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moonbaby26 · 3 years

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Title: The Battle

Pairing: Peter Maximoff x Reader

Summary: Continuation from last chapter. Set during X-Men: Age of Apocalypse, you and the others fly to Cairo to confront Apocalypse and his soldiers in an attempt to rescue Xavier.

Warnings: Apocalypse being a leg breaking, hero strangling jerk. Characters fighting for their lives, but bookended with fluff from Peter x Reader pairing.

Chapters: Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Taglist: @drikawinchester , @n0obmaster69 , @alexloveskili , @what-a-silver-lining , @bluesprings18 , @weakmoony-stuff , @slytherinsi-mp, @wintwrsoldiwr, @tommy-braccoli, @amourtentiaa

Peter Maximoff x Reader Masterlist

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You’d at least gotten to clean up somewhat. Earlier as Hank and the new woman you’d just met, Moira, had worked on readying the jet, you’d found some bit of helpful supplies. Clean rags to wipe off the blood, and bandages that’d you’d hurriedly applied to your shallow claw wounds.

All the remnants of your restraints were gone, and your old, torn clothes you’d just tossed in favor of the thin jumpsuit and lightly armored black flight suit over the top of it. You all wore these suits, commandeered with this experimental jet now rumbling beneath you as you shot off to Cairo together.

There was silence for a good while, after some initial nervous chatter and joking from the others. It would have been too easy to fill this quiet with any of the myriad of questions still rushing through your brain, but you really had just listened and little more when they’d filled you in earlier with the gist of what they’d learned.

All that really mattered was that the Professor was being held captive by a seemingly omnipotent mutant. One that had now declared war on all and recruited his own powerful soldiers. This was a rescue mission, with likely all your lives at stake.

You leaned your head back, wondering if anyone else would really even know or care what had happened to you if you never came back from this.

The escape from Stryker’s lab had been life threatening as well of course, but it was so different when it’d just been one thing after another. Events unfolding too quickly to really develop any sense of dread, it’d been all adrenaline and luck really.

But even in a jet like this, flying all the way to Egypt was more than just a skip and a jump. It was well enough time to dwell on your own inexperience and shortcomings, to wonder if this was the last time you’d ever do anything at all.

“Hey,” Peter’s voice was quiet, just to you, as you glanced over, having been mired only in your own thoughts until that moment.

He was sitting beside you, both of you strapped in these jump seats that ran along both sides of the jet. Vaguely you realized the others had started talking once more as well then. Maybe that was why he felt more comfortable speaking to you again now.

He hadn’t addressed you directly since you’d reunited with the others. Though you wouldn’t blame him if he was just as nervous as you were deep down. But from his self deprecating jokes in front of your friends earlier, about still living at home with his mother, he would at least seem better at hiding fear if he did have any.

“Hey,” You answered back reflexively, looking at him fully again.

“So uh....” He was chewing a piece of gum, as if some part of him still had to stay in motion in order to remain comfortable. “That car, that was pretty sweet. That yours or what?”

Honestly it took you a very long, awkward pause before you could piece together any idea of what he was referring to. But being that you’d only known him since literally just earlier today, there wasn’t anything else he could possibly mean. “The yellow convertible?” You questioned anyway, not really surprised by much of anything now.

“Yeah, I mean, I take the road if there is one. I saw you guys on the way to the house,” He answered, still offering a little explanation regardless. “Looked like you knew what you were doing though.” There was a more sheepish grin emerging. “I was going to stop and say hey I guess. But then I saw the, you know, fireball coming out the house and all, had to go see what that was about. Save everybody or whatever...” He trailed off after a bit, maybe realizing that you were just letting him ramble.

It reminded you of how you’d acted with him during the whole lab fiasco. He seemed the more confident one down there, while you got easily flustered. You really wondered if having your friends here now was making the difference. As if he was more unsure of himself when there was a potential audience to hear what you might say back to him.

It was interesting, getting to put more of those pieces together, or at least starting to be able to when it came to him. For putting on the display of an extrovert, and if you could finally admit it, even him being an outright flirt, you felt more and more sure that that was only skin deep really. That was just the outer layer he protected himself with.

“It was one of the Professor’s cars,” You smiled genuinely, probably the first one since they’d told you where you were going in this jet and why. “We were on our way back from the mall.”

That warmth from you seemed to ease him back into his normal tone, maybe a slight relief in him that you didn’t find it off putting that he’d already taken notice of you before you even knew he was anywhere around.

“Oh, mallrat, huh?” He quipped, “I can picture that.”

He was teasing, but you gave it right back. “There is no way you can tell me that you don’t end up in music stores wherever you live, like a lot.” You hadn’t forgotten his band t-shirt after all. You thought you’d seen him putting away headphones at some point too. “And that leather jacket and pants you had? Come on, that didn’t come from some bargain clothes rack.”

You might have had him for just a moment there. Just a flicker of surprise in his eyes to know you really had paid him that much attention, before he retorted, “Hey, what’s the point of a fast car if it has no style, right?”

“Says the guy who most people can’t even see until he slows down.” But you were purposeful to make clear in your tone that that wasn’t an insult at all, just continuing a little more bravely afterward, “Though their loss I guess.”

There was no mistake then, he really did pause. You could feel the slightest bit of heat in your face again, but you were not about to take that back. Not when you didn’t even know what was really awaiting you all at the end of this flight.

And you were still the next one to speak, that resolve remaining. “If we make it out of this, maybe you can come with me back over there to our mall. Help me pick out some new stuff.” You tried not to make it sound funny, but on some cosmic level it still was. “Seeing as how my room and everything I owned was incinerated and all.”

“Deal.” He said immediately. Only a little afterward seeming to realize that maybe he sounded a bit too eager. He cleared his throat, shifting in his seat. “I mean, I’m pretty good at Ms. Pac Man too. They have an arcade, right?”

“Yes.” You answered, trying not to look too amused, and going along with him to help him feel more comfortable. “I can’t say I’m actually any good, but they do have a Flash Gordon pinball machine I always play. And a couple of air hockey tables. That’s my go-to.” No question with his speed that he would likely annihilate you on both. But the idea of being in a much simpler, safer place like that with him some day was a pleasant one right now.

“Oh yeah. I can show you a thing or two.” He was clearly back in his element then, looking smug once more.

“I’m sure you will.” You could only wonder if the god complex mutant and his lackeys you were now off to go challenge would have any idea that in the back of your mind you’d now be dreaming of a simple date in an arcade as extra motivation to get back home in one piece.

———————————

It wasn’t long before things had started spiraling in quick succession again. You’d all arrived in Cairo to find it essentially destroyed, save for what this fake god had already erected in monument to himself. A huge pyramid in the style of the ancient Egyptians, one he’d taken Xavier hostage inside.

It hadn’t been clear though how much of the destruction was done by this mutant, and how much had actually been at Magneto’s hands as it was with more shock that you’d found him in the middle of this as well. Now serving this apocalyptic mutant.

You knew enough about Magneto to both fear and respect him. Even though his history with the Professor went back so many years, Erik Lehnsherr as he was actually named was always more on the side of peace through violence. While Xavier preached ideals of tolerance and education for regular humans to one day accept mutant kind, Magneto thought them incapable of such, and had no qualms on preemptive strikes against non mutants as well as eye for an eye type vengeance.

But even for Magneto this seemed surprising. He would really just give Xavier up this way? As you’d gotten closer, Jean had sensed that Apocalypse (what you were now calling the new enemy in your own mind) intended to take over the Professor’s body, possessing him permanently to gain access to his mind control powers and become basically omniscient. He’d be unstoppable with everyone as his puppets then. Free will would cease to exist.

“You guys help Nightcrawler get into the pyramid!” Raven called back to all of you as the jet was landing. “Get Charles and I’ll take care of Erik.”

You’d snapped back to attention at the orders, and you saw that Peter was suddenly at her side.

He looked so focused all at once, “I can get you in there,” He told her, referring to the debris field of broken buildings and all else now churning, stuck in a huge magnetic orb with Magneto at its center. When she didn’t look sure, he continued quickly. “I came here for him, let me help you.”

Raven nodded to Peter then in agreement, knowing there was no time for more back and forth. “The rest of you, get Charles on this plane and get him out of here!”

You too knew what was at stake, there was no reason to argue, even if there still must have been concern on your face. You didn’t understand Peter’s change and sudden fixation on Magneto.

But it was only Kurt that spoke up immediately, yelling back to Raven and Peter, “We’re not leaving without you!”

Peter looked back at that, “Don’t worry.” In fact, you realized he was looking directly to you for one moment. “We’ll catch up.”

———————————

While Peter had sped Raven out of sight to try and reason with Magneto, Moira had stayed with the jet and Hank had come with you, Scott, Jean, and Kurt.

But as you all ran along the rubble, trying to make your way to the pyramid, it hadn’t been but moments until you encountered Apocalypse’s other soldiers, mutants set on stopping you all from interfering by any means necessary.

A tall, blonde man with wings made out of metal, a ninja seeming woman with a pinkish purple energy she could wield from her hand like a blade even while also carrying a katana, and a girl nearer your own age with stark white hair and seemingly the most power out of the three as she’d flown right towards you throwing lightning bolts from her hands.

You’d had no choice but to split up. Which you were sure was what they’d wanted even as you’d chosen to try and take the white haired girl’s attention. You didn’t really want to find out what would happen if one of those bolts struck you directly, but you could guess you had the best chance of anyone to maybe absorb some of it in your energy form.

You’d immediately powered up, glowing white as she’d chased you around the sky, both of you darting and flying in some kind of bizarre dog fight.

Your heart had been racing though, no amount of training at the mansion could actually prepare you for dueling with someone who actually wished to harm you. Everything to this point had just been about learning to control your powers, maybe even firing an energy blast at a dummy or paper target or two. But you’d never tried to hurt anyone. Not on purpose.

“Why are you helping him!?” You yelled out to her, swerving again as she tried to get close enough to you to land a hit. You generated an orb of light energy from one hand, letting it destabilize before you threw it towards her. It collapsed into itself, exploding to make a shockwave through the air that pushed her back again.

“He’s going to make it so we never have to hide what we are again!” She growled back in frustration, steadying herself in the air before her eyes hazed over into solid white.

You doubted that could be good, and of course it wasn’t as she raised her arms, a tornado like blast of wind then trying to knock you from the sky. You were able to shield yourself somewhat with your force fields, but the barrage of debris and wreckage that came with the winds made it too difficult to keep track of her as she did nearly land a direct lightning strike then.

“You’re wrong!” You yelled back, even as you felt numb and disoriented briefly, like the electricity surge was messing with your own energy. “He’s just using all of you! He only wants slaves, nothing more! And you’re just going to hand us all to him!”

She didn’t answer back after that, but you knew it wasn’t as if you could change anyone’s mind for them. She’d have to live with her own choices, just as you’d have to live with yours.

After a good while of this tit for tat though, you were really trying to take her out of the sky at last, knowing you needed to find and help the others as this had already been going on for far too long. You started trying to get her in the chest with white energy beam after energy beam shooting from your hands. She was fast, but you were able to at least get her in one shoulder at last as she spun with the force, losing altitude quickly with the hit.

Even as she fell, you could see her already correcting course though, trying to take aim at you again as she glared upwards.

But you didn’t get to see what happened next. A three fingered hand grasped your left arm suddenly from thin air, and then you were collapsing onto the floor of the jet you’d come here in.

“Gotcha, time to go!” Kurt spoke quickly as you looked to him in surprise, that strange burning smell hanging in the air briefly that always accompanied his teleporting. It was as instant a feeling as moving with Peter, but thankfully without the subsequent vertigo as you stood quickly, powering down, even as you were already looking around for the speedster.

With relief you did see Jean cradling the Professor’s head as they sat on the floor, Xavier unconscious but still breathing. But you did not see Peter or Raven.

Moira and Hank were already firing up the jet engines and you grabbed hold to the wall as you felt the craft quickly rising. “What about Peter and Raven?” You called out over the noise of the turbines spooling up faster and faster.

“We’ll have to trust them to figure it out, we’ve got to get Charles out of here now!” Hank answered back, leaving no room for debate.

You felt an unease building in your stomach, but it was true that if Apocalypse got Xavier, that Peter, Raven, or anyone else would then no longer matter anyway. At least for now you could hope Peter would just take Raven and run somewhere far from here. Xavier and Jean could use their psychic abilities to find them later and you could reunite.

But a hard thud above you left you all looking upward as the jet rattled.

“What the hell was that!?” Moira called out.

As soon as you saw that pinkish energy blade emerging through the jet’s hull, you had already powered up again, glowing and ready to shield the others as best you could. Apocalypse’s soldiers were proving too difficult to shake.

Yet Jean had other plans, “Everyone, grab onto Kurt!” She yelled.

You didn’t know what altitude you were already at, but you knew it wasn’t a survivable one for the jet itself if it was ditched now. Yet a fight in this close of quarters with all your powers would likely end in the same result. So her choice wasn’t as irrational as it first seemed.

You reached one hand quickly back, firmly grabbing onto Kurt’s shoulder, even as you kept your other hand raised towards where the metal winged mutant and the blade wielding woman were now trying to force their way in through the breach they’d created in the hull.

“I’ve never done it with this many people!” Kurt warned as you all held to him.

“Get us out of here!” Jean commanded, her desperation bringing out a forcefulness you hadn’t yet seen from her.

But Kurt was still straining, the sound of his opening whatever portal he used clearly heard but not bringing you anywhere as he tried several times.

The man with the metal wings jumped down into the cockpit, now just feet away as you realized what you had to do.

“Go without me!” You screamed over the rush of wind now coming through the hull breach. You let go of Kurt, making direct eye contact with Jean.

You could get out on your own. At least you were going to try. It was the only way. Kurt wasn’t able to take you all.

You felt that Jean was listening, that she heard your thoughts and that as difficult as it was, she agreed just as quickly. It was the only way.

“Do it!” She urged Kurt even through the horrified look he gave you both.

“I’m taking it down.” You also heard her voice say in your head almost simultaneously. That briefest warning to ready yourself before she willed the controls to throw the plane into a nosedive and cause Apocalypse’s soldiers to lose their footing.

The last you saw of your other friends was still their shocked and frightened expressions as they disappeared from right in front of you. But this was your only chance as well, propelling yourself as fast you could, right through the fading cloud of gas they left behind and past the now tumbling winged mutant as all your focus went to that small square of sunlight that they’d cut into the hull.

It was your one window of survival. For just the briefest moment, you felt him try to grab hold of your leg as you flew past him. But you kicked him with the other leg as hard as you could manage, breaking free into the open air as the jet plummeted on without you.

Out the corner of your eye you saw the woman had remained on the outside of the jet, but jumped free from it as well. You lost sight of her as you both fell, focusing only on trying to slow your descent to a survivable speed. It was one thing to levitate yourself up from a neutral position, and wholly another to try and control your energy field around yourself enough to reverse the terminal velocity transferred to you from being within a crashing plane.

The ground still came too fast, too hard. You blacked out on impact, laying alone in the dirt as your light energy faded, receding back inside you.

————————————

An unknown time later, something jolted you awake. You could hear screaming as you opened your eyes. You were laying on your side. Everything hurt and you could taste blood in your mouth.

But you were already forcing yourself back up as you swallowed. Disoriented as you were, you still recognized that voice. It was Peter. He was hurt.

You were looking all around you, and it didn’t take long to see the source and reason for the screams.

Not far from you at all, Apocalypse stood in a clearing from all the rubble. Peter right beside him, half crumpled to the ground. One of Peter’s feet was encased in the earth, trapping him there like an animal in a snare. His other leg was clearly broken, twisted at a grossly unnatural angle.

You felt a foreign rage beginning to burn up inside you, but before you could even physically react you saw the woman with the katana again. Nowhere in your mind did you take any time to consider how she would look so clean and uninjured having just come from the same circumstances as you of barely escaping the crashing jet.

All you saw was her walking towards her master, sword at the ready to finish Peter.

“Stop, (Y/N)!”

Charles screaming inside your head was the only thing that kept you from revealing yourself at that moment.

“It’s Raven! I’m telling you, it’s Raven!” Even Charles was struggling to break through your flaring emotions, as he repeated himself desperately. “He’ll kill you, (Y/N)! Stay in place, I beg you!”

The Professor had never spoken to you in such a way before. You gripped onto the broken wall in front of you, still only just obscured from their view as you saw Apocalypse grab Peter by the hair, jerking the young man’s head back roughly to expose his throat to the woman.

“It’s Raven, please trust her!” Charles did not let go. You could feel him actually starting to control you even, something he had absolutely never done before, though your emotions were exploding like they also never had. He didn’t want you to make a life ending mistake.

“(Y/N), please.” He called again and you realized you were being held in place, unable to move out any further. You were forced to only watch as the woman raised her blade, Peter wincing in fear and pain beneath her as she swung it.

But it was only Apocalypse’s throat that ripped open. Yet even in your surprise, any sense of victory was still non existent. No blood poured from the wound, and it healed completely within moments as he only grabbed his supposed traitor by the neck, holding her up immediately.

Raven’s feet hung in the air while she choked, her blue skin and true appearance quickly returning as she could no longer control her disguise as Apocalypse strangled her.

And it was only then that you felt Xavier letting go of you, in his own shock as Apocalypse tried to bait him out.

“Charles! Come! Rescue your weaklings!” Apocalypse challenged aloud, still dangling the now helpless Raven while Peter stayed trapped at their feet. “Give your life for theirs!”

He was going to kill her right in front of you. You powered up, knowing there was no other choice. You had to-

“No. I’m still connected to him. Let me get in his head, (Y/N), then you can go to them.” The professor spoke quickly, yet with a touch of new resolve.

“Charles! Will you do nothing?” The false god continued to bellow.

This time you listened without being forced to. You did see Apocalypse pause as if Xavier was indeed making contact. It was still an agonizing wait, but when he finally let go of Raven, you allowed yourself some shred of hope. You’d never seen anyone be able to overpower the Professor mentally, once he was fully in.

But that hope was also short lived as just moments later Apocalypse raised his hand abruptly. At will he dissolved the outer wall of a nearby building. You could see Scott and Hank then exposed, themselves just as surprised and staring out. But you knew it could only mean that Apocalypse had used Xavier’s connection against him just that quickly to root out his hiding place.

This could be the end then. You resigned yourself that the only choice was to die fighting if that is what it had to be. But you weren’t as alone as you thought.

As Apocalypse had left Peter and Raven behind, now striding confidently to his prize, two massive steel beams suddenly shot into his path. They buried themselves into the ground, crossing into an X to block him.

You looked back into the sky, glad in this single moment that you had been right about at least one thing. Magneto wouldn’t give Xavier up in the end. Not without bloodshed anyway.

“You betray me?” Apocalypse asked, already turning to deal with Erik instead.

“No. I betrayed them.” Magneto unleashed hell then, every bit of metal he could pull shooting towards Apocalypse in an unending assault as the other raised a shield that incinerated each and every piece as it hit. But doing so clearly taxed him, allowing the perfect moment for the rest of you to join the battlefield.

You got to Peter almost simultaneously as Hank got to Raven. You and Beast were clearly in the same mindset of getting the injured out of the immediate firefight before you would join in.

“I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner, the Professor froze me,” You spoke in quick apology to Peter, using a small energy blast to break up the earth that had been hardened around his trapped foot. Once cracked, you broke the rest of it free just with your fingers.

He was obviously surprised, grateful, and maybe even confused all at once as you gently lifted him with the help of your powers. You wrapped his arm around your shoulders, trying to mind his broken leg as you helped support him while gliding over to a safer spot some distance away.

“Stay here.” You spoke, sitting him down so his back was against a mostly still standing wall to shelter them.

Hank was sitting Raven down in the same manner beside him as Peter suddenly spoke up to you. “Wait.”

You were still crouched in front of him, you’d been about to stand back up when his hand went around the back of your neck and pulled you in closer.

Before you could register anything else, you felt his lips press against yours. It was a bit harsh, desperate even, and then it was over just as fast as you pulled back in surprise.

“In case we don’t ever get to make it to that arcade,” he responded to your shocked expression that was still evident even in your energy form like this.

You took a breath, now was not the time for verbalizing any of this. But you wanted to show you agreed with the sentiment. You leaned back in, kissing him yourself for one longer moment, one hand gently cupping the side of his face before you stood back up. He allowed the contact readily and you could only wonder what it felt like to him when you were enveloped in light like this.

Hank and Raven just gave you both the most confused of looks, but nothing was said as you and Beast had then rushed back off to throw yourselves into the fight.

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(Continued in next chapter here)

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inviouswriting · 3 years

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Lich Puppet - Be Quiet.

Dark themes ahead. Read at your discretion.

Warnings include - mind control, mind trapped, manipulation.

Cameos - @snow-covered-moon ‘s Shuri and the polyship.

It is maddening to be in your body but not in control of it. Kivera retains bits in the back of her mind of herself, but the potion she was fed makes her more compliant. It is only time for it to wear off, but that is still enough time for her to do damage.

She follows close behind Vanth, head bowed, the symbiote parasite that rests on her shoulder keeps her in check. It checks and gauges her temperament. A pet of Vanth’s, one he enjoys creating are draco lichs of variety. This one no more than a mild wyvern from coerthas, probably a remaining broodling from the recent battles.

Kivera didn’t have time to wonder about it, not with Vanth presenting her to Fandaniel and Zenos.

“As you see, a success.” Kivera stands in the center of the room, on display, on scrutiny of Fandaniel who inspects her close up.

“She looks so much different, yet the same. Hard to believe she was responsible for Amaurot’s destruction.”

“Looks are deceiving. She has razed more than your star. If she has the opportunity she will backstab you, quite literally in our case.” Vanth is proud of his wording, he has experienced her full force. If she didn’t worry about the lives of the star, she would have destroyed it if he wasn’t relentless with Garuda.

“I do thank you for use of Garuda. She proved to be helpful in obtaining her.” Fandaniel tilts Kivera’s head to the side, admiring the lime green eyes as they eye him for touching her.

“Oh, be careful of touching her. She might burn you.” Fandaniel removes his hand before she turns to bite at his hand. Zenos raises to approach her, seeing the proud being still with fire in her eyes. He can sense it within her, the edge of her former self lingers in there.

“She’ll be helpful for a while then? Something tells me, she will regain herself.” Vanth joins next to him looking over Kivera.

“Alas such magic is limited. She is still a spirit, and she has many blessings of various gods and goddesses. And only time before one of her own comes to heal her out of it.” Vanth presses the palm of his hand to his face.

“So there is a way the magic will undo itself?” Zenos sounds interested in her regaining herself more than using her in their missions. They needed to borrow her destructive power for awhile. Enough to upset the Scions, and more than enough for Kivera to lose her respect in them.

“Without fail. She’s strong. She’s fighting it as we speak. I’ve ensnared her like this before. Together we caused some chaos on a place in our world, named Maedryn. She destroyed it without a second thought under my command. We need to have her carry out her mission soon before she breaks out of the hold we have on her. I will keep her fed of the potions I’ve got, but I only have so many.” He speaks of a problem.

“And how do you make more?” Zenos questions, knowing the request is coming. He is already bored with this idea, it was like taming a feral beast with tranquilizers instead of taking it down by sheer force. It almost leaves a foul taste to his mouth at seeing such a prideful being succumbed to Vanth’s magic. He saw the fight with Garuda, Kivera held her own, he was cheering for her to prove them wrong, that she is the rumored force the not be reckoned with.

“With more souls of course.”

“Unneeded then.” Zenos could supply Vanth with the materials he needs to keep the reaper sedated. Yet he wants to see her when she breaks free of her mental restraints. He wonders just how she will come to her senses. Will it be an animalistic howl of anger, will she turn on Vanth the moment she is free of his snare? This excited him more than her capture.

Zenos presses a hand under her chin to tilt it up, the grayish white hair, she looked more like death here than her former glow. There is a flinch in her eyes, and she snaps to bite his hand digging her fangs into his hand. Zenos doesn’t move his hand, he relishes the pain she inflicts. The look of hate behind those eyes even a color changing the sclera to black. She is still in there.

“My lord, she is venomous.” Vanth warns.

“It’s a dry bite.” Zenos pulls his hand away shaking her off, he sees the pinpricks of her fang marks with fine lines of the indents of her teeth. A warning bite to not touch her.

“Send her out to the fields of Coerthas. A test run for her. Lets see what she is capable of.” Zenos turns away from her straightening to his full height. He regards her with a reverence seeing her silently seethe.

Vanth sighs to himself at being denied the materials he needs to make more of the potion. She is temporary on their side anyway. He doubts it would work long term anyway. He knows her better than most do besides Divinity and those she has shared her heart with. She will either die or she will break free of the hold and unleash a hell unlike others have seen.

Fandaniel leans in close to Kivera’s face taking in her eyes, it is hard to interpret her mood without the color changing. Her eyes focus on him, she is like a doll, just waiting for play now.

“Let’s get you out there now. You did hear Zenos.” Kivera narrows her eyes at this. She raises a finger to her lips and motions for him to “be quiet.” Fandaniel turns away from her, when he went to say something he can’t. He looks back at her and sees her smirking, she silenced him.

“What’s the matter Fandaniel? Miqo got your tongue?” Silk to the ears is Kivera’s voice, in a double echo, he feels the second voice speaking directly into him more than her actual voice, it comes as whispers, a hiss of malice in the tone.

Fandaniel tries to retort at her, but feels her lengthen her spell. He wonders just how she managed to cast it without even saying anything, unlike her successor or other mages. She only made a motion. Vanth presses his hands onto Fandaniel’s shoulders.

“It is best, you do not provoke her. She has full use of her abilities after all. Kivera, at once Coerthas.” Kivera snaps her head up at his words, and turns on her heel to carry it out.

Once Kivera leaves the spell wears off with her taking off and into the skies. Vanth picks up one of the fallen black feathers, his thumb running along the serrated edges. Her feathers resembled more of an owls than eagle feather. Her preference for them as they let her move silently.

Kivera is now a time bomb for them to achieve as much as possible. Vanth wonders why Zenos doesn’t want him to keep Kivera on their side. The magic will wear off, and he anticipates her rage.

Zenos hides a enthusiastic grin behind a fist at the idea of fighting with Kivera. He has only heard tales, and has heard of the devastation she can leave behind.

In Thanalan, a different chaos is going about, Divinity trying to figure out and reach Kivera through their link. All she gets is nothing, it was like her existence was erased from her, and it unsettles the spirit. Kivera had only done this twice to her, once when Damien died, and the other time was when Vanth controlled her. The only thing that would make her shut her out would be a repeat of Vanth anywhere.

“Any luck?” Shuri places her hands on Divinity’s knee, for the temporary the Libra spirit is blind but able to sense Shuri. A hand rests on her head.

“No, I’m afraid I can’t reach her. I’ve tried every link. She severed them all, even among the other spirits. Parn too hasn’t reached her.” Divinity lowers her head.

“But she isn’t dead right?” That last message for them to end Kivera the next time they encounter her concerns Shuri. She is unsure if she can even do it. Not on someone who is undeserving of another death.

“Whether we count that as a blessing remains to be seen.” Divinity lets her eyes come back to focus, regaining her sight. The gold color of her eyes settling to a silver blue.

“She rarely talks about this Vanth except to warn others. You seem to know more about him. Care to elaborate?” Estinien kneels behind Shuri tugging her to him. Divinity balls her fists on her lap.

“It’s an unpleasant story.”

“We’re in an unpleasant situation. We need to know what we’re going up against.” Estinien presses for details, normally he would let it go if it brought either Divinity or Kivera pain, but this means to cause more pain not only to them, but everyone in connection to them and Kivera.

“Vanth... has used her before. Snared her mind, and it resulted in an entire civilization in the underworld wiped out. It was a city that belonged to another spirit Aiden, Aries. Under Vanth’s command she razed it, souls and all to nothing but ashes.” Divinity recalls the event, she did not see for herself, but the way it burned haunted her memories.

“So Vanth intends to do the same thing.. but on a larger scale.” Divinity keeps her gaze away from both of them. Shuri and Estinien exchange a look between each other. Both worry, not sure what their hands will be forced to do.

“Will she know what she is doing?” Shuri asks Divinity who nods.

“His magic, he is only using her body and power. She will witness it all, and not be able to stop it.” Estinien folds his arms, it would be like how he felt with Nidhogg, the wyrm in charge while he watched it unfold from the depths of his own mind.

“What do we do to prevent it? There has to be a way to stop her before it happens.” Divinity sighs.

“It would be helpful if we knew where she would be attacking. Unfortunately with the towers and Telephoroi everywhere it is hard to pinpoint where and when. My guess would be somewhere close to where she was captured.” Divinity is at a loss of exactly knowing with her link cut off.

“We should go to her then. Before the scions are forced into a situation.” Estinien helps Shuri and Divinity to their feet. Misija and Parn wave them off to let them know the children are in good hands.

“We have no idea what awaits us.” Divinity reminds them.

“Trying is better than nothing. Waiting for an order we know we don’t want.” Shuri points out. Divinity walks with them to one of the aethryte crystals to go to Coerthas. The place where the Scion’s had sent Kivera to chase after a surge of telephoroi.

All that can be done is hope they can either break through to her, or clean up the aftermath she leaves behind.

#Lich puppet au #Kivera #polyship with shuri #estinien wyrmblood #ffxiv estinien #Kivera Siverstein #zenos yae galvus #Vanth #fandaniel #shuri fontaye

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hitsuackerman · 4 years

Text

Kisses and Distractions (Hawks x Reader) pt. 1

Prompt: How hard can it be for two Pro-Heroes to kiss?

a/n: theres not much meat to this since i had a random thirst call for this bird man XD i hope ya’ll enjoy this and if you want a part 2, drop a comment below :)

Warnings: Cursing

Link: part 2

Heroes. A vast majority of people wanted to become heroes. Each person has their own reason, whether it be for fame, money, power, or they were just deemed destined for it.

