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theidiotwhowritesthings · 2 years ago

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The Color of Blood

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Warnings: canon violence, mentions of blood, cursing

Word Count: 2,608

Summary: In this world, a person didn’t discover color until they locked eyes with their soulmate. As an agent of SHIELD, finding your soulmate was hardly a priority. Especially since you were currently dealing with the shocking discovery that HYDRA had been pulling the strings behind SHIELD actions this entire time. Life was all about timing, and you were about to find out that your timing was absolute shit.

You shifted in the seat uncomfortably. Natasha, to your right, shot you an apologetic look, but it was hardly sincere considering the smirk she wore. You had drawn the short straw, so you were sitting bitch between her and Agent Sitwell. More like Agent Judas. You were still in shock that an organization you had dedicated most of your life to had actually been HYDRA infested this entire time. Of all the missions you ran, you wondered how many had been fueled by HYDRA’s goals and desires. It physically hurt your heart to linger on that thought.

“HYDRA doesn’t like leaks.” Sitwell snapped as he leaned towards where Sam was driving. His thigh pressed up against yours and you were not discreet in shoving him off you.

Sam shook his head, eyes on the road, “Then why don’t you try sticking a cork in it?”

“Insight’s launching in 16 hours.” Natasha chimed in and you glanced down at the watch on your wrist.

You bit back an aggravated groan, “As per usual, we’re cutting this save the world thing kind of close.”

“That does seem to be our style.” Natasha hummed from beside you.

Steve glanced back with a nod, “We’re gonna use Sitwell to bypass the DNA scanners and access the helicarriers directly.��

“What?!” Sitwell shoved forward and you had to physically resist throwing his limb off of you. “Are you crazy!? That is a terrible idea.”

“Look, Sitwell--” You snapped in anger, but the low thud of something hitting the roof of the car made you pause as everyone’s eyes shot up. Seconds later an arm smashed through the backseat window, grabbed Sitwell, and ripped him out of the car. You turned just in time to watch a large truck smash into the man. The arm disappeared from view and you heard the familiar sound of a gun. “Nat!”

Your old friend was already ahead of you. She leapt forward, into Steve’s lap, as a bullet fired down into the backseat to your right. Natasha called out your name, but just like her you were already moving. You reached up front grabbing Sam’s shoulder. A bullet fired toward Steve, Natasha yanking him forward and out of the way, and another was fired at Sam, but you were able yank him to the side so it hit the headrest.

Steve reached out and slammed the emergency break bringing the car to a screeching halt. Natasha rolled off Steve onto the floorboard and your own head slammed forward into the edge of the seat. It caused you to bite down on your lip hard, and when you brought your finger to your mouth a warm liquid coated your fingers.

People told you blood was red, and you weren’t entirely sure what that meant, it wasn’t something you could picture, but the shade of gray on your fingers was immensely familiar to you. Over the years, you had become well-versed in that particular shade of gray.

All eyes looked forward as the man on the roof, who had flown off, managed to flip over and land with ease. His metal fingers digging into the asphalt bringing up bright sparks. He slowly stood up, and you only hesitated for a second before pulling your gun out of your holster and aiming it forward. Before you, or Natasha, could get a single round out, something slammed into the back of the car forcing you forward again as glass exploded behind you.

“Fuck!” You barked in both jarring surprise and pain. You managed to keep your hand on your weapon as the car slid forward, but the Winter Soldier leapt from the road and landed back on top of the car. Sam slammed on the brakes, but it only filled the air with the sound of squealing tires since the men behind you were still ramming into your car. You turned and fired a round of shots, but not a single one pierced the bullet proof glass.

When you turned to reload, you watched as a metal hand crashed through the windshield, grabbed the steering wheel, and ripped it out. Sam leaned back in surprise and barked, “Shit!”

Natasha, who got a hand on her weapon again, fired rounds into the roof while you struggled to get a new clip into your gun. The Winter Soldier jumped off the roof and onto the front of the car behind you. Finally reloaded, you began to turn so you could fire, but the truck slammed into the car again and suddenly the car spun sharply to the side.

It was going to flip.

Steve realized this the same second you did, and he caught you off guard when he reached into the backseat, his fist tightly bunched into your shirt, and ripped you into the front seat.

“Hang on!” He yelled and the next moments were a blur. The kind of blur you assumed only a super solider would be able to follow. One moment you were in the car, and the next you were lying on Steve’s chest, beside Natasha, with Sam pressed on top of you. Sparks flew around the group of you as the car continued to roll, while the car door slid along the road. It all happened in seconds, and it couldn’t last. Sam slipped off first, rolling off to the side, and you were the next to fall off while Steve and Natasha continued to careen down the road.

Your body slammed into asphalt hard and the world around you spun a few times as you rolled along the hard surface. When you finally stopped it took a second to catch your breath and gather your bearings. Despite the pain, you pushed yourself to stand. Sam was off to the side, in good enough condition, and hiding behind a car. Up ahead were Steve and Natasha.

The truck stopped and you watched in shock as the Winter Soldier was handed a grenade launcher. A curse was half out of your mouth as you realized you had lost your gun in the fray and the Soldier fired his own weapon. Steve threw his shield up in time, but it hit him dead on and sent him flying back. Steve clipped the hood of a car, flipped over, and then disappeared off the side of the bridge.

Natasha’s eyes caught yours and you nodded once. Years of working together meant words often weren’t needed. She’d be on the bridge with Sam, you needed to cover Steve. Gunfire filled the air as you sprinted to the side of the bridge and jumped. When your feet left the concrete, you fired a zipline from the gauntlet on your wrist that dug into the concrete and rappelled you down just slow enough that you didn’t end up a smudge on the ground.

Steve had been thrown into a bus that now sat on its side. You unclipped the used cord and sprinted to the front of the bus. Screaming and gunfire still filled the air and you helped a few people near the front of the bus out of the vehicle while telling them to run to safety.

“Steve!” You yelled and ducked under the broken glass to get into the bus. You spotted the blond lying on his back slowly shifting up and made your way toward him. Each person you passed you dragged up and told them to run. “Steve!”

You grabbed his shoulder and helped him sit up. He grunted in pain, “Nat and Sam?”

“On the bridge, last I saw.” You replied. “Shield?”

“Lost it on the road.” Steve motioned to the front of the bus, “Get out. Get everyone on the street to safety. Now.”

You didn’t need to be told twice. You turned and climbed out of the bus back onto the street. A familiar face ran past you on the other side of the street ducking behind cars. Natasha. That meant Sam was up there alone? You didn’t have time to linger on the thought. You ran forward and began to herd civilians out of crashed cars and down the street. The slamming of another car made you glance back to see the Winter Soldier land harshly on the roof of a car under the bridge.

Bad sign. Very bad sign.

Heavy artillery fire echoed behind you and you moved even quicker. As you sprinted down the street looking for Natasha with the Winter Soldier slowly stalking down the road towards the two of you, you spotted a small group of people huddled behind a car off to the side. You veered off the road to them.

“You can’t stay here, it isn’t safe.” You barked and began to drag them down the sidewalk. A car exploded into a ball of fire behind you. Shit, he was close. You ripped your jacket off, wrapping it around your arm quickly, and then slammed your elbow into the glass on a storefront door so it shattered. You reached in to unlock it, then herded the people inside, “Get all the way to the back and stay hidden!”

You dropped your jacket and didn’t bother picking it back up. Instead, you took off again knowing Natasha would be facing the Soldier alone if you didn’t get there in time. As you sprinted around the corner you spotted Natasha jump onto the Winter Soldier’s shoulders. She used a cord to try and choke him out, but his arm stopped the move entirely. You ran in, without hesitation, and slammed into the Soldier’s back with a grunt in hopes it would jar him enough that Natasha could get a grip. She managed to tighten the hold just a bit, but a thick leg kicked out, backwards, and the asset’s boot slammed into your chest sending you sprawling back and into the side of a car.

With a cry of pain, you fell forward onto your chest. You desperately sucked in a sharp breath, trying to regain the air you lost, and as you shifted to try and get up you felt your entire body ache. The ribs on your right side were broken, you recognized that pain. Natasha must have gotten thrown off too, she was across the road, and she gave you the signal to retreat before throwing a widow bite onto the Soldier’s arm.

Despite the pain, you sprinted toward her and as the Winter Soldier slumped over to try and regain control of his arm, you and her ran down the side road. This one was still crowded with people who were too panicked to listen when you told them to get the hell out of the way. Luckily for them, unlucky for you, it seemed the asset’s main focus was on the two of you.

A shot rang through the air and Natasha cried out in pain while stumbling forward. You cursed and grabbed her, pulling her behind a car, while she tried to refocus through the pain. A through and through bullet wound. Right shoulder. “Shit.” You mumbled again and pressed down on top of her hand that was already on her wound. That same familiar shade of gray leaked over both of your hands. “It’s bleeding too much.”

“Get the hell out of here.” Natasha hissed.

“No.” You snapped. “Not without you.”

She whipped around to look over her shoulder in panic, and when you followed her gaze you watched as Steve sprinted out of nowhere to attack the Winter Soldier. The metal arm punched out against the shield, like the ringing of a gong, and you breathed a quick sigh of relief.

“We gotta go. While Steve has him distracted.” You looped her arm around your shoulders and began to drag her away. Natasha began to complain through grunts of pain, but you didn’t slow down or argue with her. In a matter-of-fact tone, you spoke, “I’m getting you to a safe spot and then I’ll help Steve.”

You got her to cover behind a van, and ignoring her yelling after you, ran back out to where you had left Steve. When you got back, Steve was just standing there. The Winter Soldier stood between the two of you, facing Steve, but all you could see was the look of disbelief on your friend’s face.

What the hell was going on?

Why had the fight stopped?

The Soldier raised his gun again, Steve was still frozen, but you only got another step forward when Sam dropped from the air from your right and kicked both his feet into the asset. The Winter Solider went careening to the side as Sam landed. Now you had him surrounded, Steve to his right, Sam in front of him, and you to his left. You stepped forward with arms ready for a fight. Did you think you could come out of a tussle with the Winter Soldier alive? Absolutely not. But, you could keep him from escaping past you while the others closed in.

Sirens could be heard in the distance, the asset stood back up from where he had fallen and you realized now you could see his face. He no longer had the mask on, and he was… vaguely familiar? Where had you seen that face before? Before you could ponder a second longer on that, his glaring eyes dragged from Steve to Sam and then from Sam to you. The moment your eyes met his though, it felt like your world had fallen out from under you.

Shades of gray and black turned brighter and with every blink something new flooded your senses. It was too much all at once. Your once bleak world exploded with color and you sucked in a sharp breath as your arms fell to your side. In fact, you were so distracted by the vivid scenery around you that it took you a few moments to realize the cause of this had been the Winter Soldier. HYDRA’s number one asset. The man who had been trying to violently murder all of you less than thirty seconds ago.

If the Soldier was surprised, you didn’t see it. He suddenly lunged to the left just as something hit the car behind him sending it up in flames. A grenade. You had been just a bit too close and the force of it sent you sprawling back. The back of your skull bounced off the asphalt and suddenly the oh so colorful world seemed to be spinning. Dazed, you stared up at the sky.

The blue sky.

Your hand reached back to touch the warmth dripping from your head and when you shakily brought you hand back into view, blood coated the fingers. Red blood. Oh.

So, that’s what red looked like.

Still stunned from the blow, you struggled to sit up, but you were only a few inches up off the ground when someone grabbed you and threw you over their shoulder. The movement made your world spin again and you groaned out in pain as you hung limply over the broad shoulder that was now carrying you. You heard your name being called out, but sounds were beginning to grow dim. Replaced with ringing.

“Steve?” You mumbled in hopes. He had broad shoulders. Maybe he was the one carrying you away. You blinked your blurry eyes a few times as they briefly came into focus as you stared at the back of the person carrying you. Black leather. Steve hadn’t been wearing black leather. The ringing grew louder as your eyes fluttered close. Your entire world went black before you could connect the dots on what was happening.

[next chapter]

#marvel #bucky barnes #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes x reader #winter soldier #winter soldier x you #winter soldier x reader #steve rogers #sam wilson #natasha romanoff #soulmate au

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amythedvdhoarder · 5 years ago

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Protection - Part 8

Pairing: Bucky x Reader

Chapter Summary: Bucky cannot bear that Y/N was hurt because of him. He has to find a way to keep her safe. Forever

Warnings: Swearing, fluff, injury detail and a lot of angst.

Word count: 2.8K

Author’s note: Gif not mine. Thank you so much to everyone following this story, it means the world to me. This chapter was so difficult to write, eeek the angst. 2 more chapters and an epilogue to go! As always, if you have any requests or would like to be added to the taglist just send me an ask.

series masterlist

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None of you expected this. Everything was quiet. There was no sudden downpour of bullets, no one tried to attack you, in fact there was no signs that anyone was here. As you walked forward you kept your gun raised, your training telling you to hope for the best but plan for the worst. “You guys see any signs of life?” Sam’s voice rang out through the earpiece. “Absolutely nothing. Steve’s bike and the remains of his phone were outside. He has definitely been here.” You replied “we need to search everywhere thoroughly.” You and Bucky took the ground floor and Sam and Nat went upstairs. Working methodically, you checked each room, scanning for any indication that Steve had been there. Edging towards the final room, you were starting to give up hope. Bucky went ahead of you carefully studying the kitchen, as you followed behind him repeating his actions. “Buck, look at these marks on the floor.” He bent to the floor and ran his hands over some scuffs on the stonework, fingers catching on a handle of sorts. “Trapdoor to a basement, better get down here.”

Having scanned over the surrounding areas, Tony came inside and met you all. “Ready?” Bucky questioned as his hand hovered over the handle. You all nodded, guns trained on the opening as Bucky lifted the hatch. Steep steps led downwards with a faint light glowing below. A vast network of corridors lay in front of you, it must have covered the area of the entire farm. “I don’t like this” Tony breathed. “We’re going to have to split up again. Y/N and Barnes take the left, I’ll take the middle, Nat and Sam take the right.” All of you nodded and began the search again. You felt like you had walking for ages down the narrow corridors, the only sound that could be heard was yours and Bucky’s breathing. So far you had found nothing, maybe Steve had been taken somewhere else? At the next door along the corridor Bucky suddenly signalled at you to stop. He placed his ear to the door and listened carefully, he looked at you, brows furrowed together. Bucky shifted back, raised his gun and sent his foot crashing into the door, forcing it open.

The room was huge, a single strip light cast a clinical glow. A solitary metal chair in the middle of the room, a table placed to one side, covered with what looked to be medical instruments on. A pile of rags lay on the floor next to the chair, some dark red stains on the floor around it. Your breath caught in your throat as you realised what this room had been used for. There was the iron stench of blood in the air. Stood in the corner of the room was Zemo. He looked calm, there was no sign of nervousness, in fact he looked devoid of emotion. Bucky pointed his gun straight at him. You walked further into the room, the smell seemed to be getting stronger as you approached the pile on the floor. Your gun clattered to the floor, eyes widened as you realised what was in front of you. “We’ve found Steve, I need an evac now” You barely recognized your voice as you spoke, it was shaky and quiet, as you leant forward to check for a pulse.

You could feel a weak pulse underneath your fingers which were carefully placed on the artery in his neck. It was taking every ounce of yourself control to stop you from panicking. You had to focus for Steve’s sake. His breathing was shallow. You could feel Bucky’s eyes watching you as you continued your assessment of his best friend. As you gingerly rolled his unconscious body, you couldn’t see a patch of his face that wasn’t black or blue. His eyes were swollen shut and his nose clearly broken. Scanning over the rest of his body you could see his uniform had been cut in countless places, blood had congealed at these sites hinting at the deep wounds you suspected lay underneath. He looked like he had been attacked by a pack of wild animals. His limbs spread out at awkward angles told you he had broken several bones; super soldier healing meant some of these had likely set back in the wrong place, meaning many of these would have to be broken and reset. There was nothing you could do for him here; he needed Dr Cho and Bruce.

Your head snapped to the door as you heard Tony enter, quickly followed by Sam and Nat. He looked at you, he could tell by the look on your face that it wasn’t good. Bucky’s eyes were filled with rage and you could tell he was close to losing it. His knuckles were white; you were surprised the gun in his hand hadn’t shattered under his grip. Tony walked over to you. “Can’t get a signal down here, we are going to have to carry him out. Carefully” You nodded. Sam and Tony started to shift Steve and pick him up, a cry of pain to escape Steve’s unconscious lips. Bucky’s gun thudded to the floor as he exploded launching himself at Zemo. “You fucking bastard” he screamed as he aimed vicious punches. Tony and Sam hurried to get Steve out of the way leaving you at Nat to try and get some semblance of control over Bucky. You tried to pull Bucky off Zemo but he wasn’t having it, he was wild with rage. It consumed him. Nat helped you as again you tried to pull him back. Both of you combined managed it but he was still fighting against you, all muscles tensed and breathing ragged.

Zemo slowly sat up, spat some blood from his mouth as his eyes fell on the sight before him, a smirk forming on his lips as he began to laugh. It was taking all of your energy to prevent Bucky from propelling himself at Zemo again. “I’m coming for all of you so called Avengers. I will succeed in tearing you apart one by one.” Bucky incensed at this doubled his efforts to try and escape your grip. “Bucky stop, he’s not worth it. Steve needs you. YOU NEED TO STOP” You shouted out the last words, which finally got through and Bucky stopped struggling and looked up at you. He wanted to kill Zemo then and there. But as you rubbed your hand up and down his arm slowly, pleading at him with your eyes he seemed to calm down a little. He gaze went back to Zemo who was now cackling to himself again. “Bucky, we need to get Steve back to New York. Can you control yourself for Steve? Please?” Your said softly and thankfully Bucky nodded. You shot Nat a quick glance and let go of him. Nat went over to Zemo, placed some cuffs around his wrists, her Glock aimed at his head as she dragged him to his feet. She started to walk him out of the room as you pulled Bucky up. Your hand lingered on his, rubbing your thumb delicately over the swelling knuckles. He lifted his head up letting out a pained sigh. You could see he was still livid, you were too but there was something else in his eyes. Something you couldn’t identify and it worried you. Dropping his hand from yours, he collected his gun from where it had fallen and both of you silently followed Nat back towards the exit.

Tony’s voice came through as crackle as you began climbing the stairs. “Cap’s stable but he needs Dr Cho.” About a 100m from the jet you heard engines fire up as you edged nearer, assuming it was Tony getting ready for take-off. It wasn’t. A helicopter appeared over the horizon, approaching quickly. You could see large guns stuck out of the open side of the military style vehicle. Zemo turned back to face you all, standing between you and the jet. Nat’s lowered her gun and Zemo smiled at you all. “The remnants of the Sokovian death squad.” As if on que, bullets started raining down behind where you stood. Bucky started firing at the helicopter which was getting ever closer to where you were positioned. In the chaos of it all Zemo bolted, Nat fired after him. Zemo staggered as he took a bullet to the leg, slowing him down as he headed for clearing where the helicopter was starting to land. “Get to the jet” Bucky yelled at you and Nat over the deafening sound of the rotary blades. The three of you sprinted towards the jet, you wanted to go after Zemo but you had to let him go. You were outgunned, Steve needed urgent help. Zemo could wait, his punishment was coming.

Immediately after you stepped onto the jet, the doors closed behind you and it took off. Apart from Tony, everyone was gathered around Steve. Due to his injuries it was difficult to recognise him, the only give away was the rags of the uniform he was still wearing. Nat pulled the scanner over him. Sam had already given him some pain killers and a sedative when they had got Steve back to the jet. As you had previously suspected, the scans showed he had a couple of bad breaks that were healing in the wrong position. “We need to break his arm and reset it” Nat whispered to you all. Your shook your head, not wanting to believe what you were going to have to do to your friend. “I’ll do it” you turned to look at Bucky, his eyes clouded with emotions but his voice calm. “Sam, Y/N hold him steady.”As you and Sam got into position, Bucky’s metal arm moved towards the spot Nat indicated, he used his thumb and forefinger to snap the bone. The sound made you feel nauseous, but Nat quickly corrected its position and let out a relieved sigh. Bucky walked away and wrapped himself into a ball in the corner, his eyes trained to the floor as he listened to the bleeping of the machine monitoring his best friend.

You and Sam worked on cutting away Steve’s uniform so you could start cleaning the cuts that adorned his body; you had a long flight back and wanted to reduce the chance of infection. It took hours to do this thoroughly. No normal human would have been able to survive the horrors Steve had been subjected to at the hands of Zemo. Bucky didn’t move, his eyes flicked up to Steve’s motionless body every now and again but he refused to make eye contact with you as you handed him some water. You left him alone, not wanting to intrude, opting to stay with Sam by Steve’s side. The rest of the flight passed with an uncomfortable silence, broken only by you and Sam quietly giving Steve words of reassurance. Bruce and Doctor Cho were on the flight deck as you landed. They thanked you for the work you had done starting Steve’s treatment as they quickly took over.

You followed the medical team as they rushed Steve through to a private suite. You sat on a chair in the corridor, not fully aware of what or who was around you. Images of Steve looking broken ran on loop through your head. The horror movie in your head momentarily paused as you heard your name being called from a distance. You glanced up to see a doctor stood along the corridor beckoning you to an examination room. You knew you hadn’t been injured but couldn’t find the energy to argue with her as went to her and sat on the bed as directed. You relaxed slightly as she chatted away to you, you ignored her and let your thoughts take over. The next few days were going to be tough and you knew Bucky was going to need you, not that you minded. The doctor tapped you on the shoulder breaking you out of your trance, giving you the all clear and letting you leave. You walked through the doors to join the others, waiting on news about Steve’s condition. Sam smiled at you but you didn’t return it, instead you raised an eyebrow in question. “Where’s Bucky?” Sam’s forehead creased in confusion “I thought he was with you? He isn’t in with Steve.” It was weird, Bucky should have been there, he would’ve wanted to be there? “I’m going to go and check his room, maybe he went to grab a quick shower?” Sam nodded at you and you set off down the corridor towards the elevator.

