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srose-foxfire · 2 years

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Innocence ~ Damirae Week 2022 (1)

Day 1 “Love from Afar” (Shadow Hunters)

~”This innocence is brilliant”~

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“Oh Damian! Welcome! I hope you found the ride okay! C’mon on in all of you! I see your brother brought you!”

Damian Wayne managed to show his best smile before Lois Kent as she opened the door to her home allowing him and his older-adoptive brother, Jason Todd, to enter. Damian grabbed his black backpack from the floor, swinging it over his shoulder as Jason followed carrying in a large suitcase. “Thank you for the hospitality Lois, Bruce wished he could have come himself, but he got held in his office.”

“Don’t you worry about a thing Jason! We’re happy to house Damian while he goes to school. Jon is super excited you two will be classmates and can I be frank? I’m sure with you there you can make sure he stays out of trouble and focuses on his schoolwork.”

“I will do my best, Mrs. Kent.”

“Why don’t you take that bag up to Jon’s room, he’s out with his father but made sure to get your bed ready and made room for your stuff so you can unpack.”

“Thank you, I really appreciate your hospitality.” Damian only kept a stern face as he nodded and turned around to grab his suitcase from his brother, mildly gesturing with his face that he wanted to do this on his own. Jason only eyed him carefully before smirking and ruffling his younger brother’s hair. Damian grumble at the act but manage to carry his things up the stairs, as both Lois and Jason left to go to the kitchen clearly about to discuss Damian’s stay.

Gotham Academy is an elite and private institution that offers the best education to the highest classed members of Gotham. Being the son to the most powerful and richest man in Gotham, Damian Wayne attended Gotham Academy. Though just at the end of his Sophomore year, the school decided to create a bridge program of sorts where they would partner with a public school, exchanging both students and resources. The vision of this plan is to create a connection between two cities. Thus, the partnership was developed with Metropolis High, this idea was both founded and sponsored by Bruce Wayne, Damian’s father.

Damian made it to the top of the stairs and quickly entered Jonathan Kent’s room. The boy couldn’t help but smile as he was greeted with a twin bunk bed, with the top being filled with comic books and Jon’s video games. The bottom bed was emptied with a plain blue bed sheet and two white pillows. Damian stationed his suitcase next to an empty spot in the room and placed his backpack on the bed before letting himself fall to his back, relaxing since he left that manor earlier that day.

The young Wayne had agreed to be one of the few students that transferred from Gotham to Metropolis as he could attend school with his childhood friend. Something he couldn’t do at the Academy since everyone feared his him for his social status. He would be starting his Junior year with Jon and –

“Mom! I home!”

Damian’s breath suddenly got caught in his throat as his heart skipped a beat. He got up too fast bumping the top of his head on the bunk bed. He groined but still got up and walked towards the doorway as he could hear footsteps going up the stairs. Damian opened the door just a little, enough for him to peak through as he watched, the Kent’s adoptive daughter leaning over the stairway listening to her mother calling from the kitchen.

Raven Kent.

Again, Damian could feel his heart stopped beating, his breathing becoming heavy, and his whole body suddenly becoming very hot. He swallowed the lump in his throat before opening the door wider as Raven turned her head to face him, a smile gracing her beautiful face. Which didn’t help calm Damian’s insides any better.

“Damian?! You’re finally here!” Raven cried happily as she climbed the last few steps and ran to hug him very tightly. “Wow! You grew! You’re just what an inch or two taller than me?”

Damian slowly pulled away from her as he had to now look down to lock eyes with Raven. It’s true he had grown a little just over his sophomore year, a year of not seeing Jon or her, Damian grew just that he was just a tad taller than Raven. Who for the better part of his childhood was always taller than him, but now the tables have turned he was no longer a boy but someone who was growing to be a man.

“Yeah, I grew, how have you been?”

“Enjoying what little summer vacation we have left; can’t believe you will be going to school with us. That sounds like fun.” Raven let go of him before grabbing his hand and leading him to her bedroom at the end of the hallway. “Jon might be out for a bit, but you hang in my room if you’re up for it.”

Entering her room, Damian couldn’t help but compared how organized and clean Raven’s room was compared to Jon’s. Her room was painted in the lightest paint of sky blue, while the ceiling was painted in a dark sapphire blue with glow-in-the dark stars glued and lined as actual constellations. A small light pink writing desk stationed next to her window perfect spot to read, her favorite hobby. Raven let go of Damian’s hand as she sat at the foot of her bed and motioned for him to take a seat on the chair across from her.

Raven sat cross-legged and rested her chin on her hands. “You excited for school?”

“Somewhat.” Damian confessed. “I am not so popular as my siblings hoped back at the Academy, so I don’t know how to feel getting a restart at a new school.”

“You be fine, you got us and besides the whole school body will see the Academy transfers as royalty.” They both chuckled and exchange warm smiles. Till Raven’s smile slowly left her face and she looked down at her hands as placed them on her lap. “Thank you for choosing to come here, I know the plan was for both Jon and I to transfer to Gotham but-”

“No need to explain Raven, I know,and I am happy to be here.” Damian scooted his chair closer as he reached and placed his hand overs hers and he eyed her carefully. He needed to contain himself or feared he would show too much, but his insides flutter and his heart sparked with a feeling he knew he couldn’t have. Yet he was, earning her in a way he could never have her. Panicked and fear mixed deep within him and for a brief second his eyes darted pass Raven and locked on an item laying on top of her pillow.

“You’re reading that?!” Damian simply blurted before letting go and standing to retrieve the thick cover book.

“City of Bones? Yeah, it’s this new book series known as ‘The Immortal Instruments’ and that’s the first book… why the interest… don’t tell me the Damian Wayne enjoys reading these kinds of novels?”

“You will never catch me picking one of these up… it’s Cass… she suddenly became obsessed with these.”

“Well so far I enjoy the plot and the storytelling, you should give a try though it’s interesting.”

“I think Cass finds it most enjoyable because there’s these sorts of assassins fighting off demons and monsters, right?”

Raven smirked as she punched his arm lightly before grabbing her book back and opening to the page, she had her worn-out-paper-made bookmark. “The correct term for these ‘assassins’ is shadow huntersand yes, they hunt for the demons of the night. They’re like this secret organization of elite fighters that keep the world safe from the beings born from the dark. Each hunter as their own way of fighting, their weapons, and most importantly they get to draw these runeseach a different symbol to activate a type of spell to fight off the darkness.”

Raven had her face glued on her book, but Damian didn’t mind this part of her, the way she becomes captivated by a book always intrigued him. It’s one of the many reasons why…

He fallen in love with her.

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Hello Everyone! I hoped you all been well and are excited for all the Damirae Content that will be coming in! I sure can't wait to see what everyone as in store for Damirae Week 2022!

Till next time!

You can also read my completed story from last year’s Damirae Week 2021, I wrote my spin-off version on Beauty and the Beast. Find it here!

#damiraeweek2022 #damirae #day 1 #Damian Wayne #raven roth #raven kent #raven-x-damian #damian and raven

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neil-gaiman · 3 years

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More casting news on Sandman...

Every afternoon I get an email telling me that there are “dailies” from The Sandman ready to be watched. It's the best bit of the day. Once every few weeks I get an email letting me know that there's a finished episode waiting for me to watch it. It's the best bit of the month.

The Sandman is being made, and it's... well, it's The Sandman. Which is the best thing of all.

You may know that The Sandman is based on my comic book series of the same name. A rich blend of modern myth and dark fantasy in which contemporary fiction, historical drama and legend are interwoven, The Sandman follows the people and places affected by Morpheus, the Dream King, as he mends the cosmic — and human — mistakes he's made during his vast existence.

You might already know that Tom Sturridge (he/him) is Dream of the Endless, Gwendolyn Christie (she/her) is Lucifer, Sanjeev Bhaskar (he/him) and Asim Chaudhry (he/him) are Cain and Abel, Charles Dance (he/him) is Roderick Burgess, Vivienne Acheampong (she/her) is Lucienne, and Boyd Holbrook (he/him) is The Corinthian.

But there are more parts to be announced. And I thought it would be fun to tell you about some of them, and the thinking behind them.

DEATH – Dream's wiser, nicer, and much more sensible sister. Significantly harder to cast than you might imagine (well, than I imagined, anyway). Hundreds of talented women from all around the planet auditioned, and they were brilliant, and none of them were right. Someone who could speak the truth to Dream, on the one hand, but also be the person you'd want to meet when your life was done on the other. And then we saw Kirby Howell-Baptiste's (she/her) audition and we knew we had our Death.

DESIRE – Dream's sibling and everything you want, whatever you want and whoever you are. Desire is also trouble for Dream. Families are complicated. We had barely started looking when Mason Alexander Park (they/them) reached out on Twitter, and threw their hat into the ring. We were thrilled when they got the part.

DESPAIR – Desire's twin, Dream's sister. She is the moment when all hope is gone, the bleakest of the Endless. Donna Preston (she/her) will be playing her, and her performance is chilling and sad. You feel her pain.

JOHANNA CONSTANTINE – Eighteenth Century occult adventuress, John Constantine’s great-great-great grandmother. This Sandman character became so popular that she even had her own spin-off series. I created her to fill the role that John Constantine does in the past. When we broke down the first season, given that we knew that we would be encountering Johanna in the past, we wondered what would happen if we met a version of her in the present as well. We tried it and the script was sparkier, feistier, and in some ways even more fun. So having written her, we just had to cast her. Jenna Coleman (she/her) gave us the Johanna of our dreams – tough, brilliant, tricky, haunted and probably doomed.

ETHEL CRIPPS – Roderick Burgess's love, John Dee's mother, is a small but vital role in the comics, but she became more important as we told our story. In the 1920s and 30s, she is played by Niamh Walsh (she/her): a betrayed and determined young woman seeking to survive. In the present day, now a woman of a hundred identities and a thousand lies, she's played by the brilliant Joely Richardson (she/her).

JOHN DEE – Ethel's son is dangerous. He was driven mad, long ago. Now he's out and on a quest for Truth that may destroy the world. We needed an actor who could break your heart and keep your sympathy while taking you into the darkest places. We were lucky that David Thewlis (he/him) took the part.

Now we're shooting The Doll's House, the second big Sandman storyline. It's the story of:

ROSE WALKER – a young woman on a desperate search for her missing brother, who finds a family she didn't know that she had, and a connection to Dream that neither of them can escape. We needed someone young who could make you care as she ventures into some very dangerous places. Boyd Holbrook's Corinthian is waiting for her, after all. Kyo Ra (she/her) achieves that as Rose.

LYTA HALL – Rose’s friend, a young widow mourning her husband Hector. Rose doesn't know that Hector has started showing up in Lyta's dreams, though. Or that strange things are happening. Razane Jammal (she/her) is Lyta, and she's terrific.

UNITY KINKAID - Heiress, Rose's mysterious benefactor. She has spent a century asleep. Now she's awake, having missed out on her life. She's played by Sandra James Young (she/her).

GILBERT – Rose Walker's debonair protector. A dab hand with a paradox and a sword cane. Stephen Fry (he/him) is a National Treasure, and we forget sometimes that he's also a remarkable actor. Seeing him in costume and make up on the dailies made me blink: it was as if the comic had come to life.

MATTHEW – Dream’s trusted emissary. A raven. I expected our animals to be CGI, and was both taken aback and thrilled when the dailies started coming in, and there was Dream talking to... well, a raven. But ravens don't really talk. The question was, could we find an actor who could make you care about a dead person who was now a bird in the Dreaming – one who isn't certain what's going on, or whether any of this is a good idea? And could we find a voice performer who was also the kind of Sandman fan who used to stand in line to get his Sandman comics signed? The answer was, we could if we asked Patton Oswalt (he/him). And Patton was the first person we asked, and the first person we cast, the day before we pitched The Sandman to Netflix.

Of course, there are more delights and nightmares cast than I've listed here, and we have a few more secrets up our sleeves. I can't wait until you can start watching.

#Sandman

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whateverafterhigh · 3 years

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Worldbuilding Succession Systems: Goodfallow

Most of what we see or hear when it comes to the succession systems in the universe that Ever After High is set in relates to fairytales and the inheritance of specific character roles. Many of the fairytale royalty are born into their royal bloodlines or otherwise marry in. But there are some kingdoms where things aren’t as easy as that. One such kingdom is the Good King’s Kingdom – which I named Goodfallow in another post.

The Good King is a fairytale character, but his role in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is small. In fact, depending on the adaption of the story you read he might have already died by the time the story has officially begun. He’s not quite dead yet in the series, seeing as he’s still raising Raven Queen, but it is never acknowledged that Raven is in line for the throne. Not even as a “Hey, maybe Raven has her dad’s destiny…” kind of way, which you would expect given Raven is constantly fighting for any destiny other than her mother’s. Going that route might seem like too easy a fix to acknowledge in the series, especially early on, no matter how powerful a red herring that would be for the readers. It could have even been used to make Grimm start to worry on whether or not he actually guessed right when it comes to writing the fake book. Grimm doubting himself would have been great, even more so if it’s a big thing to have forgotten that the Good King needs an heir too.

The potential for drama aside, there must have been something else that made everyone think they were right so conclusively (and I’m not speaking of the gendered characters, there are too many female characters who have their father’s destinies for that to be the reason).

Then I had an idea.

The Goodfallow Crown

I wanted to create a succession system for Goodfallow that would be able to stand up to the Storybook of Legends on something akin to even ground. Obviously, I didn’t want it to have such a grand scale. But I knew I wanted something magical, and I knew I wanted it to be possible that the Storybook of Legends (the original) could guess wrong. (I mean what even is the point of having an antagonist as powerful and insufferable as Headmaster Grimm if he wasn’t able to grasp at some straws to save face and avoid even the harshest of punishments?). Still I wanted Grimm to be arrogant enough that he wouldn’t have worried about Raven’s position as the Evil Queen until she was throwing the book in his face on Legacy Day.

This meant I needed something with so many possibilities that something like the Storybook of Legends would have a hard time even coming up with the most likely outcome for the Next Good King. Something that could be affected up until the moment that the Good King has been crowned. And something that had the magical power to break the magical contract to the Storybook of Legends that signing it would create without extensive repercussions – something that would cause a page to fall out on its own if need be.

Also it needed to be something that played into what a Good King should be, it is what is choosing the reigning monarch after all.

In Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the Evil Queen is defined by her attitude and treatment of the kingdom’s people, so it only makes sense that the Good King be defined in the same way. So I played with the idea of the Good King being an elected position that passed down the bloodline out of convenience and all the things that real life kings and queens have to do to make sure that the people don’t start up a revolution. Something like the Sword in the Stone from King Arthur’s legends could do that, the same could be said for Thor’s Hammer (though I wasn’t actually thinking of Mjolnir when spider-mapping ideas).

I couldn’t see it being an actual sword, as cool as it would be for the Good King to actually have the kingdom’s blessing of sorts to raise his sword at those who wronged him. And after reading the fairytale Prince Darling, where there is a ring that pricks the young Prince on the finger every time he does something wrong in hopes that it will make him into a good person, I thought of using a crown.

The Goodfallow Crown, named such because it is the physical manifestation of the collective will of all the citizens of Goodfallow ticks a lot of the boxes for what I wanted.

It’s magic, powerful enough to break the bindings created by the Storybook of Legends because I’m the author and I say so. A lot of citizens in Goodfallow mean a lot of different possibilities for whether or not they think a candidate is the best for the Good King. It can still be meddled with before the inheritance ceremony, popularity and propaganda are going to be important – the same goes for whether or not a candidate knows what they’re doing. In turn this could be what makes Grimm so arrogant in his assertions that Raven will have her mother’s destiny.

The students at Ever After High are shown to be scared of Raven to the point they scream and run away from her. At the start of the books she assumes that this is just a side effect from her destiny as her mother had mentioned that something of the sort would happen when she reached a certain age. But it could be argued that this has more to do with how bullying of Raven (or any supposedly-evil-aligned character) was encouraged by Grimm or other members of the faculty, high tensions from how close Legacy Day is for her etc. Because Raven does get more popular as the books go on, and because the characters act a similar way in the beginning of the show’s canon it could be argued that she get’s popular enough to win Thronecoming.

But it’s not just Raven’s lack of popularity. Grimm makes all the final class decisions when it comes to what subject’s students can take, so he can ensure that Raven never takes classes that would prepare her for being the Good King (Kingdom Management, Throne Economics, etc…) and then there’s the low possibility that the people of Goodfallow would accept someone who willingly signs up to potentially marry the king of a neighbouring country, abuse their power, and even get arrested or die before having kids as their Ruler. This is one case where the Storybook of Legends doesn’t need to be real for the damage to be done. And Grimm has no reason to not be arrogant about his guesses until Legacy Day where Raven declares she wants to write her own destiny on the in-verse equivalent of international television he’s not going to worry too much.

The tangent into Grimm’s motives and assumptions show that having Goodfallow’s succession system be like this will only add another layer to some of the things going on in the series, and this can even be applied to other characters too. Raven would have grown up in a kingdom where your actions mean more then what you say, so even agreeing to sign the Storybook of Legends and live her own life after would have not been in the cards for her (not to mention it would cheapen Apple’s own story if she asked that of Raven), and Queen White would have also grown up in Goodfallow given the Good King is her father as well, and that could add a really interesting layer to her own character and her obsession with popularity. Especially in the context of the Class of Classics comic which shows that Snow was once a studious student like Apple was but has now seemingly forgone that in favour of focusing on popularity (which is the same in the books as well as Dragon Games). It certainly speaks of there being more to her character then what we’ve gotten.

Now it’s just a matter of figuring out how the Good Fallow Crown works.

It seems a bit much to have someone attempt to wear the crown for the first time on their coronation, and I’m also understanding of the fact that it’s technically headwear and therefore can’t get heavier if the kingdom seems to disagree with an idea or something else – also Goodfallow isn’t a hivemind? So there would need to be some kind of inheritance test. Perhaps for officially declaring a Crown Prince or Princess.

Historically, Crown Princes or Princesses seem to given the title when they are ready for it. With the announcement happening sometime between the ages of fourteen and eighteen, unless their parents were dead, and they were ruling through a Regent. Raven is fifteen when Legacy Day takes place so sixteen seems like a more reasonable time for the ceremony to happen. Though obviously some of the kingdoms would name their children the Crown Prince or Princess earlier (I’m thinking Briar and Hopper might have been given their titles when their Magic Touch developed, given its significance to their stories).

So the sixteen year old heir would try the crown on. It would be impractical for the circle of people who can hold or lift the crown to be small a la Thor’s Hammer, especially when it’s the literal Will of the People. So, magical girl transformation?

Very basic, plain clothes are to be worn with no jewellery – because you might lose it otherwise. If the people agree with the Prince or Princess being a good candidate for the throne then they’ll get decked out in finery when the magic is a match. If not then there’s no change. (Not that that prevents rumours from spreading to the contrary).

“Rumour has it the Evil Queen tried to wear the crown once and it set her on fire.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, that’s why her hair is like that now.”

Of course, the changes don’t stop at the Inheritance Ceremony. Just because the Goodfallow Crown doesn’t get infinitely heavier when the Good King does something the people don’t agree with that doesn’t mean that nothing happens. Raven’s dad is described as being bald in the books, and I like to think that the reason for that is the people of Goodfallow not agreeing with him marrying the Evil Queen, while still understanding why he did it. But there would likely be other affects as well. Such as increased stress, anxiety, paranoia, etc. Maybe a lack of motivation in his day to day life? I don’t know, but the Goodfallow Crown does take the phrase “Heavy is the head that wears the crown” to a whole new meaning.

I love the whole thought of this, as evidenced by the fact it takes up almost three whole pages in a Word Document. Definitely one of my favourite pieces of worldbuilding I’ve done for any fandom ever.

#eah #ever after high #raven queen #the good king #queen kingdom #goodfallow #headmaster grimm #milton grimm #worldbuilding

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bigskydreaming · 4 years

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Lemme get the timeline right, so Dick was about 15-16 when first Teen Titans happened, then he came back to Batgirl's debut, some time later he left for college & that was the issue where Bruce is kinda teary, looking at Dick's prizes, Dick teases him a lil? Or was that golden age? Then he's recruited by Raven, NTT happens, but the firing... I'm confusing these parts. He got fired after getting shot by Joker? He was Robin then so before Jason, but was he with NTT or in Gotham?

