#phoenix from the flames

[vintage-tigre]

[phoenix-before-the-flame]

Flame's Desire by kiliinstinct

"No longer was it just the heat of his own fire, tempting her to release whatever barriers that had been placed upon her. In the seconds that spanned in that brief eternity, her magic answered the call, washing over her in a blinding flash, almost drowning out Natsu's before balancing out. A brilliant, soft glow mixed with the flames and arose around them like their own, personal night sky of twinkling yellows and sparkling orange embers." - excerpt taken from chapter 20

Hey Rougie look i'm finally doing up those chap covers 👉😎👉

[Series Cover] [chapter 20 cover] [chapter 26 cover]

[blade-liger-4ever]

What if....Smokescreen became a Prime in S3?

(Stealing slightly from MiniKoontzy's Fire of Youth fanfic, but also just trying to make it my own. Also, pretend with me that Breakdown lived, joined the 'Bots, and maybe Dreadwing remains alive with the 'Cons for now.)

First of all, Optimus would likely die somewhere between part four and five, and Smokescreen has to quickly hold off on his grief (after a bit of tears and sobs) when Optimus appears in a vision to encourage him to take the Matrix, as he has been deemed worthy by the Matrix and the Thirteen (also note, mixing and matching canon a bit here on out.)

Smokescreen does as he's told, but is forced to undergo some painful upgrades to better combat the threats facing his team. Coming to after being upgraded by the Primes, he finds that he's as tall as S3 Optimus was with slightly less muscle, and when on solid ground again discovers he has a unique beast alt mode: a dragon with the flexible and aquatic capable body of a tiger, the wings of an eagle, serrated claws on his paws, wolf-like teeth, and a whip thin tail with a small clutter of spikes at the end. Onyx quickly fills him in on his new abilities - namely that he can fly faster than any human jet, was given strength enough to combat Megatron and the Predacon, blue fire-breath, and the ability to ignite himself with blue flames to heal/better defend himself.

After getting the flying maneuvers down with Onyx's aid, Smokescreen - now called Antares Prime - takes off for Darkmount, his grief and rage (like the rest of his personality, having been strengthened and increased) now bordering on animalistic. It takes his own effort as well as that of Optimus and Onyx's to keep himself from killing Megatron right away, though he finds himself feeling marginally better when he and Ultra Magnus bring down the tower.

Once returned to Hanger E, Antares feels uncertainty and fear gnaw at him as he stands just on the edge outside of the building in 'Bot mode. He sees them all - Ratchet, Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Arcee, Breakdown, Wheeljack, Magnus, and even his old former classmate and best friend, Red Alert - but aside from Red, Breakdown, Bulkhead, and Wheeljack, he feels isolated. Alone.

When questioned by the senior medic, who quickly deduces the identity of the new Prime, Antares informs them all of what happened: How Optimus remained behind and he went back for him, how he desperately tried to preserve his life, how he'd gotten the Forge of Solus Prime, how he was too late to save him, and how the Matrix chose him as Optimus' successor. He waits, holding his breath, watching for their reactions.

Arcee is the one who loses it.

She practically howls at him, that Optimus chose the rookie to replace him, that he didn't move fast enough, that he should've done more, or even died instead of Optimus. Antares makes no move, feeling guilty of every conviction she throws against him, until memories from the Matrix surface as Onyx's wrath and remembrance surge forward into Antares' mental vision -

He sees Arcee disobey Optimus and nearly cost Fowler his life. He sees the results of both her actions and Jack's, and how Vince - whom Smokescreen had twice playfully pranked to get even for Jack and teach the bully a lesson in humility - was nearly captured and killed because of her pride. He sees Optimus attempt in vain time after time to stop her and get her to listen about seeking revenge against Airachnid.

Antares sees it all...and he doesn't know how much of the wrath he feels is his or Onyx's.

He silences the two-wheeler and all who are trying to stop her with a swing of his arm and a bellowed, "SELFISH HYPOCRITE!!"

All voices cease, and as righteous fury burns in his stomach, Antares feels his body ignite with flame. Realizing his anger, hearing Optimus' pleas and heeding his own desire for peace, he just as quickly snaps his arm back to his chest, clutching the limb as steam pours off of his frame.

Hissing, reigning in the temper that has so uncharacteristically taken him over, Antares manages to regain control before glaring at Arcee.