You didn’t bother knocking as you reached his room, you could hear him pacing around. His eyes widened as his head snapped up to look at you, his mouth open in shock. “Bucky what’s going on?” you tried to keep your voice calm but you couldn’t mask the panic as you pointed to the rucksack on his bed. He was packing. “Shit, Y/N” He moved, zipped up the bag pulled it onto his shoulder. “Bucky, you better tell me what you’re doing right now.” He stepped towards the door and you planted yourself in the doorway blocking his exit, your body beginning to tremble. “I’m going after Zemo.”

Questions ran through your head; if you hadn’t have come to find him would he have left without saying goodbye? “What happened to us being a team James?” Bucky flinched at the sound of his own name, it felt foreign coming from your lips, you never called him James. He had thought about this carefully on the way back from Poland. Zemo posed a threat to you, to everyone. Bucky knew his past would help him find and kill Zemo. If he took you with him he couldn’t guarantee your safety. Leaving you behind seemed like the only sensible option. The team would take care of you, you would be safe with them. He knew you would try to stop him from leaving, so when you all got off the jet he resisted his instinct to follow you to the med-bay. He wanted to be long gone before you even noticed his absence. The thought of leaving you was tearing his heart in two, he loved you so much but the idea of Zemo getting to you was too much to bear. You weren’t a super soldier, Steve had been lucky to survive his ordeal with Zemo. He didn’t want to imagine you being tortured, maimed and possibly killed by that monster. It was his job to protect you. He looked at your stubborn gaze and knew what he had to do.

“Y/N I lied to you. I just wanted to sleep with you, I don’t love you.” He paused as he saw you visibly flinch. “I’m going after Zemo alone, I don’t want anyone’s help, especially yours.” His words cut into you, tears began to fill your eyes. A searing anger began to fill your chest. “That’s not true. No one has ever looked at me the way you do, touched me the way you do. People don’t act the way you have over the last few days, heck months if they aren’t in love. You’re just scared” Hot tears began to fall down your cheeks. “I’ll come with you, we can find him together” your voice cracked with emotion as you pleaded with him. “You’d only slow me down Y/N. I got what I wanted from you. You’re of no further use to me” he sneered at you. You shook your head, you lip quivering as he stepped closer. You used the back of your hand and tried to wipe the tears out of your eyes so you could look at him clearly. His eyes were cold, his whole demeanour changed. You didn’t recognise the man in front of you. He placed his hands on your shoulders, too stunned to fight him, you let him pull you into the room and effectively swap places with you. He stood at the door and faced you “don’t bother looking for me Y/N, you won’t find me.”

With that he walked away. You collapsed onto your knees where he had left you, sobs wracking through your entire body. He could hear; you screamed out his name begging him to come back to you. His own eyes filled with tears, as he forced himself to leave you behind. Every cell in his body was telling him to turn around and wrap you in his arms, but he had to do this, it was the only way to ensure you were safe. Hurting you ensured you wouldn’t follow or try to find him. He hated himself for having to do this to you but he couldn’t see any other option. As he reached the garage and climbed onto his motorbike your final words rang through his head. “You promised me forever!”

taglist: @broco8

#bucky x reader #bucky barnes x reader #bucky #bucky barnes #bucky imagine #bucky fluff #bucky angst #avengers #marvel #bucky barnes fanfic #bucky fanfic

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bard-of-worlds · 5 years ago

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Darkening Dawn Chapter 3

Lilith walked out of the bathroom of the room in the hotel she checked into dressed in a bathrobe, her hair flowing down her back, having finished a shower before she would order a meal. Her target was at the region’s Professors lab and after the excitement earlier she had slipped away to rest and finalizes her plans. She had released her Pokémon to feed them, taken her clothes from her one of her Item Cubes and was currently deciding on what to wear when she meets up with the prince.

“Nido nid rina.” Her Nidorina said as she bumped her legs as her other Pokémon looked up from their bowls as she sat on the rooms bed.

“Don’t worry girls I order something in a few minutes. I’m still worried about the seals on the ‘Prince’. I mean I wasn’t able to see much from so far away and I will be the first one to say I don’t know much on the subject. But if they weren’t a prototype, then who or what was the experimental subject.” Lilith wondered as her Pokémon adopted looks of concern.

“Yeah I know where would they get a test subject like the prince but that’s only if they care if he survived. These are the Crusaders we’re talking about but really, are they that dedicated to protecting humanity?” Lilith said as she and team exchanged looks of concern she sighed and she shook her head.

“Come on girls let’s stop with all the doom talk. Let’s see what’s on the local news channel, maybe they’ll have the Baccer results, and then I’ll order something.” Lilith said as she reached for the remote control. she turned the room’s tv on and changed the channel…TO HER PRINCE ON THE NEWS FOR SAVING A POKEMON BY RISKING HIS LIFE?!? Lilith just starred in shock, not moving a single inch or reacting before her Nidorina bumped the bed and she exploded.

“TWO HOURS! I LEFT HIM FOR JUST TWO HOURS! How can he get into something where he risked his life how, just how?” Lilith said as she hugged her legs to her chest as she rocked back and forth on the bed. She perked up when she felt something rub against her legs, looking up she saw her Liepard on the bed while her Nidorina looked at her from the floor with her Skorupi on her, both given her a look of worry. Reaching she scratched her Liepard under her chin and sighed.

“I’m good girls. Teacher said the boss was quite the dare devil when they were teens, so I guess the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Once I find a way to make contact with the prince, get a feel on where he’s going and what to use as a cover for being here in the region. I’d bet you gals would like it if we hit a few of the contests around here, hu?” She smiled when she saw her Pokémon smile and start to cheer, back home their teacher had sent them into the Contests to teach her humility, she had learned that and taken to the arts of training Pokémon to use their moves differently like a bat to the night. Her Nidorina had even evolved during one contest battle, scoring them the trophy! Hearing a beep from her phone she smiled as she connected it to her laptop, she had the prince’s history of his journey now, all the competitions he had ever been in, now all she had to do was find a style to hit Kalos with and she was golden. Looking through the data she smiled, a way to have heard of him and maybe a reason to have come here, just what she needed.

“Well girls get ready to the Lovely Lilith is back on the circuit! So lets’ eat girls, tomorrow it’s time to meet and greet!” Lilith proclaimed as her Pokémon cheered around her, a smile on her face as her shadow on the wall behind her grew wings from her shoulders.

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Serena stared at the TV in shock, she couldn’t believe her eyes. Ash, that was Ash! He’s in Kalos, in Lumo City! He’s in the region, I can’t believe it he……… he almost died! How the heck did that happen, what was he doing to have fallen off the Tower like that?! Serena thought as she stared at the screen, her mind blue screening as

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A teenage girl in a black shirt with a v neck that exposed the top of her large cleavage under a black well-traveled coat and black pants leaned against the wall of the Pokémon Center. Her face was bare except for a bit of black lip gloss and a pair of glasses. She smiled as she saw Bonnie, Clemont and Ash talk with Nurse Joy. She walked toward them as Ash started to speak and reached for his backpack

“Can you register my Quest Scanner here too Nurse Joy?” Ash trailed off as Nurse Joy adopted a look of confusion which worried Ash.

“Quest Scanner?” Bonnie asked Clemont as she turned to her brother. Ash turned to them and let his thoughts fly. Come on! I know some countries don’t follow the Treaty but not to give out Quests too?! How do they expect Trainers to earn money, part time jobs that take weeks to earn anything?!

“I believe they call them Task Trackers here in Kalos. The Alola Reg call them Job Watchers.” A voice said behind them, turning Ash saw a girl his age dressed in black with black lips and sunglasses.

“Sorry to cut in but I figured I should help out before everyone spends too much time trying to figure out the terms a fellow Old Worlder used. You can call me Lilly and…say aren’t you Ash Ketchum?” The girl said as she gave a start as he turned to face her.

“I’m Ash Ketchum, do we know each other.” Ash asked as he tried to remember if he ever met the girl before him.

“No we’ve never met but a teacher I had showed me your performance at the Wallace Cup, and a friend of mine stumbled across what you did in Crown City while looking into a company the League took over.” Lilly said dryly as Ash rubbed the back of his head.

“A teacher?” Bonnie asked as she gazed at the girl.

“Ya, back home I’m a Pokémon Coordinator of some small fame and student of someone pretty famous locally and after the end of the season last year she said it might be good if I tried something differently after coming in the top 4 and then the runner-up the year after.” Lilly said as she beamed with pride.

“Wow! You’re a keeper! Please take care of my brother.” Bonnie said as she looked upon the girl.

“Bonnie, I thought we talked about this!” Clemont cried as a mechanical hand grabbed his sister and picked her up.

“Sorry little girl but I never date anyone I don’t know, so what your name blondie?” Lilly purred as she looked at Clemont who went red at Bonnie’s and her words and started to stammer.

“What did you do in Crown City Ash?” Clemont said as he turned to look at Ash, trying and succeeding to make Ash the center of attention.

“Ehhh, nothing much really. Just reunited a mother and with her child, exposed a prominent Businessman as the worst Eco-Criminal in the region with a crime 20 years old that he almost got away with and got the scum to confess on live TV. And this is Bonnie and her brother Clemont” Ash said as Bonnie and Clemont starred at him.

“Your Task…er Quest Scanner can be registered with Officer Jenny, her office handles all Tasks and handles payment after the person who issues one send a notification that it was completed. And how can I help you Ms. Lilly?” Nurse Joy interrupted.

“Since Kalos usually only does the Showcase I was wondering if I had to register as a Coordinator here or not.” Lilly said as she brought out a Pokédex.

“No but the Professor has a list of where and when the Contests will be held, you’ll have to talk to him for that information and with the damage to his lab you might have to wait a bit, and a new trainer is coming for her first Pokémon today.” Joy said as Lilly stared at Ash for a bit. She shook her head before anyone noticed her look and smiled at the three of them.

“So where are you guys going, from what Nurse Joy said I have to wait a while before I can get the info I need.” Lilly said as the four of them walked out of the Pokémon center

“Bonnie and I decided to travel with Ash for a bit; we need a change of pace for a while.” Clemont said as he rubbed the back of his head and looked toward the Prism Tower. And when I’m back, I’ll be stronger and more powerful.

“So it’s straight on to Santalune City and the Gym. Maybe we’ll run into you again.” Ash said as he gave Lilly a smile.

“Maybe, it’ll depend on where and when the contests are. So see you.” Lilly said as she walked off. Her faces showed nothing but inside her thoughts were going a mile a minute. An Aura Link! The prince already has a soul-mate?! Just what kind of life has he been living and what affect are those seals having on him! To block it an Aura spark from joining with its chosen Aura, something like this is just NOT done!!

Lilith’s glass showed a spark of a humans Aura dissipating when it met the seals. Just what hell did the seal-maker create if it could block a soul-mate bond. She went dead still when the thoughts hit her, did it happen with others, did Ash have more than one soul-mate? Gotta stop thinking about it, I need to find this girl, if I’m lucky then I’ll meet her at the Professor’s lab. I’ll make up a report on what I saw and my actions and mail it to teach, she’ll get it to the boss.

Jenny snarled to herself as she slammed the phone down into its cradle. The international police had laughed off her concerns that the Kanto criminal group was expanding into her region. Something about the Rockets she describe as being the bottom of the barrel, to call back if the Tooth Fairy joined them with the Easter Lopunny. Those criminals almost cause the death of a trainer and when she brought it up it caused the person answering to laugh even harder when she described the person in question. The bastard said something about sending her a file once he calmed down and hung up on her. A noise at the door caused her to glare at two trainers and a little girl who jumped a bit at her expression.

“Can I help you kids?” Jenny asked as she got her emotions back under control. She identified the gym leader and his sister and the black haired trainer looked somewhat familiar but she couldn’t place him, a flaw she had when her emotions were agitated.

“Nurse Joy at the Pokémon Center said I could register my Task Tracker here?” The black haired trainer said as he handed over a Task Tracker. Connecting it to her computer she loaded it with the regions security passcode and grabbed the Trackers serial number before handing it back to him. A chime from her computer pulled her back toward it, the file the international police was going to send her, maybe she would get some answers, and she absently handed the Tracker back to the boy and waved him off.

“Thank you Officer Jenny.” The boy said as he and the others left her office.

“All part of the job, have a good day.” Jenny said robotically as she opened the file. The first few pages were about the Rocket members she had described and the pages after were about when and where they had committed criminal acts. After a while next few page she noticed that the same trainer ID kept coming up as both victim and stopper. Then another chime and an email entitled ‘Protector’ appeared.

“Didn’t my cousin in Unova mention that a trainer had earned a title from the Pokémon Rangers and the International Police?” She muttered to herself as she opened the file, to no surprise it was a trainer bio, the kind of files the government kept of trainers that caught their eye. As she started to read accommodations for valor, for saving people and Pokémon, for defeating criminal gangs she recognized the ID as the same one in the previous file. The final page was the photo ID and when she saw it she shot up from her chair.

“THAT’S THE KID FROM LAST NIGHT, WAIT HE WAS JUST HERE!!” Jenny cried out as she looked into the hallway in shock.

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“Frankenmons attacked a courier in the Wind Road?” The speaker was a tall man in a purple tuxedo and a black cape with an Eevee on his shoulder who lead two pale attractive women in maid uniforms down a hallway. The woman on his right had blue hair in a pageboy style, her blue eyes had black eye shadow above and her blue lips were set in a frown, in her ears were two white gems and by her side walked a Glaceon with a collar with four white gems. The maid on his left had flowing red hair that reached her waist, the only makeup she had was red lipstick and blush with two red gems in her ears, a Flareon was by her side whose front legs had clawed boots on.

“Yes Master Alex, Lady Joy ordered all off duty morticians to assist in retrieving all parts from within the corpses post haste. She entered the castle two hours ago according to a local agent so this is likely a briefing about them to quell the rumors. Though a few days ago Lady Camilla sent her apprentice out on a mission and the same night the Elites were summoned for a meeting, so there is that which I am sure one of them will bring up. ” The blue haired woman spoke with a cold tone as she followed .

“One of Morg’a’s little temptresses is dating one of the security staff called to transport the materials harvested, the bitch probably bugged the poor sap with a seal. So she’s probably the source of most of the rummors. Hope the fool she’s using had a good time with the little tramp at least, but given what I had when one tried to use me, I really, really doubt it master. And like sister Sarah said, one of them will bring it up.” The redhead’s voice was full of passion as she strutted down the hallway.

Alex smiled as he thought of the meeting a month ahead of schedule, a summit of the Elites and now Frankenmon, the times were getting quite exciting, what next, did they find the Queen and Prince? He gave a chuckled at that thought, he had probably taunted murphy, but if that happened, those harpies would die of shock.

Turning a corner he stopped cold as he saw what was guarding the door to the meeting chamber. Two humanoids in full plate armor holding lances with two Haxorus with black body armor stood sentinel.

“Master, those are Highguard.” Sarah said as she reached Alex and stared with him at the door guards. Alex slowly gained a grin on his face that as he eyes twinkled.

“My dear cold Sarah, my passionate Ellie, this is going to be explosive.” Alex proclaimed as he walked down the hallway as his two maids looked at each other and sighed.

“Tell me again why do we love that man-child sister?” Ellie said as he followed after him.

“The sex, definitely the sex.” Sarah answered bluntly as the two of them followed their lover down the hallway while Alex only gave a small smirk at the words his followers exchanged.

Walking into the throne room he moved toward the left side and gazed around the room. A few people in clocks were debating Aura casting by the window, representatives from the School of Aura, they only came when there was an important announcement, were the Frankenmons were made by someone they expelled and escaped the law. The last Chimera breeder supposedly caused the procedures to change, but there are geniuses out there.

A few of the Families had a few more members then just their heirs with them, more girls than boys again, were they trying the catch the bosses eye with a pretty face? He nodded his head at his allies among the Lords as they passed each other as he led his party toward windows, and saw with no surprise that saw that the Lady Morg’a was dressed to the nines in the middle of a small crowd of ladies, was she trying to draw in others with her beauty. And she was striking today. Her long black hair flowed down her back to her thighs; her jade dress stopped at the middle of her breasts, with a cut show the inner sides with a green gem in the shape of the Grass-Type symbol resting between her breasts. Her dress went to the floor with a slit that revealed white stocking clad legs in green high heels. Her lips were painted a vibrant green, while eye shadow of an aqua green shade brought out her green eyes. Her Roselia was next to her with a grass symbol around its neck. He noticed her eyes never left a target across from her and saw who Morg’a was watching; the newest of the Highlords, the Lady Cleo Ro Clor of the Desert Realm was talking with a few lords who, if he remembered their homes locations right, bordered her territory. She cut a striking figure with her dark skin in a form fitting white robe dress that showed off her figure while still giving off a classy feel. All the makeup she wore was a simple black lipstick, while her black hair was in a simple pageboy style. Her Krokorok was standing next to her, a simple Ground symbol around its neck, showing that the simple things had a class all its own.

“So you made it to this thing youngster?” A gruff voice said as a heavy hand landed on his other shoulder. Turning he saw an older man with a beard in a white shirt and black pants next to an Ursaring.

“Sir Viktor, how are you old man? How was that Chimera hunt you went on a few weeks back, it was an Ice Fire mix that was the pack leader?” Alex said as he smiled at his friend and ally among the Lords.

“Me and mine handled it, but I gotta talk to you about it afterwards. You’ll never guess whose territory it they never even sent a scout towards.” Vicktor said darkly as he glared toward Morg’a group.

“I’ve dealt with such things in my own lands my friend, after the meeting let me track down the last two members of my old team to have a talk for old times, you can join us.” Alex said with a sigh as memoires of days long gone pasted behind his eyes.

A commotion near the front caused them to turn and saw three of the Elites walk into the room, each shadowed by one of their Pokemon. Lady Camilla was followed by her Zoroark, the brown haired robed form of Magnus walked next to his Golurk while Mordred was dressed in a simple smock and pants was walked next to his Chesnaught. Following after them was their lord walked with his Mightyena with Lady Joy walking after him in a black gown with a white Crobat on her shoulder. So a briefing by Joy was part of this after all, but why were both Camilla and Magnus here? Why were the Highguard outside? I think this might be bigger than I thought. Alex thought as he looked over the gathering.

Morg’a smiled and gave off an air of sophistication looking at the Elites entering the room but she let her thoughts tell her true feelings, confident that the Psi-Changer she wore around her neck kept them to herself. So that bitch Camilla is taking part in this after all. So whatever reason she pulled that brat from the party is important. Damn that idiotic little tramp for not getting closer to the slut! It probably was her little beast that was attacked after all. But she’s only been gone a few days, and in Kalos of all place!

As Dracula sat upon his thrown, all before bowed and curtsied to show respect for their liege lord. Before anyone could speak up about the nature of the gather he raised his hand for silence.

“My loyal subjects let me cut away all the rumors you’ve heard. Approximately two hours ago the Lady Joyce briefed me upon the 8 Frankenmon that tried to intercept a courier using the Wind Road. Lady Joy, if you would care to take over?” Dracula said as he gestured at Joy who curtsied as a holo projector appeared before the throne.

“Thank you my lord. As per my orders when I was informed what had entered my morgue, all personal were recalled and all machines were removed from the bodies before all but two were incinerated. This decision” Joy began before Morg’a stepped forward and interrupted her.

“Two of the bodies were kept from the final peace Lady Joy? Forgive my impudence but aren’t all Frankenmon bodies supposed to be incinerated after the foul machines which move them are taken from their corpses by rule of law?” Morg’a melodious voice interrupted, causing murmurs to spread among the crowd at this seemingly breach of law. Joy gained a small frown before she continued.

“Normally, yes that is the law. But the bodies were reanimated by an unknown process and power source. As the bodies were inspected, it became apparent that the machines were split in two different configurations. From what my limited mechanical knowledge told me, one type had a receiver of some kind while the other had a transceiver. The bodies saved were the ones most intact with detailed notes were made on where each machine was removed from the individual corpse. However both types had a few similar parts, this one we are having the most trouble identifying the components purpose.” As Joy spoke the projector glowed, showing a diagram of a machine connected to two broken crystals with the crystals each connected to one side of a hexagon stone.

“The gems aren’t like anything we’ve seen before. The hexagon seems to be artificial and seems to be the main power source, one of my people theorized that the gems act like a kind of converter. The fact that they were able to use attacks is a cause for concern, but the most distressing thing we’ve discovered is that there is no way for an external power source to connect to the stone, we have no idea how these things receive power at all.” Joy finished as murmurs started back up.

“This is troubling, tovarish.” Victor whispered to Alex as thoughts raced through his head. One of the only ways Frankenmons were found was the massive electrical power drain they used to recharge. And with the fact they were able to use Pokémon attacks…Wait, what were the attacks used elemental propertiess? Could there be a connection? Alex thought as his mind raced, signaling his group that he was doing this alone he started to walk through the crowd toward the throne. Alex exited the crowd until he was next to Morg’a and bowed to Lady Joy.

“Lady Joy, do we know what attacks were used by the subjects.” Alex said as he saw the scowl Morg’a sent him, curious. Did she want to score a point with that or keep people from asking? Just what is your end goal you Grass bitch

“As the witness was a Pokémon, a psychic copy of the incident was made. From what Lord Magnus divined, the moves used were Flash Cannon and Arial Ace.” Joy trailed off as she looked at the hologram.