LOL don’t worry about being confused, because it very much IS confusing thanks to so many continuities and retcons.

Personally, I tend to go with pre-New 52 timeline and then just later stories like that timeline never ended and just kept going with New 52 and Rebirth stories....with any discrepancies being like....’flashback stories’ retroactively inserted at the appropriate point in the characters’ histories. That’s just my approach though, doesn’t necessarily work for everyone.

But pre-New 52, the ages up until Dick is around 16 or 17 are pretty flexible.....you can kinda pick and choose when you view the first Teen Titans having formed because there aren’t any hard age milestones to use as a marker. So regardless of what you go with, up until Dick was about sixteen, maybe seventeen, he lived full time in Gotham with Bruce, was Robin, and ‘moonlighted’ with the Teen Titans, who in their early years were kinda more an excuse to hang out with their superhero friends rather than like....a specifically focused team.

THEN is when it gets confusing, because enter the Age of Retcons:

ORIGINALLY, pre-Crisis of Infinite Earths, aka Retcon-Palooza, Dick went on to become Nightwing while he was still on good terms with Bruce. Bruce took Jason in and adopted him, but there was zero conflict with Dick over this....in fact, at this point in the comics, Jason was ALSO an orphaned circus acrobat whose family had been friends with Dick’s family, and DICK was the one who helped him after his parents were murdered, and took him to Bruce, which led to Bruce adopting him.

(Fun fact, and part of why I side-eye people who dismiss retcons as ‘not counting’......Jason’s extremely iconic and well-known history as a street kid who Bruce found stealing his tires......only spanned about TWELVE ISSUES. Before his death, he literally only existed with that origin for about a year’s worth of comics....as opposed to pre-Crisis, when he existed for SEVERAL years worth of comics as the plucky acrobat who adored Dick and was always doing his homework and saying “Robin gives me magic” and stuff. Fandom lives mashing these two versions of Jason together, which is fine, but they have zero problem plying his twelve issues of having grown up as a street kid for angst, while being dismissive of other characters’ retcons, and that’s right up there when talking about Things That Make Me Go HMMMM).

Anyway, so originally, pre-Crisis, Dick moved on to become Nightwing when HE was good and ready, of his own volition, because he felt he was entering a new stage of his life and wanted to reflect that. And then HE gave Robin to Jason HIMSELF, like, literally bequeathed it to him, brother to brother, with Jason being appropriately grateful to HIM for that rather than crediting Bruce with it, who had absolutely nothing to do with it other than looking on fondly and proceeding from there with Jason as his partner. Dick then transitioned to living and working with the New Teen Titans full time in New York.

He also briefly went to college at this time, but dropped out after just one semester or one year or so......which other people often skew to make it sound like he’s lazy or spoiled or just wanted to live off Bruce’s money all of which makes me gnash my teeth, lol.....nah, he already had the equivalent of several college degrees just from growing up being trained by Bruce. Dick dropped out for one reason only: nothing he wanted to do with his life benefited from a college diploma specifically, and none of the jobs he went on to work later required one. He’s a kid who comes from a family who never went to college either because they didn’t NEED to in order to do what they loved....and Dick was no different. People love to cite that Dick was already fairly old when his parents died and that’s why ‘he didn’t need Bruce to be his parent as much specifically’ or whatthefuckever....but then they turn right around and act like he should live his life more according to the expectations and standards of Bruce as opposed to.....in keeping with his first family and their priorities and whatnot. BUT I DIGRESS.

But anyway, at this point, he mostly lived in New York and came back to Gotham every now and then to visit or to help with cases. Babs had at this point been Batgirl for some time, before he became Nightwing, but again, the timelines are messy, so the only real marker that’s important IMO is that her history with Bruce and Dick as Batgirl predates Jason joining the family, AND post-Crisis, when Jason had his street kid origin.....I think she interacted with that version of Jason maybe once?

My point there is there’s a lot of piling on the angst and pointing back to Dick as the ultimate culprit, with people making a big deal about how Barbara and others were constantly comparing Jason to Dick and resenting him for not being Dick and this made Jason’s childhood even with Bruce especially difficult....but again, nah. The vast majority of the time Babs/Batgirl co-existed with Jason/Robin, it was pre-Crisis Jason, which meant that he was on great terms with Bruce AND Dick and Dick was on great terms with Bruce, all of which means....NOBODY WAS RESENTING ANYBODY OR COMPARING ANYONE TO ANYONE ELSE, THEY ALL COEXISTED JUST FINE.

NOW.

ENTER THE RETCONS.

This is where it gets messier and more complicated, because JUST LIKE the comics retconned Jason’s origin to make him a street kid - and which NOBODY has trouble acknowledging or balancing......the comics ALSO retconned Dick’s departure from Gotham. Now it was because there was a story in which Dick was shot by the Joker, Bruce freaked out about his safety, and decided the best way to express this was by firing Dick as Robin and alienating him. Dick lingered for a few weeks, its said, in the hopes that Bruce would change his mind, but when Bruce didn’t, Dick finally packed his bags and left to go live with the Titans full time, where he became Nightwing. Its further said that this was the last contact they had for about a YEAR AND A HALF.....with Dick being the one to make the first move to resume contact.....when he found out from the papers both that Bruce had taken in a new kid (Jason) and adopted him already, AND made him Robin.

(A name which no matter WHAT origin you go for in terms of what it means to Dick, is regardless HIS CREATION, the mantle HE made for HIMSELF, and was never Bruce’s to give away, whether or not you go with the take that it was Dick’s mother’s nickname for him, or it being a reference to Robin Hood, Dick’s favorite childhood hero).

Anyway, Dick confronted Bruce about this, and Bruce basically just....acknowledged this without actually ever putting the words “I’m sorry” or “I messed up” in there, and that was Dick’s one and only ON THE PAGE interaction with Jason post-street kid origin before A Death In The Family....which occurred like two story arcs later.

(However, something I like to point out is the issue where Dick and Jason meet after both their respective retcons, was a FLASHBACK issue. It literally starts the issue off with the caption “One year ago”.....meaning that even though Jason died only two story arcs later and we never saw Dick and he interact on the page again, that issue was deliberately scripted in such a way as to allow for a good couple years to pass IN UNIVERSE....which, IMO, is where Dick and Jason’s sibling bond and dynamic had more than enough time to form. Just because Dick was on bad terms with Bruce doesn’t mean he ever took this out on Jason, and we know from later stories that they at least interacted a few times we never saw, like when the two of them went skiing together - so while people act like they barely knew each other because Dick was never around, IMO there’s literally no reason to assume that Dick wasn’t just as good about reaching out to Jason and forming a sibling bond with him after that first initial meeting, as he later was with Tim and Cass and Damian. In fact, given how familiar Dick and Jason seem to be with each other after his return to Gotham years later, IMO the thing that ACTUALLY strains credulity is the idea that before Jason died, he and Dick only interacted a bare handful of times. Nah. That doesn’t track.)

ANYWAY. That’s how all that played out those two different times, and why there’s so much confusion, BUT I maintain a huge part of that confusion is artificially produced.....by people deliberately trying to mix and match continuities in a way that just flat out doesn’t work. Sooooooo many times over the years, we’ve heard takes on how Dick ‘quit’ being Robin and then Bruce made Jason Robin and Dick resented both of them for this, but uh.....that’s the one version of things that DIDN’T ever happen. There were two distinct ways it played out. In the first, Dick quit voluntarily, and then made Jason Robin himself, and he and Bruce and Jason were all on great terms. In the later version, (the definitive version, because just like Jason’s street kid origin, it was the retcon, yes, but it was also never refuted or contradicted, the way it would have to be to ‘reset’ canon to that earlier sequence of events/state of affairs) - but yeah, in the later version, Dick was fired, Bruce made Jason Robin, and Dick resented BRUCE for this.

But people keep trying to play mix and match so Dick both quit - thus ‘giving up his claim to Robin/theoretically having no basis to object to someone else being Robin’....AND Bruce made Jason Robin - thus getting ‘credit’ in Jason’s eyes for giving him this mantle, responsibility and trust - with Dick then resenting Bruce for giving away the thing he ‘gave up.’

And that’s so disingenuous and obnoxious, when people try and play that game. They don’t want Dick to have ‘the right’ to the same complaints they have about Jason and Tim being ‘replaced’ but they also don’t want him to get credit for giving Robin to Jason because that would imply a strong brotherly bond and connection between them, one in which Dick clearly loves his little brother, and its just....uggggggh. So annoying.

BUT I DIGRESS.

Anyway, that’s the scoop, the buzz, the happening.

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kurtty-drabbles · 4 years

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House of M au - Redone (part 2)

N/A: Let´s continue this au. I think.

@dannybagpipesarecalling @djinmer4 @tieflingteeth @muninandhugin

The Red Guard is a conception as old as Genosha itself-which is a bit ironic as Genosha is not as older as some people seem to consider- and Raven Darkholme is one of the few people that know how old Genosha truly is. Raven Darkholme is a shapeshifter and installs the idea of never asking a shapeshifter her/his age is a taboo that shouldn´t be disclosed.

Kurt Wagner Darkholme is one of few people to know sure secret and promises to take to his grave-an inside joke among son and mother-although, right now, his mind is far too focused on recent events to care for jokes.

Passing through some of his co-workers. Kurt slams the door to his mother´s office and is a pair of golden eyes look out, somehow bored at this entrance- Kurt has the mind to use his tail to close the door- and crosses his arms as he is ready to drop the bomb. "Who is Kitty Pryde?"

Raven Darkholme couldn´t be more bored with this question if she wanted. "Hi, son! how are you, son? Me? I´m fine, thanks for asking" her tone is dry as her eyes are back to the papers. You see, the Red Guards are all about action and it´s also involved in lots of paperwork.

Kurt doesn´t look too chastised at this. "I´m talking about Juggernaut´s accident...by the way, will Marko Kurt" and he looks deadpan by the fact a criminal shares the same name as him. "will be put in maximum security?"

Now, Raven shows her teeth. Is a fitting metaphor for the fearsome leader of the Red Guard. "Actually, Marko is powerless without his magic helmet...he´ll put in the common criminal cellar, along with the other common criminals" and her smile looks more devious. "As we´d inform him how his precious helmet is being melted...no more magic helmet" and Kurt arch his eyebrows at this.

"And it is?"

"Oh, Kurt...does it really matters?"

And this debate-and any moral implication- is deemed over. Well, Kurt Wagner disagrees. "mother, please" he pleads now and is unwavering sincere. "In the Juggernaut case...a woman, a civilian as far I can tell" and Kurt is showing such suspicious on his face is almost comic. Almost. "and she faces Juggernaut on her own and even had the nerve to ask for one of my swords ..." Kurt states. Raven is bored again.

"Kurt, if I were to give a fuck to every lady you meet that do anything to jump into your bed...I would be like this" and her face twist to an old crone with white hair and bad teeth. Kurt is not amused. "So, I do not see the big picture only you see"

"She stands Juggernaut...how many people can do that and be still alive?" and Kurt grins as Raven is no longer bored. "My point is, what if she´s from the Project X?" and now Raven is giving him her sole attention.

"Kurt, we dismantled that program way before you were even born. Way before Rogue was even born..." Raven commence. "Logan James Howlett is one of the last candidates...and he´s spending his life as a rich playboy...if, and I want to be clear here on the if, IF this woman is from the project X...why she would content herself in being a history teacher?" and Raven feels she struck a nerve on Kurt.

"Look, I´d not know. OK? Logan is a special case on its own. Maybe she wanted to have some normalcy...my point is: I need your permission to access the big data. I need to know more about this woman, if she´s part of the program X...we need to know...what if she gets some power up? Laura suffered that and if we´re not there...things would have turned grimly for everyone" Kurt concludes somewhat smugly. His reason has some base.

Raven rests her face on the palms of her hands. "Denial!" and it shocks her son´s to the very core. "I´ll not authorize privacy invasion for a flimsy excuse, yes, she may be from the program X, but, let´s be honest...there like 1% or less of a chance of being true...son, hear me out" now Raven is pleading. As a mother. Never as a leader. "the program was closed years ago. This Kitty Pryde is not from the Program X...but, if you feel there´s something wrong about her...you don´t need to use our data" she stops and looks at her only son.

"You´re Kurt Wagner" she starts in a sing-song tone. And Kurt starts to use the name Mom as a warning. "The heartthrob of Genosha...what lady would refuse such the Amazing Nightcrawler!" and she has a wide grin on her face and Kurt is completely bemused.

"Thanks, that´s useless"

"Anytime, son"

_______________________________________________________________________________________

The Sunshine School is not one of the elite- even if the name gives this impression- and it includes many professionals that are doing their best for the future generation of Genosha. There´re a majority of mutant teachers- a rule Magneto created in his first year and is hard to ignore it- however, there´re some humans working in the school as well.

Right now, Jono Starmore is teaching the kids about telepathy. Of course, as the man is mute. His entire class is in silence- if one is to look from outside, it sure paints an odd picture- as the teaching carries on.

Jubilation Lee is watching the class- Telepathy 101- from afar and is not thinking the scene is too strange. She watches as Jono being still and showing little changes in his expression and makes the mistake of making a soft sigh. A mistake the other teachers caught on pretty quick.

"Oh, someone is in love!" Bobby teased. And Monet-who is doing her nails- didn´t need to look up to Jubilation or Bobby to see what´s the image is being folded. "Jubilee is so obvious. Too obvious...is pathetic and adorable at the same time" and Jubilee remembers she promised to the principal she wouldn´t kill Monet- she made a promise and she is trying to uphold. She´s trying- even if the temptation is strong.

"I´m not sure what you guys are talking about...I´m just happy we have a telepath that has some morals....unlike your old buddy, Emma...how is she, Monet?" Jubilee hissed as Monet looks unimpressed.

"Still being the White Bitch we know. We love and we hate" Monet summarizes the situation in one line. "And you? Done pinning over a silent boy?"

Kitty pipes in. Her coffee is not that great, but, will keep her awake until she has time to take a nice nap. "Hey, leave her alone. If she has a crush" Jubilee vehemently denies even if she´s blushing. "let her deal with that. Teasing will not help our dear friend who is crushing someone"

"Et Tu, Kitty?"

And there´s an easy feeling among them. Bad coffee is more agreeable if you have a good company. It even helps to forget problems in the past.

Jubilee changes the subject quickly. "So, Kitty...how was facing Juggernaut?" and people forget about Jubilee´s crush-for now- as they bomb Kitty with questions.

Payback!

"Uhm...it was ok...I meet Nightcrawler...also I saw Rogue punching Juggernaut"

"Rogue?! She´s the coolest!" they all agreed. _______________________________________________________________________________________

"I mean, you saw Rogue!" Bobby is walking with Kitty as they´re responsible to clean the small festival their class made. Bobby is almost jumping like a little boy who got a present way earlier. "How is she?" and Kitty almost laughs.

"No one going to ask if I´m alright?" inquires poorly faking being angry. Kitty is not a great actress.

"Are you Kitty Pryde, right?" is all Bobby can respond. They pick the trash-the students abused in ribbons and glitter for their small festival- and are moving outside to throw away in the correct garbage can. "I can totally believe you punch God in the face...you and Monet have that bitch energy"

"I´ll not take offended because I know you and Monet. So, instead, I´ll say ...thank you"

"But aside seeing Rogue in all her awesomeness. You meet Nightcrawler...is he as handsome as the photos promise?" only Bobby to make this question. No, actually, many people would make this question.

Kitty mulls for a minute. Oh, many ladies would say how handsome he is. Kitty? She has to think about it. "He has golden eyes..."

"Man...you see Rogue and Nightcrawler and didn´t get an autograph?"

"Nah...Rogue was too busy and Nightcrawler was working...plus, my students record the whole exchange" Kitty promises to show the videos if Bobby truly wants to see. Kitty didn´t even need to ask. However, as they´re about to return to the school. Something happens. Rather...someone happens.

"KATYA!" his Russian voice is too familiar to Kitty and it can´t be no one else but Piotr Rasputin. "Are you cheating me with this man?" and Bobby is really confused.

"I´m gay buddy, and even if I wasn´t...she doesn´t seem to want to see you" and this was the wrong thing to say as Piotr is furious and is marching like a bull without thinking twice.

Bobby´s ice is strong, sadly, for once...Piotr´s stubbornness is beyond any logic and the ice is the first victim. Kitty touches Bobby making him and her unchangeable. And she quickly phases him down as Piotr is not thinking clearly.

"So...that´s your ex?"

"That´s my biggest mistake!"

___________________________________________________________________________________________ Kurt is more than aware of his effects on women. He´s acutely aware how some ladies do eye him different-his big sister often jokes she can go anywhere with him without a lady trying to flirt with him- accordingly, follow his mother´s suggestion wouldn´t be an impossible choice, however, Kurt is trying not to be a manslut-there´re limits he needs to respect and he needs and wants the ladies to respect his own limits- Kurt wants to know more about this history teacher.

Arriving in her school wouldn´t be too stalkerish-Oh, he sure hopes not- as he wants to inform her about the Juggernaut's case-nothing fair in this scenario and certainly not problematic on his part- as soon Kurt arrives in the school...he sees a man cover in metal slamming his fist on the ground shouting the word "Katya" like a lunatic.

And Kurt has to rescue whoever this Katya is. Fighting a man with metal skin is a tricky situation- Rogue would punch his face and be done. Oh, how he sometimes envy her super-strength- But thanks to his swords and his teleportations prowess. The lunatic was defeated.

And a woman phased in with another man. Kitty Pryde looks at the unconscious Piotr Rasputin and back to Kurt. "He´s not dead...he´s drowsy...is he your husband?" Kurt asked not sure what to ask. He saw this behavior with abusive husbands in the past.

Kitty frowns. "No, thank god...what will happen with him?"

Kurt looks at her. She looks shaken-rightfully so- and at the same time, her eyes hold a fury-direct to Piotr. Not Kurt, an important detail to notice- and then looks at her companion. "If you press charge...he´ll be arrested and won´t be able to hurt you or anyone else ever again"

Kitty is looking at Bobby as if asking his opinion. "That lunatic almost killed us...yes, let´s press charge..."

Kitty looks ashamed. "I should have press charges way back" she mutters and looks way different from the first time Kurt saw it- Kurt won´t lie and say he has any sympathize for Piotr- "I´ll press charges as well" _____________________________________________________________________________________

Queen Wanda is not exactly happy to know her sons- her precious boys- were almost kidnapped and it was thanks to the wannabe kidnapper´s stupidity that this grim scenario didn´t happen. In fact, she´s happy it wasn't her kids or even an innocent kid.

However, she´s the Queen. And a Queen shouldn´t let this incident goes by without taking some action. So, Pietro and Lorna are discussing what could lead Juggernaut, of all people, to try to kidnap the princes of Genosha.

"Juggernaut is strong and dumb...so, he wouldn´t come with this idea alone...or would he?" Wanda begins.

"He´s not a mutant, right? Are we sure this isn´t just a case of Mutant envy? Look, you´re really, really powerful and some humans seem to think you can give and take powers" Lorna adds to the conversation.

"Are we sure this has nothing to do with our father?" Pietro asked and Wanda sighs as she knows where this will go. Lorna and Pietro have different views in regards to Magneto.

"Pietro, the man is not even here...why he would do this with his own grandchildren?"

"Why he would try to kill his own kids?"

"Enough!" Wanda cuts them before the argument gets uglies. "Pietro, Magneto is not here...and Lorna, Magneto will forever be a bad memory for us, please, respect this"

"Look...what if Wakanda influenced Juggernaut?" Pietro pipes in and Lorna seems to take this idea.

"Yeah, Genosha and Wakanda aren´t allies nor enemies...and again, Wanda, you´re so powerful...people are bound to want some leverage against you"

Wanda frowns at such words.

"Let´s look at this way, maybe this is an isolated case...and we´ll not have to worry, but, if not...we can be ready to do whatever it can to protect Genosha and our family" Pietro promised and Wanda agrees.

"Revanche aka Kwanon is having a chat with Juggernaut...soon we´ll know what this man wanted...worry before time never helps anyone, sister" Lorna concludes softly and Wanda nods. She hopes this is an isolated case.

#House of M redone au #kurt wagner #kitty pryde #Piotr is Piotr #this is not me bashing him...this is me using what he did in canon against him #wanda maximoff #pietro maximoff #lorna dane #jubilee lee #jubs has a crush #In this house we respect Kwanon

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deatthblooms · 4 years

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— secrecy flows through you, a different kind of blood.

