#lightning-assassin

[jamesontheoutside]

EVERYONE ON TUMBLR NEEDS TO DO THIS

[gingerpeachtea]

graceland, s3e8 savior complex // ivan the terrible and his son ivan, ilya repin

[discordiansamba]

thinking about the assassin zuko AU again... thinking about azulon dying, and ozai becoming fire lord. zuko gets the news via his viper-raven in the middle of the night on their way to omashu. he has a new master now. fire lord ozai wants him to kill the avatar at the earliest possible convenience.

zuko... hesitates. it wouldn't make sense to kill the avatar now. he still has the chance to take out the earth king. so he decides to wait. when they finally arrive in ba sing se, he learns that the earth king isn't even really in control- long feng is. so he waits longer. long feng is deposed, removed from his position of power, so he falls off zuko's radar.

long feng watches 'li'. one of his subordinates reported seeing a viper-raven fly over the city walls. the birds are extremely rare- only still bred by one group. he's heard the rumors about the fire lord's secret squad of assassins, and if there is one within the city... well, it is important that he deal with it. 'li's' mask is perfect, so he almost doesn't suspect him at first.

almost. he's just a little too good at guiding his group through lake laogai. that's the only tell long feng gets, but it's enough. he decides to take a gamble, and orders the dai li to quietly bring him to them. he has a proposition for you, young assassin- work with him, and he will make fulfilling his goals even easier.

zuko doesn't believe the man for a second- but he does need to kill the earth king, and it's proving trickier than killing chief arnook. fire lord ozai is growing impatient with his lack of progress, so he agrees. everything happens quickly after that- the plans for a coup are put into place. the dai li capture the council of generals, and zuko gets his chance to kill the earth king.

then his sister and uncle General Iroh and Princess Azula arrive- with the avatar. they stare at him in disbelief. oh. they know who he is. katara and aang try to talk to him like they're still his friends. they don't want to believe- but sokka and toph are more suspicious. they're readying themselves.

'li' tells them that he had no choice. he didn't want to- the fire nation has his mother, you see- but general iroh cuts him off. tells him not to believe anything coming out of his mouth. aang and katara do anyways. they argue amongst themselves.

aang turns his back on him.

(this time zuko doesn't hesitate.)

[dailydccomics]

Talia and Jeff having a bonding moment Black Lightning (1977-78)

[soviet-space-ace]

Who else is excited for the upcoming Destiny of a Republic miniseries?

It’s called Death by Lightning and Josh Lyman himself is going to be in it as James G. Blaine.

I really hope it doesn’t end up like the American Lion miniseries from a few years back that never got made.

[deadpresidents]

I'm not joking -- I actually check IMDB every few days to make sure this is still real:

I mean, that's about as tailor-made for my entertainment as it can get. Not only are we getting a movie about this story, which I've been waiting for years for, but we're getting Offerman as President Arthur, Michael Shannon and the amazing Betty Gilpin as the Garfields, and Tom Wambsgans as Charles Guiteau! Matthew Macfadyen is certainly not the first person who I'd think of to play crazy-ass Guiteau, but I'm sure he'll be incredible because he's always great. Plus, Matt Ross is really good too -- as a director and as an actor -- so I'm glad to hear he's involved.

Please get made, "Death by Lightning".

[starryknight-dragonarts]

Caelius the Exile Gender: Male

Background: Caelius came from the the same clan as Jokull in the High Northern Arctic Expanse, possibly the harshest and deadliest land on Laramidia. The Dragons who live there are warriors divided by clans in ever shifting alliances and rivalries, often fighting each other more than any dragons outside their borders since nobody south of them really wants their land. In his early life, much of their clan died to war, disease, and exposure to the elements so Jokull mostly raised Caelius himself as his nephew, protecting him from the cold and training him to be strong, sometimes Jokull would go without food for weeks so Caelius had something to eat, but burning in them both was a determination to shake this world.

For a while it was Jokull and Caelius against the world, conquering their way through the Arctic Kingdom and making clans join in their campaign to take over the North. Jokull was the leader and face of the operation while Caelius performed more of a cloak and dagger role as an infiltrator, spy, and assassin. He became an expert survivalist, tactician, and gained a reputation that was mythical; if warriors heard thunder they might just leave a battle rather than chance it being Caelius. Caelius believed he could do whatever it takes to survive and help progress his uncle's goals, but the closer they got to success, the more he noticed his uncle grow wary of him, like Caelius could at any point turn traitor and usurp him. Caelius didn't want that kind of power though, he just wanted to see his Uncle happy.

