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#Also as a terrifying monstrous protector of her land
rocorambles · 3 years
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Finding Home
Pairing: Terushima x Reader
Prompt: Mythology
Genre: SFW, Fluff, Slight Angst, Greek Mythology AU, Dionysus!Terushima, Human!Reader
Summary: Terushima has never liked winter, the land too barren to produce his prized grapes, the weather too harsh for the merrymaking he’s known for. But maybe, just maybe, a certain mortal can help change his perspective.   
Author’s Note: This is my contribution for my HQ Discord Server’s SFW collaboration. There are so many talented writers on the server and I highly encourage you to check out the collaboration masterlist here to see how everyone decided to run with this prompt. (Masterlist goes live Friday, March 12th!) 
Terushima has never really belonged here and even after centuries and lifetimes, he doesn’t feel any more a part of Olympus than when he first joined the ranks of the gods and goddesses above as Dionysus, protector of misfits. 
He scoffs at the title. How fitting when he himself is a misfit among the beings of Olympus, the son of a mortal mother, a “human-lover” (a title he’s actually quite fond of despite the disdain and judgement tainting it when spoken by those around him). Ironic when he dares say most of his fellow divine beings have had more than their fair shares of “loving humans”. It’s how he was created himself after all and he scowls at the thought of the handsome brunette who he unfortunately is forced to call father. 
One would think that with all the affairs Zeus, or Shittykawa as he prefers to refer to him as, nickname courtesy of Poseidon, is off and about having, the king of the gods wouldn’t be so stringent and watchful over his kingdom above. But as free with his affection as he is, Oikawa is a stickler for tradition and Terushima sighs as he enters the gates of Olympus, plastering his trademark cocky grin on his face as he greets his family. 
It’s ironic really how Oikawa insists on these family reunions considering how they hardly really consider each other family. But no one dares to disobey and they all force themselves through the polite small talk, extravagant meals, and elegant parties, everything so detailed and beautiful yet cold, much like their organizer, and Terushima skin practically crawls at how different this is from his much more impassioned festivities, never used to how restrained the manners of Olympus are despite how many of these he has attended. 
But it’s not all so terrible and this time he doesn’t fake his wide toothy grin when two beings burst into his quarters late at night. 
He’s not foolish enough to believe Apollo and Ares are the strapping gods they’re portrayed to be, knowing too well just how monstrous and terrifying the two can be, knowing the atrocious acts they’ve committed. But as brothers? As fellow gods? They make Olympus bearable and that’s more than can be said for anyone else. So he sets aside their differences temporarily, humming along to the sound of Apollo’s music, laughingly joking that his talent for songs is the only reason women and goddesses look past the rooster-like mess on top of his head. He drinks goblet after goblet of mead with Ares in an attempt to see who can outdrink the other this time around, not stopping until his vision is so blurred that he can hardly tell if it really is Ares in front of him or a large owl with vaguely human features. 
But as soon as sunlight begins filtering in marking a new day and the end of his forced return, he’s quick to bid farewell, nose diving back down to Earth and immediately feeling more at peace as he lands in a flourishing rice field, slowly making his way to the quaint home just ahead. 
It’s an admittedly strange camaraderie, the friendship between the God of Chaos and a demi-god son of Demeter, but Terushima’s heart swells with fondness when he sees Kita sifting through the grains of his latest harvest, chuckling at the slightly quirked lips on the other’s usually impassive face when he sees the blonde making his way towards him. 
He knows the other Olympus immortals find it strange how he prefers to spend most of his time on Earth, whispering and spreading rumors about the strange god who so easily casts aside the splendor of Olympus for the humble life and home of a farmer, who prefers to idle his days away with humans and a demi-god rather than his own much more powerful and esteemed family up above. And he knows even Kita has his doubts and disagreements with the wild debauchery and havoc he wreaks upon the mortal world, preferring his mother’s more wholesome ways of providing and caring for humans. 
But both of them are tied by their kindness and benevolence towards mankind, frowning upon the hostility, cruelty, and selfishness the other gods and goddesses subject humans to. And Kita never says a word against Terushima, knowing that even if they aren’t methods he understands or condones, Terushima’s rituals and revelries bring joy, provide an escape, take away the suffering of mortals, even if only temporarily.    
Besides, the demi-god is far too busy with helping Demeter prepare for the harvest to really pay much mind to Terushima’s antics, flitting here and there as he helps ensure the earth is fertile, making sure grains and seeds are plentiful, working seamlessly alongside Terushima as the god of wine cheerfully goes about making sure there’s more than an adequate amount of ripe grapes and fruits for wine making and merriment. 
As far as Terushima is concerned, Olympus can keep its cold splendor. Here is where he was meant to be, thriving in the heat and brilliant light of the sun, sighing in content as he pops grape after grape in his mouth, the sweet juices coating his mouth as he watches the humans in amusement as they excitedly crush the small fruits, making the beverage he had shown their ancestors long ago how to create.
And then the harvest is officially upon them and Terushima joyfully cheers as his followers indulge in the delicious nectar of their hard work, wine sloshing from cups as music blares, the earth resounding with raucous ecstatic celebrations and the stomping of feet as mankind wildly dances and jumps around. 
It’s a wild frenzy and Kita slightly winces at the chaos that has overtaken the world, but it’s hard not to look on in affection and amusement as the humans and his dear friend enjoy themselves, finding temporary freedom and escape from the restraints of society. So he lets them be, spending time with his mother as she also enjoys the festivities of her followers (albeit much more demure), glad to see both Terushima and her in high spirits, knowing the hardest part of the year for both of them is just around the corner. 
A practical person might scoff at Demeter’s extreme reaction every time Hades comes to retrieve her daughter, but there’s nothing rational about a mother’s love and the world turns dead and cold as the goddess grieves and mourns the loss of her daughter, even though she knows it’s only temporary. 
Terushima sighs at the cold white snow and ice that blankets the barren grounds, feeling his own vitality drain from him when the majority of the revelries come to an end as the humans prepare for the harsh winter months ahead. He hates the mortal world when it’s like this, finding the cold quiet far too similar to Olympus and he sulks, retreating and staying put inside his shared abode with Kita, impatiently waiting for Persephone to return to her mother so that the world can defrost and resume. 
Kita is patient at first, alternating between checking in on his mother and Terushima, ensuring both great gods of the Earth are alive and well. Although “well” is a relative term and the demi-god sighs at how both their depression and grief permeate throughout the world, adding an icier edge to the already brutal atmosphere. However even his patience has a limit and though he doesn’t dare disrespect his mother, he shoves at least the god of the vine out the door, shooing him towards the nearest town and telling him not to return until he’s in a better mood. 
The blonde listens, albeit reluctantly and with a few muttered grumblings, but it’s a nice distraction, wandering around and masquerading as a human. And although he’s not in the mood to join in, he appreciates how advanced civilizations and technology have become, allowing those brave enough to face the harsh frigid weather to frolic at bars, even if it means being bundled in layers and layers of winter clothing. It isn’t anything near as rambunctious and lively as the harvest season, but he feels his mood lighten as the streets are roused by drunken and rowdy crowds, laughter and cheer filling the cold air. 
Feeling more himself after a few hours of amusedly observing from afar, a steaming mug of mulled wine in his hands, he begins to turn around and make his way back home only to be interrupted as someone crashes into him and instincts have him catching you as you tipsily stumble and giggle in his arms. He can smell the sweet scent of wine rolling off of you in waves and he fights back the urge to laugh as you sloppily smile, clinging onto him for dear life as you try and steady yourself on wobbly legs while you simultaneously thank your hero for saving you. 
Humans really are the most adorable things sometimes.
He’s a bit apprehensive about just leaving you when you’re in such a state, but he relaxes when your friends rush to your aid, profusely apologizing to him as he carefully hands you over to them and he just waves them off, telling them to have fun as he makes to walk away again. But he’s stopped by your hands still holding tight to him. 
“Come party with us!” 
This time he does laugh as one of your friends angrily admonishes you for your behavior and he gently tries to loosen your grip on him, telling you empty promises of “maybe next time”. But he freezes when one of your hands he’s managed to unhook from him softly rests on his cheek and he chokes at the genuine concern in your eyes despite the drunken haze in them. 
“You look so sad...Please stay? Maybe it’ll make you feel better.” 
The words are childish and slurred, yet Terushima is moved by the pure intentions he can sense in the syllables, drawn in by the heart and love he can feel pouring from you. All his life he has cared for others, cared for the world. But when was the last time someone had cared for him? When was the last time he had allowed someone to care for him? 
So in a moment of weakness he allows himself to let go of his responsibilities, his duties, his own walls and rules he had created to maintain a distance from the mortals he oversees in an effort to avoid dragging them into the messes caused by diving beings, to make sure no one else is subjected to what his own mortal mother suffered through because of Oikawa’s selfish desires. 
It’s ironic how little a god known as the liberator allows himself to be free, usually preferring to watch from afar and not partake in the frenzied chaos of his followers. But tonight he joins in, entangling himself among the throngs of bodies moving to the vibrating pulses of echoing music and beats, submitting to the wild energy around him, pretending just for a moment that he’s finally found where he belongs. 
You make it easy for him to believe he’s found a new home, a place he’s accepted, and even amidst the blinding lights and smoky haze, you’re the most beautiful person he’s ever met, your liveliness, energy, and humanity far outshining any of the gods or goddesses he knows. There’s nothing reserved or distant about you, no feeling of someone keeping up pretences or a front. You’re just...you and he knows even without the help of liquid courage you’ve generously doused yourself with tonight, that you wouldn’t be all that different. 
Maybe a little less handsy and definitely quieter (he subtly winces when you practically shout in his ear asking if he wants another drink). But the genuine warmth and kindness he can feel radiating from you? Your easy and uninhibited acceptance of him? That’s just who you are and he allows himself to find temporary comfort in this new sense of belonging you make him feel.  
Despite how he’s sworn to never rope a human into the twisted world of immortals, for the first time in his life, he feels the temptation to break the promise he had made to himself all those centuries ago. 
But it’s a pipe dream and as dawn’s light begins to peek through the night sky and clubs and bars close shop, reality comes crashing down on him. He remains steadfast in his beliefs, promising himself that he’ll leave and forget all about you as soon as he’s made sure you’re safely tucked in bed despite the desperate pleas and cries of his heart. And he grits his teeth as he fights to ignore his desires. 
He’s stronger than this. He’s better than this. Above the immoral lust his family is infamous for. Above the preying ways of Oikawa. 
Or so he’d like to believe. 
