#frontline: shockwave

[forensicated]

Smiffina Episodes: Frontline 1: Shockwave.

Emma is playing fast and loose with Callum's feelings since she realised he liked her (it's all very last minute and unclear tbf, they'd have been better off making it Nate after he and Emma had been flirting up a storm for multiple episodes around the time of the Witness, though I guess Nate is too flighty and not brooding enough unlike Callum.) It's all very weird and stilted and Callum is behaving strangely to say the least. After he warns Emma 'to be careful out there', Sally tries to find out what's going on. Mid explanation there's two explosions which the girls run towards. One is a nightclub that was largely empty due to it being the daytime and the other a photocopy shop. Emma and Sally are the only officers on the scene at first and are faced with people screaming for help, people in shock, blood pouring from wounds, unconscious people and a huge amount of debris and smoke all over. In the area car, Callum and Will are next on the scene as Gina tries to manage it from the control room via CCTV and reports from her officers. In the middle of the initial response, a man pretends to be a doctor and sexually assaults one of the victims who is trapped in her car. He then assaults Emma, pushing her away, causing Callum to rush in as a knight on white steed and act like her hand was cut off in her fall rather than a cut.

Gina looks shell shocked as she tries to co-ordinate the police response and organise fire brigade and ambulance attendance. She wants to be out in the thick of it to help but Heaton insists she stay at the station and run their response from there.

The police officers are getting frustrated with the press and public at the scene of the explosions and hospital. They're more interested in getting pictures/information than letting help get through. "Idiots!" Ben growls, as they don't move for the ambulance literally blaring its sirens behind them! At the hospital Smithy is forcing the press and rubberneckers out of the hospital grounds as much as possible, "If I find out someone's asking what it's like to be blown up...!!!"

SO15 are taking control of the blast sights, behaving as though it's a terrorist incident for the time being. They want to lock down the two blast areas but as Gina points out, the amount of casualties waiting for transport to hospital and the walking wounded and emergency personnel on site mean that that is impossible.

"Phase two of the public response has started..." Gina sighs, having a very angry warehouseman repeatedly ringing in because he's unhappy with the response time of officers after he called in a potential burglary of his premises. Smithy takes Emma off the cordon as she's behaving as though she's in shock and sets her and Sally onto the mini-crimewave that has sparked up in the hope that all police would be dealing with the explosion.

Sally and Emma concentrate on tracking down the fake doctor as he's moved on from sexual assaulting to telling the injured that they're ok and to go home and rest when they should be in the hospital, causing one man to be rushed in after collapsing at home.

Richard Frost, the fake doctor, is found to be living with his overprotective mother who doesn't believe that he's capable of sexual assault, claiming he's being harassed by the police and another accuser 'just because he loves his mother!' It becomes very obvious that Frost cannot take being told no. Emma calls Callum 'a bent cop' after he holds Frost by the throat. "You're not the officer I thought you were." he scoffs. "You're not the man I thought you were either." She returns, walking off, leaving him holding Frost and shouting her name

SO15 suspect 100% now that the bombings were planned and that police - at Barton St - were alerted to them via an email the day before and that there's another one planned but no clue to where, when or why. Suicide bombers are ruled out and traces of nitroglycerin are found at both scenes so it appears it's either timer or remote controlled detonation.

Emma finds smoke pouring from a warehouse and is tasked to evacuate it. Emma goes back in to try find the 4 unaccounted for. Gina tells her to take a quick sweep of the building and to get out. Emma finds three and keeps searching for another as Sally, Callum, Will, Nate and others head towards the warehouse. Finally she finds the man she's been looking for and they leave but before Emma can get out she hears a door and runs towards two men inside - just as there is an explosion. Emma's radio only plays static now when Gina tries to contact her to the horror of Gina and the other officers in the control room.

Callum is first onscene with Sally second and Ben, Nate and Will bringing up the rear. Will calls for am ambulance as Callum and Sally try and revive her.

#the bill #alex walkinshaw #dale smith #smithy #roberta taylor #gina gold #smiffina #smiffinalong #callum stone #sam callis #emma keane #melanie gutteridge #sally armstrong #ali bastian #frontline part 1 #frontline #frontline: shockwave #frontline part 1 shockwave

[collapsedsquid]

That rate of fire and intensity appears to have been the main cause of the psychological issues plaguing returned troops. For the most part, the temporary fire bases Marines and soldiers used were well away from the frontlines. There were some attacks on those positions, resulting in American deaths, but U.S. troops were for the most part removed from close fighting. However, repeated exposure to shockwaves from artillery fire left many troops feeling unwell. They suffered symptoms similar to that of concussions, and over time developed issues similar to symptoms of PTSD.  The Marines conducted a study of one unit, Fox Battery, 2nd Battalion 10th Marines, to see the impacts of high artillery blasts on their health. The report, released in 2019, said that the Marines were being hurt by the shockwaves from their howitzers. More than half of the battery was diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injuries. The Marines Corps did not answer New York Times’ questions about who ordered the study. One Army blast researcher the paper spoke to said that repeated exposure to such blasts can scar brain tissue and hurt neural connections.  Those troops affected by their time in Syria and Iraq also struggled with poor response from the military and services. Many were denied care as they were not officially injured. The United States and its partners are still hunting down the remnants of ISIS. However, fighting has shifted from large efforts to retake towns and cities to smaller operations, such as helicopter raids; large artillery operations are no longer as important to coalition strategy. The Army and Marine Corps told the New York Times they are tracking artillery crews’ exposure to such sustained fire to prevent this. However the newspaper noted that Marines in the field don’t report seeing any new preventative measures.  The 2019 report highlighted an ongoing risk to troops, noting that artillery crews firing that frequently could result in troops being taken out of action “faster than combat replacements can be trained to replace them.”

