#its about three people who used to be assassins but are now older in a modern world that has no use for them or their job

[rustinged]

Time (2021) dir. Ricky Ko

[navree]

You keep saying refusing to vote for Biden on moral grounds because of Palestine is ineffective because Trump would be worse, but that really isn't the point. Largely (with the exception of a few extremists and a contingency of people who wouldn't have voted anyways) the philosophy of a movement that has people withhold their vote is to force a significant policy change that wouldn't have changed otherwise. Its a form of protest. I understand from your perspective, election-focused and pragmatic, it is a threat to whoever is running, but if Biden had wanted the votes being withheld he would have capitulated.

Not that this isn't a moot point since he's out, but whatever.

See, this is intensely fucking dumb.

"force a significant policy change" it would not. One, because Biden is the president of the United States, and Israel is not one of those states. Short of sending the CIA to, idk, assassinate Netanyahu in his bed, which most of these people would be against I think because of how much they bitch and moan about US foreign policy at any given opportunity, he cannot actually make an independent foreign power do what he wants and what is electorally convenient for him. Like, I'm very sure Biden would love it if Netanyahu and his partisans stopped acting like fucking freaks for five minutes, if only so that it would stop being a PR nightmare for him. But that's not happening, because he cannot control what Netanyahu does. He could vastly reduce the support the US is providing Israel, and in my view he should, but that's not going to stop what Netanyahu and the Israeli government is doing. Because, I hate to break it to you, but the reason they're carpetbombing Gaza is because they want to be carpetbombing Gaza, and even without US aid they will continue to do it, even it just means with older and less effective weapons. Ultimately, the change that leads to a ceasefire and an end to the war is going to come from the actual parties involved, not Joe Biden.

Two, you've already gotten the significant policy change. Biden has, on multiple occasions now, come out in favor a ceasefire. He has actively been working, along with the Qatari government, to try and broker some kind of peace agreement between Israel and Hamas, but those two keep on fucking it up because they're both run by bloodthirsty psychopaths who don't care one iota about the people they're meant to be governing and only on killing whoever they want. That's been open fact for months now. And it has meant fuckall. The people doing their moral purity about how they'd never vote for Biden were still doing it, just moving the goalposts on what they wanted. First it was ceasefire, then it was 'no ceasefire until [insert impossible demand here] is given', because moving goalposts is what these people do. It's the same mentality as people who saw that Biden was doing COVID stimulus, or cancelling student loans, or reclassifying marijuana, and decided that the issue now was that he wasn't doing enough of it. It's a movement that's been consistently comprised of dogs that caught the car, and are angry that they caught the car because now they can't complain, and they don't want to actually affect meaningful change, they just want to complain because that's easier. And if that's what these people have been doing for his entire presidency, why on Earth would any reasonable person suddenly believe it's different on this one specific issue?

Three, cool you're protesting, then what? Your protest is utterly unserious and completely meaningless if it's not going to have any tangible effects, so what's the next step? You've decided to make your moral purity stance an issue that the vast majority of you learned from infographics on Instagram rather than listening to the voices involved (which is why the red triangle brigade is still a thing on Twitter), so what happens now? No political party is ever going to capitulate entirely to it, because the constituency is just too small (that "uncommitted" gambit was only getting like 10% of the vote wherever it was happening, Biden won over it as a literal write-in candidate in at least one state), so other than the compromise that's already happening, the goalpost movers are gonna withhold their votes because blah blah blah my morals. And their next step is, what? Trump gets elected. And their movement, which has no thought or serious effort put behind it or any actual attempt to provide material aid to the people actually suffering, has helped put a man who is going to be far worse for it in power. The "significant policy change" is going to be that Trump gives Netanyahu whatever he wants and he proceeds to wipe Gaza off the map. The "significant policy change" is that President "Trump Heights" actively makes things worse for the people this protest is supposed to help, as a consequence of that very protest.

It's not about me only being concerned with being "election focused" or some cold hearted bitch. It's about me, as a person who thinks what Israel has been doing since the start is godawful and deeply horrendous, realizing that this entire "protest" is not only asinine but will result in deeply negative consequences and very real harm for the people this protest is purported to be for, and being sickened by that. I live in the real world, and in the real world action speaks far louder than intent. I don't have to acknowledge that the protest wants this or that outcome or what the hypothetical impossible asks that are never going to be answered are, because I understand that they will not matter. What matters is what you get out of your protest, what gains are received, how that protest actually affects change, not the change it gives wishy washy lip service to.

[redlenai]

So... hear me out, this is my re-do of Umbrella Academy season 4 and also the finale. So, we know Allison made a deal with Reginald and they ended up in a new world without powers and all that, and instead of getting new, weird ones, they get their original powers back, but they took only a sip of the marigold, so they are failing and not always active at will (Otherwise, Klaus, Allison, Laila and Viktor would be too OP again).

Allison got her daughter back, husband left her, I prefer that that way. I also LOVED HER in season two so why not let her be a hairdresser still? With a succesful one amongst old ladies and vintage enthusiasts. She doesn't want any of her clients dating her siblings, she is keeping her business!

Luther instead of a stripper, what about bringing back him being number 1? But not necessarily a glamorous job, but a fullfilling one with people like him who wants team work and maybe start doing some personal healing, so let's make him a Camp Counselor. He is the leader of a group of kids, kids that listen to him better than his siblings, he is nice, he is there for them, he may not be the wisest but he is attentive and sensitive, so I think that would be a good spin for him. Some moms would fawn over him, who doesn't love a big teddy?

Diego and Laila, I love they got twins, I would have liked to see them more. I would have loved for everyone to be more involved to the niblings, so Diego, I would have left him all his fighting techniques, those could had nothing to do with his perfect aim powers so he still had them. I could see him having a Dojo in a Mall and secretly teaching his daughter how to fight. Yes, Laila being totally against.

Laila I really like that growth in the beginning, mom of three, doing undercover. I liked she acknowledged being an assassin almost her entire life then this change its too sudden, yes, secrets aint good but instead of being nasty to her family, keeping that bag out of the house seems correct for me.

Klaus, hear me out, him being a germaphobe, sober, clean is golden. His fear of permament, genuine, death is glorious, and I feel so sad they didn't dive more into him stepping up for Claire, you could tell he loved his niece and even with all his flaws he was there for her and did those changes for her too, not only because of Allison's support. I think his world should have been his niblings now, he'll endure the germs of his niblings and only theirs, his siblings need to wash their hands three times and use some alcohol before touching him.

Ben, nothing much to say. He is Sparrow Ben so yes, to me him doing a bitcoin scam its perfect, I think its the only thing from the beginning of the season that I won't change one bit. I'm also keeping Luther being the one trying to incoorporate him to the family. Still a bitch, but behaves in front of the kids

Viktor, what did they do to my man. Listen, instead of him being a douche with ladies and being so far away and in a damn bar, hear me out. Violin teacher, close to family, simple as that, some of his students are making progress... his ears are no longer bleeding during sessions!

Now, Five. You know, he was in his 60s. Reaching his 70s after this one final timeskip right? (I'm not good at math). I think I would have spin things very differently for him, first, a young body is just that, a young body. He is still older than all of his siblings, he still experienced solitude, trauma and more. So I can picture him not being as sharp as before, mind sliping, stubborn, everyone tries to deny it, but Five is aging, he needs help. Instead of working for the CIA, just an old man in a young body, winning some chess contests for the thrill but tired, maybe sharing a decent apartment with Luther and Ben since the first was the first one to notice these changes.

I wouldn't have changed much of the plot, Marigold and Durango? Having to destroy all timelines? Ok, let's keep that but let's chance the way how it works. Besides, I would have introduced the Fives hanging around in the Subway quite a bit earlier or removed it entirely.

Main plot: Finding Jennifer, Reginald and Abigail come to the conclussion that the clearance IS the monster, IS the end of the world just like how it happened, but it isnt.

Sub-plots: Diego still not trusting Laila or not appreciating what he has, Klaus having a panick attack and afraid of losing all the progress he has made so far, Five's slowly going senile (Getting his powers and being able to access the Subway makes it worse), Viktor wanting closure about all the abuse Reginald has caused them.

I did like the Cult and the Umbrella effect, but lets not involve the CIA, that was a bit just too much. But I liked Abigail sabbotaging her love, I think the gang deserved to get to know her a bit better and see what was that their father longed for so long.

But understanding doesn't mean forgiving.

Laila and Five do get lost for 7 years in the Subway, Laila seeing now instead of Luther how Five IS older, IS an old man, IS aging and NEEDING his family close. I really got this image of the scene being them taking shelter in that green house, nothing romantic happens between them, just Five appreciating Laila is there just to make an odd comment "Wish the others cared to visit", then Laila having to remind him they were lost and needed to get back.

Diego, instead of having his awakening in the CIA, he just goes from sibling to sibling, yes, he does the talking! He still jumps into conclussions but now seeks imput!

Klaus as said is terrified of having his powers back, all his terrors come back to haunt him, he doesn't fall back onto the drugs in an instant, nor the alcohol. Instead of taking that TV, I really wanted Claire to be his anchor, I know, she shouldn't have such a responsability, but who wouldn't want to help the family that choose to keep the closest when you needed the most? He forgives Allison, then instead of the whole medium thing and being buried alive (despite the last being actually a reference to the comic and how originally Reginald trained him), he slowly goes back, sometimes its hard to remember too all the progress you made with your gift/curse, and thanks to not have used too much marigold helped him to gradually get used to it, especially alongside his sister and niece.