Together they had made Jokull the singular Emperor of the High Northern Arctic Expanse, but their land was still a harsh desolate place to live. Jokull wanted better land for his subjects, and he envied the warm lush lands, and the power of the Southern empire. He worked out a plan with Caelius to infiltrate and conquer the South with a single swift blow to the head taking out the he emperor and holding the rest of the nobility hostages to prevent retaliation. Once they had the two strongest Empires under their control, all of the smaller kingdoms between them would have no choice but to surrender and they will rule the entire continent.

Caelius infiltrated and faked his way up to becoming becoming a royal Fang Guard to the Royal family specifically to guard the Royal Imperial Princess. At first he played up the role of being the charming hotshot knight who gets the honor of being with the princess, but he wasn't supposed to get attached to her. He had done this before, he was able to close himself off from feeling anything about his targets so it was easy to betray them later. This was for his Uncle and improving the lives of dragons like him who have to suffer the conditions he had growing up. It seemed to him like this Princess had never experienced any hardship her entire life, she was probably spoiled and ignorant like some of the other nobles he was forced to interact with here. Except that wasn't the case. She didn't fall for his charming knight act, she was smart and had a sharp tongue at times, she was also witty, willful, and funny...oh no he had gotten attached to her, but not just with the Princess but he started to care for her passions. There was a similar determination in her to change the world around her and it drew the two of them closer together, while Jokull started to grow apart.

Jokull had become more paranoid that Caelius would eventually betray him and started putting more pressure on Caelius. Eventually Caelius was pushed to his limits being pulled between two loyalties and confessed everything to the Princess. The two of them tried to look for a peaceful solution but with pressures on both sides they could only save each other and ran away together and hide out in the middle of nowhere. They settled together in a little secluded mountain valley that was peaceful and a sanctuary to Valkirtani and Hybrids. They became acquainted and made some life-long friendships with some of them.

Eventually the two of them had eggs together and were getting ready to raise a family when raiders showed up and attacked the village! Caelius stayed back to fight while his wife tried to run with the eggs but he could not hold off all of them and in the chaos they lost each other, and never found each other again. He could only guess what happened to them while he mourned their loss and what could have been. He did however manage to find one of their friend from the village, a neighbor of there's who was also a new mother...but she was hurt badly protecting her own hatchling, a hybrid dragoness named Pinto. She begged Caelius to take her, and protect her, so he did. He raised Pinto like she were his own by himself. They spent many years together just the two of them in the wilderness, sometimes Caelius would go without food for weeks so Pinto had something to eat, but burning in them both was a determination to shake this world. Their time together could not last forever though...Jokull was looking for him, and he would not let Jokull hurt Pinto, so he found his way to a hidden Hybrid Kingdom and begged their queen to accept Pinto. The Queen agreed but Caelius was running out of time and places to hide, he would only put Pinto in danger if he lead her himself so he set up clues to show her the way knowing she is smart, and very capable on her own.

Personality: Caelius is a passionate, determined, and loyal dragon. He was passionate when he helped Jokull conquer the north, he was passionate when he fell in love with the princess from the south, and he was passionate when he suddenly became a father to a dragoness who was not his own. Despite having abandoned his mission and fallen out of touch with his Uncle, he still cares about Jokull and tried to embody the Jokull he remembered when raising Pinto. He was supportive of all of her interests and endeavors even if he can't help her with magic, and most of all he has faith in Pinto which he wishes Jokull had given him.

Strengths: Survivalist, Infiltrator, Determination

Weaknesses: Has too many Enemies, Running out of Time, Grief

Powers: Lightning

Stats Elemental Energy: 9/10 He has an almost unparalleled amount of energy and stamina having started with very little and had to work it to where it is now

Elemental Control: 10/10 He has mastered control over his element

Intelligence: 8/10 Caelius is very intelligent, he never received a formal education but had to learn things quickly to survive and be a successful spy. He is able to think very tactically and put together seemingly disparate pieces of information and make sense of them.

Combat Ability: 9/10 He has grown older than he was then back when he was Jokull's main assassin and has not needed to fight for some time, but he is no slouch in claw to claw combat. He knows the body's weak spots, he fights very tactically being able to analyze his opponents, disappear in a flash, and strike fast like lightning.

[tanlorin]

me speccing val into herald of the tome (arcanist) + assassination (nightblade) both bc they're the meta dps skill lines now And bc i can see it still being lore friendly for them

[sworeontheriverstyx]

Just remembered how awful of an adaptation kaos was. Mood absolutely ruined

[johnadamsnotquincy]

MATTHEW MACFADYEN LOOKS JUST LIKE GUITEAU

[amariaamaris]

Of Spite and Planned Assassinations (Chapter 1)

Oh my gosh, this took me way, way to long to update/add more. Spring finals felt like they came out of nowhere and my summer class piggy-backed onto the tail end of spring. Anyway, for anyone interested this is my wip about Mace Windu being yeeted back in time by the force with zero explanation. I'm also going to be posting on AO3, so after this post - if I remember - I'll be posting chapter updates with a link and a quick little preview. Anyway, that being said here is the whole of chapter 1: Of Ire and Lifedebts.