Wonder how those Ukranians are doing

[artsy-hobbitses]

Hello!

I know there was a lot questions about Sideswipe and Strongarm( I adore these sillies) but I would love to know how their engagement went?

There's war goin on so they have to be relativly serious but do they wait till the end of an conflict? Who was more nervous? And most inportant how Sunny reacted?

Thank you!❤

And tell me  That we belong together And dress it up with the trappings of love I'll be captivated I'll hang from your lips Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above

At the point of time Sides and Strongarm realised that they love each other enough to want to spend a lifetime of good-natured bickering, surprise cuddles and stealing kisses during sparring sessions together, Shockwave has kind of fucked up and awoken what’s been dubbed as UNICRON in redacted government files, so y’know, there’s literally much, MUCH bigger things to be nervous about. 

But they do have a talk about it, about them, because there is a chance one or both of them will not come back from this, and this could be the end of whatever story they’re penning together. 

They might have to close that book and start a new one after the dust settles, and they’re frontliners who have to be pragmatic about it. It’s the nature of their job, they’ve known that since day one taking up that Autobot badge. 

It starts innocently enough, just post-fieldwork thank-god-you’re-back-alive snuggles and silly questions about where they saw themselves if the war was never here to take their minds off the creeping dread of having to face down whatever it is that Shockwave has wrought upon them, because by now it’s been a decade and it’s hard to think about a time before the war or imagine a life after it some days. 

But Sideswipe can imagine it now, more vividly than ever, and he shares his thoughts with Strongarm, who asks him in a half-hearted joking manner if he’s gonna stop pulling her leg because through all of what he’s saying, it’s not just him— it’s “we”, it’s twisted sheets and listening to the rain at 2am over sweet nothings, it’s sleep-in mornings (imagine being able to wake up at 10am again IMAGINE) and puppy snuggles (he knows she’s always wanted a German Shepherd of her own but can’t justify getting a puppy in their current circumstances) and breakfasts at a cozy little table set for two (no more mess hall rush!), and stolen kisses before they leave for some mundane-ass totally normal day job where possible death isn’t on the agenda every time they clock in that punch card, and they can come home to a little piece of bliss that’s all their own and all that matters.

Sideswipe, 100% serious, makes a promise to her that if they make it out of this, it’ll be the first thing he asks her because ten years is more than long enough to decide that he wants the rest of whatever life he’s got left to be spent with her… but if he doesn’t—listen, if he doesn’t—he wants her to move on, find happiness in a better world with someone else because he loves her too much to have her be hung up over him, over pages left unwritten which will never be completed.

Strongarm calls him out again for having literally THE worst timing for these relationship milestones but reluctantly agrees, as long as he remembers this promise and does his best to come back to her because she’s gotten too use to having him as a sparring partner, and finding a new one is more hassle than she’s willing to deal with. (Note that Sideswipe at this point has said he loves her a couple of times, but she’s never really said it back. She’ll usually respond with ‘ditto’, reasoning that he clearly knows how she feels about him)

It’s a promise Sideswipe almost doesn’t get to keep—the ensuing battle nearly kills him (And would have, had it not been for Ratchet’s skills being temporarily boosted by his association with Alchemist Prime) and while he’s (barely) alive, he’s lost his dominant arm, has critical internal injuries and is in a two month-long coma.

Strongarm is a constant by his bedside (she and Sunny take shifts  making sure he doesn’t code and helping with daily therapy to limit his muscle atrophy—it’s around this time that their relationship improves markedly), and while she does try to keep things chipper and talks to him about how the war’s ended, the rebuilding efforts and all the super normal things they get to do now, one night the melancholy and despair sets in and she’s quietly pleading for him to wake up, because she can’t do this.

She thought she could be pragmatic about it, whole soldier’s coda of hope for the best and  prepare for the worst, but she’s not prepared to close their book, she’s not prepared to move on and be happy, and she’s so mad at him for insinuating that was even a possibility without him around. Because she doesn’t want to find someone else. It’s you, it’s always been you; For all the times she knew it killed you a little inside whenever life made you second-best to anything that mattered to you, there had never been anyone else for her from the day you answered her call while she laid dying in that alley and summarily made yourself the No.1 Prick of her heart. 

The next day, quite miraculously, he opens his eyes but is still non-responsive to stimuli.  Ratchet does gently try to temper Strongarm’s surging hopes for a full recovery with situational realism that it’s possible that he won’t be the same/won’t remember certain things and will need rehabilitation to re-learn how to function.

It’s clear however, through his blips of consciousness, that he’s struggling to communicate something between the more rapid blinking and finger twitches, and First Aid decides to get Wheeljack to rig up a little device to help him pick/tap out letters.

Sideswipe is still nonverbal and there’s no guarantee he can even figure out letters yet in his currrent state, but the first thing he manages to spell out is a very garbled “MRAYR EM?” and he slowly—but deliberately—winks at Strongarm.

And Strongarm—always stoic and professional with everyone else—just fucking openly bawls like she’s never bawled before, so much that it initially alarms Sunstreaker and First Aid, but she doesn’t care that it makes her like a madwoman for a hot second before they figure out what exactly Sides was trying to say that provoked this reaction.