But he can’t help himself from sitting at your bedside, gazing down at your peaceful face, finding comfort in your deep even breaths as sleep overcomes you, telling himself that he’ll be just another minute, over and over again, until he’s forced to his feet hours later as you begin to rise. And as he makes his escape before you can awaken and see him, he knows that he’ll never be able to fully forget you.
Sometimes Kita is far too observant for his own good and Terushima groans when he’s immediately pinned down by curious knowing eyes as soon as he walks through the front doors. But he’s never been good at keeping his thoughts to himself and he rambles, spilling every little detail (probably too many details) to the demi-god who patiently listens and brews a pot of soothing hot tea that Terushima greedily grabs and indulges in as he recounts the night. 
Kita holds his own cup to his lips, hiding the smile playing on his face as the god talks about you, sharp eyes noting the unusual softness in Terushima’s eyes and quietness of his voice as he speaks about you, describing you so perfectly Kita can almost imagine exactly what you look like from his words alone.
But his smile turns into a thoughtful flat line at the sadness in the usually exuberant voice as the blonde tries to lightly wave it off and convince himself that it’s all in the past now, just another mortal he’s happened to interact with in his long life before breaking off into an awkward silence. 
“Terushima, not all relationships between gods and mortals are doomed and cursed.” 
Kita rolls his eyes as the other begins to squawk and flail his arms as he recounts some of the most tragic relationships in Olympus history to prove him wrong, quickly cutting him off after another languid sip of his hot beverage. 
“So do you think the union between my parents was also a mistake?” 
The demi-god smirks as Terushima squirms in his seat, floundering for words, weakly clarifying that he meant the majority, not all. 
“Exactly. Not all relationships between gods and mortals are destined for failure and we all know you’re certainly not like most gods. So if anyone were to beat those odds, I’d say it would have to be you.” 
Kita Shinsuke does not mince words. He does not care to flatter even the most supreme beings with unwarranted and undeserved pleasantries. He only calmly speaks his truth. So despite how casually the words are thrown, as if the demi-god was just mentioning the weather or how his day was, Terushima gapes at his long-time friend, letting the true weight of their meaning sink in. 
Not like most gods. 
Terushima has been called an outsider by both gods and humans alike his entire life, but for once, the title feels like something to be proud of, to hold his head up high and triumphantly proclaim, and he blinks back the tears threatening to slip from the corner of his eyes as he shakily returns the warm smile on Kita’s face, choking out a laugh between his sniffles at the demi-god’s next words.
“You’re not your father, Terushima. Don’t let Zeus- What does Poseidon call him these days? Ah yes, don’t give Shittykawa the satisfaction of ruining your chance at love and happiness.” 
It’s startling, absurd really, to hear the foul nickname from Kita’s usually polite and mannerly mouth, but it drives home his point that much more and almond eyes glint with steely resolve. 
If Kita notices how Terushima rarely spends the night in their shared home anymore despite how he’d practically hibernated in his room during past winters, he doesn’t say anything.
If he notices how much more energetic and boisterous the god is despite the barren lands and frigid weather that would normally have dampened his spirits, he doesn’t comment on it. 
And if he just happens to accidentally meander around town and see a familiar blonde figure whose hand is interlaced with a mortal woman’s hand, he chalks it up to pure coincidence and certainly not because his curiosity had gotten the better of him. 
Kita Shinsuke is not nosy, even if the pictures he secretly takes of the couple and proudly develops, frames, and gifts to the god of wine during the holidays that year say otherwise.
It’s Terushima’s favorite and only gift he’s ever received during the human holiday season (although that quickly changes after he makes things official with you) and the first thing he hangs up on the walls of your shared bedroom years down the line when you move in together. 
And as he holds you in his arms and fondly smiles at the photos on the wall, reminiscing on the beginning of this joint journey with you, he thinks that winters aren’t so bad after all, affectionately kissing the top of your head as you snuggle and squirm closer to his body heat, slightly jostled by him adjusting and retucking both of you back in your warm and cozy blanket cocoon protecting you from the chilly air.  
He waits for you to settle back into a restful slumber before letting his own eyes drift shut once again, melting into the bedsheets and embrace of a place and person he can finally call home. 
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whirlybirdwhat · 4 years
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Sea of Monsters - Chapter 13
Happy Halloween! I made it with an hour to spare!
Usopp has some unique ancestry and he may not be brave or bold or daring - but he won’t let that stop him from following in his mother’s footsteps.
(Because like his father he can see, and like his mother he can protect.)
-
Read the entire series on Ao3 for better quality and authors notes! Gen, creepy, featuring all of the Straw Hats, multi-chapter story.
“The East Blue has a different nickname to those in the Grand Line, and those who hail it as home have a few… unique traits.”
---
Sight - Usopp (and Zoro)
His mother was a Tengu and his father a Feathered Seer, so Usopp sees a lot of things, more than most actually. His mother told him his father could as well (that was his nature) but Usopp doubts the man could have ever seen the world this brightly, seen this golden path fading in and out of existence every moment.
(If he had been able to see it, why did he leave? Couldn’t he see the life draining drop by drop along fevered cheeks from his wife? Couldn’t he see the way her feathers, black, glossy, and beautiful, wilted more with every day that went past?
Or had he been able to see it and instead of his family chose to chase the beautiful sight of the horizon, which danced with every step and promised a thousand worlds to explore?)
(Usopp sees the horizon and fears (knows) he will one day leave to conquer those thousand unending sunny days)
Usopp sees a lot, you see. The world to him is like a painting painted over a thousand other paintings – but he’s able to see each one as he scratches at the layers like one would at peeling wood with his sight. He sees the past and future and present, sees the paths of each person if he chooses to, and knows how the world will end and begin.
(But yet – there is still so much he doesn’t see, shrouded in shadow and dark thoughts. He sees more than others but not all – the limits to his powers are as blurred as they come.)
(Paths are always missing around Luffy – there are only ever two, twisting around each other in a dizzying dance and Usopp is content to follow the one his captain chooses (or doesn’t, in most cases.))
Usopp loves it – loves when his eyes grow hazy and he sees distant warriors of lands of other existences, fighting giants and snakes and gold fish the size of his island, loves when he sees a king with an aim straight and true, from an island far away, loves when he can tell Kaya, his friends, his crew all of these things.
(He loves it when he sees images of his mother, the stories of her life that she will never tell him – Yasopp did not fall in love with the woman lying weak (dead) in bed (though he does still love her); he fell in love with a warrior, a trickster, a woman with a thousand silver tongues and a rage against the world that traps her.
She was once the guardian of this isle – the reason she never followed her husband to sea.)
The point is – he sees a lot, and it’s probably from his father, the one thing left behind by the man. It aids him in his talents – he sees the other realms, other planes, and tells stories from them, he sees how they shift and adjusts his shots accordingly, he sees the future so he lies to save it – and he is glad for it.
However, Just because he can see through all the planes of existence, doesn’t mean he can walk through them to find a directionless swordsman who can walk through all of them by his own ability to get lost so badly that he jumps through realms.
He hates Zoro Duty.
“ZORO!” Usopp calls, irritated beyond belief, “WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU!”
Of course – there is no answer.
He expected nothing less, even if his voice echoes through a thousand different planes.  His crewmate is as stubborn as they come (with their Captain being the only one who could possibly beat him) and he tends to not listen to directions or respond when they are given.
(Hence, the need for someone to be on Zoro Duty, making sure the swordsman doesn’t get too lost. )
Usopp is beginning to wonder if Zoro even knows how directions work – because to the swordsman, north is up, as in up to the sky, and sometimes to the next plane.
(Usopp’s never actually been in these other existences – but occasionally he’ll ask Zoro what it’s like.
It’s one of the few times where Zoro actually attempts to describe something well. Of course, it’s not much - The air felt weird or It felt like I was falling or even The chocolate smell was everywhere what the hell - but it’s enough that he tries.
(But he does have to wonder if Zoro actually recognizes that he’s in a different realm.  He doesn’t seem to think he gets lost at any rate))
He remembers the first time Zoro got lost in front of Usopp.
(A moment there, the next gone, terrifying in a single instant)
Zoro had reappeared after taking a single step, five paces away, turning to Usopp saying
Where were you? and It’s been five hours.
It’s completely bizarre, how time seems to flow around him. He’s like Luffy in a way. So stubborn and headstrong not even silly things like fate and destiny and the laws of physics and time can tie him down.
Which is why, again Usopp hates Zoro Duty.
(Because there’s always a chance he’s going to find Zoro bleeding out after a long search, or find a horrific monster attacking him with Zoro just smirking, or Zoro aged a hundred years, or Zoro starting anotherinternational conflict or even worse – Zoro actually drunk.)
There’s a snap to his left, and a low curse, said in familiar tones (with an even odder tone of three voice speaking at once, only audible to Usopp and few others (those who know a demon’s true presence)) which means finally!
Zoro!
“Zoro!” Usopp repeats aloud, rushing through the greenery.
Finally! He thinks elatedly, before his foot steps on something wet and burning.
(Blood? Boiling blood?)
He steps back, ready to give a comical wail (he’s suffered far worse) when he notices exactly what is in front of.
Oh sswweeet chhhild?
The voice is soft and slithering, as one would expect from the mass of darkness standing in front of their bleeding swordsman.  It shifts and swirls with an unnatural ease, like bones sticking out of skin and being crunched underfoot.
It doesn’t belong – even if he didn’t have Sight he could have seen it - and the way reality bends around the thing strikes shivers up his spine.
(Usopp’s reminded of Thriller Bark, in that moment, watching the gigantean shadows of the fog fade in out of existence as if they were never there at all – so very, very wrong.)
And Zoro’s getting ready to fight the thing.
(There’s something unnatural in his eyes, something unknowing and lost in a way Zoro isn’t typically. Like he’s remembering something, being lured to something, something monstrous from his past like a temptation he never had the chance to take before.)
“STOP!” Usopp shouts, suddenly terrified and full of rage all at once in a beautiful cacophony of emotions.
Because this thing – this thing, this horrible beast from elsewhere, has taken advantage of his nakama, of Zoro, of how he doesn’t know how to differ between planes like Usopp does, how he doesn’t see the paths the world takes (only one – the path to the top (World’s Greatest Swordsman)), and he will get lost and hurt and No.
Usopp will not allow that to happen.
“Zoro! Stop!” He tries again, and this time the swordsman looks away from the beast, from the haunting vision between realms.
“Usopp?” The green haired swordsman mumbles around his sword, wild eyes searching for an explanation.
In the moment of distraction, the being lunges – teeth snarling and rabid – but Usopp is ready.
