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#a mountain lion ran through town

witchofthesouls · 4 months

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Okay I had an ask about a follow-up on the Truck dad and amnesiac bird son dimensional hoppers pair post, but I couldn't fit as more outright creepy/weird shit our boy do. A lot of hints, though.

Here's a piece on Jack's fondness for big animals and secrets.

Optimus should have known something was afoot with Jack, especially with his most recent line of questions and the new direction his drawings had taken on: a large, black canine in the desert, aerial views of the surrounding landscapes, anatomy of local creatures, and multi-eyed birds with strange trinkets in their beaks.

As much Jack was enamored with the animal companions in this universe’s version of the Ark and its Autobots, Sideswipe’s proletariat cat and Prowl’s turbohound were too busy to keep by the sparkling's side.

Despite the extreme species-swap and his regression to a child state, Jack had taken to his Cybertronian frame well. Enough that oddities could be rationally explained by the loss of creators.

(And if this version of the Autobots took it one way, then Optimus won't correct them, especially with Jack's mimicry with natural birdsong overlapping with newspark noises.)

Jack was generally obedient. He took heed of Optimus’ warnings to remain close to him and not to wander away in a certain distance.

However, Jack was good with words. Quick to find loopholes as well. He may not flick a wing-tip over the established boundaries to chase after whatever curious thing had caught his attention, but more than once Optimus found his charge scurrying out from potholes on the streets, broken entrances beneath buildings, and perched high up on the local greenery or infrastructure to peek at something, like a nest of local fauna.

Jack had said he didn’t leave the ship. And that was true. He hadn’t.

He simply coaxed the wildlife to him instead.

It was a hassle to smooth over the growing trend of murders and conspiracies of blackbirds hounding the nearby towns for cash for their “snackies” of seeds and McDonald's, then they uncovered his newest pet.

Not an abandoned dog, or a raccoon, or a house cat, or a hawk, or a toad, or anything Sparkplug reminiscenced over his son's mudpie days. Not something small, easily managed, and no threat to the human personnel.

Those strange grey-blue optics stared at Optimus so pleadily, arms wrapped carefully around the creature. The mountain lion, nearly full grown and quite docile in Jack’s arms, only grumbled, almost bored by the entire ordeal. It yawned wide, showing off teeth reminiscent of military-frame sets of sharp denta.

Animals, especially predatory and scavenger species, was something else Jack was good with, too. And Optimus had no idea what to make of that…

“Please, papa! I made her a bed and kept the wound clean!"

Oh, yes, Jack ran a neat, little clandestine operation in the back. Taking advantage that few mechs were willing to venture near the Dinobots’ living quarters and his own oddities whenever he sang to blackbirds outside the open entrance, he managed to squeeze himself into a nook between boulders that opened into a hidden cavern where he kept an injured mountain lion.

No one had any idea how Jack managed to keep the animal fed, let alone sneak it past the entrance. Too many eyes in the main halls to drag large carcasses, and living matter didn't do well with subspaces. Optimus could hear Red Alert's jaw cracking from pressure-related stress. No doubt combing through the security systems and finding nothing. Jazz and Prowl would be interested in the holes as well.

That was a large issue, and it needed to be addressed. Preferably away from the public.

“-and I'll love her and walk her and I change her water every day and I know how to feed her because Chickadee taught me how to how-"

"Jack,” Optimus interrupted the deluge of words, his tone gentle yet firm. He crouched down to meet those tearful optics, Jack's wingspan ticked up and down. The mountain lion's ears twitched but it remained at ease. “We can't keep her here. That's a wild animal. She's used to miles of free terrain to roam. Not being enclosed and hidden away on a ship.”

Jack inhaled sharply but said nothing in response. It wasn't childish defiance staring back at Optimus. More like guardian possessiveness: Mineminemine, Jack's entire frame projected, dropping away the usual behavior of staying hidden.

“You and I must return to our universe. We can't bring this one, especially into an environment she has no experience in. It would be cruel to do so. Even if we release her back at our base, everything she knew would be either too different or nonexistent. Remember your exploration of the places you once lived in?”

Jack hiccuped out a warbling noise at the reminder, and Optimus could feel a few mechs’ willpower crumbling away at that sound. He coiled his field around the boy, and Jack immediately latched onto him, anchoring deep as he leveled out the sharp notes and soothed away the hurts.

“We can find a suitable wildlife rehab or a sanctuary.”

"Can we visit her?”

“I’m sure we can find time.”

#transformers #crossover #transformers prime #tfp #transformers g1 #g1 #parental relationship #jack darby #optimus #optimus prime #humanformers #humans into Cybertronians #creature #magic #maccadam #My writing #look some of the g1 mechs would have folded like a wet napkin if birdboy turned his teary optics to them #tfp optimus is made of stronger metal #yep it's g1 version of nightstrike

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theautismgoblin · 1 month

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Golden Acrobat in a Different Form a Different Time

Chapter 3

New Old Faces

Within the next couple days, I quickly realized that I’d shown up in Gravity Falls both before Weirdmaggedon and before Dipper and Mabel had even arrived, which made me ecstatic.

I’M GONNA GET TO GREET THEM!!!

As I was sweeping the shack, “HEY KID,” I just about jumped at my boss’s interruption to my thoughts…

“Oh, uh yes Sir!” I said quickly. “I gotta go pick up some things from town, and I need you to watch the shack…” I immediately saluted in a very faux serious manner, “I shall GUARD THIS SHACK WITH MY WHOLE BEING! “ “YOU BETTER,” Stan said as he was already out the door.

I just shrugged, and now that Stan was gone began to dance and talk to myself again. But specifically I was talking about the attractions…

“The story of the Cornicorn is a strange and mysterious tale of wonder and escapades. A unicorn fair and noble pranced throughout these lands, helping all those far and wide. HOWEVER, THEY HAD AN ARCH NEMESIS, an Evil mountain lion hated all the attention the fair unicorn got, so thus the lion sought to bring down the majestic creature.The lion found a fairy witch that claimed to have just the spell. The fairy threw to the lion a bag of corn kernels!“Unicorns love corn. It's right in the name so plant these and wait for them!” The fairy said with a sinister grin, and so thus the lion ran into the forests until they found a clearing where they planted every single kernel in the bag. And magic sparks shot up, the once small plots now full grown stalks of corn.And so within the rising full moon the fair Unicorn came across the field of corn. And this was the Unicorns favorite food, it’s in the name after all!BUT when the unicorn took a single bite out of an ear of corn, something horrid happened. The once majestic creature began to shift into the very food it just ate.

