#making the viper work underwater was...something

[fadesense]

it was ✶⋆ 🧜‍♂️ 𝑀𝑒𝓇𝓂𝒶𝓎 🧜‍♂️ ⋆✶!!

some sketchy mer designs for tarquin and ashur, belated for mermay. (credit to @rookfeathers for the original fish color inspo with betta fish and red-tailed sharks! ✨)

[mystical-lemonade]

Uhm..so..can you do a yandere Vice dorm heads sharing a darling, like how you did for dorm heads?? Your work is rlly good!!

Warnings: Mentions of death(Lilia), Drugging/Love potions(Trey), Hypnotism(Jamil), Blackmail(Jade), Violence,

Wordcount: 914

Pairings: Trey Clover x gn!Reader, Jade Leech x gn!Reader, Jamil Viper x gn!Reader, Rook Hunt x gn!Reader, Lilia Vanrouge x gn!Reader

Trey as a yandere is quite subtle

But due to his duties in Heartslabyul, it would take a bit for him to notice he's not the only one gunning for you

When he does, Trey ramps up his "Sweet, helpful,older brother/friend" persona

Hoping to fly under the radar while his competition takes each other out

Trey offers you gifts almost always laced/covered with a subtle love potion

Nothing that would cause anyone close to you alarm

But just strong enough that you will seek him out frequently

He'd also try and subtly discourage you from seeing his competition

Why spend time with anyone but him, he just understands you best

Over time, he will increase the dose of love potion to ensure you choose him

Doesn't aim to be violent but will not shy away if he needs to fight off the riff raff

If he needs to maim the other vice dorm leaders or your friends he will

And Trey always manages to spin it as him defending either himself or you to the staff

"You don't need them anymore, all they want is to hurt you"

Jade thinks he's subtle about his sudden paranoia about losing you to the other vice dorm leaders

He is decidedly NOT

You very quickly realize Jade is effected by something because he is suddenly everywhere

He takes a page out of Floyd's book and just looms

It was sweet how protective he was, until he quite literally tried to break Ruggie's neck because you were assigned partners in a class

When you confront him about it Jade will blackmail you into leaving NRC and staying he wants you to be

Jade will do anything to make sure you are FAR away from anything that may even consider removing you from his grasp

Has no remorse for threatening you and your loved ones

Doesn't immediately follow you to the underwater house he stashed you in

He has to give some sense of normalcy

Acts very upset that you left him and the school after what happened with Ruggie

It’s not entirely fake either, he really does regret having to show you that side of himself

Additionally, Jade is the only one of the Vices who would threaten to kill you if you tried to escape

“You’re welcome to leave, just remember, it’s a good 45 minute swim back to the surface~”

Jamil takes the longest to notice he has competition

He's consistently trying to look busy so you don't realize he had hypnotized the staff who made the schedules so you are always together

Uses his well crafted charm and masks to make you inherently trust him well before he had competetion

Does his best to keep you away from the others once he realizes he's not the only one with an interest in you

Jamil is also quite practical, he's your friend, he's handsome and intelligent

So he straight up asks you out on a date, only a little bit encouraged by his magic

If you say yes, he will be super normal until your relationship is threatened

If you say no however, Jamil would use his unique magic on you

Make you forget you said no, and instead make you believe that you were very excited to say yes

And the ease of gaining affection from you encourages him to continue to keep you under his spell

His practical class work may suffer slightly, but its all worth it to see you look at him with such open adoration and love

Jamil is so delusional about this, he'd be extremely comfortable keeping you hypnotized to his desire for your entire lifetime

"It's not fake, all I'm doing is enhancing feelings you always had"

Rook is probably the first to figure out he’s not the only one interested in his darling

He’s been watching you for a while after all

And when he uses those supreme observation skills to observe the people around you?

He sees how his fellow vice dorm leaders gravitate towards you

And he can’t have that

At which point he would use his unique magic to tag you

And that night when you’re finally all alone?

He’d steal you

Taking you far, far away, to a place where not even his own family would think to look for him

Is he a bit sad to have abandoned his education and friends? Yes

But everything is worth it if it meant he gets his darling all to himself

Be prepared to be moved at the drop of a hat as well

because Rook did not get this far just to give you up to another

“Home is not a location, its the people we love, and I love you most of all.”

Lilia is quite calm when he realizes

He has the best taste after all, so of course other people wish to appreciate you

Trey giving you gifts? Jade offering to help you with your studies? Rook watching you outside your window every night as you sleep?

All fine with Lilia, he’s confident like that

It’s when those same individuals make any move towards you that he has a problem

Those gifts contain a love potion? Trey will find he is suddenly missing three fingers on each hand

Rook escalates from just watching to sneaking into your dorm room? He will lose an eye

First offence, they get a maiming warning

Second offence, they die

Lilia is efficient, because in his mind, you have already chosen him

He’s wooed royalty before, so his confidence isn’t entirely misplaced

But not everyone wants to be courted using gifts a cat would bring in from outside

If you're fine with receiving severed body parts as a gift, it can be considered cute

But Lilia would NEVER share his darling with another yandere who wants your heart

With his family? Maybe! As long as they keep their paws of you.

"They can certainly look, after all, masterpieces are mean to be admired"

I like to imagine Jade vs Ruggie happens in a class you and Jade don’t share. He’s that obsessed. Jamil in the corner in that classroom seething because that should have been him

If you enjoyed this post and want to see more from me feel free to check out the previous wishes or make a wish of your own.

Sincerely, Jupiter

[thessalian]

Molly!Rook vs Two Idiot Gods

But first, plannng and reassurances

Molly!Rook: Okay. So Minrathous is fucked - again. We can't port directly in. And you guys divided your time between trying to punch a hole in the Fade--

Emmrich: More ... opening a window between two parts of the Fade.

Molly!Rook: Good point, well made, thank you. Anyway, between that and trying to recreate the work of an effective god.

Bellara: Doesn't work quite the same way, though. Not sure Lucanis could kill a god with it.

Molly!Rook: Close is something. Might be handy. Maybe if push comes to it I can swipe the real one off Solas and replace it with the fake. Though that would involve sneaking up on him ... but hey, if he's busy enough with blight or Elgar'nan or that stupid archdemon, it's a possibility!

Davrin: Now I know you're back and mostly okay. Only you would talk about pickpocketing the god of trickery that casually.

Molly!Rook: I'm ... coping. I can have a good long breakdown later. For now, we really need to plan how we're going to get to Minrathous, get into Minrathous, and get up to the not-the-Archon's-anymore palace.

Emmrich: We will need to get all our allies together, and it will take them time to get there. While we see to that, you need to allow yourself some time for something to eat and some actual rest.

Molly!Rook: ...Fine, but I will be checking up on each and every one of you before I do.

Davrin: ...And that's how we really know you're back.

In Rook's quarters, later

Lucanis: I thought I'd never see you again.

Molly!Rook: Hey, no one gets rid of me that easily. ...Are you okay in here? I've been trying to avoid inviting you in here because of the ... y'know. Windows.

Lucanis: It ... was difficult, at first. But having your things nearby helped. I ... wondered about the ... sketches of wings.

Molly!Rook: Most of the people I know who can actually draw are still in Arlathan with the Veil Jumpers, and given everything they've been dealing with lately, I didn't want to distract them with a commission. So ... I picked up the next best thing to remind me of you.

Lucanis: ...Rook...

Molly!Rook: Wait. What do you mean it was difficult at first?

Lucanis: Spite saw what happened to you on Tearstone Island. I thought ... you spoke to Solas in that prison from here, so...

Molly!Rook: ...You faced sitting down shut in an underwater-looking room for me?

Lucanis: It ... helped, in a way. The ... association is no less the Ossuary. Just ... now I can look at it and see ... you. Coming to rescue me.

Molly!Rook: You've done the same, now.

Lucanis: Only the once. For me, you did it twice.

Molly!Rook: You killed a god for me. I think we're even.

Lucanis: Two more. One, at least, I owe for what he did to you. But that is the contract. You, I owe for leaving you hanging in the pantry that one time.

Molly!Rook: Hey, you don't owe me anything for that; anything like this has to move at the other person's own pace--

Lucanis: Fine, then. I owe it to myself to make up for lost time.

Molly!Rook: That's more like it--

Fade to spectral wings, and after a buttload of planning, we reach Minrathous:

Bellara: Rook, come on!

Molly!Rook: Sorry! Sorry! Used to being part of the big battles, not running away from them to do other shit!

Davrin: There'll be battles enough for us-- Like darkspawn.

Molly!Rook: I know you sense darkspawn in general, and I never thought to ask, so ... isn't this like having half the planet screaming at you all at once?

Davrin: I try not to think about it. It gets too much, I just start thinking of visiting Assan's siblings in Arlathan, and--

Bellara: ...There he is! Fen'harel!

Molly!Rook: Bellara, Davrin, keep an eye on the Viper and Tarquin. I've got some things to say to that one.

Solas: ...Free already? You are continually unexpected. And honestly welcome. The blight senses my presence and blocks me at every turn. You would fare better. We need to work together to kill Elgar'nan.

Molly!Rook: .........

Solas: Well?

Molly!Rook: Are you fucking shitting me right now?!? You killed my friend--

Solas: It was an accident! And I gave him back to you, in a sense--

Molly!Rook: I AM NOT GOING TO THANK YOU FOR SCREWING WITH MY HEAD WITH BLOOD MAGIC, YOU SOCIOPATH! You keep screwing with me, and now you expect me to trust you?

Solas: I give you my word that the Veil will not fall by my hand.

Molly!Rook: It's those last three words that are giving me problems at this point!

More darkspawn: *approach*

Molly!Rook: Buuuuuuuuut we're running out of time so fine. Fine, I'll do your dirty work. But someone's going to have to take care of that archdemon before I can do any of that. Unless you figure we can deal with that too.

Solas: I will deal with the archdemon. When next we meet, let us be standing over Elgar'nan's body! *becomes giant, multi-eyed wolf, starts savaging the archdemon*

Molly!Rook: ...Still hate him, but ... I have to admit, that was rad.

A run through Minrathous, a reunion with allies, and a rescue of a Minrathous detective later...

Molly!Rook: Okay. Neve--

Neve: If you're going to try to sideline me, Rook, no. This is my city he's wrecking--

Molly!Rook: I wasn't going to ask you to sit out. I know you better than that.

Neve: ...Oh. Then...?

Molly!Rook: You were yelling about how we can't kill Elgar'nan, and I have a feeling I know why, so please confirm my suspicions.

Neve: The Veil's powered by his life force. Well, it was powered by all the gods once, except for Solas, but now there's only one left. You kill him--

Molly!Rook: .........*swearing in every language spoken by every member of the God-Botherers, past and present*

Neve: ...wut.

Davrin: Solas swore he wouldn't tear down the Veil--

Neve: ...while handing Rook the means to do it themselves. Riiiiight.

Molly!Rook: *deeeeeeeep breath* Okay. You said all the gods except Solas. Time for that to change.

Jallira!quisitor: We ... couldn't talk him around, could we? I mean, I couldn't do it alone, but ... you have a couple of aspects of Mythal, and she might be able to...

Molly!Rook: That's in the plan hopper. But if I have to beat his egg-shaped face in and use the blood from his broken nose to do it, that is what I'll do. But first we have to deal with Elgar'nan. Him, I don't think we can trap at this point.

Lucanis: Tell me this ends with you asleep in my arms, and I will kill any god you ask.

Emmrich: ...honestly, I'd be happy if they get any sleep at all after this is over...

Taash: Probably won't get much in his arms...

Morrigan: ...'Tis truly like travelling with the Warden all over again...

After a long hard fight, frankly mostly won by Neve taking full command of the blight, and one dead Elgar'nan

Solas: You did well thus far, Rook. But matching wits with the god of trickery seldom works well for anyone.

Molly!Rook: ...depending on the story. *attempts to stab him with the dagger*

Solas: *paralyses Molly!Rook, eventually prises the dagger from their hand* Nice try.

Lucanis: ...mierda...

Davrin: *seeing this from a different angle, quietly* Wait for iiiiiiiiiit...

Lucanis: ...wut.

Solas: *attempts to use the dagger*

Fake dagger: *blows up in his face, binds him to the hole in the Fade*

Molly!Rook: *is free* Like I said. Depending. On. The story. *cuts his hand with the real dagger, shoves the dagger back at him*

Solas: ...A mortal. Huh. Knew I made a mistake when I started thinking of myself as a god like the others did.

Molly!Rook: Let's hope wisdom keeps winning out over pride in terms of your name over the next forever. Also ... get wrecked, Egg-Face. *gives him both middle fingers as he's sucked into the Fade*

Davrin: Your partner just conned the god of lies, Lucanis. You are a lucky, lucky man.

Lucanis: ...I am First Talon now. I think I will name them an honorary Crow. I have seen many murder weapons, but to take down a mark by hubris alone? That is special.

Molly!Rook: This is flattering as all hell, but can we check in on Neve? I have concerns!

Neve: *is free of blight*

Molly!Rook: ............I have so many tests and research papers to do-- *literally hollering down towards Minrathous proper* HEY, ANTOINE! IF YOU SURVIVED, DO YOU HAVE BLOODLETTING EQUIPMENT? 'COS I THINK AT LEAST SOME OF YOU MIGHT NOT BE WARDENS ANYMORE AND I NEED TO SEE HOW FAR THAT SPREADS!

Davrin: You think they'll have time to be an honorary Crow?

Lucanis: Sure. All I'd have to do is set them a challenge involving poisons and they'd be providing Viago ten research papers within a week.

Fade to black on cheers, hopeful epilogue cards, and a 'secret ending' that I'm trying to forget exists for now

[blithesrps]

Father's day with the gremlins

The Kingscholar Household:

The pack of kids clamber into bed at the crack of dawn. They are VERY excited.

Ruggie is also very excited and still cooks breakfast because the kids refuse to let Ara do it (sorry Ara).

Leona gets to sleep in as if he doesn't do that every other day of the year. When they were extra little Ton would cuddle in and sleep with him while Kana tried to boss around her big sisters.

Breakfast in bed usually becomes lunch in bed before they all go out to kick a ball around.

Ara takes them all to the markets the week before to pick out something nice for their dads. Usually it's fruit or candy or something the kids actually want so they assume their dads will love too OBVIOUSLY.

Ruggie's favorite gift he's ever gotten is an apron the kids all decorated themselves and Leona's is a chess set they picked out special for him.

When the kids get older they start getting little presents for Rat too, though they way until the next day to give it to him and call it Nanny's Day Gifts.

The Viper Household:

Asmina has always taken Father's Day INCREDIBLY seriously.

Literally since she was three and she barely got what was going on but she understood she was meant to give her father a present and she NEEDED IT TO BE PERFECT

Started off getting him books or jewelry, but when she got older she started seeking out rare spices or high quality knives instead.

Since Kalim is with his family she gets Jamil ALL TO HERSELF which secretly makes Father's Day one of her top favorite holidays.

Asmina lets her father sleep in and then makes them both breakfast (her skill and independence has slowly increased over the years)

They always go out to eat and make a game of trying to find a new, high quality location every time.

Secretly Jamil's favorite holiday too.

The Ashengrotto Household:

SPA DAY

When Olivine is little they do it at home, as she carefully paints Azul's nails on the marble countertops and puts bows in his hair. They discuss business, mostly. Azul has always valued Olive's input very highly, even when it mostly consisted of baby babble.

Once she's old enough Azul usually plans for them to go to a resort for the weekend, underwater or otherwise, something that is all inclusive and high quality.

Bougie as fuck, mimosas in the morning, manicure, facials, mud baths, the girls are thriving.

One of the few days he closes his work laptop, because he has the excuse. His phone stays on, of course.

Olive buys him some sort of nice clothing item once she has her own allowance, a silk shirt or cufflinks.

Her Uncle Tweels get homemade cards and small gifts as well. Floyd always pouts that they don't get to go on spa weekend so she usually does their nails for them too.

[dearlymrme]

In The Deep - Part One (Silco/F!Reader)

merman!Silco/F!Reader

873 Words

SFW

Part 2, Part 3

What starts as a fascination quickly turns into an obsession for both parties. As it turns out they had more in common then they first thought.

“It’s a perfect spot given the space but also considering what it is you're studying.” Singed had said as he introduced you to the new lab under the cannery. 

You wondered how he found the place. It was spacious, a thick door of metal with a latch that kept out intruders and snooping Enforcers. It was an open room with plenty of space to work, much better than the hole the two of you took residence in before; a cave which had you both adapting with such synergy that even in tight quarters you had learned to move around each other in such a way it was almost like a dance. You didn’t need to do that anymore. You could finally turn around without the threat of slapping him in the face with a clipboard. You could actually run between the walls, they were so far apart.