KEDAR WILLIAMS-STIRLING? No, that’s actually RAPHAEL BROWN-PATIL from universe #8. You know, the child of LAVENDER BROWN and PARVATI PATIL? Only 23 years old, this SLYTHERIN alumni works as KEEPER FOR PUDDLEMERE UNITED. HE identifies as CISMALE and is a PUREBLOOD who is known to be VAIN, UNRULY, and PRIDEFUL but also VERSATILE, OUTGOING, and DETERMINED.

PARALLELS: tony stark (marvel comics), oberyn martell (game of thrones), connor walsh (how to get away with murder), johnny storm (marvel comics), raven reyes (the 100), gina linetti (brooklyn nine nine), will byers (stranger things), freddie mcclair (skins), vanya hargreeves (the umbrella academy)

WARNINGS: light gore, blood, werewolf attack, hospital mention, depression

BEFORE

born to war heroes, rafe was no stranger to the scars they left behind. it came as a surprise to no one that lavender and parvati would make warm and supportive parents. raphael can’t remember not feeling loved, he never felt alone because two strong women were always standing behind him, ready to catch him and help him back onto his feet. mistakes were turned into lessons and rafe became a quick learner.

that wasn’t to say their family was perfect. raphael butted heads with his sisters plenty, especially penny. and while his mothers had become stronger from surviving a war, it had left them both scarred, physically for lavender.

raphael had been terrified of werewolves ever since he was a child. they were the one thing that had been able to hurt someone who in his eyes, was unstoppable. if werewolves could have lavender up at night crying while parvati soothes her after another nightmare, plaguing her even in her dreams, what sort of horrors could a werewolf do to him?

if you asked lavender and parvati what raphael was like as a boy, they’d tell you that he was always smiling, always joking, making everyone laugh, that he was so full of joy that it spilled out into the room and infected everyone else.

rafe had grown up excited to finally go to hogwarts, to learn as much as he could, experience as much as he could. he had been convinced he would be sorted into gryffindor like his mother’s, but instead the second brown-patil to enter hogwart's halls was sorted into slytherin. rafe's initial reaction was severe disappointment but he was quickly made to feel welcome and at home in the house of ambition, his resentment barely lasted a day.

raphael was a bright boy, he didn't find himself having to study awfully hard to get solid grades, which gave him more time to focus on something that would become his biggest passion: quidditch. rafe had been talented from the getgo but it didn't mean he got out of vigorous training. by his third year he had made it as the keeper for slytherin and was a member of the team up until the beginning of his seventh year.

his school career had been a breeze for the first six years, as each year passed there were things he was proud of, making the team, improving his flying, finally getting an outstanding in herbology. but at the end of his seventh year rafe can't say he's doing anything he's proud of.

(VIOLENCE, MILD GORE, WEREWOLF TW) it started as a stupid dare among friends, raphael had had a few drinks and he willingly wanders into the forbidden forest, feeling a little too invincible. that's when he's attacked in the dark by a werewolf. rafe barely remembers the incident, it happened in a flash of claws and blood and screaming. rafe doesn't even remember casting wandless magic to scare the beast away before he ran back to his friends. when he emerges from the tree line, he's staggering, his chest stained red, the adrenaline stops and so does his body. his friends rush him to the hospital wing, screaming and crying and saying they have no idea what happened. madam pomfrey peels back his school shirt, now stained dark red and saturated with blood, to reveal four deep gashes spanning from the base of his neck and his right shoulder to the bottom left of his rib cage. the only reason madam pomfrey discloses the nature of the scratches because it's the early hours of the morning and no one else in the infirmary is awake. "potter, find the headmaster immediately, there's a werewolf on school grounds." (TW END)

the ordeal blows over, the werewolf wasn't seen again and it's brushed under the rug. except now rafe had to live with the fact that at ever my full moon, he would transform into the beast from his nightmares, the one he thought was under his bed as a child, was now looking back at him in the mirror. he was helped by the teachers immensely, he was given wolfsbane every month, a locked room to wait it out, and discretion. but his mental state suffered terribly, the days leading up to the full moon he was irritable and on edge through his fear of hurting someone.

and then there was the hurdle of telling his mum's. something he still hasn't managed to do till this day. every time he's tried to look his mother's in the eye and confess to an unforgivable mistake, he can't go through with it. he can't bare to see the hurt in lavenders eyes when she finds out her son is the same as the beast who left her scarred. not even being able to tell maggie solidified in his mind the reason he wasn't sorted into gryffindor: he's a coward.

the rest of his seventh year is a spiral downwards, he falls into a depression, stops turning up to practice, grade's drop dramatically. the once charming keeper turns into a recluse. but eventually it passes and he adapts to his condition. not in time to pass his seventh year, but as the next september comes around, he's buried his fears deep down and throws himself back into school. he makes the team again, his grades back up to normal, seemingly having made a recovery from quidditch accident, as the headmaster had spun it. what the headmaster didn't know was that rafe never told his mother's the real reason and rafe might have been a little calculating to make sure his lies held up for the rest of the year. to his mother and sister's, rafe had a quidditch accident and it left him scared to get back on a broom.

he'd just turned 20 when he made puddlemere united's keeper, the team rekindled some old friendships, leading him to share a house with three of the people he holds most dear. raphael can be unapologetically himself in the house, there's no secrets, no fear, they all help him and care for him despite something that still gives him nightmares and for that, he admires each of his housemates.

but if you asked lavender and parvati what raphael was like now, they’d tell you that they fear he was too generous with the joy he spread as a child, because their son isn’t as whole as he used to be, but if somethings wrong, he’d tell them. right?

AFTER

raphael doesn't feel awfully affected by the clash other than acquiring a new housemate. he wasn't remotely opposed to the idea of letting james' cousin from another universe crash on their couch, but it took some getting used to. from learning about the world fred came from, raphael is cautious of who he meets, not wanting to shake hands with a death eater in any shape or form. he'd never voice it, but the only instance he wouldn't feel bad hurting someone as a wolf would be if he hurt the people who hurt his mums.

he vain as fuck. spends 2 hours getting ready, owns a shocking amount of clothes especially after getting a quidditch salary.

also the biggest flirt known to man? bisexual as hell, will swing anyone's way, he's smooth.

has a lot of shame about being a werewolf.

after the attack, he sleeps around a fraction of what he used to, scared of being judged for his scars but it hasn’t stopped him flirting.

colour he has the most of in his wardrobe? baby pink. we're not afraid of femininity in the brown-patil house.

his boggart is a werewolf. yes u heard me right.

his magic has always been elegant, charms was a class he passed without much effort because he found himself mastering them easily. his first signs of magic were when he changed the colours of every bit of clothing he owned. his spells are precise and very eye catching.

STATS PAGE

#clonesintro #RAPHAEL * / intro.#* / intros.#1 down !!!!#9 to go :)))

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thenightling · 4 years

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Films and shows to get you ready for Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman

Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman is getting adapted into a series by Netflix. Though this is a DC comics property, The Sandman is NOT like Batman, Superman, or Wonder Woman. The Sandman is a gorgeous and surreal fantasy that only partially takes place in the human world. A big part of it takes place in the fantasy realm known as The Dreaming.

There is very little combat action though there is horror. To give you an idea of what you are in for (Or if you are a Sandman fan already and want something to hold you off) here are twenty-five films and shows that share some of the traits (or atmosphere) you might find in Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman.

25. The Raven (1963 film). This might seem like an oddball one to list since it’s a Gothic Horror fantasy comedy from the 1960s but it gets referenced in The Sandman by Matthew imitating Peter Lorre and later Matthew compared Cain to Vincent Price. I think it’s safe to say Matthew was a Price (or Roger Coman) fan.

24. Death. Death is a short animated film from DC and was featured as bonus content for the Blu Ray of the animated movie Wonder Woman: Bloodlines.

Though she looks younger (appearing about nineteen-years-old) Death is the older sister of Morpheus AKA Dream of The Endless, the main protagonist of The Sandman. She was first introduced in The Sandman issue 8, The Sound of Her Wings.

23. Stardust.

Stardust is a fantasy film based on the novel (and graphic novel) by Neil Gaiman. Though there are liberties taken, this should give you some idea of what his fantasy writing is like.

22. Beetlejuice the animated series.

If you want an idea of what The Dreaming (realm of Dreams) is like then I urge you to check out the surreal Neither (that’s not a typo) World from the Beetlejuice animated series. The monsters that inhabit this realm are the stuff of fantasy and nightmares. Some are living puns. And they are ruled over by a broody Goth who makes it rain when he’s depressed and feeling melodramatic, much like a certain Dream Lord from Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman...

21. Bonus listing: The Nightmare on Elm Street franchise.

One major antagonist of Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman is a nightmare entity known as The Corinthian who escapes into the waking world and becomes a serial killer. Had Sandman been adapted in the mid-90s I think many would have loved a crossover with Freddy Krueger.

20. Return to Oz.

If by some weird chance you have never seen The Wizard of Oz or any faithful (read: Not 2010) version of Alice in Wonderland I would recommend those first. But under the assumption you may have already seen those I would suggest watching Return to Oz. Return to Oz features an adorable Jack-o-lantern headed character called Jack Pumpkinhead. Jack Pumpkinhead was the loose inspiration for the grounds keeper dream entity character of Mervyn Pumpkinhead in Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman.

19. Tales from the Crypt (TV series).

Issue 2 of The Sandman is called Imperfect Hosts because all of the characters introduced in that issue are former horror host characters from horror anthology comics. Cain and Abel were DC’s answer to The Crypt keeper and The Vault Keeper. For a good idea of who Cain actually is (assuming he’s in the show along with his House of Mystery) I strongly recommend checking out the TV show Tales from the Crypt.

18. Tales from the Cryptkeeper (animated series)

In the mid-1990s there was an animated series adaptation of Tales from the Crypt called Tales from the Cryptkeeper. Season 2 featured the three original EC comics horror hosts of the Cryptkeeper, Vault Keeper, and the Old Witch. These storytellers might give you an idea of who (or what) some of Morpheus’ Nightmare minion are in The Sandman.

17. Hocus Pcous.

I chose to put this one here because the three witches of Hocus Pocus very much remind me of the Hecatae version of The Three-in-one from The Sandman Issue 2. There’s also a powerful Grimoire that is a plot catalyst.

16. The 10th Kingdom.

The 10th Kingdom was a fantasy mini-series that aired on NBC in 2000. It dealt with a twenty-seven-year-old young woman who discovers that her estranged mother is the evil queen in a faery tale world. It is very much a story about stories (much like parts of The Sandman) and shows you the original dark and unvarnished versions of some classic faery tales as well as how those characters (and their descendants) carry on centuries later.

15. Once Upon a Time (TV series. Particularly seasons 1 through 3.)

Much like with 10th Kingdom we have here a story about stories and those characters from classic stories trying to live in the human world with varying degrees of success. You see how important their stories are and how carefully and intricately each tale was interwoven with each other. (...Until around season 4 that is...)

Also it begins with a very powerful creature imprisoned and later undergoing an extremely long redemption arc and a sense of guilt tied to the death of his own son.

14. Constantine: City of Demons.

John Constantine appears in one issue of Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman. Issue 3. Constantine: City of Demons gives a good crash course on who Constantine is and where he comes from. John Constantine’s ancestor, Johanna Constantine is a recurring character in The Sandman.

13. Justice League: Dark animated movie.

Justice League: Dark is the first animated movie to feature The House of Mystery. The House of Mystery is a building whose roots are in The Dreaming in The Sandman.

12. Constantine (2014 series).

In 2014 Constantine got his own live action series but it only lasted for one season.

11. Locke and Key.

Only recently did I learn Locke and Key will be doing an official crossover with The Sandman Universe.

10. Lucifer TV series.

The TV show Lucifer is an oddball thing since it was based on a comic that is actually a spin-off of The Sandman. The storyline that introduces us to Mazikeen, where Lucifer quits ruling Hell, opens Lux, and takes up playing Piano all come from Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman.

When Fox got the rights to Lucifer no one thought The Sandman was going to be getting an adaptation, at least not in the near future. As a result several conversations and key pieces of dialogue that originally passed between Morpheus and Lucifer in The Sandman comics now went to Lucifer and his therapist, Linda, and his angel-brother, Amenadiel.

Bonus: If at all possible check out the Crisis on infinite Earths event from the CW as the real Crisis on Infinite Earths (original comic event) eventually gave way to things like The Sandman.

9. The Witches (1990) and Coraline (2009) I couldn’t decide which one to put here so I put them both.

The Witches is a children’s horror film based on the book by Roald Dahl. I suggest this here for its darker themes and you get a group of dangerous, child-killing witches attending a meeting at a hotel, much like The Corinthian’s Serial Killer convention in The Sandman.

Coraline is a stop motion fantasy / horror story for children and can give you some idea of what certain aspects of The Sandman are like, as it is by the same author.

8. Pan’s Labyrinth.

The Sandman is very much part fantasy and part Gothic horror and no director alive quite fits that criteria now better than Guillermo del Toro and possibly Tim Burton. Pan’s Labyrinth has the surreal beauty and darkness you are likely to see in The Sandman.

7. Doom Patrol.

Doom Patrol was the first DC show that made me have faith that yes, they CAN adapt Sandman respectfully and unafraid of the strangeness it might entail. Doom Patrol seemed unafraid to tackle the strange, quirkiness of it’s own content. From a talking roach, to gender-queer sentient street named Danny, Doom Patrol was not afraid to be strange.

6. Swam Thing (2019 TV series from DC Universe Streaming Service).

I mostly suggest this for one character in particular. Matthew Cable. After Matthew died in The Sandman comics he chose to spend his afterlife as Morpheus’ raven.

Besides featuring a character from The Sandman Swamp Thing gives a very good Gothic atmosphere and supernatural content, giving you an idea of the sort of horror DC can do.

6. Justice League Action: Trick or Threat. And Justice League action: Supernatural adventures in Babysitting.

The episode of Justice League Action called Trick or Threat features Cain, a nightmare character from Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman, as well as The House of Mystery. This was Cain’s first appearance in media. The version of Cain in the TV show Lucifer is nothing like his comic book counterpart. This cartoon is the first and only faithful adaptation of the character from the comics.

The episode of Justice League Action called Supernatural Adventures in Babysitting features the Magdalene Grimoire. This is the grimoire used to summon Morpheus in Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman. It also features John Constantine.

5. She-Creature: The Mermaid Chronicles (2001 film)

This is an odd from about some humans have a captured mermaid. The majority of the film is about her escape and revenge on her captors. You will see something similar to that with Morpheus in the very first episode of Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman.

4. The Company of Wolves.

The Company of Wolves is a story about stories. In the ontemporary world a pubescent girl sleeps during her first period. She dreams that she is Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother tells her horrific stories about werewolves. The wolves become metaphors For puberty, masculinity, and waking sexuality. Toward the end Rosealeen (the protagonist) becomes one of the wolves. You get random stark reminders that this entire film is set in a dream world, and yet it’s still strangely easy to forget.

3. The Nightmare before Christmas.

The Nightmare before Christmas is a fantasy musical about the king of Halloween. Though he’s adored by his subjects he longs for more. The surreal landscape and strange creatures can be reminiscent of The Sandman.

2. Labyrinth.

One of the earliest efforts to talk me into reading The Sandman entailed someone telling me that Morpheus was “Like a Goth Jareth.” This effort (at the time) failed to entice me though I do love Labyrinth.

1. Over The Garden Wall.

I only saw Over the Garden Wall for the first time about a year and a half ago and loved it very much. This is a strange animated mini-series about two brothers lost in a forest called “The Unknown.” The setting has been debated among fans as to if it’s purgatory (a place between life and death), a dream realm, or something else entirely. I choose to believe that though it may be a place between life and Death that it’s also a part of The Dreaming, especially with so many surreal and Gothic visuals, and characters and creatures directly out of vintage seasonal cards.

#The Sandman #Neil Gaiman's The Sandman

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bluboothalassophile · 4 years

Note

In the comics John Constantine has a daughter with a demon, do you think she would ever cross paths with raven or Zed in the Constantine Dad Au?

Hello,

I love the way you think! So here’s some more of the Constantine Dad AU would Maria Constantine!...

The Hells of Daughters...

John Constantine supposed he was cursed. He had to be.

He had turned into the Magic version of Bruce Fucking Wayne! But with daughters instead of sons.

It was enough to have him wanting to beat his head against a rock.

Zatanna, Raven, Zachary, Lori, Lilith, Klarion, Amy, and Traci; it was amazing he hadn’t gone in-bloody-sane! Zatanna was his forever drama queen, she would live to make, create, unleash, and revel in fucking drama; there were times he wanted to throttle her for it. Raven was his favorite; he would die before admitting it, but the demoness was his easiest child ever, she just got it. Zach was a pain in the ass, but a good lad all the same; a bit resentful of Zatanna. Lori redefined Emo/Goth cliché; it was not Raven who was his dark one, it was Lori; though she was a great kid once people got past her attitude. Lilith was his nightmare; he would actually pay lads to stay away from her; but it was hard, literally, she was like a cat in heat, it was maddening, and Zed would let Lilith push all sorts of boundaries! Klarion; who Constantine was still trying to remember adopting; happened to be a devious brat and ingenious at riling up all his sisters, and that damn cat! Amy was a princess, a darling little princess, she was fierce and sweet; she had wacked a demon with her wooden sword the other day when the house was under attack. And Traci, darling, sweet, pain in the ass Traci was going to make his hair white before she even hit puberty; he knew she’d finish him off if her sisters didn’t beat her to the task.

And though Constantine loved all his daughters; he did, he’d trade Bruce for his sons in a heartbeat if only to have a minute of peace.

Daughters were exhausting, and B had no idea how much more hazardous and troublesome the lasses were to the lads; B’s only daughter was a bloody angel. All of Constantine’s; minus Raven; were demonesses from Hell; Raven was an angel, there was irony in there.

Which brought him to today as he was all alone, minus Raven who was getting ready for a night out with Jason, Roy, Garth, and Victor Stone. It was a peaceful night too, Zed had taken the girls off to the cinema. There was a knock on the door, which had him sighing as he dropped his current spell book; he had been working on a way to track demons more reliably; Maze had offered her services to see if he could find it. Mazikeen and Lucifer were currently on their hundredth honeymoon, after having been remarried by a Wonder Woman impersonator in Vegas; again, and they had fucked the Wonder Woman impersonator. Sounded like a grand time.

“I got it!” Raven said as she came from within the House of Mystery, he followed his daughter. She was fifteen, he marveled at how quickly she was growing. “I got it dad,” she promised.

“If it’s your lad I’d like to meet him,” John promised.

“It’s not Jay, I’m going to the Manor,” she said as she grabbed her coat.

“Ah, but I still want to meet him,” he promised.

“You know Jay, and Dick,” she pointed out.

“You will not distract me because your sister is on a date,” he warned.

“Why don’t you want to meet Zee’s boyfriend?” Raven asked.

“Because the wanker is a boy toy in love with an older woman, it’ll never last. Besides, if he breaks her heart I’ll send him to hell, he knows it, so we are good.”

“And what do you think you’ll do to Jason!?” Raven sputtered.

“Nothing, lad’s not foolish enough to harm you,” Constantine mused.

“Glad you have faith in my best friend.”

“Of course dear,” he chuckled as they opened the door to the House of Mystery, it revealed a teen, about Rae’s age, blonde a brown eye and a blue eye, she had boxish features, and sharp eyes, she was lean, and rather muscular and gymnast looking.

“Can I help you?” he asked.

She shoved her blonde hair back.

“I’m here to kill you,” she stated.

“Well, if you’re here to do that, then it’d be polite to introduce yourself,” Raven snapped as she folded her arms. He smirked at his petite daughter’s attitude.

“Maria Constantine,” was the reply as her fingers lit with fire and Raven slammed the door shut, he grabbed Raven just as it was blown open.

“Bloody Hell!” he yelped as they flew over the railing and for the gears of the House of Mystery, he wrapped tightly around Raven to prevent her from being harmed. His daughter grunted from the impact, he shoved her off him and away, looking up to see two of the blonde. “I don’t know a Maria Constantine!” he snapped.

“Mother said that,” Maria said dryly as she walked down the stairs. “But I don’t care, I’m here to kill you!”

