#even though Crow doesn't NEED redemption

[theforsakenprince]

words cannot describe how obsessed I am with Crow as a concept. what if from the moment you were born everyone who saw your face hated you for a reason no one (even your only friend) would explain to you. what if you were perpetually living in another man's shadow. what if you were paying for crimes that aren't yours but were yours, once. what if you had to stare your past life's crimes in the face over and over and over again.

[fandomwe1rd0]

RICK REDEMPTION ARC IS ACTUALLY SO GOOD GUYS LIKE OH MY GOD

Now just to make myself clear, by "redemption" I mean him being a better person, don't get me wrong he's still an abusive, toxic, manipulative, asshole but he's trying you guyssssssss. Like he started going to therapy when he says he doesn't respect therapy in season 3 you guyssssssssss. He's spoiling Morty you guyssssssssssssss. He's treating Morty like an actual human being you guysssssssssss.

Ok onto the actual post- His redemption arc is actually so good omfg- Now to be fair, he's still in the process, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't at least a little optimistic about where it's headed, I mean so far it's going really well, he started changing after season 4, which makes sense considering in the finale he said "Holy shit I'm a terrible father." and sat alone in the garage, which is what he deserves but I'd be lying if I said I didn't cry at that scene even though it's exactly what he deserves considering what an asshole he's been in that season. Now after this realization, seeing what a terrible father he truly was, he started changing, for most of season 5 he was still mostly the same ol' Rick. He was still an asshole, was still insulting Morty, y'know much of the same, he wasn't as bad as he was in season 4, but he wasn't exactly good, then then we get to the finale, he actually feels guilt for coming back to Morty after the crows left him, when Morty asked, he couldn't even give Morty a straight answer, he just looked to the ground and sighed. He couldn't even look Morty in the eye. Season 4 Rick would probably just say yes and brush it off with some sarcastic comment, but season 5 Rick couldn't even bring himself to do that.

In season 6 we can see that he stopped his hunt for Rick Prime, even if it was just temporary because Morty sees him as his grandfather and not Rick Prime, you can tell that meant a lot to Rick since his angry expression melted away as soon as Morty said that. (Also yes, this scene makes me cry shut up)

He's also a lot gentler to Morty here, is he perfect? No but a lot of his actions seem more like him being a goofy grandpa then him actually being mean, he gets closer to Jerry, lays off of Morty a bit, and actually puts in effort to spend time with the kid, and he actually goes to therapy on his own accord, sure he didn't want to call it therapy at the beginning but he still kept going even after Dr. Wong said it was therapy and is now going every week, I mean could you imagine season 3 or season 4 Rick going to therapy? Actually scheduling his appointments and paying for therapy? Need I remind you that this is the man who turned himself into a pickle so he doesn't have to go to family therapy? Who pretending he was disintegrating so he wouldn't have to go? Who literally programmed his garage to have a "family therapy mode"? Who programmed the therapist's office with voice activated commands in case he needed to leave? This man, the same man, is going to therapy.

At the end of the season when Morty called him "boring" he regressed and continued his self-destructive hunt for Rick Prime again. Now I may have poked fun at him for this in some of my other posts, but it was more than that, that was the moment where he thought Morty just stopped caring about him. He thought the most important person to him, the only thing holding him back from a mental breakdown *cough* codependency *cough* didn't care about him at all. When we know that's not true, sure Morty lashed out, but he earned the right to after everything Rick put him through. So he left and built a perfect copy of him to take his place. He could've programmed it to be just as mean as him, or even more mean than him. But he literally programmed it to be a good grandpa to, love, and make Morty happy. That was it. He did this for someone who he thought didn't care about, someone he though, in his own words, had become "dogshit" to. Yet he still put in the time and effort to make a robot designed to make Morty happy, when it would've just been easier to just make the robot the same as him. And here's the kicker, when Rickbot reveals it, sure Rick is frustrated and sends Rickbot an angry glare, but he doesn't deny it. Could you imagine season 1-5 Rick doing this? I couldn't. Also in this scene, he manhandles Morty significantly less, I honestly think this may have been the season where he stopped manhandling Morty, correct me if I'm wrong.

Now in season 7, in all the episodes he never treat Morty all too bad. Let's analyze how he treats Morty in each episode shall we?

Episode 1 ~ How Poopy got his poop back

They don't really interact in this episode, Rick just gave Morty a sarcastic response when Morty said "Hey buddy, got you a coffee" and when Morty asked "Have you found him (Rick Prime) yet?" which while it isn't nice, it's better than how he treated Morty in season 4, since he never insults Morty directly.

Episode 2 ~ The Jerrick Trap

Another episode where they don't interact a lot, and when they do it's not really Rick it's like half Jerry half Rick. Buttttt he does have a new "Touch my grandson and die policy" and it's confirmed in that episode that both Rick and Jerry love their family, even if they are horrible at showing it. He does snap at Morty for literally no reason at the end, but still. Comparing it to say, Mortynight Run, the second episode of season 2 where he constantly insults Morty, it shows progress.

Episode 3 ~ Air Force Wong

Again, they don't really interact a lot, man they really ignored Morty in season 7, but he does stand up for Morty when the president insults him, when the president said "Tell Morty to shut up!" Morty says "Tell him he can't talk to me like that!" And season 1-4 Rick would probably just ignore Morty, he actually listens and tells the president "You can't talk to Morty like that." This episode also reveals that he's still going to therapy every week, which is a huge thing!

Episode 4 ~ That's Amorte

He's pretty rude to Morty in this episode, even straight up telling him "The only reason why you're still alive right now, is because you don't turn delicious when you die." Which we all know is a lie, but that doesn't make it better. But I'm pretty sure this was supposed to mirror Mortynight run, which is why I at least found Rick to be pretty out of character in this episode, but he's still physically gentle with Morty, with putting his hand on Morty's back instead of manhandling him like how he would in earlier seasons, and even if it's wrong that he was feeding the family people, he didn't do it out of malicious intent like how most would expect, he just genuinely thought it was good and wanted the family to try it, does that make it right? No, but still. He also (Like everyone else) lost the taste for it when he saw exactly what they were eating.

Episode 5 ~ Unmortricken

Honestly besides his sarcastic comment at the beginning of the episode "Thanks buddy, means a lot that your bar for mental health has gotten lower than mine." and "You should count chickens professionally, Morty." He's pretty sweet to Morty, he was worried for Morty and didn't move until he made sure Morty was ok when they were all in the box, and when he finished making the portal, he made sure Morty got in by pulling him in by his shirt to be sure that Morty was safe, these are all very small details but they say a lot, he also doesn't let Morty come with him because he was worried about him and wanted to keep him away from a very dangerous adventures, which considering that he took Morty on a traumatizing adventure in "Rest and Ricklaxation" It's nice to see that he's actually starting to worry about taking him on dangerous adventures and wants to keep him out of them, this was confirmed when Evil Morty replied "I'm not worried about him, I'm evil!" when Rick angrily said "You brought Morty with you!?" and he even lets Morty hug him without pushing him away

which is a step up from him softly pushing Morty away when Morty attempted to hug him in "Solaricks"

We can also see that he fakes a smile in the end, which is, again leagues above what he would've done in seasons 1-4

Episode 6 ~ Rickfending your Mort

Ahhhh he's so sweet to Morty in this episodeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. We see in this episode that his inner grandpa comes out with Morty and that he spoils Morty, he gives Morty basically whatever he asks for with no resistance or complaining. They do argue, but Rick really mellowed down and didn't insult Morty like at all during the argument, really the only insulting things he did was when he called Morty a little gremlin and accused Morty of lying about the punch cards. Even when Morty fessed up, he didn't rub his nose in it or brag about it like usual. He just said one thing "Hah! Can we playback that confession?" but that was it, and he still accepted the punch cards anyway and is extremely excited when him and Morty are going on adventures again, and smiles when he sees Morty excited about another gun, don't give guns to kids. But when Rick does it, it's his way of spoiling Morty, he just doesn't really know how, but he's tryinggggggggg. He also genuinely thanks Morty for keeping him on track with the punch cards instead of giving some back-handed thank you like how he did in season 1 episode 10. which is nice to see. He also is genuinely bonding with Morty with the pet cemetery scene.

Episode 7 ~ Wet Kaut Summer

Another one without many Rick and Morty interactions...man Morty gets pushed away a lot, butttt we do see more of him spoiling Morty, which is always welcome, and he does try to get Morty back which is sweet, I also thought him bragging to Summer about how he saves Morty a lot was kinda cute in a pathetic way "I save Morty 8 times per season!" We also see him be nice to Summer and open up to her about Diane "I treat you like an equal because I respect you! You remind me of your grandmother."