Because—she’s laughing through messy, snotty sobs now—you remembered your promise, you remembered, and even when you’re busted to fuck and back and can’t spell for shit it’s the first thing you wanted her to hear, because you have the worst timing on earth and she loves you for it. 

She loves you, she loves you Sergio Saverio, she loves you for the stubborn, foolhardy, courageous, passionate hot mess that you are, she loves you, and the answer is Yes. 

His recovery is gradual and steady (That moment immediately improved Ratchet’s initially prognosis for him, because it showed that his memory was functional and his major neural pathways were still mostly connected), and she’s there every step of the way—it’s poetic bookends to the start of their relationship, when she took the leap of faith in trusting him and he tossed aside any misgivings he had about being involved with her to help save her life and heal from an injury which she was similarly told she wouldn’t fully recover from. 

Their engagement is over the period of a year, as his condition improves bit by bit (there are some things that are permanent—his reflexes/reaction times are shot, he can barely wield his sword, and getting used to his new prosthetic arm is a struggle especially given his circumstances, all of which make him feel even more self-conscious as an ex-soldier, but Strongarm and Sunstreaker both assure him that he’s still their Sideswipe, he’s still whole even if he can’t fight like he used to, and this world which he helped save is one where he never has to fight a day more in his life) and they’re taking this time together to finally do things ‘right’ and make up for his horrible timing as he likes to jest; going on fluffy dates, making a real home together, meeting the parents.

They also BOTH get rings for each other (Sideswipe goes to HotRod, Strongarm goes to Swerve, both who are ELATED to be able to craft non-weapons and keep the secret) and try to re-propose to each other ‘properly’ at the same time, which ends up with both of them bending the knee at the same time for each other over laughter because THE DRIFT IS TOO STRONG and also, who needs proper when this is more fun?

Sunstreaker’s the one who actually helped Sideswipe source a sapphire for the ring intended for Strongarm (he’s still got connections!), and after seeing his brother’s recovery and how Strongarm was there every step of the way, concurs that he was wrong—she’s exactly the right one for Sideswipe, and he’s genuinely never been happier that his baby brother, who’d been starved of love as a child and had always dreamed of a loving family because of that, finally has a chance at it. 

#Inbox #GUESS WHAT THE BITCH RAMBLED AGAIN #IN HER FEELINGS AGAIN OVER THESE TWO DOLTS #SideswipexStrongarm #Save for later

[fieldmedicine]

➳ // snickers ... how about for DEADLOCK?

“We have got to stop meeting like this, kid.”

Cuffed, scuffed, and missing half a windshield and a good chunk of his chevron, Ratchet’s glossa pokes out to taste the slow-oozing drip from his broken nasal ridge. He’s not a pretty picture, sure, but Deadlock looks worse by Ratchet’s rough estimate.

Probably because the idiot felt the need to scrap with the other DCons gathered around to prove— whatever. That he’d claimed Ratchet fair and square, or something like that. It was bravado, but he can’t say he’s not grateful for it.

Getting handed off to Shockwave would be more or less a death sentence, even if he didn’t, you know, die. The Constructicons had been fair hands when he’d known them before the War but now, with the supply shortages and rising tension? Uncertain. And Flatline fucked off somewhere far from the frontlines, so…

He huffs softly and leans forward on his knees, letting his forehelm tap against Deadlock’s leg. “You gonna let me patch that tire?”

[nejigirl5]

| I’ll Never Leave You | [pt. 1/3]

Neji x Hyuga-Branch!Fem!Reader

A/n: This fanfiction is based off of the first one I ever wrote back in the day, and will basically have a timeskip to the future time. A bit of context for the future, though not in this part, Neji will pass. The entire point is that he comes back in the later parts, and there might be more than three [I will probably add a housewife part at the end or something]. I remember when I first saw Neji while watching Naruto for the first time, and I just immediately knew he was going to be my favorite, no question. There’s just something about him that can never be replaced by any other character, and no one can or will be anywhere near as great as he is. I will love him forever, and I will always have hope that they will bring him back, because there was no reason for him to leave us. 

WC: 2838

Warnings: Mentions of violence and blood, Neji is missing a shirt in part of it, fluff, kind of rude Neji and stalker-ish Y/n [but it’s cute]

The news of the war had moved throughout the village quickly, every shinobi training even more diligently in preparation, Neji included. Being chosen to represent the entirety of the Hyuga clan on the frontlines was a responsibility that he knew he was ready for, but couldn't help but feel guilt and the urge to prove himself even further, despite his proficiency already gained.

The sun from the afternoon was high and bright, only adding to the sweat that covered his forehead as he continued to hit the vertical log in the training grounds he practiced in, outside of the compound. Heavy breaths came from his mouth as he pounded consistently, not even caring when the log was indented and red from the blood of his hands, as well as mouth every time there was a strong shockwave of impact sent back at him.

After so many years, he didn't mind or care about the pair of eyes that continued to watch him, almost forgetting that they were there. Those eyes, the ones that glimmered in lilac, on a head with hair tied back, a white bandage covering her forehead, wearing a simple dress and apron, were surprisingly comfortable to his consciousness. Naruto, who never noticed his own stalker, Hinata, was obviously quite different from Neji, who had noticed right away, back when he became a team with Guy Sensei and it had all begun.

