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aclosetfan · 3 years

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I’m still mad about Bunny from an earlier post so here’s some headcanons for an au affectionately titled “what could have happen if CN didn’t nuke the one ppg with an intellectual disability”

Long post! Look under the cut!

Bunny has Down Syndrome!

The Professor is a little...tifted when he finds out his children made another child, but Professor is a man full of love, so he takes it in stride. He’s never mad at Bunny, but the triplets have a very long and thorough talking to.

Bunny is an adjustment, but so were the triplets. Professor adjusts well to the change. He doesn’t like his lil honey bun (cause ofc he has embarrassing nicknames for her too) to go out and fight. He doesn’t want her getting too overstimulated and would rather leave the bigger villains to the girls. He can’t stop Bunny from running to help when her sisters call though!

Bunny is no damsel in distress!

But for the most part, Bunny does her part for the team by helping the professor in the lab! She’s a little uncoordinated when she gets excited, but so is the Professor, so it’s a match made in heaven. She has her own lab gear and happily hands over tools and chemicals (w/supervision!) at the Professor’s request. She also very good at reminding the professor when it’s time for a break. Bunny doesn’t let him miss snack or bedtime.

She also makes sure his experiment have a touch of cutesy because Bunny loves her a bit of sparkle and frills!

Having a sister with an obvious disability is difficult for the girls in their own ways. But Bunny really teaches the girls a lot!

For Blossom, she has a hard time puzzling how Bunny was going to live a fulfilling life in an unforgiving world. Since Blossom strives for control over things she doesn’t understand, it takes her a little bit (and a few lectures from the professor) to realize that Bunny will find her own place and that she doesn’t have to be so anxious. Bunny will be fine. She’ll be okay. She’s not so fragile. (But Blossom still has bouts of extreme worry that her little sister won’t ever be accepted) Like I said though, Blossom strives for control and tries to help the Professor keep Bun well structured and safely entertained, but Bunny’s has an independent mind of her own and teaches Blossom that while structure is good, everyone deserves a little fun!

For Buttercup it’s a giant lesson in calm and patience, which if you follow the show, is generally the lesson Buttercup needs to learn. But Bunny isn’t Bubbles or another kid on the playground, she’s special in a different way and even though she has super powers too and can get a little rough—because Bunny often forgets her own strength—Buttercup has to often be remind that she needs to be gentle. It takes a little bit for Buttercup to realize that Bunny doesn’t get things right away and what Buttercup thinks is funny can be hurtful to her. But Buttercup does learn and she’s extremely protective of her baby sister. She finds games and sports that they both enjoy, and every once in while Buttercup will buckle down and play the princess that Bunny has to save. Fr Bunny and Buttercup never give up on each other.

Bubbles is immediately the best with Bunny. It’s not so much her disability that Bubbles has an issue with, it’s more like the family displacement. Bunny gets a lot of the extra attention Bubbles has been use to. Bunny and her like a lot of the same things—dolls, coloring books, things that glitter and sparkle, bright colors, stuffed animals etc. They’re both very much into everything girly. And that means Bubbles really has to learn to share. Her stuff, her sisters, her professor—everything. Sometimes she gets a little jealous, but after an incident with Octi (where the beloved stuffed animal was ripped in two and crudely taped back together by her little sister in apology), Bubbles eventually realizes that Bunny looks up to her as a strong, tough older sister and that’s A-Ok w/ Bubs. And I know it’s cliche but I think Bubs would give Bunny Octi—not forever mind you—they share.

School’s interesting! Bunny goes to preschool with them and gets her own special teacher. But kids can be cruel and the bullies of the preschool (which is, yeah, Mitch and his group) do what they do. The sisters learn early on how to deal with insensitivity and it’s not easy (especially for BC/Blossom), but with the help of Ms. Keane, the Professor, and Bunny herself, the preschool learns that Bunny’s just a little girl who likes to play too!

I mentioned this one in a previous post, but I think Mr. Green should be her parateacher instead of the girls substitute. That way his character can stay in the show and they can have the “don’t judge a book by its cover” episode. But now it can wrap back into the episode of Bunny’s first day of school to really hit the point home! Mr Green can explain that Bunny was “different” but the girls loved her anyway, so “hey give me a chance to, I promise I won’t let you down!” (The intensity of the episode would be heightened because the girls would be extra protective of Bun) (Bunny absolutely adores Mr. Green and Ms. Keane appreciates the help!)

Bunny teaches them how to stim!! Whether it’s flappin around or playing with slime the sisters like doing it together (and tbh they’re fun stress relievers that the triplets carry into adult life)!

Also, now that I think about, I don’t feel like Bunny would get over stimulated often, but it takes her a bit to calm down when she does. Bubbles is the best at calming her down when she gets too excited, but when she’s angry, it’d be BC. I think that’s because Buttercup’s marked as an aggressive kid and, like I mentioned earlier, her and Bunny’s relationship would be filled with “learning to be calm” lessons.

Bunny has sensory issues! Nbd we all do, but Bunny doesn’t like her ears being touched so sometimes it’s hard to brush her hair. She loves Blossom’s hair though and Blossom can usually convince her that if she wants long pretty hair she needs to wash and brush her own. Blossom and the Professor are the only ones allowed to touch her hair!

Sensory wise, Bunny only likes soft cotton clothing. Everything else is too ichy. She also only wears dresses because they’re both pretty and light. good thing t-shirt dresses exist!

Purple! Bunnies! Purple! Bunnies! She has a niche and my baby fills it!

Hard ‘T’s are hard for Bunny. They round into ‘D’s instead. So Buttercup becomes Buddercup except Buddercup can sometimes be too much too, so Bunny more often then not calls her sister Buddy and that’s how Buttercup eventually earns the nickname Bud.

If you h/c the girls with fingers, the Utonium’s learn sign language, which helps when Bunny become too over stimulated or has bouts of being non verbal! Buttercup has the hardest time, Blossom catches on the quickest, Bubbles and Bunny keep making up their own signs, and Professor’s just trying to teach them all!

Can’t stay in preschool forever! Kids grow up! Sucks though :/ because the girls don’t stay in the same class. But don’t worry the triplets make sure they always eat lunch with their sister! And two weeks into middle school they realize that their baby sister doesn’t need them much anyways. She’s the queen of the SPED room. She’s so helpful, kind, and popular that she’s socially doing better then her sisters 😂😂

Bunny really gets into gymnastics! She wants to be in the special olympics, but she has super powers and the Professor has to explain that having super powers is a bit like cheating. She throws a tantrum and Bubbles, with all her crafty genius, saves the day by making fake medals and trophies. The Utoniums though are still very involved in the special olympics and other like activities . It makes them all happy and Bunny gets to hand out the medals! (Helps that she’s a superhero 😏😉 always getting that special treatment)

Guys, my gal? She’s a huge flirt! If you’re like ew no, that’s morally wrong, you need to re-evaluate what YOU know about Down Syndrome! Yes developmentally she’s a little slower, but Bunny’s still a teenager—a growing young women—and very much human, so romantic idealtions are very normal. And that applies to all our friends irl too. It just depends on a persons mental capacity! Admittedly, the Professor was a little uncomfortable at first too because there’s consent and power imbalances to think about, but the people of similar age that Bunny interacts with on the daily are people just like her—like minded individuals with puppy crushes. You can’t deny a person their humanity, so when one of the boys in her SPED class gets the courage to ask her on a date the Professor buckles down and calls the boy’s mom.

Their date is a at a park, properly chaperoned by their parents. They swing and have a good time. They end it with a hug! It’s very exciting and Bunny doesn’t stop bragging about it. Two days later she’s broken up with her new BF for the next brave soul. (Truly everything stays completely innocent don’t worry. I can understand anyone’s concern—Bunny isn’t a sexual being she’s just a romantic. Also there’s ALWAYS a chaperone)

Her family still worries though. Blossom because she always worries about Bunny and the things Bunny could be missing out on. The Professor for much the same reason + she’s his little girl. Bubbles because her LITTLE sister keeps getting more dates then her. And Buttercup doesn’t worry much, but she is annoyed because if the Professor isn’t available, she’s the one who ALWAYS has to chaperone.

Why buttercup? Don’t let her fool you. She actually volunteers. She’d chaperone any of her sisters’ dates if Blossom and Bubbles would let her. Ain’t no gross boy touching her sisters.

Tbh bunny flirts with boys most of the time to embarrass and get a rise out of her sisters. She’s a lil shit sometimes. (It’s the spice in her)

Bunny also makes sure to keep her sisters IN CHECK. If she thinks they’re being too judgmental or mean to the “bad guys,” she makes sure they remember how they were mean to HER.

Most of the main villains though don’t know her. Mojo tried something once and ended up being carted back to Townsville Correctional Facility in a gurney. Bunny has an aversion to violence after the “you’re being bad” incident, so she isn’t one to fight/protect herself (protecting her sisters is another story tho lol she’d kill for them), but her sisters are fiercely protective. Incredibly protective. So protective that when the other main villains saw Mojo carted into jail they went 😬😬😬 and stayed away.

She meets Princess though! She likes Princess for all her glittery dress-up shit. Idk how yet, but I think she’d be a good catalyst for Princess’s redemption arc (along with Robin, who yes is also Bunny’s best friend). She thinks Princess’s hair is pretty and really let’s be honest Princess goes soft because she likes the positive attention. In Princess’s defense, she was never insensitive to Bunny’s disability. She’s a ppg and a ppg is what Princess wants to be. Sure, she’s petty, but goodness gracious, Blossom, she’s well versed in etiquette and that’s just uncouth.

And she meets the boys because she’s a flirt remember? Boomer’s name is her favorite but she never gets the “-er” part out. Just likes the way BOOM sounds. Her sisters have to remind her to use her inside voice, but Boomer’s a good sport about his ear drums being blown out and usually yells right on back. She thinks they’re cute! Like Princess, Bunny makes the boys feel liked and needed and helps them along their redemption arc! But they’re hesitant to be around her because they saw MoJo and....😬😬😬 (hell would freeze over before the girls let them near her anyway) (their fear is also why they aren’t completely insensitive shits towards Bunny—Mitch is a human so he got away from a beating, but someone like Butch?? Nah, BC’s always actively looking for a reason to decimate him)

Bun’s fave villain though is Fuzzy. He’s like a giant fuzzy pink teddy bear!

Bunny’s essentially made out of the exact same stuff as Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup. Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice. So what if she’s a smidge bit different. Everyone loves her just the same!

#headcanons #ppg Bunny #I’d die for this girl #she deserves love #and the next story I write I’m putting her in it #if someone thinks I need to amend of change anything lemme know!!#no intention here to be insensitive!#I wrote this in a daze so sorry if it isn’t coherent

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trophywifejimgordon · 3 years

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It’s over.

Just as soon as it started, almost, except for the part where it took an eternity. Except for the part where, though Daniel actually has experienced being pitted in a fight to the death before, and this was nothing like that, he just relived the past 35 years of his life, not “flashing before his eyes” so much as being jogged into his memory in chunks, hit by overwhelming hit. Every decision he ever made, and every one that was made for him, brought Daniel here, to this moment, to… victory?

Daniel LaRusso has won every most important fight in his life, and this one is no different; Johnny Lawrence now lies on his back, pinned there by the weight of Daniel’s foot resting on his chest. He’s not struggling anymore, just breathing hard and looking, really looking, at Daniel. Daniel’s not really so sure that he likes it.

He’d been face down, last time. Something like that. Daniel’d hardly had attention to spare on the disarmed bomb, not when his whole world was relief and agony and celebration and Miyagi and the sweeping crowd roaring his name and Ali. He had only even been distantly aware of Johnny handing him the trophy, and had, at the time, actually just assumed that he had been forced to by the bounds of tradition--after all, what did Daniel know, then, about the way of things at tournaments like these? It was only after Mike Barnes neglected to be the graceful loser that Daniel had even started to wonder… but Johnny had been long gone by then.

He’s here now, though. And there’s none of the rest; no roaring crowds, no debilitating pain in his knee, no Ali, no excitement, no relief. No Miyagi, either, but that’s kind of been the problem. It’s all over, and here, in the aftermath, there is only Johnny and Daniel, as there ever was, and looking down at Johnny’s wide eyes, Daniel is hit for the first time by the notion that, for you to win, someone else has to lose.

And of course, that should be no great surprise, no world shattering revelation--that is, after all, the business he’s in. Both karate and cars; it’s cutthroat, and it’s a competition, no matter how much he might preach otherwise (lie) to his class at Miyagi-do. But it is. A revelation. Daniel has spent the past year learning about Johnny Lawrence as a human being, more human than it ever felt comfortable to consider him, seeing him struggle and reach out and lash out and, admittedly, grow. There were times when Daniel had hated him, times when he almost thought they could be friends. But it is only now, staring defeat down into the waiting--not angry, not guilty, just… expectant--expression of his opponent, that it hits Daniel: there is a side to their story, and maybe there always was, where Daniel is the villain.

This breaks the man. That’s not him; he’s never been that. Daniel, growing up, had been friends with action comics and superheroes more than actual people--he tried, of course, but could never quite get anyone to stay. (Anyone but Mr. Miyagi, that is, but Daniel is old enough by now to suspect that he might have had his issues, too.) His mother--always a Daniel fan, as a rule--had encouraged him, told him he was too good for those other kids, anyhow, and he sort of believed her. Then he got older, and there was Kreese and Johnny and Chozen and Silver and Barnes, and the world was black and white, just like in the pages of his comics--there was a lesson in Daniel’s final two years of high school, and it was that his childish worldview had essentially been correct, that there was a good guy, and there was a bad guy, and most of the time, the role of the “good guy” fell to him. Growing up, if it could be called that, had done him no favors; while Daniel as a child had been (okay, he could admit it) a bit obnoxious, he had also been fresh and impressionable and wide eyed, ready to learn, always. Ready to shift his viewpoint. Age, as it does with all, or at least most, had made the walls around his worldview a little more stiff, while trauma (for that’s what it was, he realizes now, Trauma, with a capital T) had cemented them in place. The final, glancing blow to Daniel’s ability to bend before he broke was the death of the man who had taught him to do so in the first place; after he lost Mr. Miyagi, that had been it for him, the nail in the coffin. He was stuck. Unalterable, unchangeable. Bitter, and stiff, and unyielding, and more than any of that, completely unable to see it.

Because, who had time for self-contemplation when you were successful? Who had space for introspection when you were busy and moving up and, by all rights, happy? Daniel didn’t need to look inside or better himself; he was the good guy. He was a g-d damn heroic archetype, baby, and he helped people see the light, not the other way around.

And that mindset had lasted, it had served him, for the better part of eight whole years, or maybe a lifetime. It kept him going, affirmed his choices and supported his self-righteous streak, for all this time, and it was maybe going to keep powering on forever, through the very end of Daniel LaRusso until

suddenly

it didn’t.

And so he gaped down at Johnny Lawrence (old hat, by now, at being typecast as the villain in Daniel’s personal morality plays) and met his sad, blue eyes with sad, brown ones showing--though he did not know or altogether intend it--pure, abject terror right there on his face.

For the first time since Mr. Miyagi died, Daniel feels a shift, uncomfortable and alien and wild, and so all he can say, deer in the headlights wishing the car would come sooner, is, “My knee.”

He thinks about letting Johnny up, or at least removing his own personal peine forte et dure and making it an option. Daniel thinks about it, he hesitates, but he doesn’t move in the end.

Can’t.

“What,” Johnny says cautiously, expression still indecipherable, or maybe that’s Daniel. Despite the weight on his chest, he pushes himself up a little, halfway into a sitting position and resting on his elbows, and Daniel lets him. Can’t do anything about that, either.

“You didn’t go for my knee, you never did, even though you knew it was my weak spot. I must’ve left it open about a hundred times, I was stupid--but you didn’t take advantage. Why not, Johnny, huh? What did you get out of that?”

Johnny, like, licks his lips a little, probably (probably?) in contemplation, and his gaze flits between Daniel’s face and his leg, the one that’s still pinning him, the one that he and Bobby Brown but John Kreese most of all had done irreparable damage to 35 years back. He almost seems to challenge Daniel (though it’s probably just his keyed-up confrontation brain talking)--like, oh, you mean this knee?

Daniel isn’t sure what the look in Johnny’s eye means--he’s starting to figure out that he doesn’t understand Johnny Lawrence half as well as he’d prided himself on knowing him before--and there’s a second when half of him thinks Johnny’s about to lick a stripe up the surgery scars he caused and the other half thinks that Johnny’s about to strike first, strike hard, strike one last time and show no mercy as he shreds the tendon with his teeth, finishing what he started 35 years ago and ruining the leg for good.

Of course, he does neither of these things. All he does eventually is bring his gaze back up to Daniel’s eye--expression steel, more sober than Daniel has ever seen him--and say, “I keep telling you, man, and you don’t listen--that’s not who I want to be. I want to be better than I was taught. And you’re never gonna hear it.”

The truth of Johnny’s statement strikes him--in that moment, Daniel knows that Johnny’s strides toward redemption, his constant game of two steps forward, one step back, have not been petty or self-serving or convenient in the least for him; they’ve been genuine. Johnny has been struggling since their childhood, since he fell in with Kreese, and he’s still struggling right now; struggling to unlearn all the bad, three decades of toxic crap dumped on him and into him, because Johnny sees his faults and sees his failures and he wants to be more than the sum of them. It might mean (and just watch, this revelation is earth shattering) that Johnny is a better man than Daniel, who has never once looked in a mirror to do anything more than adjust his too-expensive tie before heading out on the sales floor. Who would Johnny be if he’d had someone like Mr. Miyagi for a mentor? Who would Daniel be if he hadn’t?

His breath, finally calmed down from the physical exertion, starts to speed up again, heart pounding in his chest, and oh, sure, why not, Daniel thinks he’s going to have a panic attack. The least he can do is free Johnny from the pin before he does so; things will probably get really, really strange, if not.

Shaky, trying to control his limbs and remember--well, pretty much anything about the simplest breathing techniques, Daniel lets him go.

After another second’s deliberation, he reaches down a hand.

“You’re wrong, Johnny,” he says (because nothing between them can be without petty disagreements, not even this), eyes focused on something he couldn’t name if his life depended on it, a spot on the floor just behind Johnny’s shoulder. The floor, the hardwood floor he’d installed himself, even after Amanda had dropped several hints that she wanted it done professionally, because he could handle it, and he had; his floor, in his house, because--oh, right--they’re in his house, his house in Encino, and this whole thing should reek of normalcy, and yet. “I hear you.”