“Nobody will bother us down here. Though, that’s not to say that we won’t have guests.”

He gestured to the viewport of life beneath the polluted waters of the River Pilt.

It had been months and the sight outside the porthole still fascinated you.

You had spent a lot of downtime just staring out in the thick blue waters at the large beasts of fish that swam past the window. The shadows of a deep one in the distance that’s large tentacles curl and furled out and dragged slug and sand up in clouds. You had taken to calling it Kraken. You know it’s likely not THE Kraken but still it was a terrifying being that nobody even knew lived under the waters, that you didn’t even know lived under the waters, until recently.

It was impressive though. Despite all the horrible poison and chemicals Piltover had poured into the water, that life still managed to adapt and overcome. Tall stalks of weed grow up from the bulge of slug and sand, surviving on what had to have been the bare minimum of light. You wanted samples. Your scientific mind itches to get its fronds underneath a lens to see just what it looked like. What sort of genetic make-up did it have? Seaweed was used in all manner of health foods, kelp included. You wondered just what kind of benefits the river’s toxins could have given this species of underwater flora.

You had seen all manner of different kinds of fish. Some with the heads of a viper and horns sticking from their gills. You had seen one that was a royal purple and fins close to that of a beta, long and elegantly flowing, hiding barbs underneath that were likely full of poison. What manner of toxicity must it have to poison something so adapted to poison already?

But you loved it even more when night fell. When the tests were done and you got to drag your chair to the window and wind down with a cup of tea and simply watch the night come to life. The underwater world would light up again in a different way. Bright luminescence of fish you would have never seen during the day by how clear their bodies were, their skeleton glowing in neon. Bioluminescent plankton that floated and blinked like fireflies. The Kraken itself had a pattern of glow to it, running down its tentacles and pulsing like a heartbeat.

You can safely say that you had spent such a long amount of time that one would say you had seen it all. Perhaps eventually the luster would wear off but it never did. Everyday was something new.

Tonight for example.

It burns red like hot coal. Speckles climbing up the sides of its body in hellfire splotches that flicker between a setting of dull and bright. You can just barely make out the shifting of fins coiling along the front and back of a snake like form, it was long, likely a sort of eel. But there was a single bright ombre of red and orange that you assumed was an eye.

And it was watching you.

You could turn on the rest of the lights, the only thing that kept the room brightened this time of night, while Singed had gone to bed and you had decompressed by watching the fish, was the luminescent flowers that Singed had been studying.

And whatever type of fish this thing was, it was smart. It was avoiding the small dull halo of light that beamed through the window and lit up anything that passed through it. The creature stayed just out of reach but remained moving. Its fins fanned with its body, coiling like a snake and its burning eye locked onto you.

So you watched it and it watched you. You stood from your chair and walked closer to the port to try and get a better look.

It was hard to see, even when you squinted but there was something more to this fish. You couldn’t put your finger onto it until you realized that it was looking straight at you. It had forward facing eyes.

This thing…whatever it was…was a predator.

And despite the thick glass separating the two of you, you can’t help but feel like you were already in its jaws.

[lizzie-wendigo]

Before starting the explanation, as I said before, I had to eliminate that iconic half gorgon design from Cala María since it had many limitations (I imagined that maybe her fighting style is like that of viper-Kung fu Panda) but in the end I opted not only to change her design, but also change its history that I will update soon.

And yes, abyss's redesign, coming soon

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

Cala Maria is a mongrel of a Gorgon and a Merman, Like saltwater mermaids, she can breathe on the surface and in the sea. They have the ability to get out of the water to transform their tail into legs, as a result their scales dry out and hang between the legs (functioning as a loincloth).Most mermaids are clumsy on land, but Cala has practice. She has the guts to breathe underwater in her left arm, and she doesn't like to wear clothes, mermaids usually only use something to cover their chest, but she doesn't like to wear clothes. She has the ability to grow giant, reaching 7 meters in height. Mermaids can communicate with sea animals, but Cala can communicate with the most dangerous and wild animals and make them help her. Her original figure used to be a gorgon-like attachment, but after her deal with the devil she controls her half gorgon and half mermaid. Also she can control certain territory of the inkwell sea, territory where no one can sail or fish, since it's prohibited in inkwell due to Cala. In her territory there are thousands of submerged ships along with thousands of riches (which are now her property), which are protected by the ghosts of the same sailors, manipulated by Cala Maria. Many pirates dare to enter in order to rescue some of the valuable "treasure guarded by the Sea Monster of Inkwell". But those who enter those waters, Cala Maria murders them ruthlessly In her gorgon form, Cala can drool venom that she can control at voultad, her snakes on her head can also breathe underwater and her petrifying gaze works like a "laser beam" that can target a certain target.

[vendettaparker]

Where’s My Love: Chapter 2- A Second Chance [T.H]

Summary: Tom learns what it feels like to watch a flower die; though I suppose a heart that is broken is a heart that was loved. Harrison reminds everyone about the finality of death. 

Word Count: 4.7k of pure pain 

Warnings: Angst (like the most i’ve ever written; which is saying something), mentions of sex, mentions of alcoholism, depression, cursing, character death, unhealthy grieving, grief in general, very very small mention of/hint to suicide (it’s extremely brief and you might even miss it, but it’s there)

a/n: i lowkey am kinda sorry about how sad this is. i’m just now realizing how sad this series is going to be as a whole (today i came up with a new plot idea and it made me cry just thinking about it so...), anyways, technically you could argue that this has a happy ending, so theres that to look forward to :) also you’re my best friend if you catch the WandaVision reference! reblogs, likes, and feedback is extremely appreciated! this series hasn’t been doing great in the notes department :( i’m still gonna write it obvi, but anything helps with the motivation, thanks <3 ps. thanatos is the god of death

Series Masterlist| Main Masterlist

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

     “Tom,” You smiled up at your husband, eyes shining in the moonlight and heart swelling with love. “We should go home soon. There’s still more to be done tonight.” 

     Tom smirked and tilted your face up, capturing your soft lips in a heated kiss, tongue slipping in and clashing with yours. He pulled away after a while of savoring your taste, lips pink and swollen, “You’re right, darling. There’s still so much to do tonight.” Tom lips travelled further down to your jawline, where he kissed, nipped, and sucked, leaving a dark pink love bite. 

     You whimpered and tugged at his unruly curls, bringing his lips closer to your sweet spot. Tom chuckled and littered kisses and marks all up and down your collar bones. You brought his face up to yours and kissed him, practically shoving your mouth onto his in a clash of teeth and tongue. 

     Tom pulled away and groaned, “You’re gonna be the death of me, love.” His eyes darkened with arousal and you smirked, knowingly. 

     Your breathing slowed and you giggled, pushing him away gently, “Then we better get to it, lover.” 

     Tom stood up from where you were both lying, holding a hand out to help you up as well. You placed your hand in his and basked in the warmth of his touch. Something so simple as holding hands was enough to make you feel electric. Bursts of tingles and butterflies filled your body. You felt like you were on fire, burning up with the desire to feel him, touch him, and just love him.

     All the while, an evil in the form of Aristaeus watched from the shadows, his disdain growing for Tom by the minute. He watched as Tom held you close, as he seized every opportunity to kiss you. His hatred for the son of Apollo only deepened when he saw how your eyes shone and how your smiled grew in his presence. How perfect you looked and how all the intimacy and love you possessed was now only for Tom. You were only for Tom, and Aristaeus just couldn’t have that. 

     Watching Tom’s smile and listening to his care-free laugh, he knew that he needed to feel that. He needed the source of that type of happiness. 

     Aristaeus waited in the shadows for his moment to take what he wanted. Dagger clutched in his hand and blade sharpened, ready for use. The moment he saw you and Tom stand up and begin the journey back to your villa, he knew the time was now.  

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

     With your hand clasped tightly in Tom’s, you began the trek back to the villa you’d purchased for the two of you. You swung your hands up with Tom’s as you both happily made your journey in comfortable silence. 

     You reveled in the way his hand felt in yours. Warm, encasing your entire being in warmth. It was so simple, just his hand clutching yours, holding your hand and your heart. There are only so many ways to describe love, and his hand in yours said more than any empty words could. 

    Your peacefulness was interrupted when you heard a shuffling in the wooded area you were walking through. The bush you were passing shook and soon Aristaeus launched out of it, dagger in hand, aimed at Tom. You screamed and Tom pushed you away to keep you away from the evading blow. 

     Tom dodged the attack, swiftly throwing a punch to the offender's jaw, momentarily stunning him. Tom grabbed your hand, and began running through the woods. You could hear the shouts and curses of Aristaeus behind you, quickly gaining speed on the gravelly road. 

     In an attempted detour, you ran through the thicket, hoping the thick mixture of branches and thorns would diverge the route of the crazed man chasing you. The thrones pricked at your skin and scratched up your face. Tom was no better, hand slowly loosening up on yours due to the pain of the thrones scrapping up his arms. 

     “Tom!” You yelped, tripping on a small log. The momentum of the fall ripping your hand from his, leaving his cold. Tom, stressed and frantic, kept running, unaware of the fact that you were no longer behind him. 

     “Come on (Y/N)! We’re almost home!” Tom yelled back, seeing the light of a clearing just up ahead. Tom jumped through the last few branches, breathing heavily once he reached the other side of the woods. He ended up in a meadow, close to your home. Tom turned around to hug you and make sure you were alright, but you were nowhere to be found. 

     “Love, we made it! Look, our villa’s right over ther—” Tom cut himself off, realizing he was now alone. 

     Tom began walking back into the woods, a sharp shot of anxiety ran up his spine. Why wouldn’t she follow me? He thought, is she hurt? Tom continued, his thought quickly being interrupted by a pained scream. 

     “(Y/N)? (Y/N)!?” Tom ran where he heard the scream and then the whimpers. His heart dropping to his stomach, bile rising. He finally found you, laid out in a pile of daisies, leg purple and bruised, small drops of blood coming from two puncture wounds in your leg. 

     It didn't take a genius to figure out what had happened, and the snake slithering away from your limp body told Tom all he needed to know.  

Aristaeus had fled upon seeing you. He too knew, and he even saw with his own eyes, what had happened. The viper dug in deep and long, the poison immediately taking effect on you. 

     “(Y/N)? Fuck, darling?” Tom crouched down to your still body. He didn’t want to believe what he was seeing, he didn’t want to believe the pained look in your eyes, or the tears welled up in his. “It’s okay, love. You’re alright. Can you move? Can you get up? Please?”

     Tom did his best to help you up, but you were limp, no movement in your entire body, only your eyes showed the fear you were feeling. 

     “Tom,” you mumbled, tears streaming down your cheeks, “I-I can’t feel anything.” You cried softly, your face almost stoic from the poison coursing through your veins. 

     “No, no, darling. You can feel me, right?” Tom grabbed your limp hand and squeezed, expecting a squeeze in return. Yet nothing came, your hand remained cold and limp in his.

     You choked out a sob, “I can’t feel you.” Tears streamed down the side of your face, soaking the ground beneath your head, leaving small weeds in their wake. 

     Tom let out a painful whimper at your words. “Darling, it’s okay, we’re okay. Yeah? We’re gonna go home, and then you can lay down and get better, okay? I’ll bring you tea and flowers and Paddy will come over and play chess with you. Doesn’t that sound nice?” Tom’s tears soaked into your now cold skin, momentarily warming it. 

     “Yeah…” you mumbled softly, tears slowing and breath hitching. 

     “Yeah, and t-then Sam can come over and bring your favorite meal, o-or maybe a cake? And Harrison can work on your garden, so it won’t be limp when you get better. And I'll serenade you every night, even after you’re well, because I love you. And we’re gonna make it through this, just hold on.”

     His words faded in and out, beginning to sound muffled and underwater. Your head tilted to the side, clearly seeing the immeasurable pain etched onto his features. Tom caught your gaze and still, still tried to manage a small, hopeful smile. Deep down Tom knew this was pointless, he knew you wouldn’t ever make it home to see the villa, or the gift he left in the garden. The golden potted plant—an orchid—was now going to be a constant reminder to what he lost. But he could fake it, and fuck, he was going to fake it like it was real. 

     He would trick himself for the rest of his life until he truly believed you were okay. But he wouldn’t have to wait that long, because sitting there, holding your near lifeless body in his arms, he was ready to believe anything that even remotely implied you were okay. 

     Just past Tom you could see a figure watching you from the shadows. His suit was black and his white hair was gelled back. He stepped out of the shadows and tapped his foot impatiently, as if waiting for your time to be up. And then it hit you. You knew this man—or rather this god. 

     “Thanatos…” you whispered, eye’s finally glazing over with lifelessness. The now once bright and vibrant eyes, now dull and empty. A mere shell of what they once were. 

     “No, no, no!” Tom screamed, his painful wails being heard by the whole town. “No! (Y/N), come back! Please, please, please, please, please…” 

     You were now standing away, a lonely spectator to the happenings in the woods on this mortal realm. 

     “Come, child.” Thanatos held his hand out, ready to lead you away. 

     “But I never got to say goodbye.” Your eyes welled up with tears, seeing Tom frantically shake your body, trying to bring you back to life. “I never got to live my life with him.” 

     Thanatos gave your shoulder a comforting squeeze, “We must go now. Don’t worry, little one. You will see him again.” 

∘₊✧──────✧₊

      Tom didn’t move. He didn’t eat, he didn’t sleep. He wished he didn’t even breathe. He sat in the villa and stared at the now dying orchid, limp and sickly, in the golden pot. You never even got to see it, he thought, you would’ve loved it. 

     All of Tom’s thought’s surrounded you, and how he could no longer hold you. He felt so cold, he found no joy in things he used to. And all he wanted to do was cry. But he couldn’t. He’d cried himself dry over the past three days. Now all he felt was pain, and he couldn’t even ease it with tears. 

     “Tom,” Harrison snapped him out of his daze, pulling his gaze away from the dying orchid. “It’s time.” 

     Tom let out a breath, pained and labored. Today was the day. The day your body would be laid to rest. The day that you would truly be lost to him. 

     “Come on, everyone’s waiting for you.” 

     Tom groggily pulled himself from the bed. He dressed slowly and carefully, wanting to look his best for the last time he’d see you. Every intake of breath hurt his head, another painful reminder that he was here and you weren’t. He was alive, and you were gone. 

     The clearing that he once found solace in was cold. The flowers around him were limp and dying, and the world just looked gray. The color was gone from his eyes and all he could think was, it should’ve been me.

     Paddy hadn’t spoken a word since he heard of your death. He hardly even looked at Tom, every time he did the young boy would tear up and look away, too embarrassed of his tears to let them be seen. But in the dark, in the comfort of his bed, he cried for you. His first encounter with death, and it had to be you. His heart hurt more than his young mind could comprehend; he could hardly imagine what Tom was feeling. 

     Harry and Sam were numb. They hardly knew how to feel. They loved you like a sister but only knew you for a few months. Was it appropriate to mourn the loss of someone you only knew for a moment? Was it ignorant to fein a stoic exterior when your sister was gone? In the comfort of each other, the boys mourned. They cried a bit, but mostly tried their best to remember the good times. Harry remembered how you always backed him up in an argument, even against Tom, and how you always expressed how blessed you felt getting to know their family. Sam remembered how you always volunteered to be his test subject for his dishes. How you were always sweet, but honest. You fit so well into their lives, it was almost impossible to imagine you wouldn’t be in them anymore. 

     Harrison couldn’t believe it, or rather he didn’t want to. He held Tom close, and tried to convince him that everything was okay. He was the rock the group leaned on in any way they could. 

     He was a rock, and he was cracking. He found himself alone in clearing multiple times, watering the flowers, doing his best to keep them afloat, and yet they still withered away. He tried to feel you there, so he could tell Tom that maybe you weren’t truly gone, but all he felt was the absence of your presence. 

     Tom looked at the patch of dirt you laid under. He looked at it and all he felt was anger. Anger at Aristaeus for leading you to your death, anger at the viper that sealed your fate, anger at the gods for letting you be taken, and anger at himself for living through it. 

     The ceremony was short; just him and his brothers, gathered around a patch of dirt, crying. 

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

     Everyone was forced to cope. They all had their tricks to make the pain ease. Paddy would play chess by himself, wishing you were there for him to beat, but mostly remembering how many times you praised his amazing chess skills and made him feel special. Harry and Sam took on the duty of attempting to fix your garden in the clearing. They took shifts watering the plants and picking out the weeds.

     Harrison smiled whenever he saw wild daisies. They always reminded him of you, partially for your pure innocence, but also because when you first met him, you gave him a flower crown made out of daisies. The crown was now limp and wilted, but he would treasure it until the day it withered away. 

     Tom suffered the most, though. He lost not only his soulmate, but his best friend. His coping consisted of copious amounts of alcohol to help him sleep, then he would see you in his dreams, and he’d have to drink more to stop from feeling the constant pit in his stomach growing with each baited breath. 

