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taylor-on-your-dash · 1 year

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Writing of 1989 Timeline

1989 changed Taylor's career forever. If Red had just sprinkles of pop sounds, 1989 was marketed as a pure pop album from the get-go.

While many fans and critics kind of expected that, it seems like:

Taylor didn't have a clear direction from the start (except for the cohesiveness): “I wanted it to be a sonically cohesive album, and it ended up really being the first I’ve done since Fearless. I also wanted the songs to sound exactly how the emotions felt. I know that’s pretty vague, so I really didn’t know where it was going to go, but I knew that I wanted to work with the collaborators I had such crazy electricity with on Red, like Max Martin. I wanted to do some things that sounded nothing like what we had done before.”

She knew that she didn't want another Red: “When people say that they like one of my albums, like when people told me that Red was their favorite album I'd done, I didn't take that as, 'So, I should make that again'. I took that as, 'Great, awsome, now I wanna make them like this new album just as much if not more than the last album.' But I want them to like it for different reasons.”

She was worried about the change of direction of her music: “I worry about everything. Some days I wake up in a mind-set of, like, ‘Okay, it’s been a good run.’ By afternoon, I could have a change of mood and feel like anything is possible and I can’t wait to make this kind of music I’ve never made before. And then by evening, I could be terrified of the whole thing again. And then at night, I’ll write a song before bed.”

October 17, 2012: [From a Lover Journal] Taylor writes This Love in LA. This will be the last song produced by Nathan Chapman and the only one recorded in Nashville.

“The last time I wrote a poem that ended up being a song, I was writing in my journal and I was writing about something that had happened in my life – it was about a year ago – and I just wrote this really really short poem. It said, 'This love is good /this love is bad / this love is alive back from the dead / these hands had to let it go free / and this love came back to me.' And I just wrote it down, closed the book and put it back on my night stand […] All of a sudden in my head I just started hearing this melody happen, and then I realized that it was going to be a song.”

Handwritten lyrics:

November 18, 2012: Taylor meets Jack Antonoff and his band, fun., for the first time in Frankfurt, Germany, while at the MTV Europe Music Awards. They bond over 80s music.

January 4, 2013: Taylor is seen in a boat without Harry Styles, ready to return to LA from the Virgin Islands.

She will wear the same dress in the Out Of The Woods music video (and also in Look What You Made Me Do)

January 10, 2013: Taylor tweets "Back in the studio. Uh oh...". She will confirm that the song was All You Had To Do Was Stay on October 27, 2014 on Tumblr.

Candids here;

“There’s a song on my album called 'All You Had To Do Was Stay.' I was having this dream, that was actually one of those embarrassing dreams, where you’re mortified in the dream, you’re like humiliated. In the dream, my ex had come to the door to beg for me to talk to him or whatever, and I opened up the door and I went to go say, 'Hi,' or 'What are you doing here?' or something — something normal — but all that came out was this high-pitched singing that said, 'Stay!' It was almost operatic. So I wrote this song, and I used that sound in the song. Weird, right? I woke up from the dream, saying the weird part into my phone, figuring I had to include it in something because it was just too strange not to. In pop, it’s fun to play around with little weird noises like that.”

January 11, 2013: Taylor is seen again at Conway Studios, likely to continue working on All You Had To Do Was Stay.

January 15, 2013: Taylor posts a picture of herself in the studio, with the caption "Somewhere in LA". She'll later reveal that she was writing How You Get The Girl.

“The song ‘How You Get The Girl’ is a song that I wrote about how you get the girl back if you ruined the relationship somehow and she won’t talk to you anymore. Like, if you broke up with her and left her on her own for six months and then you realize you miss her. All the steps you have to do to edge your way back into her life, because she’s probably pretty mad at you. So it’s kind of a tutorial. If you follow the directions in the song, chances are things will work out. Or you may get a restraining order.”

March 6, 2013: Taylor is seen going to a studio in LA.

March 23, 2013: Taylor posts a picture of herself playing guitar, which might mean that she was working on a new song: "Pre show. Columbia, South Carolina". This could be either Wonderland, New Romantics or a vault song.

May 27, 2013: While in Rhode Island for the Memorial Day weekend, Jack plays Taylor an instrumental track that will later become I Wish You Would.

“'I Wish You Would’ is a song that I wrote with Jack Antonoff and it was the first song we ever worked on together. I think, for this song, we wanted to create a sort of John Hughes movie visual with pining and, you know, one person’s over here and misses the other person but is too prideful and won’t say it. Meanwhile this other person is here and missing the same person; they’re missing each other but not saying it. And I had this happen in my life and so I wanted to kind of narrate it in a very cinematic way where it’s like you’re seeing two scenes play out and then in the bridge you’re seeing the final scene, where it resolves itself. So it says, 'It’s a crooked love in a straight line down, makes you wanna run and hide but it makes you turn right back around.’ It kind of is like that dramatic love that’s never really quite where it needs to be and that tension it creates.”

[Voice Memo Intro Transcript] “This is another way I’ve written songs recently. This is a song I did with Jack Antonoff, and Jack is one of my friends and so were hanging out and he pulled out his phone and goes ‘I made this amazing track the other day. It’s so cool, I love these guitar sounds.’ And he played it for me and immediately I could hear this finished song in my head, and I just said ‘Please, please let me have that. Let me play with it, send it to me.’ And so he sent it to me and I was on tour and this was me playing the track on my laptop recording me singing the vocal into my phone and it ended up being a song called 'I Wish You Would', because Jack wrote back and said ‘I love that’. So this is another way of writing, it’s writing to track.”

[Secret Sessions] “Taylor said that she wrote ‘I Wish You Would’ a couple of months after her and Harry Styles broke up, and they decided to become friends again and she said this was the first time she had become friends with an ex, to the point where they were comfortable enough to talk about why the relationship didn’t work out. She said he told her about how, after they broke up, he bought a house literally one road adjacent to hers. Every day he would drive home, and accidentally turn into her street, and he told her how he just wanted to stop at her house and see her, but he never did. She said this song is about while he was in the car making the decision to get out the car and see her, she was sitting in her bedroom, wishing he would make the move and go back to her and just pitch up at her house. She compared it to a classic John Hughes movie where both parties want the same thing but neither has the guts to say anything. Honestly, she spoke so fondly of that relationship.” [this is from a secret sessioner and therefore it should be taken with a grain of salt]

Between May 28 and June 2, 2013: Taylor writes I Wish You Would. She settled in Rhode Island basically all summer, so it's possible that she went to Jack's studio in New York by car without being seen and especially photographed, cause I couldn't find any pictures with the same outfit. Conway Studios are also credited but it's possible that she recorded background vocals there. Taylor was in LA in late August.

June 7, 2013: During an interview at the CMA Music Festival, Taylor confirms that she has started writing her next album.

[Transcript by me] “[The new album] is starting, all the anxiety is starting and when the anxiety starts, then the writing happens right afterward usually. I like to write for about two years before I'm finished with an album because at this point I kind of know that whenever I read in the first year is going to get away, because I'm going to like it but it's going to sound a little bit like the last project I had, and the second year usually ends up sounding like the next project. So I think at this point I feel like staying the same is the easy way to go but it's not the way that I want to go creatively. I think you need to challenge yourself, I think you need to change up your influences, I think you need to be inspired by different things that you've been inspired by before. It's harder to call people you don't know, it's harder to think of topics you haven't covered and think of new ways to say old emotions that everyone feels. I think one of the things that I'm happiest with in the last year is the acceptance level in country music for me experimenting and for me trying to evolve and challenge myself musically because I think it's never felt better to be on that stadium stage performing knowing that and so welcoming of change.”

July 13, 2013: After a show in New Jersey, Taylor has an interview with Rolling Stone, where she says that she has been writing a lot.

“The floodgates just opened the last couple weeks,” she says of the songwriting process. “I’m getting to that point where I’m irritating to be around because I’ll be with you for half the conversation and then the second half of the conversation I’m clearly editing the second verse of whatever I’m writing in my head. I really loved collaborating: you work with a lot of different people and you find the people you have this dream connection with in the studio. I know those people and I know the ones I want to go back to. But I also have a really long list of the people I admire and I would really love to go and contact. So that’s kind of where that is. I think that the idea of having a different approach to every single one of my albums is so exciting to me. I never want to make the same record twice. Why do it? What’s the point? It’s so overwhelming that when you’re starting a project there are such endless possibilities if you’re willing to evolve and experiment. If you’re willing to become a different version of yourself, you can really go anywhere with it. And that’s kind of where I am. The kind of the laboratory experimental stage of really catching onto a new thing that I’m liking.”

Somewhere around June and early September 2013: Taylor and Jack write Sweeter Than Fiction. No credits are available but we know that it's the second song on which Taylor and Jack worked, so that places it before I Wish You Would and Out Of The Woods.

In 2014, Lena Dunham (Jack's girlfriend at the time) posted this photo of Jack and Taylor working on the song at Jack's house.

September 15, 2013: Jack completes the instrumental track that will later become Out Of The Woods, after his show was cancelled.

[Jack Antonoff] “When I did the track for Out of the Woods, which is a Taylor song that I'm really proud of, there was some issue at a venue and our show was canceled that night and I didn't have my stuff, I had left it on the bus, so I only had these old samples on what was on my laptop, and caught up that 'oh oh'' thing, and I only had one drum kit on there, and these dumb little things sometimes turn into a great song.”

Somewhere around September and October 2013: Taylor writes Out Of The Woods.

Voice memo here;

[Jack Antonoff] Although Antonoff and Swift shared studio time for some of their other 1989 songs while working throughout 2014, “Out of the Woods” was completed as a long-distance collaboration. “She’s very natural -— when she gets an idea, it just happens very quickly. I would send her these tracks, and when an idea would happen, we’d be 5,000 miles apart or whatever, but she would start emailing me these voice notes like crazy and it would just be happening so quickly that there’d be this excitement. There’s a frantic feeling in the song,” he says. “What’s interesting about ‘Out of the Woods’ is that it doesn’t really let up. It starts with a pretty big anthemic vocal sample that’s me, and then there’s a drum sample that kicks in that’s kind of huge, and then you don’t really know how you’re going to get any bigger, but then the chorus hits and it just explodes even larger. And then the bridge hits, and it gets even more huge.“When I was working on the track, I was thinking a lot about My Morning Jacket,” Antonoff continues, “and how everything they do, every sound is louder than the last, and somehow it feels like everything is just f—ing massive. And that’s the feeling that I went for. It started out big, and then I think the obvious move would have been to do a down chorus, but the idea was to keep pushing.” Antonoff is excited to share the rest of his work with Swift on 1989, but he views “Out of the Woods” as a highlight on the project. “This song means a great deal to me. On a production level, on a writing level, Taylor’s lyrics and her melodies — there’s something very important about this song.”

[Jack Antonoff] “After 'I Wish You Would' and 'Sweeter Than Fiction', we did 'Out Of The Woods'. So it was the third thing we worked on together, and probably the easiest. I sent her the track for it, and she sent back a voice note with the verse and chorus in what felt like five seconds. And it was just perfect. It's eerie how similar it is to what the final product is.”

“It kind of conjured up all these feelings of anxiety I had in a relationship where everybody was watching, everybody was commenting on it. You’re constantly just feeling like, ‘Are we out of the woods yet? What’s the next thing gonna be? What’s the next hurdle we’re gonna have to jump over?’ It was interesting to write about a relationship where you’re just honestly like, ‘This is probably not gonna last, but how long is it gonna last?’ Those fragile relationships... It doesn’t mean they’re not supposed to happen. The whole time we were having happy memories, or crazy memories, or ridiculously anxious times, in my head it was just like, ‘Are we okay yet? Are we there yet? Are we out of this yet?’”

“That line is in there because it's not only the actual, literal narration of what happened in a particular relationship I was in, it's also a metaphor. 'Hit the brakes too soon' could mean the literal sense of, we got in an accident and we had to deal with the aftermath. But also, the relationship ended sooner than it should've because there was a lot of fear involved. And that song touches on a huge sense of anxiety that was, kind of, coursing through that particular relationship, because we really felt the heat of every single person in the media thinking they could draw up the narrative of what we were going through and debate and speculate. I don't think it's ever going to be easy for me to find love and block out all those screaming voices.”

October 21, 2013: Sweeter Than Fiction is released. Big Machine was originally not on board with the release since they wanted a dormant period between album releases.

Late 2013: Taylor writes Bad Blood, after Katy Perry announces her Prismatic World Tour.

“For years, I was never sure if we were friends or not. She would come up to me at awards shows and say something and walk away, and I would think, ‘Are we friends,or did she just give me the harshest insult of my life?’ Then last year, the other star crossed a line. She did something so horrible. I was like, ‘Oh, we’re just straight-up enemies.’ And it wasn’t even about a guy! It had to do with business. She basically tried to sabotage an entire arena tour. She tried to hire a bunch of people out from under me. And I’m surprisingly non-confrontational – you would not believe how much I hate conflict. So now I have to avoid her. It’s awkward, and I don’t like it.”

“That was about losing a friend... But then people cryptically tweet about what you meant. I never said anything that would point a finger in the specific direction of one specific person, and I can sleep at night knowing that. I knew the song would be assigned to a person, and the easiest mark was someone who I didn’t want to be labeled with this song. It was not a song about heartbreak. It was about the loss of friendship.”

October 20 to 22, 2013: Taylor is in Cape Town (South Africa) shooting The Giver. One of the members of the cast is Alexsander Skarsgård. He is said to have inspired Wildest Dreams (or at least he's the most popular theory, as far as I know), because the music video is set in Africa and it features Clint Eastwood's son Scott as love interest, just like Alexsander is actor Stellan Skarsgård's son, but we don't actually know more about the song.

“I think the way I used to approach relationships was very idealistic. I used to go into them thinking, ‘Maybe this is the one – we’ll get married and have a family, this could be forever’. Whereas now I go in thinking, ‘How long do we have on the clock – before something comes along and puts a wrench in it, or your publicist calls and says this isn’t a good idea?’”

Note: Selena Gomez was present when Taylor wrote this song.

Handwritten lyrics:

November 19, 2013: Taylor records Blank Space. This is based on the wall behind her on an Instagram post from this day, the credits, and the behind the scenes clip.

Voice memo here;

Behind the Scenes here;

“Every few years, the media finds something they unanimously agree is annoying about me. 2012-2013 they thought I was dating too much, because I dated two people in a year and a half. ‘Oh, a serial dater. She only writes songs to get emotional revenge on guys. She’s a man-hater, don’t let her near your boyfriend.’ It was kind of excessive and at first it was hurtful, but then I found a little bit of comedy in it. This character is so interesting, though. If you read these gossip sites, they describe how I am so opposite to my actual life: I’m clingy, and I’m awful, and I throw fits, and there’s drama. An emotionally fragile, unpredictable mess. I painted a whole picture of this character. She lives in a mansion with marble floors, she wears Dolce & Gabbana around the house, and she wears animal print unironically. So I created this whole character and I had fun doing it.”

November 21, 2013: While at the American Music Awards, Taylor tells Billboard that she has around seven or eight songs ready.

[Transcript] “We got a lot already,” says Swift. “There are probably seven or eight songs that I know I want on the record. It’s really ahead of schedule for me. I’m just stoked because it’s already evolved into a new sound, and that’s all I wanted. And I would have taken two years to make that happen, but it just kind of happened naturally, so that’s all I could really ask for.”

December 2013: Taylor meets Diane Warren and they write Say, Don't Go.

[Diane Warren to Rolling Stone] Warren, who typically writes on her own, says the two of them “sat down and wrote the song,” which was released Friday as one of 1989 (Taylor’s Version)‘s vault tracks, “from scratch” during the last few days of 2013. She remembers being impressed with how specific Swift was with her lyricism and how considerate she was about how her fans might receive it. “She was very particular about how she said certain things. It was a really interesting experience. She gets her audience,” Warren says. “She’s deeply aware of how her fans want to hear something. I can’t explain it, but that’s probably why she’s the biggest fucking star in the world.”

2013: Taylor writes New Romantics and Wonderland. Not much is known about these songs, except that they were both written in 2013.

[About New Romantics] “People will say, 'Let me set you up with someone', and I’m just sitting there saying, ‘That’s not what I’m doing. I’m not lonely. I’m not looking.’ They just don’t get it. I’ve learned that just because someone is cute and wants to date you, that’s not a reason to sacrifice your independence and allow everyone to say whatever they want about you. I’m not doing that anymore. It’d take someone really special for me to undergo the circumstances I have to go through to experience a date. I don’t know how I would ever have another person in my world trying to have a relationship with me, or a family.”

New Romantics handwritten lyrics:

Wonderland Handwritten lyrics:

January 1, 2014: Taylor records Say, Don't Go.

[Diane Warren to Rolling Stone] Several days after writing the song together, they got into Warren’s office to record a demo, where Swift played it on her acoustic guitar. “We demoed it on New Year’s Day. And I’m a workaholic, and that’s fine for me,” she says. “But I remember being impressed that she did, too. Everybody’s on vacation, but she showed up.”

January 6, 2014: Taylor decides to look for a house in New York.

[Lover Journal] LA. So I've decided I want to look at places in New York. I know I went through this phase months ago, but it has to mean something that i've circled back to it, right? You know what they say, if you love something let it go and if it comes back... blah blah blah. so I'm leaving the day after tomorrow. Dating is awful. Love is fiction/ a myth. I'm over it all.

January 21, 2014: Taylor sends Ryan Tedder the I Know Places Voice Memo.

January 22, 2014: [From the 1989 Booklet] Taylor and Ryan finish and record I Know Places.

“I had this idea of like, when you’re in love, along the lines of 'Out of the Woods’, it’s very precious, it’s fragile. As soon as the world gets ahold of it, whether it’s your friends or people around town hear about it... it’s kind of like the first thing people want to do when they hear that people are in love is just kind of try to ruin it. I kind of was in a place where I was like, ‘No one is gonna sign up for this. There are just too many cameras pointed at me. There are too many ridiculous elaborations on my life. It’s just not ever gonna work.‘ But I decided to write a love song, just kind of like, ‘What would I say if I met someone really awesome and they were like, hey, I’m worried about all this attention you get?’ So I wrote this song called ‘I Know Places’ about, ‘Hey, I know places we can hide. We could outrun them.’ I’m so happy that it sounds like the urgency that it sings.”

January 23, 2014: Taylor and Ryan Tedder write Welcome To New York. Ryan produces a demo in three hours. This demo is the one included in the album.

“I wanted to start 1989 with this song because New York has been an important landscape and location for the story of my life in the last couple of years. I dreamt and obsessed over moving to New York, and then I did it. The inspiration that I found in that city is hard to describe and to compare to any other force of inspiration I’ve ever experienced in my life. It’s an electric city.”

[Ryan Tedder] “I thought we were going to walk in and start something from scratch because that's what I was used to. Then she calls me and says, 'Is it cool if I already have an idea?' I said, 'Sure.' She said, 'I have this song, I'm obsessed with New York and I just moved there, I want to write an ode to New York because no one's done it in a long time.' And then she sent me a voice memo. She's like, 'I want it to sound like the 1980s.' So the next day I brought in a Juno-106, which is a very 1980s keyboard, and I literally programmed that entire song right in front of her. It was very much on the fly, and that song was done in about three hours. And I did the rest of the production I think later that week.”

Handwritten lyrics:

January 26, 2014: Night of the 56th Grammy Awards. Taylor delivers a legendary performance of All Too Well, but loses the Album Of The Year Award to Random Access Memory by Daft Punk. This will prompt Taylor to make a "sonically cohesive" pop album.

[Lover Journal] January 25th. LA. It's the middle of the night and I was at the Clive Davis Party tonight which means... the Grammys are tomorrow. Never have I felt so good about our chances. Never have I wanted something as badly as I want to hear them say 'Red' is the Album of the Year.

“It was the night of the Grammys this year. I remember going home and playing a lot of the new music I had recorded for some of my backup singers and one of my best friends. We were all sitting in the kitchen and I was playing them all this music, and they were just saying, ‘You know, this is very eighties. It’s very clear to us that this is so eighties.’ We were just talking and talking about how it’s kind of a rebirth in a new genre, how that’s a big, bold step. Kind of starting a part of your career over. When they left that night, I just had this very clear moment of, ‘It’s gotta be called 1989.’”

“I woke up one morning at 4 a.m. and I decided the album is called 1989. I’ve been making ‘80s synth pop, I’m just gonna do that. I’m calling it a pop record. I’m not listening to anyone at my label. I’m starting tomorrow. I liked the idea of collaborating. But with 1989 I decided to narrow down the list. It wasn’t going to be 10 producers, it was going to be a very small team of four or five people I always wanted to work with, or loved working with. And Max Martin and I were going to oversee it, and we were going to make a sonically cohesive record again.”

January 2014: Taylor writes You Are In Love. This is actually speculation but it's based on (1) Taylor going to NY in early January and (2) Jack Antonoff confirming that it was the fourth song they did and (3) it's the only Antonoff-produced song that is copyrighted in 2014. Based on the credits, I'm pretty sure that Taylor and Jack worked on the song separately, with Jack recording the instrumental at the Jungle City Studios in NY (which is a studio that Jack used in 2014 to record Bleachers' first album Strange Desire) and Taylor recording the vocals at Conway Studio in LA.

“I wrote it with my friend Jack Antonoff who’s dating my friend Lena. Jack sent me this song, it was just an instrumental track he was working on and immediately I knew the song it needed to be. And I wrote it as a kind of commentary on what their relationship has been like. So it’s actually me looking and going, ‘This happened and that happened, then that happened and that’s how you knew you are in love.’”

“I’ve never had that, so I wrote that song about things that Lena Dunham has told me about her and Jack Antonoff. That’s just basically stuff she’s told me. And I think that that kind of relationship — God, it sounds like it would just be so beautiful — would also be hard. It would also be mundane at times.”

“We first worked on that song together and realized we kind of have a good thing, and the next thing we did was ‘Sweeter Than Fiction,’ which was on the [One Chance] soundtrack, and after that we did ‘Out of the Woods’ and another song called ‘You Are in Love.’

January 26, 2014: At the Grammy's, Diane Warren reveals that she and Taylor wrote a song together (aka Say, Don't Go).

[Transcript] “I worked with Taylor Swift on a great song. I don't even know what she's done [for her next album], I'm excited about the one that we did, it's pretty cool.”

[Billboard 2016 Interview] “I know [Swift] likes it, so hopefully it will see the light of day. I know she really likes the song. She didn’t want me to give it away, so hopefully that means she wants it.”

February 9, 2014: [From the 1989 Booklet] While in London, during the European leg of the Red Tour, Taylor and Imogen Heap write Clean in just 9 hours at Imogen's home studio. Taylor will sing the song just two times.

Voice memo here;

“'Clean' I wrote as I was walking out of Liberty in London. Someone I used to date – it hit me that I’d been in the same city as him for two weeks and I hadn’t thought about it. When it did hit me, it was like, ‘Oh, I hope he’s doing well’. And nothing else. And you know how it is when you’re going through heartbreak. A heartbroken person is unlike any other person. Their time moves at a completely different pace than ours. It’s this mental, physical, emotional ache and feeling so conflicted. Nothing distracts you from it. Then time passes, and the more you live your life and create new habits, you get used to not having a text message every morning saying, ‘Hello, beautiful. Good morning.’ You get used to not calling someone at night to tell them how your day was. You replace these old habits with new habits, like texting your friends in a group chat all day, and planning fun dinner parties, and going out on adventures with your girlfriends, and then all of a sudden one day you’re in London and you realize you’ve been in the same place as your ex for two weeks and you’re fine. And you hope he’s fine. The first thought that came to my mind was – I’m finally clean.”

“'Clean' is the last song on the album for a lot of reasons, but mostly because it felt like the complication of this emotional process I’ve been going through for the last couple of years. You know, I feel like my personal life was really, really discussed, and criticized, and debated, and talked about to a point where it made me feel almost kind of tarnished, in a way. And the discussion wasn’t about music. It broke my heart that I had made an album that I was proud of, and I was touring the world, and playing sold-out stadiums, and still they managed to only want to talk about my personal life. At a certain point I felt a switch and it was at the end of recording this album that I began to feel like my life was mine again and my music was at the forefront again. I was living my life on my own terms and I really no longer cared what people were saying about me. That was when I started so see people talk less about the things that didn’t matter.”

“I had this metaphor in my head about being in this house, there’s been a drought but you feel like there’s a storm coming. Instead of trying to block out the storm you punch a hole in the roof and just let all the rain come in, and when you wake up in the morning, it’s washed away.”

[Imogen Heap] “We met at my studio in London. She had the bare bones of “Clean.” She had the lyric, the chorus and the chords. I thought it was brilliant.I was really writing the tiniest amount just to help her do what she does. I put some noises, played various instruments on it, including drums, and anytime she expressed she liked something I was doing, I did it more. It was a really fun day. She recorded all her vocals during that one session. She did two takes, and the second take was it. We always thought she would probably re-record it, because we thought it can’t possibly be that easy. But after we lived with it for a few months, we felt it was great. I knew she loved it. She said she loved it and her mum loved it. But I wasn’t sure it would be included on the album. But everyone felt it had something special. It came together really magically.”

Imogen's detailed blog entry about this songwriting session.

[Taylor about Imogen Heap] “The coolest thing about Imogen for me was that there was no one else in the studio. There was no assistant; there was no engineer. It was her doing everything.”

February 11, 2014: Taylor gets a haircut. (I'm including this for funsies)

February 15, 2014: Taylor, Max Martin and Shellback write Shake It Off.

Voice memo here;

[Lover Journal] LA. This week I've been in the studio with Max and Johan every day and it has been the most creatively successful and fulfilling time. The first day, Johan just made a really up tempo drum beat because we decided we needed something up and light. We worked at it for a few hours before i just started singing "shake it off, shake it off, shake it off" And then the best way i know how to describe it is that the chorus just fell out of the sky. It ended up being this song about doing your own thing even though haters are gonna hate, and you just have to dance to your own beat. We all went home and I wrote the first and second verses and brought them in the next day. We wrote this chanty cheer leader bridge that I absolutely LOVE. We spent all day doing vocals and the next day recording the background vocals. I think it'll end up being the first single and Max said it's his favorite song he's ever been a part of.

[Max Martin during the lawsuit] “Shellback started out with a drumbeat. Shellback, Taylor, and I then collaboratively developed the melody and other lines of ‘Shake It Off’ to Shellback’s drumbeat. I did not write or provide any input into any lyrics in ‘Shake It Off,’ which were written entirely by Taylor.”

“I've had every part of my life dissected – my choices, my actions, my words, my body, my style, my music. When you live your life under that kind of scrutiny, you can either let it break you, or you can get really good at dodging punches. And when one lands, you know how to deal with it. And I guess the way that I deal with it is to shake it off.”

“The message in the song is a problem I think we all deal with and an issue we deal with on a daily basis. We don’t live just in a celebrity takedown culture, we live in a takedown culture. People will find anything about you and twist it to where it’s weird or wrong or annoying or strange or bad. You have to not only live your life in spite of people who don’t understand you, you have to have more fun than they do.”

February 19, 2014: Taylor, Max Martin, Shellback and Ali Payami write Style. This is the last song made for the album.