The fight drains out of him entirely, and all of a sudden, Daniel is nothing so much as he is tired. Johnny takes his hand and lets himself be pulled up, and they’re both left standing, shells of men, hollow. Nothing inside. They look at one another and the reflection of their nothingness, and Daniel….

Well. Daniel, is broken.

And then, in a perspective shift like an earthquake, like a typhoon off the coast of Okinawa, like a crane kick in the fucking head, he just may be reforged.

#cobra kai #lawrusso #daniel larusso #johnny lawrence #text post #fanfiction #am i posting this here instead of ao3 because i crave instant validation more than i want to spend the time editing? yes.#do i hope you like it anyway? also yes #fun fact i wrote this entire thing just to give context to that line about johnny ripping apart daniel's tendon w/ his teeth #and this itself needs to be set in a larger context so. how far will it go #if i do ever post this my working title is 'my orthopedic knee specialist does not think the world of you'

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luctisonusx · 3 years

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Homecoming Dance || Drabble

Small summary: Halloween Homecoming starring Lisa, Christina, and vague bits of the prince himself, Roman.

“C’mon, Caleb, please?” The blonde-haired vixen known as Lisa batted her eyelashes at Caleb who scrunched his nose at her pleading. Saying no once had been hard enough but she seemed set on getting him to repeat himself again. Yet guilt bridled his gut, so he searched his brain for an excuse, finding one in his step mom’s annoying ways.

“Lisa, I doubt my stepmom would even let me go,” Caleb argued, but Lisa didn’t budge. In fact, she slipped her hand into Caleb’s back pocket and took his phone. How she even knew his password was beyond him, but it wasn’t as if he made it anything dangerously hard. The password was his birthday, but he hadn’t expected her to even know that.

“Hey!’ he tried to snatch the phone back, but she dodged him effortlessly, finding his step mom’s number and typing in a quick text. As she waited for a response, she continued to dodge the boy, much to his annoyance. When the phone finally vibrated in response, Lisa’s face lit up.

“She says it’s fine.” Lisa held his phone out to him and he eyed the screen. She had indeed texted her and asked if he could attend the dance. Her response had been a yes. The only thing was that Lisa would have to give him a ride to and from. Lisa moved to text again before handing the phone back to Caleb after hitting send. The look on Caleb’s face was one of obvious discomfort, but it didn’t seem like Lisa noticed and if she did, she simply didn’t care.

“So you’ll be my date to the homecoming dance. I’ll pick you up at 5.” She concluded. Caleb scrunched his nose again before tucking his phone back into his back pocket. He made a mental note to change his phone password, but it was likely that he wouldn’t change it still.

“Yeah. Alright. Fine. I just don’t have a costume and it’s so short notice.” Caleb mumbled, again trying to think of another excuse. Lisa eyed him down and Caleb cringed uncomfortably. She grabbed his shoulder and spun him around before letting out a laugh.

“No. I have something you’ll fit in nicely.” She said with a wiggle of her eyebrows, “And I’ve got a wig to match oh and I can do your make-up!” Lisa clapped her hands together as she got more excited. Wig and make-up? What was this big idea? “You’ll see.” She answered his unspoken question, “5 o clock on the dot. Be ready to be Halloween-a-fied!” She gave him a kiss on his cheek then and ran off to her car. Caleb blinked before realizing his bus was going to leave soon and ran off to catch it. Tonight was going to be very strange.

----

“I don’t know about this,” Caleb mumbled as Lisa put on eyeshadow on him. She was going for a smoky sort of look. Her idea for his costume was a Wednesday Adam’s costume she had bought last year but had gotten “too fat” to wear. It seemed to fit him perfectly and the pair of leggings she found for him also worked well. It didn’t necessarily feel bad, but he did feel a little self-conscious about this.

“No. You look great.” Lisa said, giving him a quick kiss on his lips before starting to do his lipstick. His brows furrowed as he looked at her. She’d kissed him before, especially at school in front of her friends, but he had never agreed to anything with her. Still, she seemed under the impression that they were something, but the what was a mystery in and of itself. “Now shut up so I don’t fuck up, okay?” She added, focusing on his full lips. When she pulled away she looked at her handy work, her own make-up was simple. The tip of her nose was painted black with whiskers. She was going to be a catgirl.

“What if people stare?” Caleb asked once she was done, but she motioned for him to rub his lips together, which he did begrudgingly.

“If people stare, it’s because they wish they could be as hot as you, Cal. Now let’s go before the dance dies down.” She went to go grab her keys and her bag and Caleb stood up with a sigh. Lisa said goodbye to her mom and dad. Her sister was sitting in the living room and gave Caleb a big-eyed look as they passed by, but Lisa urged him to keep walking. She locked the door and they both got into Lisa’s car.

“The last dance I went to was in 6th grade,” Caleb noted, feeling anxiety building up in his stomach. The real reason he was worried was that he wondered if Roman was going to be there. He knew he shouldn’t be concerning himself with the playboy, but ever since the first day of school, Caleb couldn’t stop thinking about him. Even with his reputation, heard from both loud cheerleaders and from Lisa herself, he couldn’t make his mind deviate to something or someone else. It was beyond frustrating.

“How’d that go?” Lisa asked as she backed out of the driveway and began the trip back to Hemlock Grove High. Caleb chewed on his bottom lip as he glanced out the window. There were kids trick or treating already with their superhero costumes or witches or zombies or skeletons. It did nothing to help his turning stomach.

“I think ... I ended up leaving with my ex. She uh lived down the street so we went to hers, I think. I don’t remember really. I just remember getting into trouble after.” Caleb scrunched his nose a bit, “Do you always go to these dances?” He changed it to something about her, regretting bringing up the memory. 6th grade had been dark times for him. The beginning of an end it had felt like.

“Oh. Sorry.” Lisa said as she focused on the road, “Uhm yeah. I guess so. I think it’s fun.” She looked over to Caleb and gave him a soft smile, “Hopefully this will be fun for you. Maybe get rid of some bad associations?” She tapped his knee before retreating her hand back to the wheel. He sighed as they pulled up to the school. His eyes looked over every car they passed and it didn’t take long for Caleb to spot it, the red jaguar. Shit.

“Shit?” Lisa repeated and Caleb realized he’d said his thought out loud. His freckled cheeks turned crimson before shaking his head. He’d asked her a few questions about Roman when they’d first met, but she’s taken it as mild curiosity and not a full-blown crush. He tried his best not to give her any reasons to think otherwise.

“Nothing. Just thinking too much.” Caleb admitted. When he was met with silence, he felt a bit relieved. She could be a bit pushy about wanting to know information when she felt it was being withheld, so he was glad she didn’t ask any further questions about it. Lisa pulled into a parking spot and turned the car off.

“Well, no more thinking. Just partying, okay?” She cupped his face in one hand and he gave her a half-hearted smile. He understood that she was trying to comfort him, but with things in his past, it made it hard to accept her affection. That and the fact that he didn’t have eyes for anyone but Roman Godfrey. It wasn’t that Lisa wasn’t pretty, it was just ... she wasn’t him.

“Okay.” He agreed as he turned away. Yet he knew he likely wouldn’t be able to hold to that promise. Especially considering what he knew now. His eyes had already begun to search the crowds heading for the school gymnasium from the front windshield. He knew he was here but where and who had he brought with him?

“I’d kiss you, but I don’t want to ruin your make-up,” Lisa said. He tried not to visibly cringe at the indication. Yet he didn’t know how to tell her this wasn’t what she thought it was. She looked so happy and excited and he surely didn’t want to be the cause of ruining her night and also she was his ride back home after all.

“It’s okay.” He mumbled and after a few awkward seconds, they both got out of the car. They soon merged with the crowd of people and Lisa hooked her arm around his so that they wouldn’t be separated. It seemed the school was taking some precautions because of the murder of a girl at a local school. Brooke Bluebell had been her name. His stepmom hadn’t been her teacher, but had known of her and so had forced Caleb to attend her vigil. He didn’t want to think about that now though or the fact that people had been whispering about Roman Godfrey’s absence even then.

The line moved quickly enough and soon they were in the gym. It was all flickering lights and people dancing or drinking punch. Teachers walked around like hawks to make sure that no one was engaging in inappropriate activity. Lisa led them off towards the dance floor instantly and Caleb scrunched his face.

“I’m not really a dancer. My dance teacher back in middle school said I have no rhythm.” Caleb tried to argue, but his eyes were admittedly searching the dance floor. Eventually, he found what he was looking for. Roman was dressed in a suit with his hair slicked back. Caleb wondered what he was supposed to be. It reminded him a bit of James Bond. Still, the tall male wasn’t dancing and the girl at his side -- Ashley Valentine -- didn’t seem too happy with him.

“Party. No thinking.” Lisa said, redirecting his attention back to her. She was swaying back and forth to the music and he gave her a small smile, trying his best to match up with her. When the song ended she gave him a hug, one he returned half-heartedly. His eyes looked back to where he’d seen Roman, but he was gone.

“Let’s get some punch, yeah?” Lisa suggested and before he could agree, she was pulling him towards the punch. That was when Caleb spotted him again, but he quickly looked away when Roman seemed to glance mildly in his direction. Don’t freak out. Don’t freak out. Don’t freak out.

“Are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost?” Lisa asked as she handed him a cup of punch. He took it but didn’t take a sip. He wondered if someone had managed to spike it with alcohol like they did in typical teen movies. This kind of felt like one right now.

“Just not feeling too hot. I’m gonna go sit down for a bit okay? Go dance with your friends. I’ll be fine.” Caleb waved her off and though she gave him some puppy dog eyes, she relented as he went over to the bleachers and took a seat alone. He sniffed at the cup then and decided he wasn’t going to risk it, setting it down behind him.

“Hey.” A soft feminine voice reached his ears over the music and he looked up to see the girl who had helped him after dropping his books his first day. What had her name been again?

“Uh hey, Christina.” The name came to him upon speaking and he felt relieved, but the look in her eye at him saying her name made him wish for a moment that he had forgotten completely. She bit onto his bottom lip and gestured to the spot beside him.

“Is this seat taken?” She questioned. She was dressed like some sort of fairy, he noted. It seemed fitting for her soft demeanor. Yet he couldn’t help but feel like something dark and sinister was hiding behind it all. Perhaps it was his overactive imagination.

“Guess not,” Caleb replied, and then out of nervousness, he picked the cup back up and took a sip. He visibly cringed at the taste and yeah someone had definitely put something in it. He spat it back out into the cup and put it back where he’d had it before as Christina sat down beside him. There was barely enough space between their legs.

“I think you’re the only guy here cool enough to wear a dress,” Christina noted, staring out at the crowd of people. His eyes went to Lisa who looked like she was having the time of her life dancing with her friends. He wished he could share that moment with her as a friend, but she’d made it next to impossible now.

“Thanks.” He had to resist the urge to try to drink the punch again just so that he had an excuse not to talk to Christina. She didn’t seem like she was going to be leaving him alone any time soon either. Her own eyes had laid on her friends, twins, who seemed to constantly be getting into trouble with the teachers for dancing in a way that was too provocative. How an innocent girl like her had befriended the two girls was beyond Caleb.

“Is Lisa your girlfriend?” Christina asked after a few awkward moments and Caleb turned to look at her. Her lip was jutted out a bit in a pout and his brows furrowed. Did everyone think that was what they were? He certainly didn’t like the implication, especially since he didn’t want Roman to think anything like that of him. It was frustrating how his brain always went back to him.

“No. She’s just my friend, though I don’t know if she knows that. I never asked her.” Caleb said and Christina’s head canted to the side, “She kisses me without asking and touches me when I don’t want to be touched. I just don’t know how to tell her to stop.” His shoulders sagged and he was about to say something when he noticed something black and long slithering towards the dance floor. It didn’t take long for everyone else to notice and everyone began to scream. Caleb stood and Lisa was somehow instantly by his side.

“Everyone evacuate immediately!” The principal said over the mic, “It seems the school snake had been released. I repeat, evacuate immediately!” Caleb gave one more glance to Christina, who didn’t seem at all panicked before Lisa was pulling him away. As they rushed out of the school, Caleb looked to where Roman’s car was, seeing Roman in it alone. He seemed to take a swig of something before speeding off. Caleb had a feeling Roman had done it and whispered a quiet thank you in his departing direction.

“Guess the party’s over.” Lisa pouted as they headed back to her car. She did seem thoroughly disappointed, but Caleb couldn’t be assed to care. This all and all had been an awkward night.

“Guess so,” Caleb said.

“Let’s get you home.”

#drabble ;#i finally finished it wtf

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bigherosixfeels · 4 years

Note

Okay kinda got a cute idea for a fic request. Considering there's been a lot going on in the world right now, how about Hiro helping Megan through a bad time in her life?

Aw, sounds good!

---

Homesick

Fandom: Big Hero 6: The Series

Rating: K

Characters: Hiro Hamada and Megan Cruz

Word Count: 1,625

Summary: Megan misses her previous homes

---

The first two weeks of summer vacation had already come and gone. Everyone in San Fransokyo was out and about, going anywhere they pleased. The Lucky Cat tended to do better than usual with business when school was out, resulting in Hiro lending his aunt an extra hand during work hours. His spare time went into night patrols alongside his friends, who were currently looking for work since graduating.

What was a bit concerning to the teen genius though was that he hadn’t heard much from his good friend Megan in awhile. He hadn’t seen her since the day Trina attempted to unleash her robot revolution on the city. They had briefly texted a couple times before school let out. Since then, Megan hadn’t contacted him once. It was unlike her. Megan was an extremely social person. Hiro figured by now, they would have hung out with more free time on their hands.

Hiro tried not to be too worried at first. Perhaps she was spending more time with her dad? Or she had plans with other friends?

After awhile, a thought had occurred to him that maybe she needed space after the whole ordeal with Trina. While Megan initially wanted to get more involved in superheroing since discovering Hiro’s identity, what happened that day had to have been overwhelming. Trina did capture her for a short time.

With that unsettling memory in mind, Hiro decided to reach out to her. A simple text asking how she was doing. A text that not only she didn’t respond to, but also never read. Was she okay? Was she purposely avoiding him?

After a couple of days with still no response and concerns rising, Hiro took a trolley that let him off in Megan’s neighborhood. He walked at a fast pace as he neared closer to the apartment complex. A wave of apprehension overcame his nerves as he entered the building, accelerating the closer he got to her home.

Not to his surprise, Chief Cruz answered the door. Although, what was surprising was the chief’s attitude towards Hiro. The strict, overprotective man who was always cautious when allowing Hiro to go up to Megan’s room was uncharacteristically welcoming. It may have had something to do with him having more of an appreciation for the young prodigy after rescuing his daughter. However, upon being told that Megan was in her room, he also made a remark about how she could probably use some company right now. There was a hint of sadness in his tone that Hiro chose not to comment on. It only made him worry more, all the more glad that he chose to stop by for a visit.

Hiro walked up the stairs that led to Megan’s room. His eyebrows knit at the closed door, wondering what she was up to. What was going on? Why did her father think she needed company? Had she been up in her room since school ended?

The teenager paused upon reaching Megan’s bedroom door. Hiro let out a quick, inaudible sigh. He hated the thought of his good friend not doing well. Megan was such a good person. She helped Hiro experience a more casual, teenage lifestyle and had his back in desperate times. If she’s been troubled, the least Hiro could do is help.

Reaching his arm out, Hiro gave two firm knocks on the door.

A loud, exasperated groan was made on the other side. “I’m fine, Dad!”

Hiro flinched. He hadn’t expected that to be the reaction. Clearly, her dad had been checking up on her multiple times. “M-Megan, it’s me!” Hiro responded. “Hiro.”

There was a short silence. “Hiro?”

Before Hiro had a chance to say anything else, he could hear Megan’s footsteps approaching closer. Soon enough, the door swung open. The aspiring journalist was in her usual shirt and jeans; her black jacket tucked away due to the summer heat gradually increasing.

However, the first thing Hiro noticed about her was the dark circles under her eyes. Along with that were widened eyes and a small frown. She raised an eyebrow as Hiro continued to stand in front of her. Hiro noticed this. What was she thinking about?

“What are you doing here?”

The soft, yet dejected tone in her voice made a frown form across Hiro’s face. She was usually so excited when he would come over. Something must really be bothering her.

“I came to see how you were doing.” Hiro sighed heavily. “We haven’t hung out in awhile and you never responded to the last text I sent you.” His frown deepened as he looked over her facial expression again. “Are you alright?”

Megan glanced down at the floor. She debated what to say and what to do. A lot was going on in her mind, but the last thing she wanted to do was push Hiro away. Especially since he stopped by just to check on her.

“Come in,” she suggested. She walked out of the doorway, holding her arm out as she invited Hiro into her room.

Hiro nodded before stepping inside her room. She led the way to her bed, which was neatly made with the exception of the comforter being wrinkled from where she had recently sat. Hiro took a seat at the end of her bed where Megan distanced herself in the middle.

For a minute, the teens sat in complete silence. They looked away from one another, both trying to find the right words to say. Eventually, Hiro looked Megan’s way first.

“Megan...i-if this is about what happened with Trina and the whole robot revolution, I am so sorry you got caught up in that mess. I should have been more--”

“What?” Megan cut him off. She shook her head at him. “Hiro, I’m not upset because of that.”

Hiro blinked in shock. He wasn’t sure if he should feel relieved or more uneasy. On the one hand, it was reassuring to know that she hasn’t been too shaken up from that experience. Though now, he was somehow more anxious. What was causing her to be sad?

“O-okay...then what’s up?”

Megan’s face fell into a deeper frown. Not wanting her friend to see her so distraught, she faced away from him. She sighed, closing her eyes as she collected all her thoughts together.

“I’ve just been thinking about the places I used to live before my dad and I moved here,” Megan admitted. She gained the courage to look back over at Hiro again. “You know he’s been transferred before because of his job. So, every time that’s happened, I’ve been to different cities. Different schools. Different people…” Megan clutched onto her arms. “I have friends all around the state. Most of them I haven’t seen in months or years. I’ve been reaching out to them, but everyone has been travelling since summer break started. This sucks…”

With a frustrated huff, Megan brought her legs up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them. She leaned her chin against her right knee, pursing her lips as her mind went back to thinking of all the friends she’s had to say goodbye to over the years.

Hiro was at a loss of what to do. He couldn’t relate to how Megan felt. He wanted to provide the comfort she clearly needed, but was unsure how. No wonder she was so upset. She was apart from a lot of her friends and it was making her lonesome. Moving from place to place made maintaining her friendships harder.