Being a hero, be it lower ranked or high ranked, almost always had to push their personal lives aside in order to put the civilians first. That’s what they were trained to do. Despite having classes on how to balance your Pro life and Personal life, it was always a struggle to balance things out.

Paparazzi on the other hand just loved to get the latest dirt on heroes. Be it tripping on the sidewalk, spilling their drinks, or even just hanging out with other fellow heroes. They needed the latest scoop. Though it is understandable that some of them need those to feed their families, some of them are just plain ass hats that love to ruin the moment.

Speaking of ruined moments, Pro-Hero #2 and an underground have their fair share of ruined moments. It all started when they finally told their feelings towards each other. Given, of course, that the situation was not the best.

“Is everyone safe?” You inquired to one of your fellow heroes. Both your hero costumes are covered in uneven mixtures of blood, dust, and sweat. “My area’s been cleared.”

“There’s still a few people left on the top floor.” The hero replied. His eyes now fixated on the building. Fires dancing their way out the window while smoke littered the air. There had been a random villain attack whose quirk was related to pyrotechnics. It was indeed flashy when random fireworks began to break through the windows.

“Take care of the injured.” Another hero commanded. “Hawks is doing his thing up there.”

Now, normally, you wouldn’t mind. That was his line of work and he did a pretty bad ass job with it. The only problem now was that he had been recently given a mission that caused him to use a lot of his feathers. It had only been a day and his wings were badly uneven.

One by one, the people stuck on the top floor came swooping down. Red feathers carrying one person each. Landing them as gracefully as the owner does. Looking up, your heart clenched at the sight of Hawks free falling with barely any feathers left. Seeing his feathers race towards him made you let go of that breath you had been holding.

Though it wasn’t as iconic as he usually lands, he still managed to look good anyway. Going back to treating the injured, your heart finally calmed down at the sight of him skipping towards Endeavor.

“You might as well just tell him, you know…” Ryukyu whispered. The two of you were now getting your injuries checked. Well, mostly you. “What’s there to lose, right?”

“The fact that he’s #2, that’s what’s holding me back.” You sighed as the nurse finished bandaging your forearm. “Or maybe because if he doesn’t feel the same way, he might tease me about. I doubt he’d do that but I think he might.”

After the last bandage had been placed, you thanked the nurse but asked if you could keep the blanket. Amused at your little act, she agreed and you thanked her for saving you a trip from the department store.

“You do know that blanket is dirty…”

“And blankets are hella expensive compared to laundry detergent.” The small finger gun you used on Ryukyu made her disown you. Face palming as she walked away. While you, questioned your sanity and Hawks’ effect on you. This was the first time you had ever pulled out those so called finger guns.

Your thoughts were cut when an uneven cluster of feathers framed your sight. Turning around, you were now face to face with #2. Thankfully, your face was covered with bandages. Enough to cover the blush forming on your face.

“You look pretty beat up, birdy.” His eyes scanned you from top to bottom. His fingers played with the edges of the blanket. The way he stared at you sent chills down your spine and your joints to grow a little weak.

“You’re one to say.” Somehow, you poked his shoulder. “Gave me a fright when you jumped from the building.”

“Bet you liked it.”

There it was. That wink that always catches you off-guard. Your grip on the comfort blanket tightened and you had to look away. If he would flirt even more, you would probably cave in and puke out your emotions to this birdman.

“You okay, birdy?”

“Yeah.” You lied. “Just a little shaken at the amount of, uh, injured people.”

“Such a bad liar.” His head tilted to the right. Pulling his visor’s down, you were blessed with a much clearer view of his eyes. You’ve never been fond of the color yellow but he made you think otherwise. “You can talk to me, you know that.”

‘Should I tread the waters? Fuck it.’

“I’m only a bad liar when it comes to you.” You began to trace circles on his shoulder using an index finger. Reading people wasn’t your strength but you could tell he was tense.

“Wouldn’t do that if I were you, birdy…” Hawks warned as he took a hold of your wrist. His gloved hand easily wrapped around it. Yet, his hold was gentle. Making sure no pain was inflicted.

‘Damn it.’ Your heart sunk. This would have to be the first time he didn’t flirt back. 'At least you kept your mouth shut.’

Letting go of your wrist, Hawks examined your features. Though you were smiling, he could see how your eyes looked sad. Part of him loved that small action you did. It felt as if electricity ran through his veins. It took a lot of mental control to stop his feathers from ruffling.

Hawks knew you liked him. He was all too aware that you were keeping things bottled up. But, he was smart enough to know that should he pursue you, you being underground would garner a lot of attention. And he knew you hated attention.

“Anyway…” You continued. Looking at the people around you. “I gotta go. Ryukyu’s waiting for me.”

“Not so fast.” Before you could turn he managed to grab your shoulders. “You misunderstood something.”

“And that is?”

“You know what happens to me if you touch me like that…” Hawks leaned in and whispered. Making sure that his feathers blocked the view from outside.

‘Oh?’ Your mind went places.

“Sadly, I don’t know what happens,” This was a bit of truth though. On occasions, you would find enough courage and comb through his feathers but usually you’d be receiving a twitch of his eye.

Hawks ran his fingers through his messy hair. A sigh to accompany it as well. When he looked into your eyes once more, your breath hitched. Maybe he already knew about your feelings. Most probably, yes at this point now.

“I know how you prefer to be lowkey.” Hawks began. “If I tell you that I reciprocate your feelings tenfold, the limelight would definitely fall on you. Making you uncomfortable is something I don’t want.”

“You like me back?”

“You may be a hero but you’re pretty blind to my attempts, (y/n).” Hawks teased. Bringing you in for a hug. “You ready to be in the spotlight if it means being with me?”

“I don’t really mind it to be honest. I was thinking of going to a few interviews every now and then but,” You scratched your cheek. This was something you had been meaning to tell him. You just couldn’t find the right time to do it. Staring at the linings of his body suit, you exhaled and shut your eyes. “I was kinda thinking of joining your agency. I mean, not for you, but mostly because I like how everything is so fast paced. Never a dull moment at Hawks’.”

“Well if that’s the case, application granted.” He gave you the go signal along with finger guns. “You can be my literal side kick.”

“Yeah, we’ll have to talk about that though. I don’t do well with team work.”

“Pushing that aside, that would make things easier for us. I can arrange things where you won’t be caught in the center of attention.” Hawks reassured you. Leaning in closer, he brushed his nose with yours. “That would mean I get to see you everyday.”

“Most probably, yeah.”

“God, I wanna kiss you so badly right now.” His feathers ruffled up. The way he pouted his lips as he stared at yours was too cute.

“I’m already wrapped around both your arms and wings,” You gave a shy smile. Seeing how your cheeks were flushed made him throw his resolve away. All he just needed was for your proper consent. “I don’t mind~”

Like a child, he smiled brightly. Once again, his feathers ruffled and even puffed up ever so slightly. Taking both his gloves off, he stuffed them into his jacket’s pocket and delicately cupped both your cheeks. His hands were calloused but you had always wanted them to touch your skin. Now, they finally were.

“I have to say, though.” He said as he leaned in. “We should’ve done this months ago.”

Seeing his golden eyes this close hit hard.

“I would have to agree on that, birdy.” You leaned in as well.

The two of you shared a smile as you began to meet halfway.

“HAWKS!”

Just as your upper lips brushed each other, the two of you froze on the spot. Confusion and irritation in both your wide opened eyes. Barely a few centimeters and contact would have been made. If you two had been given a few more seconds, you would finally be able to feel his lips on yours. He would finally taste you after how many months of deprivation.

“Cursed nuggets…” Hawks complained before letting go of your cheeks. It drove him wild when he saw the pleading look on your eyes. It yelled for him to just kiss you right there. “Don’t give me that look, baby. How dare he ruin our moment…”

Removing his wings and turning around, the two of you were now face to face with Endeavor. The #1 hero had just landed a few meters away from where you both stood. His flames danced with power as he made his way towards you.

“You realize you just ruined an important moment, Endeavor-san!” Hawks joked.

“Hawks…” You punched his shoulder. Tried, at least. He easily dodged it. Curse him and his feathers.

“Hawks. (your hero name). We have to meet with the others.” Endeavor relayed his message. Eyes focusing on Hawks then at you. “The two of you were not there for the hero count so they had to send me of all people.”

“You’re the only one who can get me workin, Endeavor-san!” The birdman replied as he skipped and flapped his uneven wings at the #1. Their relationship was always enough to make you giggle.

“Let’s go.” Endeavor commanded as he used his flames to propel himself to the air.

“I suppose you need a lift?” He teased as he offered a hand. When you accepted, he pulled you in and immediately cupped your cheek with his free hand. “Where were we?”

Smiling you leaned on to his body and wrapped your arms around his neck. Both of you breathed in and inched closer and closer.

*Ding*

“You gotta be kidding me, Chickadee…” Hawks furrowed brows.

“I’m sorry~” Taking your phone out, you read the notification only to be bummed out. Rolling your eyes, you scoffed at the news article of All Might. “Fucking notifications.”

Hawks suddenly pushed the two of you into the air. Just in time for Endeavor’s flame to hit the ground. By now, the two of you were pissed at not being able to continue a simple kiss.

Flapping his wings faster, he zoomed past Endeavor leaving a few stray feathers behind to annoy him.

So going back, how hard can it be for two Pro-Heroes to kiss?

The answer would have to be that it’s tricky. Thankfully, the two of you did not give up. As to how you two kissed, we’ll save that for another time :)

#hawks #hawks x reader #hawks x y/n #wing hero hawks #bnha hawks #mha hawks

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nabenrrie · 3 years

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Star Wars AU → Jessica Jones 🥃 📁

Ben Solo (Jessica Jones)

Ben Solo is a private investigator in New York City. He works for himself unless he’s accepting side cases for extra cash from his sometimes-employer Gwen Phasma (Jeri Hogarth), the high-powered defense attorney who never faces defeat. He keeps to himself, too, which is easy to do due to his standoffish temperament. But beneath the hard-bitten, leather jacket-clad exterior lies a chasmic well of deep-rooted insecurities and crippling self-loathing that he numbs with liters of bourbon and by prying into other people’s lives. It’s easier than dealing with his own.

As a youth, with his parents busy with their respective lives, Ben would be shipped off to stay with his uncle Luke at his farmhouse north of the Solo’s residence in the idyllic suburbs.

One afternoon, while driving, Luke and Ben collided into a tanker truck of G.L. Force Energy Chemicals, killing Luke and critically injuring Ben.

Following a grueling months-long hospital stay, Ben returned home to parents who threw themselves into their work to avoid dealing with the loss of their family member as the volatile Ben distanced himself from them, blaming himself for his uncle’s death and feeling guilty that he survived. The accident... it played on an endless loop in his mind; the fight he and Luke had gotten into, Ben spewing virulent words about his absent, self-centered parents that caused Luke to tear his attention off of the road for a split second, a second that changed their lives forever.

Another painful reminder of that day, one he could never evade even if he tried, were the mysterious superhuman abilities Ben had gained; the enhanced strength and speed, his durability against bodily harm, his rapid healing, and flight capability — a leap, then guided fall. Ben vowed to do good with the powers. Be a hero. A way of casting out the bad with the good. Maybe he could make his parents proud this way. Maybe they’d love him for it in a way he felt they never had.

Years later, as an adult, Ben happened upon a violent altercation one evening: a man was being mugged and beaten. Ben launched one of the muggers off of the battered victim to square off with the other thief, who wielded a knife. The muggers were relentless, but Ben thwarted them with a seething raw strength that burned inside of him. As he knelt to care for the bleeding victim, a smattering of applause echoed through the deserted street. A man with deep scars marking his alabaster skin regarded Ben with awe and intent gleaming in the steely blue of his eyes.

“Come here, let me look at you,” the sonorous voice commanded, though not harshly, but soft and almost encouraging. It was a demand, but one laced with a hidden control, even if Ben thought he walked over by his own accord to receive esteem from the mysterious individual. All Ben wanted to do was what he said. To do what Snoke said.

Exploiting his feelings of inadequacy and resentment toward his parents as well as his festering guilt over the death of his uncle, Snoke manipulated Ben into doing his bidding under the guise of Kylo Ren. And even under the intoxicating, all-consuming control that destroyed Ben’s mind, there was a part of him that fought; longing for his mother and father, longing for the light and freedom.

Snoke had to stamp out the threat that stirred Ben’s conflicted soul. Kylo Ren had never faced such a test. All it took were a couple of words from Snoke, imbued with malice, and a swift fist to the chest from Ben killed Han in an instant, his limp body collapsing onto the pavement with a blunt finality. The deed Snoke believed would strengthen the darkness in Kylo Ren and facilitate his grip on him split Ben Solo’s spirit to the bone. And it somehow relinquished Snoke’s control over him.

“Get back here, Kylo Ren!” Snoke’s cacophonous voice bleated into the crisp air, but the catatonic Ben, with his father’s blood dripping from his hands, staggered to the other side of the street. The honking of an approaching bus preceded the last words Ben ever heard Snoke utter, ones that lingered in his mind like an odor. “Now, Kylo Ren!”

The bus barreled through, swerving to miss Han’s dead body and striking Snoke seemingly dead. And though physically free from his control, mentally... Snoke was always there. Ben would feel him in his bedroom while he tried to sleep at night, hear his haunting voice slither into his mind, or fearfully expect to see him upon turning street corners. In moments like those, Ben shut his eyes and relied on the technique a therapist had once taught him: recall childhood street names. Through ragged breaths, Ben would recite: Embassy Row, Barbican Road, Grand Promenade, Chandrila Lane.

It was never enough, so Ben withdrew from the world, cutting everyone from his life and starting up his own private detective agency: Solo Investigations.

There was only one person in his life he could ever truly turn to if he needed to: his best friend Rey, her cheery face omnipresent on advertisements for her radio talk show all over the city. But he keeps her at a distance — anything to prevent her from getting into harm’s way.

Rey Johnson (Patricia “Trish” Walker)

Rey Johnson is a former model, pop one-hit wonder and child star of the television program “It’s Kira” that had an upbeat earworm of a theme song: “It’s Kira! It’s Kira! I really wanna be your friend! Hope this day will never end...”

At a young age, Rey had been placed into acting as a means to finance her abusive and neglectful parents’ alcohol addiction. Except, of course, being a child star is hardly the dream its cracked up to be. Pimped out by her parents and chewed up and spat out for entertainment ended with Rey finding solace in drugs and alcohol. It took countless rehab stints — and help from her childhood friend Ben — but Rey came out the other side, leaving the blinding lights of show biz behind.

Now she hosts the wildly popular radio talk show called “Rey’s Resistance”, the highest rated talk show in the city.

Finn Storm (Malcolm Ducasse)

Neighbor to Ben Solo with an appetite for crunchy peanut butter, Finn Storm once had aspirations of being a social worker. As the child of a community activist and a church worker, choosing the path dedicated to helping others made sense.

But one fateful night, being mugged, beaten, and subsequently saved by a powered stranger proved to be his undoing. Following Ben’s escape from the mind-controller, Snoke located Finn and hooked him onto drugs as a means of manipulating him into spying on Ben, photographing him and delivering the prints to Snoke as a way of keeping tabs on him.

Poe Dameron (Will Simpson)

Poe Dameron is an officer for the New York Police Department and former soldier part of the U.S. Army's Special Ops and its mysterious involvement in a private corporation known as IGH. In the midst of Ben’s search to find Snoke, Poe is compelled by the mind-controller to kill Rey after she speaks ill of Snoke live on her radio show, but Ben foils the attack. Ridden with guilt, Poe makes it his personal mission to capture Snoke — even if it clashes with Ben’s plans for justice.

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dunnystuff · 3 years

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Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2021 1:21 PM

Subject: Rich's Blog

Hi to all -

FBI

After the mad shooter, James Hodgkinson, fired 136 rounds at a group of republican members of congress who were doing a charity baseball game, seriously wounding several, including Steve Sacilise, back in 2017, the FBI tried to peddle this as 'suicide by cop'. With a new director at the FBI, this narrative has been challenged and changed. The shooter was a big Bernie supporter, who was angry that Bernie was not doing well in the campaigns. Firing all those rounds from his position was not a suicidal act by a deranged man, especially since there were no uniformed cops anywhere in sight. There were a couple of DC police, undercover, who took a very active part in ending this shootout. As republicans have demanded, this event is now classified as an 'act of domestic terrorism'.

Speaking of cops.....Remember Maxine Waters, the Mouth that Roared? She went to the trial of policeman Derek Chauvin, in order to incite violence. Of course, Nancy and Chucky threatened anyone who dared to criticise her for this action. Maxine went in the company of two Secret Service Agents, and two Capitol Police Officers (well outside of her jurisdiction, and theirs), and further demanded not only a police escort to and from her insurrection, but also demanded two additional air marshals on her flight. To provide this high level of protection for a person with no business attending the trial, and who came only to cause trouble, those air marshals had to be pulled from other 'high risk' flights. See, it is okay to support police, if they protect democrats who want to enslave you, just not okay to support those who try to keep your neighborhoods safe. By the way, in this trial, the full video of what happened was not permitted to be shown. Seems George was screaming 'I can't breathe' for more than nine minutes before he was on the ground. And George is a big guy - well over six feet. He was screaming about being put into the police car, and literally kicked his way out. But, that little bit of information does not support the narrative. Better to destroy a man's career, and burn down the peasants' neighborhood, perhaps even killing some of those peasants, than to actually question the narrative.

China

They have achieved a milestone. They have landed a Rover of their own on Mars. No other nation on earth has done anything like that. China wants us to know that they are world class, and highly skilled. This was called the Tianwen-1 Mission, and the Rover was named Zhurong after a Chinese God of Fire.

California

A tree trimmer, Ryan Scott Blinston, 37, was arrested by a SWAT team as he attacked a man with intent to murder him. Seems Ryan had returned to the homes of people who contracted his company to trim trees, and cut their throats. Several of his victims were elderly. The one who lived was 50. Ryan is being treated as a serial killer. California seems to grow a lot of serial killers. When I lived there, years ago, we had the Zodiac Killer, and one of his unsolved attacks happened just down the block from where I lived.

Israel

The rocket attacks continue, more than 2000 so far. So, the air strikes by Israel are also continuing. Israel used a clever trick to lure Hamas fighters to their caves and trenches, and then bombed them to death. In every war, media have been co opted into spreading propaganda and misinformation, often without the media being aware that they were tricked. The latest attack also dropped a high rise building in Gaza, which was both a media center (the AP had offices there) as well as a command center for Hamas. Lots of 'how dare you' talk from the liberal press. Hey, folks, if you sleep with dogs, you will get fleas.

Militia

Okay, the Second Amendment describes 'a well regulated militia' as being a vital interest of the nation. For generations, democrats have been struggling with the definition of that, in their ongoing efforts to disarm the peasants. Lets ride on the Way Back Machine and see why that term was used.

The Founders distrusted a standing army. After all, they had been occupied for many years by the British, and had a long and bloody war against a standing army. And, the British routinely confiscated food, and their homes, and anything else they needed for support of that army. The "Founders" saw all citizens as a civilian soldier army, ready to be called up at a moment's notice, to defend the nation from another attack. In fact, the British did try again, and we had the War of 1812. So, the term 'militia' was not some group of National Guard troops, but included all able bodied males. Imagine if all able bodied males today showed up, armed and practiced, to face down a tyrant - foreign or domestic? This is the greatest fear of democrats, which is why we have troops around the capitol to protect them from all others.

CNN

Gosh, with no Trump to bash nightly, and daily, no one seems to be watching them anymore. They went from an average of 2.1 million viewers, to about 800,000 today. Bet that means that their advertising revenues are also down by 65%. Someone is going to have to figure out how to cut costs, or find a new gig.

Nazi Germany

When things began to turn against Hitler and his war, he needed some way to keep the peasants in line. And, also, his own troops, who were increasingly unwilling to die for the glory of the Fuhrer. That is when the infamous Nazi Salute became a mandatory thing for everyone, soldiers and civilians alike. Kind of like 'mandatory' vaccines and masks, or perhaps something we haven't even seen yet. But, as the power slips away, you will certainly see devices to maintain control enforced on everyone.

Rich

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talpup · 3 years

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Summary: Yami Sukehiro just wanted to join the Magic Knights and make his mentor proud. He knew there would be trails. He knew trouble would come his way. Knew he would be faced with discrimination for being a foreigner and a peasant. What he didn’t know. Didn’t expect. Was that literal Chaos would come his way. That he and his mentor’s sister would be at the center of world ending trouble. Or that he would fall in love with his mentor’s sister and face more than discrimination; but the jealously of Nozel Silva who loved the same woman he did.

Please remember this fic is rated mature and has warnings of violence, abuse, sexual tension, eventual sexual behavior, and other possible triggers. For a full list of story tags please check the fics AO3 (link to that at the top of my tumblrs homepage).

Chapter 80

“Do you have any idea how utterly stupid your actions were? Did you even think? Did you stop to consider anyone other than your own selfish insatiable curiosity?”

Teris stared at her enraged Captain. She waited a beat, unsure if these were questions he wanted answered or just part of his tirade.

“You disobeyed a direct order from your Commanding officer in the mist of a dangerous mission.” Jax went on. “You endangered yourselves, each other, and your comrades.”

Jax didn’t need to tell her that. Teris knew she massively screwed up. She had put the team in danger. She put Yami in danger. Teris felt Yami standing beside her. She couldn’t have been more thankful he was okay.

Though her mana’s response had been slow to act in the labyrinth. Once outside, Teris’ own system had seen her well on the way to healing before she and Yami were taken to Healers Hall. Yami had woken up less than an hour after their exit from the geyser labyrinth. He had no memory, and thankfully no ill effects from what happened. It was all too similar to what happened to Teris when the force inside her took control. Except in this case it was the supposed Darkness within Yami. After seeing it for the first time, Teris was glad she didn’t remember going through it herself. Though a part of her feel watching Yami go through it was far worse than anything she could've remembered from her own experience.

“Are you even listening to me!” Jax barked.

Teris’ eyes focused on her Captain.

“Soon you will be going to Magic Investigations to give your report and answer all of their questions.” Jax went on. “You will come straight back after. And here you will stay until after the Winter Solstice. Do you understand me? I don’t care if there’s an entire squad of Magic Knights willing to escort you somewhere. I don’t give a damn if there’s another damned war or the Clover Kingdom itself is being attacked and set ablaze. You will not leave this property until I say.” Jax’s eyes pinned on Yami searching for any sign of argument then narrowed on Teris. “I swear, Teris. If I so much as think of opening your grimoire to that blasted page of Chaos or looking through those pages Nozel gave you I’ll burn those mana forsaken papers and lock you up in a cell so fast it’ll make your head spin.”

Greywright cleared his throat. This was becoming uncomfortable even for him. And the Magic Knights Commander had both seen and given his fair share of dressing downs over the years. Even though Yami had played a part and stood beside Teris, Jax mainly addressed his scathing remarks to Teris. Greywright wondered how much longer the two could take it. Though they both remained at attention. Teris seemed to sink further and further with every word. While Yami’s muscles tensed and trembled, hands balling into fists.

Greywright glanced at the line of Magic Knights who had been part of the missions team and silently stood behind Jax. Even Neyres who had smirked with smugness and Jack who had been amused, were looking away in discomfort.

“Acting Vice Captain Fuegoleon and Randall found the vault.” Jax told Yami and Teris.

Teris’ eyes flicked to her cousin. She owed him an apology. She owed the entire team an apology. If Jax was looking to make her feel worse by having her fellows there to view her shame, it wasn’t working. The Black Bulls. The entire Magic Knights order. Heck the entire kingdom could be present for this and she still wouldn’t have felt any worse than she already did. After what had happened with Yami. There was no way she could feel any worse for endangering him. It was humanly impossible.

“Of course they weren’t able to carry much between the two of them. Taking what they thought most valuable to the kingdom. They certainly could have used your help. Not only to get more out but to fight. Both men were injured by a beast.” Jax said.

Teris glanced at her cousin again. Catching Fuegoleon’s gaze her eyes darted back to the floor.

“Minor injuries.” Greywright said. “Randall’s scratches and bruising were barely worth the healers time.” He didn’t know about anyone else, but he had reached his limit. If Jax wanted to tear into Teris some more the Black Bulls Captain would have to do it without an audience when she returned from Magic Investigations.

The Greywright confirmed what Yami had already surmised. The two Crimson Lions wouldn’t be standing here this morning if they had been terribly injured. Greywright’s Ki told Yami the Magic Knights Commander had had enough. Yami was relieved by that. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could have stood silently by while Jax focused all of the fault and anger on Teris. Yami had played his part. He hadn’t so much as tried to reason Teris out of it. Sure, he had mentioned the lack of map and time stone. But those had barely been half heartened attempts to dissuade her. Yami could have stopped her if he wanted. Even if it had meant knocking Teris out from behind and dealing with her anger later. He could have stopped her. But he hadn’t even tried.

Yami wanted to pull Jax’s wrath away from Teris and claim his hand in it all. He didn’t need to sense Teris’ Ki to know she couldn’t feel any worse than she already did. He would have to talk to Teris later. Tell her none of this was her fault. If she refused to believe him, Yami would play her game of guilt and simply think of a fun way for her to make it up to him. A smile began to tug at his lips at the notion. But he managed to stop it.

“You two.” Greywright looked at Yami and Teris. “Apologize to your fellows.”

Not even close to done, Jax turned to the Knights Commander.

Greywright met the Captain's gaze. “Let them apologize so we can all go about our day. You want to continue this later, be my guest. But I’m taking them to Magic Investigations now.”

“Fine.” Jax snapped, clearly displeased. He looked at Teris. “Well? Apologize to your fellows and teams Commanding officer.”

“I’m… sorry.” Taken off guard, Teris’ words sounded more like an uncertain question than anything else.

Greywright gave her an exasperated look that all but pleaded her to work with him. A portal opened in the Black Bulls great room. It was different from Bronn’s. Yami sudden growth of tension eased. Bronn’s appearance would’ve made this a thousand times worse.

Ellara appeared with Cob following. The Spatial Mages bright smiling face markedly out of place among so many somber expressions and frowns.

“What’s taking so long? I have Investigation Mages sitting around waiting to interview those two.” Ellara gestured to Yami and Teris.

Greywright looked at Jax. Lucky for them Jax’s lingering anger and worry over what happened covered his concern about Ellara getting her hands on Yami and Teris. As much as Greywright hated to admit it, he found Ellara’s interest in what happened suspicious. The near crazed look in the Advisors eyes when she asked him question after question yesterday had stayed hauntingly with him.

Greywright was glad he had gotten to Sir Jorah before Ellara had a chance to speak with the Wizard King. Ellara hadn’t been pleased about the written order from Sir Jorah saying that Yami and Teris were not to undergo any form of memory or communication magic during their debriefing with Magic Investigations. Greywright wouldn’t go so far as to personally admit he suspected Ellara of using her magic to effect Sir Jorah. But the Knights Commander knew how persuasive the Wizard Kings Advisor could be.

“Then let’s go.” Greywright said, waving Yami and Teris along.

“Cob.” Ellara ordered.

Cob opened the way to Magic Investigations.

“Right back.” Jax called after Yami and Teris.

Yami gave the Captain a wave. Honestly, Yami didn’t see Teris wanting to go anywhere other then home after the interview anyway.

Appearing outside of Magic Investigations, Ellara dismissed. “Thank you, Cob. This way.” She said to Yami and Teris who looked at each other and followed.

The last time they had been in Magic Investigations had been after the labyrinth where they had received the History of Chaos. The events instigated by Julius and Bronn from back then didn’t exactly make them feel comfortable to be back in the building.

Hearing more than two sets of footsteps following, Ellara turned. “You need not be present for this, Commander.”

“They’re my Magic Knights.” Greywright said.

“I’m sure they’ll behave themselves.” Ellara said.

“You think you and your information loving paper sniffers are the only ones interested in what happened yesterday? I’m coming.” Greywright said.

Ellara sighed and turned back around. “Fine. But I don’t want to suffer your complaints about how back logged you are.”

“I suffer your complaints often enough.” Greywright toyed.

“And will continue to do so. Especially when it comes to this hobbling order you talked Sir Jorah into giving.” Ellara opened a door for them.

Greywright eyed her as he passed. “The Wizard King hardly needed convincing. After what Yami and Teris went through yesterday. Both of them and their mana are on edge. Any spell that would access their memories would only further disturb them and agitate their mana. The less that happens the better. Especially with the Winter Solstice so near.”

“A sound argument. But debriefing them would have been so much easier and quicker if Marx had been able to use his memory absolute spell to show us what they experienced.” Ellara said, not admitting that she would have been the one using her magic to look into their minds.

Greywright glanced back at the two Black Bulls who silently followed him and Ellara. “I’m sure Yami and Teris can paint you and your Mages as vivid a picture as you want. After all, they have nothing better to do for the rest of the month.”

80.2

Marx entered Julius’ office at the darkened Azure Deers base. The Communication Mages body might’ve been tired from the long day and even longer night, but his mind was wide awake and racing.

Head thrown back against the upholstered chair Jax’s eyes opened at Marx’s entry. “I understand the need for us to be careful. But, meeting at three in the morning? Seriously? Isn’t this a bit much.”

“Absolutely not. The Advisor only left her office an hour and a half ago. She was met by one your Black Bulls by the way.” Marx told Jax.

“Olsen? The man has it bad.” Jax sighed and shook his head.

“As long as that’s all it is.” Marx said.

Jax waved the Investigations Mage off. “If Ellara was going to use someone from my squad as a spy, she wouldn’t have picked Olsen. Olsen’s obsessed with romance. The only intrigue that would catch his attention is a secret love affair. Trust me. I know my people.”