(His mother was a Tengu, and his father was a Feathered Seer – this means that he sees more than most, and that his feathers will be as ink on paper, telling, dark, and true. It also means that Usopp was born to guide, to protect.
Maybe he’s too cowardly to be as great as his mother was at protecting (a warrior dressed in red with a terrible beast in front of her, slayed with tricks and weapons and the words of a Protector – his mother-) but he can do it, when the need arises)
He was surprised to learn that certain salts (depths of the ocean thrust into the light, the kind from deep waters sunned upon rocks)  burned outside of the East Blue, like fire burning through his bones, the Veil smoking away by its presence. Thriller Bark had taught him much, and especially how to use this to his advantage.
When the salt from his Burning Salt Star hits the beast in the sliver of space attaching it to the world beyond, (a world that only Usopp can see) there is a wicked glow as it gives off an unholy wail...
And the beast burns.
Zoro looks mad as Usopp drags him away, but there is a light in his eyes that Usopp doesn’t like, that makes Zoro’s aura (the fatal oppressing force felt at Ennies Lobby that near consumed their swordsman – the move to that extent was banned by their captain but Zoro still likes to stretch his limbs and scare their enemies with Its essence) grow and darken around him, give faint images of deathless gods about him that Usopp did not like.
“Zoro.” He says, trying to reign their swordsman back in. “This realm – whatever you saw isn’t here.” He can’t say it isn’t real, that whatever Zoro saw in the beast doesn’t exist because Usopp can see a thousand words and Zoro can step through them, meaning it could be real.
“Yeah… yeah…” Zoro says, voice uncharacteristically small and distant. “Not here.”
“Not here,” Usopp agrees.
(He doesn’t know what kind of creature Zoro is, doesn’t know what tethers keep him with Usoppp and Luffy and the rest of the crew, doesn’t know what aura, dark and horrendous, finds its place in his friend’s bosom, but hell if he won’t make sure Zoro stays here.)
It’s quiet on the way back to the ship, but Usopp keeps a tight lock on Zoro’s shirt.
His teeth are sharp and his feathers ruffled, and Zoro’s eyes are still faraway, but he’s mostly sure whatever was dragging Zoro to there is gone now.  He’s not taking chances.
Its tripled, like it comes from three different sources, when Zoro speaks again, but when Usopp looks back there is only sincerity in his voice.
“Thanks Usopp.” – And finally, their swordsman isn’t lost in his head anymore.
(Usopp can see that as clear as he can see a million other worlds – and his friend’s path to the top of thisworld.)
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thedcdunce · 5 years
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Blue Beetle
“I got magic armor, dunno how it works. Got a magic rock inside my body, can't get it out, Went into outer space n' helped them, but now the superheroes hate me, gonna kill me, I'm the Blue Beetle.” - Blue Beetle
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Real Name: Jaime Reyes
Gender: Male
Height: 5′ 8″
Weight: 145 lbs (66 kg)
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black
Equipment:
Blue Beetle Scarab
Universe: New Earth
Base of Operations: El Paso, Texas
Citizenship: American
Parents: 
Alberto Reyes; father
Bianca Reyes; mother
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: 
Adventurer
Student
First Appearance: Infinite Crisis #3 (February, 2006)
Last Appearance: Teen Titans Vol 3 #100 (October, 2011)
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Equipment
Blue Beetle Scarab: Presently bonded to Jaime's spine, this symbiosis gives Jaime access to the Scarab's powers whenever he chooses. The Scarab can, and will, use its powers of its own accord; Jaime, however, can override the Scarab if need be. Should Jaime fall prey to a mind-altering power, the Scarab will take control of the armor.
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History
Jaime Reyes was the third Blue Beetle, a member of the Teen Titans.
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Origin
Jaime Reyes was a relatively normal high school student from El Paso, Texas. His father ran a garage, his mother was a paramedic, and his little sister was a brat. Jaime hung out with his two best friends Brenda and Paco, the mediator between the hard-working Brenda and the laid-back Paco. By both Brenda and Paco's accounts, he was a good friend, the kind of person who could let them be themselves, and who could always make things better. Jaime aimed to help his father out at the garage, but Alberto turned him down, not wanting to see his son grow up too fast.
Everything fell apart with the onset of the Infinite Crisis.
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The Blue Beetle Scarab
Some while before, Ted Kord, the second Blue Beetle, had come into possession of the Blue Beetle Scarab, the artifact which had given Dan Garrett, the first Blue Beetle, his powers. The Scarab had been presumed destroyed early in Ted's superhero career, but it was discovered intact in a pyramid in the Middle East. Ted lost the Scarab on a visit to the Rock of Eternity, home of the wizard Shazam. Shortly afterwards, he met his death at the hands of Maxwell Lord, Black King of Checkmate.
The Rock of Eternity was later destroyed in mystical battle between Shazam and the Spectre, its contents blasted across the world. The Blue Beetle Scarab came down in El Paso, fire and portent in its wake.
Jaime discovered the Scarab on the way home from school with Paco and Brenda, half-buried in a disused lot. He took it home, curious as to what it might be. That night, the Scarab came alive, and grafted itself to the base of Jaime's spine, inducing strange dreams in Jaime.
He also got into trouble with a local gang of magic meta humans called the Posse. Mistaking him for a magic meta human, they attempted to magically scan him and invite him to join. Jaime declined the offer, while the Scarab had no intention of being scanned, and it almost killed Probe. It easily bested the rest of the Posse.
The next night Booster Gold sought Jaime out, and took him to meet Batman. Booster had been to the future, where he had learned that Batman would seek out Brother Eye and fail - but he had also learned the Blue Beetle Scarab was the one thing capable of seeing Brother Eye.
Jaime went into space with Batman and his team. The Scarab saw where Brother Eye was hidden, and pulled the rogue satellite back into reality. Jaime, together with Black Canary and Green Arrow, destroyed Brother Eye's dimensional stabilizer, preventing it from escaping outside reality again. Once Batman's team had sent Eye plummeting Earthwards, the Scarab shunted Jaime outside dimensions itself, seeking to escape the Green Lanterns on the spaceship.
Unfortunately, the chaos of the dimensional stabilizer's destruction dilated time for Jaime. As far as he knew, he had only been outside dimensions a couple of minutes; on Earth, however, a whole year had passed.
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One Year Later
The next thing Jaime remembered, he had come down in the desert outside El Paso, and Guy Gardner was trying to kill him. Once Guy realized he was fighting a kid, he broke off the fight, but not without promising Jaime he would be back.
Jaime eventually managed to find his way back home, only to discover his year-long absence. In that time, his father had been crippled, forcing him to walk with a cane, Paco had teamed up with the Posse, and Brenda had been taken in by her aunt after her abusive father died in a DUI. He revealed his identity as the Blue Beetle to both his his family and his two friends; while his father and friends were understanding, his mother became suspicious and disbelieving that he was really Jaime, and his sister Milagro became terrified of him. It wasn't until Jaime returned to the scene of his rearrival and recalled the memories of what had happened that the two finally reconnected with and accepted him.
Jaime's attempts to learn more about the Scarab led him to the Posse - and involved him in their conflict with El Paso's resident crimelord, La Dama, as she sought to bring the magical metas of El Paso under her control.
Her henchman Diviner even got so far in manipulating The Bottom Feeder to abduct the baby daughter of the Posse leader Damper, Alina Jaime fought to save the baby, discovering he could permanently slay the Bottom Feeder but despite of the Bottom Feeders own wishes he refused as Jaime was not a murderer.
After that, Jaime and the Posse launched a raid on Warehouse 13 where La Dama was holding her collection of magic-metas, only to find most of them were happy where they were. However, the Posse managed to convince a good half of them that they could return to their ordinary lives, promising the Blue Beetle would defend them. La Dama had no choice but to accept this, or risk facing her guests' "objections." Jaime and La Dama made a reluctant truce - both knew the other's secret identity, and could make it public whenever they chose.
Jaime initially believed the Scarab was a mystical artifact, up until Peacemaker arrived, revealing that it was a piece of extraterrestrial technology. Jaime's search for more information took him back to where he had crash landed in the desert, in an attempt to find out about his missing year. He then headed out on Dan Garrett's trail, looking to find out what the first Blue Beetle had known about the Scarab.
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The Reach
The current Dan Garret was the original Blue Beetles granddaughter and claimed she had the right of the scarab, but since it was stuck to Jaime's spine she let it go.
However, it was Jaime's investigation into a cattle mutilation outside El Paso that would provide his biggest lead on the Scarab. His confrontation with the monstrous creation responsible led him to the Reach, the alien civilization who had created the Scarab and left it on Earth.
Jaime discovered that the Reach were galactic conquerors, who planned to add Earth to their list of conquests. Initially, the Scarab had been programmed to be obedient to the Reach, and to subordinate its host's will to them as well. The Reach had intended to present the Scarab's host as Earth's protector, before moving to establish their influence over the planet.
However, during the centuries the Scarab had spent on Earth, it had been infused with magic, the magical "corruption" preventing the Reach from controlling it. With Jaime's assistance, it had started to develop free will and independence, overriding the Reach's deepest programming.
Nevertheless, the Reach still intended to take over the planet, even without the Scarab to help them. As far as the rest of the world was concerned, the Reach were peaceful "galactic traders." Their secret bases and technology were hidden away, out of phase with the rest of the world, and Jaime was the only one who could see them.
Seeing Jaime and the Scarab as the biggest threat to their plans, the Reach attempted to eliminate them through the use of deniable agents, including Earth's supervillains. Jaime, meanwhile, tried to find out what the Reach were up to, and how he could stop them.
Worried that the Scarab might still be a threat, Jaime sought help from the local branch of S.T.A.R. Labs. An encounter with Livewire, who was being assessed there at the time, triggered a strange reaction in both Livewire and the Scarab, resulting in a fight. Superman put a halt to the battle, and helped to reassure Jaime about himself and the Scarab.
Jaime also assisted Traci Thirteen in foiling Eclipso's attempt to kidnap a baby with great magical potential and use it as a new, uncorrupted host. During the course of the adventure, Jaime and Traci developed a romantic interest in each other, and remained in long-distance contact after Eclipso' defeat.
When the Reach recruited Lobo to prevent the launch of a rocket containing anti-Reach technology, Jaime teamed up with the Teen Titans to make sure the rocket lifted off safely. Afterwards, the Titans invited Jaime to Titans Tower, so he could hang out with them, get training, and learn how to fight. Jaime took them up on the invitation - and found himself helping the Titans fight off their future incarnations, the Titans of Tomorrow.
