#salamander babies have rights too

[lukerycyja]

How to take care of your funny looking dog tutorial

Paring: zhongli x reader (platonic)

Summary: you find this funny looking dog during a hunt in the mountains and decide that you won't kill him for meat but instead take care of it.

Warnings: description of wounds, hunting, some blood, reader isn't vegetarian, female reader

@zhongrin tis one for u

The mountainside was uncharacteristically cold this year. The winds blew and snow fell few times and it was only the beginning of the autumn. You could tell, that this winter will be a challenge to survive.

Your hands hurt as your fingertips let go of the arrow. However, the pain was worth the wait.

Preparations for winter for somebody living in solitude in the mountains is never easy. There was a lot of unpleasant surprises and challenges to overcome just to survive. And since this winter wouldn't be merciful, you had to do double amount of work.

This catch would be the last of today. Since dragons already left for the winder, escaping from the cold, there was plenty of prey roaming around, getting as much food as possible. Only during early spring and autumn the vast terrain controlled by the dragons was suddenly deprived of most predators, causing a lot of animals to venture along the mountainside.

As you approach what you though was a big brown salamander that somehow could run fast on land, you stopped abruptly. It was not a salamander like one you could see in the ponds in the caves.

This lizard had small horns and dirty, glued together fur. It also had small, yellow and standing scales along its back. And of course tuft of dirty, torn of once probably yellow fur at the end of its tail. Was it some mix of one of those illuminated beasts you heard once? It looked too scrawny and small for a dragon, with longer body. Besides, they already left. Your arrow pierced its tail and lizard got stuck while running away, with arrow getting it stuck between some fallen branches.

Little guy struggled a little more but it quickly run out of energy, now breathing heavily and looking at you with wide eyes. It's trembling and quiet whines made it look more pathetic.

You could tell, that while looking chubby and soft, it was definitely underweight. It scales dull and greyish in colour almost completely with no shine. It looked so pathetic that you couldn't bring yourself to finish it. Besides, there was little to no meat on it anyways.

"Hey there bud" you said in calm, quiet voice, slowly moving towards it "I'm not going to hurt you... at least not anymore"

You tried to not look into its eyes and crouching to make yourself look smaller and less intimidating. You didn't know if it worked, but you knew that jumping onto the poor thing would only make it worse.

It only could wiggle and whine as you finally got to it.

You knew that once you freed it, it would probably run away and die.

"I know you are scared, but I can't let you run little buddy. I will have to take you and make sure you heal, okay?" You felt stupid talking to an animal, but oh well.

It's not like there was anyone in the mountains anyways. Besides, that little lizard looked more and more cute. Maybe after you healed it you could keep it as pet if it accepted you?

"Okay. Let's make a contract. I will take you home and heal you and you will get some delicious meal and a warm bed. You just don't run now, right?"

Your baby talk somehow worked. But most likely lizard just couldn't move because of exhaustion. Oh well, at least for some time you will have a company, or so you hoped.

Picking it up, it only squeaked and quietly whined, weakly wiggling against your hold. It stopped quickly and instead shook as you rolled it in your scarf. Making sure that your little buddy was safe and sound, and that the arrow wasn't able to move, you adjusted your bag with previous prey on your shoulder and started walking home.

You decided to baby talk to your companion to try and comfort it a little, or at least so it can get used to your voice. You did that with your chickens, baby goats and cats and they all seemed to like it. Hopefully lizards liked this as well, although you suspected it more soothed you than it. You still decided to take it as positive.

Yellows turned into oranges and browns, as leaves of sandbearer trees lost lively golden colour and started to die and fall. Some cuihua trees still had ripe sunsetias on their branches that crimson foxes and squirrels tried to collect. You already got more than enough of those, only waiting now for the walnuts. You were sure that you could get them in the next week or so.

And you still had to get down to the village to get that donkey that you purchased, before any snow or rain fell, as mudslides weren't to be messed with. You returned home once after rain and you could dig mud out of your hair and ears for weeks.

Shuddering at the unpleasant memory, you carefully stepped over the line bridge above the stream that in the spring turned into roaring river. You will have to remember to remake it it the spring, as you could tell that it won't make it through winter.

Your little buddy reacted to sudden swaying on the bridge, and whined, trying to bury itself further into your scarf. You could only coo at it and hold it tighter as petting it now was rather easy way to loose a finger or two.

After stepping on the solid ground again you made sure, that it's as okay as it can be, and started walking again, this time faster, as it was getting colder and darker by the second, and you did not want to be caught by the night winds. During autumn their bites were the most painful and unpredictable.

Seeing swaying light of a lone lantern that you set up today warmed your cold body. You couldn't wait to finally cook dinner and light up the fire. And warm bath was a need, considering how dirty you got during hunting and gathering.

And also taking care of your little friend. He needed your attention first.

Walking by your chickens and goats that were returning to their safe abode, you finally made it to your house. Core structure was made with geo constructs by a geo vision wielder that you paid a rather hefty sum of gold and minerals. He didn't take mountain people currency, so you had to give him most of your precious finds from the trips. But it was worth it. Rock was able to withstand the strongest of elements and you didn't have to worry about it crumbling for your entire lifetime.

Warm air and smell of various spices hit your nostrils as you finally closed the door behind you and ventured into the kitchen. Setting down the scarf cocoon you apologized to it, as you heard it's whimper at being moved even more. You quickly set fire under the fireplace and set the bag of gathered food and herbs on the counter, caking off your outside clothes at the same time. Once ready, you pulled out your handy healing bag and started to remove layers of fabric from the small lizard.

As you slowly set it on the table and uncurled it to the full length, you realized that it definitely wasn't a normal lizard but at the same time it was longer and thinner than normal dragon hatchlings. It had horns sure, but it looked as if someone stretched it too much. Regaldles of what it was, you wanted to help it as much as you could.

You pulled out clay bowl and got some water from the bucket standing by the brick stove. You thanked your past self for getting water from the river in the morning so it wasn't freezing and got to work washing your little buddy. He didn't even flinch, and you noticed that he probably passed out from the exhaustion and pain. Poor thing.

As you scrubbed it's scales and fur, you noticed a lot more minor injuries and missing scales. What worried you were the teeth marks very similar to those of a dragon hatchling. Was your little friend bullied and that's why it was so weak?

After cleaning it and its wounds, and getting your own arrow back, you rolled him (yes, you checked it's gender and basing on the look of the scales of his lower stomach and your limited knowledge, it looked like it was male (you can check the gender of a snake by looking how its tail looks, thinker and smaller are females, but i decided to just give dragons something similar but different because why not) in some clean cloth and put him by the fireplace to warm him up.

You then decided to make a meal for yourself and something light for him to munch on so he could get his strength back. Also, you need to stop trying to call him just "him". He needs a name if you will keep him around for a few weeks. But what would even fit him?

You prepared an herb stew for yourself and some light chicken broth for your new temporary pet. You saw that after a while little cocoon started to wiggle around and you guessed that he was hungry for sure, seeing how thin he was.

Putting a small bowl near his snout you heard rustling and quiet whine. He blinked slowly and looked at you with golden eyes, pupils blown wide. It sniffed the bowl and after a short while is wiggled closer to it. You already moved backwards, to not scare it more. You smiled, seeing as it stick out it's forked tounge and dipped it in the broth. There was silence for a few seconds and then it started to slowly drink from the bowl.

You muffled your chuckle as it ate as if someone would take the meal away from him. You could name him after some food, that would be funny. But you wanted his name to be unique. Oh well you will have to try and find something in the old stone tablets that you found not so long ago in the cave.

Leaving the kitchen after making sure he was okay, you left to close the chickens and goats, as well as to finally prepare your catches for long process to make them survive the winter and not poison you.

After you finally washed your bloody hands and returned to the kitchen to get prepared buckets of water that you needed for a bath, you noticed that lizard was curled up tightly, only slightly visible from the pile of cloth and sleeping soundly. You smiled and proceeded to leave it for the night, hoping that it won't destroy your kitchen during the night.

Laying down you could only wonder on how would life change during his short stay with you.

* 1. Name him after his look in some ancient language, because it's funny *

Waking up was not easy, especially when it was only getting colder and colder outside. Knowing you have to get out and feed your animals and open the gates for them already made you feel cold. And let's not even mention getting water and breakfast ready and the dreaded journey to the Hua village. It would take you all day, and dragging that donkey back wouldn't be easy, but he would protect your animals from any stray dog or mountain dog. So it was worth it. If only that could make you move...

Stretching, you got up and reached into the bowl of water on the nightstand to wash your face. Cold water woke you up forther and you got yourself ready for the day.

As you walked into the kitchen you saw that the bundle where your little buddy was sleeping was empty. Thinking that he escaped you sighed at the site of empty pot that had the chicken broth in yesterday. It was empty and oily paw prints made you understand who made the mess. Following the trail, you turned away from the door, as it lead further into your home, into your study room.

As you entered, you were met with... interesting sight.

Lizard still in the bandages and some dust and fat around its mouth was looking at you with big eyes. It seemed as you caught it eating your collection of cor lapis.

Literal rock cor lapis.

There was a minute of silence and stillnes as you looked at eachother. You stunned and he scared.

Then he spat out some of the crushed cor lapis from his mouth.

You bursted out laughing, the scene in front of you was just so ridiculous that you couldn't keep it in you. And he just looked at you and curled up on himself, becoming basically round and you just couldn't stop your giggles. He was so adorable!

Suddenly a name popped into your head. Morax. Which in the language of the north merchant that you met long ago meant round. In other languages it didn't meant anything, but you didn't care. It sounded like a name and was funny. So Morax it is.

After you calmed down and were able to stand up again, you grabbed the little troublemaker and felt his full tummy under your fingers. You had no idea that his stomach was so big to fit so much. That was definitely gonna be a good day.

* 2. Let it steal heat from your body and feed it your best minerals. Be careful, he can bite! *

Storm blew wind in the background as you worked on sewing your new blanket. Some time passed since you welcomed Morax in your home and it didn't look like he wanted to leave you anytime soon. You made him a bed out of an old crate and some soft blankets and furs you had laying around. He loved it and apparently loved you, because he wouldn't you alone. Like ever.

He followed you outside and since it got cold and there was snow falling sometimes, he would climb on you and hide under your scarf. Also, during these five weeks together że was getting slower and sleepier. You guessed that his dragon part, since he couldn't migrate, was preparing for hibernation.

Morax was a dragon, just not a full blooded dragon.there was something else mixed there, but you weren't sure what. It didn't bother you, but you could only guess how that will impact his behaviour. Hopefully he won't be too big otherwise you will have a problem. Being part dragon made sure that he would be big, yes, but you hoped that the other parts weren't too big.

You also regularly fed him cor lapis, as he was really fond of it for some reason. Although you had to be careful, because little beast was so eager that he often bit your fingers as well, trying to eat as fast as he could. You figured that this was a result of other dragons bullying him.

He also gained weight because of your care. His scales became shiny brown and he gained weight as well as grew. Now he was as heavy as half filled bucket of water. Which was a lot for such a small animal. He was now chubby and when he sat on the edge of your table, instead of making a loop with his body, he looked round. But you didn't mind at all. He looked cute and healthy now, and you knew that dragon hatchlings had a lot of chub.

As you were just finishing the last stitch, Morax decided that he had enough of playing around with a ball of unused thread that you made for him and went back to his bed. You yawned and decided to go to sleep. Blowing the candles and making sure fire wouldn't spread from the fireplace, you petted Morax one last time and went to bed.

After laying down and making sure that you were fully covered, you finally rested after the long day. Although you couldn't even fully close your eyes before you heard a quiet mewl. Morax sometimes made this sound, so you didn't mind. But the soft and quick footsteps were unexpected. He never left bed when he went to sleep. Not until sunrise.

When you felt the bed dipping and a small huffs near your right ear, you stilled. He never did that before. Yes, he trusted you to some degree, but despite being rather cuddly and letting you pet him, he was careful.

With great difficulty he finally climbed onto your bed and made his way under the covers. After achieving that, he snuggled into your chest and neck and after positioning himself, let out a quiet huff and started purring.

You melted at his actions and let yourself fall asleep, content and happy.

* 3. He can turn into a more human baby *

Warm sunrays tickled your face, as you walked out of your house on the middle of the spring. Some villagers were travelling and asked you for directions. And as a mountain hermit you lacked human contact, so you started a conversation that was becoming longer and longer. And your little (well, now not so little anymore) buddy was becoming more and more restless after you closed him in the house so the villagers wouldn't run away.

Morax was looking though the small window as you interacted with other two legged things like you. And he didn't like it at all.

And yet he understood that you wanted to be with your kind. He understood because that was what he wanted before his own kin banished him from the nest, his parents watching as his siblings chased him away, not sparing bites and scratches.

He remembered how hard it was to survive in the wild. And he remembered how you found him and took care of him. How your food was warm and tasted strangely delicious, how you gave him his tasty rock treats, how you starched behind his ears and how you let him sleep with you. You were his real parent, his family. And he wanted to be a part of yours.

He felt his small body getting hotter and his elemental energy draining. But he had to, he had to fit in more. He didn't want you to stop loving him. He wouldn't let it happen again.

His energy finally drained and he was very sleepy. He lost consciousness as he made a weak sound, crying out to you to come to him.

You heard a sound coming out from your home, and bid goodbye to the villagers. When you returned you could only stare in shock at the small child with Morax' features sleeping next to your sink. It had small horns, pointy ears, scales along its spine and chubby tail. You also noticed that its hands and feet had dark talons and it had weird, glowing tattoos.

"Morax?" You asked weakly.

It seemed like those above gave you a child.

[m1ssunderstanding]

Understanding Lennon McCartney Rewatch Part 4.1

This is embarrassing but I'm actually so obsessed with the first five minutes of this episode that I've got it bookmarked in my YouTube account. It's just so perfect!

“Say you don't looooove him, my salamander. Then why did you neeeeeeed him? Ono don't answer.” He genuinely thinks need and love are the same and I really hope he's got therapy for that messed up mindset by now.

Officially honored as the most successful musical composer and recording artist of all time. That damn well better be mentioned in his movie. And people still don't take him seriously. But also. John definitely smashed his TV.

I'm screaming. I love Linda the promoter so fucking much!! Interviewer: I knew a lot of your records had went gold and platinum and– Linda: a lot of them? All of them! Ugh I wish she was still with him now.

And then THIS! “What really happened between you and John?” As the first notes to “I Will Survive” play. It's too good. Everyone has to go watch that bit right now.

Linda coming in for the kill again with her fake posh accent: critics? Critics? Oooooh! … They're always three years behind.

Look at him (to the tune Bitch by Meredeth Brooks) he's a whore, he's a father, he's a star, he's a success, he's a lover he's smug, he's laughing, he's having fun, he's working hard. He's everything.

Interviewing Wings concert goers and this one girl goes, "oh I just got off on all of it" and another one goes “It was great, i came twice!” Literally it should've been me!!!!

The McCartneys are seriously such a big family. And it's been Paul's responsibility since was about 21, really, to make sure they're all okay financially. That Francie story of him crumbling in the street in Liverpool haunts me.

"Why shouldn't they go to the same school as everyone else goes to?" State schools should be the only legal schools btw.

I love what the creator does to contextualize their songs by pairing them with other contemporary footage. It makes it much easier for me to understand why something like “arrow through me” (which I love but none of the people I've shown it to do) would've been so popular.

Oh here we go again. Just show us the marriage certificate already.

Cackling at the contrast between “Old Siam Sir” which is one of my all time fav rockers and footage of the Stones being cringe AF and Dylan being so beyond done he's basically dead.

Oh. Okay. And then they slap us in the face with John's poor baby late 70s demo voice crooning, “Don't want your looooove. Anymore.” ���I die each time I hear your name.” I'm fine. It's fine. I'm just vomiting my guts out because I'm sick. That's why.

The pairing of “Mr H Atom” with Paul's would've-been drag show is genius, but what is that clip of some sort of trial stuck in there? If anyone knows, please inform me. (16:15)

John sounds so sad talking about the “endless search for . . . Scotland . . . Within an hour of New York.” I can't help thinking of the Mull of Kintyre. But John was also the one who turned Paul on to Scotland in the first place, ≈always waxing poetic about the heather and the hills≈.

Sean is so adorable. Reminds me of my little guy a bit actually.

Why do I always want to tell Paul to be nice to John? John is worse to him. Idk maybe because John's pain is more visible.

[annymation]

The Kingdom of Wishes- A “Wish” Rewrite

Chapter 15- At All Cost?

Chapter 14

Asha is now in the middle of the wishes room, staring at the queen standing on the king's study.