And the now Unicorn made of corn was left within the forest, till we here at the Mystery Shack recovered it!!That’s the story of the CORNICORN.”

“DUDE, THat was amazing!” And for the second time today, I got really startled. “HUH, uh?? What??” I looked behind me at Soos, who I just realized was here the entire time. “Dude, you should totally tell Stan that story for the attraction.” “What, no it’s just a stupid thing I pulled outa’ my ass.” I said, really embarrassed, especially since someone just saw me talking to myself again..

“No, dude that was actually really dope! Like, Stan could actually use that!” I just blushed a bit, still not used to getting attention over my random stories.. And then I stuck my chin up, “You know what, YOU’RE Right I’ll tell him it later!” I said with a big smile on my face, and kinda lying my ass off, cause ya’know ANXIETY.

And within the next hour Stan burst through the door, “WELCOME KIDS TO THE MYSTERY SHACK!” wait.. And “Grunkle Stan, Why are we here?” a higher pitched voice said, DIPPER OMG!! “Cause this is where you’re living for the next few months!” “Wow, DipDop, LOOK AT THAT!” and I saw a long haired brunette run by to the Deer Bat Mantle. “It’s a Bateer!” Mabel said while pointing up excitedly at the mantle, and trying to reach it.. But she was too short to reach. And there I was still rebooting, cause it’s the Mystery Twins!

Dipper, as soon as Mabel was done freaking out over the admittedly cool attraction (that for some reason not in the actual Mystery Shack), started trying to get Stan’s attention. “Wait, WHAT! Grunkle Stan, you can’t really expect us to live in a dingy Tourist Trap.” “What course I do, and plus this is just the front. NOT like I’d actually expect you kids to sleep with the attractions,” pfffffff yes YOU WOULD STAN , I thought in my head.

“Nah, y’all get your very own room..” There was a dramatic pause before he spoke again, “Up in the attic, where all kids love to be!” And I about died in hysterics. “Oh right,” and this is the moment he chose to introduce me, “this is Alex, she’ll be working with you two. Oh Yeah, you's kids will be working here too.” To which the two twins started to protest, which is honestly fair.

I choose to not correct Stan on my gender.. I didn't even tell anyone, mostly cause it's only 2012 and this is a small town…. Just not willing to deal with that ordeal.

I waved to the two kids, and immediately noticed all their bags and stuff.. “Yo, y'all need help with those..”

“HEY, ya still got work to do!” Stan yelled pointing at me, to which I leaned on the rack I had just finished sorting. “No I don’t. “ I said with a big-ass smug grin. “Did ya-”

“Swept, reordered everything, all the attractions were cleaned, and I made sure to reapply all the fake price tags and add a couple zeros to a few.” I said nonchalantly.

Stan just groaned, “Usually it’s only Soos.. FINE go help em’ kid!” He yelled out as he kinda stomped out the room.

I just laughed and went over to the twins. Mabel now actually noticing me, started to bounce up and down, meanwhile Dipper just kinda stared at me. “I’M MABEL AND THIS IS DIPPER, WE’RE STAYING HERE FOR THE SUMMER AND OMG THAT JACKET’S SO COOL!! WHERE’D YOU GET IT!”

“OH my Family made it for me,” I smiled down at Mabel, the little ball of joy she is.

Stan had moved into the showroom, probably going to make some more adjustments on a few of them. Dipper was trying to haul his bag with him, of course he overpacked, and I don’t blame him, a completely new place, and almost no idea what’ll be there to do. Not to mention I think their parents didn’t let them bring any electronics.. “Here let me help,” Dipper just looked up.. Wow It’s weird to see him in that hat, rather than the pine-tree hat! “Oh no, I got it.” Dipper said while trying to lift his bags at once, and almost dropped it. “Heh, you might’ve overpacked..” “No, I brought everything I needed with me.” “Even those dorky DVDs of BABA!” Mabel said, poking out her head around the corner, having already scurried off to start tossing stuff into her room. “WHAT NO I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT!!” Dipper started yelling out at the now empty doorway. I just shook my head at Mabel, and grabbed the biggest bag Dipper had.. He had alot, and even I knew I couldn’t carry all of them myself. “How bout’ this, I take half and you take the other half.”

Dipper grumbled, “Fine.” And went to grab his half of the bags, “I dunno whether to be scared of or enlightened by your sister..” I said as we hauled the bags up the stairs, I could hear Stan’s loud presentations, seems like we have a tour group too right now. “That much energy and I’m guessing strength.” Dipper just rubbed the back of his neck, “Heh, yeah.. She’s just like that..” I proceeded to help Dipper and Mabel unpack all their stuff. And I had thought Dipper was the only one to overpack, Mabel was like in the same tier, what with the enormous amounts of stuffed animals, posters and everything else.. The only difference between the two was that Dipper packed more reasonable and useful stuff.. While Mabel’s packing felt like she just grabbed everything in her room.. “ANd THEN they were like You two only stay inside ALL summer, which NO I go out a bunch. Like everyday and interact with others. It’s Dipdot that always stayed Inside and played his games. So they just like told us to pack, and BAM, next day we were here!!!” Mabel said in a neck breaking pace, I due to my own experience could actually understand every last word. “Mabel could you not completely overwhelm someone we met not even an HOUR ago.” I just laughed a bit, “Nah, it’s fine. And honestly, energetic folks make life more FUN!” I exclaim, spreading my arms out wide. “Just like.. Imagine, if no one was chaos, LIFE WOULD BE BORING.” I said as I scrunched my face at the thought, “AND BORING is no fun.”

I spent the rest of that day getting to know the two kiddos, and it was great. AND then Stan yelled from downstairs, “ALL RIGHT Get yall’s butts down here, I need to SHOW ya’ the ropes!!” Welp that ends that. Dipper was the one groaning, as Mabel zoomed outta the room down the stairs. “Coming Grunkle Stan!!!” She seemed to have warmed up to the idea of the Mystery Shack after I had talked more about some of the attractions. Admittedly, I overdid it on some of the story telling. Dipper however did not.

Dipper very grumpily got up, he had brought a book with him, I think it’s a mystery novel, which FAIR.

So he got up very begrudgingly, “You coming with us?” He asked, us making eye-contact, it’s still weird to see Dipper’s irises, chocolate-brown. And since he’s a kid, they’re bigger too. “No, I gotta go home. Got some extra stuff needing to get done.” I said with a small smile, “DIPPER GET YOUR BUTT DOWN HERE!!!” Both me and Dipper jumped, and I just laughed, “Looks like your Grunkle needs you.. Probably for some scam, you better get down there.” I said as I head out the door, and leaving the house.. Making my way back to my makeshift hut.

