#of course it was possible to draw them as a wolf and a white fox
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Legends Never Die
{ Big shout out and thank you to my dear friend @000marie198 for beta reading and taking part in editing! Grammar mistakes are real guys }
Part 1 ~ Immortal Escape
Chapter 2 - Undercover Immortal
The fox felt something pull at his attention, a sensation that felt both familiar and foreign. His ear twitched towards where the strange energy seemed to be coming from and was about to turn around out of curiosity when Kant, the timber wolf, clapped him on the shoulder.
“You're a hoot, Kit! Are you this funny in sparring?" The wolf gave a crooked grin.
Kit's ears corrected themselves and he shook off the warm pull that had caught his attention, chiding himself for being so easily distracted.
He cracked a smile, forcing himself, with some level of disgust, to match the haughty expression of his comrade.
"Well, why don't we spar sometime and you can find out?"
"Oh-ho! That sounds like a challenge!"
The other two mobians, a rusty brown squirrel and a black and white raccoon, clapped his shoulders with their hands.
"Rookie wants a fight, eh?" the raccoon laughed, the squirrel joining in with some amused chuckles.
"Hey, I might be new here but I've had plenty of experience elsewhere," Kit warned them playfully.
"Alright, then how about a sparring match tomorrow?" Kant grinned.
Kit's smile disappeared for a second, his feet shuffling nervously.
"Well, I'm not sure about that... I might be relocated again tomorrow."
Kant scoffed and the other two mobians groaned.
"C'mon, Kit, do you really move around that much? You only got here a couple weeks ago!"
"Hey, it's not my fault our superiors find my skills adaptable to all our locations," Kit said, smirking.
"Oh you're so full of yourself, Kit," the raccoon mumbled, rolling his eyes.
The squirrel looked at him curiously, "What kind of person do they move around so much? What kind of skills could possibly have you being relocated so much?"
Kit shrugged his shoulders with a sigh, "Sorry guys, top secret information there. And I'm pretty sure you don't have the clearance."
"Hardy har har," Kant replied sarcastically while the raccoon snorted his amusement.
Kant continued, "Fine. You're busy. How about tonight instead?"
This also caused Kit to pause, considering. He would have preferred to complete his mission in the evening and leave before lights out. He'd already been there for so long, he was looking forward to finally going back home...
I guess I could use another night to properly prepare... If I get too hasty, I might miss something, and that would only make things more dangerous for us down the road. He thought.
Trying not to show his reluctance he shrugged. "Sure, why not?"
Kant grinned, his shining white canines flashing in the light as he slugged Kit in the shoulder.
"That's what I'm talking about! Let's hear it for Kit, finally stepping up and taking on an actual challenge!"
The two other Mobians hooted and cheered, turning some civilian eyes to them.
Kit laughed at their antics, joining in with the rowdy whooping as they continued back to base. But inside, the unruly antics only made him feel bitter.
~•~•~•~
Kit rotated his arm, stretching the sore limb as he walked through the long hallway that led to the living quarters. Sweat still coated his ruddy orange-brown fur, and he probably would have had some bruises if his body wasn't used to years of close combat.
He'd just finished his sparring match with Kant. The wolf had been declared the winner after Kit had submitted mid-fight, and the two canines had shaken hands afterwards in respect for one another.
Of course, Kit had to let him win. He had previously decided against sending the wolf yelping with his tail between his legs, though, in all fairness, he very well could have. Even though it felt weird not being able to use the full extent of his skill and experience, he really didn't want to draw more attention to himself than was necessary. He wanted to be present, but not memorable. And from what he could gather, beating the wolf in combat would've been a very memorable moment.
The crowd of over fifty other soldiers gathering for the fight was a testament to that fact.
In any case, he was ready for bed. It wasn't lights out yet, but if he was going to complete his initiative in the morning he needed some good rest tonight. He also needed to let the others know he was going to be a little later than planned.
Quickening his steps he reached a corridor lined by doors, each with a numbered plaque nailed to the front. Upon reaching door number 207 he pulled a card from his uniform vest pocket and pressed its face to the black scanner next to the door handle. It beeped twice before a green light blinked, followed by a large click as the door unlocked.
Tucking the card back into his pocket he twisted the handle and stepped into the room.
An overhead light instantly blinked on at his entering, illuminating one bed on the farthest wall, a sink and mirror to his right and a desk with drawers to his left.
It was a humble living quarters, but he didn't complain. Most facilities only had such accommodations ready since he would arrive without any warning, giving the agency little time to prepare.
And soon I'll be leaving again.
He tried to find comfort in that fact, letting his mind muse over what he'd possibly come home too as he stripped himself of his uniform.
‘He's probably torn the whole lair apart by now.’
He chuckled to himself, sliding off all but his gloves and socks and folding them over the back of his desk chair. He glanced in the mirror, baring his fangs to make sure he hadn't gotten any food stuck in them. He nodded in satisfaction when he found none.
He resisted the urge to look more closely at the rest of his appearance and his light blue eyes.
Striding over to his cot he plopped down onto the covers and reached into his pillowcase, pulling out a small black device that he carefully lodged into his ear. He tapped the device until it beeped once, signaling that it had activated and had made connection.
"Kit to base," he whispered, looking up at the wall as his tail swished behind him, "Anyone there?"
There was a long silence before a robotic voice replied.
"Affirmative. My systems are picking up your message with complete clarity."
The fox felt a smile pull at his muzzle.
"Hey, 'Mega."
"Have you completed your initiative?"
The smile left. "No. Not yet."
"Is there reason for the delay?"
"Not really. I just needed time to get some of the others off my back." Kit hesitated, before lowering his voice, "Is, he there..?"
A moment of silence.
"He grew impatient, again, and has taken to resting in his quarters until further notice."
Kit couldn't help feeling disappointed.
"Would you like me to awaken him?"
Kit sighed. "No, let him rest. I won't be doing anything tonight, so might as well leave him be."
"I do have one inquiry..."
Kit turned over onto his back, one hand tucking under his head as he stared up at the ceiling.
"Inquire away."
"If you do not plan on completing the mission tonight, when exactly are you going to go through with it?"
"Tomorrow morning," Kit replied frankly, reaching up with one hand and twisting his fingers in an attempt to amuse himself, "I'm getting up earlier, so less of the base will be active. It'll also give me some time to set everything in place."
There was another pause, and Kit could practically hear Omega's whirring processor.
"Hey, 'Mega? Could you make sure that I wake up in time? 3:30 please. I'll keep the ear piece in while I sleep so I can hear you."
"Do you not trust yourself to wake at the desired time?"
Kit felt his muzzle begin to twitch up to a smile. "Organic creatures aren't as efficient at timekeeping as machines."
"Very well. I will have him wake you when it is time for you to arise."
A warm grin came across his muzzle. How a machine was able to read his mind was beyond him, but he was grateful for it.
"Thank you."
"Your gratitude is unnecessary, but accepted."
Kit chuckled, a comforting, happy feeling that was so different from the laughter he shared with the brutes who called themselves guardians.
There was a long pause in which Kit could tell the A.I. across the comm was thinking.
"Something wrong?"
"Negative. I was simply wondering..."
Kit tilted his head. "Yes?"
"Do you think... You will be able to locate him this time..?" The robotic voice quieted as it spoke, as if nervous to really be asking.
Kit's expression grew solemn.
"I don't know... I hope so.”
"Do you think a machine, such as I, can feel hope as well..?"
This question took Kit aback a bit, but he softened at the A.I.'s uncharacteristic timidness.
"Yes, I think so."
The robot took a second to process this before responding.
"Good. Because if not I would have asked you to run diagnostics on me and check for viruses upon your return."
Kit snorted in amusement at the A.I.'s brash logic.
"I don't think that's necessary."
"No. I suppose not. This hope... I enjoy the feeling it evokes in my programming."
"Then why would you want me to erase it in the first place?"
"Because any threat must be eliminated. And if it would cause me to turn on you then it should be removed with haste."
The seriousness of Omega's robotic tone made Kit wince.
"Don't worry. That won't happen."
"The sentiment is foolish, but appreciated."
Kit chuckled, rubbing his eyes with a yawn before rolling onto his side.
"Okay, I need to get some rest now. Just thought I would update you both that I'll be heading back later than expected."
"Affirmative. Enjoy pleasant renditions of your imagination during your time of rest."
"You too, pal."
"I am unable to conjure dreams since I do not own a subconscious."
"Good night Omega."
A short pause before, "Good night."
Silence descended upon him and he clapped his hands once. The light overhead obediently flicked off, plunging him into darkness. Shifting his weight off the covers, he draped them over his slightly sore body and quickly drifted off to sleep.
~•~•~•~
Knuckles walked in through our front door. As usual, my brother and I greeted him with warm smiles, Sonic patting him on the shoulder while I gave a simple fist bump.
"What brings you down to the humble surface of Mobius, Knuckles?" Sonic teased the echidna. "Got tired of waking up on your magical island paradise every day?"
Knuckles huffed, crossing his arms indignantly. "No, I did not. And I've actually been 'down' for a while now, thank you very much."
This caught my attention and I tilted my head curiously at him. "Really? Then, who's guarding the Master Emerald?"
Knuckles waved his mittened hand dismissively. "No one. And for security reasons, I'm not telling you where I hid it."
Sonic and I exchanged glances, his green eyes looked at me with amusement and I shook my head, unable to keep the smile from my face.
"But I didn't come here to talk about my duties as the guardian," Knuckles said, his face growing serious, "There's, something I found out... That I need to tell you..."
His violet eyes flicked between me and Sonic, our expressions growing confused.
"It might be a bit crazy to hear- but as your friend, I feel it's my duty to tell you what I've found. And, Tails..?"
His eyes locked with mine, and the deep sadness I saw there made me feel frightened.
"I don't know if you'll like it."
I swallowed hard. Sonic took Knuckles by the arm and led him into the living room, prompting me to follow.
"Here, Knuckles, how about we sit down a sec?"
The Echidna didn't resist, solemnly taking a seat on the longer couch with Sonic taking a spot next to him. The hedgehog’s emerald eyes scanned the echidna with concern.
"Are you sick or somethin'?"
The echidna sighed, looking down at the floor between his shoes.
"No, I'm not sick."
His gaze came up to meet mine, and I'm sure he could see my confusion and worry.
"Tails, what do you know about your parents? Or any of your ancestors?"
I sucked in a breath and I saw Sonic stiffen at the question, no doubt for my sake more than his own.
"Nothing," I answered honestly, trying hard to ignore the ache in my heart and reminding myself that I'd found my true family. I didn't need my blood relatives. Not while I had my friends and, technically, brother by my side. "I don't remember anything about my parents and if I did have any other relatives, they didn't make themselves known."
Knuckles' expression darkened, only filling me with more worry.
"Tails... I know this is going to sound crazy, but about a month ago I was... conversing, with the Master Emerald."
"Talking to yourself," Sonic coughed under his breath, earning a glare from the echidna. But the joke did make me feel better, breaking the suffocating seriousness of it all with a chuckle.
"Anyway," Knuckles growled, ignoring Sonic's tease, "While I was tending to it, I had a vision. It was confusing at first, kinda like a dream where you can't clearly see what's going on, but you just have this feeling that thing's are happening..? But it showed me something... Something about you..."
Even Sonic had leaned forward in his seat, brow furrowed.
"And?" He questioned.
"Tails." Knuckles' expression was so serious, so pitying, I could hardly handle the suspense.
"I think you’re a... Kitsune."
It felt like the air had been sucked out of the room. At first I was confused. But then all the retellings of legends and myths that Sonic collected from across the world came flooding back.
Kitsune. A mystical being rooted in eastern culture. Often possessing great power, and revered for their cleverness.
Most commonly identified as a multi-tailed fox.
I shot up from the chair, my confusion turning to cold blooded shock.
"No.” I shook my head, "No, you're wrong!"
On top of that, how dare Knuckles make jokes about me like that?! I felt my shock turn into anger. "And it's not funny to make jokes like that!"
Knuckles stood from his seated position, extending his hands apologetically.
"I'm not joking, Tails... I did some research, and it all matches with what the Master Emerald showed me."
My tails lashed behind me as I glared into the echidna's solemn violet eyes.
He was serious.
A sick feeling spread through my chest, poisoning my stomach with dread. It couldn't be true... It just couldn't...
I looked to Sonic for help, my angry blue eyes pleading for him to say something, to stand up and tell Knuckles that he was wrong. To tell the echidna to apologize for even thinking up such a cruel joke.
But Sonic wasn't looking at me. His emerald eyes were distant and I'd never seen his expression so thoughtful.
"Sonic?"
His emerald eyes looked up at me, but now they held the same heaviness that I had seen in Knuckles'.
Tears burned under my eyelids as I stared at him, begging for him to affirm the denial in my heart.
"Tell him he's wrong!"
Sonic opened his mouth and I felt my hope rise.
That's right. My brother was going to tell Knuckles that everything he was saying was false. I couldn't be a Kitsune! What a ridiculous idea!
But then the hedgehog's mouth closed again, and he looked away.
He looked away.
I staggered back, hitting the edge of the chair with my leg. But I didn't care.
My head swam, tears blurring my vision and I clenched my fists.
"No. No! I don't believe you! It's not true!" I shouted at them, "You're lying!"
Sonic stood up now, taking a step towards me.
"Tails-"
"Don't, Sonic!" I snapped, "How can you agree with this?! Kitsune aren't real! They're just legends!"
"Come on, buddy, just hear him out," Sonic pleaded.
I shook my head, taking another step back.
"No! I won't listen to lies! I don't want to listen to either of you until you tell me the truth!"
I spun around and ran upstairs, furiously taking the steps two at a time. Tears had begun to stream down my cheeks and even more fell when I heard Sonic's voice call out desperately behind me.
"Tails!"
But I ignored him. I didn't want to hear it. I didn't want to hear any of it.
My heart thudded in my ears and my head felt dizzy. I ran to my room and slammed the door shut behind me, making sure it was loud enough for the both of them to hear.
Once in my room, I couldn't help it. I slid down the door, unable to hold back the tears. A sob choked me, the tears running hot down my muzzle.
I never felt so scared, confused, and angry all at once. I wanted to feel betrayed, Sonic was supposed to be my brother! Why didn't he stand up to Knuckles and talk him out of all this nonsense?!
But I couldn't. Because I didn't have to think too hard about it to know that what Knuckles had said was true.
I didn't want it too, I didn't want all the pieces to fit, and I hated that they did...
Another sob racked my body, as I pressed myself to the door.
"No, it can't be real. I have to be dreaming. This is a nightmare. It's not real. It's not real."
All the stories Sonic had told me came rushing back to my mind. It was customary for him to share bits of interesting folklore from different cultures with me and now everything he'd told me about Kitsune clouded my mind.
Many Kitsune possess a variety of powers, such as flight, shape shifting, and illusion.
A whimper tightened in my chest.
Kitsune are identified by their multiple tails, which showcase their power and ranking among other Kitsune.
I tucked my dual tails closer to my body, clutching them as I sobbed into their soft fur.
The most powerful of this creature is a nine-tailed Kitsune, which is rumored to be so powerful, that the whole world cannot provide enough energy necessary to satiate it.
I pushed my hands over my ears, as if doing that would be enough to stop the thoughts from continuing.
A Kitsune gains a new tail for every 100 years of its life, though some Kitsune have been known to be granted an extra tail as a reward for noble deeds.
I didn't want to hear it, I didn't want to think about it-!
Because of this, Kitsune are considered immortal. Reaching full power and maturity at 900 years.
I screamed against the thought, trying desperately to blot it out. I stood up from my sitting position, shaking my head and shouting denial.
"It's not true! It's not true! It's not-" a sob hiccuped from my throat, cutting me off.
I desperately wanted comfort, for something or someone to reassure me that it wasn't real, that it was all just a sick joke, and that everything would go back to normal. But I couldn't face either of the two who could do that. So I ran for the next best thing.
Crashing onto my bed I curled onto my side, snatching up my pillow and hugging it to my chest as I sobbed, desperately willing the thoughts to go away with little success.
Eventually my tears ran out and my cries subsided, leaving a dull emptiness in my chest. I curled tighter around the pillow, wrapping my tails around myself and pressing my eyes closed.
I don't know how long I laid there, feeling lost and hopeless. And I didn't know how it had happened, but I had somehow accepted what Knuckles had said.
Sometimes it's a curse to be clever...
I heard the door handle click followed by a small creak, but I remained unmoving, not even twitching an ear towards the sound.
"Tails..?"
The sound of my brother's voice sent a jolt of grief through my body and I clutched the pillow tighter, more tears threatening to unleash themselves.
He didn't move for a moment, allowing a moment of silence to settle between us, before I heard his gentle steps enter the room and approach my bed. I didn't turn to him, pinning my ears tighter to my head and pushing my muzzle farther into my pillow, making myself as small as possible.
I felt his weight bend the mattress behind me, but I couldn't face him. I couldn't bring myself to look at him. Not because of how betrayed I had felt earlier, but because of how ashamed and lonely I felt now.
A gentle hand rested on my arm.
"Hey, bud. I know you're upset... but-"
"I don't want to talk right now..." I managed to squeak out.
Sonic paused, before I felt the mattress move beneath me once again.
"Okay. We don't have to talk."
His shifting stopped and I could feel his presence sitting on the bed behind me, most likely hunched against the headboard.
"Let's just sit here a bit..." He whispered, his hand remaining on my arm.
My breaths shuddered in and out as I struggled not to cry. Just having him there made me feel a bit more comforted. And yet, at the same time, Sonic's presence only deepened the gaping hole in my heart.
I couldn't help it when I turned around to finally face him. Releasing my pillow, I propped myself up on the bed and looked up at my brother, who returned my gaze with a small smile.
"Hey."
"Hey," I croaked back.
His bright emerald eyes held nothing but kindness and understanding as they stared into mine.
Suddenly the tears rushed back and I couldn't stop myself from breaking down again. Only this time, I curled against Sonic's side, crying into his peachy fur.
He wrapped his arms around me, hushing me and stroking my back in slow, soothing movements.
"Hey, hey don't cry. It's okay. I know that was a bit of a shock down there..."
Understatement of the century...
"And I already talked to Knuckles, about how discretion can be a virtue..."
I nuzzled closer to my brother, feeling his ever present aura of warmth and safety steady my shaky breaths and slow my tears.
Sonic tilted his head to look down at me, a gesture I wasn't quite willing to return yet. He didn't seem to care though.
"But really, being Kitsune isn't something to cry over."
I could hear the smile in his voice, trying to help me feel better.
"I mean, it's not like they're something hideous, like a golem or a troll," he mused, and I felt a weak smile pull up the corner of my muzzle.
He continued, "I mean, come on, a Kitsune? They have all sorts of cool powers! No clue what they all could be- but shape shifting is one right? How cool would that be! Think of all the pranks you could get away with!" His voice grew more excited, and I could tell that he was trying to get me excited about it too.
It was almost working.
Sonic whistled to himself in wonder, "And to think. I get to say that my brother is a Kitsune of legend! Forget hero of Mobius- I get the title of, 'Bro to Ultra Awesome Fox Boy'!"
I laughed weakly at his joke, and he seemed to like that. His positive energy emanating from him in stronger waves.
My smile disappeared. Was that how I could feel Sonic's energy..? Because I was Kitsune..?
"Yeah, that'll be a neat headline," Sonic grinned, unaware of my troubling thoughts.
There was a comfortable silence that settled between us before I finally worked up the courage to say what was eating me away on the inside.
"Sonic..?" I rasped.
He looked down at me.
"Yeah, bud?"
I fisted my hand against his chest, feeling it rise and fall with every breath he took.
I hesitated to say it. The idea too horrible.
"Will..." My eyes were transfixed on his rising and falling chest, tears blurring my vision once again, "Will I have to watch you die..?"
A sharp inhale filled his lungs, raising his chest under my fist abnormally quick. The feeling made my heart hurt and more tears rushed to the edges of my eyes.
"Will I outlive all our friends..?" My voice cracked, and a tear broke loose, trailing down the side of my muzzle.
Peachy arms wrapped around me, pulling me tighter to their owner as Sonic rested his chin on my head. I allowed his radiant energy to wash over me, snuggling closer to him with a sniff. My ear was pressed against his chest and I couldn't help but listen to the strong, speedy beat of his heart, treasuring its liveliness.
"I don't know, buddy," Sonic whispered.
I couldn't ever remember hearing him sound so sad.
"I don't want to..." I whimpered, pressing myself as close to him and his warmth as I could.
Sonic didn't answer for a while. And that was okay. I just wanted him to hold me. To be there.
"Tails," he finally whispered, his tone sounding serious, but I could detect the pain behind it, "Maybe... Maybe you, or I, should talk to Shadow."