She feels her heart racing for a moment, she's scared... But then she remembers what she's holding right now, her sketchbook and her magic pencil.

She has nothing to fear, if anything, it's the queen who should be scared.

After glancing at the objects in her hands, Asha takes a deep breath and calms down, and faces the queen boldly.

The queen smiles at that, as she begins to speak with her usual honeyed voice "Hello dear, such a pleasant surprise to have you back so soon." She looks down to Valentino, the goat in cowering between Asha's legs and shaking in fear at the sight of the lynx next to the queen, her smile widens "Awww and you even brought a little snack for my pet, how thoughtful." she lets out a quiet chuckle.

Bravo is salivating, staring at the baby goat with predatory eyes.

Asha starts to think on what she can draw, the queen hasn't moved yet, so maybe she can ramble with her for a bit and then catch her off guard...

Asha realizes how the queen looks older than the last time they've met, not too old, but the white hair streak and the subtle wrinkles on her previously perfect skin are noticeable... Just like Aster, she sees this change as an opportunity to make fun of the royal.

"Yeah, glad to be back. Though I thought my last visit here in the castle was 2 days ago, but judging by your face it must have been AGES, huh?" Asha says with a smirk, knowing that would infuriate the queen.

And she was correct, for the queen's smile immediately fell into a cold glare.

(This is the closest I could find in the movie of Amaya looking evil)

"It is churlish to comment on a woman's age, have you no manners?" Her tone is condescending.

Asha simply smiles, seeing that struck a nerve "These are just the manners you deserve, "your highness"" She says the formal title with sarcasm.

The queen looks at her with a serious expression as she raises one eyebrow, almost impressed with how much that sweet and insecure girl they met changed so much in so little time... But her smiles returns slightly, because she has already planed on how to take all that courage out of her.

"You really think so? This way you might hurt my feelings, child..." She places a hand in her chest making a fake sad expression, that instantly returns to a wicked smile as she takes a potion flask from inside the front of her dress "Perhaps I should give you just what you deserve as well."

Asha notices the flask and instantly turns to her sketchbook to try drawing something "What a coincidence, I was thinking the same thi-"

But before she starts to draw, she notices... The floor she's standing on is covered with something... Something shiny, that look's like blue sand.

She glances around the room and sees that the whole floor around her is covered with a thin layer of this weird sand, Asha has a puzzled expression.

The queen notes her confusion "Ah, I see you finally noticed the fire salamander ashes, quite pleasing to look at how they sparkle, don't you think?"

Asha feels a chill run down her spine as she hears the word "fire" coming out of the woman's mouth "W-What?" She turns to the queen, and sees she's now opening a flask with an orange shinny liquid inside.

"Oh yes, it is known as one of the most inflammable components in the magic world, and it also so happens to have such a beautiful reaction when mixed with dragon's blood..." She explains like she's just sharing an interesting fun fact about her hobby as a potion maker, her tone becomes sinister as she opens the flask and asks "Would you like to see?"

"No- NO NO WAIT!" Asha screams in desperation, completely forgetting about her magic pencil as she takes Valentino in her arms to protect him from what she already knows is coming.

The queen drops one single drop of the shiny liquid on the floor, and a HUGE blue flame forms in front of her, spreading slowly to the whole room covered in fire salamander ashes.

(If you're wondering where the heck Amaya get's all these ingredients, let's just say that line she had in the movie about "Why a sorcerer needs what a sorcerer needs is not your concern" is a line Magnifico probably said to a lot of soldiers he sent off on dangerous quests over the years.)

The queen laughs maniacally as she snaps her fingers, making the huge door made of mirrors close in front of her, trapping Asha in the fiery room.

The flames are spreading and approaching Asha slowly, she thinks fast and pulls from her sketchbook the drawing of the flying carpet.

As the carpet flies out of the page, she jumps on it with Valentino. Now they're both safely flying above the flames, surrounded by the wish bubbles.

The queen has no idea they're safe from harm, and Asha smiles with that notion. She'll open the door sooner or later to see if Asha is dead, so all the girl has to do is play along and pretend she's in mortal danger.

"THERE'S SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH YOU LADY!" Asha yells from the carpet, trying her best not to laugh while faking she's scared for her life. Valentino also catches on to the plan and lets out some fake scared bleating, Asha pets him to show she's proud.

The queen falls for it, as she says in sarcasm "Who meee? Why, all I want is to give my beloved pet some freshly cooked meat" She's sitting down with her back against the wall of mirrors, as she too pets her lynx's head gently... Her eyes light up as a devious idea pops in her head, so she says with her words dripping with venom "...Besides, wouldn't you agree this is the most fitting end for you? To burn into ashes just like your dear mama and papa?"

Asha is stunned at the mention of her parents, but her surprise quickly turns into anger "Don't you DARE talk about my parents!" She almost forgets she's supposed to sound scared right now

"Awww sensitive topic, my flower? If it serves as any consolation, they would've suffered way more had I picked how to kill them." Her voice has a twisted sense of humor hanging on every word.

Asha's eyes widen "... Wait... What did you just say?"

"You see, Magnus has always been more of a "Get things done quick" kind of man, and although I love that about him, I oh so wish we had gone with my plan of poisoning their garden..." Amaya continues casually like she's just sharing small talk with the poor girl that is having this terrifying revelation unfold before her "But oh well, I suppose starting a fire with magic was simpler. Such a shame you weren't inside with them, would've spared us a lot of grey hairs." She says as she holds a strand of her newly white hair streak.

Asha feels her world crumble as she process what Amaya just told her...

All this time she thought it was just bad luck, that they had an accident with the fireplace or dropped a candle... But it was them...

Everything was because of them. The reason she never got to learn how to draw with her mother, the reason she never got to hear her father stories, the reason she never got to grow up with them, the reason she and her Saba were alone... It was all THEM.

Asha sees the fire consuming half of the room bellow her, the flames are reflecting on her eyes as she asks with her voice more furious than ever "WHY?! WHAT DID THEY EVER DO TO YOU?!"

The queen laughs at the question "You are just like them, darling. They were worthless little weeds festering in our garden, inspiring our roses to grant wishes by themselves. We simply had no choice but to root them out." Amaya explains with her voice turning more and more maniacal as she finishes "And now, it's your turn to join them!"

... That was the reason? Because her parents encouraged people to chase after their wishes? Her parents lost their lives... Because these two sickos wanted to control EVERY SINGLE PERSON in Rosas?!

Asha sees that the room is almost fully consumed by the flames, and so is her heart consumed by anger. So she lets out a scream, from the pain she feels in her chest and also to trick the queen into opening the door.

"AAAAAaaAaaaAAAAAaAAAH!!!"

The queen is content hearing the girl painful screaming, thinking that's the last sound she'll ever hear from her.

"It seems your meal is ready, Bravo" She says with a twisted glee while getting up, Bravo looks just as exited as his owner.

The queen snaps her fingers, opening the huge door made of mirrors. The whole room is covered in bluish flames. With one drop of another flask she had with her, this time with a blue liquid, the fire is quickly extinguished like the flame of a candle being blown out.

Once the fire was gone the queen expected to see the girl and her little goat lifeless bodies laying on the floor... But they're nowhere to be seen.

"... What in the-"

"Looking for me?" Asha's voice comes from above.

The queen quickly looks up, gasping in shock when she sees the girl flying on a magic carpet.

The queen barely has time to react before Asha jumps from the carpet, and with one swift move of her hand, points to the surprised lynx, wordlessly commanding the carpet to deal with him.

The carpet flies towards the queen, and she cowers in fear and closes her eyes trying to protect herself. But her eyes quickly open again when she hears her pet meowing desperately, the carpet took him and flew with him to outside the window.

(Ya know, originally I was gonna write a chase scene between Valentino and Bravo, but I realized we kinda don't have the time and I'm not feeling like writing that, soooooo I just throw the cat out the window instead. He'll be fine.)

"MY BABY!" The queen shrieks, worried sick for his safety

"Relax, I sent him somewhere safe. Unlike YOU, I'm not a monster." Asha sounds fierce but also with a hint of pain in her voice, like every word that comes out of her mouth gives a sting in her heart, as she's fighting to not cry in front of the queen. "Valentino, go hide while I deal with her." Her voice is serious, while she's flipping through the pages of her book, and once she finds the one she was looking for she pulls out a sword just like the one she used to practice sword fighting with Aster earlier.

The queen sees Asha doing magic in disbelief, as she's now walking backwards slowly shaking her head "no" with a terrified expression.

Asha doesn't hear Amaya whisper under her breath "That boy didn't say anything abo-"

The queen stops mumbling when Asha begins to run, charging towards her with sword in hands, ready to attack.

Amaya tries to run out of the way, but she trips on her own dress and falls on the floor.

Now, Asha is the one in control, pointing her sword to the woman laying down beneath her. Her enraged face shows clearly that she's after revenge.

Amaya for the first time loses her composure, and stutters in a desperate attempt to reason with her "A-Asha, now now ca-calm down, listen to me-" her voice is helpless.

"NO! YOU LISTEN!" Asha's voice echoes through the large room "All the pain and suffering I've went through ALL MY LIFE ties back to the two of you! All because you wanted to keep this SICK AND TWISTED sense of control over everyone in Rosas." She points the sword closer to Amaya's neck, the older woman is shaking "But guess what, no matter what you did, you could NEVER control me! I overcame everything you threw at me, and now, I'll make sure you two can NEVER hurt anyone else ever again!" Asha raises the sword above her head to strike down the witch-

...

But Asha stops.

She can't do it.

She's not like them.

Asha looks down on the queen breathing heavily and lowers her sword. She doesn't know if she's doing the right decision... But that's her decision.

The queen sees Asha's hesitation... And a smile slowly creeps in on the corner of her red lips "You can't do it, can you dear?... Because unlike me, you're not a monster." She repeats what Asha said moments ago with a faux soothing voice.

Asha quickly points the sword back to Amaya's neck, as a warning that if she moves Asha won't hesitate anymore, she speaks with the queen with a cold expression "I never intended to kill neither of you anyway, the plan was just to-"

"Apprehend us and have Rosas decide our punishment?" The queen finishes her sentence, now with a full smile. Asha's eyes widen in surprise "I must say, I found that part of your little plan quite adorable, so nice of you and your friends to show us mercy." Her voice mimics a sweet tone, dripping with sarcasm.

Asha feels a chill run down her spine when the queen mentioned her friends... This, and the trap that was set up for them in the kitchen... How did they know?

"How? HOW did you know we were coming?!" Asha tries to hide her fear, speaking angrily while getting the blade closer to the queen's neck.

Amable doesn't even flinch, she simply warns her "I'd be careful with that blade, my sweet. You lay one scratch on me and my darling king will be quite upset." That doesn't really phase Asha at all as she just squints her eyes at her, wanting some answers, so the queen gives her an answer "Let's just say a... Sleepy little pawn of ours made himself quite useful."

Asha's eyebrows scrunch in confusion, she thinks for a moment and... Realization hits her.

"... Simon?" Asha's mind is rushing, she's stares at the queen nodding positively in front of her, and she feels like she's the one who was cut by a blade... He betrayed them?... No, he wouldn't, the king must have forced him "What did you two do with him?!" She asks furious.

"Nothing at all, he ratted you out. For you see my dear, our "sick and twisted sense of control" you speak of runs oh so much deeper than you think" Asha is staring at Amaya straight in the eyes, so she doesn't see that the queen's hand is reaching for something inside the a hidden pocket inside her long skirt "You can't trust anyone in this kingdom, in the end, they're aaaaall just little pawns in our game of chess."

"You're wrong... Simon didn't tell you our whole plan. If he did then you'd have known about my magic." Asha says with certainty, not fully understanding what happened yet, but still believing that her friend at least fought against telling them everything.

"Indeed, he failed to mention it, which gave you an advantage... However, it hardly matters how many advantages you get, for when playing chess-" Her smile widens into a maniacal expression, and she raises her hand holding a potion flask that was hidden inside her dress "The QUEEN is the strongest piece on the board!" She throws it on the floor, it shatters, creating a cloud of thick blue smoke.

Asha coughs, that caught her completely off guard. She looks around and can see nothing but the thick blue smoke, she tries not to breathe too much of it in by covering her face. Still holding on to her sword tightly.

The queen is no longer on the ground, Asha can't see where she went... But she hears the sound of something made of metal hitting the floor.

She turns to the direction of the sound-

Queen Amable took a sword that was previously decorating the wall, and is now running to Asha ready to attack.

Asha gasps in surprise, raising her hand drawn sword to defend herself, and she succeeds. The two are now pressing their swords against one another, with the queen trying her hardest to get Asha out of balance to stab her.

The queen fights the girl with finesse and precision, like this is something she has experience with, while Asha's movements are more clumsy and rigid, but she's still more agile and relatively stronger than the older woman, since she was cursed and is now 10 years older than she was previously.

(Cute fun fact I guess: for the longest time Magnifico was a bit paranoid that if people found out they were evil and a "hero" could try to defeat them, so, just like how Asha practiced with Aster, he taught Amaya how to defend herself just in case anything happened to him... I hate them, but I also love them as a couple)

As their swords clash against one another, the metallic sounds echo through the room. Asha tries to show confidence, smiling while they fight "Y-you two won't win! Magnus doesn't stand a chance against Aster in the forest, he's gonna be here soon and-"

The queen can only laugh darkly as she speaks "Oh darling, it is your little star who doesn't stand a chance! For you see, dark magic is not be his only weakness! Hahaha"

Asha is still fighting, but her face looks concerned...

Aster's weakness?

Now... We cut to the woods.

We see a dash of light quickly flying through the trees, until they reach a specific one and flies to the top of it.

The dash of light is obviously Aster. He sits on a tree branch and knocks on the tree "He'll be here any minute now, you guys ready?"

From a role in the tree, two round shinny eyes open, and a voice comes out sounding mysterious: "Of course, a pleasure to be of service."

"Great, thanks again for the help fellas" Aster smiles excitedly, he looks down, just waiting for Magnifico to show up on the trail bellow.

... But then he hears something...

Instruments... Again.

The instruments sound slow, like they're warning Aster of something, and judging by Aster's annoyed face it's something they've already been alerted about before

"Yeah, I knooooow I can't let him get my magic. Don't know if you guys realize but that's the whole reason I'm trying to break that staff in the first place." Aster speaks looking up with narrowed eyes.

The instruments sound... Worried? I don't know how one would describe a worried orchestra, but it's like they're playing cautiously.

Aster this time responds calmer, trying to reassure them "I am being careful, I swear. I won't let him-" Aster stops for a moment and thinks... He doesn't actually knows what would happen if the king got his power, well, except for the part that without his magic he can't exist so the king would pretty much kill him. But Aster doesn't know what would happen to the king and queen... He might as well ask "By the way... Has that ever happened before? A human absorbing a star's power?"

The stars go quiet for a moment, before a single flute plays a small sad melody

"I see..." Aster has a worried face "And what happened then?"

Aster listens to the orchestra sounds, it's an ominous percussion mixed with some erratic violins.

Aster listens to it all attentively, his face slowly becomes more and more shocked, as if he's listening to something out of a horror story.

He slowly nods, humming a little with the concern now growing inside him too.

But then he hears one thing that gets his attention.

"Wait wait wait back up" The instruments all stop "What was that about "The human fell into madness"?"

A single cello plays a small melody... Aster's eyes widen.

"Huh, really?... I wonder if the king knows about that..." Aster ponders quietly. Then Aster hears a sound that is not instruments this time, but a twig breaking on the ground bellow, Magnifico's coming "And speak of the devil, that's your cue friends." Aster says knocking on the tree.

Down bellow, Magnifico is walking on the trail, with trees all around him. He's holding his staff over his shoulders casually as he singsongs to himself:

"Twinkle twinkle little star, how I wonder where you are..." the king looks around the woods... It's quiet... Too quiet. The star is plotting something, but that's alright, because so is he "Come out come out lad, we both know you can't hide from me the whole night long... I just wish to have a little chat with you." The king says in a faux friendly voice.

"Yeah you can keep wishing that but I ain't granting it!" Aster's voice comes from the tree tops

The king looks up with a wide smile, ready to cast a spell to capture the star. But his smile instantly vanishes as the green light from his staff reflects on many tiny eyes staring down at him, revealing that on the trees above there's a whole army of Genets ready to pounce:

(Genets: Slender cat-like nocturnal animals that can be found in Spain... Imagine a bunch of these fellas staring down on you at night, terrifying me thinks)

They all jump on the king, climbing all over him and scratching his clothes. Magnifico screams while holding tightly to his staff and trying to protect his already scarred face

"AAAAH GET OFF ME YOU WRETCHED- NOT THE FACE NOT THE FACE!!" Magnus is wobbling around covered in wild cats.

