#that man is a genius of programming and coding and he doesn't even know it. too busy with his robits | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

gfawkesphoenixchokingonashes · 15 days ago

Text

For the Broken Ones

30K, RatedE, Stucky, Shrinkyclinks, Tower fic, hurt/comfort

"I figured Tony Stark for a rich, narcissistic asshole," Steve comments as he looks up at the landing pad far, far above them. They're taking a glass elevator up the side of the building to an apartment, probably ten times the cost of Steve's place. Apparently, James isn't supposed to be on his own in the city after the last incident. Steve understands why, but the extremes taken to keep him hidden have Steve feeling somewhat snarky.

He doesn't hold back his opinion.

"I never pegged him for a small dick, too."

He peers out of the corner of one eye at James on his left and then the terrifying woman on his right. They share an eyebrow raise between them before Steve speaks again.

"I mean, look at that!" He points at the lighted control panel on the elevator wall, a vertical row of buttons to indicate the levels. "That's a massive cock and balls right there. A sure sign of overcompensation."

Beside him, James snorts into the top of Alpine's head where he holds her inside his jacket again. The sound is wet and it fills Steve with a strangely fluid confidence. He can't be the only one thinking it. Who is so blatantly penis envious?

"I guess I never looked at it like that," the woman says. Steve catches her tilting her head to the side for a different angle at the series of buttons. "It is pretty phallic-shaped."

Steve looks down at the view below them and James snatches his elbow. It's simultaneously careful and secure.

"Take my advice. Don't do that."

A not-so-irrational fear swims in the man's eyes, and Steve decides not to chance it. He's trying to win this guy over, not trigger him over the edge.

"You do know he made and marketed weapons that were used in third-world countries on political refugees?"

Both of his escorts nod, but it's a slow, reluctant one, as if they aren't happy but are forced to accept it regardless.

They exit on a floor a good distance before the top, and James sets his cat on the ground. He types in a code on a foreboding-looking door off the landing. Steve does a little figuring in his head and can't believe how obvious and easy it would be to crack.

"You say he's a genius? Stark?"

James pushes the heavy door open and rolls his eyes. It's a look two friends with shared experiences might give each other. "Self-proclaimed."

Alpine darts through the opening. Steve follows into a massive living space surrounded almost completely by windows. Each and every one is partially covered by a dark shade and an even darker curtain. It's as if whoever lives here has something to hide.

Even further proof for Steve's theory.

The woman presses her fingers onto a light panel by the door and the whole floor is flooded with amber light.

"J, I'm gonna need you to activate program P.6, please."

A computerized voice sounds from all around him. It's pleasant. Comforting. Not to be trusted.

"Acknowledged."

Steve sees a flash, hears the doors and windows lock, the sliding of several metallic objects over other metallic objects.

"Hey!" a very human voice shrieks. "Stop! I'm in here!"

The woman swears and hurries toward the sound.

Steve turns to James for guidance. He's looking confused and concerned, contorting his face into an agony Steve doesn't ever want to see again.

"Ouch! Son of a bitch!"

James pulls Steve by the elbow into another room where they find a man's head and torso hanging out of a vent near the floor and the woman speaking frantically into some kind of wrist communicator.

It appears a door has partially closed on the man's waist. He looks to be struggling to hold it open, in pain.

Without thinking, Steve hurries, grabs a lamp off a glass coffee table (is everything in the whole building made of glass?) and jams the base like a wedge into the opening. Then he hauls back on his heels, using his weight to lever the thing off its track.

There's a crunch, and the sliding door buckles, and suddenly three pairs of eyes are looking at him as if he is insane.

He's not normally. He's just a bit impulsive, that's all.

"Oh, boy," the no-longer-trapped man says loudly as he's helped out and onto his knees. He's slack-jawed with a severe Mohawk cut, eyes sharp and aware. He pushes free of James' and the woman's grasp to point at the popped panel. "He's not gonna like that."

"What the hell are you doing in the vents, Clint?" James asks. He's stroking the other man's back, offering comfort that stirs Steve's heart. The man named Clint continues to stare at Steve, disbelieving, until the woman snaps her fingers in front of his face.

She signs something very similar to James' question, and Clint responds in kind with: "How did the cat escape?" He makes an 'A' sign with his palm that opens to cat whiskers.

Steve interprets aloud. "Trying to find how Alpine got out of the room."

James' head whips around so fast that Steve practically feels the disturbance in the air around them.

"ASL," Steve says and signs. "Ma' and I learned after a fever took my hearing."

James, Clint, and the woman glance hurriedly at each other, eyes wide and recalculating. They're trying to figure Steve out, past the information they've already tracked down about him.

"My name is Steve," he signs to Clint, then shakes an 'S' like a fist. It fits Steve's reputation as a scrappy fighter in school. His mother gave him the name sign when she'd learned about such things.

Clint grins spectacularly as he figures out who Steve is. He pulls a 'C' back from his other fist, then lets it go like he's loosing the string on an arrow. Ah. Steve knows who this one is, too.

"That pulse took out my batteries. Why are you here?" Clint asks as he frowns at his other two rescuers. It seems as if Steve's arrival was unplanned, or planned as a surprise. Or something else entirely.

"I'm a liability," Steve offers, gesturing to the locked exits around them. "Ms. Romanov wants to make sure I'm not a threat before she lets me be alone with James."

The reaction that follows is not at all subtle. Hawkeye slaps a hand over his mouth, James closes his eyes, and Natasha Romanov throws back her hood and takes a determined step towards Steve.

"Who are you?" she snarls, straight red hair falling around her tense shoulders. Her eyes narrow and she reaches for her weapon under the hoodie, and Steve understands fully the threat of the Black Widow.

Steve thinks quickly. James is already looking ready to bolt, and he doesn't want to lose what little trust he's gained.

"A fan," he settles on, continuing without a breath. "I've studied those Project Insight files you leaked and the subsequent information about you and Sam Wilson and the Winter Soldier the government posted. You did the right thing, exposing what SHIELD was doing. It puts all of us in danger. Even the Avengers."

"Former Avengers," Romanov growls. "Nobody is supposed to know the Winter Soldier's location."

Steve forces himself to meet her icy gaze. If she is what he thinks she is, he'll have to put off thinking about the way James makes his hands shake to impress her first.

"Nobody would have a clue if you used dummy sightings instead of shipping him around the country and risking being captured. If you were to send doubles to every country, even if they are caught, that's a lead the government can't afford to leave alone. Might even encourage the public to help out the cause with reported sightings of their own. They love social resistance."

A tendon flexes in her jaw. Steve hopes that means she isn't going to light him up yet.

"Very smart hiding him in plain sight," he says, watching for any sign of recognition. At this point, Romanov isn't letting expression give anything away. Her face is a stone. "Stark's money should be enough to buy you a few years. Gives you time to regroup, rethink, and relocate."

Barton digs a replacement battery out of a purple backpack next to a black leather couch. "OK, Hot Shot. 'M gonna need you to say that a whole lot slower. Reading lips isn't actually a real thing."

Steve doesn't dare lose the Widow's attention.

"I'm sure you did research on me already. Found out about my dad, the shelter, all of it. By now, you should have everything you need."

Natasha Romanov raises her wrist to her lips and says, "Sam. We're gonna need you up here. Now."

Steve takes a seat on the plush couch. James sinks carefully beside him, ensuring their knees touch. He leans in until their shoulders brush, whispering, "It'll be OK." It's the greatest show of solidarity Steve has ever seen.