Episode 8 ~ Rise of the Numericons the Movie

Eh this one was just a weird fever dream, Rick wasn't in this episode like...at all. He wasn't even mentioned once.

Episode 9 ~ 90s fad toys

Rick is just really sweet to Morty here, when Morty messed up by releasing Bigfoot, he seems more worried about how him and Morty will get home rather than mad, and listens to Morty explain without interrupting, unlike other seasons the only mean thing he says was "I could probably teach these idiots how to hit a red button!" which is really pretty mild considering some of the other stuff he said during his arguments with Morty in seasons 1-4 including but not limited to: "You're a piece of shit Morty!" "I'll let you know when I have a point, and the world will know when I try to hurt you!" "Morty, you little lying world-ending pervert!" "I'm really glad you insisted on getting that Fart home, at least all the death and destruction wasn't for nothing y'know?" "I'm going to take a biggg fat Morty, that's my new word for shit due to today's events." "Okay Morty, you big party-pooper buzzkill! Boo!" and is pretty sweet to Morty during his fight with Bigfoot, even encouraging Morty not to help him due to a fear of Morty getting hurt, even when he was getting brutally beaten "Don't worry Morty, I got this under control" and he even cried in front of Morty instead of pretending like he has no emotions, which is a lot more significant when you consider that Morty was the only person (In the smith family at the very least) to see Rick cry

Episode 10 ~ Fear No Mort

Rick isn't in this episode for the majority of it, since this is a Morty centric episode! Finally! Buttt we do see that he brought Morty to a carnival just to spend time with and see a haunted house with Morty, that was literally it.

He also eats with Morty at Dennys (Well was about to before they hear about the fear hole) and really only said two mean things to Morty "You little turd!" when Morty actively didn't listen to Rick, which is a step up from season 6 considering he didn't just ditch Morty and replace himself with a robot. "I mean...define 'irreplaceable'" when Morty asked if he was irreplaceable. But he did sounds genuinely happy and excitied when Morty was back, happily calling out his name as soon as he moved, and he doesn't immediately backtrack on sounding happy or smiling which is a step up from season 1 episode 9 Something Ricked this Way Comes where he was happy, but immediately backpedaled and tried his best to sound like an annoyed grandpa. and he did attempt to awkwardly hug Morty back after Morty hugged him, it was half assed but he still tried. He didn't even seem mad when Morty pushed away, he looked more worried that he messed up more than anything. Also yes, this does still bring me pain.

AND WE LITERALLY SEE THAT HE NOT ONLY LISTENS TO MORTY'S ADVICE BUT ALSO HAS A PICTURE OF MORTY IN HIS WALLET AND LOOKED SO PROUD OF HIM! HE ALSO CHOOSES MORTY OVER A FAKE VERSION OF DIANE

Uh so yeah Rick's redemption arc is amazing, and no I do not regret that I spent an embarrassing amount of time gushing over an abusive old man's redemption arc.

[thegeminisage]

been thinking about whether or not my canonical worldstate pcs have kids:

tabris and zevran: no, because grey wardens are all but infertile and get more infertile the longer they've been joined. i don't know that he ever thought about having kids as a possibility before meeting her because his life was so shitty and moment-to-moment. he probably finds out she can't get pregnant the first time they fuck and she's like no no i don't need The Tea and that's that. he wouldn't regret it if he has her - it never seemed like an option for him and now it still isn't, so who cares? she might regret it though because i think she wanted to be the kind of mom hers was one day and give her dad grandkids. at most, maybe one of zev's swimmers slipped through the cracks somewhere in his varied history and they wind up half-adopting his feral teenage bastard someday

hawke and fenris: they have one (1) baby which is entirely an accident. it's not that they don't WANT kids, i don't think either of them has a firm stance on it one way or the other, it just never seems like the right time, the world is so dangerous for a child, people die so easily...and then it happens anyway, which would eventually force them to chill out and settle somewhere for the kid's sake (once that kid gets too big to lug around in a little baby backpack it's overrr). at which point they look at each other cautiously like "world hasn't ended yet. you wanna give the first one a playmate?" and theyre like no no we can't jinx it and then the second baby also winds up being an accident.

trevelyan and cullen: i made my inquisitor blonde before i realized i'd be romancing a blonde man (compelled by the worlds worst loser against my will <3) which i think is hilarious and both of them always wanted to be parents someday so as soon as the dust settles they get busy and have like 100 horrible blonde babies and. i cannot emphasize this enough. EVERY ONE OF THEM is a mage. whose powers manifest when they are still in diapers. this is not only what cullen deserves but also qualifies as cruel and unusual punishment. still not a proper redemption arc but it sure is something.

mercar and lucanis: rook always wanted kids because she ALSO wanted to be the kind of parent to someone that her parents were to her, but she can't give birth to her own because, y'know, [pan to her waving trans flag]. lucanis has been terrified of having kids his whole life because he doesn't want to have to choose whether or not to give them crow training, and even not being first talon would not relieve him of that choice. he will always know the world is dangerous and he will always know how to abuse someone into being prepared to survive any danger and he will ALWAYS know the kind of toll it takes on a person because of what it did to him and illario. it's pretty much the only big fight he and rook ever have even though it's technically a moot point (not going to happen accidentally, they'd have to adopt). still haven't decided where they'd ultimately land on it.

[pyropsychiccollector]

Yu-gi-oh 5D's: IF (Part 1)

A short while ago I voiced my thoughts on Starscream from Armada. Might as well lay out all my musings on 5ds. (人◕ω◕) Overall, it's a decent enough series. It was the last Yu-gi-oh anime that I enjoyed. I was even content enough that Kalin got his redemption later in Crash Town.

... That said, I'm a sucker for IFs (for those unfamiliar with Danganronpa, it's just another term for AUs). Might as well see what I could play with here. (人◕ω◕)

Let's see... I think a good starting point would be the Enforcers. There came a point when Crow and Jack left the group because Kalin went too far in his goals and actions. Yusei stayed, albeit he didn't agree with the changes in Kalin - he hoped that by staying, he could convince his friend to deescalate.

We'll say this was the main turning point. Yusei managed to convince Kalin that they needed to be better than the duel gang thugs they used to thrash. That he could understand Kalin's desire to keep the streets safe, but they needed to do it the right way. They already took down all the rival duel gangs, so that was a decent enough first step.

... The problem becomes that in the vacuum left by the gangs, Sector Security still took over Satellite much to Kalin's resentment and frustration. There's no getting around it, Kalin still has a great deal of rage in him, but Yusei's loyalty keeps him tempered and from flying too off the rails. There's also a tension between Kalin, Crow, and Jack left unresolved for a spell.

Kalin doesn't take the fight directly to Sector Security, but he and Yusei still beat back officers who seek to eliminate the duelists in Satellite. Not enough to wrestle back control over their home, not enough to save every duelist, but the pair of them are seen as unsung heroes for their efforts by the citizens of Satellite; and rogues with bounties on their heads issued by Sector Security.

Yusei and Kalin meet Rally, Nervin, Blitz, and Tank, and for a while they have a new gang backing them up even if the team dynamics and strength are different. Eventually things are mostly squared away with Crow and Jack when they see Kalin's deescalated for the most part. Though for Kalin, Crow, and Jack, the rift between them is only (mostly) forgiven - not forgotten. Kalin refuses to trust them anymore, and that wariness is reciprocated by the former two Enforcers as they keep their distance despite the mended friendships. Yusei still gets along better with them than Kalin does, but he does constantly get asked if it's worth the risk of being Kalin's anchor when he's already proven he can be a loose cannon and can be again with just the right circumstances.

Yusei believes Kalin won't snap. He knows things were unstable for a while, but Kalin's got friends in Yusei and their new crew; he believes that's enough to keep Kalin grounded.

However... fate still seems determined to test Yusei's faith in his friends. Rex sends Lazar to approach Jack, who has ambitions of becoming the greatest duelist; it's the same deal as before: Steal the Duel Runner and Stardust Dragon, then escape through the pipeline to Neo Domino City.

With Kalin still around, Jack's friendship with Yusei is a little soured. He can see the constant guerrilla efforts against Sector Security eventually forcing Kalin to cross the line, and he'll drag Yusei along for the ride. Jack's sick and tired of nothing changing in Satellite, and so he seizes the chance to secure his own future. He puts Rally in danger and gives Yusei the ultimatum of saving Rally or stopping him.