“Just as I know mine.” Greywright said, entering the office.

Jax and Julius bolted up from their seats. Marx spun around, taking a step back in surprise.

Julius’ eyes snapped to his Vice Captain who stood behind Greywright’s shoulder.

“Don’t be so hard on Jon, Julius. What could the man do when I entered and ordered him silent? You may continue your watch, Vice Captain.” Greywright told Jon. “If anyone else shows up... Well, I’m sure your Captain told you what to do.”

Head ducked, Jon disappeared. Closing the door behind him.

The Knights Commander stepped further into the officer. “What’s with the face Marx? You weren’t followed. At least by me. I’ve had one of my magic army men watching this place and the Black Bulls base since the sun set. Was just about to give up. Thinking maybe I didn’t know you my people as well as thought, when you arrive.” He looked to Jax.

Julius muttered under his breath. He really needed to figure out how to break the spell that blocked Bronn’s magic from entering the Azure Deers base. Though fairly certain his old Captain wasn’t still sour and mad about the prank wars, the thought of asking the retired woman made Julius feel like a chagrined child.

“I figured that wasn’t everyone. You had to have someone in Investigations feeding you information. I figured it was Marx.” Greywright turned to the Communication Mage. “You carried yourself quite well during Yami and Teris’ interview this afternoon. I doubt Ellara suspects a thing. Well, anymore than she suspects any and everyone. She’s always been a watchful, suspicious sort. Her position, like mine, all but requires us to be to some extent.” He sat. “Shall we?”

“Sir.” Julius tendered.

“Ah.” Greywright held up a finger. “Don’t try to explain this as anything other than what it is. You’ll be forced to lie and I’ll be offended. You don’t want to offend me, Captain. Not today.” He watched the three men look among each other with uncomfortable uncertainty. “Fine. I’ll go first. Ellara’s interest in what happened with Yami and Teris yesterday unnerved me.” The look in her eyes flashed through Greywright’s mind causing the hair on his arms to raise. “Luckily I got to Sir Jorah first and convinced him that any memory or communication spell would be unsettling and potentially dangerous for Yami and Teris. Sir Jorah didn’t even finish hearing me out. He agreed and immediately wrote up the order that a verbal interview was all that would be allowed. Ellara mentioned how it would’ve been easier and quicker to let you, Marx, have at them. But let’s face it, we all know Ellara. She’s far too proud and controlling. She would’ve used her magic and done the spell herself.”

Jax slowly sunk back into the seat. “So you believe us?”

“I don’t know what I believe concerning Advisor Ellara. But I know the two of you, and the rest of my Captain's, better than I ever knew my own siblings. I know you and Julius wouldn’t be meeting here like this unless you truly believed something was amiss. It’s my job to keep my Knights and this kingdom safe. I would be foolish and remiss in my duty not to take your concerns seriously.” Greywright tilted his head. “You don’t take me for a careless fool, do you Jax?”

“I take you for a great many things, Sir. But a careless fool has never been one of them.” Jax answered.

Julius sat down, shoulders easing.

Still anxious and unnerved despite not being in trouble, Marx moved to the decanters of alcohol on the bureau beside the sitting area. “I need a drink.”

“Get me one too. Whiskey. Two fingers.” Greywright told. He smirked at Julius. “I know you can’t stand the stuff but unlike Jax, you’re a good host. Given how often he comes by you’re bound to have some.”

Marx served himself a fingers worth of bourbon. Downed it. And, refilled his glass. He handed the glass of whiskey to the Magic Knight’s Commander and sat down, setting the copied files he had brought on the low coffee table.

“That’s the transcript of Yami and Teris’ interview along with everything I found on to geyser labyrinth and this… person Teris spoke with.” Marx said, not sure person was the proper term for a long dead form that had reanimated for a short time.

Julius took up the interview notes while Jax grabbed the file on who the corpse Teris talk to was. Marx tried to avoid the Magic Knights Commander’s gaze. Attempting to settle his nerves he told himself Commander Greywright wouldn’t have calmly sat down if he was going to discipline and write them up for this secret meeting.

Having been at Yami and Teris’ interview and seen everything on the first team of Magic Knights ever to enter the geyser labyrinth, Greywright studied Marx while the two Captain's read. “You said copies. Would that be you making them?”

Marx swallowed thickly. It wasn’t against the rules to make copies of interviews, reports, and other official documents. But his not having gone through the proper channels and logged his making of the copies was.

“It’s alright, Marx.” Julius soothed as he read. “The Commander knows our suspicious and need for care. You can tell him without fear.”

Marx, never one for breaking the rules, gave Julius a scalding look. He eyed the Magic Knights Commander warily. Julius wasn’t the only one with lofty goals. Marx had wanted to be Wizard Kings Advisor ever since his younger self learned of the position. But he wouldn’t become Wizard Kings Advisor if dismissed from Magic Investigations for making illegal copies; never mind his support and secret meetings with fellow believers who suspected the current Advisor of subversion. Commander Greywright might not be his direct superior. But the man was Advisor Ellara’s counterpart. Given the magnitude of his ever accumulating infractions, the Knights Commander could end his career just as quickly and easily as Advisor Ellara.

At Commander Greywright’s arched brow Marx tentatively nodded.

Greywright took a sip of his drink. “So how’d you get them? The copies that is.”

“I didn’t make the copies while in Investigations. Like Magic Knights Headquarters, any magic used while inside Investigations is recognized and logged. In order to use a copy spell within the building one would have to send in a form of what was copied and why.” Marx said. He knew the Knights Commander was already aware of this but was hoping that would suffice.

Greywright shook his head. “You Investigations Mages and your love of notating and filing every single thing. So how’d you get these without it being logged then?”

Marx glanced at Julius still uncertain with making such a confession. Then again the Magic Knights Commander already knew the worst of his transgressions. Meeting here in secret to discuss their concern about Advisor Ellara being connected to the Agents of Chaos and using her magic to effect Sir Jorah… What he was doing might not be treason, but it felt that way to Marx. Then again he revered the position of Wizard Kings Advisor second only to that of Wizard King.

Clearing his throat, Marx told. “I created the copies in my home.” At the Commanders questioning expression he went on. “My magic allows me perfect recall of everything.”

“You forget nothing?” Greywright questioned.

“That’s correct.” Marx nodded.

The Commander blinked. As useful as that could be, it was probably also annoying as hell.

“So what? You bring these pages to mind with your perfect memory and use some sort of spell to transfer it to paper?” Greywright asked.

“In the most rudimentary sense. Yes.” Marx said.

“It says here the corpse Teris saw was a member of the first team of Magic Knights ever sent into the geyser labyrinth.” Jax said.

Julius looked up. “So they wouldn’t have known about the time limit. They were stuck down there?”

Jax nodded, summarizing as he read. “It took three other missions upon the labyrinth’s opening before they found all the others from the first team. The Magic Knights wrapping up the remains and bringing them out for a proper burial. But the one Teris spoke to had never been found.”

“And she was a light magic user?” Julius asked, wanting to be sure.

“The last one in the Clover Kingdom till Teris.” Jax looked at the report to get the number right. “Three hundred and seventy-seven years ago. Says here she was Captain of the Azure Deers.” He looked at Julius. “Only six years your senior at thirty seven when she led the mission. Maybe your library has more on her?”

Julius frowned, doubtfully. “The Deers base has moved twice since then. Most of the Captain's logs from that far back would be housed somewhere in Magic Investigations. That’s if they weren’t lost or destroyed. Still, it’s worth a look. What was her name?”

“Shadow Banashe.” Jax answered.

“Really?” Julius raised a brow at the name. Given Teris and Yami’s magic. And the fact that the long dead woman had called herself a Harbinger. It was--

“An interesting coincidence.” Marx said.

Jax tossed the file down. “Sure. It’s all one big coincidence. Just like how it’s been three hundred and seventy-seven years since the Clover Kingdom had another light magic user. Or this Shadow Banashe was thirty-seven when she led the mission and died down there. I’m sure none of that has any connection to Yami being the seventh son of a seventh son of a seventh son. Look. I’m not one to believe in signs and portents. But when they keep slapping me in the face, it gets pretty hard to ignore.”

Marx looked skeptically at the Black Bulls Captain. “What are you saying? That this is some sort of fate or destiny? That Captain Shadow was meant to be sent on that mission? Supposed to be trapped and die down there? That Teris was meant to find Captain Shadow’s body all these years later just so she could be locked behind a stone wall so Yami could access the dark force within him?”

Sitting back, Jax crossed his arms. “Alright smart guy. Why did Teris sense something when no one else did?”

“Captain Shadow had been a light magic user. As a light magic user herself, Teris likely sensed the residual mana within the late Captain’s remains.” Marx reasoned.

“A team had already mapped that way. So why had no one found the late Captain's remains before Teris?” Jax asked.

“Her remains were behind a stone wall.” Marx answered.

“And how did Captain Shadow or her remains get there? Yami and Teris’ description of the rock wall was exactly that. That it was a wall. Not some cave-in that had trapped Captain Shadow in there.” Jax said.

Julius set down the report of the interview. “Teris and Yami both said that Teris had touched the wall. Is it possible that something recognized her magic and that’s why the wall allowed her through?”

“Something? Or the dead Captain Shadow?” Marx questioned trying to get Julius to hear just how absurd the query sounded.

Undeterred, Julius told. “Magic is capable of some pretty fantastical fetes. Dark forbidden magic even more so. All be it at a much greater and often deadly cost. Rare as they are. There has even been record of Fate Mages.”

Marx could scarcely believe Julius had taken up the Black Bulls Captain line of thought. If the situation weren’t so serious, he would have thought this some poor attempt at a jest. He half expected Commander Greywright to laugh at the two. Instead, the Magic Knights Commander looked at him to respond.

Seeking to be the voice of reason in this lunacy, Marx cleared his throat and told Julius. “Yes. But what you and Captain Jax are suggesting is something so far beyond all that. Yami and Teris may be especial powerful and have rare magic. But in the end. Yami is just a young man with dark magic. And Teris is simply a young lady with light magic. The Agents of Chaos and others might attempt to make them out as more than that to suit their beliefs and aims. But, that is why we call them crazy zealots.”

80.3

Yami entered the common study. Scratching the back of his head, he squinted at the brightness of the candlelight. “Teris. What are you doing?”

Seated at a long table, Teris stopped writing. Looking up, she froze. The sight of Yami always made her heart flutter. But this was different. He had clearly just woken up. His hair more tousled than usual. He was shirtless and barefoot. His black pants hung low on his hips without a belt to help hold them up.

“I—uh…” Teris floundered, taking him in.

Still half asleep, Yami didn’t catch the way she looked him over. “Teris?”

Teris shook sense back into her head. “Go back to bed.”

“Why are you whispering? Everyone’s asleep and Jax isn’t here.” Yami said, voice at its regular volume. He stared at her, eyes adjusting to the light. “But you knew that already. Didn’t you?”

Teris fidgeted with the quill, unable to meet his gaze.

At least she had the sense to look guilty, Yami thought. “You’re not messing with anything Jax told you not to, are you?”

“No.” Teris said.

Yami gave her a look.

“No.” She said, again.

“Good. Cause I’d miss you if Jax locked you away in a cell.”

“You mean you wouldn’t come visit?” Teris played.

“Nope.” Yami stepped to her. The winter cooled floor, that made everyone else chill, warm under his bare feet.

Teris remembered something and turned, jotting down a few words.

Yami leaned over her seated frame. His hands rested on the table to either side of her, caging her in. Head beside hers, Yami looked over Teris’ shoulder and read. “Captain Shadow. Azure Deer. Thirty-seven--”

Teris flipped the paper over.

Yami looked at her. “If I didn’t know Julius was Captain of the Azure Deer I might be jealous of this Captain Shadow. What with finding you at the dead of night in your robe writing his name and hiding it from me.”

Teris put the quill down. “It’s nothing.”

“Then why hide it? What is all that? Who’s Captain Shadow?” Yami asked, eyes searching her profile.

Teris tried to lean away, Yami’s face distractingly close. But his arm stopped her.

“Teris?”

“She was the one I talked to in the labyrinth.” Teris answered.

“The dried up corpse that reanimated?” Yami asked, wishing she would look at him.

Teris nodded and turned the paper over so Yami could read it. “I caught a glimpse of her service record while we were at Magic Investigations.”

“So you’re trying to remember what you saw and write it down.” He shook his head and huffed. “You just can’t help yourself. Can you?”

Teris turned to him. “She used me.”

“She’s been long dead.” Yami told.

“That doesn’t change the fact that whatever part of her remained. Whatever it was that called and spoke to me, used me. It used me to get to you.”

Yami’s expression softened. “I’m fine, love.”

Teris lifted her hand and caressed his cheek. Her fingers traced the line of his jaw and down his neck and arm. “You don’t remember what happened. Didn’t see what I saw.”

“Scared you did it?”

“It scared me for you.” Teris told. Her hand clutched his arm. The fear that she could have lost him to the force inside him making her throat raw with emotion.

Yami studied her beloved face. “I know the feeling.”

When the fear didn’t leave her eyes, Yami straightened and pulled out the chair Teris sat in. Teris squeaked, feet lifting off the floor as Yami turned the chair around so she could face him. He squatted in front of her, legs butterflying to either side of hers.

“Scary as it may have been. I came back to you didn’t I? I came back to you the same way you came back to me.” Looking up at her, Yami swore. “I’ll always come back to you Ikigai.”

“What does that even mean!” She asked of the endearment.

Yami chuckled at her whine. Avoiding the question, he asked one of his own. “You think there’s a single thing in this world or any other that could keep me from you? I thought you were smarter than that, Princess.”

“Yami.”

“Don’t shake your head and try to argue that there’s greater powers out there. I’ll surpass my limits if it means staying by your side. You can’t begin to fathom what you mean to me.”

“If it’s even half of what you mean to me, I’m sure--” Teris jumped at the tickling feeling of his rough hand gliding up the top of her bare foot. She tensed further when his hand continued around her ankle and slowly traced up the back of her calf. “Wha—what are you doing?”

Yami’s eyes lifted from her curled toes. “What’s it look like?”

Teris trembled, legs pressed tightly together. Yami’s hand grazed passed the back of her knee and gripped her thigh. Teris jerked on instinct. Yami caught her foot before it connected between his legs.

“Careful where you kick. You’ll want that later.” He smirked at Teris’ wide eyes. “I mean later, later. Not later tonight. Unless...”

“No!” Teris said, hoarsely. “You said you wanted to wait too.”

“I do. I’m just giving you a hard time. You make it so easy sometimes. It’s like you’re asking for it.”

“Trust me. I’m not asking for anything.” Teris blushed.

“I remember you asking me to kiss you some more earlier tonight.” Yami teased, wondering what she wore under her robe.

Teris’ color deepened. “That’s different. We weren’t alone then.”

“Yes we were.”

“We weren’t alone, alone. The others were awake and about. And we weren’t in our sleep clothes.”

“I’m dressed.” Yami said.

“You’re wearing pants. That hardly qualifies as dressed.”

“Would you feel better if I was in my sleep clothes too?” Yami questioned, deadpan. He made for his pants fastenings. “I could take them off if that’d make you more comfortable.”

“Yami! It—I—no!”

Yami chuckled. He pushed to his feet and grabbed her wrist, pulling her up with him. “You need to relax. Turn around. I’ll give you a massage. Help you loosen up.”

Teris stared into his mirth filled eyes. She wasn’t annoyed by his teasing. She was annoyed that his teasing flustered her. If she played back... No, they had been through that twice before. One of them had to keep a clear head and handle on things.

Her eyes betrayed her, lowering to take in Yami’s bare chest. Teris reached out, fingers tracing the lines of his well defined abs. Yami watched her take him in. He reveled in her soft touch, wanting her to explore and feel more of him. Her fingers stopped at the waist of his pants. Her eyes slowly caught up to the halted path of her trailing fingers.

Teris licked her lips and swallowed. The tips of her fingers grazed along the waist of his pants. Yami sucked in a breath and caught her hand. His other hand lifted her chin. The lust filled glaze in Teris’ eyes almost his undoing.

Yami cleared his throat. “You do want to wait. Don’t you?”

Eyes still hazy, Teris nodded.

Yami was both relieved and disappointed. He meant what he said when he told Teris he wanted to wait too. But in moments like these. When faced by the tempting sight of her. The desire and reasons for waiting alluded him.

Yami grabbed Teris’ hips and spun her around. The quick movement left her dizzy.

Yami steadied her. His chest pressed into her back, strong arms coiling around her waist. “I got you. I’ll always have you.”

Teris shivered. It wasn’t just the husky words that delighted. It was the way Yami’s hands slid along the silk fabric of her robe and pressed flat against her abdomen, pulling her closer to him.

Yami kissed along Teris’ shoulder to her jaw. A humming growl of hunger rumbled deep in his chest. It set Teris’ hips to dancing. Her thighs squeezed together, a thrumming need igniting. Her head fell back against his shoulder.

Yami kissed the apple of her cheek. He watched her fluttering lashes. “You need to stop working on this.”

Teris tensed, coming back to herself. Her head lifted. She tried to turn and face him. But Yami’s arms tightened, holding her firm. He nuzzled against her, watching the rise and fall of her chest.

“Just for tonight.” Yami murmured, lips brushing her neck as he spoke. He kissed her pulse point and nipped at her earlobe. “If Jax returned and found you at this… There's no telling what he’d do. And I really would miss you if he locked you in a cell.”

Yami’s fingers curled under Teris’ chin and turned her head to face him. His nose brushed hers. He gave her a chaste kiss. Then his mouth latched on to hers. Teris kissed him back. Her hands crawled up his arms and snaked around his neck. She tugged at Yami’s hair, back arching against his chest.

“Yami.” Teris breathed, coming up for air only to dive back in. She stretched up and back to him, pulling him down to her.

Yami gripped her swaying hips. His hands pressed one way and then the other, making her dance to his rhythm. Teris moaned into his mouth. The sound and vibration shot through Yami like lightening. He broke the kiss, struggling to tamp down his growing excitement. Teris leaned back against him. She tugged at his neck and shoulder, lifting her face, seeking another kiss.

It was her eyes, pupils blown full of desire, that broke him. Against his better judgment Yami’s lips and tongue met hers once again. His hand traced up between her breasts to cup her face. Teris’ short trimmed nails clawed down his arms.

Yami pulled away again, straightening to his full height. “We need to stop.”

Though disappointed and tempted to push for more, Teris didn’t. Her arms lowered from around his neck, falling to her side. She moved to step away, but Yami held her fast.

“You’re giving me mixed messages here.” Teris laughed, lightly.

Arms wrapped around her waist, Yami rested his chin on her shoulder. “There’s something I need.”

Teris’ head tilted to get a better look at him. “Something you need?”

Yami nodded, eyes never leaving the tie that dangled from her waist. Deep voice serious, he told. “It’s imperative.”

“It’s imperative now?” Teris laughed.

Yami reached for one of the ends to the belt that held her robe closed and slowly started to pull.

Teris grabbed his arm. “Yami!”

Yami halted. “I just want to see.” He said, as if it were the most innocence thing in the world.

“It’s just my sleep clothes.” Teris said, knowing it was far more than that.

Yami’s eyes fixed on her. “I just want to see what you sleep in.”

“They’re just night clothes. It’s not that big a deal.” Teris told.

“If it’s not that big a deal, what’s it matter if I see? I’ll show you what I sleep in.” Yami offered.

Teris pressed her lips together, tempted. She had often wondered what Yami wore to bed. Usually while laying awake in her own bed. But his earlier comments had all but confirmed the answer was his underwear. She blushed, imagining him in nothing but that. Her legs once again squeezing together at the mental picture.

“We need to stop.” Teris said, feeling overheated.

“We have stopped. I just want to see.” Yami said.

“That’s all? Nothing more?” Teris asked.

“That’s it.” Yami answered. When Teris still seemed hesitant, he said. “All I want is to see you in your night clothes. It’s not like I’m asking to see you without them.”

“Yami!”

“Please.” Yami looked over her shoulder and slowly began to tug the belt end he held. He half expected Teris to stop him again; and told himself that if she did he wouldn’t press further. He didn’t want her to feel pressured into anything she wasn’t willing or ready for.

Teris released Yami’s forearm. As intimate as it was. It wasn’t like she was wearing anything suggestive or see through.

Yami’s movements didn’t speed when Teris let him continue. He wanted to savor this.

Teris laughed when it turned out Yami had pulled the wrong end of the belt, knotting it instead of undoing it.

Yami growled in frustration. His other hand moved to tug at the tie. Teris laughed further, watching Yami fumble and struggle to undo the knot.

“You’re making it worse.” Teris firmly gripped his hands and pulled them apart. She stepped away from him.

Thinking that he had messed up his chance, Yami had a moments disappointment. But the feeling didn’t last long when he saw her turn around.

“Allow me.” Teris smiled, still amused by his irritated clumsiness.

Yami watched her slowly but expertly pick out the knot he had made and pull the belt open letting the ends fall. Her hand reached up to the side of her right breast and pulled free another tie that he hadn’t known was there.

Teris felt a sudden wave of nervousness. Her shy gaze met Yami’s and all her uncertainty fell away. His eyes held so much more than physical desire. Love and adoration burned in his gaze. There was an absolute trust and a sort of reverence shining in his eyes that made her feel unworthy. She didn’t deserve such a man and his devotion. Especially after what happened at the labyrinth. Teris pushed the guilt away and bolstered herself, silently swearing that she would to do everything in her power to be worthy of Yami and his care.

Yami stared into the dark pools of Teris’ eyes. He could get lost in her gaze for eternity and be a happy man. He hadn’t really expected her to agree to this, let alone pull the strings herself. But watching her do so was so much better. The sight made things so much harder, in more ways than one.

Yami swallowed, throat bobbing as Teris slowly opened the robe. It was a simple thin strapped, silk, midnight blue camisole with a matching set of shorts. Yami’s eyes followed the camisoles deep ‘v’ that dived between her breasts. He saw the hard twin peaks of her nipples that raised the soft, thin, clingy fabric. With effort he pulled his gaze further down, wanting to take in every inch of her. The shorts sat low on her hips. And the camisoles hemline only reached Teris’ waistline. Leaving a couple inches of smooth, pale skin visible in between.

Yami groaned lowly at the sight. A small damp spot blossomed in his underwear at his growing excitement. His eyes lowered still, taking in her toned thighs. He noted a light birthmark high up on the front of her left thigh. Yami could easily see that being a favored place of his to kiss once they were wed. He saw that short as the bottoms were, they rose even higher at the sides. Tilting his head slightly he saw why. The shorts were a butterfly style. The front and back of the fabric didn’t close together in a seam but rather overlapped slightly to cover her hips. If only a widow was open or they were outside on a breezy night.

Voice caught between terse and hopeful, Teris asked. “Happy?”

“Completely.”

It was an effort not to protest when Teris lifted the robe back on and wrapped it closed.

“You should go to bed.” Yami told her.

Teris tied the belt around her waist. “You too.”

“Oh, I will be.” Yami smirked.

Teris blushed at his salacious tone. They both turned at the sound of the front door opening and closing.

“Jax is back. You need to head up, quiet as you can.” Yami whispered.

Teris agreed, especially after the scolding they got from the Captain this afternoon. Even if she hadn’t fully learned her lesson as was secretly looking into stuff, Jax wouldn't be happy finding her and Yami like this alone so late. She turned to the table but Yami blocked in her path.

“Naha.” Yami sounded softly but firmly, shaking his head. “I’ll grab those. You go.”

Teris looked from him to the papers, hesitating.

“Now!” Yami whispered.

Teris turned and made her way out, the padding of her bare feet barely audible. Yami huffed at her insatiable curiosity and stubbornness. He heard Jax's tread on the stairs and turned to the papers. Quickly shuffling them together, Yami rolled and stuffed them in his pants pocket. He kept his hand in there to reason away the bulge should Jax look well enough to see. As for the bulge that still remained at the center front of his pants. Well, Yami just had to wait that one out.

“Yami?”

Yami turned. “Jax. Kind of late to be just getting in.”

The Captain ignored the comment. Yami wasn’t his Vice Captain yet. He owed the man no answers as to his whereabouts.

“What are you doing up and in here?” Jax scanned the room. He had seen the faint candlelight light shining through the window on his way up the path to the house and had been sure he would find Teris in here.

“Bad dream. Was heading down for a snack when I saw light coming from in here.” Yami said, all of which was true.

A flash of concern crossed Jax’s face. “Not the page of Chaos was it?”

“Don’t think so. Teris said she woke up feeling disoriented any time that thing messed with her. That hasn’t happened.” Yami said.

Jax crossed his arms finding it strange. Though they hadn’t known it at the time, the closer the Summer Solstice got the more the page of Chaos had communicated with Teris. With the Winter Solstice a mere week away Jax would have figured Yami would be going through something similar. Not that he wanted it to be so. But still, it made him wonder.

“Maybe it effects you differently.” Jax theorized aloud.

Yami shrugged. “Couldn’t say.”

“I’ll see if Marx can come by.”

“Why? Mushroom Head wasn’t able to see anything last time he tried. What makes you think now would be any different?” Yami asked.

“I don’t. But at least we’d know if it was happening and you just haven’t been picking up on it.” Jax said.

“What’s it matter? Knowing if it’s happening or not. It’s not like it would make a difference.” Yami said.

“Just-- It’ll make me feel better.” Or possibly worse, Jax thought. He sighed. “I’ll talk to Julius. See what he thinks.“ Why did he feel that it was them, not Yami, who missing something.

Yami made for the door. “Whatever. I’ll leave you to snuff out the candle. I’m headed to bed.”

“What happened to your snack?”

Yami turned back and grinned like the cat that got the cream. “Got something far tastier than any food to relax and wear me out.” Jax watched the younger man go, wondering what he was talking about. The kid’s strange, Jax thought to himself. Not really such a kid anymore, his mind told. Yami was eighteen. So was Teris. Jax recalled what he’d been like at eighteen. The only things he had cared about were food, fighting, and girls. Well, one girl in particular. That was something he and Yami seemed to have in common, right down to being enamored with one particular girl.

Jax’s hand dipped into his pants pocket, fingers caressing a well worn piece of fabric he always carried with him. His heart clenched in a familiar ache around the hole that one particular girl had left. He would do everything in his power to make sure Yami wasn’t left suffering the same ache.

Pulling his hand from his pocket Jax rubbed his face and sighed. Only one week left to the Winter Solstice. Yami and Teris would have to be under constant watch. He had considered forbidding them from leaving the house but thought they would chaff too badly at that and didn’t want to chance them running off, restless. As it was they wouldn’t be allowed to leave the property. And anytime they left the house they would be accompanied by two other Black Bulls.

As they got even closer to the solstice, Jax would likely bar them from leaving the house altogether.

He and Julius were suppose to have discussed what they were going to do with Yami and Teris during the two days leading up to the solstice. But with Commander Greywright showing up to their secret meeting and all the stuff with the deceased Captain Shadow Banashe, they hadn’t gotten around to it. Maybe they would get a chance to talk before the meeting with Sir Jorah and Greywright tomorrow. No, Jax corrected himself, the meeting this afternoon.

Jax shook his head and yawned. He was exhausted. He didn’t know how Bronn did it, being out in the field for extended periods. Maybe that was why Bronn was so ready to marry and retire. The constant field missions had worn the man down and made him feel aged.

Sixteen more days and Jax would have two new Vice Captain's. Sixteen more days and he’d see his best friend wed and hopefully headed for a happier, easier life out in some Forsaken Realm village. As if life in the Forsaken Realm was carefree or easy. Then again after the last few years since Yami and Teris had joined the squad, anything would likely be easier.

Jax just hoped the Agents of Chaos didn’t get their way and they were all around to enjoy Bronn and Gilly’s wedding on December thirty-first.

I'd like to take a second to thank you all for sticking with me through this fic. For those who have commented and/or reblogged, or sent in an ask, thank you! Ever single interaction has been such a joy and encouragement. Truly. I’ve made so many new friends on this sight that even now I’m smiling as I type. Thanks again! Hope you all have an awesome New Year.

Next chapter snippet:

Lips pressed together, Teris looked at Nozel. Could she do such a thing? Call upon and use Nozel’s affection for her? The affection she tried to pulled away from and dissuade every time Nozel showed a hint of it. Could she use that affection to try to get justice for Zara?

#yami sukehiro #julius novachrono #Marx Francois #fuegoleon vermillion #nozel silva #Black Clover #light in the darkness

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missmalice202 · 4 years

Text

Designing Your Melody: Chapter 04 - Chocolate

Chapter 01 - Chapter 03

“All right, mate?” Luka looks up from his guitar and sees Jagged Stone, rock star extraordinaire, poking his head into the recording studio. “Something’s got your sound all mixed up. So tell me,” he cajoles as he strides into the room, brimming with confidence and larger than life, “what’s got your knickers in a twist, eh?”

Luka stills his fingers and gives his attention the other man now sitting on a stool in front of him. He could literally feel Jagged staring at him, a look of unabashed anticipation on his face. Running his fingers through his teal tipped black hair, he closed his eyes and sighed.

He’d tried not dwell on how utterly frustrated he was. It’s been almost a week since his fateful encounter with his new inspiration, but he’s no closer to finding her. All he has is the mysterious melody playing on an infinite loop in his head and the scrap of paper that he now carries with him everywhere he goes, tucked securely in his jacket pocket. He isn’t sure where to even begin to start looking for the girl. After some serious thought, he contemplated asking Juleka if she would know how to track down a certain fashion designer because if the drawing he had in his possession was any indication, she was obviously very skilled and therefore had to be well known in the fashion industry.

But unfortunately for the guitarist, by the time he had worked up the courage to ask his sister to do some investigating on his behalf, she had been booked for a photoshoot overseas and had left the country. Sometimes he just had the worst luck. Plus, between doing deliveries in the morning and getting some studio time with Jagged to prepare for his next album, he honestly really didn’t have the time to be hunting down a single girl out of the two million residents of Paris. The odds were not in his favor.