The young prodigy gave a sympathetic frown Megan’s way. He reached his hand out, gently placing it on her shoulder. The second Megan felt his touch, she looked over to her friend.

“I’m really sorry, Megan.” Hiro sighed. “I...I can’t imagine how hard that is.”

“It’s just a little frustrating,” Megan admitted. “I want to see them, but for a lot of reasons I can’t. You’re so lucky, Hiro. You’ve lived in San Fransokyo your whole life!”

Hiro nodded. “Yeah, that’s true…” He rubbed a hand at the back of his head. “But you’re lucky too. I mean, sure you’ve had to move a lot, but you’ve gotten to live in a lot of different places. That’s cool too! You love photography. I can only imagine all the photos you’ve taken of everywhere you’ve been so far.”

Megan cracked a tiny smile. “Yeah...I have actually.”

“See? I’m not much for travelling, but I still think it’s awesome that you’ve gone so many places. I’m sorry that all the moving has made it hard to stay in touch with your friends though.”

“It’s alright.” Megan shrugged. “I guess...it’s not all bad. If I hadn’t moved, I never would have met any of them in the first place. The good thing is that I’ve always met at least one really great person everywhere I’ve been.” She smiled widely at Hiro. “That includes you of course.”

Hiro chuckled. “Thanks. You know, I don’t exactly have friends my age or a more normal teenage lifestyle. So I’m glad we’re able to hang out when we can.”

“Me too.”

Hiro scooted over closer to Megan. Once their proximity was merely inches apart, the teenagers wrapped their arms around one another in a happy embrace. More than anything, Hiro was glad he had stopped by. He was able to cheer his friend up again and understand why she had been distant.

After a few seconds they pulled away. The smile that had managed to make its way on Megan’s face was far from fading.

Hiro got up from her bed. “How about we go to Joe’s Diner? It’s on me this time.”

Megan giggled, standing up to follow him. “You’re the best. That sounds great.”

---

Yay, I finally got a request done! This was a cute one to do. Hiro and Megan have such an underrated friendship. I like to headcanon that since Chief Cruz is a police chief/officer, they’ve had to move around a lot with his job. Anyway, thank you so much for the request @blxndeichiban! I hope you enjoyed it! :D

#fanfiction #hiro #hiro hamada #megan cruz #big hero 6: the series #bh6: the series #big hero 6 #bh6 #big hero 6 fanfiction #bh6 fanfiction #big hero 6 fanfic #bh6 fanfic #blxndeichiban

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thehanwen · 5 years

Text

Notes Part 3

Pairing: Klaus x Reader

Summery: The reader goes to the Academy to see Klaus and meets Luther, it doesn’t go well

Warnings: Luther is kinda the bad guy, light smut, alcohol, rude drunk men

Word Count: 2,025

A/N: Thanks again for all the love for this series! I’m really happy with how it is going. This part is all over the place, but that’s fine. I tried to make the reader gender-neutral, but there are a few parts where it might be biased toward female or female presenting, sorry about that. As always, message me with feedback or if you just wanna talk tua. Hope you enjoy!

Part 1 Part 2

Work was awful. As a bar tender, you had to deal with some pretty rough customers and today was worse than normal. A few men kept hitting on you and making crude comments about your body. Eventually you had the bouncer kick them out, but it still freaked you out. You shivered in the cold, hugging your arms close to you. The street you were walking down was empty, but you still felt like someone was there. You quickly looked over your shoulder, no one. It was probably just left over jitters from those assholes at the bar. All you wanted was to go home and cuddle with Klaus; to feel his arms around you and to feel safe again. You just hoped to God, or whoever was out there, that he was actually at your place. You had spent your whole day thinking about it. You were sure he managed to get himself into more shenanigans while you were gone, he always did.

Finally you reached your apartment. Your excitement was building and you couldn’t act normal anymore. You dashed up the stairs and stopped in front of your door, panting. You manage to unlock the door between breaths.

“Klaus?” You ask, as you enter. There was no answer. Your face fell in disappointment. He wasn’t here. You couldn’t just expect him to hang around all day, but you had hoped. You drop your bag on the floor and head into the kitchen. You’re met with another mess, a broken waffle maker and an empty box of Eggos. You can’t help but smile. You knew Klaus liked waffles, you had bought the waffle maker for him, but this was a little extreme. You shake your head still smiling at the ridiculousness of it all. You notice a small paper stuck to the counter with syrup. You pick it up, trying your best to not get your hands sticky.

Y/N,

Come to the Academy when you get this.

-Klaus

Bring PJs!!!

And a toothbrush!

Your smile widened as you read the note. It was again in purple ink and a similar smiley face to before was drawn next to his name. The last two sentences looked like they were added later and quickly, as the handwriting was much messier than the beginning.

You start to get anxious as you think about going to the academy. You wanted to see Klaus, but you weren’t so sure about his siblings. You had met Diego in passing, he seemed reasonable, and of course you knew Ben, but the rest were a mystery to you. Klaus had told you about them of course and you weren’t so sure you liked them. Klaus never said anything bad about them, or at least he never framed it that way. He never noticed when he was being treated badly, but you always did. Now that you thought about it, you wanted to give them a piece of your mind. You quickly packed a bag and walked back down the stairs, feeling confident.

As soon as you approached the doors to the mansion your confidence faded. Not only was the building intimidating, but it was filled with emotionally stunted ex-superheroes. This could get messy. But you rang the doorbell anyway, your hand shaking a little.

“It’s for meeee” you hear Klaus sing-song from inside. Klaus always knew how to make you smile, even if he wasn’t trying. The door opens and Klaus leans against it, a drink in his hand. “Well lookie here, I found you”

As soon as you see him, your nerves melt away. All the stress from the day seems like it was in a different life time. You smile as you try to think of a witty come back, though you were never really that great at those. “I think I found you actually” is what comes out of your mouth. Klaus chuckles.

“Touché” He smiles a dashing smile, looks you up and down, and dramatically drapes his arm around you, before leading you inside.

You’re awe-struck by the size of just the foyer. It was bigger than your entire apartment and that stair case, damn. You ducked out of Klaus’ arm to admire the house. Your head seemed to be on a swivel as you gapped at the high ceilings and historic architecture. As beautiful and luxurious as it was, you couldn’t imagine living here. It looked like a museum or a movie set, not somewhere where people live. You try to imagine Klaus as a child running around and causing chaos. It was a challenge. You notice as you glance back at him that he is staring at you. You give him a questioning look.

“Your just gorgeous, honey” he chuckles, taking a sip of his drink.

You smirk and walk over to him, your eyes scanning over his frame slowly taking him in . He was leaning provocatively against the banister. His shirt was basically see through, and had a low neckline, his collar bone exposed. His leather pants were even lower and he was arching his back a little so his shirt came up and showed off even more of his lean torso. You locked eyes with him, holding his gaze with intense passion. He just looked so good, you couldn’t help it. And he called you gorgeous. The nerve.

“Your one to talk, pretty boy” you whisper low in his ear. As you lean in, you run your hand slow up his chest, across his jaw and into his hair, tracing random patterns with your fingertips as you went. You can feel him shiver under your touch, a soft gasp leaving his mouth. Your lips meet his in a slow but passionate kiss. He kisses back with just as much passion. His hands instinctively land on your hips and he pulls you closer. You tug his hair a little, which makes him moan into your mouth. His noises were so gratifying, you loved knowing exactly how to get him to make the dirtiest sounds. He drops his glass. It thumps on the ground, forgotten in the passion of the moment. You could feel your stomach start knotting in the familiar sensation of anticipated pleasure. Your skin feels electric where Klaus touches it lightly as he slips his hand under your shirt and lightly rakes your back with his nails. You bite his bottom lip, as you start to pull away, but his now free hand catches you by the back of the neck and pulls you back, deepening the kiss.

“Klaus, what was- what’s this?” a disapproving voice sounds from behind you.

You don’t pull away immediately. Instead finishing what you started, pulling Klaus’s bottom lip with your teeth, until it leaves your lips with a soft pop. You turn on the spot and lean back into Klaus’s body. Klaus, stunned by your actions, keeps quiet long enough for you to respond.

“This is Y/N” you say with as much sass as you can when facing a man who is twice your size in both height and width.

Klaus looks aroused and flabbergasted at the same time. He lets out a shuttering breath and manages to introduce the giant.

“Y/N this is Luther, Luther this is my… friend Y/N-N” He is cautious to define your relationship, and settles on friend, which you found a little insulting. While you two had never discussed labels, friend seemed like too soft a term, especially with how you were feeling right now. Reaching behind you, you grab the growing bulge in his pants. He absolutely melts into your grip, lurching forward a little bit, his tongue stumbling over the last syllable in your name. You smile smugly, very proud of what you can do to him.

Luther looks over the scene with even more disapproval than he came in with. “Look, we don’t have time for your pay-by-the-hour ‘friends’, Klaus. We have work to d-“ He doesn’t finish the sentence, you step forward, make yourself as tall as you can and slap Luther with all that you got. Luther holds his cheek and looks more shocked than hurt. You didn’t care if you hurt him or not though. You thought you got your point across quite elegantly.

“Oh-h-h-h-hh!” Klaus exclaims, his mouth falling open in amused surprise.

“Come on Klaus” You say. You can feel your confidence quickly leaving you, in its place anxiety at what you just did. You needed to get out of there. You grab Klaus’s hand and start up the stairs. You hoped that was the right way. It was the only way that didn’t involve going past Luther. As you practically drag him up the stairs, Klaus looks back to raises his eyebrows and wiggles his fingers at Luther.

Once out of sight of Luther you stop and lean against the wall, trying to calm yourself. You were shaking, adrenaline rushing around your body. You’d never done anything like that before, but you weren’t going let this stranger insult you, or Klaus, like that. You take a deep breath and close your eyes, your head hitting the wall behind you with a soft thud.

Klaus comes up next to you laughing so hard he can barely breathe.

“Oh My God, Y/N, That was Ama-zing! Did you see his face!?” He pauses to catch his breath, looking back in Luther’s direction “I’ve been wanting to slap that pretentious, ‘I’m the leader’ expression off his face for years! And here you did it for me!” He lets out a breathless chuckle. But when he turns back to you amusement and satisfaction turn to worry. “Hey, Y/N, are you okay?”

You had your hands on your knees and you were breathing heavy, trying to contain a possible anxiety attack. Your head was hung low. Klaus cupped your face, his thumb rubbing your cheek gently. “Hey, hey, look at me.” You lifted your head just enough to peek at him. “It’s okay, it’s all good” his voice is soft and comforting, just enough for you to regain control of yourself. You stand back up straight and half smile at him. “That prick got what was coming to him” Klaus continued “If you hadn’t done it I would have” His eyes widen in joking sincerity and he nods slightly for emphasis.

That was enough to get a little laugh out of you.

“I would have liked to see that” you said quietly.

“and you know what else?”

“What?”

"That was hot” The last word left his lips so over-saturated with arousal, that it was almost a gasp.

“Well, I try my best” You try to flirt as best you can, but it still comes out a little shaky.

“Maybe you can try it on me some time,” Klaus winks at you, ignoring the less than sexy tone to your voice. You roll your eyes and give him a ‘seriously’ look. “What? I’m serious, Honey, just-“ He mimics a slap with bravado and scrunches up his face, biting his bottom lip. “Yea-ah” he breathes out the ‘yeah’ low and sexy.

You shake your head and laugh silently to yourself. You still feel a little nervous with the adrenaline and despite Klaus’ attempt to bring you back to your previous mood, you just weren’t feeling it. You needed time to relax and decompress. Pushing off the wall you walk over to Klaus, who automatically puts an arm around you and pulls you close. He walks you down the hall away from the foyer.

“Can we just put that on hold for a little while? I’m still a little-“ You say apologetically, holding out your hand and shaking it a little bit, trying to express your feelings without words.

“Of course, Doll” He kisses your temple, then continues in a more joking tone “but not too long, other-wise he gets sad” he looks down at his crotch as he says this. You laugh, knowing it’s just a joke and he would wait as long as you needed. Klaus walked you down the hallway, chattering on about nothing. His voice was comforting and you could feel the adrenaline and anxiety slowing fading.

#The Umbrella Academy #klaus hargreeves #klaus hargreeves x reader #number 4 #umbrella academy fic #fanfic #tua fic #The Seance #tua #luther hargreeves #tua klaus #number one

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madasthesea · 5 years

Text

Fanfic Stats Tag Game

I was tagged by @iloveyouthree-thousand :D

Author Name: madasthesea

Fandoms You Write For: Irondad only at the moment, but I’ve written for Agents of SHIELD, Queen’s Thief, Merlin, Percy Jackson, uh... a few others I can’t really think of :)

Where You Post: AO3 and Tumblr

Most Popular One-Shot: 5 Times Everyone Thought Spider-Man was Iron Man’s Favorite Superhero, which is a, uh, surprise to say the least. I wrote it in like 30 minutes.

Most Popular Multi-Chapter Story: Considering I have all of two of those, it’s so hard to figure out ;). It’s turn back the clock (and I’ll try again in the morning) by a long shot.

Favorite Story You Wrote: I’ve been really proud of I used all my words to fight (with him and her and you and me). It doesn’t get a lot of attention cause it’s at the end of a series that super popular, but I like it :)

Story You Were Nervous to Post: I mean, I get a little nervous with every fic. You never want to post something you worked hard and get like... mean comments. But I was really nervous about 5 times Tony called Peter baby cause it’s so... cheesy.

How Do You Choose Your Titles: Normally I go through my entire Spotify and try to find something that could sort of fit the fic I wrote. Very, very rarely, it works the other way around and I hear a lyric or even a line from a poem and write a fic based on that.

How Many of Your Stories Are…

Complete: Well, other than my Irondad bingo, where each chapter is it’s own fic but it all goes in a single file, everything! I am really bad at long stories.

In-Progress: As stated above, I don’t have much. I do have about seven bingo prompts that have been started and not finished, though.

Coming Soon: Some bingo prompts, I have a couple AU ideas, and a couple Endgame-but-everybody-lives stories that might never actually happen.

Do You Accept Prompts: Not at the moment! I just have so many ideas already and I feel guilty when I have prompts sitting ignored in my inbox

Upcoming Story You Are Most Excited to Write: It changes every day :D. Right now, it’s probably my ‘age regression’ prompt fill.

Tag Five Fanfic Authors to Answer These Questions: @the-reverse-mermaid @loubuttons @jbsforever @losingmymindtonight @iron--spider

#tag game

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spoons4spoonies · 5 years

Text

Story Time: POTS diagnosis

I was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (or POTS, since that’s a mouthful and a half) in August of last year. It was nearing the end of my gap year, which was supposed to be a period of rest and healing, not of gaining new unwelcome symptoms and new diagnoses.

I had as usual set myself an unrealistically (in hindsight) high goal of becoming a completely healthy and abled person by the time I started university, as I simply could not wrap my head around the idea that I would be able to cope otherwise. In other words, it was get better or you will fail and never amount to anything and always be miserable – and yeah, needless to say as the time drew nearer and my body showed no signs of obeying my strict instructions, I entered more and more panic spirals of despair.

At this point I would like to return to the present to let you know that I have just finished my first year and survived my first lot of exams since the endurance test that was A-levels. Not to say that it has been easy – of course university was never going to be a walk in the park – but I have done well and I should be proud of myself.

(I know this because my mother keeps sending me postcards telling me how amazing I am. Bear in mind that she lives twenty minutes away and visits me once a week – often to hand the postcards over herself to save on postage.)

Anyway, unless you have it or know someone who does, you have probably never heard of POTS. It is essentially a problem with my blood pressure and that is what I stick to when I’m asking someone for their seat on the tube. When a normal fully-abled person stands up, their blood pressure increases slightly to account for the increased effect of gravity – mine does not and as a result my heart is forced to pump faster to keep blood going to my brain. My heart rate can increase by up to forty beats per minute just from getting up off the couch.

Symptoms include dizziness, an inability to stand up for long periods of time, nausea, headaches, fainting (though thankfully I have never experienced that one), digestive problems, fatigue (like I didn’t already have enough of that), heart palpitations (just casually in the middle of the night when you haven’t moved for hours) and even shortness of breath. Of all of these, I would have to say that the heart palpitations are the worst. They do not hurt exactly, but they are terrifying – especially before I had my diagnosis – and make it hard to breathe.

It is hard not to panic when your body is doing it’s very best to simulate a panic attack.

I have a friend whom I met online who suspected they had POTS and I’d been aware of it for some time before I started to consider whether I myself might have it too. I’ve read that about a third of those suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome also have POTS so it wasn’t a wholly unlikely scenario. I had also read the NHS page for it and noted that I had many of the symptoms, however, this was not conclusive proof to me as the problem with autoimmune diseases is that the symptoms overlap a lot.

Then I started a course of birth control pills and my CFS specialist, Dr S, wanted me to take measurements of my blood pressure to check that it wasn’t causing any problems. As it turns out I have fairly low blood pressure, so there’s no risk of getting a stroke from my daily dose of oestrogen. More importantly, I noticed how my heart rate would increase far beyond normal levels if I took a reading whilst sitting down and then another after standing up. This was the proof I needed to self-diagnose.

From there on out it was a case of proving the matter, so we brought it up with Dr S and she referred us to a cardiologist.

There was a bit of a kerfuffle when we arrived at his clinic, as it turned out to be a children’s hospital, which as a nineteen year old I was theoretically not supposed to be treated at. On the bright side, there were a lot of cartoon fish on the walls. Whoever decided that adults don’t need cute animal drawings in hospitals fundamentally misunderstands what it’s like to be in a hospital.

Eventually we managed to sort the whole situation out and I was taken downstairs to have an electrocardiogram. This was to test the electrical activity of my heart – don’t ask me how that works or what exactly the point was because the science went over my head. All I can say is that it didn’t hurt and there was something oddly exciting about being hooked up to a bunch of wires. But that might just be me and all the superhero media I consume.

Then I went to meet the cardiologist, Dr D, and give him a history of my symptoms.

It had not even crossed my mind up until that point that there might be something “seriously” wrong with me, by which I mean something life threatening, so needless to say it rather came as a shock when the cardiologist did an ultrasound of my heart to check that it didn’t have any holes (and I quote). In retrospect it might have been a joke, but it certainly didn’t land well with me.

The fact that I had a cold and unpleasantly slimy machine on my chest and was lying there with only a fairly ratty, old bra to protect my modesty did not help. This again was something that had not occurred to me and I was deeply grateful for the presence of my mother in the room so that she could fill the awkward silence with small talk and I could focus on breathing normally. It is extremely strange to hear your own heartbeat sounding like a foetus’s on TV and be painfully aware of the fact that anyone around will literally be able to hear your nerves.