It's enough to cause his throat to close with emotion. If James were any other guy, they wouldn't be here. They'd be sitting side by side like this, laughing and staring into each other's souls. Enjoying soft touches and heartfelt anecdotes and learning ways to make the other smile.

Not only has Steve tasked himself with fitting in, showing he can handle an adventurous and dangerous lifestyle, but he also has to reassure the rest of the group that he's not going to turn the Winter Soldier in any time soon.

He wants to help.

Captain America enters the space looking harried, as if he's been interrupted from a stressful task he's taken upon himself to complete. He sits across from Steve and James, gaze shifting from one to the other, until he lands on the pinkie fingers that loop them together.

Steve's heart is racing. He looks up and finds James all but making heart eyes at him as the thumb of his right hand curls in to caress Steve's palm.

"We're gonna have to tell him," Sam Wilson says to the three former Avengers in the room. "He's not gonna be happy."

"Fuck Stark," Clint spits, the edge of his shirt caught in his teeth. Romanov is applying a thick, stringent paste to the potential bruises under both sides of his ribs. She works calmly and carefully, gentle and thorough. Barton rests his arm on her shoulder as she works and stares at her lips. There's no mistaking the way he's looking at her. It gives Steve hope for his situation.

"I'd like to talk to Steve alone," Wilson sighs. It's more of a stern suggestion than an order. There's a reluctance to the man's posture, his tone, his movements. As if he's not happy with the cards he's been dealt, but determined to play them anyway.

Steve can't even imagine what it must be like.

"You have to see how this looks," Wilson begins, tipping his chin at the others where they pretend not to listen from a kitchen-like area behind them. James' expression is dark as he leans against a counter. It almost hides the renewed glint in his eyes. "The timing of this whole thing is just — messed up."

Alpine doesn't seem to have consulted the others when she showed up at Steve's. Twice.

"I'm not gonna hurt him," Steve reassures, putting as much feeling as he can into it and thinking about how lovely it is to be touched. He catches and holds James' smile and tries to nail down the exact moment he fell for the man. "He's been through enough already. Capture, torture, forced to do things nobody should ever be subjected to. I only want to protect him from that ever happening again."

"But you just met. How can you know —?"

"How did you know with Riley?" Steve dares, and Wilson freezes. "I don't believe in love at first sight, but there's something about him that's just — good. I could see it right away."

Captain America stares out of unblinking eyes, red-rimmed and shining. It's very clear he understands the comparison. "Right away, huh? Right away, as he's aiming to kill you over his stupid cat."

"She's not stupid," Steve argues, hackles raising on her behalf. She found him, didn't she? She brought James to him, someone he's been waiting for as long as he can remember. "And he wasn't going to kill me. He was scared. Who knows what goes on in his brain? The things he's seen. The trauma he's been through. I say I know what it's like because my father was a POW, subjected to torture, watching all his friends die. But really, can anyone know exactly? Is there anyone so sympathetic who can understand all of it all the time?"

Cap looks over his shoulder to check in with Romanov. She's finished with Clint and is standing, arms crossed, watching over their little chat. Steve has no idea if she's listening in, but he feels her eyes, the omnipresent, silent way she manages to convey that if Steve were to hurt James, she'd be personally making him pay.

Steve believes it. He believes all of them would avenge James if necessary. This is what fuels his request as he leans closer to Sam Wilson.

"He deserves healing. He deserves happiness, and you know it. I bet he's told you about the guilt he feels over what he's done, and how he will never, ever be able to atone for those wrongs. But you're friends, and you care about him. He's very lucky to have you. He could be lucky to have me, too, if I'm given a chance."

Wilson closes his eyes. "Damn."

Steve has convinced at least one friend.

"Nat? Clint? We're leaving. These two have some important things to talk about." Captain America stands and moves for the door.

Romanov glares her reply. Barton gives Steve a giddy thumbs-up from behind her. James looks as if his stomach has disappeared to the bottom floor. But the others go, and the door locks behind them. Steve's left alone, high above New York City, no chance of escaping and zero desire to do so, with the Winter Soldier.

Bucky

Somehow, Bucky's known it from the start. This incredible, intelligent, observant guy has figured out who he is.

"How did you know?"

His visitor is antsy, knee bouncing, eyes darting about the room.

"The metal hand," Steve says without hesitation. "You took off your glove to sign Alpine's paperwork."

Oh. Bucky had been so blinded by Steve's stunning — everything — that he'd forgotten about keeping it hidden.

"You're still not afraid of me?"

Steve, the cheeky bastard, grins. "You're not a bad person, Barnes. It wasn't your fault."

Hearing it said matter-of-factly in such a fond tone sends shivers down Bucky's spine.

"Call me Bucky," he says. It's soft, a whisper. Steve responds in the same manner, gentle and kind.

"OK."

The other man turns and moves around the sofa, hands in his pockets as he studies Bucky's things. It really isn't fair how Steve's been roped into this; Bucky is stupid for acting so irrationally.

"I need to apologize for —"

Steve's face is set, stern. He faces Bucky, fearless. "Don't. They're worried about you. It's natural they would want to test me."

Bucky laughs without mirth. "Is that what they were doing? Seemed more like an interrogation, if you ask me."

He watches with his heart in his throat as Steve walks the apartment. That incredible brain takes in everything, and Bucky thinks that there is a lot here that gives him away. The tattered out of date books on the shelf. The half-eaten bowl of mustard pretzels on the counter. The cribbage board on the table and the fleece blanket covered in Alpine hairs over the back of the couch and the discarded motorcycle magazines on the floor and — he's such a mess.

"What else did you like to do?" Steve goes on as if nothing odd has happened. "Before the war. Besides dancing?"

Bucky can't wrap his head around those slender fingers running over the edge of his bookshelf. How is this possibly happening?

"I used to box."

Blue-green eyes light up to a brilliant smile. "Shut up. For real?"

Nodding, Bucky digs deep for his courage and steps closer. It doesn't occur to him to brag about his championship bouts. "Why? You looking to fight?"

One can only hope.

The longest eyelashes ever created blink shyly as Steve reaches for his hand. "You're way out of my league, Bucky Barnes."

Oh, god help him. Bucky is going to swoon.

"So you're a dancer and a fighter," Steve says softly, jokingly. He brings their joined fingers to incredibly gentle lips and kisses Bucky's knuckles.

"I'm a lover, not a fighter," Bucky breathes, and, damn! He wants those lips on his again.

Steve must, too, because he closes the distance and goes up on tiptoes, pretty eyes focused hard on Bucky's mouth.

"Another thing we have in common," Steve smiles, and then kisses him.

This time the timing is right. This time, nobody interrupts them. And this time, Bucky taps into the man he used to be and squeezes the perfect ass cheek with his palm. Just like it was made for it.

Steve slips both arms around Bucky and gropes his back with widespread fingers. He works the muscles, clutching at the looseness of the flannel shirt. Greedy and eager, the man leaves nothing untouched. Shoulders, scapulae, spine and lower back, like he's mapping Bucky's frame to remember it later.

Bucky's too far gone to do anything but offer up his tongue and pull Steve's pelvis against him. A groan escapes the man's throat, deep and wanting. It starts a fire in Bucky's gut, and as Steve sucks his tongue, nose pressed hard into Bucky's cheek, he forgets he's supposed to be a gentleman.

But before he can slow things down, Steve surges forward and grinds against Bucky, and the world goes hazy and warm.

It's Steve who pulls away first, breathing hard, pink mouth looking utterly wrecked. He grips the sides of Bucky's neck and allows himself to fall flat-footed. Bucky's hand drifts to the curve of Steve's belt line.

"Are you trapped here?" Steve asks. It's so unexpected that Bucky jerks back.