Ben and Jeniffer are in the run from Hargreeves and the Keepers, instead of them getting that rash then evolving into a monster, let's go back to my point of interest: Niblings.

Well, instead of a fricking monster, what if Ben and Jennifer just got a baby on the way, one that was growing way too fast, but not as much as the 43 children. Ben doesn't trust nor feel the others are family, he doesn't want them, his real family is dead, that's a fact.

Well, let's say seeing your love at first Durango suffering a weird pregnancy that is causing those weird stuff (I liked the Earthquackes, dead animals, people dead by ink), enemies right and left, not sure if she survives, she dies, there is a baby or monster on the way... kind of makes you want the group of nosy assholes back, especially if something bad happens to you or the mom.

II like that Abigail seemed to care about the gang, I was surprised Reginald even talked about them, so I can imagine her just wanting to care for them, so what if the gang talked during their "visit" about their kids too, wait, does that mean Reggie has grandkids? Are these my grandkids? or step-grandkids at least?

So I think the finaly argument between Reginald and Abigail should have been, yes, he should have left her die, that they were wrong, that's not the end of the world, that is a new beginning. Reggie, do the right thing, that's the 4th grandchild you won't be able to meet.

We have part of the gang trying to help soon to be Daddy Octopus prevent the Keepers, Hargreeves agents and yes, the CIA as its own thing, from entering. Then another half helping Jennifer, the birth happens.

And that is the ending, everything fades to white.

"In October 1st of 1989.... nothing out of the ordinary happened. To be exact, the actual date is (Insert modern time). I'm just watching over a... peculiar family that found each other"

Then we have in said park the whole gang, people that didn't die nor did go to the Temps Aeternalis. Umbrellas and Sparrows as well.

There, happy ending.

[theheirofthesharingan]

Okay, sorry if this was asked before but I'm curious and I'd really like to learn more. You've mentioned in a couple of posts now that Itachi wasn't retconned. Could you please elaborate further?

Hey! No, this wasn't asked before. I was thinking of making a separate post for this, but procrastination is evil. So, I am one of the 'Itachi was meant to be a good guy/was not evil/had more to him than he let on' people. Watching the anime, it was the feeling that there was more to him. His reveal was along the lines of devastation and shocking for me than surprise. Detailed post is below the cut.

First thing first.

This was Itachi's first look that Kishimoto had planned.

Itachi was originally conceived as the leader of Konoha's Special Assassination and Tactical Squad called the "Anbu", dubbed the Itachi Squad (イタチ隊, Itachi-tai), which would have been a 70-man group divided into four teams, specializing in assassination and other illicit operations. However, this idea was scrapped in favour of the current Itachi working for the Akatsuki.

The above paragraph is from Itachi's wikipedia that cites a couple of interviews as sources. People can't be too blind in their delusion to think the author who wrote the story had no idea what he was writing.

Next is the Naruto Databook that has some fishy things if we look closely. In the first glance it's not very obvious, but after learning the truth it seems very much obvious.

It says, "the ones who know the reason of its downfall are very small". Go back to Obito's words about only four people being aware of the reason of the clan's downfall.

Additionally, Itachi carried out 134 B-Rank missions. Zero A Rank. And one S-Rank. The S rank mission being the Uchiha massacre. It's very fishy that he was given one s rank mission without any A tank mission. Suspicious? We know later on why.

It's also interesting because the first databook was published in 2002 and Itachi first appeared in 2003. If his twist wasn't planned from the beginning this databook is very telling.

Since I mentioned how he looked, here's him in Sasuke's flashbacks for the first time.

He looks far from evil or sadistic. You want to know who enjoys killing for fun? Hidan. Itachi, on the other hand, on the day of the massacre itself, looks miserable and lost.

In chapter 7, he in a haze-like manner he talks about crying. In many English translations it's translated as 'he made me cry' and in many it's this. It's very, very vague, but his statement is complimented by Sakura's question, to which he still responds in the similar way 'My..' Maybe he was trying to say 'My brother', but he instead finishes his speech with 'my goal is to take revenge' etc., Since it's still very early so it might not be the strongest evidence, but a few chapters later in chapter 27, during their fight against Haku, when Sasuke awakens his Sharingan, he has two tomoe in his right eye.

Yes, he might have awakened it this way, but it also suggests that maybe already had his Sharingan and that's why this is 'asymmetrical' awakening? In the later chapters we find out he actually did have his Sharingan he awakened after the massacre.

This flashbacks in chapter 127 most firmly establishes Itachi's twist. The tilted head-protector. Sasuke remembers it vaguely, but he has no recollection of Itachi crying that night, because his mind is still hazy from the "truth" Itachi wanted him to believe. We know later on the significance of this scene.

There are three moments before Itachi was even introduced that give away what we see right after his truth reveal and connect to the chapter 403.

The 'Itachi was retconned' camp also uses 'Itachi was meant to be older (than 13) but Kishi made him younger later on' as an excuse to justify their retcon bullshit.

Kakashi, in chapter 142, states Itachi was 13 when he was made the Anbu captain.

Itachi graduated when he was just seven. Sasuke is the same age as Itachi was when he graduated from the Academy. Itachi is 17 at the time of his first appearance and Sasuke is 12. It is enough to tell lies were spread about Itachi. We, obviously, learn later on why.

Some more obvious hints were his interaction with Asuma, Kurenai, and Kakashi.

The criminal infamous for annihilating one of the strongest clans refuses to indulge in fight?

He also asks Kisame to keep things low key and not get too much attention. That's an excuse. He's not here to wage war. Yes, later on he does ask Kisame to go ahead. But that's because he's a spy. He cannot let Danzo know he dropped his guard. One single mistake from his side that could unearth the truth of the massacre and Danzo would lay hands on Sasuke. Plus, while he's strong, his opponents aren't just fragile saplings who couldn't stand any blow he or Kisame cast. He knew reinforcements would be on the way.

Kakashi also wonders why Itachi didn't just kill him. Again, yes, the torture was brutal, but they're ninja who are meant to do and endure cruel things. Itachi had to look like he was a menacing criminal reputed to have killed the Uchiha singlehandedly.

So, he completely avoids fighting Asuma and Kuernai, takes on only Kakashi because he's strong and can take it, also has Sharingan. But he completely refuses to go against Jiraiya. Jiraiya may or may not be stronger than him. Maybe they were equal. However, recalling Obito's words again: Itachi devoted himself to fighting Sasuke to death.

Two conclusions come from this:

He didn't want to fight Jiraiya because it would result in a massive bloodbath and killing a leaf Shinobi is out of question for him. He's not a coward. He just doesn't want to fight him.

As we know from later on, he wanted to fight and die at Sasuke's hands only. Killing a Konoha Shinobi or dying at the hands of someone that isn't Sasuke isn't a part of his plan.

This can also be tracked further when Kisame captures the Four Tails.

Kisame most likely knew about Itachi's illness, knew Itachi wanted to die at Sasuke's hands. The reason Itachi didn't fight Jiraiya and Rōshi was most likely the same.

Kisame comments on Itachi's 'lingering affection' towards the village. The Akatsuki pairings' dynamics are quite opposite. Deidara and Sasori love art but have differing opinions on eternal vs explosive. Hidan and Kakuzu represent religion vs materialism (money). And Itachi and Kisame represent treachery vs loyalty. Itachi isn't loyal to Akatsuki, Kisame is.

They also wonder why is Itachi taking the matter of kidnapping Naruto so lightly. He could have done it very easily. We know now that that wasn't his intent and his objective to visit the village was something else.

As popular as 'Itachi knocked on the door before kidnapping Naruto' meme is, the truth is, he wasn't there to kidnap him at all. Replace Itachi with Kisame alone for a moment. Knock on the door? No, sir. Naruto would be half-dead. Or replace him with Hidan and Kakuzu. They're sadistic bastards and would have damaged Naruto in the worst possible way.

Furthermore, when you think of it, he revealed 'Akatsuki are after jinchuriki' years prior to the Akatsuki even began collecting the tailed beasts. It was a message he left because it was important. His job in the Akatsuki wasn't to "pass on the info to the village." It was to keep tabs on them so they don't attack Konoha.

After the massacre, Sasuke's unwavering faith in Itachi despite being put in Tsukuyomi. At first it doesn't seem too much, but we later discover that Itachi used to be a kind and gentle boy. So this bit isn't just Sasuke is blind, but also that Itachi was a kind child before the tragedy happened.

Sasuke's flashbacks in chapter 220 also hint towards Itachi being trapped in the politics of the village/clan. Fugaku is speaking to his own son but the discussion is so intense that he has to activate his Sharingan to convey the message to Itachi.

These are the flashbacks from the chapter #221 that further shed light on Itachi being a spy.

He's the "pipeline between the clan and the village" - a spy. Later Obito says Itachi was callously used for his devotion towards the village, this is an example of his clan doing this to him.