In the end, he had resigned himself to the fact that he’d have to wait until Juleka came back and then ask her for help. Until then, the only thing he could do was tweak her melody and keep her design safe. He’s sure their paths will cross again. They had to.

“Nothing has my ‘knickers in a twist’ as you so delicately put it. I’ve just got some stuff on my mind, is all.” His fingers pluck at the strings of his guitar restlessly, the notes contradicting him wordlessly.

“Sorry to tell ya this, bloke, but that guitar of yours is callin’ you a liar. Level with me, man, anything I can do to help a rockin’ musician like yourself out, just let me know. We’ve gotta get that sound of yours back in harmony.”

“Yeah,” Luka responded listlessly, “I know, Jagged. Thanks.”

Luckily, they were interrupted by a knock on the window separating the recording studio from the control booth, signaling that the producer was ready for them to begin their session. The last think Luka wanted was to be interrogated by the flamboyant rocker, regardless of how well meaning he was.

-xXx-xXx-xXx-xXx-xXx-xXx-xXx-

After their recording session was over, Luka decided to grab something to eat before heading back home to log in and get some grinding done in-game. However, he seemed to have acquired an extremely obnoxious and over-eager shadow.

“I’m telling ya, mate, that’s some of the best playing I’ve heard since I worked with your mum. You could become a superstar if you set your mind to it.” Being ambitious and hungry for attention, someone like Jagged Stone just couldn’t understand that there were some people who preferred to linger in the shadows.

“I’m happy just playing my music, to be honest. I don’t have any grand ambitions of stardom.” A small smile graced Luka’s lips. “I don’t want a record label to try to dictate what I play or how I sound. I don’t mind playing your music because it speaks to my soul, but I want my freedom when it comes to my own music”

Jagged threw his head back and laughed, holding his stomach in mirth. “I feel ya, mate. There’s times I wanna kick some of these record labels prats out on their arses. They have no respect for the artistic process. I can’t just snap my fingers and deliver a chart- topping song. It takes talent and dedication and, most importantly, they gotta feel it in their soul!

“Oh! That reminds me! Penny!” he called over his shoulder at his ever present and long suffering personal assistant, “I want you to send some chocolates or flowers or whatever it is that girls these days like to Marinette. That girl is fabulous and dedicated to her craft and I want her to know how much I appreciate her help.” She nodded, tucking a stray piece of her sleek burgundy hair behind her ear and took out her tablet, tapping a reminder in her notes.

That caught Luka’s undivided attention. The Jagged Stone he knew wasn’t the kind of guy who just gave other people presents. If anything, he expected other people to do things for him, without a seconds hesitation or complaint. For him to go out of his – or rather, his assistant’s – way to offer a gesture of appreciation was, quite frankly, unheard of!

“Who’s this Marinette girl?” he asks. “What did she do for you that was so important that you’d want to send her a gift?”

Jagged reeled back in shock. “Oh, what hasn’t she done for me? Whenever everything goes pear shaped and I’m in a pinch, I know I can count on her to help me out. I mean, one time she made the wicked rock n roll shades for me. Another time, she basically saved my career when she redid my album cover after the bloke who did the first design wouldn’t accept any of my input and came up with this absolutely bonkers cover art. And now this time, she’s really saving my skin. I had to ask a massive favor of her and in such a short amount of time too.” He chuckled to himself, shaking his head. “I just want her to know that I appreciate her style and all that fabulous girl does to help me when I’m in a bind.”

Honestly, Luka was a bit surprised. Jagged usually wasn’t one to sing another’s praises, so this “Marinette” girl must really be something special.

Luka looked at his phone to check the time. “Well, Jagged, I’ve got to run. I’ve got somewhere I need to be.”

“Cheers, mate. I’ll catch you next time.” Jagged saluted the younger guitarist. “Do what you need to in order to fix your sound. It’s doesn’t sound right when it’s all jumbled up like that.”

Luka waved goodbye and left the record label, heading home to his boat.

-xXx-xXx-xXx-xXx-xXx-xXx-xXx-

When got back to home, the quiet slapping of waves against the hull of the boat was the only sound he heard as he strode across the deck, taking a moment to appreciate the beautiful sunset reflecting over the Seine. It was kind of lonely being the only one on board. He couldn’t wait until his sister got back in a few days. Until then, he’d just have to fill the silence in other ways. Shaking his head at his own melancholy, he ducked into the cabin and made his way to his bunk.

Deciding that he needed to find his center again after such a chaotic week, he toed off his sneakers, settled onto his bunk, crossed his legs and gently rested his wrists on his knees to meditate. Maybe that was why he had been so off lately; he just needed to clear his mind and get rid of the negative energies swirling inside his mind. Taking a deep breath in, he closed his eyes and relaxed into his meditation.

Thirty minutes later, he opened his eyes feeling refreshed and less off balance.

Glancing at his phone again, he figured he had time to get some gaming in before heading to bed. With any luck, Ladybug would be online too. He liked playing with the rest of his clanmates, don’t get him wrong, but Ladybug was just such a badass. Her skill was unparalleled and when they were in the midst of an intense battle, she took command of the situation and always led their team to victory. She fought with grace and made everything she did look effortless. If he were honest with himself, he just enjoyed being in her company. She had such a sweet voice that even when she was barking out orders on the battlefield, she still sounded as clear as a bell.

After logging on, he was pleasantly surprised to discover that luck, for once, was on his side: she was online. That was a relief, especially considering she’d been MIA all week due to being busing working on whatever project she had going. Deep down, he was a little jealous that “real life” was dragging her away from the UMS4, and therefore away from him. But he did have to admit that it was a bit hypocritical of him to be jealous of her being busy when he was bordering on obsession with finding someone who, if he didn’t currently have her design tucked into the pocket of his jacket, he would have thought that the whole encounter had been an extremely vivid figment of his overactive imagination.

Walking up to her avatar, his own waved in greeting. “Hey, Ladybug. Just you and I tonight, huh?”

Her avatar waved in response. “Hi, Viperion. Looks like it. Want to do some grinding and work on equipment upgrades since we don’t have enough people on our team right now to do any major missions?”

He smiled and his avatar gave a thumbs up gesture. “Sounds good. Let’s go”

As they traversed through their online world, she struck up conversation to fill the silence. “So what have you been up to this week? Anything fun and exciting?”

He chuckled softly. “Not exactly. Just working and practicing. How about you? How’s your project coming along?”

Her groan echoed in his ears, making him laugh under his breath. “Oh god, I’ve been working non stop since I last played with you. Five days, working ‘round the clock without even leaving my house. I’m pretty sure my parents were about to send a search party up to my room to check and see if I was still breathing,” she laughed.

“Oh? You still live with your parents?”

“Yeah,” she admitted. “We have a very good relationship, so it works out well for us. I help them out with their shop from time to time when I have time and they give me food.”

Luka laughed, shaking his head. Sometimes she really was too cute. “That’s nice. I live with my mom and sister, but they’re out of the country right now, so it’s just me. I never thought I’d think this, but with them gone, it’s too quiet here and the music in my head is a bit overwhelming in the silence.”

There was a brief pause before she responded, “the music in your head?” He could hear the confusion in her voice.

“Yeah, I’ve had this song stuck in my head for almost a week now and I can’t get it out of my head until I find what I’m looking for.”

“Uhh- Okaay, I’m not sure what you mean, but I wish you the best of luck finding what you’re looking for.” He heard her yawn audibly through his headphones. “And on that note, I’ve got to go. I have to get up early to help my parents with their shop since I have some time before the next phase of my project.”

A little disappointed that he wouldn’t get to spend more time with Ladybug, but he understood that she had prior commitments. “All right. Will you be on tomorrow at all? I had fun just messing around with you tonight.”

“I should be able to get on for a few hours tomorrow night. I had fun too,” she admitted. “Well, goodnight, Viperion.”

Smiling softly, he replied, “Sweet dreams, Ladybug.” And logged off himself.

-xXx-xXx-xXx-xXx-xXx-xXx-xXx-

Turning her console off, Marinette plugged her controller into the charge cable and turned off her desk light. Stretching her arms over her head as she walked over to the ladder leading to the loft where her bed was located, she giggled as when she realized that she had learned more about Viperion in that one conversation than she had in the months she had been playing with him since he’d joined “Miraculous Kwami”. She enjoyed playing with him. He was just so calm and collected, completely relaxed even in the most stressful situations. There were many occasions where his level head had really helped keep her calm enough to figure out how to defeat an especially tricky boss. Plus, it didn’t hurt in the slightest that his voice was really hot. Idly, while she changed into her pajamas, she wondered if his face matched his voice.

Shaking her head, she thrust that thought right out of her mind. Online was online and reality was reality. It wouldn’t do to confuse the two. For all she knew, he was a 45 year old bald man with a pot belly and a handlebar moustache. Shuddering at the thought, she shook her head again and made the decision to just leave things as they were. There are just some things that are better of not knowing.

Chapter 05

*Not going to lie, I had a lot of fun writing Jagged Stone. I also tried to stuff in as much British slang as I possibly could while still having it sound relatively natural.

Oh, and if you want to understand a little bit what Luka’s music sounds like when he’s confused and stressed out, this is what I listened to when I wrote the first scene of this chapter.

Until next time Lovelies XOXO*

#lukanette #mlvalentines2k20 #lukanette february #lukanette fic #luka couffaine #marinette dupain cheng #miraculous fanfic #fanfiction

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ghost-zero-one · 4 years

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Table of Contents

I. General Information

II. Personality information

III. Weapons & Abilities/Skills

IV. Design

V.Relationships

VI. Backstory

VII.Theme song

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╭──︒✿ཾ∘∗✽ᜒࠬ. ──╮

I.General Information

╰──︒✿ཾ∘∗✽ᜒࠬ. ──╯

ıllıllı-Designation-ıllıllı

‹Divewing›

ıllıllı-Height-ıllıllı

‹34ft tall›

ıllıllı-Age-ıllıllı

‹3,000,000. Acts 24-human years›

ıllıllı-Gender-ıllıllı

‹Femme›

ıllıllı-Sexuality-ıllıllı

‹Heterosexual›

ıllıllı-Occupation-ıllıllı

‹Depends on the role-play›

ıllıllı-Homeworld-ıllıllı

‹Cybertron›

ıllıllı-Creation Type-ıllıllı

‹Cold Constructed›

ıllıllı-Faction-ıllıllı

‹Autobots(former Decepticon)›

ıllıllı-Rank-ıllıllı

‹Seeker(Formally)›

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╭┄┄┄┄┄ೋღ❦ღೋ

II.Personality Information

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-ˏˋ-Good Qualities-ˊˎ-

‹1.Clever›-Divewing is very clever, being one to learn quick and understand. She will even apply her own ideas to ones plan if their plan seems faulty and could cost them the mission.

‹2.Humorous›-She often likes to make jokes here and there when she is around others. She usually does this when there are those having a down day.

‹3.Compassionate›-Divewing is compassionate when it comes to her friends and others in danger. But she tries her best to hide this side of her the best she can.

‹4.Ambitious›-Divewing is ambitious most of the time when on missions because she absolutely hates being a failure. So, she can be determined to succeed.

‹5.Obedient›-She is an Obedient femme, meaning she will follow orders and listen to her superiors, no questions asked.

-ˏˋ-Bad Qualities-ˊˎ-

‹1.Aggressive›-Divewing has a high temper and a lot of things can set her off most of the time. Such as people talking bad to her about her past, or if someone aggravates her, pushes her buttons to the point where her aggression can and will click.

‹2.Naughty›-There are many definitions for this word "Naughty", and well Divewing's type of naughty is that she can be very seductive, lewd, and she usually pulls this stunt to get that she wants.

‹3.Blunt›-Meeting her for the first time, Diveing will always be blunt and rude the first few conversations meaning she acts as if she wants to push those close to her away from her problems.

‹4.Killjoy›-Divewing isn't that much of a killjoy since she'd like others to experience what she did. However, if it's people she doesn't like and can't tolerate she will spoil literally everything for him.

‹5.Dishonest›-She is a dishonest person alright, during her time as a Decepticon all she did was tell lies to her superiors. But unlike most lying bots she showed confidence in her lies to make most of them think she is being completely honest.

-ˏˋ-Fears-ˊˎ-

‹1.Starscream›-Divewing fears this ruthless and cruel mech because of the things he did to her during her time on Earth. He tortured her. Scarred her. Made sure to leave dent so that she would always remember and never forget what she did.

‹2.The Past›-She doesn't like hearing about her past since it can trigger PTSD meaning she can get aggressive, upset.

‹3.Losing the ability to fly›-This is something that she fears the most because she's come to enjoy flying as it helps her clear her mind, and relax. If this ability is taken away from her she will be devastated.

-ˏˋ-Likes-ˊˎ-

‹1.Making jokes›-She likes to make jokes to try and cheer others up around her, or she tries to make herself laugh if she's feeling down herself.

‹2.Flying›-This is something she has always loved doing ever since her construction. Flying allows her to feel free. Feel relaxed. Feel as if nothing in the world matters but the beauty above the clouds.

‹3.Listening to what humans call music›-Music is something she never got to experience back on Cybertron. But on earth she got experience all sorts of music such as Metal, Country, Rap, and Classic Rock. She found herself liking Classic Rock music since it seemed to fit her style.

‹4. Training›-Divewing likes to practice her shooting here and there when feels rusty and she'll even practice with her sword.

-ˏˋ-Dislikes-ˊˎ-

‹1.Predacons›-Divewing isn't one who likes to be around predacons because she's seen what they are capable of and unless you're a Prime, it's best to keep your distance and not antagonize them.

‹2.Being injured›-She knows no one doesn't like being injured but when she's injured it really messes with her mind because she knows she won't be able to help unless she has healed.

‹3.Losing friends›-Divewing hates it when she loses those close to her. She lost many during the war on Cybertron, and lost a few more when she arrived on Earth. The femme hasn't lost anyone since but if she does she knows it will hurt so much.

‹4.Magnetic fields›-Everyone should know why she hates this, I mean she's made of metal and after that mission that both Breakdown and Airachnid failed let her know what that weapon is capable of.

-ˏˋ-Attractions-ˊˎ-

‹Divewing is attracted to mechs. But she has her preferred sparkmate. She is attracted to a mech who is taller then her, smart, funny, with blue and or red optics. She can also be attracted to mechs who are bulky as Megatron and Optimus Prime(no she isn't attracted to them).›

-ˏˋ-Overall Personality-ˊˎ-

‹Divewing is a very challenging person to get to know since she pushes mostly everyone away from her circle. She doesn't socialize with others that much and when she is, she can be very blunt with her words. But when it comes to something she wants, the femme can be very seductive and naughty to get what she wants. However if you are someone who is close to her, Divewing will not only show compassion but she will protect those who mean a lot to her. She sometimes drinks to get away from her past, or tries to cut any ties that could remind her of who she was in the past.›

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╭──︒✿ཾ∘∗✽ᜒࠬ. ──╮

III.Weapons and Abilities/Skills

╰──︒✿ཾ∘∗✽ᜒࠬ. ──╯

.•° ✿ °•.

Weapons

‹Divewing has many weapons but with her being a seeker she follows after the second in command of the Decepticon cause, Starscream when it comes to her weaponry. When in Jet mode she can fire slow rate machine guns and lock on missiles that do take a while before blowing up if it doesn't manage to hit it's target. When in Robot mode however, she has two blasters on the sides of her arms that is her slow rate machine guns when she is in Robot mode. The femme also carries a sword, a sword that she uses when in close quarters combat as this blade is always sharpened, and when she unsheathes it from her back it will give off this red glow around the edges, like the sword is heating up on the sharp ends.›

°•. ✿ .•°

.•° ✿ °•.

Abilities

1.-‹Divewings first ability surrounds flight. When it comes to flying she isn't the best at it but she believes she is decent enough to escape someone, or catch up to someone. When it comes to dodging missiles she is very agile in aerial combat, sometimes transformering and going into hover mode where she could have an easier chance to dodge an incoming missile. She can also be very lethal with her attacks if her aggression is pushed to its limits.›

2.-‹Divewing's second ability surrounds servo to servo combat. She was trained by her mentor, Archangel(a friends OC), and this mech taught her how to properly handle herself when in close quarters combat. He taught her when to strike her opponent but also taught her to not back down. However when her aggression has been pushed she can be very cocky and with that she will lose the fight. Archangel told her about this, but she never learned to control that side of her. Archangel even taught her how to swing a sword properly which is where she gets her skills from but he never finished her training due to events that transpired.›

3.-‹Divewing's third ability surrounds stealth. The seeker is known for her stealth thanks to the humans of course. If she didn't scan the Chinese Jet that was made by humans she wouldn't be able to cloak herself and hide herself from others. This cloaking device gives her the ability to sneak past those undetected in front of her. Not only does this device cloak herself, but it also silences the noises she makes. But using this ability can and will drain most of her energy. If she does decide to shoot, or even speak the cloaking device will shut off.›

4.-‹Divewing's last ability surrounds her seductive side. Now when it comes to this ability of hers it's something she uses to get what she wants when she wants. She may be a heterosexual bot but she doesn't mind seducing a fellow femme to get what she wants. Divewing uses her charm, and this seductive tone to pull the mech and or femme into a trap where she would leave their processer blank and take what ever it is she wanted only to leave them where they stood.›

°•. ✿ .•°

.•° ✿ °•.

Skills

Strength-‹6/10›

Agility-‹ 10/10›

Intelligence-‹6/10›

Charisma-‹10/10›

Common Sense-‹5/10›

Social-‹4/10›

Endurance-‹5/10›

Flexibility-‹8/10›

Wisdom-‹ 2/10›

Tactical-‹ 2/10›

Speed on Land-‹5/10›

Speed in Water-‹2/10›

Speed in Air-‹9/10›

Dominate-‹5/10›

Submissive-‹5/10›

°•. ✿ .•°

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-ˋˏ-*.·:·.IV.Design·:·.*-ˎˊ-

-ˋˏ-*.·:·.Frame.·:·.*-ˎˊ-

‹Divewings frame is that of a seeker, taking after Starscreams body and but she has a feminine shape to herself. However she looks different from Starscream due to the colors she holds and the different variation she seems to have.›

-ˋˏ-*.·:·.Colors.·:·.*-ˎˊ-

1.Primary-‹A solid black color that gives off a small glare when the sun shines into her primary color.›

2.Secondary-‹A matte red that trails along her wings, and chassis and colors some spots on her helm.›

3.Tertiary-‹Her tertiary is a dark grey, the metal limbs that hide underneath her armor mostly.›

-ˋˏ-*.·:·.Jet mode/Vehicle mode.·:·.*-ˎˊ-

FC-31 stealth fighter Jet

-ˋˏ-*.·:·.Extra details.·:·.*-ˎˊ-

‹Across her arms and legs she has these sharp points that slightly stick out giving her frame a more intimidating towards those who are shorter then her. She has this point on her helm with a yellow light in the center of it and she also has a visor that she uses when in combat to stop anything from coming at her that could shoot out her optics.›

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ஓ๑♡V.Relationships♡๑ஓ

ஓ๑♡Friends♡๑ஓ

-‹ ›(Sadly she does not have any yet)

ஓ๑♡Amica Endura♡๑ஓ

-‹ ›(N/A)

ஓ๑♡Conjux Endura♡๑ஓ

-‹ ›(N/A)

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VI.Backstory

───♡────

Divewing is a former Decepticon turned Autobot. The day she left the Decepticons was a choice that caused great pain within her but it also gave her something she never had, freedom. Ever since they arrived on Earth, Megatron the Decepticon leader has been craving to exterminate the Autobots even if it meant destroying this planet which Divewing found to be beautiful, very beautiful. Especially when it came to nature as she is a femme who prefers to be left alone and roam the planet to experience everything about it. Joining the Autobots however was hard, most of them never trusted her with anything because of her past and the people she killed during the war on Cybertron. She couldn't handle the hatred she kept getting from them all so, she left and deserted the Autobots to experience this planet's beauty without anyone ordering her to do this, or do that.

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Her old Backstory

───♡────

Divewing's story begin on Cybertron that was on the brink of going dead due to the war between the Autobots, and Decepticons. Divewing was cold constructed meaning sparks were produced at such a rapid rate that they had to be stockpiled until new bodies could be constructed; The Divided Self their energies were frozen in photonic crystals, which would be placed inside the new bodies in order to thaw out, hence the term "constructed cold". Back to her story. When Divewing came to be she joined the Decepticon Armada to only become a seeker for Starscreams fleet of seekers. During the war on Cybertron she did a lot of missions with Starscream most of them ending in success, and the ones that didn't succeed the squad of seekers would have to speak to Megatron about their failure. Starscream would get the punishment for the failure as the other ones never got their own punishment from their Lord, and master. As the war raged on Cybertron, their core known as Primus begin to shut off, which indicated that their plant had finally died. Although, when the Autobots left Cybertron and scattered across the galaxy the Decepticons took their warship and left Cybertron a few days after. The Autobots took refuge on a planet called Earth, only a certain amount of Autobots took refuge on the planet, but their were still many more about scattered across the stars. Eventually the Decepticons made their way to Earth in hopes to cyber form it until they discovered Autobot energy signatures on Earth. The Decepticons made their touch down in the middle of the desert on planet Earth as most of them were aware of the indigenous lifeforms here known as humans, and they did not care about the planets lifeforms but Divewing felt differently she might have been a Decepticon but she refuses to attack smaller, and innocent lifeforms. She just hopes that she does not come across any humans, especially if Starscream is present because he'll probably expect her to destroy the human.

After a few weeks of being on this planet called Earth Starscream, and Divewing only went on a certain amount of missions that had no importance to the cause, that was until she found it these missions were kept secret from Megatron, and the other Decepticons aboard the warship. Divewing is more loyal to Starscream, but now she is beginning to have second thoughts about Starscream, the Decepticon Armada, about everything. She never knew the reason to why, or what the Autobots were fighting for but whatever it was she knew that their cause had a better meaning then constant death, destruction, and suffering. Divewing has had her fair share of death, as she has murdered Autobots but she never took enjoyment out of it, but she noticed Starscream, Megatron, and others did enjoy scrapping a few Autobots here, and there. One day when Starscream took Divewing to one of the mines that is stored with energon there Starscream talked to her about getting rid of Megatron so, that he could have control over the Decepticons. Divewing has always agreed on everything with Starscream, but she couldn't so, she stayed quiet throughout the entire time he was talking about murdering their Lord and Master. The femme didn't agree on this plan, she didn't agree on much the Decepticons, or Starscreams plans anymore. However, during their trip to the mine Megatron came onto their communication systems to tell them about how they found something that could lure out the Autobots, meaning capturing the human lifeforms and use them as bait. Yet another plan Divewing didn't agree with, and one that she couldn't take part in but Starscream made her on their way back to the ship and by the time they got there Megatron ordered Starscream to gather a few humans and take them to the coordinates on his navigational systems, and that's exactly what Starscream did. Divewing stayed behind on the warship as she planned to try, and find a way to contact the Autobots so, she made her way to the communication console within the ship as she started leave behind a hidden message that only the Autobots shall receive, but they also couldn't tell who the sender was. "To any Autobots that read this message, the Decepticons are here on Earth and they know you are here too. Megatron plans to grab a few humans, and use them to lure you out of hiding. Please, stop Megatr-" Then her message was cut off as she was found out by Soundwave who knocked her unconscious and cuffed her down on a table in the Medical room.

After a few days of being a prisoner of the Decepticons she was expecting her spark to be extinguished anymoment, anyday. But that never came until Starscream entered the room with a disappointed look on his faceplate, then that look soon turned to a menacing look as he extended out his digits to make them look sharp, and Knockout entered the room to give Starscream a stunner. For hours, days, and weeks Starscream tortured the femme seeker as she has cuts all over her chassis with energon leaking from the slits, and burnt marks from the tazer he hits her with. But one day Starscream didn't attend to torturing, and Divewing heard blaster fire on the other side of the door, then it opened. A Autobot mech by the name of Bumblebee, and a Autobot femme by the name of Arcee were here on this ship accidental, and when the two saw a Decepticon lying on the table with cuts, and burnt marks they were udderly confused, and worried for the femme on the table. So what these two did were unexpected as they helped her off the ship thanks to a mech by the name of Ratchet opened a groundbridge off the ship. But the groundbridge didn't take them to the base as they didn't quite trust the bot they just saved as the portal took them to a secluded spot in the forest, then another portal opened up behind them with Ratchet and his medical kit in hand, and Optimus Prime. The four Autobots saw the damage on the Decepticon femme as Arcee, and Bumblebee explained how they found her, which let Optimus know that she must have betrayed Megatron. Ratchet patched cut after cut, and soon the femme opened her optics an hour later to see that she was surrounded by Autobots.

Divewing was scared, and incredibly vulnerable to attack but they didn't attack her and she didn't know why. Optimus Prime spoke to her about Megatron, and asked her if she had turned her backs on their cause she told them all of what she did and when they heard her say she was the one who gave them the message about the humans being used as bait. They didn't know what to say about this femme, and didn't know to trust her or not yet they did know she has turned against the Decepticons, and Optimus asked her if she would be willing to join their cause and fight for humanity. Divewing hesitated at the question but agreed to join the Autobot cause, and days later she had the Autobot badge on her wings and given the rank of recruit. However during her time with the Autobots they hardly trusted her to be allowed near the groundbridge controls, or allow her to travel out of the base alone.

A week later she finally was aloud to go on a mission with Bumblebee, and Arcee to find any energon mines the Decepticons were occupying, and where they were mining for energon as they were sent to clear it out and take the energonenergon back to base. The three bots cleared it out but Divewing got wreckless, and threw one of the Decepticon troops to a wall that was very sensitive wall as the entire cave begin to shake as walls, and rocks ripped off the cavern walls to only fall down on top of Divewing, Bumblebee, and Arcee but a groundbridge opened in time for them to escape, and so they escaped through the portals that let them back into base. Of course since they survived Arcee got mad and shouted at Divewing, which angered as well because there was no way she could have known that was a soft wall. Optimus explained to Divewing that she cannot be so wreckless during missions as she must play it safe so her, and the team can make it back home. Divewing understood his words but she couldn't follow them, she didn't want to follow any orders anymore. So the next day Divewing was no where to be seen in the base but she did leave a transmission for the Autobots. "I am not betraying any of you, I choose to leave because I do not think I am ready to be a member of a team and I hope most of you can see that. I will come back once I am ready, and if you ever need me at anytime, don't hesitate to contact me. Divewing out."

@zen-drift for making one of the art piece's for my OC here!

#transformers #oc #idw transformers #starscream

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riveires · 4 years

Text

precursor

@toauz / @twentysixdegrees

BOM

( / she paces, antsy. the good(?) kind, fingers not exactly shaking, the rest of her body prepared to feel a high that’s to come ) first of all, you’ll know not to call it the roarin’ 50s. ( / not that a bruise would be left on rhys’ arm if she were to hit him for even thinking it. she glances at lifeboat, then at margot next, rhys last. clasps her hands together as she finally stands still in front of said time machine, tilting her head, letting out a sigh ) we’re not getting on this until i stop feeling this rush all by myself.

RHYS

[ > he leans against one of the steel pillars keeping their little hideaway from collapsing on itself, arms crossed. machinery isn't unfamiliar to him. in fact, he'd been introduced to many a contraption in the military that he had learned the mechanics of, but this one...there's something he inherently distrusts about it all, even if connor-freaking-mason says it will timetravel them. ] weren't the 20s the decade that roared? [ > pushing off, he walks closer, standing a bit behind bom, still. a good soldier trusts his higher ups, so - ] well, chief - wanna tell me something that's taboo to do in the 50s, so i don't commit a faux pas? [ > to his right, margot. ] you good, captain?

MARGOT

( / the key—or "goober" as she affectionately calls it—is deep inside her hoodie pockets—a card chip about as thin as a nail, but with enough processing power to put the highest OS on the market to bust. a little too wired to be on the blueprint for the next line of PCs, so why not just leave it on the backburner for the next best thing? ) ( / somehow next best thing is code for a state of the art time machine, but it's connor. it's 0-100 a mile a minute whenever he's involved. getting Bookworm Babe and Army Adonis up in here is just another way to push the limit. ) yeah. real peachy. ( / even if her semi-pinched expression might say otherwise—blame it on the "what the hell" thought that loops through her head for the umpteenth time ) ( / pushes herself off the beat-up sofa to stand next to bom as well, give the Lifeboat a once-over ) we'll have it easier than Bill and Ted if that'll help with the nerves. trip-wise.

RHYS

[ > the side of his lip pulls down and out, and he watches both of their backs carefully. always been terrible at faces, which is why he pays close attention to their mannerisms, instead. ] [ > not that he's been given all that long to get to know them...agent christopher moved fast, connor mason moved faster, and he's not sure that he's ever seen anyone with as much anxious energy as margot. ] i don't understand that reference. [ > or someone vibrating such terribly contained excitement as bom. ] the excitement is endearing. hell, i’d be feeling the same way if i were in your shoes. [ > but he's not. the only shoes he's in are his own, and though he doesn't think he'll need to fight tooth or nail in 1950s hollywood, his first mistake would be to completely let down his guard. ] now is there a special way to climb into this thing or should i just run, jump, and hope for the best?

BOM

( / nudges margot’s shoulder gently with the push of her palm, pointing her finger at her soon after. i got that reference, she mouths, nerves simultaneously eased just thinking of the comparison point indeed. )

how curt. ( / has her head turned back towards lifeboat, smiling tightlipped, choosing not to look back at him right away in case he really is being sarcastic after all. she spares margot a glance once more, sneaking another one that lasts a little longer in the same breath. ) also, i’m sure whatever “bad” flies now will definitely fly like it’s nothing there. ( / purses her lips in thought, squinting at the sight of the door ) get ready to be mistaken as siblings, spoken down to like we don’t speak the damn language, all that jazz.