“I loved comparing these timeless visuals with a feeling that never goes out of style. It's basically one of those relationships that's always a bit off. The two people are trying to forget each other. So, it's like, 'All right, I heard you went off with her, and well, I've done that, too.' My previous albums have also been sort of like, 'I was right, you were wrong, you did this, it made me feel like this' – a righteous sense of right and wrong in a relationship. What happens when you grow up is you realize the rules in a relationship are very blurred and that it gets very complicated very quickly, and there's not a case of who was right or who was wrong.”

“This song is about those relationships that are never really done. You always kind of have that person, that one person who you feel might interrupt your wedding and be like, ‘Don’t do it cause we’re not over yet.'”

[Guitarist Niklas Ljungfelt] “I played on “Style,” a song I started with Ali Payami for ourselves. He was playing it for Max Martin at his studio; Taylor overheard it and loved it. She and Max wrote new lyrics. But I recorded the guitar on it before it was a Taylor song. It was an instrumental. I didn’t have a clue that Taylor would sing on it. The inspiration came from Daft Punk and funky electronic music.”

1989 is officially done!

[Taylor On Ryan Seacrest] “I'm pretty sure after we finished this one I knew the record was done. Shake It Off and Style were the last two songs to be written for 1989.”

February 19, 2014: While on tour, Ryan Tedder produces another three versions of Welcome To New York.

[Ryan Tedder interview] “I was in Switzerland on a tour bus, and I did four versions of 'Welcome to New York,' one of which I liked personally more, but the thing about artists is they become very obsessed with the demo. She was in love with the demo so no matter how hard I fought, she brought it back to the demo, so really what you hear is what I did on the first day.”

March 22, 2014: Billboard reports that Taylor and Ryan Tedder have worked together in LA in January

March 24, 2014: [From a Lover Journal] Taylor moves to New York.

[Lover Journal] So in the last few weeks, I've completely moved into my apartment in Tribeca. That's right, I'm writing this from my new bed in my new place, watching Law and Order with Meredith. Strangely, I've never felt more busy.

May 1, 2014: 1989 Photoshoot (I got this date from an insider)

May 29, 2014: [From a Lover Journal] Taylor chooses another photo for the cover, after having a nightmare of the previous one being not enough.

May 30, 2014: Taylor chooses the album cover.

[Lover Journal] Shanghai. So we got to China at around 2pm and I knew it would completely ruin me if I slept when i got to the hotel, so I decided to work out. WHY IS THIS PEN RUNNING OUT?! Just went to my purse and got my pen. So a crazy story unfolded in the last 24 hours. Last night, I had this vivid dream where the photo I'd chosen for the album cover wasn't good enough, intriguing enough, artful enough. it woke me up. I couldn't shake it and it stayed with me all day. Because that nagging feeling I'd been pushing back for weeks was now confirmed in my gut... it wasn't good enough. I went to the venue, mind racing, wandering if I'd have to do an entirely new photo shoot... I got to my dressing room with newer versions of the "cover" I looked at it and felt nothing. The team pulled up this new scanned file of the polaroids we had taken during the shoot. I saw it within 10 seconds. The shot. The cover. It's a polaroid of me sitting against a beige wall with a blue seagull sweatshirt on. You can see my red lips but the photo cuts off my eyes. For some reason unknown to me it's the most intriguing photo i've seen. I think it's the mystery of not seeing my eyes. Maybe it just looks effortlessly cool. The craziest moment came when something caught my eye. The cover photo is photo 13. I kid you not. I played a sold out show in Shanghai tonight and the crowd was amazing. Tomorrow we go to Tokyo, where they'll have the whole ticker tape parade at the airport. Smile and wave...

Mid To Late 2014: Taylor and Jack write Now That We Don't Talk.

[Tumblr Music] "Now That We Don't Talk is one of my favorite songs that was left behind. It was so hard to leave it behind, but I think we wrote it a little bit towards the end of the process, and we couldn't get the production right at the time. But we had tons of time to perfect the production this time, and figure out what we wanted the song to sound like, and I just think it's, I think it's the shortest song I've ever had. I think it packs a punch. I think it really goes in for the short amount of time we have, I think it makes its point."

Conclusive notes

What 1989 represented for Taylor:

“The 1980s was a very experimental time in pop music. People realized songs didn't have to be this standard drums-guitar-bass-whatever. We can make a song with synths and a drum pad. We can do group vocals for the entire song. We can do so many different things. And I think what you saw happening with music was also happening in our culture, where people were just wearing whatever crazy colors they wanted to, because why not? There just seemed to be this energy about endless opportunities, endless possibilities, endless ways you could live your life. And so with this record, I thought, 'There are no rules to this. I don't need to use the same musicians I've used, or the same band, or the same producers, or the same formula. I can make whatever record I want.'”

“In the past, I've written mostly about heartbreak or pain that was caused by someone else and felt by me. On this album, I'm writing about more complex relationships, where the blame is kind of split 50–50 ... even if you find the right situation relationship-wise, it's always going to be a daily struggle to make it work.”

Bonus: Secret Messages

Author's note: I wrote this timeline around 2 years ago. While I found some dates later on, this is 100% my research. If you use this timeline for your posts, research or whatever, PLEASE, credit me! I'd be very thankful. This is 2 years of work.

Links to my other Timelines:

Writing of Fearless Timeline

Writing of Speak Now Timeline

Writing of Red Timeline

My Spreadsheet with a timeline overview

Credits:

Most of the quotes have been copy-pasted from Taylor Swift Switzerland.

Taylor Swift Pictures for the candids.

Heather from Nerdy by Nature for the WTNY handwritten lyrics picture.

#taylor swift #1989 #1989 taylor's version #1989 era #red era #taylor swift timelines #1989 tv #blank space #shake it off #harry styles #out of the woods #wildest dreams #style #imogen heap #1989 tour #taylor swift unreleased songs #vault songs #1989 vault

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fountainpenguin · 2 months

Text

Riddle watches New Wish - Post #14

Lost and Founder's Day

I do really like how the theme song flows, especially at the end where Cosmo and Wanda jump from their human disguises into fairy form.

Ooh, Founder's Day came back from "A New Dev-elopment." Continuity! I like how the title card shows us the hat that Dev and Hazel saw during their treasure hunt.

I'm gonna throw my money down on the Dimmadomes founding Dimmadelphia (or an ancestor).

skdfj, Hazel's so cute when she steals her teacher's hat.

-> Yes, it was the Dimmadomes.

I like how Dev's shades are still gone, but he's still got that smug tone of voice. But today, he has a good reason to be a bit smug for a festival his family is hosting (that his dad had to work over the weekend to pull together). This is gonna be interesting.

I don't trust any of this tech to be good (in the moral sense). Dale literally tried to promote pollution a few episodes ago.

LKSDJFSD, Dev giving out watches that do a bunch of cool technical things and this is the face he makes when he's asked if the watches tell time:

(They do not).

This is the first time Hazel's shown interest in anything related to Dimmadomes' tech (She has a phone case covering any logo and didn't know how to do the dance they apparently made) and now she's gushing over the gift Dev gave her so I'm... hm. Where ya going with this, Hazel?

Okay, so... what the HECK is going on with Dimmadelphia? I'm sure we'll get to learn the real founder soon, but all I can assume right now is that it was Doug himself, hence the hat logo. If that's true, he was BUSY during the 50 years of frozen time.

-> That WOULD justify my Buxaplenty overlap seeing as the train lines would've been crucial for this.

It's gotta be a different ancestor. There's no way Doug would be in Dimmsdale if he'd founded another city. This city's huge. I'll be watching for any indications of "established X year."

Aww, Hazel adores Dev now and is blatantly gushing over him. That's really cute. Local #1 Dev fan:

[cnt'd under the cut - #long post]

I can't believe we didn't get a "Hazel has a bone in her hair" gag when she got shocked by the tech.

omfg, Dev is so desperate to interact with his dad that he's begging to "organize merchandise by tossing boxes back and forth to each other." He's smart. Goober.

Diagnosed child who would play Catch with active TNT minecarts in Limited Life SMP. He would just do it...

Dale, you shouldn't tell your son to "Eat a lizard." That's mean.

Oh noooo, are we about to get "My dreams were crushed many years ago... How old are you?" version 2.0?

-> Note to self, Dev's birthday is 9 years, 7 months, and 14 days before Founder's Day (give or take since he says "pretty much exactly my birthday to the day, which I think implies he's doing math and decides it's the day).

Dev is 9? Lol. Didn't we already have end of the year tests in like, Episode 2? And our implied end of school year dance? Baby.

-> I double-checked and Sadie Hawkins is in November. There were Sneezy Hawkins Dance posters in Episode 1 when Hazel walked in. Those posters hung in school for multiple episodes (I'll keep my eyes out for them in future episodes), which would imply she started school in September or October (Probably not August since she was specially introduced to the class as a new student).

-> If we keep seeing the posters throughout the whole year, I'm willing to wave them off, but while planning the timeline, it's worth noting they exist, we know we're post-2019, but probably not too many years later since that was the most recent date on the gym's championship banner for a school that clearly wins sports games often ("Fearless"), and we've seen multiple waning crescent moons.

-> No snow, but not unreasonable since Dimmsdale was in California.

... I gotta say, I'm really enjoying these recent episodes, but D: Where was this early in the series when I was confused in Post #10 as to where all the underlying trauma vibes were?

We've absolutely shifted vibes from where we were when I wrote that post. Which is fantastic, but I'm surprised we didn't get this earlier. THIS is FOP vibes. THIS is what I wanted and why I was super confused by this show's tone earlier. Yeah, of course I like Dev now... He's shifting the tone back to the OG show's vibes.

I'm wary, but I've approached to eat out of the hand.

Oh no, we scene shifted before Dale could reveal the statue under the cloth. Either he's broken and we're going to see the aftereffects (following Hazel's POV where she's confused as to why he's gone off the rails and turned snappy) or he's gonna find out during the event and he'll break down in front of the crowd. Uh-oh...

...... Okay, now they're just taunting me with the moon. It can't always be a waning crescent!!

The stage looks like Doug Dimmadome.

Please tell me Dale didn't forget to add Dev's info to the ID-scanning robot.

Every time Angela is onscreen she has a new therapy book and I support her.

Wanda: Parenting never gets easier.

-> Please tell me Hazel's parents are about to ask about that and they're going to have to either backpedal or they're going to imply they've raised like 100 kids.

sdlkfj, they only cite Poof. BRUTAL.

-> Cosmo one again giving me "First fairy baby born in 1000 years." Yeah yeah, Westley Periwinkle held the title first, we all know him (/fanfic joke).

Seriously though, it's very funny to me that Poof is never, ever referred to as "first baby born after Cosmo" or "first baby born in tens of thousands of years, or hundreds of thousands." Only first in hundreds OR first in thousands. I can't believe that DANG KID is still haunting me in the new show.

-> Cosmo still confirmed to have been the pregnant parent. I'm glad that wasn't retconned (despite Cosmo's best efforts to scramble and cover up what he said by claiming Wanda was the pregnant one).

Cracking up. Cosmo, I think the neighbors think you're trans but not out about it.

Angela: Where's your son now? :) Wanda: Eh, we don't know. I mean, we forget because we were on vacation for 10k years.

Wanda, WHAT did I say in Post 11 about how you cannot leave that clingy child alone immediately after tearing him away from Timmy?? If Poof shows up and he has abandonment issues and/or clingy vibes, I'm gonna shake you both so hard.

-> Why is Marcus not calling them out for being paranormal creatures? ... That's kind of funny since Crocker would've lost his mind.

I like how Cosmo and Wanda turned their wands into lollipops for the carnival. That's cute.

Uh-oh, the statue's not been revealed yet. I hope Dev isn't onstage when this happens. (I want him to be onstage and suffer).

-> I should note that "Stanky Danky" and "Lost and Founder" are the episodes Dale lists the companies he's in charge of, and I'm pretty sure they're different. I want to make a coherent list throughout the series.

Marcus is reading his wife's book at the party, aww. They're so cute.

OH MY GOSH, their ancestor IS surnamed Dimm! I am once again thinking this implies Dale Dimm from "Which Witch Is Which?" - who founded Dimmsdale - is probably also in this family tree.

Wanda's glowing wand is adorable. They're both cute.

So, Hazel has been here long enough she agrees she hasn't "just" moved here anymore, so I'll allow the waning crescents.

Doug Dimmadome struck gold in 1953? I'll be making a note of that. I know that's after both Dimmsdale and Dimmsdale Flats were founded. This doesn't do much for me right now, but it's good to note.

-> This implies he was a teen or adult in 1953, so he's definitely not close to the age of Timmy's parents, who were 10 in the '70s. This checks out; he's got the white hair.

-> Let's say this is 2020 for the purpose of "We know we're after 2019." (2020 - 1953) is 67, and the youngest I'd be okay letting him strike gold is 10, since 10-year-olds do a lot in this show. So, he's at minimum 77 years old during this show, and could very easily be 87 or more years older (87 if he struck gold at 20), if I'm doing my math right.

And again, that's off the assumption it's 2020, which is a little earlier than I'd been brainstorming. I'm okay with this since he had white hair in the OG series, but I'm gonna have to plot out a timeline for Dale's age at some point.

Dale: /evil monologues about his plan to monitor kids' heartrates to figure out exactly what a child want. Me: Dale, have you tried... talking to a kid? Maybe YOUR kid? Standing behind you? Dev, clearly uneasy: Dad, that's so great! You get to help kids right away!! Dale: ... Help kids?

^ Me

Wait, so the drones can waste products and not get yelled at? Dale, maybe you should focus your attention in that area of your business- I think you're losing product.

Why do the drones sound so sad? They're talking like all their friends just ditched them. They're so cute.

I love how he's still wearing the big boots:

Oh no, Dev's on stage and Dale's talking about how the statue "isn't just him" under the tarp and "he can remember when this bundle of joy arrived." Yeah, Dev's about to shatter.

Okay, Wanda's clearly startled that the statue doesn't depict Dev and even Cosmo's starting to sense that something's going on in that family. You two are going to report this, right?

Aww, Cosmo misses his son.

The contrast of Dev crashing and burning while Hazel is enjoying her new hat is very funny to me. Like, we get this sequence of how happy she is and you just know Dev's having the worst day.

Dev: It's Hazel! Of course... Her well-known love of hats! /said not long after Wanda was like "Hazel, I've literally never seen you wear a hat before yesterday, what do you mean you like hats?

That's actually very funny. And cute? When did Hazel and Dev talk about liking hats? Logically, that must've been while they were montaging on the treasure hunt and posing next to those hat-shaped objects for photos.

With Dev talking about the Dimmadomes running a family business, I'd really like to see what Dev's relationship with his grandfather is. Doug was also careless about destroying childhood memories and I don't trust him to be a good dad either, but I'm curious.

-> I actually have no proof Doug Dimmadome is still alive. I wonder if he's out of the picture and if that had a negative effect on Dale, which may be why he's throwing everything into the business right now, and why he loves his boots.

-> I should check if those boots are similar to his dad's. Like, what if he saw his dad die on the day Dev was born and the boots were left to him, so that's why the boots are so important to him that he dedicated a statue to them?

POV, the dad who (presumably) pampered you for life after you'd spent 7 years of torment underground - and you don't seem to have a mother in your life so this is your only parent and only known connection to a world that isn't full of suffering - is dying on the same day your wife is in labor. What do you do?

Aww, Hazel knows Dev well enough to sense that something's up and ask if he's okay, implying they seem to have grown closer from "A New Dev-elopment" when she saw his father scoff at him and opted to change the subject instead of asking about his feelings. They seem to be doing well as friends and I like that.

-> All these crescent moons make me wonder how long it's been since that episode, though since Dale was working on the Founder's Day event on the weekend, I assume we're still in that range of time.

Dev, holding his arm when Hazel asks if he's okay: I... don't have time to get into it.

They're so cute. I love them.

-> I love the focus on Dev right now, but I hope we don't go full steam ahead into Hazel's friendship with him and she sidelines Jasmine and Winn for her new buddy and/or potential crush.

She hasn't seen her friends this whole carnival, which surprises me. Don't do it, Hazel.

What, where did Dev get those shades. He didn't have those .4 seconds ago.

Dev's going to complete his task and give Hazel's hat back to his dad and still get rejected.

OH NO, Dev is trying to lure the scanner drones away from Hazel, but he didn't tell her that so she thinks he just called her a name, mugged her, and ran off. That's hilarious. #You tried.

Dev, you have to talk to people. You can't just assume she knows what's going on. Fool.

I like how Dale also has special eyewear (VR glasses).

I like how Cosmo inexplicably thinks all the Dimmadomes have "Pickle" as a middle name. I think he said that to Dev in an earlier episode, right?

I like how Hazel saved the day by "doing what Cosmo would do" and pressing all the buttons randomly. That's hilarious.

Barry the dinosaur was at the carnival... That's great.

HAZEL'S MAD!!

As she deserves to be- that's the second time Dev regressed to calling her names. She thought they went through this, but now she's like "He's not changing and also I literally just caught his dad in an evil plot of shocking children's brains with electricity. And Dev seems to have been helping."

Yeah... This is gonna go great. Also, his cute little poses:

Oh thank goodness... We are SO BACK, baby! The fluffy episodes were fine, but NOW we're gettin' somewhere!! Time to break some hearts.

"I would hug you, but I do not have human arms or warmth." I love them.

Aww, he likes her so much. Best buddies...

I didn't know this was his phone, I thought it was a retro video game console.

Oh, it's an iPad parallel. It's got a stand and that's why it's big.

I like how my extremely specific "Ed Leadly as Dev's other grandpa" situation just keeps getting worse the more I think about it.

Little Dev: Grandpa Leadly, I learned to write my name! :) Leadly sitting among his pencils as Dev hands him a tablet he typed on instead of pencil and paper: Buddy, rising star, apple of my eye, my little angel... I will pay you 17 million dollars to never do this in front of me again.

Dad who likes flashy and long-lasting things to remind himself how far he's come vs. grandpa who's willing to massively overpay for anything he took interest in for 5 seconds; what arguments will they endure?

OHHH BOY, it's fairy assignment time! LET'S FREAKIN' GO!

It's Poof!! That is not the voice I expected out of him, but maybe I should've because he did love deep voices back in "Certifiable Super Sitter." I accept it.

Aw, he's so ready to play! This makes me so happy... That's exactly what a fairy godparent is here for- Finding miserable kids and turning that around so they get happier memories of their childhoods. That's exciting!

-> Oh, NOW I see why you guys were all messaging me about my "Poof adores his hero Westley Periwinkle and likes naming things after him" lore, sdkjfl. Ahahaha... I'm in danger.

-> "Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Pixies" Poof-Westley interactions looming on the horizon

Interesting choice to change his name? I wonder if that was done for stylistic reasons like the script. I seem to remember the OG show's scripts would say POOF in them for special effects, and I can see how that would be confusing.

Is... is this because he's trying to lie low so he can dodge the attention he was always getting as a celebrity kid? That feels right, seeing as if it was a true deadname to him, he probably wouldn't have introduced himself as Poof before saying "I changed it to Peri, like Periwinkle."

Either that or he's unclear if Dev's heard anything about him from Cosmo, Wanda, or Hazel and he wanted to clarify who he is, though that doesn't seem likely.

Huh. I'm kinda surprised Poof showed up. I know in the past, he was a controversial addition to the show and I half-expected him to be swept under the rug, though I did wonder about it when Cosmo and Wanda were talking about him earlier.

I've always loved him though and I'm excited to have him back. Return of my other OTHER son.

I'm really excited to hear him talk since his talking was limited to "School of Crock" (only at the end), "Fairly Odd Fairy Tales" (which he mostly slept through), and "Certifiable Super Sitter" (which is... unique). I've had to make up his entire personality for 'fics based on what limited understanding we had of his interests. I look forward to learning more about this version of him!

My established version of him in 'fics will take priority over new information. I'm currently still on the line of "Do I want to ignore New Wish in my canon or try to incorporate what I can?"

That said, I'm leaning a little towards incorporating, since I think I can work with most of it so far, especially if we're throwing in "Fairywinkle-Cosma family aren't strangers to time travel right now."

-> I'm not committing by any means, so don't hold me to that, and even if I do, it'll be cherry-picky.

-> One of my canons for Cloudlands AU Poof is that he's a fanfic writer, mainly for a series called Ninja Cowboy (which he chronically leaves unfinished, to Foop's distress since as Poof's opposite, he's addicted to finding out their endings). He also writes Anti-Cosmo x H.P. fanfics because it's the only thing that makes them back off when they show up to bother him.

Point being, I hope he gets to engage in Prime Meridian with Dev. I feel like they'd enjoy writing 'fics together and it would be funny to me :)

-> I'm wheezing on the floor. Poof's early concept name was Dusty. Even though the writers wouldn't have reason to know that was his concept name, it's funny to me that his name was changed to something that's also not that. The man of as many names as voices he can mimic...

That works really well for me since I named his younger brother Dusty, so that would've caused me problems.

I also gave Poof a mullet / ponytail in my teen design, so that makes me laugh. Lemme see if I have his ref sheet...

I do! Plus a bunch more from my files:

Looks like I gave him a tuft kinda close to his extra hair strand! That's fun. I wonder if New Wish Poof also likes sports. Hmm...

I'm gonna have to look up what era suspenders were popular. I specifically designed my teen/adult Poof with a late 60s / early 70s vibe since Cosmo was said to have been designed for the 50s, which is the time period parallel I was treating Fairy World in during that era too (hence Poof's blog tag being #purple hippie dragonfly, which I'm not planning to change because it's for me).

Exciting! I like Poof's staff. I've seen people do adulthood designs for Foop with a staff, but Poof's a new one. That's fun.

Alas, no freckles... but that's not gonna change in his Cloudlands AU design. We are "biological queen bee" all the way here.

Hmm. Foop has freckles, but... we'll see if he ever shows up in this series. I do not expect the artists to remember his freckles since they only showed up when he puffed his cheeks or flushed, but... if Foop shows up without his mustache and goatee, I'mma have questions.

Actually, this is perfectly fine because I always draw gyne fairies with pale freckles unless they're at their peak, and I already set Finley up as more dominant than Poof at school (with Finley suppressing his pheromones so Poof's "locked down" anyway). It looks like they're pretty faint in his ref sheet too. I'm satisfied with this.

No promises I'll work the Peri arc into my canon. I think I have room for it to exist and I don't think I've seen anything in New Wish that directly conflicts with Cloudlands AU in a way I can't work around, but I'm not likely to write 'fics for New Wish right now.

-> I'm not opposed to incorporating New Wish prompts into the 130 Prompts series IF I find any old drafts I end up not liking, but I did a deep clean in early 2023 and got rid of ones I didn't like, so I'm not sure.

I did sketch Hazel for a potential arc cover though, so I can use that if I have reason to.

So far, as long as I can find a satisfying way for Poof to age, I think I can swing New Wish around to fit with Cloudlands AU... unless we get something super specific like Poof-Peri already graduating high school or Cosmo and Wanda confirming they won't have godkids after Hazel, in which case I'll have to ignore that.

I can even work things around if Peri's not with Goldie, because their whole thing in Cloudlands AU is celebrity drama and dating life struggles anyway (iirc, Foop even told readers that Poof and Goldie keep splitting up and getting back together).

-> I've always suspected Poof would get special advance godkid permissions seeing as, y'know... Jorgen literally made him trial test Crocker's Mom as his "godperson assignment" in "Fairly Old Parent," plus Poof was getting on-the-job training his whole life. It's neat to see him!

I hope Poof's better at not burning himself out now. He looks like he's doing okay. He's grown out of his shell!

-> According to my timeline, Erg was Cosmo and Wanda's trial kid while they were still in high school, so it would totally work for me if Dev is Poof's high school assignment.

I'm not expecting that to be stated, but I can work with it.

Thanks for joining me in this liveblog! Looking forward to more episodes :)

#Riddle watches FOP #New Wish spoilers #Pending Dev tag #Pending Hazel tag #Dragonfly parents #FAIRIES!#Lost and Founder #Long post #screenshots #Ed Leadly #Purple hippie dragonfly #Nerdy blue bat son

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foxes-that-run · 1 month

Note

what taylor tours has harry attended?

Eras - H unseen. with HAIM in London 18 August

HS Love on Tour - T unseen. Deux Moi reports she went to Wembley

Reputation - H unseen. Harry was in Tokyo when the last Reputation date was also there. Plays emotional set of surprise songs are wildest dreams (1 of 3 times she played it on the Rep tour) and So it goes (one of 8 times it has ever played live), dancing with our hands tied and I know places. Harry writes little freak in Tokyo and leaked ophelia (I feel ya) that refers to staring at her in Tokyo, watching her move, missing her and fantasising.

youtube

HS Live on Tour - T unseen. They were both in Chicago and played shows on 28 June (Taylor) and 30 June (Harry). In Taylors show she told the odd story about being with someone 2 NYE ago and jumping into icy waters which Taylor Nation edited out then later Joe did exposition for that to be about him. Harry's suit for that show was copied in the Me! music video. At Harry's next show (St Paul) is the one with a very well known Medicine performance and he said "running with you" instead of "running with wolves" in MMITH, then he broke up with Camille.

1989 - H unseen. Ironically, I think this is the one I think he probably he didn't go to. If he did, I think it was around June 6 as they were both in London and Harry posted in colour to IG. see 2015 timeline

Take Me Home - T unseen. They were both in Pennsylvania for a week 6 July, Taylor had the next week off and was not seen. on the 8th July Harry threw up on stage.

Red - H seen in a video Taylor posted to Instagram of her haircut. Above was also the Red tour. He was also missing when she was in Japan.

Up All Night - T seen in videos backstage at MSG. T MIA when they played the first shows in London.

Xfactor tour - T unseen they both played the London O2 the same week.

Speak Now - H unseen. They played the London O2 the same week. Harry MIA when Taylor played his X-factor Audition song, with Fearless mashup which she repeated. H MIA when she has Sweet Disposition Arm lyrics that he later had tattooed on the 1 year anniversary of that show.

Watching other performances

They have seen each other perform:

2023 Grammys, Taylor danced when Harry performed

2021 Grammys, recorded performances of them both was played in the room (not recorded in the same room as each other)

2014 AMAs, Harry sang night Changes, Taylor sang Blank Space, they looked at each other and clapped for the other, Taylor pointed and included where Harry was in her performance.

2014 - IHeartRadio Festival - both perform and are emotional, both MIA when they other on.

2013 Brit Awards - One Direction performed Teenage Kicks with Taylor in the front row. Taylor performed IKYWT and pointed to Harry, looked at Harry also in front row. Confirmed song about him in interviews after.

2012 X-Factor Final UK - Taylor flew to watch, pictured.

2012 Capital Jingle Bell Ball - Taylor in view in the sound booth when One Direction perform and pictured together after.

2012 z100 Jingle Bell Ball - both perform, both visible watching the other, kiss before Taylors set.