“And what relation are we?” he groaned as he rolled to his feet, he wavered, seeing Rae still dazed a bit as she lay there moaning in pain.

“I’m surprised you don’t see the immediate resemblance; Dad,” she sneered.

He looked at Raven who was up, and he looked at the demoness as she prowled forward. Raven nodded as she dropped into the shadows then.

“Who was your mum?” he asked.

“Rosacarnis, Daughter of Nergal,” she stated.

“Oh, how’s your mum?” he asked.

“Dead! Because of you!” she screeched, more fire came hurling from her fingers as he dove out the way, evading what would be a nasty burn.

“Enough!” Raven shouted, he watched the shadows come to life and he hurled a few defense spells as stray magic started flying around.

What the bloody hell!?

#bluboothalassophile #fanfic #john constantine #raven #maria constantine #constantine dad au

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imagine-loki · 4 years

Text

Gifted

Title: Gifted (Sequel to Giftless)

CHAPTER NO./ONE SHOT: 16/?

AUTHOR: nekoamamori ORIGINAL IMAGINE:

Imagine that you are Stark’s niece and you secretly share a strong relationship with Loki since he entered the crew. One day you get hurt so bad during a mission that you are about to die. Loki knows a spell that will save you and share his immortality with you but you and he will be linked forever sharing thoughts, pain, emotions…

RATING: T NOTES/WARNINGS: Also on AO3 click here

Nothing happened while you spent the day curled up comfortably with your books. Your suite was quiet and it was a relief to just relax for once. Loki had left you tales to read when you got bored of research and studying. You kept impatiently checking your eyes throughout the day, but nothing changed. They remained the same creepy black they’d been since you saved Pepper. Lunch arrived on the coffee-table in a flash of green magic, so you didn’t have to go scavenge for something to eat, thanks to a courteous Trickster boyfriend. You smiled at his thoughtfulness, and thanked him, even though you weren’t entirely sure he could hear you so far away.

A note appeared in your lap. -Anytime, darling- you grinned. You loved your silly mischievous boyfriend. And of course he was listening in on the outskirts of your thoughts. He wouldn’t intrude, but he would be listening to see if you called him. It was a delicate balance, but one you knew he wouldn’t cross the line of.

He came back to the suite in time to freshen up before dinner. He, however, forgot to warn you when he was returning, and teleported into the room without announcement or preamble. It was his suite after all and he’d probably been doing that since he learned how to teleport as a child.

You were on your feet with a dagger already thrown at him and two more in your hands before you realized who it was. Loki laughed and vanished the dagger before it could hit him. You dropped the other two and ran to him. “Loki! You scared me!” you scolded as you wrapped your arms around his neck. You had been startled by his sudden appearance, but what scared you more was that you had nearly stabbed him in the chest.

“I’m sorry, love,” he whispered, holding you tightly, stroking your hair to soothe you. “I have been so used to just teleporting into my suite all these years that I forgot it might startle you,” he admitted. You realized that he loved that you were here in his suite and safe, but that he hadn’t gotten used to sharing it with you yet either. “I am impressed with your reaction, though. You have been practicing,” he commented. You nodded, but still didn’t dare let him go, still afraid over nearly stabbing him. “Darling, I’m alright,” he soothed as he held you

“I’m sorry!” you wailed, clutching onto him tighter. “I threw a dagger at you!”

He laughed. “And that was the correct response to someone teleporting in to our suite,” he reminded me, stroking your hair. “Had I been thinking, I would have at least warned you first.” You nodded and finally relaxed, reassured that he was ok. “Shall we get ready for dinner?” he asked gently.

“That sounds like an excellent idea,” you replied with a tentative smile up at him.

“Good,” he leaned down to kiss you and used magic to dress you both for dinner. You loved that he could do it, but couldn’t wait to get your magic back so you wouldn’t have to rely on his magic. “First, though, I have a spell I need to look up.” He summoned the spell book Frigga had given him earlier. “I have not had a chance all day to look for it.” He flipped through the pages while you watched him, curious what spell he was looking for. “Here it is,” he murmured with a smile. He used magic to hold the book open in midair and carefully reached up to untie the braid containing the lock of your hair.

You watched him confused. “You don’t like it?” you asked, feeling a little hurt.

He shook his head. “Patience, darling,” he replied with a smile. He held the lock of hair in his glowing hand and recited the spell. When he was done, the lock of your hair had disappeared from his hand and was back on his head, as if it was growing there. You reached up to touch it, and it was in fact attached to his head, growing among his own hair as if he had been born with the lock. “There, now it shall never be lost,” he explained with a grin. “Unless of course, I should lose my Lady’s favor. There is a reversal spell in here,” he added, just to make sure you were aware.

“I don’t see that happening,” you replied with a smile. You kissed him, then reached up to rebraid that section of hair for him. You unbraided your own lovelock and handed the lock of raven hair to him. “Do mine?” you asked hopefully. He smiled and looked back to the spellbook. One recitation later, and he was carefully rebraiding your hair for you, a raven lock of his hair growing among your own comic book red. It wasn’t just a dyed lock either, it was actually his. The texture was different than your hair.

“There is a reversal for it,” he repeated reassuringly. “If you ever want to remove it,” you just stood up on your toes to give him a kiss.

“Thank you,” you replied, ignoring his comments about removing it.

He vanished the book again and offered you a hand so he could escort you to dinner.

“How was the play last night?” Frigga asked you during dinner that evening. None of the four of you would look at her. You didn’t want to answer that question. She kept staring you all down until Sif finally saved you.

“The actors were very good,” Sif hedged with as polite of an answer as she could.

“Oh dear. That is the nicest thing you can come up with?” Frigga asked. “Was the play crude, or insulting in some manner?” She had gone in protective mother mode. She wouldn’t have her children, adopted or otherwise, be insulted in her palace.

“The play was the tale of my banishment and journey,” Loki finally told explained to her. Frigga would know all the contents of that, as Loki had had to report his journey to her. “We were unprepared.” His words were simple, but his tone wasn’t. He still wasn’t pleased that you hadn’t been prepared and that you’d both had to remember unpleasant things. “I do not know how they acquired the entire tale, but they had every detail, Mother,” he added, his eyes haunted. You touched his hand, placing yours over the mark on his skin. His expression softened and he gave you a smile.

“We were just unprepared, Lady Mother. I do no think they intended to cause offense,” you added quickly before Frigga could truly get upset. She nodded, but didn’t look entirely convinced. Thor and Sif jumped in to agree with you. None of you wanted the troupe in trouble just because you and Loki had been uncomfortable.

The rest of dinner passed without incident and with way too much delicious food. “Loki, I need your help this evening,” Odin ordered towards the end of the meal.

“Mine too, Father?” Thor asked.

Odin shook his head. “Just your brother tonight,”

Thor nodded, though had a tinge of wariness to his response. “Very well, Father.” Odin beckoned to Loki, who stood, but gave you a worried expression. You smiled at him, trying to be reassuring. He took your hand and bowed over it to kiss it.

“I will see you later, darling,” he promised you in a whisper. “Thor?” Loki asked as he stood again.

Thor nodded. “I will escort her home safely,”

“Thank you,” Loki clapped Thor on the shoulder and went to go help Odin with whatever it was he needed. Sif whispered something in Thor’s ear. He nodded and stood, offering her his hand. He looked at you expectantly. You sighed, and stood.

“Sorry, Kat. I’m not feeling well tonight. Morning sickness is not very aptly named,” she complained. It was the first time you had ever really seen her without her perfectly mannered formality. Apparently pregnant women got passes on formality on any world.

“It’s no problem,” you replied, though you were definitely going to have to get out of the suite tomorrow, since you had spent 90% of the day there and you were going to go stir crazy. Thor walked with his arm around Sif’s waist and you followed behind them, trying to think of something fun to do that night. Thor looked back to you and reached back to grab your hand with his free one.

“Come along, Sister. I have seen that bored, lonely expression on my brother’s face too many times. No tricks from you tonight.” You pouted at him while Sif laughed. At least she was feeling ok enough to laugh. Thor stopped at the door to his suite. You managed to get free of his grip and continued on your way to your own suite. Thor grabbed your arm. “Where do you think you are going?”

“My suite? you can see it from here, Thor,” you replied dryly. He sighed and let you go.

“You are such trouble. You and my brother both.” You laughed and waved to them and headed quickly to your suite. You slipped back inside and changed into your pajamas, letting your hair down from the elaborate braid from dinner.

About an hour later, you were bored out of your mind and went to go find something fun to do. Thor was sitting outside of your suite’s door. “Took you longer than it takes Loki,” he greeted you with a grin. “He would have been out here about twenty minutes ago.” He offered you a hand. “Come, I have some fun for you,” he bid you. You grinned and took his hand. He led you down the hall to his suite. A board game was set up on his coffee table, but Sif was nowhere to be seen. “Sif retired already. She really was unwell.” Thor told you, seeing your concerned expression.

“Can you tell Loki I’m here? He’ll worry,” you asked. Thor smiled at you and gestured to one of the big pillows on the floor.

“I have already sent him the message,” he replied. “Sit,” he bid you. You laughed and sat on one of the big pillows. Thor handed you the rulebook for the game. You just looked up at him, surprised he was so prepared. “I may have used this tactic on Loki before,” he admitted. You laughed again and read the directions for the game. Thor picked a throw blanket off of his couch and wrapped it around your shoulders before he sat at the table with you and you began to play the board game. The game was fun, as was spending time with Thor. Thor was sweet and kind. Even if he constantly had a loud boisterous manner about it and seemed like an overgrown child most of the time.

The hour was late indeed when there was a knock on Thor’s suite door. Thor gestured for you to stay where you were and went to answer it. He stepped aside and let Loki come in. You grinned and jumped to your feet to go greet him. He looked tired and wan. There was danger in his eyes. Something was really wrong and he was barely holding onto his control. “Is everything ok?” you asked him. He nodded and smiled at me.

You didn’t quite trust the smile, it was off, almost malevolent.

“Did you have a pleasant evening with Thor?” he asked, sounding jealous. You had a feeling this was an old rivalry, and he had lost romantic interests to his brother before. You had to tread carefully with your answer so you didn’t offend either of them.

“He was very generous to offer to keep me company tonight. Your company, however, is always much more preferable. No offense, Thor,” you grinned over at Thor. You hoped your jovial tone might ease the situation. It didn’t seem to work. Thor took a step forward.

“None taken, Sister,” Thor replied, emphasizing the last word. “You look like hell, Brother. Father had you do complicated magics for him again, did he not?” Loki nodded brusquely, wrapping a possessive arm around you as he did. Thor glared at him, seeing the dangerous glint in Loki’s eyes, just as you had. “Brother…” his tone was warning. “I know dealing with Father puts you on edge, but I will not allow you to endanger your soulbond over your own hurt feelings.”

Ah, that was Loki’s problem tonight.

Odin had done something to mess with his emotions.

“We’ll be fine, Thor,” you told him with what you hoped was a reassuring smile. In this mood of Loki’s, if you went with him, you really were going to have to trust that he wouldn’t hurt you. Or do something stupid just because of Odin messing with his emotions. Thor didn’t look like he wanted to let you leave. He didn’t trust Loki like this. “Love, let’s go home,” you bid Loki, hoping he would listen to you. You saw emotions run across his eyes. Hurt, betrayal, anger, fear, distrust.

His emotions landed on fear and you saw him make a decision. You saw how hard it was for him to make that decision too. He took a step away from you and pushed you, gently, but still pushed you, into Thor’s arms. Thor caught you before you could fall. “Keep her here tonight.” Loki said gruffly, his voice hoarse with emotion and fear. “I do not trust my control tonight, or her safety with me,”

“Loki! No!” you protested and tried to go to him, but Thor had wrapped his strong arms around you. You reached out a hand to Loki, but he vanished from the room without another word. “Thor, let me go,” you warned him, angry at being held back.

“Calm down, Sister, calm. He did the right thing and we both know it,” Thor tried to reason with you. That didn’t stop you from pounding your elbow into his ribs, repeatedly. “I’m not letting go,” he told you the second time you hit the same spot hard. “Kindly stop hitting me, Sister,”

“Let me go, Thor,” you snarled at him, lifting one of your legs so you could kick him. He swung you around so you couldn’t kick him. “I have to go to him,” you insisted.

“Not tonight, you don’t.” Thor replied. “Calm down, he will be fine.” you struggled against him again, but it was useless, not without actually hurting Thor, which you wouldn’t do unless he actually hurt you. You finally stopped fighting him. He steered you toward the couch and pushed you onto it. He stayed standing, wisely not trusting you to stay put. “You have never seen him like this, have you?” Thor asked you gently, once he saw that you weren’t jumping off the couch to try to escape again. You shook your head. “I have. Many times. Can I sit, or are you going to try to escape?”

“You can sit,” you told him grumpily. He didn’t look like he entirely believed you. You had been hanging around Loki too much.

“Loki has entrusted me with your safety tonight. Please don’t make it difficult,”

“For now,” you could agree to that much, especially if he was going to give you an explanation.

“I will take ‘for now’.” He sat next to you on the couch.

“He’s hurting, Thor, I need to go help him,” you begged.

Thor shook his head. “Not tonight. Let him calm down. At least let you tell you about it before you try fighting you again,” he insisted. You held your hands up in surrender. you wouldn’t fight him. Yet. He nodded and you lowered your hands. You picked up the throw blanket from where it had fallen earlier and wrapped it around yourself again. Thor finally relaxed when you did, since he finally felt that you wouldn’t run. “Father can be a bit of a jerk. Actually quite a bit of a jerk. Fine, he is an asshole. He has pitted us against each other all of our lives. He always preferred me and Ball because we were big and strong like him. We look just like he did when he was young. Loki was adopted and yet he’s the only one who took to Frigga’s magic. Father hates him for it, and yet makes him do complicated super advanced magic for the benefit of the realm he says. And then he spends the entire time berating and belittling Loki while he does the complex spells. Between Father’s verbal abuse and the drain of the magic, it puts him in the mood you saw him in. He’ll be fine in the morning once he’s slept it off,” Thor promised you.

“And I can’t go to him because?”

“He does not trust himself not to hurt you out of misplaced anger at our Father. His control on his powers and emotions are basically gone. He will be here first thing in the morning, feeling terrible, with flowers or some other romantic nonsense to make this up to you.” You laughed at that and felt bad for Sif about Thor’s feelings on romantic gestures.

“Thor? Is something wrong?” Sif asked from the doorway to their bedroom. Thor nodded.

“Loki is having an off night and would like for Kat to stay here tonight. Is the guest room set up?” he asked. Sif nodded. “I will get her settled and take the couch tonight. Go back to sleep, love,” he bid her. He stood and kissed her gently and she went back to bed after wishing you a good night. He came back into the main room and looked at you. “Please stay here tonight, Sister,”

You sighed, but nodded. “Fine. You better be right about this,” you told him. He nodded and took your hand, pulling you to your feet. He led you to the second bedroom in their suite. You was grateful that it hadn’t been Torun’s old room. It was decorated as a generic spare bedroom.

“Do I need to get you a tonic from Mother, or will you stay?” he asked you firmly.

“I’ll stay. I promise,” you told him, giving up. He nodded and bid you goodnight. He would be sleeping on the couch in the main room, keeping guard, and making sure you stayed in the suite. You weren’t stupid enough to try to leave when Thor was keeping guard. You curled in the strange bed without your Loki and tried to get some sleep. It didn’t go well. You were too worried about him and tossed and turned all night, but finally dozed off some to get a little sleep.

#Loki #Lover #Submitted fic #submission #gifted #chapter 16 #nekoamamori

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theworkofxanderking · 4 years

Text

Twisted Tristan

Chapter 1 - Our City (Volume One)

Warnings: I do not own or claim to own the original content to “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, “Angel”, the comics or any of the original characters from the “Buffyverse” all rights belong to Joss Whedon.

15 plus, displays of Violence, Gore, Torture, M/M, F/M, F/F.

Faith found herself running through darkly lit underground tunnels her feet drenched by the sewer water her feet was running through while holding a new-born baby wrapped in blankets constantly looking back frantically before turning a corner to find Willow who is standing next to an opened portal anxiously awaiting her.

“Willow there’s just far too many of the bastards if we go through that portal, they’re only going to follow us.” Faith said to her while trying to rock the recently awakened and loudly crying baby back to sleep.

“Then I guess we have no choice but to put the little guy through first and place him somewhere safely while we deal with the unwanted followers.” Willow replied before taking the baby off Faith’s hand and beginning to walk towards the opened portal.

“Don’t worry I’ll hold them off for as long as I can.” Faith promised as she pulled out a wooden stake from her jacket pock while Willow ran through the portal with the baby in her arms.

Willow appeared from out of the other end of the portal with the crying baby boy still in her arms to find herself in a dark alleyway before looking for somewhere safe to place the baby so she could return to help the others.

“Well I’m definitely not going to win any best aunt award anytime soon for dumping my new-born nephew in some dank alleyway, but I promise aunt Willow will be right back the minute she and mummy slay the mean old monsters.” Willow said to the baby boy as she took of her jacket, wrapped it around the baby and placed him on the ground. “We will be right back I promise.”

The baby boy continued to cry louder and louder as Willow ran back through the opened portal to return to the underground tunnels finding Faith fighting with several vampires. Willow quickly summoned a sunlight ball instantly turning the vampires within the proximity to dust.

The joy didn’t last long as the portal suddenly shut itself leaving no trace of it ever being there just in time for Buffy to appear running from around the corner.

“Willow where is the portal?” Buffy asked frantically. “Willow where is my son?”

“I don’t know.” A confused and heartbroken Willow replied.

A random brown-haired girl found herself running down a dark alleyway one night one like the alleyway in which Buffy’s son was abandoned. The girl continued to look behind her truly terrified of whatever was chasing her until in a typical cliche fashion she found herself reaching a literal dead end only for the girl to laugh as fear fell from her face.

This girl was no ordinary girl she was a slayer and she had just lured a vampire into a trap believing she had the upper hand in the situation not truly knowing what she had just let herself in for.

“You literally have no idea who you are dealing with.” She smugly said as a tall dark and handsome man appeared from out of the shadows only to laugh at her response before twisting his face into revealing his vampire face.

The girl quickly stormed her way towards the vampire after pulling a wooden stake out of her jacket leading to her kicking the vampire in the face only to find him quickly jumping back from her hit to punch her across the face as the slayer and the vampire began a fight to the death.

Upon several minutes of brutal fighting between the slayer and the vampire she finally got the better of the vampire kicking him to the ground and prepared to steak him but before she stood a chance a tall, skinny, long raven haired man appeared from out of the shadows instantly grabbing the slayer’s attention.

“I guess there’s a new slayer in town,” He bluntly said, “I thought your kind knew this was my city now.”

The slayer rushed towards her next opponent only for the stranger to quickly get the better of her delivering several punches before kicking her into some nearby bins. However, the girl was no quitter and quickly jumped back onto her feet at the same time the dark-haired vampire raised to his feet.

“Leave this one to me Dante.” The stranger ordered the vampire as the slayer marched over towards him.

Another fight began between the slayer and the stranger this one even bloodier and more brutal than the slayer’s fight against the vampire only this time this seemingly human man was getting the better of her.

In a last-ditch effort to win back the fight the slayer launched her wooden stake towards the stranger’s chest only for him to catch her arm instantly snapping it with force before pushing her down to the ground.

“Wooden stakes only work on vampires darling,” He revealed to her. “And I am no vampire.”

The sinister stranger with long raven hair was not a vampire although his friend Dante was, this man was none other than Tristan Summers, Buffy’s son, the baby who was once abandoned in an alleyway like the one he had just taken down a slayer in.

Following a successful night hunting Tristan and Dante found themselves making out behind the counter of a demonic dive bar located within New York, a dive bar in which the two men ran together as the demonic, monstrous and vampiric clientele drank their varied drinks throughout the busy bar.

Tristan and Dante’s intimate moment together was quickly interrupted when three male vampires came bursting through the front door.

“I heard you caught another slayer boss.” The first vampire said with excitement. “We came as soon as we heard.”

Tristan pulled himself away from his vampire lover before jumping over the bar counter and walking towards his three vampire minions who are instantly terrified by their boss’ quick movements before staring his minions down making sure they feared him and getting off on that fact.