This is Itachi right after being accused of Shisui's murder. He looks in grief, while also processing the news. Once the narrative delves deep into Itachi's story (through Sasuke's eyes) in VOTE1, he continues to look miserable, lost, in pain, and in dire need of help. And once we begin to see more of him before his death, he is quite human. But again, Kishimoto had his whole story figured out by that time, knew what he was to do with Itachi's arc and Sasuke's future there.

In the chapter 224 (during the battle between Sasuke and Naruto), the flashback goes to this moment: Itachi tells Sasuke that he'd be one of the three people to awaken Mangekyo.

This connects to the chapter 385 when Sasuke vs Itachi happens. Sasuke asks him about the third person who had the MS.

_______________

Kishimoto isn't a terrible writer because some people choose to ignore what's written right there or cannot accept happened. Usually the deniers of this are those who question his morality. His morality is never the subject of the debate because Itachi isn't exonerated for his crimes. He's a part of a world that's cruel and violent and his actions align with it very much. The ones who "praise" him have their own bias, and that gives him nothing in return. Characters in fiction always, I mean, always respond to the information based on their morality. When Hashirama praises Itachi, it's because he grew up in the warring era and lost all his family. He learns there's this kid who chose a path with the least damage but at the cost of his life, he's a good Shinobi. Hiruzen also has his bias as well as his guilt. Naruto's praise for Itachi is not only because of stopping a war, but also for loving Sasuke. No one other than Sasuke sees him as a person whether anyone likes him or hates him. He's praised by other Shinobi for doing things that are expected from a Shinobi.

Either way, at the end of the day, Itachi himself doesn't see himself who is worth forgiving, worth loving, worth being remembered. That's his whole arc.

Some things above in the post I took from this thread. Some information I ommited from it, so feel free to go through it, please.

[gerec]

cherik genosha fics? (not necessarily canon or post paris proposal, but it could be) I just want a story developed in genosha.

Hi Anon,

Here are some of my favourite Genosha aus (along with a couple by yours truly)! I had to limit it to modern aus for this list otherwise it would be impossible wrangle them all into one post!

Three Kinds of Learning by luchia (series)

Erik intends to recruit Raven's supposedly amazing, all-powerful older brother. Instead, he finds himself dealing with Charles Xavier, a weak, tweed-addled professor who seems to think powers don't matter nearly as much as personality. Erik's misconceptions are blown apart when Raven goes missing.

Us by Pangea

“Charles,” Erik says, and if his voice hits a pleading note then who can really blame him, “Charles, it’s me.”

It takes several longer moments before Charles musters up the strength to answer, breath stuttering horribly as he tries to breathe. He’s shaking, entire body trembling.

“Erik,” Charles says, his voice cracking, “Erik, I want to die.”

With Abandon by sunryder

The best part about Charles' favorite bakery isn't the location, and it isn't the lovely smell, or even the Earl Grey cupcakes. It's the Baker.

Erik Lehnsherr is a beautiful specimen of a man, particularly when his fussing over Charles takes the form of pastry.

Such a pity Charles doesn't know Erik is an assassin.

Politico by cygnaut

Modern Genosha Politics AU. In which Erik is l'enfant terrible of the mutant National Assembly, and his staff just wants to get him laid.

The O(l)dd Couple by winterhill 

In public, Erik and Charles are immensely powerful and charismatic world leaders. In private, they're a pair of stubborn old men.

Westchester Café by orphan_account

Erik Lensherr is Magneto; second most powerful mutant, president of Genosha and constantly pining over the adorable waiter slash baker Charles Xavier at Westchester Café. He's also the self declared rival of Professor X; the most powerful mutant, and Genosha's mysterious wealthy benefactor, who no one has ever seen.

Nation Building and other Diplomatic Negotiations by Pookaseraph

With the recent passage of a submissive registration law in the United Kingdom, there are now only two industrialized nation with a relatively stable government to have neither a mutant nor a submissive registration law. Erik Lehnsherr, the newly minted King of Genosha, and his Prime Minister Emma Frost intend to take advantage of this turn of events to bring the Xavier Institute to the island nation of Genosha. They both know bringing Charles Xavier, the noted activist of mutant and submissive rights, to the island will necessarily politicize the man, and create all manner of complications. With a constitution not yet finalized and external threats to Genoshan security all around them, Erik, Emma, and Charles will fight for what they believe in to shape Genosha into what it should be.

A Genosha AU with moderate D/s elements.

Diplomatic Immunity by Not_You (series)

Erik has just finished helping liberate Genosha, and is still very scarred by his own time as a slave. He has no way to realize that in Westchester, 'slave,' means something more like, 'an indentured servant who has human rights and whose owner is responsible for their care and keeping to the terms of the indenture contract.'

So of course, he can't possibly exploit the beautiful boy he finds in his bed. Charles is extremely put out by this.

Civilised Nature by Tawabids

Genosha fights for its independence. Sebastian Shaw rules the burgeoning nation in all but name. Erik is an alpha politician second and a servant of the people first. And then he sees Charles, omega to the ruthless Shaw, and all his priorities change.

Your Faves are Problematic by JackyJango (series)

The Genoshan public knows the Professor and Magneto as veritable adversaries. As Mutant activists, Professor X and Magneto have rarely, or never, seen eye to eye on mutant issues and rights. They oppose and contradict each other even when they fight on the same side-- as rare as a blue moon that the occurrence is.

What would have been benign arguments with anyone else turn into raging wars when these two are involved. Their infamous debate in the Parliament on the Mutant Registration Bill, though a thing of the past, is still on the common tongue.

The press seems to love them; for when they share a screen-- or even breath the same air-- there’s no dearth of drama.

Shadows of the Past by pseudoneems, ximeria

Charles and Erik meet at a hotel in Genosha. Erik hiding that he is Magneto, one of the founders of the mutant nation. Charles running from his past, not to mention his gift.

Betrothed by TurtleTotem

Sixteen-year-old Charles Xavier just found out that his late father was the king of Genosha. That means he inherits the crown... and the spouse his father picked out for him, like it or not.

Heavy Crown by sebastian2017 (series)

Most people think being a prince is nothing but extravagant fun, drinking expensive champagne, and having no cares. Erik - or Prince Magnus Joseph Erik of Genosha, Duke of Carrion Cove, second in line to the throne, as he is more widely known - knows better. Being a prince means everything he does must be done in secret or face the scrutinizing eyes of the public.

Even sleeping with pretty-eyed science nerds at parties.

An Agreement Between Gentlemen by professor (series)

Erik Lehnsherr, King of Genosha, has arranged a meeting with Charles Xavier, CEO of Xavier BioCorp, to ask for his assistance in a delicate matter.

tumblr ficlets by ikeracity (chapter 68)

king erik has a crush on professor charles AU

Welcome to Genosha (king erik has a crush on professor charles remix) by Gerec

Professor Charles Xavier is the Keynote Speaker at the upcoming Mutant Education Conference in Genosha. He's excited about his first trip to the island nation, and even more excited that he might get to meet the King.

He has no idea what to make of the welcome he gets the moment he steps off the plane.

The One Who Rules by Gerec 

It's been five years since the Mutant Uprising, the powerful and ruthless General Magneto now the defacto ruler of the tiny island nation of Genosha. Though it remains a paradise of plenty, left relatively untouched by war, the safety and stability of the 'mutants-only' state remains in flux.

Devastated by the bombs Sebastian Shaw set off before his death, the human population outside Genosha has largely been decimated. The ones who remain struggle to survive with rapidly dwindling resources.

Adding to the uncertainty is the presence of the X-Men, mutants fighting Magneto and his Brotherhood for the rights of humans still living in Genosha, led by the General's former lover and co-leader of the Uprising, Professor X...

In Every World There Is You and Me by Gerec

“I will help you because you are Erik Lehnsherr and I am Charles Xavier. In every world, in any world - there is always ‘you and me’."

Post X-3: Erik Lehnsherr, powerless and without a purpose, finds himself mysteriously transported to Genosha, a utopian sanctuary for mutants. He meets his double Magneto who rules the island nation as King alongside his Royal Consort Professor Charles Xavier - the man Erik has loved and lost.

[cozzzynook]

Thoughts on a Decepticon Hotlock Established couple deciding to woo Ratchet across the battlefield after Deadlock confesses to a long-term crush and Hot Rod decides to get injured to vet Ratchet and spends the entire time flirting with him while getting the best medical treatment of his life only to speed off back to Deadlock and go "Babe I approve, let's do this."

Now, Ratchet (and the Autobots) have to deal with Megatron’s top two assassins and known favorites chasing after Ratchet.

Pure chaos and a blend of things!

I love this!

Deadlock breaks in often claiming he has an incurable disease that only Ratchet’s time, love & affection can cure. He melts the door panels so no one can get out or in and spends his time bothering Ratchet with jokes, touches, flirty gestures and coy words while actually getting Ratchet to eat and take care of himself since medics are shit at doing that for themselves.

Ratchet has and will continue to break something on Deadlocks frame to fix an injury the con didn’t get checked or needs more attention. He will complain about this while also being so tender in his care.

Ratchet may or may not have found it easier to connect with Deadlock since they’re both older and express their emotions in a similar fashion.

Deadlock claimed Ratchet with a typical decepticon mating claim in the form of a vicious bite and claw marks while Hot rod used his flames.