Mace Windu has two hands.

Two hands that are actively shaking from the after effects of sith lightning.

He’s not on Coruscant… He's not on Coruscant.

Instead, Mace Windu, The Master of the Jedi Order is in the middle of a forest and he has no clue what planet he’s on. He would also appreciate it if his head would stop throbbing as spikes of pain splinter through his brain.

Mace finally, shakily pulls himself to a standing position and slowly takes in his surroundings. Trying to get a better grasp as to where he is and where he should start walking to find some civilization.

He reaches out to the force with a question pressing, projecting outward and junts off his pain, fear, and worry out into the force. All he gets back as an answer is a distinct feeling of amusement and comfort. Much like the creche masters would give an amused and indulgent smile and a slightly humiliating pat on the head to initiates with silly fears. As they are cheerfully reassured that it ‘passes with time’.

An annoyed huff escapes him, “If you don’t wish to give me any answers, can you at least point me to where I need to go?” the force lightly giggles in response and wraps around him with loving warmth. Then in the next moment it pulls away and starts tugging him in a random direction.

He follows, what else is he supposed to do?

Mace gets all of ten steps and a vicious electric aftereffect of the lightning tears through him. Lighting up his nerve endings with harsh, zapping pinpricks and debilitating him to the point that Mace has to tightly grip onto one of the trees.

Mace finally gets back enough wherewithal to feel the force wrap around him, cushioning and supporting him. He forcefully blinks his eyes, willing the black specks out of his vision as he slowly lets go of his grip on the tree. The force lightly brushes against him with a silent apology, he sends back his acceptance and the sense that there is nothing to forgive.

Tuning back into his physical body senses as he starts moving and equally relying on his force senses, very quickly informs Mace that there is a blaster fight happening. In fact, it sounds like a full-blown battle. He pauses upon hearing something massive and slow moving making its way towards the battle. The force continues to insistently tug at him wanting him to go-change-save him-new beginnings-trust. Mace very quickly gets a move on, not feeling in the mood to have the force literally pull him off of his feet in its desperation to get him moving. 

What he comes upon is quite frankly a muddy, chaotically confusing, ruthlessly violent bloodbath. An intense battle between two different mandalorian groups, one in blue and silver and the other group in a myriad of different colors. The force almost violently tugs him towards the group with different colors.

The very group that is clearly pinned down and quickly losing the battle. A soul-deep and exasperated sigh leaves him - he pushes his ire away into a box labeled LATER - as he quickly starts mentally pulling up battle plans to change the tide. It takes him all of a minute to come up with and scrap thirty different plans. Due to him forgetting that Commander Ponds and Lightning Squadron aren’t with him. Until he finally gets to a plan that will work… potentially. It certainly won’t make the mandalorian side's situation he’s wanting to help any worse.

He takes a moment to breathe and pull on the still peace and calm of an untouched lake as he grips his lightsaber. Time seems to freeze as he moves.

From one breath to the next he’s across the battlefield and taking out the massive ion tank before it can even get a shot off. Mace springboards off the tank right up to where a handful of the blue and silver mandalorians are using their jetpacks to try and get a better vantage point.

In a single smooth move, Mace slices through one of the jetpacks and he grapples midair with a different mandalorian. He slams his hand down on the jetpack, ignoring how the heat of it burns his skin and reaches with the force and crumples the mechanism. Then he’s letting go, slamming his foot into the mando’s chest and launching himself at the next one. Force pushing the previous mando into a different one and smoothly turning his attention to the one he’s collided with as other two plummet to the ground.

Sharp pain blooms on his right side where the mando has stabbed him with a vibroblade. Mace impatiently punts the feeling off into the force as he twists and in a clean move relieves the mando of their head. He gets himself space as he rapidly falls towards the hard ground and very roughly slows and catches himself with the force. Carefully holding the side with the blade still lodged within it.

He senses the mandalorians he’s actively helping finally gain ground and reach his position. Everything quickly becomes a blur after that, dodging, parrying, redirecting blaster bolts and slugshots that would have either severely damaged or killed both him and the mandalorians. Then from one moment to the next, the force screams out in his still throbbing head. Mace moves before he’s even fully aware of the action he’s taking. Stopping a blaster bolt from slamming into the back of the neck of the mandalorian with the red cape from one of his own and swiftly relieving the traitor of his forearms.