     “Tom, this isn’t healthy.” Harrison chided each time he walked into the murky depths of his bedroom; which was at least twice a day to check on the poor boy. 

     Harrison sat on Tom's bed as Tom laid on his stomach, facing away from him. Tom would grumble, then sniffle and completely ignore the presence of someone new in his room. The bed would be musty, his hair would be in knots, and his eyes would have a constant red rimmed appearance accentuated by the dark circles that resided underneath. 

     “Tom come on, let’s go for a walk. Sam and Harry fixed up the garden a bit; I think you’d like it.” Harrison shook Tom’s shoulder gently, prompting him to face the blonde. 

     “It won’t be the same.” Tom mumble, voice hoarse and wobbly.

     “I know, but they worked hard on it. They’re grieving too, y’know?” 

     “Of course I fucking know.” Tom snapped, swatting Harrison’s hand away, “You think I don’t know how much of an impact she had on all of us? You think I don’t hear Paddy crying at night when he thinks he’s alone, or the way he refuses to look at me?” 

     “Tom—”

     “You think I don’t know that this is my fault?” Tom sobbed, burning holes with his harsh gaze into Harrison. “I know, Haz. I know all too well how we’re all grieving.”

     Tom broke down, heaving and rambling about how it was his fault, about how helpless you looked, and how broken he was. All Harrison could do was listen. 

     “She died in my arms, Haz. S-she curled up and just… died.” Tom spoke barely above a whisper, his crying ruining his voice. “She looked so scared and I couldn't help her. I couldn’t save her.” 

     “I know.” Harrison was crying now too, tears falling from his diamond eyes. 

     “It was supposed to be me. The attacker was after me. I-I should’ve taken the hit, and then she’d be alive.” 

     “No, Tom. You don’t know that that would’ve saved her from this fate.” Harrison scolded Tom’s reckless words. “She could’ve died a day later, or minutes later. Life is not a guarantee. Tom.” 

     “At least we would’ve been together.” 

     Harrison frowned, “In the underworld? And what type of existence would that have been?” 

     Some turned away from Harrison, “One where we would at least have each other.” 

     Harrison softened his gaze and held Tom close before he could protest, “You still have us. I know it’s not what we want right now, but it’s what you need. You can’t go through this alone; I won’t let you.”

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

     As the weeks went by, Tom’s grief continued to eat away at him. Try all he might, he could never escape you. You were in all of his favorite things. His lyre now laid dusty and cold next to his bed, it hadn’t been touched since your wedding night. 

     He held it together as long as he could, but it was too much. The pain ripped away at him and ate him up. One day he reached his breaking point. He needed you to come home. He needed you in his arms. Nothing in this mortal world could ever compare to your sweet kisses and loving praises. Nothing would ever satiate him again. 

     How could this have happened? How could the gods have cursed him this way. He was a good man, he did all that was expected of him. He went above and beyond for his community, for others. He helped find and procure the fleece that placed Jason rightfully on the throne of Iolcus in Thessaly. His music cured lost souls, helped them find solitude and comfort in his songs. He did everything right. And yet the gods mock and torture him by taking you away. Ripping his other half from him, stealing you. The only comfort in his otherwise lonesome life. There’s no need for old age, sickness, or murder to take him away now; his grief will surely get the job done. 

     “Tom,” Harrison, spoke softly, taking in the man who’s broken soul was starting to shine through to his exterior appearance. His hair matted, eyes red and puffy, knuckles bruised from letting his anger out on the pillars over his home. What was supposed to be your home. Now the clay brick home was cold, your presence no longer there to bring natural warmth. “Tom, come on. You have to keep going.” Harrison put a hand on his friend's shoulder, giving it a hearty squeeze. “She wouldn’t want this for you. She loved you.”

     “Then why was she taken from me?” Tom burst, hands flying to his hair, gripping his unruly curls. “Why would the gods allow this pain? I’ve done it all. I was so good, I-I did all that they asked of me.” 

     “Tom, please just come—” 

     “No! Harrison, don’t you see? I can’t move on! I can’t think about anything other than what was lost, what I lost. There must be a way to get her back. I’d do anything, just to hold her one more time. To love her, like it’s all I was put here on this Earth to do.” Tom pushed Harrison’s hand away. “Help me. Please, find a way.” 

     Harrison sighed sadly, rubbing his face with his hands. Tom, the most deserving person of his happy ending had it ripped from him, and there was nothing that could be done. Almost as if it was fate, there were no loopholes. Expect maybe—no. It was too risky. The god of the underworld was not a merciful man. 

     “Harrison? You have something?” Tom looked at his friend, a glint of barely visible hope in his eyes, the type that only the thought of you could bring. The look on Harrison’s face clearly showed that the gears in his head were turning. This look always brought about Harrison’s best ideas, or in this case, his only one. 

     “I— well, it’s not plausible.” Harrison debated. “You’d need your father’s help, and even so,” he whispered the last part “you’d need to go to the Underworld and bargain with Hades.”

     Tom looked at his friend in shock? How could this be the only plan he’s come up with? A plan that would surely get Tom killed, or worse, turned into a lost soul. “What? No, no— there has to be another way. There are other gods—more merciful— who would help us.”

     Harrison shook his head, “I’m sorry, Tom. But death? That’s final. The only god with the power to bring (Y/N) back is Hades. And he always has a price.” 

     Tom debated his options, one being the clear winner. He knew he couldn’t go on without you, he wasn’t strong enough. If he were less selfish then maybe he’d find a way to find joy again. But he needed you more than he needed the air in his lungs. He didn’t care if he was being selfish, trying to bring you back to a world that had just gotten used to life without you. He spent his whole life being selfless, helping others. It was time to get what he was due, what he was owed: His happy ending. 

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

     Tom paced and pondered, his restless mind a futile assistance in this matter. His thoughts only focused on you and how to bring you home. In the beginning, he took into account all of the risks he’d be taking going to the underworld and bringing you back. He’d need to enlist the help of his father, to persuade Hades to listen to his pleas. He’d need to safely get in and out of the Underworld with you entow, and the hardest part of all; he’d need Hades permission for you to come home. 

     It was not that Hades was cruel or unjust; he was just simply too fair. Death is final and Hades followed that order to a tee. He scarcely made exceptions and when he did there was always a price that needed to be paid. Usually, that price was worth the life of the soul being returned, a hefty sum. 

     Tom hardly worked out the intricacies of his plan before Harrison caught him, bag packed and determination scrawled across his face. 

     “Tom, what the hell do you think you’re doing?” Harrison chided, standing in between Tom and the doorway. 

     “I’m getting her back, Haz. I need her home. You guys may be able to move on and be okay, but I can’t. She meant more to me than any of you will ever know.” 

     “You’re gonna get yourself killed, Tom.” Harrison spoke in a hushed whisper as to not alert the others to what was going on, “What happens then, huh? How do you think we will feel then? We already lost (Y/N), Tom; we can’t afford to lose you too.”

     Tom’s eyes glistened with frustration and unshed tears, “but I’m not complete without her…” he whispered, sniffling. “I have to do what I can.” 

     “No, Tom. I’ve let this go on long enough.” Harrison spoke sternly, “You have to move on. I’m sorry because I know it’s not fair. I know that this shouldn’t have happened. It broke all of us. But you need to come back to us, okay? You need to move on with your life. Paddy is thirteen, Tom. He has no father-figure, he needs you. Harry and Sam have been by your side since they were babies, they need you. And you're my best friend, I need you. You don’t get to walk out on us because of your pain, because we never walked out on you. We were hurting, yet we stayed by your side. You need to do the same for us.” Harrison gave Tom a tightlipped smile, “Please, Tom. Just try.”

     Tom had never seen such anguish in Harrison's eyes. He knew him and his brothers had also been struggling and he knew he was being selfish. He needed to do better. 

     “Okay,” Tom choked out, tears streaming down his cheeks, “I’ll try.” Tom placed his bag down on the floor and sat on the bed. He placed his face in his hands and sniffled out sobs. It was time for him to let you go. 

     Harrison left Tom alone in his dark room, shaking with anger. Once again the anger had returned, tenfold. Tom just wished he’d held your hand tighter, maybe then he’d be in your arms right now. Instead he was alone in his room, mind clouded with guilt and exhaustion. 

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

     “Tom.” Your voice whispered in his ear, taunting him. Reminding him of what he lost. What he couldn’t save. The only one he couldn't save. The only one he needed to save. 

     “I’m right here, Tommy.” You never ceased. You constantly called to him as he tried his best to put his tortuous thoughts to rest. You stood over him, eyes wide in fear. You watched him, and you whispered. 

     “Tommy, why couldn’t you save me?” 

     You broke his heart all over again every night. 

     He sat up in his bed, body wet with sweat and eyes clouded with tears. 

     “(Y/N). Please, darling,” he begged, “I tried, please, I’m still trying.” You walked over and stood right above him, face inches apart. It was almost as if he could smell the sweet scent of flowers on you. The orchids and daisies you loved so much wafting over him, calming him. Until your cold, dead grip latched onto his shoulder. 

     “You failed, my love.” 

     Tom woke with a start, screaming and crying into the empty abyss of his room. You were nowhere to be found. He couldn’t take it anymore. He needed you back. You needed to come home and never leave his side ever again. If he had to spend one more day without you, he’d lose it. He’d become the monster he felt like on the inside. All the dark, twisty despair holed up in his heart would rush out in acts of unchecked rage and violence. He was never the villain, but he would be. 

     He couldn’t follow through with his promise to Harrison. He couldn't just move on and pretend that life made any sense without you, because it didn’t. Nothing made sense, and everything hurt. 

     Zeus created humans to have another half, and they would spend the rest of their lives if they had to, searching for it. You were Tom’s, and you were ripped away from him. That just won’t do. 

     He couldn’t spend another night lying awake, thoughts ripping apart his mind. He couldn’t sleep either, or else he’d see you. See what you’ve become. A ghost of happier times. A reminder of what never was and never will be. A figment of his ill fated mind. 

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

     The next morning, Paddy went into Tom’s room to bring him breakfast, as usual. It’s been months since he’s eaten with his brothers, and the new normal was one of them toughing it out and giving him his food in his room, then listening to his cries form outside the door for a moment, just to gauge if he was getting better; he never was. 

     Paddy was about to knock but paused before, gently pressing his ear up against the door. He didn’t hear crying like he usually did, he didn’t even hear sniffles.

     Paddy hesitantly opened the door, afraid of what he might find. The silence was all too scary for the young boy. Once the door was fully opened Paddy got a good look around, not seeing Tom anywhere. 

     Paddy dropped the bowl of food on the floor and ran for Harrison. 

     “Harrison! Harrison! Sam! Harry! Anyone!” Paddy yelled out, running around the garden looking for the boys. He slammed into Harrison, who was just on his way to the garden. 

     The force knocked the wind out of a crying Paddy and slammed him into the ground. 

     “Woah,” Harrison breathed out, bending down to help Paddy up. Paddy gasped to catch his breath and attempted to stop the tears. 

     “What happened, kid?” Harrison rubbed his bruised back, “Come on, Paddy, breathe.” 

     “G-Gone…” Paddy wheezed out, “Tom’s gone.”

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

tags and moots: @justapurrcat @itsapeterthing @peterbenjiparker @kelieah @portraitoforion @ptersmj @princessofguineapigs @cherrytholland @waitimcomingtoo @rosyparkers @iovebug @hollandcrush @celestialbarnes @blissfulparker @starktonyx @asonofpeter @keithseabrook27 @devildisguiseasangel @felicityparkers​ @selfcarecap​

[concealeddarkness13]

Even More Story Ideas...But This Time With Dragons!

So, I have another idea, with barely any plot or named characters, but I’m intrigued. Tagging: @ratracechronicler, @maple-writes, and @pen-of-roses! 

So, I had a dream about being locked up in a dungeon and how awful it was, and it spawned this story. There are multiple countries and peoples in this world, and they all have mixed feelings about these beings that are chained in various locations. They are trapped in their humanoid forms, where they still have the general features of wings, horns, and mostly tails. They’ve been there for hundreds of years, and no one knows why. They can use very limited magic even chained up (I just don’t know much about that), and they’re mostly feared by the general populace, who wants to keep them chained up. But there is a country that has created a religion around them, and thinks it’s their duty to free them from their chains. To that end, they take children and starve them to break down their wills, and when they’re older (early 20′s), they are sent to the being that needs a new vessel. There, the being transfers some of their consciousness into the “vessel”, and they’re supposed to take over and basically kick out the “vessel’s” consciousness/soul. But most of them don’t actually do that, but they do try to use the “vessel” to figure out how to try to unchain them. And only one “vessel” per being.

The main character is this woman called Reverie, and she is supposed to be a vessel. But when she is sent to the being, named Somber (the scientists who found him to begin with couldn’t pronounce his real name, so they called him Somber), he’s pissed off about the country starving children. He does transfer his consciousness to her, but it’s partially to help her get some food and help her get to a better place (but also partly to try and do something to figure out how to free the beings from the chains). Thus the adventures of Reverie (which she will change her name to Stelle once she starts realizing she can choose things for herself) and Somber through a world that’s hostile to them begin! I have no idea where this will go, but I do know about the beings’ backstory and what they look like (both as dragons and as humanoids)!

So, I shall talk about the backstory first. These beings are actually just a different version of the Celestials (the final paragraph in this post details about them) from All’s Fair. They change into dragons that are as big as a mountain, especially when they’re out in space, protecting the planet from invaders. But when they’re in their humanoid form, they generally have different colored skin, horns, huge wings, and a tail. Hundreds of years ago, there were ten Celestials guarding the planet, and seven of these decided they were bored and wanted to go take over another planet. After a big battle with the Celestials of the other planet, they had to retreat, so instead, they decided it was a good idea to conquer the people of their own planet. Somehow, some powerful mages were able to chain them, and they’ve stayed there ever since in their humanoid forms. I don’t know what their goals are now.

And here are the descriptions of the ten different Celestials. They’re not super detailed because I wrote this out on my phone, but I’ll try to clean them up. They are first characterized by the animal they are based off of (if they are). 

Raven: Somber, he has black wings and feathers all over as a dragon but just on his forearms and legs in humanoid form, has a beak-like nose area as a dragon

Venus Girdle jellyfish: he has translucent scales that shine rainbow in the light, he has six wings (three on each side shaped together), that each look like a Venus Girdle jellyfish (translucent ribbon that looks rainbowy in the light), his eyes are pure white (no pupils even), he releases a venom in his touch that causes opponents (or anyone) to feel tired and peaceful, and he can defeat them, he's quiet and serious and protective of his friends 

Someone has see-through skin on arms and legs as a dragon and as a humanoid: he is quiet and thoughtful, but when someone does make him angry, it's scary, he has scales that reflect the sky, even when he's past the planet, he did not try to take over another planet and then the people of their world 

Axolotl: "horns" are external gills, pink skin with black eyes, nice tail, dragon wings, bubbly and excited, she can regenerate anything easier than the others, she is chained deep underwater so they might not have even found her yet 

Spiny bush viper: They have green skin and some green keeled scales on their forearms, they have retractable fangs and venom, cool scaled tail, dragon wings, laid back 

Fruit dove: green and purple and silver colored feathers, with light purple skin, a little shy, I think she's one of the ones who didn't try to take over everything 

Armadillo lizard: chained woman with ridges on her back and loves fighting, grins too much for someone who's been chained in the same place for hundreds of years, has an armadillo lizard tail 

Satanic leaf tailed gecko: has a flat, leaf looking tail, and her scales, wings, and tail have the pattern of a leaf in fall (red and orange and yellow), she's actually pissed off at the rest of them for convincing her to help them take over another planet and then the people of their own planet when the first plan didn't work 

Green dragontail butterfly: She has the butterfly wings with black and dark green skin/scales, smaller wings than the others, calm and dignified, did not try to take over 

Luna moth: He has green moth wings and antennae and double wings instead of a tail, dark green skin, looks enchanting but is cruel and enjoys seeing pain

Thanks for reading!