Ultrasound over with, chest wiped down and clothes thankfully put back on we sat down to discuss what was next. Dr D was fairly confident from my description that I did have POTS but obviously I had to go through the whole process before it could be official. In the meantime he gave us some advice about dealing with the symptoms:

1. Drink lots of water. Aim for three litres a day.

2. Eat lots of salt. Aim for ten milligrams a day.

3. Stand and sit up slowly and jiggle your legs to get the blood moving.

4. Exercise.

This I interpreted as a prescription for Pringles and an excuse to hold in the face of people who tell me to stop fidgeting. My mind happily slid over the recommendation of exercise as a “Problem for later me” A.K.A something I hoped I’d be able to put off indefinitely.

Building up muscle, fitness and stamina are all worthy things and have helped now that I’ve achieved them, but in conjunction with my CFS they have often seemed impossible goals. Also, I like sitting down.

I shall now elaborate on the third recommendation, which I follow every morning, doing a funny little dance about my room to bring my limbs to life. I pity the person who lives below me in my student accommodation… at least I am rarely up before eleven. The hilarious point about this was that Dr D took it upon himself to give us a rather long and overly serious demonstration, standing up from behind his desk and jiggling about on the spot with a completely straight face.

Both my mother and I were struggling to maintain the same level of facial control.

It was a couple of weeks before we could return to London to embark on the next step of diagnosis: getting a blood pressure monitor fitted that must then stay attached for a whole twenty hours, taking measurements on the hour every hour. This was something of a trial as I had to walk around with a bunch of thick tubing wrapped round my neck and with the machine strapped round my bicep.

I garnered a lot of stares as people must have assumed I had something serious going on. The fact that it beeped loudly and inflated with a sound like an airbed being pumped up at every measurement, did not make it inconspicuous to say the least. It also meant that I barely slept through the combination of loud noises and the clamp tightening on my arm.

I was thoroughly exhausted the next day when we went to drop it off and then continue on to a hospital in order to do the tilt test. This involves being strapped to a table which is then tilted upright from the horizontal and then being stuck there for the next twenty minutes (feels like three hours) whilst measurements of your blood pressure and heart rate are taken. I already felt ghastly but by the end of this I was ready to curl up in a ball on the floor and stay there for the rest of my life.

The doctor administering the test ran through the results with us, confirming that I had POTS – though technically we still had to wait for Dr D to give the all clear as it were – and then confidently asserting that I didn’t have CFS and certainly didn’t have any mental health problems and should stop taking my antidepressant straight away since it was all because of POTS and once I started doing some exercise I’d be fine.

Right…. Thanks Karen.

One more appointment later I had my official diagnosis. Alas, having trekked halfway across London to make this appointment, it only lasted ten minutes and mostly consisted of me being told to come back in six months when I had tried some exercise and then we’d see about medication.

We have postponed this reunion indefinitely as I have seen little change for the better – though in truth I have not gotten started on the rigorous exercise plan he had in mind – but nor is it sufficiently bad that I am in desperate need of medication.

I have found that the most useful tool in combatting my symptoms are compression garments as they help with my circulation. I have some tights, a knee support, gloves and several random bits of tubing that can be used anywhere. They reduce pain and allow me to stand up for longer.

Mod H

#pots #pots diagnosis #spoonie #diagnosis #spoonie humor #story time #doctor embarassment

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clownpool · 5 years

Text

THE KYLE GLADSTONE ORIGIN STORY

–––––– Kyle ; ( a self para ) : home is far away

being five years old was tough work. especially when you have super powers. Mom and Dad had always told him that he had to be super careful to not show that side of himself if he could help it. but that was the thing!! how could TJ control the zaps--with his age, and his excitement!? how could anyone blame him? it was hard!! sometimes it just happened when he was scared or when he was excited-- really any time he felt like things were intense. the zapping, Dad had told him, was a part of his heart, just like his Dad’s and no one could take that away.

but Dad was wrong.

December 15, 2023 [09:15]

Todd Lee Jr didn’t understand what was happening that frightful morning in school. and he didn’t mean to cause a commotion, and he didn’t mean for the zaps to happen. as he sat in the principal’s office trailing the side of that principal’s desk with a now dusty index finger, he couldn’t figure out why mom was crying so hard... he couldn’t figure out why the line’s on Dad’s face were so strong.

was it all because of him?

maybe it was because he’d accidentally used his powers in school? it wasn’t his fault! he was just trying to give a class presentation on the weather. he had his pointing stick ready and his proud smile through those thick wiry glasses he wore. but the anxiety of the five year old showed. even as he began to point, the voltage of his heart beat began to show in the stutters of his speech.

December 15, 2023 [08:01]

“Twooo---t-t-t-twooday is...Dec--D-d-d-d---” he tried to take a deep breath to calm those nerves, but it was the laughter of the other children that worsened his already difficult to overcome speech impediment. the strands of his hair began to stand up, and the classroom emitted in a roar of laughter, it was finally enough to send the electricity shooting from his feet. inches of zaps sprouted a voltage electrical roots on that singed carpet just before reaching his classmates. from where he stood it looked as if he were a sprouted tree. though it had to have looked differently to the other students. just as there was a collective roar of laughter began panicked tiny screams and cries. which caused Kyle to cover his ears in shame and embarrassment.

turning away from that principals desk, he poked at his mom’s knee. face fully frowned as he looked at her. his sad puppy dog eyes bore into her tear glazed ones as he pulled at her attention to try and sit with her.

his five-year old speech impediment hindered any sincerity in his apology, “Mom, i'm sowwy i used my supew powews. I didn't mwean to!! i won't do it again!!”

it was the last time he felt safe in his mother’s arms.

December 15, 2023 [11:45]

there were things little Todd Lee didn’t understand in his five year old life. for instance, he didn’t realize how crucial that rule was to the family. “We don’t show the world our powers, TJ” his father’s voice rang in the back of his mind.

he didn’t realize that a pair of rubber sneakers could serve in a matter of life or death, and he didn’t understand how much pain his little zaps could cause others. when he accidentally zapped Dad, it never hurt him... so why did it hurt other people?

he also couldn’t wrap his tiny brain around the idea of Crystalline’s new mayor mandating that mutants of any kind could be submitted to the Sector of Humanity for experimental testing. he didn’t realize that his new school, as Principal Andrews put it, wasn’t a school at all. though he had an inkling his parents knew otherwise. it explained the packed bags, and the tug of his arm as the family raced to their car after that principal’s meeting. Mom said they had to be quick. Mom said they had to go to Desiree’s school before they could leave the city. and despite his tiny legs, he tried to keep up as he didn’t want to leave his sister behind. she had to go to the new school too!!

and he was happy to see that building--Desiree’s school. recognizing it instantly as it was the place they would stop first every morning to drop her off. every morning they’d share a hug before she left that car to go to class-- unless she was having a bad morning. in which case meant that Kyle had done something terribly wrong like eat a whole tube of chapstick on accident. either way the thought of sniping Desiree early from school, had him bouncing in his booster seat, clapping and cheering for the release of his sister and a whole afternoon in a car as they were off to a new city! --at least that’s what Mom had promised!

fate had a different plan in mind.

seeing the trail of white vans along that school street didn’t click in the brain that they were too late even when his mother told him to sit still and be quiet. it was, again, too hard for any five year old to do, especially while Kyle sat in the backseat and watched his father being pinned to that window. the same electrical zaps thats Kyle had accidentally used could be seen as that hand pressed against that glass window, as if reaching for his son one last time. his screams of horror that filled the car where muffled as he begged his mother not to leave the car. even as she locked the door behind her, Kyle didn’t feel safe nor secure in watching his second parent being hauled away into the same white van where his father was escorted. especially not with the new necklace that made her sick.

he couldn’t stop the screams nor the crying he did as he, himself, tried to fight off the bad guys that’d taken his parents, and were now, in the back seat of that car, trying to take him. it wasn’t until he saw the needle as big as his head that the screaming reached a new level, and after he belted that squeal of a “NO,” he felt the prick and his head go heavy.

it was probably because of the loudest scream he’d ever screamed, he told himself as he dozed off with that sedative in his veins.

December 16, 2023 [10:01]

in his dreams, he could still hear his mother’s last words. he could still hear Desiree’s shouts as she was being pulled out of that white van, and he could hear the instructions clear as day, “Desiree watch your brother. Take hold of his hand and don’t you ever let go.” but he couldn’t remember seeing the mouths move. he couldn’t remember the principal’s office. he couldn’t remember the car ride home. he couldn’t even remember what his back pack used to look like even after he’d thrown a fit about wanting a backpack with the best superhero in the world on in it, the Green Latern!

he couldn’t remember being taken, nor the van ride, or where his parents were. the only thing he could remember was the feeling of Desiree’s hand as he held on tightly and opened his eyes from the deep sleep that he’d been put under. “D-d-d-d-desiwae??”

he squeezed her hand again, to make sure it was her he was holding onto. “DESIWAE?!” he shook her, and the moment her eyes flew open, tiny arms went flying around her neck. “Whewe awr we?”

he looked around nervously, with tear stained eyes, and a new set of clothes that weren’t his. his lip trembled as his memories continued to draw a blank. the cage-like cell around them scared him, but the pats on his back and circle rubs from his sisters fingertips were soothing him. but he had to ask as he pulled away, a hand on each of her cheeks, “Desiwea, whewe’s mom and dad?”

her lack of answer made him cry once more, his already tired and sore eyes burned with more tears as they began to flood against his cheeks “I want two gowe home!!”

she tried her best to soothe him with her words, and she tried to warn him to stay quiet, but of course, he wasn’t listening. his crying had drowned out the orders of the Doves that Desiree had heard over him. she squeezed his hand tightly-- almost too tightly that it hurt. when he looked down at their hands, his fingertips faded to a shade of white. he squealed at the pain, trying to free his squeezed fingers.

but it all made sense as the cell doors opened and he saw those threatening helmets as they began to cower over the two. and that’s when he began to grip tighter, throwing his arms more securely around her. maybe if he held on tight enough they wouldn’t take her too?

he felt the adrenaline from his nerves began to shudder in his body. his heart beat pumped too hard in his chest as he felt hands on his tiny shoulders threatening to pry him away from Desiree. and they were a lot stronger than his grip as he clung to that sister of his. he tried his hardest to listen to the voice in his head-- the one that told him to steady his heart beat-- the one that reminded him why they were there to begin with--- the one he should have listened to just days before in that classroom. the same one his father spoke, “We don’t show the world our powers, TJ.” he squeezed his eyes shut, and clenched his teeth, and tried to hold onto Desiree.

Don’t zap, he told himself Don’t zap! Don’t Zap!

but he felt a sharp pain on his arm. it was a sting-- but it felt like a sting by a giant bee. he could hear the sounds of a glass syringe falling to the ground and even as he repeated the words “Don’t Zap!”

it happened.

the hand that Desiree was holding was finally free. and it instinctively went to touch the pain on his arm. it was too much blood for a five year old to see-- it was too much of a gash for him to not cry out in pain. but his tiny little eyes focused on his sister as she recoiled from the zap.

“No!! Nononono! Desiwae, i'm sowwy!“ his blood stained fingertips reached out for her as the electricity continued to singe the red droplets in his hands. he thrashed even harder as he tried to reach his sister. her own hair a bit frazzled, and her breathing was shallow as she sat there nursing her electrocuted hand. he squealed once more as he was dragged kicking and screaming, “Down't l-l-l-et thewm take meee!”

but they had, and sooner rather than later everything went dark yet again.

December 20, 2023 [21:01]

he had new bandages that he picked at as he sat alone in that glass cell. he tried to remember Dr. Francis’s orders to keep him secluded. he tried remember the words Dr. Francis spoke to him as they fixed his boo boo. stitches, is what the doctor called them. they were the lines in the fabric of their clothes, though they were thicker to keep his skin from falling off. they were meant to keep his booboos from hurting and bleeding, though TJ didn’t believe that that was true. he was finding it harder and harder to trust that doctor. after all, he hadn’t looked like any doctor he ever saw.

Dr. Francis told him that if he wanted to keep himself from getting more boo boos, he’d have to listen and learn to be a good boy. and Todd promised Dr. Francis that he’d do just that.

the little boy asked for his parents-- though their faces were beginning to warp in his mind. he asked to see his family-- though he wasn’t sure what his family looked like anymore. he asked plenty of times when he would be able to go home. he received answers, good ones, though he hadn’t a clue as to the deceptions behind them.

he hardly had any idea of the day or time or when lunch was, all he knew were the sounds of silence and foggy glass windows from when he’d wake up from his long naps.

they were the worst when he woke up that night, as he was having a nightmare of something bad happening to his parents.--parents he was still having trouble remembering. he woke up with his hair standing up yet again, he could see his reflection in the glass windows of his new home. the lights flickered overhead not only once, but twice, and then a third time. the surge of electrcity caused a static cling in his clothes. it was Dad. he could feel it in his heart.

and even though the glass was strong enough to keep him contained, it wasn’t strong enough to block out the sounds of his nightmares as they continued even as he was awake. the first sound was the sound of the guards shouting words and numbers that didn’t mean anything to the young boy. then followed the sounds of Dad’s voice shouting directions for Mom to follow. shortly after there were loud bangs and pops, for which Todd had to cover his ears. it sounded like fireworks, but scary fireworks. fireworks with no pretty lights at the end, just a quick moment of silence and total darkness, followed by a blood curdling scream form Mom. he could hear the words, “You killed him!,” which caused his tiny heart to drop, and the electricity to sting his ears as his hands pressed against his temples to block out the noise.

“I don’t want to be asleep anymore,” he told himself. “I want to wake up,” he repeated as his cries echoed that glass chamber. the sounds from his nightmare were too loud, and the tears that were falling couldn’t be stopped.

finally he could hear the sounds of the fireworks stop and a siren overhead pierce his ears. there were even more numbers being shouted, and directions as footsteps of guards continued to echo the hallways searching for his mother. he could hear her voice, but it didn’t sound like her voice. it sounded distorted, it sounded pained. it was a new sound of sadness he didn’t recognize in her, and it was a sadness he felt deep inside his heart. it was closer. she was talking to Desiree, he heard Desiree’s name. he could hear his mom speak to his sister a set of final words.

“Look away,” she kept repeating over and over again.

Todd didn’t know what his mother was talking about, but he wanted to know after the words finally trailed off. he couldn’t choose to look away. he was already secluded. he was already a part of the darkness. the sounds of his sister crying could be heard for just a moment until the lights finally flickered back on. she then began to wail, the sound of her cries sounded as if she were being carried away. not again! he called after the family-- still confused by what he had heard. he was still having trouble understanding everything that was going on.

“Desiwae??” he called after her, “Mommy?!” he began to beat against the glass with his tiny fists. “Dad awr you there?!”

but the more he called after then the more silent the hallways got. “Mom!!” the tears against his cheeks began to sizzle as they fell, and his tiny fists tried their best to wipe them away. it only resulted in more pain, as the electricity and water droplets was a terrible mixture.

in his own frustration he cried out again, “This isn’t funny anymore!! I don’t want to play hide and seek!! Come find me aweady!!”

his sobs echoed in the glass cell as he curled up in his wool blanket. he cried himself to sleep knowing his parents wouldn’t be finding him. he cried himself to sleep the fear in his veins causing static electricity in the no longer warm blanket. he could feel his parents slipping away. he could feel as if Mom, Dad, and Desiree were already gone.

December 25, 2023 [04:01]

he didn’t know how much time had passed. he couldn’t grasp the idea of what was real any longer. he could hear the sounds play out over and over again from his nightmares even as he woke up. eyes flew open the typical bright lights as the fireworks echoed in the background again.

he whimpered at the sounds, and pulled his blanket close, and cuddled himself in that fetal position.

it was hard falling back to sleep with the sounds of sirens overhead. these were different sirens from before. stronger ones. louder ones. they made it seem as if the building was going to crumble over head and it scared poor Todd as he cowered under that blanket in fear.

though, there was something different about the sounds this time. in his nightmares there were always screams, they were screams from his family and the guards voices he could recognize. but now, he could only hear distant voices of new people. people he didn’t know. perhaps they knew where his family was?

he picked his head up from the ground in that glass cell. he must have looked like a puppy perked up. there was a man in the room who had repeated his same movements.

“Professor Penicillin... ?” the man called out to the hallway. “Han...?!”

he was tall, he had long arms, and he was dressed in the funniest costume. and while Todd still believed in Santa, he knew that the man in front of him dressed in all red was not the real Santa Clause. Santa didn’t carry around guns!!

his curiosity lunged for the man, however the sight of the guns scared poor Todd as he took his cautionary steps backwards.

“Hey there, little buddy, it’s okay.” he watched as the man set his guns down, and raise his hands in surrender. though there was nothing for him to surrender to Todd. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

they were words he’d already heard from days before, which made his lip quiver in even more fear. as his eyes drooped, he could feel his tear drops fall all over again. he was scared that those words were untrue. he could feel the stinging in his arm all over again, and he could hear the Dr.’s words in his mind all over again. it caused a shudder in his tiny shoulders as he whimpered once more.

the man continued to approach the glass cell. Todd watched him as he pressed a couple of buttons on the glass door console. there was a hissing sound the boy flinched at-- his eyes shut quickly but as they fluttered open, he watched as the door spring loose. he could smell the air. it wasn’t as clean as the air that was in the glass room. it was smokier, it was heavier, and it burned his lungs.

“We’re going to get you out of here, okay?” Gil’s voice, however, broke through that pain in his lungs as the man crouched to the five year old’s level. “Would you like to go home?”

home.

there was a heartache in the boy’s empty chest as he thought of the words. before he was taken, before his family was taken, home was a quiet house just outside the town. it was in a spot just behind the hiking trails where he could see the purple sands of the beach nearby. --though it was a memory he was beginning lose as he huffed for more clean air. the sights from his mind were blurring underneath his glasses as he tried once more to connect the word home with something familiar.

all he could remember were screams of his family.

though he tried to block those out as his vision began to refocus. eyes squinted behind his glasses, to find the warm charming smile of a man with a rather large forehead, though the boy didn’t mind the forehead at all. what he did mind was the smile as there was an immediate fondness for the way his mouth looked. it was the smile that sparked that sense of the word into the heart.