At this point, many of the blue and silver mandalorians have very swiftly retreated and all that's left are the ones covering the retreat. The traitor stumbles backward and lands on his shebs into the blood and mud.

“Montross!” Mace barely twitches at the name being viciously spat out through the crackle of the buy’ce belonging to the red-caped mandalorian. “Aruetii! How long were you planning this?” The red-caped mandalorian stalks towards the traitor like a nexu on the hunt.

Mace lets his eyes slowly scan around as the rest of the mandalorians with the red-caped leader start to take care of the dead. The quiet hiss of his saber turning off makes a good number of them twitch as he puts it back on his belt. He calmly rips off two large pieces from his cloak and ties one around his torso, just above where the vibroknife is sticking out.

He stays silent as he watches the leader call for some of his men to take this ‘Montross’ away. Not that Mace really catches much of the language, but he gets enough of it to make a strong enough guess. Wrapping his hand around the hilt of the vibroknife, he pauses and slowly breathes in; pulling the force tightly around himself for strength, he quickly rips the blade out as cleaning as it went in. Mace ignores the shocked mutterings of the mandalorians and quickly rips one third of the strip off and folds it. He presses it tightly against the gaping wound and proceeds to use the larger part of the strip and the helping hand of the force to tie it tightly in place.

He just gets done with that when he’s wracked with another after effect of sith lightning. It shreds his shields as it shreds his body's nerve endings. Through sheer spite and strength of will he doesn’t scream out like he’d like and instead a grunt of pain escapes him as his knees give out. Mace could almost taste the sith lightning that seems to be locked within his very veins as his whole body convulses.

His ears ring sharply and loudly as his head goes from throbbing to trying to set itself on fire as it splits apart. Mace is aware enough to hear muffled voices and feel himself being moved, but other than that every single sense is a blur of pain. As the force drowns him in its depths and what’s left of his obliterated shields get washed away by the waves.

Even the pain becomes incredibly distant as the force gently croons to him as it wraps him in its warm healing embrace. Mace gently floats within the ocean of infinity, klicks away from the surface and completely at peace. He vaguely feels his body tingling with pins and needles and muffled yelling. Mace gets the sense that he should be more alarmed than he is at the moment and yet…

He’s tired, past tired and to a level of exhaustion he doesn’t think he’ll ever be able to pull himself out of. He’s been tired since Qui-Gon came back to the temple, leaving his thirteen-year-old padawan in a warzone with parents actively hunting, torturing, and killing their own children. That tired feeling just spread as the years went on into his bones and to the depths of his soul. When the war hit, he was already checked out. Yet, he gave more of himself than he thought he had left and kept giving more.

As he knew many others did the same.

Mace knows intellectually that he’s slipping away, but with the force wrapped around him and carefully leading him deeper into the ocean, he willingly follows. There’s nothing left; the jedi order has fallen and his men are nothing more than flesh droids. He knows that his padawans, his daughters are bound to be dead. Mace takes in one more deep, pained, struggling breath and slowly lets it out on a quiet sigh of release.

And he floats away.

[jaronxlordashcombe]

YAY

I have finally gottening an Ao3 account cant wait to start posting!

[the-silver-peahen-residence]

||Zoneless Zone Zero muse list#2||

Jane Doe (Zenless Zone Zero)

Lighter (Zenless Zone Zero)

Zhu Yuan (Zenless Zone Zero)

Seth Lowell (Zenless Zone Zero)

Tsukishiro Yangagi (Zenless Zone Zero)

Asaba Harumasa (Zenless Zone Zero)

Hoshimi Miyabi (Zenless Zone Zero)

[deadpresidents]

The Death By Lightning casting was updated. Any thoughts on Shea Whigham as Conkling and Bradley Whitford as Blaine?

I'm a huge fan of both Shea Whigham and Bradley Whitford, so I'm all for them being involved even if I don't see either of them as Conkling and Blaine. I'm just glad that the series is being stretched out enough to include Roscoe Conkling and James G. Blaine. Also, Kate Chase Sprague and Blanche Bruce! If we're getting Kate Chase Sprague as a major character, that means it's probably going to get into her relationship with Conkling...and any story featuring more Roscoe Conkling is bound to be entertaining.

Also, is there a law that was passed that requires Michael Shannon and Shea Whigham to always be cast together? I'm not complaining. I like both actors. I'm just curious.

[airandangels]

So today a registered Republican and sovcit loon was arrested for plotting a third assassination attempt on Donald Trump. Good grief.