[mousehole5000]

tgcf chapters 107 - 120 this is one where i give some Opinions. i do overall like hualian a lot but i have some quibbles

wait why am i still taking screenshots? i can copy/paste again afskldfjasad

It really was hard to tell whether people would feel happy after watching such performances. However, in truth, slaughter and the sight of blood did create excitement in people. Whether or not there was fear, after the initial shock was over, a rush of adrenaline would be produced in the heart- me watching horror movies

“Shi Qingxuan said. “Then, Your Highness, Crimson Rain Sought Flower! I order you to—to immediately strip each other’s clothing!” - djslkadjlsd WHY DID HE SPECIFICALLY SAY THEY HAD TO STRIP EACH OTHER THISALSKDJ is this a normal thing is it a wingman attempt what is happening

“I’ll tell you what it is,” he said softly. “To watch with your own eyes your beloved be trampled and ridiculed, yet be unable to do anything. That’s the worst suffering in the world.” ... “Ming Yi asked, “What’s the biggest regret of your life?”- when truth or dare gets a bit too real

On the side, Hua Cheng was still only observing, and was already bored to the point where he’d changed back into his red robes. Then he changed to black robes again. Then to white robes. Almost every time Xie Lian looked back, he would be donning a different appearance, and with every new look there were different hairstyles, and different accessories, and different boots, and so on; sometimes playful, sometimes elegant, sometimes deadly, sometimes glamourous. Xie Lian was growing dizzy from all the colours and kept looking back, unable to look away. - THIS ISNT THE TIME HUA CHENG. YOURE PRIMPING. THE WINDMASTER HAS BEEN KIDNAPPED AND YOURE PRIMPING

obsessed with xie lian not being able to figure out to use the windmaster’s fan and just. using it to SMACK

also windmaster??? whats going on??? :( i know some things from spoilers like who is not to be trusted but i really have no clue whats happening rn

anyways back to puqi shrine lets check on those kids also can we PLEASE get some funds for this restoration smh. hua cheng and xie lian doing mundane hard labor together to fulfill prayers.... :pleading:

jailbreak in the heavens 2: dig a tunnel

Sure enough, the moment Ming Yi put pressure on his shovel, a hole opened up before them. With the shovel raised, he burrowed crazily ahead while Shi Qingxuan, in the middle, cheered him on crazily. As the only non-crazy person, Xie Lian brought up the rear. That treasured shovel of the Earth Master was indeed magical, and with only a few strokes, a new tunnel of over ten meters was dug. - anybody remember mulch diggums from the artemis fowl series? this is much more dignified than that but i think this is only the second time ive read a character just starting digging a tunnel as a plot point

okay so much is going on i wish i hadnt spoiled who certain characters actually are for myself but i have no one to blame but me for a) not blacklisting spoilers at all and b) just having a little freefall through the tags. oh well. anyway heavenly college admissions scandal except way worse. the corruption extends to the heavens and the windmaster is having a very bad day

i guess we’re having a high seas adventure now?

im gonna keep it real im getting tired of how often we get told how handsome hua cheng is. i know its all xie lian’s pov and while im not terribly familiar with it i know what genre we’re working with and im assuming thats pretty typical. its something i dont much care for in general and idk maybe it sounds better in the original but ngl its starting to make me roll my eyes. love you goth king but god okay we get it.

i guess what i will say about hualian so far is that overall i like them and i like how they interact in general they have a lot of nice moments and they just genuinely seem to like each other which is really nice to see EXCEPT for when it actually comes to things that could be romantic or sexual which is a shame bc i dont think it has to be like this. again disclaimer that im only reading a translation and dont know everything might not have all the knowledge necessary to accurately criticize etc etc and im assuming a lot of this is expected from the genre (disclaimer to this disclaimer that i cant say that for sure its just based on things ive picked up about the bl genre over the years) but idk like xie lian was so distressed after their underwater kiss scene. it was kind of uncomfortable to read and maybe im being unfair i know his cultivation is based around abstinence or whatever but idk i dont care for it. and that scene alone doesnt have to be a bad thing like idk i guess its his first kiss ever (?) and it would make sense if he feels weird about it but i just have my doubts thats going to be addressed or resolved in a satisfying way. also im like. dude everyone is like centuries old. xie lian’s been on earth for 800 years. has he really never met or heard of a gay person during all this time? maybe he hasnt idk what he got up to yet maybe that’s actually a thing. also same thing with the reactions from the immortals to xie lian in a dress and characters like the windmaster like again you’re all centuries old and its not uncommon to be able to just completely change gender presentation. why are you all weird about a man wearing a woman’s dress? i just feel like that shouldnt be a big deal to these characters idk

also again not going to lie part of this that im not really a big fan of reading romance in general. yes i am reading this book. yes i do read and write a lot of fanfic that includes or centers romance. im multifaceted. but really what im talking about is the like physical side of it and descriptions im extremely picky about it. ill give an example. early on in the torture pit (or whatever it was called i cant remember lol) when xie lian kind of accidentally felt up hua cheng in the dark when he was being carried. i dont think thats a bad thing to have happen between the two romantic leads i think thats fine and good to include that early but i just did not enjoy reading it when it happened idk maybe it was the wording and i do think that moments like these work better in a visual medium. ive definitely read het romance that reads like this and i wasnt a fan of that either lol same with fanfic i get tired when writers go on and on about how hot one characters finds another character. this isnt a huge criticism of it like i said im picky but again like with the way that hua cheng is described it just makes me roll my eyes sorry kings

okay back to the reading. this whole saving the fishermen thing feels like a big set up for something narrative-wise. hua cheng specifically insisted on coming and i know one of the characters involved ends up dying im wondering if thats now it would be a good time tbh if things get just a bit too unfortunate during this heavenly calamity... and the brothers are notably not having a harmonious time... also tho it feels very likely we’ll just have another Hualian Moment (tm)

In such a situation, Pei Ming still acted the same. In the evening, when they rescued a few fishermen girls, so scared their eyes were blurry from tears, he held them in his embrace and soothed them with a gentle voice; a true show of honeyed romance, affectionate and charming. - pei ming please get pickled again.

also its funny that hua cheng is just kinda hanging out and everyone else just has to deal with it

Looking down from above, the entire area was painted in a terrifying black. It was easy to see the collision between the two different-coloured currents. Their fierce battle was what formed this enormous whirlpool. As the eye swallowed the ship whole, the two currents of water separated. However, the battle was far from over. Like two venomous vipers, they continued to snap at each other. Each collision was followed by a mountain of angry waves. - this pretty dope ngl. also love our wind and earth masters just chilling on a shovel i dig it. hehe

Yet, other than discovering Hua Cheng had a fine body, there were no other finds. Xie Lian was at his wit’s end and started to worry. - okay see this one’s funny im just also irritated bc im like WE KNOW!!! WE GET IT HE’S HOT AND XIE LIAN THINKS HE’S HOT OKAY GOT IT

okay kiss #2 again its not the kisses themselves its xie lian’s reaction it just bothers me idk im not saying i need him to be super into it and completely unconflicted about it rn but he’s just so freaked out about it and idk i just dont really like it just feels weird i dont care for that aspect of it. also dude hua cheng is a ghost and he did this exact same thing for you before just chill. i wish instead of xie lian literally running away while screaming that hes sorry he was just like “oh haha youre fine thats cool im gonna go look around the woods i dont feel weird about this at all haha” like idk its kind of funny but when its literally our two romantic leads i just feel like its confusing like it kind of makes me feel like they shouldnt be together if one of them freaks out this much again considering the fact that they are both CENTURIES old. i know i know xie lian is an 800 year old virgin but. he hasn’t been like this about anything else so yeah idk like it still could have been awkward and funny i just dont think it needed to be so :/ that being said it was funny that xie lian was then internally like “oh i did it wrong? perhaps i should ask him for more.. instructions....” if that actually happens i might like it bc it would complete this little watery theme

Before he finished, he immediately remembered. Coffin wood. There were trees here everywhere; and a deceased? There was one right before his eyes. Sure enough, Hua Cheng smiled. “Won’t it be fine once I lie inside? - love that hua cheng just sat on the fact that he can turn anything into a coffin. that would have been really useful information earlier but no he just waited until everyone but xie lian was gone afjaklsdjf

also i do think that oblivious xie lian thinking “wow whoever it is that hua cheng fancies is an idiot for not liking him back theyre totally taking him for granted :/” is kind of funny and sweet. actually the whole conversation they have at the campfire is good and im bookmarking it to think about later

“...You on top and me on the bottom,” Xie Lian replied. “Isn’t top and bottom the same?” Hua Cheng asked. - okay im sorry but. mood whenever theres discourse about top/bottom dynamics for a ship im just like jesus christ i dont care. tbh i rarely read fanfiction if its just sexual and ngl if i see a fic specifically tag characters as top or bottom i wont read it lmfao. especially when people have really strong opinions about this stuff when theres nothing canonical to back it up like headcanon all you want but whenever i see people argue about it im just like no offense but go work out your own sexual issues and dynamics instead of arguing with strangers on the internet about who’s a top and who’s a bottom. sorry to be mean but just thats how i feel lol

this was mostly a ramble with a few excerpts but im getting sleepy im going to TRY to take a break from this for like a day but we’ll see how that goes i do very much want to know what happens. anyway if you read this whole thing hiiiiii sorry for subjecting you to my opinions on top/bottom discourse

[mochuelovelli]

ASOUE AU? ASOUE AU. Pt 1 (Characters)

Okay so I just posted a little doodle I did for an A Series of Unfortunate Events AU that I had been thinking about ever since I realized that Esmé was obviously Magica's VA (which was 3 days ago so oop). I don't have all the characters figured out right now (mostly bc quite frankly there aren't really enough adults that act so... neglectful towards the kids in ducktales). I'll list the ones I am pretty concrete on VS the ones I'm unsure or ones that I "reimagined" due to not everyone fitting perfectly in this world.

Characters that are Definite:

Glomgold as Count Olaf: Think about it, horrible actor/cosplayer (yes thats what he is). Both obsessed about riches, revenge and are generally incompetent. Really, Olaf is much more wicked in the ASOUE series imo (bc even tho Glomgold wants to kill Scrooge and steal his money. This anger only extends his wards if he wishes to use them against Scrooge and is less keen on the murdering of kids. Notice I said LESS). Not 100% if I want him to be as...well explicit as Olaf can be at times. Especially his characterization in the Bad Beginning if you know what I mean (pst it's child marriage)

Magicia DeSpell as Esmé Squalor: Like I said, this is a no brainer. She has the stage performance of Magicia with a bit of Mark Beaks Mom (forget her name) mixed in. Probably would downplay her love for fashion and replace it with an obsession with the occult. I would also not have her be obsessed with Glomgold, its more in character for Glomgold to be obsessed with her anyhow. It is also possible bc I tend to believe she is a more compelling villian in canon that she might take the place of Glomgold on the Island in "The End". But I also plan for Scrooges Number One Dime to replace the Sugar bowl so, maybe not.

Doofus Drake as Calmanita Splats: Duh, spoiled brat who is very creepy and probably has parents that want them dead? Instead of wanting to sing all the time he mainly wants to wreak things/people. He still definitely dresses up tho into a hodgepodge of things. It always changes and Glomgold is always annoyed by this but he likes him more than Magicia. She definitely wants him dead just like Olaf in the series (she really hates kids).

Duckworth as Larry your waiter: Yeah not much competition for this role. It was either him or Launchpad. Duckworth is too perfect for this role and he honestly will play a better spy than canon Larry. If I ever write it out a lot of the "fight scenes" and anime-esque "explaining how I fooled you" dialogue will definitely be reworked but still present. I will however not keep out the main theme of neglect or ignorance with the adults, they will still fail in that regard as always but will just not literally stand there and tell Olaf "We finally caught you, now let me explain why we are so smart oh no you set something on fire again". I mean...maybe for a Mr. Poe but not the VFD. Or...SHUSH I should say but more on that later (or in another post who knows?)

Scrooge McDuck as Lemony Snicket (sorta): Okay so OBVIOUSLY we can't have our "Lemony" have the hots for the McDuck siblings mom (yes another thing I must explain oh boy). Scrooge will still be gilted in love by, of course Goldie though I am still not 100% if she should play part of the the role of Kit Snicket (again NOT related to Scrooge) or should she be someone else entirely. Scrooge is basically the reason everything is happening in this AU just like the canon Lemony but writes sad letters to Donald and Della as well as Goldie. As you might of well guessed, Scrooge's Fortune is also the riches the McDuck's have.

Fethry Duck as Dr. Monty: Of course a snake lover will become a marine lover in this AU! Also of COURSE Mitzy will play the roles of the incredibly deadly viper AND the great unknown! Fethry and Dr. Monty not being mentioned by their family but also too enthralled with their studies to care all that much (but seriously thats fucked up ducktales). Totally made for this role. As far as setting goes this will be where the siblings will be underwater first but since the series already has plently of aquatic locals I will probably swap out the Lake Lacamose story with Peru or the Galapagos. Speaking of...

Ms. Quackfaster as Aunt Josephine: For narrative purposes it would make sense that Ms. Quackfaster would lose her edge as a brave and bold woman. For what exact reason I am still trying to figure out. Not sure if I still want to keep the "Ike" storyline, maybe she just got really spooked by FOWL. Maybe some creature from the Galapagos ate her leg or something.

Ma Beagle as Dr. Orwell: This particular role was sort of hard for me to cast due to the fact that Dr. Orwell is older and romantically involved with Olaf (at least its sorta there). I really didn't want to give this role to Owlson bc other than she isn't a bad person, she is also way too young. Ma Beagle already has a similar motivation im canon to want to reclaim Duckburg as Beagleburg so the Terrible Mills plot to frame the B for causing a fire in order to have control over the mill is very in line with Ma. I originally wanted the Beagle Boys be working in the Mill but since I am changing the setting to Egypt, I decided to use the people stuck in the pyrimid (idk what they are actually called) and will either use Amulet, Launchpad or Dijin as Cookie

Characters that are Mixed with others:

Huey Duck as the Narrative Role of Violet B.: I mostly imagined(?) the kid characters in a approximation of set characters from the books/series. For this reason, Huey plays the ROLE of Violet Baudelaire so that he can take the "inventor" occupation. I went back and forth on finding who would have Violet's quirk of using an object to help her think. My mind originally went to Webby since she has a bow and I wanted Huey's obsession with the Incomplete History of Secret Organizations to take the place of his JWG. However I reworked it so that Huey's JWG would act as Violet's ribbon with him having to flip through his beat up (and slightly burnt) journal to find a quick solution or just to calm his nerves. Something that applies to all the triplets and twins is that their last names are changed to "McDuck" mostly bc it sounds better that they are later called the "McDuck Murders" instead of the "Duck Murders" as well as Scrooges edited role in the kids lives. He has a mix of Klaus' social awkwardness and habit of talking at length about his special interests to whoever will listen. Huey is also the one who gets hypnotized in the Miserable Mill ep.

Louie Duck as the Narrative Role of Sunny B.: Pretty sure I swapped Louie and Webby for this role in my first post but whatever. I wanted to confusingly change Klaus' role into a "Charmer" or "smooth talker" (obviously still a work in progress) since I felt that Huey in DuckTales canon was always well researched as well a good mechanic and having two characters who pretty much fit the same role was... redundant. I also wanted to really make Webby's Sunny much more inline with her notorious/abnormal fighting abilities. However, I realized that instead of changing Klaus' role I should just change Sunny's characterization since I would have to rework it anyways since she was a baby. I also got the idea from recently rewatching the series and saw Sunny basically trick her way out of being trapped with the Hook handed man (i.e. Fernald). I will instead make Louie's role as what he functionally is in DuckTales (the guy who can talk his way out of anything). He would probably also say his occupation is "Defense Attorney" or something along those lines. He is also the one who gets captured the most but not by much. However while he still has Sunny's sarcasm, he also has Klaus' inherit skeptism and distrust of adults.

Webby Vanderquack as the Narrative Role of Klaus B.: Like I said in Louie's segment, Webby is changed to Klaus or more accurately the "Researcher" of the group. She is often the one who stays up late, researching ways to get out of Glomgold's schemes. Unlike Klaus though, she has more of the optimism of Violet but might not put as much belief into all authority as Huey might. She still has role models that she looks up to but isn't against bending the rules. She also unfortunately takes Violet's role of becoming "Olaf's bride" in the Bad Beginning. In the story she has always lived with the McDucks but didn't take their name and still had Mrs. B (until she was around 10, she was 12ish when the fire happened). However, she is still in the McDuck Will and therefore Glomgold hatches a plan to use her to get the fortune. She also tricks him by signing her name "Vanderduck" or "McDuck" instead of Vanderquack to make the marriage null in void. She is also a mix of Sunny since she is generally the most physically capable out of the children.

Dewey Duck as the Narrative Role as Quigley Quagmire: Okay honestly after a rewatch, I don't exactly know what makes Duncan and Quigley that different from each other. I'm pretty sure Duncan is the Klaus of his siblings but whatever. Dewey mostly just 1/2 of the reveal that two people survived the fire during the Carnival segment (which is changed to an underground wrestling theme for reasons to be explained). I am fairly certain that during the last part of the Village of Fowl Devotees I want Dewey be the one left behind with Webby and Lena that way we can have more time spent with him and Weblena/ Magicia v Lena drama. Dewey's occupation would be "Comedian/Host/Actor" . He also is the one the adults ignore during the first half and will be the subject of Triplet/only child jokes that the Quagmires face.