“H--h-home?” after a long exhale Todd Lee Jr smiled. “Ya,” his soft voice broke the silence as he sniffled back tears, wiping the excess droplets on his shirt. “I want to go home.”

and without thinking anymore, he ran to the man’s side and tugged at his arm. the natural movements of the boy might have caused the man to stiffen a bit, but TJ didn’t find time to notice as he rested that head on the shoulder of the tall man.

he let out another exhausted huff as he settled into the man’s arms, even as the man rose to his feet. it was nice to be carried, and it was nice to feel safe again. he held on tightly, tiny arms wrapped themselves around the man’s neck as he continued to wipe his damp face into that shoulder.

“Say kid, you got a name?”

a frown tugged at the boy’s tired lips. the sirens still made his head hurt, in an exhausted and breathless voice he replied, “I dunno.” it felt good to finally rest, but he had to ask in return, “What’s yourr name?”

with a hand against his back, Todd, closed his eyes, and before the exhaustion pulled at him again, he could hear the silly name as it etched in his mind, “Gilbert Gladstone, pleasure to meet you, Idunno.”

#dnd is the new black–✧#dnd is the new black ft; desiree #dnd is the new black ft; gil #self para: origin story #tw: SADNESS DESPAIR BLOOD CHILD ABUSE TRAUMA DEATH ETC #//HEAVILY SIGHS HERE IT IS PALS ENJOY

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unordinary-analysis · 5 years

Text

Episode 132

Best *clap* chapter *clap* ever

Okjnskfjhskjhfikjhgjsikhg I can barely tybe right now. I’m s h a k i n g.

Honorable mentions:

Happy that Leilah’s coming back

Also i thought she was at work not at some beach vacation wth

Where’d Elaine go? She just disappeared.

There’s this one specific panel in this episode about halfway through that’s a view kind of through John’s eyes and he has Arlo’s shirt grabbed with both his hands. Yeh, that one. I just noticed that Alro looks like he’s about to cry.

Because I don’t know how to put my ideas forward in any other way, I’m going to be doing a compare and contrast kind of thing. First, I will talk about John’s side and his argument. Then, Arlo’s. I’m so excited lets go.

Before reading know that in each section, I talk in favor of their mindset. So stuff I’ve written will be true, but will only be half of the story as I would have written the counter-argument in the other person’s p.o.v.. Don’t just read the John section and come after me with how great and right Arlo is. I already know. Please keep reading. Thank you :)

John’s point of view:

John’s argument (? i don’t know what to call it): John is v e x e d because of a few things. Firstly, he’s angry at Arlo for not telling him that he was looking for Sera. Next, he says that it was totally okay for him to beat up Isen. He’s mad because Arlo wouldn’t let him step away from the calm and quiet life he had built for himself. Lastly, he’s angry with Arlo for praising the hierarchy, but at the same time, not listening to John, who is according to Arlo’s rules, a higher authority. As a final statement, John says that he will ruin down Arlo’s precious hierarchy just like Arlo ruined his life (not his exact phrasing, but I like to make things dramatic). That’s a lot of stuff to get into, so let’s get started.

When Arlo turned down John’s request for help in his search for Seraphina, he decided to do his own investigation. Thing is, he didn’t tell John and the whole time that Arlo was finding out information, John was running around desperate to help his friend and one of the only people that could help him and the one that had figured out the most had already turned him down and deliberately done his own search. I would be pissed too. I mean really, Arlo was approached by John and asked if they could combine their powers to complete their mutual goal. But, nooo. Arlo had to deny him and do it himself, also doing his best to inconvenience John.

In regard to Isen’s beating, John has a point. In the past, Isen has lied to John, rudely invaded his privacy and stalked him back to when he was at New Bostin, and hurt John. Despite everyone’s mutual love for Isen (the fandom, not the characters lol), he kind of deserved some sort of beating. His actions are sneaky and self-serving. Isen is thought of as the poor cinnamon bun that is always put in the middle of things. Digging up dirt on John, becoming head of the newspaper, the whole superhero thing with Remi, looking for Sera. But in truth, Isen is put in many of these situations because of his own actions (mostly Arlo’s but even then, John’s side becomes more powerful). True, when requested by Arlo to investigate John, he could hardly turn it down, but the extent that Isen takes his interrogation too was uncalled for and unprofessional. He asked invasive questions and went after John without a thought for the guy. He was only put in charge of the newspaper because Arlo knew he could control Isen and the two could conspire together. He knew that Isen would easily give up information and would leak false information because Isen had ambition to lead the newspaper and Arlo had granted it, but also because Isen has tried to obstruct information in the past to secure his own well-being. Though many of the poorly thought up plans and questionable conspiracies he’s been a part of have been conducted by others, Isen always holds a little blame. His actions are usually always self-preserving and sly, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but because of the harm his actions have indirectly caused, Isen is in no way innocent. I know I went pretty off topic, but I just really wanted to say this. So yeah, Isen kind of deserved the beating….

Also dealing with his beating, technically John is a higher tier than Isen and high-tiers are practically encouraged to establish their authority over those weaker than them. Arlo’s whole problem with John is that he doesn’t, but is John not doing just that when he attacks Isen? Is he not acting like how Arlo thinks he should?

Also, when Tuesday first approaches John, he refers to it as a rank-match. If this qualifies as a rank-match there’s really nothing wrong (kind of similar to above point, but still gotta say.

Finally moving along lol.

Now we’re at the part where John gets mad at Arlo because he disrupted his perfectly peaceful life as a cripple for the belief that all high-tiers should have to be in charge and are separate from everyone else. John isn’t kidding with this. Arlo seriously walked right into John’s life because he hung out with Sera, a god-tier, and Arlo didn’t feel that this was right. That’s it. The whole reason. Arlo didn’t like that Seraphina was hanging out with a low-tier and that’s how this entire drama started. And John had really tried to step away from the high-tier life. After the disaster at New Bostin, he knew that if he ever was in charge again, he wouldn’t be able to put himself in check. He’s already gone through the royalty bullshit system. He tried that already. And he discovered that he couldn’t handle it, not because he was weak or didn’t want the responsibility, but because of what it did to the students around him. John gave up on the hierarchy because in his experience, it brought out the worst in everybody. It brought out the demons in him, it’s brought out the need to be perfect in Seraphina. When he was last involved with the hierarchy, bad stuff happened. John stepped away from that life, he stepped into the light. He was prepared to live life treated as a cripple, spat upon and looked down on to protect himself and others. And everyone was happy! Until Arlo came and ruined it all because he didn’t like his friends hanging out with the riff-raff. Until he ruined it all by invading his privacy. Until he ruined it all by demanding that John come back to the system that ruined his life.

You would think that after all that, Arlo would at least respect the system today. He would understand that there are two parts to the hierarchy that he promotes so much. According to the hierarchy, Arlo has to listen to John. I’ve already covered this briefly when talking about Isen, but now I’m doing it again (brief again too sorry). John tells Arlo as much; that he has to listen to him, but when it’s addressed, Arlo calls it trivial! So I guess the system is only important when Arlo says it is, huh?

We’ve reached the near end of John’s perspective, but there’s one last, and very important, thing to say. John said he was going to break the hierarchy. I have no idea what this is gonna mean. I don’t think he’s gonna reveal himself, but maybe he’ll use his new influence/fear as Tuesday to mess with the students or maybe he’ll do something with Cecile. Whatever it is, I’m hyped.

Not as hyped as I am to write the Arlo section tho ;) (segway).

Arlo’s point of view:

I’m going to address all of the points made above. Because I’ve already explained them above, I won’t go into as much detail, I will just list a reason or two as that supports Arlo’s arguments.

1.) Arlo not telling John that he was looking for Sera

- John was a complete asshole and by agreeing with him and aiding John in his search for Seraphina, that seem to others that Arlo agreed with things John did or that he listened to everything he said, which would ruin the hierarchy. So because of his hatred for John, his pride, and his protectiveness over the hierarchy system, Arlo could not morally help John.

2.) The Isen thing.

- John attacked his friend seemingly for his ability alone! Even if Isen had been a prick to John, he definitely took the beating way too far.

3.) Why Arlo doesn’t listen to John

- He’s an asshole

- He never properly dethroned him and claimed the throne, leaving Arlo as rightful king

- He’s got more important stuff to worry about

- Some of what John is asking is destructive to Wellston and Arlo won’t stand by that

And now, John’s biggest argument: (which i will go fully into)

Arlo’s love for the hierarchy and what it did to him, John, and everyone around them.

When Arlo was younger, he looked up to someone. This person was a role model to Arlo and inspired him. This person was Rei. Within the first two years of Arlo coming to Wellston, Rei was made king. He proposed all of these ideas about equality and self-worth. He told everyone that they mattered and that they belonged. This was a change from any previous king and the students were new to the concept. With Rei’s constant encouragement, they began to treat each other as equals and friends. High-tiers got along with low-tiers and everyone believed in themselves, believed they had something to contribute. Arlo, being a high-tier was introduced to the idea that everyone around him is his equal and that they could all be friends. Because he looked up to Rei, he didn’t question it, just accepted that everyone was happy now. Arlo believed in that system. And so he helped Rei bring up the low-tiers.

Things were going great, until one day, the low-tier realized something. Because Rei said they were all equal, they could do anything they wanted! Suddenly low-tiers were picking fights and trying out for turf wars. If the high-tiers could, why shouldn’t they? Problem was; they were weak. Rei’s insistence that they were equal didn’t change the fact that they had little ability. Soon, low-tiers were getting hurt, hurt by their misconception that they could do anything that the high-tiers could and hurt by the king that introduced them to that misconception. In the end, Rei’s reign did more harm than good, despite his good intentions.

Arlo lived through this. He saw what happened when you gave false hope and he knew what happened when people got confused. He swore to himself that he wouldn’t make the same mistakes that Rei did, that he would honor Rei’s memory by learning from him. And so when Arlo was promoted to king when Rei graduated, he decided that he would abide by the hierarchy previously used before Rei stepped up. He wouldn’t let Wellston fall into chaos again. He wouldn’t let Wellston down. The low-tiers would be treated as such and the responsibility was handed to the high-tiers. Inconvenience on both sides is better than ruin on all sides.

Things are going great. High-tiers are setting examples, low-tiers aren’t getting unnecessarily hurt. Then one day, this new kid shows up. Arlo is only put onto his scent because Elaine tells him that he hung out with Seraphina and Arlo considered her a friend (he didn’t have many considering his position cold demeanor). So he looks into it and is appalled at what he finds! John is supposedly a low-tier, a cripple even, but he acts like he’s the king! He isn’t afraid of the high-tiers, hangs out with Seraphina, the school’s ace, and has no regard for the rules. He acted exactly like low-tiers did when Rei was king. Arlo panicked because he worked so hard to fix Wellston, worked so hard to impress Rei, and then John showed up, threatening to unravel all his work. He remembered what happened when Rei was king and knew what harm an arrogant low-tier could cause.

And so Arlo dug deeper, getting Isen to look into John’s past and personality. Maybe there was something different about this kid, maybe he was just a rarity that had a larger ego than normal. Maybe he wasn’t such a big threat. But when Arlo found out that he wasn’t a low-tier messing up the system, he found another problem. He was a high-tier.

Arlo has stricter rules for high-tier than low-tiers. Though low-tiers will always be there and will always have to be counted on to know their place, high-tiers are the ones who are supposed to tell them where they belong. High-tiers are supposed to be the enforcers and have lots of responsibilities. Even under Rei’s rule, the high-tiers had the most responsibility! It was a must. High-tiers were born with a gift and they had to use it to help the greater good. Whilst John thinks that helping the greater good means being nice to everybody, Arlo knows that helping the greater good is giving everyone a place, it’s letting people know who they are and where they belong. Arlo won’t stand for a high-tier neglecting his responsibilities and at the same time confusing the low-tiers. Because of this, Arlo just couldn’t leave John alone. For the sake of Wellston, for the sake of sanity, and for the sake of order.

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

sorry this is late, but theres a small hiatus so hopefully it doesn't matter too much ;)

#webtoon #unordinary #unordinary webtoon #uruchan #uru-chan #john doe #seraphina #line webtoon #webcomic #episode 132 #official

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ygboysygbby · 5 years

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Final Weapon

Jinhwan/JAY Scenario

Request: 7 + Jinhwan please for the prompt fic request hehehe

Prompt: “Why do people give flowers? It’s not like you can eat or do something with it, I mean just buy me food.”

“You know what?”

“What.”

“You’re really fucking short.”

“Wow.”

“Stop asking me about which flower should you get for this freshman girl, what’s her name again? Uh… Suhyun? Yeah, that girl!”

Jinhwan groaned. “How’s that relevant to my height?!”

“I just feel the need to insult you that’s all.” You shrugged casually. “Why do people like getting flowers anyway?”

“What do you mean? Giving someone a bouquet of flowers is a great way to show your feelings, you know.” The man replied back with a sassy tone.

“How would I know? It’s not like I’ve been given any before...” You rolled your eyes.

“Ah yes, I forgot you’re one inexperienced little shit.” He stuck out his tongue, mocking you.

“Shut up, midget.”

Being friends with Jinhwan for the past five months had been one hell of a ride. You both met at the university, had a few same classes in both of your schedules, and clicked because one group project. Despite having quite the opposite life, him being kind of the popular guy while you on the other hand, not that much of a social person, you both became good friends anyway. Being friends with the oh-so popular guy, had two disadvantages: One being you got people talking behind your back, not that you really care, but it’s a downside alright, and two being he constantly got into and out of a relationship like he was changing clothes.

Not that him being somewhat of a playboy was your business, but it was a bit irritating that he would date one girl and brag it constantly to you, rubbing it on your face, since you had never been in a relationship before, or he would nag you and ask about what clothes he should wear on the date and stuff like that. But oh well, he was still tolerable, not that he had ever been in a stable relationship anyway. Besides, you out-sassed him, and that was a skill you could use in handling him.

“But seriously though, why do people give flowers? It’s not like you can eat or do something with it, I mean just buy me food.” You laughed. “I’ll be the happiest!”

“Are you looking for a partner or uber eats?” Jinhwan looked at you in disbelief.

“Definitely uber eats. Feeling some Taco Bell?” You said as you turned your back, laying down on the bed.

The guy sighed in defeat as a smile crept on his lips. “Why not.”

“Let’s order some for Junhoe too!”

“Ah, sure…”

The next few days, you went to Jinhwan’s dorm again, to finish the project you were doing last time. The project was due in four weeks, so both of you had scheduled to meet at least three times a week to finish it. But, you being you, you couldn’t work well with an empty stomach, but then again, you have class in an hour, so you decided to just wait and eat afterwards.

And long story short, you finished your “weekly group project session”, or whatever, and your Economy class. You went back straight to your dorm, hungry, planning to just drop your bag and go to the canteen, but then a text notification suddenly popped up in your phone. It was Jinhwan.

“Pizza? My treat.”

You frowned. First of all, it was kind of a weird time for pizza, but meh, you loved a good pizza anytime so whatever. Secondly, it was even weirder for Jinhwan to suddenly ask you to eat with him, moreover, treating you. But then again there was reason number one so…

“Jinhwan?” You called as you entered his dorm room. “Oh, hey June.”

“Hey.” The tall guy greeted back. “Anyway, thanks for the Taco, I don’t think I’ve thanked you yet.”

“No probs! Just let me see some of your poetries again next time!”

“Hold on, you’ve seen his poetry?” Jinhwan suddenly butted in. “This asshole wouldn’t even let me touch the book!”

“It’s because we have Literature class together.” Junhoe reasoned.

“Sure, mate.” Jinhwan rolled his eyes. “Let’s go, I’m hungry.” He whined.

“Is he on his period?” Junhoe laughed.

You shrugged. “See ya, June!”

After ordering the food, both of you finally sat down and talk.

“So what’s this about?” You asked as you took a bite onto your pizza. “Is this about Suhyun cause I—“

“It’s about you.”

“Oh, it’s about— wait, WHAT?!” You almost spat out your food.

“I like you.”

“OOOOKAAY WH—” You coughed. “Are you drunk?! For fucks sake, the sun’s still up!”

He rolled his eyes. “I’m just messing around with you, chill.”

The hint of seriousness scared you for a good second, before it confused you. There was no way in heavens that a guy like him would suddenly like you romantically. Jinhwan liking you as a friend was bizarre enough for you. Neither he was drunk or his joke was getting lamer.

“Seriously though, anything you wanna talk about?”

“Do you have any idea what kind of place does a girl like Suhyun would probably like to go on a date?”

You scoffed. “So I was right!” Groaning, as you took another bite of the pizza. “She seems like a very sweet girl, so probably a cafe or an amusement park?”

“Hmm... what about you then?”

“What about me?”

“If someone were to take you on a date, where would be your go to?”

“Cinema sounds fun, but I don’t know, how would I know?!” You laughed. “But movie date really sounds like fun, you should probably ask Suhyun to go out for a movie this week...”

“Maybe.” He shrugged.

“Hey, wanna watch Aquaman this Saturday?”

“Eh?” You looked at your friend in disbelief. “Why? Don’t you hate superhero movies?!”

“Well, I wanna get on the trend, you know? Can’t risk not knowing anything when someone ask me about it.” He shrugged.

“Geez... whatever, it’s not like I got anything better to do.”

“The poster’s finally done!” You said loudly, grinning at your laptop screen. “Are you done with your part?”

“Almost.” Jinhwan said without taking his eyes of his work.

“Guys, can I borrow an eraser? I think I lost mine.” Junhoe suddenly said.

“Here— whoa! You’re growing out your hair?” You looked at the guy in excitement.

He took the eraser on your palm. “Nah, just too lazy to get it cut right now. I’ll probably get it cut next week.”

“It looks good! You should probably keep it for a while.”

“I think you need to cut your bangs...”

“Why?” Jinhwan said as he blew air towards his bangs.

“It clearly disturbs you as you write.”

“No it doesn’t.”

“Sure.” You rolled your eyes. “I thought you didn’t like having your bangs growing out like that.”

Jinhwan didn’t reply, instead he groaned and suddenly stormed out from the room.

“What’s wrong with that guy?!” You said in total confusion.

“I’m so done with both of you...” Junhoe laughed.

The next morning, you texted Jinhwan and asked him about yesterday. You knew the guy could sometimes be a pain in the bum, but if something truly bothered him, you wanted to know. After all, he was still your dear friend and you cared about him.

But after finishing your class, waiting and waiting for him to respond, nothing. It was weird because Jinhwan was always the one to reply text very quickly, and you didn’t even see him outside your class. You wanted to brush it off because you know how moody the guy could be sometimes, but deep down you know you couldn’t.

It was until at ten in nighttime that a text notification from Jinhwan popped up on your phone, asking if you were asleep, telling that he wanted to meet.