When I was suddenly stopped.. By a gnome.. OH NO, I just inwardly groan. I KNEW THIS SHIT WOULD HAPPEN!

I could be wrong though.. But chances are no. I’ll give this guy the benefit of the doubt, it’s weird though they ain’t trying to pretend to be human like they did with Mabel..

“How might I help you,” I said questionaly with an eyebrow raised.

“Oh well ya see pretty miss, me and my friends have been awfully lonely as of late. And we saw ya in the woods, when ya showed up. And we were-”

I immediately cut him off, “First off not a miss, and secondly if you ask me out I will drop kick you so hard right now.” I looked down at him.

“Wait, you're not a girl!” Jeff looked surprised at me. “Yeah no, I ain't nothing in the gender department. Too confusing for my brain hole.”

“Oh well then in that case, toodles!” And he just scampers off. Leaving me in massive confusion…

Did that seriously work, me saying I ain't a girl… I just said it on a whim..

OH well, ONE LESS PROBLEM TO WORRY ABOUT!!

I started running back to my little sanctuary, excited to get back. I had found the perfect area to go stargazing tonight, and I AM DETERMINED TO GET THERE BEFORE SUNSET!!! But I kinda gotta grab some stuff, namely Tigey.

So I ran through the trees, the light slowly draining from the skies, I had stayed much longer than I had meant to at the Mystery Shack. As soon as I found my sanctuary I ran in and grabbed Tigey, along with some snacky snacks. Then I bolted out of the cavern, running to the spot. Then finally, I got there. Crystal littered the ground, what kind I’m unsure of, but I know they ain’t size changing ones. I’d flashed a light through it previously to be sure of at least that. The sun had just begun to set, coating the crystals in a thousand shades. The flowers all seemed to again glow.. Though it was quick, the sun had set after what felt like seconds. Now the star began to peak out of the skies. And the moon was full, illuminating the area.

I stared up at it.. Seeing once more the yin-yang.. I don’t know why I only see that, but not the Man in the Moon or the Rabbit..

I had thought about why I’m here even more since that first night.. This is one of the first times I actually needed to be here.. Every other time I dimension hopped it was for my own delight.

But I hope I can become better friends with Dipper and Mabel. Heck, maybe I can help a tiny bit with their adventures.. I really don’t want Mabel to almost get nabbed by the gnomes.. But I don’t wanna interfere too much.. Though, if I try to interfere too little I might never find them.. I’ll just go with my gut and soul.. My soul is going to be the main driving point in this mission, it’s the key.. After about an hour of this, I got up. I need to start the search.. But where to begin, maybe the forest.. I don’t think it’ll be in town, too normal… Not to mention other factors…

Maybe. IT COULD BE IN THE JOURNAL, I jumped up at the idea. If it’s in the journal I have an excuse to hang out with the Mystery Twins!! Also, also, I’d be able to do more than if I didn’t have any other reference to what all is in the forest..

Though. I am crossing my fingers on what it is… But I could very well be wrong.

First Post- POP Previous Post

#gravity falls #dipper pines #stan pines #stanley pines #mystery shack #cornicorn #fanfic #Golden Acrobats #mabel pines #Alex fox #oc #self inset #autism #adhd #audhd #golden acrobat #art #now art added

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lichfucker · 3 months

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Hello please take this as an excuse to go off about cat mom bc I am Intrigued by Wander now 👀

sldjkfslkdfc thank you for enabling me iz 🥰🥰

wandering eye is a mountain lion tabaxi scout rogue and her stats are terrible but she's SO fast. I made her as my backup character for ingot after the very first session of reforged bc jd had been talking about what a shame it was that none of us were playing rogues lmfao. in like session six or something the party ran into wander while out traveling, and jd played her as an npc, and I've been sitting on the fact that that was me the whole time for the past four years.

wander grew up in an insular tabaxi community in the mountains that devoutly worshipped eyhemet, the g-d of the sun and fate and harmony (a cat lying in the sun is a holy experience). one morning when she was seven years old, the wind blew just right, and she locked eyes with a girl named sunrise over ashen peaks (ash for short, a snow leopard), and they both knew. fate had struck. they were destined for each other. they got married in their late teens, and ash became a cleric.

the continent where reforged takes place has a mountain range splitting it down the middle, and the two nations on either side of the mountains have been at war for the past fifty years, with the entire mountain range being disputed territory or active war zones or otherwise difficult to cross. one day when wander and ash were in their early twenties, a goblin refugee stumbled into town, seeking help to pass through the mountains. wander and ash volunteered-- wander being fast and quiet and knowing the land better than anyone, and ash being strong and protective and having healing magic made them the perfect pair for the job. so they did it. and they kept doing it. they built their lives around smuggling people across the border in both directions.

eventually ash got into a bit of strife with her g-d and they broke their faith. they met suri (one of the campaign's major npcs), a follower of the secret g-d of thieves, the unnamed thirteenth. suri told them she was planning to start a thieves' guild in the capital city and asked them to join, so they did. they found their new home in the city, and their new home in the unnamed thirteenth.

wander and ash kept doing their transport work, constantly traveling. when they were in town, they'd be surrogate moms to all the ruffians joining the guild, but they were usually gone, especially as the war continued. one day they were sneaking a prisoner out of the capital, but he changed his mind about the destination halfway through the trip, which ultimately led to them getting caught. wander was quick enough to break away from the cops, but ash... wasn't. ash was imprisoned in a magical tower designed to make people forget about their loved ones inside. soon enough the details of their existence just fade from your memory.

by the current point in the campaign, they're in their mid-40s and ash has been locked up for about five years. most people by now have forgotten all about ash. but not wander. nobody knows why. maybe it's a gift from the unnamed thirteenth. maybe it's a gift from eyhemet. maybe it's something stranger than that. but wander remembers. she dresses for stealth and concealment, but she always leaves her wedding band visible. she talks in the plural-- always saying "we," "us," and "our" instead of "I," "me," and "my"-- as a constant reminder that there should be someone beside her. she has extremely high dex and charisma but all the rest of her stats are garbage because those are all ash's skills and wander is incomplete without her.

wander has the keen mind feat and burns all written correspondence as soon as she's read it. all written correspondence she sends includes instructions to burn it, too. do not keep traceable evidence of her existence, and do not ever use her name. if anyone asks, her name is sight unseen, and her wife is named mist on the horizon. (for security, she doesn't use anyone else's name, either-- she refers to everyone by coded monikers and nicknames and epithets.) the government made sunrise over ashen peaks a ghost; wandering eye has become a shadow in kind.

basically, wander is an excuse for me to cry every time I listen to skeleton key by dessa.