2012 Xfactor US - Harry watches Taylor perform and seen carrying her to a trailer after

2012 VMAs - both perform and watch the other, have lunch with group in rehearsals, One Direction introduce her on MTV

2012 BBC Teen Radio Awards - both perform and watch the other, first time pictured together.

2012 MTV Kids Choice Awards - both perform, Taylor dances to WMYB and rumoured dating.

#Haylor #tours #awards shows #watching each other perfom

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accidentally-in-fictional-love · 2 months

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Happy Birthday David Dastmalchian 🎂🎉🎁🎈

To celebrate, I'm stealing borrowing from my friend's @polkadotjohnson amazing idea of making a Top 10 Loved/Hottest roles of his, with an honourable mention for both~ Here's 30 of my most adored characters of his with little snippets for each, it's a looooong read, and if anyone else wants to make their own, here's a tierlist I made for this exact purpose 💗💗💗

10.

💘 Love of my Life - Dr Fearless

My cringefail boyfriend, I love every single headcanon I hear about him. He was so damn cute even before I fell in love, and now every time I see him I start giggling and kicking my feet lol 😚 I adore how much fun DD has with him, and honestly I’m gunna dress as a vampire for Halloween this year /)w(\ been like 20+ years but I really really wanna do it!

🔥 Hottest Role - Whistling Marauder (Bird Box)

Mother of mercy. We rewatched the whole movie just for him, so naturally he shows up near the end and then died ;w; but that outfit, holy hell. Oh my god. I’m such a sucker for bad boys and this guy is going around forcing people to stare at this eldrich being that’ll destroy you or drive you mad. And he looks goddamn great while doing it. Gunna attach myself to the chain on his jeans. Okay I’m normal again, what a way to start off the list lmao

❣️ Honourable Mention - Luke (Singled Out)

Douchebag. Shitty brother who’s also great if only to save his own ass. Thief. Pure idiot. Irresistible. I knew the moment I saw the clips on youtube that he would so be my type, and seeing the full pilot only proved that. Dude picked a burger over getting his sister, he would treat me so wrong half the time, but then he’d make me waffles and it’d be all better 😊

💘 Love of my Life - The Writer (Making Love)

This one breaks my heart so much. I’ve been in a relationship like this before, and I really want to save him from his. He’s beautiful, he’s talented, his outfit is hot as hell with all the rings and bracelets and necklaces, not to mention the undone shirt buttons, he’s got the emo bangs, he is the complete package for me. The only reason he isn’t higher is because I fell for many others first. I almost never watched this one because my brain was going haywire trying to imagine what kinda scenes I’d find in something with a title like that, and sure enough my face was so red the entire time since I watched with headphones and it starts with him whispering right in my ear, like him asking, ‘Do you love me?’ nearly made me cry, I love him so much. If I could bring specifically him to life I would love the hell outta him until he stopped needing such a painful, self-destructive fake love with the Woman QwQ

❣️ Honourable Mention - Nick (Love is an Elevator)

This one is just a silly little guy /)w(\ right from the start he’s so adorable, I would melt if anything even close to his interaction happened to me, and him just swooning and saying she was beautiful before bailing in tears is so me-coded TwT I would love to go out on a date with him!

🔥 Hottest Role - Abra Kadabra (The Flash)

Abra was so tricky to place because I love him, but as soon as I remembered his buckle outfit from his second episode I knew he had to go under Hot. Like, again, I’m so weak. I love his attitude, I love how he just wants that applause for his showmanship, his ‘powers’ are cool as hell, and DD has the wand in his home now and I think that’s so damn cool 😊 The reveal with him wanting to bring back his alternate timeline family was so sweet I almost cried, and he definitely didn’t deserve to be killed out so instantly right after his redemption. Not even a fan/watcher of the show, but in my head I’m having Flash warn him about it since he’s from the future, so he’s fine now 😌

💘 Love of my Life - James Lewis (Teacher)

James was also incredibly difficult to place because I love him so much ;w; The entire movie I was rooting for him, guy did nothing wrong in the face of what was going on around him, and granted he did take things too far, but… villains are hot 😳 so I won through that entire movie. And he lived! And kept getting to teach! I remember I pointed at the screen when he was putting books away cause that’s my job lol I felt truly close to him in that short moment 😂 Anyway, Arabella didn’t deserve him, like she wasn't into it from the moment they met, every single time he talked she would do this 😬 guy was going through hell and was very clearly in a bad place all around, I can’t fault him for drunkenly saying the wrong thing if it were me, even if it did really hurt me. Gunna give him a new wedding ring to put on when he gets outta prison.

❣️ Honourable Mention - Hector (Premature)

He’s so cute!!! I may be weak for villains, but I adore his sweeter roles as well, I’m so glad I got to see him. If I moved to a new city and he was my neighbour I’d know I’d be okay, because honestly he needs to be my roommate like yesterday. A chef who’s afraid to cook because of OCD, I’m sure he’d be able to help me with my own cooking from a safe distance, and I already have some practice as my sibling has OCD and is very strict about how her food is handled, so I’ll have come full circle. I just need to make him more okay with cuddles first…

🔥 Hottest Role - Denham (A Killer of Men)

Denham was another one that was hard to place, because that axe twirls makes me insane, but with what little screentime he gets it all evens out. Another great villain, he’s just senseless violence in a bloody wedding dress and he works it. Love the look, love the vibe, if the world ended and the whole gang was coming at me I’d be honoured if he was the one who got me (I swear I’m not that deranged lmao just thirsty)

💘 Love of my Life - Simon Lynch (Almost Human)

Even now I feel like Simon should be higher, especially since I’ve written my fic about him as well as my deep dive. I’ve said it before but my heart really went out to him, the deep dive says way more than I can fit it here, which probably means he should be higher lol so give that (and maybe the fic too 👉👈😌) a read if you haven’t already, all my love for him went into both.

❣️ Honourable Mention - James Harris (The Employer)

Another adorable character, the bar flashbacks had me blushing every time. We all knew it’d be him, but I’m so glad he pulled through at the end. I want this one to be happy, especially after everything he went through. Absolutely cutiepie, gunna be the one to pay for his dinner after he gets home 😊

🔥 Hottest Role - Dwight Pollard (Gotham)

Since I go into all of his roles blind, I had no idea what to expect for this one, but from the start I was hooked. Having him be a crazed cult leader with the biggest, most feral smile and laugh ever stole my heart the things I would let this man do to me sakndskjds I liveblogged his eps to a friend of mine who’s seen Gotham and has been trying to get me to watch it for ages cause I love DC, so she was thrilled as I sat here screaming about everything leading up to his ending :’D I’ve gotten some encouragement to write him, so when I do it’s gunna be so insane I’ll have to tag the hell outta it lmao (btw making these gifs nearly killed me oh my god I need him)

💘 Love of my Life - Joshua Whitmore (Cass)

All the pain I went through trying to get this movie was worth it because it all led to him. I love him, I adore him, I’m so incredibly glad that so many others got to see him and love him too thanks to my trials and tribulations. DD’s only artist role, I got to connect with him on a personal level not shared with the others, and my desire to make sure he’s safe and taken care of is so strong that I wrote 26k about him, they’re two of my most favourite things I’ve ever written. I’ve thrown the ending of the movie out and completely placed it with my own, which can be found in my fics, and until Hugh Schulze DMs me personally and tells me what his vision was, that’s what I’m sticking with forever. So rest easy, he’s free from New York and buyers and dealers and the street and he’s safe and happy and painting again ;w;

❣️ Honourable Mention - Thomas Schiff (The Dark Knight)

The OG, a lot of people’s first roles of his, including mine. I remember seeing this movie in theaters when it came out so that means I saw him up there, on the big screen, and something about him stuck around in my brain until I finally realized my love QwQ Even if he isn’t as fleshed out in my mind to make the actual list, I still needed to include him in some way, I hope he got placed somewhere that wasn't Arkham after Batman stepped in.

🔥 Hottest Role - Cam (Relaxer)

I will never watch Relaxer again. Couldn’t even do it while I was making his scenepack cause so many horrible things happen to Abbie I couldn’t take it. But Cam, oh my god, I need this man. Someday I wanna write this huge fic about the reader trying to date him, and there’s no redemption. He’s still terrible at the end. But that’s what we all love about him, how shitty he is and how the potential is there for him to make us all worse. He sucks, but in the best way, and I kinda need him to maybe bully me please 😳 (making that first gif nearly made me blackout why is he doing pushups)

💘 Love of my Life - Bob Taylor (Prisoners)

When I started adding names to my list of men I loved, Bob wasn't even on it at first I think, despite liking him in the movie. Then I saw more with him and added him to crushes. Now I’m fully in love with him, and he breaks my heart every single day. He was hurting for so long, even when we were watching I couldn’t place the blame on him while the rest of my family were convinced just like Loki that he was the one, but no matter what I couldn’t. The second I saw his sweet smile I told them there was no way it was him, and sure enough I was right. Another character who didn’t deserve what happened to him, I’ve been slowly helping him with my headcanons, but in my personal queue I have a fic planned for him and he will have no more sad days when I do 😭 I also have a bunny plush I’d had for years, my dad bought it for me and it’s been sitting on my bed ever since, and when I’m sad I hold it and pretend Bob gave it to me, it’s honestly got me through some much needed therapy because if he could go about his day with that kind of trauma then I could be brave and call about my own mental health :’)

❣️ Honourable Mention - Lonny Crane (The Belko Experiment)

This one’s a bit of a double whammy, cause I love him, but the switch to violence had me staring 👀 Either way, he didn’t deserve his death, but since it is a killing game type movie he was doomed from the start, at least his seemed instant 🥺 Someday I’ll write a fixit for him too, it was just too much for him back to back to back, he really didn’t deserve his final moments to have him as a villain even though I would really love to be lifted up like that aklskjdskds okay I’m normal again

🔥 Hottest Role - Ray Watkins (The Rookie)

Have you seen this man? No really, have you seen him? The twirl, the shirt lifting on his hips, the cold but also fun villainy, the nonchalance to mask the cruelness underneath. I need him. This one is not a Want, he is a Need and I need him. I hope that he gets to come back in the future to fully wrap up his plot along with the cop’s plot, pleasepleaseplease, otherwise I will die unsatisfied.

💘 Love of my Life - Kurt Goreshter (Ant-Man 1-2)

I believe he might’ve been the second role I’d ever seen, but only after I really got into the MCU after Endgame. I skipped Ant-Man in my original watches, since I was mostly just into the Avengers and Cap (mainly Bucky lol) in general, but when I finally did a full marathon I really enjoyed the first movie. Cannot remember my feelings for him now since it’s been about 4 years, but I do know when I went back to rewatch in March I fell the second I saw him 🥰 the hair, the accent, the outfit AGAIN, and those hand tattoos, this is another Perfect Man. My crush on him is incredibly strong, it told me that yeah I was really starting to fall for DD (at that point I’d just seen Demeter a few times, and then Oppenheimer on accident) and it officially kicked off my marathon that eventually led me to my collection I have today.

❣️ Honourable Mention - Lester Billings (The Boogeyman)

My family actually watched this without me way before my crush began, so when I saw he was in it I just had to finally sit down and watch it myself. Cue me hurriedly typing to my sibling when he showed up lol this man is SAD! He’s so beautiful and sad, I just wanna make a new family with him (I would be a parent for him, that’s the extent of my love) so he can be happy again. I love the backstory I made up for him way more than the original story, sorry Stephen King but you made him awful and I don’t want that one. I’m gunna save this man and he WILL smile again, that’s a Ray Guarantee.

🔥 Hottest Role - The Vampire (Cora)

Now, to start, this one falls prey to Very Bad Writing Choices. I will not deny that. Like, even with the allegory of the whole thing (that I did not see cause I just saw a short vampire story honestly) it's very much Not Good. But that’s why I’m removing him from the short and keeping him. In fact, go read polkadotjohnson’s fics on him, they’re fantastic and I adore how she wrote him. I someday wish to do my own, because otherwise everyone who can’t look past the Very Bad Writing Choices are getting straight up robbed of this one. Those double fangs need to introduce themselves to my neck pronto, you see what I’m saying? He’s so goddamn hot, DD needs to play a very serious vampire role again so everyone can see the Vision, he wants to do it, I need to win the lottery so I can fund this movie myself, that’s my new life’s goal.

💘 Love of my Life - Jack Delroy (Late Night With the Devil)

The first movie I saw in theaters after my crush began! My friend saw him in a tweet about it and linked me to it so I thought it was already out, but I ended up having to wait two weeks and it nearly killed me ;w; I went in completely blind, which is good cause the trailer spoils so many great shots unfortunately, and the entire time I was swooning. Like, I usually whisper to my sibling during movies if we have comments, we’re very talkative at home when we watch stuff, but this time I was just sitting there staring with hearts in my eyes without pause. I’m in love with this man, plain and simple, I’m so glad I was able to get to see it since it didn’t come to the theater closest, we had to drive an hour away and when dad joked about me paying for the tickets since I was the one who wanted to see it, I did in a heartbeat. I wanted to see it again, but it was only there a couple weeks, so by the time I was able to go it was gone and I’m still upset about it. I’d sell my soul for this man, I love writing for him so much, I’m so glad my crush on Wojchek bloomed just in time for me to see this.

❣️ Honourable Mention - Hank (Virgin Alexander)

I avoided this one at first because the trailer was making me cringe and I was going crazy over what kinda sexy awkward role he’d have in it, but I was pleasantly surprised in the end. I think the movie is actually cute, despite some stuff still making me cringe, and Hank is literally the most perfect boyfriend. If he showed up randomly in my life I would date him in a second, hands down. He’s so shaped like a friend, I know I’d always have fun with him even when we’re not Having Fun, and that’s all you can ever ask for in a relationship 😊

🔥 Hottest Role - Breck Montanari (Double Black)

Okay first of all I gave him that last name. Second of all, I wrote 70k about this man and I am so in love with him that I own him now. I’ve taken him from Sara Woomer, he’s mine now. He has a full past, gave him a future and a partner, there’s no way I couldn’t have fallen in love with him. Unfortunately that fic will never be shared as it’s private, but know that, again, until Sara Woomer DMs me personally and shares everything else about this world, this is my new canon for him. And the cult. And the entire area where he lives. And several of the members. And the new Double Black who was such a chill dude that I made my bff love him too. This is my secret legacy. He only lost out to my #2 because there’s no way he couldn’t be my #2.

💘 Love of my Life - Wojchek (The Last Voyage of the Demeter)

The reason I finally learned his name QwQ I went into this movie blind, dad really wanted to see it and I love horror so I went with him, and the second I saw him I said, ‘Oh that guy! I know that guy!’ since by then I’d seen Kurt and Abner a few years earlier and vaguely remembered him. I spent the whole movie then dreading his end thanks to the opening lines, and I’m pretty sure I quietly yelled at the screen when he fell and then got got after praying he’d be okay TwT After Abner, he’s the first DD role I ever shipped with, and when my crush officially restarted I ended up writing my entire plot for him and Addy that night before bed. I love him so much, he’s my jolly sailor bold who stole my heart by crying over the thought of having to lose his home. He’ll forever own a special place in my heart because of all this, I can’t imagine anyone else taking this spot.

🔥 Hottest Role - Murdoc (MacGyver 2016)

Murdoc was the first TV role of his I checked out after I saw as many movies as I could that interested me (mostly all the ones on Prime sans a couple, my collection was very very small by then) and the moment I saw him be mentioned I was ready to go. The Alice in Wonderland vague text, running and then getting shocked before falling two floors, showing up with that hair, I was not prepared for everything else they were about to throw at me. Murdoc is one of my most favourite characters now, he’s so much fun, I adore everything about him, I’ve only edited with him twice and written him once, but I need to do both so much more! This one is hot as fuck, he’s adorable, he loves his son, he’s got tools, he’s utterly sadistic, he’s a silly little guy. This is another Perfect Man, I cannot wait to decide on his plot with Addy because there’s too many fun possibilities I honestly might just make multiple.

❣️ Honourable Mention - Willy Cunningham (The Domestics)

Now… you might all be thinking… why the hell is this guy a #2 honourable mention in the face of all the others… and the answer is… I’m a freak 😀 I’ll never say, but my eyes were opened to him, and my god, I will literally never be the same. I just need him and that insanely feral energy okay, lemme have this.

💘 Love of my Life - Abner Krill (The Suicide Squad)

The love that started it all, I think I fell for him the moment he walked outta his cell and got teased. The love I feel for him goes so deep, it only compares to one other, and whenever I work on my plot for him and Addy I always get choked up. The ultimate one who didn’t deserve what he got, I actually refused to watch the movie again after he died, straight up did not watch until my marathon started, and as soon as I saw him in that cell it all came back. I instantly fell back in love with him, and thus his Addy plot has the most love put into it to make sure he’s happy and safe. I thought that maybe there’d be another to win my heart as my marathon grew, but nope he’s still there sharing it with my other #1, and seeing him can instantly bring a smile to my face no matter how I’m feeling.

After the movie I read the trivia again and my crush on DD himself began, so it’s all thanks to him and Wojchek that I’ve met the people I know today and have created so many things in such a short time. When I hit my lowest low in years I just sat at my desk and held the funko I have of him and just cried it all out, and it honestly helped me get out of that spiral. Thanks to him I now have a Polka-Dot Man collection (still missing one figure and maybe a signed print and poster 👉👈🥰) and if I could get a plushie of him to join the ton I already have I’d buy him in a second. Maybe someday, if I have any courage, I’ll bring my funko or something to a con where DD is attending and get it signed, either him or my other #1, and I’ll cherish it forever.

❣️ Honourable Mention - Jude (Animals)

Like all the others, I went into this movie completely blind. I didn’t know DD wrote it or its significance to him until after it was over and the credits rolled. So the entire time I was watching I was falling in love with him, he was so incredibly my type in the moments he was actually happy that it’s insane, I spent the whole movie just saying how much I would date him in better circumstances. We were sadly betting which one of them was going to die as things just got worse, me and my sibling were watching so miserably, and then we were rewarded with a happy ending despite the bittersweetness. And then the credits rolled, after me repeatedly wondering why he’d accept a role like this after knowing at least about his addiction and it all fell into place. I haven’t been able to watch again so far now that I know a lot of what happened to Jude also happened to him, it breaks my heart too much, but I still love him deep down and I hope he was also able to heal after the credits rolled.

🔥 Hottest Role - Johnson (Reprisal)

Tied for first with Abner as the ultimate love of my life and claiming this one all to himself, Johnson is the Most Perfect Man. Literally, no other DD role can top him in my heart aside from Abner. I honestly almost skipped Reprisal entirely because the promo image on his imdb didn’t grab me (I’m such a fake fan I’m so ashamed of myself), but when I was done with everything else and wanted to see more, I downloaded it without ep9 since he wasn't in it, and started watching. What followed next was me falling so in love with the show that I spent forever trying to get that missing episode back from near dead torrents cause I needed to watch it even though he wasn't in it. Reprisal is my Roman Empire, I am constantly thinking about it and him and Matty, not just for my fic but just because I love it all so fucking much.

Johnson himself is so fascinating, I’m incredibly in love with him and everything about him, he’s unlike any other role DD has played that there’s a complete disconnect in my mind, he’s just Johnson. He’s so goddamn hot I missed out on literally everything the first round because I was watching him so hard, Matty and Ethan were nonexistent to me and I’m madly in love with Matty now so let that sink in, and when I rewatched it immediately after with my parents it was like I was watching for the first time. I’m loving writing for him (and Matty and Ethan of course) so much that my thoughts go back to him daily, and it almost always includes me being on the verge of tears because of how insanely good this script is and how these boys bring me so much joy while also shattering my heart.

Making the gif below no joke did make me cry like this show is my greatest weakness right now you guys don't even understand how much it and Johnson mean to me.

I need to edit more for him and them and the show in general, if I had endless money and all the confidence in the world I would truly fund this show single handedly so it can finish the way it was supposed to. I’m so mad at Hulu for giving me the greatest love(s) of my life before taking him away years before I’d ever know him, with no physical media or merch to at least collect to numb the pain. At some point I need to get some promo pics printed out as actual posters, I need this show on my wall so I can always see him.

#david dastmalchian #happy birthday you beautiful man may I follow your work for many more bdays to come #this took me no joke 11 hours to do it was like 3 for writing and the rest was making gifs with a dinner break in between

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lex-loudestwoman · 1 year

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Kaylor Swiftgron: Which Muse Inspired Which Songs on Red & 1989

On the precipice of 1989 TV's release and amidst the Kaylorification of 1989 TV's rollout, I thought it'd be a good time to figure out which muses aligned to which songs. I did my research, which includes: lyrical analysis & music video analysis, the timing of when songs were written, which producers and co-writers were credited to each song, social media posts, and where the girls were in real time. Shout out to @sophietv for her incredible work on the Kaylor timelines and evidence, and to @swiftgronmasterpost and @swiftgronmasterpost for their work to outline everything from Achele to Rivergron to Swiftgron. Round of applause to you both!!

Let's get into it!! (and if you want to just see my conclusions for which songs are about which muse, scroooolllll to the bottom)

The Red Muses

2011

Red was written in two phases. First, she worked with her producer from Speak Now & Fearless, Nathan Chapman. They wrote 25 songs together between February and October 2011. She took these songs to Scott Borchetta and he congratulated her on a finished album, but she wanted to experiment with other producers and writers to play with new sounds. So, after October 2011 she started working with a handful of other producers to write more tracks for Red. Here's a breakdown of Red songs by producer.

Nathan Chapman:

State of Grace

Red

All Too Well

I Almost Do

Stay, Stay, Stay

Sad Beautiful Tragic

Starlight

Begin Again

The Moment I Knew

Girl At Home

Martin & Shellback:

I Knew You Were Trouble

We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

Message in a Bottle

Bhasker: Holy Ground

Wilson: Treacherous, Come Back...Be Here

Walker: Everything Has Changed

Lind & Bjorkland: The Very First Night

McKenna: I Bet You Think About Me

The first time we know for sure Dianna and Taylor interacted was on September 4th, 2011 at the Fairfax Flea Market, which implied that the songs Taylor wrote with Chapman weren't about Dianna.

Karlie and Taylor dated (I think) starting in the summer or early fall of 2011. I think they weren't expecting anything super serious, but it was one of those flirtations that starts out strong and feels good with them and all of the sudden you're in love and you barely believe it and feel ridiculous for knowing but you have a feeling this person is for you, maybe forever... It sounds right for Taylor who has admitted how fast & hard she tends to fall for people when she's in love.

Taylor attended the Rodarte Spring/Summer 2012 fashion show during NYFW and sat front row next to Anna Wintour on Tuesday, September 13, 2011. Karlie walked in the show (slay). This was also the day that Taylor spent with a Vogue interviewer for her iconic January 2012 Vogue Cover and Article where she is quoted as saying "I love Karlie Kloss! I want to bake cookies with her!" She said this straight after leaving the Rodarte Fashion Show.

Interestingly, Karlie was quoted in a magazine as having been introduced to Taylor Swift at the Met Gala and they joked about baking cookies together! They both attended the Met Gala in May 2011, just four months before the Rodarte Fashion Show/Vogue Interview day! So it's pretty weird that Taylor would say the exact same thing, unprompted, when she saw a photo of Karlie Kloss at a fashion designer's studio on the exact same day she sat front row for a fashion show Karlie walked in!!

I imagine that Taylor and Karlie fell into something new and beautiful and sweet by accident. The Rodarte Show was on a Tuesday, maybe they met up for coffee the next day on Wednesday, September 14th in NYC? Who's to say!

All that said, I think Begin Again is about Karlie. It was written sometime between February and October 2011, which would've been a really, really fast turnaround for it to be about Dianna. Between the music video and the lyrical connections, it's very Kaylor coded. Starlight also could plausibly be about Karlie because they attended the Met together in 2010 and 2011, and their 2011 dresses were sparkly and tbh Karlie looked hot AF.

But, let's also remember that Taylor is on tour and just got herself out of two on-again-off-again, fairly toxic relationships, and as she said herself in Begin Again that the last 8 months she's been heartbroken and scared to get hurt from love (earliest would've been June 2010-February 2011 and latest would've been February-October 2011). Plus she's not even 22 years old, so she's not necessarily good at being in relationships yet. She's in a messy place, and she falls in love like a ton of bricks.

I think that this delicate, precious new thing with Karlie didn't work out (not for malice or hurting each other, just life) and over the winter they were distant but were still in contact.

2012

On January 17, 2012 we get tweets from BOTH Karlie and Dianna about the *iconic* Vogue article. This makes me think:

1. Karlie is still interested in exploring this new relationship with Taylor

2. Dianna and Taylor have kept in touch and have a lil something something going on, a little curiosity they might want to explore

3. Taylor likes public attention, and she likes feeling wanted, and she's got two hot ass women who want her. Do you blame the girl for being messy!?!

Dianna and Taylor attend the same pre-Oscars party on February 24th, 2012, and this is where I think Swiftgron starts to take off. Dianna is all happy and heart eyes online for the next three weeks until the Speak Now Tour ends. They're spotted together frequently in March and April. The Shirley MacLaine birthday party thing happens April 25th, Dianna's circus birthday party is April 28th, and I would bet anything they started hooking up sometime these first two months. I think Holy Ground was written about Dianna's birthday party, with the note on the door with the joke we made, and that was the first day.

Taylor writes Everything Has Changed and Run on May 15th, 2012, with Ed Sheeran, and records both EHC and The Last Time on May 28th, 2012. Everything Has Changed seems Swiftgron (thanks Gaylor twt for helping me figure out that the freckles are IN Dianna's green eyes bc girl bye I was full of questions). The Last Time is almost certainly about Liz.

But Run is very Kaylor coded! The pale blue eyes, use of darling, the laugh like a child (Begin Again), locket, picture frame...

On May 31st, 2012, Dianna is bearding hard with Henry Joost to distract from her appearance with GLAAD. I have a working hypothesis that Taylor Swift hates beards and is not a fan of having to use them or be with people who have them. I just don't think it works for her with how insanely famous she is, the guys are hyperscrutinized and she's honestly not very good at being a convincing heterosexual woman. I think there's some conflict between Taylor and Dianna because of the beard.

By June 10th, 2012, Taylor has written 22, WANEGBT, and IKYWT. I am inclined to believe that WANEGBT is about Emily or Liz. Same thing with IKYWT. 22 is about her besties and living life and being carefree and embracing all of the beauty and pain of falling in and out of love and everything that is your early 20s.

We get the whole Hyannis Port x Kennedys summer week of pap walks featuring Swiftgron all over the place! But it seems like they probably break up later in July. This was a hot and cold relationship for real.

WANEGBT is released on 8/13 and Dianna tweets at Taylor (like never ever?). On September 29, 2012 Dianna and Naya Rivera are on a cheeky, lil sexy vacation in Paris. Taylor goes to Paris that same weekend to film Begin Again at the Love Lock bridge (Karlie is also in Paris but there's no evidence to show that they saw each other at all).

However, I wouldn't put it past Taylor and Karlie to have seen each other while Swiftgron was cold. Perhaps in September 2012 right around when she filmed Begin Again?

October 17, 2012 Taylor writes This Love in LA according to her diary entries. So I think This Love is about the Swiftgron reconciliation for whatever happened this summer. Things are good for a bit, they go to the Ripple of Hope gala together on December 3rd, 2012. They're pictured together on December 6th, 2012 and Dianna's all cryptic online about her secret love.