Ratchet was a little more sly in courting Deadlock. He gifted the mech crystals, something he learned Deadlock loved because of Hot Rod. Hot rod could tell Ratchet wanted to display his own courting and so he told him one of Deadlocks secret joys.

Ratchet gifted Deadlock a space in his home for crystals and Hot rod enjoyed watching them seal their courting.

Now Deadlock and Hot rod already claimed each other with claw marks and bites and Hot rod’s flames but Hot rod and Ratchet have yet to go beyond the surface and this was due to Ratchet not believing someone as young and so full of energy like Hot Rod could want him.

It was Deadlock who put in perspective for Ratchet that Hot Rod was very much in fact interested in him. It was Hot rod who motivated deadlock to open up and be vulnerable with Ratchet and helped move things along its just Hot Rod wasn’t good at doing the same.

For all Hot rod’s charisma and cheer and personality he wasn’t a very happy mech deep down. It wasn’t something he liked to share with even Deadlock who he was closest to and learning that it was indeed Hot Rod who destroyed his own planet so Zeta could not make them weapons, at the acceptance of Hot Rods own people who shared the same sentiment as him, Ratchet found himself seeing the younger in a new light.

Especially when he learned Hot Rod was willing at one point to become an autobot before being rejected and almost offlined.

Ratchet started to notice then that Deadlock was correct and Hot rod did keep him at arms length while making him feel welcome.

He noticed the lower class mannerisms Hot rod couldn’t always hide and how the bot wasn’t always present not out need to move as he played off but because of insecurity and fear.

So Ratchet took a different approach and cornered the little speedster by trapping him in a blanket under his weight and keeping the little mech wrapped between his legs and arms.

Ratchet did it often enough that Hot Rod just came with his own blanket and sat on the medics lap who nodded with a smug appreciative smirk.

The three spent a lot of time like that and learned Hot Rod’s love language was touch just like theirs.

Ratchet made his courting gift to Hot Rod something personal. A knitted blanket with the courting dance of Nyon etched throughout the entire space.

Hot Rod cried for the first time in front of both Ratchet and Deadlock, the latter admitted to never seeing Hot Rod cry not even after his planets demise by his own servos, and Hot Rod immediately accepted the courting the same joor.

Making their union complete with a spark merge.

-

I hope this was to your liking. I love this ask, feel free to ask or rant about any transformers ships if you like. 💞🌙

[bracketsoffear]

Director Lee Harvey Oswald (The Department of Truth) "In The Department of Truth, the protagonist’s boss (and the director of the titular department) is a much older Lee Harvey Oswald, though it’s not explicitly known which version of him he is. As in, what story of the assassination is true? Is he the CIA stooge? The innocent patsy? The lone gunman? Our protagonist muses this question in the second issue and can only conclude: “He’s probably not the one killed by Jack Ruby.” And looking at the picture the comic paints of who he is now, he seems much more the type to spend his time in Howard Hunt’s circles than Kerry Thornley’s, if you know what I mean. He has become the image of the perfect Cold War-era fed with his browline glasses, dark suit, quips about a new generation gone soft, and an ever-present cigarette. And that’s because he always has been that. He joined the Department as an agent when he was 19, working to counter the Soviets and gain information on their country’s equivalent of the D.o.T. And we, the reader, do not know what happened on November day in Dallas, but neither does he, it seems. Kennedy stood against the Department and it was his job to take him out, but in that book depository, he saw the Scarlet Woman (see the Extinction poll) holding a sniper rifle, ready to tear apart the country’s sense of truth with a bullet. (Well, three.) But as the story of the assassination spread, so did the idea of Lee Harvey Oswald, the concept of the shadowy assassin that was seen on the front pages, the conflicting theories and paranoias made manifest. To quote Hawk Harrison (another character), “the living embodiment of every horrible thing people think the government is capable of, filled up into a man-shaped thing.” No matter how human he may or may not be, he might as well be American paranoia personified in function. He’s a man desperate to do whatever it takes to uphold the ideal of what America is supposed to be, that Shining City on a Hill; a man fighting in a war of propaganda and information and disinformation, a war of stories and ideas. To quote Indrid Cold, he’s simply a “dream this country is having.” 

History is, of course, written by the victors, and facts can be rewritten by them as well. After Lee’s “death”, the previous Director (Frank Capra) put him in the Department’s archives to try and figure out who the Scarlet Woman was, only for him to use the research to find a new way of doing things, a way to shift reality through manipulating what people believe to be true on a large scale through media, and symbolic imagery, and simple lies that serve to reinforce what the public wants to believe about this country, and for that, Richard Nixon appointed him to the job we know him in, Director of the D.o.T. Director Capra was a naïve idealist who truly believed that the American Dream was not only real but could be achieved through hard work. Lee knows that the American Dream is a lie, but my god, he will do what it takes to make it real, no matter how underhanded the tactics. If you can control the narrative, you can control the Truth. 

For most of his tenure, it was the height of the Cold War, there was a distinct enemy to push against. It was a conflict of countries, of ideologies, of two superpowers trying to keep their way of life at the expense of the other, and it was the U.S. that won out. There is another version of the 20th century, the one that was once real, where the founding ideals of the USSR were much closer to being realized within its border, it was something better than what it became, but the U.S. won the propaganda war and what was once simply a fact had become a hazy fiction that never happened. And so the victor rewrites history. 

And how does one become the victor? Through whatever means necessary, from fabricating events that later became real, to assassinations, to media manipulation, to the creation of the Satanic Panic itself, playing off paranoia and Christian nationalism to strengthen the idea that America is something that exists, that the American Dream is worth fighting for. (And of course, in the case of the latter, to deflect media attention from the whole Iran-Contra Deal.)

Finally, I leave you with this monologue: “I know you don’t trust me. I don’t care. I’ve done enough bad shit, and spent the last sixty years of my life lying through my teeth every goddamn day. I don’t need you to trust me. But I need to trust you to know that the ends justify the means. You’re sour over your star-faced man. Hawk told you that he stoked the fire there, tried to make it seem realer than it was. That we had a vested interest in people believing that Satan was lurking behind every corner. I was younger then. I was stepping boldly. I was trying to defend the dream of what America was supposed to be. Not let those Russian fucks dictate our future. I’ve done many things that haunt me, more than you can imagine.”

This description has been abridged. Click link for Director Oswald's full description.

Vriska Serket (Homestuck) "First of all, she has the spider theme, like she has vision eightfold, her trolltag is ArachnidsGrip, her guardian was a gigantic spider and her typing quirk is spider themed (types her emojis with eight eyes, uses 8 to replace b and the sound "eight") She can also manipulate people with her mind, taking away their free will, which is a big Web thing. She’s also just overall a manipulative person."

[ohlookanothercartoontofallinto]

(I’ll be gone: Proceeds to not be gone) 

Anyway Au time. 

This is called Three sons au where basically, Time is a great and famous captain of the army and well loved. Including by the princess Hylia. Only thing is Time is married to a farm girl named Malon. Which you think would tell the princess back off but no. 

When Hylia becomes Queen she demands that Time marry her, or else he and Malon will put to death so he agrees. Not realizing at the time Malon is pregnant with Twilight. Only Hylia knows and the day he is born she kidnaps him away, and claims he is Time’s and hers child. 

Fast forward to 21 years later and Twilight is the exulted prince of the kingdom, who is overly dotted on by Hylia who says the boy can do no wrong.  He has his attendants/Champion Wild, Sky, and Wars, (Who is more of a older brother to Twilight since Wars was Times Page before he became a Knight) who the prince is rather close to, more so then his other two brothers... 

Legend, the actual first born of Time and Hylia, who knows his mother is a complete monster, and bolted out of the castle when he had a chance. He is now studying magic, and is considered a high mage. He also met a traveling boy named Hyrule who he keeps as his assistant. 

And the youngest Son Wind, who is the main victim of their mothers abuse. While Twilight in Hylia’s eyes is the perfect son who can do no wrong and is a blessing. Wind is the dirt you scrap off your shoe but still stays in its cracks. Hate is not a strong enough word to describe her feelings towards him. Despite this, Wind keeps on a cheery face, during the very limited interaction time he has with his older brother Twilight, he does his best to show that he loves him, before Hylia comes in and takes him away worried he will taint her boy. 

Time however loves all his sons equally, and is not aware of whats going on because he’s at war half the time. 

The story would really start with Wind, very politely asking in perfect fashion, his mother if he may go to shore side city, for the spring, because he feel he could be of greater use to the people there, then here since the wonderfully eldest son was here so what could the youngest possibly do to help. 

Twilight is hesitate to let him go, Hylia, agrees in second to let him leave. Deciding she send a assassins after her own son. Fully unaware the Wind, and Four (Wind’s attendant) Have arranged for the youngest prince to be kidnapped, by a ‘Pirate crew’  

The pirate crew is actually in fact people Wind has help rescued from his mothers secret executions, a girl he really cares about named Tetra, a conman named linebeck, a mystery women with long red hair and knows how to ride a horse, just to name a few. 

The plan is for him and Four to be attacked and Wind to be taken and Four to return to the castle. Both assuming that no action will be taken to save the prince and Wind will be able to be free. The plan would happen perfectly and when four is explaining to the Royals what happened. Twilight is beside himself, and demands search parties to be sent out immediately. Shocking everyone, and Four and Hylia trying to sway him. 