#quaxorascal #thanks iz #bluh bluh #long post #wander #ash

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raisedlikeaphoenix · 5 months

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Raised like a Phoenix - Chapter 3: Right There Where You Left It

Just like always, it was cold.

Li’Ella held the Lion Beast tight as they ran through the blinding white freeze. Past the long dead trees, past the ice cold hills. Past all the landmarks that acted more like tombstones now.

There was the Wolves' old campsite.

The Gorilla’s old forest.

The Raven’s junkyard.

The Crocodile swamps.

The Rhino’s quarry.

The Bear’s resting place.

The ruins of the Eagle’s library.

She memorized every landmark, every path, every stone knowing which turn to take, which paths were safest, and where hunters would reside. Sometimes a Hunter would spot her but not attack. Maybe they assumed her capture was pointless, they already took so much after all.

Maybe they’re just letting her have this.

She still remained careful. Avoiding all the Hunter’s own towns and keeping a weapon on her at all times.

As they passed the ruins of the Eagle Spire and as the sun began to set, the Lion Beast stopped.

“Do you wish to continue forward?” It roared softly.

They knew Li’Ella struggled with visiting the Lion Temple, witnessing the slaying of your entire tribe for a second time was no easy burden to bear. She hadn’t even really gone anywhere near the place. Not like she could. It was crawling with Hunters ever since that sabertooth ass took it over and declared it as his own castle. No doubt exploiting the chi that the collapsed mountain somehow still produced.

But today felt different.

It's been ten years since it all happened. Ten years since she lost them but she wanted to see it again. Maybe even take a memento from the Temple.

It’s not like anyone else will claim it in the village.

She patted the Legend Beast on the head. “Let's go.”

The two crouched in the forest near the Temple, watching as Mammoths, Vultures, and Ice Bears headed up the stairs of what they now dubbed The Saber Tooth City. Lights shined bright inside as music played for their own celebration. No doubt celebrating the anniversary of their victory.

Rage boiled in the lioness as she watched those who oppressed her people get all dolled up and enjoy some damn party. She wanted to burn each and everyone of them alive. Just like what they did to her tribe.

She softly growled in rage, eyes shooting daggers. She was so distracted with her emotions that she didn’t even notice the centerpiece that stood at the top of the steps as everyone cleared away.

Until the Lion Beast whined and nudged her side.

“Wha- what is…”

Li’Ella’s eyes now filled with shock when she saw it.

When she saw him.

Frozen like a statue.

Put up like nothing but a decoration.

Still wearing the fire wings.

His red mane is still as bright as ever, despite the burning blue that caged it.

“Laval…” she practically sobbed.

Was his body really here this whole time? And she was too full of grief and guilt to even bother finding it?

Perhaps the Legend Beast read her mind as he leaned closer to her, Li’Ella patting his mane.

“I… I… we have to bring him back…” She stood up. “He can’t be here… he should be with his people. His… family.” At least to be given a proper burial.

The Lion nodded. He didn’t need to be told twice.

The two scaled the Temple, seeing if there were any guards they had to avoid.

Aside from the two at the front of the stairs, none of the others should be two much trouble.

Li’Ella digs through her bag and pulls out some sleeping darts the gorilla tribe had developed. Pulling her hood over her head she quickly walked over two of the guards to get a closer shot.

“Hey! You-” They don’t even have the time to finish their sentence, as each guard gains one dart in their neck. As Li’Ella heads up the stairs, they pass out. The Lion Beast catches up to her as she reaches the top.

Beasts, it was worse up close.

The Lioness could barely look at her fellow tribemate. His face seemed to have been frozen in a permanent scream, as a lot of flesh and bones had been eaten away over time. He was even missing a whole arm! At the base of the Laval's stand, was a plaque:

Here Lies One of the Many Fools who dared to stand up against Sir Fangar of the Hunters.

Learn from his mistakes.

Li’Ella rolled her eyes.

She wanted to say a few words to him. Maybe an “I’m sorry” or something.

But they were currently standing in enemy territory and if they didn't act fast, they could end up dead.

“Okay… How are we…” She mumbled out loud, trying to think of a plan, while also quickly realized that this might be a bad idea. She dug through her bag trying to find more tools and pulled out the fire chi.

Maybe I can plug the chi and break him off of the floor, then we can carry him home. It would probably be better to carry a block of ice that they can melt later than a body with limbs that can fly around and stuff.

Unless the body was so frozen stiff it-

Stop thinking about it!

As Li’Ella was about to plug the chi into her harness, she caught a glimpse of the fire wings in the ice.

And that's when it happened.

Was it a stupid idea? Maybe.

Should she have thought it out? Perhaps. But she was running on anger, guilt, and grief. Besides, if the hunters can be revived with normal chi, who says fire chi can’t do the same…

So before even the Lion Beast can stop her, Li’Ella plugged the chi into Laval’s fire wings.

Cold…

Warm…

Bright…

Burning…

When she plugs in the chi, bright light explodes from where Laval stood frozen. Li’Ella closes her eyes, as she feels the Legend Beast move in front to protect her.

The light is so bright it almost burns her very fur as she attempts to shield herself. Then she hears it.

A roar.

His roar!

It worked!

When the light begins to die down, she hears rough coughing. Then a rasping voice (one she has not heard in forever) says, “Li’Ella…”

The sound brings tears to her eyes as she looks up, smiling as bright as the light that almost blinded her. The Lion Beast displays a grin of his own as they stare at him.

Laval of the Lions is standing in an outfit similar to the one she had seen him wear in pictures, before the fire chi gifted him a new one.

But instead of blue this one is more crimson with gold accents. His eyes burn bright orange, but the sclera of the eye is no longer white but pitch black. His scratches and wounds are all a deep dark purple and Laval is still missing an arm. The fire wing harness glows bright as if it had just been polished and not frozen for 10 years.

The three stared at each other in silence for what felt like hours.

Till Laval says, “Uh… did we win?”

The sound of approaching hunters answers his question, as Li’Ella takes his hand and they hop on the Lion Beast, who dashes down the stairs as fast as his four legs can.

“Uh. I’ll fill you in later.”

“Yeah. I think I missed a lot because- WHERE DID MY ARM GO?!”