I jolted, looking up at him with wide eyes.
"What? Why?"
Sonic averted his gaze.
"Because, maybe he can give you some advice... If you're really..."
I could hardly believe my ears.
Sonic sucked in a breath, tilting his head up towards the ceiling and smiling weakly.
"He'll be able to take care of you. After I'm..."
I shook my head vigorously.
"No, don't say that. No one could ever replace you!"
Sonic looked back down at me and I couldn't help but marvel at the spark retained in his emerald eyes. How could he still be so hopeful? So himself?
"He wouldn't be replacing me, Tails. You'll always be my main man and little brother!But," a somber smile came across his muzzle, "You'll need someone to keep you company. It'll be good for him too, I think." Sonic mused over the idea.
But my stomach only churned with bitterness and a resurgence of denial.
"Knuckles could be wrong," I said, holding onto the rebellion that reared up inside my chest, "He could've misinterpreted what the Master Emerald was trying to say, or maybe's he's just jumping to conclusions again-"
"I think we both know he's not," Sonic said, squashing my hopes as quickly as they'd dared return, "I always sensed there was something different about you. And as you've gotten older, that feeling has only grown stronger."
I ducked my head in defeat. I knew what he was saying was true. Deep down, it felt right. It made sense.
Sonic continued, his smile still on his muzzle, "It's not a bad thing, Tails, and I don't want you to be mad about it. If you're Kitsune, then that's what you are. Sure it's gonna be different from what you expected, but you can use that to make a difference. Even after I'm gone, you can keep making a difference! You can change things and help people, you can continue living life and using that clever head of yours to make this world a better place for everyone!"
My tails twisted behind me, uncertain.
"But... What about you..?"
Sonic's smile faltered. Only for a moment.
"Don't worry about me, little bro. I'll keep living my life to the fullest, right alongside you, for as long as I can."
"Maybe, maybe I can figure out a way to-"
He cut me off, "Tails, no. We can't interfere with nature. As much as we'd like too. I promise, that as long as there's some fight in me, I'll always keep on running. But as much as I hate to say it... Even I can't live forever."
Tears were filling my eyes again, my chest aching with an oncoming sob.
"Hey, Tails..."
The deep voice startled me, both Sonic and I sharply turned our heads towards the voice. Knuckles was standing in the doorway, an awkward expression on his face as he rubbed the back of his neck.
He opened his mouth, but his voice sounded hazy.
"Tails..?"
I tried to listen closer, but it felt as though all the sound had been sucked out of the room. I looked to Sonic and I watched his mouth open as if to speak.
"You awake?"
The voices weren't making sense. What was going on?
"Tails??"
I looked around, everything was beginning to fade as the voice grew more clear.
"Hey! It's time to wake up!"
~•~•~•~
Kit awoke to a voice speaking directly into his ear. He groaned at the jarring sensation of being so awkwardly pulled from the dream world and into reality.
"Five more minutes," he mumbled, turning over onto his other side and pulling the rough covers further over his head.
An amused chuckle came from the device he'd left lodged in his ear over night.
"No can do! You wanted an alarm you got an alarm! Now- Up and at 'em!"
Kit let out another groan, this time to make his annoyance audible to the person on the receiver as he threw the blanket off of himself and swung his legs over the edge of the bed. He blinked his eyes blearily, trying to get them to clear.
"Come on! Today's the day we'll finally find something! I can feel it."
"That's what you say every time," Kit, or rather Tails, muttered, rubbing his eyes and squinting ahead, trying to get his eyes to work.
"Well someone's a pessimist today. What happened, did you wake up on the left side of the bed?"
"I woke up with a very, very loud voice in my ear," he grumbled, standing up. His vision had begun to clear, and his keen eyes had already begun to adjust to their dark surroundings.
"If I'm really such a pain in the morning, why'd Omega tell me you wanted me to wake you up?"
Tails could hear the smirk across the comm.
"Maybe because, as obnoxious as it is, it's still better then an online audio recording of an air horn playing on repeat?" He answered, clapping once to turn the light on and recoiling as the sudden light burned his retina.
"Still better than the air horn. Can't be that bad then!" The voice joked.
Tails laughed weakly, still rubbing his stinging eyes.
"So! You awake yet?"
"Yes I'm awake," Tails answered, finally opening his now adjusted eyes.
"Good! You ready then?"
"Well give me time to get in uniform." Tails grunted, grabbing the uniform off the back of his chair and working to slip the shirt and pants on.
"Make sure you're still in character while you're at it," the voice nonchalantly reminded, "You sometimes lose it while you sleep."
Tails paused with pants halfway up and glanced at the mirror. Sky blue eyes stared back at him, clear and bright. His brown fur from last night was gone, replaced by fur with a vibrant, golden hue.
He let out a sharp sigh in frustration.
"You lost it didn't you?" The voice was unbearably smug.
"No, I didn't," Tails protested, quickly focusing on his appearance, watching in the mirror as his body changed back to the fox from the night before. In only a few moments, he was Kit again. His attention then went back to the pants. "I'm just having trouble with the pants."
"Ugh."
Tails could practically hear the shudder over the comm.
"Pants... See? This is just more proof that this organization is no good. Mobians wearing pants. Pure evil..."
Tails rolled his eyes, but couldn't help smiling at the voice's dramatic over-exaggerations.
"Oh sure, forget the fact that they've locked up an innocent Mobian and kept him prisoner against his will for over 150 years. No it's the pants that makes them evil."
"Hey- I'm not saying it's a worse crime, only that it adds to it."
Tails shook his head with a chuckle, slipping his boots on and tucking his newly donned pants into them in the uniform style for G.U.P.
"Is Omega ready to go?"
"Affirmative." the robotic voice of E-123 Omega responded, "I am fully operational and prepared to fulfill my role."
Tails finished buckling his boots, as well as the belt that housed his weapons. Looking over himself once in the mirror to make sure he was properly disguised, he turned back to the desk and opened one of the drawers.
Moving a stack of papers he spotted what he was looking for and snatched up a black device with two stylized tails marked on the top. It was about the size of a large USB drive, but didn't have any noticeable place to port it into a computer.
He tossed the device into the air, caught it mid fall and dropped it into one of his vest pockets. Inhaling sharply, he turned towards the door. He knew he could do this and yet, somehow, the knowledge did nothing to rid the butterflies that fluttered in his stomach and made his heart skip.
"Ready?" The voice prompted into his ear.
Tails exhaled slowly, forcing the butterflies into submission as well as consciously making an effort to relax his tense muscles.
200 years and he was still acting like a scared kid.
Well, not today.
Confidence flooded his body and he nodded sharply. "Ready."
He stepped forward, putting his hand on the door handle and turning it.
"Let's go find our friend."
~—~—~—~—~—~—~—~—~—~—~—~—~—~
{ Story Facts! : What is G.U.P?
Guardian Units of the People, or G.U.P for short, is a military organization primarily focused on internal security. It's main goal is to keep peace within the nation and protect the citizens therein, acting almost as a more superior police force.
Though international security is in the minds of the officials, national problems are often handled by the parent organization, Guardian Units of the Nation, or G.U.N.
In accordance with their role, G.U.P is much more active in local communities, exercising judicial authority over their inferiors. As the child organization, G.U.P does have some ties and connections with G.U.N. However, these connections are mostly in the form of command chains in which officials of G.U.N will pass down instructions or alerts to G.U.P should the need arise. For the most part however, G.U.P acts on its own accord, and is fairly innocent to matters of international security.
G.U.P is very conscientious concerning its people groups. For this reason, it splits its troops into two segments, Sapiens and Bestia. This separation includes separate barracks, training facilities and tech support.
This separation of races was deemed beneficial since it would be easier to send like-species teams into certain environments or communities that might lean more towards Sapien or Bestia in population. Because of this, it is fairly normal to only ever see Mobian Guardians in more Mobian populated communities, and Human Guardians in the more Human populated communities.
Though experimentation has begun in establishing race specific bases, in which there is one base for only Bestia or Sapien respectively, it is still in the testing phase. With G.U.P still preferring to use larger multi-species bases with the separate accommodations made for each race. }
[Here it is! Chapter 2!! Thought I would post it for Wholesome Sonic and Tails Wednesday since I’ve been a little busy to do much else. There’s a heart-touching Sonic in Tails moment in here- so I’m counting it XD Hope you all enjoyed! Hopefully the third chapter will be up soon! As well as this story on AO3. So keep your eyes open!]
Chapter 1 | Chapter 3
#legends never die#LND part 1#immortal escape#LND chapter 2#wholesome sonic and tails wednesday#wsatw#tails the fox#tails the Kitsune#sonic fanfiction#sonic fanfic#e 123 omega#silver the hedgehog#200 years in the future
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Okay creature time!
So they're called Cagons, which is what happens when I'm tired because I combined the words 'cat' and 'dragon' but I think it works out? They are basically cat-dragons anyways.
They have the body of a cat or a fox, with some individuals having a more dog/wolf-like build. However, they have tails similar to a lion (long and thin with a poof of fluff at the tip), and feathery wings on their back.
(^ here's a shitty pixel art drawing of one from a year or so ago that is my AO3 profile pic to hopefully get an understanding of what they look like? I don't know why it's so small but who knows what dimensions I drew it in)
They can be any color under the rainbow, but are born completely white. Well, really dark colors like black or dark blue appear more smokey colored when the cagon is born, which makes it easy to tell what some markings may look like. Cagons start growing their colors between the age of 7-12, and at 13 they are considered to have reached full color. It is possible for cagons to be pure white or have white patches, which is sometimes frowned upon in some kingdoms/cultures.
Wings and tail fluffs follow a different system. They are typically the same or a similar color/colors and appear almost overnight upon the cagon reaching the age of 12, when they might get their powers.
Powers vary a lot, you can have a basic one or the most random and useless one, but it doesn't really matter unless you want to work really specific jobs.
Names are one of two things that have some difference between cultures but are pretty similar. There are three naming systems:
1)- A placeholder (like a number set) until they grow into their colors/powers (like Pryo for a cagon with fire powers)
2)- A warrior cats type system where at birth they're given something mostly neutral and are given a second at the age of 13 (like Astro'Blaze (yes I fucked with how it looks I think it's cool)
3)- Human type names or nobody cares, take a name it doesn't matter. (like Abby or Autumn)
Royal families almost always use human names at birth, something not all kingdoms allow commoners to do.
The one thing that depends on kingdom/culture but has the same basic rules are packs.
Packs are basically family structures or really close friend groups. You can technically be a part of unlimited packs, but most tend to have 1-3 'main' packs and a few secondary packs.
In 90% of kingdoms it is a crime to deliberately cause harm to someone in your main pack(s). At least you will be sent to jail, at worst you will be executed. And if it isn't a crime to harm your pack, there's probably another law you're breaking instead.
Of course, things can't be prefect, and things to be missed. Parental abuse is one that a bit more common then most cagons like, but slips through the cracks due to it usually being emotional/verbal, which is a bit harder to prove.
There are support structures however! Every kingdom has at least one outpost of a specific guild that keep a watch out for struggling children and makes sure they get anything they need to make it to adulthood!
Cagons born into royalty often leave the kingdom to found their own town if they don't see a point in sticking around (having a long line of heirs in front of them, not satisficed with their current workload, etc). Sometimes serval towns are built or planned to be built in close proximity to each other and might join into a new kingdom! In this sense there are many, many kingdoms across the world.
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Anyways the reason I want to make a MCYT AU is because of two points I made up there: cagons leaving to form their own kingdoms and packs. Different SMPs can be kingdoms and stuff I just like creating funny designs for that characters.
I think this whole idea could work really well in 3rd Life or some of the other traffic life games as well!
Anyways hope you enjoyed!
HI INDIGO sorry I wanted to draw the creature and I was busy
anyways I love these little creatures so much this idea is so fun :D
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#my art#sketch#danmei#bird#qiang jin jiu#qjj#cezhou#i'm here with my things again#of course it was possible to draw them as a wolf and a white fox#but I really wanted to draw birds#that's why Ce'an a gyrfalcon here#and Lanzhou is a shrike
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Brother Wolf
Some things about Ahsoka and Wolffe between the passing of time.
Brothers-AU Ao3
Edit: What the actual hell did tumblr do to my teeny tiny stars? Or is this just me?
*~*
„Hey, who does this cadet belong to?“, a voice rang through the hangar, Jedi General Plo Koon and Commander Wolffe interrupted their conversation to raise their heads. A clone in gleaming white armor made its way through the men seated on the ground. He had grabbed a young girl by the wrist. She watched with amazement as hundreds of soldiers covered their armor with paint. Then she grinned broadly at her, obviously involuntary, companion and tried to pull her hand away from him. „I can manage on my own.“, she protested and Woffe was tempted to roll his eyes, when the general's low chuckle threw him a bit off. „Thank you very much, I will take over from here.“, assured General Koon and held out his big hand to the girl. Wolffe was fascinated, he had never really seen a togruta and he had not expected that the color of the lekku could darken that quickly!
„Sir.“, the man in white armor responded to the command and released the girl from his grasp. Hastily she reached out and clasped General Koon's fingers in hers. When she smiled, the snow-white markings on her cheekbones lifted with it. „‘Soka, how long did it take you to get here?“, asked the General and the girl grinned even wider, if possible. „It took me 10 minutes.“, she boasted. Oh dear, Wolffe only had needed 5 on his first day on Coruscant. But he also swallowed the thought, later when he was alone he would allow himself to grin a little. But not now, not in front of his Jedi.
General Koon did seem to be smiling, however. „Commander Wolffe, may I introduce you jedi youngling Ahsoka?“ She pouted! She didn't seem to like the addition of youngling at all... „‘Soka, that's Commander Wolffe.“ Wolffe bowed his head in greeting and the girl, Ahsoka, looked at him with slightly narrowed eyes. Was she studying his helmet? „Are that supposed to be ... teeth?“, she asked critically and General Koon seemed to smile again, where had Wolffe got into? A jedi cadet who eyed him with a predatory look and a jedi general who seemed to be having a lot of fun. If he told Fox that, it might even make his brother laugh.
Before Wolffe could answer, the General's comlink blinked. „Ah… Commander, I'll leave little Ahsoka with you. I'll be right back.“ Great. Wolffe looked after the General for a moment, would it be beneath his dignity to just send the kid home? Sighing softly, he turned his gaze back to Ahsoka and when he watched how she already followed Boost every step of the way, grinning broadly and with amazed eyes, he actually had to smile.
*
Wolffe was tired, so infinitely tired. But grumpy too, and that was exactly what he needed to mask his exhaustion as best he could. Still, he couldn't find the energy to get up when the ship jumped into hyperspace. His stomach was sure, however, that General Koon hadn't been behind the wheel! Rex spoke well of Skywalker, but Wolffe was very happy to serve under another jedi at moments like these.
Soft snoring made him open one eye, Boost and Sinker leaned together slumped against the wall opposite him and slept leaning against each other. They were still in a pretty good shape... What would become of them now? It only seemed logical to split Boost and Sinker among other battalions and assign him, Wolffe, to another unit as well. That would mean less paperwork, right? Kark! This wasn't fair! But he would pull himself together for his last two men. And for the General.
Soft steps made Wolffe blink again, when did he close his eyes again? Ahsoka crept cautiously through the ship, armed with a couple of blankets. One more reason to pull himself together. Rex's tiny Commander-sibling didn't have to see any more suffering than she already would see in this war. Why hadn't General Koon spoken out against her being a padawan? She was a child! Just a little girl who, just a few months ago, had stood in his hangar with wide eyes. And now? Now there was that sad look she gave Boost and Sinker.
Ahsoka gently wrapped two blankets around the two men before she straightened up and padded over to Wolffe with the last one. Wonderful, now the little thing had to take care of him! „It's okay, I'll be fine.“, he growled and got up a little, Ahsoka looked at him. Her gaze was far too serious for her small, round face. Then she clicked her tongue miserably and threw the blanket over the clone anyway. „I'm sorry.“, she muttered and when Wolffe rolled his eyes it was just a reason for her to crawl closer to him. Finally she sat on the floor too, pressed close to his side. That wasn't so bad... „Cody asked about you. And Rex too“, Ahsoka mumbled softly and Wolffe rolled his eyes again, but leaned back against the escape pod again, puffing. „Of course they did...“, he muttered softly and the girl laughed softly into his uniform. „I told them you are fine...“, she added and then fell silent. No, she shouldn't worry her tiny head over all of this. „We will be.“, Wolffe assured her quietly. Ahsoka cuddled closer to him and even if he neither hugged her nor wrapped the blanket around her, she felt his head sag a little in her direction.
*
Rex hadn't returned yet... Cody next to Wolffe glanced at the door again, the mood of the two commanders had clearly sagged. And not just theirs, Wolffe could see some of Rex's men in a corner. Their heads were huddled together and they were whispering to one another. The ARC, Fives, had its arms crossed and leaned against a brother's hand. Cody looked at the door again. „Kriff, that is no longer bearable. I'll go and look for them.“, Wolffe grumbled and got up.
Cody didn't try to stop him, just nodded and got to his feet as well. Well, they seemed to agree this time! With great strides Wolffe made his way outside, if Ahsoka was really there again she would never stay outside that long. Or would she? After all, she belonged to the family... Oh, all of this sucked! Really, the whole thing was just completly unfair! He had believed Rex. Ahsoka Tano would never kill clones, not with those big eyes and grin. But she had been together with Ventress and what should he think of that?! He would have shot the witch on the spot, if Ahsoka hadn't been standing in front of him. She had defended the enemy.
But at the same time she had tried to protect him and the men. Wanted to talk! He should have just stunned her right then and she would never have gotten even close to that damn warehouse.
The evening air was cold and cleared the many thoughts from Wolffe's head. That was all behind them, Ahsoka was alive. She was innocent. That counted. He had reached his goal and had brought her home when Rex and Skywalker were unable to. Even if he had expected more ... backbone from General Plo. But he didn't owe Plo an apology, they all owed it to Ahsoka. Hardly thought through, he discovered two huddled figures. So that's where Rex had been! The Captain sat leaning against the wall of the barrack in the darkness and that on his lap was a violently trembling Ahsoka. Kriff, maybe Cody should have gone looking for them after all? Too late now, Rex looked up and caught Wolffe's gaze. All right, going back was no longer an option. So he came closer with careful steps. Ahsoka had turned her back on him, he could see as she tensed when he came within earshot. Rex had an arm wrapped around her, his free hand gently rubbing her back. A low growl escaped the girl and while Rex looked worried, Wolffe had to smile against his will. What a cute attempt to chase him away again. But she had mastert the art to ignore his grumbling, so he would return the favor.
Also, he had come here on a mission and he still had to apologize. That would be difficult enough... „Your men are getting annoying in there.“, Wolffe muttered and Rex snorted, of course his little brother knew immediately which men were meant! „Fine. Ahsoka, I'll go and talk to the others. I'll be right back, okay?“, he muttered and the girl shuddered before she nodded and slipped off Rex's lap. When he got up, he gave Wolffe a questioning look. „I'm staying.“, confirmed Wolffe.
That seemed to move Rex to give Wolffe another sharp look. Hey! He didn't even have a blaster on hand and he was sure that Ahsoka would bite off his hand anyway before he could draw a single blaster. She certainly could. Rex went back inside and Wolffe sat on the floor next to Ahsoka. There was a low growl and she shrugged her shoulders protectively. „No reason to be rude.“, he grumbled and Ahsoka's head jerked up, with tear-stained eyes and bared teeth she looked at him. „I trusted you!“, she spat, ouch. That ... maybe he deserved that. But that's not how things would work here, he already felt guilty and she wasn't going to talk it any bigger! „And I trusted you too. And yet you were with Ventress.“, he replied chilled, quietly. Then her lower lip started trembling. Kriff.
Ahsoka angrily wiped her face with her hands and hastily tried her body to get herself back under control. She wanted to be mad! She wanted to bite and scratch. But there was just that deep fear inside of her. The back of a hand on her shoulder almost made her jump in the air. Then she tried to avoid the touch. No chance, Wolffe's hand stayed on her shoulder. Like glued on. „I hate you.“, she sniffed tired and angry and sad. This was too much for one day, just too much. Wolffe watched her make a face and then carefully turned his hand, now he gripped her shoulder tightly. „I'm sorry. It wasn't fair.“, he admitted quietly and Ahsoka slumped, she just nodded. „I never believed you could have done any of this. But Fox and the others couldn't be talked into anything diffrent. I wanted to bring you back home.“ She nodded again and Wolffe took a deep breath, he had said what had to be said. It wouldn't hurt to go back inside now and get Rex! He was just getting up again when Ahsoka suddenly slumped to one side. With a thump, her head landed on his shoulder and he froze. It had been ages since she'd gotten that close to him. „I'm sorry I hit you.“, she muttered and Wolffe could feel her shaking again. Kriff. Slowly he raised a hand and squeezed her shoulder. „It's okay, it's been a strange day.“, he muttered and she nodded. Tears still shone on her face. There were dark circles under her eyes and she trembled violently with every breath. Were she cold? „You should get back into the warmth.“, Wolffe decided and got up, with one hand he pulled her to her feet and supported her. She looked pathetic, absolutely drained. And like she needed a hug.