Things don't go all according to plan. Jack takes Stardust Dragon and the Duel Runner when Yusei predictably goes to save Rally, but before he can relish in his victory for too long Kalin lunges and they brawl while Jack is en route to his destiny. Jack fends Kalin off fortunately for him; but unfortunately Kalin managed to wrestle Stardust Dragon away. Jack isn't left with any other choice - he has to make it to Neo Domino City with just the Runner. if he tries to stay and steal back the dragon, there's no guarantee he'll be able to make it through the pipeline, no guarantee that Lazar and his benefactor will provide another chance for him. He can't stay in Satellite after betraying his old friends... he burned that bridge and now he must live with his choices.

So Jack leaves the Satellite. Leaves and prays he'll have the chance to pursue being the greatest Turbo Duelist... It's all he's got left.

Of course, without Stardust Dragon, Jack's a lot less valuable to Goodwin. Jack is still a Signer and possesses a dragon of his own, but now he has no means of luring Yusei in when the time is right. So Goodwin reneges on his deal with Jack, refuses to endorse him. He allows Jack to stay in Neo Domino and forge his own path, but Goodwin will not lift a finger to mold the young man into a Champion. Because there's no benefit to Goodwin; he'll keep an eye on Jack but that's it. He'll need to draw up a new plan to bring the Signers together.

Two years go by. Kalin and Yusei work together on making new Duel Runners because Jack managed to escape the Satellite; he'd proven it was possible, so they bided their time and collected all the parts they could. They prioritized Yusei's new Runner, but through fights with Sector Security they acquired enough materials for Kalin to make his own as well. It took two years, but they succeeded.

Yusei and Kalin both want to go after Jack. After a certain point in the past year, Jack dropped off the grid in Neo Domino; they, along with Crow, Rally, and crew watched Jack enter the Pro Duelist Circuit and make a valiant effort to scale the ranks... And he managed quite well, all things considered.

But never enough to be Champion. That honor went to Dragan, who achieved the rank shortly before Jack disappeared as far as media coverage went. For his part, Yusei was concerned for Jack as a friend; the betrayal two years ago still stung, the theft of the original Runner hurt... But Kalin got Stardust back. And it wasn't worth holding a grudge when Jack's life could have been at stake. Yusei refused to believe Jack was dead, and so he was going to find his old friend.

For Kalin's part, however... Jack's betrayal cut far deeper, and he was hellbent on some kind of revenge against the would-be King. Jack endangered Rally, and tried stealing both Stardust and Yusei's Runner; the bastard managed to get away with the latter, but not for very much longer if Kalin had any say. Kalin couldn't find it in his heart to be as worried over Jack's possible fate. If he was already dead, so be it. Traitors deserve much worse, in Kalin's opinion. He understood Yusei was a much kinder, loyal man than him... But Jack brought this on himself. If there was a chance Jack was still living, Kalin was going to find him and figure out what he wanted to do. It was hazy, but Kalin felt he had to do something... Getting Stardust back for Yusei was the bare least he could have done after everything Yusei did for him through thick and thin. Jack needed to be punished.

He wasn't going to come out and admit that to Yusei, however. It was a darkness that Kalin had to wrestle through on his own time. The trip to Neo Domino... Kalin knew it was a risk with Sector Security so feverishly in pursuit of them, they'd absolutely get thrown in the Facility if they couldn't pull off Jack's miracle.

But he trusted in Yusei, and trusted in the Runners they built together. They were armed with their decks even after all this time, and Kalin wasn't going to give up on liberating their home. It's just that if Yusei was going to go looking for Jack, Kalin would put his ambitions against the police dogs on hold and tag along. Because Yusei stuck with him, so his friend deserved reciprocation at the absolute bare minimum. They'd go to Neo Domino, find Jack, and... work out everything else after achieving that. Crow wanted to come as well, but they all decided one of the Enforcers should remain behind in case the worst came to pass and they never returned...

Not that Kalin and Yusei ever intended on failing. They just couldn't afford to leave Satellite completely without hope. The past two years did much in smoothing over the tension between Crow and Kalin, so barring the snafu with Jack everything was square with the Enforcers.

Yusei and Kalin manage to slip past Trudge and the officers pursuing them into the pipeline, Yusei defeating Trudge in a turbo duel before they cross over into Neo Domino. There's no fateful reunion with Jack in this instance, no Goodwin waiting for them, so the pair of Satellites slip into the city quietly and make finding a temporary base of operations their first priority.

They're quick to discover it's a lot harder to dodge patrols and surveillance in the heart of the city split in two. Their bounties are through the roof at this point, and that makes trusting the people of Neo Domino a lot harder. Makes their mission so much harder.

Hence, Yusei still manages to get caught and shuffled off to the Facility. Kalin doesn't take that very well, considering Yusei kept the Sector Security dogs on him exclusively. He vows to bust in there and save his friend. Whatever it took.

To Kalin's surprise, a new ally gets in touch with him. A man that goes by the name of Blister. Blister is willing to help orchestrate Yusei's release, if Kalin would let him handle it. He cites his long track record of breaking into places, including the Facility on many occasions. He'd be able to help Yusei out of there within the next day or so.

As tempting as the offer is, Kalin demands to know why Blister approached a total stranger seeming to know his full story, to know who the hell sent him. Because without those answers, Kalin refuses to accept any help. He'll bust Yusei out himself, regardless of how much more "impossible" that will be.

Blister is uneasy about revealing his client's identity. So Jack, looking rather homely and like he'd never left Satellite, reveals himself and explains he wants to make things right with Yusei. He explains where he's been for the past year, that he had to go under the radar when Rex Goodwin's lapdogs got too invasive. Had to pull out of the Fortune Cup attempts and lie low with Blister's connections. The same connections that allowed him to get Yusei's original Runner mended and allowed him a shot in the Fortune Cup at all. Jack knows he screwed up and betrayed everyone; he's not asking for forgiveness. He just wants to help Yusei because no one deserves to rot away in Sector Security's clutches. Because this is all he can do to help repay Yusei for the friendship they used to have as Enforcers.

... This goes about as well as one might think. Kalin barely held himself back from going nuclear on Jack from first sight, but after hearing all that... He goes ballistic. Kalin blames Jack for endangering Rally, for the stolen Runner, for trying to swipe the Stardust Dragon card... But he gets even more furious that Jack went into hiding because the heat got too real for him, and he didn't have the decency to somehow get a message back to Satellite... They're in this mess in Neo Domino because of Jack. Kalin can barely convey how pissed off he is and really struggles to not physically lash out at the former Enforcer.

Kalin thinks about it. He really does. Regardless if it turns into a full-out brawl, the only reason he holds back is he needs the strength to break into the Facility and get Yusei out himself. Kalin doesn't think it's worth accepting Jack and Blister's "help", not when this whole mess is their fault.

However, Blister proposes that Kalin can tag along if it means that much to him. Witnessing Kalin vent made Blister think about how Aero must think of him, and he wants to help set things straight with Jack and Kalin as much as possible. Kalin still holds clear reservations, so his only stipulation is that Jack stays behind on this "operation". He refuses to bear Yusei's neck to Jack again. They get in, get Yusei out, and the two of them go back to Satellite. Jack can go to hell for all that Kalin cares.

They do things as Kalin stipulated, much as Jack has reservations about staying behind on this one. However, during the escape Warden Armstrong catches up with them and Kalin takes it on himself to duel the thug and earn Yusei's freedom, as well as those new pals he made behind bars. Armstrong doesn't care too much to wager that because his end of the deal is if he wins then Kalin and Blister both get thrown into Lockdown with Yusei. Armstrong is too enticed by finally catching the slippery Blister.

Kalin manages to come out on top, but of course Armstrong attempts to renege on their deal. Goodwin steps in and dismisses him as the Warden, and allows the motley crew of prisoners and jailbreakers to go. Because that was the deal Armstrong made. Blister disables their trackers for a little bit, but has no way of permanently getting them off.

Still, it's enough to get a headstart. Blister even helps retrieve Yusei's current Runner, which Sector Security impounded. Kalin's ready to bolt, but Yusei wants to see Jack and talk with him. This bittersweet reunion leads to the three Enforcers dueling back-to-back to get the worst out of their systems. But in dueling Yusei, the marks of the Crimson Dragon are activated, and Goodwin watches the duel from start to finish. Because of course he never lost track of Yusei or Jack.

Kalin is still furious with Jack, but Yusei of course has more or less forgiven him and moved on. Goodwin makes the request of Yusei and Jack participating in the Fortune Cup, holding Rally and the others hostage in Satellite. Kalin refuses to be left out and signs up for the contest as well; because he still wants to pound Jack into the ground for dragging them all down with him.