Gosalyn Mallard as the Narrative Role of Duncan Quagmire: Okay so like, no she isn't related or adopted by the Quagmires

Lena Saberwing as the Narrative Role of Isadora Quagmire: c'mon both these kids like poetry. Literally I can think of no other DuckTales kid that likes that (other than Webby but that was more of her liking Lena's stuff). She will still have her background as Magica's niece and might take some of the role of Fernald where he gets redeemed by betraying Olaf/saving Sunny. I am unsure by what extent though as she isn't going to be a henchperson of Glomgold or Magica. It might be that she is uses morally questionable ways to get what she wants/needs. Maybe she is "good" but has to commit a terrible act similar to how the Baudelaires have to burn down the carnival.

Characters that I am uncertain about or straight up don't have someone in that role:

Violet Saberwing as the Narrative Role of Fiona Widdershins: Like Fiona, Violet was also originally distrusted by a part of the cast (in this AU, it probably be Webby and/or Louie as Huey catches feelings lol). She is also obsessed with the occult not fungus and has to save probably Louie from losing his soul or something (wip). Violet more than any of the main cast of kids will probably act more like her canon self since she is naturally straight forward and booksmart. She probably gets forced to stay with Glomgold until her and Lena can escape again. Also since I didn't want it to be another underwater local and wanted it to relate to DuckTales17 a bit more closely I thought it be better if they were in the sky. Maybe Violet got the Sun chaser or maybe even the Spear of Selene. Maybe instead of going to look for their dads (since they are dead oof) they come back at The End to tell the McDuck Siblings et all that they might of found something...or someone important.

Boyd as the Narrative Role of Friday: This is definitely more of a stretch as really he is only Friday because in role only because I want him at the Island at The End so that he can save the siblings from whatever organic incident happens since he is still an android. I previously thought he could also fit the role of Fernald since he could go through a redemption arc easier due to him sorta going through one in the show. Its not out of the realm of possibility that Glomgold could have reprogrammed him to obey him (he might still do something similar I haven't figured it out 100%).

Fenton Crackshell-Cabrera as the narrative role of Hector: He probably won't faint as much as Hector but he will have to be pushed by the kids to be confident in himself during the Vile Village (which will probably change to a Capital city since I plan to rework FOWL into this). Maybe its similar to a military academy which makes having a set of rules make sense. Its also possible that Fenton escapes with some of the kids in the Sunchaser by the end of this.

Steelbeak as the Narrative Role of Fernald Widdershins: I mainly chose him because Steelbeak and Hookhanded man both most clearly are shown to be sympathic antagonists. They are still functionally villians, much more so than any of the children like Boyd or Lena who, yeah, have done bad things but in one case wasn't given the freewill to decide for himself or was but when she decided to stand up for herself she was literally tortured and had her freedom taken away (more so than in the beginning since. Steelbeak would, like Fernald, be making a choice as an adult man to be apart of a mad man's troop and was harden enough to commit murder if it meant he could impress his boss. But because he is not related to (by blood or otherwise) any protagonist I struggle to know where to put him. I might still have him defect during the end of what would have been the Grim Grotto ep and comes back with the Saberwings at The End. Maybe he brings Gosalyn back after finding her at some point, maybe he dies somewhere towards The End. Not sure.

Gladstone/Ghost of Christmas Past/News Reporter Lady as the Narrative Role of Mr. Poe/Mr. Poes Wife: wow this one is really confusing. My reasoning behind these picks is because The News lady would be a great pick for Mr. Poe's wife or at least a substitute as she has similar motivations in DT17. The biggest set back for her tho is that she has no reason to be on the Baudelaire case (or McDuck case anyways). Ghost of Christmas past is a bit of a stretch since why the fuck would he be in charge of making sure the kids had guardians? I mainly want him just bc of his motivation (or lack thereof) to do his job and being incompetent at it. Gladstone while making some sense that he also would be uncaring about where the kids go is also a stretch given he is a relative and he while he might not care 100% about their whereabouts he wouldn't lose them like Mr. Poe would simply bc he is so damn Lucky. Its possible to work that against him, maybe in a scenerios like where he drops off the kids but gets whisked away because some rando gifts him a boat. Still unsure.

Mrs. Beakley as either the Narrative Role of Jaclyn S (Mr. Poes Secretary/VFD spy)., Olivia C. (Librarian): I want Mrs. B to have a role which fits her being experienced and competent but also met a tragic demise. I might mix the experience of JS with the fate of OC. Poor Webby.

Justice Strauss as ???: I'll be honest, I am stumped with this one. This is a very important role to fill and I can't quite find an adult character that fits the bill of Justice Strauss. Mrs. B is too smart, Launchpad studying law while ridiculous, is something inline with the show but he doesn't have a DT17 motivation similar enough to Strauss where he's desires can be exploited nor has he really want kids in the same sense as Strauss. Drake Mallard is close since he is an actor but having him work with law is a bit of a stretch, I also think that making him somewhat bumbling is an insult to his character but Strauss is tragic since she WANTS to very much be the Baudelaires guardian but fails so much. Maybe in a safer world she could have been, maybe if they were luckier. She loves them so much, but they run away where she can't find them to at least try to be there for them and is left heart broken by the end. Whoever becomes JS is in for a world of hurt and I'm sorry. Goofy could also be a replacement, maybe Max died for more angst 😬.

Goldie or Daisy as the narrative role of Kit Snicket: This kinda gets really fanfic-y as neither of these characters really fit nicely into this role. Goldie definitely has the skill of Kit and her disregard for the rules but the pregnancy thing is... something. Not entirely sure if I actually want her to be pregnant but I also want a Beatrice II type character (of course she would be named Della II) but again very fanfic-y. Daisy I am more comfortable being the one who gets pregnant, she might take Olivias role as the new VFD recruit instead of Kits more seasoned one. All I know is that if either or both outcomes exist they will die also a Dewey Deanumont(?) Character wouldn't be the father it would of course be Donald or Scrooge depending who gets pregnant.

Jacques Snicket as ???: Another mystery for me. Functionally? Maybe Manny could play this role or even Launchpad (he really is just my go to for any character idk about huh?) Whoever it is will die but wont have a romance with the Olivia character(s). Maybe its Goofy lmao.

This is quite long enough, let me know if y'all got any more ideas. I'll edit this when I can since I am tired of writing. Please comment or reblog for suggestions and the like thx u. And please...Look Away while you still can.

[border-spam]

Twins prompt 6: DeLeon

(Warning for this one, and huge thanks to @lazulizard​ for her amazing art on this one- full link at bottom of fic )

“Piece of shit, piece of shit, AHH-fuck!!”

Troy rips his hand out of under the pinching joint of his prosthetic where he’s been failing to try and disengage it for the last few minutes, then screams in frustration as he smashes the brutal weight of the arm across his workdesk in a wide sweep.

The satisfaction of destroying half of the projects he’s been working on this month in a couple of seconds doesn’t put a dent in how fucking exhausted he is.

He’s so tired, he’s just so tired, shoulders hunched above his bowed head as he leans his weight on the arm, feeling the now cracked surface of the table shift under him slightly with each panting breath.

Today had been painfully -rough-, and Tyreen hadn’t given him an inch, focusing her displeasure at the COV’s acquisition department’s failed hostile merger with that unexpectedly well armed fuel outpost on him, after husking half of the division of course.

He’d taken the brunt of her foul mood as usual, and the workload in fixing this fuckup he wasn’t even responsible for tomorrow was giving him a headache just trying to think of where he would need to get started, and he’s just so.. fucking.. tired.

He rubs harshly at his face as he turns and begins to stumble towards the mess of heaped blankets and pillows that was his bed, the arm would wait, he’d just leave it and try to sleep for now. If he didn’t try and get a couple of hours in he wouldn’t be able to function tomorrow enough to make a dent in this clusterfuck. He’s so tired.. it won’t matter. He’ll just pass out even with the dead weight of it digging into his shoulder, he knows from experience.

Soon as his shin hits the edge of the mattress he feels his eyes flutter closed, barely managing to lift his torso onto the bed and crawl into the center before his body gives out and he flops down onto his chest. His stupidly long prosthetic arm is bent at an awkward angle, the jagged elbow pointing towards the ceiling and wrist pinned uncomfortably under his hip, but he doesn’t have the energy to move the goddamn thing right now, and his breathing evens out within seconds of his face hitting the pillow.

Warm, encompassing, heavy sleep. The kind of sleep that feels like sinking underwater, like the soft pressure of your mother’s arms around your small body. The kind of sleep that makes it hard to wake up, and Troy struggles to push his mind out of the fog as he finds himself somewhere dark, and quiet, and wrong.

Nothing, all around him. Nothing, no sound, no light, and yet he can see his hands perfectly. No ground or walls or air, nothing, and the hairs on the back of his neck raise as some horrible realisation begins to dawn. Some memory he can’t grasp, slipping through his fingers like oil. Something bad happens when he’s here, but he can’t remember what.

He can’t.. move. He can move his legs but each step does nothing, there’s nothing to walk on, and his heart is starting to pick up pace, a lump in his throat getting hard to swallow. He doesn’t want to be here but he can’t remember why.

There’s.. there’s something behind him, he can feel it, but he can’t turn no matter how hard he whips around, he can’t see behind him. What is it.. what is it he can sense it he..

“Troy….”

His pulse spikes. He can feel his spine turn rigid, lungs filling to the point of pain as the fear forces a deep shuddering breath into them. He knows that voice. He knows that voice and now he remembers why he fucking hates this place. Why he doesn’t want to be here, not again. Not again, not again, not again, not him. Not that gaunt shape he catches in the corner of his eye in every fucking reflection he passes, not that lingering, mocking, pitying laugh he hears in the back of his brain every time the silence settles in after the adoration of his worshippers fades for the night. Not again, not this, not here, not him, not again.

“.. Just look at you Troy. So little of you left now. What have you done t-to me.”

Fucking… DeLeon..

He smells him before he can see him. Every whistling, panicked breath through his nose is filled with the scent of memories that turn his stomach.

Warm morning sunlight evaporating dew from fern leaves, the engine oil that always covered Dad’s pants, that fragrant Nekrotafeyan wood they’d burn each night at the campfire, Mom’s skin, dried blood under his fingernails, Ty’s breath when she would curl against his side to sleep in their tiny bed, fever sweat and vomit, and he can’t stop breathing it in, it’s all around him and he can’t stop remembering.

“You let her down again today, didn’t you. Guess that’s nothing to be surprised by anymore, is it b-big man? Ahaha.. It’s normal now, huh?”

His jaw is clamped so tight he can feel the implanted roots of his metal canines burning in his skull cavity with the pressure. DeLeon steps closer behind him.

“Wonder how that happened.. wonder how you went from b-being her best friend, her other half, her right hand… to well, whatever the hell you are now. A monster, m-maybe?”

His prosthetic violently shakes at his side with each shuddering breath and he feels a shooting, burning pain down his left arm as it does. DeLeon is in the edge of his vision now, the red glow of the markings around his eye the only colour in this fucking place.

“… A.. freak..?” DeLeon whispers in his right ear in that soft, stammering voice, mocking in his apologetic tone. Troy snaps.

He lashes out on reflex without turning. Arm striking raptor quick to his right, fingers instantly closing around that delicate neck, and he lifts.

He weighs -nothing-, Troy realises as DeLeon’s boots clear the ground and he chokes out a gasp against the machine’s grip. A jolt of pain burns through Troy’s abdomen and he tries to make sense of what’s happening, what he’s remembering.

His heart feels like it’s going to burst out of his chest and cold sweat drips down his back while DeLeon doesn’t even try to struggle, just watches him with those pathetic sad eyes and rests his hand gently on the steel of the monstrous arm’s plating, his red Siren markings a harsh contrast against the black metal. Troy’s eyes shift rapidly, trying to focus on anything but the patronising smile playing across the other’s lips.

Had he.. always been this light? Was it just that he didn’t have the arm yet.. or was this really how little he had weighed before.. before he started trying to change, before he became the God King. Was this how little muscle he’d carried when they landed on Pandora, when the bandits would laugh to his face about how broken he looked.

“SHUT UP” Troy barks, screwing his eyes shut and shaking his head violently to try and clear the intrusive memories tearing through his brain.

“Shut.. up. I’m not a freak. You were the freak, remember? Remember what Dad said? You were the joke, I’m Troy Calypso. I’m a God. What were you but a fucking FAILURE?”

He tightens his fist again and feels a pop, something in the frail man’s throat has just shifted but he doesn’t react, he doesn’t try to scratch at the fingers crushing his windpipe, just smiles down at him, calm and unphased.

“You can’t hurt me.. you know that, r-right?” DeLeon whispers through the vice grip on his throat, hand still relaxed against the arm’s panelling, expression still calm and eyes gentle as he stares down at the panting trembling mess holding him aloft.

“But I can hurt you. Over and over, and over.. every time you close your eyes.”

“B-because deep down you know what I was. I was happy.”

“…I was loved.”

A moment of silence passes, then the rage takes over. Troy roars, and DeLeon laughs.

He laughs as Troy releases his throat and lets him drop, he laughs as that viper quick prosthetic catches his forearm and yanks him to his feet before he fully fell to the ground, he laughs as Troys flesh fist smashes into his face and knocks him onto his back, lip splitting and cheekbone shattering under the impact.

He laughs as the the vicious grip on his arm pulls him forward, the only thing holding him upright as Troy spits into his eyes and slams a boot into DeLeon’s chest, shoulder beginning to strain under the power of the mechanical limb pulling it forward while his torso is pinned back.

He laughs at the God beating him to death and Troy has never hated anything as much as he hates this frail excuse for a man in his grasp. He hates that this man is underweight, he hates that he is weak, that he is flesh and smooth skin and gentle soulful eyes, that he is that scruffy fucking jacket his father gave him, that he is delicate bruised cheekbones and struggling lungs. He hates that this man is regret and spite and the lingering reminder of what it was like to be cared for out of choice and not fear.

All Troy can see is red, the red of DeLeon’s pointless, broken Siren Markings, the red that his eyes now glow, the red that spits over his lips as he laughs and laughs.

“STOP. FUCKING. LAUGHING” he hisses between clenched teeth, feeling his grip on the arm tighten harder, harder than he should, hard enough to feel muscle shift slightly from bone, but he can’t let go. Not while he’s being mocked like this, by him.

DeLeon doesn’t stop that gentle laugh, pity and condescension dripping from it, soft eyes still locked with Troy’s, and he doesn’t even flinch as Troy’s hate takes control, as the pressure of the metal fist’s grip increases and pushes the thumb through his forearm’s skin and into the meat underneath. As Troy presses his boot harder into his sternum and starts to pull.

“STOP - LAUGHING - AT - ME”

Troy screams, yanking his arm back further with each pause as he leans down hard on the creaking ribs under his boot, another burst of pain across his left shoulder ignored as his hearing hyperfixates on the wet pops that preface the crack of the ruined elbow joint as it gives out under the strain, the fleshy tear as it separates from DeLeon’s upper arm, only releasing his grip when he feels the resistance against his foot lessen as the arm in his fist detaches fully.

He stumbles back a step, breathing heavily as he takes in the wreck of the man in front of him and swallows a wave of bile as he feels blood spatters trickle down his cheek.

DeLeon sits barely upright as his narrow chest heaves for air, blood smeared across his face and torn torso where the brutal prosthetics’s jagged edges had caught his skin.

The remains of his mangled arm lay pathetically in front of him, lifeblood pumping from torn arteries and pooling underneath him, and still.. he smiles. Still, he looks at Troy like Troy is nothing, like Troy is a stupid pathetic child throwing a tantrum, like he isn’t afraid, like he pities the shivering, sweating God he’s defeated while being torn apart.

He’d won. He always won, every time. He’d won before Troy even realised he was there, he’d won with nothing but razor barbed words, and he’d win again, and again, and again.

“All d-done then?” he wheezes, blood red eyes locked onto Troy’s icy blue.

“H-hah ha….. who’s the freak now?”

Troy can’t breath.

He can’t physically breath his chest is.. wrong.. it’s burning like it’s being stabbed and he -

- Wakes up screaming.

He kicks in complete panic at the blankets that have wrapped around his legs, gasps in shock and claws at the fingers of his mechanical right hand that are currently digging into the skin of his pectoral.

He scrambles to sit up against the backboard and forces himself to breath as slowly and deeply as he can, shaking uncontrollably as he tries to calm himself enough to regain control of his right arm and pry the sharp digits out of his chest.

There is blood everywhere, his torso, his shoulder, long open scratches across his stomach and ribs, tears down the Siren markings in his arm, and he winces between pants as he slowly manages to loosen the death grip his fingers have on his pec and ease them out of the punctures left underneath.