Quick Aside: Karlie and Josh have been "officially together" ever since June 2012, but they were first seen together in November 2012 when they both attended the VS Fashion Show. I'm under the impression that these gay celebrities in their early twenties only needed a beard when they were in another relationship they were distracting away from. They didn't need a beard, they could just say they were focused on friends and their career (aka 1989 era). So who was Karlie dating in mid 2012 that needed to be covered up with plausible deniability? This would've been in the works for a bit before they launched it in November 2012.

Also, super interesting that Karlie also met Taylor for the "first time" at the 2013 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, hmm? Anywayssss.

2013

I think everything Swiftgron blew up on February 14th, 2013 with the 'I Do' episode of Glee where Dianna Agron and Naya Rivera hook up on screen. Taylor made a whole big deal about this episode containing one of her songs and encouraged her fans to watch, but her song wasn't in the show (tweet was later deleted). But picture this: Happy Valentine's Day, watch your girlfriend hook up with the girl she told you not to worry about!! And then learn that they actually did hookup when y'all were on a break, like two weeks before y'all got back together!! Oooh boy!! I'm pretty sure this was what inspired Babe (in the music video Taylor was the mistress, but IRL Taylor was the main character who got cheated on instead of the mistress!!).

Dianna is a mess on Twitter after that and there might have been about two months of back & forth, maybe some breakup sex, but I think Swiftgron died dead by the time the article about them secretly dating dropped on April 16th, 2013.

The Red tour started on March 18th, 2013 and I can't imagine that made things any easier for Swiftgron. Meanwhile... I think Karlie and Taylor re-reconnected in this time period.

The 1989 Muses

2013

Taylor wrote 1989 while on tour for Red (except for This Love, according to the diary entry it was written on 10/17/2012). I think the breakup songs are about Dianna and the love songs (excluding This Love) are allllll Karlie.

If Taylor and Karlie did reconnect in Fall 2012, then Spring 2013 would be a long six months later...

Taylor and Karlie "meet for the first time" (which we have so much proof that it's not but like, okay, fine) on November 13, 2013 at the Victoria's Secret Fashion show. We know this isn't their first meeting or flirtationship, but it certainly is their first public outing to test what people say about their friendship.

Then, I'd wager Taylor plays "cat & mouse for a month or two or three" until they officially are girlfriends on March 6, 2014. Yay!!!

Songs About Dianna:

Red: Holy Ground, Everything Has Changed, Come Back...Be Here, Better Man, Babe

1989: Clean, Wonderland, All You Had To Do Was Stay, I Wish You Would

Songs About Karlie:

Red: State of Grace, Treacherous, Stay, Stay, Stay, Starlight, Begin Again, Message in a Bottle, Run, The Very First Night

1989: Welcome to New York, Blank Space, Style, OOTW, Wildest Dreams, How You Get the Girl, I Know Places, You Are in Love, New Romantics

#kaylor #swiftgron #1989 #1989 taylor's version #red #red taylor’s version #lgbetty #gaylor #taylor swift #dianna agron #karlie kloss

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defectivevillain · 6 months

Text

this winding labyrinth, ch5

chapter five: surrender

pairing: Hannibal Lecter/Reader (reader is not gendered, race-ambiguous, and no physical descriptors are used)

summary:

You wish you never met Hannibal Lecter. But you yearn for his presence. You want to forget him. But he never truly leaves your thoughts. Now, you’re left to pick up the pieces of a broken design. A battle of instinct rages on in your mind—one of bittersweet relief and cloying grief, fearless resolve and poignant regret; a clashing between affection and antipathy, pride and pain. What will win, in the end? Only time will tell.

this is chapter 5, act 2 of this broken design. if you haven't read act 1 or chapters 1-4, this won't make too much sense.

ao3 version | Spotify playlist

warnings: the usual fare (canon-typical violence, gore, murder), death (of children and adults)

Several Years Later…

Jack Crawford and you stand over the table in his office, which is nearly buried under newspapers and physical materials. Two photographs lie in stark contrast to the black and white newspapers, bursts of horribly vivid color amidst the monotony. You look at the first one: a photo of the crime scene at the Leeds’ residence. You shake your head, thinking back to your investigation of the eerily silent home.

There had been too much to look at. Too many bloodstains. Too much dust. Not nearly enough substantial evidence. You gleaned far too much about the daily lives of the Leedses as you investigated that house. The simplest mundanities were demonstrative of their ordinary lives before their deaths. A normal family with no enemies. (As it usually happens). Death doesn’t discriminate between good and evil, deserving and undeserving. You have to come to terms with that lesson every time you approach a crime scene.

The pendulum swings before your eyes once more—a familiar greeting. You blink and you’re standing in the Leeds’ residence, sneaking through the dark hall until you reach the master bedroom. Mr. and Mrs. Leeds slumber peacefully, with no indication of the horrors they will soon experience. You hover at the end of their bed, listening to their measured breaths. In, out. Your gloved hand is steady on your gun and you round the side of the bed, towering over Mr. Leeds. He exhales slowly. You fire and a bullet carves its way through his temple. Mrs. Leeds rouses at the noise, her face paling in the near darkness as she sees her husband’s blood spilling down his face and coloring the pristine white sheets. The woman tries to get up and you shoot her in the abdomen, before making your way out of the master bedroom and walking down the hall to the children’s bedroom.

Their boys are awake now, too. They sit upright in bed, staring at you with wide eyes and thinly-veiled fear. You raise your gun and shoot the first in the temple. The other boy scampers away, falling to the ground and attempting to crawl under the bed. It doesn’t take you long to break the distance between you and grab at his ankle, yanking him back out and flipping him onto his back. A swift shot to the head drains the light from his eyes. You turn your back on the children, your attention captured by the master bedroom. You think you hear ragged breathing. Perfect.

You take a deep breath and push the pendulum away, looking down at the photograph as you try to make a coherent timeline of events. The husband was killed first. The wife went next—was shot with a bullet through the abdomen. The two boys were shot and killed too. Then, the smashing of the mirrors. And… the strangulation of Mrs. Leeds, which proved to be the true cause of death.

The two boys and the husband were positioned to observe Mrs. Leeds, to watch as the killer drained the life from her eyes, imprinted his teeth onto her skin, snapped his bloodied maw, guts and gore slipping onto his tongue and down his throat-

“They found a film,” Jack says, breaking you out of your self-imposed trance. He grabs the tape and pushes it into the television in the corner of the room. “Mr. Leeds had purchased it three weeks prior to his death.”

The two of you move your chairs to sit in front of the television. For an awful and tense moment, the screen stutters in static. Time is an utter drag, mocking you for your unfounded patience. Will this film really be of any significance?

You don’t think so, and your suspicions are soon proven correct. The film is a recording of a few simple moments in the family’s ordinary life—relaxing on a beach with shimmering water, laughing around a dinner table.

When the film is finished, Jack retrieves it from the television and returns to his seat. “What do you see?” He asks. You’re not sure you want to answer. And, really, what do you see?

“A happy family,” you remark. There’s something idling in your mind—a key component not yet realized. There is significance in the discrepancies between Mrs. Leeds and the rest of the family’s deaths; there is significance in the attention paid to the matriarch and the matriarch alone. You ruminate on the film you just watched, trying to connect the seemingly unrelated pieces. Something must’ve drawn the killer to this family.

“Do you think Mrs. Leeds was beautiful?” You hear yourself asking. You remember the shimmering blond hair flowing down her back, the charming smile she aimed at the camera. You think of the way the killer defiled her corpse, the intimate way he killed her and only her.

“Sure,” Jack remarks, clearly unsure where you’re going with the conversation. You’re not sure you know where you’re going, either. You just know that you can’t seem to move past Mrs. Leeds.

“He thought she was, too,” you say. “He paid her special attention. The cause of death was strangulation, remember. The killer was somewhat fixated with Mrs. Jacobi in a similar manner—he bit her, too.”

You frown. “What do we know about the killer, at this point?” You have to ask. There have been so many conversations, so many discussions laden with the smallest and most insignificant of revelations. It is an arduous task to connect this killer to a person.

Indeed, Jack takes a deep breath. “He’s right-handed and has blond hair,” your boss recalls, crossing one leg over his knee. His eyebrows furrow as he evidently searches through his memory. “Size eleven shoes.”

“He’s strong, evidently,” you add with a frown. Although, how strong, you can’t be sure. After all, he didn’t seem willing to take the chance of confronting Mr. Leeds, instead disposing of him before he could resist. Strangling Mrs. Leeds, on the other hand… That required both an immense urge to touch her—even with gloved hands, as the lack of fingerprints showed—and a fervent strength. Yes, this killer is strong. “Anything else?” You don’t expect much.

“Semen and saliva show his blood type is AB positive,” Jack finishes. Your stomach turns with disgust, a white-hot rage flaming down your spine for the briefest of moments. This job never gets easier, you think to yourself. You just slowly become numb to the world’s horrors.

“Let’s review the timing of these again,” you suggest, eager to continue with the conversation. You cross one leg over the other and stare at the dark television screen in front of you. “The Jacobis were killed on the full moon last month. The Leeds were killed almost a month later, a day before the full moon. That was… a few days ago, now.”

“The Jacobis were killed in their home in Birmingham; the Leeds were killed in their home in Atlanta… Both white, middle-class families. Nuclear families.” You recount.

Jack nods. “They’re calling him the Tooth Fairy,” he says, getting to his feet and walking over to the table once more. He grabs a newspaper and studies it with disinterest. It’s clear Jack isn’t fond of the childish nickname, and you don’t think you are, either.

“From the biting,” you sigh. “Clever.” You scoff, standing up and returning to your spot at the table. The two of you regard the haphazard pile of papers and photographs. You’re starting to feel a bit frustrated—this conversation is yielding no new information, and neither are the ongoing investigations in the homes of the victims.

Jack stares down at one of the newspapers, his lips pulled in a thin line. “No clear motive,” he frowns. “Random selection.”

“Every killer has a motive,” you remind him. “And there has to be something that connects these two families.” There needs to be, otherwise you’ll be exploring more houses laden with dust and picking apart more corpses. Jack nods in agreement. He knows as well as you do: there is nothing truly random about this killer’s behavior. It seems random now, because there have only been two instances. If there were more, you could deduce a pattern more easily… but you don’t want to manifest more death.

“No witnesses,” you remember. Jack nods, a grimace on his face. The killer slipped in and slipped out with frightening ease, managing not to alert even a single neighbor to his presence. You went around and did some door duty back when you visited the crime scene, but you hadn’t had much luck with any of the neighbors. “Has Alana taken a look at this?” Jack confirms your suspicions with a nod. “And?”

Jack just shakes his head. You’re sure Alana provided some valuable insight, but there’s little that hasn’t already been thoroughly examined. There are only so many times the same people can scrutinize the same set of information. “We’ve spoken to all the typical suspects.” By ‘the typical suspects,’ you assume Jack means Alana, Beverly, Jimmy Price, Brian Zeller, and the local police department (although, you’re not sure they were able to provide you any helpful information; your relationship typically works the other way around, with the FBI providing the local jurisdiction with more information).

“We don’t have much time,” you say. The words cling to the air with vigor. If the killer continues to follow his pattern, he will kill another family on the full moon of the next month. That leaves you… not even four weeks to track him down. Not to mention, there’s an utter lack of meaningful evidence. All you have right now are shadows—traces of the killer’s movements, a smattering of physical traits that millions of people could possess. You fear that, in three weeks, you will still be at the same roadblock you’re at right now. Perhaps that fear is what motivates you to continue speaking.

“Maybe we need to reevaluate our approach,” you say, the words traitorously crawling from your lips. The remark casts a tense silence across the air. You both know it’s true; if there’s anything you know about Jack Crawford, it’s that he is one to rely on the tried and true methods. Thinking “outside the box” is not an idea that Jack typically embraces. But you fear you don’t have any other options.

“What do you suggest?” Your boss asks. His agreeableness is demonstrative of how little information you have, and how desperate you are to get a lead on this guy. You take a deep breath and try to organize your thoughts.

The BAU has thoroughly evaluated all the available evidence. Perhaps, in order to make new connections, you need to speak to new professionals. You need more eyes on this case. Thinking about the killer, you realize that you need a more tangible psychological profile in order to contextualize his behavior and get closer to discovering his identity.

“We need information on a killer,” you start. You pause, questioning your own judgment. There’s a solution staring you straight in the face, but… It’s far from your brightest or safest idea. Then again, you’re desperate—and you know Jack is, too. You take a deep breath, ignoring the whispers haunting the back of your mind. “Who better to consult… than another killer?”

“Another killer,” Jack repeats, staring at you as if you’ve gone crazy. Hell, maybe you have gone crazy. But, sometimes, you need crazy ideas to catch crazy people. That’s what you like to tell yourself, anyway. The truth of the situation may be a combination of honest desperation and something more… unsettling.

Because, truthfully, this other killer’s voice has never left your mind. This other killer is just as brutal as the Tooth Fairy, if not moreso.

“You don’t mean-” Jack cuts himself off, a brief disturbed expression flickering across his face before it morphs into indifference. “Dr. Lecter. Of course.”

Both of you are rather uncomfortable with the notion. But, if Hannibal could provide you with new answers—or, hell, new questions… “He would know,” you admit. “After all, this killer and the Ripper are rather similar. They both left behind little evidence—practically untraceable.”

Jack is quiet for several moments. You can see the gears whirring behind his eyes, as he weighs the potential benefits against the numerous risks. Eventually, he seems to come to an impasse, and he shakes his head. Jack then looks at you. “You would speak with him?”

To your knowledge, Alana is the only one who has actually spoken to Hannibal in the years since he was imprisoned—and from what she told you, their conversation was unhelpful. You would be the best person to speak with him now, realistically speaking. An entire minute passes before you can find it in yourself to respond. “...Yes.”

“Do you realize how dangerous this is?” Jack asks, searching your expression for something. You try your best to maintain your composure.

“High risk, high reward,” you say. “He could know something. And even if he doesn’t, he’ll probably have a good educated guess.”

Jack studies you for another minute, before exhaling and murmuring something along the lines of “I can’t believe I’m agreeing to this.” You don’t blame him—you’re also surprised he agreed. Perhaps more surprising is the fact that you were the one to suggest visiting Hannibal in the first place, after everything he’s done to you. A part of you is terrified that your history with him… has only just begun.

You summon some courage and head for the door. “Agent,” Jack interjects, before you can leave. You turn back around to face him.

“Yes?” You ask.

“Be careful,” Jack says. “He’ll try to get in your head.”

You nod, knowing words will betray you. Really, what the hell are you doing? Why did you sign up for this? Is there a part of you, however small, that hopes to see him again? These thoughts haunt you for the rest of the day and well into the night, until the point when you’re snoozing your alarm and blinking blearily as you realize that you didn’t get a single minute of sleep.

The drive passes in the blink of an eye. The Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane hasn’t changed much in the years since your last visit; the building is still somewhat of an eyesore, with dirtied brick and grimy windows. You haven’t walked down these halls for years. The last time you traversed this path was to speak to Abel Gideon. Hannibal Lecter was there too—that time, on the other side of the bars. Things look almost exactly the same, and you nearly feel as if you’ve been displaced in time. You turn around the corner and step into Chilton’s office. He’s preoccupied with staring at something on his laptop screen. You wait patiently in the doorway for a minute, but nothing happens.

“Dr. Chilton,” you decide to greet him, finally pulling his attention towards you. You immediately wish you could un-notice the way his eyes sparkle when he looks at you, the mad glint in his eye as he practically pulls you apart in front of him. Chilton is far from your favorite person on the planet, but he isn’t evil, you remind yourself. Misguided, yes. But not evil.

“Hello,” Chilton greets you in response, closing his laptop and regarding you with his full attention. “It’s been a while. A few years, at least?”

You breathe slowly, trying to calm your racing heart. “Yes, it has been a while,” you say with a smile that only feels a little forced. “I saw you published a book.” Hannibal the Cannibal, you recall. Not the cleverest of titles.

“Ah, yes,” Chilton responds. Amazingly, he doesn’t take the gifted opportunity to talk about it. It seems that the man has changed a little, in the years that you’ve seen him. How much he’s changed, still remains to be seen, however.

While the small talk is a nice distraction, you know you need to get down to business. “I need to see Hannibal Lecter,” you say, handing Chilton the forms that Jack signed for you. You’re not making that mistake again. Looking at those signed forms catapults you back in time once more, to a tense first encounter between Frederick Chilton and Hannibal Lecter, to an even more tense discussion with Abel Gideon.

“Have fun,” Chilton remarks wryly, after checking over your papers. He pulls one of his desk drawers open and files the paperwork away, before returning his attention to you. “Lecter has been… disagreeable. Nearly silent.”

That’s interesting. You ask Chilton to elaborate, not realizing your error until you see his eyes light up as he begins to speak. Around the two-minute mark, you have to cut him off. “Okay, thank you,” you interject, before he can go on for any longer. There were a few morsels of helpful information buried in that giant monologue, but it’s not nearly enough to make you feel adequately prepared for talking to Hannibal for the first time in years.

Chilton seems to sense your unease, because he gets up from his desk to guide you towards his cell. When you stand up too, he claps a hand on your shoulder. A shiver travels down your spine, but you try your best to ignore it. Chilton is the least of your concerns at the present moment.

“What have you been up to?” Chilton asks as he leads you through the maximum security level of the prison. He seems entirely unbothered by the jeers and taunts the prisoners are directing at both of you. Meanwhile, you have to resist the urge to clap your hands over your ears. All the noise distracts you from his question, and you don’t remember to provide an answer until Chilton is politely coughing to get your attention.

“Oh, right,” you remark. “Well, the usual, I guess… I’m back in the field. I’m teaching the new recruits, too. Sometimes I visit Abigail.” You fiddle with the tape recorder concealed in your jacket pocket. You have no doubt that Hannibal will notice it immediately, but you can’t find it in yourself to care. You suspect you won’t have enough time to take notes—instead too busy trying to stay afloat amidst the verbal traps Hannibal lays for you.

“Oh, Abigail Hobbs,” Chilton says, his eyes alight with recognition, “How is she doing?”

“She’s doing well,” you answer, thinking back to your past few interactions. She’s happier than she used to be, but you fear she’ll never be quite the same. Not that you blame her—if you were in her position, you wouldn’t know what to do with yourself. “About as well as a person can do, in her situation.”

“That’s understandable,” Chilton hums, frowning in sympathy. For once, you think the expression on his face may actually be genuine. Although, once you remember that Chilton had tried to get Abigail confined to these dark halls, you have to second guess that notion.

Hannibal is rather far down the hall, you realize as you continue walking. At some point, you come across a door leading to yet another hallway. Chilton comes to a stop before the door, turning to regard you with an unreadable expression.

“What exactly are you hoping to get from Lecter?” He asks. There it is—the question you’d been waiting for him to ask. It was only a matter of time before Chilton’s curiosity got the best of him. Honestly, you’re somewhat impressed that he kept his lips sealed this long.

“Have you heard of the Tooth Fairy?” You ask.

“The folktale?” Chilton asks with furrowed brows. “The fairy that puts teeth under children’s pillows when they lose them?” You blink at him once, then twice.

“I- not that Tooth Fairy,” you choke out, feeling a laugh bubbling out of you. Leave it to Frederick Chilton to assume that the FBI is investigating an imaginary creature. You take a deep breath and manifest more patience. “The man who killed the Jacobis and the Leedses—the killer who bites his victims.”

“Oh, yes,” Chilton nods.

“He’s been eluding us,” you explain, “Leaving behind little to no evidence. It’s been a while since someone has commanded the FBI’s attention so masterfully.” You raise your eyebrows pointedly, and understanding flashes in Chilton’s eyes. You don’t have to expand on that statement—the remainder of the remark floats in the air, unspoken but omnipresent. It’s been a while… since we’ve seen someone as perplexing as Hannibal Lecter.

“Ah, I see,” Chilton sighs, pulling his identification card from his pocket. “Very well.” He holds his badge up to the badge reader near the door, before covering the pin pad with one hand and typing in a passcode with the other. A green light flashes on the pin pad and the door creaks open ominously.

“I hope you find what you’re looking for, truly,” Chilton continues, as the two of you stroll down the hallway. Your heart is roaring in your ears, making it a bit more difficult to comprehend what the man’s saying. “I can’t promise that Lecter will be any help, though. As I said earlier, he’s been… uncharacteristically quiet since he first arrived.”

“Thanks for the warning,” you answer. “I’ll see what I can do.” Somehow, you get the feeling Hannibal will be a bit more talkative with you. At the very least, you’re not Chilton. Besides, wasn’t a motivating factor behind his imprisonment the fact that you would be forced to know where he was? You wouldn’t be surprised if Hannibal has been lying in wait, anticipating the moment you’d need to interact with him.

“The visitation limit is fifty minutes,” Chilton reminds you. That must’ve changed since the last time you visited—you remember it being an hour in the past. Ten minutes doesn’t seem like it will make much of a difference, but if it’s a matter of life and death… You sigh. It shouldn’t get to that. “He’s at the end of the hall, on the left.”

You nod and thank him. Chilton regards you for one last moment, before retreating back down the hall and into the shadows. You’re left lurking awkwardly in the middle of the hall. One of the prisoners jeers at you, saying something about you looking better with your eyeballs gouged out. You ignore the remark and continue walking.

You’re nearing the end of the hall. Ten steps. Your breaths sound ragged. Nine steps. There’s someone rattling the bars of their cell next to you. Eight steps. Your shoes make small clicking sounds against the floors, alerting everyone to your presence. Seven, six, five, four steps. You’re biting the inside of your cheek so hard you can taste blood. Three steps. Your cuticle stings. You pick at the skin, welcoming the pain. Two steps. His cell, his cage, falls into view. There’s a sweeping glass wall covering the entirety of the space, with small holes carving through the glass at rhythmic intervals. There are elegant white bookshelves stacked to the brim with tomes of all shapes and sizes. A break in the glass reveals a metal slot, likely for food and mail. In the corner of the room sits a desk, near a dining table and chair. A domed window sits on the ceiling, ushering in the afternoon sunlight.

The privilege of it all… It makes you sick. Most prisoners aren’t nearly so lucky. Minor offenders get treated far, far worse than this—with grimy, shared showers and cement walls in lieu of windows. Most prisoners get a single, paper-thin mattress and nothing else.

But Hannibal Lecter is not the same as most prisoners. He is a serial killer with a distinguished mask, crafted with swooping elegant lines and laced with pretense. The Chesapeake Ripper remains prominent in the eyes of the public. There have been countless documentaries and articles about him. Everyone wants to get inside his head; everyone wants to determine how someone with exquisite table manners and a penchant for elaborate dinner parties—someone in the upper echelons of society—can fall so far into criminality.

One more step.

You’re frozen. You don’t want to cross the threshold, don’t want to surrender your camouflage. You’ve spent years trying to get this man out of your head, and you know that the moment you take that last step forward, he’ll be roaming the halls of your mind palace once more.

Then you think of the Jacobis and the Leedses, and remember why you’re here. The Tooth Fairy has escaped the FBI for far too long, leaving little in the way of evidence save for crumpled corpses and mutilated bodies. The man needs to be caught. You think of all the victims you failed to save, of all the times you were confined to the aftermath of gruesome murders.

Selfishly speaking, you don’t want to move. Hell, you’ve had your moments of selfishness—moments when you’ve prioritized self-preservation. It’s a skill you’re often told you need to embrace more. Jack said as much to you all those years ago, didn’t he?

“You can leave this behind,” Crawford had said to you after your first assignment, his lips set in a thin line. “Get another job. Have a normal life.” He had pushed himself up to stand over you. You still remember the look on his face in that moment: how his eyes gleamed with firm resolve. “Or you can walk out of this door with me, back to headquarters.” It hadn’t taken you long to come to a decision. After a few seconds, you got to your feet and followed after him.

You surrendered desire, forfeited comfort long ago. Preference bends to the whims of necessity. You never really had a choice. You take a step forward, the fluorescent lighting above seeping into your skin. There’s a figure sitting at the ornate writer’s desk in the corner of the room, clad in a white jumpsuit. You take another step forward, despite your apprehension, and the noise draws his attention. The Chesapeake Ripper turns around, his eyes gleaming with life when his gaze falls on your form.

“Hello, Dr. Lecter,” you remark.

It is far too late to go back.

next chapter

endnotes

Hannibal is backkk!!! idk why the mf took so long to appear 🙄

as always, thank you for reading! feel free to reblog or drop a comment if you're enjoying this story so far. :3

check out my other works, sorted by fandom.

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#defectivevillain #hannibal #hannibal nbc #Hannibal lecter #hannibal x reader #Hannibal Lecter x reader #x reader #x gn reader #x male reader #male reader #gn reader #transmasc reader #hannibal x male reader #hannibal x gn reader #Hannibal Lecter x male reader #Hannibal Lecter x gn reader #sorry gotta get em all #gotta catch em alllll

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wcvensouls-archive · 1 year

Text

" actually, we have a gig coming up later if you want to come watch. it's a small venue, but still. "

@lucidrims : sc .

#lucidrims #kwak ‘ kieran ’ yujun : threads .#be fearless : first timeline .#hello hello tysm for liking it <3 #he's a new muse and the leader / guitarist of a band that's still #tryna make it big and working on that but it's been his dream #since he was young so he is Not giving up ! PASOKDP #lmk if u want smth different tho <3

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ghulehthezombiequeen · 3 months

Text

call out my name - kylo ren x male reader

this is part 2 of lost in yesterday, definitely recommend reading that first before continuing!

warnings/things to note: SUGGESTIVE but no smut (even more than the last oops), male reader, hints of reader's unstable mental health, uhh not really canon timeline but it's finee

reqs open (link goes to req boundaries)

masterlist.

word count: 2,567

Kylo walked down the hallways of the ship, his thoughts consumed by you. He hated how you had gotten under his skin. You were a prisoner, a potential threat to the First Order, and yet he couldn't help but be intrigued by your fearlessness.

He arrived at his quarters and punched in the code to unlock the door, stepping inside and collapsing onto his bed. He ran a hand through his hair, a frustrated sigh escaping his lips.

Hours passed with Kylo tossing and turning in his bed, unable to shake the memory of your defiant smirks and sarcastic comments. He couldn't understand why you had such an effect on him.

He finally gave up on sleep, sitting up in bed and rubbing his temples. He had never been this obsessed with a prisoner before. Most were forgettable, just a means to an end. But you were different. You were… captivating. And captivating as you were, you took this precious silent moment as an opportunity to sleep. It wasn't comfortable, but you knew your body needed rest.

As you rested in your cell, Kylo stared out the window, his mind racing with thoughts of you. It was late but sleep again seemed impossible. He decided to take a brief walk around the ship, hoping to clear his thoughts.

As he wandered the dimly lit corridors, he found himself heading towards the cellblock. He told himself he was just checking on security, but deep down he knew the real reason.

He stopped in front of your cell, his eyes locking onto your peaceful sleeping form. The Supreme Leader stood there for a few moments, watching you sleep. Your features were soft, your usual smirk replaced by a calm expression. There was something almost innocent about you when you were asleep.

He silently chastised himself for the thought, shaking his head as he tried to push down the odd feeling in his chest. What was wrong with him? He was supposed to see you as nothing but an enemy, yet here he was, staring at you like a lovesick fool.