Trapped here? Forever a fugitive? Clinging to Natasha's group like a small child to its mother's skirt?

Bucky rips his eyes away from Steve's mouth and lies.

"No. I can come and go as I please."

"Good."

Jarvis agrees to notify only Natasha of their departure, and, funnily enough, he almost trusts the AI to guard his privacy. There's something different about J than the rest of Stark's robots; it's almost as if this one has a moral compass.

Outside, Steve tugs up his hood and huddles into his jacket, then slips an arm through the crook of Bucky's elbow. "I don't want to make it more difficult for you —"

Bucky laughs. "I'm five years out of brainwashing and exposure therapy. I've been through hell and back; gimme some credit."

They hurry into the subway and onto a train, taking a seat and grinning like schoolboys over their escape. Steve unwraps his scarf and slings it around Bucky's neck, then lifts Bucky's arm to duck underneath. He holds it tight to his chest, and Bucky is caught breathless. They could be the same age, wrapped in familiar comfort, sharing an inside joke only they two understand.

"I want to show you something," Steve whispers into the stubble on Bucky's cheek. "To prove I'm not a threat."

His hair is soft in Bucky's nose; he thinks he'll follow this man literally into the jaws of death.

Steve talks and talks and talks as they make their way out of Manhattan, about his family and how tough it was after his father died. Bucky appreciates the chatter; he's having a hard time believing this is real, even while feeling Steve's breath down his collar. He's covered head to toe in goosebumps that have nothing to do with the cold and everything to do with the sound of Steve's deep voice.

Eventually, they venture into recognizable territory, and something different ignites in Bucky's belly. They're getting awfully close to a part of New York that burns eternally in his blood.

"This OK?" Steve asks as he stands, ready to disembark. They're not far from where Bucky used to live. He doesn't know what Steve has planned, but he feels like they're standing on the edge of something monumental.

"It's OK."

Steve hauls him up the steps and onto a street full of brownstones, most remodeled, stoops covered in snow that didn't make it into the street for removal. He fishes out a key and pushes open a door, and a wave of nostalgia crashes into Bucky so hard that he has to brace against the closed door.

It's like stumbling into his Ma's entryway after practice at the gym.

"They're all the same, aren't they?" Steve asks mysteriously. He drops the keys on a long, skinny hallway table. A woman's voice calls from the kitchen area.

"Steve? Is that you?"

The glimmer in Steve's eyes is nearly palpable. "Yeah. I brought someone."

Mrs. Rogers emerges into the hall wearing light blue scrubs. Her red hair is tied back in a severe bun, but her face is gentle. Almost as much as Steve's.

"James!" she says, truly pleased. Her gaze shifts to her son and back, and she steps forward with an outstretched hand. "Come into the kitchen and warm up. I've got fresh coffee."

Steve is grinning openly now, shuffling out of his jacket and waiting to take Bucky's too.

"Bucky, this is Sarah."

It suits her beautifully. "Lovely to meet you, Ma'am."

She smirks and grabs his elbow, shaking him gently. "None of that. I'm only sixty-six and definitely not a Ma'am yet."

Bucky can't help but smile at her, too.

"I'm gonna run upstairs and grab Gram's things," Steve says as he backs towards the landing.

Sarah's eyebrows shoot skywards. She slots her hand in Bucky's elbow and tugs him forward.

"Coffee."

She does indeed have a fresh pot brewed, and it pours dark, thick and black. Bucky takes a moment to enjoy the smell of coffee, well-made, thanking her and waiting like his Mama taught him for her to join him at the table.

"Near twenty below," Sarah says, eyes dancing as Bucky watches her take a sip. She closes her eyes for a moment, holding the warm liquid on her tongue before swallowing. Bucky recognizes a hedonist when he sees one.

"How are poor Alpine's ears?"

Bucky takes two sips and already likes this woman. "Vet says she'll be fine. Tips of her ears might go white, but won't be able to tell, will I?"

Her laugh is like bells ringing. "Guess not."

They drink their fill in easy silence, and when Sarah sets her cup down, she fixes Bucky with an unyielding gaze.

"He's a good boy." She nods in the upstairs direction. "Always has been. Always standing up for someone in trouble. Always making sure things are done right."

Bucky understands he's being convinced at the same time he's given permission.

"I can see that," he replies.

Sarah nods. "He sees people. Really sees them. It only takes a short time, and he can sort the good from the bad."

Bucky remembers the soft way Steve had called him 'good.'

"Please don't judge him too quickly. He may seem strong, but there's a broken little boy inside screaming for approval."

This shocks Bucky. Before he can ask for an explanation, though, Steve comes thundering down the stairs with an ancient-looking box that he sets gingerly on the table.

He takes a seat across from Bucky, and Sarah gets up out of hers.

"Well, I'm off," she announces, kissing the crown of Steve's head. "I'm the only one who can sign paperwork in the ER tonight."

She moves to stand behind Bucky next, lays one hand on his shoulder, and plants a soft kiss in his hair, too. It sends his stomach somersaulting and his throat closes the hell shut.

He misses his mother.

Sarah slides into a puffy anorak, fond looks for both. "You two boys stay as long as you like. Lock up when you leave, please."

Steve is practically bouncing on his chair. "See ya later, Ma.'"

Mrs. Rogers heaves a sigh, as if she's been sitting on pins and needles for some time and has finally found relief. She gives them one last glance, then exits the kitchen. The door opens and closes not long after.

Bucky doesn't trust his voice, so he's glad when Steve blurts his excitement.

"My great-grandparents immigrated from Ireland in the twenties. Gram was born here, but she was always different. She had a paper route when she was ten, which was only ever given to boys. She went with her Pa' to the races in britches and knee-socks, wearing a hat that disguised her hair. She didn't play with dolls like the other girls. Instead, she collected comic books."

Enchanted and terrified, Bucky grips the edge of his chair and hopes he doesn't vibrate off the side.

"When she met Grandpa, she told him she'd marry him on one condition." Steve doesn't wait for Bucky to ask what it is. "That he wouldn't make her give up her Tomboy interests."

Bucky chances a shaky smile; Steve is practically glowing now.

"She kept mementos, like people did during that time period. Souvenirs and newspaper clippings. Trinkets and toys. When she died, it passed on to her daughter. And since Ma' was never much of a comics fan . . ."

He breaks off and carefully pushes the box across the table until it stops before Bucky.

Steve is flat-out beaming now. It's honestly the most beautiful thing he's ever seen. If Bucky isn't careful, he's going to sweep Steve off his feet and fucking ask for his hand in marriage.

"Open it."

It's the most intriguing invitation Bucky has ever received.

So he leans forward. And he flips open the little gold clasps. What he finds inside is like a jolt of lightning straight to the chest.

"He was her favorite," Steve narrates as Bucky drinks in the items inside the box. "She was a bit of a super-fan. We'd call her a stalker nowadays."

Fastened to the inside of the lid is a bronze symbol, a ring of concentric circles with a large star in the center. The rest of the box is filled to the top with — with —

"Here," Steve interrupts, too impatient to sit still. He drags his chair noisily across the tile floor and scoots right up against Bucky's side.

"She cut out everything she could find during the war. Pressed it flat and wouldn't let anyone touch it in case it got torn or wrinkled. She saved her money and made deals with store owners so they would give her first dibs on all the copies to bring home. It was like a museum in her room, according to the stories she told."

Steve begins laying the items carefully on the table. Everything is wrapped in tissue paper, folded with precision. The images are only slightly yellowed, as if they were kept away from the decaying elements of air and moisture. The sight of so many glimpses of the past has him by the fucking throat.