He did this to himself. It’s not the first time.. he should have removed the goddamn prosthetic, he should have not been such a lazy, good for nothing piece of shit and just..

He slowly raises his injured arm and drapes it across his eyes as he tenderly sinks onto his back again, tears starting to burn the open scratches along it.

“You always.. fucking win.”

Link to @lazulizard​‘s fuckin astounding art for this fic

[sassyduckqueen]

30 Days of Lukanette- Earrings (Two of Two)

A lot of people are salty about the season finale but I really enjoyed it. Can't wait for Felix, Cat Blanc and Season 4. Anyway, I uploaded how Viperion looks in his different forms to here so you can see how he looks

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"No, because you're Marinette Dupan-Cheng, the bravest girl in Paris... with or without the Ladybug miraculous," Luka smiled, looking at Marinette with some much admiration and love that it made her feel like she could do anything in the world. She smiled weakly before pressing her head against his chest. He closed his eyes as he held her close to him. The moment they shared was the most peaceful Marinette had since she had become Ladybug. Right now, it felt like nothing could get to her. Not Hawkmoth, not Mayura or any akuma. As long as she was in his arms, she was invincible. She looked up at him and smiled softly.

"Luka..." She whispered. "Why are you so amazing?"

"I'm really not," He smiled. "Do you feel better?"

"A little but I still feel like I've failed everyone," She mumbled as more tears threatened to fall. Luka cupped her cheek lightly and wiped away her tears before pulling her closer again. She closed her eyes as he began to hum softly while he stroked her hair. The tune he hummed wasn't actually her tune but one she knew anyway. It was Miraclous by Clara Nightingale. Slowly, the humming turned to words as he softly sang.

"Miraculous. Simply the best," He sang in a soft voice. "Up to the test when things go wrong,"

"Miraculous," Marinette sang softly, making Luka smile at her. "The luckiest,"

"The power of love,"

"Always so strong," She blushed as Luka looked at her before she took a deep breathe. "I have to tell Cat Noir, Ryuko and Viperion that I have made a terrible mistake. God, they're gonna think I'm such a fool and probably gonna hate me for the rest of their lives and they'll completely disown me. Viperion is gonna be so mad at me. He tried to warn me and I didn't listen to him. He's gonna hate me!"

"No, he won't," Luka replied, making her look at him.

"He'll hate me for sure, Luka," She sighed. "I'm just a failure,"

"He won't, Marientte and you're not," He replied, pushing her hair behind her ear. "Trust me,"

"How can you be so certain?" She asked, frowning and looking down. Luka bit his lip as he thought about his answer. She won't believe him just on his word alone but if he showed her that he knew for certain.

"I know because I'm Viperion," He stated, calmly. Marinette just stared at him as his words sank in. Sass appeared as if to confirm his words. Luka was Viperion and Viperion was Luka. It made so much sense now that she thought about it. Luka had a habit of disappearing whenever an akuma appeared. She thought he would was just keeping out of danger but literally seconds later, Viperion would appear. She always felt so comfortable around him to and then there was the time where she was crying on her roof and he played for her. She just put down as a kind hero but the truth was it was Luka, cheering her up as usual. However, he couldn't tell her that who he was and if he played what he want, she would have worked it out so he played genric songs so she would be happy without him giving himself away.

"Luka..." She whispered as he sighed.

"I know I've broke the rules but if it means, you'll stop doubting yourself then I'll break them all," He stated. "I know I'll have to give up been the snake but it was worth it,"

She knew he was right. The rules meant they couldn't know each other's identities as it endangered them. Master Fu had explained it to her and he forbade it. It was the one rule he insisted they follow but... Master Fu wasn't here right now.

"I guess you should take this," Luka frowned, going to take off the bracelet but Marinette stopped him. "Marientte?"

"Don't you dare do that," She stated, making him look at her. "Only I know your identity and no one else,"

"But Master Fu sa-" He started but she shakes her head.

"Master Fu picked you for a reason, Luka, so as far as I'm concerned you're not allow to quit ok?" She replied, hugging him. He hugged her back, nodding.

"In that case then," He stated before cupping her face so she was looking up at him. "No matter what happens, I have your back and always will,"

"Luka," She blushed as he pressed his lips to her forehead. She wrapped her arms around his torso and pressed her head against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and rested his head on top of hers, closing his eyes. Tikki floated up next to Sass and smiled softly as the two of them just stared in the moment. Unfortunately, it couldn't last as soon screams echoed out, causing the two of them to pull away from each other. Luka's eyes widen as he saw people running away from a giant swarm of hornets. Before Marinette could reach, Luka picked her up and began to running. Tikki and Sass flew with them as he ran as fast as he could. She held onto him as he sprinted. "Lu-Luka, head to the Seine,"

"I take it you have a plan?" He asked, taking a sharp turn and jumping over a bench before he kept running. Marinette began to go through her bag as they ran. She smiled when she found what she was looking for. Luka rose an eyebrow as he saw her holding a blue Marcone. "I love sweets at the best times but is it really a good idea? I don't think it will soothes the wasps,"

"It's not for us," She giggled before breaking it in half. "It's for the kwamis. Turn here,"

He nodded and turned, running onto the bridge.

"We'll have to jump into the Seine,"

"Marinette, we'll dr-"

"Trust me, Luka," She smiled before throwing up the first half. "Tikki, power up!"

Tikki ate the sweet, causing her to glow and change her form. She now looked like a sort of fish. Luka rose an eyebrow as she threw up the other half.

"Sass! Power up!" She shouted. Sass ate the sweet as well and changed too. Like Tikki, he looked more fish like. "Luka, we have to jump. Just say Aqua Sass, Scales Slither as we do ok?"

"If anyone asked me to this," He stated before jumping onto a bench before diving with her into the water, closing his eyes as he did. "Aqua Sass! Scales Slither!"

"Aqua Tikki! Spots on!" She shouted at the same time. To his surprise, he felt himself transform before they broke the water's surface. He slowly opened his eyes and looked around. Marinette had transformed into Ladybug but she looked different. She had flippers on her feet, her ponytails were longer and fading into purple. Her outfit was slightly different too. It looked more water themed. He looked down at himself to see if he had changed, confirming that he had. His outfit was more water themed too. Unlike his usual Viperion outfit, this verison was more blue. He also had flippers on his feet and some fins on his arms. He also had a belt on, which his lyre was attatched to and to his surprise, he could see and breathe under the water as if he was on land.

"Um... what?" He gasped, surprised. "We can talk underwater?!"

"It's a powered up form. Once we've found out what Hawkmoth is up to, I'll explain the powers-up to you but right now, we're safe here,"

"Hornets don't like water," He mumbled before the two of them started to swim off. "Do you think this is Queen Wasp again?"

"I don't know," She mumbled as they swam. A few minutes later, Cat Noir came into view. "Cat!"

"Ladybug! Viperion! You're ok!" He gasped, swimming over. "What's happening? What did Master Fu tell you?"

Viperion frowned as she looked down and the sorrow crept back on her face.

"Master Fu is gone," She admitted. "I don't know what happened to him,"

"What?!" He gasped, shocked.

"Master Fu disappeared," Viperion confirmed. "We haven't been able to reach him,"

"This is bad," Cat mumbled before getting distracted by something. He used his baton to have a look at something before gasping in shock. "It's Hawkmoth! He has Master Fu and it looks Chloe has been akumatized again but... oh god... she has the miraculous holders. Rena, Carapace, Pegasus, King Monkey... Ryuko..."

The way he said Ryuko was worst then how he said the others and he was already swimming off.

"Cat!" Ladybug shouted but he was off to fire with fire. She went to go after him but a soft hand stopped her, making her look at Viperion. Tears welled up in her eyes again. "This is all my fault, Viper. I have-"

He didn't say a thing, just hugged her, causing her to hug him back before he pulled away and looked at her with that same look from early.

"You'll find a way to fix it. I believe in you,"

"Luka..." She whispered before a determined look got in her eyes. "Alright! We need a plan! We can't leave the water so let's first observe and go from there!"

"Aye, Captain!" He grinned, making her smile before they both swam to the side. Ladybug poked her head out the water and frowned as she saw Cat Noir stood completely still. Viperion broke the water and looked around too.

"Excellent work, Miracle Queen!" Hawkmoth grinned. "Now we only need that annoying snake and the bug to turn up. Once they come to rescue their friends-"

"I'll crush them like the insects they are!" Miracle Queen laughed. Viperion frowned as Ladybug thought.

"We need to get Cat Noir and Ryuko. If we can get hold of their miraculous, we might have a chance of winning," She stated. "But we can't get close to them without the wasp seeing us,"

"What if they didn't see us?" He asked, looking at her. She rose an eyebrow before grinning. "What?"

"I have an idea but I don't think I have the mental strength to pull it off," She mumbled, frowning before diving back under water. Viperion drove under and swam over to her. To his surprise, she was holding a miraculous box in her hand. She looked at him before holding it out to him.

"Viperion, I'm entrusting you with the miraculous of the fox. It will grant you the power to use Mirage. You can use it in combination with the snake by saying 'Sass, Trixx, unify but it will use a lot of energy. Can you do this?" She asked. He instantly took the box and opened it. A small orange light appeared before it formed into a little fox. Ladybug gave it some food. "Taking on the fox will also give you the power of illusion,"

She swam over to him.

"I need you to create an illusion of us two walking over to them as if we have been captured by the bees but at the same time makes us, Cat Noir and Ryuko completely invisible and undetected. Can you do that?" She asked. He nodded and two of them swam up before climbing out underneath a bridge where they could see what was going on but no one could see them. "Spots off,"

"Scales rest," They both turned back into their normal forms before Ladybug turned to him.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes," He replied, holding out both of his hands. "Sass, Trixx. Unify,"

Instantly, his outfit transformed into a combination of the two kwami and Trixx's flute appeared in his hand. His blue highlights were gone and replaced with orange ones and his lyre was on his back. He span the flute around then played the tune perfectly creating the ball of light before he threw it.

"Mirage!"

(***)

"Well, well. Looks like I truly am the Queen Bee now!" Miracle Queen laughed as Ladybug and Viperion walked over and joined her army of Miraculous holders, causing Hawkmoth to laugh wickedly and Master Fu looked on fearful. They had truly failed and Hawkmoth had won.

"Miracle Queen, bring me the earrings of the Ladybug and the ring of the Cat!" He ordered as she walked up Ladybug. She went to reach for her earrings but to everyone's surprise, Ladybug's image simply disappeared into smoke. "No! We've been tricked!"

The whole illusion fell causing Miracle Queen to scream as she saw Cat Noir and the Dragon holder were gone from her army and that Ladybug and Viperion had simply been an illusion. She stamped her foot.

"My guard! Find th-"

"Water Dragon!" The familiar voice of Ladybug shouted and suddenly, a wave of water hit her before Ladybug and Viperion landed on in the bubble of water, protecting them from the bees. Both of them looked different then usual. Ladybug was in a black and red yinyang outfit with horns on her head and swords in her hands and Viperion was in a darker outfit that had green undertones. He also had a tail and cat ears.

"Ladybug! Viperion! Damn you!"

"Actually, it's Dragon bug and Viper Noir right now," The two of them grinned but the sound of Hawkmoth laughing made them both frown. He looked down at them from where he stood, with Mayura by his side and a giant moth trying to break down Master Fuu's shield. Well, that explains why Nino had fully transformed into Carapace and Alya hadn't transformed into Rena as Hawkmoth never got the fox miraculous.

"Those extra powers won't help you now, Ladybug," He laughed before pointing to the moth and the shield. "Soon, that shield will break and then I'll have the guardian reveal the secrets of the miraclous, including your idenity and it will be all your fault, Ladybug,"

Viper Noir frowned as she looked down.

"She has failed you. All of you," He smirks evilly as Mayura laughed, fluttering her fan. Viper Noir gripped his hands and pointed at him.

"You're wrong!" He shouted, making Hawkmoth frown.

"Listen to Viperion, Ladybug!" Master Fu added in. "Hawkmoth is just trying to divide you but I chose you for reason. Both of you! Unite and you can overcome this!"

Ladybug still wasn't sure but then she felt Viper Noir linking his hand with hers, making her look at him.

"Remember what I said, Bug," He grinned, looking at her. "I believe in you and I have your back no matter what,"

She smiled before linking her fingers with his.

"I believe in you too, Viper," She grinned. "You and me against the world,"

"Wouldn't have it any other way," He grinned before turning to Hawkmoth. "You can't divide us, Hawkmoth. We don't fight each other!"

"We fight together!" Ladybug confirmed. "And today, we fight against you!"

"Insolent brats!" He growled before pointing to Chloe. "Now is the time to action, my Queen!"

"Prepare for battle, my guard!" She ordered, throwing her arms out as Viper Noir pushed back the head of the snake.

"Second chance!" He shouted as the brainwashed ran towards them, even those without their miraculous. Viper Noir grabbed hold of Nino's arm and threw him into Alya, knocking them both down as Ladybug fought with Pegasu. King Monkey sneaked up on her and grabbed her yoyo before touch it with his item, destroying the water dome, causing her to be stung. Her eyes turned yellow and Pegaus went to reach for her earrings as King Monkey tried to capture him. He jumped back and flicked back the head of the snake, resetting time. This time, he tripped Alya and Nino up before running over to her, only to fall into a portal, which threw him off a cliff. He flicked back the head and ran towards her again. He dodged the portal and slid between King Monkey's legs, grabbing his hand and forcing it to face towards the floor.

"Dragonbug! The Portal!" He shouted as Nino and Alya charged. Ladybug tripped them up as she moved the portal to face Chloe, sending them into her but she bounced back and laughed.

"That's the best you've got. Ridiculous! Utterly-" With her distracted, he twisted King's arm and made him throw his item at her, hitting her right in the face and changing her stinger into a disco ball. Instantly, the Miraculous holders shut down and stood still. Ladybug dispelled the water and wrapped her yo yo around Chloe's torso, pulling her toward them. Viper Noir ran towards her as she yelled out.

"Cataclysm!" He shouted out as he touched the disco ball, destroying it. The akuma flew out, making Hawkmoth frown.

"Longg, Tikki, Divide!" Dragonbug shouted, changing back into Ladybug before catching the little dragon in her hand.

"Plagg, Sass! Divide!" Viper Noir commanded. He caught the little cat as he turned back into Viperion. He gave it so food as Ladybug purified the akuma, turning Miracle Queen back into Queen Bee. "Looks like we won, Hawkmoth,"

However, Hawkmoth laughed and released another Akuma from his cane. Queen Bee smiled and jumped up, trying to catch it so she could turn back into Miracle Queen, confusing Viperion a little. Ladybug, however, captured it.

"Hawkmoth is our enemy, Chloe," She stated, frowning. "We can't let him get the miraclous box or it's all over,"

"Urg! You just don't get it, do you Ladybug?!" Chloe gasped, making her frown. "I'm not on your side anymore! I have asked you countless times to let me fight and you completely ignore me! Even going as far to chose a dirty fox to save my parents instead of me! Well, I got news for you, Ladybug! Hawkmoth isn't my enemy and now I have the miraclous box!"

She grinned before opening it and putting on the miraculous, freeing the kwamis. Viperion stepped forward but Ladybug stopped him as the kwamis crossed their arms.

"I will be the most powerful of the heroes!" She shouted, causing Hawkmoth to laugh. "What are you all w-waiting. Tr-Transform m-me!"

With that, she fell to the floor, practically drained of her energy.

"B-but I'm t-the q-queen... w-why?" She gasped as Ladybug frowned.

"No one can use that many miraculous. It's just too much," She stated before looking at Hawkmoth as Viperion's bracelet beeped. "It's over!"

"Not yet, Ladybug. I still have the guardian and his shield is about to break. You'll de-transform, leaving him weak and vulnerable," He explained, grinning evilly. "Checkmate, Ladybug,"

"Not yet, Hawkmoth. I still have one more move!" She grinned confidently. It made Viperion smile. "Lucky charm!"

A keyring appeared out of thin air and she caught it.

"A keychain?" She frowned. "What am I suppose to do with this?"

She frowned before looking around but she seemed to come up empty.

"Um,"

"Nothing! You won't get the chance!" Hawkmoth laughed. "My plan is flawless and I have already won!"

"Viper, it's no good," She gapsed as panic began to settle in her eyes as she looked at him.

"Breathe, Bug," He smiled softly. "Just focus. You've got this,"

She took a deep breathe and looked around but more panic filled her eyes.

"I... I've got nothing!" She gasped, turning to face him again. "I'm so sorry, Viper. This is my fault. If I had just transformed back when I went to Master Fu and then listened to you, I would have been able to save him before it got to this. I'm such a failure!"