Aster lets out a childish laugh as he cheers while flying above the desperate king "Yes! Get the face everyone! And also those fingers if you can! Hahahaa"

The king turns red with fury "ENOUGH!" he uses his magic to throw all of them away from him, some genets scatter while others stay, ready to attack him again, but the king is having none of that "GET NEAR ME AGAIN AND I'LL MAKE FUR COATS OUT OF YOU"

The all get scared, and run away to the depths of the forest.

Aster looks sad for a moment but he has no time to think too much about it, for the king immediately turns to him and tries to capture him once more.

Aster swiftly dodges the king's magic and hides behind a tree.

He then shrinks down to the size of a hand. He's the size of tinker bell.

The king is catching his breath after all the commotion, but he has enough energy to scream some facts to the star "Just accept it, boy! You can't best me! throw me your plants and I'll burn them, throw me your animals and I'll scatter them!"

Aster face is deep in thought, he hates to agree, but they have indeed been in this game of cat and mouse for a while, and Aster is not even close to getting that staff, not to mention how they hate to put even more animals in danger...

The king upon receiving no snarky comment in return, calms down slightly, knowing that the star deep down is just as tired of this game as he is...

He reaches for something inside his vest.

"So how about we stop playing, and just talk things out, hum?" Magnus voice is once again "friendly" but with a clear ominous undertone.

Aster thinks... He might be able to catch the staff while the king is distracted blabbering whatever he has to say... So he plays along.

"You really must love the sound of your own voice, don't ya? All you do is talk all the time." Aster's snarks while hiding behind the tree "Fine, what do you wanna talk about so bad?"

We don't see what Magnifico pulled out his vest, but he's holding a small object on his hand. Looking at whatever it is with a mischievous smile.

"That girl... You love her, don't you?" The king asks nonchalantly.

Aster's eyes widen in shock... EVEN HE NOTICED?!

Aster knew he couldn't let this man know how he and Asha felt about each other, as he'd totally take advantage of that, so the star tries to lie "W-what?! What you talking about?! We-we like- We just met 2 days ago! That's crazy talk!" Aster is a terrible liar by the way.

Magnifico has a pleased smile, as he walks forward to where Aster's voice is coming from, he's holding his staff with one hand while hiding the other behind his back. "And I fell in love with my wife in two minutes or less, what's your point? Heheh" he chuckles like he's reminiscing of something, but then continues, sounding as if he's talking to a stubborn kid that refuses do admit something obvious "Come now, starlight. Wishing stars are supposed to only give humans some guidance, but here you are going waaay above and beyond your purpose, breaking all the rules for her... Because you love her~" He singsongs that last part as if to make fun of the star.

Aster is about to say something when he notices that Magnifico is getting closer to his hiding place, so he flies to the ground, still on his miniature size, trying to hide in the low vegetation and move to somewhere else.

Magnifico notes the silence, and just chuckles "Well, either I'm right, or you're just too incompetent to even guide her at all, aren't you?" The king says jokingly.

That strikes a nerve with Aster, as he's quite done with the stars calling him incompetent and naive for so long. The star is still hiding in his small size but his voice is just as loud as it would be if he was normally sized:

"You know what?! YEAH we are in love! And it's thanks to our love that we'll defeat you! Because we'll fight to protect each other, at all cost!"

The king's grin grows even more devious.

"At all cost? Hmm, how charming." The king coos, and we see him holding the mysterious object tightly and focusing to perform a spell... He whispers some words in latin:

"Ligneus. Pupa. Crescere. Et dolus."

Aster doesn't hear what the king just said. but suddenly, he starts to hear the stars all speaking with him at the same time, the instruments play alarmingly all at once. They're speaking over each other, so Aster doesn't understand, the star looks up in frustration and whispers "Guys o-one at a time please- UGH I don't understand nor have time to talk ri-"

"Did you hear that, Asha? I told you he cared." The king speaks sweetly with someone else.

Aster feels the world stop when he hears that name come out of the king's mouth.

Aster flies out of the bushes and sees it... Magnifico is holding Asha by her shoulder, she's tied up by a rope made of green magic, her mouth is covered and she's struggling to free herself.

The star doesn't even think before he returns to his normal size, their animation looking rough and sketchy as he yells "GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF-"

Aster sees a giant green hand made of light coming in his direction.

The star remembers he can't let himself get caught. In the blink of an eye he stretches his body down, like he's made of rubber... Get it? He's animated like a rubber hose cartoon for a second.

Aster dodges the king's magic once again and flies to hide behind a large tree.

"Ha! Almost caught you this time!" The king exclaims victorious while laughing.

Aster's mind is rushing with questions as he starts to panic... How did he get her? Is she hurt? Their plan went wrong? How can he save her?!

In the confusion that is their mind, they can't focus to listen what the stars are trying to tell him, the stars are just muddled voices to him now.

"I bet you're wondering how I found her, aren't you?" The king asks with a sadistic sweetness in his voice, holding the girl close to him "See, while you were flying away and hiding, like a coward, a guard came into the forest to tell me they found the poor thing lost in our garden" His voice is filled with a mocking fake sadness like he's describing a tragedy "And she just wouldn't stop calling your name... So here he is Asha, your daring "hero" hahaahaha!" His evil laugh echoes through the woods.

Aster didn't even know he could feel so much fear and anger at the same time. He places a hand on the ground and uses his magic to try attacking Magnifico with vines.

The king notices the plants beginning to grow next to him from the corner of his eyes, and his smile just grows as he says "Ah ah ah, I wouldn't do that if I were youuu~" He points his staff to her face, with the green gem shinning brightly and menacingly.

Aster can hear Asha muffled screams in fear, and he get's the message. He stops the vines from growing. The star looks down defeated.

Magnifico sees the vines retreating, and takes the staff away from her face "That's better. Now! How do you feel about a little bargain?" His voice is full of excitement like he's a con man ready to make a big deal.

Aster may be naive but even he knows where the king is going with this, and his not falling for it "Do you think I'm an idiot!?" The star asks angrily

"Why, yes! Very much so!" The king answers gleefully.

"You want me to surrender in exchange for Asha's life... But we both know your word isn't worth anything!" Aster is trying to speak boldly to mask how scared he actually is.

"*Gaaaaasp* You think I would lie?? Meeee??? I'd never!" The king says dramatically with sarcasm clear as day "Hehe jokes aside, I can assure you I NEVER break my end of a deal... If you don't break yours." He puts emphasis on that last part, he then begins to speak very quickly the terms of their deal "So here's the trade off, you surrender in, let's say, the count of 5, and in return I'll have your little doll here sent to some other kingdom where she'll be safe from harm and can live on to thrive and chase after her dreams yada yada yada happy ending! What do ya say? Come on."

Aster is too overwhelmed to think- He obviously can't trust Magnifico's word, but if they don't do as he says then Asha is done for- But who's to say she'll be safe later when the king has his mag-

"Let me make this easier for you... One"

The king starts counting.

Aster mind is spinning, he tries to think clearly, but his emotions are clouding his judgment. The stars voices are just white noise.

"Twooo"

The king prepares to use his magic on the girl.

Aster feels some tears form in the corner of his eyes... He promised Asha he would't let himself get caught but-

"Threee"

Aster hears Asha's muffled voice screaming for help, but not the stars above him...

He breaks his promise.

"ALRIGHT!" The star yells, flying out of their hiding place, with his hands up.

And before he knows it, there are glowing green chains on his writs that quickly pull him closer to where the king and "Asha" are. Once the chains are on him the sound of messy orchestra instruments stops all together, since Aster's powers are diminished by the dark magic, he can no longer hear the stars.

The star doesn't struggle, accepting his loss. The king pulls him in closer and closer until Aster is standing right in front of him, Magnifico looks down on him with a cruel smile.

Aster is not looking at him, his eyes are full of sadness and fixated on the ground, unable to face "the girl" the king's holding.

"Awww why the long face, little one? Here, she's free just as promised." The king snaps his fingers and "Asha" is free from her restraints, now just standing still next to him. "... Any last goodbyes before I send her off?" Aster doesn't notice but Magnifico is trying his best to hold in his laughter.

Aster can only look down, not wanting to face her yet, but he apologizes for not granting her wish "... Asha... I'm sorry... I tried everything I could but- I failed." a single tear runs down the star's face as he begs her "When you're away from here... DON'T come back, and DON'T look back... I just want you to be safe and-" Aster stops as he finally looks at her face.

It's devoid of emotion... And her eyes are soulless... Like a dolls eyes.

Aster is worried that Magnifico did something to her, he reaches out to hold her hand "Asha? What's wro-" but when he holds her hand... There's nothing... No star inside of her... That's not Asha.

As realization dawns on the star, Magnifico can't hold it in anymore "Pffft HAHA HAHAAHAHAAH HAHAHAAH"

With every "ha" Aster's face becomes more furious, both angry at the king and himself for falling for his trick.

"YOU LIED TO ME!" Aster shouts as he tries to get away from Magnifico, who simply pulls him closer by the chains so they're face to face.

"Did I? I thought I was quite clear." He smiles sadistically "I said I'd "have your little doll sent somewhere safe", remember? Aaaand" He snaps his fingers, and the magic that made up the fake Asha disappears like it was blown away by the wind, and all that is left of her is a small wooden doll. The same wooden doll Magnifico made for Asha all the way back in chapter 4.

(... Get it? He turned a wooden doll into a real girl... Like Pinocchio... Heheheheh *Jumps out the window... Gets back to write the rest of the chapter* ahem, anyway, congrats @gracebeth3604 you guessed it, I made Magnifico pull a Hades move on our wonder boy)

"Here she is!" Magnifico exclaims excitedly while placing the doll inside Aster's chained hands "She's all yours, lad! You can even choose where you want me to send her while we go back to the palace." Magnifico says like he's doing Aster a favor. He starts walking and pulling the star to come along.

Aster looks at the doll with rage and throws her away into the bushes.

Aster tries to pull away from the chains and keeps himself still with his feet fixated on the ground "I AM NOT LETTING YOU USE ME TO HURT THEM! IF YOU THINK I GONNA JU- GHHAaaAAaAAAaaaA!!!" Aster feels a shock wave of pain course his body as the king uses a spell to electrocute him, his animation becomes fully disjointed like he's struggling to keep his physical form. Once it's over, Aster can only kneel down in pain.

"Not so funny when it happens to you, is it?" Magnifico's eyes are now full of spite, highlighting the scar over his left eye "I've enjoyed this little game of ours but we really must hurry, I'd hate to keep my queen waiting... Not to mention, your girl is just DYING to see you too."

Aster is weak from the pain but he manages to look up to the king.

"W-what...?"

Did they get her?

We now cut back to the palace, Asha is still fighting with the queen.

The girl looks exhausted, swinging her sword around and defending herself from the unhinged woman. She doesn't have time to stop and take her sketchbook to draw something else to attack.

But Asha slips up, and Amaya manages to disarm her, throwing her sword away to the other side of the room.

Asha gasps in shock.

"NO!- UGH!"

The queen KICKS the girl's legs, making her fall on the ground, now their positions are reversed from how they were before.

Asha looks up horrified to the queen pointing the blade to her face, she's looking down on the girl with a smirk "So... Ha ha- how's that for an "old lady" huh?" The woman is panting like she could collapse from exhaustion at any moment, but she still keeps her composure as she threatens the girl bellow her.

Asha tries to reach for her sketchbook tied to her belt, but the queen quickly takes it off her hands. Asha doesn't have time to react before Amable throws it away to the other side of the room.

Asha is petrified, she has nowhere to go.

She can see Valentino hiding behind the curtains of a window, he's scared.

"You put up a good fight child, but I'm afraid this is where your story ends, with you... All alone." Amaya raises the sword to end the girl's life.

Asha can only close her eyes and prepare for the impact... Until she hears a familiar voice

"Think again WITCH!"

Both Amaya and Asha are startled by the sudden scream, however, a smile quickly appears on Asha's face when she sees who it is.

Amaya turns around and is quickly knocked out of balance by something pushing her to the side, away from Asha. The queen drops the sword on the floor.

What pushed the queen was Dahlia's crutch, as the girl is now standing in front of Asha offering her a hand with a relieved smile "Sorry we took us so long, you okay?"

"Better now you're here!" Asha hold her best friend's hand and goes in for a hug, feeling relieved to see her safe. While they hug, Asha opens her eyes and sees that behind Dahlia there's also Gabo, Hal, Bazeema, Safi and Dario. All of them glaring at the queen laying on the floor.

"Ho- HOW DID YOU BRATS GET IN HERE?!" The queen demands to know, her hair is partially covering her face, she looks like an absolute mess.

Hal points to the small elevator on the wall, used to get food from the kitchen straight to the king's study "Did you forget how you get your meals everyday?"

(How did all 6 of them fit in the elevator?... Same way they did in the movie, cartoon logic)

Amaya just groans in frustration as the teens walk closer to her.

Asha gets her sketchbook on the floor, she sighs in relief before saying with a smile "*sigh* Alright, just like we planned, everyone" She begins to draw some squiggly lines on her book, and as she touches the page the lines come out as long pieces of rope.

Her friends all get a piece of rope. And they walk to tie up the evil queen.

(Hahah get it? The 7 dwarfs references are the ones who save her from the evil queen! Heheheeh I love when references fit the narrative)

The queen's screaming for them to stay away from her in the background. But we focus on Asha, who's calling Valentino to come out of his hiding place.

The baby goat does so, rushing to her arms happily. Asha hugs him with a big smile "It's alright, I'm fine" She reassures him, and also reassure herself.

Asha looks around to her friends and notices... There's one missing.

"... So it was true" She begins to speak with Dahlia, the only one that didn't go help tie up Amaya, preferring to stay by Asha's side "Simon really did betray us..." She sounds hurt.

Dahlia places a hand on her friend's shoulder and explains "At first, yeah, he did. But who do you think pulled us up here?" She smiles at Asha, and gives her a wink.

Asha's eyebrows raise "Wait... So he changed his mind? How?" She asks confused

"Let's just say the king's mind control was no match for the power of friendship... Also Gabo kept screaming and swearing at him like a sailor." Hal said joyously.

"I told him bad words he didn't even know existed! And I'm literally younger than him!" Gabo says proudly while pulling a rope to tight up the Amaya's arms on her back.

"He can pull himself up the elevator, so he'll be here to help us pretty soon!" Safi comments.

Asha is happy that her friend came to his senses... But she still has a bad feeling.

"Did he say how much he told about the plan to Magnifico?" Asha asks Dahlia, with concern clear in her voice.

Dahlia's smile fades, she also seems worried "He doesn't know actually, he can't remember much about how the conversation went."

Asha looks down and thinks for a moment "... Okay, he didn't tell them about my pencil, so maybe he didn't tell them everything, we can still win." She smiles confidently.

Asha and the teens are suddenly startled once they hear a familiar voice shouting aaaaaall the way down the stairs of the palace:

"NO NO IT'S FINE, I CAN GET HIM UP THERE ON MY OWN! YOU ALL JUST SOUND THE TRUMPETS AND GATHER THE CITIZENS!" The king's voice echoes through the castle, he's talking to the guards in the entrance.

"Aster!" Asha exclaims worried.

The queen is all tied up, smiling in the background.

"I- I gotta go help him! You all stay here." Asha rushes to the door.

"Oh no we won't, we're not leaving your side again!" Dahlia exclaims holding her wrist.

"No, you don't understand, Magnifico CAN'T get even close to you all, not while he still has that staff, I won't let him hurt you." Asha explains to her friend with a serious expression "I'll find a way to save Aster and break it... Somehow." She doesn't sound so sure of herself, but she knows she has to try.

"And how can you do that?" Bazeema asks concerned

Asha holds her sketchbook and her pencil and starts drawing a key "I'll use my imagination" She smiles.

Asha pulls out the key from the page, she turns to tell her friends one last thing before leaving. But when she turns something catches her attention, on the king's desk there's a a small cloth bag full of blue sparkly sand, the bag is labeled "Fire Salamander Ashes". Asha takes the bag from the table and says quickly "Also this might come in handy."

She opens the door with her hand drawn key and tells her friends one last thing "No matter what you guys hear, don't leave the room." She runs down the long flight of stairs.

Meanwhile Magnifico is dragging Aster up the stairs, the king looks exhausted as he tries to perform a teleportation spell to get them to the top, but he can only teleport a few steps up.