They still meet Leo and Luna. Still meet Greiger and Akiza. The Fortune Cup remains a clash of conflicted interests coming together. In the end, the final four duelists left in the competition are Luna, Yusei, Akiza, and Greiger (Jack and Kalin knocked each other out in their match). Yusei defeats Greiger; Akiza defeats Luna; and Yusei defeats Akiza. Greiger almost tries attacking Goodwin for destroying his home village, but Yusei talks him down and promises to do what he can to stop the Director. He keeps Greiger from being branded a criminal for hijacking the mic, and Greiger is accepted into their friend group as he wants in if they're going to take down Goodwin.

It comes down to Yusei and Dragan, who is not nearly as oblivious as Jack when it comes to the Director. He's aware Goodwin is up to something, but Dragan was hoping to bait the truth out of him by bringing together the four known Signers. Dragan wishes he could get a rematch with Jack, who was so determined to have another shot, but duels Yusei with honor and accepts his defeat graciously. Dragan isn't sure if his status as a holder of a Nordic God Card would allow him to become allies with the Crimson Dragon users... However, he isn't one for stuffy propriety. Not after a fantastic match.

With Dragan's help - he compiled a file of evidence over the past couple years of Goodwin's shady activities, including the kidnapping of Yusei's friends in Satellite - they get Sector Security to at least dismiss Goodwin as Director and detain him for further questioning. Lazar has no choice but to step in as the interim Director, though he's under much scrutiny as well because of his allegiance to Goodwin. Thus Lazar takes a radical shift in how he operates, staying as far away from Goodwin as possible because he doesn't want to be caught up in that possible scandal. Lazar even goes so far as to cut contact with Yliaster, as again he only knew a very partial view of the whole picture. Dragan's shrewd maneuver of gathering enough evidence to oust Goodwin terrifies him into behaving.

This leaves a lot of things up in the air. Even with Yusei as the Champ and Goodwin removed from the seat of power (for now, of course), getting the city to properly reintegrate Satellite is still a herculean task. There's many things to look into, and even in custody Goodwin is playing his mind games and nudging the Signers to prepare themselves for an inevitable war.

Who can say how events would unfold in the Dark Signers arc? (人◕ω◕) Methinks that in the wake of Yusei winning the Cup, there'd be a lot to unpack and resolve. Dragan and what he'd choose to do. Jack denied the title again, yet also in a healthier mindset because he wasn't a Champ built on lies and manipulation. Kalin's residual bitterness at Jack's betrayal and how easily he was accepted back. Blister having a bond with Jack because of their mistakes. Greiger along for the ride in dealing with Goodwin, not roped in as a Dark Signer. Lazar scrambling to cover his bum~

There's still Akiza and the Arcadia Movement to deal with. Still have to rescue Fairy Dragon. Still have to help Misty get over her vengeance. Carly will be coming in fast. And we won't forget Crow. (人◕ω◕) Stay tuned, I suppose. I'll think on it~

[casino-lights]

The Empress, the Hanged Man, and the World for both Lidia and Cazi!

Thank you so much for the ask! I got in my feelings with the last question :')

The Empress: What does family mean for Rook?

For both of them, the Crows are their family. It does differ slightly for each, though.

Lidia didn't really consider herself part of any family - and she certainly had no real allegience to her House - until she met Lucanis and Illario and was brought into the Dellamorte-Cantori-de Riva alliance. Lucanis became a brother to her, Teia became a sister, and Viago is the brother in law who keeps pissing her off because he keeps fumbling her sister and yet her sister is still crazy about him for some reason. She also took a shine to Jacobus, but she projects a few of her own unresolved childhood issues onto him and thus just wants to protect him and make sure he knows he's loved. Family, to her, is untouchable. They are infallible, and if the relationship sours, it must have been because of her somehow. In her eyes, they cannot possibly be at fault. She trusts those she considers family to a worrying degree, and would sacrifice anything and everything for them. She tries to keep this number small, but she is hungry for love and belonging, so she latches on quickly to anyone who shows her enough genuine care and calls them family regardless of how long they've known each other.

Cazi has memories of her parents, unlike Lidia. Though some are good, most are bad, and so it was difficult for her to see anyone as family for a long time. In many ways, her view on family is opposite to Lidia's, and it requires a great deal of time and many repeated displays of trust and care for Cazi to see someone in a more familial light. Family puts in effort to love and care for her, even when it's hard, and loyalty is an absolute necessity. However, she does have trouble realizing that familial love is not a transaction, and that she is allowed to receive acts of service and devotion without immediately needing to reciprocate them. Cazi often said she wanted to be just like Teia, who she looked up to for years, and considered her the closest thing to a sister she ever had. Once she was an adult and Houses de Riva and Cantori were allied, Viago assigned Cazi to train his own younger sister and then promptly regretted that decision once Cazi began dating her, and he is now unfortunately stuck with her as his sister-in-law. She pesters him at every given opportunity, and though they would never admit it openly, they love each other dearly - so long as Cazi keeps his sister happy. Additionally, Emmrich's two children become Cazi and her girlfriend's stepchildren - though they're almost the same age - and Manfred soon becomes a son to them as well.

The Hanged Man: What does Rook do when their hard work doesn't pay off? How do they cope with failure?

Lidia is a perfectionist when it comes to her contracts. If something doesn't go right, she makes it go right, no matter the cost. She has an unblemished record of never losing a target and she intends to maintain that, regardless of collateral damage or the time it might take. Failure is simply not an option for her, professionally. Personally, however, her definition of failure is strange and nebulous, as she rarely lets anyone close enough to consider their loss a failure. Illario's betrayal is the closest thing she considers to a personal failing, and even then, she and Lucanis stubbornly forced him down the path of redemption. She simply never gives up.

Cazi, on the other hand, considers failures a new and interesting kind of success. She doesn't worry about specifics, and she trusts her skills and her charisma to smooth over any issues that may arise from things not going to plan. Usually, she works out a way to achieve her goals regardless of the hurdles in her way or number of previous attempts. The only true failures she would ever count are interpersonal ones, things she couldn't take back or salvage: breakups and deaths. And those, well... she hasn't encountered any of those yet. Some nights, when she can't sleep, the idea of it terrifies her so much she has to take a walk to clear her head.

The World: What does happily-ever-after look like for Rook? Is it attainable, or just wishful thinking?

Lidia's perfect life looks to her like success and respect among the Crows. Once upon a time, she would have said it involved reigning at Illario's side while he held the seat of First Talon, perhaps even sharing it with Lucanis, but she knows that'll never happen now. Still, she dreams of being seen as a voice of authority and experience for the Crows, perhaps a Talon herself someday. She aspires to be legendary, a name said with awe as young Crows recount her perfect history of completed jobs and a large contribution to the freedom and independence of Antiva. Occasionally, when she's feeling especially sappy and self-indulgent, she also wonders what a family with Illario would be like. She has daydreamed about two or three little dark-haired Dellamortes with slightly pointed ears running around in the gardens, happy and content with the knowledge that their childhoods are fully their own and their parents are gentle and unconditionally loving.

Cazi, unlike Lidia, is unashamed of the fact that she hopes to have a family someday. (Most likely because she doesn't feel the need to apologize for her partner half the time.) In fact, her ideal retirement looks like advising the Crows in her free time and raising half-dwarf babies with her girlfriend and Emmrich as her new full-time job. She keeps a realistic view of it, as she knows dwarves aren't the most fertile species, but she does get a fond, faraway smile each time she hears children laughing. She has no dreams of her antics making it into legend or song, and would prefer to simply lead a full, fun life, indulging her whims whenever possible and fulfilling her partners' dreams as much as she can so they have as few regrets as she does.

[wispisstillverybored67]

Giving the Pillars (and the youths™) names. +Something else.

(Note: to distinguish this AU from canon, I've taken to referring the 12-Pillars as, well, the Pillars, while the Pillars-12 remain the Hashira in canon. Additionally, everyone's names are written last-name-first.)

Moon Pillar Tsugikune Michikatsu

Nicknamed "Kokushibo" among the Pillars. Joined the Corps as a sort of redemption of what he had done as a Demon in the service of Oyakata-dono (Kagaya, having swapped places with Muzan). Seems to distance himself from the other Pillars, but on a closer look, it's clear that the other's are distancing themselves from him. Why? They're all terrified of him. Plus, he's just introverted. Doesn't wear the standard uniform (again, tying into his "redemption", and the belief that someone unclean, something like him shouldn't be wearing that), but he did etch the "destroy" "kanji" (I think? I don't know...) onto his standard garb and prized sword. Has ever only had one tsuguko, Kaigaku, and it's clear he doesn't respect him at all (or is it? no matter...). His crow doesn't seem to respect him either. Actually, he's terrified of him. Enjoy's the Music Pillar's presence, and her music especially. The Paradise Pillar claims he saw him shed a single tear from something, but no one is in a hurry to know why. His mark, like in canon, is on his face, but it will fade if he becomes human again. Moon Breathing syncs up, and is based on, the moon's changing face, and the way he pulls it off makes it appear as if he's dancing.

