#edgy is passing by... ✨

[morning-gist]

🖖 Why? The Tragedies of Star Trek

Storytelling or Strategy?

If you're a Star Trek fan, you've probably asked yourself the same question I have, more than once: Why?

Why did they kill Captain Kirk?

Why did they kill Mr. Spock?

Why was Vulcan blown up?

Why was Praxis destroyed?

Why was Romulus erased from the universe?

These aren’t just dramatic plot twists. They’re galactic gut punches, tearing away at what makes Star Trek home. So, what gives? Is it all just shock value—or is there something deeper going on?

💔 The Death of Captain Kirk (Star Trek: Generations, 1994)

Kirk’s death was marketed as a “passing of the torch” from the TOS crew to The Next Generation.

But what fans got was... a lonely fall off a metal bridge.

There was no blaze of glory. No moving tribute. Just a quiet death that felt deeply unearned. Kirk, the embodiment of hope and command. Kirk, the spirit of Star Trek. Kirk deserved more than a corporate sacrifice for "stakes."

✨ ���Heroes don't always get epic endings.” 🚫 Yeah, but this one should have.

🖖 The Death of Mr. Spock (Post-Nimoy)

When Leonard Nimoy passed in 2015, the grief was real and profound. So when the films canonized Spock Prime’s death, it felt like the end of an era—but also a door closed too soon.

Spock died off-screen. No illness. No noble sacrifice. Just... a quiet reference.

🖤 It was respectful. But not Star Trek enough.

It wasn’t just Spock who died—it was logic, legacy, and a generational voice. And many fans weren’t ready to let go.

🌋 The Destruction of Vulcan (Star Trek, 2009)

Vulcan is a cornerstone of Federation identity. First Contact! Erased by a single drill and a black hole.

The reason? “To show anything can happen.” To make the reboot edgy. But it came at the cost of history, culture, and depth.

🧠 Young Spock’s trauma became a narrative tool. 💥 But was blowing up Vulcan worth it?

This wasn’t bold. It was brash. Trek’s utopia gave way to chaos.

☢️ Praxis (The Undiscovered Country, 1991)

Here’s one that worked.

Praxis was a metaphor. A Cold War parallel. A warning about environmental carelessness and political denial.

Its destruction meant something: it forced peace talks. It was narrative propulsion, not spectacle.

🖋️ Real-world allegory. Real consequence. This is Trek at its best.

🌌 Romulus (Star Trek 2009 + Star Trek: Picard, 2020)

Romulus was obliterated off-screen to justify Spock Prime and Nero’s backstory. In Picard, it becomes the emotional wound that drives Jean-Luc’s disillusionment.

But again... a legacy world destroyed just to reboot or reshape.

😓 Tragedy used as emotional fuel—again.

📉 Trend or Tradition?

So what’s the real story here? Is all this destruction a creative choice? Or a calculated strategy?

Too often, it feels like:

Studio execs chasing viral moments

Explosions made for trailers

Death as an easy plot device

Tragedy over development

“Clean slates” over meaningful continuity

But Star Trek was never about burning it all down. It’s about loyalty, friendship, hope, connection, legacy, and resilience. That’s what makes it endure.

[starlightwoofwoof]

🖤💜✨ More about the Villains/Victims ✨💜🖤

O K A Y so I thought more about the villains/victims in my MLBxSM AU, so here’s more info about what happens after they’re defeated, and other things :D

(poor Kevin why do I keep doing this to him)

ANYWAY, I thought the villains/victims having side effects would be kinda cool other than just waking up, completely fine-

Here’s more about it :

I kind of forgot to say, the slumbers depend on how powerful the character’s villain side is, so that their actual bodies can take a break if you know what I mean-

The side effects can differ from person to person

More side effects are :

Nausea/Vomiting

Violent Shaking

Body temperature changes

Nightmares and even hallucinations of their villain sides and whatever caused their upset in the first place (one of the worst case scenarios/side effects)

Alright, that’s what I thought of for the side effects, but it also made me wonder

What happens to THEM during them being a villain?

And I don’t mean their villain selves, I mean their real selves.

Well, let’s just say it’s .. not exact the most fun thing ever

The poor things are put into some kind of weird, dark void. They can’t move a muscle, literally nothing, not even to blink. They can’t really see anything, since the void is dark, but they can certainly hear. They’re not hearing their friends beg for them to become back to normal and come back to the light, though. All they can hear are their deepest insecurities, repeated over and over and over until their villain sides are defeated by Father Gregor.

(why did I make this so edgy for 💀)

ANYWAY, ENOUGH OF THAT- here, have some extra John and Jack/Smokeydonuts stuff :3

(dw John’s okay in the first pic, he just got defeated and he passed out-)

also guess whaaaaaaaaattttttttttttttt

A K U M A ! J O H N ‼️‼️‼️

I haven’t thought too much about him yet, but he’s an intangible smoke being (other than his cigarette, of course)

(low key wanted to name him ‘Smokey Joe’ but then I realized that was kinda dumb, I mean, Joe’s not even his actual name sooooo)

OKAYENOUGHRAMBLING see you lateeeeerrrrrrr :3

[rolandsimmer]

🎉 150 Members Celebration! Meet Bern! 🎉Battle Pass 2

We’ve hit another milestone with our amazing community, and it’s time to introduce someone special to mark the occasion! 🥳

Meet Bern, our edgy and colorful addition to the cast! 🌈🖤 Her bold style, dual-tone pigtails, and unique attitude, Bern perfectly represents the vibrant energy of our growing group. Her playful yet fierce vibes are bound to steal the show! 💕✨

Thank you all for being part of this journey and making this community so incredible. Also, thank you for the CC creators. Credits to the hair for monosim 

🔗 Here you can find out more about the battle pass program: BATTLE PASS SEASON 2

💾 Download Links for FREE: Patreon

[edi-storm]

I’m a simple gal I see GOT au and DC and I come RUNNING!!!! I’ve tried developing my own DC x GoT au and id love to hear more if you want to share!!!

I have a few ideas floating around my head for some of the batfam characters, nothing too concrete tho.

I imagine Bruce to be a lord of the north (mainly because I feel like the north fits gotham and the atmosphere the best. Something about all the dark clothing just fits the grim vibes) although I got a good comment talking about his no kill rule! So perhaps he could be like all edgy no kill because of his parents being dead. Alfred is an ex knight for the throne , also friends with his father that became his personal guard , and after Bruce s parents were murdered, chose to take care and raise Bruce in the North.

Dick's family was part of a travelling performers group travelling around Westeros. Bruce happened to pass by and notice one of their shows, I imagine his parents being killed or something just like Bruce's, then Bruce starts his orphan adopting hobby and takes Dick in.

Jason's father was part of a thief gang to try to provide a better life for his family. This works for a while until they get caught and imprisoned/ killed by whoever busts then/ something. Catherine Todd dies or an illness. Jason is left fending for his own, starts pickpocketing. Bruce finds him while he's trying to steal something packed on his horse and ends up adopting him. Still working on his death/ resurrection (I feel like they're a big part of his character and I want to add that)

Tim's parents were merchants. Possibly knew Bruce . Tim was a secret dick fanboy because of his traveling performer era (thought he was really cool and badass). Some more death and adoption.

I haven't fully thought about Damian s backstory yet and the relationship between Talia and Bruce, since I like the idea of them being from Essos , but that's what i have for him so far. Speaking high Valyrian and some other languages, accent while speaking in English ✨

I haven't come up with anything for Cass, Steph and duke yet

[trebuchet151]

Heya, you’ve been visited by the fandom faery!✨

Your art is beyond wonderful! You go above and beyond on everything you share with the fandom while taking the time to share other’s work, so thank you for being you!

If you feel like sharing: Does Corey have any hobbies or routines they use to pass the time, outside of villainy? Do the people close to them know about any of them?

OMG FANDOM FAERYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I literally had to walk away from replying to this like 5 times cuz I keep getting emotional this is SO SWEET!!! I don't even know what to say honestly I just <33333333 thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!

and Yes! Corey lore time under the cut for length <3

Corey is a musician! Their primary hobby is sort of a conglomerate of related hobbies in a trench coat; they play guitar, sing, and write their own music.

I hc that Anathema taught them, and the Rangers got them their first electric guitar/amp set up as a sort of joint present for the first birthday they (willingly) celebrated together.

They've always been very talkative/vocal, and mimicking things they hear is comforting for them (echolalia!). This made them *really good* at impressions and vocal mimicry (farm trained cuckoo skill), but it coincidentally also made them a really versatile singer. Over the years they've honed in on their own personal style, but they got their start singing whatever earworms they telepathically overheard in the the farm staff's heads and singing along with the radio/ getting invited to Ranger's karaoke night (their absolute favorite bonding activity).

They started writing music in their Sidestep days as a sort of vent art, and never showed their songs to anyone but Anathema. They've never been much for talking about their feelings, but they have to go somewhere, so turning them into edgy lyrics and screaming into a microphone about it was their preferred therapy substitute. After the heartbreak incident, Ortega keeps their guitar and their ipod out of sentimentality. Eventually they snoop through the ipod and find all of Corey's music. And hey, theyre dead, no harm in showing Steel (doesnt really care) and Herald (begs for mp3s) right?