Twilight would send a letter to Time about what happened, and even prepare himself to go searching for his little brother, when, Legend in all of his magical dramatic glory would bust through the door. Demanding to know what’s going on and what happened to HIS little brother. (Since they were closer) 

In the end both Legend and Twilight, and each respective parties would head out together. Legend and twilight finding it odd that they are actually spending time with each other and Twilight expressing how upset he was when he just left. 

Legend would explain how their mother is a lying piece of garbage and he should have taken Wind with him when he had the chance, but felt him to young at the time so he didn’t. Now very much regretting it. 

While all this is happening, Time is on his way to meet his boys to help hunt down Wind. 

And Wind is just chilling being the captain of his own crew getting ready to sail off into the unknown. The crews just waiting on it’s final member four. 

[sumakha]

another NEW OC (but not really i made this guy 3 years ago) ALERT!!! everyone please welcome surissesh. or dont because he sucks (read below the cut to find out why!)

surissesh is the royal advisor for king iunekitann of annoshik, and part of the story i mentioned here. currently hes... kind of a one-note character, just some megalomaniac who wants power for power's sake and double-crosses everyone he works with in order to ascend to the throne. i will probably add more Meat to him character-wise later on though, since he is the main villain.

however he is not the only new character here as you can see. on the left scene in the second pic we have keyopha, the leader of iuraph. she recruited surissesh to assassinate king iunekitann, then manipulate his son kontekitann into giving control of gnemmia to iuraph. gnemmia has a lot of fertile land and a mountain range with a LOT of magic crystals growing inside it, so the three major powers of sumakha (annoshik, iuraph, and janggok) all want control over it. she gave surissesh the magic weapon he's brandishing in the first pic in order to kill the king and threaten the rest of the royal family/staff into compliance, while also having one of her own men follow surissesh to make sure that if he used the weapon for his own gain, he would be killed on the spot. unfortunately for her, surissesh isn't an idiot, and by the time he Does start using the weapon for himself, keyopha's men are already dealt with.

gnemmia is a highly sought-after territory... with people already living there, who don't like being occupied. the rebel group (whose individual members don't have names yet bc these are even OLDER ocs that i rebooted so they need to be reworked) were mostly dedicated to taking out annoshiki outposts in gnemmia one-by-one until they started working with surisessh. their plan was to have surisessh help them get into the palace to assassinate the king, then kill him immediately and occupy the palace themselves as part of freeing gnemmia. right when their assassin (the ketvidae in the pic) has finished killing the king, he turns his blade on surissesh, but surissesh reveals keyopha's weapon and completely blasts his head off. while the rebels did plan for surissesh fighting back, they hadn't planned for him having a weapon of this caliber, leaving them scrambling for a new strategy.

while surissesh could have likely risen to power just through intimidation, he justifies his uprising by claiming to be an agent of kennemikannosh, the patron deity of annoshik. i will probably make a different lore post about kennemikannosh in the future, but for now, all you need to know is that it looks like this ⬇️ and that annoshik is a divine monarchy, so surissesh's claim of being a prophet is taken seriously.

OKAY that's all the lore i really want to write out today. after finals (or as a break from studying for them LOL) i will finally do a bullet point outline of this story so its not all in my brain. and i'll see if i can actually figure out a name for it. also shoutout to my flight rising dragon ghirahim (and also the original ghirahim from loz skyward sword) he was a big inspiration for surissesh's design :-)

[marvol0]

OUTSIDER (7) || Rabastan Lestrange WTM

Series Synopsis: When the truth comes out about the future inside the walls of Hogwarts, on the first night back in 1977, what will happen for those involved with the chaos that ensued?

Secrets outed, Lies revealed and true intentions determined.

Pairing: Rabastan Lestrange x Fem!Regulus Black

Notes: Short chapter :)

Everybody had once again settled down in their seats, Regulus was back between her boyfriend and son, her best friends sat at her feet. Some people had brought snacks and drinks back to where they were sitting to enjoy while watching the movies.

The screen once again filled the hall with light.

6th January 1980.

A group of three men were shown, black eyebags beneath their eye sockets. The men were older versions of Rabastan, Evan and Barty, they were stood, heads bowed slightly, at the back of a group of people.

The same people from when Regulus was given her mission.

Regulus burrowed into her boyfriends side, hands carding through the hair of the two boys sat at her feet.

"We have been betrayed by one closest to us." The voice of the Dark Lord Voldemort started, he somehow looked even less human than one week before. The skin on his face hugged his cheek bones, lips now flushed with a periwinkle tone, eyes a grotesque red colour that reflected the blood he had spilled.

"Regulus Black not only failed her mission to assassinate the Potter and Longbottom families, no, she also informed them of said mission and as result the two blood traitorous families have gone into hiding." He informed the group, earning some silent sounds of outrage in response.

The three men looked down, the people around them thinking it was an act of shame for their association with the youngest Black, only Rab, Evan and Barty would know it was a show of pain, after three days of their beloved friend and partner in crime had been missing they knew she would not be returning.

The, hardly-human, male continued. "I have seen to her punishment myself, as of the thirty-first of December Regulus Black is dead." He said maliciously.

"Lier!"

"No you didn't!"

Were some of the reactions from the halls mass, the followers of said Dark Lord were in outrage that the man they followed, looked up to even, had blatantly lied to their faces.

The scene changed once again.

A beautiful manor was shown, white brick walls graying with age had vines of ivy covering them, pointy turrets made up of black slates sat proudly upon the mansion looking out on the surrounding gardens, which housed a dozen regal, roaming, platinum peacocks. The breathtaking house had fences of bushes, shaped to perfection, lining the wide walkway which led to a tall, polished gate.

Those from the Malloy family sat up straighter than before, proud of all the awed faces of those around them.

"You really do have a wonderful home Abraxas" Commented Delilah Selwyn to her old classmate.

"Thank you Delilah but I must give the praise to my wife, Lysistrata is the one who takes the most care of the grounds." Lord Malfoy replied, Lys smiling before pecking her husband on the cheek.

The scene followed a beautiful owl to one of the many black framed windows, it perched on the window ledge before tapping its beak lightly on the glass. A house elf unlocked it before taking the mail from the owls clawed foot, feeding it an owl treat.

"Pip is thanking you, Axl." Pip, the elf, said before the bird shook its feathers and took off once more, Pippa left with a pop landing in the sitting room in front of a three month pregnant Narcissa Malfoy.

Squeeling, Clarity Selwyn (soon to be Greengrass) turned to her best friend, squeezing her tightly, gushing over how beautiful she looked and how she 'must be the godmother of your son!'

Narcissa nodded hugging her back, happy to see her best friend so exited for her.

"Mistress Narcissa, Pip has the Daily Prophet  for you as well as some letters." The young elf handed them to the woman who was sat on one of the green leather couches, cup and saucer placed on the wooden end table.

"Thank you, Pip." She replied, the elf leaving the room with a quiet pop, the woman looked down at the days headline, brows furrowing and alarm swirling in her grey eyes.

The scene moved to show the newspaper.

[spoopy-pasketti]

Right! Have a massive lore dump for my au!

So, the premise is that Slender and Zalgo run rival killing companies.

They kill people for money - or, more accurately, their proxies do.

Anyway.

Slender manages the Van Eldritch Killing Company. One of the most successful in the business. And it's been going for years.

Zalgo's, however, is "Zalgo's Assassination Practice". While it has been running even longer than Slender's, the two are roughly neck-and-neck in comparison to success.

There are multiple killing companies in the Underrealm - with two others being "The Ladies of Leviathan" - an all female killing company that primarily targets abusers - and "Cthulu Killing Incorportated" (you can guess who leads those two).

All the major killing companies (and some of the smaller ones) get together every year or so for the Proxy Games.

They're held in Brooklynn, and generally give the proxies a chance to showcase their skills, and potentially get scouted by other monsters.

See, to become a proxy - you have to take multiple tests, and a final exam. And the tests are all generally administered by your Proxy Mentor. This is an older proxy that works for the same monster that claimed you.

Now, in the time between being claimed and taking the exam, any potential proxy is up for grabs. And while most generally stick with the monster that claimed them (as in, found them and called dibs), some will shift sides.

Such as Jane, who originally worked for Leviathan.

If a more lucrative offer comes their way, they could switch to their employ.

...anyway, back to the Proxy games.

During these games, Lady Van Eldritch - the founder of the games, and the one who started the Van Eldritch killing company - oversees the events, alongside all the other killing company heads.

And every year, it's a chance for Proxies to get to know each other.

They hang out at the same hotel, the bus travel to the city is a great chance for the Proxies from the same company to bond, and its just a chance to show what they can do.

Moving on...

In my head, there are three kinds of Proxies.

The first is your brawler/buster proxy. Y'know, the ones that handle the heavy stuff, tackling people, using heavy weapons like bats and clubs. Proxies like Masky - and, to a lesser extent, Doby.

On the opposite end of the Proxy spectrum is your silent assassins. They're stealthy, stylish, and do what they do best in complete silence. These are proxies like Hoodie, Clockwork, and Nina.