He debated with himself for a moment, torn between walking away and waking you up. He had never struggled so much to decide on something. He was Kylo Ren, the formidable leader of the First Order. He didn't second guess himself or feel sympathy for prisoners.

But you… you had somehow gotten under his skin.

In a split moment, he made a decision. He pushed the button to unlock the cell door, letting it creak open as the light flooded into the darkened cell and causing you to stir from your sleep.

"Mm, back for round two, eh?" you teased, though your voice was softer and raspier as you blinked to adjust your eyes to the harsh light.

Kylo stepped into the cell, his boots making a soft click as they hit the metal floor. He stopped at the foot of your bed, his gaze roaming over your face in the dim light.

"I should be demanding answers from you, not standing here like a damn fool," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand.

"Don't beat yourself up, princess. No one has managed to crack me yet, and I've been in some really sticky situations," you said with a soft sniffle. "Though I will say, your torture chambers are much cleaner than ones I've been stuck in before."

He grunted in agreement, leaning against the wall next to your bed. He folded his arms across his chest, his gaze fixed on your face.

"You're a tough one, I'll give you that," he admitted begrudgingly. "Most prisoners would be begging for mercy by now."

He paused for a moment, his eyes roaming over your face, noticing the hint of a sniffle in your voice. "Are you… are you crying?" he asked, his voice slightly tinged with concern.

"Nah," you shrugged, clearing your throat with an exaggerated cough. "Just laying here, collecting dust."

Kylo's eyebrow quirked up at your response, knowing damn well you were lying. He wasn't fooled by your casual act. "Bull," he said bluntly.

"You've been crying." He pushed off the wall and took a step closer, studying your face more closely in the dim light. He could see the tear stains on your cheeks, even though you tried to hide them.

"So?" you shrugged with a scoff. "I cry myself to sleep like a teenage girl, what about it?"

His expression softened at your defensive response. He hated how stubborn you were, even when you were clearly vulnerable. "It's a weakness, you know," he remarked, his tone less harsh than usual.

"Crying shows vulnerability. It shows that you're weak. You shouldn't let anyone see it."

"Not crying shows more weakness," you countered, the raspiness in your voice leaving but your tone still soft. "Bottling it all up, pushing it deep down inside you until… well, you snap…"

You licked your lips, lightly chewing on the lower one as you found words to fill the void. "It's not healthy. It makes you even more susceptible to break, you know."

Kylo furrowed his brows as you spoke, your words hitting a nerve. He couldn't deny that there was some truth to them. Bottling up emotions was something he was all too familiar with.

"But crying shows your enemies that you're weak," he insisted, his voice dropping to a soft growl. "It gives them the satisfaction of knowing they got to you."

You grew silent, studying Kylo.

"And the friends that comfort you, you all become so much stronger together than the enemy ever will be alone. Vulnerability does not always mean weakness," you continued, your voice dropping to a whisper. "It can also mean... power."

Kylo was taken aback by your words. He hadn't expected such a profound insight from a prisoner. He had always been taught to keep himself composed, to never let his emotions get the better of him. But as he looked at you, with your tear-stained face and sincere words, something stirred inside him. It was almost like you were making him question everything he had ever known.

"Power, huh?" he muttered, his voice tinged with skepticism. "How does vulnerability give anyone power?"

You licked your dehydrated lips again, studying Kylo's mysterious expression to find the right word for him.

"Trust," you decided after a while. "It's a sign of trust."

Instantly his expression darkened at the word trust. Trust was something he had given and had been betrayed many times before. "Trust is a weakness," he stated, his voice laced with bitterness. "It makes you vulnerable. Makes you easy to manipulate."

"With the wrong people, of course," you let out a chuckling scoff. "That's why you have to be careful. But to the ones- the good ones- that you trust…" you shook your head with a soft sigh. "That vulnerability becomes the most powerful thing that not even droids, clones, stormtroopers, or- or even Snoke can destroy."

Kylo's jaw clenched at the mention of Snoke. That twisted old bastard had manipulated him for years, twisting his mind and making him commit horrific acts in the name of the dark side.

He pushed the memories aside, focusing back on your words. He wanted to scoff, to tell you how stupid your beliefs were, but something held him back.

"You're naive," he said instead, his voice lacking the usual scathing tone.

"No," you shook your head again, pain twisting your heart at how fragile he is. The part he tried so desperately to hide. "Deep down, you know I'm right. You just need to heal."

His eye twitched at your suggestion, his anger flaring up at the mention of 'healing'. He had been told the same thing countless times before, by his mother, his father, even Snoke...

"Shut up," he snarled, trying to rein in his temper. "You know nothing about me. I don't need to heal. I'm strong enough as I am."

Your gaze morphed into one of remorse and grief.

"Oh, if you only saw what I see in you," you whispered, a rogue tear rolling down your cheek. "How much pain you've been through, and how it shaped you. But you could be so much more…"

Kylo clenched his fists, his breathing becoming ragged at your words. Your sympathetic tone cut through his armor more than any blaster shot ever could.

"Don't look at me like that," he snapped, his voice cracking slightly. "You don't know anything. You don't know the pain I've endured. You don't know the horrors I've witnessed. You're just a prisoner, a plaything for me to interrogate and dispose of when I'm bored."

You licked your lips again, then gulped down the lump forming in your throat. You cleared it and looked away with a sour smile. "Right… because I'm just a silly little boy who knows no pain," he scoffed, his tone oozing with sarcasm.

He gritted his teeth, frustrated by your sarcastic attitude. He knew damn well that you had experienced your own share of pain. He could see the scars on your arms, the sadness in your eyes. But he refused to acknowledge it.

"You're a fool," he growled, his voice betraying a hint of annoyance. "A silly little boy with foolish beliefs and a death wish. You're nothing but a complication in my life, a problem to deal with."

"So deal with me!" You chuckled as your voice raised slightly in volume, almost opening your arms but quickly remembering they were still bound. "Why am I here? I've provided nothing useful for your First Order, and I'm definitely not for the Resistance."

The Supreme Leader blinked as he was taken aback by your request. He had expected you to continue resisting, but instead, you seemed almost eager to get this over with.

He walked forward, his footsteps echoing softly in the silent cell. He stood next to your bed, his gaze studying your face with a mixture of annoyance and curiosity.

"You're right," he admitted. "You haven't provided us with any information. You're an anomaly, a question mark that doesn't fit the narrative."

"Exactly," you leaned closer to Kylo as much as you could while still bound. "So why... am I... here?"

Kylo's eyes bore into yours, searching for any sign of deception. He hated how close you were to him, your face only a few inches away. He could see every imperfection, every tiny movement in your eyes.

"Do you really want the truth?" He asked, his voice dropping to a whisper.

"Oh, very much so," you whispered.

He paused for a moment, his gaze flickering between your eyes and lips. His mind was a tangle of conflicting emotions, his usual stoicism faltering in the presence of your vulnerability and defiant spirit.

"I brought you here to break you," he continued, his voice betraying a hint of uncertainty. "To extract information, to bend you to my will. But you've proven… resilient."

He remained his cold gaze on your beautiful eyes, and you kept it with the same defiance as when he walked in here last time.

"And here I am, bound and at your mercy. I've already had my fun, so what's your move?"

Kylo couldn't deny the effect you had on him. Your gaze was unwavering, your resolve strong even at your lowest point. And that smirk, that infuriating smirk that both irritated him and intrigued him.

He reached out, his gloved hand gently trailing down your cheek. He could feel the heat radiating off your skin.

"You want to know what my move is?" he murmured, his voice dropping to a low growl.

"Desperately."

Kylo's hand paused at your jawline, his thumb tracing the curve of your chin. He could feel your breath, shallow and uneven, against his palm. He was torn between giving in to his desires and keeping his guard up.

"You're playing a dangerous game," he spoke your name as a warning, his voice a soft growl. "You have no idea the things I could do to you, the power I hold over you right now."

You tittered under your breath. "See, the thing is..." you tilted your head, peering up at him through your eyelashes. "I do know. I have since you waltzed your way in here. I was just waiting for you to remember who you are."

Okay, maybe that last part was a lie. But Kylo's eyes widened at your words, a flicker of surprise passing through them. He had underestimated you, and that frustrated him. He had come here expecting to toy with you, to break you. But now, it was as if you had flipped the tables on him.

He leaned in even closer, his face now mere inches from yours. His hand moved from your chin to the back of your head, his fingers tangling in your hair.

"You think you know me?" he asked, his voice laced with skepticism. "You think you know what I'm capable of?"

"Not all of you," you confessed. "But I know you're about to do one of two things to me: one, kiss me. Two, kill me. Then I'll know just who you really are," you breathed with a soft smile.

His heart skipped a beat at your words, his mind momentarily blanking. He hadn't expected you to be so frank, so nonchalant about the situation you were in. He wasn't used to people seeing through him like this. He tugged lightly on your hair, pulling your head back to expose your neck. His eyes roamed over the soft, vulnerable flesh, his pulse quickening at the sight.

He leaned in, his lips brushing against your ear, his voice a low whisper. "And which one do you hope it is?"

"Surprise me?" you hummed softly, picking the lock to the binds and draping your arms around Kylo's neck and shoulders. His own hands instinctively moved to your waist, his grip tightening as he pulled you closer. His body reacted to your touch, his pulse quickening and his heart pounding in his chest.

He leaned in, his lips hovering just millimeters from yours. He could feel your warm breath against his skin, and it stirred something deep inside him.

"Impressive," he admitted, his voice slightly raspy. "Clever boy."

Kylo's mind was spinning as he couldn't deny the effect you had on him. He had come here expecting to hold all the power, but now he could feel himself losing control.

His hand slid up your back, his fingers tracing the curve of your spine. He could feel the heat radiating off your skin, and he could hear your heartbeat, quick and steady against his chest.

"You're full of surprises, aren't you?" He whispered, his breath hot against your neck.

"That's what makes me the most fun or the most woeful you'll ever have," you chuckled under your breath.

Kylo let out a soft chuckle as well at your words. He had to admit, you had a way of getting under his skin. You challenged him in ways no one else had before.

He lightly pulled your head back further to expose your neck. He trailed a line of kisses down your throat, his lips light and teasing, causing a whimper to escape your lips.

"You're playing with fire, you know that?" He murmured, his voice a low growl.

"Well thankfully, I don't burn that easily."

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danisbrainrot · 5 months

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yellowjackets as taylor swift albums (I'm bored). this became deeper than I meant for it to go OMG. whoops, anyways, enjoy:

1. tai: reputation. oh my god this girl is soooo in love with van, and at the end of the day, that's what reputation is. a love album. yeah it's got a little revenge in it, but overall, it's about being in love with someone who was there for you at your most vulnerable. and who's always been there for tai, adult AND teen timeline? VAN!

2. van: 1989! it's nostalgic, fun, iconic but still has the emotional rawness that flows throughout all of taylor's albums. everyone thinks 1989 is just heaps of fun, but it has this emotional intensity to it that once you look closer to it, you realise how much of a masterpiece it is. also, it just gives me van vibes tbh.

3. jackie: lover. she's so insecure about being in a relationship with who she thinks is the love of her life (shauna) in case she fucks it up (spoiler alert, she does). taylor also wrote this album as a last hurrah, to prove she had more stories to tell, and I think that ties in nicely to jackie's character. her insecurity forces her to try and prove herself to shauna, and show her best friend how much she loves her.

4. shauna: she's a red girlie. taylor's most emotionally raw album (besides ttpd) and she just gives the vibes. this is taylor's first heartbreak album (like how jackie's death was shauna's first heartbreak), and it's so intense that it takes a few listens to understand, but once you do, you realise it's an album about a girl with big heart learning how to recover from the devastation of losing someone she loves deeply.

5. lottie: folklore!! I love my little baby. this album was written in isolation, and you can definitely hear it in some of taylor's lyrics, and I just feel like that's lottie's character. the isolated girl who's held up to a higher standard than everyone else.

6. nat: ttpd. okay, i was tossing up between giving this to nat or travis, but then I remembered the adult timeline and went with nat. when I first heard this album, it reminded me of her purposeless speech. it's also an album where taylor was going through a manic phase, and if that isn't nat, I don't know what is. she's just lost the love of her life, and then she's kidnapped by lottie's cult and promised so many wonderful things, that she believes it—only for it to end in tragedy.

7. misty: she gives off such speak now vibes. she has so much she wants to prove, and she's reeling from being in love with a man much older than her.

8. travis: evermore. he's such a tragic little guy, that the album suits him. I really just think of happiness, marjorie and right where you left me because he's stuck in the past. he literally kills himself (accidentally I know, I know) because he's so trapped in the wilderness despite being free from it. this album has always given me: depressed sad, compared to its sister albume: folklore, which gives me angry sad. and while he's definitely more angry then lottie, he's got this deep sadness in him that echoes evermore.

9. mari: midnights. okay I don't know how to explain it better than this is how I interpret mari. she's the first to throw herself into believing lottie because she's scared and when I think of midnights, I think of how scared taylor was at losing her relationship and joe that she ignores her feelings. and mari ignores her feelings because if she really thinks about it, I don't think she'd be able to handle herself, i.e. being trapped in the woods, eating jackie.

10. javi: taylor swift (debut). just the innocence and naïvety of the album. it's her first album, she wrote and released at 15/16 so there's a lot of childish beliefs and hopes, which I think javi has—but there's still an underlying feeling of heartbreak. he tries to be a kid, but is still traumatised.

11. laura lee: fearless!! this is purely based on the album title. I mean, learning to fly a plane just to save her friends? this album is probably my least favourite, so you're not going to get a lot of analysis, but the few times I've listened to it, I understand it's about having faith things will work out (this might be wrong, but that's what I'm choosing to believe about it). and her faith makes her believe she can do anything, including save her friends. omg I love her so much <333

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shaolinrouge · 1 year

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Pacific Rim Timeline

First post ever and it’s just going to be a huge info-dump.

Alright, I tried to put this together as close to the actual timeline as possible, but there are a lot of inconsistencies in the Pacific Rim lore, as well as conflicts between the movie, novels, Pacific Rim: Uprising, and Travis Beacham himself. I did my best to root out these inconsistencies and did some flat-out guessing on some parts.

There are some events that are classified as timelines. In these instances I will list them as the earliest possible date they could have occurred and italicize and bold them so they are more easily identifiable. For example, if a battle occurred somewhere between 2015 and 2017, I will list it as the following: 2015-2017: [Name of Event]

A lot of the Jaegers have undetermined destruction dates, but keep in mind that humans were mostly winning the Kaiju War until the Knifehead fight in 2020, so when there are long periods of time involved, the destruction of a Jaeger is likely post-Knifehead.

Please keep in mind I included quite literally every date I could get my hands on, so there will be some events in this timeline that seemingly have nothing to do with the movie itself and only slightly tie into one of the characters.

Now, with that out of the way, let’s jump into it.

201,300,000 - 251,900,000 Years Before: The Precursors Attempt to Invade Earth

During what we refer to as the Triassic period, the Precursors attempt to invade Earth for the first time; however, the atmosphere isn’t suitable for them, and thus, the attempt fails.

November 10, 1980: Hercules “Herc” Hansen is Born

Herc is born in Sydney, Australia. At some point, he meets and marries his wife, Angela. They have a son, Charles “Chuck” Hansen, together in 2003. When the Scissure attack happens in 2014, Herc is in the air force. He chooses to save Chuck instead of Angela during the onslaught and his wife is either killed by her office collapsing or by the nuclear bomb that kills Scissure. Soon after, he joins the first generation of Rangers in the Jaeger Academy alongside his brother Scott. He is a fearless fighter and is willing to put himself in the path of danger to protect innocents.

September 5, 1984: Caitlin Lightcap is Born

Caitlin is an inquisitive and driven woman. She is born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to a father who is a Methodist priest and a mother who is a librarian. She attends Carnegie Mellon for college, where she meets and becomes enamored with Professor Jasper Schoenfeld. The Professor’s wife eventually finds out about the relationship and divorces him. After graduating, Lightcap is accepted into D.A.R.P.A. where she works on thought-based pilot interfacing, foreshadowing her involvement in the Jaeger Program. Eventually, when her OCD and depression become too much for her, she takes a leave of absence. Eventually, she rejoins Jasper Schoenfeld after the Kaiju War begins and develops her Pons Machine.

December 30, 1985: Stacker Pentecost is Born

Stacker is born to parents Obadel and Viviane Pentecost. He has a sister, Luna, as well, who he eventually joins the Royal Air Force alongside. When Trespasser attacks, Stacker learns Luna is in America, planning to help in the assault against the creature. Unfortunately, Luna dies in Trespasser’s assault, and Stacker dedicates himself to destroying the Kaiju as a result, since she was his only remaining family. Stacker is a level-headed and intelligent individual, and despite his stern demeanor, he can be extremely charismatic and motivational when necessary.

September 15, 1986: Bruce and Trevin Gage are Born

The twins are born in the city of Monterey, California. Little is known about their background.

January 31, 1989: Aleksis Kaidonovsky is Born

Aleksis is an abrasive and unpredictable individual who supposedly has aggression issues. Before joining the Jaeger program in 2015, he worked as a guard at an undisclosed prison, alongside Sasha Kaidonovsky.

June 9, 1989: Hermann Gottlieb is Born

Born in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, Hermann is the third of three children. He is a lonely child, often bullied for his oddities. It becomes quickly apparent that Hermann has an aptitude for math, especially abstract mathematics. He goes on to get a degree in engineering and applied science studies. When Trespasser attacks, Hermann is twenty-four. He begins exchanging letters with Newton Geiszler about Kaiju and other topics, and the two continue communicating for the next three years. Eventually, Hermann joins the Jaeger Academy.

January 19, 1990: Newton Geiszler is Born

Roughly ten years before Newton’s birth, his parents begin an affair despite both having partners at the time. Jacob Geiszler, a piano tuner, is his father, and Maria Schwartz, an opera singer, is his mother. Maria leaves Jacob to raise Newton with the help of his [Newton’s] uncle, Illia. His uncle is a musical engineer, and he later teaches Newton the basics of electronics. As a child, Newton is a huge fan of monster movies and manga, and tis interest carries over into the subject of science. Trespasser attacks when Newton is twenty-three and afterward he begins writing to Hermann Gottlieb. The two communicate for at least three years before meeting and then going separate ways. Eventually, Newton joins the Jaeger program.

February 9, 1991: Sasha Kaidonovsky is Born

Besides her birth in Moscow, Russia, we don’t know much about Sasha. She is a woman “not to be messed with”, and before Trespasser’s attack, she worked as a prison guard alongside Aleksis Kaidonovsky.

May 17, 1992: Tendo Choi is Born

Tendo is born in Beijing, China, but was raised in San Francisco. There, he works as a ferryman until Trespasser’s attack. Eventually, he joins the Jaeger Academy.

November 7, 1995: Yancy Becket is Born

He is born in Anchorage, Alaska, to parents Dominique and Richard. His father is a hydraulic engineer. The Becket family lives a relatively comfortable life, traveling the world often. Yancy is considered naturally talented and tends to excel at many things he tries. He’s also generally very level-headed.

December 11, 1998: Raleigh Becket is Born

Raleigh and Yancy are very close as children; however, they have very different personalities. Compared to Yancy’s “calm”, Raleigh is the “storm”. He is very self-assured, although he generally has to work harder than Yancy to excel at certain skills. He is intuitive, but also unpredictable, a trait which is considered a liability by many. While the two get along for the most part, friction sometimes builds between them as it is wont to do between siblings. The brothers are aged fifteen and seventeen when Trespasser attacks, and the pair watch the broadcast live on television. Eventually, the join the Jaeger Academy.

December 24, 1998: The Wei Tang Brothers are Born

Born in Shanghai, China, the Wei Tang triplets earn reputations as street fighters when the Kaiju first invade. At some point during the early attacks, they also become known as local heroes, although the catalyst for this change is unknown. Eventually, they join the Jaeger Academy.

April 23, 2003: Mako Mori is Born

Born in Tanegashima, Japan, Mako’s parents are Sumako and Masao Mori. Her father is a swordsmith, and Mako spends much of her time as a child in his workshop, watching him forge weapons. At some point, he gifts her a hanbo staff. Mako is ten when Trespasser attacks, and she overhears the broadcast on the radio.

August 14, 2003: Charles “Chuck” Hansen is Born

He is born to parents Angela Hansen and Hercules Hansen. His father is an air force pilot. When Chuck is nine, the Scissure attack takes place and his father has to make a choice between saving Chuck and Angela as he only has the time to reach one. Angela passes away and, shortly after, Hercules and his brother Scott join the Jaeger Academy. As a result, Chuck is essentially “raised in a cockpit” and spends a lot of his adolescence in a military atmosphere.

August 10, 2013: The Breach Forms

The Breach is a portal to another world or dimension, called the Anteverse. The Precursors reside within it and create Kaiju there.

August 10, 2013: The Kaiju War Begins

With the emergence of the first Kaiju, the period known as the Kaiju War officially begins.

August 10, 2013: Trespasser Emerges from the Breach

Trespasser is an uncategorized Kaiju that emerges from the Breach and heads for San Francisco. It is the first Kaiju to attack humanity. Little actual information is known about Trespasser, but the Kaiju is taller than the Golden Gate Bridge and can withstand most conventional weaponry thanks to thick armor.

August 10, 2013 - August 15, 2013: Trespasser’s Rampage

Trespasser’s arrival is foreshadowed by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake shortly before it rises from the water and completely destroys the Golden Gate Bridge. Over the next six days it cuts a path through San Francisco, Sacramento, and Oakland, leaving mass destruction in its wake. Forces deployed by the United States and the Royal Air Force have essentially no impact on the Kaiju. In one of their assaults, Luna Pentecost, sister of Stacker Pentecost, is killed. Eventually, the military resorts to using three nuclear missiles on the beast, killing it and decimating most of the Bay Area and Oakland in the process. In the aftermath, most of humanity considers this attack an anomaly. The Kaiju Blue and radiation left behind by this attack makes most of the Bay Area and Oakland essentially uninhabitable, and the SFEZ (San Francisco Exclusion Zone) is created.

August 10, 2013 - August 15, 2013: Yeye Choi Dies from Exposure

During Trespasser’s rampage, Tendo Choi attempts to escape before realizing his grandfather is still at his home in Chinatown. He returns to the area and leads his grandfather from the building, but as they are attempting to get into a car, Kaiju Blue rains down onto Yeye Choi, unbeknownst to his grandson. The pair make it back to the docks and a ferry picks them up and takes them offshore, but Yeye Choi dies shortly after from exposure to Kaiju Blue.

February 5, 2014: Hundun Emerges from the Breach

The uncategorized Kaiju emerges from the Breach and heads toward Manila in the Philippines. It is the second Kaiju to attack humanity. Hundun has two eyes on each side of its head, along with two backwards facing prongs that appear like shovels, one on each side of the head. It has a crest on top of its head too.

February 5, 2014: Hundun’s Rampage

The Kaiju approaches at night during a tropical storm, so the city isn’t prepared at all for its arrival. Upon making landfall in the Philippines, it heads straight toward Manila and begins destroying the metropolitan area. Eventually, when the Kaiju is just east of the city, officials drop a tactical nuke on it. In the aftermath, Manila is thoroughly contaminated by the Kaiju’s excrement.

February 8, 2014: The Kaiju Emergency Alert System is Established

To prevent widespread confusion and panic as was present in Hundun’s attack, the KEAS is established. The system allows civilians a period of time to escape the city if a Kaiju is due to make landfall.

June 1, 2014: Kaiceph Emerges from the Breach

Kaiceph is an uncategorized Kaiju and the third to attack humanity. It heads for Cabo San Lucas, in Mexico.

June 1, 2014: Kaiceph’s Rampage

The Kaiju makes landfall and begins destroying the city. Initially, military forces attempt to lure it to the edge of the city before detonating a tactical nuke, but Kaiceph doesn’t stray from its path. They are forced to detonate the bomb in the city, eliminating half of its inhabitable area. In the aftermath, Kaiceph’s remains are placed on an aircraft carrier.

September 2, 2014: Scissure Emerges from the Breach

Scissure is an uncategorized Kaiju that emerges from the Breach and heads for Sydney, Australia. It has four limbs and loose, scaly skin. Its jaw is long and its mouth is a bioluminescent blue like most Kaiju. It has large and elongated ears that differentiate it from other Kaiju, as well as clawed fingers and wings stemming from its arms.

September 2, 2014 - September 5, 2014: Scissure’s Rampage

Upon emerging, Scissure beelines for Sydney, Australia. While crossing an island, a nuke is dropped near the Kaiju, but it fails to kill Scissure. The Kaiju destroys a large part of Sydney before it is lured to Garigal National Park. Another nuke is dropped, and this one deals a killing blow, but half of Sydney is decimated as well. Hercules Hansen’s wife and Chuck Hansen’s mother, Angela Hansen, is killed in the attack although her exact cause of death is undetermined.

September 15, 2014: Jasper Schoenfeld Proposes his Idea to the United Nations

According to Jasper Schoenfeld, he came up with the idea for Jaegers after watching his son play with a toy robot. He presents his ideas to the United Nations some time after the Scissure attack.

September 15, 2014 - November 9, 2014: The Jaeger Program is Approved

The United Nations gives the go-ahead to Jasper Schoenfeld and Caitlin Lightcap. They begin designing a prototype Jaeger, Brawler Yukon.

September 15, 2014 - December 1, 2014: The Pan Pacific Defense Corps (PPDC) is Formed

Shortly after Jasper Schoenfeld proposes his ideas, the United Nations forms the PPDC to act as their beneficiary. They funded Jasper Schoenfeld and Caitlin Lightcap’s research to create the first prototype Jaegers.

November 9, 2014: Construction for Brawler Yukon Begins

As proposed, Caitlin Lightcap and Jasper Schoenfeld begin to design and improve their ideas for a prototype Jaeger named Brawler Yukon.

November 9, 2014: The Pons Machine is Conceptualized

Caitlin Lightcap comes up with the first prototype for a Pons Machine. She later tests it on Stacker Pentecost.

December 1, 2014: The PPDC Proving Ground is Established

The Proving Ground is a Jaeger testing and construction facility on Kodiak Island in Alaska.

January 30, 2015: Brawler Yukon is Demoed for the First Time

Constructed on Kodiak Island, Alaska, Brawler Yukon is the prototype for the Mark-1 series Jaegers. USAF Captain Adam Casey attempts to complete a neural handshake with the completed Jaeger; however, he is only able to make one of the fingers twitch before suffering from neural overload. As a result, Brawler Yukon crashes to the ground and Adam Casey undergoes a series of seizures. When he is recovered, it becomes quickly apparent the man is dead, and they are unable to determine whether he died as a result of the 200 foot fall or the seizures. Caitlin Lightcap becomes hesitant to attempt a second demo.

February 18, 2015: Brawler Yukon is Demoed for the Second Time

Sergio D'onofrio, a Lieutenant, attempts a drift with Brawler Yukon and is able to make the Jaeger prototype take a few steps before he launches into a series of seizures just like Adam Casey. Acting quickly, Caitlin Lightcap is able to connect her mind to his through an early version of the Pons Machine, reducing the load on D’onofrio’s mind. Thanks to Caitlin’s actions, the demo ends up being a success and D’onofrio survives the incident. The basis for a dual piloting system is established and the two are assigned to pilot Brawler Yukon officially.