MARGOT

( / a flash of exasperation across her features, half thank you and half can you believe this guy? ) ( / really, it's not that serious, but that's between her and bom ) ( / out loud and with a dismissive wave: ) no need. ( / delivers the side of the lifeboat a good kick, which triggers the stairs to fold out. something that should be automatic, but that's just one last minute discovery bug in the design to work through once they return. priorities. ) ( / she does the honors of climbing into the lifeboat first, goober in hand to slide it in as you would with coins into a slot machine and jackpot: baby blinks to life, lights and circuitry flickering on as they should. it's always easier to breathe when you're in your element. ) speaking of jazz, there's never a bad time for some mood music. ( / kidding! unless...? )

BOM

( / if overthinking is as much of rhys’ thing as it is her own, they’re definitely in for a ride. she follows suit, taking him as a ladies first type of guy. something about him... ) ( / when she’s inside with margot, the time and space between just the two of them alone brief, bom is quiet enough for him to not hear from outside. ) do you think he knows jack about that, too?

MARGOT

( / she matches her in volume ) we'll find out. ( / if not now then eventually, what with the way this "mission" has them buckled up for a ride and a half. nothing like shared history to bring people together—literally ) ( / grins and it's a full show of teeth ) but that's what you're here for if he doesn't, doc. ( / fingers dance over the dashboard, thinking to take the opportunity by the horns before he gets on board ) i'm down for taking bets if you are.

BOM

( / the hairs on the back of her neck rise when she catches glimpse of margot’s smile, eyes shifting literally anywhere else for a second before flitting over to “check on” rhys ) depends on what your idea of one is. ( / for this round anyway )

RHYS

[ > he sees the professor and their pilot climb into the lifeboat out of his peripherals. he gives agent christopher a small, relaxed salute. it's really just the hand motion, and his commander would roll over in his grave if he saw, but it's been a few since his time in the service anyways. but also - fuck him ] i may be older the both of you, but my hearing isn't that bad. [ > he sits on the little space between in and out, half of his body slung in and the other half needing a second longer. ] 'course i know jazz - played in jazz band in high school. saxophone. [ > ant then, he slings his body in, watching as the door closes behind him. ] [ > there's a look of wonder of his face but he doesn't care. eyes passing over everything on the inside, he whistles a tone, somewhere between an f and a g. ] never would i have thought i'd be here, with you two. [ > an honest smile, directed at the two he's sharing a space with. it feels weird - but this isn't an alpha-male, guard your emotions-type of shit. his therapist had helped him work through a lot of that, so he's trying to be mindful, and not fall back into that. baby steps. ] just a retired soldier getting called back into some type of service, for something i know nothing about. i'll be relying on you both quite a bit, but know that you can rely on me for anything. [ > camaraderie is a slow build of shared experiences, earned trust, and developed loyalty - but it always starts somewhere. ] i'll always do my best for you both, i promise.

MARGOT

only by what, two years? ( / well color her surprised. guess what they say about first impressions are true, after all. sweet, and a band kid to boot? huh! ) still, my mistake. ( / margot's eyes slide over to bom anyway in unspoken mischief. maybe this deal's off the table, but for next time, count her in. ) ( / the machine hums electric beneath her hands, steady like a pulse, yet it feels like she's standing on the edge of a cliff ) ( / freefall has never felt so new, so real. ) and likewise. ( / her attention turns to the screen ) can't promise much other than a smooth ride to and fro, but it's a decent start. ( / back to the other two. ) y'all ready for this thing?

BOM

( / is "too sweet" a thing? something tells bom rhys will never get there, this equal parts comforting and cause for curiosity more than concern. margot's a treat in another way, probably has been as cool as she is since the second grade. with all three of them on board for dixieland alone, the uneasy feeling in her stomach lessens just a bit. ) ( / she hopes she can promise even half of what the other two have the offer in her own way, holding on for the ride, as snug as can be. her turf's moments away. ) if you are.

RHYS

as much as i'll ever be [ > he's impressed by the confidence in which margot navigates through the immensely complicated looking control panel, and he feels a little more relaxed by it in response. ] [ > a process keeps him sane, it keeps him focused. so when he feels like his soul is getting tugged out through his navel and shoved back into his head through his eyeballs, rhys tries to center himself by running through the facts of their mission: rittenhouse - big bad. more surveillance and scouting than actual engagement, but it never hurts to be prepared - ] [ > now, he just wants someone to confirm: holy shit, did they actually just time travel? ] that is the strangest sensation i have ever experienced in my life.

#toauz #twentysixdegrees #c: margot sohn (mirae)#grp: timeless #pr: precursor

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gritsandbrits · 4 years

Text

Power Rangers OCs: The Sanchez Family

Maria was literally one of my first OCs ever yet I barely make any content of her. So here is a basic rundown of her and her family members who are Power Rangers.

Maria Sanchez: The first Purple Ranger, she was the loner with a snarky attitude who always kept her head down and wasn't exactly popular with her peers (or her teachers). What she thought was a lucky coin given to her by her abuela turned out to be the lost Purple Power Coin. When Zordon sensed the coin he teleported her to the Command Center and offered her a chance to join the Power Rangers. At first she had no interest in being a ranger, much less working with the people she disliked. Her time with the rangers slowly made her less aloof and more open with the others, even gaining a love interest in Rocky. Later, Maria upgraded to the Zeo Ranger VI, and mich later, the first Purple Turbo Ranger.

Bianca Sanchez: Maria's younger, bubbly and nosey twin who was a reporter for Angel Grove High newspaper. She would always snoop around trying to figure out the rangers identity to no avail. Once Turbo came around she did found out but understanding the hard way just how important keeping their identities were, she vowed to keep it a secret. It was this surprising act of loyalty that led to her becoming Maria's successor as the Purple Turbo Ranger. Bianca would then go on to be the Purple Space Ranger.

Rosita McGrath: Introduced as the sassy four year old niece of the twins. In 2004 (aged fourteen) she became the Dino Thunder Pink Ranger in her freshman year of high school. History sort of repeats itself when she becomes to Trent, unaware that he was the (then evil) White Ranger. As confident as she is sometimes she can be too much of a diva.

Violetta "Letty" Sanchez (de Santos) The SPD Violet ranger and the future daughter of Maria and Rocky. Starting out as a detective and ally of the rangers, she made up for the lack of genetic abilities with her resourcefulness and extensive knowledge of the law. She can be too hard-nosed at times as well as a bit petty mainly towards Skylar. Speaking of which they had a rival-to-lovers dynamic. Letty's suit number is 7 as she became a ranger after Future!Sam.

Silvia Sanchez: A young Sanchez cousin and the Purple Samurai Ranger. She was an artist and jewellery maker whose grandmother was a friend and student of Jayden's grandfather. On her birthday she received a crescent shaped box revealing to be her Origami Zord Rooster. She can control metal, although her power wasn't strong in her earlier missions.

Rebeca "Becky" De Santos: Letty's sister and the Ninja Steel Green Ranger. She's the outgoing party girl and total fangirl, yet she puts her more childish qualities aside to help others. She has an interest in astronomy. Her power is based on the moon.

I have more Ranger!OCs (one or two for each season) but they are unrelated to the Sanchez so they get their own post. Individual Bios are still WIP. For now just tell me what you think of my characters and hopefully I made them well-rounded.

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empressxmachina · 4 years

Photo

Party Foul, “pt. 2″ by Imperial-Radiance (that’s me)

“That’s the biggest damn cup I’ve ever seen in my life,” Domino barely breathed, finally acknowledging the truth and successfully staying composed despite the cacophony of sirens flaring in her head. “That, or we’re small as all hell, but I’m going to go with the former for my own sanity’s sake.”

Turning back and forth from the cup itself to the brick wall on which it sat to the abyssal forest of a grassy yard way too far below and way too wide for her comfort brought about feelings within her she hadn’t felt since she was a bad seed. A sour seed she was that flowered into a prickly plant she is, but she was once a sprout just as they all once were… to which they currently felt their psyches regressing out of sensible fear.

“Mm-hmm,” Jigsaw hummed in agreement, halfway thankful she couldn’t see the space at its full expanse and quality. “So, whatever put it out here is probably much, much larger than it… and us. We’ve come across some big adversaries over the years, but they were generally that way just in number or mentality.”

Glyph checked in. “Speaking of number, don’t you think it’s a bit weird that we haven’t seen anyone around, person or animal, other than Curio?”

As it was such a beautiful day – they, too, could see that despite the circumstances – it was unlikely that no soul wouldn't and/or couldn't embrace the incoming twilight and night for what fun they were sure to be. Plus, at this size, there wasn’t much that could be missed, except for themselves.

Jigsaw reluctantly agreed, “Yes, but maybe the Gods are working in our favor for the moment. Heavens forbid that the training technicalities are true here, too: a possible enemy’s quantity and mindset being off the charts knocked even more askew now with presumed size.”

“The latter on its own is already statistically a suicide mission,” Domino declared through a shameful sigh.

“But, is it not one worth taking?” Domino and Jigsaw almost considered that someone else had somehow snuck into the copter, but that wasn’t the case. Glyph, out of nowhere, bubbled up some moxie. “Yes, I shouldn’t have shown my tattoo, yes, she shouldn’t have tried reading a rune, and, yes, we shouldn’t have been inebriated doing both, but Curio is our clan mate, isn’t she?”

“G, I know where you're going with this,” Domino announced, sourness singeing her words once again, “and you are not going to pull me into a damn trolley problem.”

“Why can't I?” Glyph questioned with an accusing, pointed hand toward Domino, pressing literally in her chest. “Why shouldn't I?” she then threw to Jigsaw. “Why are you two so set on letting her die so quickly!?”

“We’re not!” both elder ladies barked, their directed force nearly sending Glyph out the side of the copter. They, noticing their own veins bulging and Glyph starting to breathe heavily, lowered their demeanors as rapid as possible. Jigsaw, with a sigh, spoke for herself and her slightly younger, saucy friend.

“Do you really think we would’ve done all of this and come so far if we didn’t want to get Curio?” she commenced, using her commanding, commander's tone and her just-as-intimidating appearance to her advantage. “Would we still be on autopilot right now, taking the shortest and fastest path possible to her if we didn’t care?”

All of the elder's inquiries got apprehensive nods out of Glyph, but the puzzled look on her face showed that she still didn’t get the hesitation.

Domino spoke up, being rather calm for once. “It’s not that we don't want to help her, G. We just want to make sure the three of us are alive to do so. You see this place. You can probably feel how off it is.”

“Heh, yeah,” Glyph managed to chuckle, composing herself. “The sensors sure do, too.”

Along with the temperature and altitude faults (or lack thereof), the hub now appeared to detect another force almost magnetic in nature, perhaps being that which attracted Curio aside from her pronunciation problem. It, in every regard, seemed familiar or, at least, similar enough to be manipulated given time they didn't have, yet here it was flared as resistant and restricted.

“Right,” Jigsaw agreed, “so if we do this, then we have to make sure we do it right, and I… won't be able to dive and bring in Curio like I thought I would.”

The two young-bloods shot her a look of maintained confusion, but after a moment, particularly Domino seeing a sliver of regret surface itself on Jigsaw's face at her stare, the pouty pilot finally understood to what Jigsaw had been referring this entire time, making an ‘Oh’ expression on immediate realization. It made sense as to why she wasn’t at the party but was come across later for the rescue squad. Domino never thought her bold buddy would actually do it, yet it was a most private matter with which she hoped she didn't interfere too much. If they were lucky, then they all would be able to get back before any (more) concerns occurred.

Glyph, on the other hand, wasn’t as knowledgeable of Jigsaw’s intimacies – knowing that of one’s superior would be weird, after all – but was willing to home in on her usual essence and take up the role of supreme savior in her place.

“Then, let me,” she offered selflessly, hand over her heart. “If Curio can't climb in here if we get close enough or she can't scale the rope ladder, then I'll get her, either way. If that acid or whatever messes up my tat, then I don’t care. I probably deserve it at this point. Just make sure you two keep everything taut and level for us, okay?”

Jigsaw slowly considered it, rubbing a hand over her chin, trying to ponder any other possible idea but coming up with nothing. “I suppose that could work. I can definitely pull up the both of you, need be.”

“And, I’ll do my thing here,” Domino decided, gripping the cyclic and collective controls harder than ever to lock in her place. “I wish I had anything close to J’s gains.”

The last thing Jigsaw expected to get was a compliment from Domino, but those little nuggets of love along with the secrets they shared were why they were so close for so, so long, after all. She would’ve shown a smile if she didn’t know how it just would’ve sparked more nosiness in Glyph. She’d be the one asking questions, yet she’d probably end up being railed… again.

A shared look of agreement shot between the trio reflected a quiet contract confirmed, and soon they were on their way. Domino initiated the aircraft’s main descent, lowering herself and the preparing pair in the center of the cabin toward the doused damsel, and Glyph and Jigsaw walked toward the wall of tools to get ready for their part of the plan.

Not being as skilled as her elders, Glyph began to question her abilities as she began donning herself in an overly complicated floatation vest and gripping gloves. Jigsaw, finding her own fitting gloves and the unfolding the ladder for which they’d be used, saw her scrunching, pensive face and quickly gave her subordinate a supportive pat on the back before returning to search for a breathing mask that would fit her.

Domino took glances at their exchanges whenever she could, but her mind tended to drift elsewhere. The best-case scenario was directly on the cup and Curio inside of it, using the helicopter’s signals and sounds as a guide; however, her eyes focused on their surroundings most of the time. Glyph’s lashing out allowed for Domino’s general concerns to pass, but the expansiveness of everything that wasn’t them still kept the captain on edge.

Perhaps that was a good thing as they finally reached the rim of the colossal, Curio-carrying cup and its tonic tides nearly took up the entire horizon on their own. If Domino wasn’t expecting bad things to happen at every moment, then rather than halting the copter smoothly on sight, the elephant-sized insect that wanted to say ‘Hello’ probably would’ve sent them into the watery depths to join their drifting friend.

From the encroaching darkness and Domino’s taking heed to not flash any lights and not spook their unexpected visitor into attacking back, it was impossible to directly tell whether the multilegged newcomer had wings to combat the copter’s flight ability (and Domino’s piloting of it). Still, all of those legs were intimidating enough on their own, only made more fearsome by the creepy crawler’s beady, prismatic eyes and clamping mouth. With its size competing with the copter, it wasn’t hard to determine exactly the type of animal at which she was directly looking, and she only hoped, as rare of a chance as it was, that it was a placid herbivore.

“Six legs, wandering antennae, eyes I could probably fit in if I curled up tight enough,” Domino speculated to herself, scanning every visible bit of the biter ahead. “This is punishment for all those snuffed ant hills as a kid, isn’t it?”

She was so grateful that Jigsaw and Glyph were too caught up in gathering their goods. By doing so, there was no way they could see the immense insect. Plus, missing out on all the damages its exposure would’ve caused was probably a good thing. Domino wouldn’t have to take Glyph’s place as a diver from her resulting, probably freezing in fear, even though it’d be simple, and Jigsaw wouldn’t have to take the reins and pilot the helicopter, despite probably being better at the job. The same couldn’t be said for the awaiting damsel in distress.

Along with being the youngest and weakest of the foursome, Curio’s wet skin – as much of it that could be seen – practically glowed white like any headlight could have simply from paling due to being relatively within reach of the thing. Unlike her – well, all of them, really – the enormous ant could traverse tides with ease, without or without wings, due to its diminutive dimensions made for the world surrounding it. Yet, Curio being shocked into stillness raised the stakes of her dense, dense self irreversibly sinking to the bottom of the cup-lake every second.

Luckily for them all, the danger appeared to find them not worthy of any pursuits and eventually went off back down the side of the plastic precipice, leaving them alone to finally do what was meant to be done.

“Target within lateral range,” Domino belted, hiding any previous signs of fear and locking the other girls' attention on herself as Curio resumed her paddle pacing. “Lost soul in sight… and somehow safe.”

Jigsaw wasn’t a fan of Domino's bluntness, but her taking heed in not sugarcoating the scenario was appreciated, sparking a small smile. Glyph, on the other hand, was too caught up in the seemingly sure security, quickly dropping her end of their just-assembled scaling harness complex and running over to the front of the cabin to see it for herself. Her eyes wasted no time building up tears at the sight, though whether it was from her being happy to see Curio alive or her being distraught at the treading tiny unexpectedly looking like a corpse at the same time.

“Oh, my gosh,” Glyph whimpered, at a loss for any better words for the distant damsel. She gripped the back of the co-pilot’s seat so hard that Domino thought she was going to need to make Jigsaw charge her for a cushion replacement. Luckily, she eventually released, realizing there was no time to waste. “We have to get out there. We have to get her out of there!”

Jigsaw took her chance in Glyph’s brief, focused silence to make her approach, almost sending Glyph into the ceiling when she made her new closeness known. “And, we will,” she interjected, now right behind the duo up front, “once you lock in.”

Jigsaw pressing the dropped harness into Glyph’s back signaled that it was truly go-time. Glyph retook her straps and intertwined herself with them, watching the elder go back to the ladder and get ready. It looked like a web was being weaved: Jigsaw donning her end of the multi-armed harness like a belt, another rope connecting it and her to the walls of the copter, and the last tip dangling from Glyph’s vest.

The elder stood with her feet pushing into the metal floor, one hand on the side door, ready to yank it open on the mark, and the other gripping the ladder, all the while bracing herself for Glyph’s and hopefully later Curio’s added weight on said ladder. Before, she believed that Glyph would plan her moves carefully, following the same guidelines she knew Domino had been giving her over the years as her team leader. The sassy air surfer wouldn’t have been or currently be so hard on her if the young souls – her and captive Curio – weren’t so driven to circumvent ‘seemingly unconnected’ directives so much. However, as Jigsaw looked to her strap-sharing associate, noticing a new light in her eyes, she knew that something clicked.

Domino’s tendencies had finally been absorbed into Glyph’s psyche, ignited by the acceptance of her faults.

Domino had run to the captain’s chair of a copter and took the helm as soon as she found one available. In hindsight, it was probably the best decision because she was perfect with her own proficient and deciphering others’, i.e. Curio’s terrible, rune casting, able to get them where they needed to be in the blink of an eye. However, Jigsaw still felt some sort of way about it.

On one hand, she was a top-ten flyer in all of their massive, secret clan despite being monocular, but Domino currently held the role. On the other hand, she was the most athletically adept out of the trio, let alone most people she knew from all backgrounds, with the best rescue record, but now Glyph was taking that place. She knocked herself out of being Curio’s direct savior by her own poorly done, previous privacies that were probably not even necessary given the people with whom she settled. Yet, there was a reminder in the back of her mind that she wasn’t totally selfish.

Her achievements allowed her the trust and privileges to have access to the helicopters in the first place, even if normal procedures said that she should’ve run it through to a superior first. Moreover, Domino wouldn’t be able to pull up or translate both of the juniors in a timely fashion if the supremely dire need came up, no matter how stubborn or perseverant she was. She said it herself.

All three ladies had their place to be and job to do, ready for whatever would come their way and whichever ways it decided to happen. Everything seemed relatively calm – the outer breeze, the inner demeanors of everyone, and the currents in Curio’s cup. However, in order to get their jobs done, all of their smooth serenity had to have an eventual expulsion.

In a flash, it did. With a splash, it did.

#g/t #my writing #party foul #sw #girl power

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naruwitch · 4 years

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Code Geass: Paladins of Voltron Chapter 5: Rise of Voltron Part 5

"Alright, let's not panic!" Lelouch said as soon as Sendak's transmission ended.

"Not panic?" Shirley asked, her voice already shaking, "Th-the scary purple alien thing is driving his battleships toward us. We only got five lions-"

"Technically only four working lions," Suzaku pointed out.

"That's right, thank you, Suzaku. Four working lions, and a castle that's like ten thousand years old!"

"Actually, it's ten thousand, six hundred years old," Coran informed them and adjusted his collar as if about to give an important presentation. He always loved speaking about his proud family line. "You see it was built by my grandfather-"

"Thanks, Coran, thank you for that," Shirley interrupted, pinching Coran's lips shut, much to the man's shock and disappointment, "See? Now is the perfect time to panic!"

"No, it isn't!" Milly argued back, "If anything, now's the time to put our heads together and come up with a plan! We won't win this battle if we act like a bunch of wild dogs chasing their tails."

"Wait!" Allura exclaimed in realization, "This castle has a particle barrier we can activate!"

"Okay," said Kallen, "and how long will that hold?"

Coran pulled up an outline of the Galra ship on the screen in front of them. The main cannon on the battleship highlighted in red. "The barrier won't hold Sendak's ion cannon forever. The Galra technology must have advanced since we fought them last."

"Panic now?" asked Shirley, still trembling.

"No," Lelouch said firmly, "we just need to figure out our plan of attack, and figure it out fast." Lelouch's brain was working in overdrive to try and figure this out. However, there were so many unknown factors; he was having a hard time thinking of a plan. After all, this would technically be their first official battle with the Galra. He didn't count their scrimmage on Earth or Rivalz and Shirley's retrieval mission since the first didn't count as a 'battle,' and Lelouch wasn't present in the later.

Rivalz spoke up, raising his hand, "I say we pop through a wormhole and live to fight another day."

"I second that, yes," Shirley agreed immediately, "I mean, we tried to find all the lions, right? Gave it the old college try, couldn't do it. We only have four; we can't form Voltron. I-I mean, I guess we could form a snake? Or a worm! To go through the hole, Rivalz was talking about."

"Then it's settled," Rivalz said before smirking flirtatiously at Allura, "Allura, you ride with me." He then leaned his head towards Coran, "One of you take the old guy." Coran began fuming in rage at the comment.

"Wait! We can't just abandon Arus!" Rai protested, "The Galra will keep destroying planets and capturing prisoners until we stop them!"

"That may be true," Suzaku said, "but if you think about it, the Lions are ultimately the Galra's targets. If we leave Arus, the Galra may follow us and leave the planet alone. That's what happened on Earth, remember? There must be some planets the Galra are willing to let be."

"Yeah!" Rivalz nodded, "Then we form the snake thingamajig, and we sliver out of here!" He made slivering motions with his arms to emphasize.

Milly spoke, "But now Zarkon knows the Lions are back. Even if we do run, how far will we get before they catch us, not to mention the number of planets and people he'll kill just to do it? It's only going to get more dangerous from here on out! Also, if I may add, judging by their complexion, those Galra guys could use some beauty sleep… or a facial, I'm just saying."

"Exactly!" Rai agreed, "About the Lions and all that, not the facial thing… although I'll agree with you on that too."

"Besides, why don't you use your quiznacking head for a moment," Kallen protested, glaring at Suzaku. Coran and Allura flinched and gaped at Kallen as if she just said a foul word. "Did it occur to you that Sendak could just destroy Arus, and then come after us anyway? Staying is our only option!"

"First of all, I don't think you used that 'quiznack' word correctly, and second you don't know that!" Suzaku objected, gritting his teeth.

"We're not abandoning these people!"

"We're leaving!" Suzaku shouted.

"We're staying!" Kallen yelled back, with more vigor than they ever witnessed back at school, but everyone was too caught up in the situation to notice.

"Leaving!" Rivalz exclaimed.

"Staying!" Milly and Rai proclaimed together.

"Snake!" Shirley cried in panic.

"ENOUGH!" Lelouch roared with a tone of finality, showing pure fury on his face, "Listen to yourselves! Arguing isn't getting us anywhere! I've said it once, and I'll repeat it if we want to survive this; we need to work together!"

Everyone else turned their backs to one another, the votes to leave and stay divided in half. Suzaku, Rivalz, and Shirley stood on one side wanting to go, and Rai, Milly, and Kallen on the other wishing to stay and fight. C.C. stood off to the side, observing.

Letting out an exasperated sigh, Lelouch turned to the one person in the room who may know what to do, "Princess Allura, these are your lions. You've dealt with the Galra Empire before. You know what we're facing better than any of us. What do you think is the best course of action?"

For the first time since the new paladins arrived in her castle, Allura felt doubt and fear swell inside. For truth be told… she didn't know what to do. It had literally been thousands of years since she had faced the Galra. As much as she hated to admit it, Shirley was right. Without the Red and Purple Lions, they couldn't unlock the Black Lion to form Voltron, and she knew that they needed Voltron to win this war. With Sendak on his way to destroy the planet and only four working lions, there was no way to know if it would be enough to beat them.

"I-I don't know," Allura admitted, looking down at the floor in dismay.

"What do you mean you don't know!" Kallen exclaimed in frustration, which only seemed to make the princess falter more.

"Perhaps… your father could help," Coran said, catching their attention.

"My father?" Allura asked in confusion.

"Wait," Rivalz said, voicing everyone's confusion, "I thought you said her father was dead?"

"Well… not exactly."

o~o

Allura followed Coran down a dark corridor, pitch black except for the neon blue glow of the Altean symbols on the walls and ceilings. A large door slid open in front of them, revealing a holodeck interface on the inside — a glowing light in the very center.

"Coran," Allura gasped, "what is this?"

"King Alfor knew there was a chance he might never see you again. So his memories, his very being, was stored in this computer for you." Coran explained as Allura approached the glowing orb of light.

Allura reached out her hand to touch it as the orb rose into the air. Suddenly, blue sparks expanded, growing in size, turning from blue to yellow, showering the dark room, filling it with light. The pretty scenery changed from a dark room to a field of lush green grass and beautiful magenta flowers — mountains formed in the distance and white puffy clouds floating in the crystal blue sky. If the inside of the room still didn't smell of metal, Allura would have thought that it was real. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she never imagined she'd see anything of Altea again.

A metallic ringing filled the air. A ray of blue light arose from the holodeck, forming the body of a man. It was transparent as a ghost, but he still looked as sharp and regal as when he was alive. His skin tone was identical to Allura's with icy blue eyes, silvery-white hair, and white and yellow battle armor with a long blue cape adorning his form. Despite this, though, King Alfor's eyes looked tired and worn but still held the immense love they always had.

"Father!" Allura gasped and ran towards the holoform, "Father, it is so good to see you!"

"Allura, my only child, how I've missed your face," the image said with a sad smile.

Despite her happiness, though, Allura could barely hold back tears of despair. "I'm so frightened! A Galra ship is set to attack, and I don't know what to do," the princess explained, all but collapsing at the image's feet, "Please, Father, I need your help."

"I would do anything to take this burden from you," Alfor responded sadly.

"I don't know if we should run, to preserve what we have, or stay and risk everything! I want to fight, but the paladins of old are gone… I know what you would do," she said, gazing up at the man as if she were only a child.

"I scattered the Lions of Voltron to keep them out of Zarkon's hands. You urged me to keep them and fight, but for the greater good of protecting the universe, I chose to hide them."

"I think I understand," Allura said.

"No daughter," Alfor said, "You were right. I made a terrible mistake, one that cost the universe countless lives. Forming Voltron is the only way to stop Zarkon. You must be willing to sacrifice everything to assemble the Lions and correct my error."

o~o

It didn't take long for Allura to exit the room her father resided. When she entered the control room once again, she was now wearing a full-body white jumpsuit, with purple, black, and pink outlines. Her hair was styled into a messy bun with ringlets by her ears. The look on her face and fire in her eyes all but told the paladins, C.C., and Coran her answer.

"You seven paladins were brought here for a reason," Allura said, no tremor present in her tone whatsoever. "The Voltron Lions are meant to be piloted by you, and you alone. We must fight and keep fighting until we defeat Zarkon. It is our destiny. Voltron is the universe's only hope. We are the universe's only hope."

Lelouch responded with a sentence he never thought would come out of his mouth again in his lifetime. But it still held the same finality as when he was commanding the Black Knights as Zero. It was a tone that left no room for argument. "We're with you, princess."

C.C. only grinned in anticipation as the other paladins nodded, some reluctantly, in agreement.

'This just got interesting…'

o~o

Allura led the seven paladins to a dark room that suddenly lit up with light as they entered. Within it, in a semi-circle against the wall, were seven pods almost identical to the ones Coran and Allura woke up from. Only instead of people inside, there were seven identical suits of armor. They looked almost like the armor that medieval Britannian knights wore, just with a bit of a sci-fi flair added to them. They consisted of dark gray to light black full-body undersuits and topped with stiffer segments of white armor, and just like Allura's suit, they each had a large 'V' showing on the chest plates. The only differences in them were each had a different color outlining it: blue, red, yellow, black, purple, green, and orange.

"Your suits of armor," Allura presented as the paladins walked up to their corresponding color, examined it, mumbled in admiration and amazement at the design.

"Cool!" Rai said.

"Nice," Kallen grinned.

"Outstanding," Lelouch breathed.

"Neat," Shirley said.

"Love it!" Milly exclaimed.

"I'll take it," Suzaku said.

"This is going to be awesome!" Rivalz squealed like a fangirl as he looked at his blue armor with stars in his eyes.

"Princess," Coran said, pulling at his mustache as he eyed them with skepticism, "are you sure about this? They aren't exactly the best and brightest the universe has to offer."

"No, but they're all we've got," In any other situation, Allura would have shared her caretaker's same opinion, but time was of the essence.

"Paladins of Voltron!" Lelouch proclaimed with a smirk on his face, shared by all the others, "Suit up!"

Armor was placed, belts were buckled, plates were adjusted, helmets were mounted, and (for Shirley and Milly) hair was pulled up in buns. It wasn't long before the new Paladins of Voltron stood before the Alteans, an air of confidence surrounding them all.

Allura placed her hand over a glowing table in the same room, a symbol glowing brightly in the middle. The blue outline then vanished to reveal six handle-like objects which levitated before them, each corresponding to a color of the paladins.