Laval turned towards the crowd of Hunter’s, many entering their vehicles to chase after them.

“Did we really lose that bad? How long was I out? Where are the others? Are they okay?”

Shots fired as the Lion Beast ran deeper into the woods.

“Well… you all died.” Li’Ella began.

“WHAT!”

“But I brought you back! So, we can do the same for everyone else. Look, I'll explain when we get to the Outlands. It’s a lot. But you're here! And that's what matters.”

Li’Ella turned to see Laval’s face full of horror and confusion.

“What… Did you do?” He whispered.

Despite the situation, Li’Ella let out a small chuckle. She felt bad the moment it came out but she couldn’t help.

“Heh. Necormany I guess.”

Last chapter <- ⭐️-> Next Chapter

Fun fact! This whole series (especially this scene) was inspired by the book Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson, about a girl who revives her dead best friend and some popular girls to solve their murder.

It's a good book, check it out.

#chima #for chima #legends of chima #lego chima #lego legends of chima #lego #the legends of chima

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localcryptidsteg · 5 months

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Chapter 3- Unstopable force? Meet Impenetrable Object

Mei hurried through the jungle, hopping between sparse patches of ground between the rot. She had to find a way back to Mk; Sun Wukong didn't seem volatile, but Mk didn't have any field experience with violent ghosts and she couldn't risk leaving him alone for too long. The dangerous ones knew how to hide what they were, after all, and something had felt off about the unusually chipper spirit.

Doing her best to follow the cliffside, she ran until finding the edge of what seemed to be a city. Mei looked around warily before proceeding. For an island that was meant to be so haunted, it sure was empty in the one place she'd expect spirits.

Making her way through the ghost town, it seemed like the people here must have left in a hurry, their things abandoned and scattered. It looked like they had rummaged through everything to grab what was most important before they evacuated.

Winding through the streets, she found she was approaching the side of the mountain again. Maybe there was another way up to the temple through the city?

As she explored, she could hear footsteps behind her, trying to be stealthy. Whoever they belonged to didn't seem keen on bothering her though, just observing, so Mei let it be.

As she approached a bridge leading through a massive waterfall, that changed.

“Hold! Where do you think you're going?” A nasal voice called out from behind her, as a looming shadow stepped in front of her.

Mei took a step back, squinting against the sun. It took a moment to make out the armored elephant demon against the harsh light. “Well? It's only polite to answer their question.” He rumbled amicably, gesturing behind Mei.

She turned to see a bird demon dressed in armor similar to the elephant's.

“I'm trying to find a way back to my friend. He's about this tall, spiky brown hair, orange cape, shitty old staff... has he come this way?” Mei gestured while trying to describe Mk.

“He was with a monkey demon's ghost.”

The bird looked rattled by the statement. “You're sure it was a monkey demon? Not a weird human? Or a cat with an unusually long tail?” They asked nervously.

“Nope. Little orange monkey.”

The bird relaxed at the amendment. “Oh thank goodness! I was worried he was out and about again! But it's just Wukong.” They sighed, then frowned. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack, dragon child?? Have the decency to mention which monkey it was the first time around!”

Mei shrugged. “My bad. Didn't realize this island had monkey problems. Anyway, have you seen them?”

The elephant stepped around her to join the bird. “I'm afraid no one living has been this way in quite some time. Rest assured, though, so long as your friend is with Wukong, he is safe. The man may be a bit... energetic... but he is a formidable foe. He won't let anything bad happen.”

Mei groaned. “Well, that's one less thing to worry about, I guess. Monkey King said something about a mountain temple. Is there a way up through here?”

The bird and elephant looked hesitantly at each other. “Well, there is, but-” the elephant started.

“-But you'll have to get past the Six Eared Macaque to get to it, the menace!” The bird shook his head in disgust, shrugging. The elephant shot him a disapproving look. “What?? 'His Majesty' nearly tore a hole through my beautiful wings last time he left that damned cave!” The bird protested.

“I don't care if this 'Macaque' has 16 ears and can tear through rock itself! I need to get to that temple!” Mei declared, grinning.

“Wait. It's not just that. The pass through that cave holds the heart of the corruption on this island. You'll need to find a way to clear it out before you'll be able to get through.” The elephant sighed. “If Azure Lion were here, he could help you, but...”

The bird looked guiltily at the ground. “He hasn't been himself in centuries. The rot got to him.”

“This Azure Lion person... he's a spirit like you guys, right?” Mei perked up.

The elephant nodded.

“Then leave it to me! I'm a spirit guide! I'm supposed to be finding a way to clear out this rot anyway!”

The elephant smiled at her, surprised, but pleased. “Would you really? Thank you very much for your offer, young one!”

Peng stooped to the ground, picking up an object leaned against the ornate gate posts decorating the start of the bridge. It was a blue and gold mask, shaped like a lion's face. A bit on the nose, really.

“Here. You'll be needing this. Just make sure you don't go losing it or breaking it!” The bird sneered, though they handed it over readily.

“I'll do my best-!... uh... What are your names?” Mei looked back up at them as she tied the mask to her belt.

“The Golden-Winged Peng and Yellow Tusk, at your service! Of the king's personal guard!” The bird, Peng based on the way they gestured to themself, preened. Yellow Tusk bowed lightly.

"...At least we were back when he was worth calling a king." Peng amended, sighing.

“Mei! Pleased to meet you!” Mei bowed back, ignoring the complaint. “I'll need at least three relics that were important to your friend, though it seems like you're already familiar with the drill. Any hints on where to start?”

Yellow Tusk thought for a moment. “The palace and the barracks are most likely to have items Azure held dear. But be careful! The palace is Macaque's domain, and His Majesty doesn't take disturbances kindly.”

“That's putting it a bit mildly, don't you think?” Peng muttered ruefully.

Yellow Tusk cocked an unamused brow at his companion. “Quite. When you've gathered the items, return here. We can lead you to his final resting place.”

Mei smiled softly at the two. “I'll make sure your friend can rest. You can count on it!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Across the bridge, behind the falls, was an enormous cavern. At the heart of the cavern, and ancient palace stood, surrounded by manors and outbuildings.

This place must have been where the nobility lived, Mei thought to herself.

It was just as eerily empty as the town outside, and just as covered in corruption. Winding her way through the area, she decided to head straight for the palace. If it was the most dangerous, it was best to get it out of the way first.

She had to fight her way through the doors, but luckily, it didn't take long. The entryway was a massive, dark hallway, echoing with the sounds of falling water. The place was clearly a grand, ornate thing in its heyday. Even now, enough was left to see what it once might have been, back when its halls were full of life.