"That's not true," He gasped, holding her shoulders.

"It is!" She gasped. "Hawkmoth wouldn't have Master Fu or the miraculous box if it wasn't for me! I'm the worst Ladybug ever!"

He frowned as he hugged her.

"Ladybug!" Master Fu shouted, getting her attention. "You are the best miraculous holder I have ever met. Yes, you've made mistakes but we all do! It isn't over yet and you can still win this,"

"But how? I don't know what to do, Master," She gasped but he smiled at her.

"You have all the keys you need, Ladybug, like you always have," He states, keeping up his shield. "And you'll become the most powerful guardian,"

"What?!" Hawkmoth and Ladybug gasped at the same time, along with the Kwamis.

"Master!" Plagg gasped.

"Don't do it!" The little purple tiger gasped as the others looked upset but Master Fu smiled before holding out his arms.

"I, Wang Fu, hereby relinquish the miraculous box and proclaim Ladybug the new Guardian!" He shouted as he become engulfed in white.

"No! You foolish old man!" Hawkmoth shouted as the moth finally broke through but it was too late. Master Fu collapsed and turned back into his normal self and the miraculous box suddenly exploded with colors before changing into an oval shaped container that sported the ladybug look. Chloe caught it.

"Nooo! It's mine!" She screamed, stamping her foot. "Hawkmoth! Tell them to bring back my box!"

"This is disappointing," Hawkmoth muttered before picking up Mayura and flying off on the giant moth with her. Viperion narrowed his eyes and went to run after them but Ladybug stopped him.

"We'll need to check on Fu and you're nearly out of time," She smiled softly as Chloe made a run for it. Ladybug tripped her up and walked over before picking up the box. "Sorry but this belongs to me,"

She picked it up as Viperion stood next to her. Chloe frowned and got up before collapsing on the floor again. Ladybug frowned.

"Chloe, I don't understand why you sided with Hawkmoth," She stated.

"Because all you ever do is ignore me!" The girl gasped. "All I wanted was fight with you and no matter how much I asked you just brushed me aside like I was nothing!"

"Chloe, your Identity is publicly known. I couldn't risk using you in case Hawkmoth hurt you or your loved ones," Ladybug stated, calmly.

"She was trying to protect you," Viperion pointed out.

"Protect me!? I don't need protecting!"

"Chloe-"

"Ever since that snake joined your team, you have ignored me!!" She gasped, beginning to throw all the miraclous off her before she stood up and stormed over to Ladybug as Viperion picked up the discarded miraculouses, making sure they were ok. "Well, not anymore! You can have your stupid powers cause I only want the bee! And I'll save the world on my own cause I don't need you or any of your stupid team! I'll leave for New York and I'll be the only Bee Holder!! I'll be the best hero in the world and for the record, you suck and Paris sucks!!"

"A great hero doesn't side with a villain regardless of their reasons," Viperion stated, calmly as Ladybug took the bee clip from her hair and transforming her back into her normal self.

"Sorry, Chloe but I won't let you,"

"Urg! I hate you and your stupid boyfriend!" She screamed. "And I'm still going to New York! I would rather die then stay here with you! You don't deserve to breathe the same air as me!"

With that, she stormed off and Ladybug frowned as Viperion walked over.

"I really hoped she had changed," She muttered, looking down.

"Some people just can't. They might try but in the end, their true colors show," He replied before looking up at the building. "We should check on Master Fu,"

"Yeah," She nodded before they jumped up and climbed the building. Literally as they landed, Viperion turned back into Luka. He caught Sass in his hands before giving him a little food as Ladybug rushed over to Master Fu, who was laid down with his eyes closed. "Master?"

No answer. She frowned and knelt down next to him.

"Master, please wake up," She whispered and as if one command, he opened his eyes and groaned weakly. Luka frowned as Wazz hit behind Ladybug's back and Sass hid in his jacket along with Plagg. "Master Fu!"

She helped him sit up as he looked around confused.

"Oh... you have a nice costume, young lady," He smiled confused as he looked around. "Um.. who might you two be?"

"He doesn't remember?" Luka questioned as Wazz shook his head before he smiled softly and took Master Fu's hand, helping him onto his feet.

"Everything is ok. We're your friends, sir," She explained.

"Ah thank you," He smiled. "Then it is nice to meet you,"

"Luka..." She mumbled before handing him the dragon choker as he took off the ring. "Can you return the black cat and the lizard to their owners while I fix everything?"

"Of course," He smiled before heading to the door. As soon as he was out of sight, he transformed into Viperion and headed down into the sewers where they had hid Ryuko and Cat Noir before transforming back. Sass yawned and Luka handed him some food before looking at Adrien. His eyes were still yellow and he was still as a statue. It had been easy capturing them as they hadn't be ordered to fight. They had brought them down to the sewers and hid them away from each other. Ladybug wanted to protect their identities as best as she could so Viperion suggested a wall between them. He took Cat Noir to the left side while she had take Ryuko to the right side. He didn't know her reaction to finding out who Ryuko really was but he was surprised when he took off Cat's ring and he turned back into Adrien. Walking over to him, he slid the ring on his finger, causing Plagg to reappear.

"You won't tell anyone, will you?" He asked.

"Of course not," Luka smiled, stroking his ears a little. "Your secret is safe with me, Plagg. I hope we meet again,"

"Likewise, Luka," He grinned before opening Adrien's jacket and looking inside. "Ahhh sweet cheese,"

Luka chuckled and walked over to Kagami. Like Adrien, she was still yellow-eyed and as still as a statue. He placed the choker around her neck as Longg reappeared.

"Luka-kun, it was truly an honor working with you and Ladybug,"

"The honor was mine, Longg," He smiled before transforming back and sending a text to Ladybug. "I better go. She's going to fix everything,"

"Till next time," Viperion smiled and ran off before heading back up to the surface as the magical ladybug fixed everything. He looked up at the sky as he saw her flying off with Master Fu and the box in her arms. He smiled and moved into an alleyway before detransforming once more. A few minutes later, his phone buzzed. He flicked it open and read the message.

M: Hey, can you come around to mine tomorrow morning? Master Fu is staying with me for the night and tomorrow, I'll be taking him to the train station. I also owe you an explanation regarding the power ups. x

L: Sure. I'll be there at 9 am. x

[masshirohebi-moved]

Affections Starter ☀ - to do my muses hair for a fancy event/party // @kxshikoi Nerves flutter in their stomach, anxious hands curled in to small fists as they sit facing the mirror. Legs tucked neatly underneath themself, golden eyes set on their own reflection. They only look away from the placement of their midnight locks to steal a quick glance at their father. Trying to read his expression. He doesn’t seem half as apprehensive as they are. And he perhaps, has more to be worried about. While the concept of Senju and Uchiha warring against one another is relatively foreign to the young viper, they are aware of the deep rooted history. The childs firsthand account of a Senju is Tobirama, and of an Uchiha, Izuna. The two men got along like a house on fire. Love like that was so very rare, that one may never know the two clans despised each other by looking at the two elite shinobi. It taught the child a rather good lesson all the same. That differences could be set aside, that there were people, living, breathing and loving, behind every stoned shinobi face. It reminded them to be human, and to look outside the realms of duty and expectations. All the same, the event tonight would be held in the Uchiha estate. Terribly daunting. The child shares no blood with either Izuna nor Tobirama, and although the two shinobi have taken them in as their child… that was not to say the clans felt similarly. Only Uchiha were permitted to be at sacred events, was this bloodless Uchiha child breaking the rules by merely being present? If not them, then certainly their father - who was not only an outsider, but a Senju no less. It is something that tugs at their curiosity endlessly, as they watch porcelain hued fingers run through their jet black hair. A tender touch for a man that could do so very much harm with the same pair of hands. “Otousan,” they say softly, meeting his pale red eyes through the reflection, “…are you worried they won’t like you?” An innocent enough question, simply phrased. But their concerns run deeper than a mere negative opinion. Being judged was never pleasant, but it was not their largest worry in regards to not earning acceptance. What if Izuna wasn’t allowed to like Tobirama? What if their parents were told they ought to move a part? Worse yet, in their little mind, what would happen if the Uchiha told Izuna he could not take on a child with no Uchiha descent? What if their parents had to give them back to the system?

It was an awful lot of pressure… hoping that a noble family would accept a child from the streets. They would hate their poor judgement of a situation to ruin their chance, to disrupt the peaceful world their father had created when he stumbled upon the injured child that fateful day. They had felt as if they had taken their first breath the moment he took them under his wing - unaware they had been stuck underwater all the same. “What if they don’t like me? I heard Madara-sama will be there,” they say, the thought alone forcing them to turn around somewhat, to better meet their fathers eyes, to better accept any reassurances he can offer. And somehow, the man manages to meet their gaze and catch the bun he had been neatly arranging. The flighty action of the child doing little to hinder his expert hands from enacting swift reflexes. They notice his added effort of moving with them, and correct their posture once more to accommodate his work of making them look presentable. A small huff of thought, as if this little problem they had conjured up truly was taking all their mental energy to solve. The quick breath causing the parted strands of hair in front of their face to dance upwards briefly, a thoughtful gaze cast a shadow over golden hues. “We’ll have to trick them,” they decide finally, the thought of the family splitting not quite an option in their young mind. And to the genin, who could possibly be smarter, swifter or stronger than their fathers? Surely if the two wanted to do as they wished without anyone knowing, they were the right shinobi for the job. So even if the clan disapproved, why, even if the world disapproved - surely Tobirama had a way of keeping them all together regardless? The blind faith between child and parent after all, was a cure to most ill thoughts.

[mikey027-blog1]

The Undesirables Settings

1.Santa Monica city and beach in California 2. Haven under the Pacific Ocean waters near Santa Monica 3. Open expanse of the Pacific Ocean 4, Cloud Nine- Concealed island in the sky by magic and supported by clouds that change color constantly. The magic of the place is said to give the clouds this mysterious yet breathtaking look. The island is only visible to those The Whisperers allow passage to there home. The island has huge mansion that houses The Shroud Coven(protectors of the order of all life, natural or unnatural or supernatural. Apart from the mansion are 4 other buildings that are look out points for the place and also separate homes for The Whisperers. usually new recruits house in these other buildings. The main mansion is in the center island with the 4 houses being north, east, west, and south of the main island on separate slightly smaller islands also warded with magic and supported by clouds that change color. Each island has a bridge made of golden energy that connects the islands and only appears as soon as someone gets ready to walk on it. Finally, surrounding the mansion and other islands are floating runes with glowing sigils on them that act as defense mechanisms for the place, activating when trespassers attempt to invade. 5. Palisades Park 6. Pacific Park Amusement Park 7. Loof Hippodrome Carousel 8. Ocean Avenue 9. Montana Avenue 10. University of California 11. Third Street Promenade(shopping malls, movie screens, restaurants, 3-block stretch) 12. Bergamot Station(known for art galleries) 13. Muscle Beach(outdoor gym near pier) 14. Santa Monica Pier Aquarium

15.  Vermillion- A underground city in Montana that can somehow shift it's location on a regular basis, making it rather difficult to always know the exact location of this city. It does this by a combination of magic and a huge mechanical contraption that rotates the whole city underground to a whole other location. On top of that there are multiple tunnels underground leading to dead ends and only one that leads to the true location of Vermillion making almost all of Montana's underground a epic labyrinth which also shifts and changes as the city rotates to a new location. The city is mainly run by Werewolfs and Lycan's who are more evolved versions of the typical werewolf. Other residents consist of the tougher and more ferocious of supernatural beings like Vipers(snake like people) or Droglins(winged bull like creatures with there wings actually being long extended bones sprouting from the back almost like tentacles that they use as a means of defense from attackers. They can grab from far away and also have sharp end points that can pierce through most things easily.). Its harder for these creatures to maintain a human like form and therefore have help from The Shroud Coven to conceal there true appearance from humans. The Vermillion residents are a tough and rowdy bunch but still not murderers unless absolutely necessary with the exception of a few who fell under the influence of the mark.

16.  Aquarius- Underwater city of the mermaids and any other aquatic supernatural beings located relatively close to Haven but far deeper in the waters where it's pitch black for no light can travel far enough to reach the city. However, the place is surrounded by tons of glowing jellyfish that act as a light source for the city as well as multiple aquatic plants and fungi that each have a unique glow about them. Aquarius is one of the prettiest of all supernatural city's. The architecture there is to be said something to behold as it is different then anywhere else on Earth. As they very rarely ever go above to dry land, they hardly have concern for concealing themselves but when they must travel abroad they can easily hide there fin and gils and maintain a human form. Shulks(hammerhead shark looking humanoid creatures) and Horus's(semi-humanoid creatures made of seaweed and other underwater plant-life and vegetation that are sometimes up to 15 feet tall and have floating stones as eyes that glow a yellow bright light that act like flashlights) all sometimes take shelter in Aquarius as well. For the cities defense it can create a water dome that looks like giant waves surrounding the place, making it nearly impossible to pass, the waves circulating so fast that anyone or anything attempting to pass would get whisked away. Stone giants known as Leviathans make this happen and if that does not work they act as huge guardians. Covered in odd markings and lines in there bodies, they only activate when danger is near and when this happens there markings glow white. If one is taken down, it breaks down to smaller versions of itself, still able to maneuver and fight. This keeps happening, making it very difficult to bypass them, making Aquarius one of the safest supernatural cities.

17.  Haven- One of the smallest supernatural sanctuaries, acting more of a school for younger supernatural beings and being a waypoint for others actually trying to get somewhere else but seeking a rest or break or temporary refuge. However Haven is considered one of the best hangout locations for supernatural beings as all is welcome there while in most other places accept only certain types of supernatural beings. Being in California where finding fun and a good time is no issue, most love Haven when traveling. Haven itself is a huge underwater facility that resembles a university. Like most places, it is warded with magic and other means to conceal it's appearance. The only means of entrance to this place is actually located at the Santa Monica Pier where there is a old out of order and poorly looking telephone booth. One walks in and acts as if they are making a call and someone on the other end with magic will project there voice into the device and ask them a certain question in which they must give the right answer and then be allowed passage. Suddenly the world gets literally turned upside down by what the person sees anyway which is actually a illusion and next second sees themself underwater somehow breathing and even able to walk rather then swim as if on a flat surface and Haven directly in front of them. With the rest of the ocean surrounding the person, water walls are formed around the person to form a corridor that leads to Haven's entrance. the water walls are translucent and you can vaguely still see the rest of the ocean beyond them. Once the person enters the facility, the corridor of water submerges and becomes part of the rest of the ocean once more. Once inside the first thing you would see is a huge room that is the main hub of the building and has a see through glass floor where you can peer at the ocean and its life and even the walls.

18. Plains of Alyssia(Heaven)- A vast wide open area of land in Heaven where its appearance differs to the viewer based on what is appealing to them and what there heart desires to see. For example, one person could be seeing him or herself on a mountain overlooking a huge valley while someone else could be in a winter wonderland or someone else in a desert like prairie full of cactus’s and tumbleweeds. Spirits known as Willows inhabit the area and act as sorta caretakers of the place and watchers. Willows at first appear to look like floating balls of energy with one eye but they quickly take form of basically anything, mainly animals by using things within there surroundings. For example, a willow could look like a wolf but made from water or even just sticks and leaves floating in the air to create a wolf like form. This place is like one huge park in Heaven where its residents can walk around freely and be in any kind of atmosphere and setting they desire. The area is named after one of the first miracles that has ever existed, Alyssia who was said to be so pure of heart that she literally did not commit even one sin within her lifetime, whether this is actually true or not is unclear as nobody has ever been able to strive perfection but either way whoever this person was must have been a truly kind hearted and loving soul.

19 Handelaar- Meaning trader in the  Afrikaans language, this place acts as a trading post for supernatural beings.  A excellent place for mainly witches who are looking for ingredients and such for potions or concoctions but also a place that has all kinds other things such as a blood bar for vampires of choices of human or animal blood, or talismans powered by magic, really anything any supernatural being would need.But gaining entry is often difficult as you have to find a trickster to help get you there. Tricksters are like mini versions of God, very powerful and can even create there own realities. one trickster in particular created Handelarr and due to all tricksters sharing one mind as if one person, all other tricksters are also aware of how to get into Handelarr. Trickster’s all love business and also being important and the center of attention. But due to there immense power, witches long ago banded together to find all the tricksters of the world, with there not being many, only 10 and finding a way to subdue there power whenever they attempt to use it to harm anyone. They are only allowed to use there power to help others now rather then cause chaos. Due to how hard it is to gain entry into Handelarr, whenever someone is allowed access sent there most stay for a long time to stock up on plenty of things they may need before leaving. Technically getting into Handelarr is the hard part but once in you could potentially stay there forever if you wished. Handelarr is its own reality, meaning it is not part of Earth. It is a unusual place, the trading post being a huge city surrounded by walls so that if you were looking at the place from far away it would be like looking at a huge old dirty golf ball just floating above water that you can walk on as easily as any flat surface. The water there is so clear that you can easily see your reflection and that of the sky, like looking at a perfect mirror. The clouds in the sky move around quickly as if time itself is going fast forward and daytime and nighttime there happens far faster then in the real world. Handelarr has many floors, some being just floors consisting of homes while others are full of trading posts and vendors and mini shops. The building has windows surrounding it on every floor. When arriving into Handelarr a spiral case forms below the floating city of Handelarr which is basically one big giant round and circular building and you step onto the staircase which spins its way up into Handelarr. 