"The Bayard is the traditional weapon of the Paladins of Voltron," she explained as the Bayards all floated towards their respective wielder, "it takes a distinct shape for each Paladin."

Once the Orange Bayard landed in Shirley's palm, the object glowed a bright orange before narrowing and widening to form a very sturdy and versatile bow. A quiver of arrows appeared behind her back along with it. She hummed in slight skepticism as she never really used a bow or any other weapon in her life. Still, if the princess said it took shape depending on who wielded it, she'd have to figure it out.

The Red Bayard found its way to Kallen's hand, which immediately shifted into what looked like a sizeable gloved gauntlet with what appeared to be silver opening that was closed in the middle. She raised an eyebrow in confusion she nearly leaped back in surprise as three long claw-like blades appeared between her fingers. They looked almost identical to that of Wolverine's claws from the X-men. Smirking, she raised the clawed cestus to her face the same way she'd seen the famous X-men do on the movie covers, a matching wolfish grin spreading across her face.

When Milly got hold of the Yellow Bayard, it also glowed until she felt what appeared to be metal in one hand, and a handle of something in another. After the light cleared, she quirked her eyebrow in intrigue as a scythe attached to a silver chain appeared in her hands with yellow outlining it. Milly had seen ninja from old Japanese anime and movies wield a weapon like this. A kusarigama, she recalled. Grabbing hold of the chain just below the handle, Milly twirled it around in a tight circle before grabbing hold of the handle stop it.

"Stylish, functional, and deadly," the Yellow Paladin smiled mischievously, "the perfect combination."

Suzaku reached for his Bayard, which took the form of a traditional Japanese katana blade but seemed to have the handle of a longsword, mixing both Japanese and Britannia sword styles. Then the purple band on his wrist created a transparent blue shield, making him look like a sci-fi knight in shining armor. The Honorary Britannian smirked as he swung the katana around a few times before striking a finishing battle pose.

Rivalz held his Bayard as it shifted into the form of a rifle. Confidently, he laughed as he aimed the gun around, pretending to shoot at oncoming enemies.

Rai's Bayard turned into an arrow-like blade, glowing a bright forest green. He swung it around, pretending to slice at an invisible threat. It was the smallest of all the Bayards, but it also seemed to be the most agile and most comfortable to control.

"Aw! You got a cute little Bayard, Rai," Rivalz teased. Rai smirked and struck Rivalz with it, which sent out an electric shock through the secretary's body, causing him to cry out in pain before falling to the floor, twitching slightly. Milly and the others all laughed.

"Yeah," the platinum blonde said, smiling smugly, "it is pretty cute."

The only one who hadn't received his Bayard was Lelouch, whom Allura turned to with a show of regret on her face.

"Lelouch, I'm afraid your Bayard was lost with its Paladin."

The former prince simply shrugged. He probably would be useless on the front lines anyway with his lackluster body, unless he was inside his lion. And if all else failed, he could always use his Geass. "I'll just have to make do then."

o~o

Back in the control room, the Paladins, Allura, and Coran pulled up the image of the battleship once again, planning their course of action.

"You'll have to retrieve the Red and Purple Lions from Sendak's ship," Allura explained.

"That's a pretty big ship…" Suzaku said.

"Yeah," Kallen said, "how are we going to know where the Lions are?"

"Well, it's not a matter of we," Milly said, "it's more of a matter of you two." Suzaku and Kallen blinked in confusion.

"The Prez is right," Shirley said, "once you get in, you'll be able to like feel its presence and track it down."

"Yeah, you know how Rai felt that crazy energy back on Earth by the lake?" Rivalz asked.

"Yeah…" Kallen said with Suzaku slowly nodding.

"Hey! Didn't you make fun of me for that?" asked Rai accusingly.

"Yep! And I'm proud of it, but it turns out it's exactly like that mumbo jumbo."

"Kallen, Suzaku, remember, though the Red Lion is more than the Purple, both of them are extremely temperamental. You'll have to earn their respect," Allura said.

Kallen and Suzaku both tensed, Lelouch and C.C. being the only ones noticing. Unlike everyone else, who just found their lions and poof instant connection and new mechanical cat to ride, they were both going to have to work to ride their lions. Just like everything else they had to do in their lives, whether against or for Brittania. They had to earn it.

However, they received some reassurance when Lelouch placed his hands on their shoulders. They could do this.

"Alright," said Lelouch, "here's our plan of attack..."

o~o

Shirley and Rivalz soared above the atmosphere of Arus, approaching the Galra battleship cautiously.

"The Galra Empire knows about the Blue and Orange Lion…"

Meanwhile, Milly and Rai flew in with their lions from behind, carefully so that the battleship didn't notice. They weaved in and around the asteroids before them.

"...However, the advantage we have is that they don't know we have the Yellow and Green Lion as well. Shirley, Rivalz, you two will act as decoys by pretending to give yourselves up…"

"Attention Galra ship," Rivalz said after seeing the Galra picked up their signal, "do not fire, we're surrendering our Lions."

Shirley gulped, "I hope this works…"

"...While Sendak is distracted, Milly, Rai, Suzaku, Kallen, and I will sneak onto the ship in the Yellow and Green Lion. Suzaku and I will go to find the Purple Lion, while Kallen and Rai find the Red Lion. Milly will guard our exit. Rivalz, Shirley, find some way to take down that ion cannon."

Milly and Rai both landed on the underside of the ship. Making sure that the Lions would stay in place, Rai exited and used his Bayard to cut a clean hole in the wall, allowing the five to sneak in.

Meanwhile, a set of giant doors opened in front of the Orange and Blue Lion. Not knowing what would happen next but remaining calm, Rivalz spoke through the commlinks in their helmets, "Milly, what's your ETA?"

"We're in," came the reply as the helmet's lower mask vanished, sensing there was oxygen available around the paladins inside. The team deduced that they in a power room, seeing as several bolts of purple lightning were connecting to the roof and floor. The walls and place, in general, were dark, the only light present was the faint glow of dark purple light along the walls. Even without the dim lighting, the team could immediately feel that there was something off about the ship. Lelouch, out of habit, activated his Geass, as if he anticipated an enemy leaping out behind the metal walls. Like the Castle, it felt alive, but with a much more sinister and evil presence surrounding them, making them all the more eager to get the Lions and just. Get. Out!

o~o

From the pilot room on the other side of the ship, Sendak quickly took action to obtain the Lions. "Activator tractor beam."

From outside, a bright purple light began to emerge from the opening doors in front of the Orange and Blue Lions.

"What's that thing?" asked Shirley.

"I think that's our signal to get out of here!" Rivalz shouted. He yanked on the controls of his lion, causing it to leap out of the way of the purple beam that came shooting out, just in time. Shirley followed suit, the beam hitting nothing but space.

Sendak grit his teeth angrily, "They lied to us! Launch fighters!"

Hatches opened on the sides of the ship as dozens of fighter jets were launched out already firing at the duo.

"Shirley, you dismantle the ion cannon while I take these jerks on a space ride!" Rivalz said, grinning in anticipation as he launched his lion into the pool of fighters.

"Copy that!" she replied, tightening her grip as she too sped off, this time straight towards the ship. Rivalz began to give her covering fire maneuvering and dancing around fighters, blasting beams while also getting them to shoot at each other from time to time.

o~o

Back inside the ship, Suzaku cautiously looked around the corner in search of patrols. Finding none, he gestured to the others to follow him. Lelouch, Kallen, and Rai emerged after him while Milly squatted to the ground behind them, covering their exit as planned. She gripped her kusarigama tightly in her palm, giving off a faint golden glow.

Rai suddenly stopped, looking down the dimly lit hall. It suddenly seemed to getter larger and more prolonged the more he stared. A vast array of disturbing images flashed before his eyes. A dark cell, surrounded by several other creatures, robots dragging him along the hall someplace, the screams and cries of others filling his ears. The feel of a surgical needle impaling his left eye.

Rai gasped and nearly stumbled backward. He panted as he attempted to regain his composure.

Milly acted fast and steadied him before he could tip over. "Rai, what's wrong?"

"I-I've been here before!" Rai realized as everyone else stopped moving to listen, "After I was taken away from Earth, somehow, they brought us here."

"Wait, 'us'?" asked Lelouch, alarmed. Rai made no mention of there being others with him.

"My mom, and my sister, and I, we were all captured," Rai nodded, holding his head, before snapping his head up in realization, "They could still be here! I have to rescue them!" he tried to run down the hall, but Lelouch stopped him for a moment.

"Do you know where they could be located?" the exiled prince asked seriously. This was the first time Lelouch honestly felt real empathy towards Rai. If he were in Rai's shoes, he too would do the same, especially for Nunnally, and maybe even Euphemia.

"Yes," Rai nodded vigorously, "I remember where the prisoners are held!"

"Alright, we'll get them out," Lelouch said, but Kallen then grabbed his shoulder.

"Lelouch," Suzaku said, "I know we shouldn't endanger innocents, but we probably won't have time to free them! We have to find the Lions and get back to Arus! Who knows how long Shirley and Rivalz can keep them distracted!"

"But we can't just leave prisoners here either!" Kallen exclaimed at the Red Paladin, "They have families and friends waiting for them too, you know! Isn't that what Allura said we are? 'The Universe's only hope?' How can we give that hope if we can't even save half-a-dozen prisoners."

"Kallen's right Suzaku. Besides, we can free prisoners, and still get the Lions if we split up," Lelouch said firmly, "Milly and I will go with Rai to get the prisoners out of here. You two go find your Lions."

"By ourselves?!" Suzaku exclaimed in disbelief.

"It's just a minor change of plans," Milly said, "and like we discussed back at the Castle, you two are the only ones who can find the lions anyway. You'll be fine. You just have to keep focused on the goal. Those are the words I live by."

"In both a good and evil way," Lelouch muttered under his breath. Milly, fortunately, didn't hear him.

Before the topic could be discussed any further, the sound of opening doors to their left filled the area. Their time was up for now.

"Run!" Lelouch half-whispered, half-shouted, as he, Milly, and Rai ran in one direction, while Kallen and Suzaku ran in the other.

The Red and Purple Paladins panted as they ran down the hall, having no real idea where they were supposed to go.

As they ran, a thought came to Suzaku as he watched Kallen easily keeping up with him. Unusual, especially for someone not allowed to participate in P.E. due to 'health' problems.

"You-you've never been 'sick' from school, have you, Kallen?"

The redhead scowled in annoyance. Were they talking about this now?

Fortunately, Kallen was rescued from having discussed this as the pair came to an intersection leading down three halls. "Great, now which way?" Kallen growled.

Suzaku looked from one hall to the other just as frustrated. His eyes eventually fell onto one of the two identical symbols in between the chambers. The glowing purple Galra emblem. For a moment, he couldn't look away from the image, no matter how angry it made him feel inside. The sharp edges and sinister formation embodied the race's ruthless and cruel nature to near perfection. Suzaku, no matter how reluctant, already noticed that this race was a lot like the Britannian Empire back on Earth. He could tell that Kallen, and especially Lelouch also saw the parallels, and already hated the Galra for it.

'No,' he shook his head, 'Brittania can still change for the better; there is still hope. The Galra have been doing this for thousands of years longer. This. Is. Different…' but for some reason, no matter how much he repeated this mantra, he couldn't quite bring himself to believe it wholeheartedly.

"Suzaku hide!" Kallen's urgent whisper broke him from his thoughts as he was shoved to the left away from the center hall while Kallen leaped to the right. Not a moment too soon either as a pair of Galra droids emerged from the center hallway before walking past them, remaining unaware of the two paladins. Suzaku and Kallen made eye contact afterward, both nodding before they continued down the hall they had hidden in. As Lelouch said, it may be riskier, but splitting up gave them a more significant chance of finding the Lions.

o~o

Back outside, Shirley gritted her teeth as she set her lion into a nosedive straight for the ion cannon. If she could get a good hit on it at least once, then it would still take a while for it to get fixed so it would be able to buy Allura and Coran some time. Shirley was sure with the amount of armor on the lion, it could probably even smash it to pieces. Just as she was about to hit it though, she felt herself and her lion bounce off of something. It almost like they had run into a flexible steel wall. Flipping backward to regain balance, Shirley flew around to see why she was bounced off, and then she saw it.

"What the quiznack?" she gasped, seeing a translucent purple barrier surrounding the ion cannon, "What is that? A forcefield?"

This was going to take longer than she thought.

o~o

"Particle barrier up!"

At Allura's command, a transparent orb of blue energy surrounded the castle. It remained solid for about two seconds before it suddenly vanished.

"Is… that what's supposed to happen?" asked C.C. curiously with a raised eyebrow.

Allura shook her head. Something was wrong as the barrier should have remained on. Coran and the princess quickly rushed to a small control panel where the energy to power the dome should be. Opening the hatch, they looked inside, and Coran promptly spotted the problem.

"Oh, the barrier crystals are out of alignment!" he gasped.

"You use crystals to power your technology?" asked C.C.

"Yes," Coran said, "Don't you Earthlings?"

C.C. was about to answer 'no' when she remembered that the sakuradite mineral was what helped provide the main power for Knightmare Frames. She shrugged, "I suppose, to an extent."

"We have to fix it immediately," Allura said, "without the particle barrier, we'll be defenseless!"

"We're all too big," Coran said, referring to C.C. as well, "what could we do?"

C.C. was about to say they must have some sort of tools that could fix this, obviously, but found that it was not needed as the four space mice squeaked and scampered into the hatch.

"The mice!" Allura smiled.

"How do they know how to do this?" Coran asked.

"I can hear them talking to me," Allura explained, as the mice worked together to get the crystal back in alignment, "I think our minds are connected! It must be from sharing the sleep pod for ten thousand years!"

C.C. raised an eyebrow minutely at this. While she couldn't call anything impossible anymore, this was a first in her book. Then again, though, she hadn't expected to be transported with Lelouch and his fellow classmates to a far off planet either.

After the crystal was realigned, the controls lit up, and the barrier finally manifested around the Castle, in full power this time. The critters squeaked with joy, waving their paws happily.

"Thank you, friends," Allura said with a smile.

Coran then placed his fingers on his temples, his eyes comically wide as he stared intently at the mice, straining so much he began sweating.

"Coran, what are you doing?" Allura deadpanned to her assistant, while C.C. could only look on in amusement.

"I'm trying to get them to make me a sandwich."

o~o

Kallen and Suzaku each ran down a hallway after hallway, neither of them having luck finding their lion. Shouldn't they have at least felt their presence, or whatever the others said by now?

Suzaku made a sharp turn around the corner only to run headlong into someone, knocking them over. Suzaku quickly scrambled to his feet, Bayard in hand just to put it away right after when he saw that he had run right into Kallen. Kallen had mirrored his actions as she realized who crashed into her.

"Come on, Kururugi! Watch where you're going!" Kallen snapped.

"Sorry," Suzaku swiftly apologized, until he registered just where correctly they had run right back into each other… which happened to be the same intersection they had split up from, Suzaku coming in from the right and Kallen from the left this time. They had been going in circles!

"Oh, come on! You've got to be quiznacking kidding me right now!" Kallen cursed in Altean as she caught onto what Suzaku noticed.

Suzaku regained his composure though and took a deep breath before closing his eyes in concentration, "Okay, let's just calm down. We're the only ones who can really find them. We just need to focus. I'm sure we can find them."

Huffing in irritation, Kallen relented before doing the same. Both the paladins waited and listened, then they both heard the sound of a growling purr coming from two areas of the ship.

"There you are!" Kallen smirked as she sprinted down the hall they originally came from.

"Got ya!" Suzaku said shortly after, taking down the hall he had just exited from, smirking.

o~o

Lelouch, Rai, and Milly made a turn to the right down a corridor, the lights changing from purple to green as they traveled. They stopped abruptly when a hovering prism-shaped drone flew before them. The markings covering it glowed a cool red as did the small light at the corner of it, moving up and down as if to scan them. But before it could alert anyone, Rai shot it down with his wrist laser that had been built into their armor. The robot short-circuited and fell to the floor with a clank.

"That thing saw us," Lelouch said, as Rai approached the little droid, "we should get out of here."

"Wait," Rai said, removing the robot's hood and messing with the wires, "I think this could come in handy." Lelouch and Milly watched in awe at how easily Rai seemed to understand this technology already. Even Lloyd Asplund would be jealous of his skill.

He flipped the covering closed after finishing the last wire, "Now I'll just reset the controls..." the robot leaped back to life, but instead of red and purple lights, bright blue lights lit it up, "...and it's working for us!"

"Rai! You little genius, you!" Milly grinned. She would have given him a nuggie had he not been wearing his helmet. Lelouch nodded with a smile before turning serious again and glancing down the hall to make sure no one was behind them.

Rai smiled at their new companion as they turned down another hall, "I'm gonna call you Rover. Follow me!"

The three made their way to a large pair of metal doors that were sealed shut. Rai recognized it pretty well. This was a prison cell that very likely held many innocent aliens inside.

"Open up," he ordered Rover, in which the little drone happily complied, a beam shooting out from its lens, it scanned its ID before the door opened.

"Nice job, Rai," Lelouch nodded. The doors to the cell opened with a groan, one side rising up, and the other going down.

As light entered the cell, it nearly brought Milly to tears as the distressed cries, whimpers, and moans of the alien prisoners inside.

"Mom? Sophronia?" Rai asked as the three entered. The prisoners only cowered in fear, all different types of alien species; some were green, red, blue, and yellow. Some had claws instead of hands, and others had multiple arms. One alien, a slender gray one with a fish-like face, was hugging what appeared to be an adolescent yellow alien with a single eye and yellow skin.

As Rai slumped in disappointment, seeing that his mother and sister weren't present among them, Milly and Lelouch came up behind them.

"Don't be afraid," Milly said with a kind smile, "we're here to help you escape."

The gray alien scanned over Lelouch and Milly before his eyes fell on Rai again. His eyes widened in shock and… awe?

"It's you!" he gasped, as Rai brought his head back up, his eyes widening in confusion, "It's you, the Champion. If anyone can get us out of here, he can."

"Wh-wait, what did you call me?" asked Rai. He didn't remember any of these aliens at all. And the champion of what?

"We don't have time to wait," Lelouch said as he exited the cell, "Let's get them to the escape pods and meet up with Kallen and Suzaku. Quickly!"

"Right," Milly nodded as she and Rai started waving prisoners out, "let's get going."

o~o

Rivalz, made a sharp turn around the ship, laughing and whooping as he went, avoiding a shot from two more vessels. Even though he was technically in a life or death situation right, he couldn't help but feel how exhilarating flying the Blue Lion felt.

"Yeah!" he grinned, "This is way more fun without anyone puking on me!"

On the other hand, Shirley wasn't having much success breaking the particle barrier surrounding the cannon. She attempted to break through by slamming against it with the Orange Lion, only to be bounced off and drift away again. She had hit it so hard she had nearly hit her head on the controls, and she already felt a massive headache forming.

'This is going to hurt in the morning,' she thought miserably.

o~o

Kallen followed the energy of the Red Lion until she reached her destination. Taking out her clawed cestus, she cut through the doors that led to the other side like butter. Rushing inside, she was soon confronted by a warm red glow from the end of the room. There it was, the Red Lion, hovering a little above the floor inside its particle barrier, its eyes faded and dark, indicating it was still asleep.

"Bingo," she grinned as she ran up to it and placed her hand on the particle barrier, "Let's get out of here. Open up!"

Unlike the other Lions, though, who lowered their barriers the moment their respective Paladin made contact, this lion was stubborn and refused to connect to Kallen. The Red Paladin knew getting the Red Lion's trust would be more complicated than the others, but she honestly hoped that it wouldn't be this way.

"It's me, Kallen, your pilot," she insisted, trying to use a tone she would use if she speaking to a friend of hers, or even her brother Naoto. Kallen scowled in frustration. Come on! What would it take for this thing to like her?!

"It's me! Kallen! Your- I am your Paladin!" she exclaimed rather bluntly, but the lion still didn't move.

Kallen grit her teeth as she banged on the barrier. She must be doing this wrong; there was something she was missing. She didn't have any more time to think, however, as several Galra droids started to fire at her. She activated her wrist shield to protect herself from the blasts as she continued to try and wake up the Lion.

"I'm bonding with you! Come on! We're connected! Or whatever you want to call it!"

Still no response. Snarling in a fury, Kallen reactivated her Bayard, the three cestus claws shining menacingly from the lights in the hanger, and charged the droids. She wasn't necessarily angry with the Lion; she knew she was going to have to make it trust her… somehow, but she was far more than annoyed with these droids firing at her.

"You're not getting this lion!" she shouted as she blocked one of the droids strikes before slicing its legs off. She sliced another droid to pieces right through the middle. She ducked to avoid another attack from above and reached up, grabbing the droids head, intending to crush it.

She then heard a 'click' in her gauntlet hand and what followed she could only describe as a significant robot malfunction. The palm of her gauntlet glowed a bright red, and the droid expanded and melted at the same time before going up in a little inferno, blasting Kallen back against the control panel. The blasts kept coming, but Kallen stared, astounded at her gauntlet. The center with the silver circular opening still smoking before closing shut over a red light.

"Woah-" Kallen couldn't finish her sentence before one shot nearly knicked her ear. She looked around frantically before eyeing a sizeable glowing button at the bottom of the control panel. Following her instinct, she lowered her shade to cover her entire mouth so she could breathe before slamming her fist onto the button. The hatch beneath them opened, sucking all of the Galra droids into the soul-sucking darkness of space.

Kallen held onto the control panel with all her might, looking up desperately at the Lion, almost pleading with it to do something. Debris and other parts of the ship zoomed past her face, one of them hitting her hand. She yelped as she lost her grip on her left side. She attempted to reach back and get another hold, but another piece of debris hit her square in the face. She knew that if she hadn't been wearing the space helmet, that surprisingly remained intact from the blow, she probably would have been knocked out cold. She lost her grip, screaming in terror as she was sucked into space.

She floated in zero gravity, her eyes flickering frantically, unsure what to do now.

To her surprise, though, it turned out she didn't need to do anything. The Red Lion came swooping out with a mighty roar, nipping her up and settling her in the safety of its mouth.

Despite the initial shock of the experience, she smirked as she sat down in the pilot seat and was brought to the head of the Lion, where the controls rested.

"Good kitty," she said, placing her hands on the control handles, "let's roll!"

o~o

(Happening at the same time as Kallen's)

Suzaku sliced through another droid as he continued to charge toward a hanger door that he felt the Purple Lion was in. Unlike Kallen, who didn't run into any droids until reaching the hanger, droids were hanging around every corner!

"Seriously! Don't you guys have something better to do?!" Suzaku complained as he pushed through another pair of droids. Panting, Suzaku looked around seeing nothing but droid scraps surrounding him, some still short-circuiting from recent wounds. Looking at the door, he saw that there was a hand-scanner of some sort.

"I wonder…" Suzaku said aloud as he squatted next to one of the droids before taking its hand, which was only dangling by a few wires and held it against the scanner. The scanner glowed a faint violet before the door in front of him opened. Looking inside, he almost didn't see the Lion, as the purple lights nearly matched the views of the ship itself, but it was there as he could just barely make out its outline.

"There you are," he smiled as he began running toward the Lion. Before he was even halfway there, a blast flashed by his head, nearly hitting the side of his neck. His military training was the only thing that probably saved him from certain death. He whipped around; his Bayard activated he saw that it wasn't a droid that had shot at him, but an actual Galra officer. And he was HUGE!

He grinned, lowering his rifle that almost claimed Suzaku's life. His hair and fur were brushed neatly, and hard, cold amber eyes stared into his very soul.

"So," he said with a deep voice that sent shivers down Suzaku's spine, "you're one of the new Paladins. You must be the new Purple Paladin. Obviously, of course, why else would you be seeking our lions."

"They're not your lions!" Suzaku snapped, his Bayard still at the ready, "They belong to Princess Allura of Altea. You have no right to any of them!"

The Galra could only laugh a hearty, belly laugh as if mocking the boy. More droids fell into the room, surrounding him, "On the contrary, we did find it first after ten thousand years. As the saying goes 'finders, keepers.'"

"Finding it doesn't make it yours! And besides, I don't see that lion coming over to defend you right now. It only serves the one it chooses!"

The Galra stopped laughing before sneering at the Purple Paladin, "So, you're a know-it-all type, are you? I hate know-it-alls." The guard swung his rifle outwards, causing what looked like a hidden compartment to open, turning the gun into a wicked-looking scythe-like weapon.

Suzaku's eyes widened as the Galra charged at him. Suzaku barely had time to bring his Bayard up to block him, even then, though, the strike from the Galra was strong enough to throw him back at least a yard. He slid backward, nearly losing balance before bringing his sword up to block again, the Galra soldier bearing down on him. The metal underneath them creaked at the strength of the Galra above him, sweat already dripping down his face.

"Well, well," the Galra grinned, his yellow teeth bared, "you've got some spirit I see. I might just let you live if you give up."

"Never," Suzaku gritted out as his grip on the Bayard beginning to shake. Seriously, was this alien made out of boulders?!

"You do realize if you don't quit now, you'll die. Not much help to the Princess dead now are you?"

"That doesn't matter," Suzaku grunted, "there were Paladins before us. If I die, they can find another. All that matters is getting the Purple Lion back to the others."

"Tch, how pathetic," the Galra mocked, "throwing your life away for something so worthless. Fine then, if you're so eager to die, I'll grant you that wish!"

The Galra pressed his weight down on Suzaku even harder, Suzaku nearly losing his grip on his Bayard. Suzaku could swear he heard his bones creaking as he yelled in pain and righteous fury.

Death, however, was not Suzaku's destiny that day, as a mighty roar suddenly filled the room. The particle barrier around the Purple Lion dissipated and began charging straight for Suzaku and the Galra soldier. The soldier and Suzaku both looked up in shock, though the soldier more in fear as well. The Galra in sheer terror tore himself away from Suzaku and made a run for the door. Suzaku was too stunned to move as the Lion leaped above him, standing proudly above with him protectively between the Lion's front paws.

"SHOOT HIM! SHOOT HIM!" the Galra ordered frantically to the droids. Before the droids could even raise their guns though, the Lion roared, and its tail shot out beams of energy, hitting each droid dead on. It wasn't long before they were nothing more than scrap metal.

The Galra, now terrified, attempted to run for the exit but didn't get far as he felt sheer agony tear through him, from his back to his torso. Looking down, he was stared in horror at the purple and white blade protruding from his gut.

"You're no soldier," Suzaku muttered, pulling his sword out from the Galra, "you're nothing but a coward. Why you decided to become a soldier, I'll never know!" The Galra gurgled before slumping forward, his scythe-rifle falling limp from his hands.

Suzaku panted as he stared at the dead Galra, already feeling bile rising in his throat, painful, unwanted memories rising to the surface of his mind. His right hand was trembling to the point he nearly dropped his Bayard.

A soothing purr soon filled his mind, pushing the memories away. Suzaku turned to face the Purple Lion in apprehension. Did she see that? Did she now know what he did? Another purr filled his mind as the Lion lowered its head to let him in.

Suzaku smiled in absolute relief, he knew he would have to reveal his secret to the others eventually, but right now, he just wasn't ready yet.

"Let head back," he said as he gripped the controls in the pilot seat.

o~o

Lelouch, Milly, and Rai led the prisoners through the ship to the escape pods as fast as possible. The aliens were moments away from freedom. They had been locked up for so long they nearly forgot what it felt like to be free.

"Halt!" a droid called out, followed by four more. Milly kept herding the prisoners into the pod as Lelouch and Rai prepared to face the droids. Rai activated his Bayard while Lelouch raised his fists. His body may not be the fittest, but he would do everything in his power to get the prisoners out safely.

Lelouch and Rai both suddenly felt a jolt of pain in their right eyes, and it wasn't long before they saw red, clutching their Geass eyes in pain, collapsing to their knees.

o~o

C.C. blinked as she suddenly felt a pulse of energy run through her body. The red mark of the Geass Code flashed across her forehead before fading. It did leave stinging pain in her head, though.

'What was that?'

o~o

"Lelouch? Rai? What's wrong?" Milly's voice was nothing but a muffle in the background.

'What's going on?' Fear was suddenly gripping Lelouch. He didn't remember calling upon his Geass; he wasn't even planning to use it as he wasn't sure it would work on droids. He remembered C.C. mention this before. She called it a 'Runaway Geass' and had warned him that if he used his Geass too recklessly, then his Geass would activate permanently. Was it happening already? He hadn't been using his Geass for that long, right?

'And when did Rai get a Geass as well? Did C.C. give him one as well? And if so, when? Wait-' Lelouch suddenly realized that Rai was in pain similar to this back at the Castle, right before he got some of his memories back. 'What was going on-'

Before Lelouch could think anymore, his mind suddenly went blank, the blazing red seal of his Geass shining brightly in his left eye. Had he looked at Rai, he would have seen the same thing happening to him. They both looked up, looks of pure murder on their faces.

Rai shot forward while Lelouch squared his shoulders, a red-tinged aura surrounding his wrists and arms, crackling red electricity seeming to surge from them.

Rai quickly blocked the laser shots with his Bayard and armor before slicing and dicing it to pieces. Two droids broke through Rai's guard, but they didn't get far as Lelouch reigned his arms backward before shooting them forwards again, red energy erupting and blasting through the droids before rushing forward to meet more. Rai flipped over one of the droids that were shot backward and sliced the heads of three more droids off, and Lelouch slid under him and, with his bare hand, stabbed straight through the chest of the last droid, hand still crackling.

Milly could only watch slack-jawed at the now useless pile of droids that surrounded the two boys. 'Since when could Lulu do that? He's been holding out on us!'

Lelouch and Rai blinked and shook their heads, the Geass in their eyes disappearing. They both looked around in confusion at the now fallen droids. What the heck just happened?