Paradise Pillar Fuyuyoshi Douma

Given name is lost to history, as far as he cares. His nickname became his given name, and he likes the way it sounds better. Joined the Corps on a whim, seeing no other (fun, foreseeable) future for himself when his cult was nearly annihilated and then disbanded. He likes chatting to everyone around him, especially his fellow Pillars, but only the Fish Pillar seems to reciprocate... enough. Trained the current Balance Pillar and the Silk "Pillar" as tsuguko way back when, and is still quite parental to them. Prefers to use two nichirin war fans, but knows a thing or two on the sword. Trained under the former Ice Pillar alongside the Blizzard Pillar, but they both branched out after it was "complete", with both of them altering Ice Breathing to suit themselves. He killed the former Lower Moon 2 (Kanae) somehow, and took her hair-clip as a prize, which is what netted him his promotion. Since he became a Pillar in half the time the Blizzard Pillar did, he hates him for it (and his attitude and... everything else). Actually, everyone hates him now (since he's annoying). Spoils his crow, and even gave her the hair-clip. His mark would've appeared on his tongue, and resembles Gluttony's ouroboros tattoo. Paradise is an empty promise, as your loved ones appearing suddenly is but one of the many hallucinations in battle with him.

Blizzard Pillar Soyama Hakuji

Nicknamed "Akaza" among the Pillars. Joined the Corps to secure a good future for his beloved fiancé. Doesn't seem to like using his sword unless needed, and sticks to nichirin-style knuckles, although he's aware that only the sword can kill. His lively stubbornness in all things wins admiration for some and intolerance for others. Refuses to train any tsuguko, for he hates feeling like he's babysitting them. That's not to say he doesn't care for his subordinates, no, quite the opposite, he even let's them call him "brother", but he just doesn't like watching over them for more then a few hours. Blizzard Breathing is simply Ice Breathing, edited to better suit himself. Lives for the thrill of battles, and it was this that caused his promotion to Pillar somewhat quickly. Though he lives for his work because of this, he isn't particularly liked among the younger ones, ironically enough. His crow is pretty old, but it still has an attitude. She hates the Paradise Pillar as much as he does. His mark would've appeared on his arms, amplifying his prison tattoos to resemble snowflake strips. With unrelenting blows, syncing with his training in that Soryu style, opponents are staggered, under a blizzard, almost.

Hatred Pillar Hantengu Shiko (anyone who's played Persona Q understands this concept of such a basic name for someone)

It's a tossup as to whether or not the others actually know his given name. Joined the Corps hoping to exact revenge on the Demons that attacked him and left himself disfigured. Now, he resembles some of the Demons he so despises, gaining a swollen look on the top of his face, and paired with horns and cat eyes (think of Iguro's, but inlaid with red-green-blue-yellow-purple). Prone to violent mood swings that always originate with his nerves. Trains several tsuguko, and their hallmark is wooden masks that bears the face of a Demon, just like him (his mask resembles his canon self's face specifically, tears included), the ones which stick out the most are the "brothers" Sekido, Urogi, Aizetsu, Karaku and Zohakuten (they're actually his adopted sons, too). He's constantly unnerved by pretty much everything, apart from his best friend the Fish Pillar, at times... Very polarizing among everyone due to his uh... mood swings, but this is ironically the fuel for his fighting style, which IS liked (it's the *Fire Breathing Spawn*). His crow is just as jittery as his owner. It's a miracle they haven't dropped from a stroke. His mark appeared on his neck, and covered it whole with the Chinese character for "calamity". Hatred for the enemy is all that's the fuel for the eponymous technique, and deals with the bitter lash with emotions.

Fish Pillar Mizumura Managi

Nicknamed "Gyokko" among the Pillars. Joined the Corps in an attempt to find a better "voice" for his art and inspiration. Probably the most colorful in the whole Corps had it not been for the Paradise Pillar, maybe. Maybe not. Though colorful, he's quite macabre, which is off-putting with his effeminate...ness. Was trained under the former Water Pillar way back when, but got bored with Water Breathing, so he put his own spin on it. Is hoping to train young Kamunue as a tsuguko, but it'll be awhile before he actually grows a pair and doesn't get scared of his mask. Probably the most extroverted of the Pillars, but that doesn't mean nicest. Probably the only one who the Hatred Pillar regularly speaks to, and they seem to be quite affectionate towards each other, but... His crow is annoyed by his flash and ego, and his attitude is the only thing to break her stoicism regularly. His Mark appears on his upper lip, as a long, wispy mustache (like those fish molesting harassing Kotetsu), plus some disconnected extensions resembling needles. His technique utilizes the macabre, yet beautiful ocean to it's fullest, and some say you can see the Sanzu river (or Cthulhu-) when he fights.

Music Pillar Otokawa Kaguya

Nicknamed "Nakime" among the Pillars. Joined the Corps to hide from the police from her killing her husband. Considered to be the babysitter of Shikeishū-sama's (Muzan's, that word refers to those on death row, so he's a head criminal in a sense) children. Goth and silent, she is often shown playing a simple tune on her prized biwa, which some say it's to ignore the stupidity of the room, while others say it's just to sound nice. Trained under the former Sound Pillar alongside the current one way back when, and based her current technique off of her own self. Training Kaede Mitarai (Mukago) as her tsuguko, you can tell because the two have the same hair clip. Despite being practically a cryptid in her own right, she enjoys a massive popularity thanks to being actually quite easy-going and nice. The only one the Moon Pillar speaks to regularly while the process isn't akin to shoving a crinkled dollar in a vending machine. Her crow is also spoiled, perhaps even more than the Blizzard Pillar's, so a few of the crows wish they helped her instead. Her Mark would've appeared on her cheeks, and resembles thorny brambles (think: Jesus' crown of thorns). Her technique syncs up with her music, and seems to put the target at ease, before getting swathed with a single hit "from" hell. Even her sword looks like a tuning fork.

Sound Pillar Shirogane Leon

Nicknamed "Kyogai" among the Pillars. Joined the Corps out of gratitude for the previous Sound Pillar raising him after what remained of his family were slaughtered by Demons. Trying to be bad, but fails miserably at it, and is, more often than not, much more caring than most of his fellow Pillars. But he DOES have the potential for nastiness, if his works are insulted somehow. Uninterested in tsuguko, seeing what happened after the disastrous mission on the Flower House. Cares too much for his juniors, and would fight tooth and limb to ensure their safety anywhere. Trained alongside the current Music Pillar, so they seem to get along well. The juniors love him, the other Pillars, not so much. Is shown speaking to the Fish, Paradise, and Blizzard Pillar the most. His crow is attracted to his demonic visage, and their attitude bounces off his so well. His Mark would've appeared on his chest, and formed an ornate X shape across it. His technique focuses on the cultural aspects of sound, and delves deep into spoken words and phrases that may be carved into the target, or the landscape.

Spider Pillar Ayaki Rui

Joined the Corps on the recommendation of his adoptive father, a former-once removed Flame-turned-Spider user. A young and talented one, he is the youngest pillar. Stoic, reserved, and something of a control freak, he still has a heart. Obeys the Corp rules to the letter, and becomes annoyed when others don't, but if Shikeishū-sama has a final verdict in things, he'll ignore it. Training his adoptive siblings, Setsuji and Akemi, as his tsuguko, but it looks weird since a 14 yr is training two 16 year olds. A Pillar (and Slayer) for the least amount of time, he's often shown concern because he's so young and frail-looking. His preferred weapon is an odd one: a reel of nichirin wiring made to order, hanging somewhere hidden on his waist. Liked a lot because he's so small and cute, and for his genuine talent. Though the favoritism exhibited on him from the Master is a sore point. His crow had practice a bit to lower its voice by a bit since his owner has strong hearing, and hates loud noises. His Mark appeared on his face, forming as streaks of haze that lean to his nose or hair. His technique embraces the ugly (youkai-esque) aspect of spiders: sometimes it's clean and elegant, sometimes it's filthy and rugged.