One of the first things Corey did post-second escape was steal buy a shitty acoustic guitar. They made all their legitimate money by busking until they got established enough in LD again to get a tech support job as a cover and start their villain arc! They haven't had much time for playing/singing during Rebirth and Retri, but it's their go-to mind numbing activity for when they can't sleep (hope the neighbors like metalcore). Ortega gives back their ipod and their old guitar sometime between Rebirth and Retri. They are juuuuust starting to get back into writing music when shit hits the fan in Retribution, luckily theyll have plenty of time to work on their art while they wait for their legs to heal :) (theyre very aware of the potential behind being a decent musician/songwriter AND a villain with a big fanclub. They would really prefer to keep their music a personal thing, but are fully prepared to weaponize it if they think the attention would keep the farm off them)

Other self soothing routines include walks by the ocean and visiting the aquarium! Everyone knows about these, Corey has always been a fish nerd. They'd love to put together a tank of their own at their apartment, but are too worried about what would happen to the fish if they disappeared again to do it.

[piinfeathers]

the scars we bare ch2

aaaaand here's part two. if you saw me promise this would be done on tuesday no you didn't <333 thank you to everyone who took the time to read this. it nearly killed me and i loved it

summary: emma swan came to the underworld with one purpose; to rescue the man she loved from hades' grip. and she would do anything, sacrifice everything in order to that happen. when hades offers her a deal, a test of their true love, she takes it. in the end though, the bargain might just take more for them than they have to give. S5B canon divergence

tw: minor moments of gore and torture, also brief mentions of abuse

✨ ch1 | Ao3 link ✨

Hades hadn’t lied about starting from the beginning. The memories they witnessed were, quite literally, some of the earliest moments of their lives. From infancy to childhood, the memories seemed to blur together. At times they watched together, both occupying the same head, witnessing old, long forgotten moments. Other times they were separated, both of them lost in the long, endless tunnel of sound and noise that led to yet another moment in time.

As the memories blurred together, one into the next, it occurred to Killian how similar their childhoods were. Aside from the time and setting, they could almost be confused for the same, miserable adolescence. The same empty bellies, the same too-cold nights, the same edgy fear of the too-large hands that reached out to slap or to hit. And sometimes, in the worst memories, the hands that would reach out and grab. The hands that would pet and coax, almost comforting. But even in the minds of the young children they knew not to trust them. So they ran. And when they couldn’t run, they fought. They bit and screamed and clawed until the large hands learned not to touch so easily.

Through it all, one key difference made itself apparent. The loneliness. Killian had felt small as a child, had felt fear and isolation, but never truly lonely, not when he had Liam. Liam who fought for him, who protected him, who held him through the worst of it. Emma had no one. She floated through her hopeless childhood completely and totally alone. 

At times people would drift in, foster parents who promised to love her, friends who tried to get closer. But in the end, they left. They always left.

Memories of Ingrid and Lily seemed to blur together. The bright hopeful spark that this person, this bond, would be different. That they would choose her and mean it. And when their betrayals hit her, blindsided her defenses, it hardened her. She built walls around her heart so high no one would ever scale them again. Killian ached for her. 

Through the bond he felt her, felt her presence, and tried to reach for her. He felt her hesitation, and imagined himself wrapping his arms around her. The feeling of her stilled, then softened, curling into him.

He’d spent nearly three centuries alone like that. It ate at a person. He couldn’t imagine a life that had known only that aching, hollow loneliness from the very beginning. 

Eventually the memories slowed. They became mundane and repetitive. It felt as if they were watching days pass just for the sake of wasting time. Hades was toying with them, drawing out the memory spell to keep them there longer. Killian pushed against it. 

That’s enough, he thought loudly inside his head. Do you hear me hades? I said that’s enough.

The memories broke apart, dropping them back into the middlemist field. Killian staggered, glaring at the god lounging in the chair. He had a drink now, a bright blue cocktail with a miniature umbrella sticking out from it. He toasted them with it and grinned.

“Enjoying the show?”

“You’ve made your point,” Killian snapped. “We don't need to drag this out.”

Hades' eyes grew sharp, focusing on something behind Killian. “Oh I don't know about that,” he said quietly.

Killian turned and stopped. Emma swayed behind him, her eyes unfocused, her face white. He rushed to her, his hand moving to her face, his hooked arm snaking around her when she faltered and nearly fell. 

“Emma! Emma, look at me.” 

Refusing to take his eyes off her, he snarled back at Hades. “What the hell did you do to her?”

“Just following the rules of our deal. Isn’t that right Emma?” 

Emma groaned, trying to push herself free from Killian's hold, but his arms didn’t move. 

“Killian, it’s ok,” she said with a croak in her voice. “I just need a minute.”

“What is he talking about? What does he mean ‘the rules of your deal?’”

Emma took a long shuddering breath and pulled herself upright, standing taller. Some colour returned to her cheeks and Killian cautiously let his grip on her relax. 

“He told me that in order for him to trust me, to make sure that I would see this through and mean it, I'd have to put some of my magic into it.”

Killian felt dawning horror bleed from his chest and into his lungs. 

“What does that mean?” he asked quietly.

She looked at him. “The memory spell he's using, it’s mine. I’m the one who cast it.”

There was a ringing in Killian’s ears, a shrill, staticky whine that made the world fade away for a moment. Her magic. They were standing inside her spell. He tried to think of how much power a spell of this size would take to keep going, and couldn’t conceive of it. Every moment that passed, ever second they stayed there, she was expending magic at an alarming rate. He could see it now, from the way her hands shook to how her skin looked thin enough to see through. It was devouring her. The magic was drinking her dry, hungry and unstoppable. 

Hades let out a gleeful giggle and clapped his hands. “And there it is! I was wondering when you’d tell him.” 

Killian heard the god of death move, and turned to watch him as he strutted closer. “A bit different when you’re not the dark one hmm? You’ll notice the magic hits just a liiiittle bit harder using light magic instead of all that infinite dark one mojo.”

“Go to hell,” Emma muttered, glancing back at Killian. “I'm ok. I swear I'm ok.”

“Were you ever going to tell me?” he asked, not quite able to keep the betrayal from his voice.

She looked at him for a long, heartbreaking moment. Something tragic flashed in her gaze, there and gone in seconds. “Would you have agreed if you knew?”

“No,” he said reflexively. The truth. He wouldn’t have. “But that was my choice to make Emma.”

She nodded “I know.” 

"Can you end it? Call off the magic?"

Her head shook. "Not while I'm under the sleeping curse. As long as I'm asleep the magic keeps going until this is over."

Her words struck him in the chest, robbing the air from his lungs. Of course. This had been Hades' plan all along. To force her to burn herself out. The cruelty of reliving memories was just a bonus.

“Why?” he asked, “just tell me why.”

She frowned, looking up at him. “I wouldn't leave you here. I can't.” 

She was going to kill herself for him. He knew it even before she answered. She’d die down here and he didn’t know how to stop her. 

“You have to go back Emma. You need to figure out a way to call off this spell and you have to go home.”

“I can do this. Killian please-” her voice broke and Killian felt his resolve crumble. “Do you trust me?” she asked after a moment

He smiled even as his heart split in half. “With my life.”

Her answering smile could have lit the entire night sky. “Ok then. See this through with me. We can do this. Together.” 

He wanted to say no. He needed to make her see. Did she even know? Couldn't she feel how much this spell was taking from her? But when she looked at him, when her chin raised and a light started to ignite behind her steady gaze, he knew he couldn’t stop her. Not yet, not now. But soon. Somehow, he would figure out a way to save her from herself.

As if caught in her current, he nodded at her mutely, and another door sprang into being beside them, swinging open and inviting them in. She took his hand again.

“It’ll be ok,” she said, a promise he knew she couldn’t keep. 

When she stepped through he followed her, powerless to do anything but let himself fall down after her.

***

Emma was tired. And pissed. And sore. And so filled with guilt it nearly choked the life out of her. She’d lied to him. Again. He probably wouldn’t forgive her this time. 

She’d live with it. Somehow, even if he walked away from her after this, if she managed to save him? It would be worth it.

They were falling again, she was holding his hand as the magic flowed around them. What he said earlier stuck with her. Hades was playing them. He wanted to drain her and let her die inside the sleeping curse. She realized that much. She needed to figure out a way to move this along. They needed a way out, and fast.

She tried to think, tried to feel for the edges of the magic. It was her spell damn it. If anyone knew a way out it would be her. But how-

She was thrown, full force into another memory before she had a chance to finish her thought.

In this one, Killian was back on the Jolly, in the captain’s quarters. A man with dark blonde curls stood behind the desk, his grin infectious. Emma felt the rush of love and relief at the sight of the man’s face. Liam. This must be Liam. She should’ve known from the smile. It was almost a twin to Killian’s.

“What now brother?” Killian asked.

“We reveal our king’s cowardice,” Liam announced, marching around the desk, grabbing his jacket.

Emma felt Killian's trust, his complete and total belief in his brother’s ability, and her heart hurt horribly. 

They kept talking, making plans and speaking about the future. Overhead someone called to brace for landing and the ship shook beneath their feet. They grinned at each other and Killian moved to the window, glancing out at the waves, a sense of new found purpose lighting inside him. They were going to expose the king, become heroes. No one else had to die because of his treachery.