She was a simple girl, not having been trained to be a shinobi and instead trained to serve the elders of the household; serving tea, cleaning, and whatnot. Though she appeared to be around Hanabi's age, never did she ever communicate with the heiress and didn't really have any friends, living alone. Neji didn't feel sorry for the girl, at least he tried not to. As much as he attempted to deny it, he had some of the best friends in the world, always surrounded by wonderful people that cared for him, though not nearly as much as a true family would. For a team, as much as some may try to wish it was, is not a family, and they will always put themselves first. That was the reality of it, and something Neji would always live by, further distancing himself from the rest of the Konoha 12.

-

The girl, Y/n, sat against a nearby tree where the shade covered her eyes from the brightness of the sun, helping her focus on Neji. The only sounds that she could hear were the pounding of the log, hits getting more and more intense as he pushed through the pain of training, trying to let off steam whilst he continued. It was hard to see his face, only being able to see his back from the angle she was situated at, but when he moved to a new side of the log, she was left to pay attention solely on clenching the lunchbox resting next to her at the sight of the blood covered log, it being exposed a few inches deep.

He had told her not to interfere before through the few words he spoke to her, so she attempted to wait it out still carefully eying his injuries. It was a stupid plan, really, seeing as blood came erupting out of his mouth only moments after he moved to where she could see him better, and with that, she immediately grabbed her medical kit and ran down to meet him.

It might have been laughable, seeing Y/n, who wasn't a shinobi, attempting to stop Neji from practicing his taijutsu by holding his arm, but as much as he wanted to slap her hand away and continue, he was already exhausted seeing as it wasn't just that afternoon that he had spent training, but the whole day yesterday as well with no breaks, attempting to improve his stamina.

Even Y/n, who was hidden from just about everything outside of the Hyuga family, knew that there was a war coming and could not stop him from his improvements. If anything, after all these years all she wanted to do was to prove to him that there were people who cared about him, even more than themselves. Not the fake love Hinata tried to show him, by caring for him though still blaming him for issues she had caused. Not the respect Naruto tried to show him by admitting to his talents, yet still climbing over him to get to the top and being so selfish as to attribute his winning as fair; all of which Y/n had seen and gritted her teeth at.

-

Neji had come to sit on the ground, just resting as she dabbed at his face with a wipe to clear the blood, doing the same for the cuts on his hands and arms and disinfecting them, Neji trying not to wince at the sting of alcohol coming in contact with his skin, some drops from the cotton ball dripping down his appendage and onto Y/n's skirt. When the bandages were placed, he started to get up to continue his training. There were those in the main branch of the Hyuga clan that believed he was chosen just out of grief and an act of apologizing to Hizashi, his late father and Hiashi's brother. Some who believed it was more fitting for Hinata to lead, though she lacked all skills necessary, most only caring about bloodline.Usually he wouldn't care about onlookers, if anything enjoying their mockery and furthering them on with snide comments. But this was the opportunity he had been waiting for. One that, if done correctly, could allow him to make real change in the clan and finally get the respect he deserved.

As he started to move, of course Y/n was there to stop him again. "You're getting in my way." He finally spoke, annoyance laced in his expression, not understanding her motives. 'Who would spend so much time watching someone else? She's just like Hinata. Pathetic.' He always thought, trying to get her to stop following him with his behavior. For some reason, it never worked though. Every day he trained, she was there to watch him and heal his wounds, or when he came back from missions, she was there with a lunchbox every time. There was something about her clear determination, something that she only showed when stubbornly looking after Neji's health, that made him wonder what it was that made her care. What was so significant that made him the center of attention in her world.

Flashback:

Neji, who had recently gone on a mission in Sunagakure with his team, had just arrived back at the large entrance of Konoha, passing Izumo and Kotetsu as they all walked in. He was fully convinced, for sure he didn't tell anyone of the mission, so a young Y/n standing behind a tree that was situated near the wall even shocked him, though she had stood there so many times before. She started to walk over, though Neji beat her and instead went near the tree as well, the rest of his team continuing to walk, discussing who would deliver the mission report. She handed him the lunchbox as usual, cleaning a cut on his thumb and bandaging it with a soft smile on her face. Only a slight blush appeared on his cheeks, as he turned away.

"Hmm... what about Neji, huh?" Lee turned his head, expecting to see his friend. "Who's that girl?" Tenten asked, pointing to the two of them as they all stood watching her hand him his lunch box, him walking back to the group. "Neji? Who's that?" Lee asked, nudging his friend when he grunted. "I don't know who you are referring to, Lee." Neji stated, walking to the front of the group. "Aww but Neji..." Tenten whined, wanting to know. "Now Lee, Tenten, let's leave Neji be, alright? He clearly doesn't want to talk about it, okay?" Guy Sensei chimed in, saving Neji from explanation. As Guy challenged them all to a race to the hokage's building, Y/n just stood, making her way back to her house where she would make a meal for herself. He looked so happy with his friends behind that stubborn face of annoyance he always wore, a face that would surely give him plenty of wrinkles. The one thing Y/n always wanted was to make him feel that way... and so she continued on her path. One that would, of course, take an unexpected turn in the future.

Flashback ends.

She handed him his lunchbox as she had done so many times before. This time, though, there was no resistance. The absence of a gruntled "I'm fine." and an insistent "You need to eat, Neji." adding to the sudden awkwardness in the air. Not wanting to disturb him any longer, she stood up herself, starting to make her way back to the tree, as it was clear he was going to train even longer. Instead of placing the rice in his chopsticks in his mouth, it remained open, only to ask; "Why do you keep doing this."