February 18, 2015: The PPDC Formally Approves the Mark-1s and Construction Begins

Because Caitlin Lightcap and Sergio D’onofrio successfully entered the first Drift through the Pons Machine, the PPDC approves the Mark-1s and gives the go-ahead for several Jaegers to be designed by Caitlin Lightcap and her partner, Jasper Schoenfeld. Supposedly, Hermann Gottlieb writes the codes for these machines.

April 23, 2015: Karloff Emerges from the Breach

Karloff is the fifth Kaiju to attack humanity. It makes landfall in Vancouver, BC. Karloff is a notably thin Kaiju as opposed to its more heavily muscled brethren. It has a large, long head, with two sets of double eyes. Its skin is gray and leathery, with brown and red markings on its shoulders, back, fingers, and chin.

April 23, 2015: Brawler Yukon vs. Karloff

On April 23, 2015, weeks before the first line of battle-ready Jaegers are prepared for deployment, the Kaiju Karloff is detected on its way to Vancouver, BC. The PPDC decides to field test Brawler Yukon and deploys Caitlin Lightcap and Sergio D’onofrio to engage the beast in their prototype machine. Brawler Yukon is able to kill Karloff, showing the world that humanity is ready to fight back against the Kaiju. Karloff is the first Kaiju to enter a fight with and be slain by a Jaeger. Caitlin Lightcap and Sergio D’onofrio are the first Rangers to successfully pilot a Jaeger, as well as engage and kill a Kaiju in one.

April 23, 2015 - June 21, 2016: Brawler Yukon vs. Kame-san (a.k.a Thunderhead)

At an undetermined time, Brawler Yukon is deployed to fight the Kaiju Kame-san, who emerged from the Breach near the coastline of an undisclosed city. During the fight, Brawler Yukon must distract Kame-san from a Japanese submersible containing Kaori Koyamada and a team of PPDC officers as well as a US Submarine containing Duc Jessop and commanding officer Chowder. Brawler Yukon is knocked into a bridge and the structure is destabilized as a result. Acting quickly, Kaori Koyamada, Duc Jessop, and Chowder use the PPDC submersible and its lifeboats to stabilize a particularly damaged section of the bridge. Brawler Yukon eventually defeats Kame-san.

July 24, 2015: The PPDC Begins Hiring Pilots and the Jaeger Academy is Established

In preparation for the release of the Mark-1s, the PPDC begins looking for pilots. To prepare pilots for the hardships of piloting a Jaeger, the Academy is established. Notable people who entered the Jaeger Academy in 2015 include:

Hercules Hansen

Scott Hansen

The Wei Tang Brothers

Sasha and Aleksis Kaidonovsky

Hermann Gottlieb

November 5, 2015: The Hong Kong Shatterdome is Established

Before its conversion to a Shatterdome, the building is a wave-driven generator facility. Hong Kong’s Shatterdome is the first and largest of any that will be established. It is located on the Southern End of Tsing Yi Island overlooking Victoria Harbor. It goes on to harbor the Jaegers Horizon Brave, Shaolin Rouge, and Crimson Typhoon.

December 6, 2015: Tacit Ronin is Launched

The Mark-1 Japanese Jaeger is part of the first wave of machines constructed to combat the Kaiju. It is launched alongside Horizon Brave, Romeo Blue, and Coyote Tango. It is piloted by Duc Jessop and Kaori Koyamada (later Jessop). Tacit Ronin is designed for speed, agility, and evasive attacks. It has a Speed score of 8, a Strength score of 7, and an Armor score of 3. It stands at 244 feet (74.37 meters). It is equipped with fang-blades on each wrist, making it a close-combat Jaeger. There are various cannons on its torso, allowing Tacit Ronin to hit an enemy with immense firepower at a close range. On its back, Tacit Ronin has two propulsion jets that can be used to increase speed for a small amount of time. They likely operated similarly to the ones we see later on Gipsy Danger. Tacit Ronin is powered by a nuclear reactor.

December 15, 2015: Romeo Blue is Launched

Romeo Blue was constructed in Sitka, Alaska. It is the second Mark-1 American Jaeger after Brawler Yukon. Launched alongside Tacit Ronin, Horizon Brave, and Coyote Tango, Romeo Blue is piloted by the Gage twins, Bruce and Trevin. Romeo Blue was designed for long range combat. It has a Speed score of 2, making it one of the slowest Jaegers ever produced. It has a Strength score of 7 and an Armor score of 6. Romeo Blue stands at 255 feet (77.72 meters). The Jaeger is equipped with a Gatling cannon, mounted in the chest. Also on the chest is a large fin that is designed to draw attacks away from and protect the Conn-Pod. Romeo Blue is powered by a nuclear reactor.

December 15, 2015 - December 30, 2015: Cherno Alpha is Launched

At an undetermined date in December of 2015, Cherno Alpha is launched. It is piloted by Sasha and Aleksis Kaidonovsky. The Jaeger is designed to withstand and deal extremely heavy hits. It is also remarkably durable so the machine can withstand prolonged patrols. It has a Speed score of 3, a Strength score of 10, and an Armor score of 10. Cherno Alpha stands at an astounding 280 feet (85.34 meters), tying it for the title of Tallest Mark-1 Jaeger with Coyote Tango. The Jaeger’s armament includes a pair of Incinerator Turbines that can shoot fire a moderate distance away. Within Z14 fists there are Tesla cells, allowing Cherno Alpha to pack a punch containing up to 415kv of electricity. As a result, Cherno Alpha’s “taunting” move of smashing its fists together also allows a maximum current in both its fists, giving them maximum discharge. Finally, within the Jaeger’s arms are numerous cylinders that increase the power of its attacks, called the “Roll of Nickels”. When landing blows while using this move, the ground around Cherno Alpha is said to shake from the impact. Cherno Alpha is powered by a nuclear core that has an immense reserve of incendiary fuel. This core is, unlike most Jaegers, located in the heavily armored head as a decoy for Kaijus searching for the Conn-Pod; meanwhile, Sasha and Aleksis Kaidonovsky reside in the safest part of their Jaeger: the immensely protected chest. There, the Conn-Pod takes almost no damage in most fights; however, there are no escape pods in Cherno Alpha because of the Conn-Pod’s placement, meaning Sasha and Aleksis must either fight and prevail or die trying.

December 15, 2015 - July 5, 2016: Victory Alpha is Launched

Victory Alpha is a Japanese Jaeger of either Mark-1 or Mark-2 classification. It is piloted by Kagiso and Itu. Victory Alpha is designed somewhat similarly to Tacit Ronin with a long and narrow frame. There are two ventilation ports on its shoulders. It has double-jointed arms with energy weapons underneath its wrists.

December 15, 2015 - August 22, 2018: Lucky Seven is Launched

Lucky Seven is an Australian Jaeger of unknown classification. It is piloted by Hercules and Scott Hansen.

December 22, 2015: Horizon Brave is Launched

Horizon Brave is a Mark-1 constructed on Kodiak Island in Australia, and it is the first Chinese Jaeger. It is piloted by Lo Hin Shen and Xichi Po. It has a Speed score of 8, a Strength score of 4, and an Armor score of 6. Horizon Brave is 238 feet (72.54 meters) tall. Horizon Brave mostly trades strength for speed and relies heavily on its armaments to fight. Notably, the Jaeger possesses shoulder-mounted cryo cannons that give the pilots the ability to slow, immobilize, or freeze enemies. The Jaegers fights are largely centered on these cryo cannons as demonstrated by its two moves, “Sub-Zero Suckerpunch” and “Flash freeze”. Horizon Brave is powered by a nuclear core.

December 30, 2015: Coyote Tango is Launched

Coyote Tango is a Mark-1 Japanese Jaeger. It is the final Mark-1 launched, bringing the era to an end right around the turn of the year. It is piloted by Stacker Pentecost and Tamsin Sevier. It has a Speed score of 5, a Strength score of 7, and an Armor score of 4. Coyote Tango stands at 280 feet (85.34 meters), the same as Cherno Alpha. Coyote Tango is a moderately speedy Jaeger that fights mainly with evasive maneuvers and long range weapons. It is armed with twin long-range ballistic mortar cannons that use arching shots to catch Kaijus off guard. The Jaeger is also armed with an early prototype of Gipsy Danger’s Plasmacaster, the EnergyCaster. It has five levels of modulation, allowing for different energy output. Coyote Tango is powered by a nuclear core but has poor shielding against the radiation. According to its blueprints, Coyote Tango is able to be piloted solo; however, this doesn’t appear to be canon. On the other hand, this may have contributed to Stacker Pentecost’s later feats.

January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016: Tendo Choi and Newton Geiszler Enter the Jaeger Academy

Newton Geiszler seeks to become a scientist working in the Jaeger Program, while Tendo Choi aims to become a J-Tech.

January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016: Eden Assassin is Launched

Eden Assassin is launched at an undetermined time in the year of 2016. It is a Mark-2 Russian Jaeger. Its abilities, appearance, and the identities of its pilots are unknown.

January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016: Diablo Intercept is Launched

Diablo Intercept is launched at an undetermined time in the year of 2016. It is the first of the Mark-2 Jaegers to launch after the Mark-1 era ended in 2015. Diablo Intercept is a Chilean Jaeger. The identities of its pilots are unknown. The Jaeger is fairly stout, and its Conn-Pod is painted a crimson color meant to represent strength. One of its weapons is flamethrowers on each of its arms that are effective over impressive distances. Diablo Intercept is also armed with devices called Hellbolts, explosive rounds that use a napalm-like substance that catches fire.

January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016: Puma Real is Launched

Puma Real is launched at an undetermined time in the year of 2016. It is a Mark-2 Panamanian Jaeger. The identities of its pilots are unknown. Puma Real is a lithely designed Jaeger that follows a set design template for Mark-2s. It is armed with missile launchers that could fire eight projectiles, an early version of the Anti-Kaiju missiles that would later be used by Striker Eureka. It also has retractable arms and two retractable claws, as well as a waist that can rotate three-hundred sixty degrees.

January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016: Solar Prophet is Launched

Solar Prophet is launched at an undetermined time in the year of 2016. It is a Mark-2 Peruvian Jaeger. Solar Prophet is the second Mark-2 released after Diablo Intercept. The identities of its pilots are unknown. According to Pacific Rim: Breach Wars, Solar Prophet is a slim Jaeger. Its armor is mainly black, however, a yellow glow emits from many of the Jaeger’s joints. It can seemingly wield a melee weapon like a club, staff, or javelin. The weapon’s color scheme is black and yellow, just like the Jaeger.

January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016: Reckoner Emerges from the Breach

Reckoner is an uncategorized Kaiju that emerges from the Breach and attacks Hong Kong at an undetermined time in 2016.

January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016: Cherno Alpha and Horizon Brave vs. Reckoner

Reckoner begins its attack on a power plant by the waterfront in Hong Kong. During the battle, Reckoner incapacitates Cherno Alpha, leaving Horizon Brave to fight alone. Eventually, Horizon Brave manages to finish the Kaiju off by throwing it into a nearby power plant. This fight becomes known as "The Blackout Knockout". After this battle, Reckoner's remains will become the Hong Kong bone slums in which Hannibal Chau operates.

January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2025: Ceptid Emerges from the Breach

At an undetermined time in the Kaiju War, an uncategorized Kaiju named Ceptid emerges from the Breach and heads toward Guayaquil, Ecuador.

January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2025: Romeo Blue, Diablo Intercept, and Puma Real vs. Ceptid

The three Jaegers are deployed to the city of Guayaquil, Ecuador, before Ceptid is able to make landfall. Diablo Intercept is positioned to attack the Kaiju from the North, Puma Real is positioned to attack in the South, and Romeo Blue is stationed offshore as a last line of defense before Ceptid reaches Guayaquil. Despite the efforts of all three teams, Ceptid slips past them into the city and kills itself. A toxic gas escapes its corpse and the civilians quickly discover that the gas is deadly. Twenty-thousand people are killed because of direct exposure, and an additional fifteen-thousand are doomed to a long and slow death due to long term effects.

January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2025: Diablo Intercept’s Destruction

At an undetermined time during the Kaiju War, Diablo Intercept enters battle with an uncategorized and unnamed Kaiju and is destroyed. The fate of its pilots is unknown.

January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2025: Puma Real’s Destruction

At an undetermined time during the Kaiju War, Puma Real enters battle with an uncategorized and unnamed Kaiju and is destroyed. The fate of its pilots is unknown.

January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2025: Solar Prophet’s Destruction

At an undetermined time during the Kaiju War, Solar Prophet enters battle with an uncategorized and unnamed Kaiju and is destroyed. The fate of its pilots is unknown.

May 15, 2016: Onibaba Emerges from the Breach

Onibaba is a Category II Kaiju. It is shorter than other Kaiju but larger in terms of width. This Kaiju possesses four large legs along with two thick claws said to able to crush over 50,000 pounds per square inch. Two arm-like appendages reside in the Kaiju's thorax. Onibaba also possesses a high crest above its head that can withstand heavy damage. Onibaba is rather passive and actively avoids combat with an enemy unless provoked.

May 15, 2016: Coyote Tango vs. Onibaba

Coyote Tango, piloted by Tamsin Sevier and Stacker Pentecost, is deployed to fight Onibaba in Tokyo, Japan, alongside the military. Early on in the battle, Tamsin passes out, leaving Stacker to pilot the Jaeger alone for more than three hours. Eventually, he defeats Onibaba, unintentionally saving a young Mako Mori.

May 15, 2016: Stacker Pentecost and Tamsin Sevier are Removed from Active Duty

Because Mark-1s lack the necessary radiation shielding, both Tamsin Sevier and Stacker Pentecost suffer from radiation exposure, leading to a cancer diagnosis. They are removed from active duty.

May 15, 2016: Coyote Tango is Removed from Active Duty

To prevent later pilots from suffering the same fate as Stacker Pentecost and Tamsin Sevier, Coyote Tango is removed from duty. Technicians and engineers work to strengthen the radiation shielding and make general improvements. Additionally, Coyote Tango is immensely damaged during the Onibaba fight, so it also undergoes general repairs.

May 15, 2016 - June 21, 2016: Stacker Pentecost Adopts Mako Mori

The two encounter each other again at some point after the battle, and Stacker Pentecost decides to adopt her as he feels some sort of kinship with her.

May 17, 2016: The PPDC Reaches an Agreement for the Construction of a Shatterdome in Lima, Peru

The Lima Shatterdome would be the first to open in both the Western and Southern Hemisphere.

June 21, 2016: Itak Emerges from the Breach

Itak is an uncategorized Kaiju that emerges from the Breach and heads toward Tokyo Bay. It has six arms, four of which have curved blades. There are three eyes on each side of its face. Its body is broad at the top and narrow at the bottom. Itak emits a bioluminescent glow from its mouth, the muscles of its neck, and inside the cavity within its chest. Its upper body is a skeletal frame and its skin is black. On its head is a single narrow horn that is spear-like and curves upward.

June 21, 2016: Tacit Ronin and Coyote Tango vs. Itak

Tacit Ronin is deployed in response to Itak entering Tokyo Bay, but Itak attacks it upon landing. The Kaiju manages to damage Tacit Ronin’s nuclear reactor as well as the shielding protecting the Conn-Pod and, by extension, the pilots within. The pilots, Duc and Kaori Koyamada, manage to fight Itak off momentarily, but it returns and rams the Jaeger once again, rendering both pilots unconscious. Luckily, Itak hesitates just long enough that Kaori and Duc recover their senses and use one of Tacit Ronin’s fang-blades to slice through the Kaiju’s chest, driving it back; however, the victory is short-lived as Itak grabs and destroys Tacit Ronin’s right arm. Then, while the pilots are still reeling, the Kaiju damages the frontal armor with its claws and begins tearing the armor apart. Itak attempts to drown the Jaeger, and Duc and Kaori respond by slicing the beast’s chest open while being overwhelmed by the radiation leaking into their Conn-Pod. Enraged, Itak attempts to deal a killing blow as both of Tacit Ronin’s pilots black out, but it is interrupted by the arrival of Coyote Tango, which is under the command of unnamed pilots and retains damage from its previous battle. Coyote Tango manages to draw Itak’s attention for some time but the Jaeger is inevitably thrown aside. Fortunately, they bought Tacit Ronin enough time to charge the Kaiju and deal a killing blow by cutting the monster clean in half.

June 21, 2016: Kaori and Duc Jessop are Retired from Active Duty

Following the Itak fight, Kaori and Duc Jessop are hospitalized with serious injuries. Upon waking up some time later, the pair are informed the neural damage they sustained in the fight was too much and they will never be able to pilot a Jaeger again without suffering from neural overload and dying.

June 21, 2016: Coyote Tango is Rendered Inoperable

According to Mako Mori, the Pons System in the Mark-1 is fried beyond salvation in the fight with Itak, putting it firmly out of commission for at least a few weeks.

June 21, 2016: Raleigh and Yancy Becket Enlist in the Jaeger Academy

The brothers enter together in hopes of piloting together.

June 21, 2016 - January 1, 2025: Brawler Yukon’s Destruction

At an undetermined point during the Kaiju War, Brawler Yukon enters battle with an uncategorized and unnamed Kaiju and is destroyed. Caitlin Lightcap survives the battle and goes on to continue researching the effects of the Drift on Rangers. Sergio D’onofrio’s fate is unknown, but he likely survives the encounter as well.

July 5, 2016: Ragnarok Emerges from the Breach

Ragnarok is a towering Kaiju with dull beige skin, and a lean figure composed largely of muscle and no fat. Its arms are long and club-like, and it has the apparent ability to grow extra limbs in addition to its original four. Ragnarok's face is gaunt and skeletal-esque, its jaw long and narrow and only has two sets of frontal teeth. Atop its head are four hair-like tentacles with no apparent special ability, and within its mouth is an orange, bioluminescent glow that extends to its eyes.

July 5, 2016: Tacit Ronin and Victory Alpha vs. Ragnarok

Ragnarok’s appearance is foreshadowed by a serious earthquake that can be felt throughout much of Tokyo. Because Coyote Tango is inoperable and Tacit Ronin is still being repaired, Marshal Hikai deploys the Shatterdome’s third and final Jaeger, Victory Alpha. Upon being dropped, Ragnarok ambushes Victory Alpha, but the Jaeger manages to push the Kaiju away and attack it with one of their energy weapons. Victory Alpha manages to grapple Ragnarok from behind briefly, but the Kaiju breaks free and launches itself on top of the Jaeger, forcing it underwater. In preparation to deal the finishing blow, Ragnarok sprouts an additional two arms before bringing them down on the submerged Victory Alpha. The Jaeger’s pilots, Kagiso and Itu, eject into the water, but the Jaeger is utterly destroyed. Because Coyote Tango is inoperable, Kaori and Duc Jessop volunteer to fight Ragnarok off while Marshal Hikai requests immediate backup from other Shatterdomes. The couple are deployed in Tacit Ronin, which is still damaged. Kaori and Duc manage to land a slash on Ragnarok before being beaten backward in a quick assault, which they end with a second slash to Ragnarok’s back. The Kaiju forces Tacit Ronin underwater in an attempt to end it, but the Jaeger uses a fang-blade to impale Ragnarok and surfacing again. Finally, they stab it a second time and drag the blade upward, splitting the Kaiju in half.

July 5, 2016: Kaori and Duc Jessop Die

As they were warned by the doctors before entering battle, the neural handshake while in a Jaeger proves to be too much for the couple, and they die of neural overload shortly after facing Ragnarok. Afterward, a team of unidentified pilots takes Kaori and Duc’s places in Tacit Ronin.

July 5, 2016: Victory Alpha’s Destruction

In the battle against Ragnarok, Victory Alpha is ripped to pieces. While its pilots, Kagiso and Itu survive, the Jaeger is unsalvageable.

July 5, 2016 - January 1, 2025: Tacit Ronin’s Destruction

At an undetermined time after Kaori and Duc Jessop’s Death, Tacit Ronin is repaired and remains active in the Kaiju War. Later on in the war, the Jaeger and its pilots enter battle with an unnamed and uncategorized Kaiju. Tacit Ronin is cut in half in the course of the battle and its pilots are likely killed. The Jaeger’s remains are transported to Oblivion Bay.

August 9, 2016: The Lima Shatterdome is Established

It goes on to house the Jaegers Diablo Intercept, Solar Prophet, and Matador Fury.

November 23, 2016: The Anchorage Shatterdome is Established

It is later nicknamed “The Icebox”. It goes on to house the Jaegers Brawler Yukon, Chrome Brutus, and Gipsy Danger.

December 4, 2106: The Vladivostok Shatterdome is Established

It is located in the Southern tip of Golden Horn Bay where the Russian Pacific Fleet was once based. It works closely with Tokyo’s Strike Group to contain and defend the Russian sector. It goes on to house the Jaegers Cherno Alpha, Eden Assassin, and Nova Hyperion.

December 15, 2016: The Tokyo Shatterdome is Established

The Tokyo Shatterdome acts as the first point of contact for Kaiju that are westbound from the Breach since it covers the coast of Honshu and Hokkaido. It works closely with the Vladivostok Strike Group. It goes on to house the Jaegers Coyote Tango, Tacit Ronin, and Echo Saber.

January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017: Hermann Gottlieb and Newton Geiszler Meet

They do not like each other.

January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017: Shaolin Rouge is Launched

Launched at an undetermined time during the year of 2017, Shaolin Rouge is a Mark-3 Chinese Jaeger. The identities of its pilots are unknown. Shaolin Rouge is designed to excel in underwater travel and combat compared to its fellow Jaegers. It has Hydrorepulsers on its back, as well as the ability to travel both horizontally and vertically in water for versatility. The Conn-Pod has a large reserve of oxygen that allows pilots to survive underwater for much longer periods of time. Additionally, the Jaeger can perform electrolysis with the surrounding seawater to slow the loss of oxygen or provide an emergency supply if necessary. To maintain orientation underwater, Shaolin Rouge has a ballast system and gas cells. As for armaments, the Jaeger mainly fights with the assistance of the Meteor Chain, a one-hundred sixty foot chain made of titanium alloy that rests on its right arm. This chain can function both above and underwater, so Shaolin Rouge can still fight reasonably well on land. There is an enhanced sonar system in the Jaeger as well, allowing pilots to track Kaiju in deep ocean conditions where other Mark-2s may fail. This sonar system can track up to two-hundred feet deep. In its left arm, Shaolin Rouge has a carbide lance that is strong enough to pierce a Kaiju’s armor and hide. Finally, the Jaeger has two magnesium laced warheads named “Shooting Stars”. In necessary situations, Shaolin Rouge can also use explosive bolts in its arm to detach damage and compromised limbs to reduce weight.

January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017: Vulcan Specter is Launched

Launched at an undetermined time during the year of 2017, Vulcan Specter is a Mark-3 Australian Jaeger. It is piloted by Joshua Griffin and Tyler Zachary. Vulcan Specter is designed for and excels in close combat. On its arm rests a mounted fuel propulsed drill capable of destroying a Kaiju’s armor and skin as well as inflicting immense damage. Also on its arm is a powerful cannon, allowing Vulcan Specter to continue its assault from medium-to-long distances. There is a stronger cannon in the Jaeger’s chest.

January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017: Chrome Brutus is Launched

Launched at an undetermined time during the year of 2017, Chrome Brutus is a Mark-3 Canadian Jaeger. It is piloted by cousins Ilisapie Flint and Zeke Amarok, both of Inuit descent.

January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2025: Chrome Brutus is Destroyed

At an undetermined time during the Kaiju War, Chrome Brutus enters battle with an unnamed and uncategorized Kaiju and is destroyed. The pilots likely died during or shortly after the battle.

January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2025: Death of Ilisapie Flint and Zeke Amarok

Their exact cause of death is unknown, but the pair likely falls in battle with their Jaeger; however, they are confirmed dead by January 1, 2025, according to Stacker Pentecost.

May 1, 2017 - May 31, 2017: Coyote Tango Returns to Active Duty

After around a year of repairs, Coyote Tango likely returns to active duty in May. Since Stacker Pentecost and Tamsin Sevier can no longer pilot, the Jaeger is assigned a new team. The Tunari brothers, Gunnar and Vic, are assigned to Coyote Tango.

May 25, 2017: The Sydney Shatterdome is Established

Sydney’s Shatterdome is constructed in a relatively isolated location, but it also has the widest deployment radius in the PPDC. It goes on to house the Jaegers Vulcan Specter, Echo Saber, and Striker Eureka.

July 10, 2017: Gipsy Danger is Launched

Launched on July 10, 2017, Gipsy Danger is a Mark-3 American Jaeger. It is piloted by the Becket brothers, Yancy and Raleigh. Gipsy Danger is largely designed for close combat since its fighting style generally mimics that of a street fighter or a brawler. It has a Speed score of 7, a Strength score of 8, and an Armor score of 6. It stands at 260 feet (79.25 meters) tall. Gipsy is a dark blue Jaeger meant to mimic the appearance of World War II fighter jets. There are large flaps on the back of its head and the base of its neck where the Jaeger’s head connects to the body that are meant to defend the Conn-Pod. Gipsy Danger has a wide array of features. The insides are maintained by a circulatory coolant system and various seawater channels that maintain temperature. It has Hyper-Torque Drives that enable it increased locomotion compared to some of its fellow Jaegers. Gipsy Danger also possesses a Nuclear Vortex Turbine that periodically runs health checks and radio chemical readings; the Nuclear Vortex Turbine also doubles as a weapon, since it can release extremely powerful blasts of fire at close range. If Gipsy Danger is within immediate distance of a Kaiju when the Nuclear Vortex Turbine is activated, the fire can burn completely through the hide of a Kaiju. On the soles of its feet, the Jaeger is equipped with Gyro-Stabilizers that equalize motion and allow for smoother bipedal motion. Additionally, the Gyro-Stabilizers provide a significant amount of grip so that Gipsy Danger doesn’t slide backwards when in aggressive motion against a Kaiju or an outside force. If it needs a quick burst of movement, the Jaeger can use its two rear jets for increased movement speed in the required direction. These jets allow Gipsy Danger to leap with enhanced height and launch itself at enemies. As for its armaments, Gipsy Danger possesses an I-19 Plasmacaster on each hand. This weapon is a particle dispersal cannon that fires plasma with the aid of a charged carrier rail, and it can simultaneously wound and cauterize Kaiju anatomy, preventing the spread of Kaiju Blue. Coolant can be released from the system in a concentrated blast to freeze or immobilize enemies momentarily. On its right elbow, Gipsy Danger also possesses an elbow rocket used to increase the speed and power behind a punch. Like all Jaegers up to and in the Mark-3 series, Gipsy Danger is powered by a nuclear reactor in the center of its chest. While this isn’t the intended purpose, a nuclear reactor coincidentally makes Gipsy Danger immune to EMP attacks. In the novelization, Gipsy Danger also possesses a gauntlet-fixed S-11 Pulse Launcher that releases an orb of dark matter when activated. These orbs can disrupt the molecular structure of Kaiju biology when they make contact. Finally, Gipsy Danger possesses the ability to self-destruct as a last resort against strong opponents.