“So moves of two elements and two gems. Were any gems recovered intact?” Alex continued as Joy called up data.

“All gems were found shattered. A failsafe or the result of battle…” Joy trailed off as she turned and shared a look with Magnus. Mordred stepped forward as a hologram of the Homeland appeared.

“Thank you Headmistress for your report, Lord Alex, Lady Morg’a for your points I give you my thanks. As of 1 hour ago our lord has issued orders that the patrols groups along our shore are be increased in size. The remains are to be turned over to the School of Aura as soon as the masters exit this chamber for a period of one weak for a detailed examination. All lords are to take any action they believe is necessary in their territories its security, all suspicious events are to be investigated by local authorities.” Mordred began as a map of the Homeland sprang from the holo-project identifying the various territories

“Wait one minute Commander Mordred! How was a single courier identified by those monsters and from where did the courier come from? What was its cargo? These facts would affect any plans we make to protect our citizens.” Morg’a interrupted with a smirk. Joy had a look of worry on her face while Camilla had a sever frown

“From the machine’s localization before we removed them, some of them were hooked up to the eyes of the corpse, so a possible Aura sensor is possible. The cargo….” Mordred began until the person behind him interrupted and spoke loudly.

“Was an Aura scan of my son.” Dracula declared as he stood up from his throne.

Alex blinked, their lord couldn’t have said what he thought he’d heard, did he?

“I Declare this for all within this chamber to know! After years of not knowing their fate, my Queen and my son have been Found! Even as we speak, measures are being undertaking to return them to our shores!” Dracula proclaimed as the chamber exploded in conversations.

Morg’a had a wide smile on her face while on the inside her thoughts were complete anarchy. Arceus Damn it! With that old slug found she’ll be back and warming his bed within the next year! All my plans to find and influence her replacement just went up in smoke! I should have known that those stupid Crusaders wouldn’t kill them!

“My lord may I be the first to offer my congratulations on such wonderful news! If there is anything that any of us could do to help I’m sure my fellows would jump at the chance!” Morg’a said with cheer in her voice. Alex merely looked at her and let his eyes grow hard. So they did find D, and I think my people needs to spend a little time making sure that that tart doesn’t try to send anyone after little whoever go the scan or the kid

“I can only say that in this matter the Lady Morg’a speaks for me as will my lord. If there is anything my people and I can do to help you have but to command it.” Alex said as he bowed to his liege lord as the other Lords and Highlords copied him.

“Thank you but as I said measures are being done to return my beloved to me. May our people stand forever against all who would threaten us!” Dracula declared as he got up from his throne and his Pokemon followed him out the door. Alex looked at Camilla and fixed the right side of his collar and saw her and Magnus clench their right hands before he walked back to Victor and his maids. He grinned to himself as he walked. Time for an old friend and her son to come home at last, but how did they find them? And who better to ask then her brother and her best friend? He thought with a grin as he walked away with his two maids to ‘celebrate’.

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Cleo sighed as she and her Krokorok walked into her inner apartment. That meeting had been as nerve wracking as the rumors that had been swirling around the local net. The reality was even worse, Frankenmon powered by unknown means, and able to use attacks! That wasn’t even touch the fact that the Queen to be was alive with the Prince, that changed everything! When she returned she had given orders that all local wild Pokémon dens were to have surveillance equipment set up, if anything came to harvest fresh corpse, they would see them if they hit the dens. Why did she ever have to be chosen as the High Lord’s successor anyway? It was supposed to be just a simple Quest, why did her predecessor have to use it to choose replacement before he died, she was just an orphan who had to play peacekeeper at the orphanage. She didn’t like to fight, and his will that said she had to build her household herself without any of the previous staff, thank Arceus that Marshall Asim and his crew had stayed on and the homunculi maids. But things were hard; she had her pen pal to chat with! With a smile on her face she walked toward her computer, her Krokorok pulled out the chair to let her sit down and signed into a chat room. She had meet her friend on a message board about the impact Pokémon and human settlements had on each other, and since then the two of them had had conversations about care and feeding, exchanged recipes and helped each other deal with problems. She did feel a bit bad that he thought she was a middle management in a company who got promoted after her superior left, but the rest of the world wasn’t like her home, they didn’t have Lords and High Lords and to burden a doctor with her political problems just wasn’t the right thing to do.

SandyLady: You online Doc?

RockDoc: Hey Lady, how was your meeting.

SandyLady: The boss’s wife woke up from her coma, she’s going to return to the company but the medicine that helped wake her was almost stolen by thieves so security of all divisions were raised, and two people on my level are fighting with each other, I’ve had to issue a few orders that might get people hurt in the name of said security, what about you?

RockDoc: I have a bit of a problem myself; the mother of one of my old friends sent a quite inquiry about a girl she’s worried about, wants to double check something and my job says I should make it official, but everything I feel screams me to keep quit, I’m a bit conflicted.

SandyLady: So keep quiet and look into what might happen if you don’t, you might find something you don’t know you know about would happen. But why do you feel what you that way?

RockDoc: Thanks for the advice Lady, it’s a supervisor who would receive the report just rubs me the wrong way, something about them feels wrong to me.

Cleo went cold as she rereads the last message; some people Aura’s were able to ‘sense’ the nature of people, when they were hurt and needed help. Most of them became public servants, doctors or police if Doc felt something wrong about his supervisor, then they might be trouble if he went official on this. One piece of advice old man Victor had told her when she was sworn in was to trust her instincts about people and Pokémon. Said instincts said the Lady Morg’a was a trustworthy as a coin left in the sun was cold, so she trusted the advice.

SandyLady: Doc, one bit of advice I think I can pass on to you; always trust your instincts. Your hindbrain might be seeing what your forebrain can’t.

“Lady Ro Clor! We have a situation!” A voice called from her door. That was Marshall Asim, but he should be out along the dunes, helping set up the observation cameras. If he was back then there might be a rather large problem that needs the local High Lords authority.

“I’ll be right there!” Cleo called back as she typed one last message and walked toward her door, her Krokorok falling in step behind her. The duties of a desert High Lord never ended, but she was ready to meet them. Opening the door she was met with Marshall Asim, a hard faced black haired man wearing a black cloak over black clothes with a Braviary wearing a Searcher’s Gem next to him.

“What happened Marshal?” Cleo demand as he would only have his Braviary with him if he was searching for something before he came to see her. Gesturing for her and her Pokémon to follow him he led them down the hallway. His Braviary took flight and flew ahead and out a window.

“Everything was going like clockwork M’lady, we had finished setting up most of them when we hit the Northern Mountain, one of the caves is or was used by a herd of Trapinch as their nest, it was empty and it showed signs of a battle. Thankfully we found the herd at an oasis, but the herd defenders were all injured. The team I sent into the cave discovered a hole in the floor that led into a chamber; it looks like an early Ritual chamber. The battle damage in the cave looks like the herd was attack from the cave mouth and then who ever made the hole was attacked by something inside. The problem is a sand storm swept the region after this all happened, at least we think so.” Asim as he led her into a room with a map of her territory, marked with symbols for her towns, cities and Pokémon dens.

“Send word to all towns nearby to be on alert, anything or anyone out of the ordinary is to be reported at once. Once night falls patrols are to be run between the cities for the next week. The Trapinch are to be relocated to a territory where they can prosper, send word to the School of Aura, I want an archeological team to be sent to study those ruins as soon as possible. And put the Gates on full alert for the next 2 weeks, if people broke into that chamber I don’t want it to be easy for them to escape.” Cleo Ro Clor, Highlord of the Inner Desert commanded as she gazed upon a map of her lands. What happened when the chamber was breeched, what did they wake up and who were they? I always knew I would face a trial by fire, this has to be it. Cleo thought as she walked through the palace to the situation room.

SandyLady: Sorry Doc, duty calls. Good luck with your problem.

Brock sighed as he read the last message SandyLady had sent him. For a corporate manager she always had the right thing to say to help him. Maybe it was wrong to let her think he was only a doctor, but the problems of a Gym Leader, even one who was away from their gym weren’t for the faint of heart. Just last week he had helped to take down a pack of Houndor and the alpha Houndom to relocate them to stop a swarm of Paras from raiding the city, thankfully his Marshtomp had evolved and defeated the alpha. The Pokemon Rangers had a nice valley far enough away that was perfect for the Dark Fire types, and there was supposedly a river full of water types between the valley and the habitat of the Paras, so there was no way for them to go after them or return to their old habitat.

Getting up from his computer he thought back to Delia’s message. She had sent a text that she was worried about a new hire at her restaurant, and was that a surprise when he and Misty first visited Pallet Town! To think Ash had grown up in around a commercial restaurant, and that it was famous! But the girl was the problem or had a problem. She had been settling in fine but all of a sudden she had started to jump at anything and seemed to have closed off from people. Delia had contacted him because she had a Johto accident and he currently was at learning about medicine in Viridian City and was wondering if he heard anything from Johto from either the towm or his position as a Gym Leader. He had sent back that he hadn’t heard anything, but he didn’t tell her that a few days ago he had run into Karen, a member of the Elite Four, while his party was hunting the pack in the mountains. Sure she had said something about a monstrous creature she was tracking but Brock didn’t think a Chimera was connected to the girl, but like he told SandyLady, something about Karen was just wrong. He couldn’t describe it but he’ll trust it for now and contact a few of the gym leaders in Johto through couriers, maybe one of them had heard something.

As Brock walk out of his room he never thought that maybe the monstrous creature Karen was hunting was really the girl in question, never thought that maybe others were watching people like him who would help her without question. Brock never saw the glint of light a pair of binoculars gave off as a silent watcher cataloged his activities.

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Lilith was able to identify the Aura from the sparks and had tracked her to and from a bus stop and was able to finally catch her and was currently tailing her toward the Professor’s lab. When she saw the girl in question she was able to get a general read of her Aura, this girl was someone with a good heart and a bit of creativity, and watching the interactions she had when she interacted with people and Pokémon between her and the lab she seemed to be a pleasant person. A good fashion sense, natural beauty and what looked like a great personality and a bit of creativity, the prince had a good one after him.

Lilith let a smirk grace her lips before she walked a tiny bit faster; she had to time this just right, she reached for a button on a crossing post and hit Serena’s hand.

“Sorry about that, you need to cross too?” Lilith asked the honey haired girl.

“Yeah, I’m heading toward Professor Sycamore lab, what about you.” Serena asked as she looked at the black clothed girl. There was something that seemed to pull Serena out of the shell she had around herself.

“The same, he has some information that I need for my journey. Oh, sorry I forgot to introduce myself, the names’ Lilly and you are?” Lilly said she offered Serena a hand.

“Serena Yvonne, nice to meet you Lilly.” Serena said as they both walked toward the Professors lab.

“Nice to meet you too Serena, so have you decided on a goal for your journey?” Lilly asked as the walked toward the lab’s door.

Serena only blushed and walked faster, opening the door, pretending that she hadn’t heard anything.

“Hello? Is Professor Sycamore around?” Serena called out as they walked into the building

“That’s me. I’m up here.” A voice called out from atop a set of stairs opposite the doorway

“Huh? Hello there. I’m Serena and this is Lilly.”

“I bet you two are here to become Pokémon Trainers.” Sycamore said as he smiled at the two girls as he walked down the stairs.

“She is, I’m here for the information you have on when the Pokémon Contests happen.” Lilly said as she held up a Pokéball.

“Yup. Also, Professor, I saw this Trainer on the news. The report was all about how he had saved a Garchomp.” Serena said as she went a bit red in the face.

“Oh, you're talking about Ash.” Sycamore said as Serena smiled. Ash, I knew it!

“I ran into him at the Pokemon Center. He said he was heading for the Santalune Gym.” Lilly said, causing Serena to turn and look at her.

“Santalune Gym? Hmm. Professor, may I choose a Pokémon?” Serena said turning back to the Professor.

“Of course. And do you have any idea which Pokémon you'd like?” Sycamore asked. Lilly stood back and watch with a smile. A trainers first Pokémon was a mystical moment that only happen once for anyone, and only after a while did people understand what happened to them.

“Yup.”

“All right. Everybody out!” Sycamore called to the right before a woman in a white lab coat led three forms into the room.

“These are the Kalos Pokémon new Trainers may choose from, Fennekin, Chespin and Froakie. Which Pokémon will you choose as your partner?” Sycamore asked as he turned back to Serena with a smile.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

P A treon.com/bardofworlds for special rewards for all patrons

Crusaders: Knights who launched attack on Homeland and kidnapped Ash and Delia

Aura Link: The result of two or more auras connecting, the people must meet and spend time with each other first, but when entering an area of 50 miles area sparks seemingly flow between auras unless something is blocking connection

Psi-Changer: Aura Equipment: Gemstone Type Special. A Gem that creates a false ‘mind’ that is the opposite of what the wearer is thinking, a convert defense against mind readers

#pokemon fanfiction #Pokemon AU #Ash-Harem #Dhampire Ash

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dispatchesfromafghanistan · 6 years ago

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Kabul: then and now

Kabul: Then and Now August 19, 2019 Today's Kabul is vastly different from the city I grew up and worked in as a youngster and a young adult. Then, I loved the city. Now, I hate it.The Kabul of 1960s and 70s was much smaller, compact, simple, quaint, clean, green, exotic, freer, stable, peaceful, safe and secure. The city then was sectioned into identifiable precincts such as Shahre-nuw where the royal palace, the ministries, nice homes, a few businesses, and the few embassies were. Kartae chahar where the professional class lived. Kartae Sakhi where the few hazaras lived. And Darulaman, renowned for its clean fresh air, the park and picnic places, the clean fresh water, the majestic palace, the famed tree-lined road from Dehmazang to the palace, and the open green fields all over. Kotae Sangi, was an extension of Kartae Chahar. LIfe and living was simpler, but much happier, safer, secure, stable, peaceful, and manageable. Except for the ministry of education, the Spinzar hotel, the Kabul hotel and two or three other high rises, all buildings were simple one or two story buildings surrounded by walls. Most structures had courtyards with trees, vegetables and vineyards.There were streams of clean water, or springs in many parts of the city. The Kabul river had plenty of clean water year-round. We used to swim in it. There were no police checkpoints, no blast walls, no barbed wire, no watch towers, no armed security forces patrolling the streets, no armored SUVs,and no sirens. Official buildings, educational institutions, even embassies were easily accessible. No body-searches. There were no buildings scarred by bullets. We never heard of K9s, cameras, scanners, suicide bombings, magnetic bombs, IEDs, complex attacks, hostage taking, kidnappings, gun battles, etc. And we felt completely safe anywhere any time. The only beggers you saw were the few disabled men. There were no drug users or pushers in public and the few who smoked hashish, did so discretely and in private. By night fall, everyone went home.There were no homeless individuals left on the streets. There was quiet, calm, stability, and peace Neighbors and neighborhoods were stable and familiar.You knew and trusted your neighbors and you socialized with them on certain occasions. The local shop keepers knew and trusted you, so if you did not have the right change or amount, he would say 'you can pay me next time.'.People went out into the streets or parks to walk, socialize, picnic, or enjoy the scenery. No one bothered no one; no sexual harassment of women. There was mutual respect, trust, tolerance, common courtesy, and a certain code of conduct regulating all public and private life. There were no armed robberies, and no snatching your phone or handbag in broad day light and in public. You heard about petty victimless crime. There was very little violence. Complete strangers were entitled to discipline misbehaviour. The young respected the old and would for instance, give their seat away on a public bus. The majority of the some half a million people were 'authentic Kabulis' who were polite, considerate, urbane, and you might say 'civilized'. You felt like a part of a community. Kabul was picturesque and it was intertwined with green spaces, parks, small farms, unused open spaces, hills, and mountains. There were no buildings on the surrounding hills and or mountains and the city was small, more like a town. There was no garbage on the streets, or open sewers, or the stench of open drains. There were no internally displaced people squatting and living in flimsy tents under horrible conditions. The gap between the haves and have nots was narrow. There were differences in the style and standards of living, but no extremes. With about 10,000 vehicles, there were no traffic jams. There were no high rises, wedding halls, mansions, commercial billboards, big crowds, street hawkers, fancy restaurants, mountains of globalized garbage, opulence next to destitution. The air was fresh and clean, with intense blue skies in the day and dark skies studded with visible stars at night. All in all, it was a very nice city to live, study, and/or work in. It was quite manageable-- socially, psychologically and physically. You did not feel or see any mass anxiety, fear, panic, paranoia or distrust--all so visibly common today. Kabul Today:What a monstrosity! Today's Kabul has grown and expanded all the way to Paghman, Baraki Barak, Bagrami, Arghandi, and Sarobi. There are an estimated six million people living in the city and the vicinity. It resembles a vast shanty town, with some out of place high rises and some huge gaudy mansions. The six million people living here struggle for space, services, opportunities, parking, walking, doing business, studying, entertainment, and just sheer survival. Gone are all the green open spaces, most of the parks, the small farms, even some of the sidewalks. Land grabbers and/or squatters have built illegal structures wherever they can find a piece of land, even way up on the hills and mountains. Strong men have taken over public and some private lands. In some cases, people have built on top of graveyards, parks, or public spaces. As far as the eye can see, all the surrounding hills and mountains, have been 'developed', most of them very precarious and unsafe. The once clean Kabul river has been reduced to a stream of an open sewer, filthy and stinky garbage dump, and refuge for drug dealers and addicts.There are no laws and/or standards governing development in the city. The other day the minister of Urban Affairs said on TV that 90% of Kabul's buildings are substandard, without plan, and against building codes. The city is studded with high rise apartments -all the way up to 30 story. There is no urban planning; people just build wherever there is a piece of land, and the structures range from fancy homes and apartments to shacks and simple dwellings. Most streets have no names and most buildings have no number; no address! Finding places is an arduous task.The old architecture has been replaced with massive gaudy Dubai and Pakistani styles. The old court yards are gone; people build on every square inch of the land. where neighbors can almost touch each other across the common walls. There are no zoning laws to govern building heights, purpose, requirements or use. Therefore, you have a high rise next to a one, 2, or three story house; and/or you have a business outfit in the midst of residential neighborhoods. Or you have internally displaced people living in some cases with their animals, and in some cases for years, in clumsy tents next to fancy mansions and/or public establishments. Paradoxically, the extremes are next to each other, but worlds apart.There is no privacy left, and most everyone is exposed.The city still has no sewerage system, regular electricity, or regular running water. The city is sitting on improper septic tanks, latrines and/or open drainage canals which do not drain. As a result, Kabul's water is seriously polluted and depleted. The city is growing both vertically and horizontally turning into a dusty, dirty, smelly, crowded, polluted, and ugly concrete jungle. Any structure of consequence is surrounded by a regular wall and then a high concrete blast wall. Most sidewalks are taken over by these walls, barriers, and/or small sellers forcing pedestrians into the street thus complicating walking and driving. And the main streets today are the same narrow streets when Kabul was a town. There are heaps of rotting and stinky garbage on the streets where animals, children and/or adults scrounge to salvage what they can. The city center has horrible traffic jams all the time, where people, vehicles, animals, peddlers, and beggars compete. Daily, streets are blocked when some of the thousands of VIPs travel in armored cars followed by armed escorts. And there. seems to be a lot of VIPs-government officials, wealthy people, foreigners, and crime bosses. There are numerous criminal syndicates/mafia whose bosses maybe former or current government members or contractors or independent criminals. Some of these criminals are indeed stronger than the government thus roaming around freely. There are very few traffic lights, traffic police or traffic rules. Security is big business in this city/country, and you see a lot of legal and/or illegal gun-toting men protecting the few from the many. There are essentially no traffic lights or laws; either that or drivers and pedestrians simply ignore them, with the police watching helplessly. And of course, you can always bribe your way out of trouble with police. Given the war, violence, volatility, crime, and VIP presence, there are police posts and check points all over the place. And yet, serious and petty, organized and retail crime flourishes and the city is gripped by organized and/or retail crime. frightening everyone. Assassinations, armed robberies, kidnappings for ransom, pick-pockets, purse and/or telephone snatchings, break-ins, and/or vehicle theft are common night and day. Street prostitution tabooed earlier, now goes on in broad daylight. Drug use and dealing are normal and visible all over, all the time. Kabul is perhaps the most violent capital in the world, with frequent suicide bombings, improvised explosive devices, mines, magnetic bombs, complex attacks, random and/or organized political violence, targeted and random assasination. For example the suicide bombing at the wedding in Dubai Hall in the hazara section (Dashte Barchi) last night (August 19), not far from AUAF, killing at least 63 and injuring 185. There were about 35 so-called complex suicide attacks in Kabul in 2018. A complex attack is a new insurgent technique, which means that a suicide bomber explodes himself or the vehicle he drives, at the entrance to a building, whereby another group of accomplices storm the building or an adjacent structure, killing people and fighting to the end. This is what happened yesterday when five insurgents attacked Mr.Saleh, Dr.Ghani's running mate and head of the 'Green' movement in Kabul. Random and organized violence and crimes are rampant in the city. You are not safe and do not feel safe anywhere-on the street, in your home, place of work, school, university, sports club, in your car, the bus, the mosque, the restaurant, the conference, at your wedding, wake or funeral, or any place else. People are petrified. We the expatriates at AUAF are like virtual prisoners. Many buildings still have scars of war. People appear anxious, worried, fearful, and stressed. More than half the people suffer mental illness. Extremes of wealth, power, and privilege are obvious and paraded constantly. A few travel in luxury and armored SUVs with armed escorts; the majority struggle to get from place to place. There is no organized public transport system. This is why people buy a car before food. The country is the second largest market for used cars after Baghdad and there are no laws governing automobile exhausts or the quality of fuel. This is the main reason for the extreme pollution, which according to the minister of public health, kills more people than the war. There are fancy five star restaurants in a country where 60% of the people are desperately poor. The aristocracy shop in fancy department stores, boutiques, and supermarkets where everything is imported. Or they actually shop in Dubai, Tashkend, or N.Delhi.The majority buy second hand clothes or cheap and poor quality goods from sidewalk peddlers.. Kabul is the largest market for second-hand clothes in the world. The rich and powerful, which is to say members of the plutocracy, comprador, and thieving class (Afghanistan's 1%) marry in fancy and expensive wedding halls, the rest stay unmarried or go to do slave labor abroad to save for marriage. In the morning, there are hundreds-thousands of day laborers at every major intersection looking for a 3-4 dollar- a -day job; but there is no work, because the war, poor governance, and corruption impede economic activity.There are tens of thousands of child workers, beggars or prostitutes swarming Kabul's streets. Children of the elite are sent abroad, or chaufored to boutique private schools; while the majority are warehoused in a substandard public school system being miseducated. Like Beirut or Baghdad, Kabul is divided into ethnic enclaves, so most Tajiks live in Khairkhana, the Pashtoons in Udkhail and the Hazaras in Dashte Barchi; and the city has its own 'green zone'. There is very little mutual trust, but much paranoia.There is very little mixing amongst the various ethnic-class members. Today's Kabul is a very noisy place with nonstop sound of military planes and helicopters, sierons from police cars and/or ambulances, normal traffic, street peddlers, and magnified azans from mosques. The city's air, water and ground are heavily polluted. Furthermore, there is heavy visual pollution as well with signs and billboards advertising cosmetic surgery, politicians, internet cafes, pizzarias, Kalvin Klein underwear, and 'energy drinks'.everywhere. Kabul is dusty in the summer and muddy in the rainy season. There is no regular or effective garbage collection or systematic sanitation so it is always smelly. You still see men relieving themselves in public. In short, today's Kabul is sick and sickening. Those who could, and are entrusted with helping cure the city, seem to lack the ability, will, commitment or dedication to do so. Since the entire rentier state apparatus is based on a corrupt, nepotistic and patronage and peonage system. It is not really their city.Their families are most likely living abroad and they themselves are here as transient/ migrant/opportunistic exploiters. They are the expatriates working on some short term project. Or returnees from the Afghan diaspora here to earn quick money and return to their adopted countries. Or they are the local comprador class, whose sole purpose is to plunder and pillage.These imperial-neocolonial agents are sheltered from Kabul's filth and ugliness by their sanitized protected mansions or luxury apartments, tainted window armored SUVs with TV sets, their laptops, or numerous paid vacations abroad. Those who are victimized by Kabul's brutality lack the unity, power, time, energy, initiative to alter the city situation. Like sheep, most people have habituated themselves to the conditions. Kabul desperately needs saving.