Dream Pillar Tamio Ayumu

Nicknamed "Enmu" among the Pillars. Joined the Corps, as he saw it was his duty to his family and country. Calm, sensible, yet sadistic, and madly devoted to his Master above all else. Wants tsuguko to train a lot, but none interested like him for the fact that he get's off of killing Demons, and because he's perpetually smiling. Had no formal training by a former Slayer, was merely inspired to do so after hearing rumors on it. Flirtatious, and especially protective of those Shikeishū-sama puts value on, like the Spider Pillar, who's annoyed by his... *gestures to everything*. He is quite fond of the Moon, Paradise, and Blizzard Pillars, outside of this. His crow forgets that it works for him, so it's often just out an about, doing its own thing. His Mark appears on his forehead, and resembles minimalistic lavender and spider lilies (lavenders represent faith, the latter represents abandonment). His technique is more subdued, less saccharine than Paradise Breathing, and all the more deceptive since it derived from Mist Breathing. With a fading blow, targets' feel they have something vital other then the neck severed, like nerve endings or blind spots.

Rumble* Pillar Indama Kaigaku

Usually referred to by his demon name of "Susano-o" His demonic status provides controversy even now. Joined the Corps basically out of force, was effectively made a Slayer by the Moon Pillar, and promoted after the death of the Blizzard Pillar (sorry not sorry). Snappy and cowardly, he can fight when push comes to shove, though. Monumentally unpopular, just because of the fact that he's a Demon, and had a long string of dishonorable actions before and after. Despite this, he seems to be fond of the young Poison Pillar and his gang. Has been training under the Moon Pillar up until the retirement of the Sound Pillar. Not allowed to have tsuguko, or even a crow, since his hearing is normally just that good. He fights with confidence in nothing but the sword, and the flashy upgrade with his Blood Demon Arts may be a cover-up for the fact that he hasn't learned the old breathing art's first style.

Poison Pillar Shabana Katsuya

Nicknamed "Gyutaro" among the Pillars. Joined the Corps in the vain (in his mind) hopes that his beloved sister can become human again. Cryptic and harsh, whiny (in tone) and cruel, he doesn't lay off the insults to anyone, friends, family, or superiors. "Training" the young Ume as a "tsuguko" (honestly it's left ambiguous as to if she even is), but there's something off about her... Was decently respected among the Corps, but after the botched raid on Mt. Natagumo, it plummeted. Still, despite his nastiness to the upper ranks especially, he seems to deeply trust the Paradise and Blizzard Pillars. His crow is just as abrasive as he is, and had been slated for being swapped out for pecking a few Slayers in the eye a few times, but I'm sure he'll be fine... Actually, he couldn't cut off a Demon's neck for the longest time due to extended malnutrition. The first time he did was in the battle against Upper Moon Six duo Amanozako (Nezuko) and Kagatsuchi (Tanjiro), which coincides with his Mark giving form, AND finally recalling, learning and initially using the holy Sun Breathing, which he heavily struggled to use due to his weak body. Said Mark amplifies his facial rashes to demonic levels.

[cyprus-green]

Draco Malfoy ... 'I was just a boy when they told me that lie...'

This song by Robert Ellis, though set far from the same time, culture, and place that Draco is born, hits home. The theme is indoctrination of children, and what it does to someone. The realization, of how fucked up it is, as an adult. And the realization that these lies are used to keep people in line, and keep them loyal.

And the flames of hell they seemed so high

When I could barely see over the pew

I was just a boy when they told me that lie

But Lord it felt so true...

....

But a child believes in whatever they're told

A pillar of flames, a street of gold

And that's a hell of a thing to do to a kid

Just to teach him right from wrong

You can burn in hell the rest of your days

Or you can choose to sing along

I'm far from a Death Eater apologist, however I do love a good redemption arch. I also grew up fairly religious and adjacent to some really strict Christian groups. The childhood indoctrination is real.

I deal with that lot of that in my writing of Draco, who often has to coming to terms with

1) The fact that muggle-borns are fundamentally the same as he is.

If that's true does that mean he's not special? If so what does that even mean for him...it's alot of questioning his place in the world, and I think its a question Draco will ask himself forever, at least in my fics.

2) Pureblood Supremacy is a blatant lie he's been told by society.

Not only is it a lie, it's a lie everyone he knows seems to believe. And that means everything he knew is a lie or the hierarchy of the society he grew up in is in part based on a lie. This is probably the part where he feels most confused, and angry, and incredulous.

3) His parents specifically lied to him, willingly.

As Draco ages, I think he can come to terms with the fact that his parents had no excuse for how they lied to him. They knew better and were old enough to know that pureblood supremecy is bullshit, yet they still chose to raise him hateful. He has to come to terms with the fact that his parents choose to be hateful people. And he now has a choice. To be his parents or something different. But its also painful, because as he recognizes his parent's lies and failures he loses respect for them. He feels loss. He feels anger. He feels betrayed, and ashamed.

4) Recognize the moments he realized it was a lie, and recognize the moments he knew it was a lie but continued to be hateful.

Part of his arch simply had to do with introspection. He needs to examine (maybe as an adult, maybe as a child) the moments he saw cracks in the facade. This is alot of shame. This is alot of guilt. Alot of self-loathing and perhaps some lashing out at the people around him. Because i feel that self-loathing might be the thing that hurts him the most. Considering his already shakey ego, this definitely sends him spiraling and he's going to hurt and hurt others as he falls.

5) Leave that culture behind.

Completely. Until he breaks from it, he's complicit. Though survival vs doing what is right is always going to be a age old conflict. And with this, there's undoubtedly going to be a sense of loss and bitterness. Why did they have to do that to him? Envy for people he used to make fun of is demoralizing. A life of humbling and eating-crow makes him want to gag. I think this also gets at his ego, but also at his bravery if he can handle it.

6) Be vocal about his change of heart, spread the word that life doesn't have to be this way...

I think this is the part where Draco can flourish, but he obviously will balk every second of the way. He finally can do something, but he's absolutely not ready to do this. But I think perhaps seeing the devastation of war may absolutely help him get to this point.

SO what gets him here...? To realize its a lie?

The War. Hermione. Being tortured by Voldy. Life at Hogwarts. I think the thing most of us Dramione lovers, love, is the idea that it is Hermione’s brilliance and kindness that completely shatters Draco's concept of the world. She and the war break the lie. As a child its why he hates her. As a teen its why he falls for her. As an adult its part of why he decides to become a better man.

[grasshopperdoingdogpaddle]

any ideas how Chase could get a redemption arc started? (i love redemption arcs)

Good question! So just an idea of how it could go? Sounds fun! I'll try! (Especially since the finale explored their bond but still ended up open-ended and inconclusive about it.)

Well, no matter how you look at it, the catalyst for a redemption arc in Chase would have to be Omi.

Just having a bigger, badder villain or more prescient threat, like Hannibal Bean or the spiders, wouldn't do it. He already dislikes most of the other villains, but that's never going to push him away from villainy since he doesn't have to become good to oppose them. He'd ally with heroes for a greater-good question but wouldn't ultimately change.

Omi's the person Chase cares about and wants by his side the most. The only person Chase doesn't insult or get annoyed by, the only one he really makes an effort to reach out to and open up to, somewhat. The only times Heylin Chase has done some unambiguously good things were for Omi's sake.

That said, they're both stubbornly at a stalemate. As much as Chase wants to mentor and protect Omi, he also wants to plunge the world into darkness. He's an unapologetic villain. He takes for granted that he can eventually have Omi by his side and achieve his ultimate goal of world domination. He even playfully mocks Omi's attempts to convert him.

Omi rubs off on Chase and makes him soften up, and you could write out the plot so that contagious heroism and warm and fuzzy feeling from Omi gradually wearing off enough on Chase over time, until he's spending more time mentoring and hanging out with Omi than doing villainy and just quietly decides he prefers it that way (that's how I did it in eating crow). After all, Omi seems to subconsciously reawaken some of the feelings Chase threw away when he turned evil. Rediscovering the things he thought he had lost, like that ability to fully trust someone else or that honorably comradery with someone you admire and see as an equal. A redemption practically through osmosis. Not tamed, not necessarily a whole lot nicer, but reformed nonetheless.

Chase: "Things aren't always that simple, Omi." Omi: "But they can be! Sometimes they are! This could be. You want it to be this simple just as much as I do, do you not? You could keep making me stronger. I could make you more good. Things are not always so complicated, either!"

Or just have Chase gradually come to the realization that, at some point, he cares about Omi so much that he won't have the heart to kill him in cold blood and never would. Even though Omi's getting stronger and stronger. Chase has repeatedly said he needs to either gain Omi's loyalty or destroy him, but he's never really seemed willing to actually consider the latter option, no matter how unlikely the former seemed. He dismisses it and pulls his punches, again and again.

He laughs bitterly and simply asks Omi if he thinks he could kill Chase when the time came and he grew strong enough, since that seems to be the only option left on the table if Chase has grown this soft. And Omi obviously says that he'd never go that far. They both care about each other to ever strike the other down if they're in the way, regardless of strength.

