#also we tried to make it clear but Andi = Ox

[cupcakes-and-pain]

Legends Never Die

Co-written with the amazing @villainsandheroes

CW: super hero fights, physical violence, mentions of destruction of property. Not much going on here, just setting up for the real whumpy bits!

— — —

Legend strolled around the city, looking for ways he could create some trouble. The hero team had been busy recently as villains from the whole district had been attacking, several of them a day. He didn’t care much however, an itch to fight someone after running into the newest hero several days before but not getting to fight due to her running off. Coward.

Legend’s attention was caught as he looked over at the park on the south side of the city. His dragonfly-like wings spread and he flew up to a nearby building so he could get a better look. Ox, the city's resident super-strength hero, was trying to clean up the park from destruction rot on it. They were moving trees and benches as civilians were busy on the other side cleaning up the trash that had been left behind.

Legend smirked, noticing how their movements were slower than normal. He eyed the foundation of a building nearby which had already been cleaned of debris. He wondered quietly how long that took, judging by how they looked, Legend concurred they hadn’t taken much, if any of a break. He hummed a bit before whistling to get their attention.

Ox looked up, but they didn’t have to. They had a pretty good idea of who could possibly be trying to get their attention right now, and their hunch was right. “Ah, Legend. I’m a bit busy right now.” They said, gesturing at the mess. “Can’t it wait?” They give him a fond but mostly exasperated look.

“Aw. You get any sleep? Or have you been too busy helping them?” He gestured his head over to the small cleanup crews. “You know, I really don’t think it’s in your contract that you have to help them.” He chuckled while walking to the edge of the building, stepping off. His wings caught his fall and let him land.

Ox rolled their eyes and kept cleaning. Their strength made the job so much easier for the cleaning crew, who desperately needed any help that they could. “I didn’t become a hero just to get paid, you know. Doing this means going above and beyond, no matter what the contract says.”

Legend made a face, practically dripping with disapproval and annoyance. “What a generous hero. God, can’t you ever be selfish?” He glanced over at the crew before back at Ox. None of them seemed super alarmed, which was good. He didn’t want a big scene. Legend stepped even closer into their personal space. “Why not just a little fight, hm Ox?”

They tensed momentally, out of habit. But their muscles relaxed a second later, and they lightly pushed Legend away, weary with his insistence, but not upset. “Well, all of the really heavy stuff has been taken care of by now, which is what they really need me for. How about this? If we go to a different area, and you promise to not make a mess, then we can fight. Do you hear me? Not a single. Ounce. Of. Damage. Not a broken branch of a city tree or a crack in the road.”

"Or what?" He leaned over them. "Because I really think the city could put more of their attention in this part of the city." He whispered while smiling gently.

“More attention needed to this part does not mean you should wreck it. No, we’re going somewhere else. Even just a few blocks over. I won’t let you cause havoc here.” Ox said, raising an eyebrow. A civil and good-hearted, although very genuine, challenge.

Legend eyed them before letting out a deep sigh. "You have two minutes to get there before I get bored." He flew off to an area with a more open field away from everyone. Fully prepared to go right back to the city, planning out in his head which buildings he would attack first.

Ox grumbled to themself about Legend, running after him as fast as they could while still conserving energy for the fight. “What a jerk…” they whisper to themself, trying to find when he went.

He hummed softly, looking up as they ran closer. Flying up in the air to get behind them before diving at them and slamming them into the ground.

All the earlier bits of fondness were mostly gone from their eyes as their mind shifted into Serious Hero Time. They had no problem shoving him off and rose to their feet as quickly as possible. They weren’t one for talking during a fight, so they didn’t. Their body tense and their muscles prepared to spring into action and defend against Legend’s attacks.

Legend was content with the situation, the fighting back and forth lasted for a while. Ox was one of the heroes on the team that Legend struggled fighting the most due to their strength aspect, but it made it all that more of a challenge. Eventually, he pulled back instead of leaping forward. “Nice fighting, good to see you aren’t rusty.” He gave them a smile before flying off.

Ox wiped the sweat off of their brow. Legend was always doing stuff like this. Forcing a fight, then leaving just as suddenly. And although he could be dangerous, he wasn’t a super violent villain— not that Ox would ever say that to his face — and his wings were a nice change of pace from most fights. Checking over themself, Ox started heading back to the hub. They had to write up a report on the fight that had just transpired before they could finally go home and rest.

One of their teammates waved over from the couch. "Hey, Andi! Is everything ok? Saw Legend on the news."

Andi sighed, flopping down on the couch with all the gracefulness of a, well, tired ox. “Well, he didn’t really cause much damage to buildings, and no civilians got hurt, so I’d say things are okay.”

Luna smiled sympathetically. Leaning over to gently rub their back. "I'll get you a snack. Sweet or salty?" She stood up.