Finally, towards the middle - you have your all rounders. They can be stealthy, and they can handle their own in a straight up fight. They're a good middle ground. These are proxies like Jeff, Liu, and Toby.

This ties into the Proxy games and the exams they're given during the training process as well.

You train for your speciality. So, like, Toby trains with his axes. Doby uses his bat. Stuff like that.

Now, there are specific sports for apprentice proxies, but - at the next ones (which I'll try write about) - Toby will be participating in the professional games.

Because, despite still being an apprentice proxy - he is so close to completing his training, and in record time, too.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

[fantomcomics]

What’s Out This Week 12/14

PLEASE SEND HELP THESE LORDS WON’T STOP LEAPING

Art Brut #1 (of 4) -  W. Maxwell Prince, Martin Morazzo, & Mat Lopes

Presenting here the first major work from the creative minds behind ICE CREAM MAN-re-lettered, remastered, and under its original intended name! The world of fine art is falling apart, and only ART BRUT knows how to fix it. Alongside the Bureau of Artistic Integrity, Arthur Brut the Mad Dreampainter (and his trusty sidekick, Manny the Mannequin) must dive back into the very paintings that made him insane...or reality itself might just crumble to pieces. A colorful, gonzo romp through art and art history, ART BRUT is equal parts police procedural, hyper-fantasy, and psychological thriller-a veritable Pollock-splatter of comics genres tossed onto one giant pulpy canvas! Each issue features new covers, new design, and a new Silver Age-style backup story featuring the art hero that no one's ever heard of-until now! Originally published under the title The Electric Sublime, this special edition presents the NPR-lauded, critically acclaimed material in its intended form.

Assassin’s Apprentice #1 (of 5) -  Jody Houser, Robin Hobb, Ryan Kelly & Anna Steinbauer

Until recently, Fitz was only known as "boy." The bastard/illegitimate son of a powerful noble, Fitz is taken in by his uncle, Prince Verity, who prepares the boy for a journey to the capital to meet his royal grandfather. But Fitz is not a normal child. An ancient power stirs inside him, something that will change the destiny of the Six Duchies forever!

Blade Runner 2039 #1 -  Mike Johnson, Mellow Brown, Andres Guinaldo & Jung-Geun Yoon

Los Angeles 2039. It has been three years since Niander Wallace introduced his brand of 'perfectly obedient' Replicants, and the ban on synthetic humans has been lifted, at least for the new Wallace models?the older Tyrell Corp's Nexus 8 units are still hunted by Blade Runners. Cleo Selwyn, first seen as a small child in Blade Runner 2019, has returned to L.A. some twenty years later, searching for Isobel, a Replicant copy of her real mother who died when she was three. Cleo believes that Niander Wallace is holding Isobel captive, and the only person she can call on for help is the one who saved her so many years ago: Aahna 'Ash' Ashina, now an aging and disgraced ex-Blade Runner.

Guyabano Holiday GN -  panpanya

Beloved indie manga artist panpanya discovers the wonders of the Guyabano fruit and the Philippines! A trip to Tokyo's Asian market district, Ameyokocho, leads the protrag on a trip to hunt down the mysterious guyabano fruit! Little does the protrag and their crew know that their curiosity will take them on a wild and mouth-watering trip to the Philippines!

Holding Her Own: The Exceptional Life of Jackie Ormes GN -  Traci N Todd & Shannon Wright

Jackie Ormes made history. She was the first Black woman cartoonist to be nationally syndicated in the United States. She was also a journalist, fashionista, philanthropist, and activist, and she used her incredible talent and artistry to bring joy and hope to people everywhere. But in post-World War II America, Black people were still being denied their civil rights, and Jackie found herself in a dilemma: How could her art stay true to her signature "Jackie joy" while remaining honest about the inequalities Black people had been fighting?

The Hunters Guild: Red Hood GN Vol 1 -  Yuki Kawaguchi

In a world where fairy tales are fact and humans live in fear of werewolves, witches, and monsters, only the Hunters Guild can keep the monsters at bay. These red-hooded fighters are anything but little, and only those able to pay a king's ransom can afford their services, but it's a small price to stay alive.

Leonide The Vampyr: A Christmas For Crows One-Shot -  Mike Mignola & Rachele Aragno

When good and honest mountain folk come upon a small coffin among a carriage wreck, they find themselves among darker company than they bargained for. In this haunting Christmas carol, Hellboy creator Mike Mignola and artist extraordinaire Rachele Aragno weave a chilling holiday tale as the vampyr Leonide once again casts her spell over unsuspecting audiences.

Midnight Rain GN -  CTK

Ethan lives a monotonous life trying to pay off his crippling debt-until the day Mike appears at the neighborhood laundromat looking worse for wear. Both men find themselves struggling to go on in different ways, and it's these struggles that bring them together while simultaneously threatening to tear them apart.

My Gently Raised Beast GN Vol 1 -  Early Flower & Yeoseulki

The orphaned Blondina lives a tough life on the streets, left only with a memento from her late mother-one that proves she is the child of the emperor of Ates. From the streets, Blondina moves into the royal palace where she lives a lonely existence...that is until she befriends a brash and surly cat named Amon. Not only can Amon talk, but he also turns into a cute boy! The truth is, Amon is no mere cat but rather a member of the Divine Leopard Clan, a group of powerful demi-humans often at odds with humanity. Will the two be able to stay friends despite all the conflicts?

Night Club #1 (of 6) -  Mark Millar & Juanan Ramirez

You're 17 years old and you've been bitten by a vampire. Do you live in the shadows and drink human blood, or do you use your newfound gifts for the dream costumed superhero life you've always wanted? 

You're bulletproof, you can crawl up walls, and you can turn to mist, bats, or even a wolf. Why not have a little fun?

Sad Girl Space Lizard GN -  Iggy Craig

Lieutenant Left is barely scraping by at her maintenance job on a lonely, two-lizard mech crew. Every day seems just as monotonous as the last, until disaster strikes Commander Right on a routine mission. Now it's up to Left to step up, or risk being stranded in space... with nobody around except her hot crewmate for millions and millions of miles. Cartoonist Iggy Craig's debut graphic novel is a queer mech action romance (for lizards). If you are a lizard, or have an appreciation for lizards, this comic is for you. If not, you'll probably still enjoy it.

Too Dead To Die TP -  Marc Guggenheim, Howard Chaykin & Dave Johnson

Writer/artist team GUGGENHEIM & CHAYKIN (Blade, Wolverine) reunites for an all-new original that brings classic spy novels to the modern world. In the 1980s, Simon Cross was America's top superspy. Today, his past has come back to haunt him, forcing him out of retirement for one final adventure.

A Vicious Circle #1 (of 3) -  Mattson Tomlin & Lee Bermejo

Shawn Thacker is a trained assassin from the future who seeks revenge on the only other man with his affliction-each life they take forces them both to travel between vastly different past and future eras. Spanning from 22nd century Tokyo to 1950s New Orleans to the Cretaceous Era and beyond, the two mortal rivals are locked in a battle of wills that spans millions of years, all to alter the course of history. With each time period, Lee Bermejo adjusts his artistic style to pay homage to luminary comics artists and historical master painters, all presented in a prestige, oversized format!

Whatcha reading this week, Fantom Fam?

[bllsbailey]

One Line Demolished Biden's Defense of His Mental Health During Sloppy NBC News Interview

President Joe Biden sat down with NBC News’ Lester Holt, which was yet another foray into how this aging president doesn’t have the mental capacity to do the job. Like his sit-down with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos, Biden sounded tired and incapable of delivering lines about his mental health and the failed assassination attempt on former President Trump with the confidence and stability needed to quell concerns about his ability to do the job. 

Three things were notable about this interview: Biden seemed incapable or reluctant to take responsibility for increasing the temperature of the so-called heated political rhetoric emanating from liberals in recent months. He also destroyed his talking point on being mentally sharp since he thought his Secret Service director was a man. And the president once again dabbled in poll denialism (via NBC News):

After having tempered attacks on Donald Trump following Saturday’s assassination attempt, President Joe Biden plunged back into campaign mode Monday, defending his decision to remain in the presidential race despite calls for him to exit.  In an interview with NBC News anchor Lester Holt, Biden at times grew combative and said he isn't leaving the race even though some Democratic leaders have expressed fears that he can't win.  “I’m old,” Biden said. “But I’m only three years older than Trump, No. 1. And No. 2, my mental acuity’s been pretty damn good. I’ve gotten more done than any president has in a long, long time in 3½ years. So I’m willing to be judged on that.”  […]  What's more, Biden said, he's not losing.  "Look — we knew this — this was going to be a close race from the moment he announced," Biden said.  "The polling data shows a lot of different things, but there’s no wide gap between us. It’s essentially a toss-up race," he said.  A new national NBC News poll found that Trump leads Biden by 2 percentage points — within its margin of error.  The poll also revealed, however, that more than 60% of Democrats say they'd prefer someone else at the top of the ticket, while 80% of all voters said they were concerned about Biden's mental and physical capacities.

Biden’s age is an issue for Democrats any way you cut it: three-fourths of the nation think he’s too old, Biden can’t de-age, and the only way to turn these numbers around is to make more public appearances, which Biden can’t do. The man was gassed after his little trip to Michigan. Biden must do multiple rallies in crucial battleground states until Election Day to change the course of the race, but he will not be able to do it. The gaping wound will continue to bleed until all the ballots are counted, and it’s very noticeable among the electorate. 