"ARGH I'm gonna give myself a splitting headache because of you!" Magnifico says, with a hand over his forehead, he speaks to himself under his breath "Never had to teleport so many times in one day, thought such a simple spell wouldn't exhaust me that much..."

Aster hears that, he's still struggling to not get dragged away by the king as he exclaims "If just teleporting a bunch of times to get us here gives you a headache then you REALLY not gonna like what'll happen if you get my magic!" This isn't a bluff, but an actual warning, as Aster remembers what the stars told him... Maybe he can convince Magnus to stop "LISTEN! My powers may seem weak now, but even the most powerful of sorcerers couldn't handle the power of a star inside them, it's TOO MUCH for a normal human to handle!"

"Yeah well, good thing I'm no normal human." The king says with a frustrated expression while dragging the star up the stairs.

"YES YOU ARE, MAGNUS!" Aster screams, trying to reach out for some sense of humanity inside him.

"Don't call me that." The king warns sternly, he's not looking at Aster as he speaks.

"You only have power at all because of that green gem on your staff. And even with it, you're not strong enough!" Aster continues while still getting dragged by the king

"I'd really not test my patience right now if I were you, boy." He sounds more and more angry.

"I'm trying to save you! If just performing a spell way too many times gives you a headache then MY POWER will make you LOSE YOUR MIND-" Aster tries to spell it out to Magn-

"AND I WOULD RATHER LOSE THAT THAN LOSING THE WOMAN I LOVE!" Magnifico shouts, now looking straight to the star behind him, enraged in a way the star has never seen before.

Aster goes silent, staring at the king in shock and... For the first time feeling like the man was 100% honest with him.

Magnus takes a few seconds to realize what he just said out of anger and exhaustion... He puts himself back together, straightening up his posture and taking a deep breath, before looking down to the star with his usual smile full of sarcasm "Thank you for the concern, Aster. Really appreciated, but you have nothing to worry you shinny little head about" He taps on the star's forehead with one finger "I've already planned on how to get myself a-... Let's say a "Power boost" before performing the spell to get your magic humhum" He chuckles lowly, excited to show the star what he means by that "Besiiiiiides, all the sorcerers that tried to yield the power of a star only went mad because they tried to do it on their own, while I have someone to share it with."

Aster is dumbfounded... The king KNEW that the power of a star can drive someone mad... And he choses to go after it anyway because he THINKS that by sharing it with his wife they'll be fine?... Aster realizes he is too far gone.

"Nothing I say is gonna change your mind, is it?" Aster asks with frustration in his voice, the king simply shakes his head "no" with a smug "... Then you don't love her at all, you just wanna use her to get more power." The star says with a scowl.

The king is stunned for a second by the gall the star has to say that, before his rage comes back at full force, he doesn't take his eyes off the star as he makes shock waves of pain go through Aster's body again, the star kneels down in agony.

"ASTER?!"

Asha's voice comes from the top of the stairs, surprising both the star and the king, but they're surprised for completely different reasons.

Aster looks up to the top of the stairs with a huge smile despite the pain he's in right now "ASHA!"

The king however turns to her in bewilderment "YOU?! HOW ARE YOU STILL ALI-" He stops as he has a realization... His face turns into a cold glare, hiding a hint of worry in his voice "Where's Amaya?"

Asha ignores the king's question, as she's already drawing the first thing that came into her head to stop him.

She throws out of her sketchbook what she just drew and...

A hand drawn piano manifests right above the king

"WHAT THE-"

BLAAAAAAM

The piano fell on the king. And keep in mind Simon didn't mention the magic pencil, so from Magnifico's perspective Asha just randomly manifested a piano out of nowhere.

Aster is free from the king's restraints, and he quickly flies up to Asha and gives her a hug, Asha hugs him back and the two have a second to breathe and be relieved that they're both okay.

"I was so worried about you! Are you okay?" Asha asks holding his face with both her hands.

"I'm the one who should be asking that!" Aster sounds worried sick.

"I'm fine, the others saved me from the queen, she's all tied up. Now we gotta focus on breaking that staff" She looks down the stairs to the destroyed hand drawn piano that the king is under "Do you think that was enough to knock him out?"

Asha's question is immediately answered by the remains of the piano being engulfed by green magic. It begins to float as the king violently throws it out of the stairs.

(Yeah sorry, he's unfortunately fine, because cartoon logic and this ending would be underwhelming.)

They can hear the loud sound of the piano falling on the ground bellow, as well as the sound of the king practically roaring in anger. He gives the two teens a death glare while trying to stand up.

"NOPE!" Aster answers, holding her in his arms, Aster flies as fast as he can up the stairs, fast enough that the king doesn't have time to catch them with his magic.

He does however have enough energy to do one simple spell. He snaps his finger, which locks all the doors that lead to the wishes room.

Asha and Aster are in the treasure room, the dimly lit room where Magnifico and Amable sang "Wish Away" to her.

The two of them are startled when the entrance they just went through shuts behind them and one second later the exit does too, they're trapped in the dark and large room full of treasure exposed like a museum.

But Aster quickly comes up with a solution.

"I-I'ts okay, I can unlock the door!" The star reaches out to use their magic, but Asha holds his arm.

"No! We can't keep running away from him, otherwise we'll lead him straight to the study, to where my friends are." She explains to Aster with concern, but also determined to fight back instead of running.

"Then what do we do?" Aster asks her quickly.

"I- I... I have a plan." Her face lights up with an idea, as she holds the star's hands "I don't have much time to explain so pay attention-"

"Oooooh Asha~" The king's voice comes from the other side of the door, he's getting closer.

Asha holds the star by the wrist and guides him to hide behind one of the many artifacts in the room "Aster- Turn into your human disguise NOW." They're now crouched down, hiding behind a small pillar with an old vase on it.

Aster is confused "What?? But I can't use my powers when I'm in that form." Aster explain nervously as they hear the king's footsteps approaching

"You can't glow either, you need to stop glowing so we can hide in the dark." She whispers quietly, her glance is practically rushing the star to just do as she says.

Aster doesn't know what she's planning but he trusts her wholeheartedly. He quickly goes from a 2D drawing with shiny hair to a 3D animated character like Asha, with normal blonde hair.

"Okay, so what do we do no-"

They hear the door opening.

The two teens keep their mouths shut.

"... Playing hide-and-seek again, little star?" Magnifico's voice echoes through the room, he lets out a low chuckle and says "Alright, let's play one last game."

Aster and Asha are staring at each other, it's dark but they can see one another thanks to the dim blue lighting above the treasure they're hiding behind. They hear the king's foot steps as he slowly walks around the room looking for them.

Asha can feel her heart pounding, how can she tell the plan to Aster if they can't speak?

...

She remembers they both know how to communicate without speaking.

She begins to speak in sign language, Aster can see her hands under the dim light:

"I'll make a distraction, while you take this and spread it all over the floor when he's not looking" She signs and takes from her belt the bag of blue dust she took from the king's desk.

Aster doesn't understand what that is or how she can distract him at all, he signs to her back "How are you gonna distract him?"

She's about to sign to answer his question, but then the king begins to speak casually

"Ya know, Asha. I'm actually so glad you evaded Amaya's trap, truly I am." We see the king looking at his own reflection in one of the artifacts in the room, not really in a hurry to find them "For you see, I have a little secret I wanted to share with you... Wanna know what it is?"

Asha obviously doesn't respond, she's holding her sketchbook and pencil like she's preparing to draw something, she tries her best to focus and ignore whatever the king is talking about.

"Your grandfather's wish." Asha's eyes widen, she stops drawing "The very thing that started all this... Yeah, me and my wife miiiiiight have told you a little fib, shocker I know heheh" he jokes, as they both know all they've done is lie to her from the start "But I decided to come clean, since I happen to actually remember now what his wish was: "To inspire the people of Rosas with my songs"" The king quotes what the wish was, with a clear tone of disdain.

Asha feels like everything fell into place... Saba really was just like her... Or maybe she was a lot like him. This is probably the first time anything the king says brought her a sense of actual comfort.

Aster is surprised as he himself didn't know what Sabino's wish to the king was, but by pure coincidence it's the same thing he guided Asha to do.

But the king obviously is not sharing that to give her a wholesome moment or anything, he continues with a smirk "I'm sure now you see that I did him a favor by never granting that wish."

Asha's face becomes an angry glare. And she begins to draw something in her sketchbook quickly.

The king can hear the sound of the pencil sliding on the paper, and he follows it while speaking calmly "I mean, if I did grant it, he could've ended up crossing the line... Like you did."

Aster notices he's getting closer and looks at Asha anxiously as if to rush her to finish what she's drawing already. Asha looks like she's almost done.

"And when you cross the line..." Magnifico grin widens, he get's closer to the sound and...

He sees Aster dragging Asha to a different hiding place as fast as he can, but not fast enough.

Magnifico uses his magic to grab Asha with a giant hand.

"AAAAGH!" Asha screams as the king raises her up.

"NO!" Aster yells in desperation

"THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES!" Magnifico says with a twisted glee, and he throws the girl all the way to the other side of the room.

Aster runs to where she is, but to no avail as Magnifico holds him with his magic. The man is laughing maniacally as he walks to the girl.

"Ha ha aaah and it looks like I win our little game, now who would've thought?" Aster is struggling to free himself from the king's magic while Asha is laying on the floor, looking up in fear "But I'm afraid you won't get to see what happens next, my dear." He grins as he points his staff to her, but just when he's about to charge up an attack-

"W-wait!" Asha exclaims, looking up terrified "... Can I just a-ask one thing?"

The king raises one eyebrow "Your last words? Hmm it's cliche, but oh alright I'll allow it, what is it?" He asks with a relaxed smile.

Asha looks down defeated "I- I just wanted to say..."

She looks back up to him with a smug.

"I got way better at drawing self portraits, didn't I?" "Asha" asks full of confidence.

Magnifico's evil smile disappears, replaced by a face of pure confusion, completely taken aback by the girl's random comment.

"Wha-"

"Oh yeah! You look amazing, and I look pretty good too." "Aster" comments cheerfully, still tied by Magnifico's magic, but he doesn't seem to care at all anymore.

The king turns to the star in confusion, not understanding what these kids are talking about... But he notices something he didn't see before because of how dark the room is... "Aster" is black and white.

Before he has time to fully process that, the two living drawings smile at him while going from 3D animated, to 2D, to looking like rough sketches, until they both disappear completely.

... He got tricked.

"Hey Mag!"

Asha's voice comes from behind him. He turns around in shock, and sees the REAL Asha and Aster as standing in front of the now open exit. Aster is back to his 2D glowing self, and he's holding a now empty cloth bag.

The floor is shining with blue dust all over it.

"Here's a little trick your wife taught me!" Asha exclaims with a defiant smile, and she throws a hand drawn fireball from her sketchbook.

The fire hits right in front of Magnifico. A large black and white flame grows, it looks like scribbles one would draw on paper, but it shines and burns just as much as normal fire, and it's spreading all around him.

Magnifico get's so startled by the fire that he finally lets go of his staff for a second.

And that second is all that Aster needed. The star stretches his arm all the way to the other side of the room, grabbing the staff and bringing it to them.

(I mentioned on Aster's "How I'd Reimagine the Characters in Wish" blog that he could stretch his body, but he kinda never used this ability, so what better moment to have him use it than now)

"No-NO WAIT!" Magnifico is trying to avoid the flames as he begs.

Aster spins the staff in the air before HITTING IT ON THE FLOOR with all the strength he can manage.

"AAAGH!" Magnifico quivers and yells in pain.

The gem is broken.

Asha and Aster run out of the room, and Aster locks the door behind them with his magic.

They can hear the king's painful screams coming from the other side of the door...

The two run up the stairs that leads to the wishes room, Asha is breathless as they stop in front of the door of the king's study.

"... We did it? We won?" Asha asks almost in disbelief, but with a smile already beginning to form in the corners of her lips

Aster looks to the staff now with no green gem on his hands, and let's go of it, letting it fall on the floor, he looks to her with a bright smile "... Yeah, it's over!"

Asha hugs him and laughs in relief. Aster holds her tightly while spinning her in the air.

"That was GENIUS!" Aster exclaims once he stops spinning "You finally figured out how to draw yourself!" he sounds proud of her, as he knows that was a skill Asha always struggled with.

"All I needed was to understand what I was drawing... And now I do." Asha says with a warm smile, placing a hand on her chest, reflecting on how this whole experience helped her understand who she really is.

She pulls Aster by the hand for them to go through the door of the wishes room. "Come on! Let's go tell the others."

Once she opens it, they see her friends all around the door waiting for them, Gabo is holding the sword Amaya was fighting with earlier, like he's ready to attack if who came in was Magnifico.

"ASHA!" They all scream in excitement and relief. Everyone rushes for a group hug

Including someone who wasn't with them earlier, but managed to pull himself up the rope elevator.

"YOU GUYS ARE OKAY!" Simon exclaims, embracing the whole group with his big arms.

Asha is smiling despite almost suffocating in the group hug "Heheh yup, we're fine, but we still got some wishes to free!"

Her friends let go of the hug, fully focused on the task at hand.

"Right! Aster, give us a lift to the ceiling will ya? There are some pulleys up there, that must be how we can open it!" Gabo exclaims, pointing to the top of the wishes room.

"Oh-ho! A few lift ups coming right up!" Aster says cheerfully, and uses his star dust on a few of the king's books, making them float to the wishes room, just waiting for the teens to get on them so they're lifted up there.

The teens run to the wishes room, Asha stays behind in the study for a moment to see... The queen is all tied up, looking at her in horror.

"Where is Magnus?"

If it was anyone else Asha would probably feel sorry for her, but this woman deserves no sympathy. So Asha just says with frankness "Burning down stairs. You're a widow, again. Consider that my wedding anniversary gift."

(Yeah I couldn't fit anywhere else so here's a reminder that back in chapter 2 Dahlia's mom said they had to go to the market to get her some ingredients, because she had to make a cake for the king and queen's wedding anniversary, and guess what? That is TODAY! So uuuuh yay tying up with the 100 anniversary disney movie theme... Also they kinda canceled the celebration for obvious reasons.)

The queen holds in a gasp, as if her cold heart just shattered.

Dahlia was next to her friend and is surprised by her tone "Woah Asha, I know she's evil but y-"

"They killed my parents, Dahlia." Asha puts it simply to her best friend while walking to the wishes room to join the others.

"THEY WHA- OOOH That's what you GET you WITCH!" Dahlia shouts in Amaya's face, now fully on board with Asha.

(I love that witch is the closest I can get to have them calling her the B word)

We see Gabo, Dario, Safi, Hal and Bazeema all being lifted up by the books, as there are 5 pulleys for each one of them to pull.

Aster is flying around the wishes, looking in amazement to the blue ones, and holding the green ones, which makes them turn back to their original blue color, un-cursing them. He is flying around repeating the process on as many as he can.

Asha looks up to her friends and the wishes, she smiles in relief that everything is finally falling into place... But then she notices Simon is standing in the corner of the room, his eyes are downcast.

Asha walks to him "Simon, you okay?" She asks him worriedly.

Simon doesn't even know where to begin his apology, for everything. He looks at her full of regret "Asha... I'm sorry, I am so so sorry." He begins, Asha looks to him and listens attentively "I don't expect you to forgive me. I was so scared that we could get hurt- I just- I couldn't believe that everything we knew was a lie" he begins to tear up "... And I wanted so badly to believe in him-"

Asha gives him a hug.

"... You were hurting in silence for so long because of the things he did... And I was too, we all were." Asha says calmly, trying to reassure her friend "What matters is that he's gone now, he can't hurt us anymore."

Simon has tears running down his face but he hugs her with a smile.

Aster flies closer to them, holding a wish bubble "And I think THIS belongs to you!" The star says warmly

Simon and Asha still can't see what's inside the bubble, but just by getting close to it Simon can feel it "My wish?" Simon asks in surprise "... No, I don't deserve it, I put all of us in danger and-."

"Everyone deserves to know their wish" Aster tells him with a bright smile "He tricked you, so what? Happens to the best of us, literally happened with me today"

"The important thing is that you see the truth now." Asha says, she looks at Simon and then at the wish with a smile, as if to encourage him to get it.

And he does so, reaching out for the bubble, and once he holds it reveals the image of Simon wearing knights clothes... Simon's smile is replaced by disappointment.

"Well... This is awkward." He says letting go of his floating wish "That's not what I wish for anymore... Guess I can't have it back."