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per-ineptia-ad-astra · 6 years ago

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Star Trek Gold Key #26: The Perfect Dream

Our issue begins with a bang. A planet-sized bang, to be precise.

[ID: A comic splash page showing a ringed planet exploding in space. The title in the upper left corner reads Star Trek—THE PERFECT DREAM Part 1. Narration box one: “Federation board of inquiry: Stardate 30:20:4! Investigation into possible Federation involvement in annihiliation of neutral planet body! Recorders log: Testimony of Captain James T Kirk...” Second narration box: “Members of the board, the issues at point are of delicate diplomatic balance! Therefore, so that you may understand the Enterprise’s position, I must carefully reconstruct the events that took place upon Rifas-L...”]

Evidently Kirk is in some trouble about this, since he’s explaining it to a Federation committee. Y’know, they’re supposed to seek out new life and new civilizations, not blow them to smithereens. Bit of a faux-pas, that.

In flashback, Kirk describes how they found this weird planet, or at least something that looked like a planet, but was a bit lacking in some typical planet characteristics. Such as being in a solar system. Or being in orbit. Instead it’s just moving across space in a straight line, Great A’Tuin style, with all its light and heat apparently being provided by its rings.

Well, what’s a crew to do when confronted by a mystery planet but beam down to it and check out what’s going on. Kirk beams down with Spock, Sulu, Chapel, a redshirt, and...Uhuru?

[ID: A landing party consisting of [left to right] Kirk, Spock, Uhura, Sulu, a balding redshirt man, and Nurse Chapel, partway through beaming into a grassy space with some trees and rocks at the edges. Kirk’s narration: “The landing party I took down with me for observation purposes included Spock, Helmsman Sulu, Medical Officer Chapel, Communications Lieutenant Uhuru [sic] and Security Officer Manning!”]

As they start to look around the landscape, Kirk reminds everyone to be careful since they don’t know much about their surroundings, and Spock is like “lol humans can’t just appreciate something beautiful can they.” Immediately after he says this, the group is attacked by a wild mountain lion. Let that be a lesson to you, Spock.

[ID: Four square panels arranged in two rows of two. First panel, Uhura is saying, “Captain—it’s beautiful! I’ve never seen anything like it!” while Kirk, in the foreground, says, “Yes, stunning! Still, all the beauty could be hiding something—be alert!” Second panel, Spock, Kirk and Uhura are on the ground while the viewpoint shows a beige mountain lion-like creature poised in a tree branch above them. Spock: “Captain, I fail to grasp why humans cannot face beauty without doubting or destroying it...or both!” Third panel, the creature pounces onto the redshirt man with a “RRRROOOWWRR!” Sulu, in the foreground, is saying, “Manning! Captain! A carnivore attacking Manning!” while from offscreen Kirk says, “Set phaser on stun, Sulu, fire on my command!” Fourth panel, Sulu and Kirk fire their phasers onto the creature with a shout of “Now!” from Kirk, knocking the creature off of Manning.]

As if alien mountain lions weren’t bad enough, a giant flock of SPIES OF SARUMAN black birds also shows up. Uhura is somehow able to identify them as ‘like Earth ravens, but carnivorous’ from a distance.

Luckily, before our hapless crew can get Hitchcock’d, they’re rescued by a crowd of...Japanese people…? They yell at the Enterprise crew to drop to the ground while they take care of the birds.

[ID: Three people in samurai-like armor and one in a short tunic fighting off birds and lion-creatures with katanas. In the foreground Sulu is saying, “Captain, I’m not quite sure of what I’m seeing! If I’m not mistaken, they’re using a variation of samurai technique used in ancient Japan!” and Kirk is replying, “Whatever it is, it’s working!”]

Ah yes, the ancient Samurai technique of ‘hitting birds with swords.’

Once all the birds have been driven off, the newcomers politely invite the crew back to their city, where they can treat their injuries with healing balm. Chapel gets unnecessarily hostile about this and snaps that, “I’m quite sure I have the proper supplies to care for my own patients, thank you!” Calm down there, Chris, they don’t know you’re a doctor.

So the crew take a hike back to this city with the mysterious Anachronism People. On the way, Spock and Kirk note that there are farmlands nearby, but they’re only cultivating wild growth instead of developed land, which they find odd since a planet this plentiful isn’t where they would expect to find nomadic farming. After all they’ve been there like, a whole five minutes, which is definitely enough time to do an in-depth analysis on local agriculture possibilities.

But the farming ruminations will have to wait, because they soon arrive at the city.

[ID: A large panel showing the Enterprise crew along with their armored guides approaching a Japanese-styled city by a river. In the background are indistinct shapes of buildings beyond an arched bridge over the river, with mountains in the distance; in the foreground is a while building with red roofs, where a woman in a short pink tunic is standing on the steps saying, “Welcome, travelers! I am Oshino of the Third Dan! This the imperial city of Shondo Ho! Come! We have quarters waiting—Yamoto saw your arrival!” Uhura is saying to Kirk, “Captain, it—it’s perfect! It’s like those enchanted cities I vid-sorbed as a child!”]

Like the what that you what now

Oshino introduces them to a guy called Ekoe of the First Dan, who’s supposed to ‘see to their needs,’ which he does precisely none of in this story but never mind that. Once installed in some guest rooms, Kirk and Spock talk over the situation. Spock thinks this is all weird because the people seem to be living in total perfect harmony with their surroundings, which he’s quite sure humans aren’t capable of. Really? That’s what you find weird about all this?

Kirk has a slightly more salient point: he’s noticed that of all the people they’ve seen so far, he’s only seen six distinct faces. It’s rude to call out the artist like that, Kirk. Anyway Kirk says he’d think maybe that meant everyone around here is an android, but they all show up on the scanners as human. Hm.

Oshino shows the group around the city some. Uhura notes that they all seem very relaxed and not rushed, and asks what their lifespan is. At this Oshino acts confused and says she doesn’t understand what this ‘lifespan’ thing is because they are ‘of Yamoto and the moment.’ Ekoe jumps in and says that maybe they should be thinking more about what happened before and what will happen after, for which he gets chastised for asking questions he’s not supposed to be asking. How, exactly, these people have managed to build up a society with agriculture and a developed city when they have no concept of past or future is...well, that’s, uh, that’s quite something.

But apparently asking “what happened before right now” is a hanging offense around here, because Oshino rats Ekoe out for incorrect thinking to some guy she calls ‘clan father’ who says that Ekoe’s going to have to be ‘dealt with’ for that. But not right away. We can have some dramatic passage of time first.

[ID: Sulu talking to Oshino, an Asian woman wearing a short pink tunic with flowers in her hair, inside a building with yellow walls. The narration box reads, “Oshino tended to spend more time with Sulu. Because of the similarities of their cultures there seemed to be intellectual identification between them!” Sulu is saying, “Can you tell me anything of your history—your planet’s development?” Oshino says, “History? I don’t understand! I—I...lakes?”]

LAKES?

Oh yeah, sure, Sulu’s from 23rd century Earth and she’s from an alien planet vaguely emulating ancient Japan, but their cultures are just alike!

Turns out this whole ‘lakes’ thing is Oshino getting a vision of something happening previously—aka ‘remembering’--specifically a bunch of people rising out of lakes. Huh. Weird. She shrugs this off and asks Sulu to tell her more about where he came from, so he tells her about concepts like ‘night’ and ‘stars’ and ‘other planets’. I’d fear for the Prime Directive, but I think that got busted quite a while back.

Meanwhile, Spock sees Ekoe constructing a cute little model house, but when asked about it Ekoe says that obviously he couldn’t be constructing anything because he’s a First Dan and his functions don’t allow for that. Then he destroys it in a rage. A...weird rage.

[ID: Ekoe, an Asian man in a belted green tunic with a green wrap tied around his hair, sitting at a table and angrily knocking apart a model house, saying, “What is this? This is merely a semi-quadrainial, psi-sided convertional nothing!” Behind him, Spock is standing with one hand thoughtfully on his chin, thinking, “Curious! Ekoe is unlike anyone we’ve met here...”]

A semi-what what-sided convertional what now?

Spock notes that Ekoe stands out around here, not just because he speaks in weird gibberish, but because he alone seems to be unsatisfied with his role in life and is questioning the whole society. When questioned Ekoe reveals that he also has the magical skill of ‘seeing the past’ but his memories don’t make any more sense than the lake thing.

Kirk takes Uhura and Sulu out to scout around for a bit. And he’s giving a captain’s log...during a flashback? Sure, okay.

[ID: Kirk, in the foreground, and Sulu and Uhura in the background, exploring a grassy wooded landscape. The narration box reads, “Stardate 30:19:15...continuing with our data collecting on Rifas-L...We have set out to explore surrounding wild areas!” Kirk is saying, “Sulu, I want samples of that glowing ore over there sent up to the Enterprise for analysis!” and Sulu replies, “Aye aye, Captain!”]

Sulu, I wouldn’t get too close to that glowing ore if I were you.

While poking around, Uhura notes that nearly all of the flora around here has food value, which allows for the prosperity the local people enjoy. Kirk also mentions that he hasn’t seen a single child anywhere around, causing Uhura to posit the existence of some kind of child storage institution.

Spock, meanwhile, is off somewhere else, wiping out the local wildlife.

[ID: Spock standing in grass, shooting his phaser at a lion-creature leaping towards him while another one snarls in the foreground. Spock is thinking, “The ferocity of those creatures would seem to contradict the environment of this world! However, I have a theory...I believe they’re guarding something!”]

Leaving a trail of dead carnivores in his wake, Spock eventually happens onto an isolated building which is giving off weird ‘life force emanations,’ so naturally he goes inside to take a look. Evidently someone went to the trouble of getting a bunch of lions to guard the place, but didn’t think to put a lock on the door.

Back in the city, Kirk is talking about wrapping up this whole venture soon, when Ekoe comes in with another model house and asks if the Federation might have a place for him (and his little houses) somewhere, because he doesn’t fit in around here. Before Kirk can respond to this, a bunch of armed guys (whom Ekoe refers to as ‘collectors from the Garden of Eternity’) burst in to arrest him. Turns out Ekoe doesn’t fit in so much that he’s going to be executed for being a ‘mental deviant.’ The crew tries to save Ekoe, but sadly they’ve misplaced all their phasers—apparently--because they’re forced to resort to whacking the armored guards with their bare hands, which doesn’t work out so well.

[ID: Sulu ridiculously chopping a man in samurai-like armor with the back of his hand while exclaiming, “She’s right, Captain! We’ve got to stop them long enough to make them listen!” In the background, Uhura is pushing over another man in armor.]

Eventually Oshino bursts in and gets huffy at them for interfering in something they know nothing about, and tells them that if they don’t stop fighting they’ll get executed too. So the Enterprise crew just has absolutely no choice but to watch Ekoe, along with some other ‘deviants’ and the elderly, get hauled onto an execution platform and, well, executed.

[ID: Three figures, one of them Ekoe, holding their hands up and crying, “Noooooooo!” while being incinerated with “swurrrrrrrr! Ziiiiiiiiittt! Ziiiiitt!” sounds.]

swurr ziit ziit indeed

Poor Ekoe! We hardly knew ye, and yer little houses. Also that execution platform seems mighty high-tech for this society. Does anyone make a note of that? Of course not.

Well, so much for this whole ‘perfect society’ thing. Uhura tries to explain to a confused Oshino why they disapprove of killing the unusual and elderly, prompting Oshino to have another attack of memory. This is observed by the clan father (I think—it’s pretty hard to tell who anyone is in this art style), who notes that Oshino is starting to get all deviant-y too.

Meanwhile, Spock, exploring the mysterious building, makes a shocking discovery—a cloning lab! That’s right, the identical people with no children are all clones! Man, who could’ve guessed.

While he’s looking around, he’s interrupted by Yamoto himself, who introduces himself as the creator and overlord of this world, which actually isn’t a planet but a giant spaceship (there are a surprising amount of those knocking around the galaxy). Evidently this is all just some big socio-scientific project of his, the reasons for which we are left in the dark about. He just wanted to make a planet, I guess. Anyway, he shows Spock around, talking about how he’s genetically programmed all these clones into three perfect ‘classes.’ Then he zaps Spock with a paralysis ray and says he’s gonna take samples from him to make a whole new, even better class of clones. I dunno how well an entire society of Spocks would function, but I guess Yamoto hasn’t known him very long.

Back in the city, the guards have burst into the room once again, this time to take away Oshino and those dang Federation newcomers who have been causing unrest. Fortunately this time Kirk and his crew have their phasers on hand and are able to take them all out in about two seconds. Kirk tries to call up Spock but can’t get an answer, so he proclaims that they’re going to find Spock—going to, one might even say, search for Spock—and then get the hell off this weird not-planet. Oh, and Oshino can come too if she wants.

Oshino thinks Spock might have gone to the ‘Palace of Life’ so she leads the crew there, taking out yet more lions on the way. Geez, those things must be respawning somewhere. In the lab, Yamoto has successfully taken all the cell samples he needs, so now it’s time to get rid of Spock. Luckily for Spock, Yamoto is distracted in the nick of time.

[ID: Spock laying on a table looking up at Yamoto, a man wearing a green tunic with very large yellow sleeves and a black flat cap, holding a phaser. Narration: “Suddenly...” Yamoto: “Intruders!” Spock, thinking: “He’s distractred—my Vulcan healing abilities have overcome the paralysis! I must act now!” A screen in the background is flashing and going, “woo-ah woo-ah woo-ah.”]

WOO-AH WOO-AH WOO-AH

The crew have found the Palace of Life and make their way inside, where they discover the Terrible Secret. Oshino reacts...not super well.

[ID: Oshino attacking and destroying machinery with one hand. Sulu, behind her, is saying, “Captain! She’s berserk! She’s tearing the place apart!” Kirk, looking offscreen, is saying, “We’ve got bigger worries right now! Look!”]

Yamoto sends some security robots after the intruders, but they’re easily dispatched. Spock shows up and suggests they perform an expeditious retreat—but before they can, Oshino grabs Sulu’s phaser and runs off deeper into the compound on a quest for vengeance. Kirk is reluctant to let her go, but she blocks the doorway behind her (with a bunch of giant boulders that conveniently fall from the ceiling), so they have no choice but to leave her behind. They run outside, where the collectors have caught up to them, but a quick beam-up solves that problem.

The Enterprise runs away, and Kirk narrates to the board what he thinks happened next: Oshino found Yamoto, kills him, and then presses a button that makes the whole not-planet blow up. Yeah, just one button. Evidently this place was designed by Dr. Doofensmirtz.

Kirk tells the board that clearly, Federation intervention can’t be responsible for what happened to the not-planet, even though Federation intervention was directly responsible for what happened, because it would have happened eventually anyway. The board is like “cool” so everyone leaves, but on the way out they’re interrupted by a space janitor.

[ID: Two panels. In the first, a man in a blue shirt and green cap is approaching Kirk, Spock, Uhura and Sulu as they exit a room, holding out a small model building to them and saying, “Captain Kirk, will you look at this! The space scooper picked it up as it was cleaning up Rifas-L...survived the holocaust like a straw in a tornado! You wouldn’t know what it is, would you?” Spock replies, “I think I can answer you, sir!” In the second panel, Spock, in the foreground, says, “It’s quite probably a semi-quadrainial, psi-sided, convertional nothing!” while the man looks shocked in the background. THE END is written in the lower right corner.]

Space...scooper?

I’m not sure if Spock’s end comment there is supposed to in some way be meaningful or pithy but it...it...yeah. One would expect something like “oh, a fragment of a civilization now lost, the last remnant of a man who had great hopes and dreams but is now gone and remembered by almost no one, let’s keep it as a reminder of this great tragedy” but no, Spock just smirks and spouts out a comment that seems snarky but doesn’t actually mean anything and walks off. At the risk of actually seriously analyzing these comics—most certainly a hopeless venture—this is a strong example of how shallow the writing in them is. There’s a sense to me here of someone trying to mimic good writing without any idea of how it actually works, so instead of actual emotional beats you just get this sort of weird nonsense. “Oh, it’s really clever to end a story with a smart call-back, right? This is clever, right? Right?”

I do love the space janitor’s mustache and look of comical surprise there though. And the idea that a straw surviving a hurricane is anything like a tiny model house surviving AN EXPLODING PLANET.

So that’s the end of that story. It’s probably racist? But to be honest I’m so confused at this point I wouldn’t even know where to start on that one. The moral of the story is, uh...don’t...make clones? Sure. Let’s go with that.

#star trek #star trek Gold Key #recap tag #star trek Gold Key recaps #GK 26 The Perfect Dream #GK 26 The Perfect Dream recap

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crimson-mage-02 · 6 years ago

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Together At Last Chapter 3: Across the Universe

Summary: The Lions get separated when a trip through a wormhole goes awry, while Coran and Allura scramble to break free from an endless time loop.

A/N: Hope you all will like this chapter. Please send in comments and feedback so that i can improve. Also enjoy!

@spacelion-loveshermulletson @magiesheartlove @jewelcuzimpreciousdamit

Allura and Coran watched helplessly seeing that they are losing the paladins. “They’ve vanished through the temporal rift! The lions are gone!” Allura saw all of the lions had disappeared in different directions.

(~)

“Sir, we have found this child, or should I say girl, somehow survived the fire incident. What should we do with her, Emperor Zarkon?” asked a soldier who was looking over the vitals of the lost child on the bed. “Emperor Zarkon?” Zarkon walked towards to the young girl and observed her.

“What have you found out about this youngling?” Zarkon asked as he circled around the bed, “W-Well, we haven’t seen this type of readings since the attack on Planet Altea and Zelza. Her mana energy is what healed her. The quintessence inside of her is most powerful than ever.” Said a doctor.

“We can train her to be more powerful than ever and she’ll be good use to us. Send in High Priestess Haggar.” Zarkon ordered. The solider bowed as he went to summon Haggar. After a few moments Haggar came into the room and bowed down respectfully to her master and emperor. “Yes, my liege.”

“You see this child?” Zarkon asked, pointing to his right in the dark room, “Yes, my lord. I can sense Mage Princess Serene’s both quintessence and mana energy inside her. She is the reincarnation of the late princess, my lord.” Haggar says as she held the young girl’s raven hair. She heard her lord and master growled.

“What are your orders, sire?” Haggar turned to Zarkon who stood at the end of the bed. “Alter her memories. Also, she is going to be my new daughter.” Zarkon declared as Haggar gasped silently. “She can be a great use to the empire. Alter her memories. At once.”

“Yes, my lord.” Haggar bowed down and looked at the unconscious girl.

Kaela woke up in her ship and saw that she had crashed landed in a planet. She tried to get out of the ship but got her leg stuck. She panted and cried out in pain due to her leg stuck.