Then Steve removes the second layer. This contains pressed flowers, and these news articles are wrapped in black cloth. It takes Bucky a second to realize that it's intended to be a shrine of sorts.

"She cried when he was lost at Azzano. Went into mourning like a lot of the country. With a broken heart, in honor of Captain America James 'Bucky' Barnes, she threw herself into the war effort here in New York. Pretty sure that's where my fearless streak comes from."

Bucky is drowning in memories. There are pictures of the official drafting ceremony after the serum. There are news articles about the Howlies in Europe before the big push into Greece. There are comic sketches of children playing with trash can lids and toy weapons. And there is even a picture of Winnie and George and —

"Becca."

Bucky has gained back most of his memories from before the war, and a lot of his time with the serum, too. It's after his capture at Azzano that he's less in control. Shuri's guess is that his brain didn't allow for certain memories to take hold; the body's way of protecting itself.

Steve is silent while Bucky takes everything in, even though his shoulder shakes and his elbow trembles where it's pressed against Bucky's. It's impossible to believe what Steve is offering here, a bottomless well of hope. Bucky would be stupid not to reach out and snatch it up, snatch himup. So he does.

The shrieking 'Hey!' Steve makes as Bucky hauls him out of the chair is joyous and heartfelt and one hundred percent real. He throws his arms around Bucky's neck as he's shifted higher, higher. Bucky tucks his arm under Steve's knees, kisses the exposed triangle of a sparsely furred chest. It's ridiculous, but Bucky knows without a doubt that Steve is the one.

"Bedroom?" Bucky growls against warm skin, head dizzy with anticipation.

Steve laughs, and it's absolutely wonderful. He cups Bucky's face and presses firm lips to the top of his head and purrs right back.

"Bedroom."

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#stucky #shrinkyclinks #steve rogers #bucky barnes #fandom trumps hate

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son1c · 2 years ago

Note

i haven't been super tuned in to the fibula lore, can you elaborate on his relationship with metal? [chinhands] i saw the "thanks sonic" post a while ago and ooouh they intrigue me

YES. so. to start with... fibula doesn't know where he is, what happened, or who this weird guy with a moustache is. he's strapped down to a table and he can't feel his legs and he's SCARED. this is not helped by the uncanny metal hedgehog that's staring him down from across the room.

he barely understands eggman when he tells him he's been brought back to life by his ~genius~ and he works for him now. what he DOES understand is when that weird hedgehog--who he doesn't know is a robot, because he doesn't know what a robot IS--shuffles over and undoes the belt holding him to the table.

immediately, he sits up, but he can't run, because he still can't feel his legs. the moustached man says something to the metal hedgehog--who is apparently called metal sonic?--and then waves his hand like that's the end of the conversation.

fibula flinches when metal beeps--that was not the sound he was expecting him to make--but metal's withering glare is completely lost on fibula when the robot offers him his hand, because despite the confusion and fear and ringing in his ears, a hand is a hand, and fibula shakily reaches out to take it.

metal's grip is firm and unwavering and strong and fibula clings to it with everything he has left in his undead heart. with his help, fibula relearns how to walk, and fibula is grateful. "thanks, sonic," is what he says because "metal sonic" is a mouthful and, to fibula, "metal" is not a name; it's like saying "boy" or "guy" or "kid."

and it's this choice, this recognition of metal's personhood, that makes metal's bone-deep hatred slip for the first time. because he DOESN'T hate that--it's what he WANTS. and he never gets what he wants. metal quickly realizes he wants more--more of that recognition, more of that consideration, more of that kindness.

and he gets it. when eggman tells him him train fibula, teach him how to fight, fibula offers him that same acknowledgement again and again and again. even when metal is mopping the floor with him... fibula is impressed with his speed, and says he's NEVER seen anything as fast as Sonic.

metal stops dead when he says that. to fibula, the fastest thing alive is HIM. the zombie's words swirl around and around in metal's mechanical head, and that hatred slips again, further this time, further than he ever thought possible. when fibula says that, metal feels the very faintest sparks of another emotion for the first time ever.

(he doesn't know that it's happiness, but he likes how it feels, and when the hatred programmed into his code swallows it back up not too long later, he longs for it to return.)

to fibula, metal is his first friend. the first person who offered him their hand, who was there for him when he needed help. a scary situation was made less scary by metal's cold grip. and to metal, fibula is the thing he thought would be just another one of the doctor's impulse projects... but he quickly finds he doesn't want this one to fail, because he wants fibula to stick around. craving more of that positive reinforcement that he's starved for.

even though metal doesn't talk, fibula can still understand him. he pays attention to metal's body language, and it's blatantly obvious that the robot enjoys it when he calls him by his name, because that rigid stature relaxes just a little bit. and when fibula slings his arm around metal's shoulders and tells him he couldn't've done it without him, the robot lets him. it's nice to be appreciated. it's nice to be a friend.

metal is rebooted whenever he gets too damaged or fails to fulfill missions assigned by eggman. this resets his emotions and any freewill he's managed to claw out of the hands of his oppressive code is torn away. fibula figures this out really quick, and tanks most of the damage for metal, and takes the blame for him when he can. this doesn't work all the time, since metal still receives "routine" patches, but it seems like the longer this goes on, it doesn't matter if metal is rebooted or patched or not... fibula's stubbornness and dedication is helping metal break free, faster and faster, regardless of eggman's attempts to keep him squashed under his thumb.

the remnants of fibula's old personality are mostly seen when he's interacting with metal like that. he cares, and he's self-sacrificial, and it seems like there's nothing he won't do to make metal happy. what can i say? old habits die hard.

metal and fibula also "play" by means of challenging each other to various outlandish competitions. (the hold-your-breath one being one example.) but sometimes they also just do regular stupid teenager shit. fibula loves to have metal fly him around, and metal likes it when fibula says he's the coolest hedgehog around, so he does it. fibula is also REALLY good at digging holes so sometimes they go spelunking... metal's scanners help guide fibula when something interesting is nearby that doesn't have to do with chaos energy.

idk. at the end of the day they're just a couple of kids who are both learning what it feels like to be a kid together. and if the time ever came when eggman decided that fibula was a "failed" project... metal would probably realize he won't be able to dispose of him. not that he can't--but he won't.

imagine that. the killing machine, unwilling to hurt something. maybe he's more like sonic than anyone ever thought.

#borrelia #fibula the hedgehog #long text post #shit boy i die. i die!

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theamazingmaddyas · 6 months ago

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So, I found this draft of a Harry Potter/Riordanverse AU I wrote a couple years ago while going through my drafts and decided to reread it, and now I'm sad that it isn't finished and I have too many wips to devote time to it? Like it's 8 chapters and still isn't even that close to the climax because it was a full novel length, and that's devistating because the way I combined both medias is actually genius, if I do say so myself.

Because I'm actually really proud of how I worked this, I'm going to explain some of the plot points I just reread.

The story follows Leo, a sixth year Ravenclaw, and Piper, a sixth year Slytherin, who are trying to solve the death of their best friend, Jason Grace, who died suddenly only a week after his 16th birthday.

The Ministry of Magic isn't giving them any information, but at Jason's funeral (a large event as Jason was realitively known at Hogwarts as a Quidditch player and Gryffindor Prefect, and because he was the son of the Minister for Magic), Jason's older cousin's girlfriend (a seventh year Slytherin prefect, Annabeth) (she's in Slytherin because he fatal flaw is hubris, I am not taking criticisms) mentions she thinks the Death Eaters have something to do with it.