"Hey now, that's not how it works." Asha smiles as she holds his wish "It's not about what the wish IS, it's about what it MEANS." She repeats what Aster told her back in the cave when they were talking about her wish, the star smile widens at that. Asha continues to explain "Sure, on the surface it may look like all you wish for is serve the king... But there's so much more to it than that." She places the wish in his hands "You wish to protect those you care about, like you've been trying to protect us this whole time, because even without your wish, THAT'S who you are. This wish is what makes you... YOU." Simon's smile returns "And NO ONE should live a life without being themselves fully." She finishes, her eyes sparkling with joy for her friend finally getting his wish back.

"... Thank you." Simon takes his wish and brings it to his chest, it is quickly absorbed.

Immediately there's a change in him, the bags under his eyes are gone, he gets a better posture as his back becomes straight, his smile widens once he realizes for the first time in 3 years he's not feeling exhausted.

"Woah... I forgot how this felt like heh" Even his voice is more full of life now.

"Uuuuh hate to interrupt the wholesome moment, but we're having some trouble up here!" Gabo's voice comes from above them.

Asha, Aster and Simon look up, seeing that the teens are struggling to pull the ropes to open the ceiling

"Do you think you can use your magic to open it, Aster?" Asha asks him

"Those panels are waaay too heavy for my dust to make them float..." They explain disappointedly

"We need more weight..." Hal says, she looks down and thinks for a moment, and an idea pops in her head "Alright! Who here ever wished to be an acrobat?" She asks them excitedly while preparing to jump with the rope tied to her hand

"What are you doing???" Safi asks her worried

"Follow my lead! YOOHUUUL!" She jumps with the rope, pulling the triangular plate from the ceiling right open.

All the teens understand the plan, as Dario doesn't hesitate and jumps right after her, followed by Bazeema, Safi and lastly Gabo.

The ceiling is open.

Asha is jumping with joy as the wishes begin to fly out of the castle.

"Well done guys! You're ready Aster?" She asks the star thrilled

Aster is just as thrilled as her when they answer "I fell down here ready!"

He flies up to the middle of all the wishes. The star focus his magic and opens his arms wide, magically turning all the green bubbles into blue ones.

The teens and Asha clap and cheer from bellow. While Bazeema is holding Valentino in her arms.

Aster looks beyond relieved he was able to actually do this... After this, Asha's wish will be granted.... And even if that means he'll have to leave, he couldn't be happier that he could give that to her.

Aster prepares to send all the wishes back to Rosas "And now! Time to return you all to who you belon-"

(*siiiiiiiiigh* ... I hate myself for what I'm about to do with these kids)

...A giant green orb holds all the wishes...

Aster sees he's surrounded by dark magic. He is mortified by fear.

And so is Asha as we see her and the teens looking up in horror... The magic that created the orb came from behind them.

Asha can't move, she doesn't want to turn around, but she hears that condescending voice she thought she'd never hear again... And he sounds very excited about his big entrance:

"Surprise~ Did you miss me?." Magnifico's voice echos, and all the 7 teens turn around to see who they already know who it is.

King Magnifico is completely unharmed, holding the staff with no green gem on it with one hand, while hugging a now untied Amaya with the other, they're both smiling deviously at the frightened teens.

Asha hasn't turned around yet.

"I certainly did, darling. Although, I didn't doubt you'd come back for a second." The queen says honestly, as that heartbroken expression she made earlier was just an act, she knew Magnifico had a precaution in case they got his staff.

Asha finally turns around, she's trying to hide her fear as she speaks "How? W-We broke the gem from your staff, how did yo-"

"Oh you mean this gem?" Magnifico says casually while pulling a glowing emerald from inside his vest... The actual gem from his staff.

Asha is stunned, and so is Aster, watching them from the bubble, trying to get out.

"Fun fact about magic power sources, kiddos." He explains like he's teaching a class, while placing the gem back into the staff "Although it is easier to use them in an amulet or staff, if you have it with you anywhere then its magic can still be used however you please." He fits the gem back into its original place, finishing his little explanation "And that includes making it LOOK like the magic is coming from a fake power source, such as that one you broke down stairs." He smiles at Asha triumphantly.

"... You knew we were planning to break it." Asha already suspected it from the moment Amaya told her Simon betrayed them... But she was hoping maybe he didn't say that part of the plan, or the king was too full of himself to come up with a precaution.

The two royals are walking towards them as the queen says "Of course. Thank you so much for the tip, Simon, we really couldn't have done it without you." Her voice once again has a mocking motherly tone to it as she speaks to the oldest of the group, who looks like he wants to burry himself on the ground right now with all the regret he feels.

"I- I DON'T REMEMBER TELLING THEM THAT!" Simon exclaims to his friends, who are all looking at him with sadness in their eyes, except for Gabo who looks ready to kick his kneecaps

"Well you were rather sleepy, perhaps it slipped your mind heheh" The king's eyes glow green, just to indicate what he did.

The two of them are approaching, but Asha is not about to just stand by and let them win like that, she's in front of her friends as she prepares to draw-

"Ooooh no you don't." Magnifico uses his staff to snatch the sketchbook off her hands

"NO!" Asha tries holding it with all her strength, but it's no use, as the sketchbook flies straight to the king's hand.

And just like that, Magnifico summons a green flame with his hand and burns the sketchbook.

Asha feels tears form on the corner of her eyes as she watches all her drawings burn in front of her.

She still has her pencil though, which she discreetly hides inside her sleeve.

"Welp, this was fun and all, but I think it's high time we get to the main event of the night." Magnifico says as he and his wife walk, looking up to the trapped star above them, who has been throwing himself on the walls of the large bubble all this time trying to get out.

Asha wipes away the tears forming in her eyes, she's NOT letting them win, she's not letting them get Aster.

"ASTER! Can you hear me!?" The star stops trying to get out and looks down to her, nodding "yes". So she continues to shout "If you get ANY chance to escape, do it! GO BACK TO THE SKY!" She begs him, knowing that's the only way to protect him and Rosas "Don't look back! It doesn't matter if my wish isn't granted! I just need you to be safe!"

Aster is looking down to her already with tears in his eyes. She's saying pretty much the same thing he asked to that illusion the king created in the woods...

And said king is standing right behind her "Giving up at last? Good. But I'm afraid our star is not going anywhere." He grabs her by the shoulder and pulls her closer to him, threatening to use his magic on her while looking up to Aster with a threatening smile "If he does, I might take my anger out on someone else, and we wouldn't want that, would we Aster?"

Aster looks down shaking in fear, his animation is more sketchy... He can't do it, he can't leave her.

Asha get's out of the king grasp and turns to him in defiance, refusing to show weakness "I'm not giving up! And neither will anyone else in Rosas, even if you get Aster's power, they will NEVER knell to you!"

Magnifico and Amable just look really amused and even intrigued by her boldness, after everything she still has spirit... And they can't wait to break it.

Magnifico leans down to look at her angry eyes "You really think so?" His eyes move away from hers, and he changes his focus to the 7 teens "Hmm let's test that theory..." He begins to walk towards them, ignoring the girl "Ooh Simon~ I believe you just stole something of mine-"

Asha doesn't think twice before holding him by the cape and pulling it.

"Leave them alone! I'm not letting you hurt them-"

Magnifico holds her with his magic and THROWS Asha to the bookshelves on the wall, the girl screams in pain upon impact and falls on the floor.

Aster can't be heard from the bubble but he's clearly screaming. While the teens gasp in fear.

"Frankly Asha, you REALLY should start worrying about yourself once in a while." He says sarcastically while turning back to the other teens, specifically to Simon.

Asha is laying on the floor in pain, but she sees the books that fell down from the bookshelf... Paper.

That's all she needed.

"Now where was I? Ah yes, you stole a wish from me." He chuckles darkly and speaks in mocking reprehending tone "Tsk tsk tsk first you break your end of our deal and now this? Asha really is such a bad influence."

Simon is no longer scared, but rather furious with every word the king just said "This wish is MY wish! And YOU are the one who broke the deal! You said Asha wouldn't get hurt!"

"Ah ah ah wrong in both instances. First of all: I said IF you kept all your friends locked up, then I, as in ME, Magnifico, wouldn't hurt her... But my dear wife promised you nothing, sooo really it's your fault for forgetting she existed, young man." He explains smugly.

"Indeed, how dare you?" Amaya complements, like she's offended he forgot about her.

Asha is quietly ripping off a page from a book on the floor. She tries to think on something to draw... But nothing comes up, her head is pounding in pain after being thrown to the bookshelf. And all the ideas that do come in her head just sound too risky, if she messes up the king will break her pencil.

"And second of all: ... I believe you misunderstand what I actually DO, Simon. So allow me to explain." His voice is more menacing this time as he approaches them, Simon has his arms open to shield his friends behind him "When you give me your wish, you're not just lending it to me, no no no, you GAVE it to me... So I can do whatever I want with it."

That get's Asha's attention as she tries to get up, using the desk to balance herself.

"No one agreed to tha-"

"SO" The king interrupts Simon and places a hand on the young man's chest, surprising him and all the others "If I say I want to change your wish, I will. If I say I don't want your wish to be granted, then it won't be" A blue light starts glowing on Simon's chest, the boy looks scared at the king smiling deviously to him "... And if I say I want your wish BACK"

He pulls out Simon's wish. Simon immediately feels himself grow weaker.

"Then I'll take it back." Magnifico says simply while looking at the blue orb.

Simon feels hopeless, the fire he had in his eyes a moment earlier is all gone.

Asha sees this happening all the way back in the king's study, she hides the piece of paper she got inside her sleeve. She's still trying to stand up as she asks.

"Y-you ugh- You can STEAL people's wishes?!"

"Oh I "wish" heheh" He laughs at his own joke "But nah, I can only take back from those who have given it to me once willingly." He holds Simon's wish in his hand with a smirk "Now the question is... What should I do with this one?" It's a sarcastic question, as he knows exactly what he'll be doing with it.

Simon is horrified, thinking the king will change his wish into something else, maybe even control him.

"Ah I know, how about a little demonstration of what happens with wishes in this real world? heheh" His grip begins to tighten on Simon's wish.

Simon gasps in pain as his legs go weak, his friends all worriedly ask what's going on with him and try to help him stand up.

"They get CRUSHED." The king destroys Simon's wish. Absorbing it's energy like it's the most wonderful sensation going through his veins.

Simon collapses, his knees on the floor as his face is now lifeless.

His eyes are unfocused. He's catatonic.

"Si-simon?" Dahlia tries to shake him to wake him up, but he's not responding, he's just breathing.

Asha is still in the king's study, shaking her head "no" in disbelief.

Magnifico pulls her back to the wishes room with his magic.

"What was that you said about Rosas "never kneeling to me", Asha?" He says smugly, pointing to Simon kneeling in front of them.

"What did you do with him?!" Asha is struggling to get out of his magic's grip

Magnifico just ignores the question and lets go of her, as he walks to the center of the circular room.

But Amaya gladly explains with a wicked smile "Have you forgotten what kind of wishes he takes? Your deepest desire that shows who you ARE, one might even call it... Your soul." Asha and the other teens look at her shocked. "Or at least HALF of it, people still need the other half to keep living or whatever." She finishes dismissively

Magnifico hits the floor with his staff, sending magic waves all around the room. And before they know it the whole room is being lifted up.

He then turns to Asha with a menacing grin "And ya know, your sweet little star did mention I'd have to be very powerful in order to sustain his magic... So take a wild guess where I'm getting that extra power from." He gives her a clue by looking up, as if he's pointing to the wishes trapped above them with his eyes.

Asha looks up at all the wishes and then to him in disbelief "No... You can't- They didn't do anything- They don't deserve-"

"I decide what everyone deserves." He puts it simply with a grin, as they reach the top of the tower.

Chapter 16

Final Thoughts

... So... How many of you fell for it? I mean, maybe it just felt like an obvious fake out death to me because I'm the twisted and sleep deprived mind that came up with it, but come oooon ya'll didn't think I'd only end ONE of them, right?

But if you're DONE with Magnifico and Amable, don't worry I am too, can't wait for them to be defeated next chapter, for real this time, no cap, we'll get a happy ending for our traumatized heroes I swear.

But let me lighten the mood with an imagery that cracks me up every time I think about it... Magnifico sneaking in the room while Asha is having her little speech with Simon.

Like dude just got in like:

Then he unties Amaya and listens as Asha is like "He's gone now, he can't hurt us anymore" and they're both thinking like "OOOH WE GONNA HURT THEM SO BAD LMAO" like the abusive parental figures they are, because that's what they represent by the way, they're like Mother Gothel and the whole population of Rosas is Rapunzel.

Asha is better than me by the way, like, if I saw this man alive again after ALL that I'd just do like Bravo and jump off the window. But she just keeps going, keeps finding new ways to fight back, I love my girl so much, like, you guys may think I hate her for putting her through this, but I can't wait for us to get to her happy ending! BUT I CAN'T RUSH IT OTHERWISE IT'LL RUIN THE WHOLE THING.

Anyway, this is already way too long, pray for Aster, I think ya'll can guess what'll happen to him next chapter, and pray for Rosas, because Magnifico will not be making them knell down by being chaining them to the ground like in the movie... Sooo yeah.

Thank You For Reading!

[bowandcurtsey]

Hwllo I love your pregnancy simulator headcanons you did for zora and nozel

Could you please do one for fuegoleon too?

Hiya sweetie! Thank you for requesting this! I foresee I have a mutual that would love this too hehe. I'll add in Yami for this too, cause I'm missing him a little. Haven't done his request in quite in awhile. („• ᴗ •„)

Here's the link to the request for Nozel, Patri and Zora There's another one for Finral

Fuegoleon | Yami x f! reader

Fuegoleon Vermillion

Being the righteous gentleman he is, he agreed to it immediately. Salamander shook its head. He felt that he should know exactly what kind of pain you were going through, since you had your third child on the way.

You paste the stimulator on, for him. You started at level 3.

"I don't feel much honey. Feels a little ticklish."

You pressed level 5. "This is where the dilation starts, how is it?"

"okay. bearable." He walked around with the stimulator.

You pressed on 7. "we're now waiting for the right time to push~"

"Mhmm." he grunted a little, starting to feel the pain, "I think I need to sit down a little.."

He sat down with a huff and took deep breaths in and out.

You pressed 8.

"are we pushing yet, honey?" he said in between his breaths.

"nope. we're only at level 8, Fue. The dilation is not enough yet."

"Level 8?!"

You pressed 10. Fue had to sit forward and clench his fist and clutch the arm rest of the chair.

"Now you push!" you exclaimed

"honey.." he groaned, his breathing becoming laboured. "how do.. you-"

His hands reached to grab on the stimulator.

"how long-.." his sentence was more incoherent now, but you understood what he was asking

"er. usually the contractions come every 10 minutes or so and it stops after awhile..."

He was huffing and puffing, meaning that the contractions were off for now.

"And it childbirth could last like this for hours~" you reminded him.

You told him to lay down on the bed. As the contractions came, he curled his body a little.

"That wouldn't do, honey. You have to open your legs to push!" you teased him.

He tried to roll back on his back, his face muscles squirmed and tensed up. You could even see his forehead covered in sweat.

You turned the stimulator off when the contraction subsided again.

"Honey. I'm sorry you're going through this for the third time..." his face was so guilt stricken, "You're amazing for giving me 3 beautiful kids. I promise to never let them misbehave or bully you. They have to be nice to you at all times."

You laughed. Well, it gets easier one after the other, love." You grabbed a handkerchief to wipe off his sweat.

"I love you wifey." He caressed your face.

Yami Sukehiro

"no. I ain't doing that baby." he gave you the look.

"yes. you're doing it." you insisted.

Of course Yami Sukehiro could never say no to anything you wanted. He was wrapped around your pinky.

He gave a sigh as you paste the stimulator on him.

"baby. How about you press 10 right away?" Yami challenged. "Just get it over and done with."

"no?" you raised an eyebrow at him, "you have to experience the slow and gradual pain"

"you sound sick in the mind when you say that out loud, baby" he gave you a dead panned face.

"Excuse me, we woman experience this for hours. Some take 12 or more hours! I'll just let you feel the pain for a few minutes."

"okay, okay..." he was defeated, once again.

You pressed 4.

"You feel anything?"

"nope."

You pressed 6. "Dilation starts about now."

"So we're going push now?"

"no? Just a waiting game."

"I feel like might punch someone in the face if they made din right now"

You gave a little laugh, but you were impressed by your man's tolerance.

You pressed on 8.

Yami took a deep breath in and let it out slowly.

"Painful, huh." you cocked your brow and tilted your head to the side.

"I could understand why you women get upset randomly feeling this. I feel like yeeting Asta Luck and Magna right now just to let off some steam."