An if-you-can't-beat-him-join-him scenario but more personal and heartfelt of an epiphany. Like Gatomon and Kari from Digimon.

Chase: "You'll either be my strength or my destruction. That was the prophecy. If I can't have you by my side, then I must destroy you. And it seems I've grown so soft that I can't even destroy you, even now, while you're small and weak enough to crush. So inevitably, one day--" Omi: "No! Not inevitably! No day! The future is not a straight line for someone else to draw for me! There are many, many different pathways! The future does not belong to some prophecy or the Crystal Glasses! I already promised you that I'd change the future myself, and I WILL! I'll get as strong as I need to save you properly this time!"

But if you think he might be too meticulous and stubborn for it to happen quite like that or want something more flashy and explosive, then we'd need something that threaten the comfortable status quo stalemate they have.

He can't have both, something forces his hand and he makes his decision or realizes which he truly values more. A Piccolo-sacrificing-himself-for-Gohan moment, a John-Silver-giving-up-the-treasure-to-save-Jim moment, a Meruem-begging-on-his-knees-to-see-Komugi moment.

Most obvious, direct way would be someone else, probably Hannibal, almost killing Omi, and Chase does everything in his power save/protect him, even if it puts his own plans in jeopardy or is directly at odds with Chase acquiring something that could help him rule the world.

Alternatively, Omi having something stolen from him, like his soul or all his chi, leaving Omi weak/comatose. Or maybe he gets possessed and loses himself via Hannibal Bean. And Chase not only fighting and putting himself at risk to bring Omi back, but also acknowledging that he could use this chance to steal it for himself to get Omi's powers and leave Omi like he is, and deciding that that's not what he'd want.

Hannibal: "You know as well as I do that this is your only shot at real fame. You want that monk's power? You ain't getting a better chance than this. And you're doin' the most borin', goody-two-shoes, forgettable thing you could do with it? You ain't never gonna be a real warrior." Chase: "Say what you will. But nothing I could gain would be worth losing my little apprentice. Not power, not infamy, not the world. Whether he joins me or not. I refuse to let you force me to abandon anything else I believe in or anyone else I love, ever again, Hannibal."

Or some combination of the three.

I rambled for quite a bit, but is this about the answer you were looking for?

[thesecrimsonstrings-if]

I had an idea! What if you played as the leader of crows and the story takes place shortly after Alina's powers is discovered and she's taken to the Little Palace, and then it follows the crows' plot line kind of trying to get Alina kinda heist-style. We get a little summary of what happened to Alina from word of mouth throughout the story, so that she doesn't take that much off the story. The whole Mattias-Nina storyline in the show could have happened off screen and now they are in hiding from the Grisha after Nina busts Mattias out of jail, so we can have the crows looking for them and finding them in their hiding place and recruiting them before going on their heist since they'll need a heart render and well matthias can come along because he's just there and extra muscle can't hurt lol. As for Mal we can have him encounter the crows at the Little Palace or perhaps somewhere in the story during their journey, your MC can decide whether to tell him the whole story or not and Mal tells you kind of what happens and that he's looking for Alina. Instead of having him gone to the Palace straight away he could have tried to sneak in and have the darling's mother warn him of the Darkling so now he's hiding in some place (maybe where the crows take shelter idk and has a knife to Kaz's throat asking wtf they're doing there and shit) and so you recruit him in your heist since you have more or less the same goals hence he becoming an RO. As for Nikolai, we can scrap the whole doctor Betrayal bullshit that went on the show and have Nikolai be the guide instead, they don't know that he's a Prince but they know he's a pirate with a ship, and he asks them for a favour in return which he won't tell them about until the time comes (help him take the throne, which can be told in thr later books if there are ones). As for the Darkling perhaps he could be an RO in the second book, he pretends to be dead but takes on the appearance of Wylan and pretend to be him and join the crows, it could be a Betrayal kinda thing and have him as an RO all the while. As for Alina you could make her an RO if you succeed in kidnapping her you could flirt with her and maybe have her be a fling during your journey back or perhaps have her be a secret romance Options in later books. As for Genya she could be added as an RO in the second book after she betrays Alina she runs away and joins Nikolai's crew. Nikolai and the crows form some sort of pact that if die times comes and interests align they'll help each other out if you prove your worth as a leader and useful asset to him. This is so long, I saw the other ask and couldn't help myself lol.

you basically wrote the whole story for me, dear bonnie 💀 not that i'm complaining since it helped out a ton about how i should probably handle some storylines. also, goddamn! that's a lot of romance options! i have no clue how i'm gonna add them all since so far i only had an idea about my version of the crows as LIs. the darkling disguised as wylan would be a plot twist that leigh bardugo could only dream of and i hope i can give him a redemption arc because him in the books were not it, ugh why does he have to be so hot though.

i ship genya with david so much that it will hurt to make her an RO but changing her name and character (slightly) will get rid of the remaining guilt. also nikolai, i am on my knees for cocky blonde characters puh-lease 🧎🏻 even better when he's the future king of ravka with a demon inside him 😍 also i will not be adding the heartbreaking part which happened at the end of crooked kingdom because i can only take so much in my lifetime.

you've got me even more fired up about this, i'll work on the prologue in-between periods of writing TCS's update. it's not 100% decided which setting it will be based on or if it will be the mixture of SoC and SaB like in the netflix adaptation but the former is winning by a large margin in the polls 👀

[whoslaurapalmer]

shadow and bone s2 ep8

well all that sure happened, didn't it

-don't at ALL know how i feel about kaz giving nikolai his cane -there are plenty of times kaz walks without it but. idk

-oh i need to talk about wylan. -good for this actor but also. is this.........wylan -wylan is nervous but is he nervous like that??

-'there is no redemption.' yes thank you -i do not remember how the darkling dies in the books it's been a while but i really liked it here

-so does nikolai get away without getting yoinked. oh no he did! alright.

-the thing is. alina SHOULD lose her powers. like i LIKED that ending. it's important bc of the lust for power, bc at the end of the day alina was alina, first and foremost, and there is a cost to everything. the image of her putting her fingers in sunbeams years later is so powerful -OH BUT NOW SHE'S GOT????? SHADOW POWERS?????? AH. I SEE. -MMM. -honestly. an interesting development, i will give you that. that the cost here is her powers swapping

-but mal WAS always more!!! mal was always mal, too!!!!! -but them wanting to know if it's destiny or choice with them, i can respect that, honestly

-YOU KNOW WHAT ALSO BTW. ADRIK CAN SUMMON WITH ONE ARM. HE DIDN'T NEED ANOTHER ARM. MMMMMM

-BUT. KAZ LOOKING FOR INEJ'S PARENTS AND FINDING THEM AND. EVERYTHING. IS THE MOST GORGEOUS ENDING IN CROOKED KINGDOM. IT'S BEAUTIFUL. -THIS? THIS AIN'T IT -said it before i'll say it again. inej didn't need a brother. at all. it doesn't even really parallel jordie bc it's not necessary. it's not needed. at all. for her story to work out, for her and kaz

-we need. way more of kaz and inej quite frankly for this vibe here

-tamar and nadia literally get. two moments. is that not exactly how much they get in the books, too? like there's not really any build up there, if i remember??? you HAD THE SPACE FOR MORE OF THEM HERE TOO YOU KNOW!! GOD!!!!!!

-inej gets on THEIR ship???? not her OWN ship???? it being HER SHIP that KAZ BOUGHT HER was, you know, IMPORTANT

-OH EVERYONE'S JUST GETTING BEEF WITH PEKKA NOW!!!!!!!!!!!! -I WILL KILL A MAN

-THE APPARAT???????????????????????? sigh.