“Sweet, please. Do we have any more of those little cookies?” Andi stayed sitting, but they watched Luna fondly. They were proud of her like they were of all the heroes on this team.

Most districts only needed a couple heroes, but due to the dangerous location with so many government-lead facilities around, the government allowed quite a lot of heroes in the area. The first six months or so was miserable as they struggled with trying to figure out each other's schedules. Who had what villains at what point in time. Their Leader was the one who had the idea that they just all become a team. Backup was needed for some fights anyways, so it made sense.

Everyone had been excited about the team and their performances all went up as well. One of their teammates had sent in a request for a hub, and surprisingly the government complied and began work. The facility wasn’t too huge but it was much more than most heroes got. There were work offices, several joined living areas, a kitchen with thousands of dollars worth of appliances.

And then Luna had come along a year or so ago. She was an up and rising hero, with very little experience. Surprisingly though, she wasn’t holding the group back in any ways. In fact, their little group had grown quite a lot since she had joined.

“Mhm! I’ll be right back.” Luna left to go to the kitchen. She hummed to herself as she got a plate of cookies and some water for them as well. Carefully added in flavorless electrolytes so Andi could recover a little bit easier from working non-stop. Luna picked up one of the report packets from the kitchen counter and brought them over, smiling a bit while presenting everything. “Voilá.”

Andi smiled, taking the plate and the packet. They began to fill out the report while munching happily on their snack. They had to brush away fallen crumbs from the papers every once in a while, but they finished at last. As they put away the plate and turned in the form, Andi noticed that Luna was still in the lounge. They gave her a friendly smile. “So, what about you? Have any big villain fights yet?”

“Yeah, actually.” She smiled, looking up from her book. “A couple of days ago some of the villains were causing trouble and the others were busy so I got my first solo battle.” She smiled. “Yesterday Legend found out and challenged me. Buuuut I didn’t wanna risk fighting him yet. I think I need more experience in hand-to-hand combat.”

“You came face to face with Legend? Wow.” Andi knew that Legend wouldn’t have tried to seriously hurt her, but that jerk wasn’t exactly known for his carefulness. They gave Luna a concerned look. “I’m glad you recognized you aren’t ready yet. Congratulations on the solo fight, and be careful out there.” With that, Andi said their goodbyes and headed home. After everything today, they were ready to shower and sleep as long as their body let them.

She smiled softly, though it dropped the moment they left. “Not ready yet… I’ll show you Andi.” She rubbed her arm lightly before going out to train with the others.

#my writing #whump #<not really yet but we’ll get there #heroes and villains #legends never die #legend the villain #ox the hero #icicle the hero? #also we tried to make it clear but Andi = Ox

[walkonwalkonwithhopeinyourheart]

Post-Match Day Thread: West Ham 1 - 4 Liverpool via /r/LiverpoolFC

Post-Match Day Thread: West Ham 1 - 4 Liverpool

A bit later this week because of the international break, and also because I've written up a lot of these over the last few weeks. I've also fiddled with the format a little bit (it also makes it easier to steal the thread links from elsewhere). Let me know what you think!

West Ham United 1-4 Liverpool

Player Ratings

Player Rating Mignolet 5.96 Gomez 7.16 Matip 7.81 Klavan 6.28 Moreno 7.02 Can 7.12 Wijnaldum 6.99 Mané (76') 7.79 Oxlade-Chamberlain (86') 7.96 Firmino (86') 8.30 Salah 8.77 Milner (76') 6.28 Lovren (86') 6.03 Solanke (86') 6.03

Top 6

Pos Team P GD Pts 1 Man City 10 29 28 2 Man Utd 10 19 23 3 Tottenham 10 12 20 4 Chelsea 10 8 19 5 Arsenal 10 6 19 6 Liverpool 11 4 19

Match Events

Goals Mo Salah 21' 0-1 Joel Matip 24' 0-2 Lanzini 55' 1-2 The Ox 56' 1-3 Mo Salah (2) 75' 1-4

Links Post-Match Thread - credit /u/DatGuyDench Match Thread - credit /u/MatchThreadder Half-Time Thoughts - credit /u/hesitantrice Rivals Thread - credit /u/The_Backseatsman Pre-Match Thread - credit /u/_cumblast_

Thoughts

Formation

Forced into injuries a bit, but the return of Mané probably calmed any potential worries. It was interesting to see a change of tactics from Klopp. Salah played centrally just behind Firmino, with Ox and Mané on the wings. This in theory left a bank of 6 in defence, and the four fastest men in the world ready to pounce on any mistakes. We're seeing the benefit of squad depth as well - even with a number of notable absences we didn't field a single teenager. I wonder how many times that's happened over the last few years.