He didn’t hug her. Instead he led them slowly back into the building, across the hallway to the 501st quarters. Inside, voices could be heard. What were these laser brains arguing about this time? Sighing, Wolffe knocked on the door and the voices fell silent. Then the door opened and several hands grabbed Ahsoka. The girl sagged weakly against her other brothers and Wolffe withdrew a tiny bit when she suddenly grabbed him. „I forgive you, it wasn't your fault.“, she mumbled and the others froze again, Wolffe smiled. „And not yours either. It will be okay.“
*
„It will be okay.“, Ahsoka mumbled softly to the wriggling bundle in her arms. Little fingers reached out to her face and grabbed the tips of her lekku. The little girl was beautiful. The fact that Padme could already be seen in Leia after a few months only intensified the effect. But maybe that was just Ahsoka perspective...
No one had protested when she had come into the creche and picked up Leia. No one had stopped her when she had went out with the child and just stopped at the steps of the temple. Even the remaining guards avoided them. Leia patted Ahsoka's cheek with one hand and she blinked hastily, her cheeks were wet. But today was supposed to be a good day! Today Master Plo would come back. And even if she could do without a meeting with her father figure, she just didn't want to miss her brother! Since the battle in the temple, Plo Koon had been out with his men to track down Tamboa. Something Ahsoka would have liked to do herself, but the healers and her brothers found her to be too unstable. Pah...
Before her frustration could swell further and mix with her depressed mood, Leia turned her little head and Ahsoka followed her gaze, Plo Koons presence could already be felt before the speeder stopped and two figures emerged from it. The Jedi Master led the way, Wolffe followed. As they climbed the steps, Ahsoka cocked her head a little, they looked tired. Nevertheless, she decided her meeting with Wolffe would not be able to wait, and waited until the two of them had reached the top. „Ahsoka.“, Plo greeted with clear reluctance. Briefly he reached out his fingers to her arm, Ahsoka winced as he brushed her skin and Plo withdrew hastily. „Good evening Master.“, Ahsoka muttered and quickly averted her gaze, she didn't want to give her old friend a reason to linger any longer. He sighed. „I'll see you tomorrow, Wolffe.“, he said his goodbye. „Good night, General Plo.“, Wolffe replied and when Ahsoka looked up the clone was already looking at her. „You look tired.“, he stated and Ahsoka's lips curled into a small smile. „Have you ever looked in a mirror?“, she asked and Wolffe grinned. He seemed happy, his presence so much easier to take than the jedi. All clones were more welcome to Ahsoka than the Order at the time. The twins were the only exception.
The twins, whom Wolffe and many others of Ahsoka's brothers had never met! As if on command, Leia held out her hand, gurgling, and clenched a fist in Wolffe's direction. Hel eyed the little girl with a raised eyebrow. „I wanted to introduce you to Leia.“, Ahsoka smiled and Wolffe rolled his eyes, it was almost a loving gesture. „The girl from Skywalker?“, he asked quietly and hesitantly held out his hand, Leia immediately grabbed his index finger and cooed with satisfaction. A tiny smile appeared on his face and Ahsoka breathed a sigh of relief. The two seemed to be able to develop a positive bond, untroubled by the actions of the children's father. „Yes.“, Ahsoka grinned and held out Leia to Wolffe. „Oh no, keep it!“ „Don't be scared like that.“, she teased and gave the child to Wolffe. He held her a little clumsily and looked as if he was afraid of crushing her. And then suddenly she laughed. The little thing with the dark hair and open eyes looked at Wolffe and laughed. „She will be so much trouble.“, Wolffe muttered, but his grin belied him.
*
„Give it back!" Ahsoka grinned and turned her gaze forward, just fast enough to avoid a laughing Clone Commander. Rex was less fortunate, Cody practically ran him over. Leia threw herself at the two clones without hesitation, Luke next to Ahsoka hastily made a few steps of space between himself and the scramble on the ground. „Children, does this have to be in the hallway?“, Cutup teased, Jesse and Droidbait laughed softly when Rex threw them a less nice gesture. „Why don't we just go on, we have a hunt to prepare after all.“, Jesse grinned and Luke's eyes lit up, he nodded eagerly. „We can kidnap your padawan for now, right vod'ika?“, asked Droidbait and Ahsoka grinned and pushed her shoulder against his, she was a tiny bit taller than her brothers and had it not been for the first gray hairs, she would have been greatly amused. „Off with you, I'll see where Wolffe is. He will be able to save our brother.“
Satisfied, the others left and Ahsoka quickly left the curses in the hallway behind. She didn't have to look far, Wolffe came up one corridor to meet her. Like the other clones in the temple, he was civilly dressed, his hands buried deep in the pockets of his trousers. He didn't seem in a hurry. „Do you know why Leia is trying to kill her favorite brother?“, Ahsoka asked and Wolffe grinned broadly, he looked like he had just received the greates gift of all. „Cody snatched her belt while sparring.“ Oh dear. „The gray one?“, Ahsoka asked, she knew exactly which belt was talked about. Finely woven, light gray and embroidered with a wolf's head at the ends. Who would have thought that Boost had that much talent! Leia loved this belt, almost as much as the wolfpack and the 212th.
„Then maybe we should save Cody and Rex, because I still need my brother and Obi Wan comes back in-„ A quick look at the crono. „-three hours again. He's going to want Cody back in one piece and I'm not going to be the one covering up a murder for his padawan.“ Wolffe laughed, but quickened his pace. „We both know that you would be the first to cover up the murder.“, he grinned and set off to separate his siblings from each other.
#star wars#the clone wars#brothers-au#wolffe aint the best cuddle buddy but its okay#he still is a good brother#ahsoka tano#clone commander wolffe#plo koon#leia skywalker
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((Part 2 of 3 - part 1 is here. Word of warning, this isn’t a complete story so much as it is just a random scene that got too long for a single post. Thanks again, my tiny-in-number but much loved followers! Also Reonora of course belongs to @adeat))
Falerin took a deep breath and straightened his back, placing his hands in a ready position on the keyboard. He began playing scales and a few amateur practice tunes just to get a feel for the ornate instrument before him. It had probably been over a year since he last played a piano, but muscle memory seemed to be carrying him well enough. The piano was of course nearly perfect… It was even properly tuned, which he hadn‘t expected, since such beautifully decorated instruments were usually a symbol of affluence rather than of musical appreciation. Its sound was warm and almost pearlescent in its softness.
Just the same, it reminded him of the last piano he’d been closely acquainted with - the clunky beast of an upright at the Fox and Shrew. There was no question that this one was of superior quality, but playing it was like wearing a stiff pair of dress shoes. He had a sudden temptation to play a bawdy showtune, as if it might cause the piano to shake off its high-society sensibilities, but he knew he owed it to Sunnthota to be as unobtrusive as possible.
Falerin continued to play, shifting from the rough sketchiness of his practice tune to the more refined lines of a waltz he had learned in Ishgard. He stared down at his hands and watched the movements of his fingers until the process of playing felt as comfortable and natural as an evening stroll on the beach. Ruby was still out of sight, and none of the guests seemed to be paying her (or him for that matter) any mind at all as they began to fill the room with their chatter.
As a performer, such a thing would normally aggravate him, but right now he was happy to go unnoticed, the notes of his music as much part of the background as the scraps of arcane lore on the walls. He found himself becalmed by the meditative nature of his playing, although the itch of a heavy suit coat and very stiff slacks served as an annoying reminder of where he was. If he were using music to calm and soothe himself, he’d much rather be doing it somewhere more comfortable. His first thought was of Reonora’s house, where the two of them would often spend evenings companionably practicing their respective arts under the welcoming light of various cute critter-shaped light fixtures. He would play his accordion or work on some bit of leather frippery as she read her cards or practiced her goldsmithing, periodically stopping to bring him tea or snacks despite his insistence that she didn’t have to go to that kind of trouble for him. He wished she were here now. Though she would undoubtedly dislike the gathering, there was also no doubt she would be happy to keep him company. She’d certainly have some brutally honest and very true things to say about the bluff and bluster and pageantry of it all.
Falerin lifted his gaze slightly, surveying the room across the shining white expanse of the piano as he continued to play. Within a few seconds he spotted Sunnthota, speaking coyly to another young Roegadyn who had his back turned. He met her gaze briefly and winked at her, beginning to weave his waltz into the first few notes of the song she had requested now that he knew she‘d be listening. A smile crossed her face for a moment as she continued her conversation. Rose of May was a very prim and proper tune, one that would fit all manner of elegant ballroom dances, would that any of the people here been the dancing type. Perhaps a few dozen guests stood still in loose clots around the room, some showing off grimoires, carbuncles, faeries and whatnot, others merely tut-tutting and chin-stroking about what were undoubtedly highminded concepts.
There was, however, one dark-haired Duskwight man who seemed to be the exception. He wasn’t the tallest or the thinnest Elezen Fal had ever seen, but something about his demeanor made him look like he was both. He seemed to be looking for someone, while pretending not to be, lurking at the edges of various conversations like a wolf looking for scraps in the shadows around a campfire. Someone who no doubt would have speedily been labeled as a potential pickpocket or pervert by a wise bouncer or brothel proprietor.
Turning his eyes back to the piano keys, Falerin continued playing, not wanting to draw the man’s attention.
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Best Upcoming Non-Western and POC Fantasy Books in 2020
https://ift.tt/3jP41EA
The world of fantasy is expanding (as you can see from the awesome, expansive titles we covered in 2019). While I still love a good tale of a farm boy from a feudal nation saving the kingdom (or the world), I’m thrilled that so many great titles from beyond the traditional fantasy white European setting (so, you know, a majority of the world) are hitting American bookshelves.
This list of most-anticipated non-western fantasies has some ongoing series titles, as well as conclusions to fantasy sagas, and brand new series starters. So whether you’ve been following titles inspired by world locations beyond western Europe, or whether you are brand new to this window into where the fantasy genre can go and has gone, we’ve got you covered. Here are some of the titles I’m most looking forward to this year.
Most Anticipated Non-Western Fantasy Books in January
Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibañez
The Illustrians have been usurped, and Ximena, a stand-in for the last remaining Illustrian royal, is ready to seek revenge. When the usurper, Atoc, demands the hand of the Condesa in marriage, Ximena goes instead, seeking a chance to destroy the relic that brought Atoc to power. Ibañez drew inspiration on stories of revolution in Bolivia, where both of her parents are from, in creating this South American influenced fantasy world.
Read Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibanez on Amazon.
Scavenge the Stars by Tara Sim
This YA fantasy spin on The Count of Monte Cristo begins when Amaya rescues a mysterious stranger from drowning. Sure, she’ll face greater punishment aboard the debtor’s ship that has been her home for years, she instead finds herself rewarded. The only reward she wants? Revenge on those who have wronged her. But of course, revenge comes with its own costs, and as she becomes embroiled with the son of the man she wants to destroy, she uncovers truths that convince her to trust no one. The first in this duology comes from the author of the Timekeeper trilogy, and would pair well (for adult readers) with 2019’s excellent Queen of the Conquered, which has its own echoes of The Count of Monte Cristo.
Read Scavenge the Stars by Tara Sim on Amazon.
Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchi
In this contemporary dystopian fantasy, Ella can see the future of others. Her powers alienate her from her family, including her younger brother Kevin, who was born on the day that the police officers who beat Rodney King were exonerated in court. Alternating between Ella and Kev’s perspectives, the story follows the siblings from Kev’s promising childhood into his incarceration—for being a young black man in America. When Ella, who vanished years before, begins to visit Kev through astral projection, she leads him through the memories of others that she has experienced, guiding him to possibilities for a different future. Onyebuchi’s #OwnVoices story shines light on the realities of the structural racism and brutality faced by contemporary black Americans.
Read Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchi on Amazon.
Most Anticipated Non-Western Fantasy Books in February
Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland
Jane McKeen started putting down the restless dead in Dread Nation, and she’s back in the divided America of the 1880s. Summerland has fallen, but that doesn’t make Jane’s life any easier. Enemies are still around her, and she finds herself questioning if she really understands the world. It’s a good thing she’s got Katherine Deveraux watching her back. Kate never expected to be Jane’s ally, but she knows just exactly how important it is to have friends in a world as dangerous as this one. This sequel to Ireland’s celebrated first novel comes after Ireland penned a few Star Wars novels, and it’s great to see her back in the Weird West from a galaxy far far away.
Read Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland on Amazon.
The Seventh Sun by Lani Forbes
This Maya-and-Aztec-inspired series starter reveals that the sun is fading, despite all of Prince Ahkin’s efforts to the contrary. When he must select a bride from among six candidates—and sacrifice the other five—in order to ascend to the throne, he feels connected to Mayana. But the gods may be against them, and the world may be on the brink of a darker apocalypse.
Read The Seventh Sun by Lani Forbes on Amazon.
The Wolf of Oren-Yaro by K. S. Villoso
A war tore Queen Talyien’s nation apart. A marriage was supposed to save it. But when her groom disappears, there’s no way to unite the rival clans of her nation, fracturing the kingdom. When, years later, he sends her a message requesting that they meet, she holds out hope that there will be peace—until someone tries to kill her. In order to save her people, and herself, she must become the Bitch Queen, the she-wolf, that her enemies have called her. Villoso grew up in the Phillipines and draws inspiration from that setting. This novel was originally self-published in 2018, but the traditionally printed books launched this year for an expected trilogy.
Read The Wolf of Oren-Yaro by K.S. Villoso on Amazon.
Most Anticipated Non-Western Fantasy Books in March
Thorn by Intisar Khanani
I loved the self-published version of Thorn when it was first released in 2012, and I’m excited to see a fully revised, expanded version coming out this year from HarperTeen. Drawing inspiration from the story of the Goose Girl, the story revolves around Princess Alyrra, whose identity is stolen from her by a sorcerer, robbing her of her royalty—but also granting her a chance to start fresh, free from the expectations of her family. However, when she uncovers a plot that threatens the prince she was to marry, she must decide whether to remain silent, or return to the royal world she longed to escape. This new edition of the #OwnVoices novel also includes Khanani’s fantastic short story, “The Bone Knife.”
Read Thorn by Intisar Khanani on Amazon.
Night of the Dragon by Julie Kagawa
The eagerly awaited conclusion of Kagawa’s trilogy is almost here! This third book in the “Shadow of the Fox” series follows the cliffhanger ending of Soul of the Sword. Hopefully this installment will reveal what has happened to Kitsune shapeshifter Yumeko and her love-interest-slash-enemy, Kage Tatsumi, who was possessed by a demon.
Night of the Dragon by Julie Kagawa on Amazon.
Wicked as You Wish by Rin Chupeco
Tala doesn’t really care about magic—and she sometimes negates it accidentally. Her family is part Filipino—she descends from Maria Makiling, a Filipina heroine—and part tied to the old, disappeared country of Avalon. When the Snow Queen returns from the dead, and an Avaolian firebird shows up on Tala’s doorstep, she’s thrust into a dangerous world of spelltech in the Royal States of America…
Wicked as You Wish by Rin Chupeco on Amazon.
A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat
Although this Thai-inspired fantasy novel is geared toward middle graders, there’s no shortage of depth to the story. When prison-born Pong escapes, he discovers that the world he’d longed to see is just as unfair and impoverished as the one he left behind. The rich thrive in the supernatural lights of Chattana, but the poor remain struggling in the shadows. Nok, the prison warden’s daughter, is determined to bring Pong back inside before her family is at the center of a scandal. But her own experiences outside the prison make her question the truths she has long trusted. With inspiration drawn from Les Miserables, this middle grade fantasy also has plenty of adult appeal.
Buy A Wish in the Dark on Amazon.
Most Anticipated Non-Western Fantasy Books in April
Incendiary by Zoraida Córdova
Renata is a memory thief, once in service of the king of Andalucia—though not of her own volition. She was kidnapped as a child and forced to carry out the King’s Wrath, leading to the deaths of thousands of her own people. Now, she has joined the rebellion, but even among the people who rescued her from the king, she is mistrusted. When she’s tasked with rescuing her commander—and love interest—from the palace, her rage and desire for revenge are tested. What will it cost her to keep her cover? Córdova is best known for the “Brookyn Brujas” series, and this Spain-set historical fantasy series starter is likely to feature some of the same appealing magic that made the contemporary fantasy series so popular.
Read Incendiary by Zoraida Cordova on Amazon.
The Ranger of Marzanna by Jon Skovron
This Russian-inspired epic fantasy features two siblings destined to oppose each other over the fate of the invading Empire. Sonya is training to be a ranger. Sebastian, her brother, is the world’s most powerful sorcerer. When their father is murdered by imperial soldiers, Sonya decides to take a stand against them, gathering together allies to push the invaders back. But Sebastian sides instead with the Empire, leading them to a final confrontation that will determine the fate of the world—and their family.
Buy The Ranger of Marzanna on Amazon.
The Red-Stained Wings by Elizabeth Bear
Set in the same world as Hugo-winner Bear’s epic “Eternal Sky” trilogy, The Red-Stained Wings continues the story of “The Lotus Kingdoms” she began in her 2017 novel The Stone in the Skull. Both books follow The Gage, a wizard-created brass automaton, and The Dead Man, a former bodyguard of the deposed Uthman Caliphate, who work as mercenaries. In the first book they delivered a message, and now all the Lotus Kingdoms are at war because of it. (While The Red-Stained Wings originally released in hardcover last year, we missed it in our 2019 roundup, and Bear’s work is too good not to mention.)
Buy The Red-Stained Wings on Amazon.
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Race the Sands by Sarah Beth Durst
YA and middle grader readers will be familiar with Durst’s unique twist on fantasy stories, but her newest title gives adult audiences a chance to see her shine. Set in Becar, a land where your actions in life determine your next incarnation, the only way out of the cycle is to win the Races. Tamara and Raia, a trainer and a rider, work together to try to train a kehok—a monstrous mount—for Raia to ride in order for Raia to earn her freedom.
Read Race the Sands by Sarah Beth Durst on Amazon.
Most Anticipated Non-Western Fantasy Books in May
The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
This gorgeous cover grabbed me immediately, and this ancient West African-inspired fantasy with a strong female lead looks like it could join Tomi Adeyemi’s series as a YA hit. Deka is different from everyone else, with intuition that marks her as separate. All she wants is to be a normal member of her village—but when her blood is revealed to be gold, the color of impurity, she must choose death, or a fate as a warrior for the emperor. Skewing older than Rick Riordan’s demigod fantasies, but with shades of the Dora Milaje from the Black Panther, this is definitely an #OwnVoices series starter to watch for.
The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna on Amazon.
Empress of Flames by Mimi Yu
Lu and Min, the warring sisters of The Girl King, continue their battle over the Empire of the First Flame in this epic sequel. Lu, the firstborn, was destined to rule, and Min, blessed with magic, grew tired of being in her sister’s shadow. Now, while the sisters plot for the throne, a greater threat arises outside their empire—but even if they work together, they might lose everything.
Read Empress of Flames by Mimi Yu on Amazon.
The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall
This pirate swashbuckling adventure full of Asian folklore stars Flora, an orphan girl who takes on the identity of Florian to gain respect from a pirate crew, and Lady Evelyn Hasegawa, whose dreaded arranged marriage is interrupted by pirates. The two are thrust together, forming an unlikely bond that leads them to team up to rescue a mermaid and escape their fates—if they can survive the sea, a witch, and the Pirate Supreme himself.
The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall on Amazon.
Lobizona by Romina Garber
Argentine folklore comes to life in Miami in this #OwnVoices contemporary novel that tackles real-world issues of the treatment of undocumented immigrants—and the fantastic problems of descending from a bruja and a lobizón, a werewolf. Manuela Azul is hiding from her father’s Argentine crime family in Miami. When her mother is arrested by ICE, Manu makes more discoveries about her family than she’s ready for—including the fact that, according to the rules of her family’s magical world, she’s not supposed to exist…
Read Lobizona by Romina Garger on Amazon.
The Archer at Dawn by Swati Teerdhala
This sequel to last year’s The Tiger at Midnight continues the story of the legendary rebel, Viper, in a saga based on Hindu mythology. Esha, known as Viper, and her partner Kunal infiltrate the court of King Vardaan. But while getting into the palace is easy, completing the tasks they set out to do may make them question their loyalties—to their countries, and to each other. This is the second book of a trilogy, so readers may need to expect a cliffhanger…
Read The Archer at Dawn by Swati Teerdhala on Amazon.