(~)

“Come on, come on, come on!” Keith grunted as he tried to get the control of his lion, but he then crash landed, went into unconsciousness.

“Come on, Ella! You can do it! That’s it!” Keith cheered cheerfully until they heard a baby crying. “Aww, Pop, she’s crying again!”

“Aw, shh, baby girl. Don’t worry, she’ll be a strong little princess. Isn’t that right Ella?” Keith’s dad asked as he held his youngest daughter in his arms, calming her down. Ella opened her clearly gentle purple eyes and put her eyes out to her father’s face.

Keith opened up his eyes and looked at his surroundings in the planet. He looked down at the controls, trying to get his lion moving. “You okay, Red?” Still, there is no movement from the lion. “Okay. We’ll fix you up. We had a tough battle.”

Keith went out of the hatch and then saw smoke not far from him. Keith then thought it could be Shiro. “Shiro!” Keith ran and ran as fast as he could until he saw it was a Galra fighter. Keith got his bayard out cautiously walking towards the ship.

He then looked through he window and saw Kaela unconscious inside. Keith then frantically used his bayard to cut the ship out open to save her. “Ella! Ella, come on wake up!” Keith shouted out to her.

Inside the ship, Kaela briefly opened her eyes and saw someone trying to get to her. She saw a white armour with red accents and heard him calling out to her desperately. She groaned as she felt the pain on her leg and closed her eyes again seeing the darkness.

Keith got the ship opened and got her out of ship quickly before it explodes. Keith carried her out of the ship and ran to a safe distance and hid behind a boulder as it exploded. Keith panted as he looked at the ship and saw it was blown to pieces.

Then he looked at Kaela who still has her helmet on. Keith carefully took out her helmet and gently held her neck and lay her down as he took in her appearance up close, seeing her long raven hair and saw she has purple Galran markings, going straight past her eyes and stops at her forehead. He also could see a cut on her head.

He went to see how bad it is until she woken up and took out her blade against his neck. Keith put up his hands, showing that he won’t hurt her. Kaela panted heavily as she looked into his eyes then her stone-cold purples eyes started to get tired and slipped into unconsciousness and Keith caught her in his arms.

“Phew, ok, let’s see. Injured arm and leg.” Keith sighed, as he ripped off some clothing from Kaela’s uniform on her sleeves to make a bandage for her arm and leg to stop the bleeding. “There, that should do it.”

Keith then carried her piggy back style and moved on to find Shiro. “Ugh, are you always this heavy?” Keith grunted as he carried her all the way to find Shiro.

(~)

Somewhere far away Pidge crash-landed in a rubble with her lion not moving, “Huh? What’s the matter, girl?” Her lion didn’t respond to her, she was not responding or moving at all. Pidge then frowned, slumping down back in her seat. “Okay, rest a bit. I’ll see what I can do.”

Pidge looked outside the window, curious. “Looks like there’s no gravity here. It’s like a trash nebula of some kind.” Pidge then sat cross-legged in her seat, “Okay, Pidge, stay calm. You know what they say. ‘When you get lost in space, the best thing to do is stay put and wait for people to find you.’ This’ll be nice. I’ll have some ‘me’, time.”

Pidge sat there for a few minutes, now feeling glum, “No one to annoy me.” Pidge could really use for someone to talk to her but there was no one with her expect for her lion.

(~)

In the wormhole, Allura and Coran tried everything they can to get to the other paladins and to get out of the wormhole. “Let’s check the Rift Positioning Monitor to see where this wormhole is taking us.”

“Coran, look! There appears to be something on the other end. We’re heading right toward it!” Allura said.

“Scanners show that there’s no exit!” Coran exclaimed. “It’s just nothingness. Find an exit before we run smack into the void!”

Allura tried to get control of the Castle but nothing was working. “I can’t. I’ve lost control of the Castle.”

“Brace yourself! We’re about to hit it!” Coran said as he embraced himself. As well as Allura. They went through the darkness, “Let’s check the Rift Positioning Monitor to see where this wormhole is taking us.”

Allura opened up her eyes as she blinked looked around, “Coran, we’re okay!”

“What are you talking about?” Coran asked. “We’ve lost all the lions!”

“We were smashed into a black void. Don’t you remember? Hmm?” Allura raised an eyebrow as she felt one of the mice jumped on her shoulder, “What happened to the mice? They’ve transformed.”

Allura looked down at all of the mice and saw that they have transformed as well and then looked at Coran, “Coran?” She blinked as she took in the appearance from her royal advisor.

“What are you looking at me like that? Do I have boogie stuck in my moustache again?” Coran asked as he stroked his moustache.

“No. You look younger.” Allura says.

Then they were headed into the black void again. “Scanners shows that there’s no exit. It’s just nothingness!” Coran exclaimed, repeating what he had said earlier which annoys the princess.

“You said that already!” Allura exclaimed in frustration.

“Find an exit before we run smack into the void!” Coran said.

“I’m entering coordinates to get us out of here.” Allura says as she tries to get control of the castle to get them into a different location out of the void. Then the alarm blared over the scanners, “The Castle won’t accept an end point.”

“Just enter any coordinates!”

“I tried, but the system is locked!” Allura says. “I can’t the signal in!”

“Allura!”

Then they entered the black void again as Allura saw even more younger version of Coran, acting like Lance. “Oh, no! You’re even more younger now!” Allura groaned. “What’s the matter? You look confused.” Coran said.

“Don’t worry, Princess. I’ll get us out of here.” Coran said as he made some poses and strange looks at Allura.

Allura then screamed at the sight of the mice transformed again. “We appear to be in some sort of time loop that’s affecting everyone but me.” Allura shuddered when one transformed mice licked her back. Much to her disgust.

“Scanners show that there’s no exit. It’s just…”

“Nothingness, I know. And we can’t find another exit point.” Allura deadpanned looking at Coran who was making poses in front of her while she was petting one of the mice.

“Don’t you stand there. We’ve got to find a way. I’ll never give in to nothingness!” Coran said.

(~)

Shiro was with the other Garrison teachers in a school ground, showing some younger kids on how to become special pilots. Shiro then saw a lonely girl who was standing alone in the open, watching the other kids looking at the guns and weapons and the holograms of ships.

Shiro walked to towards her. “Hey, aren’t you going come and see the holograms of the ships?” Shiro knelt down to the girl. The girl squealed and hid behind the tree. “Oh, don’t worry. I am not going to hurt you.”

The girl peeked from behind the tree, looking at him. Shiro smiled happily, “I’m Shiro. What’s your name?”

“E-Ella. My name is Ella.” Ella replied stepping away from the tree. Feeling more confident, seeing that Shiro is not going to hurt her.

“Nice to meet you Ella, come on. I’ll show you some of the ships.” Shiro says as Ella’s eyes sparkled as she walked beside him.

Shiro woke up in his lion, holding his wound and went out of the lion, “Keith, are you there? Keith?” Shiro called out to his friend.

“I’ve got to get to higher ground.” Shiro made his way down to the ground, holding his wound. “Ugh, wish Ella were here to fix it up.”

Keith was making his way to find Shiro while carrying Kaela on his back. “Shiro, can you hear me? Shiro?” There was still static on his end while contacting Shiro. “Shiro, are you there?” Keith panted tiredly, carrying Kaela on his back.

Shiro walked up the hill to have better connect to contact Keith. “Shiro, are you there? Answer me!” Keith asked. “Keith, I’m here.” Shiro replied. “Keith.”

“Shiro, it’s Keith.”

“Keith, Keith, I’m here. I’m okay.” Shiro sighed as he sat down against the boulder, holding his wound.

“Shiro, you made it.” Keith sighed in relief.

“It takes more than a glowing alien wound, a fall from the upper atmosphere, and crashing into a hard pan surface, at what I’m guessing is about 25 meters per second squared, to get rid of me.” Shiro bitterly, looking at his wound. “How are you?”

“Not good. My lion’s busted. Wait, what wound?” Keith asked worriedly as he stopped in his tracks.

“It’s nothing.” Shiro replied quickly and remembered his fight with the witch. “Keith, there’s something you should know about Ella. I mean, Kaela.”

“About that, Shiro, she’s here with us on this planet. She crash landed here.” Keith says slowly.

“What? How?” Shiro asked sitting up wincing at the pain. “Is she ok?”

“I don’t know. But she’s unconscious. And injured as well.” Keith replied. “Hang on, I’m coming.”

Shiro then looked at his lion, hearing some growling sounds down the hill. Seeing some dangerous creatures looking around on his lion. “On second thought, you’d better hurry.” Shiro said.

(~)

In the trash nebula, Pidge got out of her lion to explore her surroundings, seeing there’s no one there, just herself and the lion. Then saw something glowing in the tunnel. She grabbed her bayard, “Who’s there?” seeing the markings glowing in the dark.

The creatures came out, chattering and squeaking, coming towards Pidge who lowered her bayard, “Hmm? Aww! Hey, little guys!” Pidge smiled, looking at the fluffs. “Aw, you guys are so cute. Too cute to be found in a dump like this. Are you guys the only one living here?” Pidge asked.

“I hope my rough landing didn’t disturb your day.” Pidge said. “I’ll only be here for a short time. I’m waiting for my friends to find me. We were separated during a wormhole jump.”

Then the creatures lined up in front of her, “Yeah, friends!” Pidge said, happily at them then frowned, looking up in the nebula. “I sure hope they find me soon.”

(~)

Meanwhile in the Castle, Allura and Coran were still stuck in a time loop and are planning on getting out of the wormhole. “Let’s check the Rift Positioning Monitor to see where this wormhole is taking us.” Coran said, leaning on the monitor, sighing in boredom. “This is so boring.”

“Coran, please! I don’t need any of your attitude right now!” Allura scolded to a teenage Coran.

“You don’t understand me at all! You have no idea what I’m going through!” Coran huffed, crossing his arms turning away from the princess. “I’ll be in my control area! Hmmph!”

Allura sighed then focused on task as she worked her way to try and get themselves out of the wormhole and time loop. “I can’t manually enter coordinates. But the Castle will automatically lock on to the lions’ whereabouts, if we can locate them.” Allura said as she put out the coordinates to see where the lions are. Hoping to find them as fast as she could.

But it didn’t work as well much to her disappointment. “It’s not working! I’m unable to hone on to their location.” Allura said as she then heard music coming from Coran.

“Coran, turn that down! There are lives at stake!” Allura scolded.

“I can only express myself through music!” Coran replied, not listening to her and continued listening to the music.

Allura growled as was not in the mood for dealing with Coran’s attitude. “Coran, if you don’t turn that down, I swear I’ll turn this Castle around and--..”

“And what? We’re just going run into this void that’s coming up here.” Coran said. “I hate everybody!” They went through the void again as Coran turned into a young child standing on his station.

“Let’s check the Rift Existing Monitor to see where this wormhole is taking us, whatever that means.” Young Coran said.

“We’ve tried everything and nothing’s worked. A few more trips down this wormhole and you’re going to disappear.” Allura said. “We must find a way out of here.”

“Just blast your way out! Duh!” Young Coran said as he played around with the four headed mice.

“I suppose it’s worth a try.” Allura reluctantly agreed. “The Castle’s defences might have enough firepower to destroy the tunnel.”

“Yeah! And it’ll go ker-plooy!” Young Coran said as he rode on the mice’s back. The castle’s beam tried to blast the wormhole, but it instead hit them with its own blast.

“It’s not working! It’s like we’re shooting ourselves.” Allura said.

“Where’s Voltron?” Young Coran asked Allura as she looked down, worried about their friends as they went through the void again.

(~)

Keith is still on the move to find Shiro while carrying Kaela on his back. He hoped that he can make it in time to save Shiro. “Shiro, what happened?” Keith asked, calling out to him.

“There’s several creatures.” Shiro replied.

Keith then stopped as he looked back as he saw a water geyser behind him and almost dropped Kaela from his arms. “Ugh, got to keep moving. Got to get to Shiro.”

Shiro stood up trying to get away from the vile, vicious creatures but one was behind him, roared loudly enough to get other’s attention. Shiro was all alone to deal with them as he avoided them from back pinned down and attacked by them.

Keith then saw more geysers appearing and looked around. “Uh-oh. Let’s get moving.” Keith breathed out as he ran faster. As he ran, more geysers appear from behind him then tripped over as Keith and an unconscious Kaela fell down the ledge.

Keith used his bayard to get on holding the cliff’s edge as Keith lost grip on Kaela but held her hand in time, holding her tightly. He tried to wake her up or rather shake her awake, hoping she could somehow help him but no luck. He was on his own on this. “Ugh, like it better when you are trying to kill me.” Keith muttered.

Shiro was surround by the creatures and then saw a small cave he could hide in and then jump off the cliff to go into the little cave to get away from them. Once he is in the clear inside the cave he then contacted Keith. “Keith, are you okay? What happened?”

Keith grunted as he held on to Kaela. “Minor delay, but I’m on my way. How are you?” Keith just his jetback to fly up and then put Kaela set aside. He looked at her and saw she was safe.

“I’m all right, but I’m trapped here in a cave, and some nasty-looking creatures have me cornered.” Shiro replied looking at the creatures that were digging their way in as he held on to his wound. “How’s Kaela?”

Keith looked down at her, “She’s fine for now. Stay put. I’m on my way.” Keith then stood up looking up ahead. “I just have to… figure this out.”

(~)

Young Kaela was in a small room with Haggar watching over. Checking her status on the monitor with the Druids. Haggar has found out that Kaela is the reincarnation of Mage Princess Serene, from Planet Zelza. A planet of Mages. Healers and peacekeepers.

“Sire, I have discovered something about her Quintessence.” Haggar bowed down in the throne room.

“What is it?” Zarkon asked as he sat on his throne, listening attentively.

“Her Quintessence is extremely rare and ancient. Princess Kaela has another soul in her. She has extraordinary abilities and her Quintessence, we can use it to become more powerful, my lord.” Haggar said.

“How about her memories? Have you succeeded in alternating them?” Zarkon asked.

Haggar chuckled evilly, “Precious memories are already altered, sire.” Zarkon nodded in approval as he walked out, ready to meet his daughter who stood behind the doors with a sentry.

Zarkon looked down at the small child in front of her. “Hello, my daughter.”

(~)

Meanwhile in the trash nebula, Pidge had entertained herself with trash version of her friends. “My name is Keith. I’m so emo.” Pidge held the trash version of Keith.

“Shiro, you’re our leader. What should we do? We’ll get through this if we work together. We’re a team.” Pidge mimic Shiro as she went over to trash Shiro.

Pidge then moved to trash Lance. “Look at me! I’m Lance. Hey, is that a cute girl over there?” The fluffs were watching Pidge’s puppet show as she moved on to every version of her friends and mimicking their voices and movements.

“Huh? What is it?” Pidge asked, seeing the fluffs going to her. Pidge then looked up to see her lion, seeing that it is back online. “Hey, you’re working again! Welcome back!” Pidge then flew towards her lion but was stuck by a cable and landed on a satellite dish.

A fluff went to her chittering something to her. “No, it’s not my friends. It’s just an old rusty satellite.” Pidge replied. Then she gasped as she had an idea on how to reach out to the others. “Hey! Maybe I can find my friends before they find me.”

Pidge then went to work on the satellite with bits of pieces from the trash, getting materials and equipment as much as possible to try and find the others. She had put the satellite on top of her lion, easy enough for Allura to locate her lion.

(~)

Keith breathed in and out calmly, “Patience yields focus.” He walked back a few feet away to open up geyser.

“That really stayed with you, didn’t it?” Shiro asked, feeling proud for Keith.

“You’ve given me some good advices.” Keith said as he kicked the ground and the geyser appeared. “If it wasn’t for you, my life would have been a lot different.”

“Yeah. You wouldn’t have crashed a flying lion on an alien planet and be stuck with little hope of rescue. Shiro said, bitterly. “So, your welcome.” Shiro then coughed violently.

“Stay with me Shiro.” Keith said to him as he carried Kaela again on his back and got out his bayard as he made a small platform with the geyser opening up to give enough boost to get to the other side. Keith smiled in victory until the rocks were gone underneath his feet and started to fall as he held Kaela tightly and used his jet back to fly up.

Keith made it to the other side much to his relief. Keith got Kaela up on the edge of the cliff safely and heard Shiro calling out to him. “Hang on. I’m on my way.” Keith stood up and continue on carrying Kaela on his back, again.

“Good, because these guys just started digging.” Shiro says seeing the creatures were digging their way in the cave.

Keith saw Shiro’s lion not far from where he is. “Shiro, I have visual on the Black Lion.” Keith then heard Kaela stirring up, waking up any moment. He heard her words calling out to her father. Keith assumed Zarkon. As much she wants to kill him, Keith will never give up on her and save from Zarkon’s control.

Shiro then was attacked by the creatures as he was being tossed around in the canyon. He avoided them while holding his wounds and fighting back. But his wounds are getting much more worse as he moves around. He then was pushed by one of them, falling down on the ground and losing his helmet and was surrounded by them

“Shiro, what happened?” Keith called out to him but didn’t answer, which made him worried and picked up the pace to get to Shiro quickly as fast as he can.

(~)

“Let’s check the Rift Exit Monitor to see where this worm goes.” Toddler Coran says as his tummy rumbled. “I’m hungry!” Then he started to scream, shout and cry, kicking the computers.

“Coran, no! That is not a toy.” Allura scolded as she made her way to stop Coran from destroying the computers. “You’re going to break the Castle, and everything will stop!”

Allura then paused looking down at the control panel as she set Coran down. “Wait a second. Perhaps we can simply stop the Castle from moving.”

“No mine!” Coran whined as he starts pulling her hair and then bit her arm. With Coran biting her arm, she pressed the button to power down the Castle. “I’ve shut down all of the power. Why are we still moving towards the void?” Allura asked herself.

Then Coran started to cry and whine. “My control panel!”

They went through the void again as Allura found herself, cradling her royal advisor in her arms crying. “I know, I know. Who wants to check the Rift Exit Positioning Monitor to see where this wormhole is taking us? You do, that’s who.” Allura says to baby Coran as she cradles him in her arms.

Allura held Coran in her arms as she worries for her friends and wanting to get out of the wormhole. “We have to get out of this time loop before the only thing left of you is your moustache.”

Then she saw the pacifier flying out of Coran’s mouth and looked down at him. “Poopies.” Allura groaned in annoyance, not really wanting to deal with him.

(~)

Keith had found the Black Lion and saw Shiro being cornered by the creatures that attacked him. He then turned to Kaela and set her somewhere she can be safe for now. He placed her on the boulders near the Black Lion.

He went up to the Black Lion and placed his hand on its mouth. “I know I’m not Shiro, but he’s in trouble. We need to help him.” There was no movement from the lion as Keith waited for a response. Keith was hoping that the Black Lion respond to his pleas.

Shiro was avoiding the creatures attack as his wounds were getting more worse as they had him trapped and were ready to feed on him until the Black Lion came rescuing him with Keith piloting his lion. Shiro watched, impressed that Keith was able to pilot his lion and knew he’ll be a great leader one day and saw that there is greatness in him. One creature was about to attack Shiro, but a gun shot was heard as Shiro looked up to see Kaela awake, pointing her gun at them.

In the Black Lion, Keith saw that she had saved them. Kaela was staring down at them as she stumbled and fell down with her losing grip of her gun, went back into unconsciousness. Shiro and Keith let out a sigh of relief.

(~)

Pidge had finished making the satellite and tried to find her friends using her lion to boost the signal. “Now, let’s see if we can get a hold of the Castle.” Pidge said, looking at her best hard work of the satellite while hoping to reach out to the Castle.

It powered up, seemingly working until it shut down quickly. “No, no! What’s wrong? I need to get out of here. I need to find my friends!” Pidge exclaimed. “Come on!” She heard her lion roared loudly, powering up the satellite and send in the signal to the Castle.

Pidge smiled gratefully at her lion, “Thanks. Now let’s see if this thing works.” She hops in her lion, working on to find the Castle. “I hope the signal’s strong enough to reach the Castle.”

In the Castle, Allura held Coran tightly in her arms, “Coran, what are we going to do? If we hit the end of the tunnel again, you’ll cease to exist.” She then saw the void again and held him closely. “I’m sorry. You were like a second father to me.” Allura said as tears started to form until the computers had detected something.

“Coran, look! The Castle has locked onto a coordinate.” Allura then worked her way to make a wormhole. “Come on. Come on.” Then a wormhole appeared and then went through safely.

“We made it!” Allura exclaimed in relief then heard snoring from Coran in his arms. Returning back to normal.

“Mom?” Coran mumbled looking up at Allura who had an annoyed look as she dropped him on the floor and crossed her arms. Allura then saw Pidge on her lion. “You saved us, Pidge. We were stuck in a time loop.”

“You got us out with this giant trash pile.” Coran said, seeing Pidge had build the trash satellite on her lion.

“It’s a make shift communication link that sends out the Green Lion energy.” Pidge says on their screen. “It’s similar to the energy that guided the Blue Lion home.”

“Pidge, you’re a genius.” Coran complimented, giving her a thumbs up.

“I know. Besides it wasn’t just me. They helped.” Pidge said, referring to the fluffs she had befriended.

Allura smiled, “Let’s go get the rest of the paladins.”

(~)

Keith got his lion back, sitting next to the Black Lion as he had the fire up, keeping them warm. Shiro looked at his wound and it is getting more, more worse. He then turned to see Keith glancing over at where Kaela was laying down.

Shiro nodded. “Thank you for saving me.”

“You’d done the same thing for me. How’s your wound?” Keith asked, looking at his deadly wound.

“My wound’s great. It’s getting bigger all the time.” Shiro says sarcastically. “Just trying to lighten the mood.”