“What do you say Liam? Want some company when you report to the admiralty?” Killian grinned as he turned to Liam. Liam who was doubled over in pain. Liam whose face was turning ashen and grey. 

Killian ran to him, grabbing for his brother, trying to pull him up. “No! Liam! Liam please!” he was begging, pleading to anyone who would listen for help

In his arms Liam gurgled, thin veins of inky black creeping across his face like curling spider limbs. Emma held on as Killian’s panic and grief crashed into her all at once, watching the life drain from his brother’s face. Killian’s voice sounded so tragically young when he begged for help, it nearly pulled her under. 

How could one person bear it? she thought again. All this loss. How did he keep moving forward, carrying it all?

She wondered how much more there would be. Who else had he lost? What else had he sacrificed and bartered away? How much more would Hades force her to witness?

None of this was new to her. None of these memories revealed “the man Killian Jones really was.” She already knew damn well who he was, and her heart broke for him. For who he had been and who he was now.

She was done. This was over. This pointless test was ending. Now.

She flared out her power in her mind. She could feel the borders of the spell that trapped them, felt the solid walls of it. She imagined herself reaching out both hands and pushed. Hard.

She felt the bars of her cage start to give and pushed again, harder this time, imagining herself balling her hands into fists and slamming them against the wall again and again. Cracks started to form. The memory she was in faded away, Liam's body and Killian's mind floating back into the past where they belonged. Here, in the present, Emma Swan wrapped herself in her power like armour and pictured the face of the man she loved. 

And punched her fist straight through the spell, shattering it.

***

Killian let the memory pull him where it wanted. He hoped it would be over quickly. He still needed to figure out a way to save Emma from herself. The answer, of course, came to him almost instantly. There was one way to show Emma the man he was. The man he hid from her. He had to show her the truth of his past. She would be horrified, she would leave and it would break whatever was left of the heart she had put back together. But she would be safe. She would go back to her life and she would love again. She would move on.

The thought of it. Of Emma Swan moving on without him, of her loving someone new almost destroyed him. But he knew deep in his bones that he would tear himself apart for her happiness. He had done it before and would do it again.

The memory formed around him as his decision was made. He glanced around. Emma stood alone in a dark back alley. Nervous excitement, and youthful joy crowded her mind. She was happy, so dizzyingly happy it made her head spin.

She was looking at a gold wrist watch, two sizes too big on her wrist and frowned, nerves started to edge their way into her excitement. She reached into her pocket and grabbed her phone. Baelfire- No, Neal’s face, filled her mind. He was late. He was supposed to be there and he was late.

She dialed the phone and held it to her ear, frowning when the automated voice told her the number had been disconnected. The hell? Had he forgotten to pay the damn phone bill again? 

“Damn right there’s an error,” she muttered, starting to dial again.

“Unless he set you up,” a loud voice called from behind her.

She turned and froze at the sight of the gun pointed at her. Icy, numb panic flooded through her, made her heart stop. When the cop told her to put her hands on her head she obeyed robotically, not understanding. Neal? Where was Neal? 

The cop was talking but Emma could barely hear him over the rush in her ears. He was full of shit, she was thinking. He didn’t have anything on her, and she told him as much.

“Possession of stolen goods,” he said, gesturing to the watch with the butt of his gun. “Your boy set you up.”

Emma could only stare. Neal . she thought. Just Neal , over and over. 

“He called in a tip, told us to take a look at the surveillance footage at the train station.” 

The words hit her like a physical blow. He’d betrayed her. She’d loved him, gave him everything she had, and he’d betrayed her. Cold, aching misery filled her head. Killian felt it, letting it wash over him. She was alone again and all he could do was watch.

When the cop turned her, snapped the cuffs of her wrists, a numb fury filled her, clouded her mind and settled deep in her bones until walls made of steel formed around her heart. Never again. She would never let herself believe in love. Love made you stupid. It used you up and softened you until you were helpless. Never again.

Killian let the memories move around him, too tired to fight them. So much hurt filled his head, both his and hers, like old scar tissue, hard and calloused. Had love ever come into her life without strings? Without hurt? The unfairness of it made his blood boil.

When the memory finally stilled, she was in a police station. The officer across from her asked her her age. In a quiet, barely there voice she answered; “Seventeen.”

“Got a kid your age,” the cop said flatly and Emma didn’t know how to respond.

Killian tried to focus on the memory, but everything felt blurry. Time seemed to move too fast and too slow all at once, sliding around him.

“Killian.” 

Inside Emma's mind, he froze. The memory around him came to a grinding halt, nothing moving.

“Killian, we need to go.” 

He turned, no longer in Emma's head, but in his own body, sitting inside her frozen memory. Emma, his Emma, stood in front of him, her hand extended.

“C’mon,” she said, “This way, we need to go before Hades finds us.”

He was on his feet, hand in hers and moving before he could ask any questions. She led him to a door with an exit sign above it and pushed through. Instead of the back street he’d been expecting, Granny’s dinner sat before him.

“Emma what-?"

“Just keep moving,” she snapped, breaking into a run.

They ran together through another door, this one leading them to Mary Margret and David’s loft. He tried to make sense of what he was seeing but Emma was pulling him forward still. They headed through another door into the cabin of the Jolly Roger. Then through another into their bed chambers from Camelot. She led him through door after door, all places he recognized, places they had shared together, until finally they crashed through back into the middlemist field.

It was exactly the same as the field they had started in, only it was night time now. They were dressed as they had been in Camelot, she in her white gown and him in his black coat.

She gasped when they came to a halt, stumbling and nearly falling. He caught her, cradling her head as he brought them both to the grass.

“Emma!” her eyes were closed, her breathing ragged. “Emma, what did you do?”

“Bought-” she took a shaking breath. “Bought us more time.”

She was still for a moment before opening her eyes. “You were right, Hades is toying with us and I'm tired of it.”

She moved to sit up and Killian saw her arms were trembling even as her shoulders straightened and her jaw set with determination.

“I’m done screwing around. We’re going to finish his stupid test, and then we’re going home.”

“Emma,” he dropped his forehead against hers. Cold sweat dampened her skin. “Emma, this has to end. You can’t keep going like this.”

He felt her nod. “Agreed. That’s why we’re only going to important memories, ones that-”

“No more bloody memories!” he bellowed, whipping his head up and gripping her shoulder. “This ends now. Call hades, call whoever. But tell them it’s over before you kill yourself.”

“No.” 

Her one word answer made his teeth grit, fear and anger nearly blinding him. “I won’t sit here and let you die for me Emma.”

She was still for a moment, studying him. “You’ve already died for me three times, Killian. I'm not stopping.”

He reared back as if she’d hit him. “So what? This is payback? Retribution? I die so you have to as well?”

“No!" the colour was back in her face now, her eyes alive and burning. “No this is me doing what I have to to save the man I love. And I will.”

He shook his head, raising to his feet. “No. Emma, no. I'm not worth this. I'm not worth losing your life over.”

She stood, the fine tremor in her limbs gone now, a halo of light magic behind her. “I’m the one who gets to decide that. Killian-” she broke off, then tried again. “Killian, I'm sorry I didn't tell you the whole truth. I should have and I'm sorry. But I am telling you now. I'm seeing this through. Because you’re worth it.”

“Enough!” his shout echoed across the field, shook the grass around their feet. “You want to see what kind of man you’re trying to save? The man you want to die for? Here.”

He thought of it, the worst things he had ever done, every unspeakable act he had ever committed and formed them into one solid, writhing mass in his mind. Inside the heart of the memory spell, the magic grabbed hold of him, greedily drinking in his shame. A door sprang into life between them. 

“Here, walk through here and see.”

She looked at him. One long, horrible silent moment passed as time held its breath. Then, she turned, opened the door and walked through.

***

There was no tunnel of light, no waiting, no falling. The memories started all at once. Killian with a sword in his hand, laughing, blood spraying on his face as he drove the blade through another man. Killian, with his hand wrapped around an insubordinate crew member's throat. The man was begging for mercy but Killian only squeezed tighter, his rage cold and unforgiving. Another man on his knees, pleading with Killian, telling him of the family who needed him, before Killian ran him through.

The memories felt sharp, pointed. They bit into her skin and tore at her, shredding her clothes and ripping her hair. All of it ruthless, unforgiving. At the heart of them, Killian stood with his heart completely black and hardened, a vicious grin on his face. The deadliest pirate of the seas. Revenge and blood and pain all muddied together in a blinding red haze around her.

He wore rings on his fingers, of the men he killed. He remembered all of their faces. In the darkness of his cabin he tortured himself with their memories. Of the feeling of ending their lives. He'd felt nothing while he did it, and yet in the quiet of his own mind he sliced himself open again and again at the sight of the rings. 

A bastard. A miserable, cruel bastard. He loved it. And he hated it. 

Emma sat in the corners of his mind and watched as the centuries moved in a blur. The heart inside Killian's chest turned hard as stone. Slowly, the killings grew less vicious. They became methodical. Practiced. 

Faces blurred past, cursing him, and he welcomed it. He was cursed.

Every part of him grew colder, harder, crueler. He no longer felt any sense of justice from the death around him. He felt nothing, only a bleak, yawning emptiness that he let fester and rot until there was nothing of him left. A living corpse that bayed to the sky for revenge. A man made of decay. 