Which is crazy because it's 2010 and Voldy Smorts has been dead for 12 years, get with the program man.

But nope, turns out Annabeth's old babysitter, and Jason's older sisters old friend, Luke Castellan, is up to something. Annabeth shows Leo and Piper his picture on the computer she's programed with magic, and Leo asked to see it under the guise of writing down some codes to attempt and recreate it.

He actually just takes all the information from Annabeth's laptop on Luke's past. He's sneaky like that.

Oh and I forgot, Esperanza's death has to do with a Floo Powder incident when Leo was 8, so now Leo won't use Floo Powder. Oh, And Piper's mom's a veela because obviously.

A few weeks after the funeral, oh no! Mass Azkaban break out! The name Luke is all over the paper. Piper and Leo have their work cut out for them. Especially since they really can't follow many leads over the summer because no magic for under 17yos outside school. A bummer indeed.

School starts, yay! We can finally magic. Annabeth's made headgirl (yay!) And her, Percy (a Hufflepuff, see previous note on fatal flaws and me taking no criticism), and Grover (also Hufflepuff) go find Leo and Piper on the train. Mainly so Annabeth can scold Piper for forgetting to go to the prefect meeting.

They split up with the seventh years, and the cart they go on (Leo can see Theastrals obviously, Piper cannot) is occupied only by a little second year.

IT'S TEDDY LUPIN AKA MY FAVORITE CHARACTER OF ALL TIME I HAVE A WHOLE PINTEREST BOARD DEDICATED TO HIM <3<3<3

Anywho, three more kids enter the cart—Teddy's friends

IT'S MEG MCCAFFREY, AUSTIN LAKE, AND KAYLA KNOWLES!!!

Aw, I love them so much <3

So Meg's like "I hate Sherman Yang" and Teddy's like "???" And Austin's like, "Yeah, he was walking to slow and Meg kicked him.

Had to bring in crotchkicker McCaffrey <3

Quote: "'You only get detention if you're caught,' Meg crossed her arms, as if daring Teddy to object, 'Lester taught me that.' 'Rule of life,' Kayla said, fiddling with her fingers, 'Never take advice from my dad.'"

Piper freaks them out by loudly saying to Leo "did I tell you what happened in the prefect meeting" — she didn't go to the prefect meeting, she just likes freaking kids out with her power and she's an icon for it.

She doesn't have any intention on giving Meg detention though

Austin's doing a saxophone solo at the opening feast with the Frog Choir! Go Austin!

Oh I forgot to say, Meg and Austin are Hufflepuffs and Kayla's a Gryffindor. Meg knows Kayla and Austin through their father, Lester, who's basically Meg's guardian and is going to adopt her soon, and Meg and Teddy are both 2nd year Hufflepuffs so they're friends.

Austin's a 3rd year and Kayla's a 4th year.

Back to the plot, opening feast, sorting Leo is not paying attention to, so his roommate (I just put a filler name in here, but change it to Christopher or Shane from the Hephaestus cabin) keeps elbowing him for every kid sorted into Ravenclaw so Leo can wolf whistle like he's been paying attention.

Minnie McG, aka iconic headmistress of the century (and I adore her) goes up after the feast is over, and they have a moment of silence for Jason and everyone raises their wands /*

Leo does not follow the Ravenclaw prefects back to Ravenclaw tower because he's about to cry and crying in front of people is a big no go.

So he ends up in a random hallway of the castle he's never seen before and this ghost of a girl asks him how he's feeling

AND IT'S HAZEL LEVESQUE, I FORGOT I MADE HER A GHOST SO SHE COULD STILL BE BORN IN 1928

Turns out the tower collapsed in 1942 and killed Hazel, so she haunts that one hallway. Doesn't really interact much, since people rarely go there, it's a bit out of the way.

And that's where it ends

I think I have a vague recollection of what it's to come. Teddy definitely had a major part in it, because I love him, he's my favorite, and I think Hazel did too. I just remember being very serious about making sure the timelines added up.

If you read this, thanks, I really had to rant about my amazingness for a bit and that past fic I read in my drafts.

#trials of apollo #harry potter #hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry #crossover #leo valdez #piper mclean #teddy lupin #hazel levesque #meg mccaffrey #austin lake #kayla knowles #percy jackson #annabeth chase #grover underwood #jason grace

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los-ninos-tortugas · 2 years ago

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"Leonardo da Vinci? The Leonardo da Vinci!?" Donnie exclaimed. Captain Janeway chuckled behind him.

"The one and only" da Vinci replied.

"A holographic recreation," Captain Janeway murmured, "extrapolated from contemporary accounts as well as from da Vinci's own journals. "

Donnie knows that logically, that still leaves a lot of gaps for the computer to fill in. He has to admit though, he finds it oddly comforting that even so far into the future people still hold such admiration for the fathers of the Renaissance to go so far as to try to make accurate AI recreations of them to interact with.

Just the implication of the complexity behind the code that makes up the man standing before him has Donnie bouncing on the balls of his feet just thinking about it. The holodeck is for recreation, surely the codes and subroutines are publicly available? He'll have to take a moment to rifle through the computer core and find the raw data form of this file. (His access has been frustratingly limited thus far, it'd be nice to have a file he can look up that won't have Commander Tuvok coming to lecture him about abusing his computer privileges.)

Presently however, Donnie's fingers are itching to touch literally everything in this workshop, dear Galileo where does he even start!?

"You two have come on a fortuitous day," said da Vinci. "There has been a funeral this morning, now all we must do is wait for dark, tell me, Katerina, how does your young friend feel about a little light grave robbing?"

Before Donnie can even begin to process that, Captain Janeway thankfully steps in.

"Er, maestro, perhaps we should save that for another day. Donatello is much more interested in inventions than anatomy."

Da Vinci seems nonplussed by the apparent change in his plans, giving nothing more than a shrug.

"Then come, come, I will show you what progress I have made on my latest creations."

And so they are led into the heart of the workshop, and not only does Donnie get to witness a true genius at work, but he gets to work with him.

Donnie is not sure how much time passes, too consumed with the satisfying feeling of letting his hands go to work and create something for the first time in a long time. The materials he has to work with are so simple, that it's all the more gratifying when he is able to assemble them into something more complex.

Throughout it all Captain Janeway is a surprisingly congenial presence. She never talks down to him or ever shuts down an idea outright. She offers suggestions and advice, and Donnie is struck by the realization that she is a fellow "student of the sciences" as she put it, and not just a commanding officer.

(And if that doesn't just make her even cooler...)

By the time the artificial day has turned to artificial night and the workshop is lit by candlelight, Donnie feels lighter. And also apparently tired, as he fails to hold back a jaw-cracking yawn.

"I think that's our cue to say goodnight," Janeway said. With that, Janeway saves and closes the program. Donnie almost wants to protest and ask for just a little more time, but she did say he's welcome to come back whenever he wants...

"Come on, I think we've both missed dinner, but I'm sure we can cajole Neelix into scrounging something together for us."

Soon enough they're both lounging by the windows in the mess hall, watching the stars go by at warp speed, each with a cup of hot chocolate for dessert. (He's mildly surprised the Captain didn't go for her usual black coffee, which she seems to drink no matter what time it is. Maybe she's trying to set a good example, the adults here have been annoyingly particular about limiting his own caffeine intake.)

The silence is amicable, the ambient sounds of the ship make for a pleasant hum to fill the space between them. There's no pressure here, in this moment to be anything other than content but, still, Donnie feels like something is released when he murmurs,

"My brother is named after him, you know."

Janeway almost misses the small revelation beneath the gentle buzz of the ship's internal workings. "Pardon?" she asks, curious.