-zoya literally saying 'i could fix him' about nikolai i'm screaming. i do not know if it's in a good way or not -this girl squad though. i'm living for it

-zoya babygirl that crown should be yours though i tell you what

-just. uh. throwing in parem here. really. i see. uh-huh. you just decided to throw that one in last second. -that's an awful lot of blood. yikes fuck off

-kaz and nina and jesper and wylan literally. dregs of the dregs here

-s1 was definitely carried by the crows but s2. i was more interested in alina and mal and i think what they did in spots was really interesting and a good change -but the crows here. it did NOT work out. -not at all. not at all

[saprophetic]

crow anon again. and oh no i know, it's ok, i don't think you've done anything wrong and if at any point i make you uncomfortable it's ok to not answer, also

i can't really articulate well right now but

i was going to say, my issue with crow is an issue with bungie i think because it's like, it is funny they made a character who can't stand guardians a guardian, but it feels like, basically a shitty redemption arc? where they just don't acknowledge the harm that uldren did, and they act like other characters are just misunderstanding when like, crow wears uldren's face. he looks like uldren, and people will assume he is, even if he isn't

i think i just feel like it's bad writing to have done that? to take a character who was terrible, kill him, and then bring him back as a hero who doesn't remember being himself, and then expect everyone- fans and characters in universe both- to accept the idea that he's not the other character, even though he's in the other character's body

with "redemption arcs" i always feel like, the character has to have fought against what was making them do bad things, and always have inherently chosen good over evil, and accept the fact that people may not forgive them. and i don't feel like that's the way bungie has handled this, even though i know uldren was always in conflict with his sister i don't feel like he... made good choices. obviously

my brain is messed up so it's hard to talk, if this isn't coherent enough i can come back if you need

i'm also not trying to argue any particular point, i just want to talk about destiny asggkghfjj

SORRY I JUST REMEMBERED THIS. so like what made me remember this is that i was talking to someone about how like. like.

crow isn’t a redemption arc. uldren doesn’t need or deserve a redemption arc. crow is a second chance to be someone entirely different who is informed by but not beholden to who uldren was.

i also do like. 100% believe that crow Is Going To Find Out about uldren sometime, very likely soon. and honestly i think that crow is going to have to come to terms with exactly who uldren was, what uldren did, and that he’s going to decide that he wants to be better. hell, he’s already decided he wants to do better, and that’s without even knowing the specifics. that still won’t be a redemption arc tho in my opinion.

you’re absolutely correct about what redemption arcs need to be, and i firmly believe that uldren would never have been able to have one. i don’t think that uldren would have been able to recognize the things he did as wrong even if he wasn’t literally having a psychotic break at the time of his death.

it also just.... really really rings hollow, to me. the idea of crow being a redemption arc just... doesn’t fit. uldren was a really good antagonist. not all antagonists need redemption arcs. honestly i think it’s a mark of a good antagonist that they work better without!!! i really really like uldren but he was never actually going to be a good person. he couldn’t! not with the way he was, the way his life was. he was a rich, snotty jackass who thought he was better than everyone else who had a deeply unhealthy codependent relationship with a sister who admitted to manipulating him for millennia. uldren was never going to be a good person, he was never going to get a redemption arc.

and i LOVE that about him.

crow is interesting to me because he’s not uldren’s redemption. aside from the trauma crow faces because of uldren’s actions (and my own headcanons about the way that mental health is from previous life to after being risen) uldren really doesn’t have anything to do with crow. and that goes both ways. they’re two entirely different people who are narrative foils, but beyond that they just... it’s just really interesting to me!! and i feel like it does both characters a disservice to act like crow is just uldren’s redemption.

[forever-andablade]

This is worth a reply because I've actually seen you in specific being condescending to people asking about Mara Sov's lore. Case and point, you stating I should go watch YouTube to catch up on lore when one second through my blog would tell you I very clearly do have a decent grasp on the lore. I however also understand you being annoyed if you really have had to preface your liking of Mara repeatedly because that would be annoying to me as well. As I stated originally, it's totally fine in my opinion to like a "villian". If people have been hounding you non-stop about it, then I sincerely apologize because that's just as ridiculous. But strangely enough, what I have seen the most of, is Mara Sov stans, and yes they are stans, attacking other people and whining. This happened during Forsaken as well but I was hoping that perhaps we had all grown out of that place. Clearly not.

Perhaps it's because in the Tumblr community at least, people that like Mara seem to be a minority. I don't know many that genuinely love her, even if they like how she is written. Again, my main issue is with people being downright rude and condescending to others all over a fictional character and like I said above, it's to the point where people can't even ask about the lore without someone attacking them for either being ignorant or simply not liking that specific character or thing. I could make a post about the Cayde stans too who are just as annoying. I love Cayde but had that tag blacklisted after Forsaken because it got so bad.

What I do take issue with however is blatantly lying about what I said on my own post. I never once stated that Mara herself hasn't admitted her own flaws. She certainly has, especially in this season(I do have the pass). But if you had read my post without an already defensive bias, you maybe could have noticed that I specifically said, "She's an asshole and clearly has no intention to change."

I'm not sure how far into this season's story you are but if you are reading the lore cards we receive from the H.E.L.M computer, you would see she does have no INTENTION to change, at least not in any way that we, the player, has seen yet. Even the cutscene after acquiring Ager's Specter shows she has the same mentality of entitled ownership that she's always had. I understand wanting her brother back, irregardless of how disgustingly cruel she had been to Uldren, he's still her twin brother. Of course she wants him back. But then she immediately flat out said in our faces, that she was mad because even though she helped orchestrate his descent into madness, that she was upset because she couldn't wield him as her own personal weapon.

Now she's verbally attacking us again, following this cutscene up by vaguely threatening us if anything happens to Crow which is absolutely laughable. She gets in Ikora's face, as if Uldren's corruption had anything to do with the Vanguard and Ikora tastefully explains that right to her. Again, all of this is fine and as I said originally, maybe they will give her a redemption arc. And even if they don't, she's still an incredible character. I agree with you that no other character seems to bring on as much heat as Mara Sov, except maybe Cayde.

So with these things being discussed, go ahead and like her? No one can stop you from doing so? You legitimately don't need to explain yourself. Not to me and not to any other clown on Tumblr. You're completely free to love her character and hopefully, enjoy it in your own way, because that's at the end of the day what we all like to do.

But don't come here pretending you and other people haven't been lashing out because the majority simply doesn't agree with you. You can enjoy her as a character without freaking out constantly because people are mean to her. It's unfortunate that the tagging system is so poor and that most people don't tag things properly but alas, that's Tumblr. And as for the name-calling, if people didn't constantly lash out over ANY judgments towards Mara, maybe people wouldn't assume you all have have unhealthy attachment to a fictional character.

And ah... The Oryx argument. It's weird to me how many people consider Oryx and Mara to be similar. Mara led and yes, led, her people to be slaughtered so she could gain more power. Oryx brought his people from the brink of genocide and made them a powerhouse throughout the universe. Him and Mara stand on opposite spectrums if anything. Was Oryx wrong to do the things he did? Absolutely. He destroyed hundreds of planets for the Darkness and would have continued had we not been able to stop him. I've never seen people "simping" for Oryx and completely ignoring the destructive nature of his rule or of the Hive. That's only something Mara Sov and Cayde fans seem to do. I'm not saying it doesn't happen obviously, just that I've never personally seen it.

Again thought, I reiterate, it's lame that you feel so attacked that you need to be purposely rude to others but it's pretty easy to just block people you don't want to see and to scroll past posts you don't like. That must make me seem like a hypocrite but I've been in this fandom since 2016 and I've seen every take you could possibly think of. And it's only ever you die hard fans or die hard pvp players that seem to scream the loudest. You're totally fine to like Mara Sov but you guys don't need to be so furiously defensive over it. If someone else doesn't like her, what does it matter to you? If someone is being a dick to you, there's a fucking block button. Maybe utilize it before being rude to other people for having a different opinion than you. By the way too, that's what makes people call you "stans", "simps," and yes, "toe suckers". Because you're so vehemently defensive about it that having a real discussion isn't worth the effort 🤷‍♀️

Ah, goodbye Destiny 2 tag, I will see you when Witch Queen rolls around. We are immediately back to attacking one another over Mara Sov again and I'm not sitting through 6 months of whining. I'd honestly rather die than listen to people suck her toes 😂

You can 100% like Mara Sov. She's written incredibly well. Doesn't change the fact that she's an asshole and has shown she's pretty much fine to continue acting that way. Again, this is totally okay. If you like her, cool. But at least accept her faults instead of pretending she's God's gift to Destiny. There's nothing wrong with liking a well written villain or anti-hero. Maybe they will give her a "redemption" arc but for right now, most people don't like her because she's cruel, arrogant, and has a massive God complex. Oh, and she's a huge dick to us specifically, the player, constantly. For things entirely out of our control.

All in all, it boils down to you admiring something about her and taking it as a personal attack when someone dislikes her. So maybe it's you that needs to take a break from the game. Harassing people and being rude to them because they don't like your problematic fav is so ridiculous. Like, are you really surprised people don't like her? And if you aren't surprised, why try to bully people in the tags unless you're absolutely trying to be seen as a cunt? Especially if they are new and asking about the lore. Just doesn't make sense to me.

Tldr: Mara Sov stans are back in full force. I think Mara's written great but it doesn't change the fact she's an asshole. The stans, in turn, can't admit that so they have to attack others which is just pathetic.