***

In the field, cradling her body, Killian waited for Emma to awaken. When her eyes slowly fluttered, he braced himself, waiting for the hatred in her eyes, the revulsion. She blinked and stared up at him for a long moment. Then the most horrifically beautiful sight passed through her eyes; forgiveness.

“Killian,” she murmured, her hand reaching up to brush the hair from his eyes. “I’m so sorry.”

He found it hard to breathe. A lump had formed in his chest, growing hard and sharp. 

Emma pushed herself up and wrapped her arms around him. “It's ok,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.

He pulled away from her and just stared. “No. Emma no-you can’t-”

“Just shut up,” she said, her eyes closing as she rose to her feet. He followed her, his arms ready to catch her. She sounded so tired and it terrified him. 

“Was that it? Was that supposed to prove something to me?” her eyes opened and the green depths were so clear and understanding it completely shattered him. “It was a good try, pretty rough stuff. But Killian? Did you think I didn't know about your past?”

“I-”

“I know who you are. I know who you were then and I know who you are now.”

“Emma please, don’t do this.”

“I love you Killian. I love the man you are right now. And that’s the man I'm going to save.”

Laughter formed in his chest, rough and malformed, it thrust out of his throat in a harsh burst. 

“You can’t Emma, it’s too late, don’t you see that? Please. You need to let me go,” he looked down at the field of flowers beneath their feet then back up at her. In her white gown, lit by moonlight, she seemed to glow. “This is where it should have ended the first time love. Where it was always meant to end. Please just listen to me. You can’t stay here and die for me. I’m telling you now, I’m not worth your salvation. I’m not worth your life.”

She shook her head in short, frustrated jerks. “And I’m telling you, that you’re wrong.” Her hands lifted, framing his face. Hot, angry tears forming in her eyes, shining like burning stars. “I’m not offering you salvation Killian. You already earned that all on your own. I’m offering you a life, a home. With me.”

He smiled, trying to trace every line of her face, trying to memorize the curve of her cheek and the way her eyes lit with emerald flames. He wanted to burn her memory into his mind, how she looked at this exact moment, full of righteous purpose. His Swan.

“I know you love me Emma. And I know you feel you need to save me. But you can’t. Whatever misplaced guilt that’s keeping you here, please just forget about it. It’s alright,” his hand reached up to touch the ends of her hair, running the strands of them through his fingertips. “It will be alright.”

“Is that what you think?” she jerked free of his hold, took a step back. Whatever exhaustion had clouded her expression before was burned away, replaced with something hot and furious. “That I came all the way down here, let myself get cursed, put myself through all this, because I feel guilty?”

“Emma-”

“Well guess what? I do! I do feel guilty. I got you killed in Camelot and then I brought you back and cursed us all. And you know what? I'd do it again. I’d do this a hundred times over and then a hundred more times because when it comes to you Killian Jones? I'm selfish. Because. You. Are. Mine.”

She punctuated each word in short, clipped bursts that hit him like cannon fire to the chest.

“You’re mine,” she repeated, taking a step towards him, invading his space. “And I’m yours. And I'm not leaving you down here. I'm not leaving you with Hades. Because I love you. I love you so much and I'm bringing you home. We. Are going. Home.”

She was swaying, magic seemed to frame her like a halo. He couldn’t look away. “You told me, back in Storybrooke when I was the dark one, that it didn’t matter what I had done, that you still loved me. Well guess what? It's a two way street. Whatever you’ve done Killian? It doesn’t matter. I love you. I love you as the man you are now. The man who did those things and who still changed. They’re a part of you. And I love every single part.”

Her eyes were burning. He stared at them, transfixed. She had always been like golden sunlight to him. Now she was like a supernova, lighting him on fire. 

“We are going to get through this together. And then you’re going to kiss me, break this stupid sleeping curse, and we’re going to go home.” 

She sounded so certain, he didn’t know what to say. His mouth moved to speak, but nothing seemed to come out. What could he even say? That this wouldn’t work? That if he was right then this whole endeavor was doomed? That while they loved each other, it might not be true love?

“What?” she asked, searching his face. Slowly, a dawning look of realization came over her face. “You don’t think it will work. The kiss.”

“It isn’t just that, Emma-” he swallowed around a lump in throat. “Emma I love you, and I know you love me. But true love is the rarest magic there is. What if we’re wrong?”

“We’re not. I know it. I know what we have, I know it’s true love.”

Her confidence crashed over him like a wave. He wanted to drown in it. He wanted her belief, needed it so badly at that moment. But he just couldn’t.

“You still don’t believe me,” she said, studying him. “Ok then. Here. I’ll show you”

He saw her raise her hand, and dread filled him, knowing what she was about to do. Calling another door now would drain what was left of her magic and probably kill her.

“Emma don't! You can’t-”

Her hand flicked once, a surge of power snaking out like a ribbon of smoke, forming another door. She stood for a beat, then staggered. He cursed as he caught her, his arm circling her as her legs gave out and she fell into him. 

“There,” her voice was barely audible as she jerked her chin toward the newly formed door. “Let's go. You’ll see what I mean.”

Annoyance, terror, and misery surged through him all at once. Her face was too pale, her fingertips cold where they touched his arm. They didn’t have time for this. But as he looked into her face, saw the determination in her eyes even under half closed lids, he knew. There was only one way forward.

“When this is over,” he said carefully, bending down to pick her up even as she huffed a protest. “If by some miracle we make it out, you’re going to bed for two weeks. I'm locking the door and throwing the phones away. Understood?” 

She grumbled even as her head lolled against his chest. “If we get out of this, I'm sleeping for a month.” she muttered.

“Deal.”

Her face brightened with the ghost of a smile as the door opened and he carried her across.

***

The memories started so gently, inviting him now, rather than dragging him. Inside them, he could feel Emma beside him, her presence like a steady heartbeat, guiding him. He held onto her, felt her grip him back, and let them both fall into the past together. 

They were alone, in his cabin below the deck of the Jolly. He was stretched out beside her, asleep on the too small bunk. Through Emma’s eyes, he watched her reach out and brush the fringe of his hair away from his face. Love, a constant, drumming, beating force inside her heart, bloomed up and spilled over her. In the privacy of his room, where no one could see, she let the tears sneak into the corners of her eyes. She hadn’t known it could feel like this. That love could be simple sometimes, that it could be peaceful. Killian made loving him so easy that it had almost blindsided her a few weeks ago when she realized what she had been feeling. She loved him. Of course she loved him.

There were times it nearly overwhelmed her. Even thoughts of him were enough to have the feeling flood though her, washing her in the blinding glow of it. She hadn’t felt love like this, not once in her life. She’d thought she had, thought she knew everything love had to offer and decided it wasn’t worth the hassle. But god. For Killian? She would do anything, give anything for this feeling. She would have loved him for free. She didn’t know how not to.

In the memory, past-Killian’s eyes fluttered. He groaned something in his sleep, turning to her, reaching for her. He was always doing that. She wondered if he knew. She moved her head to rest it on his chest, felt the steady beat of his heart and grounded herself with it. And when she drifted off to sleep, she couldn’t help the smile that grew on her lips.

The memory blurred, winding around them. Killian felt helpless to stop it. They were at Granny’s, sitting together at a booth. He was making her laugh about something, his thumb tracing circles on her palm. The bright glow of her love for him was like a banking fire, strong and steady. When he turned to look at her, when she saw in his eyes the love he felt for her like an answer to her own, it took her breath away, the love inside her chest growing into an inferno. She knew he loved her. She could feel it in every moment he spent with her. Killian Jones loved her so much it practically shone out from him and bathed her in the warmth of it.

It scared her at times, being loved so strongly. She wasn’t sure anyone had ever loved her this much. She didn’t think anyone ever would again. 

More memories formed, all blurring over one another. They were in the car, Killian had brought her coffee and remembered to include extra sugar packets. She’d kissed him like they were teenagers making out in the backseat. Then they were at the station together, going through paperwork. Emma had shivered and Killian had thrown his coat over her shoulders without looking up, the act almost second nature to him. She thought her heart might have burst open in that moment.

Killian wanted to stay in these moments, wanted to live in them as long as he could. But they were moving him, gently guiding him, and he let himself be pulled along. 

They were on her bed in the loft. She was on top of him, dizzy, joyful relief making her giddy. He was alive. She had watched him die in another realm and here he was. Alive. 

She loved him so much at that moment and it nearly paralyzed her. She had almost lost him without telling him, almost lost her chance to say it out loud, to make it real. And the idea of that terrified her even more. She should say it, now while they were alone, while they had this time. In his eyes she could see he knew, he knew the words she wanted to say, could feel his anticipation. 

He loved her, but he hadn’t told her. He hadn’t needed to of course, she already knew. But still he had held off, waiting for her to make the first move. He knew her better than anyone else, and he knew she would run if he moved too fast. So he waited for her. He was waiting now.

The words were there, ready, waiting to come out. And she couldn’t say them. 

If she told him, it would become something else. It would be out there, in the open, for anyone else to see. In this moment, her love, this perfect, precious feeling, was only theirs. It belonged to only them. And she wanted to protect it, keep it safe. At least for a little while longer.

She would tell him. Soon. She would sit him down and tell him the words and make everything real. But for now? For now all she wanted to do was hold him. To feel the weight and the warmth of him beneath her. To sit in the feeling of his unspoken love for her, just a minute more.