“I was just about to start a game of darts.” Tristan said with a sinister smirk before ushering their attention over to the other end of the bar to reveal the girl he and Dante had caught earlier tied down in chains to a wooden table flipped on its side.

The slayer was bound and unable to move or escape from her chains while blood poured out from her on various wounds on her broken and bruised body looking in a lot of pain with several darts launched into her body which only served to amuse the bar’s customers.

“The trick to being a good darts player is not only changing the dart board to something of your own liking,” Tristan said demanding the entire bar’s attention as he picked up a dart from a nearby table and launched it in the slayer’s direction, the dart launching into her shoulder and causing her to scream in pain. “It also helps to dip the darts in some poison so if it’s not a bulls-eye it’s still going to hurt.”

“They will come for me and you will all be nothing but dust and bloody limbs.” The slayer screamed at the entire bar.

“No this is a respectable business please don’t be threatening my staff.” Tristan replied sarcastically while walking over towards the slayer.

“How could you turn on your own kind for these monsters?” The slayer asked him as she came face to face with her defeater.

“These monsters are some of my closest friends in fact some I would go as far to say were family.” Tristan corrected her while grabbing her with force by the throat. “Slayers are all fools playing heroes which only serves to shorten your life span.”

Tristan wasted no time in tearing out two darts from the slayer’s weakened body before launching the darts one into each eye causing the slayer to scream out in agonizing pain before Tristan grabbed a hold of her neck once again this time with both hands before snapping her neck and by doing so claiming the slayer’s life.

“We were supposed to keep her alive long enough to get some information about who sent her to New York Tristan.” Dante moaned before jumping over the bar counter and beginning to walk towards his twisted lover.

“You worry far too much my darling,” Tristan responded before passionately kissing his boyfriend. “She’s probably just another foolish slayer who took a wrong turn just like the others.”

“My love we can’t afford to take chances not with her constantly on the move.” Dante warned the love of his undead life.

“Feel free to feast away boys I’m sure the poison would just a little kick to the taste but once you’re done snacking, dump the body outside of city limits like usual.” Tristan ordered his three minion vampires.

His vampiric minions waste no time in rushing their way over to the slayer’s corpse and sinking their fangs into several different locations on her body while Dante continued to look at Tristan unimpressed by his actions.

“What if other slayers knew where she was?” Dante asked. “What if she knew where she was?”

“New York City is ours and nobody will take it from us.” Tristan stated before kissing his lover once again.

“Your mother has proven to be quite the opponent over the years I’d hate for your ego to hurt you my love.” Dante warned him before grabbing Tristan by the waist and pulling him in for another kiss.

“I’ve been ready to meet Buffy Summers for years I can’t wait to see how I fare against the legend herself and I can’t wait to see that look on her face when she realizes she was bet by her own blood.” Tristan replied smugly clearly ready in his head to meet his mother.

A few nights later a clearly not aged Faith found herself riding down a dark road in the outskirts of New York City on her black motorbike before pulling up at the side of the road before getting off her bike and walking into the forest as she pulled a phone out of her pocket switched on a torch setting and dialed Willow in loudspeaker keeping her hands free to walk through the forest and find what she was looking for.

“I know when hunting woods for a body comes across your mind you instantly think of me but it’s no fun looking for the body the fun is in burying it.” Faith said sarcastically to Willow after she answered her call.

“Well I’m afraid woods and dead bodies is kind of a touchy subject for me since the whole well you know.” Willow replied through the phone. “We need to find out if this girl is the dead slayer we’ve been looking for because if she is then we have some serious problems rising in New York.”

“Okay well now I’m officially hoping it’s her no offense to the girl or anything but if her dead proves the rumors then it means I’ve got myself a party to attend to in the big apple.” Faith responded while continuing to walk through the woods in search of the dead slayer.

“Sadly, I’m pretty certain your going to find her my spells are rarely ever wrong these days.” Willow admitted just as Faith found the slayer’s bloodied and wounded corpse abandoned on the ground without a single fear of the body being found.

“Well congratulations Will it looks like you’re right once again,” Faith revealed while examining the corpse. “It looks like these fuckers really went to town on the poor girl.”

“Oh, goddess this isn’t good,” Willow sighed through the phone. “I know what you’re thinking Faith but please don’t step foot in New York until we send some back up.”

“No offense Willow but I’m not waiting around for the brownie brigade we both know I’m more of a one-woman army.” Faith replied making it clear to Willow she wanted to handle this situation solo.

“Faith the last time a slayer went into that city well your looking at what happened.” Willow warned her.

“Not one to cause offense while literally lingering over the girl’s dead body but a newbie slayer hardly has anything on me.” Faith boasted before hanging up on Willow not allowing her the chance to try and talk her out of her mission.

A shirtless Dante walked into his bedroom within the apartment located above his and Tristan’s bar while holding two glasses of champagne in his hands eager to cheer up his sulking lover Tristan who was sitting on the edge of their bed looking far from impressed.

“I’m still mad at you for disrespecting me in front of our peers the other night,” Tristan moaned as he stood up to face Dante. “You know I don’t like it when you argue with them in front of me it gives them the idea that I’ll tolerate disrespect of any king.”

“I was merely worrying about my lover’s safety.” Dante replied while flexing his impressive muscles before handing Tristan his glass of champagne.

“You should have more faith in me by now.” Tristan snapped before downing his glass of champagne in one long gulp.

“Tristan Summers you are well and truly remarkable the most delightfully wicked thing that has ever happened to me.” Dante admitted to his dangerous and deadly boyfriend. “I just fear sometimes about losing you and everything we’ve worked so hard for.”

“You know for a soulless blood sucking creature you are quite the caring boyfriend.” Tristan said with a sinister smirk almost as if he was mocking his lover for caring about him.

Dante down his drink in one gulp just like his lover before grabbing a hold of Tristan’s glass and throwing both glasses against the wall causing them to smash instantly as he looked at Tristan furiously before exposing his vampire face once again much to Tristan’s own enjoyment.

“Now that’s the monster I love.” Tristan said before Dante ripped his shirt open with his hands and threw Tristan down onto the bed before climbing on top of him and kissing him passionately.

Faith got off her motorbike once again only this time she had parked it in a parking lot just outside of a seeking looking motel as she stood looking at the building with a dreaded sense of nostalgia having spent most of her adult life living in motel room after motel room.

“If you’re doing any tricks in the room love then you have to pay by the hour.” The old fat and balding male receptionist said to her as she slammed money down at the reception desk.

“I don’t know whether to take that as a compliment or beat your ugly ass for calling me a whore lucky for you it’s been a long night, so I’ll take it as a compliment.” Faith snapped at him before collecting her keys and walking back out of the reception and down towards her motel room.

Before long she found herself in her bed and fast asleep after a quick shower but unfortunately she didn’t get much sleep before being awakened by the sound of foot steps in her room wasting no time to attack she quickly launched herself out of the bed before pushing a dark figured man up against a wall harshly only to switch the lights on to see Angel in front of her eyes.

“I know you’re a girl who’s fond of her sleep but you’re not really going to kill the closest thing you have to a friend just for waking you up, are you?” He asked her jokingly as the two laughed about the confusion before she let go of her vampire friend.

“You should know better than to sneak up on me Angel.” She replied. “I thought you were a vampire well one of the soulless varieties.”

“I’m actually here because of a certain vampire called Dante,” Angel revealed to her as he pulled a folder out of his jacket and threw it down on her bed. “I’ve been following him and his powerful little friend for quite some time now and I’m guessing Willow sent you here for the same reason.”

“So, the vampire has himself a witch friend then?” She asked before picking up the folder, opening it and beginning to have a skim through the pages.

“He’s supposedly human but much stronger than your average human in fact he’s taken down a few slayers allegedly.” Angel explained to her. “There’s rumors that he’s actually one of the very few male slayers in the world and went rogue.”

“So, I’m hunting down a rogue slayer got to love the irony.” Faith said sarcastically while continuing to skim through the pages.

“This supposed slayer and his vampire friend are quite the troublesome duo they’ve got many in New York utterly terrified of them.” Angel admitted.

“I guess that means one dead slayer and one pile of dust coming right up.” Faith responded before throwing the folder back down on her bed. “What are you not telling me.”

“Dante was sired by Drusilla in fact she considers him a son and he lives up to our twisted family legacy.” Angel revealed to a shocked Faith. “He’s very dangerous.”

“I’m guessing this means you want to tag along for the ride so you can have a reunion with your sired one’s sired one.” Faith guessed correctly.

“Dante is dangerous enough by himself and his friend seems to be just as powerful a threat we need to take this one seriously.” Angel warned her.

“Okay then boss man what’s the plan?” She asked.

“It’s time for the original rogue slayer to meet the latest slayer gone bad.” Angel replied with a cunning smile.

Tristan found himself stood up against the wall outside of his demonic dive bar during the day while smoking a cigarette only to be left shocked to see a brunette rogue beauty appear from around the street corner before the rogue beauty walked up towards him.

“You don’t happen to have a smoke going spare?” She asked him.

“Humans don’t normally have the courage to come around this party of the city.” He replied while continue to smoke his cigarette.

“Well it’s a good thing I’m not entirely human.” She revealed to him. “I’m a slayer in fact I’m probably the most infamous slayer ever to live.”

“So, slayers are just actively seeking me out in the daylight now.” Tristan laughed before throwing his cigarette across the street. “A death wish really does come with the calling then.”

“I’m not like most slayers you see I’m infamous for a reason,” Faith went on to say instantly grabbing Tristan’s attention. “I’m Faith and something tells me you’ve heard all about me.”

And Tristan did hear about Faith he heard all about Faith Lehane and was very happy to finally meet her.

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stevenuniversallyreviews · 5 years

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Episode 124: Lion 4: Alternate Ending

“Please tell me my destiny.”

We’ve had Ronaldo as a toxic gatekeeping fan intent on harassing the creator. We’ve had Lars as a disappointed fan whom the creator is desperate to impress. We’ve even had Navy as a false fan who’s only interested in robbing the creator’s spaceship (arguably a rarer breed than the first two). So now it’s time for the obsessive clue-hunter, who parses through the creation so deeply that the original meaning gets lost in the shuffle. And this time, our fan stand-in is Steven.

Lion 4: Alternate Ending is an episode about Steven trying to ruin Lion 3: Straight to Video. All the magic from that first glimpse of Rose Quartz threatens to be extinguished through overanalysis, to the point where his discovery of a new tape is met with dread instead of excitement. For all the Steven Universe fans that get frustrated by Steven not being as invested in the lore as they’d like, well, this is what happens when Steven gets as invested in the lore as you’d like.

To be clear, I don’t think Steven succeeds in ruining Lion 3, especially because the conclusion of Lion 4 manages to enhance its predecessor. I also don’t think it’s a bad thing that he tries: it fits his post-Storm in the Room state to tear through whatever evidence he's got to figure out why he was born, and it’s properly painful to see him so desensitized to the wonder of Rose’s tape that he’s reduced it to a possible decoded message. What better way to express how Steven feels than tainting a pivotal moment with his mother?

I’m super into stories where a mystery to the characters isn’t a mystery to the viewer: the core example is Cowboy Bebop episode Speak Like a Child, where our 2070s crew is trying to solve the case of a strange antique object that a 1990s audience already knows is a videotape (although a fifth of the way through the twenty-first century, we’re already getting removed from an era where modern audiences would know what a Betamax is, even as a cultural relic). Because the writers don’t have to try to fool us, we can focus more on how the characters tackle a problem instead of trying to beat them to the punch with our own deduction skills. I wouldn’t call Lion 4 the most concrete example of this sort of story, as it’s not impossible that Rose was leaving encrypted messages behind, but to me at least the “twist” that Rose’s tape wasn’t part of some dubious master plan is obvious enough that I can just enjoy the ride.

“Enjoy” is perhaps the wrong word, because while this is an excellent episode, it’s not a fun one. There are comedic moments, because this is still Steven Universe, but watching a kid at the end of his rope struggling to understand his place in the world is bound to be harrowing stuff. Steven’s determination is compounded by his solitude: the Crystal Gems are pointedly absent, as the last time he asked them for answers his dad got abducted to a space zoo and it’s easy to confuse correlation with causation. So it’s just Steven and Lion for most of the episode, and it’s telling that Lion answers Steven’s final cry for help by bringing him to see his dad. Some things can only be fixed by talking, and for all his strengths, Lion isn’t a great conversationalist.

Before we get to Greg, this Steven/Lion solo outing uses constant activity to sidestep the dullness factor that bogged down Steven’s Lion. After a strong first impression of Steven’s mental state as he scours Rose’s tape for clues, going so far as to try to find meanings in anagrams, Lion revs up the plot by retching up a giant key. I love that Steven’s first thought is the same as mine, and likely yours: the chest in Lion’s mane that we first saw in Lion 3, which unlike Bismuth remained a mystery (and it still is, because we never saw what Steven found in there between Change Your Mind and the movie). Even though the key is comically oversized, Steven ignores the obvious and keeps trying to make it fit. So right off the bat, we get two little stories about Steven looking for answers where there clearly aren’t any and doubling down despite the futility out of sheer desperation for the truth.

From here we get a montage of past locations a la Marble Madness and Warp Tour, accompanied by a gorgeous medley of location themes from Aivi and Surasshu; I will never not complain that we don’t get to have an album of their scoring, because this episode’s soundtrack is one of their best. Visiting the Armory harks back to Lion 2 as the tape did for Lion 3, and we also get a glimpse of Rose’s Fountain and Rose’s Room to continue our references to the many known areas tied to Steven’s mom. When nothing works, Steven pleads with Lion for more information, aware by now that the cat has some answers.

While I’m not huge on Steven’s Lion as an episode due to the aforementioned dull pace, it’s awesome to see our heroes return to where Lion was first found. Buddy’s Book already did a great job of reminding us of Lion’s desert home, but now it’s time to finally investigate the area further.

Jesse Zuke and Raven Molisee paired up for our last episode, leaving their usual respective partners Hilary Florido and Paul Villeco at bat for Lion 4. The ragtag team has so far given us rich visuals, with a particularly expressive Steven and Lion (crucial for the non-talking member of the duo) and a callback to the lovely settings of the past, but every aesthetic choice they make is topped by the desert run. It’s a beautiful shot, evoking the iconic ocean run of Lion 2, but Steven’s exhaustion (aided by Zach Callison’s beleaguered performance as he narrates his thoughts) tinges the scene with melancholy where there was once only magic. Steven’s desperation is no longer the frenzied need from when Greg was kidnapped, or even from the beginning of this very episode, but has been worn down to a weary determination that just breaks your heart. This is Charlie Brown after a yanked football too many; he hasn’t been thrown a single bone in his search for answers, and this might be his last chance.

I try not to include too many images in these reviews, because they can mess with the flow of the text, but screw it this shot is also amazing:

The pyramid-like structures leading to the locked door are the first we see of a new hidden getaway, and retrospect makes Steven’s plight even worse: as we learn in Legs From Here to Homeworld, all he had to do was touch one of them to get a major hint about Rose’s true identity.

It wouldn’t have solved everything, as Garnet would likely assume they were spoils of war, Amethyst wouldn’t recognize them, and Pearl would keep her mouth shut. And it would’ve ruined the pacing of the mystery for such a strange hint to be presented, so from a storytelling perspective it makes total sense to keep this in the backburner. And it’s not like it’s that weird that Steven doesn’t feel compelled to touch what seems to be a couple of statues when he’s spent the whole episode looking for a lock and it’s right in front of him and he just survived hours of desert travel. But knowing what we know now adds to the drama of how close our hero is to the truth he deserves.

In yet another bummer, Rose’s hidden landfill is worn down to the point where most of the walls had collapsed, meaning Steven didn’t even need the key. Which isn’t to say the key wasn’t important, as it prompts his trip in the first place, but it’s just one more way that the universe seems to be throwing unnecessary hurdles at him. In the same vein, Lion not only could’ve warped him to the destination as he mentions, but he could’ve done so without hacking up the key in the first place. But we’re long past the point where we should expect straight answers from Lion, so I forgive the big lug.

The first thing that came to my mind when Steven saw the dump wasn’t Amethyst’s room, although there are obvious similarities. It was Greg’s storage locker, the place where we first talked about Rose all the way back in Laser Light Cannon, the place where Greg expressed confusion about why a magic woman fell for a regular guy like him. And as frustrated as Steven is, this room is a wonderful unspoken answer to that distant question: among Rose’s many imperfections was that, like Greg, she was kind of a slob. It’s so nice to have a mundane flaw after nearly a full season of focusing on her as a liar and murderer, especially a flaw that reminds us of why she and Greg were so great for each other.

But yeah, Steven isn’t interested in subtext, and his tantrum is both realistic and reasonable. He finds the tape for Nora by accident, right after kicking some garbage in anger, and this is where that Speak Like a Child oomph comes in. It’s crystal clear that the tape was a backup in case Steven was a girl, but he’s so primed for lies and complications that the obvious answer eludes him and he suspects the worst. I honestly can’t blame him. If you learned out of nowhere that your mom killed someone, who’s to say you don’t have secret siblings?

The contrast between harsh desert and soothing sunset is another treat for the eyes, readying is for a cooldown after two distressing acts. Greg’s excitement over seeing the old tape blinds him to Steven’s angst in a way that adds honest tension to the exchange, because he’s trying to give Steven a fun treat but has no idea how much anguish his son has been through to get to this point. To Greg, telling Steven the answers outright would be ruining the moment, but the wait is already killing the kid. In an episode without an external villain it’s such a clever way to present a final “confrontation” to overcome.

When we finally see the tape, it becomes even more apparent that it was a backup for a hypothetical daughter. Still, I love how the strange new version of a video we know and love is only half-seen, as we focus so much on Steven’s reaction at the expense of footage. Where he was once gazing at the marvels of a new glimpse of his mother, his eyes are now furrowed in frustrated concentration. As in Lion 3, he has a viewing partner, and Greg’s welling tears mirror those of Steven and Sadie from the first tape, highlighting that the Steven of the present isn’t feeling an ounce of tenderness.

Tears do come for Steven, but in the form of anxious release. When he’s told that he’s Nora, meaning he’s the person the tape was intended for, Steven still doesn’t get it and exclaims that he’s his mom and his sister; it’s sort of a joke, but boy is it rough to hear him slip that in some way he does see himself as his mom rather than his own person. So thank goodness he’s saying this stuff to Greg, who’s calm at first but leaps to the occasion when Steven frantically asks why he exists.

As is standard by now, Greg's got fatherhood down cold. He adjusts his tone to show he’s taking Steven seriously, but rather than jump in he sits his son down and lets him talk. He addresses Steven’s concerns gently but firmly, leaving no room for doubt that he’s loved and appreciated no matter what. He brings himself into the conversation by saying he changed his name, doing so not to turn the topic to himself but to reassure Steven that it’s okay to not be stuck on one identity. And just look at how perfectly our three main characters exist in the shot during this last talk:

Steven gets those happy post-tape tears after viewing the last part of the video, and our happy ending is earned, but it’s not a full victory. Rose still had issues, but at least Steven has gained some confidence back that she wasn’t all bad. He’ll go back and forth on how much guilt he feels for her actions, but at the very least he knows now that his decisions to try and atone for her mistakes are his to make, and not a mandate from a dead parent looking for an escape route.

Whiiiiiiich means that now he’s able to try and feign a sense of control over helpless situations by assigning blame to himself in new, exciting ways. Hey, it’s not like the show could’ve solved all his problems less than halfway through Act III of the series. Lion 4 thus doesn’t have the conclusive oomph of Lion 3, which closed a trilogy of Lion Episodes as well as the stage of the show where Rose was a well-realized but distant idea more than a full character. For all its strengths, Lion 4 feels much more like Just Another Episode. But that’s okay. It doesn’t owe the past a thing.

Future Vision!

Again, those pyramids return in a major way, because they’re not pyramids.

Greg talks about Garnet’s inability to predict things about Steven, which is an element of their relationship throughout the show but gets major focus soon in Pool Hopping.

Escapism blends the two big Lion Runs by setting it back on the ocean, but making the passenger an exhausted Steven facing one last ordeal before relief in the form of his dad with a guitar.

We’re the one, we’re the ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!

It doesn’t make the top twenty, it does make the top twenty-five. Just like Bismuth right before our hundredth episode, this doesn’t mean much now, but it will next time, because I’m expanding again to a Top Twenty-Five when we hit the big One Two Five with Doug Out.