The question echoed through her mind, him rarely speaking to her unless to tell her to stop wasting her efforts. She turned her head back at him, confused. "What are your motives?" He pondered, finally confident enough to ask. "People can wish to spend time with you without wanting something from you, Neji." She replied softly, continuing her walk though he stopped her again. This time, by grabbing her hand in a lightning quick action, having stood up.

"That doesn't answer my question, Y/n." Her eyes grew wide, something that Neji seemed to miss. One would think it would be strange to not know someone's name after years of being around each other constantly, but never did she expect he knew hers as he never asked. Neji, of course was a prodigy, famous even. Y/n though, not even Hiashi cared enough to learn her name or be able to recognize her. Maybe, somehow she had finally learned that he did care. At least she hoped it was that way. "You're a kind person, Neji. I just wish that everyone else could see that." She smiled. But Neji was only left thinking about her words. Him? A nice person?

Flashback

Neji wiped his forehead with the towel Y/n had laid out for him, before starting to make his way back to the compound to rest. His training outfit, a basic grayish-blue shirt and sweatpants were getting uncomfortably sticky against his body as he walked, only realizing he left the towel on the log and should return it to Y/n, though he assumed she had gone home in the last hour or so, him having been training for the last 36 hours straight preparing for a match that Lee challenged him to participate in.

He of course, was energized having eaten that lunchbox Y/n gave him, and she took care of all his wounds and injuries, always making sure he was in good condition. What he didn't expect was to see her, lying underneath the tree sleeping in the cold. Even from his distance away, her shivers were visible as she was far too tired to wake up and walk home. He couldn't help it but feel bad, walking over to her.

Not knowing where she lived, he figured the next best thing was to provide some needed insulation as during the night in Konoha, it was only going to get more cold. He silently took off his shirt, gently laying it down on top of her and tucking it in around her shoulders. "Goodnight, Y/n." He whispered before turning around. Part of him wanted to thank her in that moment, but of course his pride got in the way despite her lack of consciousness. Was it that he was finally coming to appreciate everything that she did for him? No... of course not. He would never.

Slowly walking through the halls of the Hyuga compound to his room, where he planned to shower and sleep, he, quite literally, ran into Hinata as they passed each other, her face being slightly flushed at the sight of him partially bare. "Neji... Neji-kun..." She whispered, fearful of waking anyone up. "What happened to your..." She pointed at his chest, slightly curious at his seen predicament. "Oh... no mind to that. What are you doing up so late?" He asked in return. "Lady Tsunade... sent a messenger to tell you that you have an urgent mission, and that you should report to the gate as soon as possible." She instructed. "Thank you, Lady Hinata." He replied, continuing to his room, before an arm stopped him. "No need for formalities, Neji." She mumbled. "Yes, right, la... -I mean Hinata. Goodnight." He said as he walked to his room, before changing into his usual shinobi uniform and going out for his mission.

Hinata had been kept awake, however. Thoughts filling her mind about the decision for Neji to represent the clan on the front lines. It was obvious why he was chosen, he was a prodigy of course. A genius. Her, not so much, but it was finally an opportunity for her to prove herself. As she continued through the hallways and taking steps outside of the compound, she only then noticed the silhouette of someone lying underneath the tree near the training grounds. Of course, she went to go check on the person, but noticed it was a young girl from the clan, curled up into a ball from the cold, the shirt covering her doing little to shield her from the harsh winds and temperature.

That's when realization hit her. That was Neji's shirt, something that was easily recognizable considering he was missing it. Besides, she had heard the rumors from Naruto that he was told by from Lee, about Neji talking to a girl and her giving him food. With that she decided to carry the girl into the compound, believing it would have been what Neji would have wanted. She set her down on his bed in his room, pulling the covers over her, letting her sleep until his return in the morning.

-

If Neji had been sweaty the night before, then he was dripping after that mission. The entire night had been spent chasing a small group of rogue ninja around the forests surrounding Konoha, him not being able to go home until almost noon. When they arrived back at the gate, he was quite surprised of the missing presence behind the trees, something slightly burning in his heart, almost like he was missing the lunchbox she would always make him. Nevertheless, he started home, but the question of where she was continued being on his mind.

Once he made it home, he of course, rushed to his room to take a shower, feeling absolutely disgusting. His eyes fully set on the bathroom door, nothing else on his mind, he completely missed the lump in his bed. That was, of course, until he got out. Hair long and down; dark and wet, dripping water on the floor beneath him, seeing as he only dropped his hair towel when he noticed. Headband off, and only wearing a fluffy white towel around his waist, his hands found their way onto his hips as he stared at the lump, not knowing what, or who, it was.

After a long night, the last thing he wanted to do was use his byakugan, eyes still being sore, so he just opted to remove the covers manually with an overdramatic grunt. Of course when doing so, the person, originally in their slumber, awoke unexpectedly, met with the frightening, yet gorgeous sight of a frustrated and confused Neji. Y/n buried her face back into the pillows, naturally confused. That was, until Hanabi came into the room hearing her yelp.

"Hinata found you outside, and figured Neji would want you here. Sorry if that was a bother, Neji." She apologized while peering in. "I'll leave you." He said, trying to hide his embarrassment as he went back into the bathroom. "Seems that you might be the only one who can win his heart..." Hanabi said, still peering in. "You can see it in his eyes. Good luck!" She whispered, leaving Y/n on her own.