July 11, 2017: The Los Angeles Shatterdome is Established

The Los Angeles Shatterdome covers the enormous gap between Canada and Central America. It is located directly outside the city, near the Naval Base Ventura County. This Shatterdome is integral to the construction of the Anti-Kaiju Wall in Long Beach in later years. It goes on to house the Jaegers Romeo Blue and Mammoth Apostle.

September 14, 2017: Matador Fury is Launched

A Mark-3 Mexican Jaeger piloted by an unidentified male team. They are both convicts, but not criminals.

September 14, 2017 - January 1, 2025: Matador Fury’s Destruction

At an undetermined time during the Kaiju War, Matador Fury is destroyed while fighting an unnamed and uncategorized Kaiju. Its remains are moved to Oblivion Bay.

September 14, 2017 - January 1, 2025: Death of Matador Fury’s Pilots

There is no known date or cause of death for Matador Fury’s pilots, but they likely fall in battle with their Jaeger. They are confirmed dead by January 1, 2025, according to Stacker Pentecost.

October 17, 2017: Yamarashi Emerges from the Breach

Yamarashi, a Category III Kaiju, emerges from the Breach and heads toward Los Angeles, California. At the time of its appearance, Yamarashi is the largest Category III Kaiju ever recorded. It is a flat nosed Kaiju with a wide mouth and jagged rows of teeth akin to that of a shark. Situated behind its head is a crest of spiky bones that resemble lotus petals.

October 17, 2017: Gipsy Danger and Unknown Jaeger vs. Yamarashi

Yamarashi makes landfall on the Long Beach Waterfront and destroys a luxury cruise liner. It proceeds along Long Beach before making its way into the city and smashing through the Queenways Bridge. Then, it heads for Terminal Island. Gipsy Danger and another Jaeger of unknown identity are deployed into the mouth of the Los Angeles River to stop Yamarashi’s rampage through the city. The unknown Jaeger attempts a missile barrage, but the Kaiju’s hide is too thick and the missiles bounce off Yamarashi as a result. Gipsy Danger moves in as a response once Yancy and Raleigh Becket realize the fight has shifted into their hands. The brothers manage to drive the Kaiju back through the port of Long Beach toward the Harbor Freeway. Eventually, Gipsy Danger gains the upper hand and grabs the wire off a cargo crane before using it to behead Yamarashi. Kaiju Blue spills from Yamarashi’s corpse onto Gipsy Danger and nearly dissolves the Conn-Pod before Yancy and Raleigh Becket make it to the bay and wash it off. After the battle, bulldozers gradually remove the corpse from the city by dumping it into the channels, but the Kaiju’s head goes on to be used by a cult of Kaiju worshippers.

November 19, 2017: The Panama City Shatterdome is Established

The Panama City Shatterdome is essential to the global shipping hub that is the Panama Canal. It goes on to house the Jaegers Puma Real and Hydra Corinthian.

January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018: Hydra Corinthian is Launched

Launched at an undetermined time during the year of 2018, Hydra Corinthian is a Mark-4 American Jaeger. It is piloted by Kennedy LaRue and Stephanie Lanphier.

January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018: Mammoth Apostle is Launched

Launched at an undetermined time during the year of 2018, Mammoth Apostle is a Mark-4 American Jaeger. The identities of its pilots are unknown.

January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018: Nova Hyperion is Launched

Launched at an undetermined time during the year of 2018, Mammoth Apostle is a Mark-4 Korean Jaeger. It is piloted by Pang So-Yi and An Yuna.

January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018: Echo Saber is Launched

Launched at an undetermined time during the year of 2018, Echo Saber is a Mark-4 Australian Jaeger. The identities of its pilots are unknown.

January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2025: Nova Hyperion’s Destruction

At an undetermined date during the Kaiju War, Nova Hyperion enters battle with an unnamed and uncategorized Kaiju and is destroyed. The fate of its pilots, Pang So-Yi and An Yuna, is unknown.

January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2025: Echo Saber’s Destruction

At an undetermined date during the Kaiju War, Echo Saber enters battle with an unnamed and uncategorized Kaiju and is destroyed. The fate of its pilots is unknown.

May 20, 2018: PSJ-18 Emerges from the Breach

An uncategorized Kaiju emerges from the Breach and heads toward Puerto San Jose.

May 20, 2018: Gipsy Danger vs. PSJ-18

Gipsy Dangers intercepts and kills PSJ-18.

August 22, 2018: Crimson Typhoon is Launched

A Mark-4 Chinese Jaeger, Crimson Typhoon is an extremely unique machine. Unlike other Jaegers, piloted by two people, Crimson Typhoon is run by Cheung Wei, Jin Wei, and Hu Wei, identical triplets. It has a Speed score of 9, a Strength score of 8, and an Armor score of 6. The Jaeger stands at 250 feet (76.2 meters) tall. Crimson Typhoon has a specially designed Conn-Pod for its three pilots, designed and produced with the aid of Caitlin Lightcap. It expands the normal dual neural handshake to allow the inclusion of a third individual. Two pilots act as the basic movement and the third acts as a gunner. The Jaeger itself has a full titanium core and fifty diesel engines per muscle strand. Its shoulders are broad and work as shields to protect the rest of the body. Like several other Jaegers, Crimson Typhoon has rear jets that allow for quick bursts of movement during battle that can operate independently from one another and allow the pilots to close the distance for melee attacks. The Jaeger is equipped with shock absorbers that allow it to adapt to numerous terrains. It's also extremely flexible in areas like the neck, which isn’t the case for many of the Jaegers. Crimson Typhoon’s torso and legs can rotate a full one-hundred eighty degrees and it can perform high kicks and flips. The Conn-Pod itself acts as a telescope, increasing visibility in battle. As for its armament, Crimson Typhoon wields a Plasmacaster similar to Gipsy Danger’s and its hands can turn into incredibly sharp saw blades that are devastating to Kaiju’s skin.

November 26, 2018: Raythe Emerges from the Breach

An uncategorized Kaiju that emerges in the area of the Okhotsk Sea.

November 26, 2018: Cherno Alpha vs. Raythe

Raythe emerges from the Breach in the Okhotsk Sea area and heads for one of the five significant sea ports nearby, but Cherno Alpha intercepts and kills it before it makes landfall.

April 12, 2019: OS-19 Emerges from the Breach

An uncategorized Kaiju emerges from the Breach and heads for Osaka, Japan.

April 12, 2019: Cherno Alpha and Crimson Typhoon vs. OS-19

The two jaegers presumably respond before OS-19 makes landfall in Osaka, Japan, killing it.

August 14, 2019: Chuck Hansen Enrolls in the Jaeger Academy

Upon turning sixteen, Chuck Hansen enrolls in the six-month Jaeger Academy program.

September 22, 2019: Clawhook Emerges from the Breach

The uncategorized Kaiju emerges from the Breach and heads toward San Diego.

September 22, 2019: Gipsy Danger vs. Clawhook

After Clawhook makes landfall and begins a rampage, Gipsy Danger is deployed. Gipsy wins the battle with relative ease, killing Clawhook.

November 2, 2019: Striker Eureka is Launched

Launched in 2019, the Australian Mark-5 is the first and last of its kind. While it will later be piloted by Chuck and Hercules Hansen, the latter is still assigned to Lucky Seven when Striker Eureka is released, making the identities of its pilots upon launch unknown. Supposedly, the PPDC sunk at least $100 billion into Striker Eureka’s production. It has a Strength score of 10, a Speed score of 10, and an Armor score of 9, making it the strongest and most well-rounded of any of the Jaegers. It stands at 250 feet (76.2 meters) tall. Striker Eureka has a fighting style not unlike Gipsy Danger’s, based off of a brawler or a boxer; however, most of this style seems to carry over because of its pilots, Chuck and Herc. Its uncanny speed and agility make it a speedy killer, and Striker Eureka often ends it fights quickly. On the back of Striker Eureka, a pair of T-16 Angel Wings allow quick movement while maintaining balance. Striker Eureka possesses one of, if not the, largest armaments of any Jaeger. On each of its fingers, a temperature-resistant brass-steel compound is molded around the joints to form its 4.211 “Brass Knuckles”. Behind these knuckles are retractable Assault Mount 3.25 “Sting-Blades” that are laced with carbon nanotubes capable of channeling thermal energy at temperatures over 300 degrees Fahrenheit. These blades can both wound a Kaiju and cauterize it, preventing an unnecessary spread of Kaiju Blue. In Striker Eureka’s chest is a six-barreled WMB2x90 Anti-Kaiju Missile launcher as well as eighteen K-Stunner warheads that are easily capable of killing a Kaiju, thanks to Newton Geiszler’s research into Kaiju biology. There is a TY escape pod in the back of its Conn-Pod, giving its pilots the chance to eject, and there is an escape hatch on the top of its head. Striker Eureka’s visor is equipped with advanced photochromic displays, giving them several plans of situational awareness in any given battle.

December 16, 2019: MN-19 Emerges from the Breach

The Category IV emerges from the Breach and heads toward Manila. It uses its sharp, barbed tail to deal heavy damage.

December 16, 2019: Horizon Brave, Gipsy Danger, and Lucky Seven vs. MN-19

MN-19 heads directly for Manila upon emerging, necessitating a three-Jaeger drop. Horizon Brave, Gipsy Danger, and an unknown Australian Jaeger (presumably Lucky Seven) are deployed. During the fight, Horizon Brave is overpowered by MN-19′s barbed tail and the other two Jaegers are forced to intervene. Gipsy Danger deals the killing blow.

December 16, 2019 - February 14, 2020: Scott Hansen is Dismissed from the PPDC

At an undetermined time, Hercules Hansen and Scott Hansen enter battle in Lucky Seven; however, while in the Drift, Hercules sees something incriminating that nearly throws the brothers out of alignment. After the fight he presents his findings to his higher-ups and Scott Hansen is dishonorably discharged from the PPDC.

February 14, 2020: Chuck Hansen Graduates from the Jaeger Academy

After spending six months in attendance, he is assigned to Striker Eureka immediately after graduation alongside his father.

February 14, 2020: Hercules Hansen is Assigned to Striker Eureka Alongside Chuck Hansen

Following Scott Hansen’s dismissal from the program, the PPDC sees it fit to reassign Hercules to Striker Eureka alongside his son Chuck, who has just graduated from the Jaeger Academy.

December 16, 2019 - January 1, 2025: Horizon Brave’s Destruction and Death of Lo Hin Shen and Xichi Po

At an undetermined date during the Kaiju War, Horizon Brave is destroyed while fighting an unnamed and uncategorized Kaiju in Lima, Peru. Pilots Lo Hin Shen and Xichi Po are killed in the battle. Soon after, the remains of Horizon Brave are shipped off to Oblivion Bay.

January 1, 2021 - February 29, 2020: Tendo Choi Meets Alison

At an unknown date, Tendo Choi meets and becomes infatuated with Alison, who works in munitions at the Anchorage Shatterdome. Later, when asked about Alison by Yancy and Raleigh Becket, Tendo reveals the two went on a date, much to the displeasure of Alison’s significant other. Eventually, they get married and have a child.

January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020: The Anti-Kaiju Wall is Conceptualized and Construction Begins

At some point in the year 2020, the idea of the Anti-Kaiju Wall is born. Construction begins quickly after it is approved by the United Nations. Some of the funding is redirected from the Jaeger Program.

January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020: Hermann Gottlieb and Newton Geiszler are Assigned to the Hong Kong Shatterdome

The two are tasked with investigating the Kaiju and their weaknesses, as well as the way they operate.

February 29, 2020: Knifehead Emerges from the Breach

A Category III Kaiju that emerges from the Breach and heads toward Anchorage, Alaska. At the time, Knifehead breaks the record for the largest Category III, beating Yamarashi. The Kaiju somewhat resembles a goblin shark. It has shell-like armor and is heavily built. Its head is broad at the base and narrow at the tip and resembles a knife, as the name suggests. Knifehead has four arms, two large and two small, as well as incredibly long and sharp claws. It also has a tail. There are bright yellow lines on its dark gray body. Knifehead also has blue bioluminescent qualities like most of its brethren.

February 29, 2020: Romeo Blue vs. Knifehead

Romeo Blue is deployed to hold the ten-mile line off of Anchorage and attempt to intercept the Kaiju Knifehead; however, Knifehead manages to slip past Romeo Blue and continue toward the city of Anchorage.

February 29, 2020: Gipsy Danger vs. Knifehead

Gipsy Danger is deployed to protect the Miracle Mile of Anchorage, Alaska. Stacker Pentecost orders Raleigh and Yancy to hold the line, but they disobey him in order to save a civilian vessel, the Saltchuck. Knifehead approaches the fishing vessel, and Raleigh and Yancy arrive just in time to save the ship. Gipsy moves the Saltchuck out of Knifehead’s path just in time, since Knifehead attempts to claw both Gipsy Danger and the Saltchuck down. Instead of landing a critical blow, the Kaiju’s claws only glance off the armor on Gipsy Danger’s back. Raleigh and Yancy set the Saltchuck down in the ocean and then turn to face Knifehead again. This movement is just in time, since the Kaiju lunges again, and Gipsy Danger’s right arm manages to intercept the attack. The brothers throw a follow-up punch and then slam the Kaiju’s head into the ocean with both fists. Knifehead claws Gipsy’s left arm, and Raleigh holds the Kaiju in place as Yancy fires up the Plasmacaster. They shoot the Kaiju three times in the chest, sending it flying backward into the ocean. Assuming the Kaiju is dead, Yancy and Raleigh contact LOCCENT and are drawn into a brief conversation with Marshall Stacker Pentecost; however, soon after Tendo Choi notices there is still a heavy Kaiju signature and LOCCENT warns the Becket brothers that Knifehead is still alive. The Kaiju emerges from the water and Gipsy Danger barely reacts in time to prevent Knifehead from biting its head off. Raleigh attempts to activate the Plasmacaster, but Knifehead swats Gipsy Danger’s left arm away and impales the Jaeger’s chest with its nose. Gipsy Danger’s arm is destroyed and it falls into the ocean. The Kaiju claws Gipsy Danger’s head, breaching the Conn-Pod. When Yancy attempts to say something to Raleigh, the rest of Knifehead’s claw breaches the Conn-Pod and Yancy Becket is killed. Raleigh is shocked by the Jaeger as it attempts to reroute the neural connection to account for the loss of the right hemisphere. Still shaken, he has no time to react when Knifehead lunges again, this time impaling Gipsy Danger’s chest and severely damaging it. Raleigh activates the right arm’s Plasmacaster as Knifehead rips the Jaeger’s armor away. He aims straight for Knifehead’s chest, dealing a killing blow. In the aftermath, Raleigh pilots Gipsy Danger back to the shore alone.

February 29, 2020 - April 29, 2020: Raleigh Becket Departs from the PPDC

Shortly after the death of his brother and the loss of his Jaeger, Raleigh Becket resigns from his position as a Ranger. He goes on to live out of sight for the next five years, until Stacker Pentecost finds him working on the Anti-Kaiju Wall. Presumably, he spends the majority of these five years doing construction.

February 29, 2020 - January 1, 2025: Romeo Blue’s Destruction and Death of Bruce and Trevin Gage

At an undetermined time in the Kaiju War, a Kaiju makes landfall and heads toward Seattle. Romeo Blue is deployed to kill it and prevent further destruction of the city. During the fight, the Kaiju tears off one of Romeo Blue’s arms and smashes through the Conn-Pod, killing Bruce and Trevin Gage. After the battle, the remains of Romeo Blue are transported to the PPDC Scrapyard (novelization)/Oblivion Bay (movie).

May 25, 2020: HC-20 Emerges from the Breach

An uncategorized Kaiju emerges from the Breach and heads toward Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

May 25, 2020: Cherno Alpha, Crimson Typhoon, and Striker Eureka vs. HC-20

The three Jaegers respond to the uncategorized Kaiju on its way to Ho Chi Minh and kill it.

November 10, 2020: Atticon Emerges from the Breach

The uncategorized Kaiju emerges from the Breach and heads toward Seoul, South Korea.

November 10, 2020: Cherno Alpha vs. Atticon

Atticon makes landfall in Seoul, South Korea, the same day it emerges from the Breach. There, Cherno Alpha kills it.

January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021: Mako Mori Enlists in the Jaeger Academy

Seeking to become a pilot in order to get revenge for her family, Mako Mori enlists in the Jaeger Academy.

January 10, 2021: Hidoi Emerges from the Breach

An uncategorized Kaiju that emerges from the Breach and heads toward Bangkok, Thailand.

January 10, 2021: Crimson Typhoon vs. Hidoi

Crimson Typhoon intercepts Hidoi in Bangkok, Thailand, and kills it.

October 9, 2021: Ceramander Emerges from the Breach

Ceramander is an uncategorized Kaiju that attacked Hawaii on October 9, 2021.

October 9, 2021: Striker Eureka and Coyote Tango vs. Ceramander

After Ceramander emerges from the Breach, Striker Eureka and Coyote Tango are deployed. As Ceramander is attacking Hawaii, the two Jaegers arrive and quickly kill the Kaiju.

December 12, 2021: FauxFace Emerges from the Breach

The uncategorized Kaiju emerges from the Breach and attacks the city of Santiago, Chile.

December 12, 2021: Vulcan Specter Emerges from the Breach

After FauxFace attacks Santiago, Chile, Vulcan Specter is deployed to prevent further damage. They kill the Kaiju.

January 31, 2022: Spinejackal Emerges from the Breach

Spinejackal is a Category IV. It is a tall, gray-skinned Kaiju with bioluminescent traces emitting from its mouth and eyes. On the back of its head and back are multiple barbed protrusions running down toward its tail. It possesses a jaw with mandibles and walks upright. It possesses panoramic vision from the abundance of eyes around the head enabling it to see front, sides, and back all at once.

January 31, 2022: Striker Eureka and Vulcan Specter vs. Spinejackal

Some parts of canon say Striker Eureka completed a solo kill on Spinejackal before it made landfall in Melbourne. Others say Spinejackal attacks the Sydney Opera House and evades several of Striker Eureka and Vulcan Specter's attacks before Striker Eureka manages to cut its head in half with a windmill blade.

July 24, 2022: Taurax Emerges from the Breach

An uncategorized Kaiju emerges from the Breach and heads toward Mindanao, an island in the Philippines.

July 24, 2022: Striker Eureka vs. Taurax

Striker Eureka is deployed to intercept Taurax. Before the Kaiju can make landfall on Mindanao, Striker Eureka drops into the ocean and kills it.

September 7, 2022: Tentalus Emerges from the Breach

Tentalus emerges from the Breach and moves through the China Sea (unspecified if this is in reference to the South China Sea or the East China Sea).

September 7, 2022: Crimson Typhoon and Shaolin Rouge vs. Crimson Typhoon

According to some sources, Shaolin Rouge was present in this fight; however, others accredit this fight only to Crimson Typhoon. Tentalus is in the middle of crossing the China Sea when one or both Jaegers intercept it, killing it before it can make landfall.

September 7, 2022 - January 1, 2024: Death of Shaolin Rouge’s Pilots

At an undetermined time after Shaolin Rouge's encounter with Tentalus, its first team of pilots is murdered in their apartment. Supposedly, this crime is committed by Kaiju cultists and worshippers, but the perpetrators are never apprehended. Shortly after, Ou-Yang Min-Hau and Ou-Yang Suyin are brought in to replace them as Shaolin Rouge's second team of pilots.

November 6, 2022: Coyote Tango’s Destruction and Death of Gunner and Vic Tunari

An unnamed and uncategorized Kaiju gains the upper-hand on Coyote Tango during a battle on St. Lawrence Island. As a result, Coyote Tango is destroyed and Gunnar and Vic Tunari are killed in action.

January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024: Vermin Emerges from the Breach

At an undetermined time, the uncategorized Kaiju Vermin emerges from the Breach and attacks the city of Medellin, Columbia. Seemingly, antagonistic parasitic life forms live inside Vermin's body and are released upon the Kaiju's death.

January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024: Vulcan Specter and Striker Eureka vs. Vermin

Since Medellin is evacuated before the Kaiju attack, the Jaeger teams don't have to worry about the populace. They manage to stop Vermin's progress before Vulcan Specter lands a killing blow. Parasitic life forms emerge from the Kajiu's corpse, but Striker Eureka and Vulcan Specter manage to contain them.

January 2, 2024: Huo Da Emerges from the Breach

Huo Da is a Category Three Kaiju that emerges from the Breach and makes its way through the Yellow Sea toward Shanghai. It has gangly legs and a frog-like tongue.

January 2, 2024: Crimson Typhoon and Shaolin Rouge vs. Huo Da

Shaolin Rouge is deployed eight-hundred miles into the Yellow Sea to battle Huo Da underwater and prevent it from making landfall. Shaolin's torso armor is damaged and its left arm is destroyed before Crimson Typhoon appears. They inflict enough damage that Huo Da begins to bleed out; however, it suddenly sprouts wings and carries Shaolin Rouge away despite attempts to escape. Shaolin Rouge is shoved into a building, crushing one pilot's legs. Crimson Typhoon eventually kills Huo Da.

January 2, 2024 - January 1, 2025: Shaolin Rouge’s Destruction and Death of Ou-Yang Min-Hau and Ou-Yang Suyin

At an undetermined point in the final stretch of the Kaiju War, Shaolin Rouge is defeated in battle against an unnamed and uncategorized Kaiju. Pilots Ou-Yang Min-Hau and Ou-Yang Suyin likely died during or soon after the battle.

April 7, 2024: Vodyanoi Emerges from the Breach

Vodyanoi is an uncategorized Kaiju. Its physical appearance is likened to that of a "puffed-up toad", large, and seemingly overweight. Vodyanoi has acidic saliva that can eat through the alloy of a Jaeger.

April 7, 2024: Cherno Alpha and Eden Assassin vs. Vodyanoi

Vodyanoi attacks the East coast of Sakhalin Island. Eden Assassin and Cherno Alpha are deployed to stop a rampage. During the battle, Vodyanoi uses its corrosive saliva to incapacitate Eden Assassin and kill its pilots. Cherno Alpha retaliates by grabbing a drifting iceberg and using it to beat Vodyanoi, killing it.

April 7, 2024: Death of Eden Assassin’s Pilots

In a battle against the uncategorized Kaiju Vodyanoi, Eden Assassin is incapacitated and its pilots are killed as a result. The fate of the Jaeger Eden Assassin after this battle is unknown.

April 7, 2024 - January 1, 2025: Eden Assassin’s Destruction

After the battle involving Vodyanoi, Eden Assassin is destroyed in battle with an unnamed and uncategorized Kaiju.

July 5, 2024: Insurrector Emerges from the Breach

Insurrector is an uncategorized Kaiju that emerges from the Breach and heads toward Santa Monica, California. It is a Kaiju with cracked gray skin and four eyes on the left and right sides of its face. The bioluminescent glow visible in most Kaiju emits from its mouth and the cracks of its skin. On its back are multiple spiky protrusions, and on its head two horns nearest to the rear of its head. Its snout is flat, broad and jagged. Insurrector's limbs appear to be fused together, creating a space in the center of the lower half of the arm, and has three digits on each of its hands. Very few of its teeth on either the bottom or top row of its jaw are visible when it opens its mouth.

July 5, 2024: Striker Eureka and Hydra Corinthian vs. Insurrector

Upon making landfall in Santa Monica, Insurrector cuts through the Santa Monica Pier, causing many casualties, including Amara Namani’s family. Initially, Striker Eureka and Hydra Corinthian keep Insurrector contained at the Pier, but the battle eventually makes its way down the beach and into the city. Almost halfway through Santa Monica, Striker Eureka manages to deal a killing blow with a missile barrage.

July 5, 2024 - January 1, 2025: Hydra Corinthian’s Destruction

At an undetermined time in the Kaiju War, Hydra Corinthian enters battle with an unnamed and uncategorized Kaiju and is destroyed. The fate of its pilots, Kennedy LaRue and Stephanie Lanphier, is unknown.

July 30, 2024: Bonesquid Emerges from the Breach

An uncategorized Kaiju emerges from the Breach and heads toward Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea.

July 30, 2024: Striker Eureka vs. Bonesquid

Striker Eureka is deployed to stop Bonesquid from reaching Port Moresby. It drops into the ocean and kills Bonesquid before the Kaiju can make landfall.

August 13, 2024: Biantal Emerges from the Breach

An uncategorized Kaiju emerges from the Breach and heads toward Taipei, Taiwan.

August 13, 2024: Crimson Typhoon vs. Biantal

Crimson Typhoon is deployed to Taipei and it defeats Biantal there.

August 28, 2024: Hound Emerges from the Breach

An uncategorized Kaiju emerges from the Breach and heads toward Auckland, New Zealand.

August 28, 2024: Striker Eureka vs. Hound

Striker Eureka is deployed to stop Hound from reaching Auckland, New Zealand. Before the Kaiju can make landfall, Striker Eureka kills it.

September 9, 2024: Gipsy Danger Undergoes Repairs and Refurbishment at the Anchorage Shatterdome

With most of the active Jaegers destroyed, Stacker Pentecost has no choice but to pull Gipsy Danger from Oblivion Bay and begin repairing it.

September 9, 2024: Naomi Sokolov Interviews Tendo Choi

Since Stacker Pentecost is in Hawaii on business, Tendo Choi fills in for the interview.

September 14, 2024: Taranais Emerges from the Breach

An uncategorized Kaiju emerges from the Breach and heads for Queen Charlotte Sound.

September 14, 2024: Cherno Alpha vs. Taranais

Taranais attacks Queen Charlotte Sound (unspecified whether this is in reference to Canada or New Zealand) and Cherno Alpha is deployed. Taranais is killed.

September 25, 2024: Rachnid Emerges from the Breach

An uncategorized Kaiju emerges from the Breach and heads for Brisbane, Australia.

September 25, 2024: Striker Eureka vs. Rachnid

Striker Eureka is deployed to stop Rachnid from reaching Brisbane, Australia. Before the Kaiju can make landfall, Striker Eureka kills it.

October 4, 2024: KC-24 Emerges from the Breach

An uncategorized Kaiju emerges from the Breach and heads toward Kuching Malaysia.

October 4, 2024: Striker Eureka and Mammoth Apostle vs. KC-24 and Mammoth Apostle’s Destruction

Striker Eureka and Mammoth Apostle are deployed to intercept the Kaiju KC-24. Mammoth Apostle is destroyed before Striker Eureka can land the killing blow. The fate of Mammoth Apostle’s pilots is unknown, but they were likely killed in battle. After Striker Eureka kills KC-24, helicopters attempt to locate and recover the remains of Mammoth Apostle.

October 12, 2024: The Anchorage Shatterdome is Shut Down

Shortly after its closure, the Shatterdome and the Jaeger Academy were sold to a private buyer. Gipsy Danger is relocated to the Hong Kong Shatterdome to continue undergoing repairs.

October 18, 2024: The Lima Shatterdome is Shut Down

After its closure, the Shatterdome is sold to the Peruvian government.

October 19, 2024: The Tokyo Shatterdome is Shut Down

After the Shatterdome’s closure, it is sold to a private buyer.