Finally, Jaime and the Scarab managed to uncover the Reach's scheme and destroy it, but also ended up destroying any evidence of the scheme,
By this point, the Scarab had become an independent, free-willed entity in its own right, naming itself Khaji Da. Together, Jaime and the Scarab devised a plan to bring the Reach down before they tried conquering Earth again.
Jaime allowed himself to be captured by the Reach, giving the Scarab the chance to hack into the Reach's computers and broadcast their invasion plans worldwide. The Reach's Negotiator, driven to breaking point, ordered Earth's destruction - but again, Jaime and the Scarab intervened, stopping the world-rippers before they could be activated.
The Reach were forced to withdraw, claiming that the Negotiator had "gone rogue." The Scarab, however, had had a conversation with the other Scarabs onboard the Reach ship - a little surprise for the Reach.
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Battle For The Border
Jaime is next seen with a man dog creature who was battling another man for the name Hell Hound. He tried to convince both of them to take other names and quit there fighting. The two did not and attacked Jaime. He quickly dispatched them both. Flying away he came to the border where Peacemaker was fighting a group of super powered criminals. When he arrived they took a hostage. Jaime had to call of Peacemaker to save her but the kidnapper threw her off the side of the cliff. Jaime saved her but the group had run away when he tried to use the Beetle to track them he found out there was to much interference. The girl he saved ended up needing a place to stay and ended up staying with Paco and his family.
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Fun Facts
Jaime is Mexican-American; one of his grandmothers lives in Mexico City.
Jaime, or at least his family, is Christian; there is a picture of Jesus in the Reyes house, and Alberto makes mention of attending church.
One disturbing event in the Scarab's history suggests how alien the Scarab may be. During Ted Kord's time as Blue Beetle, the Scarab - or something using it - resurrected Dan Garrett, and the half-crazed Dan went on a rampage, searching for Ted. When Ted finally confronted Dan, the Scarab offered him its powers, claiming it needed a new host; Ted refused, and convinced Dan to break the Scarab's control over him, shattering the Scarab's physical form and sending Dan to his final rest.
Jaime's deepest desire is to be a dentist as revealed by Eclipso when she attempted to turn Jaime against Paco by using her powers to transform Jaime into his deepest darkest desires, expecting him to become a killing machine. This ends up working against her as Paco slaps Jaime down with a large stick and defeats him with ease.
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mathiaskillmaster · 5 years
Text
Rebirth of the Dragon (After GOT / Daenerys Targaryen) Part 12
Essos, Dothraki Sea
As was the custom, Kinvara's body was cremated at a funeral pyre, at a ceremony where Queen Daenerys and each of her allies paid silent but sincere homage to the late priestess, who, knowing what would arrive, had accepted her fate in order to save the life of one of the dragons. Daenerys could never forget this sacrifice to save one of her sons, and would do everything in her power so that the death of Kinvara was not in vain. The necklace of Kinvara had been removed from her, and according to the custom of the cult of R'hllor, the object was taken back to Volantis by the guards of the Fiery Hand, in order to be given to the successor of Lady Kinvara who would then see baptized new high priest or high priestess of Volantis. The ashes of Kinvara were not locked up to remain a prisoner of an urn but allowed the east wind to disperse them, so that her body and her soul could forever live free forever.
From this sacrifice Joreas could have come back, alive and well, and rid of all traces of the venom of Manticore that was eating him. It was as if the poison had evaporated from his body, and maybe that was the case? The powers of the Master of Light were very mysterious, and yet so real to judge by what she had seen in recent months. Not far from the dothraki camp, by an early afternoon in the pleasant warmth of the sun and in the middle of the tall and wild grass dancing in the wind of the East, Daenerys sat on a large rock, leaving the heat cover her and the wind caress her face and her hair. Joreas was with her, sleepy, his head resting on his mother's lap and also let the star of the day warm up his brown scales. Delicately and without pulling him out of his torpor, Daenerys, pensive, caressed the neck of her young dragon, spending a lot of time with him for the past few days, making sure that he regains his strength, that he eat well and manages to to sleep. Drogon and Mirrandes had also been very concerned about the health of their younger brother, and Drogon, as protector and big brother he was, remained permanently close to the other two, almost playing the role of father.
Mirrandes fluttered in the azure sky a few dozen meters above the plain and seemed to bring something between her mighty claws. She dropped not far from the rock what looked like the bloody carcass of a wild ram. Alerted by the sound of the carcass falling on the ground and the smell of blood, Joreas raised his head in a hungry roar, and Daenerys watched him move toward the dead animal, while Mirrandes joined him for the feast. Although a little disgusted by the strong smell of blood and fresh flesh nearby, Daenerys can only be reassured to see her two new children dragons eat with appetite, grabbing large shreds of bloody flesh between their jaws. Although very young, they were already as formidable as adult beasts. This prey being too small for him, Drogon remained behind, lying peacefully in the tall grass and while letting the sun's rays warm his giant body, watched his younger brother and younger sister feasting on their prey. Still sitting on the rock, Daenerys began to close her eyes and looked up at the sky, letting the afternoon heat again overwhelm her.
Recently, she had received news. Shortly after her departure for Westeros, the slavers had managed in the utmost secrecy to reform their coalition and one by one, had taken over the cities liberated by the young queen, enslaving the poor again and reforming their vast and horrific slavery empire of Slaver's Bay. This news, though not surprising, had plunged the queen into deep anger. Other rumors coming from Volantis's neighboring countries were that the Golden Company, or at least what was left of it, had fallen into disgrace after the fiasco of King's Landing, and that the warriors who still composed it found without contracts. No news of any kind came from Westeros, and for Daenerys it was not worse. Never again did she want to hear about this damn West land.
Apart from news from different countries, Daenerys continued to make dreams for the least singular. One in particular marked her. She was always alone, in a huge dark space, cold and desolate, in the middle of which stands a gigantic barral asleep, and each time, the screams of the crow resound, coming to surround her from all sides while three terrifying blue eyes are born of the gnarly bark of the barral, disemboweling it in a flood of blood and darkness and harpooning the young woman with their monstrous irises. While she thinks herself at the mercy of this nascent monstrosity eager to devour her, the fiery and protective flames interpose, and from them emanates a great dragon with incandescent eyes, roaring against the abomination of darkness and hindering him.
_ "I would not like to be at the place of this dead animal." suddenly commented on a familiar voice approaching the rock. It was Yara. Daenerys smiled slightly at her coming and let her come to contemplate the feast of the two dragons, having turned the ram into a real bloody puzzle. Yara leaned against the rock, before talking to the queen again.
_ "With all due respect, my queen, you should not be left alone outside the camp, especially with a faceless man in the area."
_ "I'm not alone," Daenerys corrected, pointing to her dragons, who could be just as formidable as a legion of over-armed guards. She scored a point. Yara also noticed that Daenerys seemed to be staring at her while mentioning that she would never be alone.
_ "Speaking of faceless man..." Daenerys said turning to Yara and taking a tone almost suspicious "... Who tells me that you are not the murderer who took the face of Yara to approach without arousing suspicion?"
Yara showed a smile, almost amused, and looked at the queen straight in the eye.
_ "In that case, what are you waiting for to order your dragons to tear me to pieces, or to burn me to ashes?" Yara asked, almost defiantly. Daenerys said nothing, but recognized that Yara's nerve was not displeasing to her. She liked to see women with a strong character, like her.
_ "Maybe I should ..... but no ...... I'm tired of losing the people who matter to me."
_ "That's the weight for all the leaders, without exception ..." Yara told her as she approached and came to sit next to her. Daenerys let her go, still listening to her. "... I could not even be there to help my brother Theon during the Battle of Winterfell. I let him go, hoping he would come back .... and he sacrificed his life for a family that only used him."
Daenerys knew what family she was referring to, which gave her a bitter taste in her mouth, as well as a deep feeling of sadness across her throat. Daenerys' hand gently took Yara's hand, forcing Yara to look at the dragon queen in her eyes.
_ "I didn't know your brother very well, but he had appeared to me to be a noble and honorable man, just like you. The alliance of our two houses is one of the best things I could ever do. The dragon and the kraken, united against their common enemies."
With these words, she had tightened her grip on Yara's hand, symbolizing that strength and union that survived through them. Yara remained silent, but she understood Queen Targaryen's words very well and nodded forcefully. Reassured, Daenerys rose from the rock, falling to her feet on the soft ground, and began to move away, before giving a final order to the queen-born.
_ "Meet me behind my tent, in a few minutes, with your armor and your weapons."
********* As requested, Yara made her way to the khaleesi tent, with her armor with the kraken's coat of arms on her breastplate, and her belt, ax and sword. A little puzzled by the Daenerys order, she did not say anything to Shen or Grey Worm. Going around the tent to get behind, Yara found herself in front of Daenerys, who was waiting for him.
Queen Targaryen stood there, wearing a dothraki leather outfit, like that of the warriors, and holding in her hand her sword with the gleaming blade that was given to her in the flames and judging by her look, was determined to make use of it. Yara raised an eyebrow.
_ "Majesty?"
_ "Why did I lose everyone I loved, Yara? Tell me why?" asked Daenerys, which Yara did not know what to say. "Because I was not strong enough ..." Daenerys completed "... but today you're going to help me become one, you're an ironborn, the first queen of the iron islands, a true warrior .... Train me to sword fighting."
Yara had heard it well. By the determined tone of her voice and look, she knew she was more than serious.
_ "Is this an order, my queen?" Yara asked one last time, as if to tell her if she was sure of what she wanted. Daenerys's look was enough to make her understand the answer. Yara pulled off her gray cloak, dropping it to the ground and taking her iron sword in hand, making a few nimble reels with and coming in front of Daenerys.
_ "First, show me how you position yourself."
Daenerys executed herself, and holding her sword in her right hand, placed her right leg back and her left leg forward. Yara examined carefully.
_ "Watch your feet." she said pointing to the bottom. Daenerys lowered her eyes to see, and suddenly felt the cold tip of Yara's blade come to touch her chin. Daenerys then looked up at her and Yara made him understand by the look she had made a mistake.
_ "First lesson ...." said the iron queen "... never lose sight of your opponent ... One look elsewhere, one second of inattention, and you are dead."
Daenerys nodded and Yara pulled her blade away, stepping back several steps and firmly grasping the handle of her weapon, staring at Queen Targaryen.
_ "Now, attack me." Yara asked simply with conviction. Daenerys took a deep breath, gripping her sword with both hands, and darted for a smoky first hit, which Yara countered very easily. The two blades clashed in a thud, giving rise to a few sparks. The sword was neither too big nor too small and seemed perfectly suited to the handling of the dragon queen, as if it had been fashioned for her and her alone.