Killian’s heart clenched, hard. Inside the frozen moment he felt Emma, his Emma, press a kiss to his face. Sorry, she thought, and he heard it inside his head. I’m sorry Killian. 

There was nothing for her to be sorry about. She loved him. He adored every bloody inch of her and in return? She loved him back so fiercely he was nearly blown down from the force of it. 

He tried to imagine himself holding her, pulling her close. Was there more? More quiet memories like this? Full of love and endless happiness? He thought he’d like to see them.

But slowly, the memories started to fade, the colours running, the sound quieting. All around them, the light dimmed, and the magic ended.

***

Emma, he thought. Emma. 

She had been right all along. It was true love. How could it not be? How could this feeling be anything less than true love? He woke in the field, his heart full, turning to reach out for her. 

She lay in the grass beside him, unmoving.

For one awful, terrible second, Killian could only stare. Her face was too white, the skin of her eyelids a pale purple, her lips blue. She wasn’t breathing.

“No.” The word came out as a whisper. “Emma no.”

He moved mechanically, his arms jerky, his breathing shallow. No she couldn’t be. He had just been with her, in the memory. She’d been alive and had kissed him, she was-

Her whispered words came to him, unbidden. I’m sorry Killian. What had she been apologizing for? 

“No.” He repeated the word. “No, no, NO, NO!”

He touched her cheek and nearly flinched back. Her skin was frozen. Terror built up in him in a frenzy, a dull whine building in his head. She couldn’t be. She couldn’t.

He pulled her to him, his movements gentle, like she might shatter in his hold. Her head lolled to the side, her arms heavy and dragging, a dead weight at her sides. Something primal beat through his veins, a screaming, gnawing terror that bordered on hysteria. She was not dead. They had not done all this, come this far, for her to die. 

He pressed his ear to her chest and nearly sobbed when he heard a heartbeat. It was sluggish, but it was there. 

“Emma please, you need to wake up.” He cupped her face, rubbing his thumb across the icy chill of her skin, trying to press some colour into it. “I need you to wake up. Please-” his last word broke on a strangled plea, tears filling his vision.

A crack of magic snaked through the air and a door exploded into life several feet away from him. Hades burst through, his face a mask of pure rage. 

“You little-” he hissed. He came to a halt at the edge of the field, his snarl freezing at the sight of Emma in Killian’s arms.

“Well now. Isn’t this something?” A cruel, vicious grin split his face. “This looks almost  familiar doesn’t it? Killian Jones, holding the body of the woman he couldn’t save.”

His words bounced off Killian, unheard. He was too deep inside his own churning panic. She was fading, every second they spent here, she was slipping away. There was only one thing left he could think to do.

“Emma,” he murmured, brushing the hair from her face. “If you can hear me, please. Come back to me.”

He cupped her face and lifted it gently. From behind him he heard Hades shout.

“NO! DON’T YOU DARE-”

Killian pressed his lips to Emma’s. 

And the world exploded.

***

Emma had seen true love magic before. She’d felt it herself when Henry had nearly died in her arms. The raw power of it had taken her breath away. But it was a different feeling altogether to be the one receiving it. To be kissed by her true love. It felt like coming home. It felt like love. It felt like everything. 

Every moment together, every lingering thought, every second she had loved and been loved by Killian Jones crystallized into one perfect, all consuming force of magic that flowed all at once into her body. It ran down her boneless arms, flowing into struggling lungs, and filled her with a warmth and a light so full and strong it felt like being lit from within. And when she started to wake, when the sleeping curse snapped apart and her eyes flew open, she swore she could taste rum and sea salt in the air.

Killian’s face floated in the space above her, his wide eyes shining as his mouth hung open in an expression Emma could only describe as awe.

“Told you,” she said with a smile, her tired eyes still half drooping. “True love’s kiss. Works every time.”

He let out a watery laugh, dropping his forehead to hers. “Aye that you did. Should have known you’d be right.”

She hummed a weary sound of pleasure, even as her exhausted body throbbed like a bad toothache. Her fingers moved up to thread their way through his hair. “Wanna see if we can do it again?”

His breath fanned across her cheek as he huffed out a laugh. “May have delay that love. First,” he glanced up. “I believe we should figure out where exactly we are.” 

Emma frowned as things slowly started to come back into focus. White, glowing light seemed to surround them from everywhere, and when she tried to slowly pull herself up, the floor beneath her felt smooth and warm to the touch. 

“Your guess is as good as mine,” she said as she looked around. It almost resembled a hallway. The widest and most expensive hallway she’d ever been in. It had golden marble floors and walls, and impossibly tall, carved column pillars that held up a domed ceiling. It rose so high above them that they had to crane their heads all the way back to see it.

“Another memory?” she asked him.

“Not one of mine.”

“Well it’s not mine, I think I would’ve remembered this place.” she said, trying to squint up at the airy, arched ceiling.

“If you’re both done laying around,” a voice called from behind them. “The way out is over there.”

Emma nearly jumped as Killian's arms tightened around her, both of them quickly turning to look at the woman seated at the far end of the hall who hadn’t been there a moment ago. She sat, half sprawled on a stone bench draped with spotted furs, a massive bow between her bent knees that she was trying to restring. Her copper skin seemed to glow faintly as she pulled the string taught and glanced up at them, clearly annoyed. Emma tried not to tense when she noticed the intense yellow of her eyes, or the way her pupil seemed to lock onto them like a hawk. 

“Well?” she asked again, jerking her chin towards the other end of the hall. “Go on, you can’t stay here forever.”

“Ah, where exactly?” Emma stuttered as Killian helped her to her feet.

The strange woman with the bird eyes waved her hand, dismissing them. “Just ask one of the others, I'm busy here.”

“One of the others…?” Killian murmured, trailing off as they both turned. 

Dozens of bodies suddenly moved around them, all of them with deep skin that held the same faint glow as the woman, and all draped in loose, airy fabrics cinched at the waists. Some slowed to stare at them, their smiles warm but puzzled. Others ignored them completely, pushing past with somewhere else to be.

“So I guess we just,” Emma gestured forward. “Find the exit.” 

“It would appear that way,” Killian said with a frown as his hand found hers, pulling her closer.

“Are they..? I mean do you think we’re in-?”

“I don't think it would be wise to ask that question,” Killian said in a hushed tone, keeping his eyes lowered. “I have a distinct impression that we aren't allowed to stay here very long.”

Emma tried not to stare as they moved past the impossibly beautiful masses, even when she felt the force of their power brushing against her senses. The sudden, overwhelming urge to not draw attention to themselves, took over her, and she tried to shrink. 

“Up there,” she whispered to Killian as she pointed to a spot where the hallway opened up and forked off in two different directions. “Let’s just pick one and hope the way out is somewhere along there.”

He nodded, gripping her hand tighter. As they got closer, they veered left, away from the crowd of people, and down another hallway. This was once smaller than the first, and quieter, but still managed to tower over them. 

“If we get lost here…” Emma said after a moment.

“Let’s hope very hard it doesn’t come to that.” Killian said tightly, pulling her through an arched passageway. “I imagine this isn’t a place they allow you to overstay your welcome.”

They moved into a massive room, the floor curving down towards an enormous raised platform that held a throne made of pulsing, molten gold. On it, a bearded man, nearly three times their size, towered over them. His fingers drummed against the arms of the chair, sending sparks of lightning shooting and dissipating into the air.

“Welcome heroes,” he said, his voice echoing and deep. “I was wondering when you would arrive.”

Killian and Emma stood frozen, awestruck. His eyes were a burning gold and so bright they felt hot on her face. Emma's own eyes watered with the effort of looking directly at them. He smiled at them, his teeth blinding white against the dark bronze of his glowing skin. 

“You have faced your trial with great bravery I see.”

“I-ah thank you. We appreciate that,” she murmured, at a loss for what else to say. “Are you-? I mean is this-?”

He leaned forward, his attention on them scalding, like the heat of the sun beating down on them. Emma nearly felt herself take a step back, but stopped when Killian’s arm curved around her waist, holding her up.

“What Emma means is,” Killian glanced at her, his smile tight, his eyes slightly too wide. “What might we call you?”

The man reached a massive hand up, his fingers stroking the thick, dark curls around his chin. “I have many names, given to me by many people. Although, I believe the one you may know me as, is Zeus.”

“Oh.” Emma said in a whisper, unable to stop herself. Zeus. Of course. He was certainly… bigger than the other gods they’d seen.

“I’ve been watching you two as you embarked on my brother’s trials. That was quite the clever loophole to his test, little Swan,” he said, inclining his head towards her.

“Your brother?” she blinked, glancing at the crackling electricity arcing across his knuckles, then back at his sun lit face. “I can uh- see the resemblance.”

His laughter was a boom of sound that made Emma’s ears ring.

“Hades spends too long below ground,” Zeus said. “I keep telling him he should get out more, put some life back into his cheeks.”

Emma smiled and nodded, suddenly wondering if she was still caught in the dream realm. Was this really happening? Was she making small talk with the king of the literal gods? Beside her, she could feel how tense Killian stood, every line of his body pulled tight.

“You look distressed Killan Jones,” Zeus said. “I would think meeting a god would not affect you so, having met two of my brothers so far.”

Two? When the hell had he met another one? If they made it out of this without being melted into puddles, she would have to ask him about that.