“Hang in there. When Allura and Coran find us, they’ll fix you right up.” Keith says as he watches over Kaela in the corner.

“Keith, if I don’t make it out of here… I want you to lead Voltron.” Shiro said to him.

Keith froze hearing his request and thought he was saying that thinking he’ll die. “Stop talking like that. You’re gonna make it.” Shiro smiled at him, feeling lucky to have Keith by his side. Then they saw a wormhole opening and appeared the Green Lion.

(~)

“Explain to me how you let Voltron escape.” Zarkon ordered.

“Perhaps it was a mechanical failure, sire.” Prorok said. “Haggar boosted the solar barrier’s power and beyond its normal limits.”

“This was no mechanical failure. The two sentries that were guarding the barrier were found destroyed.” Haggar says. “This was clearly sabotage. And also, we’ve lost Zarkon’s only daughter.” Zarkon clenched his fists furiously. Not very impressed that his subjects let Voltron get away and his daughter was missing.

“Lord Zarkon, I will start an investigation immediately. I will not rest until the perpetrators are captured.”

“Perhaps, I can save months of investigating. Who has been trying to chisel Voltron away from me this entire time?” Zarkon asked. “Who let my daughter fight Voltron alone without any assistance from the fleet? Who had let my daughter slip away and be captured by Voltron? Who let Voltron get away and disobey my orders?”

“Sire, no! I would never hurt the princess!”

“Get rid of him.” Zarkon ordered as the two sentries got the commander out of the throne room, not listening to his pleas.

“Before we dispose of him, the druids will find out all of that he knows. Then he will receive a punishment worse than death.” Haggar said.

“Lieutenant Thace…. You are now in charge of this investigation… Commander.” Zarkon said to Thace as he bowed respectfully.

“Vrepit Sa.” Thace replied as he walked away out of the throne room.

The he heard Haggar speaking to Lord Zarkon. “Sire. Worry not. We will find her. I have placed a tracking chip on her neck. That way, we can find her.” Haggar turned to him, "Kaela will be returning home safe and sound."

Zarkon nodded as he stood up walking to the window. “Good. Let’s find my daughter and take down Voltron.”

#kaela oc #kaela #keith #allura #coran #pidge #voltron #together at last fanfic #together at last

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mashitandsmashit · 6 years ago

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America’s Got Talent: The Champions - Finals

12: Kechi. I need to be open and honest...when I agree with Mel B. I know Kechi can be a really good singer when she picks the right song...This one was just too safe! It was a nice performance and all, but it was about as good as what we've seen from her in the past...Contrary to what Simon said, I don't think Kechi needed to be in the Finals...She might have sang good enough in the last round, but I really would have preferred other acts in this round...

11: Angelica Hale. When she hits the big notes, she hits them great...But really, the longer they insist on hyping her up, the more backlash I have to feel against her...Also, big problem with enunciation here! Honestly, I forgot about her pretty quickly, despite how close to the end of the show she was...(Of course, this tends to happen when there are so many singers in one show!)

10: Brian Justin Crum. As much as I'm sick of these “Greatest Showman” covers...I will admit that this song was a good fit for him...I think Brian works well with musical theatre songs, hence why he fits the Broadway scene...

9: Preacher Lawson. As usual, the personality outshines the jokes...But the jokes were JUST funny enough to support said personality...And regardless of the final results, I'm sure ripping his shirt off (and being quite ripped himself) will win him a lot of votes from the lady Superfans...

8: Paul Potts. Of COURSE he sings “Nessun Dorma”! Since half the singers this season are just reprising their classic hit performances, it seemed inevitable...Regardless, this is easily one of the best renditions of the song I've heard...Even if he still constantly looks like his head is about to explode “Scanners” style!

7: Susan Boyle. I guess it's up for debate how this compares with her original BGT audition...Her voice has given out a little bit from her age...But this was about as close to “moving” as any of the other singers...

6: Jon Dorenbos. Unlike the OTHER magician in this episode, this trick is liable for dissection...Although maybe I just feel that way because when I first watched it, I could have sworn Howie picked Nebraska...But no, Nebraska was just hanging on top of Oklakoma...Anyway, while not the slickest trick ever, I do like how he incorporated previous performances with each of the judges...He may be done with football, but he can still manage one more touchdown on AGT...

5: Deadly Games. So, who did THEY have to have a threesome with to get enough time to practically do two performances in one!? The pacing was very slick, they got plenty of tricks in there (even if they probably did most of them already), and for a moment I got to imagine all the judges getting kebabbed on an arrow! ...Oh yeah, and the balloon thing was cool too...

4: Cristina Ramos. I don't care if she already performed this song on SGT, I still couldn't get enough of her and her reflective cape!

3: Kseniya Simonova. While not quite as tear-jerking as her previous performance, the story was still solid, the imagery was much less sloppy, and the transitions were oh-so slick!

2: Darci Lynne. So not only did this serve as an apology for her getting eliminated before, but it seems she is also avenging Jackie Evancho's unceremonious elimination by performing the same song that made Jackie an AGT star in the first place! And she did it with her mouth closed! I knew she could sing without moving her lips, but OPERA!? That's a new one! (Though Terry Fator probably did this too, didn't he?) The only flaw is that I would have loved a little more banter between her and Petunia leading up to the song...But I guess the echo effect and “Oh, my carrots!” will do...

1: Shin Lim. I'm kinda lost for words, to be honest! I feel like we've reached the peak of close-up magic now (as well as the peak of crazy hair!) While the tricks started off kind of simple, things picked up around the point when he showed off his butt again...(Now don't get the wrong idea, okay?) The tricks just kept coming, getting harder and harder to wrap one's head around! And finally, as a final mic drop if you will, he put the cards in Howie's cup without even leaving the stage! (And now Howie doesn't just need hand sanitizer, he needs a new cup!) I don't think there's any topping this! I guess we can still expect one more encore from him next week, and he will surely be a special guest during Season 14...But otherwise, I'd say he's done everything he needed to do and more! To the King of Close-Up!

This was another relatively solid show, even if not everyone was at their absolute best...But I think my Top 3 made it all worth it...And I'm very glad that they all...Ahem...I better stop myself there and wait for next week's results...

While I may already know the final results, I can still guess how the early portion of the eliminations will be laid out...

Group 1: DG and Kseniya

Group 2: Angelica, Brian and Kechi

Group 3: Darci and Preacher (Rematch!)

Group 4: Cristina, Paul and Susan

Group 5: Jon and Shin (I mean, duh, right?)

Let's see how close my guess is...Next week!

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quillsandcauldroncakes · 7 years ago

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I Won’t Give Up On You (Loki x PlusSize!Reader)

Request: Hi, i love your style of writing so much! 😍 Can I please get number 25 and 32 with Loki? Thank you so much ❤

Summary: The reader helps save Loki from Thanos’ control and becomes an Avenger.

Words: 1965 (woooooow)

Characters/Pairings: Loki x reader, Tony Stark, Thor, Steve Rogers, Natasha Romanov, Clint Barton, Bruce Banner, Nick Fury, Eric Selvig

Warnings: Angst, character ‘death’, alien invasion

A/N: Alright guys so this is the last request on my list so please send me some more to keep this blog going!

“You want me to do what now?” She rose a brow at the man in the star-spangled suit. She leaned back in her plush armchair. Her gaze moved over to the long-haired blonde one and then over to the one in a fancy suit jacket and a Black Sabbath tee.

“We need you to look into my brother’s mind to find out what he is plotting.” The one with long hair said again. Her (e/c) were piercing as she looked at each of them in the eye, it was as if she was looking directly into their souls.

“Alright.” She shrugged, grabbing her knitted sweater. Their faces contorted in shock.

“That’s it?” The short one asked, looking put off by how easily she agreed.

“Well… Yeah. So, are you gonna show me the way or not?” She shouldered her designer backpack and waved her hand to her office door.

The man named Nick Fury and a woman by the name of Natasha led (Y/N) down a corridor to a large set of automatic doors.

“Be careful with this one, he’s a Master of Lies and Mischief, and he won’t hesitate to kill you given the chance,” Nick said as he pressed his hand over the scanner and the doors slid open. Inside a man dressed in green and, gold armor stood proudly.

“Not everyone is as they seem,” (Y/N) said as she entered the room, the door closing behind her. The clicks of her boots drew the attention of the god but he did not turn to gaze at her. Always the one for dramatics.

“Well, well, has Fury sent me a new toy to play with?” Loki finally slowly turned to face the woman who had seated herself on the chair just in front of the glass separating the two.

She was a plump woman with very nice curves that drew his gaze. Her hands were folded over her lap were a notepad lay. Her (h/c) hair was thrown up into an attractive messy bun that framed her round face nicely.

“My name is (Y/N) (L/N), I’m a psychologist from New York. I was hired by S.H.I.E.L.D to talk to you.” She shifted in her seat, her skirt riding up ever so slightly. His eyes were instantly drawn to it.

“So, I guess I’ll start off by telling you a bit about myself. I was born and raised in a little town in Washington State, and I moved here to find better opportunities. I became a psychologist a few years ago. I have a cat and live in a small apartment in Brooklyn.”

He eyed her wearily, unsure of where she was going with this. She was hired by these mortals to find out what his plan was but not even the Widow had approached him in such a roundabout way.

“What is it you want from me?” He approached the glass, trying to read her. But as she sat there with a soft smile and an understanding look in her eyes, he couldn’t find anything worthwhile.

“I just want to talk. S.H.I.E.L.D hired me to find out what you were up to but honestly, I couldn’t care less. However, from the footage I saw from when you first showed up… I’m curious as to why you looked so horrid for someone claiming to want to take over our planet.”

Loki knew the answer of course, but he wasn’t about to divulge this girl in that story. He smirked and licked his lips.

“Oh? And how did I look?”

“Tortured. Like a man who had hit rock bottom and had only one option. To follow orders.” She spoke bluntly but softly as if to not set him off. But it was too late for that.

“What do you know? You don’t know what it’s like to be cast out! To be looked over! To practically be on your knees!” Loki’s rage suddenly broke free, he slammed his fist on the glass and glowered down at the woman.

“Don’t I?” She whispered, her eyes turning down to her hands. “Being the second youngest of five isn’t as great as it seems. Especially when your parents only want the best.”

Loki’s intense gaze softened as he listened to her.

“I was never the smartest, nor the prettiest. Everything I would do, everything I accomplished was already done by my older siblings… and my youngest would receive all the attention. It was as if I didn’t exist to them. It was all about my siblings…”

“…Did you hate them?” Loki asked, lowering his palm down the glass. She sniffed and shook her head. He rose a brow in confusion.

“No, no I didn’t. Well, at first, I did. I blamed everyone and myself for what was happening to me. I hated my siblings and my parents. But, as I grew older, I came to realize that even though my parents shunned me, my siblings always defended me, always praised me. I was blind to that because of my own self-pity.”

Loki didn’t know what to say to that. Suddenly, he was back on that rainbow bridge, his brother holding him up. He remembers feeling so lost as his father looked down on him in disappointment. He didn’t even glance at the anguished look in Thor’s eyes.

“Loki, no matter how hard the situation seems, or how alone you feel, there is always someone there for you.” (Y/N) smiled up at him as his body relaxed and he gazed back at her with damp eyes.

“I-I never meant for anyone to get hurt,” He muttered. She nodded, standing and walking up the glass and resting her palm on where his rest.

“We never do, Loki. But sometimes, we just lose sight of the path… We just need someone to lead us back.” Abruptly, the entire ship shook, nearly knocking (Y/N) off her feet. And like a spell was broken, Loki looked down at (Y/N) with that same crazed look in his eyes.

“Loki?”

“You think too highly of yourself, you quim. Did you really think you could help me? It’s too late!” He laughed as a group of agents burst into the room, leading (Y/N) away, telling her to get to a safer place.

“I’m not going to give up on you, Loki!” She shouted as the doors closed. She was shoved onto a chopper that took off immediately, dodging shots from a rogue quinjet.

She didn’t see him again until he was atop the Stark Tower. She had noticed the quinjet from her office not too far from the Tower. Figuring it was Tony and the others, she made her way there. How wrong she was.

“I already told you, it’s too late.” He scowled down at her, but at this proximity, she could see the desperation in his eyes. She had been discovered as she made her way up and was brought to Loki to decide what to do with her.

She had been trying to convince him to end this.

“Loki, whoever’s making you do this, we can hide you, we can keep you safe! Please!” She grasped his hand in hers. He tore his hand away.

“You can’t stop this, (Y/N)! Stop trying…” He looked up at her with defeated, tired eyes. “I have.”

She frowned and drew her hand back and cracked it across his cheek. “Enough! Stop with the tough guy act! Stop with all the damn self-pity! End this, Loki!” She growled in his face, pulling him closer by his collar.

His eyes were wide as she yelled at him, his cheek stinging. Some clarity returned to his mind. “Thanos will come for me. There isn’t anywhere he won’t find me.” He shook his head.

“Then die.” She shoved him away. His heart dropped at her tone. She was telling him to die, to let Thanos come after him… He studied her, hoping she would say something to let him know she didn’t mean it.

“He can’t find you if you’re dead.” Loki looked at her as if she grew another head. “Thor told me of how he thought you were dead after you fought… Just do it again.”

How can she say these things so bluntly and carelessly? He marched up to her, dropping his scepter and took her in his arms, too overcome with relief to care of how this looked.

She wrapped her arms around him. “Shall we?”

She and Loki called the newly assembled Avengers and explained to them what was really going on. Thor was as relieved as he could be when he learned this wasn’t his brother’s plan. But he was enraged when he heard of what Thanos had done.

The others were obviously doubtful but decided to trust Thor’s and (Y/N)’s judgment. And their plan was set into action.

Loki opened the portal, allowing the Chitauri to invade. Steve, Natasha, Clint, and Tony kept them away from the civilians while Thor fought Loki. Bruce was at the device where the portal was coming from, trying to deactivate it.

(Y/N) had knocked out Selvig by hitting him over the head with a fire extinguisher. Soon Thor had defeated Loki, taking the scepter. He flew up to where Bruce and (Y/N) were.

“Anything?” He asked, his voice strained. (Y/N) shook her head, watching as more Chitauri poured from the portal.

“What if this was all meaningless? They may still find another way here… We need to do more than just close the portal…”

“What do you have in mind, (Y/N)?” Tony asked over the earpiece they had given her.

“Something crazy…”

A nuclear bomb was indeed crazy, but it worked. The moment the main ship exploded, the soldiers on Earth all collapsed. From what she could hear, there wasn’t as much a there would have been had Loki truly been trying.

After all was said and done, Thor took Loki’s ‘dead’ body back to Asgard. The news was all about this Alien invasion and the people who helped stop it.

(Y/N) sighed as she gazed up at the stars. It has been weeks since then. The casualties of the battle were much lower than she had thought, but then again, Tony and the others were able to evacuate a lot of people before the portal was opened…

But, as happy as she was that it was all over, she felt a strange emptiness in her chest. What was Loki doing now with his newfound freedom? Did he think of her as much as she did him?

She turned to look at her new room. When Tony had finished repairs on the Tower, he invited the Avengers to live there, even (Y/N).

“You’re as much of an Avenger as the rest of us (Y/N),” he had said. She agreed eventually.

A knock at her door had her moving away from her window. She opened it, expecting to see Steve or Tony, but was shocked to see the dark-haired god that had ‘died’ weeks ago.

“L-Loki?” She covered her mouth with her hand. He didn’t say anything besides holding his arms open. She stepped into his arms, wrapping hers around his torso.

“You’re here… what happened?” She looked up at him. He smiled slightly at her.

“Odin thought it would be appropriate if I served my time here on Midgard to atone for my wrongdoings…” He brushed her hair from her face. Her soft body pressed against his own. This girl saved him. And he couldn’t be more grateful for her.

“Well, I’m glad that he decided that.” She rested her head on his chest. He nodded in agreement, dropping his head to rest on hers. “Hey, Loki?”

“Hmm?”

“Just hold me.”

“As you will never give up on me, petal, I will never let go of you.”

#loki x reader #loki #reader insert #marvel #grace writes shit #i dont like it #but whatever #loki laufeyson #loki laufeyson x reader

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courtof-storms · 4 years ago

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The End of Letra, part 6

Previously: 1 2 3 4 5

------ ------

Erin fell off the row she was laying on, landing on Faye before sitting upright on the girl’s lap.

“What the fuck was that!?” Faye asked, pushing Erin off of her lap before going to the cockpit. Erin got to her feet and went to wake everyone else up, starting with Jynx, then going to Aria and Bel.

“Uh, guys, you might wanna look at this.” Faye said, coming back to the cabin from the cockpit.

“Faye what happened?” Bel asked, sitting up and rubbing her temples.

“Uh, I don’t wanna scare anyone-”

“For fuck’s sake spit it out!” Erin interrupted, bringing her hand back from her forehead, looking at the bright red smudge on her fingertips.

“Our engines are down and we are in a controlled descent towards Jolder.” Faye informed, not knowing what to do with her hands so she hid them behind her back.

“Well that’s not good.” Jynx said, getting on her feet and getting the voice modulator for Aria. “You might want to put this on.” She suggested to Aria, who took the ring-shaped thing from the noble and put it on, getting on her feet and going to the cockpit.

“Faye, I’m your copilot, let’s try not to crash.” Aria ordered, Faye went back to the cockpit and started helping Aria out. Bel got to her feet and went to Erin’s side to check how bad her injuries were. Erin tried to shrug her off for a bit before ultimately letting her help.

“Wait, Jolder?” Jynx asked, now pacing back and forth, trying to think something through.

“Yeah, is that something important?” Erin asked, watching Jynx pace.

“I think so…” Jynx started, rushing to the cockpit door before finishing. “Hey Aria, what are the moons of Skorri?”

“Uh, there’s Helta, Nijat, Porlach, and-” Aria’s reply was cut short by another explosion outside, shaking the shuttle and bringing Jynx to her knees.

“And Jolder.” She finished, getting back to her feet and rushing to her seat, strapping herself in. A wave of dread came across everyone else’s face.

“Well, there goes the life support. Everyone buckle up, this is gonna be rough!” Faye shouted to the cabin, buckling herself in. “Aria, you know where that shit is coming from?”

“...They’re coming from the surface…” Aria replied, checking the instruments many times over before getting annoyed and punching the wall to her right, denting it.

“Of what, Skorri?” Erin asked incredulously, strapping Bel in next to her before getting herself.

“No, it looks like...oh no.” Aria started, checking the scanner and the life support levels.

“I don’t like the sound of that.” Bel said, frantically trying to patch Erin up before another explosion rocked the shuttle.

“They’re coming from the surface of Jolder.” Faye said, fighting the controls to try and keep the shuttle from nose diving.

“Isn’t Jolder fuckin’ uninhabited?” Aria asked, shielding her face from the shower of sparks coming from her console.

“It was, I think there was a colonization effort there a couple solar cycles ago.” Faye informed.

“Why the hells do colonists have fucking huge missiles?” Jynx asked.

“It was a failed effort, everyone on the voyage died, it was deemed uninhabitable.” Bel informed.

“Well it seems pretty fucking inhabited now.” Erin spat.

“Brace for impact, we’re going down!” Faye shouted back to the cabin. Another explosion shook the shuttle. The lights went out for a few seconds before being lit in a neon red glow and an alarm blaring. Everyone put their heads between their legs and started muttering to themselves. Erin reciting lyrics to a song, Jynx saying her vows, Faye and Bel saying the same prayer, and Aria reminding herself of her programming in binary. A final explosion rocked the shuttle and sent them into freefall towards the surface of Jolder.

------

Surface of Jolder, 30 minutes before

------

Alys curled up into a ball at the foot of the tree, just about on the verge of tears as Morrigan crawled her way towards her, grimacing and using every ounce of self control she had before she got to Alys and put her good arm around her.

“Everything ok?” She asked, trying to hide the discomfort in her voice.

“I fuckin’ spend 200 years trying to get off of this godsforesakened rock and another 500 avoiding this entire corner of the system until this bullshit started happening and a fuckin’ scientist on Skorri said she could help me out and then I’m fucking back here. How the fuck could I be ok about any of this!?” Alys responded, her grief giving way to anger as she spoke until she was practically screaming at the top of her lungs. Lysander instinctively backed up slowly with their hands raised for a couple seconds before remembering he was a hologram and stopping in their tracks.

“...You’re shitting me, right?” They asked, a smirk starting to form on their face.

“Do I fuckin’ look like I’m kidding? Does this tail or this fuckin’ fur look like a gorramn joke?”

“W-wait, you’ve been alive for 700 solar cycles?” Morrigan asked, trying to figure out how Alys could’ve been alive for so long.

“Don’t listen to the bitch Mori, she’s clearly off her meds or something, the hospital she’s staying at is probably looking for her right now.” Lysander said, what parts of her face weren’t covered in fur was now a bright shade of red as she picked up a reasonably sized rock and hurled it at him with it passing through him.

“Why the fuck would I lie about something I’ve spent half a millenium trying to forget?” Alys spat at them, ripping off her cloak to reveal scars that were just about as old as the cloak she just took off. Her exposed chest looked like a first year doctor just learning how to cut someone open for autopsy, complete with the stitchwork to accompany it, what was visible of her arms looked like they were cut off and replaced at the shoulders, and the ends of the scars on her chest looked like they connected with a couple more that weren’t quite as deep but went over her shoulders and supposedly continued on her back.

Lysander’s mouth was practically on the floor and Morrigan was so in shock she couldn’t form full words, only grunts and gags.