As soon as you replied, confirming that you were awake, a knock came from your door. When you opened, you were greeted by the sight of Jinhwan with flowers in a small vase in his hands.

“Eh?”

“I’m sorry, at the end, you probably won’t get it unless I get you flowers...” He looked away. “Don’t worry, this one’s still practical, they’re artificial and you can... I don’t know, have it on your desk or something...”

“Jinhwan I... I don’t get it, you— d-do you?”

“I like you.” He smiled and sighed. “Feels great letting that out.”

“B-But how? I— wha— why???” You couldn’t form a complete sentence.

“Well, I bought you food, took you to see a movie, and even grew out my hair because you fucking said it looks good on Junhoe, but since you’re one tough shell, I guess I have to launch my last weapon.” He puffed his cheeks in annoyance.

“I’m so so sorry...” The guilt started to fill you up. “I— what should I do?”

He shrugged. “Since you have the hots for Junhoe, the answer is probably nothing.”

“WHAT?! No I don’t—“ You stopped when you realized you were literally screaming in front of your dorm room. “I think you should come in...”

“Finally!” He chuckled. “Oh, Hayi’s not here?”

“Be grateful that she isn’t, you know how nosy she could be sometimes...” You said as you sat down on your bed. “So again, I’m not into Junhoe.”

The guy smiled, this time more sincerely, then handed you the flowers. “Well, either way, this is yours now...”

You looked down to the flowers and went silent for a good second, before putting it down on your desk, near the window. You could felt something weird inside your stomach and it was practically killing you. Never once the thought of Jinhwan having feelings for you crossed your damn mind, and now that you were facing the situation, your mind was not prepared for it. But oddly, you didn’t feel bad about it, even stranger, you actually felt somewhat glad that it was him, and not someone else.

“I should probably go now, I’m only here to give you that.” He pointed to the flowers. “I know they’re artificial but take good care of them, alright?” He laughed.

“Wait...”

“T-Thanks...” You looked down. “I’m sorry I have to make you literally spell it out for me.”

He smiled. It was honestly calming seeing him this way rather than his usual sassy self. “Nah, it felt good saying it out loud.”

“Since when?” You asked nervously.

“Around months ago.” He casually said. “Couldn’t recall what time exactly.”

“Does that mean you didn’t actually like Suhyun?”

“I feel bad for using her as an excuse to get to know your dating preferences, but it happens.” He shrugged like it was nothing.

“I can’t believe I’m actually this dumb...” You facepalmed.

“Hey...” He stepped back closer. “Can’t force you to like me back, right?”

He moved even closer, and before actually realizing it, he was already inches away from your face, smiling. You were taken aback, so bad that all you could do was standing still like an idiot. When he moved again, you flinched, as you expected him to attack you, but nothing happened. Looking up, you saw him smiling before kissing your forehead softly.

“But winning your heart, that I can do.” He smirked.

Uh-oh, this is bad.

This is my first time ever writing something on Jinhwan, and honestly, this is fun, considering out of all iKON members, he is the one that I kinda find hard to think about romantically (idk why tho)

I really see Jinhwan as a sassy guy but different kind of sassy than Junhoe, you feel me? 😅

As per usual, I’ll prolly come back here and then fixing up some grammatical errors and stuff :D

Hope yall like this story! 💖

#jinhwan scenarios #jinhwan #ikon #ikonic #ikon scenarios #ikon imagines #jinhwan imagines #ikon mtl #hanbin scenarios #junhoe scenarios #donghyuk scenarios #bobby scenarios #chanwoo scenarios #yunhyeong scenarios #ikon reaction

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howtohero · 4 years

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#245 The Power of Stories

Stories are a powerful thing. A skilled storyteller can take a story, be it real or fiction, and use it to influence great change in the people or the world around them. Stories can be used to teach lessons; to give warnings; to bring joy; to bring sorrow; to bring pain and to alleviate it. In the right hands stories can be used to do damn near anything. As a superhero, your life is essentially a series of wondrous and fantastical stories, (interspersed with hilariously embarrassing ones about getting your cape stuck in revolving doors or getting suck in what’s known as a “revolving door loop” where you just keep going around and around and getting increasingly panicked) and that makes you very fortunate indeed. Having so many incredible stories under your belt gives you yet another opportunity to do good, albeit in a more unconventional way.

Understanding that the strange things that happen to you, or that you happen to, can be used later on to do some good can actually do wonders for a superhero’s morale. If you’re forced to fight a giant mud monster for the fifth day in a row (different, completely unrelated, mud monsters believe it or not) at least you can take solace in the fact that you can later use this terrible time to inspire others to clean up after themselves, or not to lose hope when faced with the same problem over and over again. Every bad day can be turned into a good and valuable story later. And nobody faces more bad days than superheroes. (The idea that supervillains face more bad days than superheroes stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of what makes a supervillain tick. Supervillains are often the product of a single bad day that sets them down a path of horrible villainy. Any other defeat or setback they experience after that initial bad day is not viewed as a bad day by these villains, but rather as further excuses, which they desperately crave, to commit outlandish crimes. If a villain were ever to succeed they’d lose any and all motivation to do things and that’s the last thing they want. Which means that you’ll never be happy, and they’ll never be satisfied. Thus the battle between good and evil is the world’s one true never ending story.)

It should come as no shock to you, my superheroic reader, that the stories of your life can be used to inspire and intrigue others. Superheroes, and other larger than life or awesomely powered figures, have loomed large in fiction literally since the beginning. Our oldest recorded story, The Epic of Gilgamesh is about a man with incredible strength, stamina, and endurance fighting monsters and seeking immortality. That’s like a regular Tuesday for you and yet it is humankind’s most enduring tale. If you’re any good at your job, you yourself have been the subject of many comics, movies, sitcoms, internet puppet shows and one fascinating Japanese gameshow/car wash. Now, it’s time to take control of your own stories! Stop selling the rights to every instance of you scuffling with the Exit-Sign Swaparooner or spearfishing the venom-whales of the Kludachrom System. Instead, you can use these stories to inspire people or inspire change or simply to entertain young children so their hardworking parents can get some much needed sleep! When you’re a hero no good deed is too small! (The Exit-Sign Swaparooner is a devilish fiend who takes exit signs and puts them over doors that are not in fact exits. You may think that this makes him more of a prankster than a supervillain but 1. The line between those things is much thinner than you might believe and 2. Let’s see if you’re still laughing when you’re trying to leave your local coffee shop only to find yourself falling right into a pit full of crocodiles!)

If you’re going to start utilizing your vast array of stories though, it is important to know your audience. Not every story is suitable for every listener. If you’re new to this whole story telling thing, you’re going to need to train at matching stories and audiences and so we’ve devised a quick practice exercise for you:

If your audience is a group of excited school children the story you should tell is: a. The time you thought the Sentient Cloud of Expletives! b. The time you fought the Blowzo the eternally puking clown who exclusively pukes on children. c. The time you traveled back in time and invented math accidentally. d. The time you traveled back in time and invented math on purpose.

Now, if you picked any of those answers you’re obviously incorrect. Unless you truly know your audience and can prove us wrong. In all honesty, all of these stories might be suitable for a group of excited school children, it’s simply up to you to know what kind of school children these are, and what kinds of stories they want or need to hear. The Sentient Cloud of Expletives story is great if you want to teach kids about proper language, as long as you understand that you need to censor much of the Cloud’s dialogue for this particular group. (It’s also a great story to tell if this particular group of kids thinks they’re too cool to listen to a story from a superhero. Using a ton of swear words in a story is the number one way to get too cool for school children to listen to what you have to say.) The story about Blowzo is a great story to use if you want to scare a bunch of children into doing the right thing. (Fear is often the best tactic to use when dealing with children. I’m quite sure of this.) [This is wrong, don’t scare any children!]. Teaching children that a super cool superhero invented math is a great way to encourage children to learn it! And teaching children about going back in time and inventing math a second time teaches them that they shouldn’t be afraid to admit when they’ve made mistakes. (Even if your plan to fix your mistake is to erase an entire timeline, only to just invent math again but on purpose this time!)

In reality, any story can be adapted for any audience as long as you understand the motivations and attitudes of the people the story is intended for. If you miscalculate, you can end up boring your audience. Or even worse, upsetting them and causing you to give your stories bad reviews. Honestly I don’t think you can handle scathing reviews from story critics. They can be very mean. And I know you’ve actually fought Charles T. Mean, the inventor of mean, but let me tell you, these people are out for blood. I once wrote a story and some critic told me, to my face, that the story made him hate the person who invented words. So. (And it wasn’t even the historical fiction story about Deirdre Word, inventor of the word, being a serial killer who only invented words so she could leave threatening messages to her would be victims during the Revolutionary War!)

In addition to knowing your audience it is also important to know your stories. You need to look back through your life and understand the various uses of each of your many stories. Stories of great triumph can be used to inspire people to surmount impossible odds, or to intimidate your enemies by showing them that you’ve faced greater threats than they can ever hope to be. (You can honestly win a lot of fights this way.) Love stories can be used to demonstrate the lengths people will go to for love or as the lead up to a “spontaneous” musical confession of love! Scary stories can be used, as we’ve said, to terrify children into doing good deeds or to win the annual superhero halloween ghost story competition which my sources tell me is a thing. If you can understand that every experience you have can serve you in a number of different scenarios some time down the line, limited only by your own creativity, you’ll certainly feel better about having to fight your way through the Mobile Murder Mountain the next time it arrives in your city!

Stories can be quite versatile. They can be used to calm down or distract scared civilians. They can be used to generate goodwill with our galactic neighbors. They can be used to build people up or tear them down. Your job as a superhero is to wield your stories in a way that will make the world a better place. Good luck, and happy storytelling!

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davidmann95 · 5 years

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E L S E W O R L D S ? ? ?

MY THOUGHTS ON THE WORLDS AND THEIR ELSE-ENING ARE MANY.

Gonna put most of this under a spoiler cut just in case, but right up front: I only regularly watch The Flash starting with Season 4 (along with seeing the first half-seasons of it and Supergirl, plus sporadic episodes of the other shows and Invasion!), and while there are absolutely standout episodes, it’s probably the most lukewarmly received piece of media I consume on a regular basis. So Elseworlds looked rad, and The Best Superman was coming back for it, but aside from hints that it was going all Final Crisis (which sadly weren’t realized) I was hardly outright ecstatic at the prospect of a Freaky Friday alone, even with Batwoman’s introduction in play. Basically I assumed it’d a bunch of fine stuff I’d get through so I could drink up the Superman content like a dying man in a desert.

This was my favorite live-action DC thing since The Dark Knight Rises if not in fact The Dark Knight itself, and in all honesty probably my favorite period of the non-Batman division. It was everything I want out of this sort of project and more.

I’mma break this down into a few categories: as a whole, Superman specifically because if you’re here you know what my deal is, THE ENDING, and a multitude of scattershot impressions and thoughts.

AS A WHOLE: Was this a masterwork of layered conceptual depth and calculated plotting tight as drum? Hardly - if nothing else, the sheer fact that the entire Superfamily is functionally and thematically superfluous precludes that upfront. But again, this is the perfect version of this kind of series, where clockwork precision is rarely the name of the game (aside from that dope episode of Flash with the bomb) so much as excitement and character-driven emotion, and in that regard this is the platonic ideal. Oliver and Barry hold the narrative together as Barry low-key relearns the value of his own kind of strength, and Oliver high-key learns to accept that he’s not living in a world defined by him anymore and he needs to be better, to the point where I may not even rag on him as Walmart Batman anymore every time I have cause to mention him, especially since that gets its own perfect sendoff. Batwoman functions as a perfect pilot capsule while still functioning as a chunk of a larger story, and Ruby Rose is on point. Supergirl gets some quality content even with her hands off the wheel (which is one of the lesser aspects given…well, given this is probably gonna be the last crossover like this and she really should have been the lead for one of them). It’s funny and thrilling and so damn weird, concerned above all else with making you giggle at doing stuff you’ve wanted to see for years and then making you give a shit about the emotional consequences of Barry Allen picking up some archery classes, and it earns what it reaches for.

Moreover, this episode represented a moment of maturation for me in terms of its status as a shared universe: Crisis on Earth-X was the culmination of what this world HAD been with its massive group shot aboard the Waverider, and that culmination was my going “wow, lookit that, they really did build something kinda functional out of what they had to work with”. It was a world that was comic book as all hell in the best way, but its own oddball strain made up of recognizable pieces broken off from a larger puzzle and rearranged into a new configuration. Here? From the moment the Monitor chases off 90s Flash on a desperate race from his dead world and the bodies of an army of superheroes to save all creation, into Superman taking his place as a central figure, Batman’s mythology unfurling out of nowhere at a beautifully shameless breakneck pace, the establishment of the Multiverse and Monitor mythology as the base level concept uniting the universe as a whole, and hotlinks to a half-dozen other major mythology elements I’d given up on ever seeing acknowledged, this really and profoundly feels like DC Comics.

SUPERMAN: Still so so good! I will say, this wasn’t nearly as much a breakthrough standout display for Hoechlin’s Clark as his prior Supergirl appearances, with a couple line readings where he’s maybe just a little too chill, and less opportunity to display range or depth given he’s in the back seat. And dude’s gotta practice pretending to be thrown back, however you do that, because that was pretty badly fakey-looking. If this had been his debut, I still would’ve loved him, but he’d be taking up third or fourth on my list of live-action Superman actors rather than sitting pretty at #1; I have to wonder if a lot of his energy simply went to his killer performance as Deegan, or if he’s still modulating his kinda-being-his-real-self-but-also-still-putting-on-the-Supermanness chunk of his performance given it’s with Kara and Lois that he really shines. If someone writes him off as a dime store Reeve though, they’re still wrong and also probably bad. Shoring up his cracks though is Elizabeth Tulloch, who’s already at least vying for a place on the Lois Lane Mount Rushmore. Reminded me heavily of the best of Erica Durance’s take, but with an additional straightforward bluntness that suits Lane incredibly well, and a talent for talking rings around Clark that does more than any other Lois to date to sell the idea that that’s a huge part of what he loves about her. Also she slaps around a mad god with the hammer for the cosmic anvil from All-Star Superman, because if there’s one thing Lois Lane steadfastly refuses to be in the business of, it’s in any way fucking around.

As for the big question: even aside from Tulloch making pretty clear in a recent interview that it’s something producers are talking about, yes, I absolutely think the Superman/Lois chunk of this was as fully intended to act as a backdoor pilot for them as the second act was for Batwoman. I know I’ve been certain on this in the past just as a matter of ‘they can use Superman so it would be foolish not to push that’, but then, well, nothing happened. But here, while the creators are clearly hedging their bets with providing them what could easily be a happily-ever-after, their appearance in this way in this context is bizarrely conspicuous and pointless if that wasn’t what was intended. They’re incidental to the plot (Deegan becoming Superman, while great fun that gives us an interesting new spin on the evil Superman concept, is basically just an aesthetic), the functionality of getting Clark away from National City had already been handled by the season premiere and never actually takes anything more than ‘he’s busy in space/plugging up a volcano/fighting Luthor’ as has already been done in the past, the guest spots and relevant emotional beats could have easily been contained to an episode of Supergirl rather than spilling out into an already stuffed three episodes, and if they could only be used in one crossover for some reason they’d obviously be saved for the next one. And they get a scene to themselves AFTER their role with our leads is wrapped up, with a moment that could have already come off-screen earlier but didn’t, purely to endear them to us in a way that would make us want to see more of them. I’m not saying a Superman show is now guaranteed, but unless there was some bizarre instruction that they suddenly once and for all needed to permanently get rid of him - yet permitted that to be accomplished via the delivery mechanism of more Superman, in a way that’s noted as impermanent in-universe and in a context that’s going to introduce him and Lois and push them as big deals to the maximum possible number of viewers - yeah, I think that’s what the people who made this must have been intending. And that the powers that be let them is incredibly encouraging. As Tulloch said, a lot of this is out of the hands of anyone but corporate, but Elseworlds got season highs so that’s a point in their favor; hopefully Cryer works out as Luthor, because I imagine that’s the other checkmark needing to be crossed off that comes down to the response of the viewership.

Also the proposal was perfect, and I am astonished that happening after the pregnancy was announced got to go through - ‘modern’ indeed, as Cat Grant would put it. I get it’s got precedent of a sort in Superman Returns, but on the other hand, that precedent was Superman Returns. I’m surprised I’m not already seeing thinkpieces on the degradation of American Values coming out of this.

FUCK:

FUCK.

I really thought there was gonna be one more crossover before they dove all the way in. But nope, nope nope nope, instead by this time next year for-real live action Crisis on Infinite Earths with Flash, Supergirl, Superman, the Monitor, shadow demons, the Psycho Pirate, and assuredly a comprehensive collection of carefully curated cameos from the ghosts of DC TV past will be a thing out there in the world. Marv Wolfman sure must be having a nice day.

And boy, they are not in ANY kind of position to half-ass it. The name value alone would be enough, but if that was it they could at least maybe get away with Dean Cain and Brandon Routh showing up in their old working clothes to help beat up the Anti-Monitor on a cordoned-off Vancouver street, maybe a couple of the Legends folks biting it. But they‘ve been explicitly acknowledging it as a thing they’d build up to for five years, since episode one of their most popular show, and if I’m right and the writing in the book of Destiny was supposed to be the same kind of text that Nora’s writing, they’ve been actively setting up Chekhov’s guns within the shows themselves for at minimum two years. AND they’ve already done three other world-threatening multiversal crossovers, including a classic JLA/JSA-model Crisis, so they’ve already established a threshold of crossover event that this needs to plainly mark itself as an entirely different order of magnitude from, AND they’ve had a threat to the multiverse before in Zoom so just saying that again without really showing it isn’t going to measure up. Hell, the idea of massive status quo changes is reinforced as being just the much of the mission statement of this as the original via Psycho Pirate. They’ve apparently quite knowingly backed themselves into a corner where they actually have to Wreck Shit. At minimum one of the three leads has to die for keeps, and all have the symbolic weight behind them - Oliver included after Elseworlds, and really in the first place as the founder of this DCU - and have obvious enough successor shows waiting in the wings to feel like they’re legitimately in the line of fire.