“It’s not that,” Killian said, his voice deceptively calm, a charming smile on his face. “I just worry about overstaying our welcome here, as honoured as we are to be here.”

Zeus leaned back on his throne. He was enjoying this. For the time being at least. 

“You two have fought well today. True heroes, both of you are welcome in my halls.”

“Thank you, that is a great honour indeed,” Killian said, his voice growing slightly sharp. 

Emma could feel panic start to rise in her. They could stay here forever if they weren’t careful, talking in circles with a god who seemed in no hurry to let them leave.

“Is that why we’re here? Because we passed the trial?” she looked at Killian, held his gaze. “Did we win?”

“Well that depends,” Zeus said, his voice like heavy stones rolling down a mountain.

“Depends on what?” she asked cautiously, her tone holding none of the tremors she felt in her limbs.

“Depends on you, hero born of love and magic. Do you believe you have passed the trial? Do you believe you know now what kind of man Killian Jones really is?” 

Emma felt like time held its breath. This was it. This was the sort of thing they wrote legends about wasn’t it? Trials set by the literal gods to test heroes? Everything that happened now rested on her shoulders. No pressure. 

“Like I already told Hades earlier, there wasn’t any need for a test,” she said after a beat. “I already know what kind of man he is. And I was right.”

She turned to look at him and saw he was already facing her, his face filled with love and awe at the sight of her. “Well it’s true,” she said, low enough that only he could hear.

Zeus's laugh was booming. Emma tried not to wince as her ears throbbed. She glanced back at the king of the gods, her eyes going about as high as they dared without looking directly into his molten stare, and landing somewhere on his chin.

“WELL SPOKEN LITTLE SWAN!”

Emma swore her knees almost buckled beneath his praise, but still managed to nod her thanks

“I bear witness to you both. Emma Swan;” his enormous hand swept towards her. “Saviour of magic and of her people. And you Killian Jones; Hero of the Saviour.”

Emma thought she heard all the air shoot out of Killian at once, the title landing squarely on his shoulders and nearly taking him out at the knees. She gave his hand a reassuring pat. It was a good name. She would remember that.

“Thank you Zeus,” she said finally, nodding her head to him. “We’re ah- We’re both honoured.” 

Killian stood still beside her, and she turned to look at him. As if drawn by her attention, he turned away from the king of gods, and leaned into her. His arms rose, circling her waist, pulling her closer. 

“I will tell my brother the trial is over; you’ve both passed.” Emma could hear the grin in his voice. “I’m sure Hades will be most pleased.”

Emma doubted that. She just hoped they were both far the hell away when he heard the news. 

“Are we…I mean. Are we free to go?” she looked up at him, trying not to squint as she met his stare, even when tears started to form in her eyes. “Can we go home now?”

Zeus smiled and it was like watching the sun rising between mountain peaks, the light of it so brilliant and overpowering it left spots in her vision. 

“Of course,” he murmured. Behind him, a passageway opened, forming between the towering columns. White, brilliant light spilled from it, as warm and welcoming as a homecoming. “You have my blessing. Well met heroes.”

They both nodded, moving towards the door with the warmth of his stare on their backs. When they walked to the passage, hands held, Killian turned to her, his face shining. “You did it Swan.”

She gripped him, pulling him to her. “We did it. Now,” she smiled, a heavy mass buried deep in her chest finally releasing its grip on her and falling away.  “Let’s go home.” 

As they stepped into the light together and the magic curled around them, their heads tilted together, their lips meeting. A bright light, shining and radiant, erupted from inside them. The power of it shimmered, colour and magic spiraling together like jeweled starlight, holding a world of promise and the faint scent of middlemist blooms.

[welcome-to-green-hills]

lol so my older brother asked me why Sonic Prime is so popular and aside from you know really good writing of characters and animation, I answered it’s really the first piece of media where fans get to see the friendship between Sonic and Shadow. I mean apart from the older games we don’t get to see much of them interacting a lot. Prime handles Shadow in a way we haven’t seen since 06 and Shadow the hedgehog, not being overly edgy and mean, written as a character that’s respected and from a place of understanding who he is at his core.

If this show is considered canon (I’ve heard mixed things) then it establishes quite well that no, Shadow doesn’t hate Sonic, in fact there’s an understanding and respect between them but they don’t see eye to eye due to how they approach new situations differently but the appeal of then leading to work better together so they can be on the same page is very interesting to watch. I think it’ll clear up the misconception about how people look at their friendship.

Hopefully with the well received reception of the show SEGA will take a consideration of incorporating this dynamic into future games or possibly let the movie hold this level of characterisation of Shadow. We know SEGA does pass notes they want to establish to new projects so I’m hoping we’re going to get something good in the future. (On second thought I’m not sure about the last bit) but Yh that’s the gist of the conversation.

This. All. Of this! I applaud you so much! You’ve nailed with in explanation and clarity quite well!❤️✨👏

[rarepair-haven]

I think a cool shipname for the Fellmare ship would be: Redmoon!

That's because, well...Nightmare is related to the moon, and Fell is related to the color red, so...I think you get the idea-

Well, I think their dynamic would be...interesting.

They both really suffered enough, especially in a place where monsters keep killing each other.

And Nightmare has suffered several times from the residents of the village where he lived.

And unlike Fell, he managed to get himself out of this problem, and now he can do whatever he wants.

I really don't imagine the two of them being morally right in this relationship. I imagine more Nightmare and Fell sharing the shit in life, and Fell ending up having the ✨bastarlization arc✨ (not that he isn't a bastard already, but anyway-).

Anyway, I imagine Nightmare wanting more minions for himself, because he needed more allies, right?

So why not find an ally in an au corrupted by evil and monsters are already bad in themselves?

I feel like Nightmare would pull that polite bastard on Fell, and he'd try to convince him to join the Bad Guys.

Fell would find the name stupid, but he would enter, as he no longer had hope in that world, so much so that even his own brother became corrupted.

And well, they would maybe geek out a little about books and space, since Fell is still a Sans, so he would like astronomy, Fell would tease Nightmare with puns and knock knock jokes, they would both end up with some ass, they would have conversations like:

Fell: I feel like dying now

Nightmare: Same

And well, they would basically be depressive idiots evil bastards in love.

Fell would certainly have his strange habits, like drinking mustard and other condiments.

And Nightmare, since he's a "gentleman", would find that strange and disgusting.

And in the end, Nightmare would fill up on hot dogs and other junk that had already passed its expiration date with Fell 👍

They are both old, what can we do?

It’s my firm belief that the bad sans gang took one look at fell, held him up simba style, and made him their mascot. Hes edgy he’s loud he’s violently funny, he’s the perfect specimen to put in a room with an egotistical 500 year old and place bets on if it’s gonna end in a kiss or a pile of dust

[prismaticpichu]

It’s funny how my first ever FF7 fic was rather gory (y’know, the kind of exaggerated gore an 8th grade would make LOL), which was then followed by something extremely sweet, followed by something a little horrific/very bloody, to then be followed by something REALLY sweet, and then I kinda held onto that sugar-sweet friendship vibes for a solid stretch of fics until about… Lightning, I wanna say? And how so much time passed between me writing dark and ✨ edgy ✨ things and floof that it felt like an anomaly whenever I wrote something that didn’t fit into 100% pure and wholesome ZS stuff 😂 And I think I kinda gaslit myself into thinking I had some sorta “brand” lmao when 1) wth even is a fic brand shshshhshs and 2) I was already very familiar with writing things that supposedly stepped outside of the box for me. Idk lol!! I guess what I’m trying to say is that I have lots of fun writing angst, and I definitely wanna shake off any sorta mindset that it’s weird and shocking if I don’t write fluff. Bc branching out is important!!! (Heck- even as a predominantly platonic writer, I kinda have a soft spot for some more intimate snuggles now xDD). It feels great to try new things in the creative field!! It feels great to stretch my wings!! And, honestly, I think that’s how we grow! ❤️ Not just by honing a single genre that’s realllllly comfortable to us (which is awesome!!), but dipping our toes into some new territory every now and then <3

I don’t really know what the point I’m trying to make is lol. It’s nearly midnight - brain is goop xD All in all I’m proud to say I’ve tackled a decent amount of genres by this point, and I’m excited to continue learning more!!!

[melhyan]

🎇✨ It’s December 31st, 2024! ✨🎇

Here we are, folks—the grand finale of 2024!🎭 The curtain’s closing, the hobbits are heading home, and I’m staring into the fiery eye of 2025 like Frodo with a to-do list. Let’s get into this:

A./ Art Grind Resolutions 2025™️ (No Promises Edition):

Back on the grind! Like Geralt on a monster contract or Gandalf after yelling "YOU SHALL NOT PASS" I’ll be dusting off my brushes, my pens, and my cursed Dwarven sketch tablet. Expect more art, more chaos, and fewer excuses.

A Schedule? MAYBE. We’re aiming for organization here, but no promises—this isn’t Rivendell, and I don’t have Elrond planning my days.

Commissions are opening! That’s right, a shiny new comms sheet will drop in 2025. Look out for it soon! (Or, you know, soon™ in classic D&D planning.)

Adoptables galore! I’ll be trying to whip up 1–3 adorable, edgy, or delightfully cursed adopts every month. Tieflings, elves, maybe even a Witcher-inspired griffin bard? WHO KNOWS.