Salah First Goal

I thought West Ham made a very bright start and, thanks to a lucky deflection, had the best opportunities. This culminated in a corner off the back of Moreno. Hand's up, who clenched?

http://ift.tt/2hQp3W3

When the corner comes in you see the benefit of zonal marking. We're not the tallest team, and in a one on one battle I'd wager West Ham are taller than us. The ball is played into the penalty spot and, because they're not tied down to a player, all four defenders on the edge of the six yard box can freely attack the ball. I think it's Firmino, circled, who actually gets his head on the ball. Mané is hovering on the edge of the box. Release him!

http://ift.tt/2AgSiYW

West Ham still have a chance though. Firmino heads to Salah on the D, but there's a West Ham player in acres of space. Had he reacted quicker he could easily have taken that ball.

http://ift.tt/2hOc33c

If you're a West Ham fan you're screaming to take the foul here. Cut down Salah early and maybe there's no goal. Otherwise, Mané is getting that pass and on his bike he goes. Also: Ox on the edge of the box here. He sprints the entire length of the pitch to keep up with the attack.

http://ift.tt/2Aiy2WR

Again, make the challenge lad. You're the last man and it's 3 v 1. Salah holds the offside line well and waits for Mané's pass. He waits for Hart to go down and slots it home.

Matip Goal

Barely three minutes later and we double our lead. We've seen this goal scored against us so often. A long ball lofted forward and put behind for a corner. A defensive ricochet forcing a save from our keeper, and a rebound straight to the opposition.

http://ift.tt/2hQxII1

Mané runs towards the ball but misses it entirely. Noble is facing the wrong way, allowing the rebound. But look at how much space Matip is in. Three yards of space in the box is criminal from West Ham. He sorts his feet out well and slots home. Lovely from the big man.

Lanzini Goal

West Ham come out from half time and put us under a fair bit of pressure. The goal comes from some poor defending on our part.

http://ift.tt/2AgSjvY

Moreno isn't close enough to Ayew, and Mané has been sucked in. I think Mané was feeling the pace of the game a little bit at this point.

http://ift.tt/2hOc4Ei

The ball in isn't a particularly good one. Andy Carroll makes a run towards the near post, but he has Matip behind him and Klavan in front. You'd expect the defence to be able to clear that one. Gomez is maybe a bit off of Lanzini, but again with a lofted ball to the back post you'd expect him to get the header.

http://ift.tt/2Aiy3tT

I've tried to work out what Joe was doing here. I think he thinks the ball is going to either go over their heads, or Lanzini will stay on the far side of him, so he tries to duck out of the way. Poor decision making from the young lad. Lanzini takes the ball down and plays a really nice shot into the corner.

Ox Goal

I'm sorry, I've missed the best turn in the game.

http://ift.tt/2hOc5bk

Salah makes run behind the West Ham defender, dragging Cresswell with him. This leaves Ox in so much space that it's almost impossible for Firmino to not find him.

http://ift.tt/2AgSl74

Hahahahaha. That's West Ham's entire defence in a 5 yard radius. The Salah effect!

http://ift.tt/2hOc5Im

Ox tries to curl one in the far post with the outside of his right foot. His only other option was going high and near post, but that's much riskier. This way, there's a decent chance that Hart parries it out to one of the other attackers. Or, as we see, back to Ox. He slots home under Hart and we've snuffed all the life out of the Hammers.

Salah Second Goal

http://ift.tt/2AgSlE6

If Cresswell stops and turns he gets this ball. Salah is also in acres of room on the left. West Ham's defending truly is terrible.

http://ift.tt/2hOcv1o

"Can I have the ball please Sadio?"

"Yes okay then Mo."

"Should we go and get some food after this?"

"Of course my friend."

THERE'S SO MUCH TIME. No awareness on the West Ham right. Mané chips a ball over the top and Mo has time to write a novel.

http://ift.tt/2Aiypkd

Again, Salah goes far post, and with Firmino ready to pounce we increase our chances of scoring. 4-1 and the Reds are flying again.

Southampton and the International Break

We now get a two week break before the next game. An awful lot of the squad are still at Melwood so Klopp will get some time to work with them. We go up against Southampton, who have been a real bogey team for us in the last year (and I have my own reasons to hate this game) so hopefully this will give Klopp the time to drill in this new system some more. We may also have Lallana and Coutinho back, strengthening the squad further. A potential team:

Mignolet Gomez Matip Lovren Moreno Henderson Can Mané Coutinho Firmino Salah

Subs: Karius, Klavan, Trent, Milner, Lallana, Gini, Sturridge

Oooh that looks good.

Our next fixture is against Southampton in the Premier League. The match kicks off on the 18th of November at 3:00PM(GMT)/10:00AM(ET).

Submitted November 07, 2017 at 06:12PM by voliton via reddit http://ift.tt/2hOc6fo

#IFTTT #reddit #liverpoolfc #liverpool fc #lfc #ynwa