"Yami!" you rolled your eyes at him, "anyway, you can lie down if it's uncomfortable."

He lay down on your bed making himself comfortable. You were really impressed. This man had high tolerance to pain.

"ready for 10?"

"You mean it's not level 10 yet?"

"no?"

"what the fuck." he cursed, "okay just go."

You pressed on 10. Yami spewed a chain of curse words as the contractions came on. He scratched his head roughly.

"I don't get it, baby." he grunted.

"Get what?"

"You cry and yell at all the fuckin roaches and you go through this?"

"Hey!" you smacked his biceps

"Yeah, you can hit me now, cause I ain't feeling anything except this fucking shit."

You laughed. He must be really feeling the pain now, seeing the amount of vulgarities he was spewing.

Whenever the contractions went off, he relaxed awhile and when it came again, he was grabbing at the pillows and cursing.

"Get this damn baby out already." his face looked like he was having a bad constipation.

"Baby, remember when we had our first child, I took 8 hours?"

He eyes darted to look at you, realising all the pain you were in for that long back then.

"Yeah." you nodded your head at him, seeing that he understood what you were getting at.

"I'm sorry princess. From now onwards I'll yeet them if they misbehave, god damn it."

"You'll yeet your precious d/n?" you gave him a smirk, knowing that his little princess was his weak spot.

He paused to think for awhile, "okay you can yeet that little monkey and me out together."

[lovelyyandereaddictionpoint]

hey i love what you wrote about the gorgon sisters! I love the cliffhanger too! Can i ask on what headcanons or ideas do you have on Yandere Medusa, Arachne, and Shaula Gorgon to sibling!reader when they all used to live together or something like that? I'm not sure if you are doing requests but if you aren't that's fine. I just wanna know your thoughts if thats ok.

Living with the your Gorgon Sisters (1)

Medusa Gorgon the feared Snake 

Shaula Gorgon the conniving Scorpion

Arachne Gorgon the infamous Spider

And the forgotten one (Y/n) Gorgon: the salamander

You paled in comparison to your sisters and their evergrowing reputation

Taking on the DWMA and attempting to birth a Kishin to plunge the world into madness

Such feats could only be done by the Gorgon sisters right

And you the forgotten sibling left to stir in the mock terrarium you’ve been given

Since you were young you’ve found that your siblings often fought for a type of ownership of you

Constantly fighting to keep you in their designated “tanks” 

Sealed from the outside world 

From the exclusive witch world

They unanimously decided they’d keep you from ever-evolving or even fighting

All they wanted you to do was swim in an oversized tank 

Just waiting to be slinked back to when they need reviving or wish to play with the helpless baby 

It was only until recently that they weren’t aggressively fighting over you 

Now a routine had been established

A routine that meant varying levels of freedom:

Shaula Gorgon

“Well, aren’t you pleased to be in my care!”

The youngest of the three is the worst one to be stuck with. 

Most likely to leave you in an actual tank

Because she’s not as powerful as the others 

She’s so insecure that her possessiveness is clouded by her desire to show off her seniority

Often visiting your hidden enclosure to monologue boast about her latest project

And like clockwork, you poke holes in her schemes 

“Doesn’t it take one student to really catch on to your method?”

“Quiet! I don’t expect you to understand!”

“But the eye thing is really obvious don’t you think—”

“Shut up!”

Medusa Gorgon

“I told you I’d have you eventually. Now do you want to test my strength?”

She is one of the cruelest and most competitive 

She doesn’t really talk with you, she talks at you

Forcing you to kneel as she pats your head 

Mulling about her latest plans to resurrect kishin asura

About the madness she wants to create

As well as how much better she can be than Arachne

Does actually let you out forcing you to follow closely beside her as she tortures witches and meister-weapon duos alike

When you’re threatened during her battles its like a switch 

She gets relentlessly violent and irritated 

Which unfortunately persists after her enemy is dead and gone

Best to find someone else to play with her or else it’ll be whoever else she’s seeing next poorCrona

“Did you see that (Y/n)? They thought they could touch you with me here, don’t you see what happens when you leave my side.”

“Sorry.”

“It’s only the beginning. This time stick close or you’ll be going back to your tank.”

Arachne Gorgon

“You sleep soundest with me here.”

Your time is divided between her webs and your lake 

Depending on the time period she might just restrict you to only sleeping within her arms

She’s always been like this babying you through and through

Cooing about how she’ll have to leave 

With promises of her return 

She adamantly refuses to let you leave whatever safe room she’s decided on 

Even going so far as to drug you to sleep when she isn’t around

All those in Arachnophobia follow her lessons, no harm to you than necessary to restrain you

And when Arachne returns she’ll have a proper punishment for you

“No lake for a week, my spiderling.”

“But I–”

“It’s what you deserve, (Y/n) for misbehaving.”

[dollwrites]

𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 ∣ smut ( minors dni ), human!fem!reader, dragon!ena smut headcanons, monster fucking, mentions of heat, restraining, dub con, scissoring, face sitting, multiple orgasms, squirting, all characters featured are aged 18+

𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 ∣ salamander did this to me. please reblog && leave feedback. not proofread so there’s probably mistakes. thanks for reading < 3

𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 ∣ day seven [ dragon!ena shinonome ]

dragon!ena that just gets so aggressive when she’s in heat. she doesn’t even hesitate to pin your ankles up by your head when she spreads your legs wide, opening you up to her and only her.

“Ena, that hurts.” you whine, and squirm underneath her, but she ignores it as she straddles the backs of your thighs, getting into position, “I don’t bend that way—“

“You have to!” she replies, indignantly and dominating, “How else will I make this little cunt my seat?” when she plops down on you, her claws bite at your ankles, and she starts to drag her swollen, drooling pussy against yours. “Just stay still for me, let me play…” she moans, rocking into a needy rhythm. the constant rubbing of her folds against yours, the steady force against your clit coaxing it to swell to rival hers, and they share fervent, heated kisses. “Let me just get off and I’ll be sweet to you again, I promise…”

dragon!ena uses her long, forked tongue like a weapon. when she lays across you, her tongue slithers out of her mouth and straight to yours. as if with a mind of its own, it flicks at your lips before worming its way into your mouth by way of force. her lips follow soon after, pressing hard to your open mouth; and that serpentine tongue has scraped every inch of your cavern and now teases your gag reflex, testing to see just how deep she can shove it down your throat. your clucking and choking makes her moan, a sound that dies at the join of your mouths.

with dragon!ena, getting off never means just one time. she’ll grind her needy cunt against yours until you’re mewling and begging for her to stop because the sensation is just too much, and she’ll cum, but then she’ll insist on climbing up to sit on your face, smearing the cocktail of pussy juices from the two of you over your mouth as she whines, “Come on, baby, lick it good for me like you always do. I need another one, please please please.”

you know she’s genuine, because you can taste it in her slick. her netherlips are still dripping with desire, though her sex as a whole is red and swollen, aching from the gauntlet she’s already put herself through. she must be even more sensitive than you, because you don’t so much as flick her swollen button with your tongue before she’s hissing and snarling, grasping your hair with both hands to keep your head securely underneath her.

“Ahhh…! Yes, that’s my girl, make me cum on your tongue!”

it’s impossible to refuse, considering your position— smothered by a greedy dragon’s deliciously overstimulated cunt, but you didn’t want to, anyways. you moan against her folds, allowing the sound to flow through her in waves of torturous vibrations, before you focus on lapping at her clit until her hips are bucking, back and forth, and she’s started to ride your mouth straight into pure bliss.

“Almost there, almost there, almost there-“

you would be lying to say that your legs weren’t aching, still splayed and pretzeled, but you ignored it, because the sound of Ena cumming once more floods your atmosphere. the way she whines and snorts, how hard she pulls on your hair, and then there’s the fervent rubbing. she’s fucking herself, and using your mouth to do it. by trapping you on the floor, you can do nothing but allow her to use your face as she pleases, and roll your tongue in all the right spots until she starts to yelp and twitch.

dragon!ena is so greedy when she’s in heat that she’ll cum over and over, until each orgasm has her abused cunt erupting all over you. you feel like you’re drowning in her essence— your face and hair drenched and dripping with squirt, and she’s howling your name, clawed hands scraping at your legs to quell your helpless writhing. if you weren’t so drunk on her cunt, you’d tell her that it hurts. that her claws are breaking your skin, and you can feel the heat of blood trickling down in thin lines. you can’t think to form the words, so you only relish in the pain and her pleasure, for as long as she needs you to.

[greetingsfromuranus]

What qualities do you like about Double D the most?

Soooo so many things I love about him - I often think about how soft his skin would be, like his cheeks are all soft and squishy, and his neck is probably so delicate and warm, his skin would probably be a bit clammy (he's so anxious and riled up all the time....) but not in an unpleasant way, it's just how he is lol. He's definitely one of those people with really cold hands and other extremities, but a warm enough torso

I love the way his face stretches when he smiles! I love seeing all the different shapes he takes but his smile is my favorite :3 how do I describe it- he isn't lumpy or anything, but he just has so many interesting moving parts, I love how his cheeks stick out and his chin sticks out and his jaw behind his ear sticks out, and his lil eye lines/eye bags, and of course his tooth gap! Big ol teeth...... He's just so wonderful to look at and I wish I could give him a big kiss on the forehead... boop his nose while I'm at it.... he's shaped all awkward like a newborn kitten or and I love it

I love how long he is! Lanky lil ferret creature, like a cat, or a weasel, or a salamander! I like the salamander comparison best, I've studied their anatomy before and it ready fits Double D the best..... They're all lanky and squiggly and flexible just like Double D ^w^

I really like Edds funky posture, he has such a cute lil belly and messed up scoliosis back lol..... like he's all tall and thin compared to everyone else but he's still fleshy and soft >u< like you can see his ribcage and spine poking out, but he still has a big kitten belly... I just wanna hold and squish him! his limbs are all lanky and awkward, but theyre more like that of a delicate baby bird than a bony human!

Also... cute butt........ squishy squishy 🤤🤤 LOL I know it's probably just his big ol shorts but it's still cute..... I love how all his clothes are so big on him! It's adorable!! I can imagine all the textures so vividly.... his outfits are def 10/10 comfy ^^ I love how he just wears knee/thigh high socks, it's very cute and funny, I also wear socks that go up to my shorts sometimes and it is VERY comfy when they fit well.

I also love his tiny lil legs and the way he walks/runs! They go pitter patter as he skitters around like a dachshund or a lizard a a funky lil bug!

And I really like the way he handles his energy... ill start with describing the other eds first!

With Ed, his energy is sort of consistently radiating out, he has an IMMENSE amount of power and imagination in there, but he's big enough to handle it. It seeps out like radiation from a 10 ton brick of uranium.

With Eddy, he has more explosive tendencies, he's short and stout, which makes it harder for him to hold everything in, but he tends to compress it all down into a little ball. He's extremely volatile and reactive, you set him off and BOOM it all explodes out! His little body just can't handle anything new, he's already backed up with so much repressed emotion that there just isn't room for anything new. His explosions are like dynamite, or a star that got too much mass and imploded on itself.

Now Edd is the Anxiety Creature™, his energy is also volatile in nature, but I guess he's more electric, or like plasma. It's the kind of heat that's so hot it starts to feel cold again, like coming inside from the snow, turning the bath faucet to the hottest temp and butting your feet right under it. The difference between him and eddy is that Double D isn't able to hold anything down, as soon as it's created it's let out into the world, however that may be. He wears his emotions on his sleeve, expresses any and all fear, excitement, disgust, and affection he feels because he just doesn't have the volume to hold any of it in. He creates huge amounts of energy, and there's nowhere for it to go but out into the world! His tiny body just can't hold it all in.... it's hard to find a comparison like the other two, something so small with so much energy.... his energy sorta functions like the sun, once you look at it up close.

Here's a diagram I made to visualize it better, (it looks better on computer than phone) I feel like Edds colors are different based on whatever emotion he's expressing, but theyre always bright, whipping out like pink and yellow and blue solar flares. Eddy's are definitely more firey and messy than what i drew, think dynamite mixed with a supernova.

I've been writing this post all morning, and I think im gonna call it here for now lol. I will add some stuff about Double D's personality later lol.

[kit-williams]

Barn Anon. Your Honor, he is a sweet baby.

You had noticed how Gabriel is extra attached to you ever since that incident with the feral Black Legion. His affectionate behaviour had been amped up as well. He doesn't even leave the house as much as he used to. You know better now about the nearly unseen and unspoken war that rages between the invasive feral warband and the city astartes.

Being able to work remotely was something you jumped at. Now you didn't feel safe roaming the streets anymore. Gabriel originally was happy about it, seeing it as an easier way to protect you, until he was told by another astartes that it wasn't healthy to let you hide away. It resulted to this current situation where you're sitting in the base of the city's Blood Angels. Gabriel's out to help the search for a Word Bearer's human, leaving you under the watchful eyes of the numerous other Blood Angels.

No one know truly knows the exact number of astartes out and about on Earth. But here you realize there must be a few hundred of Blood Angels alone in the city, given how you had glimpsed a dreadnought stomping past earlier. It makes you wonder about the other astartes you had seen. The Ultramarines that hang out at the park, those Salamanders that seem to favor places where the young or elderly frequent. Then there's the odd Night Lord that you would glimpse blurring through alleyways, the more flamboyant Emperor's Children that teens seem to flock to.

One of the Blood Angels that had picked up human languages had explained how they're fully aware that not every human is comfortable with their presence. You can see why, but whenever the fear starts to creep back into you, something seems to block it. It confuses you but the few other humans you have met in the base have similar experience. That was enough to soothe your worries.

The sound of a door sliding open and Gabriel is a blur as he rushes in and straight to you. His helmet clanks on the floor as he instantly has you in his arms. His sweet sing-song voice fills the silence, brokenly telling you what he can with his limited grasp of English. It seems they were able to find the missing human who was swiftly carried away by his Word Bearer. His words taper off in favor of simply purring to you, both of you vaguely aware of someone else closing the door.

Trying to return to the desk to continue your remote work is now pointless. Your Blood Angel wouldn't let you go until he's assured himself that you are well. You feel the eerie brush of his lips at your neck, for a moment you think you feel his fangs brushing along your vulnerable skin. He seems to catch himself, freezing before murmuring a soft, "sorry".

You learn so much about blood angels its frightening. How the city is basically on lock down given how bold the feral astartes got everyone's astartes were on edge and you remember hearing something blow up and watching not only Gabriel rush out the door but several others... you could hear their loud stomping as a handful of astarte, both loyal and chaos, sprinted off.

Blood Angels need blood it turns out as you don't mind donating some but the way Gabriel watches you whenever you donate makes you squirm... they wouldn't be giving him your blood... right? You stayed home holed away till Gabriel tried to convince you to leave and well it was when he brought in the Astarte that could speak English that you decided to stay on base with him.

Every time you try to examine the wrongness of it all... how quickly the astartes have locked down the city... how is this normal? How is this just some small scrap? When you try to look at the wrongness of it all for too long... you start to hyperventilate... you feel so weak... its like you're staring into something too hard and looking at a grinning maw staring right back! But then it all fades so quickly as... its normal why were you worked up? Its just a spat anyone with Astartes knows that they're territorial... what do you mean its a warzone? It's just some spat... that's all.

You sigh against Gabriel enjoying his soft long locks against your face as you just enjoy cuddling your blood angel as he sings something in that language of his... helping you drift off slowly. No longer plagued with worry about being taken... or the way his fangs scraped your skin... no worry at all about the strangeness of this reality... no worry at all it's all normal for astartes to be here it's like they've always been around.