Daenerys then attempted further attacks on the flanks, but Yara avoided them or all of them with her blade, even tripping the dragon queen to the ground, disarming her and blocking her on the ground. But as Yara reached out to Daenerys to help her get up, she was thrown to the ground of the young Targaryen woman who took advantage of the opportunity, picking up her sword and in turn, blocked Yara on the floor leaning over her.
_ "I see you are learning fast, majesty." Yara said, unable to stop herself from sketching a smile.
Daenerys smiles too, proud of her little trick. The two women remained silent for a few seconds, looking into each other's eyes, and Yara could only see that Daenerys was now leaning over her. Finally, too, and seeing the semblance of embarrassment over the sudden flush of Yara's face, Daenerys withdrew, a little embarrassed too, and her cheeks tinged with a slight purple.
_ "I .... uh ..... let's continue, please." said Daenerys, to change the subject and put an end to this somewhat heavy silence. Seeing the queen brandishing her sword again in front of her, Yara straightened up, picking up her weapon and gladly joining the next lesson.
********** In the evening, as the sky of the Dothraki Sea was painted red twilight, Daenerys had returned to his tent, after long hours of training with Yara. The body invaded with aches, the young queen wanted to relax and had a bath in the small bathtub that was available to her. Leaving her dusty clothes, laying the sword and its sheath on the bed, and detaching her long silvery hair falling like a waterfall on her shoulders and the top of her back, Daenerys entered the hot and steaming water, without fear of the slightest burn, and sits peacefully, letting her muscles and mind relax after such a day. A young girl, Mira, formerly captured by the dothrakis and originally from the fishing village who was attacked, was proposed as a new servant of the khaleesi, which the latter accepted, promising the girl that she would never treat her as a slave.
Bringing a chalice filled with hot water, the young maid poured it into the bathtub, adding a little more steam, and then came to wash the hair of Daenerys, the long, silky silver hair dripping with drops.
_ "Mira ....." Daenerys asked, keeping her eyes closed while her new maid was washing her hair ".... I've never asked you before, but why did you wanted to become my maid? Don't believe that your company displeases me, on the contrary, but nothing compelled you to do it."
The young Mira smiled shyly while spinning a strand of silver hair and letting the water flow into the container underneath.
_ "My parents often told me the story of this young and mysterious silver-haired queen, shining like a sun, who arrived one day, from nowhere, at the head of a large and powerful army of former slaves and with her three majestic dragons born from stone and fire .... One by one, she released the cities from the hold of slave masters, bringing a semblance of hope to those who had all their lives treated worse than animals ..... it was as the priests and priestesses of R'hllor once said: the one born from fire and ashes, the one who was promised by the master of light, would one day bring down her judgment on the culprits and build a better world."
Daenerys opened her eyes, listening to every word that was spoken by Mira, who said it like a girl who likes to tell her favorite story. Daenerys was touched, internally. If she had been able to give hope to young children, like Mira, she had to pursue this path, as the master of light had shown her.
_ "And ... where are your parents now?" asked Daenerys again. The question gently made Mira grimace, and the queen guessed that she had just opened a more sensitive subject.
_ "My mother died two years ago by a high fever, and my father lost his life when the dothrakis attacked our village. Their khal, the one your majesty reduced to ashes with her dragon, which decapitated my father and forced me to look."
Onro. It's about him she was talking about. It also reinforced Daenerys' conviction of putting a definitive end to this monster's actions.
Now that she has finally rallied her khalasar, strengthening her new army with the help of unsullied, ironborns and R'hllor faithful, Daenerys may soon be focusing on her new and primary goal: the reconquest of Slaver's Bay and the final eradication of the slave empire. She thought for a moment about the mercenaries in disgrace of the remains of the Golde Company, and their war elephants, who had remained in Essos. Extra troops would not be too much, she told herself while being washed.
**********
Westeros, King's Landing
A fine rain of flakes had begun to fall on the silent capital of the six kingdoms .... A gray sky invaded by black clouds had chased the sunlight as well as the heat of the summer for a macabre and biting coldness. Accompanying the snow, a polar wind had risen, coming from nowhere.
In the streets of King's Landing, no noise was heard, not even the breath of a person ..... Blood and death permeated every part of the city. Slowly advancing and gathering in hordes more and more important, civilians and soldiers, men, women and children, all formerly human but now reduced to blue-eyed cadaveric puppets, crossed the devastated and dead streets of the capital, all heading towards the great gates. At the head of this gigantic new army of the living dead, Bran advanced, his ice skin streaked with veinlets having completely covered his face like the rest of his body, his blue eyes shining in the darkness rising around him, and thin ice horns having begun to grow on his forehead. Among the first deaths that followed him were Bronn and Ser Davos, who were also transformed.
Followed by his new army, Bran, or the new Night King, looked in front of him and made his slow but determined step towards north, apparently determined to reach the place of the defeat that saw his death: Winterfell.
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supernova1us · 5 years
Text
My “The Dark Crystal” sequel story
This was my full idea for a sequel story(movie/book) to The Dark Crystal. I came up with this a few years ago after the manga prequel had come out and obviously before the recent sequel comics were released.  
100 years after the healing of the dark crystal, an elderly Jen and kira, along with their four children, live in the castle of the crystal.  They, advised by aughra, guard the crystal and guide the many podlings that have come to live in the valley.  Their two oldest children have left on a journey south based on rumors of surviving gelflings far away.  They are gone for over a month when a near death gelfling returns to the castle, revealing that the surviving gelflings have been enslaved for many years by a surviving skeksis, who has also imprisoned the prince and princess.  
Aughra reveals that the enemy is skeklach the collector, counterpart to the mystic ursen the monk. Both were very individualistic and clearly struck out on their own and resisted the reunification of the urskeks. Knowing where ursen may reside and could possibly aid them in some way, aughra prepares to lead jen and kira to him. Their two youngest children insist they must march south to save their siblings.  When they remain adamant, aughra sends them east to search for her son Raunip, who may be of great help.  The siblings leave along with their podling friend and a lone gartham their parents had conjured as a protector.  As they head west, aughra reveals that she believes her son is long dead and that it was a fool’s errand to keep the children out of harm’s way, of which their parents are unsure about.  
The children make their way through a dangerous and haunted jungle, with their gartham, who they name clack, guarding and developing real affection for them.  At its center they discover a refuge where raunip indeed lives, in exile out of shame.  He reveals that he distrusted the urskeks and his taunting of one who was more individualist caused the great division and nearly doomed their world.  That urskek, who he once dubbed “dark heart”, split to become ursen and skeklach. After hearing that his mother still desires to see him, he bravely joins them to redeem himself and they all head south.  
After some time traveling, they discover a terrifying fortress built by the gelfling slaves and are soon captured by monstrous hound beasts and brought before skeklach. He reveals he has tortured their older siblings into subservience and as he works the slaves, he uses a nightmarish mechanism to harvest the hope to live they lose to act as substitute for essence to keep him living.  
Aughra, jen and kira arrive at a secluded temple where ursen resides.  Through meditation, he had long been able to access his counterparts mind. He shares with them vision of past memories of skeklach as a favorite of the skeksis emperor for his capture of many gelflings.  He however desired the throne and secretly began drinking the emperors essence supply for himself.  When his crimes were revealed, he lashed out and fled the castle with a stockpile of stolen essence to sustain him.  Ursen felt guilt over one of the other mystics dying due to skeklach murdering his counterpart in his escape and so broke from his companions and went into solitude. He admits that his shame deafened him to the crystals call just as skeklachs arrogance did to him.  He then leaves with them to return to the castle, where he predicts they must be.  
Skeklach relishes “collecting” raunip and clack and enslaves the others.  Hopeful of saving their older siblings, they reveal the rebirth of the crystal and insight a revolt among the slaves.  Skeklachs’ hounds round up the slaves and he throws the podling into a chasm to his death after they have surrendered.  Having learned through his spys that the crystal is revitalized and the castle unguarded, he takes raunip and heads there with his hounds, leaving the slaves to die in their cells.  After some time, the older prince and princess, having witnessed their younger siblings’ bravery, regain their minds and free the slaves.  Clack is ordered to protect the gelflings and lead them back to the castle while the four siblings summon a sky serpent to fly them there faster.  
Skeklach arrives and enters the castle with raunip while his hounds menace the podling village.  In the crystal chamber he is confronted by jen, kira and aughra and he physically removes them from his way.  He is then confronted by ursen, who implores him to see past himself and accept their time has passed and to embrace his truce self. Angry and resilient, he violently beats his counterpart, ignoring the concurrent pain he causes himself. As he moves to claim the crystal, the sky serpent arrives with the gelflings and skeklach summons his hounds to defend him. As the serpent dispatches the beasts, aughra alone sees the weakened ursen embrace the crystal and be absorbed into it.
The serpent takes to the sky with the beasts clinging to it and drops them to their doom.  In the confusion, skeklach seizes jen and kira and moves to revitalize himself with the crystal, only for ursen to materialize and seize him, freeing the pair. In the crystals light, even as skeklach struggles and begs, he and ursen are merged and reborn as their pure urskek self. Thankful and at peace, he prepares to move on to the next world, and welcomes jen and kira to join him.  After a tearful goodbye, and a reunion for aughra and raunip, the 3 are engulfed in the crystals light.  Soon after, clack and the gelflings have returned and with the podlings built a new home in the land around the castle. The older siblings, now as king and queen, proclaim the crystal available to all who seek its light. Inspired, raunip, joined by the younger heirs and clack, journey out to explore the world.  
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aion-rsa · 7 years
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Dark Horse Comics’ May 2017 Solicitations
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Kentaro Miura (W/A/Cover)
On sale July 5 • b&w, 208 pages • $14.99 • TP, 5 1/8″ x 7 1/4″
Guts and company reach the isle of Skellig in hopes that elven magic can cure the afflicted Casca. Meanwhile, Guts’s Band of the Hawk comrade Rickert journeys to Falconia, the seat of power for Griffith, the Hawks’ former commander. But the glittering towers of Falconia cast deadly shadows!
Over a million copies sold of Dark Horse Berserk manga!
One of the most popular long-running adult manga series ever published.
New Berserk anime TV series to air in 2017.
Black Hammer #9
Jeff Lemire (W/Variant cover), David Rubín (A/C/Cover), and Dave Stewart (C)
On sale May 24 • FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Ongoing
In the golden age of space exploration, Colonel Randall Weird was on the frontlines. In his interstellar travels he encountered many strange worlds and alien civilizations, but none more curious than the technological marvel that became his best friend: Talky-Walky! Guest artist David Rubín reveals her robotic backstory in this special issue of Black Hammer!