“You think these are a joke, Hologram? You think I slapped them on before getting on your ship?” Alys asked with enough venom to poison a small city on Urda. Lysander shook their head slowly and the three were in almost perfect silence, save for Alys’ panting for a minute or so until Morrigan finally broke the silence.

“What happened?”

“Hmm, let’s see, I was injected with a mix of shit for months, operated on while fully conscious. Oh, they took my heart out of my chest and showed it to me, can’t forget that. I had my lungs taken out through my back, there were beatings, a fighting pit, they took my arms too, these arms I have aren’t my actual arms. I was starved, deprived of sleep, treated like a fuckin’ animal. I had to listen to them kill off everyone in my ward once a month for FIFTY FUCKIN’ YEARS. They brainwashed me, had me kill my girlfriend, and that’s not even counting the fuckin’ sexual shit they subjected me to!” Alys yelled until she doubled over and started coughing. Morrigan’s face looked about as green as the leaves above them and Lysander looked like they were about to explode.

“Oh boo hoo, you were a test subject, I FUCKING DIED, got shot by some fucks with a badge who were looking for my boyfriend’s brother who didn’t do anything wrong besides forgetting to do his homework from time to time. My brother created me out of grief and then gave me to his best friend, Morrigan here, because he couldn’t bear to look at me or himself anymore for the matter. You know what he did the second he implanted me in her? He poured bleach in his eyes.” Lysander shot back, just about ready to cry as Morrigan looked at the ground under her.

“Hah, fuckin’ talk to me about dying when you’re on your fifth life, prick. At least your brother is still alive, albeit he’s blind but he’s still alive. I have no one left, everyone I knew died almost a thousand years. I have no one, You know how lonely it is to be the only immortal you know of? Yeah, that’s an unintended side effect those drugs had on me, no matter how hard I try I can’t fuckin’ die.” Alys spat back at him.

“You try a bullet to the head? That seems to work wonders.”

“Yeah, woke up the next morning with a headache that could only rival this fucking tail coming in in pain.”

“Can you both fucking shut up for five fucking seconds!?” Morrigan shouted, shutting up Alys and Lysander in an instant.

“Thank you, now Alys, apologize to Lysander…” She started, interrupted by Alys gaping and Lysander starting to laugh. “Lysander, apologize to Alys also.”

“HAH!”

“What? Why do I have to apologize to the fuckin’ reject?” Lysander asked.

“Shut it, now apologize now.” Morrigan said, her voice only shreds away from yelling.

“Fine, I’m sorry I said you were a lying thabule.” Lysander said, not even trying to hide that they don’t mean it.

“I’m sorry I said you were a hopeless piece of code.” Alys halfheartedly said.

“That wasn’t too bad now, was it? Alys, I take it you know where we are?” Morrigan asked.

“Sadly I do.”

“Ok then where do we go?”

“I had a cave about a 20 minute walk to the uh… that way.” Alys informed, looking around before pointing slightly to the left.

“That’s southwest, dumbass.” Lysander spat, clearly not hiding their disdain.

“That’s enough Ly. So a 20 minute walk southwest, that sounds doable.” Morrigan said.

“Easy for you to say Red, You can’t walk.” Alys said, slinging her bag over her shoulder and putting the pistol at her feet in her left boot.

“Oh, so you’re saying that you’re just gonna leave me here?” Morrigan asked, looking down at the ground like she was going to start crying.

“No.”

“So you’re gonna carry me?”

“Yeah, so long as the other one keeps quiet.” Alys instructed, Morrigan brought her head up and she had the biggest grin on her face. Lysander looked like they were going to say something but Morrigan instantly shot a look in their direction and they shut up.

Alys picked up the redhead and carried her bridal style the entire time, almost tripping a few times and somehow managing to fall on her ass about halfway to the cave, the two of them had a laugh about it before they inevitably went back to silence the rest of the way. Morrigan wanted to ask the strange woman a million questions but didn’t because she felt Alys was done talking for a while and Lysander was following far behind them, wanting to punch the smug look Alys had back at the crash site off of her face. They calmed down after a while and walked next to Alys for the last five minutes.

“Here we are.” Alys said as they came up on the cave she called home for a hundred years and change. She laid Morrigan down on the dusty makeshift bed near the back before taking her bag off and getting a bottle of water from it, handing it to Morrigan and helping her drink it without choking.

“Hey, mouthy one, how long until she’s back in working order?” She asked.

“I’d say two days tops.” Lysander informed, looking around the cave for something they could focus on in the meantime, looking outside just as a ball of fire formed in the sky.

“Hey what’s that?” They asked, pointing at the trail of smoke it formed as it fell. Alys came up next to them and saw what they were looking at.

“I think it’s another shuttle.” She said. The two of them watched as it fell, leaving their sight for a minute before it reappeared on their left, crashing off to the right of them. Alys went to the back of the cave and looked through her bag for a bit before pulling out a flare gun and handing it to Morrigan.

“I’m gonna check that out, see if there’s anyone alive on that.” She said.

“What’s this for?” Morrigan asked, holding up the flare gun.

“Velocitars are mostly nocturnal, sunlight blinds them, if you see one, shoot this at the floor of the cave near the entrance, it’ll deter them from coming in for the night.” Alys informed, gently running a hand down Morrigan’s cheek and giving a slight smile before turning around and walking out. Her face didn’t show her fear but her tail was all rigid and straight, she was terrified.

#the end of letra #original writing

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magic5ball · 4 years ago

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Nature Trail to Hell Arc IV: Megamart of Darkness (10)

Chapter 10: Bokrug vs. A-Bomb vs. Watt! Ultimate Deathmatch!!!

Despite having only golf clubs, A-Bomb was fearless. A reckless sort of fearlessness that leads one to charge a 25 pound, machine gun toting mass of unadulterated avian fury.

A fearlessness that would only make sense if your opponent was playing right into your hands.

“Bokrug! Look out!”

By the time the last word left my mouth, it was too late. A-Bomb teed off on Bokrug’s jaw, sending the gander flying. The machine gun clattered to the ground, where it shattered into a thousand pieces. All that was left was for A-Bomb to start teeing off on Bokrug’s downed carcass, which he gleefully did. Repeatedly. And it looked very painful, so painful it scared me out of mini golf for life. Even so much as touching a club gives me memories of the poor goose’s gasps of pain.

“Please, my child.” He begged “You may have fallen far, but the kind, innocent boy I once knew is still in there. I can feel it!”

“Really? Because my internet history says otherwise!”

If Bokrug wasn’t getting hit before, now he’d been reduced to the world’s downiest piñata. And yours truly could only watch helplessly as his physical form looked like it was gonna explode into a million bloody pieces any second, too glued to my seat (literally) to do anything. Or was I? Because A-Bomb had only glued the bottom of my seat. If I could only wriggle out of my pants…

Gotta give credit to Bokrug: he held out much longer than I thought he would. But even dinosaurs fall with enough beating, and before long A-Bomb was standing triumphantly over his kill like some African big game hunter. Right as I was able to slip out of my pants. Though when you consider I was wearing my pachyrhinosaurus underwear, the exact same smelly pair I’d been wearing since I’d left camp, this may have made my problem much, much worse.

A-Bomb laughed loud and deep at the sight, his face turning a deep red. This must have gone on for several minutes, him constantly on the verge of chortling his lungs out, myself too strawberry red to move. Then, once he’d spit out enough chuckles to speak again:

“A-are you kidding me?!“He pointed at me like some schoolyard bully. “Of all the dinosaurs you get monogramed on your underwear, you chose the NERD one?!”

I breathed deep. “Pachyrhinosauus is an amazing and criminally underrated member of the ceratopsian clade! In addition, it is woefully underrepresented in museu-”

A-Bomb thought that was a regular knee slapper.

“Kid, everyone knows the only reason they throw Pachyrhinosaurus in museums is so they can reach their diversity quotas! Yy-you are such a pathetic NERD!” Another fit of laughter later, he added “I-I can’t kill you like this!”

He snapped his fingers, summoning a legion of brown bagger clones armed with those dumb laser scanners to circle us.

“How about this? For making me laugh, I’ll let you escape! Heck, I’ll throw in a 30 second head start, free of charge!”

The Brown Baggers joined their master’s jeering, lest they be sent to the unemployment line (AKA Pete’s Slaughterhouse). Speaking of the Master, he pulled a bottle of Crystal Springs Water from his khakis and began chugging like he’d hadn’t drunk in a week, the power coursing through his veins.

I should have run, run like the pathetic wimp I was. But I didn’t. Because at the end of the day, you can steal sacred water from roleplaying geese. You can threaten to turn me into a corporate slave. You can bludgeon a close friend of mine within an inch of his life with and force me to watch. Heck, you can even force me to watch Carney the dinosaur sixty hours straight if you wanna! But nobody, and I mean NOBODY, makes fun of my pachyrhinosaurus underpants and lives to see the next sunrise!

Instead, I dashed for my pants, thirty seconds ticking away fast. Ten seconds in, I was pulling the packet of grow dinosaurs from my pocket. Another ten I got the stupid wrapping off.

Nine…

I remembered what Bokrug had said about the water, how it was enchanted and whatnot.

Eight…

Problem was, I had no idea where the real water was. The only one I knew was the real deal was being held by A-Bomb, and I sure wasn’t getting there.

Seven…

Unless… I looked at the sad water fountain, spurting alone between two shelves. Maybe the water of the sacred spring wasn’t in a bottle at all.

Six…

I concentrated. No going back now. No regrets…

Five…

A red pill rocketed through the air, a glorious, million dollar shot. A million glowing red darts marked themselves on me.

Four…

Three seconds. Four tense, terrible seconds of that pill riding the wind, right to the rim of the water fountain, teetering on the edge until, at last, the Luck of the Tostigs pulled through, and that baby went right down the drain.

Three, two…

Something pushed out from inside the water fountain, something BIG!

One…

Shrapnel exploded from where the water fountain had once been as a giant sponge triceratops burst out, alien style. The beast charged, plowing down brown baggers like they were blades of grass. As for A-Bomb, he didn’t even get a chance to set a stupid expression on his face before he was reduced to a red stain on the tile floor. And from where that water fountain once stood, the sacred spring gushed forth, coating the rest of the little sponge grow capsules, turning them to life-size dinosaurs. Not missing a beat, I hopped on the triceratops, and gave it a little bit of Tostig family advice:

“CHAAAARRRRGGGGGGEEEEEE!”

And boy howdy, did we! With a bellow that shook the foundations of the Wegmart, the triceratops launched fifty employees so high they left little brown bagger shaped holes in the ceiling! Heck, if I hadn’t used my toe claws to lodge myself in its’ skin, I might have been tossed into the next state!. Meanwhile, where the water of the Sacred Sprinng showered on Bokrug, he changed, wings becoming massive muscular arms, a wide sail growing on his back, his face becoming long and crocodilian, feathers became scales. A form I would recognize anywhere: Spinosaurus Aegyptus.

The brown baggers scattered. One dinosaur they could handle, but thirteen? Not a chance! Together, we watched the remaining five or so survivors flee into the stock room as we posed epically on a thousand foot mountain made of their corpses. Any that weren’t fast enough were picked up in Bokrug’s massive jaws and flipped up into the air, only to be swallowed whole like gingerbread pancakes! Our remaining troops, few as there were, flocked to join us.

We’d won.

The words felt weird on my lips, my brain still trying to grasp what just happened.

We’d won.

Yet I couldn’t deny it: somehow, we’d kicked out the most powerful company in Pennsylvania.

“WE’VE WON!”

Bokrug bellowed majestically into the air, his voice ancient and primeval The rest of the birds, dinosaurs, shopping carts, and whoever else was in our slapdash army joined in:

“WE WON! WE WON! WE WON!”

And they carried me out of the store on their wings like I was some kind of rock star.

. . .

That night, we partied. And by partied I mean set out the spoils of our war (snack chips and pretzels, mostly) while everyone stood awkwardly around the punch bowl, not knowing what to say (for guys who wore party hats all the time, LARP geese sure don’t know how to hold a conversation). Bokrug especially seemed interested in going to the little dino’s room and staying there a really long time. As for me, I stared into one of the barbeque fires we’d set around the place for lighting, plotting my next move. Hilda and whatever we’d put in Ms. Hoebag’s body were running the camp like a Siberian Gulag; in the middle of it all was my ticket back to reality, and by extension, my Gameboy Advance.

And, y’know, Mom was probably worried sick about me.

After half an hour of brisk walking, I found the bathroom door. I knocked twice.

“Bokrug, you in there?”

“My apologies,” bellowed the dinosaur, “but it seems as a final act of resistance, the minions of darkness burned all the toilet paper, so that we may never properly use their waste depository facilities.”

Sighing, I shoved some party napkins under the door.

“These do not seem to be the papers I seek. Are you certain these will work?”

“Yeah, I’m sure.”

One flush later, Bokrug barreled out, knocking the door off its’ hinges.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” I replied, heading in myself.

Bokrug cocked his head to the side, the way birds do when they’re curious.

“And why would you leave paradise? With the waters of the Sacred Springs in our grasp, we shall soon surpass even the empire of Tako Shak in power!”

I shook my head, strategically positioning Mr. Weenie over the dung pit, letting loose. Bullseye. “Bok, I want to stay, but my Mom and Gameboy are at home, and I’m sure as heck my dirty rotten little brother isn’t going to give them company.”

The dinosaur could only stare in awed amazement as I epically exited the loo, piece of toilet paper attached to my shoe. “Long story short, I’m going to summer camp. Wanna join me?”

The dinosaur shook his crocodilian head. “While the idea of devouring communist elementary schoolers does pique my interest, my responsibilities are to my people. I cannot leave them leaderless at such an incredible time.”

“Are you sure?” I asked, feeling a little bit damped down. “There’ll be all the communist turds you can eat.”

“Watterson, you have helped me when I needed it most, but you have your family, and I must care for mine. Surely, you understand?”

And for the first time I thought about how I had left Hilda at summer camp. I wondered how she was holding on now that Shatner and I had left.

But before I could head on my way, the old water lizard had one last surprise in store for me. “However, there is one gift I can give you.”

Holding out a scaly hand, I saw the grow capsules I’d filched off Wegmart, now turned into tiny sponge dinosaurs that galloped across he palm.

“My apologies, they shrunk in the sun.”

You’d think I’d be upset, but I wasn’t worried. Not at all.

. . .

And so we went on our quest: me and twelve grow-sponge saurian mercenaries from hell. We walked along a dirt road for about twelve hours before, as luck would have it, along trundled a Systo delivery truck, the same kind that delivered the crap food to camp. Hitchhiking wasn’t as hard as I thought (having dinosaur claws makes you surprisingly persuasive!), and soon me and the dinosaurs were crammed into a cardboard box in the semitrailer.

And so I sat in the dark, curled up inside a cardboard box meant for Styrofoam containers trying to formulate the master plan to get my body back. And by formulate a master plan I mean trying not to laugh at the Spongeboy jokes that would randomly pop into my head and focus, darn it!

Instead, I found myself drifting to sleep as the truck rolled across the winding backroads leading to fate, to destiny, to the thing that had started this all…

Summer Camp.

(Okay, so maybe I started it all by putting firecrackers in Dad’s cereal, but hey, I wasn’t the one who forced a young, innocent mind to watch Barney the ‘Dinosaur’. ‘Shudder’)

Part IV: MegaMart of Darkness: End

(Author’s Note: To everyone who’s read this far: thank you for hanging with me all this time! It really does mean a lot to me! Anyways, as it stands, I’m not quite happy with the final arc, so I’ll be taking a month’s hiatus to maybe fine-tune it a little bit. Until then, thank you so much for staying with this story, and see you soon!)

#My writing #Nature Trail To Hell #bokrug #supermarket #geese #summer camp

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arielsojourner · 7 years ago

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Vader Strikes Back - Part the 7th

Not beta read/really rough/not really proof read/plot holes and OUT of order. Also spoilers for the original first story in AO3 Back From the Future: Episode VI The Clone Wars. Check the tag #vader strikes back on my page for the other parts to this mess/fic outline.

Trying something new with this part. Not sure if it works or if I will rewrite the whole thing. Let me know if it works.

“So we made it to Tatooine,” a voice with a noticeable Mando'a accent began as the holocam view spins slowly around taking in yellow dunes and a cloudless sky. “Most of the settlements are in the northern hemisphere of the planet. I say settlements, but this is pretty much all there is in the north. Sand and looking over here, even more sand. And what’s over in the west? Sand. The south? Almost no one goes to the southern hemisphere because there’s absolutely nothing to see there either. Except sand of course. There’s nothing to see on this entire, Force-forsaken, garbage masher of a–”

*click*

“Are the scramblers in place?”

Even through the helmet, one can see the visible eyeroll that question causes. “For the tenth time Joc, the scramblers are in place. We’re good to go. As soon as He gives us the signal, we go in and we get everyone out.”

The holoimage shakes and wobbles.

“Stand still, will you?” Another helmeted figure hisses. “We’ve got the easy part.”

“You say that but where’s the signal, huh? Why hasn’t He–“

Static garbles the holo-transmission for several seconds and there is an ear shattering boom.

“Move, move!” a trooper orders and they are on the run, bursting through the subterranean tunnels and breaking down every door they can find. It’s dark and only the lights from the clone trooper helmets’ illuminate the cells and the huddle broken figures packed inside.

*click*

From the high angle of the holoimage, the viewer can see a male Crolute is standing on a raised stage before a raucous crowd, shiny datapad in hand. “I hear 32, do I hear 40? 40 peggats for this fine specimen. She’s still got some youth to her, do I hear 48? 48 to the Lady Murra, thank you for you bid. 56! Thank you, sir. Do I hear 64? She’ll earn you that back in a week, look at her!” he crows reaching over to pull off her barely closed shirt exposing her to the eyes of the crowd. “Do I hear 64?”

The girl, barely into her teens, simply keeps her head lowered. She makes no move to cover herself. She stands still and silent on the stage.

“Tell me I can kill him,” a voice mutters darkly.

“Wait, Redeye.”

“I want to kill him. I’ve got the shot. Let me take the damn shot, Captain.”

“Wait.”

“Sold!” the auctioneer roars and two Weequays take hold of the newly purchased slave and drag her from the stage. The Crolute motions for the next lot and the guards drag forth a Twi'lek child from the holding pens. The child is barely old enough to toddle on his own two feet. His face is a howling mask of grief and pain.

“Ryma!” the child cries, his hands reaching desperately behind him to the figures packet tightly into cages. “Ryma! Ryma!”

“Skrag this,” Redeye swears and the holocamera captures perfectly the moment where the guards and the auctioneer are taken out with three quick headshot blasts from sniper rifle.

“REDEYE!” a voice roars.

“Go ahead and put me on report, Captain. I don’t care!” Redeye yells back as the camera angle shifts again and again as he snipes people in the panicking crowd, taking out slavers execution style with one perfect headshot after another. “I’m not watching one more second of this kriffing, messed up–“

There is a thrum of an engine, the familiar whine of a troop transport. Air support casts a large shadow over the auction square. A dark blurry figure falls from the sky to a land amid the screaming chaos of bodies. The mic on the holocamera picks up an all to familiar snap-hiss.

*click*

“–so introduce everyone already, Echo!” the trooper out of the holoframe, but holding the camera, calls out.

“Right, so this is Xian,” Echo says pointing at one of the people sitting with him in the courtyard. They are a motley crew each standing or sitting with slug throwing rifles in their hands, braced against their shoulders, resting on their bent knees. “And this is Lore, Etamin, Kor-Joo, and Anequis. They’re here helping us with the liberation of the planet. Lots of people are willing to help, which sure makes a change from the Wars. They’re helping us organize. Say hello to the rest of the GAR everyone!”

*click*

The holoimage moves around as if the camera is being held by someone drunk.

“Put it into focus. No! Not like that! Push the other button!”

“I can do it, CT-9779! I’m not a nerf, you know.”

“Could have fooled me,” CT-9779 replies under his breath.

“Shut up.”

“Can you just let me do it? It’s my camera! I don’t want you to break it. What are you even trying to do?”

“I’m trying to– ah-ha!” The image stops shaking and then zooms in quickly on the building. Hanging by a chain from the highest tower is a bulbous blurry mass. Then the image comes into focus.

It is the body of a Hutt, dangling in the air. It is wrapped and strangled by chains, purifying in the desert heat, and covered with insects feasting on the rotting remains.

“Really? Of all the things to use my camera for, you want to take a holo of that? You think people want to see that festering pile of–“

“Are you kidding me? This is THE holo. This, right here. People are gonna want to have this framed and in their homes, I tell you. Jabba, dead at last! I only wish we’d managed to get a holo of that moment where He used the Force to wrap the chains around him and choke him to death. The look on his face!”

*click*

“Put the weapon down! Put it down!”

The richly dressed man presses the blade even deeper into the young boy’s throat. “I’ll kill him. I’ll kill him if you don’t let me go!”

“Put the weapon down and release the boy or we’ll fire!”

“We can come to an arrangement. You can take this one if you leave me be. I’m a reasonable man! I’m being reasonable!”

“Kriff you, we don’t make deals with child raping scum! Let the boy go!”

The boy who’d been hanging limp in the slaver’s grasp seems to suddenly steel himself. He raises his hands and digs his nails into the arm pinning him and turns his head, heedless of the blade at his throat and bites down, hard.

The man screams, the blade slices, blood arcs, the troopers fire.

The camera jostles and the troopers’ hands come into view, pressing against the boy’s gaping throat as he lies fallen on the carpeted floor of the lavish bedroom. “Sith hell! Get a medic! GET A MEDIC!”

*click*

Sharp cracking shots fill the air. The helmet holocamera view is partially obscured by a building wall.