Most Anticipated Non-Western Fantasy Books in June
A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow
Sirens have to hide their powers—and Tavia is determined to keep her identity a secret rather than be forced to follow the restrictions against her people. At least she has her best friend, Effie, to help her navigate high school. But soon, Effie has to face the literal demons of her past, and Tavia’s powers are revealed in the worst moment possible. Black mermaids are taking the spotlight between Disney’s live action The Little Mermaid and Rivers Solomon’s excellent The Deep, and this #OwnVoices YA novel looks like another excellent addition to that growing subgenre. (Disclosure: this novel is not #OwnVoices for mermaids; as far as I know, Morrow is not a siren in hiding.)
Read A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow on Amazon.
A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown
A Crown Princess who seeks to resurrect her dead mother by sacrificing the heart of a king. A war-stricken young man, whose only way to save his sister is to kill the Crown Princess. Fate has different plans for both of them…. Princess Karina plans to offer her hand in marriage to the winner of the Solstasia festival in order to kill her new husband and bring her mother back from the dead. Malik enters the competition, hoping to get close enough to kill Karina, so that he can save his sister from a vengeful spirit. But when their two paths collide, the two find that everything is more complicated than they expected. Brown’s debut, the first of a duology with a sequel due out next year, is inspired by West African folklore, and features plenty of tension between the two POV leads. (Malik’s sweetness and anxiety make him an unusual protagonist for many reasons, and there are reasons he’s come away as the fan favorite character.)
Phoenix Extravagant by Yoon Ha Lee
Lee might not be returning to the world of his middle-grade Korean-mythology space fantasy or his hard SF space opera, but the launch of a new fantasy series, full of magical automata, is just as exciting. When a symbol painter’s Phoenix Extravagant—the material they need to create pigments to program the automata—they set out to find the source. But the secrets of the Empire may be darker than the painter ever imagined. This #OwnVoices novel features a nonbinary main character in an Asian-inspired fantasy setting, and it’s at the top of my must-read list for 2020.
Read Phoenix Extravagant by Yoon Ha Lee on Amazon.
The Unconquered City by K. A. Doore
Doore’s “Chronicles of Ghadid” come to a conclusion in this third, action packed volume of assassins and warriors. Illi remembers the rise of the restless dead, and she works to protect her city from the guuls that travel the dunes. And Illi knows a secret that could allow her to end the threat of the dead—but only if she’s willing to risk sacrificing everything.
Read The Unconquered City by K.A. Doore on Amazon.
The Empire of Gold by S.A. Chakraborty
In the concluding volume of Chakraborty’s #OwnVoices “Daevabad Trilogy,” con-artist Nahri and exiled prince Ali are back in 18th Century Cairo after fleeing fallen Daevabad. But neither of them feel right having left their loved ones behind under the rule of a tyrant. Together with the djinn Dara, they have to find a way to remake the world. Den of Geek has been following this trilogy since book one, and it’s exciting to watch this series come to a conclusion.
The Empire of Gold by S.A. Chakraborty on Amazon.
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Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
One of my favorite discoveries last year was Gods of Jade and Shadow, and while Moreno-Garcia takes this story in an entirely different direction with an all new cast, this re-envisioning of the gothic suspense genre in a Mexican setting looks to be just as fantastic. Noemí is a brave socialite called to rescue her cousin from a mysterious doom. When she arrives, she’s not sure whether the threat comes from her cousin’s intimidating English husband—or from the house itself, which plagues her dreams with visions of blood. Set in the 1950s, this #OwnVoices historical looks likely to feature the same kind of strong, unstoppable heroine as her 2019 title, twisting the tropes of another genre with a dose of horror.
Read Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia on Amazon.
The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water by Zen Cho
“A bandit walks into a coffeehouse, and it all goes downhill from there,” according to the marketing hook for this one—and I have to admit, that has me hooked! This novella from Sorcerer to the Crown writer Cho is a wuxia fantasy with a female lead in far over her head. Guet has to team up with a group of thieves in order to protect a sacred object.
Read The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water on Amazon.
Most Anticipated Non-Western Fantasy Books in July
Unravel the Dusk by Elizabeth Lim
This sequel to Lim’s Spin the Dawn continues the story of Maia Tamarin, once tailor to the king, and now cursed with demon blood. When she completed three impossible dresses and freed the trapped magician who served the emperor, she set into motion events that now have far-reaching consequences. Maia must assume the place of the emperor’s bride to keep the peace—but as she begins to lose herself to the demon curse, she also plans for a future for her family, and the magician that she loves, even if she herself doesn’t survive.
Read Unravel the Dusk by Elizabeth Lim on Amazon.
We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal
Zafir and Nasir are supposed to be enemies, but when they were brought together in We Hunt the Flame, they found that nothing is as simple as they thought. Now, both on a hunt for the same lost artifact, they find a far deeper evil than either has before experienced, and realize that their prize may be more dangerous than they can imagine. This is the second in Faizal’s #OwnVoices “Sands of Arawiya” series, and should relieve readers who have been waiting since the first novel’s cliffhanger ending.
Read We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal on Amazon.
The Crow Rider by Kalyn Josephson
In this sequel to Josephson’s The Storm Crow, Princess Anthia (Thia) continues her plans to defeat the invading Illucian empire and restore Rhodaire. But her giant crow, Res, injures her when he’s unable to control his own magic, adding complications to their plans. Worse, Thia is being pursued by the Illucian Crown Prince, to whom she is irresistibly drawn. Can Thia become the crow rider she was meant to be, and reclaim her stolen kingdom? The Crow Rider concludes Josephson’s duology, set in a melting pot fantasy world.
Most Anticipated Non-Western Fantasy Books in August
Star Daughter by Shveta Thakrar
Neil Gaiman’s Stardust meets Hindu mythology? Yes, please! Sheetal is the daughter of a mortal and a star. In order to save her father, she must travel to the celestial courts and serve as a champion in her mother’s family in a tournament. If she doesn’t succeed, she may never be able to return to Earth—or save her father’s life. This is a standalone #ownvoices fantasy novel that looks like it would definitely appeal to readers who loved Roshani Chokshi’s The Star Touched Queen.
Read Star Daughter by Shveta Thakrar on Amazon.
Sia Martinez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
When most YA novels deal with immigration issues, the word “alien” doesn’t involve UFOs. Gilliand throws that expectation right out the window, creating a powerful first-person narration from the voice of a Latina who still communicates with her dead grandmother (and kitchen spirits). The narrative tackles not only undocumented immigration, human trafficking, and issues of sexual harassment and assault, but also UFOs, alien and government conspiracies, and human experimentation. The mashup of genres is unbelievably smoothly done, considering the disparate tones usually used for each, and the result is an amazing, un-put-downable novel with short chapters that inspire readers to keep going for just one more…
Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko
Debut author Ifueko introduces readers to a new world, where the Raybearer is guided by his Council of Eleven, each of whom has a Hallow, or magical power, to help him rule. Lonely Tarisai has been raised by The Lady to get close enough to the Crown Prince to kill him. But when Tarisai becomes a member of the Council, she finds the belonging she has always sought. Can she forge her own path, and fight the order she’s been compelled to obey? The first in a new series, Raybearer is inspired by West African mythology, and features a strong cast and a protagonist whose voice makes you want to root for her—whatever she decides.
Nujran and the Corpse in the Quadrangle by Krishna Sudhir
In this sequel to the 2017 Nujran and the Monks of Meirar, Sudhir mixes the mystery genre with Indian mythology. There’s a murder on campus that needs to be solved, but Nujran has even more to deal with: kidnapping, a prison escape, a reunion with a certain group of monks, and a new romance. It’s a lot for a college student to handle—and with a mysterious illness plaguing the teachers, there’s a lot depending on Nujran to solve the mystery! Though this is the second book in a series, it stands alone, and readers can pick up the story as they go.
Dominion: An Anthology of Black Speculative Fiction, edited by Zelda Knight and Ekpeki Oghenechovwe Donald
We don’t normally include anthologies on this list, but Dominion is too good to miss. The thirteen stories, written by writers from Africa and the African diaspora, range from fantasies with gods and ghosts to post-apocalyptic science fiction. Some of the tales border on horror, while others feature magicians and middle-managers. Many of the stories force their protagonists to face their dead—whatever that may mean for the story. It’s a unique collection and it’s well worth picking up and discovering a new favorite short story.
Most Anticipated Non-Western Fantasy Books in September
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Julian Diaz wants to know why he’s dead, so it’s a good thing Yadriel summoned him—accidentally—instead of the ghost he meant to bring back. Now Yadriel can’t get rid of Julian without helping the ghost tie up some loose ends. As the two spend more time together, Yadriel realizes he doesn’t really want Julian to leave after all. This novel features a Latinx trans boy determined to prove his gender to his family in a really intriguing #OwnVoices YA fantasy debut.
Read Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas on Amazon.
The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart
When Lin’s father, the Emperor, passes her over as his heir, she decides to take matters into her own hands, practicing the forbidden art of bone shard magic. But Lin isn’t the only one determined to take the throne, and the revolution at the palace gates may cost her everything. This first book in the “Drowning Empire” series is Stewart’s debut, and while the world is not specifically non-western inspired, Stewart is the Chinese American daughter of immigrants, and her new setting with its migratory islands is sure to grab the interest of readers who love fresh takes on fantasy.
Buy The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart on Amazon.
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
This contemporary magical King Arthur-adjacent story, featuring a strong female lead who’s torn between taking down the Legendborn—descendents of King Arthur’s knights—for the secrets they hide from the world, or joining them in a fight against darker magical forces. Bree believes that her mother has died in an accident, until a “Merlin” attempts to wipe her memories of a magical event. Instead, Bree’s own magic is unlocked, and when she discovers another Merlin was hospitalized the night her mother died, she’s determined to uncover the secrets of the magical world. But the more she learns, the more she realizes there’s more at stake: war is coming, and Bree has to choose whose side she’s on.
Wayward Witch by Zoraida Córdova
You may have detected some excitement about Córdova’s anthology, Vampires Never Get Old, here at Den of Geek. But in addition to that Halloween perfect title, the conclusion to Córdova’s epic “Brooklyn Brujas” series also came out this fall. The award-winning series, the story of three sisters who develop their magical powers, launched with Labyrinth Lost in 2016. In this final volume, Rose is pulled through a magical portal to Adas, a magical land she has to save. Can saving another world help Rose figure out how to heal her own broken family? As Rose comes into her powers, she discovers she just may have what it takes to save herself. Fans of the series will not want to miss this finale!
The Ikessar Falcon by K. S. Villoso
The second book of the “Bitch Queen” trilogy is here! The series launched with a traditional publisher earlier this year, and in the sequel, Queen Talyien, now abandoned by her people, faces her failure to save her nation. In order to protect her king and her son, she must dismantle the myth that others have built around her—the myth she could never become. With mad dragons on one side and power-hungry men on the other Talyien’s road home is dangerous, but if she doesn’t triumph, her nation may pay the price.
Zorro’s Shadow: How a Mexican Legend Became America’s First Superhero by Stephen J. C. Andes
If superheroes are modern fantasy, the combination of legend and superhero deserves a place on this list, even if the exploration is nonfiction. Did you know that Zorro first appeared in 1919? The swashbuckling hero who fought for the poor and impoverished, while hiding his identity behind the foppish Don Diego, definitely set the stage for future cape-wearing heroes with secret-identities. But Zorro is more than just a precursor of that genre; Andes argues that he represents a Latinx, multiethnic, multicultural America. If you’ve loved Zorro in pop culture, taking a peek into the history behind the character is a must.
Most Anticipated Non-Western Fantasy Books in October
Storm the Earth by Rebecca Kim Wells
Maren and Kaia may be reunited in this explosive conclusion to the Shatter the Sky duology, but their journey has changed them. Maren remains determined to set the dragons free, and to rescue their friend, Sev, now trapped by the emperor. Though Maren knows that she will fight, she’s not sure who will survive once the battle is over…
Read Storm the Earth by Rebecca Kim Wells on Amazon.
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
Roanhorse’s Anasazi-inspired fantasy novel isn’t out until October, but the book is hitting many anticipated-fantasy lists of 2020. It’s no surprise, as Roanhorse is one of the most celebrated voices in fantasy right now, with a Nebula, Hugo, and Campbell all under her belt. While you’re waiting for more on this title, you can pick up the first two books in her Sixth World series, her Star Wars novel, or her 2020 middle-grade fantasy Race to the Sun.
Read Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse on Amazon.
Phoenix Extravagant by Yoon Ha Lee
Lee might not be returning to the world of his middle-grade Korean-mythology space fantasy or his hard SF space opera, but the launch of a new fantasy series, full of magical automata, is just as exciting. When a symbol painter’s Phoenix Extravagant—the material they need to create pigments to program the automata—runs out, they set out to find the source. But the secrets of the Empire may be darker than the painter ever imagined. This #OwnVoices novel features a nonbinary main character in an Asian-inspired fantasy setting, and it’s at the top of my must-read list for 2020.
Of Fury and Fangs by Kyoko M.
In this fourth novel in the “Of Cinder and Bone” series, someone is trying to kill Dr. Rhett “Jack” Jackson. As one of the two scientists—alongside Dr. Kamala Anjali—who brought dragons back to life after their previous extinction, Jack has a lot of enemies. Jack and Kamala plan to solve the mystery of who wants Jack dead, but finding the truth may cost more than they expected. The “Of Cinder and Bone” series mixes science fiction and fantasy, flooding a contemporary SF setting with dragons, and adding a hefty dose of thriller in for good measure.
God Storm by Coco Ma
In this sequel to Ma’s 2019 novel, Shadow Frost, Asterin has evaded her mother’s attempt at murdering her and has risen to become queen. But the cost was high, and Asterin lost both her lifelong friend and her true love. Now, she realizes that her friends are being held by the God of Shadow. What Asterin chooses won’t just change the fate of her friends, it might change the fate of the whole mortal world.
The Shadow of Hades by Paul C. Williams
Four stories intertwine in this paranormal fantasy novel that deals with themes of grief. In one tale, a boy with no memory wakes in a graveyard; eventually he discovers the souls of the dead residing within him. In another, the fabric of the universe is coming undone in a magical wood, and the local residents have to come together to heal the breech. Eventually, the four stories merge into a single whole, an exploration of what the characters are willing to sacrifice to confront their own demons. Williams is a Black-Hispanic, LGBTQ teen author who published his first book at age seventeen; his exploration of grief and death is dark, but also offers readers a spark of hope.
Most Anticipated Non-Western Fantasy Books in November
The Conductors by Nicole Glover
A historical mystery crossed with a fantasy novel, this debut focuses on former Underground Railroad conductor Hetty Rhodes and her husband as they make their post-Civil War life in Philadelphia, solving mysteries the white authorities ignore. Hetty’s used to using her wits and her magic, and her new life is no different—especially when it comes to uncovering truths about the Black Elite of Philadelphia.
Read The Conductors by Nicole Glover on Amazon.
The Burning God by R. F. Kuang
The third, eagerly anticipated book in “The Poppy War” series sticks-the-landing (according to Kuang, quoting her editor in a Twitter post). The story finishes Rin’s saga in a world reminiscent of 20th Century, but filled with gods and monsters.
Read The Burning God by R.F. Kuang on Amazon.
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The Fires of Vengeance by Evan Winter
Winter’s sequel to last year’s The Rage of Dragons follows Tau as he continues fighting a war his people have been waging for generations. In a world where some women can summon dragons and some men can magically transform into larger, stronger versions of themselves, Tau has already realized that there are greater costs to the endless war than the Omehi have admitted to their people. Alongside Tsiora, the ousted queen of the Omehi, Tau strives to delay an attack by the indigenous people of Xidda, all while the queen makes a dangerous plan to retake the throne from her sister. The reviews of The Rage of Dragons make that novel sound un-put-downable, so expect another page turner when this one hits the shelves.
Buy The Fires of Vengeance on Amazon.
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
What happens if you take Romeo and Juliet, reset it in 1920s Shanghai, then add a magical creature that drives people mad? Chloe Gong explores the answer in her YA historical fantasy. Juliette Cai has returned to Shanghai, proud to take on the role of heir to the Scarlet Gang. Roma Montagov is heir to the Scarlet Gang’s rivals, the Russian White Flowers. But while both gangs—and heirs—are prepared to war with each other, a deeper danger is rising from the depths of the Huangpu River, and the only cure to the creature’s madness comes from the Westerners in the city, who have their own motives. Unless Juliette and Roma can put aside their differences, Shanghai might fall. This is the first in a duology, to keep watching for Gong’s sequel to find out the fates of these two star-crossed lovers.
Most Anticipated Non-Western Fantasy Books in December
King of the Rising by Kacen Callender
Last year’s stunning Queen of the Conquered blew me away with its moral ambiguity and it’s gorgeous and terrible fantasy Caribbean setting. I had no idea Callender was planning a sequel, but I am incredibly excited to see where she takes the world, especially with the first novel’s secondary character Loren as the point of view character in this sequel. In the first novel, when Sigourney played the catalyst for a slave revolt—that led to her own unmaking, as well—Loren was one of the revolutionaries pulling her strings, and was the man who spoke up to request mercy for her. Now, with this former slave, the child of a colonist, at the forefront of the story, readers will get a very different view of the islands, and I cannot wait to see where this narrative takes us.
Buy King of the Rising by Kacen Callender on Amazon.
The post Best Upcoming Non-Western and POC Fantasy Books in 2020 appeared first on Den of Geek.
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The Road Goes Ever On- Chapter 1
Ao3 Link: The Road Goes Ever On
Eeeee! Here it is! I have wanted a meeting like this for so long. So, Right then! John Uskglass and Fëanor! Ohhhh, I have such plans for this! It’s going to be awesome! But for now: Chapter 1! Hope y’all enjoy!^^
Chapter 1
He was awoken...not by any sound he could place, no touch that he could feel, no change of light or sudden brightness. No. Through the silver wash of Telperion’s light the shadow of some creeping forest beast or another would slip by, padding across the undergrowth before vanishing once more amongst it’s darkling kin. A branch would bob, here or there, in the passing breeze while the leaves in the canopy above hissed and whispered softly against one another. And there was the breathing of his sons, a steady in-and out, just barely audible.
Fëanáro shut his eyes. Pressed out a breath of his own, long and low, a faint mist that curled, slowly drifting upon the air for a passing moment. It must have been that which pulled him from his sleep. That was it, and that had to be all, the elf decided as he pulled both cloak and blanket more tightly around both he and his wife, drawing in closer to Nerdanel. Only the cold, perhaps the rough bark of the tree he leaned against digging into his back as well. He turned aside, but after a moment gave it up for done. Beside him Nerdanel stirred, her brow crinkling, unseeing eyes beginning to blink to life.
“Hush now,” He murmured, leaning down, brushing his lips against her temple, “I will return.”
With those words he slipped his arms from around her waist, taking care as he stood to ensure she was well wrapped in their blanket, and began to walk into the night.
He was awake now, and there was nothing to be done for it, so he picked his way towards the edge of the glade, taking care as he stepped around Curvo and young Tyelpë curled upon his chest. He needed to be up. Needed to be moving, rather than waiting silent and still.
The air felt...there was something on it. Something Fëanáro could not quite describe. He was so strangely aware of the blood flowing through his veins, however, and his heart beating in his chest, and the air seemed somehow to be singing in reply. Singing, huh! There was no sound, merely a subtle vibration, a tension, as if he stood on the edge of a precipice, as if the entire forest around him were waiting…
And then…
And then something in the shadows moved. There, where the slim shadow of a birch cut a gouge through the soft, silver light, falling into the silhouette of a hawthorn tree. A figure emerged, striding out amidst the trees and hanging drifts of moss. It held no bestial shape, but rather stood as an elf would, and paused for a moment, glancing about at its surroundings and nodding, almost...satisfied, to itself, as though gathering it’s bearings in no way Fëanáro had ever seen an animal act.
Ai! But he must have been going mad, this strange excitement he had woken to driving his mind to who knew what kind of wild, paranoid fancies. Others may not have often traveled out this far, but there was nothing to stop them from doing so. And even had he not seen anyone come from that direction to emerge into the light on the opposite side of the hawthorn tree, who was to say it was not some Maia, some follower of Oromë’s or Nessa’s cloaking themselves in physical form?
No, it was nothing. Simply the rarely seen sights of the forest at night, Fëanáro assured himself.
And yet, there they still remained. The questions niggling at the back of his mind as he watched the figure move off into the forest, as if it were no different than a loping wolf, a running stag. Where did you come from and what is your purpose here?