Mei grimaced as something hollow crunched beneath her foot. Looking down, she saw bone, half-buried in rot, with a brand new hole in it. She hastily stepped back, then crouched to examine it closer. It was shaped like a monkey skull, though a bit larger. In fact, it looked like the whole skeleton was here, buried beneath the plant-like corruption. A little shrub with a blue flower struggled to break free of the thorns, closer to what must have been the ribcage. Near the skull, a mask peered through the thorns.

Carefully, Mei leveraged her sword against the branches, breaking the mask free. Turning it over in her hands, a fanged monkey face peered back at her. It looked a little like Wukong's did, actually, now that she looked closer.

“Oh, right! You must be the Other Monkey King.” she mused to herself, running her thumb over the mask's smooth wooden surface.

As she looked up from the mask, she was met by an identical one, though this new version had gold eyes behind it. “Other? I'm the only king!” The spirit's voice was soft, almost amused, but had an edge to it. The figure disappeared, bleeding into the shadows on the ground and chuckling as she nearly fell over.

Mei recovered, shrugging and trying to play it like she didn't just get knocked on her ass by a shadow.

“I dunno man. Sun Wukong said you were the ‘other’ Monkey King.”

“Sun Wukong is no king!” The spirit was directly in front of her again as soon as she spoke, looming above her. His eyes flashed purple, and all light was choked from the room in an instant, save for the faint glow the spirit let off. His hair writhed and curled behind him; a living, seething cape. “He gave up that title when he abandoned his people to save himself!” he hissed.

Mei recoiled and a little pang of guilt entered the eyes looking down at her.

The wraith disappeared and the light returned, only for him to pop up again a few feet away in a significantly less ruffled state. Rot spread beneath him as his feet met the floor, a picture of aloof, decayed grace.

That was an interesting difference, Mei noted. One monkey acts like he's still alive, the other uses the fact he's dead to his advantage. More importantly though...

“You're the source of the rot. Aren't you?” It was more a statement than a question.

“I wouldn't say I'm its source, so much as its host.”

“Source, host, same difference!” Mei waved the statement off. “Either way, you control it! So you can stop it from spreading, right? Or maybe make it go away?”

He shook his head. “There is a difference, kid. It follows me around, but it does whatever it wants. I can nudge it in a specific direction, but it's still its own thing....” The monkey demon trailed off, looking distracted as he scanned the hallway, searching for something. He frowned behind the mask, tensing and backing up warily.

“Weren't you with someone else earlier...?”

Mei's face fell. “We got separated. I was kinda hoping you might be my ticket back to him. You're sure you can't just, like, clear up one teensy little path?” She pouted, giving the ghost her very best sad puppy dog eyes.

“Sorry, but no. Why do you think I warned you two to leave while you could?” the monkey demon sighed, his tail flicked in agitation.

“I figured it was cuz you're no fun, honestly.” Mei tried to keep the conversation light for her own sake.

“If you're going to stand around and insult me to my face, I'm just going to leave you to the rot.” The ghost monkey turned, then seemed to think better of something. “And if you know what's good for you, you'll drop that mask and get as far from it as you can. You might convince the others, but I'm not leaving.”

The dragon girl frowned, huffing and getting back up.

“Yeah, that's still not how this is gonna work. So what if you can't control the corruption! You're the heart, either way! And I need the corruption gone, so... you're gonna have to go, guy. I'll drag you to the afterlife kicking and screaming if I have to, but you're not staying!” Mei pulled her sword out, leveling it at him.

He snorted, disappearing again. “Good luck with that!” his amused voice echoed through the now-empty hall. A new wall of rot grew to block the main doors leading to other areas of the palace.

“Run all you want, plants aren't going to stop me!” Mei called after him, kicking the skull on the ground again as if that would do anything. “Stupid stubborn ghost!” She grumbled.

Still, she had work to do. The king's mask might be useless for now, but she had Azure's mask, and his friends were counting on her to find his relics and send him on his way. Yellow Tusk seemed to think helping Azure might clear some of the rot, too.

So, deeper into the palace it would be. She tied the monkey mask in place next to Azure's, and forged ahead.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mk shifted a chair to the side, ducking to search under a table. “Are you sure it's in here?”

“Absolutely certain!” Wukong insisted, crossing his arms and nodding.

“You said that about the last five rooms we checked!”

“And I'm sure this is the right one this time!” The monkey lifted a broken-down woven basket in the corner, making a pleased noise.

“Hey there, little guy! How'd you get all the way over here?”

He held up a disk made of twisting vines with a blue channeling stone set in the middle.

Mk stopped and looked up. “What’s that?”

“A woodspider! They were made to help out in the archives! If it still works, maybe it has a record of where the staff is!” Wukong set the disc flat on the table, tapping it lightly. The little disk shuddered, and the gem on top glowed softly for a moment. The vines around the rim started to unfurl, but stopped. The disk went inert again.

“Hm. Not enough juice.” Wukong sighed, disappointed.

Mk looked relieved. “Welp, guess it's a sign! No spiders for us today! Come on, let's just leave it!” he rambled, clear tension in his voice.

The monkey raised an eyebrow, but let it be. “Alright. You checked everything else in here?”

Mk. “Yeah. Still no luck. Next room?”

“Next room!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“So if you have an extra staff laying around, it means you had at least one spirit guide here, right? How'd the rot get so out of hand if you had someone that could handle it?” Mk pulled scrolls at random from the bookcase he stood in front of, hoping for a secret compartment or something.

“It's a long story. But, the short of it is, I left to find a way to clear the rot, but I was met with.... hostility once I made it back home. I didn't live long enough after making it ashore to actually help anything. But I know I spent my last few days here, and I remember my staff leaned up against a wall in the room. So it has to still be here!”

Mk paused, thinking. “Maybe you were buried with it? Or it’s by your grave somewhere?”

The monkey perked up. “Now there's a thought! Follow me!” He scurried off, pausing every so often to let the boy catch up.

They made their way to a massive inner courtyard that seemed to have been a garden at one point, though much like the mountain trail itself, had headstones and statues and monuments sprinkled around the edges. The back was completely open up to the edge of a cliff, showing a stunning view of the whole island and fading out to sea.

“It should be.... there!” The Monkey King darted excitedly over to a tree at the very edge, its exposed roots holding it firmly in place. Nestled into the shade of the tree were two fairly simple stone statues, both depicting the same sleeping monkey. There were small braziers and incense holders and vases littered around the base of the statues, and little wooden tablets and wind chimes and charms littered the branches of the tree above them. The statues were overgrown now, but it was clear that, at one point, they had been cared for.