This particular place is seriously tough to describe so I apologize if alot does not make much sense but I am trying my best for the time being. I will have more settings to add later on.

[geopolicraticus]

The Scented World

It has been said that chemical signals were the earliest signals exchanged between organisms, and that our sense of smell is what remains of our exchange of chemical signals from our distant and most rudimentary ancestors. And we know that our sense of smell is not particularly keen, since our dogs, possibly the species that is closest to us emotionally and socially (though not genetically), and with which we spend so much time, possess far greater acuity than we do in this respect. We use the noses of dogs as a proxy for our own, feeble noses, extending our senses not through augmentation or instrumentation, but through cooperation.

It could be worse for us, in terms of our sense of smell. Cetaceans were thought to have entirely sacrificed their sense of smell to the evolutionary process of re-adapting to an aquatic life (cf. How Dolphins Lost their Sense of Smell by Stephen J. Godfrey), though recent research has shown that some whales (baleen whales) do, after all, have some remaining sense of smell (cf. Aquatic adaptation and the evolution of smell and taste in whales, by Takushi Kishida, J. G. M. Thewissen, Takashi Hayakawa, Hiroo Imai, and Kiyokazu Agata). Loss or diminution of sense of smell has entailed particular evolutionary adaptations (cf. Somatosensation, Echolocation, and Underwater Sniffing: Adaptations Allow Mammals Without Traditional Olfactory Capabilities to Forage for Food Underwater by Sarah Marriott, Emily Cowan, Jacob Cohen, and Robert M Hallock), and we may wonder what subtle adaptations we have made to the feebleness of our noses.     

The canine nose is more complex than our hominid noses, and the canine brain devotes more resources to processing scents than our brain does. A dog is primarily an olfactory being, in the way that we are primarily visual beings. Dogs also hear better than we do, and it has been this sensory complementarity that has made the relationship between human beings and dogs so effective—and so long lasting. We are their eyes, and they are our noses and ears.

I have often referenced the Thomas Nagel essay “What is it Like to Be a Bat?” (in Mortal Questions, Cambridge University Press, 1979; I have discussed this essay in, e.g., What is it like to be a serpent?). Bats are an interesting case because of the prominent role that echolocation plays in their experience, and, given that there is something that it is like to be a bat, what it is like to be a bat is likely constructed around the centrality of aural experience. Dogs are a similarly interesting case because of the prominent role that olfaction plays in their experience, and we would expect canine experience is constructed around the centrality of auditory experience, as human experience is largely constructed around the centrality of visual experience.

But while the human ability to smell is marginal compared to dogs, it can still play a significant role in our experience. The other day I was struck by the sequence of vivid scents that I encountered. I live on the Columbia River, and while some days the smell of the river is barely noticeable, when it is present, it is unmistakable—like being at the coast and smelling the unmistakable depth and complexity of the ocean air. The river is a smell of living water, like the ocean, but different. Absent is the salt air smell, and present in the smell of the muddy bank of the river, and all these presences and absences are mixed up with each other in a way that human language cannot convey, probably because human language is constructed around the centrality of visual experience, and our conceptual framework and vocabulary for olfactory experiences are impoverished.

Another example of the subtle mixtures of smells that came to mind when I thought of ocean in contrast to river smells is the difference between wood smoke from a fire built for heating and wood smoke from a fire that is used for cooking. Obviously, smoke mixed with cooking smells like food, and we are keenly orientated toward food as a survival instinct, but it is more than this, though what exactly makes it different I cannot say. Scents in this way exhibit the kind of complexity that we hear in spoken language, and which I attempted to describe in The Human Overview, though we are more able to parse the subtleties of language and its usage than scents and how they linger.

In any case, the other morning when the smell of the river came to me vividly, not long after I drove to work, and, as it was a nice day, I had the window wide open. I drove through a smell that I instantly recognized (if that is the right word for it) as one of the “good” smells of an industrialized city—like the cookie factory not far from my house, which makes the entire neighborhood smell like a bakery when the wind is blowing in the right direction, only in this case I knew it wasn’t the cookie factor—not long after followed by some of the “bad” smells of an industrialized city—the pungent odor of grease, oil, and other petrochemicals. There is also the smell of the city itself, apart from the odors of industrialization, and there is a generic city smell, and a smell peculiar to each city.

My day of vivid odors made me think of my recent post The Audible Universe, which I had written explicitly to contrast with the familiar idea of the visible universe with the idea of the audible universe. This project could be expanded to all five of the canonical senses recognized in Aristotle’s On the Soul, so that we might distinguish the visible universe, the audible universe, the scented universe, the tasted universe, and the tactile universe. Of course, we know that this canonical Aristotelian division of the senses is inadequate, and today we recognize “raw feels” such as are experienced as kinesthetic sensations and proprioception, and we know that other species not only have sensory organs that are sharper or duller than our own, but also entirely distinct senses, like the shark’s ability to sense electricity (electroreception) and a pit viper’s ability to sense infrared (cf. The Future of the Pit Viper).   

 We could add these varieties of raw feels to our catalog of observed worlds and speak, for example, of the kinesthetic universe, though just as we know that the traditional schematization of the senses is inadequate, so too we know that any single one of these perspectives on the world—visible, audible, or scented, etc.—is abstract when taken in isolation from the totality of experience in which it plays a role. That our knowledge of astronomy until relatively recently was entirely a matter of the visible universe probably has accounted for how we have conceived of the cosmos, whereas our conception of the night, in which we cannot see, so that we often conceive it in auditory terms—things that go bump in the night, as tradition would have it—is probably shaped by our relationship to hearing, which is different from our relationship to sight.  

While the scented world is, for us, often attenuated to the point of irrelevance, its intensity is, at times, overwhelming, as it was for me the other morning. And even when the scented world is not vivid, but is only in the background, perceived only at a subconscious level, it probably affects us more than we realize. Perhaps smell is one of the factors that most decisively differentiates lived experience from experience that has been rendered as scientific knowledge, because what we smell vividly affects us so deeply (as is to be expected from this remnant of the most primitive chemical signaling among organisms), dredging up memories and feelings long past, perhaps even suppressed, while the preconscious or unconscious experience of the background smells that constitute our world would be missed if they were not there, but are not noticed to be absent in formalized account of knowledge. The totality of experience in lived experience could be symbolically represented by the scented world, which reveals the formalization of experience in scientific knowledge as something less than totality of knowledge.  

[krinsbez]

GI Joe: Remixed, Vipers

OK, so..let's talk Vipers.

To begin with, here's Wikipedia's list of Cobra Trooper variations, for reference:

Air Devil - Acrobatic Aerial Assault Trooper

B.A.T.s - Cobra Battle Android Troopers

Cobra Blackstar - Cobra Elite Space Pilot

Cobra C.L.A.W.S. - Combat Light Armored Weapons Specialist; Heavy Weapons Trooper

Cobra Coils - High Speed Pursuit Vehicle Drivers; Cobra Tread Fire Driver

Cobra Eels - Cobra Frogman

Cobra H.I.S.S. Driver - Cobra H.I.S.S. Driver

Cobra Moray - Underwater Elite Trooper

Cobra Officer - Cobra Squad Leader

Cobra Stinger Driver - Cobra Stinger Driver

Cobra Soldier - Cobra Basic Infantry

Desert Scorpion - Cobra Desert Trooper

Incinerators - Cobra Flamethrowers

Lampreys - Cobra Moray Hydrofoil Pilot

Night Creepers - Cobra Mercenary Ninjas

Night Vulture - Cobra Air Recon Trooper

Sea Slugs - Cobra Sea Ray Pilot

Snow Serpent - Cobra Polar Assault

W.O.R.M.S. - Weapons Ordnance Rugged Machine Specialists; Cobra Maggot Driver

List of Viper variations

Aero-Viper - Condor Z25 pilot

Air-Viper - Cobra Air Force trainee

Alley Viper - Cobra urban assault trooper

Astro-Viper - Cobranaut

A.V.A.C. - Air-Viper, Advanced Class; Firebat pilot

Bio-Viper - amphibious Mega-Monster

Cyber-Viper - cybernetic officer

Desert-Viper - Cobra desert trooper

Elite-Viper - elite regiment officer

Fast Blast Viper - field combat

Flak-Viper - Cobra anti-aircraft trooper

Frag-Viper - Cobra grenade thrower

Gyro-Viper - Mamba pilot

Hazard-Viper - toxin specialist

H.E.A.T. Viper - High-Explosive, Anti-Tank; Cobra bazooka trooper

Heli-Viper - Cobra Battle Copter trooper

Hydro-Vipera - Cobra underwater elite trooper. Also known as the "demons of the deep"

Ice-Vipera - Cobra WOLF driver

Jungle-Viper - jungle assault trooper

Kitchen Viper - mentioned in the comics only; never actually seen

Laser-Viper - Cobra laser trooper

Medi-Viper - medical trooper [7]

Mega-Viper - Mega-Monster trainer

Monstro-Viper - savage Mega-Monster

Motor-Viper - Cobra Stun pilot

Nano-Viper - Cobra commando

Neo-Viper - officer/infantryman

Night-Viper - Cobra night fighter

Ninja-Viper - martial arts

Nitro-Viper - Detonator driver

Para-Viper - Cobra paratrooper

Pit-Viper - infiltration trooper

Range-Viper - Cobra wilderness trooper

Raptor-Viper [8] -

Red Ninja-Viper - ninja warrior

Rock-Viper - Cobra mountain trooper

Sand-Viper - desert infiltrator

S.A.W. Viper - Semi-Automatic Weapons; Cobra heavy machine gunner

Secto-Viper - Cobra Bugg driver

Shadow-Viper - counter intelligence

Shock-Viper - fire assault trooper

Sludge-Viper - Cobra hazardous waste Viper

Star-Viper - Cobra Stellar Stiletto pilot

Strato-Viper - Cobra Night Raven S³P pilot [9]

Street-Viper - urban combat trooper

Sub-Viper - underwater demolitions

Swamp-Viper - amphibious assault trooper

Techno-Viper - Cobra battlefield technician

Tele-Viper - Cobra communications

Terra-Viper - Cobra Mole Pod pilot

Toxo-Viper - Cobra hostile environment trooper

Track-Viper - H.I.S.S. II driver

Viper - Cobra infantry

Viper Guard - Cobra infantry

Viper Pilot - attack glider pilot

Now, it's important to note, contrary to their depiction in most media, in our take, Vipers are actually quite competent, being on par with the standard troops of most First World militaries. OTOH, Blueshirts get just enough combat training that they aren't completely useless on the battlefield; Blueshirts can, say, round-up civilians for slave labor, deal with anti-Cobra militias or vigilantes, or serve as security guards or the equivalent of uniformed police in Cobra-controlled areas, but are not expected to fight real soldiers. Rather, Blueshirts do all the other tasks a military needs to operate, although some specialized work is done by Vipers. Cobra recruits are first trained as Blueshirts, and can then apply for Viper training, but military vets are fast-tracked to the point that they can sometimes go straight to Viper training; said training program was designed by Big Boa and Major Bludd, the latter of whom is considered the father of the Viper program, and is idolized by most Vipers. Big Boa is less beloved mostly because he's actively involved in their training and he has no qualms about injuring, maiming, or even killing his trainees.

Anyways, in general, a Viper outranks a Blueshirt, but a Blueshirt Officer outranks a Viper, and is in turn outranked by a Viper Officer; this isn't really a hard and fast rule though, as Cobra's command structure is deliberately fluid. Somewhat similarly, Specialist-Vipers don't technically outrank regular Vipers, but their skills are more valuable to Cobra, so...Each cadre of Specialist-Vipers has it's own leader (or sometimes leader) who get their own name, but generally still wear their cadre's uniform, and are therefore subordinate to those who have names and custom uniforms. Generally. Sometimes several cadres will also answer to another, higher named/uniformed officer specifically (EG all the pilots report to Wild Weasel; Toxo-, Hazard-, and Sludge-Vipers are under Cesspool; Tele-, Techno-, and Medi-Vipers report to Dr. Mindbender, all naval personnel report to She-Wolf, a pseudo-OC who will be discussed later) Beyond this, there's no strict rank structure involved; if you can get people to follow your orders, you're in charge, and if you kill a superior you're just as apt to be given his job as punished. (note that @Night_stalker has created many Specialist-Viper Leaders for us, though some already existed, but I’m not sure how to post ‘em here)

Many Specialist-Vipers not only receive specialized training, but also are given drugs or some form of surgical modification (such as those given to Strato-Vipers to enhance their reflexes and resistance to G-forces) or enhancements (such as the Hydro-Vipers' implanted gills) or both to make them better at their jobs; these often have long-term negative side effects (which is why, despite grumbling from the Jugglers, Gens. Austin and Hawk refuse to reverse-engineer for American use some of Mindbender's Feel-No-Pain Juice or Not-Get-Tired Pills or whatever), but Cobra doesn't care. They also get a hefty dose of extra indoctrination, which of course, includes brainwashing.

Given Cobra Commander's divide-and-conquer approach to management, and the general backstab-happy nature of Cobra, it should not be surprising that inter-service rivalry between Specialist-Viper cadres is encouraged. In addition, many cadres have developed their own unique subcultures, a sampling of which follows:

-You will note that several of the above categories appear redundant. Sometimes they are (EG Sand-Vipers and Desert Scorpions), because see above vis a vis CC's management style, other times not For example, Hazard-Vipers are trained professionals in dealing with hazardous materials, Toxo-Vipers are grunts who handle the manual labor portion of dealing with hazmat stuff under the direction of the Hazard-Vipers (thus decreasing the odds of something untoward happening to a valuable specialist). Being a Toxo-Viper is (usually) a temporary assignment which regular troops will be given as a punishment detail, while Sludge-Vipers are an elite cadre of Hazard-Vipers who work directly under Cesspool, and deal with the creation and use of Plasmatox. Additionally, Incinerators are specifically flamethrower guys while the Shock-Vipers deal with incendiary ordinance in general. There are also examples where it's a bit of both, for instance while Alley-Vipers are heavy shocktroopers trained/equipped specifically for urban combat, the Street-Vipers are a sub-division of the Elite-Vipers for same.

-At some point, the Medi-Vipers became a cult devoted to Asclepius, the Ancient Greek God of medicine and notable snake enthusiast, though obviously they diverge quite heavily from the historical Cult of Asclepius. They are quite feared by other Cobras, because (thanks to  @Night_stalker) “on the field, while they'll patch you up, it's more like a ‘Stop bleeding to death and get back to work! FOR COBRA!’, instead of the nice calming normal medic you get, and off the field, they're the guys who implant mods, and pick Dr. Mindbender's experimental subjects.” Note that they are not fond of Dr. Mindbender, because they're the ones who have to clean up the mess when his experiments go awry.

-It is commonly believed by other Vipers that the Range-Vipers are cannibals. This is somewhat unfair; while yes, they're less squeamish about the idea of eating human flesh than normal people, it's still something they'd only do as a last resort.

-Hydro-Vipers are not actually fish-people, and they get really pissed off when you call them that.

-The Pilot-Vipers have picked up Wild Weasel's belief that pilots are a superior breed, and this attitude is only heightened in the Aero-, Heli-, Strato-, and Star-Vipers, who all consider themselves superior to the other Pilot-Vipers; they still basically worship the ground Wild Weasel walks on, though.

-The Tele-Vipers basically live on meth, adderall, and caffeinated energy drinks.

-Every Viper Pilot wants to be an AVAC. The AVACs think their erstwhile comrades are saps, because it actually sucks.

-Since most Hydro-Vipers used to be Morays, and the Morays used to be Eels, they get along pretty well. Ditto the Sub-Vipers. They have nothing but contempt for the Sea Slugs, Lampreys, and other aquatic vehicle pilots.

-Snow Serpents consider Ice-Vipers traitors for cross-training with the Eels.

-Techno- and Tele-Vipers have a notably bitter feud, but also have a sort of "y'all are pitiful scrubs inferior to the Glorious Software/Hardware (remove whichever inappropriate) Master Race, but at least you're better than the rest of these knuckle-dragging ignorami" thing going on towards the other Vipers