And perhaps it was merely that the being had just appeared. Oh, to hear about the Ainur doing such was one thing, but to actually see it? Nothing, mere empty space in one moment, and then the next…
Fëanáro shook himself. Slid a glance back over his shoulder to his wife and his sons still fast asleep.
“Void have me!” he muttered to himself.
And with that curse spoken, little more than a breath on the wind, he was gone, turning on his heel and slipping away after the figure. He would have no peace otherwise, and he knew it. He had to go and at least try to understand.
He padded softly through the spaces between the trees, moving as he remembered moving with Turko as a child, stalking along after some roving deer or unknowing bear in order to observe and satisfy the boy’s curiosity. Perhaps he was no huntsman, as his son had grown to be, but his step was as sure and silent out here in these far wildernesses as it was upon Tirion’s diamond-dusted streets. Surer, even, perhaps.
It did not take Fëanáro long to note the same ease in the Stranger’s own stride. He moved as though he belonged in this place. More evidence towards his simply being some servant of Oromë’s?
Perhaps, but a strange one this figure would be. The shadowy aspect that lay about him diminished not at all as Fëanáro grew nearer, and instead the Prince of the Noldor found himself stalking after a young man dressed completely, from cloak to boots in black. He might have almost believed this stranger had meant to go skulking about, were it not for the fact that the cut --though strange to Fëanáro’s eyes -- was so fine. To look at the snaking silver knots embroidered along the hem of the cloak and the wide sleeves of his robes was to see that this was not the clothing of a simple traveler or a mere hunter, yet odder still, his hair --long and dark as any Noldo’s -- was left to hang loose and drift about in the wind, neither in a hunter’s braid meant to keep it out of the way, nor in any of the formal, complex styles meant for court functions.
The more he saw, the more questions the elf inevitably had.
And all paled to what was to follow.
A Look, that was all. The Stranger did not even pause in his stride as his gaze slid from straight ahead, back towards the line of tall, silvery birches that stood between he and Fëanáro. Their eyes met just briefly, shining sword steel and night dark, before the Stranger reached out his hand towards the elf.
And he was bound. This creeping stillness had stolen over Fëanáro completely, washing over him from the tips of his ears to the soles of his feet. Not a inch could he move, down to the smallest finger on his hand. His eyes couldn’t widen. He could not even scream, standing there, silenced.
Move...Move! He commanded himself, muscles straining, his will pounding against the invisible binds holding him as though he were some wild beast trapped within a cage He wanted to claw at his own throat, Wanted to turn upon the Stranger and--
The ground began to shake with the familiar sound of it. Horses’s hooves pounding across the earth.
They broke through the wood a moment later. His own horse, Nárcolindo, was as sleek and fleet-footed a beast as could be found in Valinor, yet compared to the creatures ridden by these hunters, that courser of his looked no better than a knock-kneed donkey. Their fur was a gleaming velvet black, manes whipping out behind them, while darting at their hooves ran hounds so white they nearly glowed.
As for the riders themselves? If you had told him that they had broken free from a painter’s canvas or an illumination in a book he would not have been surprised. They were...stylized, idealized, those were the only words that seemed suited for it. Something about them looked unreal, but what he could not name.
A shout rose amongst their company as they approached. “Aha! And there he is! Hail, Starling and well met!”
A thousand thoughts swirled through his mind in that moment, ranging from the fact that these riders knew this man -- were expecting him -- to noting the subtle twitch of the Stranger’s lips, the brief moment where the bones of his hands stood out, stark and white through his flesh as his hands clenched, and then let go. He saw it because he recognized it, had felt it, that flash of irritation whenever one of his half-bothers had entered a room.
But beyond all of that and erasing all thought of everything else? It was the very words they spoke, the language. How was it that Rúmil had described it once? “Great and stern, and yet also swift and subtle in movement, making sounds that we find hard to counterfeit; and their words are mostly long and rapid, like the glitter of swords, like the rush of leaves in a great wind or the fall of stones in the mountains." Yes, this speech was Valarin! Yet...no…as much as he had studied the language himself this sounded like no dialect of it he had ever come across before. Was it possible? Perhaps, how much of the Ainur was truly known? But to hide an entirely different branch of the language? To conceal it’s speakers from knowledge--
The Stranger was speaking.
“Well met indeed. You heard then, of my arrival?”
“But of course!” So spoke the presumed leader of the Hunt, a man whose shaggy mane --the exact shade of fox’s fur -- caught like embers in the lamplight carried by his company. “I have my friends here, and do you not think they would tell me of the arrival of a stranger in my realm? But come, I am nothing if not hospitable and you shall not remain a stranger for long! Allow me to welcome you properly! We hunt now, but I have heard you enjoy such pleasures, and afterwards, why! We shall have nothing less than a feast worthy of a guest of your esteem!”
It was a speech that had Fëanáro wishing that he could roll his eyes. The stranger as well, seemed hardly impressed. There was little he could see of the man’s face, but the tone in his voice suggested something of a raised brow. “You hunt tonight? In this land?”
“Oh! You are surprised? Or is it that you fear the wrath of the Powers that inhabit this realm?” The tone in the Huntsman’s voice might have been teasing, his manner perfectly easy, for all of his own words.To tempt the wrath of the Valar, in their own realm? What were these beings about to do? Some vauge memories, Tales of the Black Rider rose up in the back of Fëanáro’s mind, but he quickly quashed them down. For all he might say of the the Valar would never be fool enough to allow such a thing to happen upon their own doorstep!
Then again, even now Melkor roamed freely in Valinor...
Meanwhile, in answer to the insult to his pride The Stranger tilted his chin just upwards, his shoulders set back straighter. The matter-of-fact murmur in his voice never changed, though. “It is not fear, merely courtesy. Where I am from Kings are not known to appreciate…” here Fëanáro struggled with the translation, the word itself meant something along the lines of theft, though what there was to steal in a wilderness owned by no man was beyond Fëanáro, “in their forests.”
“Hrmm? Well perhaps that is so, yet we have no lack of game, here. Hart and Hind, Buck and Doe, Fox, Boar and Hare, we are free to hunt all -- even if other quarries must be sought elsewhere.”
The Stranger only nodded, “Then I wish you good hunting. My journey has been long, and I wish to acquaint myself with my surroundings. I will gladly accept your hospitality once you have returned, however.”
For what seemed a long while, the Huntsman looked down at the stranger from up above, upon his horse, almost as though he were searching for something within the words. Finding nothing he could take offense to however, he merely shrugged, smiling a fox’s smile. “As you wish, young Starling.” he said, “You will find the path to my home easily enough, and a warm welcome once you meet it’s end. Until my return…” The Huntsman bowed his head, and with those words was off again, kneeing his horse on, and leading the others off in a thunderous dust-cloud, kicking up dirt and undergrowth as they dove deeper into the trees.
The sound faded off into the distance. One moment, then another passed. And then finally the Stranger too began moving off again. Once more Fëanáro was left only to uselessly pound iron will against frozen body. He would not be left like this, he could not-
The world lurched forward, feet running over the earth as though he’d just crashed through a barricaded door. He only caught himself last minute, panting as he drew himself upright, eyes wide, and scanning the woodland about himself.
When his eyes fell onto the Stranger again, his gaze was turning ahead, and his hand was falling back to his side. It was then that Fëanáro realized that amending his situation -- the one this man had put him in -- was entirely an afterthought.
It had become too much, and after all that had just passed…
Fëanáro wanted an explanation.
“Is that all then?” He demanded, calling after the other, “And you think now you will simply walk away? After...after doing...what did you do to me?”
The chirping of crickets and frogs hung on the air between them. There was a moment…
And then the pause. A Stillness that fell over the Stranger as realization struck him.
Slowly the Stranger turned around, head canted just to the side. His eyes were narrowed as he looked upon Fëanáro and his gaze raked him up and down.
“You speak this tongue?”
Fëanáro’s brows shot up, “Why should I not?” he asked. Admittedly, it was a language few amongst the Eldar had learned, or even truly wished to. The sounds were difficult for elvish tongue to form, and were unpleasant to most ears regardless. But that was entirely beside the point.
“I have met few who do. That is, few who are not amongst the Daione Sidhe.” Said with little more than a shrug as the Stranger edged a step or two nearer. Fëanáro would give him this much: he recovered quickly.
“Dee-na Shee?” Fëanáro repeated, as though feeling out the shape of the words on his tongue, again they were unfamiliar and untranslatable. “That is what your kin call themselves?”
That was answered with little more than a sharp snort. (Fëanáro shot the man a hard glace) “Do you ask nothing but questions?” Fëanáro thought he might have seen the faintest ghost of a smirk flicker over the man’s features then, but he was already shaking his head and turning away once more, quickly and suddenly.
What? Had the man grown bored?
Fëanáro’s tongue clicked, sharp and irritated against his own teeth. He would not beg for his answers. Not go chasing after this man . He had his pride, after all, and if the man were to be this way, there were other ways to --
“Are you coming?” The man had paused, was casting a glance back over his shoulder at the elf, a brow half-quirked.
“What?”
“You might prove useful. As a guide.”
Silence. A flat look. That was all Fëanáro could return with in answer. Did he honestly think...after...after binding him as he had, did this man seriously think… “You are absolutely mad, aren't you?”
And there it was again, not hidden now. The barest flicker of a smirk, an ironic twist curling at the man’s lips. He simply shrugged, turning asside and once more begining to stride off.
“Answer my questions, and perhaps I shall answer yours.” Was all the stranger said.
He was being toyed with. This man thought himself clever with these games. He should have turned about then and there and returned to his family. He had no reason even to trust him!
And yet, and yet….
And yet, what was he out there for if not to explore the unknown? If not to discover and learn? And if such a discovery should just fall directly into his lap, would he not be a fool to turn it away?
Void take him, and Void take this stranger as well.
“If I answer your questions, you will answer mine.” Fëanáro said, falling into step beside this stranger.
#Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell#JSMN#Silmarillion#Feanor#john uskglass#fic#In which we learn that the Noldor have no concept of Forest Law#And also that Sidhe and Valarin are related languages
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Zach the Fox’s Story
Age 0
Nestled in a blue bundle is an orange baby fox with white belly and mouth fluff, as well as on its paws. It sucks a blue pacifier with its eyes closed as it’s transferred into the arms of a taller figure. The little fox moves slightly, but remains asleep in the new owner’s clutches.
“Don’t worry,” says the figure silently, cradling the young fox in their arms. “He’ll be taken care of.” The figure looks toward another fox, tall with long, brown hair.
“I just can’t take care of him,” says the girl. “I’m still in school and I’m not ready for this yet. I just can’t drop what I’m doing to raise him…”
“It’s okay. I understand. Does this little boy have a name?”
“Zach… His name is Zach.”
“Don’t worry about little Zach. He’ll find a nice family and be happy.”
“I’m not worried… It was a mistake to be with that imp I once thought was my love.”
“David the Fox?”
The girl turns her head. “Please don’t say that! It cringes me when I even think of him or hear his name! It’s bad enough everyone knows about it.”
“Relax, Delilah. Mistakes happen. They usually go away pretty quickly.”
“I’m not sure about this one…”
“Zach’s in safe paws. He’ll be fine with us.”
“I hope so… Goodbye…”
“Wait. Don’t you want to say goodbye to your baby?” The figure raises the fox slightly. The baby wakes and opens his eyes, revealing a brown shade.
The girl shakes her head. “That’s not my baby… He’s more like David, and I don’t want anything to do with him in the future. I know he’ll be like him… Goodbye…” She turns and leaves quickly.
The figure turns down to the fox. “Don’t worry, Little one. We’ll make sure you’re taken care of here.”
Age 4
Zach, grown slightly bigger, roams around to each group of kids, “Hey, will you guys be my friends?” Every time he asks the question, the other animals turn away and ignore him before Zach moves on. Upon the last group to turn him down, he frowns. “W-why won’t anybody be my friend…?”
“Everything all right, Zach?” A tall figure stands beside him in a long, brown robe and covered by a hood.
Zach turns up to the adult. “Nobody around here wants to talk to me or be my friend. Could you please help me?”
The figure looks around. “I’ll see what I can do about it.” Zach smiles and utters a “thank you” before the figure disappears behind a set of doors and approaches the desk in front of it. “We need to talk.”
A chair rotates and reveals another robed figure. “It’s about Zach the Fox again, isn’t it?”
“He’s finding it difficult to make friends. You don’t suppose the children are ignoring him because of his relation to David the Fox, do you?”
“It’s a possibility. I mean, he did take advantage of the girl he went to school with, and in a sexual manner. His behaviors were reckless as well from what I’ve learned. He deserves to rot for all he’s done.”
“But Zach doesn’t deserve to rot because of him! He isn’t him!”
“Settle down... Maybe the kids aren’t turning him away because of that.”
“What do you mean?”
“He’s a “special” child. Remember the doctor giving us his medical diagnosis the day he was tested?”
The standing figure shakes its head. “No, I don’t recall. What do you mean?”
“He has a learning disorder. That’s why I advised him to be in the special classes after we got his results.”
“The others must think he’s different… Oh no…”
“It will all pass. I assure you. Just go back to him, and tell him the news. Next time the class meets, we’ll hold a group session on differentiation.”
“Very well…” The figure turns and leaves, entering the play area again. The figure notices Zach staring at a pictures of animals with capes and masks. The figure walks up to him. “Hello, Zach.” The figure stands next to him. “What are you looking at?”
Zach faces the figure. “Who are they? Why do they wear such strange outfits?”
“They’re heroes. They save others and fight evil.”
“There are no heroes in real life, are there?”
“Of course there are, and they’re special, like you.”
“R-really? I’m special?” The figure nods. Zach turns back to the poster. “I want to be just like them!”
“You can be.” The figure pulls out a blue bandana. “This was mine once before, but I want you to have it.” The figure places the bandana around the fox’s neck and ties it at the back. “There. You look just like a hero.”
Zach smiles. “Thank you so much!” He hugs the figure below the waist before receiving a pat on the head.
Age 8
“Super Fox to the rescue!” The little fox runs through the halls. His blue cap flies as he speeds down while his eyes are covered with a blue mask. He pauses and stops, holding his paw to his ear and gasping. “Do I hear the sound of crime afoot? No fear! Super Fox is near!” Zach dashes over to the opened door and quickly presses his back against the wall with his cape sandwiched between. “Better play it stealthy. Surprise is my best bet!” He peeks the corner and takes notice of a group of kids circled around a hooded figure. The fox’s smile disappears. “Huh…? What’s going on?” He remains silent, staying hidden to hear the conversation.
“I’ve had it with that fox kid!” shouts a leopard. “He’s nothing but trouble!”
“Yeah!” says a small elephant. “Ever since he put on that stupid cape and dumb mask, he’s been running around and causing all sorts of trouble!”
“Settle down,” the figure assures. “What sort of trouble? What has Zach done?”
“Well,” begins a lion cub, angrily. “First off, he’s super annoying! He won’t shut up about this hero stuff!”
A penguin chick nods in agreement. “What about when he squirted ketchup in the cafeteria?!”
“He disrupted our sleep with his stupid running around!” utters a deer. The other animals bicker and shout more complaints, adding to the fire. “He’s too influenced by that superhero, Captain Red Mask!” Everyone agrees.
The figure raises their arms. “Settle down! Settle down!” The children come to a quiet. “All right, I will talk to Zach! Everything will be fixed and you won’t have to worry about Super Fox anymore.”
“Super Fox?!” cries a wolf pup. “More like Stupid Fox!” The others agree.
“He’s nothing!” adds a kitten. “He was always nothing, even before Stupid Fox!” The kids laugh and agree.
Zach brings his head back and stays propped against the wall, frozen with his eyelids peeled back and a frown. “They… all… hate… me…?” Tears begin to form as he’s about to cry, but he tilts his head down and closes his eyes. His tears roll down his face. He turns and starts back the way he came from, keeping his head down toward the floor. “I just wanted to be a hero…”
***
After a day passes, Zach takes his tray of lunch and takes a seat at a table by himself. He is different; no cape or mask, but his bandana around his neck. The little fox keeps his eyes fixed on his food.
“Hey!” shouts an animal, pointing at the fox. “There’s Stupid Fox! Let’s get him!” Zach turns and sees a large group run over and tackle him to the ground. Punches are thrown and kicks hit him from every angle. Zach curls into a ball to defend himself, wishing it would all stop, until the figure appears and orders the children to leave. “Don’t ever come near any of us, Stupid Fox!” The kids run away, leaving the fox on the ground, who has bruises all over his body.
The figure extends their arm to the fox. “Get up…” Zach grabs the figure’s arm and pulls himself up. As he stands, he keeps his head tilted to the floor. “Are you okay?”
Zach takes a big sigh. “No… I’m not…”
“Well, come on.” The figure pulls him along. “Let’s get you to the nurse’s office.”
Zach walks beside the figure, looking back. “Maybe I’m not meant to be a hero…”
Age 10
Zach, half the size he once was, sits against the wooden park bench. His head tilts toward the stone path and his ears droop down. He takes in a deep breath and exhales. He continues to mope until the sounds of explosions draw his attention. Zach brings his head up quickly. “Huh?!” He notices four animals in the park; a sheep in a green vest, a monkey in a yellow mask, a wolf with a red armband, and a cat with a red top and blue jeans. They battle off a couple of goons from another kid, pushing them out of the park. Zach’s eyes become enlarged and he smiles with amazement. “Whoa…” Getting off the bench, he walks up to the four animals, who are slightly taller than the fox. “You guys were amazing!” The four turn to look at Zach. “You guys just battled those other people like Captain Mask would do!”
The wolf smiles. “You are quite fascinated by heroes, aren’t you Kid?” Zach nods. “Well, you’ll be glad to know he inspires us.”
“You’re influenced by Captain Red Mask?” Zach asks. They nod. “Oh my gosh! I’m a huge fan!” He smiles. “My name is Zach!” The other animals introduce themselves as Jay the Wolf, Cindy the Sheep, Kenji the Monkey, and Miffy the Cat, together making a group known as Team Rescuers. “Oh! That’s so cool!”
Miffy laughs. “Yep, it sure is. Uh, are your parents around?”
Zach’s smile disappears. His ears droop again. “I… don’t have any parents… I’m an orphan…”
“Oh, that’s just sad,” says Kenji. “I’m sure you have someone to comfort you, right? Friends maybe?”
“I don’t… No one wants to be my friend…”
“Well, that’s serious,” Cindy adds. “No family and no friends… Hey, why don’t you come hang with us? We can be good friends.”
Zach’s eyes widen again. “R-really?” The team looks at each other and nod. “Oh, thank you!” He runs over to hug them. They accept his hug and smile. He releases and faces them. “Hey, you guys are good at being heroes, right?” They nod again. “Maybe I could learn to be one of you.”
Kenji chuckles. “We shall see, Kid. We shall see.”
Age 12
Zach, along with Team Rescuers, sit at a large, round table. The fox laughs as he finishes his story. The others give a chuckle. “Anyway, that was how I saved that kid from the bully.”
“Hey, Zach,” Miffy begins. “We could use another round of ice cream. Mind hitting us up?”
“Sure!” Zach gets up and walks to the counter.
Miffy grunts. “Man, he’s absolutely annoying. No wonder he has no friends.”
“Well, what do you expect?” asks Kenji. “He’s never had anyone to talk to and we became his friends.”
“I’m getting sick of him,” Cindy says. “I caught him several times trying to flirt with me. I don’t love him at all! He’s developed a crush on me and I don’t like it!”
“Gee, I figured,” utters Jay.
“Besides, I love someone else.”
Jay turns to her. “Really? Who?” Cindy turns away with a blush, telling him nothing.
“Let’s not forget he’s also a very clumsy fox,” Miffy adds. “Every time he’s with us, he’s always getting in trouble and we’re there to save him from it.”
“Like every battle against Capital Corp we’re in, he needs help?” asks Kenji. Jay nods. “He’s struggling to fit in with us when really he’s not fit to be a hero. That fox has to go…”
“That would ruin his dream of being a hero,” Cindy tells him. “That would also mean he would have no friends.”
“Cindy, he ruins everything…” Jay states. “I know it’ll make him depressed and leave him with no friends or family, but think about it. We’re better off without him.”
Zach remains at the counter, pretending he hadn’t heard them as he orders the ice cream. He sighs as his ears droop. “Clumsy…? Annoying…? I’ll make it work… I’ve got to… I’ll improve… I’ll show them…”
Age 13
The fox walks up to the four animals with a cup in his paw. “Hey, you guys having fun at my party? I hope you like it. I know you’re the only ones, but it’s better than nothing, right?” He notices them turn to each other as a frown sets on his face. “W-what’s wrong? Aren’t you having a good time?”
“Zach,” Kenji starts. “I think it’s time we told you something…” Zach remains silent to listen. “We’ve talked a lot about it and I think it’s time we said this. We’re kicking you from the group.”