“Black Hammer isn’t just a five-star comic, it’s a five-star series and it has taken fans by storm.”—All-Comic
Featuring guest artist David Rubín (Ether)!
The Black Sinister HC
Kaare Andrews (W), Troy Nixey (A/Cover), and Dave McCaig (C)
On sale July 26 • FC, 72 pages • $9.99 • HC, 7” x 10”
A pitch-black tale of a city that lives in fear—not of crime or gangs, but the billionaire vigilante sworn to protect them.
Emerson Black’s superhero identity is no secret: patrolling the night skies as the Black Sinister, he enforces his own brand of psychotic justice, no matter the cost. Joined by his unhinged butler Danby, Emerson protects the citizens of Coal City from kidnappers, gangs, and jaywalkers alike. But who will protect the city from the Black Sinister? And what happens when the mayor hatches a plan to finally rid Coal City of its deranged antihero?
From the creator of Renato Jones, and the artist on Lobster Johnson and director of Guillermo del Toro’s horror masterpiece Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark!
An original graphic novel for only $10!
Blade of the Immortal Omnibus Volume 3 TP
Hiroaki Samura (W/A/Cover)
On sale July 5 • b&w, 656 pages • $19.99 • TP, 5 3/4″ x 8 1/4″
Over 650 pages of samurai battles and bitter rivalries! Rin’s seemingly immortal protector, Manji, is helping her destroy the eccentric, bloodthirsty Ittō-ryū sword school. While Manji has his hands full with a trio of devious assassins, Rin decides to make her way across Edo in a solo search for the murderous Anotsu Kagehisa!
Get deep into the series before the 2017 film!
Hiroaki Samura’s award-winning epic continues in value-priced collections!
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 11 #7
Christos Gage (W), Rebekah Isaacs (A/Variant cover), Dan Jackson (C), and Steve Morris (Cover)
On sale May 24 • FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Ongoing
Having determined that breaking out of the Safe Zone is impossible, Buffy and Willow struggle with the decision of having their magic removed so that they can return to the world outside—in the hopes that breaking in to the magical internment camp might go easier. But once their magic is gone, will two normal human girls be able to succeed?
Catch “deleted scenes” on the variant covers!
“Any Buffy fan is going to be stoked about this new series, Season 11, and a new story arc of awesomeness!”—ComicWow TV
The Complete Doc Unknown HC
Fabian Rangel Jr. (W) and Ryan Cody (A/Cover)
On sale July 19 • FC, 360 pages • $24.99, 6” x 10”
After crash-landing his fighter plane during World War II, Warren Williams is taken in and trained by the warrior monks of the secret temple of Min-Yao. After a Nazi ambush, Warren returns to Gate City as Doc Unknown, a mystery man on the side of light in a world being consumed by darkness.
Read as Doc Unknown must protect Gate City from ruthless gangsters, monstrous mobsters, possessed museum attractions, evil secret societies, vampire ninjas, vengeful ghosts, hypnotizing fish-women, and much more!
Pinups by Mike Mignola, Eric Powell, and more.
Conan the Slayer #10
Cullen Bunn (W), Sergio Dávila (A), Michael Atiyeh (C), and Phroilan Gardner (Cover)
On sale May 31 • FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Ongoing
Where once was an abandoned ruin, the glittering city of Xapur suddenly rises again. Conan, drawn by deceit to the ancient necropolis, is now lost in this resurrected fortress . . . but he is not alone. For the demon Khosatral Khel, the Devil in Iron, walks the streets once more!
“I am not sure what it is, but Bunn-Dávila-Atiyeh have nailed it. Conan is in fine hands in this title, and I really am eager to see the next issue!”—Outright Geekery
Dark Horse Presents #34
Eisner and Harvey award winner!
Ron Randall (W/A), Carla Speed McNeil (W), Jim Alexander (W), Shannon Wheeler (W/A), Will Pickering (P), Fin Cramb (P), and Steve Rude (Cover)
On sale May 17 • FC, 48 pages • $4.99 • Ongoing
This month’s issue features new installments of Shannon Wheeler’s Too Much Coffee Man; Ron Randall’s Trekker: The Volstock Payoff; Carla Speed McNeil’s Finder: Chase the Lady; Jim Alexander, Will Pickering, and Fin Cramb’s Savant; and much more!
“Dark Horse Presents . . . is a must-read for any and all comic book fans, both casual and hardcore.” —Comic Booked
Dept. H #14
Matt Kindt (W/A/Cover) and Sharlene Kindt (C)
On sale May 24 • FC, 28 pages • $3.99 • Ongoing
Unable to return to the surface, the surviving crew of Dept. H must make some difficult choices, with air and livable space at a premium. Will they have to sacrifice one of their own in order for the rest to survive? Meanwhile, we begin to see the larger role that Verve has played in the fate of our crew.
Featuring content exclusive to the single issues!
“Kindt breaks all pre-conceived notions of what comic books are.”—IGN
Dept. H Volume 2: After the Flood HC
Matt Kindt (W/A/Cover) and Sharlene Kindt (C)
On sale July 5 • FC, 168 pages • $19.99 • HC, 7” x 10”
Six miles below the surface of the ocean, Mia has to solve a locked-room murder mystery before the crime scene is completely flooded. As the crew tries to save the Dept. H base from destruction, some of them start to take matters into their own hands. But the bottom of the ocean is full of unknown dangers, and with time running out, rescue is almost impossible. Collects issues #7-#12.
A complete arc! A perfect jumping-on point for new readers!
“[Kindt’s comics are] nothing short of genius.”—Jesse Alexander, producer of Lost
DOTA 2: The Comic Collection HC
Valve Corporation (W/A)
On sale July 19 • FC, 200 pages • $24.99 • HC, 11” x 9”
Valve Corporation and Dark Horse Books are proud to present this complete collection of the web comics produced by Valve that dive deeper into the many characters and events from the game. Collected for the first time ever, DOTA 2: The Comic Collection is a must-have item for comics fans and DOTA heroes alike.
Dragon Age: Knight Errant #1 (of 5)
Nunzio DeFilippis (W), Christina Weir (W), Fernando Heinz Furukawa (A), Michael Atiyeh (C), and Sachin Teng (Cover)
On sale May 10 • FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Miniseries
BioWare’s best-selling fantasy franchise lives on in these canonical comics from Dark Horse!
Elven squire Vaea and her knight arrive in Kirkwall for Varric Tethras’s appointment as viscount. A talented thief, Vaea takes on an easy job . . . but when she chooses to change the terms of the deal midheist, she is entangled in a dangerous mission that is surely above her pay grade.
An essential addition to the Dragon Age canon!
Covers by Sachin Teng!
Ether Volume 1: Death of the Last Golden Blaze TP
Matt Kindt (W) and David Rubín (A/Cover)
On sale July 19 • FC, 152 pages • $14.99 • TP, 7” x 10”
A science-minded adventurer gets mixed up in the mysteries of a fantasy world in this charming new adventure from an award-winning creative team. Boone Dias is an interdimensional explorer, a scientist from Earth who has stumbled into great responsibility. He’s got an explanation for everything, so of course the Ether’s magical residents turn to him to solve their toughest crimes. But maybe keeping the Real and the Abstract separate is too big a job for just one man. Collects issues #1–#5.
“Kindt is one of the smartest genre writers in comics.”—Mental Floss on Ether
Game of Thrones Character Magnet Set 3
On sale June 28 • 6 Magnets • $8.99
Set is 7.75” x 10” in plastic sleeve. Includes five character magnets and a Game of Thrones logo magnet.
Game of Thrones Journal: Daenerys and Drogon
On sale June 28 • 128 pages • $9.99
The latest journal from our Game of Thrones line of products. 5 1/2” x 8 1/2” spiral- bound journal.
Gary Gianni’s MonsterMen and Other Scary Stories TP
Gary Gianni (W/A/Cover)
On sale July 5 • b&w, 168 pages • $19.99 • TP, 8” x 10″
Gary Gianni created one of the strangest occult detective teams in comics history: millionaire filmmaker Lawrence St. George and his associate, Benedict, of the venerable guild of Corpus Monstrum. They navigate a peculiar and deadly world plagued by squid pirates, zombie cowboys, abominable snowmen, mustachioed skulls, and fat, flying demons.
Gianni’s meticulous and evocative art combined with his haunting but often hilarious writing create a horror comic unlike anything else on the stands. This book also includes classic prose stories by Robert E. Howard, Clark Ashton Smith, and more, illustrated by Gianni.
Hot off the success of Hellboy: Into the Silent Sea, Gianni’s original masterpiece returns in paperback!
“These are (along with a few issues of Stan and Jack’s Fantastic Four) my all time favorite comic book stories.”—Mike Mignola
“Gianni is a master—The MonsterMen leaves no doubt: the dude knows how to rock a comic book page.”—Michael Chabon
Glister TP
Andi Watson (W/A/Cover)
On sale July 5 • FC, 304 pages • $14.99 • TP, 6” x 9”
Strange things happen around Glister Butterworth. A young girl living on her family’s English estate, Glister has unusual adventures every day, like the arrival of a teapot haunted by a demanding ghost, a crop of new relatives blooming on the family tree, a stubborn house that walks off its land in a huff, and a trip to Faerieland to find her missing mother.
All four Glister stories collected into a value priced edition!
Perfect for younger readers!
The Guild Library Edition Volume 1 HC
Various (W/A)
On sale July 12 • FC, 288 pages • $49.99 • HC, 8” x 12”
Set before the web series begins, these stories follow lonely violinist Cyd Sherman trying to navigate a frustrating personal life as she stumbles on an online MMO called The Game. As she gathers friends in-game, she gains confidence to confront all the problems in her real life. With, ahem, varying results.
The Guild is a pioneer among web series, referred to by Rolling Stone as one of “the net’s best serial shows.” Heartwarming and hilarious, this is a comic origin story that brings an award-winning world to life in a unique way that will delight geeks of all ages. Especially gamers. Collects The Guild #1–#3, The Guild: Vork, The Guild: Tink, The Guild: Bladezz, The Guild: Clara, and The Guild: Zaboo.
Harrow County #23
Cullen Bunn (W) and Tyler Crook (A/Cover)
On sale May 10 • FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Ongoing
The death of one of Harrow County’s most powerful magical forces leaves a void in Mason Hollow. Bernice is forced to choose between her oldest friend and her own future when she’s offered powers beyond her wildest dreams . . . and the chance to save her home from destruction!