"I might be the only one that can win his heart?" She mumbled, getting out of the bed, somehow already missing the comforting pillows and strangely soothing scent of Neji.

Flashback end.

"I'll never leave you, Neji. I'll be here for you, forever. I promise." She whispered, then continued to walk off as he let go of her arm. And he was only left to think about what she said. There was something comforting about finally knowing. He would have Y/n forever... even though he wasn't really sure what he was feeling. 'Should I thank her? - No...' Ran through his mind. But though she couldn't hear it, he was sure he was being honest when he whispered; "I'll never leave you either, Y/n."

A/n: I am not sure when the other chapters will be posted, hopefully in a week or so. Happy birthday Neji! I will love you forever. 

#naruto #neji #neji x reader #neji x y/n #neji x you #neji hyuga

[transingthoseformers]

So I'm vividly reminded of the "What if there was a character who wanted to be [faction] but was barred from joining [faction]" post, and tfp au Tarn is somewhat close to being this.

They wouldn't have let him join the Decepticons if he hadn't pleaded and begged enough. And, nobody will ever admit it, even the commanders are scared of him. Tarn has just been so loyal (well loyal up until this point) that they were willing to overlook the immense security risk his Voice was and the rancid vibes. In the TFP au, he came to the Decepticons preinstalled with the DJD, but in this au the DJD had existed before Tarn has, and they kinda just found him in the space woods like a coyote mistaken for a dog.

TFP au Tarn has a much different backstory and origin than what you'd expect. Damus was someone who originally was turned away from the Decepticons , whether it was for a lack of generalistic experience, bad luck, having failed some sort of entrance test (i severely doubt they'd have like a written test, that's not what i mean, I'm thinking some sort of small quest), or hell the Bad Vibes™️ that Soundwave had received but could never put a digit. (Nobody could've guessed Tarn had been Damus, hell nobody knows until the Tarn and Fallen fiasko when he blurts it in a monologue.)

He did not take this rejection. I cannot tell you for sure when Damus became a more recognizable shape, what he had done before fully becoming Tarn, but I can tell you how he was found.

The DJD was a project proposed by Shockwave, one that Megatron has always disliked. It ultimately functioned similar to the Wreckers in the Autobots— do the dirty work that not even Megatron wants to do, and he'll turn a blind eye to their methods. One of the conditions he agreed upon was that they stay away from the frontlines, as they are pretty much the clean up crew for those who have become disillusioned to the Cause. Originally, the ship's crew was the leader Kaon, Tesarus, Helex, Vos, and Prion (their medic, who looks a little familiar...)

They found Damus on a small moon circling a dead planet that had never developed complex life. He was thought to be a mercenary, but no he denied this. The DJD decided that hey this guy who wants to be a Decepticon should be a Decepticon! And dragged him with them. This is when he took upon the name Tarn (the symbolic meaning here in the tfp au is unknown as of yet) There is a possibility that his Voice had influenced this without their knowledge, as exactly nobody had guessed that as a possibility. Though, the DJD soon learned during the brutal disposal of a rogue exactly what Tarn is capable with this "gift". (Remember, in the TFP au outliers do exist but exactly nobody has really discovered this fact. Sometimes mecha pop up with inexplicable abilities and it always freaks everyone else the hell out) At first, they were struck with that instinctive oh-frag feeling, but this faded with the delight of them having a new method in their already rather unconventional repertoire.

Things were... special the next time the Peaceful Tyranny crossed paths with the Nemesis. Megatron was very suspicious of this Tarn, (actually in a very similar way as he was in canon of Predaking once the mech revealed his bipedal mod). But, eventually, he okayed the new addition as he wasn't going to question the DJD's methods. He didn't want to think too hard about what they do, only that they completed the job out of sight. Megatron couldn't afford to lose any more sleep than he already is over this.

Did Megatron call the DJD down to Earth? No, Tarn had tracked Pharma's signal and was delighted to find out his Lord is also on this blue and green planet. If I remember my timelines correctly, they arrived in the smack dab middle of the spicy battlefield dance arc. Meaning, the commanders already had so goddamn much to deal with that they agreed "fuck it, let them do whatever they're here to do, let them take care of the traitors wandering about so we don't have to". The DJD was explicitly told to not interfere with the war efforts, the autobots, or the ongoings of the Nemesis. (Probably in much longer polite and formal words than my synopsis of it)

For a long time, Tarn was considered in a similar manner as he was in canon. A dangerous weapon, but a currently manageable and loyal weapon. Some would say Tarn's loyalty to the Cause and Megatron rivals Soundwave's, others dare to admit that there has to be a catch. That nobody is that loyal without some sort of catch. Especially if that someone enjoys working with the fragging DJD, which among most Decepticons is practically a myth because of how infrequently the Peaceful Tyranny is sighted.

The events of Delphi are very similar as in the au, upon one divergence— nobody finds them. Every autobot except Pharma eventually succumbs to the Red Rust (or the DJD, in Ambulon's case) and Pharma has to find his way off planet. Eventually, he makes his way to Earth.

The rest of the DJD, as we know, was entirely content with these orders and did their own horrific murder thing. Tarn, though? Oh we knew he ultimately basically ignored this and turned his efforts to win his Lord with his winning personality (a lie), pure loyalty (a lie), and charming good looks (kind of a lie but kinda not)— and to find out where that autobot jet had went.