"My twin," Donnie said, now at a regular volume. "He's named after Leonardo da Vinci. Not that anyone besides dad ever calls him Leonardo. We usually just call him Leo, sometimes he calls himself 'Leon'... I call him Nardo sometimes. He's nothing like da Vinci himself but... I dunno."

His eyes stay resolutely on the window but he can tell that the Captain has her full attention on him now. He drums his fingers on his mug, not knowing what to do with that.

"... Donatel-" she starts, "... Donnie." He finally looks at her, mildly shocked. He can tell the informality sits awkwardly on her tongue but she smiles at him anyway.

"Please, tell me about him."

#set a course for home #rottmnt #rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles #rottmnt crossover #star trek #star trek voyager #star trek crossover #rottmnt au #rottmnt donnie #captain janeway #katnip writes

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starlitskvaderart · 2 years ago

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Midori One Day One Page 142!

Today's OC is Ilya Alexeyevich Ilatovsky, one of my main Mega Man X OCs - a teenage descendant of Dr. Cossack who made it his mission to locate and reactivate all of his ancestors' robots!

A teen genius highly capable with robots... but his real skill is in coding and programming. He can crack, program, or reprogram anything given half a chance.

His glasses are his main portable device, complete with projections in the lenses while he's working. (His parental figures and robot 'siblings', recognizing his tendency for overwork, have put their foot down on wearing unaltered glasses when he's supposed to be taking a break).

Loves cats but is afraid of horses, large dogs, and spiders. Small dogs are on thin ice.

Inhuman spice tolerance but dislikes sweets. Would probably just die if you gave him a coke.

Easily the most Be Gay Do Crimes of my characters.

Surprisingly intimidating for a beanpole teen. (In RP X was nervous around him for a good while before they got to know each other. Like those videos of dogs refusing to walk past glaring cats. They get along quite well later on though, aside from X being alternately shocked and frustrated by Ilya's tendency to inform X that 'I don't talk to cops' if asked for information he doesn't want to volunteer.)

(Yes, he says it to Zero and even Axl too.)

(He's right.)

Went from reclusive feral cat to one of the most insufferable people you've ever met when shown an ounce of real care and support.

Of all the Cossack robots, he has the closest relationship to Ring Man. They're pretty much inseparable once Ring Man's located and repaired.

And of special note! The full-grown version of Ilya will be appearing next fall in... a Victorian Vampire Visual Novel by @butterfly-latte! Which puts him in the unusual position of his AU being canon and his original version being non-canon. He's just that versatile.

#midori one day one page 2023 #he's an endlessly kind good boy. he's an awful smug insufferable genius.#nikki's ocs #mmx oc #dr cossack #ilya ilatovsky

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dragbunart · 3 years ago

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...could I have a Chihiro x Miu scenario please? I don't know why but the pairing of incredibly vulgar and perverted (yet secretly sweet) girl x boy who is such a sweet little cinnamon roll he could give you cavities, is just so damn good pairing IMO and nobody writes stuff for them

Never heard of this ship before! But it sounds cute.

"Miu you're amazing!" Chihiro stared at Miu.

"I know! I got a rocking bod AND i'm a genie-" "No! Genius doesn't even begin to cover it!" Chihiro was bouncing. Miu blinked. "You're on a whole nother level! I can't believe I get to be a part of this project."

"Y-Yeah, well you know i needed an extra set of hands to program and go over my stuff..." MIu was blushing at his honesty.

"I'm a little jealous of you, not only do you have the code down, but you can build your idea's from scratch! I can only program..."

"Program AI's! THat's why i chose ya, Chi. I needed a brain that could match mine." She was quiet for a second.

"You could've easily had any other guy in the programming world help you! They would've been more than happy."

"Sucks to be them because I only want you!" "You're just saying tha-" "N-no, i'm not." MIu took a breath.

it's now or never...

"I only want you Chihiro... I've... No one has been able to keep up with me like you... And you don't find me gross or weird... Or seem to care when I make my amazing and well times sex jokes!"

"They help you work! I'm not about to criticize the GReat Miu Iruma's creative process!" "But you're the greatest guy I've met... You like cute things and aren't ashamed of it!"

"Not anymore. It's amazing what supportive friends can do."

"You also aren't ashamed to be associated with me..."

"Why would I Miu? Behind all the Bravada and all those jokes you make, you're a really sweet girl." "I like you more than just as a friend, Chi... I want to... To..." Her face was red as a beet she was sure. But she just had to take one look at Chihiro sitting there patiently, all his attention on her... That was all she needed. "I want to hold hands with you and be able to tell everyone 'Fuck off Bitches and Bastards, the hottest guy to ever wear a skirt is mine!'" It was Chihiro's turn to blush. He listened to her every word. "I want to build inventions with you... Forever... I... I want to be your Girlfriend, Chi." "Miu I..."

"You can say no and we can go back to just being partners in science... or we can just be fuck buddies if you don't want anything serious!" Miu bursted out. "oh... It'd be a shame for us to NOT have a kid together, I mean that kid would be so fucking smart... And drop-dead gorgeous!"

"Miu." "And we could make them a robot twin that would Rival Kiibo and we've both met Kiibo, he's going to be hard to beat in specs and programming." "Miu." "I've been meaning to talk to his inventor, heard the old man is retiring, I think we'd be the best people to make sure he stays function-" "Miu!" "GAH! I'm sorry!" Chihiro giggled and grabbed Miu's hand, placing it on his chest right above his heart.

"My heart's beating so fast right now... I'd be ecstatic to be your Boyfriend." "Wha... REALLY?"

"I like being around you Miu, and I wouldn't mind working on projects forever with you." His smile was so innocent and genuine. "I have a few boundaries tho."

"Ok!"

"I'd like to wait on..." When he said the word it was almost a whisper. "Um... sex... For a bit... And when we do have... it... I would like to keep it mostly private... I don't care if you make jokes about screwing the entire world... But no one needs to know the specifics of what we do together..."

"Ok, what else..." "I want to be the only Programmer you work with! I'm willing to make an exception for Professor Itabashi! He's both our idol!"

"Make sense. What about pet names and nicknames?" "Huh?"

"We've talked about your gender stuff, so i assume stuff like 'baby girl' is off the table." "If you'd be willing." "How about 'Cutie Pie about to get Cream Pied'..."

"... I'm going to veto the last part.... For multiple reasons."

#miu x chihiro #chihiro x miu

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cayleyshortstories · 4 years ago

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The Oculus

Written by Joshua Tesoro & Illustrated by Bastin Agustines

Itadori Zoldyck spends his weekends in a small apartment playing video games all day. He can make his life "better," but he does not have the opportunity to demonstrate it. He excels at coding and technology in general. He made tons of inventions when he was still a kid and his parents always supported him, but he felt hopeless when they died. He lost both of his parents when he was very young, and he had to work a variety of jobs just to keep up with the bills and provide shelter for himself. Except for his goofy best friend Feitan Portor, he doesn't really have anyone. Despite his circumstance, he idolized Franklin Stark, the brilliant billionaire and CEO of the well-known tech firm Stark Industries. His friend invited him to a Stark Industries tech expo one day, and when Itadori learned that Franklin would be there, he agreed right away. Normally, he would refuse to attend any events, but this time, his idol, Franklin Stark, had approved it.