[yandere-daydreams]

you know how nearly every animal is cute as a baby? well, i can imagine an unsuspecting person, probably far too young to understand how this supposedly cute defenseless animal will grow into a terrifying and dangerous monster in the span of a few more years. perhaps they save it from another person who’s hunting its species to control their population — with little regard to how one action, is going to fuck them completely over just as soon as the “cute” monster no longer grows as cute

tw - mentions of death/mutilation, implied stalking, obsessive behavior, and animal death.

well, they aren't really a pet, more like... a companion who just so happens to have some extra-sharp teeth, and claws, and eyes, when they hear a loud noise or you manage to catch them off-guard and their pupils narrow into those tiny black slits. when you were younger, you used to feed them, sneak cuts of meat and bowls of fresh water out to their den, but you're older, now, and so are they, and they've already done more than enough to repay you for what little kindness you could afford to show them. you find bloody rabbits on your doorstep every morning, a bundle of mangled wild flowers every afternoon, and at night, if you're lucky, they'll stop by for dinner before they start their nightly hunt, stay long enough to spare a few words about their day and their plans and, if the weather's poor and they can't set off as soon as they like you, sit by the hearth and help you drain a bottle of something strong and sharp before carrying you to bed when you inevitably pass out, your head in their lap and their pointed nails raking through your hair. it's easy to relax, around them. you know they'd never hurt you, if they even could.

that's why you worry so much when the bodies start turning up, nearly shred to ribbons, left on the outskirts of your little village. it's rare, infrequent, the corpses only turning up every few months or so, and you can't really bring yourself to believe it's anything more than a particularly brutal string of wolf attacks, but you know how harmless they are, how isolated their den is, and you can't help but ask if they've been acting with care, but urge them to spend the night in your cottage rather than those cold, dark woods. they were just so frail as a child, unable to hunt on their own or sink their teeth into anything more aggressive than a stray salamander, and even if they've grown taller, even if you will admit that they might be a little stronger than you, you don't want to leave them out there all alone - especially as the attacks start occurring more frequently, as the bodies begin to turn up dismembered and disemboweled rather than simply bruised and beaten, as you start to see faces you recognize among the dead. they're reluctant, quick to express their doubts and warn you that they don't tend to be as docile after sunset. still, you insist. they're your friend, after all, and you've been taking care of them for as long as you can remember.

besides, they couldn't even hurt a fly, right?

[rikerssexblouse]

Oh my God, Rikerssexblouse! That salamander embroidery is just stunning!

Did you do it freehand? Or did you have some kind of instruction because if I wanted to take up embroidery before - I now need to do it! 😂🦎💕

Thank you! It was not freehand, and this was actually my first attempt doing one that wasn’t out of a kit. Before this I’d only bought kits on amazon or Etsy, which is nice because you get everything you need, plus instructions. But for a while I’ve wanted to do something of my own design, but I hadn’t quite figured out how. So since it would have been useful for me when I was trying to figure this out, I’m going to explain the whole process. And to be clear, I’m just figuring this out, so maybe people have other strategies, but it worked for me.

First, I took a screenshot of the salamander babies poking out of the hole and opened it up in Procreate. I am not at all experienced with Procreate (my 9 year old is better with Procreate than I am), but I created a second layer, and then drew on the second layer to outline the image. That looked like this:

Then I hid the layer with the screenshot, so you only saw the outline. It looked like this:

Then I printed it out.

Michaels has little squares of fabric for embroidery, so I bought two of those, one white and one purple.

It’s probably overpriced for the amount of fabric you get? But it’s a very convenient size for one embroidery project and it’s just two bucks.

But then I had to transfer the pattern to the fabric. This meant that I had to lay the fabric on the printoff and trace it with a special pen. I used this one.

It’s water soluble, so you can rinse the marks right out when you are done.

The problem I ran into, was that the purple was much too dark to see through to be able to trace, so I had to use the white (I just thought the purple would be more fun but dark colors won’t work well with this strategy). Then I was just filling in the shapes from my pattern. After I was done, I took it out of the hoop, rinsed it in water to rinse away the blue pen marks, pressed it between towels overnight, then put it back on the hoop and tied it up the back.

I think figuring out what stitches to use were might actually be the hardest part. It’s a combination of your vision/creativity and just enough experience with the stitches that you can visualize what they will look like. I used satin stitches (to fill in the big spaces like the salamander babies’ faces and the rocks), lazy daisy stitches (the nostrils), stem stitches (for the outlines), and about a thousand million french knots (the moss). Oh and straight stitches for the letters.

The salamander babies’ heads were hard, because I had to work around the spots and eyes and everything. The hole might be the part I’m most proud of, because my plan to give it depth actually worked. Instead of doing a satin stitch to fill it in smooth, I did straight stitches and arranged them directionally (into the middle and then down) to try to give it shape so you could see how the the hole goes down into the ground. I also used a little gray in between the black to give it some dimension.

The french knots that made up the knots aren’t particularly hard (although I do suggest finding a YouTube video to see how to do it, I could NOT figure it out from written instructions when I first started) but it used up SO MUCH more thread than I ever anticipated. Doing a kit, you get everything you need, but I didn’t know what I needed. Whoops. So I had some last minute panic about running out of thread (literally the night before Threshold Day). So a lot of the color variation is a matter of necessarily rather than my plan. But it worked out well.

If you look closely, the moss on the left has a lot more color variation than the moss on the right, and that is because I was running out of thread. But it’s not too noticeable (hopefully). I do love how the moss looks though! French knots are usually used for little details, but the mass of them gives it so much texture. I love it.

I will say, if you are trying it for the first time, don’t start by doing your own design. Follow a kit and figure out what you are doing first. And don’t be afraid to look up YouTube videos when you can’t figure out how to do something. Video is a MUCH better teacher than words can ever be, in this context. But at the same time, there really isn’t anything that difficult about embroidery. You mostly just have to be patient. I find it quite relaxing.

[fishyfishyfishtimes]

hey..... not technically a "fish" but do you want some fun facts about my favorite aquatic animal? I'm hoping you do.

Olms are distant cousins to the beloved axolotl. They are long n noodley. They were discovered in 1689 by a man who thought they were baby dragons. They are not, unfortunately. They're aquatic salamanders.

They are mostly blind, with skin covering their eyes, although they can sense light. They also still have the ability to produce melanin despite living in underwater caves! So they start pink, but can be brown too, and they share the branchy gills of axolotls.

They can go for TEN YEARS without food. They have also been observed to stay completely still for SEVEN YEARS STRAIGHT. lil couch potatoes.

they're vulnerable n deserve more love. lil cave spaghetti. I love them. n e way thanks for listening to my Autism/ADHD hyperfixation rant :3

Thank you for telling me about olms!! :D I didn’t know they could produce melanin, I thought they were all pink or light! Very cool information. I’m sure others will love to learn about them in this ask too. :)

I agree with you anon, I am a fish lover first but I am also an aquatic animal lover and a defender of overlooked animals second. Axolotls and amphibians aren’t talked about too much in the mainstream — though with the appearance of lotls and frogs in Minecraft that has somewhat changed — but olms are mentioned even less!! This is clearly very wrong, as olms are really cool and interesting animals in their own right. They’re like mysterious wise sages, but at the same time reach the kind of silliness that snakes and axolotls and other “no thoughts head empty” long animals have! A hard balance, in my opinion. It’d be cool to make a fun facts comic on them eventually, like I’ve done with Magnapinnas, sea cucumbers, sand dollars and sea bunnies (and some other animals I’m working on).

[miscfandomwrites]

Mama Chapter 13

Pairing: Natasha Romanoff x Mom! Avenger! Reader

Warnings:

Words: 1.3k

Tagging: @tyler-t0t

~~

A fitful night of sleep, which ended up with me waking and decided to stay awake around thiree thirty, already had me starting to shift into the headspace. I didn’t want to, but it was easier to cut off my emotions and focus on the analytical aspect of the mission. It was trick I learned years and years ago back when I was in the Marines-almost nothing could break the focus once I started. Almost.. 

My head shifted back to her...her standing on the beach, wearing her wedding gown and smiling at me, beckoning me to join her in the water...her in the forest, holding a salamander up to me, telling about its abilities...her holding Lillith…

I shook my head and forced myself to shove all of that deep, deep down and told myself I’d remember later, but not now. Not here. 

I got out of bed and quickly and effectively picked up my room, making sure the ‘dangerous’ items were out of Lillith’s curious sight and reach. She was going to be watched over while we were away, by Pepper was what I heard. I’d drop her off at Clinit’s but since it was such late notice we didn’t have the means. 

I got dressed in my innerwear, a simple body tight suit and study boots. I’d don the rest of my equipment down in the armoury, where I’d get my weapons. I stretched, testing the suit’s limited and bouncing on my toes, getting a feel for it. I’d already trained and tested it a few times, but this time I was going out into the battlefield with it. 

After making sure I had what I needed and that my room was not only Lillith-proof but was ready for me to crash as soon as I got back, I walked out. Since it was still pretty early, I gently opened her door and peered in, glancing at my sleeping child. Or was supposed to be sleeping, anyway. 

She was sitting with her back to the bed, facing the door, datapad on her knees and headphones on. Wearing one of my wife’s old hoodies and had her stuffed wolf (Whom she told me his name was timber) in her lap. 

Carefully, so she could see me, I went and sat down in front of her. She glanced up at me before shutting off the datapad and sliding her headphones off. 

“You’re leaving?” 

“..I am.” 

“How long are you gonna be gone?” 

“I don’t know..they said a few days.”

“And you’re gonna come back, right?” 

At this point I opened my arms and she crawled in them, clutching Timber to her chest. 

“Of course, kiddo. I always come back for you.” holding her close, I kissed the top of her head and rocked back and forth. 

“I have to go, though baby.” I told her, squeezing her just a little tighter. 

She sighed and wiggled out of my warms, before picking up the datapad and her headphone and crawling into bed. I grabbed the covered and pulled them up for her, kissing her on her forehead. 

“You’d better not stay up too late, little miss.” 

“I won’t, Mama. I love you.” 

“I love you too, kiddo. Be good.”

“You be good!” 

And with a chuckle at that, I smiled and shut her door. Taking a second to steel myself and breathe, I closed my eyes and shut all of it away, compartmentalizing it. Things get messy when you have emotions on the battlefield. I learned that the hard way.

~divider~

The doors automatically opened when I was close enough, and already everyone was gathered and putting on their gear and checking their weapons. I headed over to my corner, and opened the pair of large chests that help my stuff. 

Mostly it was armour plating, on top of various holsters and sheaths. My main job was to be a sniper, and from what I heard, I’d be picking out people who were on the run. Not letting anyone escape. Brutal, but if we were going to try and keep this as contained as we could, it had to be done. 

Another layer of pants and a shirt, then I did my kneepads and vest. 

“Front what we’ve gathered, all the snow is gone but it’s still going to be pretty cold. You might want another layer and some thicker gloves.” Bucky told me from where he was sitting. I nodded and sorted through my gear, switching my pants for one with another layer in them. I found my old windbreaker and put that on, then finished off with gloves and a beanie. Checking and double-checking my gear was secured, I started with the weapons.

Knives, many, many knives. A handgun, along with extra ammo, and a shit ton of ammo for my rifle. I’d be using a light weight but still really accurate sniper rifle. The stock on it held even more ammunition, and I’m assuming my pack did too. Both Barnes and I were going to start, seeing the layout and how best to take care of the...problem. 

The pack did in fact, have a shit ton of ammo. And some food, and other miscellaneous necessities. Checking everything again, I shouldered the pack and the gun and headed to the table in the middle of the room. Steve was standing there, looking akin to a war general with his stance. Barnes and Natasha were next to him, along with Sam and Wanda. From what I gathered, Tin can man and Bruce had gone ahead to scout some. 

“Good, you’re done. Now here’s the plan…” Steve went on to describe how Barnes and I were going to attack from the front, where it seemed most of their force was gathered, Wanda and Hulk would come in from left flank, Sam and Tony from top, Natasha and him from the back, and since the right flank led straight into the woods, Barnes and I were given free range to pick them off as we saw them. 

After agreeing, and knowing that this could turn into a multi-day mission because of tracking, we established meet up points in case we get separated. We’re going to be on a full-comm system as well, which should help.

After finishing checking equitment and suits for the upteenth time, we headed into the quinjet. The flight was going to take a few hours, and we were told to get some rest if we could. I used all of that time to figure out my head and get it clear. Locking everything that didn’t involve the mission away and for later. 

~divider~

“Alright, we’re twenty minute out. Everyone knows their parts?” Steve asked. A murmur of agreements went around the plane. 

Finally, the plane slowed and descended. Barnes and I dropped first, landing in small clearing. 

“You need to tell me anything before this all goes to hell?” He asked and he unstrapped the rifle across his back.

I sighed and kept walking, both hands gripping my rifle. 

“I’m going to sound emotionless, but that’s how I’ve learned to handle it. I’ll be okay.” 

He nodded, moving a branch out of out way and we walked towards the edge of the encampment. 

It was a lot larger than I expected, honestly. I was a bit surprised there were no patrols up here, but we were still a good distance away from it. Roughly forty yards away from us was a barbed wire topped fence. Seemed like it would be a bitch to cross over, but it seemed like this place had gotten hit hard with an air raid. Large chunks of the fence and the building were missing. Why it was still staffed was beyond me. 

We decided to sit in the hollow between two bushes, with him spotting and me sniping. Our first priority was to see what we were dealing with, then get our kill orders from Steve on whether we should take it or not. 

Settling down in the position and propping the gun up and finally getting the scope in my eye, I took a second to breathe and lock everything away. Finding the first soldier, I murmured to Barnes the location and he murmured back the order.

“Shoot.”

[talesofsonicasura]

Of Bug Cults and Living Stone

Prologue: Agent meets Legend

Mind controlling parasites and trying to rescue the President's daughter can be a huge stressful pain in the ass. Leon thought a taxidermy bear wouldn't make things harder. Too bad no one said anything about the owner being a troll. Literally.

Can be read gender neutral or preferred gender. Also can be read romantic or platonic. Enjoy.

Myths were a funny thing. Tales of creatures unlike anything that roamed the Earth. Fire breathing dragons, shipwrecking krakens and the constant between every continent whether it be a horror story, cheesy movies or children's nursery rhymes: Trolls.

Beings from Norse Mythology described to be made from living stone with various sometimes frightening sizes to boot. Creatures that could be a slow witted hideous monster or so human in appearance and mind it was mystifying. Although trolls rarely helping mankind isn't exactly a secret.

Now if you were one Leon Scott Kennedy, it was just a painful reminder about those creepy dolls often marketed towards children. He couldn't count how many times he had one of the ugly nude buggers look back at him in stores or the rare nurse's office. Now why would this be on the blonde's mind?

Imagine being an government agent sent to Spain since someone decided 'Why not snatch a very important thing from the United States' president?' That 'someone' was actually the leader of a bioterrorism aligned cult who uses parasitic bugs to control the populace and make them abominations. Finally with the nasty cherry on top this shit sundae is you might have said parasite inside your body.

Overall, a pretty shitty day so far as Leon rather be in bed fast asleep than relive a foreign version of Raccoon City. Man already had to kill a mutant amphibious creature as if someone drag him into a bootleg Moby Dick. The captain being a 5'11 well built false blonde agent while the whale was a man eating parasite infested salamander.

At the moment, Leon decided an inventory check would be the next best move. He'll need everything completely functional if the agent was going to make out of this shit show alive with 'Baby Eagle'. And waterlogged guns isn't gonna help unless they were a makeshift bat.

Now before he reached the village, Leon did remember one of the cab drivers mentioning a cave near the lake. An infamous place that only the bold dare to visit yet any Los Illuminados member seem to avoid like the plague. Perfect for a much needed break and inventory check.

The cavern's outside was surprisingly decent looking almost if someone once live there. Root vegetables planted in a small messy garden, mossy rocks stack on top each other by the entrance and an old clearly stolen dirty clothes pile. It was enough caution to have Leon draw his handgun.

He took a step forward unaware of the thin tripwire before his feet or the chain reaction to come. The string snapped as a soft hiss from fast pulling ropes hum around the man. Leon only had a second to notice the large creature lunging out of the cavern and instinctively fires his weapon. *BAM*

It was a direct shot as something brown hit the ground with a loud thud before it haphazardly roll at his right foot. "A bear head???" Leon looked at the taxidermy head and to the still body that now stood ferociously before the cave's entrance.

There were thin yet sturdy strings connected to each limb almost like a puppet. It was clear no one left it behind as it was too well kept and show barely any sign of wear. Yet that begged the question, who built the bear puppet?

A deep piercing growl tore through the silence as Leon's blue eyes met angry glowing slitted ones in the darkness.

The sound of a gun shot and its spicy companion scent awoken you from your slumber. Predatory eyes were quick to notice the head puppet string that now laid slack while its fellow siblings hung tight from their vessel's weight. Your irritation quickly rose as you caught the other two still present scents.

One was those accursed Las Plagas and their no doubt human vessel. A deep heavy growl tore from your throat as you rose from your comfy nest. Large curled stone hands rake the dirt alongside taloned feet, long bulky tail scrape the cavern walls, magnificent horns low enough to not hit the ceiling, thick moss like fur that coats a powerful frame, jagged sharp fangs paired with equally fierce tusks, long deer ears for sharp hearing, bear like snout and eyes capable of piercing the darkness.

A sight known to make even the bravest men piss themselves in fright much to your constant amusement. Trolls weren't a species who plays nice with humans. Especially for you as a certain group that believe they're gods earned your fury.