“They’re above the catina! Left Foot! Bats! Do you hear me? They’re above the cantina!”

A woman pushes the trooper aside, steps out behind the cover of the building and brings her slug throwing rifle to bear.

“Get back!” The trooper yells grabbing her and yanking her back under cover. “Xian, are you crazy? We need to coordinate, you can’t just–“

There is a sudden pop and the front of the cantina explodes into a fire ball.

Xian spits and then stands, weapon at the ready and advances into the fray.

“Skrag this! Left Foot, we’re going in!”

*click*

The holoimage is dominated by the cockpit of the fighter. Armored hands work the controls. A piece of starry space is visible through the bend of the transparisteel canopy.

“Swinging around for another sweep,” a trooper voice crackles as if heard through a long tunnel.

“Stay in formation, Kickback. We’re having a hard enough time covering the whole planet with this CAP to have you straggling.”

“Negative, Pike. I’m getting something, something from the southern hemisphere.”

“I’ve got nothing on my scopes,” another voice protests. “No one even lives in the southern hemisphere.”

A sliver of the yellow sunbaked planet is visible now through the canopy.

“I’m telling you, there’s something,” Kickback insists, priming his weapons. “Come around to flank me. I think we’ve got someone about to try and run the blockade.”

“Another feeling, huh?”

Kickback laughs. “I haven’t been wrong yet. There! Do you see? Switch to visual tracking. The engine trail. Point five.”

“They’re flying like a mynok outta hell,” Pike remarks. “Unidentified ship. You are ordered to stand down and prepare to be boarded.”

“They’re not answering and they’re not stopping.”

“I can see that Oddball,” Pike responds with exasperation. “Comm the Dauntless, tell them we have our first catch of the day. Kickback, can you--”

“Hyperspace event!” another voice shouts over the comms. “We’ve got someone coming out of lightspeed!”

“Who is it?”

“GAR cruiser, sir!”

“Blast it, forget about that! The ship is making a break for it!” Kickback yelled. “We can’t let them–!”

*click*

“Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth or are you just a meat sack in armor with a gun? I don’t keep slaves. Everyone works for me because they chose to,” the woman insists. “It’s a job.” She turns and gestures to the various barely clad species huddled behind her.

“Everyone gets scanned,” the trooper insists. “Denal?”

The trooper steps forward and raises the strangely cobbled together device.

The woman stares at the scanner and her eyes widen and she pales. “L-look, I’m telling you. There’s been a mistake. This is a house of pleasure. The girls and boys here make a decent living. What’s wrong with a little companionship? You, trooper. Denal, is it? Don’t you want to rest a bit? Spend some quality time with one or two of my employees? On the house, of course!”

The device flashes once and Denal turns the screen so the woman can see. “Employees, huh? Then why are they all implanted with transmitters and bombs?”

*click*

In the dim light it is hard to make out much, but the clone armor still stands out, reflecting back the emergency lanterns as the trooper digs frantically with his hands, a part of his own armor, and what appears to be the Force, at the side of a mountain.

“Hardcase? Hardcase, there’s nothing more to be done.”

“They were just behind me, sir,” Hardcase explains as he strains to move more debris. “The little one, he was hanging from my shoulders. They’re probably just past these rocks. They’re probably waiting for us to get them out. We just need to dig a little bit more. We just need to prop this up with something--”

With every boulder shifted, ever meter dug, his progress is eaten away by the force of gravity, dragging down more of the mountain.

Hardcase lets out a noise of frustration. “I need some help,” he finally says. “I just need some help digging.” He turns and faces the officer who is trying to get him to stop. “Captain, is Fives up yet? What about Chatterbox? And Cooker? If they’ve recovered, we can clear the entrance together. We can use the Force and–“

“Fives, Cooker, and Chatterbox are still unconscious,” Captain Rex interrupts quietly. “So’s Flare and Bats. They held up the mountain as long as they could. You need to rest too, soldier.”

Hardcase blinks. Then he shakes himself and turns back to his task.

“Just a bit more, Captain. They were just behind me. They’re waiting. I’ve just gotta move a few more rocks. Just a few more, yeah.”

*click*

“Anakin? Anakin, enough now. Turn it off, please.”

#vader strikes back #luke and vader save the galaxy #star wars the clone wars #prequels

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thetygre · 8 years ago

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Dark Souls Lore Ramblings #5

Well, fuck. Given that I’ve said ‘I’ll talk about it later’ in every other of my Dark Souls ramblings, let’s talk about it now.

Magic!

So way back in Demon’s Souls, magic was kind of a big deal. I’d go so far as to say that it was even one of the driving parts of the game’s narrative. @soulsmusings could probably tell you more about it, but the crux is that God (a real one, singular, with a capital G) granted humanity magic in the form of a giant world tree. Magic derived from the soul, and the soul derived from cognition. So when people started abusing magic and acting like butts, the giant world tree turned into the Old One and started making demons and devouring the world. A deist God’s fail-safe against sin.

One of the signs of the end times in DeS is that priests can cast miracles again, which as they take as a sign from God. At the same time, sorcery and witchcraft are making a comeback, which is viewed as a sign of demonic corruption. The truth, of course, is that all of it is the same magic coming from the Old One. Big revelation. Requires you to kill a good NPC to get it. Totally worth it. Nets you one of the best items in the game.

Since in Dark Souls the soul proper is split between the Soul as animating energy and Humanity/whatever as cognition, there’s obviously some differences. But I still think there’s still some similarities too; all magic is magic. It’s not different kinds of energy, but the same eldritch force being manipulated different ways. Magic’s ‘material’ is Soul, the energy of life, and can be performed by anything with Soul.

The exact process works like this from how I see it. The caster’s intelligence or faith is the initiating force in their being for magic. It not only starts the process of magic, but how it is to be formed specifically. Maybe the caster says a prayer, maybe they conjure a spell. However they do it, this recitation draws on the caster’s Soul to produce the energy needed to actually perform the magic. Finally, this internal process is directed to the external world through a focus.

I imagine that focuses are necessary so that the caster’s own body doesn’t act as the focus. That could lead to all sorts of nasty effects; head explodes Scanners style, spontaneous combustion, nasty mutations. All kinds of gnarly Warhammer shit. (It’d be freaking sweet.)

The most common form of magic is (arguably) sorcery. Sorcery draws on and projects the caster’s own Soul energy, plain and simple. It’s based on Intelligence, which I take to mean that spells are based in reciting rituals, formulas, magic words, all that stuff. There’s definitely a Vancian element to all the spellcasting in Dark Souls (which makes me miss the mana bar from DeS) i.e. the caster prepares their spells beforehand like bullets in a chamber. When the caster runs out, that’s that; they have to rest before they can ‘reload’. It’s the classic magic system from Dungeons and Dragons. (And by ‘classic’, I mean ‘nearly everyone hates it’.) Anyway, what this has to do with Intelligence is presumably a connection between memory capacity for spells and the ability to comprehend just exactly what the magic is doing and how it works in the universe.

Seath is credited as being the creator of sorcery in Lordran. I’m assuming that doesn’t mean he created magic itself, but rather that he was the first being to come up with the formulae and methods of sorcery and, more importantly, that he taught it to humans. Kind of reminds me of those old myths about fallen angels who taught humans about make-up and astrology and everything else. Seath gets remembered in a big way since the Dragon School of Vinheim is the Souls’ world’s number one prestidigitation destination. Dragon School’s sorcery is focused mostly on practical uses, like offense and defense. Of course other schools have other specialties; Oolacile focused on illusions and mind-tricks, for instance. I get the feeling that Vinheim doesn’t really allow much room for other schools by the time Dark Souls rolls around. They’ve become kind of THE authority on magic, and anyone outside of them is looked down upon.

The focus of sorcery is the catalyst. It’s a wand, it’s a staff, it’s whatever. I can’t really add much that doesn’t exam each catalyst item-by-item or gets into the entire history of why wizards and witches use staves and wands. But for basic, universal magic-users, the catalyst is the perfect item for channeling energy and acting as a focus.

Dark/Abyssal magic is where things to start to get interesting. Like I talked about when I talked about the Dark, dark magic has a tangible, physical force to it. It isn’t just energy like soul sorcery, but a worldly material. Even if that material is just the same kind of nebulous half-stuff that the Dark and Humanity are made of, it still packs enough of a wallop to add some extra damage.

Dark magic works by drawing not just on the caster’s soul like regular sorcery, but also their Humanity; hence, it is a school exclusive to humans. The actual process used is a projection of the Jungian shadow or the Freudian id, to use them there fancy academical terms. Dark sorcery is a projection of malice, envy, or desire; the base things that the Dark is made of. By drawing on their own Humanity, the sorcerer is essentially drawing on a piece of the Dark and, therefore, drawing on the Dark as a whole to empower their spells. This begins an interesting trend in magic that we see where casters get their spells not just from their own Soul, but by channeling a Lord Soul. Which brings us to our next topic...

Pyromancy! Or, more precisely, true pyromancy. As you’ll recall from the opening cinematic and the Izalith catalyst description, pyromancy originally began as an extension of sorcery. But why fire in particular? First reason I can think of is that it’s a sign of alliance to the First Flame. Heck, it would make more sense for sorcery to be based off of true pyromancy instead of the other way around, all things considered. Second reason goes back into my theory about channeling Lord souls. If dark magic draws on the Dark Soul, or at least little bits of it, than true pyromancy might have been drawn from the Life Soul, or whatever you want to call the Witch’s Lord Soul.

There’s a morphological debate about what the precise scientific definition about what ‘life’ actually is. One definition states that life is anything with a core temperature, that must consume resources to survive, and is capable of reproduction. The definition was immediately refuted when it was pointed out that, by this criteria, fire is a life form; it certainly has a core temperature, must consume tinder to sustain itself, and is capable of reproducing itself by fission. The point of this little anectdote is to demonstrate that, out of the natural elements, fire is the closest to being its own life-form. So it only makes sense that the Life Soul would produce fire when it is used for magic. Fire is alive (in a sense), and life cannot survive without the things that fire is associated with providing (light, heat, etc.), including on a broader civilized scale.

Whole thing’s rather moot at this point. Witch of Izalith took the Life Soul and true pyromancy with it and sent it all to Hell in a handbasket. Now the Witch, the Life Soul, and true pyromancy are swallowed up by the Flame of Chaos. I have to think that every original true pyromancer was affected by the Flame of Chaos, and only a select few made it out alive without either being burned to crisp, mutated into a demon, or both. Quelaana is, as we know, the founder of all modern pyromancy. And the very nature of a pyromancer’s flame lends it to being spread across the world.

There appear to be different attitudes to pyromancy across the world. In the Great Swamp, pyromancers are looked down on as weird swamp hermits with destructive capabilities. By contrast, in Lordran, even modern pyromancers are still given some respect for carrying on the legacy of Lost Izalith. I have to imagine that Lordran is the exception, not the rule. Outside Lordran, the Dragon School and the Way of White are still the primary organizations for magic, and pyromancers operate outside that organization. The Dragon School might look down on pyromancy as a corruption of ‘true magic’, and the Way of White might even demonize pyromancers as witches or demon worshipers. This is dark fantasy after all, and what’s dark fantasy without a good inquisition?

The pyromancer’s flame is probably the most fascinating out of all the magic foci. It is, in essence, a piece of the Flame of Chaos, a sprite that fissioned off of the corrupted Life Soul. What Humanity is to the Dark Soul, the pyromancer’s flame is to the Life Soul. (More or less.) Like Humanity, it can be grown, split apart again, and distributed even further. Pyromancers literally hand their students a little bit of their own flame as they pass it along. In the process, the flame draws from the pyromancer’s soul and cognition; each flame carries a little bit of whoever is passing it on. Just think; the pyromancer flame you have has a little bit of Quelaana and the Witch of Izalith in it by default, and all the people in between you and them as well.

The sheer potency of the pyromancer’s flame means that it doesn’t need an initiating force like intelligence or faith; it is active on its own volition. It is both the focus, the Lord Soul being drawn on, and the projector itself. True pyromancy was magic that drew on the Life Soul; modern pyromancy is magic projected into a fragment of the Life Soul. Kind of switched around.

That being said, modern pyromancy still draws on environmental sources like true pyromancy might have done. The main place pyromancers come from is the Great Swamp. A swamp, in perspective, is the perfect place for pyromancy, especially if it draws on life. Swamps, especially in dark fantasy, are generally pictured as these stagnant rotting holes filled with mire and decay. The truth is, swamps, from an ecological point of view, are cradles of life, and host an immense variety of species of flora and fauna. When you are in a swamp, you are immediately surrounded by life. Ergo, a swamp is an ideal place for anybody wishing to draw on life energy to fuel their magic.

There’s also the practical advantage of a swamp for pyromancy. Swamps produce gases that naturally ignite; philosophical pyromancers might hope to gain some insight from observing this natural process on how nature produces flame. More importantly, swamps are damp; any accident that happens with a fire in a swamp will be immediately contained. This is in contrast to say, a forest, which is also full of life. But one stray spark in a forest can set the whole thing ablaze. Probably how pyromancers got such a bad rap for themselves outside Lordran.

Finally, there’s miracles. Miracles are supposedly magic powers drawn on from the gods themselves. Given that the term ‘god’ is somewhat nebulous in Dark Souls, it’s hard to figure out what that could actually mean. Maybe miracles are magic that draw on the Light Soul or even the First Flame itself for power? I’m kind of doubtful about this theory; the whole crux of Dark Souls is that the First Flame is dying and Gwyn is portioning out the Light Soul just to keep it alive. He probably wouldn’t want humans endangering it in any way, and the Way of White would have stepped in and quit teaching miracles and rites.

Which leads me to think that this is all like Demon’s Souls again; it’s all magic. Miracles are the same as sorcery, just through different methods. And really, how different are miracles and sorcery? Miracles are generated by the spellcaster reciting stories and psalms in their mind. (Which I actually think is really cool, especially when it’s revealed that weaker miracles are just abridged stories or fragments of them.) But in the end, it’s still memorizing a formulae and drawing on Soul to bring magic into the world. The only notable difference between sorcery and miracles is the nature of spells; miracles focus on healing, divination, and protection. But as we’ve established, different schools of magic focus on different effects. It’s entirely within reason to conclude that the miracles of the Way of White are nothing but another school of sorcery. There are even items that let you trade out what you the caster uses to initiate magic; Velka’s items let a cleric use intelligence for magic, for instance.

The focus for miracles is talismans. Talismans strike me as being a kind of fetish more than anything. When looked at with a certain eye, they look kind of like little dolls, even if it’s just a simple head and body. So the caster might use the talisman as a kind of totem, having it represent themselves as a focus for the miracle they invoke. Sympathetic magic kind of deal. The relative simplicity of talismans means that they are available to all members of the Way of White, from poor lay practitioners to arch-clerics. And that really speaks to how far-reaching the Way of White is across social strata both within Lordran and in the broader world outside of it.

So... I shrugged this off for a while. Anybody want to hear about anything in particular for the next one?

#dark souls #dark souls lore #magic #soulsborne #souls series #dark souls lore ramblings

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tunesiloved-blog · 8 years ago

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Chris Cornell - a 24 year soundtrack to my life

I don’t think that there has been a week in the last 24 years when I haven’t listened to Chris Cornell’s voice. His music has been the soundtrack to my life and listening to his songs conjures up vivid memories - sitting in a field watching bats at twilight, bouncing around in a darkened club with sticky floors, sitting in the car listening to just one more song before going to the office, his screams drowning out the clanging in a MRI scanner… Knowing we’re in a post Cornell world has made everything feel off kilter. I won’t grow old together with his music; instead he now occupies the same space as Jeff Buckley. A music catalogue that is beloved yet tinged with sadness and what could have beens.

At first I didn’t know the song that was playing when I first heard him. I was listening to John Peel on my Walkman in 1993 and his voice stopped me in my tracks. It was days later before I found out it was Rusty Cage. His music meant a lot to me because from that night, before I knew who or what it was, it spoke to me on a visceral level. Something in me recognised itself in the music and it was like coming home. As simple as that.

Finding out about bands, especially the ‘grunge’ ones in the 90s involved a lot of detective work, you were reliant on the weekly music press, radio, and friends who had access to MTV. I remember waiting weeks for the Louder than Love, Temple of the Dog and Singles CDs to arrive from the US and had a tape of Badmotorfinger that I literally wore out. So it was surprising when I was in the US a few months after the release of Superunknown to see exactly how popular they were.

Superunknown will always be their most well known album. It showed greater sophistication than Badmotorfinger but still as heavy and fearsome, you could hear echoes of the struggle with depression and darkness in the lyrics. I also associated with it as an introvert, dealing with other people and trying (and failing) to find a way of fitting in only to be left confused and exhausted by it all.

The Day I Tried to Live is a perfect example of this frustration. It starts out ‘I woke the same as any other day/Except a voice was in my head/It said seize the day, pull the trigger, drop the blade/And watch the rolling heads’ but then by the end of the song ‘I woke the same as any other day, you know/I should have stayed in bed’. And who hasn’t felt like that? Other stand outs were Mailman as the perfect ‘fuck you’ song, My Wave, Fell on Black Days and of course Black Hole Sun.

However Down on the Upside is my favourite album; it’s complex and dark and I have a greater understanding of it as I have grown older. Jason Heller from Pitchfork said that it is “every inch as dense and harrowing as In Utero” and he’s right. It starts off with Pretty Noose, a track that could have been on Superunknown, then by the third song you are swept into Zero Chance starting with the poetic ‘I think I know the answer/I stumbled on and all the world fell down/And all the sky went silent/Cracked like glass and slowly/Tumbled to the ground.’ Then it hits you in the gut with ‘They say if you look hard/You’ll find your way back home/Born without a friend/And bound to die alone.’ You are then promptly thrown into Dusty where you are ‘back on the upside’.

This rollercoaster goes throughout the album – and it’s worth noting that this is an album that you need to listen in its entirety and not cherry pick. Grab a drink, sit down and truly immerse yourself in it. After all these years Tighter and Tighter still makes me tingle down to my toes and Blow up the Outside World is now desperately sad.

Temple of a Dog was an album that simply ached with longing and grief (Reach Down and Hello 2 Heaven), but valiantly tried to pull you into a celebration of life and love too (All Night Thing and Call Me a Dog). It was completely different to Badmotorfinger and gave a hint of what would be found in his solo albums. Euphoria Morning felt like an explosion of everything that he was keeping to himself since Seasons. You can’t miss the sense of grief for Jeff Buckley threaded among the songs about alienation and relationships in Wave Goodbye and When I’m Down, where he says ‘I’m always drowning in my grief’. In fact I think that the loss of his friends had a greater impact upon him than anyone realised.

In 2015 in a one off gig called Sonic Evolution, Cornell joined the remaining members of Mad Season and accompanied by the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. I can’t think of anyone else who could do justice to Layne Staley’s lyrics and make it sound less like an elaborate karaoke and more a celebration of his work. Once again, he sang some Temple of the Dog songs and you just knew that there was so much musical potential in that room just waiting to explode.

King Animal showed that Soundgarden weren’t reforming just to make money off the old back catalogue, with an album that was a solid progression from Down on the Upside, borrowing influences for Cornell’s time with Audioslave and Timbaland as well as Matt Cameron’s experience with Pearl Jam. One song in particular stands out for me and has been the perfect kick up the ass track. Rowing is powerful with its mantra like simplicity, pulled along by a bass line that is reminiscent of Rusty Cage, complemented with some mixing that he clearly picked up from making Scream. ‘Don’t know where I’m going I just keep on rowing/I just keep on polling, gotta row Moving is breathing and breathing is life/stopping is dying/you’ll be alright/Life is a hammer waiting to drop/Drifting the shallows and the rowing won’t stop… Rowing is bleeding, bleeding is breathing/Breathing is feeling, running and freezing We’re getting dirty but I stared out clean/Keep on Rowing.’

I was lucky enough to see him twice, once with Audioslave in 2003 and the other in 2013 with Soundgarden. Each time was truly exceptional and were the best gigs I have ever seen. They both simultaneously gave me goosebumps and also bought me to tears more often than I’d like to admit. Hearing Tighter and Tighter, Cochise, Rusty Cage and Outshined were some of the highlights. I don’t think I’ll ever attend a better concert, what’s more I think that everyone attending knew they were witnessing something special.

He left such an extensive back catalogue, but also worked not only with his friends from Seattle, but further afield. The three Audioslave albums were inspiring with a shift towards a Morello style rock where he was able to showcase another aspect of his voice. Scream with Timbaland was …. interesting (although the title track is an insistent ear worm). He also helped produce the posthumous Jeff Buckley albums, and showed great sensitivity handling the unfinished work. It makes me wonder what will stem from his death, you cannot be such an integral part of a musical scene without shockwaves being felt far and wide. When that happens, the safety valve is to make music. Even in death, he will be the source of musical inspiration.

While I’ve been writing this it has been thundering for most of the time, as if the music is reaching the heavens and the sky itself is shaking with frustration of the unfairness of it all. A friend said we shouldn’t have been surprised that it ended as it did, in retrospect we were warned - and we were. Yet in listening back (and some of the songs are exceptionally hard to do so) I feel that he was often recognising his depression and the darkness that haunted him, yet he said he’d carry on and still got up every day – until he didn’t.

My heart hurts for his family and how much pain he must have been in, and how hard he fought it for so long. His was a talent that only happens once in a lifetime and only truly recognised now he is gone. We as a society let him, and so many others like him down. We need to end the stigma of mental illness, especially for men. He did warn us and carrying on with that burden must have been exhausting, I hope he is at rest now.

#chriscornell #soundgarden #ripchriscornell #chris cornell

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