Trump also leads Biden in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan. The national polls mean bupkis because a close race is a Trump advantage, any way you cut it. Biden must be polling much better nationally to be near a baseline where a path to 270 is possible. Right now, Biden is heading for defeat. 

“My mental acuity’s been pretty damn good,” says the man who referred to Secret Service Director Kimberley Cheatle as a man: 

Seems, um, concerning that the Commander-in-Chief claims to be meeting with top security officials and then gets caught not knowing who those people are https://t.co/zfEpamMtJH— Sunny (@sunnyright) July 16, 2024

The president also spoke about Trump talking about bloodbaths (a lie) and repeated the “very fine people on both sides” lie against Trump that’s long been debunked, including by left-wing fact-checkers. When Biden was asked about the classified document issues that engulfed him and Trump, the president lost his train of thought. 

— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) July 16, 2024

It was another sloppy interview, where the president’s mental fitness was displayed again, and he failed miserably. Biden claims he’ll debate Trump in September, though he got angry when pressed if he’d do it sooner. He knows he can’t, and it’s likely that Trump’s iconic image after surviving an assassin’s bullet sealed the election for him. Also, what’s this deal about Biden not needing notes or teleprompters? That’s another total lie from the next national spokesperson for Depend.

Biden touting his 59-minute presser at NATO is emblematic of the problem: it's not an accomplishment, but something that's expected from the president of the United States. It feels like the last time Biden held a presser, the New York Giants were in the Super Bowl. 

I'll leave this here. We're dealing with a terrible man, a psychopath, which is in keeping with the rest of this degenerate family:

Trending on Townhall Videos

[academy13]

Had a bit of a think at work today, and I think between McCarthyism and no less than THREE assassinations in less than a decade, Boomers got really fucked. Older Boomers grew up hearing Joe McCarthy's kind of insane Red Scare bullshit (semi-related to the Lavender Scare) and then when the Boomers born in 1946 Second World War turned 13 JFK was assassinated. Two years later, Malcom X. Then in 68, MLK, and two months after that RFK. Like all that, even with the younger Boomers being not even quite teens yet (my mom was 10 when Apollo 11 landed on the moon), would have a pretty big impact. And then Watergate happens. I'm not even gonna touch on the Texas Tower Shooting or Kent State (or even Jackson State, which is a similar shooting to Kent State but far less known because it happened ten days later and I think that definitely played a role in it being less known on top of the school also being historically black), because we all know mass shootings make an impact, just more so then than now because we're so damned used to them.

But basically, three decades and a lot of shit happens in the US that Boomers are around for, I mean we know RFK Jr is seriously messed up and he's literally related to two of the assassinated people. And then AIDS happens, and a lot of people who may have been able to help out now, die because one, trying to figure out how to treat a new disease, as we know very well by now, is really freaking hard, and a lot of people are being sort of homophobic and hoping it kills off all the queers without realizing that diseases don't really give a fuck about your gender or sexuality, it's just gonna do what it does.

So that's McCarthy's rhetoric, like four assinations that I'm aware of, three school shootings, Watergate, the AIDS Crisis, and that's only 4 decades. Younger Boomers didn't get McCarthy first hand, but the after was part of their world growing up.

I'm just saying, much like us, they had a lot of shit happen, we just had it all happen in a much shorter time frame. And a lot of the leadership they would have had right now, the people who would've been better at handling this absolute shit show, got fucking killed because Ronald Regan wouldn't admit AIDS was a fucking problem.

And this is just the US mind you, so I think the Boomers who survived, are a little more messed up than they're willing to admit, especially the old fucks in charge of shit they shouldn't be in charge of, got really scared by the things that happened when they were growing up and as they came of age. I personally think they're scared of being irrelevant, they want it the way it was when they were kids because its comfortable and less scary than the change they lived through was, even if some of their own parents or leaders didn't completely like it. But those people were smart enough to see the next generation stepping up to the plate and see that 'oh hey lets listen to the majority of people'. Of course though, that made Evangelicals uncomfy, but what doesn't? They'd clutch their pearls if you showed them the most Hayes Code approved movie.

In short, we're sitting here in this period of time in US history because one of the largest demographics in history decided fucking over everyone was more important than the other some-odd BILLON people on the planet (by the way, a century ago the world's population was 2 billion people, it steadily increased over the 20th century, currently there are 8 billion people on the planet. So when the 60s hit, the number hit 3 billion, of which a substantial chunk was the Boomers)

[psychoqomp]

meet the janitor

“Pachinko?”

There’s a pause in the air as Silk considers those words, leaning back in his seat with one leg crossed over the other, palm against his cheek with a very thoughtful expression. And then he snaps his free hand’s fingers with an impish smile.

“Oooh, right. Chin-Chin. You know, if I had a nickel for every random guy I found on the street that ends up having the raw talent for murder, I’d have two nickels. Not a lot, but it’s really weird that it’s happened twice, you know?”

A shrug of the shoulders.

“Although between him and Reaper, I think I prefer Reaper. Chin-Chin is kind of neurotic, y’know? He could snap at any moment and turn into a killer. Reaper’s more placid. Complacent. He’ll just always be like that. Besides… If I had to choose between a guy who’s taller than me and really well built and a guy who’s barely taller than me with a twinky body like that?”

A roll of the eyes, although it is accompanied by a soft chuckle that hints at just a little bit of affection. . . In the way one might have for an upturned turtle on the side of the street, that is- the kind where you can’t be bothered to flip it over but cheer it on anyway so that it might eventually do it on its own.

“Yeah, no thanks. But I can’t deny that he brings results. . . Sometimes.”

—--------------

“SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIILK! HEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP!”

The pathetic whine almost makes the comms blow out due to the high and panicked pitch, and all this does is make Silk cackle right into Pachinko’s ear, the panicked janitor-turned-assassin suddenly turning a corner to hide in a storage closet full of- oh, hey, janitorial tools. Neat.

Why’s he in this situation?! Why the fuck was he ordered to take out a whole FOREIGN DIPLOMAT??? WHY IS HE BEING CHASED BY FIVE GUARDS?! HE ISN’T MADE FOR THIS SORT OF SHIT!!!

He sinks onto his knees in the closet and covers his face in his hands, resisting the urge to eject out his lunch. Oh, god, the steps are getting closer. One of them’s here. Oh god. He never even got to tell that pretty Mary girl at the casino that she was really, really hot and that he really wanted to-

The door swings open and the bodyguard instantly empties a hail of bullets into the closet- however, since Pachinko was on his knees, they end up flying directly into the back of the closet. . . And thus, they bounce off of a bucket (what the hell is that bucket made out of?) and fly right back at the shooter, peppering him in his own bullets. He collapses in front of Pachinko, lifeless- and the gun he was holding slips right in front of him. “Did you die, Pachinko? C’moon Chinchin, five seconds and then I’ll terminate the connection. Don’t want to get caught. One, two, three,”

there’s the sound of someone scampering for a gun, picking it up, loading it and then laughing quietly to himself.

“Oh! Good. Now be a good boy for me,”

He can feel a mixture of drool and upchuck go down his chin, wiping it while laughing. Yeah, yeahyeahyeahyeah. He has the gun now, motherfucker. He’s got the fucking gun. What’s four guys with guns against him? Nothing, because he has the fucking GUN!!! YEAH!! HAHA! YEAH, HE HAS THE FUCKING GUN! Oh, god, the blood makes him want to kill himself.

“and kill for me.”

—----------------------------

“Pachinko?”

Shade blinks a few times and crosses her arms, eyes closed soon after. She’s clearly genuinely trying to recall who the hell she’s being asked about before slowly shaking her head.

“Sorry, I’ve got no clue who you’re talking about. If you’re asking me about them, I guess they’re important though.”

Fingers comb through her hair as she thinks. No, she just can’t really figure out who the fuck she’s being asked about.

“. . . Nope, sorry. I guess I should be using this chance to bitch about work instead. Not /this/ work, but at the casino. I mean, walking around all day filling glasses for skeevy older guys- women and other people sometimes, too- is tiring… And then there’s the fact that I’ve got some secret admirer.”

Her voice grows more annoyed as she prattles on.

“Like, seriously dude. We know you’ve got no chance, and I mean- fuck me, I don’t want to be rude, but just stop staring and /thinking/ about talking to me if you’re actually never going to, right? It’s just annoying me and wasting your time. Go out and meet someone, anyone! Am I right?”

—-------------

“Pachinko?”

Eagle’s expression grows tired the moment these words leave his lips, grumbling- fingers pressed against his forehead, like he’s trying to push back an oncoming migraine with all his willpower- and physical power too, the way his fingers are pushed.

“I worked with him once. It was very unpleasant. He tends to panic easily, and while we got the job done without any losses or chances of being caught, I asked Silk to not put me with him again. He has this tendency to… How to say it…”

It’s clear he has the words on his lips already and he’s trying really hard to be polite, but at this point he can’t really gather the energy to. Pachinko would definitely shit talk him if he was here, right? He definitely would. He shouldn’t be extending a courtesy that he knows isn’t going to be returned.