Itadori and Feitan were astounded by the technology and inventions they saw on the day of the expo. Jetpacks and flying cars were among the inventions that were being developed. The entire area has a futuristic vibe to it. Itadori was curious if he could make similar inventions, or if he could improve them. “You can make inventions like this, you know; I know you can because you're a genius in this field,” Feitan said suddenly to Itadori. “It's all this computer nerd stuff.” “Do you really believe that?” Itadori asked. I don't know how long it's been since my parents died; I've lost faith in myself and haven't had the chance to demonstrate my abilities to anyone.” “Well, you can begin by doing something you think is fantastic, and never forget to believe in yourself. You know how proud your parents were of you and all the things you've created.” Feitan remarked. Itadori smiled, knowing that his friend was always joking around, but he would always be there for him.

They were walking around the tech expo when Itadori realized he couldn't find his friend Feitan. He immediately dialed his phone number, but no one answered. He was searching for his friend when he noticed him passing through the restricted area. It was a small room with a large door in the center. He pursued him in an attempt to stop his friend. “What are you doing?” he exclaimed. You'll be discovered, and we'll be kicked out of the expo. You know how much I've wanted to meet Franklin for a long time.” “I'm sorry, I was just curious, you know, what kind of technology they were developing in this area,” she explained. Feitan replied. Aren't you a little intrigued? Let's take a quick look and then get out of here.” Feitan knew from Itadori's expression that he wasn't convinced and that his friend would drag them out, but then the big door opened and someone came running in the opposite direction. They had no choice but to enter the restricted area.

When they walked into the room, they noticed a large white circular portal. There were a lot of people watching and taking notes. What was that for, Itadori wondered. Itadori knew the portal was a portal to somewhere when it suddenly released a large blue energy and became active, but he didn't know where. He suspected it led to another dimension, but he wasn't sure if it was possible with today's technology. They were simply observing the scientists present when the portal abruptly shut down, sending a small shockwave through the room that knocked them to the ground. Itadori and Fetitan were also knocked out, and when they awoke, they were surrounded by guards with guns drawn. “What are you doing here?!,” one of the guards exclaimed. Aren't you aware that this is a restricted area? This is a government-approved top-secret experiment. You are not permitted to enter. Both of you should be arrested right now!” Itadori was taken aback and apprehensive at the same time. He was under pressure to figure out a way to get out of this situation, or he and his friend would be arrested and imprisoned, or worse, killed by one of the guards. He suddenly came up with a plan to save himself and his friend. The only way to save Feitan in his mind is for him to say, "I know how to fix the portal you're working on here. I am the best in my school and I also have a masters in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering." Suddenly, a well-dressed young man enters the room and says, “Let's give this boy a chance, shall we? He’ll be imprisoned if he’s bluffing.” Because of this young man, the rest of the room fell silent. Franklin Stark, the CEO of Stark Industries, was the one who made the announcement.

Itadori was so shocked and happy when he saw his idol. So shocked that he couldn’t move for a second. “So, show us what you got, kid. To help you, I’ll explain what we're doing here. That portal leads to another dimension, not to mention an advanced one. It’s so advanced that the technology there can either destroy our world or lead it into a new era. We tried so many tests, but the problem was not activating the portal, but rather sustaining it while someone was still inside. There has been a test where one of our employees was stuck there. Her name is Lucy Smith. She was our lead scientist and as I’ve mentioned our problem is to make the portal stay open long enough for us to get in and out safely. We tried everything to save the scientist but as you can see, we have no way of contacting her and we can’t go through the portal because of the problem.”, said Franklin. “So, kid, show me what you've got. “Assist us in saving this man and possibly dozens of others who could benefit from the technology from another dimension,” he added. Itadori was under pressure because he didn't know what to do at first, but now that he knew about the portal, he knew what to do. Using his technological skills and knowledge. He created a program to handle the massive amounts of energy and a power source to keep the portal running long enough for them to enter and exit to the other dimension. Franklin was blown away by Itadori's abilities. He was so taken aback that he told him, "Not bad, kid." Do you want to be a part of my team? You have a lot of potential to follow in my footsteps as a successful inventor.” Itadori felt relieved when he heard those words because he had accomplished his goal. He was the one who did it. Franklin's words had a similar effect on him. “All right, let's put it to the test, shall we?” Franklin said, "You two are going to the other dimension with me." When they heard what Franklin said, both of the teenagers were taken aback. “What are you saying?” Itadori exclaimed. We're just regular teenagers, you know. We are unable to travel to another dimension. “Don't you have anyone to help you with this?” “Look, kid, you've got a gift. Don't settle for anything less than the best. You have tremendous potential, and I want to take you to the other dimension with me so that we can develop technologies that will benefit humanity. Furthermore, this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Franklin responded, "Would you really waste it?" Feitan eventually persuaded his friend to travel to the other dimension. Franklin put together a team that included himself, Feitan, and Itadori. They'll have two more people monitoring the portal to see how much time they have before the power source needs to be recharged. “See you on the other side, my friend,” Feitan said as he entered the portal. Itadori grinned and greeted Feitan with a smile. They saw a large white light after entering the portal and were astounded by what they saw. It was truly a futuristic metropolis. There are flying cars everywhere, and even the trains are floating. Humanoid robots were seen casually assisting the people around them. They ventured deeper into the city in the hopes of uncovering information about Lucy's whereabouts. So far, they've relied solely on advanced technologies to locate Lucy. There is a device that allows you to view the security cameras installed throughout the building. You can even identify the individual who was caught on camera. However, after receiving the device, Itadori noticed a mysterious woman staring at them. She fled after attempting to confront the woman. They were chasing the woman down a small alley when they were suddenly approached by some evil humanoid robots who attempted to hit them. They were about to be cornered when the woman they were chasing suddenly assisted them in stopping the humanoid robot by temporarily disabling it.

Itadori then inquired as to the identity of the woman, to which she replied, "I am Lucy Smith, and I thought you were one of the guys chasing me." When I saw Mr. Franklin here, I immediately returned.” “We've come to gather some data to aid in the development of technology for our world, and, of course, to save you,” Franklin explained. Lucy explained that she is attempting to hide from the people present because they are aware that he is from another dimension. Lucy added, "They call themselves the Eternals." Lucy explained that they live in an advanced civilization where there are no wars or suffering, and only one government. She didn't say anything about stealing a valuable piece of technology from them, the Oculus. The Oculus is a cube of pure energy capable of destroying an entire world. Lucy isn't really a bad guy; she wants to use the cube to generate an infinite amount of energy that will benefit the entire world. Many people in the other dimension will suffer, however, because when the oculus leaves the other dimension, it will unleash a powerful shock wave that will destroy the entire dimension and its inhabitants. When they were about to leave the other dimension, Itadori noticed a glowing blue light from the bag. He immediately approached Lucy and asked what it was. Lucy, having been exposed, tried to talk it out but Feitan was skeptical about it. He told Itadori and Franklin that she was up to no good. After hearing this, Franklin approached Lucy and asked her to give her the bag. She refused. After that, Franklin became suspicious of Lucy as well and tried to take the bag from her. When Lucy noticed Franklin was becoming suspicious, she dashed to the portal. The three of them chased her down, but just as Itadori was about to catch up to her, she threw a grenade at him, knocking him down. When Feitan realized what had happened, he immediately called Franklin and told him to save Itadori and enter the portal. He intended to take Lucy on by himself. Someone grabbed Lucy's feet as she approached the portal, preventing her from passing through. Feitan was the culprit. Feitan tried everything he could to keep Lucy away from the portal so Franklin could get Itadori to safety. Franklin was well aware that Feitan would put his life on the line for his best friend. That was crystal clear to him. Franklin entered the portal just as it was about to close. Lucy escaped Feitan's clutches and kicked him away, allowing her to pass through the portal as well. The other dimension, along with Feitan and his companions, exploded when the cube exited the other dimension. After the three of them escaped through the portal, Franklin confronted Lucy and asked what had happened. The other dimension was destroyed as a result of the cube, Lucy explained. She continued, "When the cube exits the other dimension, it will unleash a massive shock wave that will destroy everything in its path." Franklin couldn't believe Feitan, along with the other inhabitants of the alternate dimension, had died. Feitan was supposed to be trapped in another dimension, but he is actually dead. He was concerned about Itadori's reaction to his best friend's death. He had no idea Itadori had heard everything; he was unable to move due to the grenade's damage. He was furious with himself because he believed it was his fault that Feitan had to make the sacrifice. Franklin questioned Lucy about why she had done it. “It was for our world,” Lucy explained, “because this cube has unlimited energy and can develop futuristic technologies.” Even if it means killing dozens of people in the process, I would gladly do it. There can be no victory without sacrifice.” Itadori was enraged when he learned of this. What Lucy said disgusted him greatly. “Don't you dare make my best friend's life seem insignificant!” he exclaimed. Not to mention the billions of people you've murdered!” Given his circumstances, Franklin was surprised to learn that Itadori can communicate. Lucy smirked and giggled as she heard Itadori's words. Itadori used all of his remaining strength to stand