Top Twenty

Steven and the Stevens

Hit the Diamond

Mirror Gem

Lion 3: Straight to Video

Alone Together

Last One Out of Beach City

The Return

Jailbreak

The Answer

Mindful Education

Sworn to the Sword

Rose’s Scabbard

Earthlings

Mr. Greg

Coach Steven

Giant Woman

Beach City Drift

Winter Forecast

Bismuth

Steven’s Dream

Love ‘em

Laser Light Cannon

Bubble Buddies

Tiger Millionaire

Lion 2: The Movie

Rose’s Room

An Indirect Kiss

Ocean Gem

Space Race

Garnet’s Universe

Warp Tour

The Test

Future Vision

On the Run

Maximum Capacity

Marble Madness

Political Power

Full Disclosure

Joy Ride

Keeping It Together

We Need to Talk

Chille Tid

Cry for Help

Keystone Motel

Catch and Release

When It Rains

Back to the Barn

Steven’s Birthday

It Could’ve Been Great

Message Received

Log Date 7 15 2

Same Old World

The New Lars

Monster Reunion

Alone at Sea

Crack the Whip

Beta

Back to the Moon

Kindergarten Kid

Buddy’s Book

Gem Harvest

Three Gems and a Baby

That Will Be All

The New Crystal Gems

Storm in the Room

Room for Ruby

Lion 4: Alternate Ending

Like ‘em

Gem Glow

Frybo

Arcade Mania

So Many Birthdays

Lars and the Cool Kids

Onion Trade

Steven the Sword Fighter

Beach Party

Monster Buddies

Keep Beach City Weird

Watermelon Steven

The Message

Open Book

Story for Steven

Shirt Club

Love Letters

Reformed

Rising Tides, Crashing Tides

Onion Friend

Historical Friction

Friend Ship

Nightmare Hospital

Too Far

Barn Mates

Steven Floats

Drop Beat Dad

Too Short to Ride

Restaurant Wars

Kiki’s Pizza Delivery Service

Greg the Babysitter

Gem Hunt

Steven vs. Amethyst

Bubbled

Adventures in Light Distortion

Gem Heist

The Zoo

Rocknaldo

Enh

Cheeseburger Backpack

Together Breakfast

Cat Fingers

Serious Steven

Steven’s Lion

Joking Victim

Secret Team

Say Uncle

Super Watermelon Island

Gem Drill

Know Your Fusion

Future Boy Zoltron

Tiger Philanthropist

No Thanks!

6. Horror Club 5. Fusion Cuisine 4. House Guest 3. Onion Gang 2. Sadie’s Song 1. Island Adventure

(Kind of unbelievable to me that a Lion Sequel doesn’t have official promo art, but luckily we have discount-supervillain’s measured take on what Nora Universe would realistically look like.)

#lion 4 #lion 4: alternate ending #steven universe #su #steven universally #review

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buffyversefanfiction · 4 years

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Twisted Tristan

Chapter 5 - The Twisted Beginning

15 plus, displays of Violence, Gore, Torture, M/M, F/M, F/F.

Tristan Summers wasn’t always the twisted long raven-haired man that Faith and Willow had come to know in fact when he went under the name of Tristan Black, he lived a very different life indeed and a very different hairstyle to match that life.

Tristan Black was the ideal student back in his day sporting a short bleach blonde hair style and eagerness to be the best of the best of everything that he put his hands to and had quite the opposite crowd to what he would later have when becoming Tristan Summers.

Tristan lived at home with his adoptive parents Mr and Mrs Black in a small American town called Riverborn located just hours away from the city his older self would later call home. Tristan had no idea when growing up he was adopted and until his teenage years had the picture-perfect life.

His best friend Mandi Jenkins was a brunette beauty with a short bob hairstyle who was equally as overachieving as her friend except instead of school studies she was obsessed with some very different learning books that of witchcraft.

His secret high school sweetheart Lucas Brown was tall, dark, handsome and incredibly sweet and in love with Tristan.

Tristan Black had the best parents, the best parent, the best boyfriend and the best life until he turned 18 and everything changed for ever as this one short bleach blonde innocent beauty became the twisted Tristan Summers.

Tristan got up early that morning and walked to Riverborn High School with his best friend Mandi like he did every school morning as the two friends traded secrets of their own as well as others.

“I’m telling Tristan Black you are going out of your way to be this school’s claim to academic fame you’re like a total nerd’s dream overload.” Mandi told him as they walked into the corridors of their high school. “Luckily for me I love the fact that my best friend is a complete and utter nerd and I’m here to stop you becoming a total bore.”

“You’re clearly buttering me up for something the question is what?” Tristan laughed.

“Come out tonight and hit up this party with me please.” She asked him. “Blow off you family games night thing for just one time and come and have some actual fun with me I promise the only games you will be playing are those of the drinking and maybe even stripping variety.”

“Mandi Jenkins, you have met my parents there is no freaking way they would let me go to a party and besides I love family games night.” Tristan explained to her. “You enjoy them too god knows you’ve been to enough of them.”

“I’m not saying I’m not a fan of games night or your parents you know I love them both but we deserved to behave like stupid teenagers every one in a while besides I have it on good word that Lucas Brown is in attendance.” Mandi replied while trying to persuade her best friend to misbehave with her.

“Why would I care about Lucas Brown?” Tristan asked trying to deflect clearly blushing at the mere mention of his secret high school boyfriend.

“Feel free to play all innocent with me Tristan but I know something is going on between the two of you,” She said to him as they walked over to their high school lockers. “I won’t say anything more on it if you promise to come to the party.”

“Fine,” Tristan relented as Mandi began to open her locker. “I’m sure missing one games night won’t be the end of the world.”

Mandi found herself mesmerized upon opening her locker door finding an ancient looking book inside which she instantly recognized as a grimoire.

“I’m sure everything will be perfect.” She replied while her eyes remained transfixed on the grimoire that somebody or something had placed inside her locker.

Tristan just stood there in the Riverborn woods drinking beer from a plastic cup while watching as his best friend Mandi danced against a girl and a boy in the woods while several others from their school were dancing or talking amongst themselves while drinking booze from plastic cups in typical high school fashion and amongst the crowd was Tristan’s first love Lucas.

“I’m rather surprised that Mr Perfect himself would actually attend a drunken high school party.” Lucas said as he walked over to Tristan.

“I’m far from perfect,” Tristan laughed as Lucas took his drink off him and took a sip from it.

“I quite believe you know how to be bad when you want to be.” Lucas flirted with him. “Do you want to go somewhere a bit more private so you can show me just how bad you can be?”

“I thought you’d never ask.” Tristan replied with an excited smile before the two walked off deeper into the woods together away on a lover’s walk not realizing that Mandi noticed their little disappearance act.

After a late night being anything but innocent in the woods with his high school boyfriend Tristan returned to his family home only to notice upon walking through the front door that all the lights were off and instantly started switching them all on.

“Mum, Dad,” He shouted while switching on the light in the living room to see it empty before going back into the hallway and switching the light on in the dining room to find that room was also empty. “I’m sorry I’m home so late I just kind of lost track of time.

Tristan’s entire life changed within those steps from the dining room as he walked into the kitchen only to discover his mother and father’s completely lifeless bodies lying on the ground in a puddle of their own blood much to his own horror and disbelief.

“Mum, Dad,” He screamed in shock before rushing over to them both covering himself in their blood in the process as he pulled his mother into his shaking arms while he began sobbing over the grief of losing his parents. “Mum, wake up, mum please wake up.”

Tristan continued to hold his mother’s lifeless body as he cried while looking over at his father’s lifeless body completely broken by his loss as a male vampire with his vampire face on full display walked into the kitchen eager for his next feed.

“Don’t worry kid you’ll soon be joining them.” The vampire said with a sinister smirk as Tristan gently let go of his mother’s body and rose to his feet.

“You killed my parents,” Tristan said in a broken voice while still covered in his parents’ blood. “What kind of monster are you?”

“I’m a freaking vampire.” The vampire admitted with a cruel laugh before plunging towards a grieving Tristan who was more than ready for the vampire as he kicked him to the ground and made a run towards his front door before continuing to run into his garden until he found himself stopped in his tracks by Drusilla who stood on the pavement waiting for him.

“Don’t worry my darling little boy,” She said to a clearly in shock Tristan before forcing him into a hug. “I’ve got you now.”

Tristan quickly brushed off Drusilla’s hug while just standing there in shock drenched in his parents blood as Drusilla changed to her vampire face just in time for the male vampire to come running of the house as Drusilla pulled a wooden stake out of her chest and launched towards male vampire launching the stake into his chest and turning the male vampire into dust in the process.

“I’m going to take care of you now.” Drusilla promised Tristan as she turned back around to face him.

“Why is your face exactly like his was?” Tristan asked her finally breaking his silence. “What happened to him?”

“Because I’m a vampire my darling sweet boy,” Drusilla admitted to him as she turned her face back to normal. “Don’t you want to know what you really are?”

“My parents are dead.” Tristan cried as he began to realize his own devastating reality.

“Are they?” Drusilla asked with a slight smirk before returning to look sorry for Tristan as if she didn’t have a part to play in his parents’ death. “I’m so sorry I arrived to late to save them too but I’m glad I save you my sweet boy.”

“Why did you bother saving me?” He wondered while struggling to deal with his feelings.

“Because you my darling boy are about to become something particularly amazing.” Drusilla revealed as she walked towards him. “You have so much power you don’t even know about, yet which isn’t surprising considering who your biological parents are.”

“I wasn’t even strong enough to kill that bastard myself.” Tristan responded as Drusilla hugged him once again too broken to notice Drusilla’s mention of his biological parents. “I couldn’t even get revenge for my parents.”

“Don’t worry my pretty little boy I promise we will get revenge together on everyone who ever dared wrong you.” Drusilla told him while continuing to hold him in her arms.

Tristan got himself cleaned up getting rid of the clothes his blood-stained clothes in the process before meeting Lucas back at the woods where they had left each other earlier that night.

“Are you all ready for round two so soon?” Lucas asked him with an excited smile on his face. “I knew you could be really good at being bad.”

“This is going to sound crazy, but I have no choice but to leave Riverborn tonight I can’t tell you why just yet as it’s beyond crazy, but I was wondering if you wanted to come with me?” Tristan said to him frantically. “I know we’ve not been going long, and this is all meant to be on down low but I kind of want you to come with me.”

“You want me to run away with you?” Lucas laughed for a moment before realizing Tristan was serious. “Tristan we’ve only been fooling around I told you I didn’t want things to get too complicated right now the last thing I want is to run away with you.”

“I thought it would be a long shot,” Tristan replied. “It’s okay I understand.”

“You should really speak to your parents before running away I’m sure whatever is going can be fixed somehow.” Lucas advised him. “Speak to your parents.”

“I can’t,” Tristan said with a hesitant sigh before going on to reveal. “They’re dead.”

Tristan was hurt but understood why Lucas would say no to such a crazy situation and so he said goodbye to his first love but before he could leave Riverborn behind for good he had one more person to see his best friend.

“Where did you disappear to tonight?” Mandi asked him upon opening her bedroom window to Tristan after he knocked on it.

“I came home to find my parents dead,” Tristan admitted as he struggled to fight back his tears. “I know this sounds crazy, but a vampire killed them.”

“Oh my god,” replied a horrified Mandi. “That can’t be true what would vampires want with your parents other than their blood obviously.”

“Wait, you actually believe me?” Tristan said in shock by Mandi’s immediate belief over what he had just told her.

“There’s a lot of crazy shit out there Tristan,” Mandi admitted to him as she reached out and held his hands. “I’m so sorry about your parents.”

After some explaining on both sides Tristan over what happened to his parents and Mandi over her growing knowledge of the supernatural and many tears shared by both they made their way to the local cemetery as they met up with Tristan’s supposed savior Drusilla.

“I foresaw you bringing your friend with you.” Drusilla said upon meeting Tristan and Mandi.

“So, you’re the vampire who saved him from the other vampire.” Mandi replied to her. “Not suspicious of you whatsoever.”

“Yes, and you’re the little witch in training,” Drusilla admitted to her. “Don’t worry I’m sure you’ll become more powerful in time in fact I can pretty much guarantee it.”

Mandi was never going to let her best friend Tristan ditch town with some vampire all by herself but after a few years she was going to wish she stayed in Riverborn because a friendship she thought would last forever was soured and twisted until her and Tristan became bitter enemies all by Drusilla and her prodigy son Dante’s doing.

“I don’t understand why I must do this I mean I’m pretty strong without this.” A now medium length raven haired Tristan said in confusion to Drusilla as the two of them walked into a large decaying and burned down library where a fully black haired Mandi sat in the middle of a pentagram chanting away to herself while black veins showed all over her body just like Dark Willow in season six of Buffy.

“Your strong enough to take a slayer or two down my darling boy but to be even stronger than them all you must become one of them.” Drusilla explained to him.

“Last time I checked that wasn’t possible all the slayers were called I wasn’t.” Tristan replied confused once again by Drusilla’s words.

“Not all slayers have been called and not all have to be called to become a slayer.” Drusilla revealed to him while Mandi continued to chant her spell with her eyes closed. “It’s time for you to become strong enough to get revenge on your parents.”

“Buffy Summers and Angel are not my parents there are nothing more than the creation of their own destruction,” Tristan snapped at his adoptive vampire mother. “I’m going to kill them!”

“That’s my twisted Tristan,” Drusilla laughed sinisterly. “Now do you want to know how I’m going to turn you into a slayer?”

“Well go on then.” Tristan replied eager to know the answer.

“I’m going to take you back to the very beginning.” Mandi revealed as she opened her jet back eyes.

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kob131 · 5 years

Text

http://dudeblade.tumblr.com/post/175385877264/savior-mom-raven

http://dudeblade.tumblr.com/post/176137740129/savior-mom-raven-2-continuation-of-the-first

http://dudeblade.tumblr.com/post/176568358797/savior-mom-raven-3

http://dudeblade.tumblr.com/post/176882491272/savior-mom-raven-4

http://dudeblade.tumblr.com/post/177623054713/savior-mom-raven-5

One of my friends notified me that there’s FIVE entries of this shit now.

So since my original posts on this have been lost to the ether-

Let’s do this shit.

“Ozpin’s stable at least.” Qrow said as he exited the school infirmary, “I don’t know what my sister was thinking, but she’s going to pay when I see her again.”

“count me in on that action.” Glynda muttered, “I haven’t forgiven her for what she pulled at the dance.”

“You hold a major grudge.” Qrow replied, “Anyways, we have to figure out where Raven went.”

*Buzz*

“What’s up Tai?” Qrow asked as he answered his scroll.

“Qrow! The Kids! They’re gone!”

“WHAT?” Qrow couldn’t believe his ears. First Ozpin had gotten hospitalized, and now Yang and Ruby had disappeared.

“I just got back from the meeting, and they were gone!”Taiyang cried, “i don’t see anything suggesting a struggle, no points of entry were forced. Some of their stuff is missing, Qrow! What the hell happened?”

“Raven…” Qrow realized, “But how did she convince Yang and Ruby to…”

Yeah, how the fuck did Raven convince Yang and Ruby to leave their house with some rando?

After the meeting…

Yang and Ruby were quietly napping in their beds. The memory of finding out that their mom had died was still fresh, and they were trying to feel better about it.

*ZWOOM*

A red portal opened up, waking Yang up as a woman clad in red stepped through.

“It’s okay Yang. I’m here.” She soothed.

Yang had no idea why, but this woman telling her that everything was okay made her feel… comfortable.

“Who… Who are you?”

“Figures your father never told you…” The woman sadly trailed off, “I’m Raven. I’m…” She took a deep breath, “I’m your biological mother. Do you know what that means, Yang?”

A. How is Yang feeling comfortable around Raven? The bitch left before Yang could even remember her and this CLEARLY takes before Taiyang told her so for all she knows, Yang should be yelling for an adult.

And B. Gee, I wonder why Taiyang didn’t tell his young daughter that she wasn’t relate to the woman she called mom but rather some random douche who ditched her?

Yang shook her head.

“I’ll try to explain it later.” Raven replied, “But for now, I’m here to get you to safety.”

“Are we in trouble?” Yang asked as she moved to shield her sister from a threat she didn’t know the location of.

Am I really to think Yang is stupid enough to believe some random woman that appeared out of nowhere at face value with no questions asked? Even as a child, I would have known better.

“No… But, I’m here to keep you safe. You’re going to have to come with me. Can you carry your sister?” Raven asked, “It’s okay if you can’t, but I want to know.”

Lady, if you’re so strong pick her up yourself, especially if you think it’s urgent.

“I… I can carry Ruby.” Yang replied.

“Okay. You make sure you have everything. I’ll get her stuff, then we have to get going.”

“You’re not staying here to protect us?”

“I…” Raven looked solemnly to Ruby’s sleeping form, “I can’t keep you safe here. People will want to use you. For their own gain.” Raven tried to figure out a good analogy to help explain to a toddler but Yang managed to beat her to it.

“Like how the Mad King used Mogar on X-Ray and Vav?” Yang asked.

Raven looked away for a moment, “Okay, one: You’re a bit too young to be watching that, and two;” Raven trailed off, “Yes? It’s close enough.” She found a travel bag. Big enough to carry Ruby’s clothes in it (not that there was much to pack), and a diaper box or two. Raven made a mental note to potty train Ruby as soon as she could speak and walk.

And we’re suppose to believe Qrow and Taiyang would allow this...how again? You know, aside from ‘shut up, it’s my headcanon’?

Also where the fuck is Raven getting off on kidnapping Ruby? With Yang, there’s the bare bones excuse that Raven pushed her out but she has no right to take Ruby. This is inexcusable no matter what. Especially since Ruby only exist because Raven ditched Yang and her dad in the first place. Oh and since Ruby is effectively a baby here, she won’t even remember her own father. Imagine a father losing both of his kids right after losing his second wife where he already had a depressive spell from the first time round.

Fuck, Raven might just have Taiyang’s blood on her hands.

Also: X-Ray and Vav is a comic in the RWBY universe, not a show.

“What about my clothes?” Yang asked.

“I’ll find another bag.” Raven answered as she went off to do so, “You grab anything that you and your sister want to hang onto. Stuffed animals, toys, books, or anything that you want to hang onto.”

“Is there anything you want?” Yang asked as she set Ruby down gently.

Raven looked at an old picture of team STRQ together. Back before everything hit the fan. She carefully slipped the photo out of the frame and tucked it into her pocket. “I have everything now.” She said in a sad tone, “Now hurry up. I don’t know how long we have.”

And now she’s stealing Taiyang’s memento of his old team, probably the most valuable thing he has. Fuck, is she trying to get him to commit suicide?

And if she actually cared about Team STRQ: why doesn’t she have her own damn picture? Either she’s stealing for fun or she never cared about STRQ in the first place.

Have until what?”Raven didn’t answer. Instead she simply replied, “When you’re ready, come back here. You can drop off anything if it gets too big or heavy for you to carry. Call for me if there’s something too high up for you to reach.” Raven replied as she sat on the bed and started to think.

What the hell was she getting into? Yes, she wanted to get Yang and Ruby away from Ozpin, but she felt like she was getting in over her head. She had the Spring maiden to think about, and now she was going to take on two kids? - One of them wasn’t even old enough to talk.

She looked over at Ruby and saw her squirming. She looked like she was having a bad dream. She hesitated for a moment before placing her hand on her head. Affectionately rubbing Ruby’s cheek until the smaller girl calmed down.

Yang walked back in with a few books and a small stuffed cat and a plush parrot. “There’s a book at the top shelf of the kitchen, and a storybook in Ruby’s room that I want to take with me.”

“We can get the storybook on the way out.” Raven said, “Show me what book in the kitchen was please?”

Yang led the way, and Raven estimated that it would be about an hour until Tai got back to check on the kids. When they arrived to the kitchen, Yang pointed to the book that she was talking about and Raven raised an eyebrow.

“Sweetie, that’s a cookbook.”

“I know. I just want to learn how to cook yummy stuff like mommy did so that Ruby can feel better.”

Raven’s heart felt a sting when Yang said the word ‘mommy.’ She knew that it was selfish, but she also know that she shouldn’t replace Summer. She’d have to remember to instruct Yang to not go any further than ‘mother.’ She didn’t deserve anything more affectionate beyond that.

Bitch if you cared about Yang you wouldn’t have left her in the first place!