B./ Level-Up Goals:

More detailed pieces! Like crafting the ultimate dragon-slaying sword in Kaer Morhen, I’m pushing myself to work harder on those sweet, sweet details. Sparkly magic effects? Yes. Backgrounds? We’ll see.

Art tutorials?! A sprinkle of artistic chaos for you to learn from? Maybe. If I don’t get distracted by building another NPC in D&D.

Patreon revamp! I’m aiming to polish this up so you lovely folks can enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes chaos, sketches, and more.

C./ New Stuff:

Some projects are lurking in the shadows like Gollum with the One Ring. Stay tuned for the shiny reveals.

Oh, and let’s not forget: 2025 is also the year I fully embrace my Self-Indulgent Era™️. That means you’ll probably see a lot more of the hyper-specific, slightly cursed, and delightfully niche content that lives rent-free in my brain. If I want to spend three days drawing Eredin, King of the Wild Hunt, in thigh-highs and a garter belt, guess what? I’m doing it. And if you see it posted, just scroll on by, Geralt. This is between me, my pencil, and my artistic freedom.

I’ll try to stop overthinking every little thing I want to share. I mean, it’s my page—why not throw in some weird Witcher-D&D crossover fanart? Why not write an entire essay on why emo Legolas would 100% listen to My Chemical Romance? (He would. Aragorn would roll his eyes but secretly agree.)

I’ll sprinkle in more of the stuff I love, the stuff that makes me laugh, cry, or sit there saying, "Is this too weird to post?" Spoiler: Nothing’s too weird anymore. 2025 is the year of feral, unhinged creativity. If you’re here for it, great. If not, well, I’m not changing the dice rolls for anyone.

D./ GENERAL DISCLAIMER FOR 2025 AND BEYOND!

If you catch me lovingly drawing, writing, or screaming into the void about a particularly unhinged, deeply problematic blorbo (you know the ones), please consider this your blanket disclaimer: I do NOT condone their actions, behavior, or life choices.

If they’ve committed war crimes (looking at you, certain Witcher villains), I am NOT saying war crimes are cool.

If they’re the kind of character who would definitely steal candy from a baby, set the baby on fire, and then gaslight the witnesses into thinking the baby was the problem, just know I’m not here for that behavior in real life.

If they’ve poisoned wells, burned villages, or lied on their taxes, rest assured I am firmly against all three (especially the taxes part, IRS scares me cause I'm really bad at maths and they have calculators).

However, will I still make self-indulgent art of them lounging dramatically on a throne, wearing lingerie (again), holding a glass of wine, and staring into the distance like the messy little war criminal they are? You bet your chaotic little soul I will.

Examples include but are not limited to:

The sexy but utterly terrible lich who probably eats people but, like, is so aesthetic about it.

That one D&D villain who monologues for 20 minutes while their henchmen are actively losing a fight.

The morally bankrupt sorcerer who only uses their powers for evil but still has incredible eyeliner game.

Eredin, in lingerie. Again.

Just remember, folks: it’s fiction and art here. Let me thirst for the villains with the tragic backstories and the devastating cheekbones in peace. In real life, I promise I’d be the first to call the local paladin squad on them.

Probably. Maybe. Okay, fine—if they apologized really well, I’d consider negotiating. That said, me thirsting for the local baddie doesn’t mean I wouldn’t go full Vicious Mockery on their ass to roast them to filth about their behavior. I’m not a bard—good looks won’t move me from my morals. Not yet, anyway. (Eredin, stop calling. babe)

So buckle up—if you see more lingerie Eredin, angsty bard OCs, or a niche analysis of why Geralt would win a baking contest against Radovid (he would), just know this is my ✨artistic vision✨.

Let’s raise a glass (or a mug of hot cocoa, Witcher style) to the new year! Thank you for all your support this year—whether it was likes, comments, shares, or chaotic energy in my inbox, you’re the Legolas to my Gimli, the Roach to my Geralt, the Tarrasque to my roll for initiative.

See you in 2025! Let’s make it one for the (spell)books. 💫 (P.S. If I don’t follow through, just blame the dice rolls.)

[simulamortem]

@transmechatrist : 9, 13, 25 》 vanilla sunday

9. Is your muse attracted to any features in particular?

answered here! I don't think I have anything to add tbh fdjskgh

13. Where is your muse most sensitive? 

well as you might imagine, he has the most haptic on his face, hands, and neck. so technically speaking those are the most sensitive parts of him. but he can also be sensitive on his inner thighs and pelvis -- the places you'd expect on a human being lol. even though not all of what Rev experiences there is purely haptic feedback, his mind is prone to exaggerate what he does feel there, especially under the right circumstances.

and unlike in a human... his wiring and circuitry is also quite sensitive. there is some amount of haptic at play because, just like in a human pain response, it's implemented to tell him when something's wrong, via simulated kinds of pain or itching etc. so if the insulation on his wiring is cut, it might burn or itch a lil, or if something sparks he'll feel that nip of pain, or if something scrapes a circuit board, it'll sting.

because he's aware of himself, aware of being made of machinery and not flesh, he can often tune out / turn off these sensations so that in combat he either largely doesn't feel pain or it's only a minor annoyance, esp in combination with his pain tolerance;; but it can sometimes still take him off guard.

25. How interested is your muse in sex and sexual activity?

read more'd for length lol

generally he's Not ✨

his perception of human bodies changed a lot after breaking Ego Retention, both due to the human deaths he suffered and his perception of the centuries that had passed and all the people he'd killed. the "skinbag" thing ain't just to be edgy;

"because now you understand. They're just bags of blood and tissue. Goop, dressed in suits of skin. They're nothing. Like you were nothing."

Revenant really does mostly just see people as meat. he can recognize aesthetically what's attractive and unattractive but by default there's no actual attraction for him anymore. he's pretty much under the assumption that he's altogether incapable of sexual desire - even if that changes, he assumes sex just isn't in the cards for him, both physically impossible and because he thinks no one short of bot fetishists could be attracted to a mechanical body.

but if he does tumble into mutual attraction with someone - then there will be interest, maybe even A Lot Of It once he gets a taste, but it's also not a necessity for him. in a fwb situation, it's easy for him to drop someone if he's not getting what he wants, or if it just proves to be more trouble than it's worth. in a more committed/romantic situation, if his partner's not interested, going without doesn't bother him.

[an-au-blog]

(I think enough time has passed so I can speak the truth!)

Hello and welcome to my TED talk where I will prove that all MHA characters falling into one(or more) of three categories!

Welcome to ✨"Are you a real man, a pony, or a muppet!"✨

A while ago I noticed that there was something that bothered me about the style in some of the characters, and i thought it was just because the side profiles of most of them look like mlp characters (proof:(don't shoot the messenger I'm just saying what I'm seeing I'm so sorry))

but then i realized it was more than that! There are a few that just looked so normal like I would look at them and say "yes, that person probably exists" and then there was the ones that were just... muppets (easily would be passed as a muppet doll and/or has the type of face that just... fits.) + there'll be a small analysis about appearance ig.

So, for EVERYONE'S CONVENIENCE: me and my friend made a tier list to categorize them.

A few sidenotes:

1. Aizawa is put in his own category of "shapeshifter" because when he's serious he's a real man, if he smiles he looks like a muppet but in some moments of the animation, he has the same mlp side profile as his kids...

2. You might notice some of them are featured twice (such as Allmight, Kirishima, Mic, Twice and AFO) and that is because depending on the forms/outfits/the way we are supposed to perceive them in a certain setting, they change their appearance. For example! Allmight in his buff form is drawn like an early Marvel comic character, but in his skeletal form, he's more casual/fragile and... well, you get it. On the other hand, Hizashi in his civilian get-up is more true to himself, so he's allowed to have human emotions and feel real, while when he's in his Mic persona, he's putting this "showman" appearance (hence the cartoonishness).

2.1. In that regard: forget that all when you look at Kirishima's hardened form in the muppet or pony, he's there only because his mouth starts from one edge of his face and ends in the other, that is very muppet core to me. (NOT ALL of the placements have a deeper meaning in regards to appearance==characteristics)

3. Twice in his mask is in the muppet tier because of pure vibes

4. Shigaraki gives the vibes of (as my friend said) an edgy mlp fanart

5. IF YOU SEE ENDEVOR IN LAST PLACE WHEREVER HE IS PUT IT IS BECAUSE I HATE HIS GUTS AND DOES NOT DESERVE ANYTHING

6. Denki is in "real man" because when i argued that he should be a muppet because he looked like this face

my friend said that "exactly, that's the realest man" and I didn't feel like arguing (regular denki is still mlp tho dw)

and finally:

7. Something that my friend opened my eyes about that i wished had stayed shut for. But I had to witness it and now so do you.

[kulaiyin]

(content: xenohydro side quest, world 1 finale, world 2 beginning, simulated universe world 3)

(picture unrelated) wrapping up world 1 and heading towards world 2! 

excited to jump into a new world! ╰(*°▽°*)╯

mitosis... 