But his blue eyes glow with fire, and another voice seems to speak alongside his own:

"You claimed for months I was a risk to Jack Darby's safety, and a tactical liability. Yet all I did was attempt to bring some form of good performance on the field to the team, and even as overzealous and thoughtless as I was, I never once disobeyed Optimus. And the one time I did, I did so for his sake rather than my own. I watched him creep ever closer to death, helpless to do anything but ease his pain and worries. And now - now, I see through the Matrix, through the Prime with all forms of sight, revered for his sense of justice, and overseer of the dead - that you, YOU put more lives in danger of death than I ever did. You consistently put your own needs and desires above the team, above Jack's safety, and above Optimus' concerns. You've no right to judge him whose orders you persistently disregarded, least of all when he was on the verge of joining the AllSpark. I am your superior, Arcee. Your Prime. I care not for apologies. As Smokescreen, I reached out to you, yet you swatted my servo aside. I will fight with you as your leader, your fellow soldier - but we will never be more than comrades on the field. Do I make my point clear?"

There's a heavy, cowed silence in the room as Arcee - who had taken a few steps back at Antares' fury - stares at him in dull shock and conflicted emotions. Bulkhead is the first to speak, assuring the young Prime that they understand, and with his prompting, she reluctantly concedes. Antares' gaze, when landing on the green Wrecker, softens ever so slightly, and straightening, he suggests they all recover before he retrieves Optimus' remains and the Forge in the morning.

Tired, angry, and quietly frightened, Antares leaves for another corner of the airfield, unable and unwilling to face his team.

But the sound of running pedes, as familiar as his newly recognized scent is strange, makes the Prime's fast pace slow. A voice calling out his name, his old name, makes him freeze. And when Red Alert stops behind him, asking to talk to him, it causes Antares to rapidly revisit his old memories. Soon, he turns to face his best friend, who sees the heartbroken, grief-stricken look on his face as, with a hitch, Smokescreen speaks to him quietly:

"I watched him slip away...But Red, I - I wasn't there with him. He died alone - alone, and I should have, should've -"

He squeezes his optics closed, voice hitching. In half a second, Red Alert has embraced his friend, and Antares can't help but practically collapse into his arms, the grief and sadness too much. Red Alert holds him, sharing his pain and shedding tears of his own alongside his Prime, his best friend.

And during a lull, Antares hoarsely whispers, "Everything is too big. My emotions, my frame, and my rage - Primus Red, I nearly killed Megatron and the rest like an animal -"

"Hey, calm down," Red Alert soothes, pulling back enough to look at him. "Look at me, Antares."

The use of his Prime name makes him focus on the combat medic, and with a gentle firmness, he assures, "I know it's a lot to accept, and even more to adjust to. But you were always the fast learner of our class. You aced more often than you got into trouble fighting with the slackers, and I know for a fact that you'll get the hang of this. And if it's too much, if you're really that scared of your new coding, I'll help you, though you might need to talk to Onyx - and if he's listening, he'd better know he should help or I'll find a way to make him help."

The threat, so genuinely backed by severity as it is playfulness, makes Antares laugh. How he missed Red Alert and his hidden humor! How he missed his steady presence and reassuring words!

In that moment, he makes his first true decision as a Prime, clarified and agreed upon by Red Alert: the combat medic, when not on the field or otherwise tending the injured, is his doctor and confidante. He'll need a friend by his side, one who knows him and his physical needs/past, and who he can trust when the burdens he's bearing become too much for him.

The next day, he leaves for the cavern where Optimus and the Forge reside, taking Ratchet with him for the mission. Together, they find a place in Wyoming to bury him, and both 'Bots take a moment to grieve the loss of their leader and friend before taking their leave. During this time, Antares finds himself feeling a more genuine friendship opening up between himself and Ratchet, though they both recognize that it will never be what they each had with Optimus.

Once the task is complete, Antares takes a day to familiarize himself with the 'Bots now under his command and the situation they're now in. He realizes that while he joined them, only Optimus and Bulkhead were truly his friends from the original squad - and even then, Bulkhead took a great deal of time to become remotely fond of him. However, Breakdown is the one who never abused him during his tenure on Team Prime. As a matter of fact, Breakdown respected and appreciated him, normally engaging in friendly banter and training with him when they weren't on missions. Knowing he needs a link to Optimus' crew and someone who he can feel secure with in his inner circle, Antares privately chooses the former 'Con as his connection to the others and, recalling his higher rank back then and the records he read, elevates Breakdown to the status of lieutenant among their ranks.

Now, he considers who shall be his tactical officers - and prays it won't end disastrously.