“Okay, Yang.” She ruffled Yang’s hair a bit, “I’ll see if I can’t find someone who can give you a hand.”

“Can we go then?” Yang asked.

Raven took one last look around to take in the surroundings.

“Let’s move. Say goodbye to your house Yang. I gotta keep you safe from Ozpin.”

“Why?” Yang asked as she hurried along to catch up to Raven, “What did he do?”

Raven looked down at her eyes. No. She decided. She wouldn’t put the desire for vengeance into someone so young.”I’ll tell you when you’re older sweetie.” She said softly, “But just know that him and everyone who works for him can’t be trusted.”

The two found Ruby still sleeping where Raven had left her.

Raven put her mask back on as she pulled her sword out and made a portal with it. She took one last look at the house before shifting the bags that were on her and gesturing to Yang and Ruby to follow her.

They stepped through.

And the portal closed.

And Raven just committed kidnapping. All because, in her own words, ‘vengeance’. And she’s suppose to be the good guy here.

Great.

Raven looked at the small bed to see Yang with her small parrot plush. She chuckled to herself a bit. A small colorful bird was something sentimental to her, and now this old blackbird was taking care of her.

No doubt Summer made the parrot for her. She could tell by the patchwork. Summer always seemed like the kind of mother that would make her kids the stuffed animals she wanted rather than buy them.

Yeah, because Summer gave a shit about her kids. She didn’t ditch Ruby the instant she got scared and then come back and steal her and her sister from their home to live among murderers and thieves because of her own hang ups.

Raven sighed again. It had been about four months since she had taken the kids, and she was well-aware about that Qrow and Tai had placed a bounty on her. She’d like to see them try to take Ruby and Yang away.

Me too since you don’t have Maiden abilities and Qrow is stated equal and your camp could barely handle V5 Yang and Weiss, let alone two fully trained Huntsmen.

Changing the tribe’s goal of finding a permanent place to live helped, but there was not many places that they could go. Vale was out of the question, Mistral was too obvious, Atlas was… Atlas, and Vacuo would have too many possibilities for someone to rush in and try to attack them. The only other option was Menagerie, but she knew that she and her tribe wouldn’t be welcome there due to them being human.

And her tribe of mass murdering thieves would give two shits about the lives of two kids because..why again?

If Summer were here, she’d have reasoned that it would have been because they would stick out like a sore thumb. She had more faith in other people than she did, that’s for sure.

She’d also wouldn’t be a self centered egotistical asshole ad would give the kids back to their family.

Shaking her head to try to keep the tears she shed for her partner away, Raven was well-aware that Menagerie’s desserts were the best bet, despite everything. It wouldn’t be easy, but there wouldn’t be any potential ambushes to worry about, they could find an oasis and build a small villa around it, and if they needed to, they could try to find some animals or other wildlife to make clothes and other supplies they’d need.

Meangrie’s deserts are stated to be hospitable and the wildlife incredibly deadly. So at least Raven’s lack of actual intelligence is intact.

The big problem would be the discomfort and getting there. There weren’t many ways to get to Menagerie without going through the main port, and a group of humans traversing the dessert of a faunus-populated area would raise several alarms.

She looked at the moon. They weren’t that far away from a relatively small village. Maybe they could stock up on supplies while there.

Time for Ruby and Yang’s first mass murder.

Damn, reading those storybooks to Ruby and Yang made her soft. She actually went in and defended them… Though, she had to admit: When she started slicing through the grimm to keep the villagers safe, she felt… good. It almost felt like Summer was right there. By her side.

Then why did Raven leave in the first place and if so, why didn’t she reform the tribe BEFORE this? Also ‘Grimm’ is a proper noun.

The village had thanked her and her tribe by giving them food, ammunition, and other supplies that they needed.

Needless to say, it had been a bit of a shock to Raven. She had forgotten how actually being a huntress could benefit a person… And how nice it felt protecting others.

This sounds more like Summer than Raven Branwen,

... You just tore out Raven’s character and shoved Summer’s into Raven’s body didn’t you Dudeblade?

Some of the other tribe members found it refreshing, and some saw it as going against their original code. A divide was made, and half of the group became defenders, while the other half continued to raid villages. Raven held some sympathy for them, but she made it clear that if they crossed her path while she was defending a village, that there would be no mercy.

How is this character Raven Branwen again?

“Mmm!” Some whimpering caught her ear, as she turned and went back inside the tent to see Ruby squirming in her sleep again. This was a regular occurrence. Ruby had trouble sleeping, even with her plush cat, Ruby would have the occasional bad dream at best, or a full-on nightmare at worst. It was those nights that Raven crawled into the cot with her, and held her tight while stroking her hair.

Probably because you took her from her home to be surrounded by strangers in the middle of nowhere.

‘Yang was a bit stronger. A bit too independent for Raven’s liking, but she knew that it was selfish to want to take Summer’s place.

Yang spent most of her time with the Spring Maiden- Robin. That was her name. The two had formed a bond that let Yang have an older sister figure in her life, and gave Robin motivation to become stronger to protect her surrogate sister.

Raven smiled at the memory. Sure, it was just a few days ago, but she could never forget the smile on Yang’s face when Robin had used her powers to make a small statuette of a recent exploit together. Two days prior, Robin had reported that Yang had beaten her first grimm without any weapons.

At first, Raven nearly had a heart attack, and was ready to draw her blade at the girl for letting Yang do something so dangerous.

But then Robin explained herself. She and Yang had been out gathering some firewood when a beowolf pack had appeared. Robin managed to beat back most of them, but got caught off-guard by the alpha. S

he had shut her eyes, thinking about Yang’s safety, and how she failed her when she heard it.

A scream of rage.

Yang had launched herself at the beowolf and started punching and riding it like it was a bull. Robin couldn’t believe her eyes. Within a minute or two, Yang had managed to defeat the beast, and Robin was simply stunned.

A. And yet you stole Taiyang’s place.

B. Sure sounds like Yang got over the whole ‘Never going to see he father and uncle ever again’ thing pretty quickly. Very quickly. Unrealistically quickly.

And C.Great. A fucking toddler killed an Alpha Beowolf. So Yang’s gonna be a Mary Sue.

Oh and D. So Taiyang leaving his kids alone for an hour is bad but Raven letting her daughter go out into openly Grimm infested woods is a okay huh Dudeblade?

After having to do some harsh chores as punishment for allowing Yang to be put in danger and not doing anything, Raven had to admit that she was slightly ashamed and a bit jealous that she wasn’t there to see it herself.

Robin said that it was almost as if she was on fire, and that if she were to die, that she would want Yang to have her powers.

There was a small debate of burdening Yang with the powers of the Spring Maiden, but Raven had conceded. Robin trusted Yang with everything, and if there was anyone that she felt was deserving of the power, the two agreed (albeit, begrudgingly on Raven’s part) that Yang was the best candidate. Yang had seen Robin in action enough times that she knew what the maiden was capable of.

Raven couldn’t wait until the day when Yang would surpass her.

Raven looked down to see Ruby nuzzling her chest. “It’ll be alright, Ruby. I won’t let anyone hurt you or your sister. I promise.”

In her soul, however, Ruby heard the voice of both Raven, and of Summer. Whom she felt embracing her aura.

Raven paused for a moment. In that instant, she had thought she had felt Summer’s embrace for herself.

She should sleep.

Perhaps then she wouldn’t hallucinate her partner’s warm hugs.

Yep, Mary Sue route confirmed.

And great, Raven is fucking delusional too now.. Because I’m pretty sure Summer wouldn’t be embracing anything regarding what Raven’s done.

“This has gotten harder.”

“Agreed. Ever since Raven changed tactics, people are less willing to out her. She’s really changed. I’m pretty sure that Ruby should be about four by now. Not that Raven would know when her birthday is.”

“You’re not suggesting that we actually let Raven keep Ruby and Yang, are you Qrow?”

“Tai, relax. There’s bound to be some people willing to tell us her location.”

“As much as I hate to agree with Qrow here, he has a point.” Glynda added, “The reports we’ve gotten keep talking about a smaller group than before. There’s no doubt that some members likely didn’t like where they were heading, and bailed out.”

“The few we captured seem to be more afraid about displeasing her though.” Ozpin agreed. He was using his cane more often as an actual cane ever since he was discharged, “In addition, some of them mentioned that Raven has the Spring Maiden. We cannot allow someone so powerful to be with Raven of all people.”

“That is also a big problem. Raven could be putting dangerous thoughts into her head.”

“Not to mention Yang and Ruby’s heads.” Tai said, “What if she’s teaching them that it’s okay to steal?”

“Tai, stop.” Qrow tried, “You’re just being paranoid.”

“What if she’s putting them through some kind of dangerous training?” Taiyang cried out.

A. Still don’t buy that Raven would change.

And B. Pretty fucking understandable reasons considering Qrow OUTRIGHT DESCRIBED HIS TRIBE AS ‘MURDERERS AND THIEVES!’

“Now where has Ruby gone?” Raven looked in her large tent. There was a bit of giggling coming from her cot, “Is she under this rock?”

There was more giggling coming from her cot.

“Maybe she’s… under this table!” She looked under it, while keeping her ears trained on her cot.

“She’s not under here either. Maybe she’s turned invisible?” She asked as she made her way to her cot.

“Huh, my cot seems to be pretty lumpy today, I wonder-”

“BLARH!” Ruby jumped out of the cot and put on her best ‘scary face.’ Had she not been three, it would have been considered more intimidating than adorable.

“Oh my!” Raven feigned surprise rather well, “there you are! You nearly gave me a heart attack, little rose.” She picked up and nuzzled her surrogate niece.

“Did I really auntie Raven?” She asked. Raven smiled fondly as she nodded.

There was that small voice in the back of her head that kept telling her that Summer would be fine if she took up the role of mother in Yang and Ruby’s lives, but she kept up her efforts of keeping that voice quiet.

That voice was selfish. It wanted her to replace Summer.

She say as she replaces not just Summer but Qrow and Tayang as well.

“Auntie Raven?”

Ruby’s voice snapped the Mercenary leader out of her thoughts.

“Yeah?”

“Can we watch Yang and Robin train?”

Raven smiled softly as she readjusted the toddler in her arms, “Alright. Have you used the bathroom yet?- We don’t want you wetting yourself.”

“That was one time!” Ruby replied. She was pretty smart for a four-year old. Or so Raven assumed. She wasn’t around kids enough to know what was going on. She remembered having a small party for Ruby’s birthday not too long ago. A village let them have a small celebration.

Yang had went out and found some flowers, and Robin had made a small stone statute of a rose. Yang would be turning six in a few months. Maybe the two of them could start talking about weapons. Robin has been teaching Yang a little hand-to-hand.

Raven felt a presence when she and Ruby arrived at the place where Yang and Robin were training. It almost felt… familiar. She looked at Ruby, and felt that her aura was warmer.

After a long while, Ruby started dozing off, and Raven decided that it was enough excitement for the day, and started heading back to her tent.

Tucking Ruby in, she felt that warm aura again. She knew that it felt familiar. She knew whose aura it was. And maybe… Maybe now it was time to accept it.

Summer was- is with her. Watching over her. Her and the kids.

At least, that was what she felt she had to accept.

Perhaps she was hallucinating.

Again.

Yes, yes Raven is hallucnating.

She isn’t some misunderstood, tortured loner. The moment Ruby reminder her of Summer, Raven nuked her in the face. She gaslighted Yang and tried to manipulate her into turning against her own sister and uncle. She ditched Yang FOR A THIRD TIME to save her own hide.

She;s a selfish bitch.

“It’s not your fault auntie…”

Raven didn’t try to respond to Ruby at this point. It was a hard day for all of them. Despite it being her blade, Ruby didn’t blame her. Raven felt that she should be blamed though.

Robin was dead.

It was a hard decision to make. Raven had brought Yang with her on the hunt, and Yang was busy keeping an eye on Ruby. That’s when they attacked.

A group sent by Ozpin had came in and tried to not only take away the girls, but also tried to take away Robin.

Since there was nobody that Raven trusted to help heal her, Raven had tried to rush back to the camp, or a village.

But Robin’s wounds were too great. Too severe. If she went to Tai, the girls would be in danger of being taken away from her, and brainwashed into being Ozpin’s puppets. Qrow was the same story.

So she cared so little about this person that instead of sucking up her pride and getting some help since it might result her crime being undone, she lets her die in agony.

Wonderful.

She had been an idiot. She should have left Yang and Ruby at the camp so that she could have portaled over to them.

Robin had asked- begged for Raven to end the pain. She had reached for the blade, and before Raven could stop her…

Robin was gone.

Yang was the Spring Maiden now.

And despite all of it… Ruby didn’t blamed her for not being able to stop Robin.

Raven needed time. And she knew that she couldn’t take long. It was only a year ago when Yang and Ruby had lost Summer, and now…

Raven needed time. She had said so. She had a person that would take care of them.

Yang and Ruby had gone to their tent. It wasn’t too extravagant. But it was nice. It was close to Raven’s.

“Summer… What am I supposed to do now?”

Raven had long given up fighting the hallucination of Summer that had haunted her. It wasn’t going away, and Raven had come to accept it. There were times when she almost believed that it wasn’t a hallucination. But her rationale wouldn’t let her believe that her partner’s spirit was actually there with her.

Why? Why couldn’t she save those she cared about?- She could only do it one time. Every time she tried, it only worked the first time.

It was too much. Maybe she was only capable of saving people once, and that was it.

How about,you know, acting in the interest of others and not yourself?

Also: Raven is officially mentally ill. She outright admits it.

“No it isn’t.”

“What took you so long?” Raven looked at the hallucination. Summer was still as beautiful as she remembered. A little transparent, but she could still see her.

“I wanted to make sure you wanted me.” Summer replied.

“Robin’s dead, Sum…” Raven muttered, “She… I… I couldn’t save her.”

“How is Yang taking it?”

“She’s with another member. I’m not sure how she’s handling it, but…”

“-Raven?” Another tribe member started, “May I come in?”

Raven looked to her side and noticed that Summer had disappeared. Sighing, she looked back, “Yes. What is it?”

“It’s… It’s Yang. It’s her eyes… They’re-”

“Let me see for myself.” Raven got up, “I should be able to handle it, and she could probably use someone to help her get through this.”

Yeah, this is just another reason why Raven shouldn’t be allowed to raise kids.

Raven had found Yang on the edge of a cliff nearby the camp. The girl was staring off into the distance.

“Yang?”

“What do you want?”

Raven had expected this. She knew about how much Yang looked up to Robin, and how much the two cared for each other. She didn’t know how to handle a situation like this. First Summer, then her home on patch, and now Robin. Raven didn’t want to know how Yang would react if she lost anything else.

“I wanted to check up on you.”

“So you do it now, huh?” Yang replied.

Raven sighed, “Yang… You’re strong. A lot stronger than me. I guess… I guess I thought that you didn’t need me as often as your sister. I was wrong. I want you to know that. And I know how much Robin meant to you. If you’re angry at me, then-”

“I’m not angry at you for not saving her.” Yang cut off.

Raven was surprised. She had understood why Ruby had forgiven her, but Yang?- She was a bag of emotions, nobody knew what they were getting when they grabbed one.

“You aren’t?”

“I’m mad at you for not killing those huntsmen that killed her.” Yang ground out, “Why?! Why couldn’t you just make them suffer? Just a little bit…” She started crying.

So under Taiyang’s care Yang was an altruistic woman with abig heart and tried her best to be a good person.

Under Raven’s she’s now a sadist. At age 6.

Fucking wonderful.

Raven was stunned. She had done her absolute best to make sure that Yang wouldn’t fall to the talons of vengeance, and now she had failed. She reached over, and embraced Yang, who had stopped crying for a moment only to start crying harder.

“Yang… revenge is hardly worth it.” Raven explained, “Don’t make the mistakes I did.”

“I don’t care.” Yang choked through, “They took her away from us… from me. She was like a sister to me, and now…” Yang shook her head.

“I want them to suffer.”

“Yang, there’s an old saying,” Raven started, “Before setting out for revenge, you should dig two graves-”

“We already dug one. It was Robin’s.” Yang snarled, “What’s one more?”

“Yang. One grave is for the person you want to kill. The other is for you. Revenge is a never-ending cycle.” Raven chastised, “What you really need is justice.”

“You never felt vengeful?” Yang accused.

Raven looked on to see Summer’s ‘ghost’ trying to comfort Yang. It was a sweet gesture, even if it was just a hallucination of her doing so.

“Every day.”

And look at the result.

If Raven actually cared about Yang not being vengeful, she wouldn’t have STOLEN her and Ruby in the first place as her revenge.

When Ozpin had gotten the report, he was dissatisfied. The goal was to rescue Ruby and her sister and get the Spring Maiden on their side. It wasn’t to mortally wound said maiden.

The war against the grimm was a difficult one, and what he needed to end his curse was a Silver Eyed Warrior to defeat Salem.

But Raven had been selfish. She had taken them away. Not only was his best chance of defeating Salem gone, but Tai and Qrow were constantly pushing themselves to their very limits to try to find the girls.

It was likely that the Spring Maiden had been trained to think of a certain person when in near-death situations, so the Maiden had to still be in the tribe.

Ozpin wanted out. He wanted to be free from this plane of existence.

Pretty sure Ozpin would care more about the innocent children being kidnapped from their family than his own bullshit.

“Professor Ozpin,” Glynda’s voice came over the intercom, “It’s Taiyang and Qrow. They wish to speak with you on the progress on finding the girls.”

Ozpin sighed, “Let them in.” he said, as he sat back down in his chair.

After a few seconds of waiting, the T and Q of team STRQ finally wandered into the room.

“I understand that you two are aware why you’re here?”

“I just want to see my girls again.”

“And we will do that. But first, there’s another matter to deal with. The Spring Maiden died when we sent the Huntsman Team out there to find and retrieve her as well as find Yang and Ruby.”

“And?”

“The Maiden was with the tribe. While it’s likely that she had a bond with someone there, that tribe wasn’t as close to each other, so the Maiden might be out there somewhere. We can’t dismiss the idea that the Maiden might be among them.”

“This doesn’t have anything to do with getting my girls back.” Tai pointed out, “I want to find them now!”

“Qrow, do you have any contact with your sister?”

“I don’t have a sister. Not anymore. Not after she took the kids.”

“Qrow.”

“Yeah yeah. I’ll see if there’s some way to contact her.”

“Try to get the kids back.”

“I doubt Raven would be so willing to give them up so easily. She gets some bargaining chips with them.”

“At least try.”

Not even gonna try to show Ozpin calming and reassuring Taiyang like he’s ALWAYS done? Or Qrow giving any kind of shits about his brother in law’s emotional state? Yay...

And here’s a man whose hysterical at the loss of kids who were taken from him after losing his second wife and I’m suppose to side with the kidnapper?

“You wanted to see me?” Raven asked as she settled into the bar that Qrow had requested they meet at.

“Yep.” The place was pretty sparse. Raven had insisted that Qrow come alone, and Qrow had requested the same.

Both of them had their weapons on them as well. No matter what, Raven and Qrow both wanted to keep the battle limited to a one-on-one fight.

“I’m not giving them up.”

“Then I guess visitation rights are off the table then?” Qrow snarked.

“I’m not against it.”

This took Qrow by surprise, “Really?- I thought that-”

“You thought what, Qrow?- That I was using Yang and Ruby as living weapons?- That I didn’t care about their safety?”

Considering you took them back to your bandit camp which regularly attracts Grimm, let Yang wander around in Grimm infested woods and stole them which SHOULD leave Yang with psychological an emotional scarring-

Yes.

“If you did, then you wouldn’t have taken them!” Qrow accused.

“I did that to make sure that they wouldn’t be turned into living weapons!” Raven snarled.

Bull fucking shit. This is the same woman who tried gaslighting Yang in Volume 5.

“Oh here we go! Just because Ozpin was the one who gave Summer the mission, doesn’t mean he treats everyone like a living weapon!”

“No. He treats them like pawns.“ Raven clarified, “Like pieces on a chess board. Some pieces more valuable and useful than others. And I won’t let you, or Ozpin make Ruby and Yang into pieces in his deranged chess game against the goddamned Grimm Queen. I’m giving them the chance to avoid being placed on the board, a thing none of us got. Not you, not Tai, not me, and… not her…”

Except if that were true-

Why doesn’t he just declare open war on Salem? I mean, a person who sees people as pawns doesn’t care if a few thousand pawns get killed. And he’s always shown to respect the autonomy of other people. So I call bullshit.