Featuring special backup stories exclusive to the single issues!
“One of the books I forward to every month, Harrow County delivers another quality issue.”—Comics The Gathering
H. P. Lovecraft’s The Hound and Other Stories TP
Gou Tanabe (W/A/Cover)
On sale July 12 • b&w, 184 pages • $12.99 • TP, 5” x 7 1/8”
A pair of decadent young men pursue the abhorrent thrill of grave robbing . . . A German submarine’s crew is driven mad by the call of an underwater temple . . . An explorer in the Arabian Desert discovers a hideous city older than mankind. This moody and evocative manga gets back to the dark foundations of the Cthulhu mythos, adapting three of H. P. Lovecraft’s original stories that first shaped the outlines of cosmic horror!
Artist Gou Tanabe’s first publication in English!
Gou Tanabe is a favorite creator of Taiyo Matsumoto (Sunny, Tekkonkinkreet).
From Japan’s magazine Comic Beam, acclaimed home of the manga Thermae Romae, Emma, and Wandering Son.
I Am a Hero Omnibus Volume 4 TP
Kengo Hanazawa (W/A/Cover)
On sale July 26 • FC, 480 pages • $19.99 • TP, 5 1/8” x 7 1/4″
Now subservient to a band of strange men with odd postapocalyptic survival rules, will Hideo find a way to escape this desperate group at an outlet mall and rescue the sick, partially mutated Hiromi? This hit manga series is presented in a deluxe omnibus format, collecting two of the original Japanese volumes into each Dark Horse edition.
A worldwide best-selling series—finally in English!
Winner of the esteemed Shogakukan Manga Award and now a feature film!
Joe Golem: Occult Detective—The Outer Dark #1 (of 3)
Mike Mignola (W), Christopher Golden (W), Patric Reynolds (A), Dave Stewart (C), and Dave Palumbo (Cover)
On sale May 31 • FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Miniseries
Two years after he killed a child-snatching monster and stopped an undead takeover in the Drowning City, occult detective Joe Golem searches for a man with superhuman strength who is attacking citizens under orders from the otherworldly voices in his head. But Joe has his own demons to wrestle with . . .
“Joe Golem continues to be everything you could possibly want it to be. Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden are a heck of a team, and Patric Reynolds continues to complement them perfectly by bringing unique worlds to life stunningly with his art.”—Big Comic Page
Kill All Monsters! Omnibus Volume 1 HC
Robots! Monsters! Destruction!
Michael May (W) and Jason Copland (A/Cover)
On sale July 19 • b&w, 368 pages • $24.99 • HC, 9” x 6”
Monsters rule the world. Humanity’s last hope is a squad of giant robots and their skilled pilots, all from different backgrounds, each with a unique reason to fight. Can we survive the conflict? Are we worth saving? A familiar but wholly original story about war, survival, and the human spirit, told through gigantic-scale battles fought by memorable characters! Contains nearly 200 pages of new story, in addition to collecting the entire hit web comic!
A complete and original adventure inspired by giant-monster movies!
The first half of the story was funded through a successful Kickstarter earning five times the initial pledge goal!
Lead Poisoning: The Pencil Art of Geof Darrow HC
Geof Darrow (W/A/Cover)
On sale July 5 • FC, 128 pages • $34.99 • HC, 9” x 12”
Geof Darrow’s slick, precise inks and stunning detail have amazed comics fans for decades, from his early work with Moebius to Hard Boiled, his first collaboration with Frank Miller, to the overwhelming success of his current series, The Shaolin Cowboy.
Now Darrow provides incredible insight into his process by sharing the pencil drawings behind his meticulous inks in a huge hardcover collection. Featuring well-known covers and never-before-seen drawings alike, Lead Poisoning is a behind-the-scenes look that reveals perfectionism at its best, showing how clean and perfect the initial drawings can be as well as the bizarre alterations that appear to happen on the fly.
Featuring commentary by Darrow and his notable peers, Lead Poisoning: The Pencil Art of Geof Darrow is a hardcover that brings you right to Darrow’s drawing board.
“Geof Darrow is a master . . . His combination of technical ability and a genuinely individual voice is an inspiration for me and for generations of other artists across the world.”—Frank Quitely
The Legend of Korra Coloring Book TP
Jed Henry (A/Cover)
On sale July 12 • b&w, 96 pages • $14.99 • TP, 10” x 10”
Avatar Korra meets the adult coloring book craze! This beautiful book comes packed with forty-five highly detailed, black-and-white images to color however you choose! With illustrations by artist Jed Henry, and produced in close collaboration with creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, this book is a must-have for all Korra fans!
Includes 45 pieces of beautifully detailed, original black-and-white artwork!
Artwork by Jed Henry (Avatar: The Last Airbender Coloring Book)!
Lobster Johnson: The Pirate’s Ghost #3 (of 3)
Mike Mignola (W), John Arcudi (W), and Tonci Zonjic (A/Cover)
On sale May 24 • FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Miniseries
The Lobster’s search for a missing reporter comes to an explosive end aboard a pirate ship.
Manara Library Volume 2: El Gaucho and Other Stories TP
Hugo Pratt (W) and Milo Manara (A/Cover)
On sale July 12 • FC, 280 pages • $29.99 • TP, 8” x 10”
The second volume of Manara Library, in a paperback edition at last!
This volume features the enthralling historical epic El Gaucho, the second of Manara’s storied collaborations with his mentor, Hugo Pratt, as well as Trial by Jury, a series of captivating shorts in which some of history’s most notorious figures undergo mock trials.
The only comprehensive English collection of Manara’s work.
Mass Effect: Discovery #1 (of 4)
Jeremy Barlow (W), John Dombrow (W), Gabriel Guzmán (A/Cover), Michael Atiyeh (C), and Kate Niemczyk (Variant cover)
On sale May 24 • FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Miniseries
A young Turian military recruit goes undercover in order to infiltrate the mysterious Andromeda Initiative—and ultimately retrieve a scientist who’s made a potentially devastating discovery. Tying in to the highly anticipated release of Mass Effect: Andromeda, writers Jeremy Barlow and John Dombrow and artist Gabriel Guzmán team up to create the next exciting chapter of the Mass Effect comics series!
From Eisner Award–nominated writer Jeremy Barlow!
Direct tie-in with Mass Effect: Andromeda for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One!
Top secret variant cover by Kate Niemczyk!
The Once and Future Queen #3 (of 5)
Adam P. Knave (W), D.J. Kirkbride (W), and Nickolas Brokenshire (A/Cover)
On sale May 10 • FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Miniseries
Rani, Gwen, and Lance stumble across an important discovery that changes the rules of the game. The choices they make send them headlong into mortal danger as their relationships expand and deepen—will the old Arthurian tales be repeated?
Predator: Hunters #1 (of 5)
The hunters become the hunted!
Chris Warner (W), Francisco Ruiz Velasco (A/Variant cover), and Doug Wheatley (Cover)
On sale May 3 • FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Miniseries
Space aliens have been coming to Earth for centuries—but not with any message of brotherhood or peace. They’re here to hunt the toughest, most dangerous humans they can find. Only now their former prey have teamed up against them. Predators, watch your backs!
Written by Predator comic series veteran Chris Warner!
Art by Francisco Ruiz Velasco.
Covers feature special metallic ink!
Rebels: These Free and Independent States #3 (of 8)
Brian Wood (W), Andrea Mutti (A), Lauren Affe (C), and Matthew Taylor (Cover)
On sale May 24 • FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Miniseries
John Abbott, considerably wiser and more guarded after recent events, is faced with the prospect of relocating to the Caribbean to help outfit the merchant navy with arms. With the completion of the USS Constitution on the horizon, he has little leverage to escape the assignment. Next stop: Nassau—and the Quasi-War with France!
“Absolutely entertaining, and thought-provoking. In today’s world where we’re still debating liberty and tyranny, Rebels is yet another timely relevant comic.”—Graphic Policy
Serenity: No Power in the ’Verse HC
Chris Roberson (W), Georges Jeanty (A), Stephen Byrne (A), Karl Story (I), Wes Dzioba (C), and Dan Dos Santos (Cover)
On sale July 26 • FC, 152 pages • $19.99 • HC, 7” x 10”
When a call for help to find a missing friend takes them to an Alliance post on the Outer Rim, they encounter a new force building strength to fight the battle of the Browncoats. Discovering that their friend is in Alliance custody and that an Alliance Operative is on the way, Mal strikes an uneasy partnership for a daring rescue. Collects issues #1–#6 of the series and the 2016 Free Comic Book Day story “Serenity: The Warrior and the Wind.”
Georges Jeanty (Buffy Seasons 8–9, Serenity) returns to the ’verse!
iZombie creator Chris Roberson writes the continuing adventures of Mal and the crew.
“Serenity: No Power in the ’Verse is the start of something new, though still familiar territory in terms of obstacles this crew must overcome dealing with each other. There is a lot of potential in this new chapter as long as it feels as though we are moving forward in a ’verse that is on edge.”—Geeked Out Nation
Shadows on the Grave #4 (of 8)
Richard Corben (W/A/Cover)
On sale May 10 • FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Miniseries
A bodybuilder desperate for victory will literally kill for a chance to win, but must pay the price that comes with it; a thief at a carnival is thwarted by a vengeful clown; and in the next installment of Denaeus, the hero leads an attack against the Cyclops Monoculus but finds even greater danger elsewhere.
32 pages of story, no ads!
New stories from the 2012 Eisner Hall of Fame inductee!
“Shadows on the Grave is as fun and clever as it is horrific. You’ll smile, even laugh at parts, while other moments will make you cringe and wince. That’s the point. This book is the product of a true master who knows exactly what he’s doing.”—All-Comic
The Shaolin Cowboy: Who’ll Stop the Reign? #2 (of 4)
Geof Darrow (W/A/Cover), Frank Cho (Variant cover), and Dave Stewart (C)
On sale May 24 • FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Miniseries
The Shaolin Cowboy hits town, and it hits back. With King Crab in hot pursuit, he runs straight into the not-so-kosher menace of HOG KONG and his twisted tale of ham-fisted revenge. High-cholesterol-fueled action served up hot with plenty of chasers!
The Usagi Yojimbo Saga: Legends TP & Ltd. Ed. HC
Stan Sakai (W/A/Cover)
On sale July 26 • b&w, 560 pages • $24.99 • TP, 7” x 10”
On sale July 26 • b&w, 560 pages • $79.99 • Ltd. Ed. HC, 7” x 10”
Dark Horse presents the quintessential companion to the Usagi Yojimbo Saga series—Usagi Yojimbo Saga: Legends! In this volume, Usagi takes on a myriad of opponents, but never loses sight of the warrior’s code: truth, honor, loyalty, and sacrifice. Collects some of the rabbit ronin’s most exhilarating stories, including Senso, Yokai, and the long-out-of-print Space Usagi!