GETTEM LAMINA!!!!! DON’T LET THIS GUY BOSS U AROUND

XENOHYDRO REAL?! this quest chain (?) was fun... i ended up letting both lamina and the xenohydro go, because i can understand the urge of a living curio to be free... lamina’s story also made me emo. i didn’t manage to find her again after this quest, but i hope she’s living her best life! 

after the quest, i smugly ran straight for where capote and lamina used to stand around and found capote in one of those coffee rooms

to my surprise, he was very humbled by the experience?! i’m glad that he’s reflecting on himself! usually i kinda feel bad for my choice in these side quests, but i like this ending! 👍 

BACK TO BELOBOG... SO WE CAN GET OUT OF BELOBOG!

i took these screenshots weeks ago but... happy pride (❤´艸｀❤)

OH?! THIS IS SO ANCIENT CHINESE DRAMA... 

THEM... this whole sequence was so menacing...

i honestly didn’t expect blade to be “evil,” i thought he was just an edgy emo guy... wait, no, i guess the thing that surprised me the most was the fact that he could smile like that 😱

not the coffee cups 

my phone graphics are CRYONG

during the dan heng nightmare cutscene, i also got a texture error with the sword. after rewatching it online, i realized it was supposed to have a shattered effect, but for me it had some pink stripes just like above! ∑( 口 || 

h-hang in there, phone...

WELT IS COMING ?!!?!?!?!?!? 😳😳😳

MY PHONE POOPED AT THIS PART, THE HOLOGRAMS KEPT GLITCHING BUT KAFKA YOOOOOOOO

the moms are FIGHTING

i'm so curious to see what our destination would have been... but it’s ok, the docking location for xianzhou luofu looks REALLY COOL! 

REALLY DIDN’T EXPECT THE XIANZHOU LUOFU FIRST LOCATION TO BE A BARGE

COOOOOOOOOL!!!!!! COLORFUL

march 7th’s Droppings

KYAAAAAAAA SPACE CHINA LOOKS COOL!!!!

at this point, i hit trailblazer level 35 and got my 10 standard warp passes! (bites nails) WE’RE HITTING PITY, LET’S SEE THE GOODS...!

sampo goes for a 散步

HAPPY TO HAVE HIM! regrettably i haven’t had much opportunity to build/use him since i got him, but it’s nice to fill out the 4-star roster! 💪 only missing sushang and tingyun!

(definitely thinking of throwing pulls on the luocha banner... WANT SUSHANG)

... AND I GOT BRONYA’S E1 YOOOOOOOOO!!!

after reviewing what it does, it seems really good?! now using her skill doesn’t hurt that much anymore! 👀

... REALLY WANT TO GET SEELE TO MATCH WITH HER GF but maybe i will get her on a rerun _(:з)∠)_ i have guaranteed after losing 50/50 to E0 bronya, but i don’t have enough to hit pity... 

march u are so funny (genuine)

XIANZHOU LUOFU IS SOOOOO BEAUTIFUL i love how distinct the architecture is and how there are colorful ribbons in the sky as clouds... ✨ 

(but also please excuse my poop graphics...)

bro has two tails

my phone HATES THIS AREA LOOOOL BUT OMG YUKONG 😳

the holograms and screens glitch like crazy so i regrettably was a bit distracted during this scene... later on i found out that it’s purposefully like that o(￣┰￣*)ゞ

i didn’t expect yukong to have such a high position! ... and to outright reject us akjdlawjl luckily jing yuan is here to our rescue...

(by the way, i genuinely thought yukong was tingyun’s mom or something when i saw the initial character lineup... maybe i’m a fool... THERE ARE A LOT OF FOXIANS HERE) 

oh she lesbiab... i appreciate this npc... 🙏🥺

SIMULATED UNIVERSE WORLD 3... DEFEATED!!!!! i was using preservation buffs and basically it was a cockroach fight with gepard ALKJDALW i can’t even tell you how long it the boss battle took...

yeah... 

i don’t think this is my first time i attempted SU3 (i’m pretty sure nanook sabatoged my first run lol) but i love the fact that we get to use CURIOS...! with curios and blessings, there’s a lot of potential for silly builds...

[taylor-tdm-101]

✨Desc✨

I’m not a furry, but I do draw furries occasionally & I don’t judge anyone who’s a furry

My OCs shown:

Wraye

Sadie

General Raptor

General Onyx

Jie Ming

Altienne Bauer

Unnamed Birds

Marianda Rache

Unnamed Monsters

I had to design furry characters & monsters for my final 2 weeks, & I actually had some OCs that fit into those agendas. I had a story that’s now called ‘To Heal a Wounded Soul’, & back then I created a cast of furry characters to tell the story. I dunno WHY, all I know was that I just wanted to create some edgy bunny hybrid OCs. That are now revamped, w the previously small cast slightly larger now

Despite being labelled as the antihero in my homework, Altienne is actually the protagonist of THAWS, as she’s the one who has the wounded soul. Jie Ming on the other hand, may seem like a protagonist, but is actually a supporting character. They’re Altienne’s loyal best friend, & absolutely has her back when she needs it. I originally made Altienne a loner, but later decided that even loners deserve a bsf & some classmates who don’t despise her

Also, fun fact, Jie Ming’s design doesn’t look like this -- he’s actually a dog & tiger hybrid, his dad being a dog & his mom being a tiger. He’s based off of me & my parents’ chinese zodiacs, w me & my dad sharing the dog zodiac whilst my mom’s the tiger

Anyways, Wraye, Sadie, the 2 generals, Marianda & one of the monsters are from my UnderTale AU, UnderMyth /UnderSonas! The 4 furries are mainly from UnderSonas, however.

If you didn’t know, UnderSonas is actually the future of UnderMyth. Both stories are the same AU, they’re UnderMyth, but the stories they tell are different. UM is basically the world of Percy Jackson mashed together with UnderTale, with the Greek gods actually existing in the world alongside the world of UT

To clarify, neither of the generals are villains in my story. Both of them are instead, important positive figures in my OC, Yale’s life. Onyx was Yale’s guardian & mentor, whilst Raptor is Yale’s senior & current general. Onyx trained Yale & taught them the things they know, alongside how to utilise their soul’s strength (that being the Justice soul). Raptor was also under Onyx’s training at the same time, but he never was close with Yale nor have they met, until Onyx passed from an incident. This was how the 2 of them met each other, w Raptor being the one to deliver the news to Yale & take them under his wing. I guess you could say that Raptor acts as an older brother to Yale one way or another

For Mari, she plays a big part in UM but becomes a side character in US. I’ll be sharing more about her in the next post as it mainly focuses on her. The green monster is currently still unnamed, but I designed it specifically to be another monster species in my UT AU. Idk if it gives off UT monster vibes well, but that was my intention when designing it

[addictedgallery]

🎤 "Ol’ Blue Eyes" Never Looked So Good 🎤

Frank Sinatra’s 1938 mugshot ranks No.5 among the hottest of all time 😉 Who knew a 1938 bad boy could still make hearts skip a beat in 2024? 😍

Want to bring that iconic cool to your walls? Look no further than Addicted Art Gallery, where you can own Frank Sinatra like never before—through the bold, edgy art of Russell Young. 🎨✨.

We've got art so sharp it’s practically criminal!

Title: Frank Sinatra (Pig Portraits, Gold)

Artist: Russell Young

Medium: Acrylic and enamel screen print on canvas, signed by the artist

Edition: BAT (Bon á Tirer)

Year: 2007

Size:

Image: 160.0cm x 124.5cm

Framed: 166.0cm x 129.0cm x 9.5cm

Good To Know: Professionally framed, stored in humidity controlled art storage facility, condition report available upon request.

Arty-Fact: Most people don’t know that Frank Sinatra has an arrest record and a mugshot to match. The reason for his arrest may be even more surprising. The official charge? Seduction.

This seemingly archaic charge was generally applied when a man convinced an unmarried woman of good repute to engage in an inappropriate encounter with him. There was generally a promise of marriage that was never actually forthcoming, thereby ruining her reputation.

The charge was eventually dropped when it was discovered that the supposedly single woman was in fact married. Later that year, armed with this new information, the original charge was revised slightly, and Sinatra was again arrested, this time for Adultery. All charges were dropped in court in January 1939.

The infamous mug shot gave Sinatra the “bad boy” reputation that led him to star in over 40 movies, including the popular films “From Here to Eternity,” “Guys and Dolls,” and “Ocean’s Eleven.”

Source: Crime Museum

Price: SGD $28,500; excludes international shipping and applicable import duties / charges. Please contact our gallery to obtain a shipping quote. Delivery within Singapore is free.

See It On Your Wall

[welcome-to-green-hills]

hiii im here reporting for check in duty!

good things that happened to me this week! im passing all my college classes really well! i have an A average in all but one of them!

favorite sonic game: i haven't played many but honestly. i think shadow the hedgehog (2005) is my favorite. its FAR from a perfect game but i love how overwhelmingly edgy it is and how hilarious some of the dialogue is, inadvertently or not. i love "dont go there... yet!" i love "this is like stealing candy from a baby, which is fine by me!" i love "where's that damn fourth chaos emerald". but still, i'll always have a soft spot for my first sonic game ever, mario and sonic at the tokyo 2020.

Hi Hon❤️✨

Congratulations on obtaining excellent grades! What a wonderful achievement to celebrate over. Please do something to reward yourself, you’ve absolutely earned it!

ShTH 2005 is a fun game! It definitely needs some more love and attention. Thank you for sharing this with me!