My hope? One that unlike usual I’m not gonna bolster by drawing on evidence at hand and logical assumptions, but the way I simply feel it Should Go and think at this point has a legitimate chance of being the case? Crisis is its own miniseries in the fall in place of the return of the other four shows, a massive high-budget ensemble piece with room to breathe…and at the end pretty much everyone dies. Most of the Legends, some supporting cast members, and above all Oliver, Barry, and Kara ALL die grandiosely and nobly to save all creation, hidden from the audience successfully by way of a miniseries ‘putting off’ the actually nonexistent renewals of the existing series. Earths 1 and 38 are merged (hopefully without discarding the multiverse as a whole, and with the heroes remembering their pasts), and in the wake of this massive conclusion, the entire DCTV lineup is effectively relaunched. Batwoman comes in here, taking Arrow’s place, while Superman emerges (likely with a psuedo-Rebirth setup since Jon’s on the way - they can figure out a way to get him to the appropriate age) with him dealing with his family and his initial grief, The Flash is relaunched with Wally and/or Nora assuming the mantle, and Legends reconstituting itself, whether by its original title or as Legion of Superheroes or Justice League, with a new lineup made up in large part of the castoffs from the cancelled series. Again, obviously there’s nothing definitely pointing towards this being the case, but somehow it just feels right, especially with Batwoman and Superman shows clearly being gestured towards when Arrow and Supergirl are the shows that would definitely have to end or at least change names with the death of their leads. The strongest evidence against all this, I think, is that Supergirl wouldn’t quite have hit a hundred episodes and syndication yet. Though there may still be that Supergirl movie too, so that’s a factor.

A couple incidental thoughts on that front:

* Interesting that Flash vanishes in 2024 and is still gone in 2049, but the first crossover - made when ‘Flash vanishes’ was already a keystone mythology element, and given its place at such an important moment you’d think the writers would remember - makes clear there’s an old Barry around in 2056. I could see that coming up.

* Thawne’s role in this season of Flash feels at this point like it has to dovetail into everything, and I could see him taking up Psycho Pirates’ role in the original story even if the genuine article’s around.

* I wonder if Jon Cryer’s gonna play Alexander Luthor.

* If Kara and Barry do die, and likely make some post-death appearances, I wouldn’t mind if they for the sake of novelty reverse things so that it’s Kara who comes back for real in Final Crisis, while Barry’s the one who comes from the past unknowingly and tear-inducingly ala Whatever Happened From The Man Of Tomorrow? (that could easily be set up via the “three hardest days of your life” thing Johns did in his Flash run).

* Incidentally, do Final Crisis as the ultimate event the next wave of shows build up to like this was built up to, and make that the end of everything.

* If I’m all wrong about Superman and he’s just being set up as a lamb to the slaughter for Crisis to fill the Supergirl role (which would still by no means require him appearing in Elseworlds, especially given it’s not like he develops a relationship with Barry or Oliver, so I’ll say my points all still stand), I get the impulse is to do him dying in Kara’s arms. But if they do wanna go this way and finish his story, I really, really hope that instead they let him deal at least part of the killing blow and then somehow vanish into ‘Heaven’ with Lois and Jon. If you’re gonna homage a Superman bit from there to close him out, that’s the one to go with.

* If Ezra Miller wasn’t bullshitting and would be willing to put in a little appearance, this is the place.

ASSORTED REACTIONS:

* “Oh Barry, what have you done this time?” Oliver’s wise to your shit, boy. He knows full well he’s pretty much in a ‘Barry fucks up with Flashpoint even further’ meme come to life.

* Barry freaking out that he knows kung fu is a delight, as is Oliver trying so dang hard to do this whole ‘Flash’ thing.

* Knocking out the pair of them is admittedly *a bit much*, but while some might correctly note that they’ve seen so much weird shit they should be able to accept this, I’d say it’d also be fair to note that they’ve seen so much weird shit they’re not wrong to think this is gonna snowball into some bullshit and it’d maybe be simplest to nip it in the bud and get things under control.

* Barry, I’m glad there are toilets in the Pipeline, but someday you’re going to think to ask ‘so Cisco, what are you feeding them down there?’, and then Vibe’s gonna go OH FRAK or some other nerd shit and they’re gonna find 5 seasons worth of corpses to clean up.

* Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha they did fuckin’ KGBeast on Arrow. Was that who Dolph Lundgren played? Checking…no. Dang.

* I had heard there was gonna be a Remy Zero shout-out for Smallville, but I assumed someone would just ask for someone to save them or it would be playing on the radio, not that they’d hard swerve from vague orchestral stirrings to pseudo-Nickelback. Loved it.

* Clark’s doin’ Clark stuff and I love it, Lois is doin’ Lois stuff and I love it, she nearly kills the Flash and Green Arrow with a hammer (truly her weapon of choice!) and I love it.

* Oliver pathetically puffing out his chest, WHILE CLARK ISN’T EVEN BEING SUPERMAN, is as good as television gets.

* AMAZO. Aside from basic delight at his existence, I love that the ‘Mirakiru’ ties into the Ivo material I know was in early, pre-superhero Arrow. It’s as if when Smallville got to do Supergirl and Doomsday for real they went ahead and tied them back in to the weird proto versions of them they’d already set up not knowing what they’d be able to do later. Much as Mxyzptlk or Grodd or Muppet Legends (I also caught that shows’ midseason finale, it was delightful) are easy to point to as indicators of how far this universe has come, this underlined that in a very unique way.

* Harsh, Barry - and where did you get those crossbows? - but earned as the Superfamily probably put together when they heard Oliver yelling about how when HE shot Barry he totally had a good reason for it. And along with the sheer, savage power of “I don’t think you can go more than nine hours without some sappy motivational speech”, it sets up Barry’s more understated character arc relative to Oliver in questioning and then reaffirming that his brand of emotional strength is just as strong as what your cowled types draw on. And while Lois obviously had the killer moment, Clark’s little “well, you kinda had that coming” look when Barry floors Oliver is nicely done. Smart money says he was thinkin’ about Bruce.

* Continued into the porch conversation, where the show takes its first real step in rehabilitating CW Green Arrow into a character I may no longer refer to by default as Walmart Batman as the show continues to dunk on him but he begins to take it in stride and realize he’s gonna have to change things up a bit.

* “Cool. Who are you?” “A friend.” So choice. Is that very clearly Williams-evoking musical sting at the end there something that often shows up in Supergirl? And I can’t tell whether’s Clark’s grin is in response to what he’s about to do, or because he’s relishing the hilarity of meeting a normal dude for the first time in his adult life who doesn’t know who Superman is, but either way I love it. And since I found his previous introductory shirt-tear honestly a little sub-par, this was an appreciated moment of redemption.

* Amazo fight rules, obviously. I do like to imagine the headlines the next day mentioning “hey, another superhero teamup happened with Supergirl from that other Earth who helped out with those invasions, and this time a male partner of hers showed up, some kind of…Super-man?” as the one pubic mention of Superman in the history of what’s presented as a ‘main’ DC universe.

* Barry just casually addressing ‘Clark’ by his first name is the first moment where I really thought ‘oh wow, this IS the DC Universe now’. And that “You’re welcome” worked as a reminder where there otherwise wasn’t space that yeah, he’s a nice dude, but maybe don’t tug too hard on his cape.

* Even though it wasn’t overtly followed up on, Barry being reminded that following Oliver’s example as his source of strength isn’t what’s gonna win him the day in the long run in the way that matters is a pretty essential piece.

* Every moment of Total Bat-Bullshit in here was so cheap and I loved it all so much.

* Oliver-dunking takes on its glorious apotheosis here - you know the line I’m thinking of - but it’s a necessary aspect of his journey here.

* Ruby Rose is very good as the charismatic vaguely menacing but easily flirty businesswoman, and again later kicking ass and delivering the growl, which she honestly does better than any live action Batman to this point. Curious to have it elaborated what kind of role she had in Bruce’s operation, given she clearly knew and has her own friggin’ cave.

* And then Barry stands up to Oliver’s demons while Oliver realizes Barry’s.

* “You really do have a lot of tattoos.” Oh my, Kara.

* “You have real steel in you, my friend.” And there you go for Barry’s arc.

* Well, wow. Fan theory bullshit triumphs at last, and now I kind of have to imagine we’re gonna see some actual Lanterns down the line. Hope, likely in vain, we see Hal so he can pal around with them before Oliver and/or Barry bite it.

* Mar Novu, huh? Somea that Final Crisis bullshiiiiit, please do feel free to pursue that further. Mandrakk’s cousin or something I guess?

* That can’t really be the end of the 90s Flash, right? If nothing else, he needs to stick around so that if they decide not to disintegrate Grant Gustin after all he can be the one there to make the death run.

* Episode one: “The darkness…I feel it…it threatens…to…CONSUME me…” Episode three : “oh my GOD Oliver we broke a LAW I’m gonna THROW UP”

* Hoechlin plays the hell out of Scary Dickhead Superman, even if it’s odd that Deegan was defensive about making an arguably sexist choice of identity when he already openly fucking supports eugenics. But an anon asked me about this and suggested this is a top-tier evil Superman, and yeah, I’d agree with that. He’s not scary because’s a mad god, he’s scary because he’s a small, small man who’s lucked his way into being GTA mod Superman, all of the pluses with none of the minuses, all of the ego-assuaging praise and power without having to meaningfully hold up his end of the bargain. It’s an effective twist on Superman as a power fantasy, one that’s scary in a very different way than the idea of it going wrong usually is. Because instead of him letting us down, it’s one of us joining him in the sun and trying to kick him and the rest of us out because it’s all HIS now.

* Oh yeah, of course Superman totally knows about the Book of Destiny. All the REALLY cool superheroes got that that kind of experience in the bag.

* As I said, Supergirl takes a back seat, but Benoist really shines with swaying Alex Danvers - from the moment I saw she’d be in this from the trailer I thought “Kara swaying her can’t be done very believably, it would be convincing her of a whole other life instead of a minor alteration”, but damn if she didn’t sell it.

* I must admit, the Superman V Superman fight is Hoechlin’s low point; him losing the advantage because he’s saving people is perfect, but some of his good-Superman deliveries lack the necessary conviction, and whether due to the animation or his overexagerated tumbling, him getting knocked around the city looks notably fake in parts to an extent that breaks the immersion.

* I guess Superman fought Bizarro at some point, if that concept carried over (I know Supergirl fought a Bizarro too, but if Superman never fought one the average citizen wouldn’t make that comparison). I suppose it’s the Earth-1 Alex Danvers and James Olsen though?

* Similar note: Kara mentions that ‘maybe my pod didn’t make it here’, and given doppelgangers are a thing, it’s been noted there’s a Krypton in each universe, obviously at least one other major superhero carries over in Batman, and the degree of long-term planning clearly going on at this point with the multiverse stuff, I honestly wonder if they might be laying the seeds for something on why Superman and Supergirl never happened on Earth-1.

* I do like that Superman’s technically the one who beats the bad guy flat-out and saves the world from a broken history by sheer force of will, even if he’s not the one with the splashier more permanent win later (and even then he saves Lois).

* Fuck yes. Never liked Superman turning the world backwards, but now entirely worth it for how that shit comes back here in the most gleefully unhinged manner imaginable (even if Mach 7 wiping out Barry and Kara is absurd on the face of it).

* And Oliver comes full circle to realizing he’s no longer the center of his own universe, realizing he can be better while still proving he has it in him to make the hardest call. This dude still ain’t Ollie, but I guess I can acknowledge him as Green Arrow.

* And then it’s all Superman stuff and Crisis, which I discussed, though worth mentioning just how off-guard the Jon confirmation caught me. Thumbs up on that!

#Elseworlds #DCTV #Superman #Lois Lane #Crisis On Infinite Earths #Flash #Arrow #Supergirl #Analysis #Opinion

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dcarevu · 5 years

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DCAU #17: The Cat and the Claw (Part 2)

“Oh, I've been going to the Paris Grand Prix for years... You know, one of these days I think I'll enter it.”

Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back. So how much did Part 2 of our first Catwoman story satisfy? Does it get a bowl of cream, or a spritz of water?

Episode: 16 Robin: No Writers: Sean Catherine Derek (story), Laren Bright (story), Jules Dennis (teleplay), Richard Mueller (teleplay) Director: Dick Sebast Animator: Akom Airdate: September 12, 1992 Grade: C

The first part of The Cat and the Claw had me interested, but certainly not blown away. It was a hit-and-miss episode with enough good ideas in it to allow me to enjoy it and wonder where the story was going to lead. I liked that it did give out a sense of substance, but honestly, I don’t think that the substance held steady between the credits of part 1 and the first scene of part 2. Part 2 does continue the story, but sucks out a lot of what made part 1 worth watching, and if I had never even watched part 2, I would not have been missing a damn thing aside from the realization that Catwoman ends up okay and the day is saved. But I think it was safe to assume that anyway, you know what I mean? Part 2 left very little impact on me, positive or negative, and for that reason I’m labeling it a C. Ironically, this is probably the episode with the highest stakes so far, right? With a conclusion that has a pretty epic scale. But it’s just not handled in an epic way. The concept is there, but the execution is lacking. Even if a studio like TMS or Spectrum were the ones to take care of the visuals, it still would have given the same feelings. The team knew what they were doing, giving it to Akom. Yeah, Akom’s work here is pretty bad, and Part 1 is more visually appealing in addition to being simply more entertaining. Even though it didn’t look the best, I could appreciate Sunrise’s unique style. When Sunrise failed, it still made for something that you don’t see everyday. Akom’s work was just plain old underwhelming. This is especially noticeable during the climax with their work on the fire (yeah, fire count, by the way).

That fire looks like something from a Hanna-Barbera cartoon, guys. I’d expect to see similar on Scooby Doo. You don’t get a sense of the danger or the heat coming off that thing, and so you don’t get a sense of worry as Batman tries to get the hell out of there. Another very Akom scene is the car chase that happens when Bruce and Selena are together, out of costume. It looked laughably lame. That scene could have been so exciting and dynamic! But, at the same time, like I said, I understand why Atom was chosen. Even if the animation got me a little bit more invested, it still would have felt empty because of a lack of why I should be invested. It’s like watching a Transformers movie. Just brainless action. And why waste money on sending this episode to a better studio when a much better episode could be? The only real Akom-caused highlight was the train stuff. That looked pretty cool, likely because even though the train was moving, it still provided a static, stable platform for our characters, so it required less technical stuff to animate. All of the other cool stuff to look at was definitely in the storyboards. I liked the bit where the Bat Plane flew across the moon, kinda emulating that iconic moment in the 1989 film. And my favorite visual moment was when Selena’s secretary put on her glasses, and we see it via a POV shot. But then once things are crystal clear, a second later she walks into the shot, seamlessly transitioning it from POV to third person.

More things like that could have probably almost created a B-level of enjoyment, admittedly. This part is also campier than part 1, with a lot more cheesiness thrown in, and that is to the episode’s detriment. The idea of Red Claw’s group of terrorists stealing a vial of disease from a military-guarded train is a really cool one, and I’ll take that over another standard police chase any day (until those chases start getting more god damn interesting). But something about watching them ride their little vehicle, leap on top of the train like ninjas, walking around on the train effortlessly, and dismantling it was pretty hard to take seriously.

(This thug was in the last episode too, and he’s got this constant, static grimace. Makes me chuckle.)

Seeing Batman glide in with the bat-glider for the first time was neat, but then again, we get flown into a corn field. This is some of the cheesiest dialogue/line delivery on the show so far, even dwarfing the stuff from I’ve Got Batman In My Basement. No easy task! It’s like the writers here were aware of the serious tone, and trying, but still could only make a guy dressed like a bat so rational. I especially cringed at Batman’s shock that Red Claw was a woman. Having Catwoman be an admirable, strong character is doing feminism in a cartoon right. But this episode was too on-the-nose about it. Another instance is when Catwoman and Batman are tied up. Catwoman says something about their savior being a “woman’s touch”, and then she claws them out. Outside of the show trying to push a feminist message, why, in universe, would she say that exactly? Batman was not being sexist toward her. Red Claw certainly wasn’t. Red Claw is a woman for crying out loud! And how are her claws particularly feminine, anyway? Are they supposed to represent those stereotypical secretary nails? C’moooooon. Lame, lame, lame. I’m a feminist, and I’m all about cartoons showing that women are every bit as capable as men are. But if this is how they do it, then just don’t even try. And to add insult to injury, after we get Catwoman saving both of them, we end with her getting the shit beaten out of by Red Claw in a fight, merely because she does absolutely nothing to defend herself. Catwoman is an athletic cat-burglar who, in the previous episode, managed to give Batman a challenge. And now she’s just letting Red Claw kick her over and over in a way she easily should’ve seen coming. What a…confusing approach.

While the superhero stuff was seriously below par, it’s slightly made up for because of how it explores Bruce and Selena’s relationship a little bit more. I liked seeing them on another attempted date, and so did Char! They’re really charming together, and it was incredibly satisfying to see Selena begin to enjoy his company. But as things start to go right for him, things also start to somehow go more wrong, and he discovers that Selena is Catwoman. To me, it’s believable that he wouldn’t have made that assumption right away. First of all, what are the odds. Second of all, a much different environment, mindset, and appearance. Plus, it’s not as though he was seeing Catwoman every single night, right? Most of his interactions of her was as normal human beings dressed in normal human clothes. Bruce mentions that he hasn’t felt a fondness of a woman like this in a very long time (Mask of the Phantasm entered my head for a second), and it feels so genuine. Somehow over these 16 episode and pilot, with a pretty small amount of spoken words for a main character, we’ve gotten to know Bruce…or…Batman…quite well. We can tell when he’s being phony, we can tell when he’s being sincere. This was sincere. And because his Bruce persona is such an exaggeration of his decency, spotting cracks in that just makes you feel something, man, especially when it shows us that hint of affection. This can be compared to Bruce Wayne talking to Harvey Dent about how proud he was that Harvey was seeking psychological help (Two-Face Part 1). These moments show us that Batman still has this warmth to him. It may be like a candle in the wind, fighting to stay alive, but every now and then there is a spritz of gasoline. For a second, Bruce Wayne and Batman are one. But y’know what? This is all well and good, however it makes me wish that the Red Claw stuff was absent. In part 1, it was different. I wanted to know where it was going. But without decent payoff, there is no reason for the terrorist story element at all. This would have been so much stronger if it were a half hour dedicated to building up the relationship of two troubled adults, fighting for what they believe in, succumbing to a certain level of darkness, all while not being able to find common ground. Paul Dini could have done it. Alan Burnett could have done it. Y’know what, Tom Ruegger probably could have done it. But no. We got writers who felt the need to add in that unnecessary, goofy superhero stuff that was not meant to be the focus of Batman the Animated Series when it didn’t need to be. But if there is one major strength of the superhero stuff, it’s the very ending. Because despite what Batman and Catwoman just went through together, saving countless people, Batman still needed to put her in handcuffs (and not in the way he probably wishes he could).