540 beautiful pages, including a breathtaking color section!
Usagi Yojimbo Volume 31: The Hell Screen Ltd. Ed. HC
Stan Sakai (W/A/Cover)
On sale July 12 • b&w, 208 pages • $59.99 • Ltd. Ed. HC, 6” x 9”
In this thrilling volume, the rabbit ronin teams up with—and faces off against—a multitude of unexpected characters: destitute bandits, a renegade kappa, and a komori ninja! Then, Inspector Ishida returns to investigate a ghastly painting known only as the Hell Screen! Collects Usagi Yojimbo issues #152–#158.
Foreword by Cullen Bunn (Harrow County, Conan)!
“Stan Sakai continues to show why this book is deserving of all the praise it receives.”—SciFiPulse
The Visitor: How and Why He Stayed #4 (of 5)
Mike Mignola (W), Chris Roberson (W), Paul Grist (A/Cover), and Bill Crabtree (C)
On sale May 31 • FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Miniseries
The Visitor alerts the BPRD as increasing numbers of Ogdru Hem attack, and the challenges of being an alien on Earth take a toll.
Jack Staff creator Paul Grist presents the strangest Hellboy spinoff yet!
W. B. DuBay’s The Rook Archives Volume 2 HC
William B. DuBay (W), Luis Bermejo (A), Alex Niño (A), Abel Laxamana (A), Jose Ortiz (A), and Jordi Penalva (Cover)
On sale July 5 • b&w, 152 pages • $19.99 • HC, 8” x 10”
Time is no obstacle to Restin Dane, the Rook, who uses his chesspiece-shaped Time Castle to face danger millions of years in the past or eons into frightening futures. Joined by his gunfighter grandfather and a team of oddball robots, the Rook will go anywhere—any time—in search of adventure! Collects Rook stories from Eerie #89–#95, and #98.
Selected from the pages of Eerie magazine.
DuBay’s swashbuckling time traveler went from being Warren Publishing’s most popular feature to being published in seventeen languages.
The post Dark Horse Comics’ May 2017 Solicitations appeared first on CBR.com.
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bestfriendforhire · 7 years
Text
Entry 274
 I quickly found myself more easily relating to these ancient vampires than I could to the Slayer family into which I might marry.  Despite their age and powers, the brothers seemed to feel “a good time” was anything done together.  We had started out with a board game they had first played in ancient Egypt.  Aaliyah had revealed to me when I was about to make a bad move that Vito simply love showing off his set, it being an original.  The spell around the board and pieces were there to strengthen the set against wear.  I could see how even casual play might destroy something over enough time, especially given Papak’s enormous, clawed hands.
 Zachary gave me a brief tour through their library, which stretched over numerous floors of the building and was arranged chronologically first.  Though I’d have to learn the languages first, I had to admit an interest in reading through some of the tablets and scrolls, just to see what people had to say back when they were written.  There was some debate between the three on who would be a better teacher until Aaliyah had said she would teach me.  I didn’t tell the brothers, but Aaliyah did teach me on the spot.
 Back in normal time, we went on to tour more of the building.  I was introduced to various vampires who resided there and shown more of the brothers’ collection of antiques.  The building was a haven to any vampire who felt out of place in the current time.  They could spend a few hundred years as they liked before catching up on events and trying the world again.  There was obvious deference shown to the three here, which made me wonder why Alma had never discussed them with me.  What had caused the chasm between the two groups of “protectors”.
 When I asked, Vito had brushed the thought aside, saying that the Slayers were simply inexperienced youngsters determined to force their will upon the world.  He also claimed that the feud was entirely one-sided.  Papak was quick to point out that the brothers were, at times, displeased by the Slayers killing off certain vampires, but Zachary argued that the ones who were killed had gotten sloppy or had abandoned their mission.
 “Although what Zachary says is true to an extent,” interrupted Vito, “we would have intervened on a number of occasions if not for advice from that one.”  He pointed at Aaliyah.
 “She does give good advice.” I stated.
 Vito stared down at Aaliyah inquisitively and said, “I sometimes wonder.”
 Aaliyah grinned.
 “I don’t.” I told him.  “I know I lack the experience with her you must have, but she has only ever done right with me, even when her methods are… unusual.”
 “You think I’m strange, boss-man, sir?” she asked, eyes wide with shock.
 “In the best of ways.” I assured her.
 “I will never grow accustomed to her calling someone ‘boss’.” stated Papak.
 “But he is the boss-man!” exclaimed Aaliyah.
 “Never fall for the illusion of control.” argued Vito.
 “It’s an illusion?” questioned Aaliyah in a loud whisper filled with wonder.
 “Maybe not to you.” he snapped.
 “Well, she did offer to fight the universe for me.” I teased.
 The brothers looked horrified.
 “She was surely joking.” asserted Ariadne.
 “Was not.  I don’t mind changing fate for my boss-man.” claimed Aaliyah, hugging my leg.
 I patted her head.
 “That’s a terrifying thought.” stated Zachary.
 “No, because James wouldn’t want it.  You have no idea how good James is.” she argued.
 “Thank you, but I have plenty of faults.” I assured them.
 Smiling, Aaliyah said, “See, he’s wonderful.”
 “I wouldn’t get too comfortable, James.  She’ll likely do something you don’t like eventually.” insisted Vito.
 “Oh, she does things I don’t like at times, but I’m merely being slow as to understand why at times.” I argued.  “Everything she does has a purpose.”
 Zachary laughed and said, “We all can agree with that.  Don’t mind my brothers.  After years of waiting and watching the world coming apart, we may be growing a touch impatient.”
 “The world’s coming apart?” I asked, disturbed by the notion.
 “Not in an explosive way.” stated Papak.
 “The Slayers pit nation versus nation in numerous ways instead of having them unite.  The strife isn’t merely causing misery among humans, the world’s ecosystems are grossly unbalanced.  Troubled times are coming again.” explained Vito.
 “Surely men capable of conjuring an island can help fix the ecosystems.” I argued.
 “Yes, but we’re told to wait.” he admitted.
 “Yep!” exclaimed Aaliyah.
 “She claims someone else will take care of things.  We just have to be patient.” stated Papak.
 “You do.” she told him.
 “See our dilemma?” asked Zachary.
 “You know she’s old enough to see some things too, right?” I asked in jest.  They obviously knew.
 “She was ancient when I was a young boy learning to hunt.” claimed Vito.  “The world was tremendously different then.  The gods weren’t figments imagined.  Dragons roamed the world, and the fey replenished the land.  You would not believe the magic that was unleashed daily.”
 “I don’t know about gods or dragons, but Ariadne surely mentioned that fey live on my land.” I told him.
 Papak smiled, his huge mouth revealing sharp teeth, as he said, “Yes, she did.”
 “We would quite like to see them if you don’t mind.” insisted Zachary.
 “Sure.  I’ll gladly welcome you whenever you have the time.” I assured him.
 Sighing, Vito said, “You see, James, we failed them.  We learned of the Slayers’ plans too late and couldn’t save even one.”
 “You saved me.” argued Ariadne.
 “In a way, I suppose.” he told her.
 “The fey would never blame you.” insisted Aaliyah.  “They don’t even hold a grudge against the Slayers.”
 “We know.  The fey just don’t understand.” stated Zachary.
 The tour continued in silence for a while as we ventured down through the building.  The brothers were kind enough to keep to my pace, though Vito carried Ariadne at one point, appearing to find joy in her ire.  Well, she wasn’t really angry, just loud in her protestations.
 I found myself at a complete loss when we came to a simple-looking door with numerous spells well beyond my understanding warding it.
 “Open.” commanded Vito, and the door did without a single spell being cast.
 As we made our way down, Vito was kind enough to give me a brief demonstration of how voice recognition can be done through magic.  Then he went on to explain how he had stumbled across DNA recognition through spells before he even knew what DNA was.  I quickly came to believe that even Alma could learn a great deal from the man, as he easily explained uses of magic I only had ever guessed might be possible, such as turning lead to gold.  Vito was the source of those legends.  He cautioned me against trying such spells on living things, warning that I could easily kill something on accident with such magic.
 Deep into the earth, I found myself staring in wonder.  The great collection of the three in their home above ground was a small glimpse of their vast wealth beneath the ground.  The endless procession of stories that came with the tour were equally remarkable.  These men were around for the invention of writing.  They had spoken with several of the pharaohs, some of which turned out to be Slayers.  Zachary had lived in Mesopotamia for a while.  Vito had been there for the Great Fire of Rome.  Papak was unfortunately the source of numerous monster tales through the years.
 I was surprised to find out that Papak hadn’t chosen his appearance.  He wasn’t able to transform like most vampires.  None of his “children” could.  According to him, he had made a deal with a monster and became monstrous from it.  Vito argued that though the dragon was twisted and deceitful, he and Papak both received what they deserved.  Both had sought help from a dragon in search of greater power, feeling too weak to fulfill their mission.  Both received exactly what they had requested, but neither got what they wanted.
 Papak was physically beyond his brothers to a great degree, but his ability with magic was a fraction of theirs.  Vito’s potential with magic had been increased dramatically, but he found himself unable to keep up with either of his brothers physically.  Zachary claimed to have been a spoiled child, never wanting for anything.  He supposedly had been shocked when he found out about what transpired.
 “He wasn’t exactly a dragon.” stated Aaliyah.
 “What!?” asked Vito and Papak nearly at once.
 “Funny enough, the dragon had sought power himself.  A demon had made him great promises of power and inhabited his body.  By the time you two met him, the dragon’s mind was gone.  Don’t worry though, I didn’t take kindly to his behavior.” she assured them, grinning in a way that made me shiver.
 There was silence until Zachary took up the tour once more.  The other two eventually started contributing again as well, but their silence had extended till nearly dawn.
 When the brothers seemed recovered enough, I asked “Whatever became of dragons?”
 “They left us to our fate.” spat Vito.
 “I didn’t give them a choice.” admitted Aaliyah.
 “You sent them away?” asked Papak.
 “Not exactly.  The dragon matriarch decided her children needed a world of their own, and I helped ensure there weren’t any unwanted stragglers.” she told them.
  Dragons… Jarod would want to hear about this.  How would I explain all of this to him in a meaningful way?  I might well take years telling him as we found the time at a human pace, but I would do my best. History had taken a strange twist in my mind.
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