up when he heard her laugh. He inquired about Lucy's plans. “Fine, I'll tell you about my cube plans,” she replied. I'll construct a power container to store the cube's energy and use it to develop technologies that will make me one of the world's greatest scientists, capable of assisting dozens of people all over the world. Don't you see what I'm talking about? This cube is going to save the world! Itadori and Franklin attempted to fight her, but she possesses a device that allows her to easily knock people out. She was able to flee. Itadori and Franklin stood up and talked about what had happened. Itadori told Franklin about how much of a good friend Feitan was. He was furious with himself for being so frail in the other dimension. Franklin cheered him up by telling him that he was not to blame. He also needs to stop Lucy if he doesn't want his friend's death to be in vain. It was Itadori's mission to stop Lucy when he realized this. He was the only one with the knowledge to stop Lucy’s plan so Franklin went to him for help. He went to Stark Industries right away and used their technology to find Lucy. They eventually found Lucy after hours of searching and devised a strategy to apprehend her. Because they don't know much about the Oculus and only know that it's dangerous, Itadori devised a strategy to prevent Lucy from using it. Lucy was in a Stark Industries facility that had been abandoned, but some of the technology and cameras were still operational. Itadori first devised a method of hacking into the facility so that Lucy would be unaware of their presence. Franklin and Itadori discussed what they would do to Lucy once they had stopped her on their way to her. For a while, Itadori remained silent. “As much as I hate her for killing my friend, I can't kill her,” he said suddenly. I don't want to do it. Perhaps there is still a way to persuade her that what she is doing is wrong. So, Mr. Franklin, here's the deal. When we arrive at the facility, I'd like you to leave me alone with her. Stay in the plane and keep an eye on us. If everything else fails, press this button. When Lucy said she was going to build a power container for the Oculus, I knew I had to do something about it, so I built this device that can hack into any device. It will be able to stop Lucy's plan once you press that button.” Franklin was surprised to learn that Itadori had already devised a plan to stop Lucy, but he was determined to persuade her. Franklin stayed on the plane after arriving at the facility, as Itadori had requested.

Itadori and Lucy finally confronted each other. Lucy was taken aback when she saw Itadori approaching her from across the hall. Lucy stated, "You've got skills kid, I'll give you that." “Are you here to put a stop to it? I could kill you right now, but I've decided against it because you have potential. I don't want to squander it. As a result, I'll make you an offer. Join me, and together we can make a difference in the world. “Are you sure you don't want that?” “Lucy, I know we haven't spent much time together, but from what I've seen of you in the short time we've interacted, I know you are a good person,” Itadori replied. You want to help others, but your methods are ineffective. It is not worth it to put other people's lives on the line for the sake of progress. You have the ability to change the world, but this isn't the way to do it.” Lucy was taken aback by Itadori's continued attempts to save her. She immediately remembered her past, recalling how she had been bullied as a child, but that someone had helped her and believed in her. “Don't worry about them; they're just envious of your abilities,” said the person. Don't let anyone put you down because you have the ability to change the world.” She realized all the mistakes she had made after recalling this. “You're right, Itadori, what have I done?” she exclaimed. All I wanted was for the good of the world because I want to make it a better place. When I was a kid, someone believed in me, but will he be proud of me now that he knows what I've accomplished?” After saying this, a massive explosion erupted from the cube. “It is not too late to save other people,” Itadori told her. “Assist me in putting a stop to this.” Lucy knew there was no stopping the cube now, and the power container couldn't handle it, which Itadori didn't know. There was only one thing she could think of as a solution. She instructed Itadori to hack into the Stark Industries mainframe. She only said that so Itadori could flee for his life. She intends to make a self-sacrifice in order to stop the cube and undo everything she has done. She then called Franklin to warn him to stay away from the facility and to offer her body to be mixed with the cube. She can control the cube to some extent with this. Then there was a massive blue explosion. Itadori and Franklin had escaped harm's way. Itadori tried to go to Lucy's location after realizing what had happened, but his wounds from the grenade were still present, and he was knocked out due to the shock. Itadori awakens in a white room where Franklin has been waiting for him. Itadori tried to stand up because he remembered what had happened and felt guilty for not being able to help Lucy. “It wasn't your fault, Itadori; in fact, you were the one who made Lucy realize what she had done and she changed her ways,” Franklin said. She gave up her life for the sake of humanity.” Lucy's need to sacrifice herself made Itadori a little sad. “You fool, stop moping around. “After you're completely healed, you've got a lot of things to do,” a rambunctious adolescent said. When Itadori heard the teenager's voice, he was both pleased and surprised. Feitan was the culprit. Everything Lucy had done had been restored. Everyone in the alternate dimension was also alive. The reason why the other dimension exploded when the Oculus left the dimension is because they needed the energy to keep the balance. When Lucy mixed her DNA with the cube, she had restored the other dimension along with all the people that were killed because of the cube. When she was in the other dimension, she saw Feitan and at first, Feitan didn't remember what happened. He tried to fight Lucy but when Lucy explained everything to him, he immediately helped her to bring the Oculus back to its original place. They encountered the authorities in the other dimension, and Feitan tried to explain Lucy’s side and what had happened. After this, the authorities took the cube and Lucy was still punished because she stole the cube from the other dimension. She had already accepted this and was ready to

sacrifice herself for the peace of everyone. Feitan helped the people in the other dimension to restore what had been lost. In return, they taught Feitan their technology and how to utilize it. Following that, Franklin sought the help of Itadori and Feitan to study the cube and develop other technologies that would benefit the world.

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ILLUSTRATION EXPLANATION:

This is the analysis and appreciation for the short story titled "The Oculus". It shows two people in front of a portal looking at a futuristic city with floating cars, trains, buildings, and a large tower with a blue light-emitting from it. The two people near the portal are the two main characters Itadori and Feitan. This image shows the scene in which they traveled to the other dimension in search of the assistant of Mr. Stark which is Lucy Smith. She is hinted from the many digital screens with the silhouette of a wanted person who came from another dimension. The illustration also shows that the dimension they traveled to is more advanced than theirs and that it has many technological advancements that they could learn from. The tower at the back is where the oculus is kept. It can be a kind of foreshadowing because the thing inside that tower is crucial to the progression of the story. This image shows the characters, setting, and the main plot points of the story whilst not revealing the plot itself.

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