(Blurry screenshot, apologies...by the way, are bat-handcuffs really necessary, Batman?)

That was paaaaaainful, but the right kind of painful (again, not in the way Batman probably wishes it was). Having Batman state that he didn't want her taken away like a common criminal was a great addition, and I really want to know which writer came up with that line. Whoever did got what makes Batman and Catwoman so interesting. If only they could have gotten a crack at this episode on their own. As some final words, despite me giving this episode a C, I went back and forth between a C or a D many times. I’m still not entirely sure which is my true grade. It depended on what I was writing about. When I was complaining, I was sure that I should make it a D. But as I was talking about some of the more positive elements, I thought maybe a C was more appropriate. Bottom line, I’m not sure. I think a C is the most fair, though, because aside from just being a middle of the road grade, it could also represent me being completely confused on my opinion. Is that understandable?

(Here we clearly see that the section of the train that was bombed is still very much intact)

(Batman was very much on model throughout the episode, particularly in the face)

Fire count: 8 Char’s grade: B

Next time: See No Evil Full episode list here!

#batman tas #dcau #dc animated universe #batman the animated series #the cat and the claw #the cat and the claw part 2 #part 2 #catwoman #red claw #batman

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joyofcrime-elinorhigh · 5 years

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Teen Titans Go To The Movies REVIEW:

Ahem

"I DON'T KNOW WHO CREATED...TEEN TITANS GO!....BUT I'D TRIED TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE GET THEM TO HAVE TEEN TITANS _GO. TO. THE. POLLS." _ *Beat*

"I'm with her!"

** **Hello everybody, my name is JoyofCrimeArt, and it's time to finally put this to rest. I've already gave my very...very...very extensive thoughts on Teen Titans Go! in my last two reviews.

Oh my gosh, why didn't I call those reviews "Teen Titans Go! is Garbage and Here's Why?!" It was probably long enough and would of gotten way more views!

But back on topic. To summarize my thoughts though I think Teen Titans Go!, while I do think that there are some good elements and even good episodes of the series, I didn't end up finding it to be a very good series on the whole. However, it is a series that I do enjoy watching in a weird, ironic kinda way. It's a very love hate relationship. It's a bad show, but I will be sad when it ends, cause it has impacted my life that much. So when word of a movie came to be, it immediately grabbed my interest as well as my curiosity. What could a show like Teen Titans Go! possibly do with a movie? Teen Titans Go's! whole "thing" is that it DOESN'T do big superhero stories. Wouldn't making a film kinda go against what the whole show was about? And the show typically had trouble stretching there plots out for eleven minutes, let alone ninety. But as more trailers came out, I started seeing a lot of people genuinely getting excited for the film. Even I had to admit I was kinda getting a little bit hyped by the trailers. And when the film finally did get released it actually succeeded in getting over a ninety percent on rotten tomatoes! Yes, you heard right, CRITICS WERE LIKING TEEN TITANS GO! Could this movie actually be....good? Or would it end up being as obnoxious as the series that it was based on? Well, it's time to find out. Consider this your **SPOILER WARNING, **as we dive right to Teen Titans Go To The Movies.

I both love and hate that title.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9WhJyyTtqo

The film begins with a giant balloon monster attack Jump City. And right off the back, I wanna praise the animation of this film. I admit, compared to other tv to film adaptations, it's nothing that _fantastic. However, there is a definite improvement from the series. The backgrounds are very fleshed out and detailed, chock full of little references and Easter eggs here and there. And the animation on the actions scenes (Yes, this film has those) is actually really good and surprisingly fluid. I admit though, this may just be slight bias because I'd pretty much praise any form of theatrical 2D animation now of days because COME ON, HOLLYWOOD! WHY WON'T YOU MAKE MORE 2D FILMS ALREADY!!!

_ We get a scene that manages to, in a very quick and effective manor, establish the films tone as well as show off all five of our main characters and establish there powers. Really impressive stuff. Is what I would say, If it didn't also includes an overly long fart joke, and a rap. Wow, six minutes. Is that a record for "kids film?" Guinness..can we verify?

When the Titans, in typical Titans fashion, fail to stop the villain. This results in the Justice League to show up and stop the villain for them. And NICHOLAS CAGE plays Superman! YES! Okay movie, you get points for that. I'm fair here. That's also another thing this movie has over the series. Not all the side characters are played by Scott Menville or Tara Strong! They have like, MORE than five voice actors to pull from. Amazing, I know. The Justice League chastise the Titans for there general incompetents at everything, and bring up the fact that if they were real heroes they would have there on movie by now.

As I mentioned in my previous reviews, Teen Titans Go! is at it's best when it's meta. And with so many superhero movies now of days, the Teen Titans Go! movie not only acknowledging this trend, and incorporating it in it's plot feels like a natural progression from the type of plots featured in the show. So I think this was a good direction for the film to take. There are a ton of jokes bashing not just DC films, but Marvel and Fox movies as well. And these jokes tend to be the highlights. When I first saw the trailer I was worried that these jokes would quickly get old, seeing how many of them are in the trailer. But in the film proper, they mix it up and spread them out enough to keep them enjoyable. So kudos on that.

The Justice League fly off to go to the world premiere of Batman's newest film and the Titans decide to sneak into the red carpet premiere themselves. As they show up the films director, Jade Wilson (played by Kristen Bell), get's up on stage and starts revealing the slate for the next several DC movies. And just like in real life, there all Batman spin-off properties! Robin sits there in anticipation, hoping that a movie will be announced. But we get this, instead.

See, the thing about this that is funny is that THERE ACTUALLY DOING THIS. I doubt the people making this movie knew that at the time. But neither the less, it's happening, and I have proof.

After a few more trailers Robin ends up jumping on stage thinking that his movie is going to be next only to discover that there is no plans for a Robin movie. All the other heroes laugh him off stage until all the Titans run out of the theater. The other Titans try to consul Robin, but Robin is adamant that if he doesn't get his own superhero movie he'll never be seen as a real hero. Raven suggest that if he wants a movie, first he'll need an arch nemesis. And just as she says that a crime occurs and the Titans go to investigate.

The crime is being committed by none other than Slade, now voiced by Will Arrnet instead of Ron Perlman. And he is there to steal some kind of "mind gem." I like Slade in this movie. Sure, he's absolutely NOTHING like Slade from the original series, but that's okay cause he is his own unique take that fits the tone that the movie is going for. Also Will Arrnet is great casting for a more comedic take on Slade. I mean the creators of the original Teen Titans show said in interviews that they wrote Slade to be an evil Batman. So who'd be better to voice him than Lego Batman himself. My only gripe, and it is a minor one, is that while the film makes a big deal about Slade being a "serious villain" that only a "serious superhero" would have as an arch enemy. But he's only _slightly _less silly than the Titans. And while this isn't that big of a deal since Slade is funny here, it does seem to kinda go against the narrative that Slade is suppose to representing.

Also, when Slade and the Titans meet, and neither seem to know who each other are, with the Titans believing that he is Deadpool. Even though in the series the Titans have acknowledged Slade in the series before, and even battled him before. (off screen, but still.) How does this all fit-

Slade easily defeats the Titans, and mocks them for there incompetence. The Titans go back to there tower where Robin begins to feel sorry for himself, believing that he will never be a real hero. What? _Character conflict?! _The next morning the Titans get Robin and bring him to a "world premiere" of a Robin movie they made for him, complete with a cardboard limo and everything. _What? Something touching...no, that's not right. WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH THE REAL TITANS!?

_ I do wanna touch on this. In this movie the Titans act very out of character from how they do in the show. But that is actually a good thing, cause the Titans in the series...are awful. In my previous Teen Titans Go! review I talk about how the original series Titans felt like a family, while it felt like the Go! versions just hated each other. But in this movie all the characters are way more likable. (Mostly, we'll get to that later.) And there feels like a real sense of connection between the characters. Sure there still goofy, and they make fun of each other, but they really do feel like a family. And this goes a LONG way with making me feel invested and actually rooting for our heroes to succeed in there goals.

Robin watches the film, but turns it off when the movie makes fun of his "baby hands" (A running "joke" from the series.) The other Titans try to get him to finish the film but he's uninterested. _Man, I'm sure that won't be brought up again. In the films climax when the characters are at their lowest point! _Robin is hard set on believing that he'll never be seen seriously as a hero, but the other Titans encourage him to buck up and head down to Warner Bros. and DEMAND that they make a movie about him. And they do so in song.

This seems like a good of a time as any to bring up that this movie is a musical. Possibly the first superhero musical? The song themselves, while nothing THAT amazing, are a step up from most of the songs in the series. i.e) They actually seem like they were written. (And that's not me being hyperbolic. A lot of the songs in Teen Titans Go! are made up on the spot! Look it up!) But what I really appreciate is how for several of the songs there is an art style shift, and that's really neat to see. Especially with a theatrical budget.

The Titans go down to Warner Bros and go up to Jade Wilson and demand for a film. But she turns them down, saying that she would only make a movie about them if they were the last heroes on Earth. And that's exactly what the Titans decide to do! They decide to use time travel to go back in time and undo all the other superheroes origin stories so they'll be the only superheros.

Yeah, this is the direction we're going. It's Spongebob: Sponge Out of Water all over again.

And they can't use there time machine from the series cause it's "broken." So Raven just magic ups some time tricycles. WHATS THE POINT OF THE TIME MACHINE EVEN BEING BROKEN THEN IF RAVEN CAN GET MAKE NEW ONES NO PROBLEM? They could of made some joke where they like, steal Booster Gold's time machine at least. You just wanted a dumb "Back to the Future" reference didn't you? DIDN'T YOU! And while playing "Take on Me" makes me forgive you A LITTLE BIT, this whole situation is still stupid.

In fact this whole "bit" is still stupid. And I say "bit" cause this whole time traveling section contributes nothing to the plot, and is only like, ten minutes long. The Titans go back in time to undo all the superhero's origins. (And end up murdering Aquaman as a child.) They come back to the present to see that villains have taken over the world. And then they go back and undo everything they already undid. (Including blowing up Krypton and frickin shoving Bruce Wayne's parents into Crime Alley as young Bruce watches!)

_That's his adoptive grandma he's watching get shot down... _ And I know you can say "Oh, it's comedy" or whatever, but this movie was actually doing a good job making me like the Titans. And maybe it's just because I've always had issues with the "main characters nonchalantly murder people" trope. But considering that this whole time travel thing literally adds nothing outside of stretching the film up _just _enough to reach ninety minuets, I can say it does nothing but hurt the film.

Also, Baby Superman gyrate his infant crotch while pointing at it, in this film aimed at children.

As someone who's defended the Powerpuff Girl reboot's twerking scene numerous time I suppose it be hypocritical to complain. So instead, I'm just going to list movies that have a lower rotten tomato score than Teen Titans Go to the Movies. For...unrelated reasons. Ahem

_Lilo and Stitch. The Kung-Fu Panda Trilogy. Princess and the Frog. Tangled. Frozen. Coraline. The Lego Batman Movie.... _

Anyway after all that, the Titans go off to try to stop Slade from committing another robbery. And this time the Titans are sure they'll beat him. We get an actually good fight scene and some Raven-Beast Boy ship tease that comes out of nowhere and contributes nothing. I know it's a thing from the show, but nothing in this movie setting it up. And it doesn't lead to anything. The Titans are able to get the "Mind Gem" that Slade stole earlier away from him and they put it in the Titans tower vault, but Slade still escapes.

But the next day, the Titans are suddenly seen as real heroes for stopping Slade's plan. They head back to the film set and are greeted with a much warmer welcome. Jade decides that she does want to make a Teen Titans movie after all, and Robin is ecstatic. However, the other Titans don't take the gig as seriously and all go goof off, getting Robin into hot water with Jade.

It all comes to a head when the other Titans see the Justice League building some kind of doomsday device, and assume that Jade is up to no good. Which is dumb because they have no reason to assume that it isn't just a prop for the film. But whatever. However, Jade reveals that this doomsday device is actually just a machine to launch there new streaming service. The device would broadcast DC films across all screens all over the word, with the Teen Titans movie being the first film they would release for the service.

You're telling me that Jades launching a DC superhero based streaming service, and the only thing it will have at launch is Teen Titans? Pfft! _That's totally ridiculous, and completely unrealistic..._DC Universe didn't have Titans at launch!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJF7k5cFQEQ

Jade gets angry and decides to fire the Titans. But says that she would be willing to make a solo Robin movie, since he didn't do anything wrong. Robin chooses to go with Jade and leave his friends behind. I admit, this is where the movie does start to become a bit predictable. You've seen this story arc before, the friends vs fame thing, and it goes exactly where you think it's gonna go. But I do like how there isn't a huge fight like you'd see in other movies. Both sides are upset that it's come to this, but clearly don't wanna hurt the other. Again, outside the earlier genocide of an entire planet, the Titans are pretty likable in this film.

Robin and Jade begin working on the film, and it ends up being everything Robin wanted. But he's still beginning to feel some regret. However, Jade convinces him to buckle through it and film the last scene. A reenactment of Robin putting Slade's mind gem in the Titans vault. But right as he's about to enter the code a stage light knocks him out. He awakens and decides to finish the scene anyway. Jade telling him to make the scene look authentic. And again, it's pretty obvious where this is going.

Robin puts in the code and the safe opens. Jade took Robin to the real tower while he was knocked out and reveals herself to be Slade in a Lupin III style latex mask! Okay, maybe that last part wasn't too predictable. But even ignoring the name JADE WILSON, It was telegraphed pretty obviously that Jade was evil since the scene where she made Robin chose fame over his friends.

But hey, it's still a better twist villain than Frozen.

Slade steals the mind gem and plans on using it in tandem with Robins film and the streaming service to mind control the entire planet to do his bidding. He handcuffs Robin to the tower walls and activates a series of bombs, leaves him to die. But Robin escapes thanks to his baby hands. A twist that is just as unexpected as it is stupid. The tower is destroyed but Robin survives, and realizes the error of his ways. He calls the other Titans and all is forgiven because they are a team.

The Titans now head to the film studio to stops Slade's plan, but they are unable to stop him before he uses Robin's movie to mind control the entire Justice League. Robin goes after Slade while the rest of the Titans have to face down the Justice League. There's a short action scene that could of been longer in my personal opinion. Then Raven just uses her OP magic powers to trap the entire Justice League in a portal.

**NOW YOUR THINKING WITH PORTALS! **That's..that's the meme, right? I-I haven't ever played_ Portal._

Robin confronts Slade, but Slade surrounds Robin with monitors all playing his movie. Robin becomes tempted to view his movie and gets mind controlled. In a nice (though juries still out of if it was intentional) callback to the original series, Slade commands Robin to attack his friends and he complies. But wait, remember that obvious Chekhov's gun from earlier in the film? It's time to pull the trigger! The Titans play the movie they made for Robin, but this time they get to the end where they all talk about how much Robin means to them as a leader. The power of friendship frees Robin from Slade's mind control.

But Slade has a mech now! This was not set up at all, but who cares at this point. _Mechs are cool damn it! _Slade once again mocks the Titans, asking how a team as goofy as them could possibly stop him now. But Robin and the rest of the team realize that they don't need to be "legitimized" or seen as "real heroes." They just need to stop the bad guy in there own way. We get a reprise of the rap song from the beginning as the Titans defeat Slade in their own silly way. They destroy the mind control device and the Justice League go back to normal. The movie ends with the Titans realizing that they truly are heroes and...wait a minute...something is off here. It's 2018...and this movie doesn't end with a dance party! Teen Titans Go!, the show that is known for random dance sequences, is actually one of the few modern films not to end with a dance party ending?! What the hell?

But we do get our post credits scene!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F06HJTyB17c

Is this it? Is this the preview for Teen Titans Season 6?!

Not quite! Rather it's just setting up an upcoming "Teen Titans Go! vs Teen Titans" crossover, that's rumored to be heading direct to DVD with a new crew working behind it. You what that means right? It isn't over. My job isn't done yet. There's still more to talk about! THE RIDE NEVER ENDS, BABY! I'M GONNA KEEP TALKING ABOUT TEEN TITANS GO! UNTIL THE DAY I DIE!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwDIZT3XbjQ

While Teen Titans Go To The Movies didn't do that great at the box office, the film had a low enough budget to end up making a pretty substantial profit. Which is more than most DCEU films can say. I doubt we'll see the Titans on the big screen anytime soon, but it wasn't a bomb critically or financial. But what is my final verdict here?

The film in a lot of ways solves a lot of problems I had with the series. For one, the Titans are all a lot more likable, which goes a long way in helping me get invested. And while the show seems to conflate "conflict" with "serious" this film manages to have a plot and story while still keeping it's comedic tone the entire way through. More technical issues the show had like animation and reusing voice actors are near non-existent here. And the film manages to do what I think episodes like "The Return of Slade" tried and failed to do. It celebrates it's own silliness and imperfections, but does it in a way that isn't just "attacking the haters." Like I said, Teen Titans Go! is best when it's meta. But the film has it's problems too. The plot points at times can be kinda predictable. There are a lot of scenes that really don't add anything to the story beyond stalling for time. And there are a lot of points where the humor falls back into the same loud, juvenile, mean spirited jokes that the series is known for. Also, while Robin is my favorite of the Titans, I would of liked the other characters to have a larger role. For a film that's whole climax is hinged on the idea of a Robin solo film being a bad idea, but that's what the film can kinda feel like at time.

Overall, the film is about what I thought it would be. It's okay. It's up there with the best of the episodes of the show, but not really going that far beyond it. (In fact, I'd say their are a few episodes from the main series that are better than this film.) It's good, but I wouldn't call it 91% on rotten tomatoes good. If you like Teen Titans Go! you'll like this movie if you're willing to put up with a little more drama. If you hate Teen Titans Go! you'll like the movie if you are able to just turn your brain off and put up with some more childish jokes here and there. And if you can't do either of those things...watch Lego Batman. It's better than this film anyway, regardless of what rotten tomato says, and has a similar vibe about it.

And with that, I can finally put Teen Titans Go! to rest**. For now! **What did you think of the movie? Was it "You're new favorite film?" or was it just as bad as the many people said it would be? I'd love to hear your thought in the comments down bellow. Fav, follow, or comment if you liked my review or have a suggestion on what I should talk about next. And tune in next week as deviantcember continues! Have a great day.

(I do not own any of the images or videos in this review all credit goes to there original owners.)

https://www.deviantart.com/joyofcrimeart/journal/Teen-Titans-Go-To-The-Movies-REVIEW-774742614 DA Link

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