“W-what…?” Zach opens his paw, releasing the cup which falls to the floor and spills. “W-why?”
Jay crosses his arms. “Because you’re annoying and you’ve done nothing but mess up! The bad guys keep getting away because of you! And, Cindy doesn’t appreciate you trying to flirt with her. She doesn’t want to be with you and that’s that!”
Miffy crinkles her mouth. “I have to agree with them. Look, I know you want to be like us, but you’re better off not. You aren’t fit to be a hero, nor to be our friends.”
Zach keeps his frown. “Please… It’s my birthday… You’re my friends, and you’ve been the ones to help relive my dream of being a hero… I tried to improve, too…”
“Sorry, Zach. Our decision is final.”
“Don’t worry, though,” says Cindy. She walks closer to him. “I have a gift for you.”
Zach’s eyes open wider as his frown disappears. “R-really?”
“Yes. Close your eyes.” Zach does so with a smile, expecting a small peck on his lips. The sheep puts her hoof behind his head and grasps it, pushing his head fast right into the cake beside him. The fox struggles, but the sheep keeps his face buried in the icing for five seconds before pulling him out. Zach’s face is painted with white frosting and has bits of cake stuck to his face. “You think I would ever fall for you?” She laughs. “Yeah, right!” She and her friends walk away and leave. Zach watches as they close the door. Tears fill his eyes as he slumps to the floor and hides his head in between his legs.
Age 16
Zach, now tall as an average adult, enters a tall building with glass windows on all sides. He approaches a black desk where a ram in a suit and glasses sits. “Excuse me?” The ram looks at him. “I’m looking for David the Fox.” The ram points to the door on the left, telling him that the fox he’s looking for is in there. “Thanks, Ma’am.” The fox heads for the door and enters. He walks in to see several suited animals, some with glasses, all sitting. One is standing by a whiteboard, however.
The standing animal appears to be a tall fox in a black suit and tie. He stares at the littler fox with curiosity. “Um, can I help you, Kid?”
“Are you David the Fox?” Zach asks. The other fox responds with a “yes”. “Dad!”
“Um, what?”
“Dad, it’s me! I’m your son!”
One of the animals turns to the older fox. “You never told us you had a son, David.”
“I don’t!” David claims. “He is not my kid! I don’t know what he’s talking about.”
“What?” Zach asks. “But I am your kid! Please, Dad…”
“Stop calling me ‘Dad’ and get out of here,” cries the other fox. “You’re not my son and you never will be!” As Zach’s eyes clench with sadness, David calls out of the room. “Security!” Within a few seconds, a guard appears. “Please remove this fox from the premises.” The guard nods, grabs Zach, and drags him out as he pleads.
Zach is tossed out of the building, landing on his knees before the glass doors slam on him from behind. He stands up and dusts himself up. “Why didn’t he recognize me? Why didn’t he want me back?” He sighs. “I bet my mother will take me back…”
***
Zach then approaches a small, red house. He steps up to the door and knocks. The door opens to a smaller fox, slightly shorter than he is. Her long, brown hair flows down the back of her head as her blue eyes stare at him. “Hello, I’m looking for Delilah the Fox.” He holds up a piece of paper. “This document I found in the orphanage says this is her address.”
“Who are you?” asks the girl.
“I’m Zach. I’m her son.”
“Really?” The girl scans him. “I haven’t seen you before.”
“I haven’t seen you, either. Who are you?”
“Mabel. I’m her daughter.”
“What? I have a sister?”
The girl steps aside. “Come in.” Zach follows her inside and to the kitchen table to another fox, as tall as he is but with a ponytail at the back of her brown hair. “Mom, this boy says he’s your son. Is that true?”
The other fox looks at Zach. Her eyes widen. “No… Not you!”
“Mom…” Zach holds his arms out. “It is me… I’m your son…”
“No! No, you’re not! You’re David’s son!”
Zach shakes his head. “That’s not true… David turned me away… He doesn’t want anything to do with me…”
“Neither do I!” She pulls Mabel closer to her. “Stay away from my family, you demon!”
“Demon?”
Another fox enters. His short, black hair and officer uniform suggest he’s a police officer. “What’s going on, Honey? Who’s this fox?”
“Get him out, please! He’s not welcomed here!” He goes over and pushes the little fox away.
“Hey! Please! Mom! Mom!” He struggles to get through the large fox, but is pushed further away and eventually out the door.
“She’s not coming for you,” says the father. “I don’t know who you are, but you should keep your distance.” He shuts the door.
Zach’s ears droop as he turns and frowns, walking slowly away. “I thought both my parents would be happy I returned… Why don’t they want me?” He stops after stepping on an envelope beside the mail box. Taking his foot off, he picks up the envelope and opens it. Reading the contents, the fox learns of a dinner party arranged by his biological father and his girlfriend with a letter of response, accepting the invite. His ears shoot up as an idea pings in his head. “What if I could just talk to them and try to work things out? I should show up to the party. That might work!” Zach runs off and heads straight back to the orphanage.
***
Zach enters the restaurant with his hair combed toward the left. After asking the hostess about where his biological family is, he looks to where the animal points. His eyes dart toward the back, spotting the foxes congregate at a large table. He hears them laugh and talk about putting pasts behind them as the blue-bandanaed fox takes a deep breath and heads for the table. “Hello there.” They turn and notice him. “I didn’t mean to startle you, I just wanted to-”
“It’s you!” Delilah motions to her daughter and puts her arms around her, protecting her in a motherly instinct as her husband stands beside them. “You better get away from us!”
“Relax,” Zach assures her. “I’m not here to cause trouble. I just want to talk.”
“Wait, I know who you are,” says a feminine fennec fox with curly blonde hair and a black dress. “You’re that flawed fox who was with Team Rescuers! What are you doing here and why?”
“Let me start from the beginning… I’ve gone through orphanage documents and have discovered that David and Delilah are my biological parents. I had learned I was given up for adoption because they were minors. I’m basically the product of an inappropriate relationship. I just wanted to talk about everything.”
“There’s nothing to talk about!” Delilah’s husband barks, causing attention to draw to the foxes. “Now get out of here before I throw you out!”
“Look, just give me a chance. I want to show you I’m not a harmful demon, but a lonely fox with no friends or family. All I ask is for acceptance.”
David stands from his chair. “Listen here, Kid. We do not want you around. Yeah, Delilah and I have had a big relationship back then, but we’re putting that behind us, and we don’t need you coming in and bringing all the hell to us.”
“But… I’m part of all this… I am your son.”
“Stop saying that!” David shouts. “You know, just because you say you’re our son doesn’t mean you’re actually part of the family!” Zach freezes. His mouth forming in a small ‘o’.
“David, please,” Delilah utters. “Don’t put more fuel into the fire. You’re making it worse!”
“I’m not part of the family?” Zach asks calmly.
“No, you’re not,” David confirms. “We are doing better without you, and it’s clear we don’t want you. You’ll never be part of this family.” Delilah, her husband, and David’s girlfriend agree with him and order the fox to leave.
“Fine,” Zach lets out. “I understand… I never wanted to be part of all of this anyway… I guess I’ll leave…” He turns around and heads for the door. The foxes return to their conversations and crack smiles, returning to as they were before the blue-bandanaed fox intervened. As Zach exits, his ears droop as he makes his way back to the orphanage, dragging his feet as he travels away from the restaurant. “Now I understand now why everyone doesn’t want me… No friends… No family… I am nothing…”
Age 18
Zach runs through a crowd of people up to Team Rescuers, stopping them. “Guys, wait! I need your help!”
“What do you possibly want, Zach?” asks Kenji. “We told you you’re not coming with us. You aren’t fit to be a hero. Besides, whatever little tricks and plans you have to try and get back with us aren’t going to work.”
“It’s not that! The orphanage is going to kick me out tomorrow. Usually they give us a week, but they reduced it for me. Please, you have to help me…”
“Zach,” Jay starts. “We already told you we want nothing to do with you anymore. You’re nothing but bad luck. We’re sick of you and we’re better off without you.”
Miffy agrees. “Yeah, we’re not happy with everything you’ve done. Now, let us leave. We have to leave.” Kenji joins them in their opinion.
Zach turns to Cindy. “Cindy, please… I know you rejected me, but please… I don’t mind it at all… You guys are all I’ve got…”
Cindy keeps a flat mouth fixed on her face. “Gee, I don’t know.”
“Cindy… I know you… You are the friendliest sheep in the entire world.” The fox puts his paws together and pleads. “I’ll make it up to you if I need to… I swear…. Please…?”
Cindy turns to her teammates, then back to Zach. “You know, I’ve made plenty of mistakes in my life as we’ve become a team, but the biggest one has to be letting you hang with us. We should’ve never met you in the orphanage.”
Zach puts his arms down. His jaw open as his eyes widen and ears droop. “But… but…”
“That’s enough! I’ve made myself clear. We’ve made ourselves clear. We don’t ever want to see you again. Got it?” Zach remains still as a statue. She turns away. “Come on, Team! Let’s go.” The three animals cheer as they leave with her. The four of them vanish from his view.
Zach tilts his head as he leaves the area with the crowd cheering at them. He leaves the area and the crowd behind, crossing the road. “They were all I had… I tried so many times to be with them and repair things… How could they-” Bright lights interrupt him as he turns and notices a car headed his way, speeding down the road. Zach moves back quickly but is grazed at his torso and head from the oncoming vehicle. Blood spews from his cuts as the force knocks him back onto the ground. The car skids and collides into another one, emitting a loud crash with other people screaming and watching. The fox’s eyelids become heavy. He struggles to keep awake, but the blackness wins over him.
When he opens his eyes, he finds himself in a bed, staring at a tiled ceiling. Pain pulses through his body from his torso and head, which he discovers are covered with freshly-wrapped bandages. Zach remains still in bed, feeling heavy and unable to sit up. He notices an I.V. tied to his left arm with a heart monitor attached to his chest.
“Well, I see you’re awake, Kiddo.” A figure with a long, white lab coat stands by his bed with a clipboard in his paws. His head is covered with a turquoise cap. Through the lab coat are scrubs with the red plus on his heart. A stethoscope rests around his neck with a mask covering his nose. All of these features suggest he’s a doctor. “You feeling okay?”
Zach stares at him. “W-what happened…? Where am I?”
The doctor rests his paw on his shoulder. “You’re in the hospital. You were badly grazed by oncoming traffic and lost forty percent of your blood. But, don’t worry; a few days here and a little rest should help you back on your feet. You should be lucky to be alive.” He turns around at a nurse calling him over. “Hold on. I’ll be back.” He follows the nurse out of the room.
Another figure enters the room; the robed figure. “Hello, Zach. I see you’re all right. Forgive me for coming on short notice. However, I’m not here to visit, but to deliver this to you.” The figure pulls out an envelope from one of the pockets of the robe.
“Let me guess,” Zach begins. “My notice of termination from the orphanage?”
“Yes, I’m afraid so… I’ll leave it here for you.” The figure places it on the table in the front of the room. “I struggled to have them extend your time to the usual period you had left, but you know how the head of the orphanage feels about you.”
“Yeah… I know…”
“There’s nothing more I can do for you now, but wish you the best of luck. You going to be okay?”
“Hard to tell...”
“Well, I wish you the best of luck with everything, Zach. Farewell.” The figure leaves the room.
Zach keeps his frown from before. “Since when has luck ever been on my side…?” He lays back, turns his body to the window on his right, and pulls the covers up to his shoulders. He stares out at the night.
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Lenormand Oracle Decks
Hello my friends, are you having a good day?
I have been playing around with some cards this morning and felt like sharing!
With the popularity of Lenormand Oracle decks on the rise, I thought it might be good to have a closer look at this branch of divination cards.
I will give you a little history first (I am no expert though! Feel free to do your own research!):
When we talk about Lenormand cards we immediately connect them to Mademoiselle Le Normand, the French Fortune Teller who was famous as "Divinatrix to the Stars" in the first half of the 1800’s.
However, it is my understanding that Marie Anne Adelaide Le Normand was not actually the creator of this divination-system.
It is true that she was a very accomplished diviner, reading coffee-grounds and egg-whites, practising Cartomancy and Palmistry, Numerology, Scrying and Necromancy amongst others! But as far as I know, she used playing cards for her readings, not the cards we have come to know as Lenormand...
The naming of these cards seems to have more to do with 19th century publishers wanting to profit from Mademoiselle Le Normand’s fame - she had written around 14 books about her readings for- and dealings with- her famous (and infamous) contempories, including Robespierre and Empress Josephine! She was also believed to have predicted the rise and fall of Napoleon’s empire.
I think that it was later discovered that many of her accounts described in her books were, at the very least, exaggerated!
If you want to know more about the possible origens of today’s Lenormand Oracles, I suggest you turn to the experts who will be able to tell you so much more than I could: Mary K. Greer for one has done some excellent research I believe, as has Robert M. Place. I am sure there have been many others!
Now a little bit about the deck itself:
The first deck to have emerged with The Le Normand name attached was Le Grand Jeu de Mlle Lenormand, published 2 years after her death - this set consisted of 54 cards (52 related to normal playing cards plus 2 significators). My knowledge of this deck is severely lacking, hence I will move on to the most popular Lenormand Oracle that we use today.
The Petit Lenormand is a 36 card oracle deck first published in 1846 in Germany and it was very different from the earlier French decks. This is the deck that modern Lenormand cards are based on.
The cards depict the following images:
1. The Rider
2. The Clover
3. The Ship
4. The House
5. The Tree
6. The Clouds
7. The Snake
8. The Coffin
9. The Bouquet
10. The Scythe
11. The Whip
12. The Birds
13. The Child
14. The Fox
15. The Bear
16. The Stars
17. The Stork
18. The Dog
19. The Tower
20. The Garden
21. The Mountain
22. The Path
23. The Mice
24. The Heart
25. The Ring
26. The Book
27. The Letter
28. The Man
29. The Woman
30. The Lily
31. The Sun
32. The Moon
33. The Key
34. The Fish
35. The Anchor
36. The Cross
A lot of decks (but not some of the more modern ones) also display a small playing card, or at least a particular suit of playing cards (hearts, clubs, diamonds and spades) - there are also decks that have an extra symbol relating to astrology.
You can use these decks on many different levels, from only working with the main imagery to including numerology and/or astrology.
Many of todays decks also include extra cards (from extra men and women to yes/no cards or to complete the full 52 playing card decks).
The main classic Lenormand Spreads used are the 3 - 5 or 9 card spreads or the Grand Tableau - which incorporates all 36 cards in a lay-out consisting of 4 rows of 8 cards each and one row of 4 cards. The cards are read according to their position in the spread.
Of course you could just draw one or two cards if you want, there are also more modern Lenormand spreads available on top of the classics.
Although some of the cards found in a Lenormand deck also occur in a Tarot deck, I find that with Lenormand you take the cards more at face-value and the layering of interpretations does not go quite as deep as with Tarot.
The main similar cards are The Sun, The Moon, The Stars and The Tower (note the Tower is still standing here!) - but The Scythe could be related to the Death card in Tarot whilst The Heart card is easily connected to The Lovers.
Other cards such as The Dog may not occur in Tarot, but because of it’s rich imagery and symbolism the meaning may be recognisable to those familiar with (in the example of The Dog) The Fool card, where often a faithful little dog is seen nipping at his master’s heels.
This dog can also be found in tarot’s Moon card, alongside the wolf/fox/coyote often used to depict our “wild” side - Lenormand’s Fox may be related to this image as well.
Personally I prefer my Lenormand deck to have small-sized cards, you would need a massive table to complete a Grand Tableau if you have oversized cards!
Some of my favourite decks are: The Dreaming Way Lenormand; The Claire de Lune Lenormand; Ciro Marchetti’s Gilded Reverie Lenormand and The Scrying Ink Petit Lenormand.
The latter is currently sold out but will hopefully be reprinted and in the mean time you can still enjoy it digitally by downloading the app, which will give you access to all of it’s beautiful watercolour images, the card interpretations and several spreads!
I find these apps from The Fool’s Dog very useful by the way, if you are unsure wether or not a particular Tarot or Lenormand deck is for you, then you can get to know it at a very reasonable price before committing to buying an actual deck.
The deck I was using this morning was the Alternate Realities Lenormand by Jae Larson Designs.
This is an oldfashioned-style deck that has the added benefit of having “cheat-words” printed unobtrusively in the background - very useful if you haven’t mastered the Lenormand system yet but want to start doing spreads without constantly referring to a guidebook!
I hope you found some of this explanation interesting or useful!
Much Love,
Xxx
#lenormand oracle#divination#cartomancy#Mademoiselle Le Normand#Scrying Ink#Alternate Realities Lenormand
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10 MCU Tattoos That Make You Feel Like A Superhero | ScreenRant
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has amassed a pretty massive fanbase during their decade-long existence. One of the best things about the superfans is their creative ability to show their love for the material they support. Cosplay is the most popular form of fan appreciation, but some go all out with something more permanent than a costume.
RELATED: Every Confirmed Upcoming MCU Project, Ranked By Fans' Excitement
Tattoos have been around for centuries. Nevertheless, they still continue to be used as a form of symbolic body art. For some hardcore Marvel fans, tattoos are a way of showing their love for the MCU in incredibly creative ways. So without further ado, here are 10 MCU tattoos that make you feel like a superhero.
10 The Winter Soldier
The death of Steve Rogers' best friend in Captain America: The First Avenger was an unexpected, heartbreaking scene. Fortunately, fans were thrilled to see him return as the truly terrifying Winter Soldier. Since that time, Bucky returned to his normal self, was brainwashed back into an assassin, finally got rid of the Winter Soldier, started living in Wakanda as the White Wolf, died, and then came back to life.
However, throughout all that confusing mess, he never let go of his deadly cybernetic arm (not even at Rocket's request). Therefore what better way to honor the poor soldier than to tattoo his own arm on to your own? This is exactly what Tumblr's @zayacv did, with an impressive attention to detail that makes it seem as if a large chunk of metal really did replace her upper arm.
9 Marvel-ous
What simpler way to show your appreciation for a brand than sticking its logo on your back. This man definitely thought that was the best option, and, honestly, the end product does look incredible. Instead of simply recreating the minimalistic red and white logo, he went for a more creative route, similar to what we get at the start of every Marvel movie. A familiar hero's face, in gorgeous detail, fills the inside of each letter.
RELATED: Marvel May Not Release An X-Men Movie Until Phase 6
Now, it is true that this isn't exactly an MCU tattoo per se, seeing as it features two X-Men (Deadpool and Wolverine, to be exact). However, the colorful logo sprawled across this human back, created by Italian artist Daniele Maiorano, is too awesome to ignore. Also, we probably only have to wait until Phase 5 for the Fox characters to join our beloved Avengers anyway.
8 A worthy tattoo
At a certain point during Endgame, Thor tells the team that lightning is what courses through his veins. Apparently, there is someone else who suffers from a similar condition and this gentleman right here has the tattoo to prove it. The drawing itself is far from incredible. A simple depiction of Thor's mighty hammer. It's the technique behind it that grants it a place in this list.
Using a special ultraviolet ink, Long House Tattoo in Denver created what is referred to as a black-light tattoo. These are basically tattoos that are invisible to the eye unless exposed to a black-light. In this case, the black-light transforms a boring-looking hammer on a regular arm, into a lightning-fueled limb, powered by Mjolnir itself.
7 Hail Hydra
While most Hydra agents tend to infiltrate silently as spies and undercover agents, this woman seems willing to show the world exactly where her allegiances lie. This impressive depiction of the infamous symbol that led Steve Rogers to frozen waters, Bucky Barnes to becoming the Winter Soldier, and the corruption of SHIELD stands out from what could have been a bland drawing.
Instead of a simple circular design with a flat image of a squid inside, the artist, Sean Kotnik, created a truly vivid tattoo. The colors and the purposefully blotted image gives it a very three-dimensional look. It's almost as if the symbol was stamped on to the arm with red blood and black ink.
6 Excelsior!
This tattoo by Anson Eastin is unlike the previous ones. That is, it's neither 3D, glow-in-the-dark, or sprawled over someones' back. Actually, it is a very typical leg tattoo. That's not to say that it isn't impressive, seeing as the entire limb is covered in hammers, shields, arc reactors, lightning, and... Avengers in general.
RELATED: Stan Lee Gets A New York Street Named After Him
However, the one crucial detail that separates itself from the others is a simple handwritten addition to the image. A signature by no other than Stan "The Man" Lee. For a Marvel fan, especially one who enjoys showing his appreciation through his own skin, there is no greater honor than forever carrying an authentic signature by the creator himself. Even more so now that he is gone...
5 I am Iron Man
He had to come up at some point. How could one forget the MCU's central character, the one that gave birth to it all? Up until Iron Man 3, Tony Stark wasn't just bound by his suits, but he was also chained to a piece of technology that prevented the shrapnel (from the bombing in Iron Man) from entering his heart.