Especially coming from someone whose a mass murderer AND a gaslighting emotionally abusive parent.

Raven barely whispered that last part, but Qrow knew who she was talking about.

“You don’t get to use that excuse. What if Yang and Ruby want to become huntresses?- Are you just going to stomp out their dreams like that?”

“As far as I’m aware, Yang would likely rush Ozpin, and start beating him while demanding the names and addresses of the hunter team that killed Robin.” Raven replied, “I’m doing that old bastard a favor by making sure that he doesn’t start assimilating a new body in the near future. As for Ruby… She can attend any school that isn’t Beacon. I hear Shade’s a good academy.”

Yeah because you’re brainwashing her. Great job, proving Qrow right. Also, apparent RUby can do whatever she wants...so long as you approve. Nice freedom. What’s wrong, scared Ruby would learn that you’ve been lying to her and stole her and her sister from their family?

Also he doesn’t assimilate jackshit, you manipulate bitch.

“You would say that. And who’s Robin?”

“Of course you wouldn’t treat her as a person. You work for Ozpin.” Raven muttered, “Robin was the Spring Maiden, a dear ally, and the closest person Yang had to an older sister. And the team Ozpin sent got her killed. It took me a month to find the paperwork proving that it was him and not you or Tai.”

You killed that ‘dear ally’ for power in canon. I don’t believe that for a second.

“I take it that that Robin chick didn’t like Yang so much, so the power didn’t go to her?”

Raven glared. She knew that if Yang had heard that, Qrow’s feet would be encased in ice while he would be taking a beating.

Funny how Yang’s anger issues have only gotten worse compared to her canon counterpart. Almost like you’re a shit mom.

But she couldn’t reveal that.

“Did I touch a nerve, Rae?” Qrow taunted.

“Once we get to our intended destination, I’ll portal over to Tai for discussions on visitations.”

Raven looked behind her brother. She saw ‘Summer’ motioning for her to go in for the metaphorical kill.

“And now, I’d say that you go back to your feather-crested journal. I’m sure you’d complain all about your murder in it.”

Qrow paused for a moment. Summer had given that to him as a gift, and he had never shared it with anyone outside of her.

“How did you…”

It was too late.

Raven had portaled away.

“Dammit, Branwen! You were supposed to give us the signal for when she was going to use her semblance! What happened?”

“Sorry.” Qrow said into his communications device, “It looks like Raven went through my stuff, and caught me off-guard or something.”

“Great. Y’know Ozpin is still on our case about not getting that girl back alive. Dunno why he wanted that specific girl, but now we have no idea what to do now.”

“Cool your ass, Avel. I’m sure you and team APLE are on edge as much as the next. But you killing her means that we don’t know where a… certain asset is. Oz is just worried.”

“He sounded more angry and enraged than he did worried.”

“Then you probably weren’t good enough.”

Funny because between the two of them, Raven’s the immature whiny bitch.

Also Raven is still delusional as fuck.

“Radon, how is Yang holding up?”

“She’s been training with a variety of weaponsss. I’m rather scared of what kind of weapon she’ll ultimately end up making.”

“Any favorites so far?”

“She seems to favor a lot of swords and blades, but she also practices with gauntlets.” The beaver faunus rubbed his side, “She managed to knock me around with those gauntlets of hers.”

“Just the gauntlets?”

Radon nodded.

“Where is she now?”

“She said she wanted to do some exercises in her tent. Are you sure about this Raven?- You said that you wanted to keep her off the path of revenge, but right now-”

“I’m trying to keep her from getting killed. I can’t do that if she’s not prepared. I tried so hard to stop her from this, but now…”

Raven shook her head, “I’ll take a look. Where’s Ruby?”

“She’s off gathering berries with the other kids. This tribe is becoming more and more like an orphanage.“

“Is that a problem, Radon?”

“Not at all. After all, I heard from some of the elders that that was how you came in.”

“Hmm.” Raven went off to find Yang. Hopefully, she could keep her off the path just a little bit.

Hopefully.

So great, Raven brainwashing MORE kids. At least it sounds like she didn’t kidnap those kids...

And so that’s the story of Kidnapping Not-Mom Fake Summer if we were to give this an accurate title. Because in honesty, Raven kidnapped RUby and Yang, she isn’t a mother and this isn’t even Raven but rather Summer Rose transplanted in Raven.

And this is why I hate Raven Stans.

#dudeblade #taiyang xiao long #qrow branwen #professor ozpin

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darkspellmaster · 5 years

Text

Steve Dayton and Garfield Logan Relationship...or...Why I’m about to defend Mento... Part 1

So I wanted to get this out of the way due to reading a few posts about Steve Dayton, aka, Mento, aka Gar’s adopted father, and his supposed treatment of Gar on the YJ Show.

Now before I start I need to make one thing abundantly clear, Steve Dayton is not Silas Stone. Silas is a man who is obsessed with his work and most people can agree that he is an absentee father, regardless of how you may feel about Victor himself at this point. Steve on the other hand is active in Gar’s life and this is an important factor in this defense.

So okay with that out of the way, let me begin.

Gar and Steve have always had a slightly strained relationship, and that has not been helped by Rita's death, return, her manipulation by the Chief, and subsequent divorce from him even though she still loves him and he was working on getting better.

You see Steve Dayton is a genius level Intellect, I would say Below Reed Richards but around or maybe a bit higher than Tony Stark. He, like Tony, came from a rich family and was an inventor of sorts, though I don’t know if that was part of his business or not. In order to impress Rita, Steve, who was already damn good at reading people’s body language and facial expressions to “know what they were thinking” wanted to impress her more, so he built a helmet that enhanced his own latent mental/psychic abilities and allowed him to fly, become intangible, control people with his mind, telekinesis, and telepathy (showing that he already had that ability but it needed to be amplified in this case to work.

However the helmet also caused him issue, namely Paranoia and dementia, on top of some arrogant tendencies and a lot of self doubt at times. It made his own issues with Gar worse as Steve blamed Gar for Rita’s death, in the comics *Though over time this has been switched around a lot*, however, Steve genuinely loves Gar, though for him it’s hard to express those feelings to most people. Truth be told a lot of the blame issue stemmed from him going slightly insane thanks in part to John Constantine who used him to read a demon’s mind (and same said demon killed Zantanna’s daddy in the comics), so a lot of what Steve said at the time he honestly didn’t mean.

Steve actively hunted down the Doom Patrol’s killer’s after their deaths, and attempted to, for a while, do justice to the team’s memory by creating a second version of the group known as Hybrid, which eventually disbanded. Steve later created a fake identity to frame DeathStroke for murder so that Gar and the others wouldn’t have to deal with Slade again.

Raven cured him of his addiction to the helmet and helped him with the demonic brought on insanity and other issues the creature caused, causing Steve to throw away the helmet for a while. Eventually he puts it back on when he discovers that his wife and the rest of her team are alive and joined them again. During this time though he found out that the whole of Doom Patrol was created by Niles Calder, the Chief, who had set up all the accidents to turn the Doom Patrol team into “freaks” so that he could create a second set of Mystery men because...he wanted to.

Steve throws away the helmet, and calls out the chief threatening the man that he would destroy him if he ever came near his wife or son (Yes that means Gar) again. He took on the role of the leader of the team, but things fell apart when stuff went down when Rita decided to split from Steve due to him reading her mind (though it’s odd as she never had that issue before) and later when an alien attacked, Calder had him use her body to stop them, causing her to spit with him for now.

And that was roughly where the Doom patrol was left before the reboot in DC Comics.

Now about Steve and Gar...

The thing about Steve that so many people tend to forget is that he does care about Gar, and one of the reason’s he comes off as a jerk (other than his own personal issues and arrogance at time -which has been tempered over the years) is that Gar is all he has left.

When the Doom Patrol died, he and I believe Robotman, were the only ones that survived (or at least Robot man was able to be rebuilt). This meant that Steve was the sole parent to Gar, who was a very hyper and some what hard to handle kid in the first place. On top of that Steve was dealing with his own depression, something that doesn’t really get talked about a lot in comics in regard to the death of a loved one.

Even after Rita’s death Steve tried to make sure that Gar had a “Normal” life, going as far as to hire several tutors for Gar to be home schooled with, and also willingly including Terra into it. He keeps trying with Gar, even though the two can’t seem to see eye to eye, and yet Steve clearly loves his son. Even if that meant banning him from working with the Titans.

The thing is a lot of people typically see this from Gar’s perspective, and tend to see Steve as being selfish and mean to his son. Banning him from joining with his friends. But, what people forget is that he lost his wife and his friends to super villains. Again, Gar is all he has and, even though it’s hard for him to say it, Steve loves Gar and always will despite their ups and downs as a family unit.

Take for example the fact that Steve willingly works with Deathstroke, a man that hurt his son and also caused him pain as well in order to find and save Gar and his friends.

This is a moment when we see Steve showing how far he’s willing to go as a father. He’s ready to do whatever he can to bring Gar and his friends back.

Yet another moment earlier during events for Gar and his younger years, when a girl’s father is treating him like trash and he comes to the house to talk to Gar about not going to a dance with his daughter.

Steve’s reaction, using his height and blocking Gar from the man...

It’s a polite way of telling him to screw off.

Not to mention what happens during the dance and before hand in regard to Gar and the fall out.

You see Rita and Steve manage to convince Mr. Jackson to let Gar go to the dance with his daughter. And this leads to this moment.

The thing is that Steve is complimenting him, he’s pointing out that he has a good looking son, and is proud of him for going out even though there’s issues going on there. The thing is that the duo, Rita and Steve, end up going to a dance of their own to feel “Young”...

And while there word get’s to them that Gar is in trouble during another issue. Which leads them rushing in to save their son, who is in a fight with the local bully at the high school. The result...the duo, their son and his date, look worse for wear but clearly please that they were able to handle this situation.

One of the bigger issues with Gar and Steve is the fact that neither likes to face the idea of losing one another and yet they can’t seem to believe the others cares. Gar has always had a bit of a jealous streak on Steve because of the fact that he wasn’t sure about Rita caring about him after his mother’s death. And Steve has always felt that Rita preferred Gar to him, thus making him more unsure of himself as a husband.

But when it came to the point where Steve was believed to be dying, thanks in no small part to John Constantine and getting him into trouble with demons, Steve couldn’t put that burden on Gar, so he grew angry and attacked Gar over it when Gar came to talk to him. On top of that Steve thinks that Gar can’t see him as his father, and believes that the only reason Gar acts like he cares is for the memory of Rita, which isn’t true, but Gar doesn’t know how to tell him that.

Gar on the other hand is always having issues with Steve in regard to caring about him and thinks that Steve doesn’t like or even love him. That he only did what he did was for Rita.While Rita was a big part of it at first, because Steve wasn’t ready for a kid at the time, he grew to love Gar as his own, but again Steve’s not good with expressing this to him.

Even later in the Titans series Steve was still around, after Raven helped him, and wanting to help and protect Gar from the dangers out there that could take him away from him. At one point he and Pantra were talking in his mansion where Pantha was taking care of her baby. During this Steve learns that there was an emergency after asking where Gar was, and his response...

“Maybe I shoul...” indicating that he wants to go and help him. Again, Steve is not good at saying I love you, but when it comes to Gar’s safety, it’s always in his mind.

Steve also has faith in his son and his team mates, as shown in his discussion with Maxwell Lord.

Even going back farther, Steve openly defended Gar in court and with Rita’s help they were able to adopt him.

By Rita posing as Gar they were able to get the case thrown out and were able to adopt Gar as their son.

Steve eventually was able to outright spell it out for gar after a huge breakdown due to the influence of his helmet and issues with the said demons. This was during a point when Gar was trying to talk sense into a very dejected and sad Robotman who felt he’d screwed up.

It’s a legit moment between them that stuck well into the next iteration of the comics. Even after the divorce between Rita and Steve, Gar kept a close connection to Steve because by that point the two had become more like father and son than anything else.

It’s interesting to note that in Earth -1 Steve is in a relationship, or Married to, his S.T.A.R.S lab partner Richard, and Gar is his adopted son. In this iteration their relationship is far closer at the start and Gar sees Steve as his dad and vice versa.

In part 2 of this (because I think this is going on a bit long) I want to cover the Young Justice version of their story and why I honestly think that Steve isn’t the Bad guy that Gar is making him out to be.

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thecomicsnexus · 5 years

Photo

NEW TEEN TITANS #26-27 DECEMBER 1982 - JANUARY 1983 BY MARV WOLFMAN, GEORGE PEREZ, ROMEO TANGHAL AND ADRIENNE ROY

SYNOPSIS (FROM DC DATABASE)

The New Teen Titans return to Earth from the Vega system, and Robin, having revealed his true feelings during the battle, begins a romantic relationship with Starfire. Several weeks pass uneventfully. Then, Dick and Kory, on a movie date, witness the accidental death of a drug-crazed youth who attacks D.A. Adrian Chase and his wife before running into the path of a car. The next day, at the site of the Statue of Liberty, Changeling battles a young costumed girl, who calls herself Terra.

Raven heals the wounded youth at the cost of almost being taken over by the spirit of her demonic father, Trigon. The boy proves to be the older brother of the teenager whose death Dick and Kory had witnessed (in the previous issue). He had come to New York to investigate his brother's death only to be set upon and nearly killed by gangsters employed by drug czar Anthony Scarapelli. Returning to the youth center, the Titans meet with Adrian Chase and Roy Harper, the latter working as a liaison between federal and local authorities in drug-related cases. Leaving with the Titans, Roy resumes his identity as Speedy, and together the young heroes break up Scarapelli's plans to have his new drug shipment distributed throughout the city by duped teenage runaways. Two of the youngsters, however, are killed in the melee, despite the Titans' efforts.

REVIEW

New Teen Titans was DC’s most important book, more important than Batman (in sales). It’s hard to think about it after seeing DC trash these characters for the last 19 years. But in 1982... boy, that was a great comic to wait for.

Of course I was barely alive in 1982, (but alive indeed), I didn’t get to know the Titans until the nineties, and even then, I didn’t have access to their comics. It wasn’t until I got access to comic shops that I was able to find them. But I am more familiar with the next volume. This volume was hard to find and I could only get my hands on trade paperbacks. Of course these days all these books are collected. So you should know, this is a good read.

I wasn’t expecting anything at all from this two-parter. They just came back from space, and instead, I get this very deep, ruthless, modern-agey story about runaway kids. And let me tell you something... it’s dark.

But you know what isn’t dark? The titans. This is something to have in mind, you don’t need your characters to be grim and gritty to be able to tell a very dark story. Ok, one of them is at risk of being possessed by a demon from another dimension... but that’s pretty much it.

Roy Harper is also back for this story, as it involves a drug dealer (who uses kids to do the dealing). This story feels just too real. And of course, it doesn’t have a happy ending, everyone is miserable in the end.

There is an actual interview to Marv Wolfman where they discuss this story (that motivated the government to ask DC to do those drug awareness stories):

MacDONALD: How about in the Runaways story? Was that both of you?

WOLFMAN: I tend to work, for the most part, with a fairly complete plot. You can always tell when George and I come up with a plot together, because the credit reads co-plotters. And there will be a separate credit that say co-creators. George gets the plots and does what he wants with them, takes away scenes, adds scenes. He never changes the story, but he will pace it his way, change the fight scenes around and whatever else and add what he wants. With the “Runaways” story he completely followed the plot. I don’t think there was a single change. He tells me that I caught without knowing it a relative of his very closely, and it made him care about the story even more. It’s the first issue of the Titans that he did full pencils, he used to do layouts on the book. And he liked the character Louis, it was very close to one of his relatives and very similar in a lot of the set-up, and I was just taking it from my own talks with runaways.

MacDONALD: I detected either restraint or constraint in that story. Did you have any Code problems with that?

WOLFMAN: No. no. We were prepared to go without the Code symbol. We submitted into the Code as we always do, and assumed that they would reject, but they didn’t. The only correction they made was we misspelled a word that they spotted. I was very much surprised. Our idea was not to hit the readers over the head with the message. I don’t like those type of stories. I just wanted it to be there, where you judge for yourself and make your own decisions. The only concept that I wanted to get through was letting people know about runaway shelters. Otherwise it was a fairly straight story.

MacDONALD: Did you do a lot of research on runaways?

WOLFMAN: Yeah. Len [Wein] and I went to a runaway shelter here [in Manhattan]. They just loaded us down with material. And took the story from that point.

MacDONALD: You did it again, the bad parents and the kids.

WOLFMAN: You know, that is a problem because it is a problem with runaways.

MacDONALD: Yeah, even though it worked in that story…

WOLFMAN: I couldn’t avoid it there. We did try to have with Luis, good parents and a bad kid. So the parents were really loving and caring, but the kid wanted freedoms that the parents in all honesty knew he wasn’t ready for, as proven in the story. The parents were good there. One of the biggest problems we discovered with runaways is not kids running away, but kids being thrown out. So in the case of the girl who was pregnant, for instance, she was actually tossed out. So a throwaway is as much of a problem as a runaway. And we could not avoid the main concept, that most kids are running away because the situation at home is bad. They are not running away for fun. it's not taking to the rails like the bums.

MacDONALD: Maybe to avoid having two bad parents, Lizzie’s mom wasn’t around.

WOLFMAN: No, she wasn’t.

MacDONALD: Was there any reason for that?

WOLFMAN: Yeah, I wanted the father to be raising the girl by himself. Because fathers would have more of a problem understanding the problems of a girl if there wasn’t a mother to temper…

MacDONALD: Well, the father could kick her out and the mother could give her cookies. Teenagers do have conflicts with their parents.

WOLFMAN: Yeah, that’s why it had to be one of the themes. We overdid it in the early issues I think. But we couldn’t avoid it in “Runaways.” I wouldn’t have even dreamed of avoiding that subject.

MacDONALD: It just seems that when you are writing about teenagers, there is too much of it.

WOLFMAN: As I said, it was a problem and I recognized it about issue #20 and decided I wouldn’t do it again. I don’t think the runaways issue did it again, I think that was a separate type of storyline, and we haven’t done it within the main thrust of the story. But that was the special case.

MacDONALD: Let’s talk a little about that. Terra…

WOLFMAN: Terra becomes a member with issue #30. Strangely enough, Mike Barr and I came in with identical characters, the same day. Mike is doing a book called The Outsiders and I wanted a new character for the Titans, and he came up with a guy who had earth powers [Geo Force], and I came up with Terra who has earth powers. And we both came in the same day so we couldn’t say who was first, and I came up with the idea of making them brother and sister. So Mike and I have cooperated to make these characters work between the two books. And Terra will be a regular character, for how long I will not say, because that ties in with some of the things we have in mind.

Where we are moving is that Wonder Girl will be getting married, and, shock of shocks, she will not be leaving the Teen Titans, and it will not affect her work in the Teen Titans. She’s marrying somebody outside the team, who’s not a super-hero.

MacDONALD: You always have a lot of plotlines, there’s Thia…

WOLFMAN: There’s a guy up in space…

MacDONALD: Yeah, what’s going to happen to the guy in space? (The Monitor).

WOLFMAN: What happened there.. that was a mistake in that everybody else didn’t pick up on it fast enough. I was creating a character for all DC to use, and I told everybody what it was, but they didn’t pass it on down to their writers. So I have to reintroduce him. I want a character who’s available, who’s called the Monitor, who keeps track of everybody and he sells information. And any writer could use it.

MacDONALD: You mean like The Watcher as a blackmailer?

WOLFMAN: Yeah. I had the character about 18 years ago. I called him the Librarian then because I didn’t have a good sense about names and thought that it would be a neat idea to do that. You know, one villain that the whole company could use. I didn’t have to sell it to Marvel, because they already had one universe, but when I came back to DC I indicated that I wanted to do it here. Everyone liked it but forgot to hand out the sheets I gave for their writers. So I have to redo it indicating how far you can take the character from month A to month B. Like for three months you can only show this much and after six months you can show that much, and at the end of a year we can reveal who that character is and start getting into interesting stories that all the writers can pick up on.

MacDONALD: So he’s going to be all around?

WOLFMAN: Oh yeah.

MacDONALD: He’s not specifically Titans?

WOLFMAN: On no.

Interesting ah?

In any case, I give this story a score of 10

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