It takes a while to organize it, in part because of their past, but Antares convinces Ultra Magnus to be his second-in-command while Wheeljack - who had once been a high ranking Wrecker - will be his first officer. There's lots of tension and a few playground insults, but Antares convinces them with bridled frustration to put the past aside on account of his need for their tactical expertise. He explains that he was no leader in the past, and he'll need their counsel to find both sound strategy and flexible adaptability in order to better lead the Autobots. Wheeljack was always rather fond of Smokescreen, respecting his eagerness and quick-thinking, and thus promises to be on his best behavior - though he also notes that he can't guarantee all will be sunshine, rainbows, and unicorn farts between him and Magnus.

Antares chuckles at the perfectly befuddled look on the commander's expression. "That's all I ask. For now," he notes, smile returning to a controlled look of blank acceptance. "Keep me posted on updates from 'Con activity, and while you're at it, work with Ratchet to locate energon deposits. For this week, I'll be working with the Thirteen and Red Alert on - heh, 'taming the beast'."

With that, he turns and leaves for the airfield, and both senior officers do not miss the seriousness that has overcome their new leader.

As the week passes, all is quiet. No Decepticon activity is recorded, and a few energon deposits are found and quickly raided. The only disturbance is of Antares practicing with his new beast mode, his control and focus steadily becoming greater as Red Alert helps him in some combat maneuvers via a holographic training projector he had on him when arriving on Earth. At the same time, Onyx slowly teaches him how to suppress the primal instincts his new form has, and when to merge them with rational thought to improve performance in the field.

But despite this success, all the Autobots take note of Antares' unusual restraint. He smiles slightly and makes a few sarcastic comments, but they seem more somber, and almost deprecating. It causes them to worry, and even Breakdown and Wheeljack's attempts to lighten his mood in their free time is met with assurances that all is well. Red Alert, though he has ideas of his own for bringing Smokescreen out of his shell a bit, hopes someone can be found to better the process, as there's only so much he can do.

Optimus feels the same way, and on the following Sunday, when Antares suffers another bout of nightmares, the fallen Prime searches the airfield for a suitable friend and mentor to his successor.

His search leads him to the barracks as a young man - mentally and physically older than Smokescreen, yet still youthful - awakes and feels the safe, gentle presence of the Prime that he does not recall falling asleep to the previous night.

His dog tags reveal his name and rank to be Sergeant First Class Franklin Talltree, although the young Navajo introduces himself as Airborne.

Though the human cannot see it, Optimus Prime smiles.

To be continued....

[sovaghoul]

Tumblr dot com has been recommending me new (at least to me) Ghost fanartists and so many of them are using "Sodo Ghoul" in their tags and even in their images and I am at my fucking limmies about it bro

[leota-nexus]

GUESS WHO'S BACK

BACK AGAIN

[captainsavre]

- Bishop, you were suspended for insubordination and breaking protocols. If you think that you can get out of that by crying sexism... - I'm not crying sexism, sir. I am shining a light on it in the hopes of creating real change. (...) My team won't accept my demotion, Sir. I don't accept it. I work too hard for my job and I am too damn good at it. Plus, it is my wedding day, so you don't get to steal my job or my joy, at least not without a fight. Maya Bishop || Station 19 - 5.01 Phoenix From The Flame

[notthemonthbutmarch]

Small Natlan theory for your consideration

So Mavuika definitely looks like Himeko, but is also based on the Māori fire deity Mahuika. Mahuika is the little sister of a goddess named Hine-nui-te-pō, who’s the goddess of the night and receives spirits when they die.

In Natlan, there’s a place called the Night Kingdom and currently the Abyss is invading— which will negatively affect Natlan proper as well. The competition also has a thing called the Pilgrimage where contests seemingly go to the Night Kingdom and race to the exit, and if they fail to make it out in time they kinda just stay there?

Death also isn’t final in Natlan, instead they go into the Scared Flame, so it seems like for Natlan there’s something else that contributes to death. Something like a goddess… mayhaps?

What I’m saying is if Mavuika is based on Mahuika and Genshin and has all these extra elements to death, then that means a Hine-nui-te-pō is possibly also canon.

And if Mavuika looks like Himeko, then is it possible that Hine-nui-te-pō could look like Kiana Kaslana?

[secondgenerationparrothead]

batten down the hatches we're predicting a category 9 fandom event here folks

[heartonxions]

Onion did i read that last post right and u have an oc named Duppy

Would like to nknow for reasons 👀

I DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! his real name is actually dusty but i call him duppy and dupy half the time because i have a problem......

she's aroace.. and autistic... and also i wrote in gajevy into her universe but only as her imaginary friends due to #trauma because duppy was self-insert (NOT REALLY.. BUT ALSO KIND OF) character i made for a play for my creative writing group.... i also drew her boob2boobs with gajeel in a rugby au or something porbably... you can look in her character tag!!!!!!!!!!