As is repeatedly mentioned in Far From Home, Tony Stark's death begun the search for a new Iron Man. This man looks ready to take on the job. This incredible piece of art by Chad Mcdonald looks so real, it's scary. The pulsing blue light in the center of his chest, plus the added infected veins that surround it gives it a truly vivid look. All he needs is a suit to make use of its power.
4 Comedy bugs
This tattoo (or should I say tattoos) created at Sweety Creepy Tattooatelier are, like the movie itself, funny and small in size. Unlike the serious ultra-realism of the previous entries, this one is based solely on comedy. The image itself is obviously nothing special. All it is is literally two dots, two arrows, and the title of a movie written on two arms. The concept behind it is what makes it so cool.
Not only is it a hilarious poke at the hero's sizes, but each arm actually belongs to different people. These are two friends/lovers (could be either one really) who used their combined upper limbs to create one sole MCU tattoo. Scott and Hope would love to see this.
3 Earth's Mightiest Heroes
"Hello, can I help you?". "Yes. Do you think... Would it be possible to transform my entire back into the Avengers: Age of Ultron poster?" Turns out, it is. Instead of going for a simple arm tattoo of his favorite Marvel hero, this man took off his shirt to replace his caucasian back with a mix of blues, reds, greens, and golds.
RELATED: Avengers: Endgame Contains Some 'Important,' Undiscovered Easter Eggs, Russos Say
Iron Man front and center, Captain America above him holding his iconic shield, Thor and Hulk below them, and Black Widow and Hawkeye in the background. In addition to this, the otherwise empty spaces are covered in clouds and lightning, and the subject's shoulder showcases a group of alien Leviathan arriving from a portal in the sky. No doubt this is a superfan.
2 Snap
Looks like we're back to ultra-realism again with this unusual, yet awesome tattoo. The Infinity Gauntlet was teased ever since they first mentioned Infinity Stones in the MCU. It wasn't until a post-credits scene in Age of Ultron that we finally got a quick glimpse of Thanos' glove, but we still had to wait until Infinity War to see it filled with all six colored gems.
In honor of the Mad Titan, Revelation Tattoo created its very own Infinity Gauntlet, with colored Stones and everything. The supposedly metal screws really do resemble metal screws that are popping out of the skin. The Infinity Stones (especially the Mind Stone right in the middle) bulges off the hand. It's not a complete Gauntlet, but it looks real enough to wipe out half the universe.
1 Avengers... assemble
This is the simplest, most boring tattoo on the list. Actually, there is no reason why it should even be included. Even a drawing of Groot on someone's foot is more interesting than this. However, unlike all the other entries, this one is defined, not by the drawing itself, but by its history. Around the time Infinity War was released, the original six Avengers cast each decided to get themselves inked.
All of them (except Mark Ruffalo) got the same symbol tattoed on their body by artist Joshua Lorde. The number "6" is clearly shown, as are the various symbols that represent each Avenger (although, those are a bit harder to identify). Robert Downey Jr is done, Chris Evans is unlikely to return, and the rest will soon follow. Yet, this symbol will remain with them for the rest of their lives, forever making them... The Avengers.
NEXT: Idris Elba Wants to Play Heimdall Again in the MCU
source https://screenrant.com/mcu-tattoos-marvel-superhero-art/
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When it comes to decks in ARC-V, I’d say the Fusion dimension probably hit the jackpot.* So many great, versatile, interesting and powerful decks. Serena’s deck, of course, is no exception. They have a enough cards for a pure deck, and nearly all of them are good. Not many decks can say that.
This is my latest version of Lunalights. And thanks to newer releases, it definitely won’t be my last.
The name of the game is fusion. But this game has a gimmick: you climb up a ladder of Monsters to build stronger and stronger monsters. You fuse to create Cat Dancer, fuse it to make Panther Dancer, and then finally fuse it to make Leo Dancer. It’s kind of like evolving a Pokemon, and it’s a very interesting concept for a deck. Even better, the monsters get more and more powerful as you climb the ladder.**
But you’re probably thinking, “It’s that very limiting? I need to do all these steps to make Panther or Leo,” or “I’m using up so many resources to bring them out, smh.” You’d be using a lot cards to bring out Leo Dancer: 2 monsters and Poly to fuse for Cat; Poly, Cat and another Lunalight for Panther, and then Panther, 2 Lunalights and Poly to make Leo. Assuming you’re not recycling cards somehow, you need 10 cards to pull out their best card, and several of them are specific. And you’d need to do it before your opponent tries to wreck it all.
This deck has it all covered.
Polymerization is searchable via Black Sheep, who can discard itself to search Polymerization from the deck. You can then use cards like Luna Light Perfume or White Rabbit to revive it.
The Lunalight Pendulums aren’t really that good for Pendulum Summoning, especially since you can’t easily search both Scales. Plus special summoning your Main Deck monsters isn’t as big here as it is with Predaplants. Their Pendulum Effects, however, are the big playmakers here.
Wolf lets you fuse by banishing material from the Field or Graveyard, which is an amazing way to quickly bring out the powerful Fusions, or even multiples of those powerful Fusions.
Tiger can revive a Monster for the Graveyard for Fusion Summoning. This also lets you use Black Sheep’s discard effect to nab a Polymerization, and then easily revive it and use it for fusing.
These Pendulums are great for reusing monsters, keeping up your resources, and summoning one or more of the Fusions.
Kaleido Chick is this deck’s Elemental HERO Prisma: you send a monster from your Deck or Extra Deck to the Graveyard, and it takes their name. This is useful for Lunalight Fusions, as you can bypass the fusion requirements. I mostly like to rely on Fusion Tag though, since it also lets me pass the Predaplant name of Chimera Rafflesia, which lets me summon Rafflesia itself, or Greedy Venom Fusion Dragon.
Blue Cat’s also pretty neat: when destroyed, it can special summon another Lunalight from its deck, including itself. It’s not limited to once per turn, so you can summon two other Blue Cats in a turn to protect you. It also has an ATK-boosting effect, which facilitates OTKs or inflicting heavy damage.I recommend using this on Cat Dancer to bring its attack to 4800, then Tribute it for Cat Dancer’s multiple attack effect.
Blue Cat’s not the only Lunalight with a battle-oriented effect; you also have stuff like Purple Butterfly, which can boost a Lunalight’s attack by 1000 by being discarded. Crimson Fox, when used for a Fusion Summon, can make an opponent’s monster’s attack 0, in addition to having another effect that lets you negate an effect that targets your Lunalight monsters.
Fusion Recovery has always been a good way to recycle cards and fuse again. It’s incredibly useful here.
Fire Formation - Tenki is a huge help for this archetype. It lets you search your deck nearly any Lunalight you need, providing you with a helpful card and some material for Fusion Summoning. It also gives all Beast-Warrior monsters 100 extra attack, which doesn’t exactly hurt the OTK strategy.
I mentioned Fusion Tag earlier, but let me explain what it can do some more. Summon a monster, use Fusion Tag to name it Cat Dancer, and fuse it with a Lunalight to make Panther Dancer. Or summon a monster, use Fusion Tag to name it Panther Dancer, and fuse it with 2 Lunalights for Leo Dancer. This makes both Panther and Leo more accessible, and saves you a ton of time and cards. It’s a fantastic card for a deck like this.
Upstart Goblin helps you to draw one of Serena’s fursonas, but the opponent gains 1000 LP. Normally this might be risky idea for OTK decks, but since this deck has such heavy output, I don’t usually mind. However, I’m going to try subbing it out for Fusion Recycling Plant. (See below for details.)
Other options for the deck:
There’s a new TCG exclusive announced today: Fusion Recycling Plant. It’s a really good Field Spell that lets you search and recycle Polymerization, and it’ll even nab you a monster from the Graveyard during your End Phase. It’s also searchable via Terraforming, which is a necessity for Field Spell-reliant decks.
Hmm, this deck has a ton of DARK monsters.
Dragostapelia is a good card to help trip up your opponent. it just needs a Fusion monster + a DARK monster; this requirement is very possible for the deck, and it’s less restrictive than Chimera Rafflesia, Greedy Venom, Leo and Panther Dancer.
And there you have it. Lunalights are a deck with a unique, fun style of play that has easy answers to deal with its inherit issues. Its offensive power is great, and it’s a great way to let your opponent know that you’re a furry.
Fun fact: YGOPro AI can’t seem to handle playing this deck most of the time. Probably because it struggles to grasp the more complex elements of the deck, and thus can’t make an effective move. But if you mastered the deck, you can blow the AI out of the water.
Monsters (20):
Lunalight Wolf x3
Lunalight Crimson Fox x3
Lunalight Blue Cat x3
Lunalight Kaleido Chick
Lunalight Tiger x3
Lunalight Purple Butterfly
Lunalight White Rabbit x3
Lunalight Blue Cat x3
Spells (16):
Fusion Recovery x3
Polymerization x3
Luna Light Perfume x2
Fusion Tag x3
Upstart Goblin
Cattle Call
Fire Formation - Tenki x3
Traps (4):
Lunalight Reincarnation Dance x2
Bottomless Trap Hole
Solemn Warming
Extra Deck:
Lunalight Leo Dancer x2
Greedy Venom Fusion Dragon x2 (I recommend replacing one with Dragostapelia)
Lunalight Panther Dancer x2
Starving Venom Fusion Dragon
Predaplant Chimera Rafflesia
Lunalight Cat Dancer x2
Number S39: Utopia the Lightning
Number 39: Utopia
Castel, the Skyblaster Musketeer
The Phantom Knights of Break Sword
Sky Cavalry Centaurea
* Of the non-Standard dimensions, Fusion got the best decks, imo.
Synchro: Has Jack’s Red/Resonator deck. It’s a big improvement over his old Resonators, but doesn’t really deal with its issues like Lunalights, another high-offensive deck. Crow has Blackwings, but these are hit-and-hiss as always. Goyo was fleshed out as a series, but not as an archetype.
Xyz: Phantom Knights, Lyrical Luscinia and Raidraptors, real good. And then you have shit like Kaito’s Ciphers. The issue with Ciphers is that they work with Galaxy cards, but not with the Photons they’re meant to replace. This wouldn’t be too much of an issue if Galaxy’s worked well with the Ciphers. And right now, there aren’t enough Ciphers to actually replace the Photon cards. While Ciphers have a great idea to them, Galaxy-Photon is a much better deck. But at least their RUM and ED monsters are good. And also, lol no R4NK Trains for Allen, no “Fairy” archetype for Sayaka, but we’re not missing anything particularly special.
Fusion: Ancient Gears, Predaplants, Fluffals/Frightfurs, Lunalights, Performage (before half the deck was banned) Amazoness (the Fusions and new cards weren’t printed, but they were still great regardless.)
** This really isn’t relevant to anything here, but I thought I’d mention it for fun. This Fusion climbing is somewhat reminiscent of many Synchro decks: you’ll Synchro summon a monster, then use it as material to summon another Synchro with a higher level. You might need to do this because the first Synchro can recycle your Tuner and let you Synchro again, or you have the total levels needed to summon something, but you have 2 Tuners.
I’m shit at explaining, so take a good visual example. In one episode of 5Ds, where Yusei tunes Speed Warrior with Junk Synchron to Synchro Summon Junk Warrior, then tunes Junk Warrior with Nitro Synchron to Synchro Summon Nitro Warrior.
As I said, this isn’t relevant to anything. I just think it’s neat how this Fusion deck features a common Synchro deck element.
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THE SHRIEKING HARPY HAS THE SCOOP ON
the infamous kim eunha !
— DID YOU KNOW?
Here’s what our columnist found out about this 23 year old...
blood status: pureblood
lineage: kim family
occupation: law assistant at the department of magical law enforcement
residence: mabeob-gu
wand: pine wood & phoenix feather
faction: death eaters
alignment: corruption climbers
organization: korean magical council
silhak speciality: magical theory
sejong major: law
— EXCLUSIVE INFORMATION!
Inside resources have said Eunha...
smells omija tea, fresh flowers, ink, and a summer breeze upon taking amortentia
sees herself as a failure or weak when facing a boggart
conjures a arctic fox when performing expecto patronus.
— HISTORY EXPOSED!
From four to five, two sons and now a daughter, the Kim family expands. Another child to be doted on, another child to be welcomed in their highly exclusive world, another child to be indoctrinated with the belief she’s better than everyone else, thanks to what courses through her veins. Kim Eunha, the precious baby swathed in the finest fabrics, already has a series of expectations thrust upon her tiny shoulders. It’s honestly not a matter of if she’ll be great things, but when.
Father jokingly likes to say that her first words was a question. He’s probably right. Anything and everything piques her curiosity. The world is vast, consisting of sights and sounds she’s never heard of before. She points, she asks, she listens. The more detailed an explanation is, the less likely a whine will echo through the house from the vague reasoning. Everyone quickly learns to prepare for an interrogation by a highly inquisitive six year old, because ignoring her is equivalent to a death wish.
There are the faces shown in the public eye and those reserved for behind closed doors. Both parents are shining examples of just how easy it is to mask true intentions for personal gain. Strangers are treated as long time friends, showered with enough compliments and attention to calm the most unruly of souls. Razor sharp teeth are hidden with promises for a long lasting alliance, for the sake of business, before said promise becomes the subject of a private joke, as if mocking how gullible others can be.
Criticism over their behaviour is non existent when she knows no better. Their mannerisms are slowly adopted, evident in the way she interacts and speaks to others, struggling to fathom the possibility that this shouldn’t be the way she behaves. Friends aren’t safe from her greedy little hands either. The brand new toy they parade around somehow, and for some reason, continually finds its way into her grasp, although her kind words and bright smile keeps the accusations at bay. Like parent, like child.
Heroes aren’t the fictional characters who feature in her grandmother’s bedtime stories. They are, in fact, the women in the family—grandmother, aunts, her mother—who manage to straddle the line between delicate, almost ethereal beings, to leaders forged from steel. Kind words are laced with venom, their heads held high as they enter the room, commanding her attention each and every time. She seeks to emulate them, aspiring to garner the same respect as they do.
Conversation frequently touches on a topic she’s heard countless times before: blood purity, especially in the current political climate. It’s a “you are either with us or against us” mentality. To no one’s surprise, majority wins—the idea pureblood reigns supreme—leaving little to no room for objections. Not that she has any, of course. The consequences that lay ahead for the rebels and martyrs is far from pretty. Muggles and muggle-borns alike are the equivalent of nothing in her eyes. That is, they aren’t the target of vitriol over their origins.
In fact, the first few interactions with new classmates at silhak goes down without a hitch. Unlike what relatives expect of her, insults don’t slip from her lips, nor does a student burst into tears from her intent to make their life a living hell. She’s calm, collected, acknowledging their presence, yet uneager to do more than engage in casual conversation. Although hatred isn’t evident, that does not mean she wishes to continue mingling with those who, in her eyes, lead “mediocre” lives due to their status.
In addition to maintaining high grades and embodying the quintessential star student to a tee, preparations begin for life outside in the big, wide world, and seeing just who can get her there. Acquaintances are ranked according to what they offer. She sifts through each like a stack of cards, clutching closely to her chest those deemed useful in the future, while the others are carelessly tossed into a separate pile without even a second glance. Call it a case of self preservation in a world gone mad.
They take three steps forward, she takes ten. They jump high, she jumps higher. Competition pushes her to surpass the rest and establish herself as a formidable opponent. The later years at sejong are spent in the company of various law books and notes, writing down theories and running over phrases for the umpteenth time until she emerges from the room with an aching hand and mild headache. Even then, it’s not enough. The mere thought of falling short and becoming a laughing stock, a tragic example of a pureblood failure, is one she desperately wants to avoid.
Hard work is eventually rewarded, albeit with a few gentle pull of the strings behind the scenes, she earns a position as an assistant in the law offices. In a workplace full of wolves, she’s the wolf disguised in sheep’s clothing, exuding an air of innocence despite being fully capable of tearing apart an unsuspecting victim. Passing gestures, comments, advice— she watches, listens, then carefully stores each to memory, nothing going unnoticed in her presence.
Brown nosing is an activity she regularly engages in. To rise up the ranks, it’s necessary to bite back comments threatening to fall from her lips, and conceal the irritation with a simple answer to the various demands and requests thrown in her direction. She accepts the tasks from superiors, no matter how monotonous they are, knowing the suffering is necessary for her to progress forward.
Right and wrong, good and evil. Rules are implemented to maintain law and order, although it’s the grey lurking in between the black and white that ultimately draws her attention. She toes the line to further her own agenda, reaching out to anyone who may be beneficial to her cause. Amazing, truly, what some expensive gifts can do to persuade them to do her bidding.
The world is hers for the taking. No obstacle can ruin plans that’s been in motion for as long as she can remember. She’s prepared for this, longed for this. Sights are firmly set on proving herself worthy of the heir title, at least for now it is. Once the crown is sitting pretty on her head, then who’s to say she isn’t interested in pursuing something more? Greed is her greatest sin, after all.
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IDW has a slew of great titles on sale this week, and we have your looks at them. Here’s the IDW Publishing Previews for 2-8-2017.
Donald Duck: The Big Sneeze
Writers: Freddy Milton, Flemming Andersen, Mark Shaw, Laura Shaw, Lars Jensen
Artists: Freddy Milton, Flemming Andersen, Mark Shaw, Laura Shaw, Lars Jensen
Cover Artist: Freddy Milton
Here be dragons! Hold onto your swords and shields… Donald and his naughty nephews are meeting mythic menaces by the megaton! First, set sail for dragon-ravaged Kooka Boola Island, where a fractious Fountain of Youth turns sailors into babies—and Don and the boys into geezers! Next, Donald rejoins the Tamers of Nonhuman Threats to save an airfleet from plane-wrecking gremlins… but can he save his own tail feathers from a crash? Finally, in “The Call of C’rruso,” in the city of Sp’too, deep under the sea, dread Pf’legmwad lies dreaming… until Donald wakes the legendary monster-god up! Collects IDW’s Donald Duck #16–18.
TPB • FC • $12.99 • 124 pages • 6” x 9” • ISBN: 978-1-63140-832-8
Bullet points:
“I could give this comic to any person, be it a grandparent or a playschool kid!” — ComicBuzz
#gallery-0-31 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-31 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 14%; } #gallery-0-31 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-31 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
Duck Avenger #3
Writers: Francesco Artibani, Simone Stenti
Artist: Claudio Sciarrone
Cover Artist: Stefano Intini
“Shadows on Venus!” Donald Duck likes nobody less than snarky, crooked newsman Angus Fangus—so what to do when the deadly Evronians drag Fangus off into outer space? Celebrate? Or enlist vengeful mercenary Xadhoom to (wak!) bring him back?
FC • 72 pages • $5.99
Bullet points:
Jump on board for more of the new-to-USA Disney epic that fans are talking about—the famous “Duck Avenger New Adventures” (known in Europe as “PKNA”)!
Adapted for our readers by fan favorite Jonathan Gray (Sonic the Hedgehog)!
72 pages of action for just $5.99!
Variant cover by Claudia Sciarrone!
#gallery-0-32 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-32 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-0-32 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-32 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
Judge Dredd: Mega-City Zero, Vol.3 TPB
Writers: Ulises Fariñas & Erick Freitas
Artist: Dan McDaid
Cover Artist: Ulises Fariñas
Dredd finds himself the only judge in a Mega-City One that he barely recognizes. Joined by a trio of feral girls, he has taken on his most challenging case: to uncover what happened to the city he has sworn to serve and protect. Lolo, Quill, and Dredd are invited into The Refuge, a grammar-obsessed settlement but Dredd uncovers some Dark Judge cultists who have been stealing babies for their experiments into the secrets of The Green. Collects issues #9–12.
TPB • FC • $17.99 • 100 pages • ISBN: 978-1-63140-838-0
Bullet points:
“The whole creative team made a finished product reminiscent of Judge Dredd creators John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra.” –Big Glasgow Comic
#gallery-0-33 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-33 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 14%; } #gallery-0-33 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-33 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
Mickey Mouse #17
Writers: Andrea “Casty” Castellan, Jonathan Gray, Lars Jensen
Artists: Lorenzo Pastrovicchio, Daan Jippes
Cover Artist: Giorgio Cavazzano
“Darkenblot,” Part 2 of 3! The futuristic city of Avantgard is slowly falling to the Phantom Blot’s power! Now two-fisted Mickey—framed as a crook himself!—must think fast to outwit rogue robots and save his own skin!
FC • 40 pages • $3.99
Bullet points:
Beloved modern Mickey master Andrea “Casty” Castellan is back—as our pulse-pounding new tale of the Phantom Blot continues!
Continues this beloved series’ legacy numbering at #326!