The sound of the escape pod doors closing shattered the illusion as the trio looked at the prisoners in the pod as it drew away from the ship.

"Thank you, Zephyr," the gray alien smiled at Rai as the pod reeled away, the aliens being escorted to safety. Rai reached out to them, confusion on his face.

"Wait- who's Zephyr?" Rai asked before realizing that now wasn't the time for questions; they could wait until they got back to the castle.

"Rai, who were they talking about?" Lelouch asked suspiciously, in which Rai could only shake his head helplessly, just as confused.

"Lelouch. Lamperouge." Milly harrumphed, "Explain yourself, young man! What on Earth have you been doing to compensate for missing gym class?"

"What?" Lelouch asked, now the confused one.

"Just a minute ago, you two were completely wiping the floor with those things. And last I checked Lulu you can't even run two without looking like you ran a 5K afterward!"

Rai still looked completely confused while Lelouch slowly covered his left eye, and looking down at his right hand after.

"I-I don't know…"

o~o

Finally, having enough, Shirley yanked down on one of the handles as hard as her hands could muster. A bright blue beam of energy shot out of the Orange Lion's mouth and directly at the particle barrier, purple cracks beginning to form.

"Come on! Just break you stupid thing!" she exclaimed. Finally, after putting everything she had into the blast, the barrier shattered, leaving the ion cannon wide open for attack.

"Score one for Shirley!" Not wasting another second, Shirley zoomed down and slammed the Orange Lion into the side of the ion cannon, leaving a significant dent in it. Not exactly the most excellent example of vandalism, but it should at least buy them some time before it was fixed. Looking up, she saw four more lions swiftly pass overhead, Milly's, Rai's, with Kallen's Red Lion, and Suzaku's Purple Lion.

"You guys made it!" Shirley cried in happy relief.

"Kitty Rose has left the stage!" Milly replied with a grin.

"Let's get the heck out of here!" Rivalz said as he directed the Blue Lion to fly back to Arus.

"I hope I stopped that cannon," Shirley said, "I could barely make a dent in it!"

o~o

"They stole both the lions!" one of the Galra officers said to Sendak back on the ship's bridge.

"After them!" Sendak snarled, "Either we get those lions, or we blow this whole planet to cosmic dust! Fire the ion cannon!"

"Sir! The ion cannon has been damaged!" the officer, Haxus, said.

"Then send the drones to fix it!" Sendak order in exasperation as the Galra ship began approaching the Arusian atmosphere.

#Fanfiction #AU #Code Geass #Voltron #lelouch lamperouge #shirley fenette #kallen stadtfeld #suzaku kururugi #rai (lost colors)#milly ashford #rivalz cardemonde #princess allura #coran #voltron lions #Galra empire

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spacemilkies · 6 years

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if youre taking marvel requests. can i ask for something with bucky where his s/o feels like she's more of a burden than a help during his transition from solider back to bucky

It’s Bucky day, just bucks for days.

You call it sparring, but Bucky negotiates the term defensive guidance. To be blunt, his term was more accurate to the definitive session that you two took to on schedule every Tuesday and Thursday morning. You’d first come to him, inspired by the way he lead Natasha around the mat, blocking and delivering jabs with efficiency and skill. It hadn’t been the strength that intrigued you, or the showy moves that were well out of your caliber.

No, it had just boiled down to the informal connection that it built between them.

Even in his impasse between the Winter Soldier and James Barnes, Bucky was still attached to memories he held with those still living and some departed. It helped to piece together the man he was trying to become. But to you, albelit selfishly, it was just another puzzle piece slotted into his visage that held no parallel to you.

Bucky was more than content having you at his side, you being his doll, but you felt more like a pinup girl than a functioning wheel turning in his stages of progression. Everyday, he was improving and you felt lost outside of the circle of contribution.

So when you approached him one day, still sweaty from guarding against Black Widow, he was more than confused to see you shrugging on a pair of gloves. His stamina was the least of his concerns, frankly the edge was bitten off from his previous exertion, but the source of your approach was his real concern. But you beat him to the punch of the question ( quite literally), bulky gloves nudging him behind the facade of playfulness as you goaded him into a light conflict.

From there it transitioned into what you had now. The training was always done in the tower with FRIDAY supervising without impeding. But Bucky never slipped out of control, and eventually you forgot that the artificial intelligence was even there.

It took a few days before the brief flicker of confusion to fade and the insistence for instruction to bleed into each exercise. It took more than one session for you to learn to keep your feet planted on the ground and gloves positioned protectively in front of your face before he would even tackle the procedure of throwing a punch. Even then he’s strict, favoring commanding directives over soft assurance and counsel. In these moments, his eyes faded from blue to grey. A sight not familiar in your presence of the domestic causality you’d adopted around him. By the end of each hour, you were dripping with sweat.

“Your spreading your fingers too wide.”

“Thumb out not in.”

“What’s more important? Your face or your ribs?”

He reminded you how every part of your body could be a weapon but consequently, if improperly used, a vulnerability. And you followed along obediently, not even bothering with the illusion that you had a choice.

The plan was beginning to fester, swelling into frustration as the days drug on. He noticed it first in your shoulders. The way they never seemed to relax told him how much tension had built under the skin. Bucky was conflicted between maintaining his stance as your instructor and yearning to mold his hands into your body to work some of it out.

“Again!” His tone was firm, but you were gaining resistance.

“Why? I did it right this time?”

“Did it feel right? It hurt, therefore it’s not perfect,” he admonished.

“I’m not looking for perfection. I just want-”

Anger flared but it felt misplaced, unjust at the intended target. You didn’t want to get into an argument and you felt stupid to even edge the confrontation.

“Want what?” He flexed his metal arm, but ignored the flow of joints in favor of scouring your face for any indication he may have missed.

You look away from his gaze, focusing instead lower, on the shadow of a beard. Voice muffled and words indecipherable, Bucky’s gaze narrowed through your sloppy echo of speech until he found it too unbecoming and rectified the situation.

He grasps your chin, holding your face steady as he assesses your expression. “What is the matter with you, doll?”

Frustration, need and above all else shame came to mind but you eased sensibility to the forefront to control it all. Bucky was a visage of unrestrained confusion, a look he adopted when he couldn’t foster the use of his past skills to alleviate a situation. In knowing that, you consciously pushed your own insecurity aside, accepting the responsibility of dealing with them in turn rather than toss them on to someone else.

“Everyone has been there for you.”

You were a box of tells to him, always highlighting your emotions with ever shift of muscle and quirk of lip. But knowing was only secondary to acting, and you knew he wouldn’t do so alone unless the situation deemed it necessary.

He start to speak but you shake your head, you plowed on. “Tony fixes your arm. Sam counsels your PTSD. Nat is there to keep you in shape. And Steve- Steve is just at the center of it all. And I’m … I just take of space. I want to do more. Be more for you.”

Recognition slowly filled his gaze, and his heart ached, resonating with the agony in your voice. He was quiet for a moment, but he eventually pulled you close to press a cheek into your hair. You’re both hot and sticky but you ignore the way perspiration mimics glue and fastens stray strands to jaw. “Baby, you’re all I need, just as you are.”

He opened his mouth, then closed it. Part of him understood, or at least wanted to. There was so much that he wanted to convey, but the echo of Steve’s voice reminded him that less was more.

His words were genuine, even if they felt placading. The monster curled with in your fought his grip until metal fingers became a firm resistance at you jaw. “No, look at me.”

You didn’t realize that tears were festering until he began rubbing the leakage from your skin. “You take up the space that keeps me from falling apart. You chase away the worst of me. I need you there to catch me when I fall. Right me when I trip. Who else is going to call me out when I slip up?”

A green tongue burns under the weight of the name Steve, but a guilty conscious mutter out the answer that is more amicable to the conversation. But Bucky wants more, fingers curling at your sides in light tickles until you expand on it.

You chase the tailed end of a smile, letting the implication of the emotion spread through your body and lift the heavy afterglow of the situation. Rarely was there ever an ideal place or time to talk. In the tower, privacy was restricted to designated floors and missions spliced moments together unevenly. While a lot of things about this world were uncertain, what you had what him was becoming more concrete by the day. It made the entire consensus feel silly.

His eyes ripples back to the deep hue of blue, and it eased back the remains of your worries. “I wasn’t going to say nothing but your mouth is really getting out of hand.”

Bucky chokes back laughter, shoulders finally sagging in relief. His thumb- the metal one- presses lightly into your side, the pressure arching you into his body.

“Yeah, they I guess I’ll have to rely on you to do something about it,” he countered as he angled his mouth downward.

It wasn’t hard to feel the soft pressure of his mouth and want more. The swipe of his tongue inside was addicting, and you find yourself pressing in to find more. Chasing both favor and memory. There was a slight cling, something you saw unfit to deem embarrassing, and he squeezed you around the waist in assurance, maintaining this kiss until he saw it fit to let go.

“My ‘ma warned me about dames like you.”

“Yeah?” You reply back, not without a small smile.

“Yeah.” He twined his fingers with your and kissed at the bruises on your knuckles. This. This is what you’d come to appreciate. The flirting, teasing, and easy conversation. He then dropped a kiss on your fingertips, the satisfied pull on his smirk heating you from the core. “Said they’re all I’m good for. And to hold on to one when I got ‘em.”

#bucky barnes imagine #marvel writing #Anonymous

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talpup · 4 years

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Light In the Darkness:68

Chapter 68

Teris had received Yami’s letter that he and Bronn had been placed under Mereoleona. It said that he would be stationed with the southeast contingent that was being overseen by Commander Greywright. She had been relieved to learn that Yami wasn’t being sent with the southwest. Even though Julius was overseeing that division, it was considerably closer to the Spade Kingdom border. Though that was probably why Yami had been sent to the southeast.

Teris had hoped to see Yami at least one more time before they set out; but that was not to be. She found herself stupidly thinking that all of this was a sort of punishment for them going too far out in the woods on Yami’s birthday. The memory of him pressing and rubbing against her was enough to make her blush.

“Tired already?” Randall asked, looking over at her.

“What?” Teris turned an even deeper shade of red afraid the man could read where her thoughts had wandered.

“You’re flushed.” Randall commented.

The Crimson Lion offered her a water skin. He wondered if the scars she hid underneath her buttoned up blouse weren’t the only lingering markers of what she’d been through on the Summer Solstice. Were two and a half months really enough time for one to fully recover their strength after such a thing? Given that no one had ever been through such a thing, it was difficult to say what such a recovery looked like or how long it should take.

“Have something to drink.” Randall urged, when Teris didn’t take the water skin. “It’ll help keep you going till we can stop and rest.”

Rather than argue and deny she wasn’t tired, Teris took the skin and had a couple sips. Handing it back she looked on ahead, wondering how far they were going to travel together till Captain Jax and Jamie’s teams broke from theirs. She was grateful to have Jax and the Golden Dawns Captain present, even if it was only for a time. No doubt Nozel felt somewhat relieved as well. It gave him someone to follow and ask questions of, until he began to feel more comfortable in his role as acting Captain.

Teris still couldn’t imagine what the King had been thinking. Making Nozel an acting Captain and charging him with such responsibility. Was His Majesty angry with House Silva and this was his way at punishing them? Our was he really that lacking in knowledge of what if meant to be a Magic Knights Captain, having never served himself? In any case Teris was determined to do her best to see Nozel succeed and knew Fuegoleon, Randall, and Zara would do the same.

Zara had proved invaluable. Before they had headed out, Nozel had the Purple Orca draw a revised and correct map of the Diamond Kingdom which had then been magically copied and given to every Magic Knights Captain, the original filed away somewhere within Magic Investigations. Teris had been proud of and happy for the man. It was about time Zara got some of the recognition he deserved. Zara had be grateful to her. Thanking her on several occasion. Which only made Teris uncomfortable. Seeing her discomfort, Nozel had put a quick stop to it, snapping somewhat harshly at Zara. As upset as Teris had been at Nozel for his stern words to Zara, she had been grateful that Zara’s verbal gratitude had ceased.

She was still worried about Yami. He would be having to skirt the Witches Forest to get to the Diamond Kingdoms eastern border. The first time Yami had entered the Witches Forest, he had made quite the disturbance and freed Vanessa. If the witches learned of his presence so near their territory would they try to seek revenge? Teris shook her head trying to clear her mind of such thoughts. Worrying about things that may never happen and she had no control over wouldn’t serve any purpose.

Teris reached the rest of the group. They had paused at a sheer ten hundred-thousand meter drop.

Jamie looked over to Nozel. “Well done acting Captain. Your man has led us to a cliff.”

“We have a number of mages that can get us down.” Jax calmed. “The least of which is you. Go on, Jamie. Create a rope that we can use to climb down.”

Jaime turned to Jax. “We were instructed not to use our magic unless necessary. Doing so will attract attention and lessen our chances of success. Never mind that this is war. Our mana stores need to--”

“I was at the meeting and heard Sir Jorah same as you.” Jax cut in over the other man. Looking out over the expanse, he muttered under his breath. “Idiot.”

“I heard that.” Jamie snapped, voice tight with pent up aggression.

“This mission is a necessary task, is it not?” Jax questioned the Golden Dawns Captain. “And continuing on our way is necessary in order to complete our mission, yes? Therefore, is not getting down this cliff necessary to continuing on our way and completing said mission?”

“I get what you’re saying.” Jamie gritted.

“Good. I was worried I’d have to write it out.” Jax said, with exaggerated relief.

“What is it Zara?” Teris asked, seeing the Purple Orca looking pensive.

“There is a way down. It’s just that it’s hidden from up here.” Zara said.

Jamie slapped his thigh in exasperation. “Why didn’t you say so? Nozel, if you want to be a good Captain, you should instruct your people to offer up important information before it’s argued out.”

“He would have if you’d but quit your whining long enough to give him the chance.” Teris snipped.

Nozel’s eyes snapped to her, widening slightly. Jamie and Jax blinked.

Jamie took a couple steps her way. “Why you little—I’ll teach you how to properly speak to a Magic Knights Captain.”

Nozel stepped in front of Teris, chin slightly raised.

“Move. Or be moved.” Jamie commanded.

“She’s one of mine.” Nozel said with quiet, fiercely contained control. “If anyone will be instructing her. It will be me.”

“Then I suggest you do so, acting Captain.” Jamie glanced back at Jax. “You got a lot of bad behavior to break her out of in a short amount of time.” He raised a warning finger at Nozel. “She disrespects me again and I’ll go through you to teach her a lesson she won’t soon forget. Understand me.”

Nozel stared without word or expression. He was good at that. You could say it was one of the things the Silva’s were known for. Like the Vermilion's red hair and pointed incisors or the Silva’s silver hair. The Silva’s all seemed to be capable of staring without blinking.

“Jamie. Stand down. He gets it.” Jax said, watching them closely.

Jamie turned to the Black Bulls Captain. “You got a bold, mouthy one there, Jax.” He said of Teris. “Make sure you remind her of the same when she’s returned to you. Vice Captain or not I will not be disparaged.”

“I suppose you get enough of that from your wife and fellows.” Jax taunted.

“Hurry up and show us the way down, peasant.” Jamie ordered Zara.

Nozel didn’t have to see Teris’ expression to know that she was going to comment on the commoners behalf. “Don’t.” Nozel silenced in a harsh whisper. He turned his head and looked at her out of the corner of his eye. “Don’t. You. Dare.”

Teris looked at Nozel, a range of emotions playing on her face before finally settling on one he had seen directed at him all too often. Nozel sighed, resigned to Teris’ accustomed anger. Still he continued to stared at her, blue eyes shining with hard judging coldness.

As often as Teris had seen that look in Nozel’s eyes, it had rarely ever been directed at her. Biting as Nozel’s words could be when he chastised her, he rarely looked at her with with anything but… Teris’ stomach curled in on itself. Despite the uncomfortable nervousness his piercing gaze cause, she stared back, refusing to be the first to look away.

Nozel watched her without blinking. He’d be damned if he let this go without Teris submitting to his authority. Tired and on edge as they all were, they were behind enemy lines. Traversing the border of two unfriendly kingdoms, one of which they were at war with. Teris needed to know her place here and now. Nozel had to make certain she would obey and comply with his commands without challenging him. Lives were at stake.

As annoying as Randall sometimes found Teris’ words and actions to be, he was a noble and a gentleman. Seeing a lady being handled so roughly, even by a mere gaze, made him want to intervene. He opened his mouth to say something, anything, that would call attention to himself and away from Teris. Fuegoleon gripped Randall’s shoulder and shook his head. The Vermillion knew what Nozel was doing and why. Fuegoleon was likely one of the few, if not only one, who knew how much Nozel hated having to do this. Much as Fuegoleon didn’t like it himself, he was proud at his friend and acting Captain for stepping up and doing what had to be done no matter how difficult it was.

Teris could feel the eyes of everyone on her. She knew what Julius and Jax would say. What they both would want and expect of her. She imagined Jax’s expression as he watched, standing not too far behind Nozel. Releasing a breath she lowered her gaze.

“Captain.” Teris said, softly submitting.

Nozel turned away without word least Teris or anyone else see his relief. Taking a step, he looked over the cliff edge and instructed. “Zara, show us the way.”

Once down, they made three separate small camps a thousand or so meters apart from each other. Fuegoleon watched Teris chew on rations. They had enough to last them months, the small charmed bag that held them, both preserving and making them small enough to fit until pulled out, reverting back to regular size. It had something to do with bending space that Fuegoleon cared little about.

Teris hadn’t spoken since the clifftop. And Nozel seemed content to give Teris her space and let her sulk. Fuegoleon knew his cousin better. While time and space may have worked under different circumstances, it wasn’t going to work in this instance. Teris wasn’t the most prideful person he knew; but she certainly was one of the most stubborn. And she never liked being told what to do or put in her place; usually harboring a grudge against anyone who dared to do so.

Since it had been Nozel who had put her in her place, the shock and ill feelings Teris had would likely fester if simply left. In Fuegoleon’s mind, Nozel had been too lenient with Teris in the past, both as a friend and her Intended. He figured Teris had probably come to expect that she would always get her way with Nozel and that Nozel would let her without putting up much of a fight. Not only would that not work under these circumstances; it wouldn’t work later when they were wed. Nozel had only weakened himself and his authority in letting Teris always have her way. Something that Fuegoleon knew his friend would eventually have to rectify, dealing with the consequences of his leniency in Teris’ anger and unwillingness to obey. If any good could be said from Nozel being made acting Captain, it was bringing this issue to a head and forcing the two to deal with it.

Fuegoleon got to his feet, disgusted with the both of them. With Nozel for his lacking in being the strong authority he needed to be with Teris. And with Teris for being a spoiled child who knew her place but refused to accept it.

Hearing footsteps Fuegoleon cursed. Zara was out placing traps and keeping watch as the rest of their small group recouped from the days long trek and ate. It didn’t matter how well Zara knew the terrain if he was inept enough to let someone by him, Fuegoleon thought.

“It’s Jax. Relax.” Jax said.

Nozel looked up from the map he was pretending to study. He already knew every line and curve of it without looking; but had needed something to look at and appear busy with.

The Black Bulls Captain saw Teris and Nozel sitting as far away from each other as they possibly could while still being considered part of the same camp. He sighed. He had been right in coming. Nozel was too proud and too easy on Teris. Yami wouldn’t have stood for it. Jax remembered when he had given Yami the lead on a mission when the young man had been avoiding Teris. Other than Iban using his magic on Teris, and Yami taking to Iban for it, the mission had been a success. Yami and Teris putting aside their differences to work together. But Nozel wasn’t Yami. The royal was harsh and demanding in a completely different way. A way that always seemed to rub Teris the wrong way.

“Captain Nozel.” Jax said, choosing to use the title to further cement the mans place in everyone's mind. “May I speak with Teris for a moment?”

Nozel looked at Jax wondering why her rightful Captain even bothered to asked. Wasn’t Jax suppose to be some ruffian that went his own way? Not caring what others thought or wanted? He realized the Black Bulls Captain was attempting to assist him by showing him respect. It surprised Nozel. Everything he had heard and thought of Captain Jax had led him to believe the man incapable of such tact. Nozel nodded his assent, looking at the Captain with fresh eyes.

“Thank you.” Jax said. He looked down at Teris and tilted his head. “Let’s go.”

Teris look up at him, hesitating. She had only ever feared Jax once or twice before. His quiet, simmering anger much more frightening than Bronn’s explosive outbursts and threats that she knew the Vice Captain would never carry out on her.

“I’m not gonna tell you twice.” Jax rumbled.

Teris quickly got to her feet and followed her Captain, a pace or two behind.

Jax stopped once they were a few yards away. He didn’t mind that the others could still see them and were likely watching. So long as they couldn’t hear.

Teris waited, nervousness growing the longer Jax kept his back to her. Finally, she couldn’t stand it anymore and broke. “I’m sorry. I know I never should have challenged Nozel like--”

“Captain.”

“Pardon?”

“Captain Nozel.” Jax corrected.

“Captain Nozel.” Teris repeated, morosely. “It was wrong and stupid. Not the least because of where we are and what we’re facing.”

“And?” Jax prompted, looking over his shoulder at her.

“And?” Teris echoed, trying to figure out what more he wanted. Tentatively, she offered. “I’m sorry about what I said to Captain Jamie.”

“Who cares about that ass?” Jax turned to her and pointed. “Don’t do that again though. Not till you’ve been made Vice Captain. Can’t really defend you before then if Jamie decides to make a fuss.”

“And after then?” Teris questioned, a teasing lit to her voice.

Jax tried not to roll his neck, knowing the others watching. She and Yami really were made for each other. And he was either a fool or a glutton for wanting the both of them to be his Vice Captain's. Sure he was upset with Teris for challenging the Captain she was temporarily serving under, especially after Nozel had so readily shielded her from Jamie’s wrath. Whether it was because Nozel had been being a good Captain or acting as Teris’ Intended, Jax didn’t know. Nor did he care. What mattered was that he hadn’t had to step in which would have only weakened Nozel’s position as acting Captain in everyone's eyes.

“Teris.” Jax sighed, closing tired eyes.

“What? Tell me what you want and I’ll do it. I know the situation we’re in. I know what I have to do.”

“Do you? Cause earlier it certainly didn’t seem like it.”

Teris hammered the toe of her boot into the ground and mumble. “So it took me a while. But I got there eventually, didn’t I?”

“Eventually isn’t good enough and you know that. When out in the field compliance and submission needs to be instantaneous. Lives are on the line. Soon our teams will be separating. What happens then? Can I trust you to act and obey Nozel as you would me or Julius? To treat and respect him as your Captain? Cause that’s what he is. Forget the words temporary or acting. Nozel Silva is your Captain.”

Fully chastised, Teris lowered her head and muttered. “I said I was sorry.”

“Not to the right person.”

Teris’ head snapped up. “You want me to apologize to him!” She shook her head. “I can’t.”

“You can and you will.” Jax told. “Along with the promise to listen and obey him in all things without challenge from here on out. Consider it an order from me if you must.”

“But you’re not my Captain right now.” Teris argued, instantly regretting her words.

Jax stared down at her. His eyes flashed dangerously. “Is that the way you want to play this?”

Teris shook her head again. “No, Sir.”

Jax sighed, thinking of how much Yami had rubbed off on her. He only hoped Teris’ better habits had consequently rubbed off on Yami. “Good night then.”

“Captain.” Teris called.

Jax looked back at her.

“I really am sorry.” Teris said.

Jax gave her a small smile. “I know. Just make sure he knows it too.”

Teris headed back to where she had set her pack. While Fuegoleon and Randall had brought something to lay on, she had kept it simple. No fabric was going to make the ground any softer anyway. The pack carrying a couple changes of underwear and another change of clothes suited well enough as a pillow. Having so little to carry allowed her to go on longer without tiring. It certainly helped with the speed in which she prepared and repacked her space since all she did was drop the bag off her shoulders and pick it back up.

Plopping back down near her pack, Teris picked up her rations and continued eating the tough, chewy, tasteless thing. She would do as Jax said; but she wasn’t about to head straight to Nozel and do it now. It wasn’t that she cared that they had seen Jax pull her aside and speak to her. She knew they knew what it had been about. They probably figured her Captain had scolded her about the way she had spoken to Jamie too. Then again they may not have, given how little they thought of and regarded Jax and the Black Bulls in general.

No, she didn’t head straight to Nozel because she wasn’t ready. Teris had known she had to apologize to Nozel before Jax had ever come. Though her stubbornness likely would've kept her from doing so if her Captain hadn’t ordered her to. Teris wanted the apology to at least sound somewhat repentful and knew she wouldn't be able to convey that right now. Moreover she had no idea what she was going to say. I’m sorry those in the hierarchy are such stupid, rude asses that get under my skin when they mistreat decent, upstanding people who in every aspect but social are better than them. Teris didn’t think that would suffice.

Zara returned from setting the traps. “All done, Captain. Anyone or thing wanders over here will have a nasty surprise.

“We’re not talking bugs or small mammals. Are we?” Randall asked, thinking that would be tiresome.

“Anything the size of an child or larger.” Zara answered.

“Child?” Randall repeated.

“The Diamond Kingdom often takes young promising children and begins training them to become Magic Warriors.” Fuegoleon told.

“Takes? From their parents and homes?” Randall asked, disturbed.

Fuegoleon nodded.

Randall made a face at that. “Still doesn’t explain why a trap is needed for something their size.”

“They use and send them out in much the same way as Sentries.” Teris answered, Julius having once told her.

Nozel looked over the top map and across the camp at Teris. He found Teris looking at him and almost looked back down, but forced himself to hold her gaze. Teris’ shoulders tightened. But she gave in and lowered her eyes. Jax was right. If she didn’t get a handle on this it was goes to spell trouble and possibly cost one or more of them their lives. She ground the heel of her boot into the earth more angry at herself than anyone else.

Why was it so difficult to respect and submit to him, she wondered. Acting or not, Nozel was her Captain. That alone should have made her capable of obedience, even if it was distasteful. Much as she didn’t respect the social hierarchy, she respected the Magic Knight Captain's. Even Captain's like Jamie and Pyter; all be it not as readily as some of the others. So why was she having so much trouble with thinking of and treating Nozel with the deference due to him as her missions Captain? Because you grew up with and know him so well, her mind offered. No. That wasn’t it. Because as your Intended, respect and obedience toward him was already expected. Yeah. That sounded more like it. She was afraid that if she submitted to Nozel here and now then he would come to expect the same from her in other areas of their relationship. Are you also afraid that obedience and deference will become habit? Teris scoffed at her own thought. Yeah, that was never going to happen.

Feeling tired and energized all at once, Teris called to Nozel. “Captain.”

Nozel looked up from the map no one believed he was truly studying.

“May I have first watch?” Teris asked.

“Wake Randall in an hour and a half.” Nozel allowed.

“Thanks.” Teris got to her feet, brushing off her pants.

“The traps start ten meters out.” Zara called to her.

Teris gave him a nod. Last thing she needed to do was get caught in one of his traps. That would be embarrassing. It’d certainly complete her shame for the day.

Making her way out as far as she dared, Teris wrapped her cloak tightly around her. Fuegoleon had super heated a mass of stones to protect them from the cold of the night. But away from their warmth, the constant wind bit and made her shiver. While Teris usually preferred it colder than most given how hot she naturally ran; once passed a certain point, the cold effected her worse than others. She found herself regretting that she had asked for first shift. Then realized that it would only get colder as the night went on and was grateful.

Was it always this windy in the Diamond Kingdom? Or were they still that high up despite their long descent? She heard footsteps coming her way from the camp.

Thinking it was Fuegoleon, she told. “You should get some sleep.”

“I don’t sleep much while out on missions.” Nozel responded. He offered her a cup of tea. “Here.”

“Thanks.” Teris took the steaming mug, cupping it close to her chest, relishing the warmth.

Nozel watched her a moment. “You alright?”

Teris turned to him. “What’s that?”

“The cold. Are you alight?”

“I’m fine.” Teris assured, trying not to shiver.

Nozel fought the urge to give her his cloak, wondering if that was a Captain like thing to do. He hated this. Being caught between the many things he was to her. As if being her friend and Intended who loved her wasn’t challenging enough. And to top it off, she now knew of his feelings for her. His kiss had bared himself open to her. And Teris wounded him far deeper than any bitten lip. The pain of that hidden wound still hadn’t healed. It ripped open every time he relived her rejection in his mind. Every time he thought of her choosing some ill-bred, uncivilized, filthy foreigner over him. Every time he touched her and she pulled away. Or any other countless instances. It was a wound that would never scar because it would never heal.

“Nozel.” Teris growled at herself. “Captain. I’m sorry. There’s no excuse for my earlier behavior. It was unbecoming and won’t happen again. I promise.”

Nozel stared at her, waiting for her to give some deflective reasoning or excuse despite her having said there was no excuse. When it didn’t come, he realized she was fully serious and making a concerted effort. Her willingness to take full responsibility without excuse was proof that she was seriously contrite and trying to rectify it, and not make the same mistake again. As badly as he wanted to tell her not to worry about it, he knew that was him and not his rank talking.

Still, Nozel forgave too easily. “It’s in the past. Just make sure it stays there.”

“Yes, Sir.” Teris said, angry at herself for bristling slightly when he didn’t down play her actions.

Having that done and out of the way, they both relaxed. Being a Magic Knights Captain was difficult and tiring; but being Teris’ Captain was difficult, tiring, and confusing. It left Nozel questioning himself; something he wasn’t accustomed to doing and knew he shouldn’t be doing at this time and place.

“I think I will try to get some sleep.” Nozel said, thinking it best to leave her to her duties.

“I’m glad you’re taking care of yourself. Thanks for the tea, Captain.”

Nozel gave a small huff. This was so unexpected and new for all of them. He wondered if they’d manage to get use to it before it was over.

