pushed her right fist forward which blew a large ball of purple energy that was surrounded by small pink sparks.

    "Fire Release!" She called. "Violet Hanabi!"

    The wicked Leo gave a short chuckle as something appeared before him. It was a small puff of light-pink smoke that had a pair of lovely red eyes, a pair of hands with three fingers, and a serene smile on its face.

    The small spirit caught the projectile using only their hands. The spirit soon released the projectile. And the fiery projectile quickly formed into another small spirit made of light-pink smoke.

    The woman gave a cute chuckle and implied "Those spirits must be made to defend you from a projectile of any nature."

    Leo placed his right hand on his waist and informed his opponent "I just suggest you think of another strategy unless you would like to see many more of these beautiful ghosts among us."

    Both of the small spirits gave a soft and beautiful chime as Leo gave a sinister grin.

    The cheerful woman gave a chuckle and commented "I admit, they are so cute."

    Then she told the evil mage "This battle is going to be interesting. I want more!"

    After that, the mysterious woman pointed her right finger above.

    She blew out a large stream of yellow smoke from her mouth after yelling "Boil Release! Chaotic Mist of Vulcan!"

    The mist quickly spread around her opponent as well as his two summoned spirits. The woman followed it up by shooting another large ball of purple energy that was surrounded by small pink sparks. Once the projectile flew into the mist, a large explosion was formed.

    The explosion continued to brighten the entire area until it finally turned into a large cloud of smoke.

    The woman leaned forward and watched as she called "I know you're out there!"

    After the smoke cleared, the unknown woman spotted the enemy Leo standing at the other side. But the wicked mage had his left hand on his waist as he remained inside a large circular field of pink light.

    The calm Leo replied "I am grateful both of my spirits had given their lives in order to defend me. They formed together and created a gorgeous shield around me for a short time."

    The pink barrier faded as the relaxed Leo spread his arms out.

    "You amuse me, Little Girl," He told the opponent. "Let us continue with the trial. I am having quite a magnificent time here."

    The woman continued smiling as she thought to herself "His two defenders must have flown the coop. But I should be careful anyway. He's such a tricky one."

    Next, a circle of green light gathered around Leo on the ground.

    He softly called out "Lectus!"

    The woman blew a large ball of purple energy with small pink sparks once again at her opponent. Once the projectile hit his chest, Leo gave a short chuckle.

    "What did you cast?" asked the woman. "Invincibility?"

    "Not quite," answered Leo. "I formed a barrier around me that not only grants armor. But this light also drains any projectile that is shot by my opponent. This is granted to me for a short time however."

    The woman implied "If I were to shoot another of my fireballs at you, then you would just absorb its power."

    After that, Leo created a regular-sized skull from purple light to his opened right hand.

    "My power appears to be absolute!" He called. "I am stronger than ever!"

    He threw his projectile as he called out "Cranium Clamor!"

    The woman jumped into the air and performed a somersault flip in order to dodge the dark projectile. Once she landed on her left knee, the woman ascended to the air as a bright-orange light shined from her body. Then she performed a falling cartwheel and dived toward her opponent with a Left Side Kick.

    Leo blocked her strike using both hands as the circle below him faded. He soon pushed her away. And the stranger landed away from Leo after performing a back-flip.

    Then the woman leaped forward as her orange light shined around her body once again. She floated toward her opponent and blew a large ball of purple energy from her palms which was followed by small pink sparks.

    Leo quickly formed a circle of red light below him as he chanted "Sanguis Ruber!"

    The projectile shot him. Then the nimble Leo performed a quick back-roll and landed on his right knee.

    The woman suddenly noticed the red circle fading from the ground.

    "You formed another of those barrier spells?" She asked.

    The smiling Leo looked forward at her and informed his opponent "The spell that I cast this time had me take small damage instead of the full blunt of your attack."

    Leo placed both his hands on the ground as he called out "Angelus Annis Lapsus!"

    A large cabinet of green light raced through the ground toward his opponent. And the blast from the light launched the helpless woman into the air.

    After that, the wicked Leo pointed his left finger at the sky.

    "Light Release!" He chanted. "Horologium Strike!"

    A large golden light fell to her from the sky. And the stricken woman was forced into the sand of the ground.

    Leo with a possessed grin on his face walked toward his fallen opponent.

    He soon placed his left hand on his waist and asked "Is the trial finished? Or would you wish to continue the next stage?"

    The woman lifted the upper part of her body and gave a happy laugh.

    "Have you the strength to continue?" questioned Leo.

    The smiling woman closed her eyes and replied "No, you win. I submit."

    The puzzled Leo watched as the woman stood up.

    Then the stranger brushed the dirt from her body using both hands.

    "Was this in fact a test?" asked Leo.

    The woman shook her head and told him "Yes it was. And you passed. Well done."

    A struggling Leo faced his left side and commented "You are an odd one. You have taken a high amount of pain. But yet you show yourself with grace."

    The woman brushed the sand from her shoulder with her left hand and said "This wasn't a fight to the death after all. I just wanted to know if you had enough power."

    "And?" questioned Leo.

    The stranger shook her head and answered "You do. You seem to be very skilled with it too."

    Leo faced her once again and replied "You share great power. But I cannot comprehend if you are indeed a friend or a foe."

    The woman gave another cute laugh and told the mage "Oh, me? I'm just someone who looks for strong warriors to fight. That's all."

    And the smiling Leo faced the left side once again.

    He told the stranger "I haven't the idea of who you truly are or what your real goal would be. But I do know this -- You are a troublesome little girl who should be aware of who she challenges."

    "Likewise," said the woman.

    The woman finally walked off as Leo watched with questioned eyes.

    He thought to himself "Who... Or what in fact is she? This Juggler? Is she a threat? Or is she something else entirely?"