Now it's quite easy to recognize puppets of those vermin worshippers. You witness their ritualistic plagues infest the locals and later bloody your fangs to free their forsaken souls. What stood here was neither of those parties.

A mortal man whose blue eyes already knew horrors familiar yet unknown, dark grey shirt, black fingerless gloves, black combat boots alongside dark grey combat pants held snuggly tight against a body type built for speed, browning blonde hair which reek of dye and the only casual thing he wore was a snug brown jacket.

The warrior look back at your hidden frame with shock yet held no fear. It wasn't difficult to smell the slowly budding larvae inside his little body. "A human not consumed by Las Plagas? Quite a rare but pleasant sight for old eyes to behold."

The deep rumble of your voice made the mortal raise his gun at you. An amusing sight worth the small hearty chuckle. "What the hell are you? One of Saddler's pets?" That earned the man a harsh growl as irritation nearly boil into fury.

"I would never serve such a pathetic fleshbag! His kind destroyed the beautiful harmony of this land with those horrid vermin! Not even my dwelling escape those thieving destructive hands! As for what I am, I'm a troll who calls this broken land home."

The man slowly lower his gun but kept a finger steady on the trigger. "A troll? The ones that turn to stone in sunlight and often live under bridges? *You nod* Of course this fucking mission had to get weirder. It sounds like Saddler and his goons did something to piss you off." A disgruntled huff was enough to confirm his suspicion.

"We've been at war for quite some time. You see their "god's" power is completely useless against me. I can sap the parasite of its strength, like the larva nestled in your chest. Can even kill their entire hive if I lay my claws on the Plagas Queen. That very fear drives their numerous failed attempts to slay me. Bastards then stole something I consider invaluably precious."

A look of hope immediately cross the man's face upon hearing your words. "Then we have a mutual enemy. Saddler took something important from my country and done the same to you." It didn't take a genius to know what he's insinuating.

"You wish for my assistance? AHAHAHA! I never met such an amusing human in a very very long time. You don't know the dangers of making a pact with a troll, huh? My weakness to sunlight will be nullified in exchange for my power. I can crush your skull and rend your flesh like moss."

That didn't seem to intimidate the mysterious man one bit, in fact it made him even more determined. "Raccoon City already tore apart any sense of self preservation. Plus I'm dead either way if I can't get back Baby Eagle. Getting killed by a troll would be a spectacular way to kick the bucket though."

You couldn't help the bout of earth shaking laughter at the small human's words. "Quite a suicidal bastard, aren't ya? I like bold foolish mortals willing to dance with death." You tossed something metallic at the brave man. He caught it and saw the item was a small metal goblet.

"Pour a bit of your blood inside and prepare a title for me. It's required to form a familiar pact between us. The blood links my magic to you and the title being a way to summon me. I shall suppress the parasite's too so Los Illuminados can't interfere with the pact. Please tell this old troll the name of their contractor as I grant mine."

The stranger look at the goblet in his hands, then you with an amused grin on his face as your name grace his ears. He holstered the gun in favor of a small combat knife and made a decent slice on his left palm. Blood delicately pouring into the gauntlet then placing it before you in the shadows.

"My name is Leon Scott Kennedy. Saddler's cult has remain top dog for too long, haven't they? It's only fair that the bastards should take the role of prey. You want a title? I hope 'Hunter' is good enough for a mighty troll." Leon barely saw the large fang filled smile on your muzzle.

"Well then, Leon Scott Kennedy. If it's a hunter you want..." Sharp claws delicately grab the goblet of blood. "...then I'll happily serve the role!" And you drank the crimson liquid with vigor. A look of pain split across his face as he felt a burning sensation on his back. Leon would've think it been a trick if Saddler's whispers hadn't fell into silence.

You knew it was the familiar sigil since a troll's pact forms on the back. The pain quickly subsided as Leon's eyes return to the beast before him. He couldn't help but stare in awe when you lumber out into the sunlight.

The man had to look up to maintain eye contact as the size difference became very obvious. You were twice maybe even thrice larger than him and looked equally powerful. A massive smile took over Leon's face as he evilly rub his hands together.

"Oh hell yeah! I think it's about time to even the playing field. Hope you're ready for a bit of a hike as we have a Baby Eagle and precious belonging to recover. I'm pretty sure that ravine is a good place to start." You let out snort as you had a better solution.

"Got something with Baby Eagle's scent on it? A troll's sense of smell is better than any hound you humans train. I can easily track the lost chick down even when the scent goes stale." Leon grinned as he pull out a human invention: a cellphone.

"Take a good whiff." You sniffed at the object, catching a gentle citrus scent with a bit of cinnamon and mint to it. Clearly Baby Eagle was a young human female since they had a more fruity smell than men. "Got it. Follow me Sir Leon and I'll lead you to her."

The man was a bit surprised but quickly brush it off. He isn't going to look a gift horse, well gift troll, in the mouth. Leon needs all the help he can get if he wants to take on a cult.

Something the both of you knew quite well.

And that's it! This is a bit more dialogue than usual but some setup is needed here. Yes, I know trolls are primarily Norse or Scandinavian in origin but there are reasons why Reader is in Spain. Now for their precious treasure, you guys have to figure it out for yourselves.

Only hint I'm giving is that it's magic in nature. Leon's the type who would a make a deal with the devil especially since Raccoon City messed up him real bad. Any help is appreciated but it doesn't mean he fully trusts Reader. They don't trust him either hence the threat.

Quite normal as trolls rarely help humans whether in mythology or multiple stories. Next chapter will delve into the ravine and maybe the boss fight with El Gigante. I'll be drawing the familiar sigil later, maybe even the Troll Reader's visage.

Until next time folks, continue to thrive in the wake of Raccoon City.

[leolaroot]

DISCLAIMER I DONT KNOW SHIT ABOUT EVOLUTION. ADDITIONAL DISCLAIMER IM ALWAYS RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING.

trill evolution..

BOTH species are called Trill but I'll henceforth use Hosts (humanoids in the show) and symbionts (the. worm) for ease of communication.

trill Hosts and Symbionts are two separate species of amphibians that evolved in the extensive cave systems on trill. at this point they're essentially both just salamanders. Hosts are actually reminiscent of earth marsupials (think closer to surinam toad if you want a non-mammalian example(also warning if youre going to google surinam toad and somehow dont know about her yet. some people find images of her pretty gross. idk. be prepared)) because they've developed a pouch to carry their spawn.it protects the eggs until they can hatch, and provides a safe environment for tiny pollywogs until they're strong enough to swim alone. symbionts sometimes take advantage of mother hosts by joining a clutch of pollywogs and living inside a Host pouch.

as the Host species begins to grow larger, they become less dependent upon the water and spend more and more time on land, the caves and rivers becoming more of a Spawning ground. Mothers are forced to spend lots of time there while clutches are young to keep her pouch especially hydrated.

symbionts do not evolve in size. they're well suited for the subterranean caves and their small size helps fit in with hatchling hosts. they have developed language and communicate nonverbally using directed telepathic energy (the blue electricity in the water we see in the mak'ala scenes)

the hosts don't view symbiont species as a negative at this time, host species is developing language and culture of their own. beginning to create organized societies on land but still very dependant on the water. but any water won't do, a new spawning pool will result in unhealthy offspring. the nutrient rich water that leads to healthy growth is dependant on the byproduct of symbiont living. when populations move, they bring symbionts with them. it's a good sign to carry a false baby, as they can now help fortify your infant's health from inside the pouch.

new mothers act strange. this is an understood fact. sometimes they speak like they don't know who they are. sometimes they insist they've lived in the caves their whole lives. sometimes their abdomen seems to glow blue.

an important and central member of her community grows sick. she's carrying young, but she's old enough to have adult children of her own. one terrible day, she dies, and the babies are too small to survive outside. her daughter takes her own siblings into her pouch. within days, she is insisting that she is her own mother. she knows stories she was too young to experience. she remembers when their community first left their cave. she has the knowledge of a matriarch. each time she speaks in her mother's voice, her pouch glows so brightly everyone can see. the clutch of infants grows, but she keeps her symbiont. she still returns to the water to protect it. she grows old, lays her own clutches of eggs, but never lets that symbiont go. her community has almost gotten used to her strange doubled way of speaking. when she reaches the end of her own life, she passes the symbiont onto her own daughter.

joining is still very common, but sharing a symbiont is for a LONG time exclusively matrilineal and used to preserve community history. a joined matriarch is a living memory of your people.

[meirimerens]

Do you have any Andrey head cannons?

of course babygirl

oops sorry

andrey hcs (i discuss drüg use but hey he canonically owns a haschish/opium den it's fine. it's fine)

tldr of the peter hcs: mirror twins, andrey has a beauty spot left cheek, right collarbone, and is left-handed

needed a long time to register in his mind as a toddler the separation between peter and him so he would bite peter's fingers thinking there were his

in a same instance, when mom put him in front of a mirror as a toddler to Comprehend reflections he would look back and forth between reflection and peter, finding that his reflection and peter had beauty spots in the same places, threw his hand against the mirror and hit glass, and then threw his hand against peter thinking it'd do the same and hit peter. not hard, of course, they were like 2.

again a #toddlermoment but as a kid he was Very Sugar. like in order to keep him calm you could give him sweets ("hey man you got some [lollipops]? if i dont keep my [son] [andrey] constantly [on a sugar high] then he just [beats the shit out of his classmates] 24/7 ")

numbers-oriented guy: he was particularly good at calculus and algebra and math in general in school, whereas those tended to slip out of peter's grasp who is more Abstract-oriented

technically a Both Of Them hc but they got matching salamander back tattoos for their 18th birthday and andrey whined like a bitch the whole time

when he was born he literally Wouldn't Breathe for the 10 minutes peter took to also be born. it was an Extremely Fast birth for twins because otherwise. he would have just held his breath until peter came out and not make it. when peter popped out screaming (=breathing) at the top of his lungs THEN andrey screamed/breathed too. might explain why he is... like that... now. he lived!

nail biter and picker i know this i know this he bites and picks and that's why he has bandages in P2. his rings in P1 are both good to bash a cheekbone in but also he can fiddle with them to take his mind of Bite Bite Pick

with these pupils? he takes stimulants to me lol (things like LSD coke and amphetamines can blow your pupils wide i don't think he does those [except maybe coke... but ONLY at the capital] i think he does something special).

the other pupils-related headcanons is that his antihistamines (that can widen pupils) are kicking his ass. like allergy medications for all that twyre pollen.

he has a navaja (spanish folding-blade fighting knife) with a lizard engraving on it... :3

he is banned from bars you didn't even know existed!

purely #indulgence to me but before dankovsky becomes buddies with peter and rubin, andrey is the only person exterior to his family that knows he's gay. andrey is Constantly tempted to tell because he himself is perfectly comfortable with his bisexuality but he forces himself and Understands that everyone lives that differently... etc etc. grits his teeth very hard when eva says she doesn't understand why dankovsky does not seem to pick up on her flirting so he can avoid saying "oh baby that's a homoseshual"

i think both of the twins can elbow their ways into people's dreams in the town but andrey tends to do it first. the battering ram that bolts the door to the subconscious open to bully you and call you a coward

all i can think of for neow... yaaa

[fatefulfaerie]

A Proper Thanks

A happy birthday to @that-g3-obsessive !!! I hope you like it!!

Link never knew how to properly thank his friends for all they did. Riju, for risking her life to get him aboard Naboris without telling him that not only was she twelve years old, but that she had never before used the thunder helm. Yunobo, for bravely reaching his potential and believing full-heartedly that Link could reach his too. Sidon, for having an unrelenting faith in a Hylian, even after years of being raised to do otherwise. Teba, for putting aside his doubts and giving his all in a world where that had never been enough before, and letting himself celebrate when it paid off.

Link never knew how to properly thank his friends for all they did. And his only idea was stupid, at least to him.

But he was too far along in the process to quit now. He had done his research, he had tracked down the ideal conditions, he had watched and waited and observed, him and Zelda often taking shifts. He had taken Sidon all the way down to the rainforest surrounding Lake Floria and here they waited quietly behind a rock, Sidon having no idea what for.

Link thanked the first of the four last week, by finding and catching an extremely rare Eldin Salamander, making a generously livable cage for it, and giving it to Yunobo as a pet. At first, the burly, timid Goron was afraid to go near it, the thing being so small and “soft” (lots of things were soft to Gorons), but he eventually named it Daruk, and got the hang of feeding and caring for it.

At the moment, Link knelt in wait for an elephant to appear. They were once thought extinct long before even the calamity, but he spotted one recently, a mother and her baby, with gray, leathery skin and thin yet large ears. It was no wonder the majestic beast was once used as inspiration for Divine Beast Vah Ruta, and although Link couldn’t box it up like Yunobo’s salamander, he could still offer Sidon the chance to see an elephant in person.

“There, right there,” Link said with a point and a whisper, spotting the elephant baby breaching out of large leaves and stepping into the shallow part of the lake. The mother followed closely.

“Is that…?” Sidon began to question. Link nodded.

“An elephant,” he confirmed. “Two to be exact.”

“This is magnificent,” Sidon said. “They are magnificent. It’s no wonder Ruta is so graceful and–”

The elephant in the distance interrupted Sidon with a happy trumpet-like blare as it ensconced itself with water.

“Uncanny!” Sidon said, somehow exclaiming and whispering simultaneously. “It sounds just like her.”

He was referring to Ruta then, but Link knew Sidon referred to someone else when Sidon said:

“She would have loved to see this.”

Link wasn’t sure how to reply, so he let the moment sit as he nodded. Eventually, Sidon’s giddy chuckle while watching the elephant told him that this was indeed a worthwhile thanks.

The camel Link found was much less skittish and far more friendly, Riju not only able to feel the thick, dusty hairs of the two-humped walker, but able to ride it as well. They were miles west of any map of Hyrule when they found an oasis that was home to many camels. Riju was starstruck, and honored to be in their company.

Teba was far less easy to convince.

“I don’t like surprises,” he said, in his deep, evenly toned voice that had no playfulness for Link to go off of. “And I don’t have time for games.”

Link sighed.

“It’s a thank you,” he explained. “For helping me way back when. I…”

It sounded so silly when he said it out loud. For Yunobo, Sidon, and Riju, Link merely showed them the animal. Their sense of adventure and whimsy got them to the needed place. But Teba was comfortable in his hut in Rito Village, his wife humming lullabies to his son.

“I’ve been doing it for all my friends,” Link said. “Finding the extinct or endangered animals that their culture's respective divine beast was based on and showing them.”

Teba turned, his interest piqued.

“Are you meaning to suggest you found a Hyrulean Eagle?” Teba asked. Link nodded.

“It’s a bit far,” Link said. “Near Tarrey Town? It’s east of Death Mountain.”

“I’ve never been out that far,” Teba said. “I’m not sure it’s worth the trip.”

“Oh please can we go!” Tulin exclaimed, jumping out of bed and tugging at his father’s leg. Link’s lips upturned. “Please! I promise I’ll be good!”

Teba looked down at his son and brought his larger wing to drape lovingly over the tyke’s shoulders. Teba was smiling too.

“I suppose we can go in the morning,” Teba said. “If you listen to your mother tonight.”

“And your mother says it’s bedtime,” Saki chimed, still kneeling at an empty, small bed.

Tulin’s big blue eyes looked up at Link, as if he would say otherwise.

“Go on,” Link prompted, nodding towards the bed. “I’ll be here in the morning. Don’t you worry.”

Tulin toddled over back to his small bed, curling and cuddling softly into the covers.

“Goodnight, Master Link,” Tulin said. Link smiled warmly.

“Goodnight,” Link said, turning to leave.

“Thank you,” he heard Teba say, but Link couldn’t have heard that right. Link turned around, but Teba looked as if he wasn’t to be questioned.

“All this talk of giving thanks,” Teba said. “I think you forget the part you played as well. It’s because of you Hyrule is safe. It’s because of you I no longer fear for my son’s life with each sunrise.”

Every time Link would hear those two words strung together and hurled his way, he would deflect them. He may as well have been prepared with a shield.

But this time, Teba’s eyes were stern. The Rito silently insisted Link take credit for his actions. For the first time since saving Hyrule, Link didn’t just rub it off and say “it was no problem” or reverse that statement and compliment the opposite person instead. This time he was forced to swallow it, to accept it, to for once not be humble but truthful and respectful of the praise he was given. The people of Hyrule were always welcome to his heroism yet…

“You’re welcome.”

Link said it and it meant so much more than he ever thought it would.