68.2

Just because the sun went down didn’t mean the fighting stopped; even though Bronn wished to mana that it would. This was their third battle in two days, and the longest one at that. Bronn had no time to envy Jax. Or curse his Captain for not taking him. He didn’t have time to hate his Captain for leaving him under the fiery Lioness who fought harder and fiercer than anyone, and expected the same of those serving under her.

As much as Bronn hated to admit it, Mereoleona scared him we she got like this. It was one of the main reasons he had come to fancy her in the first place. But all of that was in the past. His long held feelings for Mereoleona had ended as his feelings for Gilly had grown. Now he loved his betrothed so much that he listened and obeyed her better than he listened to and obeyed Jax.

Bronn had always figured the sweet, tender ones wouldn’t do it for him. Thinking that he needed someone that scared him a little from time to time to get the job done. Turns out he just hadn’t met the right sweet one. He didn’t need to fear Gilly to want to please her over himself. His fear of her disappointment was enough if ever he wanted to go his own way or do his own thing.

He’d certainly disappoint Gilly if he died out here. Which was the main reason why Bronn had contented himself to following Yami about, playing support to the younger mans aggressive lead. Problem was, on the battlefield Yami scared him almost as much as Mereoleona did. Even without his little Black Sheep, the Lord of Destruction was destructive. After going on like that during the first two battles, Bronn had thought Yami would slow. But the little shit didn’t. Instead, Yami was just as energetic and deadly as he had been at the start. Bronn chalked it up to youth.

Anyone who looked at Yami and Bronn probably thought they were similar type of men. And much as Bronn hated to admit it, there were a few similarities. That said, the two had some rather stark differences. And it was those differences, not similarities that made them clash and hate each other. While neither were men of typical honor so to speak. Yami was a man of principle. Where as Bronn’s standards changed depending on too many variables to count. It was true that both men didn’t respect much. But once Yami’s respect was earned, it was like an unmovable wall that would take something cataclysmic to shake and tear down. Bronn on the other hand had to have his trust and respect constantly earned. Even with Jax. It was why Bronn constantly challenged his friend and Captain, subconsciously checking for weakness.

And maybe the biggest difference, or at least the one that bothered Bronn the most, was that Yami had absolutely no shame. As much as Bronn acted as if he didn’t care, and wanted people to believe that he didn’t. Bronn cared very much about his image. Unless you were one of the few that Yami Sukehiro truly cared about, the younger man didn’t give a rats ass what you thought about him. Even if you were one of the few he cared for, chances are Yami wasn’t going to change. Yami didn’t care. You could find him in any situation, no matter how compromising, and Yami would shrug it off and continue on without blush or care. Bronn would've given almost anything to be someone like Yami with literally no shame or care of what others thought. Not that he’d ever admit it. Bronn would rather kill himself than let his envy of the little shit be discovered.

“Yami!” Bronn yelled. “You’re crossing too far into their line.”

“What’s the matter old man? Can’t keep up?” Yami taunted, sending out a dark cloaked slash before the enemy could get their spell off.

Bronn used his magic to transport Yami back to his side. “No, you idiot! I’m not blind. Nor do I want to die on this cursed, barren foreign land. Open your damn eyes!”

Bronn’s hand swung sharply. He fully expected to miss Yami’s head, accustomed to Yami ducking away. So when Bronn actually hit him, he felt a moment of cruel satisfaction. Then quickly realized what it meant. Yami was more tired than he appeared. Bronn ignored that fact because they were at war and all of them were tired despite it only having been two days.

The Vice Captain gestured to the Magic Warriors. “They’re baiting you, you fool. Looking to draw you in so they can surround you and be done with you.”

“They can try.” Yami said, staring at the three Magic Warriors he had been pursuing.

Bronn slapped at Yami’s head again, figuring it would connect and maybe, if he were lucky, knock some sense into the younger man.

Yami ducked out of the way. Looking at the Vice Captain, he told. “You got the first one for free. So what do you want to do? Turn tail and run?”

“Watch yourself, boy. I’ll whip your tail raw.” Bronn saw the three Magic Warriors turn and slowly make their way back to resume the fight. “They’re coming back for more. Hold this line and go no further unless I tell you.”

“I’m not all that good at listening to you.” Yami said, fingers opening and closing along the hilt of his katana in effort to relax the muscles in his hand.

“Don’t I know it.” Bronn grumbled. He pointed at him. “You go five meters further and I bring you back. Don’t make me go wasting mana or I’ll kick your ass.”

“It must kill you. Having to look after me like this.” Yami said, eyes on his foe.

“More than you know.” Bronn said, readying his own magic.

“Yeah, well I don’t like it much either.” Yami growled. “I can take care of myself. Was doing so long before Julius found me.”

“And tell me smart ass. How many lunatic zealots and gangs of hired killers were after you back then?” When Yami didn’t reply, Bronn sniffed. “Didn’t think so. Just know this is all your fault. I wouldn’t be stuck babysitting. And you wouldn't be in danger if you had listened to me. I told you from day one to stay away from that royal girl.”

“Again. I don’t listen to you all that well.” Yami said.

Bronn growled, hand lifting to smack him again. Instead of making the futile move, he barked. “Hurry up and take the smaller two. I’ll take the big one.”

“I want the big one.” Yami said.

Bronn glared. “I’ll transport you back to Castle City if you don’t obey me, boy.” He caught sight of one the eight Shining Generals headed their way. “Better yet, you take those three.” He said, right before stepping through a portal. He fell through another that opened directly over the General.

Yami took in the three Magic Warriors that stalked closer. They looked as tired as he felt. Still, he had something they didn’t. A driving need for revenge. “You guys know where I can find a Magic Warrior named Lotus Whomalt? Uses smoke magic. Black hair. Goatee. Annoyingly talkative and lazy.”

Two of the Magic Warriors looked at each other wondering if this was some sort of tactic.

Yami pointed at the third. “You. I can tell you know exactly who I’m talking about. Where is he?”

“He’s serving under Commander Fanzell.” The Magic Warrior answered.

“And where is this Commander Fanzell?” Yami questioned.

“He’s--” The Mage turned to point.

The other two Magic Warriors also turned, looking in the direction Commander Fanzell’s squad was posted. Yami struck out at them, slicing the two down. Before the third could react, he charged. Turning his katana so the blunt end faced out, he sent out another slash. This one not fatal. It hit the Magic Warrior in the chest and sent him flying.

Yami lept, landing on the Magic Warrior just as the Mage hit the ground. “Point again. Wasn’t paying attention the first time.”

Hand shaking, the Magic Warrior pointed.

“Arigatou.” Yami made a fist and punched him, knocking him out. If he saw the Mage again he’d kill him. But it seemed rude to do so when the man had been of help. He stood and looked over to see Bronn battling some burly man with a really hairy chest.

“You good?” Yami called to the Vice Captain.

“What do you think!” Bronn huffed, struggling against the equivalent of a Magic Knights Captain. On top of that the General was still fresh, having not participated in the first two battles.

“Good. I’m going over there.” Yami pointed.

“The hell you are!” Bronn barked. “Yami. Yami!” He glanced back seeing Yami already making his way. Then cursed and lept through a portal, barely missing having his head skewered.

The General gave a bellowing laughed. “Your friend’s a fool.”

“Not my friend. Though he is a fool.” Bronn glanced at Yami. The idiot was fighting his way deeper into the Diamond Kingdoms line.

The General laughed again. “My men are fond of ridding the world of fools. As we speak, they gather to rid the Clover Kingdom of yet another of their beloved Magic Knights.”

Bronn scanned the area Yami was entering, seeing that the General was right. Yami’s presence so far into their line hadn’t gone unnoticed and the Magic Warriors were all but licking their chops as they waited just a few more seconds before the order came to pounce.

“Damn it. I’m getting too old for this.” Bronn cursed.

Mereoleona landed behind him. “I agree. You had one job. And you couldn’t even do that.”

“You try to control that bastard brat!” Bronn snapped.

“Fine then. I was going to send you and take over here but--” Mereoleona lept away in Yami’s direction. “Good luck.”

The General watched Mereoleona go, insulted. “You Magic Knights must think so little of us to jest so freely.” He pulled more red ochre up from the earth. “I’ll rectify that and teach you what a Magic Warrior General is really capable of.”

“Oh, no.” Bronn assured. “She wasn’t joking. She just hates me that much. I assure you. There’s no need to go all out and show me anything. I know you’re scary.”

“Ha!” The General laughed. “Even the thought of my full power--”

The Shining General fell over. Bronn felt more of his mana drain away at having portaled three powerful magical attacks from elsewhere on the battlefield, directing them at the Shining General. The man had been able to sense his portals when they were close; but clearly when opened from a distance that sense was useless. The General never expected one, let alone three attacks to come at him from behind. No doubt there would be hell to pay for those Magic Warriors once the General regained consciousness. Right now, Bronn had some of his own hell to dish out.

Mereoleona landed facing Yami, sending out a blast of fire in a hundred and eighty degree arc behind her. “What the hell do you think you’re doing! Get back to the line.” At Yami’s determined expression, Mereoleona’s snapping tone became dangerous. “I swear, if you challenge me it’ll be the last thing you do.”

Yami growled but did as he was commanded.

“Bunch of Black Bulls idiots.” Mereoleona muttered.

Seeing Yami strolling sedately back, the Crimson Lions Captain created a fiery lion. It picked Yami up by the scruff of the neck and raced back behind their lines.

Yami cursed and kicked, swiping his katana at the thing the entire way. It dropped him in front of Tobin as if to tell the other Black Bull that Yami was his problem now.

“It’s a magical creation.” Tobin said, looking down at his friend. “You weren’t gonna harm it without cloaking your blade.”

“And have that She-Lion make it snap my neck. I think not.” Yami huffed.

“You got a way of pissing people off.” Tobin remarked.

“I was just going after that coward Whomalt.” Yami told.

“Don’t know who that is. Nor do care.” Tobin said. “You got to learn to obey orders or you won’t live to be promoted to Vice Captain, let alone see Teris again.”

Yami rubbed the back of his neck. He hoped Teris was having an easier time of it than he was. In all honesty, Yami was struggling. This was only the second day; but he already felt at his wits ends. Unlike a battle, the process of war was slow and tedious.

He understood they were meant to be a distraction. But if they didn’t press harder, the enemy would figure out something was up. Not to mention the lives that would be lost for nothing. Still, he did have to do better at following commands; no matter how stupid they were. If he didn’t obey, Mereoleona would put at the back of the line. Then he really would be struggling. He wouldn’t be able to bare having to stay back and watch while others fought.

Still seated on the ground, Yami looked up at Tobin. “Why are you back here?”

“Captain Heath is cycling us after a certain time no matter what.” Tobin answered.

Yami huffed. “That’s stupid.”

“Actually, I thought it pretty reasonable and smart.” Tobin said.

Yami leaned forward, forearms on his knees. “So you cycle through no matter what? Even if you’re close to knocking or taking out whoever you’re fighting?”

Tobin nodded. Leave it to Yami to bring up the one point he hadn’t liked about it all.

“Like I said. Stupid.” Yami remarked.

“Talking about yourself.” Bronn snapped, kicking at Yami.

Yami rolled out of the way and onto his knees. He pushed to his feet. Bronn grabbed him by the back of the neck. Yami tolerated it, knowing it would go much worse for him if he ducked away this time.

Yami smirked seeing how high Bronn had to reach to grasp him. His latest grow spurt had seen him taller than the Vice Captain by a good couple of inches.

Seeing Yami’s smug grin, Bronn squeezed harder, pushing him down. He hated how the little bastard still looked defiantly up at him. Once, just once Bronn wanted to give Yami Sukehiro a real lesson.

“Bronn! Let him go!” Mereoleona commanded.

Bronn gave all he had into one last squeeze before doing as ordered.

“You.” She pointed at Tobin. “Get back out there.”

“But it’s not my turn.” Tobin said.

“Are all you Black Bulls incapable of following simple commands!” Mereoleona demanded. “Get back out there!”

Tobin did as he was told, vowing that he wasn’t going to be the one to get into trouble with Captain Heath over this.

Mereoleona turned to Bronn. “You too.”

“I used nearly all I had--”

“Nearly.” Mereoleona cut in. “Come back when you’ve used it all.”

Bronn sneered at Yami before heading back to the front of the line.

“What am I going to do with you?” Mereoleona asked Yami. “I can see why Jax and Julius like you. But you’re certainly not one of mine. You’re difficult. Unpredictable. And will endanger lives if you go on like this. I can’t have that.”

“I--”

“Shut up!’ Mereoleona snarled.

Yami clamped his mouth shut knowing what was coming. But if he argued his case it would only further Mereoleona’s belief that she was right.

“You’re to stay back here until I say otherwise. Give the others rations. Drink. Anything they need. I see you out there before I tell you to go and I’ll send you back to Headquarters in disgrace. You understand me.”

“Yes, sir.” Yami grumbled.

Mereoleona softened the slightest bit. As a fighter herself, she understood Yami’s desire to push harder and not just keep the line. But those weren’t their orders.

“I don’t do this as punishment.” She told. “Not that you don’t deserve one. I’m doing it for our benefit, including yours. Learn this lesson quickly and prove to me you can obey. Who knows, maybe in a day or two I’ll let you back out there.”

“A day or two!” Yami exclaimed.

“You got a problem with that!” Mereoleona barked. What was it with these damned Black Bulls challenging everything?

“Sir.” Yami growled his acceptance, having a very big problem with it.

68.3

Alowishus crumpled the parchment he had just deciphered and read. He turned, scowling at the skull on the shelf behind his desk; as if it had created this mess that endangered all of his plans. Looking away from the skull in disgust, Alowishus roared. “Calen!”

“Master!” Calen entered in a rush ready for anything. Seeing no threat he relaxed somewhat. “Yes, Master?”

“Gather the Agents. Call our nearest forces back.” Alowishus ordered.

Calen bowed. “Yes, Master.”

“Have someone else do it. I want you right back.” Alowishus told.

Calen bowed once more. He exited and relayed his Master’s commands, noticing how some of the others looked at him. Specifically Slade and Himmel who had grown increasingly jealous over his rise in their Master’s favor since Erskin’s death. Not that Calen cared. He lived to serve the Master. Not make friends. Reentering Alowishus’ private sanctuary, Calen bowed once more and waited, watching his Master pace.

“Those fools!” Alowishus threw out a hand, a fast rolling black cloud left his fingertips. It hit a wooden cabinet and the stone wall behind it.

Calen flinched as both turned to ash. At the shift in weight, the stone above the missing section cracked. The sound a loud echoing clap of thunder.

It was rare to see Alowishus use his true, natural magic. The remnant of magic that remained in the anatomy he replaced via corpse magic offered him enough power that he rarely needed to. There was also the fact that Alowishus’ death magic was an omega force that was both powerful and permanent.

If the wall and furniture had been a human, even one with a full mana cloak, they would’ve been reduced to the same pile of dust. Just being around Alowishus while he was cloaked in mana would slowly wither and decay a person. Calen had no idea how Julius Nova had managed to battle the Master for as long as he had without showing signs of ill effect.

“That prideful child of a King has declared war against the Diamond Kingdom.” Alowishus explained, turning to Calen. “And that weak fool Sir Jorah has done nothing to stop it. Yami and Teris have been sent to war. Our hope for the next existence is in danger.”

Calen blinked, horrified. Unlike his predecessor, he was careful to show Alowishus’ wife the respect she was due, at least when in front of the Master.

Carefully, Calen questioned. “Lady Ellara could not effect the King or Wizard King to change their minds or end their life?”

“You think she wouldn’t have done so if she had the chance? I told her to be careful. Not to take any unnecessary risks. She must remain above suspicion. Her being present to oversee the next steps leading up to Yami’s time are of vital importance.”

“But that means nothing if they die while fighting some war.” Calen said, emotion getting the better of him.

“Which is why she took the risk to send a letter informing me.” Alowishus said, dangerously.

Hearing his Master's temper, Calen lowered his head. “Of course, Master. I meant no disrespect to the esteemed Lady Ellara.”

It would serve no purpose to become cross with the man, Alowishus thought. He was a hard enough taskmaster as it was. The promise he had sold these fools would see his own aims met. But for that, he had to play the part.

“I know you didn’t. The situation is a disturbing one.” Alowishus said, truthfully.

“If I may ask, what do you plan to do?”

“Send teams to guard Yami and Teris from afar. And pay a personal visit to King Morris.”

“But, Master! The last time you and Morris King saw one another he said he would kill you on sight.”

Alowishus laughed bitterly. “Do you truly believe Morris or anyone else on this earth is capable of killing Death?”

“N—no.” Calen answered, afraid he had insulted his Master.

“You show your care for me in worrying so. But you also show how little you think of your Master.”

“Master! I would never--”

“It’s alright. I will soon show you what Death is truly capable of. And if Morris challenges me, then you will see a glimpse all the sooner.”

******PLEASE READ******Next chapter WARNING******

There is an assault scene next chapter with the intention of sexual assault and rape. Neither sexual assault or rape happen but I know such things can be upsetting for people. If anyone would like me to mark the scene so they can skip it please comment or message me. Doing a format edit for this would take some time since my wp and ao3 don't speak the same language which is why I'm not doing it right off the bat (and all my updates happen there first). But I have no problem doing it if someone needs me to.

Thank you to those who have left hearts. And a special THANK YOU to those who have recently left comments or re-blogged. They really mean a lot.

Next chapter snippet:

Fuegoleon looked up at Beast refusing to be intimated. The name, though not creative, suited the man. Beast had to be nearly seven feet tall. He was built like a mountain, his muscles seeming to have muscles. Though Fuegoleon had seen a number of men who were bigger than Tobin Giantsbane and Yami Sukehiro, he had never seen a person that made the two Black Bulls seem small. Till now.

#yami sukehiro #nozel silva #fuegoleon vermillion #mereoleona vermillion #zara ideale #randall luftair #Black Clover #light in the darkness

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ironinkpen · 7 years

Text

“That Was All You”: A Black Paladin Lance Meta

Alternatively Titled: Local Girl Digs Heels In So Hard She’s Laying on the Ground. “This Is My Home Now,” She Says.

Listen. Listen. No, I don’t know when to quit. Yes, I have a midterm tomorrow and am procrastinating. Shut up.

Now, since this is going to be long as hell (because I really don’t know when to quit), here’s a quick summary of my argument: 1. we’re building up to a leadership arc with Lance, 2. the pilot of the Black Lion depends not just on Black but on the team, and 3. Keith and Red still have a connection.

Blah blah blah, general disclaimer, I am probably could be wrong, lesgo:

Season 4 episode 6 sees the introduction of a new galra super weapon -- a planet rigged to explode and take the whole solar system out with it. Right after destroying the galra stronghold on said planet, the team is suddenly surrounded by giant spire things and have no idea what they are.

And it’s Lance that makes the right call. He’s the one that not only says “hey let’s leave,” but also “and here’s how we’re going to do it.” He looks at this situation, sees a need to distance them from it immediately, and knows exactly who to delegate the task to.

Clone Shiro completely ignores all that lol, but the point still stands. Lance makes the call. The episode from that point on focuses on him and his reactions to the situation. We see him growl in frustration at Clone Shiro’s decisions. He’s the first to react to Allura getting hurt. And then, later, when they’re about to blown the fuck up, he’s the first one to encourage her to try again.

I could talk for h o u r s about this fucking speech oh my god. But, I think the most important thing to note here is, again: Lance makes the call. He looks at what is an essentially hopeless situation, sees a solution, and gives Allura the confidence she needs to press forward. Note that Clone Shiro, the current head of Voltron, is suspiciously absent from this conversation. Lance doesn’t suggest anything to him-- he takes control and straight up just starts talking to Allura.

The amount of confidence Lance exudes here is just. Incredible. As far as the team knows, they’re about to get blown up along with most of their friends and allies. But Lance speaks to Allura very calmly, and he knows exactly what to say.

Allura once said that the Black Lion was the “decisive head of Voltron” and that it will take someone who is “in control at all times” to pilot it. Lance, in both cases with Pidge and Allura, shows a decisiveness that matches that description. He steps in and tells them what to do almost automatically. And, when he pops up on that screen and gives Allura that pep talk, he does it with total confidence and trust. He seems completely in control of the situation.

Lance is shown to be incredibly supportive of his teammates, and intimately aware of their strengths, to the extent that he knows exactly who can get them out of a sticky situation the second it presents itself. He also just plain trusts his team wholeheartedly, and, as shown above, wants to see them show off those strengths.

Imo, Lance’s arc has, from day one, been centered around the theme of leadership. Season 1 Episode 1, Lance is kind of built up as “the main guy.” Voltron, is of course, an ensemble show, so no one is “the main guy” or whatever, but Lance is sort of put in the spotlight for the first several minutes. He’s the one who assembles the team, he’s in the middle of the first few Team Voltron group shots, and he’s the one who brings everyone out to space. However, the spotlight then shifts to Shiro as “the main guy”-- the leader.

But it’s so interesting that the show opens this way. In fact, Lance’s introduction is literally him trying - and failing - to lead the Garrison Trio to success as their pilot. But they don’t fail because the decisions he’s making are wrong. They fail because Hunk throws up, Pidge doesn’t follow safety rules, and Lance fucking stops to brag in the middle of the flight, causing them to crash lol.

But? We see Lance growing.

In season 3 episode 2, Allura says it herself: Lance stepped back and let go of that need for glory-- the need for glory which, as seen in s1e1, is his main obstacle when he’s in charge. Season 3 marks the beginning of Lance becoming something of a voice of reason within the team. And, then, people start to listen to the decisions he makes and the advice he gives. It’s almost a complete reversal from his s1e1 situation.

Lance’s arc is tied to leadership. From his introduction to season 3, when we see him literally sitting in the Black Lion and saying “this is your moment,” we get this common theme: Lance trying to be in charge. But it’s after s3s2 that we see him truly growing into someone who could be in charge-- someone who puts the needs of the team before himself, and who others are willing to follow.

Like the creators of the show have said, Lance is “evolving.” I’m pretty sure Joaquim also mentioned that Lance’s arc is about becoming “the hero we all know he can become” (not the exact quote but I’m too lazy to look it up rn). I’d argue that the hero Lance is evolving into might just be the leader of Voltron.

But! Black didn’t choose him. So case closed, right?

Well, I’d argue that no, it’s not. Because I’ve been thinking about something: what makes the black paladin the black paladin?

Allura explains the roles of all of the lions (besides the Blue Lion and yes I’ll totally write a True Blue Paladin Lance meta later because I love arguing with myself lol) at the very beginning of the show. The green paladin has to be inquisitive. The yellow has to be caring. The red has to have good instincts. But for Black, all the characteristics we get can essentially be summed to “a born leader”

And what makes a leader a leader?

The team does.

The lions choose the paladins, sure. But the Black Lion is only awakened after the other four lions gather and-

-quite literally roar their approval. The team chose Shiro to be their leader from the very onset of this adventure-- when they’re in the Blue Lion, Lance immediately looks to Shiro to make the call on whether they should go through the wormhole. Black chooses to let Keith pilot her in season 2 when Shiro’s in danger because Shiro trusts him to pilot her. And then, in season 3, Keith tells the team about Shiro’s whole “I want you to lead Voltron” thing, and then Black chooses Keith to do it. And I don’t think that’s a coincidence.

It’s the approval of others that makes the black paladin the black paladin. Alfor and the others approve of Zarkon. The team unanimously chooses Shiro. Lance and the others support Keith. And the black paladin is literally described as

(Also note that Lance is included in this shot just like he’s included in the Red Lion shot-- maybe foreshadowing his future role as the Black Paladin?)

Wouldn’t that mean, logically, that Black picks her paladins based on the decision of the team? The “men” are the key component of this sentence-- the black paladin is not the black paladin if the team won’t follow them. You won’t be chosen by the Black Lion if people won’t follow your lead.

Because Black is all about trust.

For Black to pick you, she has to trust you to take care of the team. And the rest of the team has to trust you to lead them, too. “No one commands the black lion,” just like no one commands the team. They both have to choose you, first.

And I think Lance might be slowly building up that trust.

(Or Allura might be, but that’s yet another meta for another day lmao)

We’ve seen, throughout the past two seasons, that Lance is the guy people either look to for help or accept help from. Keith gets upset in season 3 before they all go into the Black Lion? The team unanimously looks to Lance to give him a pep talk. Keith is doubting Black’s decision? Lance supports him. Allura has trouble with Blue? Lance checks on her and asks how she is. Keith runs ahead on the mission? Lance talks him down. Allura and Coran - even if this is a silly example lol - need help with Kaltenecker? They immediately go to Lance, thinking he can reason with her.

And, of course, as previously mentioned, in season 4 episode 6, not only is it Lance that makes the correct call in the situation - suggesting that the team get out several moments before they’re trapped - but he also gives that incredible speech to Allura that gives her the confidence to save the day.

He spurs his teammates into action. When he says they can do it, especially in the cases of Allura and Keith, they trust him.

The thing about the Black Lion is that it’s the one lion with a specific role in the Voltron hierarchy. With the other lions, it makes sense for the lion to just choose their paladins themselves, but with the Black Lion, the opinions of the team have to be taken into account.

After all, shouldn’t a team get a say in who leads them?

I think we might be reaching a point where someone’s going to ask that question. I figure that Clone Shiro will be found out in the next season or two and Keith’ll be put back into the Black Lion-- something’s gotta give, someone has to ask how this whole black paladin thing works. Because I think, if given the choice, the team might just say “hey, what about Lance?”

And speaking of Keith:

He’s the perfect red paladin lol, and this whole Marmora situation just proves it.

Allura describes the Red Lion as the “temperamental,” “the most difficult to master,” “unstable,” and in need of a pilot that relies more on “instincts than skill alone.” I’ve always kinda side eyed this when it came to Lance’s placement in Red-- from season 3 onward, I’d say that Lance is arguably one of the most stable characters in the show. In fact, the creators of the show literally call Lance “Keith’s stability.”

It’s Keith who we see matching these traits more. He’s always been frustrated and kind of short fused, but we see that even more so in Seasons 3 and 4 (god I love my angry boyo)-- he blurts out that they don’t have Voltron to their allies, runs after the Lotor and kinda puts the team in danger, almost blows himself up in s4e6, etc. Also, just like the red lion is the fastest, Keith is prone to rushing ahead, even complaining that Black is too slow for him lol. He’s more inclined to relying on instincts rather than concrete plans or things like stealth skills (as seen during any mission the Marmora sends him on oh my god why would you send him on more stealth missions I’m gonna piss). Additionally, on the Voltron website, the Red Lion is described as never being afraid to “push its limits in order to defend the team.” And just. The screenshot above says it all. Keith is quite willing to give up everything for the team.

I’ve argued this in another meta, but I still think Keith’s going to pilot Red again, if only for a little while. They never got a proper goodbye, unlike Blue and Lance, and after all the development they got in seasons 1 and 2... Something about their separation feels off.

And speaking of separation, I also don’t buy that Keith’s done being a paladin? I’ve seen people arguing that he’s part of the Blade of Marmora now, but I’m pretty confident we’ll see Keith back in a lion relatively soon, whether that be the next season or the one after that I’m not sure. And I think the lion we’re gonna see him in (after a short stint in Black) will be Red.

For one thing, Keith first unlocks his Blade of Marmora after affirming his identity as a paladin of Voltron. During season 4, his blade stays suspiciously... small. If the whole “unlocking the blade” thing is about finding your identity (”knowledge or death” and all that), and Keith only unlocked his after basically saying “you know what? I don’t need you, I’m a paladin of Voltron,” that means that being a paladin of Voltron is a key component of Keith’s identity in a way that being part of the Blade just... isn’t.

Also, note that in the season 2 Blade of Marmora episode, he very visibly chooses the Red Lion over his past.

He sees the destruction, sees Red waiting for him outside the window, and says that he has to leave. His dad offers him the ultimatum that if he leaves, he’ll never know who he is, and then, as he walks out the door-

-the screen flashes red. And then, immediately after, Red wakes up and attacks the Marmora base. Keith chooses Red. He says so in the next scene with Kolivan-- “I know where I’m from, I’m a paladin of Voltron.” But not just a paladin. The Red Paladin.

Their bond is too profound for me to believe that it’s just over, or that Lance somehow has a more “real” one with her. Also, the reason Keith left the team in the first place was a discomfort with being the black paladin. The bedroom scene with Lance I think was really telling: Keith visibly deflates when Lance says he’s there to talk to him because “you’re the leader now right?” Keith’s arc isn’t about leadership-- it’s about discovering his identity and finding out where he belongs. Keith wants to genuinely connect with his teammates, but in that scene, we see that he felt like Lance had only wanted to talk to him, to connect with him, because he’s the “leader” now. And that disheartens him, and ultimately makes him pull away from the group.

It just doesn’t make sense to just force him into a position he clearly doesn’t want (and has said he doesn’t want!) over and over again, when he has a place that he chose and suits him so well. I honestly think that if he had still been the Red Paladin, he wouldn’t have made the decision to leave.

Still, though, Keith did show pretty good leadership with the rebels. I could see him in Black, but I also think he belongs in Red. Maybe there’ll be a coleadership situation with Lance?

This is getting l o n g so I’m going to cut it off here (if you for some reason wanna read more longass Black Paladin Lance metas, I’ve got one written pre-s3 and one written pre-s4), but my point is that Lance has slowly been gaining the trust of his teammates and becoming a person that can lead them, the Black Lion seems to operate on a “consent of the governed” principal, and Keith still seems to be too well-suited for Red for their relationship to be over yet. I genuinely believe we’ll see Lance in the Black Lion at some point during Voltron-- whether that be as the True Black Paladin or as a one-off or temporary gig remains to be seen, but I think the kid is growing into genuine leadership material.

#voltron #voltron meta #black paladin lance #WHOO BOY #i should go study lmao #if you read this: i'm sorry it's literally so long god

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