Variant cover by Marco Gervasio!
#gallery-0-34 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-34 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-0-34 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-34 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
Revolution
Writers: John Barber, Cullen Bunn
Artist: Fico Ossio
Cover Artist: Tradd Moore
Explosions rip across the Earth—and all signs of blame point to OPTIMUS PRIME and the TRANSFORMERS! G.I. JOE refuses to go quietly—and they assemble heroes big enough to stop the invaders! ACTION MAN and M.A.S.K. fight for humanity—but where do ROM and the MICRONAUTS stand? Celebrating more than a decade of stories by IDW and HASBRO, this unprecedented event draws everything together—and leaves nothing standing. The REVOLUTION is here—TAKE A STAND! Collects Revolution issues #0–5.
TPB • FC • $19.99 • 152 pages • ISBN: 978-1-63140-816-8
Bullet points:
THE REVOLUTION BEGINS!
#gallery-0-35 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-35 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 14%; } #gallery-0-35 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-35 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
Rom Annual 2017
Writer: Chris Ryall & Christos Gage
Artist: David Messina
Cover Artist: David Messina
On the peaceful planet of Elonia, a surprise attack by the pernicious DIRE WRAITHS leaves the planet and its Solstar Order defense corps reeling… so what can one young explorer named Rom possibly do to help in the face of such savage an attack? Find out here as IDW proudly presents the full, unfettered origin of ROM, first of the Space Knights in a tale told by the series’ ongoing team of Ryall, Gage, and Messina!
FC • 48 pages • $7.99
Bullet points:
The true origin of ROM, greatest of the Space Knights!
Part of IDW’s 2017 Annual Offensive! Over-sized and action-packed key stories in a deluxe format!
By the ROM launch team of Ryall, Gage & Messina!
#gallery-0-36 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-36 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 25%; } #gallery-0-36 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-36 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
Silly Symphonies, Vol. 2: The Complete Disney Classics
Writers: Ted Osborne and Merrill DeMaris
Artists: Al Taliaferro, Hank Porter, and Bob Grant
Cover Artist: Al Taliaferro
This second of four volumes presents the spectacular Sunday pages from 1935 to 1939, featuring the first comic strip adaptation of a feature-length film—Snow White… the original Donald Duck series, plus the Three Little Pigs (and the Big Bad Wolf, of course), Elmer the Elephant, Pluto, Goofy, and the Three Little Kittens. The artwork for these rare strips has come straight from the Disney vaults, each page meticulously colored using as a guide the original file copies that belonged to Walt Disney himself!
HC • FC • $49.99 • 192 pages • 12” x 8.5” • ISBN: 978-1-63140-804-5
Bullet points:
The Disney films you love, adapted to newspaper comics, and now collected and restored to their full glory!
#gallery-0-37 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-37 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 14%; } #gallery-0-37 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-37 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Amazing Adventures, Vol. 4
Writers: Matthew K. Manning, Caleb Goellner
Artists: Chad Thomas, Buster Moody, Jon Sommariva
Cover Artist: Jon Sommariva
Donatello accidentally creates a new water-based mutant in his lab. The aquatic ally seems peaceful enough… until the Drip realizes there’s a lot more water in the world than Don lets on! Collects issues #13–14 and the Carmelo Anthony Special!
TPB • FC • $14.99 • 80 pages • ISBN: 978-1-63140-843-4
Bullet points:
“Fun overall and well worth it for kids and big kids alike…” — Big Glasgow Comics Page
#gallery-0-38 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-38 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 14%; } #gallery-0-38 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-38 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
Transformers: Till All Are One #7
Writer: Mairghread Scott
Artist: Sara Pitre-Durocher
Cover Artist: Sara Pitre-Durocher
As Windblade and her team fight their way through Elita-1’s Titan, Carcer, they face opposition at every turn to stop them from awakening the sleeping giant… and they soon find out why!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Bullet points:
Variant cover by Joana Lafuente!
#gallery-0-39 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-39 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-0-39 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-39 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
The X-Files: Origins
Writers: Jody Houser, Matthew Dow Smith
Artists: Corin Howell, Chris Fenoglio
Cover Artist: Chris Fenoglio
Before the FBI, before the X-Files, they were just two teenagers in search of the truth. On Martha’s Vineyard, a young Fox Mulder investigates something strange happening on the island, while in San Diego, 13-year-old Dana Scully looks into the shocking murder of her teacher. Two kids, two mysteries, one conspiracy that threatens the future of humanity.
TPB • FC • $19.99 • 140 pages • ISBN: 978-1-63140-845-8
Bullet points:
“A fun, engaging, and well characterised mini-series exploring a whole new angle to the show.” —Flickering Myth
#gallery-0-40 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-40 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 14%; } #gallery-0-40 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-40 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
via IDW Publishing
IDW Publishing Previews for 2-8-2017
IDW has a slew of great titles on sale this week, and we have your looks at them.
IDW Publishing Previews for 2-8-2017 IDW has a slew of great titles on sale this week, and we have your looks at them.
0 notes
Text
IDW has a slew of great titles on sale this week, and we have your looks at them. Here’s the IDW Publishing Previews for 2-8-2017.
Donald Duck: The Big Sneeze
Writers: Freddy Milton, Flemming Andersen, Mark Shaw, Laura Shaw, Lars Jensen
Artists: Freddy Milton, Flemming Andersen, Mark Shaw, Laura Shaw, Lars Jensen
Cover Artist: Freddy Milton
Here be dragons! Hold onto your swords and shields… Donald and his naughty nephews are meeting mythic menaces by the megaton! First, set sail for dragon-ravaged Kooka Boola Island, where a fractious Fountain of Youth turns sailors into babies—and Don and the boys into geezers! Next, Donald rejoins the Tamers of Nonhuman Threats to save an airfleet from plane-wrecking gremlins… but can he save his own tail feathers from a crash? Finally, in “The Call of C’rruso,” in the city of Sp’too, deep under the sea, dread Pf’legmwad lies dreaming… until Donald wakes the legendary monster-god up! Collects IDW’s Donald Duck #16–18.
TPB • FC • $12.99 • 124 pages • 6” x 9” • ISBN: 978-1-63140-832-8
Bullet points:
“I could give this comic to any person, be it a grandparent or a playschool kid!” — ComicBuzz
#gallery-0-31 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-31 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 14%; } #gallery-0-31 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-31 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
Duck Avenger #3
Writers: Francesco Artibani, Simone Stenti
Artist: Claudio Sciarrone
Cover Artist: Stefano Intini
“Shadows on Venus!” Donald Duck likes nobody less than snarky, crooked newsman Angus Fangus—so what to do when the deadly Evronians drag Fangus off into outer space? Celebrate? Or enlist vengeful mercenary Xadhoom to (wak!) bring him back?
FC • 72 pages • $5.99
Bullet points:
Jump on board for more of the new-to-USA Disney epic that fans are talking about—the famous “Duck Avenger New Adventures” (known in Europe as “PKNA”)!
Adapted for our readers by fan favorite Jonathan Gray (Sonic the Hedgehog)!
72 pages of action for just $5.99!
Variant cover by Claudia Sciarrone!
#gallery-0-32 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-32 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-0-32 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-32 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
Judge Dredd: Mega-City Zero, Vol.3 TPB
Writers: Ulises Fariñas & Erick Freitas
Artist: Dan McDaid
Cover Artist: Ulises Fariñas
Dredd finds himself the only judge in a Mega-City One that he barely recognizes. Joined by a trio of feral girls, he has taken on his most challenging case: to uncover what happened to the city he has sworn to serve and protect. Lolo, Quill, and Dredd are invited into The Refuge, a grammar-obsessed settlement but Dredd uncovers some Dark Judge cultists who have been stealing babies for their experiments into the secrets of The Green. Collects issues #9–12.
TPB • FC • $17.99 • 100 pages • ISBN: 978-1-63140-838-0
Bullet points:
“The whole creative team made a finished product reminiscent of Judge Dredd creators John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra.” –Big Glasgow Comic
#gallery-0-33 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-33 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 14%; } #gallery-0-33 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-33 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
Mickey Mouse #17
Writers: Andrea “Casty” Castellan, Jonathan Gray, Lars Jensen
Artists: Lorenzo Pastrovicchio, Daan Jippes
Cover Artist: Giorgio Cavazzano
“Darkenblot,” Part 2 of 3! The futuristic city of Avantgard is slowly falling to the Phantom Blot’s power! Now two-fisted Mickey—framed as a crook himself!—must think fast to outwit rogue robots and save his own skin!
FC • 40 pages • $3.99
Bullet points:
Beloved modern Mickey master Andrea “Casty” Castellan is back—as our pulse-pounding new tale of the Phantom Blot continues!
Continues this beloved series’ legacy numbering at #326!
Variant cover by Marco Gervasio!
#gallery-0-34 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-34 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-0-34 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-34 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
Revolution
Writers: John Barber, Cullen Bunn
Artist: Fico Ossio
Cover Artist: Tradd Moore
Explosions rip across the Earth—and all signs of blame point to OPTIMUS PRIME and the TRANSFORMERS! G.I. JOE refuses to go quietly—and they assemble heroes big enough to stop the invaders! ACTION MAN and M.A.S.K. fight for humanity—but where do ROM and the MICRONAUTS stand? Celebrating more than a decade of stories by IDW and HASBRO, this unprecedented event draws everything together—and leaves nothing standing. The REVOLUTION is here—TAKE A STAND! Collects Revolution issues #0–5.
TPB • FC • $19.99 • 152 pages • ISBN: 978-1-63140-816-8
Bullet points:
THE REVOLUTION BEGINS!
#gallery-0-35 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-35 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 14%; } #gallery-0-35 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-35 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
Rom Annual 2017
Writer: Chris Ryall & Christos Gage
Artist: David Messina
Cover Artist: David Messina
On the peaceful planet of Elonia, a surprise attack by the pernicious DIRE WRAITHS leaves the planet and its Solstar Order defense corps reeling… so what can one young explorer named Rom possibly do to help in the face of such savage an attack? Find out here as IDW proudly presents the full, unfettered origin of ROM, first of the Space Knights in a tale told by the series’ ongoing team of Ryall, Gage, and Messina!
FC • 48 pages • $7.99
Bullet points:
The true origin of ROM, greatest of the Space Knights!
Part of IDW’s 2017 Annual Offensive! Over-sized and action-packed key stories in a deluxe format!
By the ROM launch team of Ryall, Gage & Messina!
#gallery-0-36 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-36 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 25%; } #gallery-0-36 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-36 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
Silly Symphonies, Vol. 2: The Complete Disney Classics
Writers: Ted Osborne and Merrill DeMaris
Artists: Al Taliaferro, Hank Porter, and Bob Grant
Cover Artist: Al Taliaferro
This second of four volumes presents the spectacular Sunday pages from 1935 to 1939, featuring the first comic strip adaptation of a feature-length film—Snow White… the original Donald Duck series, plus the Three Little Pigs (and the Big Bad Wolf, of course), Elmer the Elephant, Pluto, Goofy, and the Three Little Kittens. The artwork for these rare strips has come straight from the Disney vaults, each page meticulously colored using as a guide the original file copies that belonged to Walt Disney himself!
HC • FC • $49.99 • 192 pages • 12” x 8.5” • ISBN: 978-1-63140-804-5
Bullet points:
The Disney films you love, adapted to newspaper comics, and now collected and restored to their full glory!
#gallery-0-37 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-37 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 14%; } #gallery-0-37 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-37 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Amazing Adventures, Vol. 4
Writers: Matthew K. Manning, Caleb Goellner
Artists: Chad Thomas, Buster Moody, Jon Sommariva
Cover Artist: Jon Sommariva
Donatello accidentally creates a new water-based mutant in his lab. The aquatic ally seems peaceful enough… until the Drip realizes there’s a lot more water in the world than Don lets on! Collects issues #13–14 and the Carmelo Anthony Special!
TPB • FC • $14.99 • 80 pages • ISBN: 978-1-63140-843-4
Bullet points:
“Fun overall and well worth it for kids and big kids alike…” — Big Glasgow Comics Page
#gallery-0-38 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-38 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 14%; } #gallery-0-38 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-38 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
Transformers: Till All Are One #7
Writer: Mairghread Scott
Artist: Sara Pitre-Durocher
Cover Artist: Sara Pitre-Durocher
As Windblade and her team fight their way through Elita-1’s Titan, Carcer, they face opposition at every turn to stop them from awakening the sleeping giant… and they soon find out why!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Bullet points:
Variant cover by Joana Lafuente!
#gallery-0-39 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-39 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-0-39 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-39 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
The X-Files: Origins
Writers: Jody Houser, Matthew Dow Smith
Artists: Corin Howell, Chris Fenoglio
Cover Artist: Chris Fenoglio
Before the FBI, before the X-Files, they were just two teenagers in search of the truth. On Martha’s Vineyard, a young Fox Mulder investigates something strange happening on the island, while in San Diego, 13-year-old Dana Scully looks into the shocking murder of her teacher. Two kids, two mysteries, one conspiracy that threatens the future of humanity.
TPB • FC • $19.99 • 140 pages • ISBN: 978-1-63140-845-8
Bullet points:
“A fun, engaging, and well characterised mini-series exploring a whole new angle to the show.” —Flickering Myth
#gallery-0-40 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-40 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 14%; } #gallery-0-40 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-40 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
via IDW Publishing
IDW Publishing Previews for 2-8-2017 IDW has a slew of great titles on sale this week, and we have your looks at them.
0 notes
Text
10 MCU Tattoos That Make You Feel Like A Superhero | ScreenRant
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has amassed a pretty massive fanbase during their decade-long existence. One of the best things about the superfans is their creative ability to show their love for the material they support. Cosplay is the most popular form of fan appreciation, but some go all out with something more permanent than a costume.
RELATED: Every Confirmed Upcoming MCU Project, Ranked By Fans' Excitement
Tattoos have been around for centuries. Nevertheless, they still continue to be used as a form of symbolic body art. For some hardcore Marvel fans, tattoos are a way of showing their love for the MCU in incredibly creative ways. So without further ado, here are 10 MCU tattoos that make you feel like a superhero.
10 The Winter Soldier
The death of Steve Rogers' best friend in Captain America: The First Avenger was an unexpected, heartbreaking scene. Fortunately, fans were thrilled to see him return as the truly terrifying Winter Soldier. Since that time, Bucky returned to his normal self, was brainwashed back into an assassin, finally got rid of the Winter Soldier, started living in Wakanda as the White Wolf, died, and then came back to life.
However, throughout all that confusing mess, he never let go of his deadly cybernetic arm (not even at Rocket's request). Therefore what better way to honor the poor soldier than to tattoo his own arm on to your own? This is exactly what Tumblr's @zayacv did, with an impressive attention to detail that makes it seem as if a large chunk of metal really did replace her upper arm.
9 Marvel-ous
What simpler way to show your appreciation for a brand than sticking its logo on your back. This man definitely thought that was the best option, and, honestly, the end product does look incredible. Instead of simply recreating the minimalistic red and white logo, he went for a more creative route, similar to what we get at the start of every Marvel movie. A familiar hero's face, in gorgeous detail, fills the inside of each letter.
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Now, it is true that this isn't exactly an MCU tattoo per se, seeing as it features two X-Men (Deadpool and Wolverine, to be exact). However, the colorful logo sprawled across this human back, created by Italian artist Daniele Maiorano, is too awesome to ignore. Also, we probably only have to wait until Phase 5 for the Fox characters to join our beloved Avengers anyway.
8 A worthy tattoo
At a certain point during Endgame, Thor tells the team that lightning is what courses through his veins. Apparently, there is someone else who suffers from a similar condition and this gentleman right here has the tattoo to prove it. The drawing itself is far from incredible. A simple depiction of Thor's mighty hammer. It's the technique behind it that grants it a place in this list.
Using a special ultraviolet ink, Long House Tattoo in Denver created what is referred to as a black-light tattoo. These are basically tattoos that are invisible to the eye unless exposed to a black-light. In this case, the black-light transforms a boring-looking hammer on a regular arm, into a lightning-fueled limb, powered by Mjolnir itself.
7 Hail Hydra
While most Hydra agents tend to infiltrate silently as spies and undercover agents, this woman seems willing to show the world exactly where her allegiances lie. This impressive depiction of the infamous symbol that led Steve Rogers to frozen waters, Bucky Barnes to becoming the Winter Soldier, and the corruption of SHIELD stands out from what could have been a bland drawing.
Instead of a simple circular design with a flat image of a squid inside, the artist, Sean Kotnik, created a truly vivid tattoo. The colors and the purposefully blotted image gives it a very three-dimensional look. It's almost as if the symbol was stamped on to the arm with red blood and black ink.
6 Excelsior!
This tattoo by Anson Eastin is unlike the previous ones. That is, it's neither 3D, glow-in-the-dark, or sprawled over someones' back. Actually, it is a very typical leg tattoo. That's not to say that it isn't impressive, seeing as the entire limb is covered in hammers, shields, arc reactors, lightning, and... Avengers in general.
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However, the one crucial detail that separates itself from the others is a simple handwritten addition to the image. A signature by no other than Stan "The Man" Lee. For a Marvel fan, especially one who enjoys showing his appreciation through his own skin, there is no greater honor than forever carrying an authentic signature by the creator himself. Even more so now that he is gone...
5 I am Iron Man
He had to come up at some point. How could one forget the MCU's central character, the one that gave birth to it all? Up until Iron Man 3, Tony Stark wasn't just bound by his suits, but he was also chained to a piece of technology that prevented the shrapnel (from the bombing in Iron Man) from entering his heart.
As is repeatedly mentioned in Far From Home, Tony Stark's death begun the search for a new Iron Man. This man looks ready to take on the job. This incredible piece of art by Chad Mcdonald looks so real, it's scary. The pulsing blue light in the center of his chest, plus the added infected veins that surround it gives it a truly vivid look. All he needs is a suit to make use of its power.
4 Comedy bugs
This tattoo (or should I say tattoos) created at Sweety Creepy Tattooatelier are, like the movie itself, funny and small in size. Unlike the serious ultra-realism of the previous entries, this one is based solely on comedy. The image itself is obviously nothing special. All it is is literally two dots, two arrows, and the title of a movie written on two arms. The concept behind it is what makes it so cool.
Not only is it a hilarious poke at the hero's sizes, but each arm actually belongs to different people. These are two friends/lovers (could be either one really) who used their combined upper limbs to create one sole MCU tattoo. Scott and Hope would love to see this.
3 Earth's Mightiest Heroes
"Hello, can I help you?". "Yes. Do you think... Would it be possible to transform my entire back into the Avengers: Age of Ultron poster?" Turns out, it is. Instead of going for a simple arm tattoo of his favorite Marvel hero, this man took off his shirt to replace his caucasian back with a mix of blues, reds, greens, and golds.
RELATED: Avengers: Endgame Contains Some 'Important,' Undiscovered Easter Eggs, Russos Say
Iron Man front and center, Captain America above him holding his iconic shield, Thor and Hulk below them, and Black Widow and Hawkeye in the background. In addition to this, the otherwise empty spaces are covered in clouds and lightning, and the subject's shoulder showcases a group of alien Leviathan arriving from a portal in the sky. No doubt this is a superfan.
2 Snap
Looks like we're back to ultra-realism again with this unusual, yet awesome tattoo. The Infinity Gauntlet was teased ever since they first mentioned Infinity Stones in the MCU. It wasn't until a post-credits scene in Age of Ultron that we finally got a quick glimpse of Thanos' glove, but we still had to wait until Infinity War to see it filled with all six colored gems.
In honor of the Mad Titan, Revelation Tattoo created its very own Infinity Gauntlet, with colored Stones and everything. The supposedly metal screws really do resemble metal screws that are popping out of the skin. The Infinity Stones (especially the Mind Stone right in the middle) bulges off the hand. It's not a complete Gauntlet, but it looks real enough to wipe out half the universe.
1 Avengers... assemble
This is the simplest, most boring tattoo on the list. Actually, there is no reason why it should even be included. Even a drawing of Groot on someone's foot is more interesting than this. However, unlike all the other entries, this one is defined, not by the drawing itself, but by its history. Around the time Infinity War was released, the original six Avengers cast each decided to get themselves inked.
All of them (except Mark Ruffalo) got the same symbol tattoed on their body by artist Joshua Lorde. The number "6" is clearly shown, as are the various symbols that represent each Avenger (although, those are a bit harder to identify). Robert Downey Jr is done, Chris Evans is unlikely to return, and the rest will soon follow. Yet, this symbol will remain with them for the rest of their lives, forever making them... The Avengers.
NEXT: Idris Elba Wants to Play Heimdall Again in the MCU
source https://screenrant.com/mcu-tattoos-marvel-superhero-art/
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