[torgawl]

just remembered diluc and crepus' names mean dawn and dusk respectively... biting my fist

[hollowflight-propaganda]

I'm such a bystander when it comes to furry vn stuff because all I do is read the source material and then maybe look at some fanart. You can tell that I love Echo, but that's really all I do when it comes to interacting with the fandom. So whenever I hear that there's Furry Drama™ it feels like I'm sitting in a lawn chair and eating popcorn while watching a building burn to the ground

[brdcge]

making my bnha kyojuro a sorta phoenix ...

[lillazyboithings]

So for context, back in the first day of 10th grade, I gave my crush/closest friend ever a bracelet that I bought for him during my province's annual week-long festival, it was a black and blue weaved bracelet that closes when you pull the strings together.

He didn't know how to take those types of bracelets off easily and at some point he got the bracelet stuck on his wrist and after a while of being pulled on just to take it off, the bracelet finally broke, tied it, got it stuck on his wrist again, then it broke again from what he told me.

I wanted to tell him that he should've just given up on the bracelet and put it away somewhere but at the same time I was really touched that he tried to fix it and still kept it even if it was broken... probably lost in his house but he still kept it and that really warms my heart.

Then again it's a miracle it actually lasted as long as it did considering his track record of shit he loses...still love him tho-

TL;DR: boy I like, like, full blown like, still kept a bracelet I gave him after it literally broke bc his smart dumbass didn't know how to take it off easily and I'm over here just lovestruck like cupid hit me with his arrow again

[cloudyfenrir]

@phoenix-flamed || cont.

When the voice spoke up behind him, the android looks over to Elwin. Blue eyes turn green for a flash as he confirms who he's talking to, his system has an archive of the current directors in the event he becomes lost and needs to know who he can talk to.

[Hello, Mr. Rosfield. What is the miniature planet for?] CLOUD greets, his tone a bit stiff as he's yet to learn how to emote with his voice, he hasn't really learnt how to smile yet but his curiosity is evident by his widened eyes. With that the android looks back to Elwin's desk, intrigued by the small globe once more although curious eyes scan the desk for any more interesting gadgets. The android does want to learn more about the computer on his desk, sadly he's forbidden from touching computers after he somehow switched the vice president's laptop to Wutaian during a meeting. Wasn't a good first impression of the android project.

[bestboygav]

For @phoenix-flamed who gets a random starter!

The sound of fire crackling as wood burned was music to Gav’s ears as he came back to the campsite. It was a rather chilly night, but that didn’t mean he could neglect his duties as the team's scout. A slight shiver ran down his spine as he moved closer to the fire, wanting to bask in its warmth before needing to head out again. August was still regaling the newly freed bearers with tales of their previous exploits. The other Cursebreakers were off getting as much sleep as they could before it was time to move again; or switch out with him, so he could get a bit of sleep himself. 

Normally he would be fine with a few minutes rest here and there, but this mission had dragged on a few more days than they’d planned. The exhaustion was starting to pile up on all of them, but he tried to not show it as best he could. Moving past August - he just wanted to rest his mind and not have to join in on the storytelling - he decided to try his luck sitting closer to Miles. Once seated, he held his hands out towards the fire, letting his palms get close enough to warm, but not get burned. 

“Cid’ll probably have another mission waitin’ for us when we get back,” he said, bringing his now burning hot palms up to his cheeks to help ease the chill in his face. Growing up in the Northern Territories didn’t make him immune to the cold, unfortunately. “Should probably get as much rest now as you can.” 

Gav didn’t know much about Miles, honestly. Knew he was good with a sword and could hold his own in a fight, if the past few days had shown him anything. But that was really it. He was curious, of course, but he wouldn’t try to pry into his personal life. Not many Cursebreakers liked talking about their pasts. Not that he could blame them; he had a few skeletons in his own closet, and sometimes talking just made it worse.

Normal, brief conversations should be fine, though. Especially to keep himself from dozing off. It wasn’t often he worked in such a large group, so he was a little more on edge than normal. Well, he had been, until he’d sat down. Glancing up at the moon, he tried to place its position in the sky to determine the time. Surely a few more minutes in front of the warm flames would be fine since they were out of enemy territories. To at least warm the rest of his chilled bones before going back out into the cold, dark night.

[musesofchaos]

"Happy birthday, Aunt Sakura." Ame wasn't one for birthdays but he was trying to fix that for the sake of his family. However, he didn't know what to get his aunt so only got her a birthday card. It was basic but it was a start.

"Oh!" Sakura smiles at her nephew, taking the card gently. "Thank you, Ame, this is very sweet of you! Would you like to stay over for Dinner? We're having pasta!"