“Go absolutely fucking neurotic, you know? Pardon my French. I was his support and he got his hands on some guns on the site and he just started being all manic about it. I don’t think he’s built for this, but apparently he keeps getting work done, so Silk keeps him on board… Ugh. I hate that guy too.”

Pause.

“You’re not telling Silk I said that, right? Not that I care, but I don’t want him to start pairing me up with Pachinko more.”

—--------------------

“Pachinko!”

Vixen grins and intertwines her fingers, leaning forward to smile in a way that is very, very alluring- and also not very alluring. Like a toxic rainforest frog presenting itself to the viewer.

“I love that guy. He’s so fun to work with! He always starts off shy and reserved- really, he can’t keep his eyes on my face- but once we get going he really embraces the whole carnage thing.”

And then she leans back, waving a hand in the air dismissively. She lost interest as quickly as it came.

“But he has this problem where he always pretends what happened didn’t, you know? Like he’s trying to put on the airs of being normal again. You know what his problem is? He’s got low tolerance for blood and gore AND he stresses out easily. He’s just not made for this life. I’m surprised he keeps going. Maybe Silk has something on him.”

Then again- her eyes close, and a wicked grin paints itself onto her features until it consumes all the appeal she could’ve had.

“Or maybe he really wants to grow some balls and this is his way of doing it. I mean, I’d definitely develop some if I kept killing people as much as he does… He might just beat my kill count eventually if this keeps up. I’m really looking forward to it.”

—--------------

“Pachinko. . . ?”

Cherry fiddles with her apron, clearly uncomfortable with the topic. Or rather, she is lost. She knows who he is, but he’s so overwhelming she finds it hard to properly word her thoughts on the matter.

“He’s a little, um.”

And unlike Eagle, who faked politeness, she is genuinely trying to be polite- and she is failing at it, because there isn’t much good or bad to say about him besides this simple fact;

“pathetic?”

That’s the only word she can figure out that fits, and she ends up lifting her hand to stroke at her hair instead, like she has to constantly be tinkering with something or this conversation will swallow her whole. A nervous gulp, a pause, and then a nod.

“Yeah, pathetic. But I don’t think it’s his fault or anything. He’s nice to me when we talk, and he doesn’t do anything inappropriate or anything, I just. . . Well, when he came over, he ended up hitting his head on the shelf, and then a lot of my WIPs ended up smashing him in the face, knocking him out.”

A nervous gulp, again.

“I, um- we were lucky none of them were primed and ready, ahah. He just quietly left after he woke up.”

—-------

“Pachinko?”

Reaper blinks and shrugs.

“Never heard of him.”

—----------------

Reaper stands over the bloody body, huffing and breathing deep. Haaaaaaaa. Inhaling in all the air and some noxious gasses in the world and then exhaling, slowly unscrewing the silencer from his pistol.

That was it? He’d expected more. He’s just dead, on the ground, unmoving. He really did expect more. The blood’s starting to pool up and spread, and he doesn’t want to stain his shoes. He reaches for his coat’s pocket to get a cigarette out alongside his lighter, slipping the filter between his lips. And-

inhale.

Eyes turn skywards to stare at the vomit of light pollution, but beyond it a big white orb hangs above them, painting him and the corpse in its lunacy inducing waves. He smiles to himself, stashing his lighter and cigarettes away to instead search for his brick phone. Silk’s on speed dial.

The moon’s beautiful tonight.

His steps start to carry him, but he was so lost in the moment that he hadn’t even realized two simple facts.

One, the blood has spread.

Two, Pachinko is still alive.

The bottoms of his shoes slip on the blood, sending him stumbling onto his back, and in that time the wild-eyed man- lucky, lucky, he is so lucky to be a lunatic- scrambles on top of him and starts slamming his hands down. He has no weapon besides his own average fists attached to average arms attached to an average body, but he just keeps viciously beating.

Results are only achieved due to the concussion Reaper’s gotten due to slipping and landing on his back, back of the skull cracked and split from the sheer impact- followed by Pachinko’s hands hammering it against the pavement again and again, spreading his wild hair out-

he can just barely see the moon shining bright behind the head of the other, like a halo, and he ends up smiling even as he’s being beaten.

Silk, the moon really is. . .

Pachinko’s breath hitches as his swings wind down until they’re just desperate slaps and then nothing at all, holding the other corpse’s face in his own hands before he lets go and scrambles back, eyes wild and wide like dinner plates and hands bloody and body contorted and ohhhh god it feels good.

“Haa…”

He slowly pushes himself to stand, wiping sweat and blood from his brow- bloodying it even more. And he kicks the side of the body. Dead as a doornail.

“Haa… haaa…..”

He’s alive. And he won. He killed someone in a totally fair fight. Or was it fair if it was luck that Reaper got distracted and tripped?

“haa…hahaha- haha! hahahaha! haha, yeah!”

And he kicks again and again, turning the body onto its stomach so that it can drown in the mixture of their blood, and he punches the air and he jumps on the spot and he dances like a real joy boy, grinning wide.

“I did it! I fucking won! Eat shit, I won! I won!”

And then he leans on his own knees and ejaculates (yes, ejaculates, his mouth is like a fucking dickhead and he is splattering his innards out onto the ground like it’s an 80s sexploistation film) vomit onto the ground. He wipes his mouth and gets some blood onto his lips, licking it and groaning.

He starts to walk, mumbling.

“And my fucking name isn’t Pachinko, it’s-”

he trips.

Maybe his shoelaces ended up untied during the struggle, or he just made the same mistake reaper did and ignored how a blood pool can actually be really slippery, but he flips and lands on the ground and-

does he die? Does he just get knocked out? Well, there’s no-one to confirm it. Who knows. There’s no conscious living soul in this alleyway now. Just two men on the ground, one definitely dead and the other questionably alive, and their blood mixes together alongside the vomit to create a whole new thing;

a homunculus of unfortunate circumstances.

[vodid]

Hii i'm new to your art and I wanna know how you came up with all the obsidian king stuff (i think it's called an AU? Don't know what that means nsndnsj) but yeah I love what you do and I wonder if you can give some kind of guide to understand your universe, if it's not so much to ask?

Love you!

P.D.: looking at your art is so relaxing, everything is very soft! 🥺💝

hi there! thank you so much! :)

au means alternate universe — aka a different timeline from canon. it can be the same but human or something way different like royalty or mers!

i came up with this au purely because a) i wanted to give prowl really cool wings, inspired by mecha wing designs! and b) a lot of royalty aus tend to be dark and have arranged marriage, especially making prowl the one used as a political piece. it's not my cup of tea but a more fairytale royalty au sounded fun so i created this au in hopes to make a happy royalty au for once

(this didn't particularly last long as i included more characters and city-states but i still greatly adore this au and the direction its taken)

as for a guide, i have a very long informational google doc about the whole au i created some months ago. i do not have it open to the public at the moment (still a wip and i just made a lot of changes that aren't finished 😭) but i can give you a hopefully quick history lesson summary:

nearly half a century ago (yes i'm using human time here i don't feel like converting), ruby king aries and his "queen" (referred to in this au as:) praxine barricade began a war with polyhex and simfur in hopes to gain more land as praxus is a small kingdom. also tyranny! but soon, vos jumped in and attacked a vulnerable praxus. they were now at war with three kingdoms.

a few years in, aries died in battle and barricade was left to lead as the new ruby king with an heir on the way (coincidence? 👀) during this time, he advanced the wars beyond reparation and had his only son, selenite prince smokescreen, who he locked away in the palace for safety (he was barricade's only heir and was terminally ill)

more years passed, smokescreen grew into a young teen (like 15–17 here) and was introduced to the world outside the quiet palace. upon seeing the death, destruction and lack of attention for their own people, smokescreen set out to usurp barricade and prepared for a few years until a successful assassination killed the ruby king.

after taking the throne, smokescreen worked tirelessly to end the wars, but failed many times over and was left to defend praxus from three different militaries over the course of the next 15 years. during this time, he was raising his only heir, obsidian prince prowl, and shaping him into a strong and pacifistic leader. when prowl grew older, he became the commander and strategist for the praxian military and helped end the wars once and for all. vos took longer to placate but eventually backed off and war on this part of cybertron ended.

unfortunately, smokescreen was only able to enjoy this peace for a little while before he succumbed to his terminal illness, passing away from spark failure, and left a new praxus to prowl.

obsidian king prowl was young, and as such, did not look for a mate despite the norm on cybertron being that every sovereign should be bonded. he did not care for this and focused on running a kingdom for a good two years before he meets a young musician, recently taking over his creators' positions as the praxian palace's court musician. prowl immediately takes interest and requests jazz to play music for him late at night when they are able to meet

they begin to fall in love with each other and eventually want to bond :) this isn't without protests from prowl's cabinet and even some of the populace. jazz isn't praxian or royalty/noble. he was just some musician from polyhex (which might i mention, tensions were still high here) but prowl didn't care. his father gave him a kingdom to rule in the way he wanted to, and you're damn right prowl's gonna take advantage of that freedom.

so they bond, melding relations between them and polyhex (simfur by extension) and have their own little heir, covellite prince bluestreak, and live happily ever after

(until the autobot-decepticon war starts and praxus is destroyed for remaining strictly neutral)

:)