Wukong circled the tree. “Ah-HAH! There!” He moved, brushing some moss off an object that was easily mistaken as part of the trunk, but when he pulled his hand away, it revealed bright red lacquer. “Well? All yours, kid!” The monkey demon seemed quite pleased with himself.

Mk reached out and pulled hard, causing clumps of moss and vine to fall away from the tree and the staff. It took more effort to unearth it than he had been expecting, and it definitely needed a good cleaning, but the twin channeling stones at either end of the staff glowed brighter than any Mk had ever seen before, and the staff itself felt sturdy in his hands.

The boy gave it a few test swings, quickly acclimating to the surprising heft of the weapon. “It feels... right.” He held the staff sideways, looking over it with an expression of baffled wonder. “Like it was made for me.”

Wukong grinned. Something in the king's spirit warmed at the sight of someone new using the staff. Like he was looking at a younger version of himself, back when he had picked it up for the first time. “It suits you, bud!”

Mk smiled back. “Alright! Staff acquired! Now we just need to start clearing a path back to Mei! So... what first?” He turned back to the king, looking more sure of himself than ever.

“First? There are a few spirits still stuck in the area. Helping them should purify some of the corruption on the island, at least for a while. I can show you where their masks are and guide you where you need to go safely, but it would be best to ask those close to them for any other information. The closest mask is in the temple kitchens.”

“Alright! Sounds like a plan! Lead the way, Monkey King!”

#lmk #lmk au #lego monkie kid au #spirit guide au #lego monkie kid #lmk fanfic #lmk fanfiction

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apocalypticavolition · 9 months

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Let's (re)Read The Eye of the World! Chapter 32: Four Kings in Shadow

Well, here we are, another fun and exciting chapter of The Eye of the World awaits. If you for some reason are new to this reread of mine, this isn't a place to be if you don't want virtually the entire series spoiled for you. I will drop truth bombs about who Keyser Soze really is with absolutely no remorse. Best to block the dumb tags I'm using and move on. If you don't, the next sentence will spoil a big twist of this book alone!

This chapter's icon is another Dragon's Fang, a reflection of the channeling that Rand does yet again. (I did say spoilers!) It's also a chapter with a lot of Darkfriends running around in it.

As usual, the Caemlyn Road ran straight through the center of the town, but another heavily traveled highway came in from the south, too. Most villages were markets and gathering places for the farmers of the area, but there were few farmers to be seen here. Four Kings survived as a stopover for merchants’ wagon trains on their way to Caemlyn and to the mining towns in the Mountains of Mist beyond Baerlon, as well as the villages between.

Back to the economics and geography of Andor, I guess. First, a bit of trivia: the black and white map of the subcontinent is either wrong or has been scanned incorrectly. The branch of the Caemlyn Road between Four Kings and the capital is omitted, creating the impression that all travelers would have to turn southward for some reason and then turn back northeast.

Next, I have to assume that the narration itself is a reflection of Rand's knowledge and thus omitting the obvious detail: Whitebridge should be as much a destination for merchants as anywhere else for convenient travel to Saldaea or Illian. As I kinda pointed out last time, even in the decayed state of Andor, this part of the country should be nowhere near as provincial as Rand assumes - if it was, the idea that the Lion Throne's reach should extend as far as Baerlon at all stretches credulity.

After all, Four Kings itself still survives despite clearly being an oddly barren region. If Andor were so fully decayed that Whitebridge was unworthy of note, then Four Kings wouldn't even last as a big village; people would congregate to where food was easy to produce and merchants would just have to camp like they do on the way past Whitebridge.

Roughly dressed men filled the tables and stumbled across the floor, waving mugs and trying to fondle serving maids who dodged with fixed, long-suffering smiles. The buildings shook with the racket, and the smell was sour, a stench of old wine and unwashed bodies.

I'm highlighting this section mostly because the degree of sexual harassment happening openly here is really unusual for the series. Jordan's world isn't anywhere near as feminist as he's aiming for, but in general we don't end up in places where the serving maids are used to gentlemen who can't keep their hands to themselves. It's still upsetting though. Poor girls, dealing with a bunch of smelly, grabby drunks.

Without taking his eyes off Rand and Mat, Hake casually backhanded her across the face. She gave a surprised grunt and fell heavily to the unwashed floor; one of the mugs broke, and the spilled wine washed rivulets in the dirt.

Of course, I'd rather work at the inn with shitty customers that I can avoid than a shitty boss I can't. It's really weird that this doesn't bother Rand and Mat more, since they're both weirdly obsessed with not hurting women in general overall and also they're from an environment where this kind of behavior would be repaid with the entire Women's Circle descending from the heavens, lasers firing from their eyes. But all Rand feels is unease. Jordan was really, really habituated to physical discipline.

“Don’t matter. This lot’ll be satisfied with any kind of screeching so long as it sounds something like music.” His eyes touched Rand’s sword again; his thin smile touched nothing but his lips. “Eat when you want, but if you don’t bring the crowd in, out you go in the street.”

I mentioned last time that it was a little funny that we got the sword icon when it wasn't that big a deal, so it's even more funny that it comes up quite a bit more in this chapter.

Word spread, and by the time it was dark outside the inn was packed full with men laughing and talking so loud that Rand could barely hear what he was playing.

Rand's been told that he stands out in any crowd, so naturally he figures that the best course of action is to hide in a crowd that assembled specifically to see him perform! He and Mat alternate wildly between genius and idiot sometimes.

The patrons were free with their hands, too, when one of the serving maids let herself grow unwary. More than once Jak or Strom had to rescue one of the women, though they were none too quick about it. The way Hake carried on, screaming and shaking the woman involved, he always considered it her fault, and the teary eyes and stammered apologies said she was willing to accept his opinion.

Again, Rand and Mat should not be remotely comfortable with this. Until recently the only serving girl at an inn they ever knew was Egwene, who happens to be Rand's pseudo-girlfriend! Plus, Mat is succumbing to intense paranoia. A bed should be falling rapidly off of their list of priorities.

This man was sleekly fleshy, with a soft look to his hands, and a velvet coat, and a dark green velvet cloak lined with blue silk was slung around his shoulders. All of his clothes had an expensive cut to them. His shoes—soft velvet slippers, not boots—were not made for the rutted streets of Four Kings, or for any streets at all, for that matter.