October 31, 2024: Fiend Emerges from the Breach

An uncategorized Kaiju emerges from the Breach and heads toward Acapulco, Mexico.

October 31, 2024: Striker Eureka vs. Fiend

Striker Eureka is deployed to stop Fiend from reaching Acapulco, Mexico. Before the Kaiju can make landfall, Striker Eureka kills it.

November 9, 2024: The Panama City Shatterdome is Shut Down

The fate of the Shatterdome is unknown.

November 15, 2024: Naomi Sokolov Interviews Jasper Schoenfeld

Jasper recounts the story of how he was inspired to create the Jaegers.

November 19, 2024: Tailspitter Emerges from the Breach

An uncategorized Kaiju emerges from the Breach and heads toward Sapporo, Japan.

November 19, 2024: Crimson Typhoon vs. Tailspitter

Crimson Typhoon kills Tailspitter in Sapporo, Japan.

November 28, 2024: Naomi Sokolov Interviews Stacker Pentecost

She and Stacker discuss why he pilots and why believes the Jaeger Program should continue. By the end of the interview, Naomi is convinced to write an article asking the PPDC why they’re giving up the fight and funding a wall instead.

November 30, 2024: Kojiyama Emerges from the Breach

An uncategorized Kaiju emerges from the Breach and heads toward the Bohai Sea.

November 30, 2024: Crimson Typhoon and Striker Eureka vs. Kojiyama

After Kojiyama attacks the Bohai Sea, Crimson Typhoon and Striker Eureka are deployed to handle it. Kojiyama is killed.

December 11, 2024: The Vladivostok Shatterdome is Shut Down

After its closure, the Vladivostok Shatterdome is given to the Russian government in exchange for airspace, refueling, and landing rights.

December 20, 2024: The Los Angeles Shatterdome is Shut Down

The fate of the Shatterdome after its closure is unknown.

December 29, 2024: The Sydney Shatterdome is Shut Down

The fate of the Shatterdome after its closure is unknown.

December 31, 2024: Striker Eureka is Decommissioned

Because the final four Jaegers are being moved to the Hong Kong Shatterdome for Operation Pitfall, Striker Eureka is decommissioned and removed from active service in Australia. Hercules and Chuck Hansen are decommissioned alongside their Jaeger and instructed to relocate to Hong Kong, where they will carry a nuclear warhead for the upcoming Operation Pitfall.

December 31, 2024: The United Nations and PPDC Stop Funding the Jaeger Program

Several representatives from the United Nations contact Stacker Pentecost to inform him that all funding is being directed toward the Anti-Kaiju Wall, leaving the Jaeger Program with eight months worth of money.

January 1, 2025: Mutavore Emerges from the Breach

The Category IV emerges from the Breach and heads toward Sydney, Australia. Mutavore has a hooked, sharp curve above on its plated and bony structure around its head and curving down from its chin in a crescent shape. Near the top of Mutavore's bladed crest is its mouth. Mutavore has three eyes on both sides of its head. In addition, the creature exhibits a bipedal structure containing two large arms ending in large claws, and two very small, almost insect-like appendages on its chest. Similar to its bladed head, Mutavore has huge, ax-shaped structures protruding from its back.

January 1, 2025: Striker Eureka vs. Mutavore

Mutavore breaks through the Anti-Kaiju Wall around Sydney in an hour. Luckily, Striker Eureka was decommissioned only a day before and responds quickly to the attack. They deal a series of punches to the Kaiju before unleashing a volley of Anti-Kaiju Missiles, killing Mutavore.

January 1, 2025: Stacker Pentecost Locates Raleigh Becket

Upon arriving at the “Wall of Life”, Stacker Pentecost attempts to convince Raleigh to return to the PPDC. Raleigh assumes he isn’t Stacker Pentecost’s first choice, but the Marshal informs him that all the other Mark-3 pilots are dead, making Raleigh the automatic first (and only) choice. Initially, Raleigh turns him down on the basis that he cannot have anyone inside his head again. Pentecost tells him the world is ending and asks if he would rather die on the Anti-Kaiju Wall or in a Jaeger. Raleigh agrees to return.

January 1, 2025 - January 8, 2025: Raleigh Arrives at the Hong Kong Shatterdome

Upon arriving, Raleigh is introduced to Mako Mori. He is also introduced to the K-Science team, Hermann Gottlieb and Newton Geiszler. Stacker Pentecost shows him around the Shatterdome, introducing him to the remaining Jaegers, Cherno Alpha, Crimson Typhoon, and Striker Eureka. Herc Hansen welcomes Raleigh. When Raleigh asks Stacker what the plan is for Operation Pitfall, Stacker brushes him off and tells him to “be ready”. Mako shows him to the new and improved Gipsy Danger before taking Raleigh to his room.

January 1, 2025 - January 8, 2025: Raleigh is Introduced to Co-Pilot Candidates

In the Kwoon, Raleigh faces off against the list of candidates Mako put together; however, none of them seem to click. Eventually, he ends up sparring against Mako instead and the two discover they are drift compatible.

January 1, 2025 - January 8, 2025: Stacker Pentecost Talks with the K-Science Team

Hermann determines that, based on his exponential growth equations, the PPDC should expect a double event soon, and then a triple or quadruple event soon after that. He is unable to provide them with an absolutely certain timeline for when they should drop into the Breach, and Newton cuts in to insist Drifting with a Kaiju brain is a viable option. Stacker dismisses Newton and requests Hermann’s info.

January 1, 2025 - January 8, 2025: Gipsy Danger’s Trial Run

Stacker Pentecost reluctantly allows Mako Mori to try a trial run with Raleigh. At first, their neural handshake holds steady, but Raleigh accidentally projects the memory of his brother’s death over Mako, causing her to chase the R.A.B.I.T. and relive the Onibaba attack. While stuck in the memory, Mako accidentally activates the left arm’s Plasmacaster and nearly destroys a large portion of the Shatterdome; however, Chuck Hansen, Tendo Choi, and Herc Hansen manage to send the Jaeger offline before any damage can be done.

January 1, 2025 - January 8, 2025: Newton Geiszler Drifts with the Kaiju’s Secondary Brain

In what is likely the bravest and dumbest decision of the movie, Newton builds a Pons Machine from scratch and enters the Drift with the Kaiju brain. He succeeds and is pulled from a state of shock by Hermann, who fetches Stacker Pentecost. Newton tells them that the Kaiju are under orders and that they’re being created to exterminate humanity; however, he missed out on some information. Stacker Pentecost instructs him to drift again and refers him to Hannibal Chau, a black-market dealer of Kaiju parts who operates in the Hong Kong Bone Slums.

January 1, 2025 - January 8, 2025: Raleigh and Chuck Fight, Mako is Grounded

After Mako and Raleigh’s failed drift, Stacker, Herc, and Chuck convene in Stacker’s office to discuss what happened; however, Herc throws Chuck out when het gets too fired up. He turns his attention to Mako and Raleigh, who are waiting in the hall. After insulting Raleigh, he turns his attention to Mako briefly, prompting Raleigh to throw a punch. The encounter quickly turns into a fistfight, and the two only stop when Herc emerges from the office and pulls them apart. Then, Raleigh and Mako are called into Pentecost’s office, where he grounds Mako. When she asks to be dismissed, Raleigh reveals that he saw Mako’s childhood and knows why Pentecost refuses to let her in a Jaeger. He insists the Marshal is holding her back, but Pentecost reprimands Raleigh and then ends the conversation.

January 8, 2025: Otachi Emerges from the Breach

The Category IV emerges from the Breach and heads toward Hong Kong, China. Otachi is one of the largest and heaviest Category IVs to ever make landfall. It walks on all fours. It has two short legs, two long, and four digit hands. It fights largely with its barbed tail, which possesses enough strength to pierce through the Conn-Pod of a moderately armored Jaeger. It also has a jaw that is capable of splitting open in order for Otachi to spit acid onto the Jaeger it is facing. This is possible because of a sac underneath its neck that produces the highly corrosive liquid. Later, it also revealed that Otachi has wings capable of carrying it into the atmosphere, as well as the capacity to give birth.

January 8, 2025: Leatherback Emerges from the Breach

The Category IV emerges from the Breach and heads toward Hong Kong, China. Leatherback is a large and armored Kaiju that resembles a gorilla. It has high intelligence, and when injured it resorts to hit and run tactics if necessary. Leatherback also has a tendency to pounce on enemies when they are distracted, using its weight to its advantage. The heavy plating all over its body allows it to take heavy hits and deal them in return, thanks to mace-like fists. While it isn’t quite as intelligent as Otachi, Leatherback possesses a more powerful weapon in its EMP organ, which allows it to scramble electronic devices in a large radius, including digitized Jaegers.

January 8, 2025: Crimson Typhoon, Cherno Alpha, and Striker Eureka vs. Otachi and Leatherback

Since Gipsy Danger is out of the question following their failed trial run, only the other three Jaegers are deployed when the Double Event occurs. Crimson Typhoon and Cherno Alpha are tasked with taking on the two Kaiju directly while Striker Eureka holds the Miracle Mile. Otachi emerges from the water first, targeting Crimson Typhoon. Initially, it gains the upper hand; however, the triplets recover quickly and enter the Thundercloud Formation, transforming the Jaeger’s hands into saw blades. They slice Otachi’s head and chest before the Kaiju grabs and immobilizes two of their arms. Crimson Typhoon engages the jets on its back and flips completely over Otachi before tossing the Kaiju in Cherno Alpha’s direction. The Russian team immediately goes in for a hit, bashing Otachi’s face several times with Cherno Alpha’s fists. Striker Eureka almost moves in to help, but Stacker Pentecost orders them to remain in position. Otachi sweeps Cherno Alpha off its feet, and when Crimson Typhoon moves in to attack too quickly, the Kaiju uses its tail to rip the triplets’ Conn-Pod out, killing the three of them. The Kaidonovskys recover and jump back into the fight with renewed enthusiasm, looking to avenge Crimson Typhoon, but Otachi surprises them once again by unveiling the sac on the bottom of its mouth that can produce a highly corrosive acid and spitting it directly onto the Jaeger’s head. Striker Eureka fully mobilizes, hoping to save Cherno Alpha, but before they make it, Leatherback finally emerges from the water and jumps onto Cherno Alpha’s back. Otachi rips one of Cherno Alpha’s arms off and then moves to intercept Striker Eureka while Leatherback forces Cherno Alpha underwater. Soon after, it crushes the Conn-Pod, killing the Kaidonovskys in an underwater explosion and decimating the Jaeger. Meanwhile, Striker Eureka gains the upper hand against Otachi and opens the cavity on the Jaeger’s chest, preparing to launch Anti-Kaiju missiles at Otachi; unfortunately, they are stopped only seconds before launch by Leatherback’s EMP organ, which electrocutes Herc and Chuck Hansen and completely Striker Eureka down. Herc disengages from his harness at the same time Leatherback deals a light blow to Striker Eureka, sending him flying across the Conn-Pod. It becomes quickly apparent that his arm is broken.

January 8, 2025: Crimson Typhoon’s Destruction, Death of the Wei Triplets

During the battle against Otachi, Crimson Typhoon’s Conn-Pod is crushed by the Kaiju, killing all three pilots. Crimson Typhoon’s body collapses into Victoria Harbor.

January 8, 2025: Cherno Alpha’s Destruction, Death of Sasha and Aleksis Kaidonovsky

During the battle against Otachi and Leatherback, Cherno Alpha’s Conn’Pod is dissolved and the Jaeger is forced underwater, where Leatherback detonates it. Cherno Alpha is destroyed in the blast and the Kaidonovskys are killed.

January 8, 2025: Gipsy Danger is Deployed

Upon realizing they no longer have any other options, Stacker Pentecost's orders Mako Mori and Raleigh Becket into the final Jaeger. Because Gipsy Danger is analog, it is unaffected by Leatherback’s EMP organ.

January 8, 2025: Newton Geiszler Meets with Hannibal Chau

The two discuss Newton’s reasons for needing a Kaiju brain, at which point Hannibal Chau calls him an idiot. When the Kaiju alerts begin to go off, Newton is forced to leave at gunpoint and take shelter in a public shelter.

January 8, 2025: Otachi Enters Hong Kong to Look for Newton Geiszler

It heads through the city without causing much destruction, choosing to focus on locating Newton.

January 8, 2025: Gipsy Danger vs. Leatherback

Chuck and Herc Hansen, in a last ditch attempt to prevent the destruction of Hong Kong until Gipsy Danger arrives, decide to distract Leatherback. Using the escape hatch, the pair climb onto the top of Striker Eureka and fire flares off into the Kaiju’s face. One of the flares makes contact with and damages Leatherback’s eye. It raises its arms to kill them, but Gipsy Danger arrives on the scene at just the right time, stealing the Kaiju’s attention. Gipsy Danger drops into the water and Leatherback charges at it, but Mako and Raleigh sidestep and immediately rip the EMP organ from Leatherback’s spine. Enraged, the Kaiju grabs Gipsy Danger in a bear hug and throws it onto the docs a large distance away, effectively shifting the battle out of the water. When Leatherback climbs onto the docks, it charges Gipsy Danger. In response, Mako and Raleigh engage the jets on Gipsy Danger’s back and deal a flying strike to Leatherback’s face, which they follow up with two more quick hits. They engage Gipsy Danger’s elbow rocket and deal a fourth punch, further disorienting the Kaiju. It grabs a nearby crane and uses it to knock the Jaeger backwards although they take little damage. In response, Raleigh and Mako grab several shipping containers from the docks and use them like brass knuckles and slams them on either side of Leatherback’s head. Acting quickly, Gipsy Danger manages to grab the Kaiju while it is disoriented and they toss it across the docks. When Leatherback gets back to its feet, it once again attempts to charge Gipsy, but the Jaeger manages to free its right arm and Raleigh activates the Plasmacaster. They unleash the entire clip into Leatherback’s chest, blowing its arm off. The blows are enough to kill the Kaiju, but Mako and Raleigh decimate its corpse to make sure before turning their attention to Otachi.

January 8, 2025: Otachi Locates Newton Geiszler

General panic begins to rise in the shelter as the Kaiju grows closer, and Newton reveals the monsters are after him. As a response, the people around him force him into the middle of the shelter alone. Otachi bursts through the ceiling of the Anti-Kaiju shelter and uses its tongue, which seemingly has some kind of sensory organ, to identify Newton. However, it retreats from the shelters without doing anything to him.

January 8, 2025: Gipsy Danger vs. Otachi

The Jaeger treks through the city, following the path of destruction that Otachi left behind, before locating the Kaiju in the process of breaking into one of the Anti-Kaiju shelters. Otachi shifts its attention away from Newton and charges Gipsy Danger. Mako and Raleigh use a tanker they dragged from the docks like a bat and deal a blow across Otachi’s jaw. It uses its tail to grab the tanker and throw it down a nearby street before retreating into the cover of the city, disappearing for view. Raleigh attempts to contact the sighting teams but receives no response before Otachi crashes out of a nearby skyscraper, catching them by surprise. It drags them through a building and shoves them into another before attempting to unleash its acid attack; however, Mako and Raleigh are able to dodge it, sending the acid flying into an office building instead. Gipsy Dangers shoves it right hand into Otachi’s throat, causing Otachi to try and impale them with her tail. Mako and Raleigh vent the coolant in Gipsy Danger’s systems to freeze its tail and shatter it completely before ripping the acid sac from the Kaiju’s body. As a final resort, Otachi shoves the Jaeger to the ground and unfurls a pair of wings. It grabs Gipsy Danger and flies high into the sky, where the Jaeger’s interior oxygen levels begin dropping. Mako unleashes a weapon that was added after Gipsy Danger’s refurbishment: a Chain Sword capable of being used as either a whip or sword. They slice diagonally through the Kaiju’s body and fly through the Earth from around 50,000 feet in the air. The duo survive by slowing their fall with a measured blast at Stacker Pentecost’s suggestion.

January 8, 2025: Stacker Pentecost Reveals his Cancer to Raleigh Becket

After returning from the battle, Stacker Pentecost gives a speech, during which blood begins to drip from his nose. Privately, he informs Raleigh of his condition, explaining the effects of Coyote Tango’s lack of radiation shielding. Finally, Stacker reveals that he chose Raleigh for the mission because of his ability to pilot solo, an incredible feat that only the two of them had ever accomplished.

January 8, 2025: Newton Geiszler Returns to Hannibal Chau

After nearly being devoured by Otachi, Newton returns to Hannibal’s base of operations and demands the Kaiju brain he had asked for. Hannibal Chau relents, and he and his team travel to the site where Otachi was killed. The team enters the Kaiju, but realize the secondary brain has been damaged. As they prepare to exit the corpse, the team and Newton realize the Kaiju is pregnant.

January 8, 2025: The Baby Kaiju Emerges

The Baby Kaiju has an appearance similar to that of Otachi, although significantly less mature. It bursts out of Otachi and heads straight for Newton as the crews around them flee. He trips, but before the Baby Kaiju can devour him, it gets tangled up in its own umbilical cord and dies. Hannibal Chau emerges from wherever he was hiding to claim he knew the Baby Kaiju would die. He begins to say something, but the Baby Kaiju is briefly resuscitated and eats him before he can finish the sentence. After swallowing him, it actually dies.

January 8, 2025: Newton Geiszler and Hermann Gottlieb Drift with the Newborn Kaiju’s Brain

In an attempt to gain the full extent of information possible without putting Newton into further dangers, Hermann offers to bear some of the neural load as pilots do. They enter the Drift together and realize that the final plan of action will not work because of the Breach’s ability to read DNA like a barcode.

January 12, 2025: Stacker Pentecost Begins Operation Pitfall Early

Despite initially being funded for eight more months of operation in the Jaeger Program, Stacker Pentecost realizes their chance of surviving the incoming Triple Event is low, and therefore decides to jumpstart Operation Pitfall early. Gipsy Danger is going to run defense, piloted by Mako Mori and Raleigh Becket, but Herc Hansen is no longer able to pilot Striker Eureka because of his broken arm. As a result, Stacker Pentecost decides to sacrifice himself and take Herc’s place alongside Chuck Hansen. Before entering Striker Eureka, Stacker asks Mako for her protection and Chuck and Herc say goodbye, both likely under the impression Chuck isn’t going to survive the mission.

January 12, 2025: Gipsy Danger and Striker Eureka are Deployed

As planned, Striker Eureka carries the nuclear payload. The two Jaegers are dropped nearly six-hundred meters from the Breach and make the rest of the trek on foot.

January 12, 2025: Scunner Emerges from the Breach

Scunner emerges from the Breach and hovers around the Jaegers, but does not initially attack. It has two curved horns like that of a bull’s, designed to act as battering rams. It also has four arms, designed to help it move faster underwater. Unlike previous Kaiju, Scunner has the ability to work well with its brethren.

January 12, 2025: Raiju Emerges from the Breach

Raiju emerges from the Breach and hovers around the Jaegers, but does not attack initially. It has bent feet that increase its speed. Upon first emerging and circling Striker Eureka and Gipsy Danger, Tendo Choi dubs it “the fastest Kaiju ever recorded”. It has heavy armor and broad shoulders, and its overall appearance mimics that of a Galapagos iguana and a crocodile.

January 12, 2025: Newton Geiszler and Hermann Gottlieb Reveal the Intricacies of the Breach

Right before taking the leap into the Breach with the nuclear payload, Herc Hansen relays to the pilots that the Kaiju stopped. Sensing something is wrong, Stacker stops as well, refusing to take the leap. Suddenly, Hermann and Newton enter, commandeering the communication device, and explaining that only something with Kaiju DNA can enter the Breach or else it will deflect.

January 12, 2025: Slattern Emerges from the Breach

The first ever Category V, Slattern emerges from the Breach just as Hermann and Newton finish explaining the Breach’s requirements to pass. Because it is the first Category V, Slattern is the most lethal of any of its kind. It has intelligence, strength, speed, armor, and toxicity levels far above its brethren. Slattern has thick, leathery skin and three triple-crowned tails that can be used for long-distance attacks or piercing the armor of a Jaeger. Its tails have enough power to rapidly spin and lash out, even with a heavy amount of underwater pressure working against them. Slattern has a spike-like protrusion on its chest, which can extend forward and inflict blunt damage on a Jaeger. The sound of the Kaiju's roar can emit sound waves powerful enough to cause visible damage to its surrounding environment. Slattern's body is also extremely resilient against a multitude of attacks, nuclear or otherwise. Slattern's height is estimated at 596 feet and its weight is estimated at 6,750 tons.

January 12, 2025: Gipsy Danger and Striker Eureka vs. Scunner, Raiju, and Slattern

When Slattern first emerges from the Breach in front of Striker Eureka, Gipsy Danger attempts to move in and provide aid, but Scunner charges at them. Eventually, Gipsy Danger is able to mostly subdue Scunner by burning its head with a hydrothermal vent, but before they can finish Scunner off, Raiju rushes in and bites Gipsy’s Chain Sword and the entirety of their right arm off. Meanwhile, Slattern attacks Striker Eureka with its various tails, throwing it into a hydrothermal vent. As a result, the Jaeger’s Anti-Kaiju missile launchers are damaged. Slattern continues to attack using the surrounding environment, but Chuck and Stacker put up a good fight considering the size difference. They manage to nearly amputate two of Slattern’s arms with their Stingblades before the Kaiju backs off somewhat. Raiju prepares to charge Gipsy Danger again, but LOCCENT warns Mako and Raleigh of its approach, allowing them to form a Chain Sword on the remaining left arm and bisect Raiju, using its own speed against it. Slattern roars for aid, and Scunner abandons Gipsy Danger to help destroy Striker Eureka. Realizing what needs to be done, Chuck and Stacker say their goodbyes before detonating the payload, vaporizing Scunner. Gipsy Danger, heavily crippled, begins to drag itself toward the Breach. Along the way, they grab Raiju’s remains in order to try and pass the Breach’s DNA reading. However, right as they reach the final stretch, Slattern blocks their path. It is severely damaged but alive. Raleigh instructs Mako to engage the rear thrusters, and they fly toward Slattern, hooking themselves directly onto the Kaiju with their Chain Sword and tumbling forward into the Breach. Since Slattern is with them, they pass the scan. Then, Raleigh and Mako activate the reactor’s burning attack, finishing Slattern, and leaving the pair drifting in the Anteverse.

January 12, 2015: Striker Eureka’s Destruction, Death of Stacker Pentecost and Chuck Hansen

During Operation Pitfall, Stacker and Chuck voluntarily detonate the payload on Striker Eureka’s back. The ensuing blast destroys Striker Eureka and kills the pair.

January 12, 2015: The Breach’s Destruction

Raleigh gives Mako his oxygen and ensures she is released in an escape pod as he continues into the Anteverse. Within, he passes an area where the Kaiju are made, and eventually reaches the center of the Anteverse, where the background is a burning yellow planet. Raleigh finds that there is a problem with the system and he has to activate manual override before escaping with almost no time left. Beneath him, Gipsy Danger detonates right in the center of the dimension, and his escape pod is blown upward with the force and out of the Breach as the Kaiju world collapses around him.

January 12, 2015: Gipsy Danger’s Destruction

Gipsy Danger is decimated as a result of its self-destruction. It brings the Anteverse down with it.

January 12, 2015: The Kaiju War Ends

The Kaiju War draws to a close. In the Hong Kong Shatterdome, Herc Hansen announces the Breach’s destruction and everyone erupts into celebration.

January 12, 2015: Mako Mori and Raleigh are Rescued

When Raleigh’s escape pod first surfaces, Mako cannot feel a pulse or find any signal he is alive; however, Raleigh regains consciousness not long after and they embrace. Choppers fly over their head, presumably to pick the pair up. The two press their foreheads together.

Additional Notes:

There is a lot of conflicting information about the December 2019 Manila drop. Most sources say Hercules Hansen and Scott Hansen dropped together in the Jaeger Lucky Seven, but other sources claim Hercules was in Striker Eureka with his son, Chuck. Often, it is implied Scott Hansen was dismissed from the PPDC before Striker Eureka even launched (November 2019). I chose to go the “Herc dropped in Lucky Seven” route, since Hercules clearly recognizes Raleigh in the movie but introduces Chuck as if they [Raleigh and Chuck] have never dropped together. This does, however, bring into question who was piloting Striker Eureka in November of 2019, when it first came onto active duty, if Herc was still assigned to Lucky Seven. I generally followed a mixture of the movie and novel canons, but some of the movie pages on the Pacific Rim wiki contradicted each other, so it’s quite difficult to tell.

Some sources claim Mutavore actually attacked December 27, 2024, and that two other Jaegers were involved. Echo Saber, Vulcan Specter, and Striker Eureka would have been involved in this version of events, in which both Echo Saber and Vulcan Specter are ripped to shreds by Mutavore before Striker Eureka is deployed and kills Mutavore. However, Travis Beacham has stated that Striker Eureka was the only Jaeger involved in the attack.

Several of the fights listed in this timeline are not canon in the movie version, as well as some of the Kaiju. As far as I can recall, at least half of Striker Eureka’s encounters on here are only mentioned in the novelization (Striker Eureka’s listed drops on the movie version of the wiki only include Pitfall and Mutavore), as well as at least one of Crimson Typhoon’s.

Kaiju named something like “MN-19″ or “PSJ-18″ are actually unnamed Kaiju. The letters in these names come from the city they attacked (i.e., Manila and San Jose in the examples in the first sentence) and then year they occurred in (2019 and 2018, respectively).

Lucky Seven has no canon classification or launch date, but we know it was involved in an attack on Hong Kong. After Crimson Typhoon was launched in 2018, all of Hong Kong’s Kaiju attacks were either resolved by Crimson Typhoon alone or by Crimson Typhoon and a Jaeger team (none of which contained Lucky Seven); therefore, I ended Lucky Seven’s possible launch timeline at the date of Crimson Typhoon’s launch. Its start date is marked alongside Romeo Blue and because Romeo Blue and Tacit Ronin were definitively the second and first Mark-1s released respectively. Lucky Seven could have been a Mark-1, but it could not have been a Mark-1 released before Romeo Blue or Tacit Ronin.

Cherno Alpha was launched in 2015, but it has no specific date. Because Coyote Tango was the last of the Mark-1s and Tacit Ronin and Romeo Blue were first and second respectively, Cherno had to have fallen somewhere between Romeo Blue and Coyote Tango.

Travis Beacham has stated that there is a Shatterdome in Nagasaki at some point, but I couldn’t find opening or closing dates for it, nor could I find any Jaeger assignments, so I didn’t include it.

I admit I’m a little confused about how it took four days for Newton and Hermann to relay the information from their drift from the Baby Kaiju considering they only had to make it back from Hong Kong to...the Hong Kong Shatterdome? In the movies it mostly appears that Operation Pitfall actually happens the day after the Double Event, but every source I found explicitly says there is a four day gap in between.

Echo Saber has technically been in both the Sydney and Tokyo Shatterdomes, according to the novels. According to the novels, Echo Saber is still active and functional after the Tokyo Shatterdome shuts down in 2024, and it is moved to the Sydney Shatterdome with Striker Eureka. However, the novels also say Echo Saber is involved in the Mutavore attack and destroyed shortly after, which isn’t the case in the movie, so I listed it twice but chose to keep its destruction date broad.

Anyways, that’s all.

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