He started seeing the messages from Megatronus Prime a mere fortnight since he arrived on Earth. The Fallen had a reverse sort of reaction to Tarn, at first only seeing him as an easy to manipulate means to an end. After all, once the Fallen got out and destroyed Earth, what would this pathetic sycophant matter? But, as they started interacting more the Fallen ended up letting more and more of his guard down to this mortal. Tarn will not end up betraying Megatronus Prime, even as the reverse happens. This demigod encouraged the wrong mech.

Tarn will not visually see Pharma until further into the truce, pretty damn close in time with when he learns about Silverlight. And well... I've talked about what comes next.

#tfp au #tf tarn #transformers #maccadam #i do admit i 100% set him up to be a nice guy #this au's joints are oiled with projection and i just couldn't resist the idea of tfp Megatron absolutely hating the idea of tarn #in canon tfp Megatron shows some degree of honor even of it involves fighting dirty #guy has limits #Tarn however has no limits #tfp Tarn lore drop!

[the-13th-rose]

Haha transformers s/is go brrr

For TFA: Deadcell, formerly "Daisy", a misanthropic alien enthusiast who decided she's actually totally cool with selling out her species if it means big evil robot man companionship.

For TFP: Hush, a Decepticon based on stealth bombers with a lot to say and a lightning fast inner monologue. Developing her combat skills before the war by teaching herself how to beat the bolts out of anyone with the audacity to tell her to stop talking, and went along with Megatron's cause for power and the ability to intimidate others. Her name's one part irony, and one part homage to the actual stealth capabilities she has when it actually counts to be quiet.

Both are Shockwave minions, Deadcell taking a more passive role in schemes where she's just along for the ride and doing whatever being a human allows her to do, and Hush being more active, fighting on the frontlines before Shockwave's return and being an eager lab assistant afterward.

Bonus Hush sketch:

#shockpost

[toomanyf4ndoms7]

Missing MK11 Koncept: Goro

Bio: Reborn: The mighty prince of the Shokan, Goro was thought lost after being possessed by Onaga and slain by Kotal. Mysteriously reappearing with newfound strength and determination, only time will tell of his allegiance.

Gear

Headgear: Designs include various kinds of Helmets. 

Bracers: Designs are various kinds of arm bracers, including a no guard option.

Dragon totem: Designs include varying kinds of necklace totems. An Onaga symbol carved in stone, a shokan symbols that glows crimson, and a single eye that might glance around and glow if you look at it.

Skins:

Warrior Prince: His MKX design.

Frontline general: A slightly armoured design with the Shokan sigil.

Former champion: His classic MK1 design.

Blood of Kings: A vaguely design with pale skin and very faint scales on his body. Like Onaga possessing his corpse.

Universal moves:

Fist blast: Goro shoots a green energy ball from his fist. Amplify to make it unblockable.

Stomp: Goro leaps into the air and crashes down on the opponent. Amplify to have him grab after he lands and toss the opponent away.

Punch walk: Goro marches forward while punching, amplify for a launching uppercut.

Cursed crush: Goro grabs the opponent and channels a green magic on their body, causing them to briefly turn pale before he tosses them away. He gains heath back from this on amplify.

Kustom moves:

Grab n squeeze: Goro stomps across the screen, grabs the opponent and squeezes their head before slamming them down.

Taunt: Goro raises his fists into the air, making the opponent deal less damage if he completes it. Leaves him open for a free hit.

Dragon King’s blessing: Goro uses remnants of Onaga’s soul to empower himself for a short time. (Does extra damage until the buff wears off. Green ethereal glow around fists.)

Ground quake: Goro slams the ground, making a directional impact on the ground. Amplify to have him punch the ground twice more.

Beat-Down: Goro grabs the opponent’s shoulders and delivers five consecutive punches to their gut.

Fatal Blow:

Prince of Pain: Goro grabs the opponent with his lower arms and delivers a series of punches to their face (SLO MO 1) He then grabs the opponent and slams them to the ground (SLO MO 2) Finally, Goro stomps on the opponent’s head (SLO MO 3)

Fatalities:

Shokan fury: Goro grabs the opponent by their legs and arms and raises them above his head. With a mighty yell, he tears them in half.

Ghastly vendetta: A ghostly energy flies into the opponent, whose body slowly begins to wither like Goro in his lair, before a pair of claws burst out of their head, ripping the corpse in hand to reveal a ghostly Onaga.

Intro animations:

Royal presentation: Goro walks in with a red cloak before tossing it off.

Latest challenger: Goro hold a person in his hands and rips them in half.

Forgotten King: A ghastly spirit rushes to the screen, before it is forced back into Goro’s body.

Fist’s ready: Goro walks onscreen while cracking his knuckles.

Outro animations:

Champion: Goro laughs and puts his lower hands on his hips while raising a left fist in the air.

He lives: Goro walks away, fade into him sitting down on his throne with a sigh.

Heavyweight: Goro chuckles and slams the ground with his fists, causing a shockwave that echoes.

Shokan tradition: Goro wipes blood across his chest and roars at the camera.

Intro dialogue:

Vs Liu Kang:

Liu Kang: You were a skilled fighter.

Goro: I do not need your flattery.

Liu Kang: The Shokan must not have small talk.

Goro: I demand a rematch!

Liu Kang: Are you certain?