At last, a queer-coded villain! Buckle up, folks, Mr. Gode isn't going to last long, but he's the first in a long and flaming line of depravity to come! Shame about the fatphobia though.

“We ought to get out of here while we have the chance,” Rand said softly, but Mat shook his head, his eyes fixed on the two plates the cook was filling with beef and potatoes and peas. She hardly looked at the two of them, keeping up her talk with the other women while she pushed things aside on the table with her elbows and set the plates down, adding forks.

Noticing on this reread that Mat's corruption is easily overcome by such simple comforts as sleep and food really makes me question how terrifying Shadar Logoth is actually supposed to be. "Don't be paranoid of us, Mat! Look! A copper bathtub! Now stick your hand in this bear trap please."

“Crazy or not, it’s what I hear. He went to half the inns in town before he came here. Just walked in, looked around, and walked out without saying one word, even at the Royal Inn. Like it wasn’t raining at all.”

I get that it's a little creepy, but since there's only four inns in town and Rand and Mat did the same thing, the gossip's a little undercut. That said, I like the gossip in general.

His eyes slid down to Rand’s hand on the sword. “You know, me and Strom got a bet. He figures you stole that from your old grandmother. Me, I figure your grandmother’d kick you round the pigpen and hang you out to dry.”

Jak, you're my kind of amoral thug.

“Not without him making enough noise to bring Hake and the other one. I knew we should never have stopped here.”

Back in the day, Shadar Logoth was known for its extensive gaslighting! Shut the fuck up Mat, this whole situation is because you weren't irrationally paranoid enough.

Worst of all, Mat stared at the Whitebridge merchant—the Darkfriend?—twice as hard as at anyone else, and Gode noticed. There was no way he could avoid noticing. But it did not disturb his aplomb in the least. His smile deepened, if anything, and he nodded to Mat as if to an old acquaintance, then looked at Rand and raised a questioning eyebrow.

It's a shame Gode's gonna die because he's just absolutely delightful. He's probably rehearsing some monologue in his head this whole time.

Two or three men staggered up to ask if he thought his playing was so bad that he needed protection, but none of them had noticed the heron on the hilt.

Points to the hecklers too. Points to everyone in this chapter who isn't our idiot heroes or Hake, they're all delightful.

A farmer had only himself to answer to, but merchants were notoriously unfeeling about hangovers when they were paying drivers’ wages.

Aren't farmers well-known for sticking to very strict schedules because they have not only themselves but their animals to answer to? And their animals are way less productive for milking and fattening and tilling and whatnot if they aren't given consistent schedules?

An old storeroom, he had called it, and by the look of it not used in some time. Weathered barrels and broken crates filled half the floor. Steady drips fell from more than one place on the ceiling, and a broken pane in the filthy window let the rain blow in freely. Unidentifiable odds and ends littered the shelves, and thick dust covered almost everything.

It's only natural that our first shitty Innkeeper has an inn that's falling apart, what with the whole "belief and order" thing.

Then something familiar on a shelf caught Rand’s eye. Two splitting wedges, covered with rust and dust. He took them down with a grin.

And it's that very inattention to detail that lets our heroes survive!

Mat grimaced and muttered under his breath, but he waited. Rand put his hands on the crowbar and tried to find good footing in the growing puddle of water under the window. Thunder rolled and they heaved. With a tortured squeal of nails that made the hairs lift on Rand’s neck, the frame shifted—a quarter of an inch, if that. Timing themselves to peals of thunder and lightning cracks, they heaved on the crowbar again and again. Nothing. A quarter of an inch. Nothing. A hairsbreadth. Nothing. Nothing.

Really, now that the noose is closing around them so tightly, the tension is quite effective.

Gode’s chuckle was nasty. “Of course we have things to talk about. You know that as well as I. I saw it in your eyes. I know what you are, perhaps better than you do. I can feel it coming from you in waves. Already you halfway belong to my master. Stop running and accept it. Things will be so much easier for you. If the Tar Valon hags find you, you’ll wish you could cut your own throat before they are done, but you won’t be able to. Only my master can protect you from them.”

Yup, he definitely has been rehearsing this whole spiel in his head since he found the boys.

He's not even all that wrong. When Tar Valon finds Rand as the Dragon, everything goes to shit!

Mat licked his lips under Rand’s stare. His eyes darted like the eyes of a badger in a trap; his face was pale, and he panted as he spoke.

This is karma for what you do to badgers, boy!

Light filled the room, flooding vision; the air roared and burned. Rand felt himself picked up and dashed against the wall. He slid down in a heap, ears ringing and every hair on his body trying to stand on end. Dazed, he staggered to his feet. His knees wobbled, and he put a hand against the wall to steady himself. He looked around in amazement.

And he's channeled again! Ish would be so pissed if he knew how his minions were directly engineering the situations that let Rand be an effective opponent.

As the first rain hit Rand’s face, lightning forked above the inn, and he came to a convulsive stop. Gode’s men were still there, lying with their feet toward the opening. Pelted by the rain, their open eyes stared at the sky.

And Rand's definitely killed some dudes at this point. Trollocs is one thing, they're only twisted perversions of people. This though, this is definitely adding to his trauma. That's why he avoids examining the situation too closely and why he tries to act as if there's any chance at all that the man shaking his fist at them as they escape is Gode. It ain't, Rand.

On that happy note, we end the chapter. Next time, the tangled knot of a multi-chapter flashback involving scarves continues!

#let's read #wheel of time #wot #robert jordan #wheel of time spoilers #wot spoilers #rand al'thor #mat cauthon

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roman-catholic-mass-readings · 1 year

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30th January >> Mass Readings (Except USA)

Monday, Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Saint Aidan, Bishop.

Monday, Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Colour: Green)

First Reading Hebrews 11:32-40 The example of the Old Testament saints.

Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets – these were men who through faith conquered kingdoms, did what is right and earned the promises. They could keep a lion’s mouth shut, put out blazing fires and emerge unscathed from battle. They were weak people who were given strength, to be brave in war and drive back foreign invaders. Some came back to their wives from the dead, by resurrection; and others submitted to torture, refusing release so that they would rise again to a better life. Some had to bear being pilloried and flogged, or even chained up in prison. They were stoned, or sawn in half, or beheaded; they were homeless, and dressed in the skins of sheep and goats; they were penniless and were given nothing but ill-treatment. They were too good for the world and they went out to live in deserts and mountains and in caves and ravines. These are all heroes of faith, but they did not receive what was promised, since God had made provision for us to have something better, and they were not to reach perfection except with us.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 30(31):20-24