Goro: Only of my victory.

Vs Kung Lao:

Kung Lao: My ancestor calls for justice.

Goro: You are not the first Kung to say that.

Kung Lao: I will be the last.

Goro: You believe you can defeat me?

Kung Lao: I have done it before.

Goro: Not at my full strength.

Vs Kotal Kahn:

Kotal: Still, you cling to life?

Goro, speaking with a dual voice: Surprised to see me, Ko’atal?

Kotal: How many times must you be slain, Onaga?

Vs Sheeva:

Goro: My father respected you, Sheeva.

Sheeva: As should you.

Goro: My respect is earned.

Vs Shang Tsung:

Goro: Sorcerer…

Shang Tsung: A pleasure, my prince.

Goro: Spare me your mockery.

Ending:

“When Onaga possessed my body, I thought I was dead. But, somehow, I have been restored to life.”

(Shot of a decrepit Goro on his throne, before a green glow restores him to life.)

“Despite my confusion, I felt the urge to kill Kronika and gain control of her hourglass.”

“Naturally, she fell before me. And during the battle, I learned that remnants of Onaga’s spirit were still within me.”

(Goro standing over Kronika’s body, as Onaga’s spirit looms over him.)

“I used Kronika’s power to tear Onaga’s soul from my body and uplift my people to their rightful place.”

“Unfortunately, Onaga had reconstituted enough power to create a physical form and was leading his army against my own.”

(Shot of Onaga outside Kuatan with his mummified army, challenging Goro to war.)

“This battle will decide Outworld’s fate. Onaga may be powerful, but I have beaten Kronika. May only the strongest love to rule.”

(Final shot is of Goro leaping into battle with Onaga, their armies clashing in the background.)

Mid fight quotes: (Italics are someone else)

“Stand and fight!”

“Die with honour.”

“I am eternal!”

Vs Sheeva:

“Never challenge the Prince of Pain.”

Vs Shao Kahn:

“I serve you no longer.”

“You...”

#mortal kombat #revelations and stupidity #mk11 koncepts

[every-day-updates]

Ragging at Jadavpur University: A dark history of violence and impunity

The death of a first-year student at the university has once again raised questions about the culture of violence at the institution.

The death of a first-year student from Jadavpur University (JU), allegedly subjected to extreme ragging by seniors in the main university hostel, has not only exposed the longstanding practice of brutal ragging, seemingly ignored by the authorities, but has also triggered protests from various student bodies in Kolkata. The incident, sending shockwaves across the State, rapidly evolved into a political issue, with the primary political parties blaming each other for the tragedy.

In the early hours of August 10, a 17-year-old first-year student majoring in Bengali Literature fell from the second floor of JU’s main hostel. According to reports, he had supposedly been subjected to severe ragging by senior hostel mates before falling from the balcony. Reports also suggested that his body was found unclothed, with sources indicating the possibility of prior sexual harassment. The victim had joined the hostel on August 6 and had quickly appealed to his father to take him away. “My son had told me that they were scaring him. I had decided to bring him back on Friday (August 11), but they ended his life before that,” the victim’s father said.

As of August 15, three individuals had been arrested in connection with the incident, including two second-year students, Deepshekhar Dutta and Manotosh Ghosh, and Sourabh Chowdhury, a former student who continued to reside in the hostel.

Just hours before the victim’s fall, Rajat Ray, the Dean of Students, received a call from a student in the hostel, who reported that “a certain student was facing problems”. The student “was being told not to stay in the hostel, and that he would have to take a leap if he continued to stay,” said Ray. The Dean claimed to have contacted the hostel superintendent to investigate the situation. A few hours later, the superintendent reported finding a body lying in a pool of blood. A source within JU pointed out that superintendents lacked authority in the boys’ hostels at the university.

This tragedy opened a Pandora’s box, as horrifying accounts of ragging and bullying taking place right under the authorities’ noses emerged. Students, teachers, and staff members in the hostels came forward to confirm widespread ragging allegations. Apart from forcing junior students to perform chores, senior students were also reportedly physically abusing them, mentally torturing them, and even subjecting them to punitive acts such as walking on railings on higher floor verandas.

According to several JU students, the main hostel accommodated students who had already graduated, and these individuals typically exerted dominance over the junior students. “We had heard from our classmates who stayed in the hostels that these people who had graduated but were still residing here had established a reign of terror. Appeals for help from the authorities fell on deaf ears,” a recent JU graduate informed Frontline.

In 2016, another student’s body was found hanging in the hostel. The student’s parents alleged that the death was portrayed as a suicide to cover up the ragging that had transpired. Political blame game ensues

As various student bodies within Jadavpur and other colleges in Kolkata took to the streets in protest, the major State parties — the ruling Trinamool Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and the Congress — engaged in a mudslinging contest, assigning blame to each other for the situation at JU.

Referring to Jadavpur as “Atankapur” (terror house), Mamata Banerjee squarely placed the blame on the Left. “They don’t allow the police inside; they don’t allow CCTV cameras to be installed… The boy’s father had told me when I had called up, that he used to cry and tell him that he was being tortured… Who are these people? They are Marxists. They sometimes ally themselves with the BJP, and sometimes with the Congress. They are still Trinamool’s number one enemy. They have no shame, no conscience,” she stated.

JU is one of the few educational institutions where the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad, the student wing of Trinamool, has never won student elections. For years, JU students have consistently voted for the Left.

CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty refuted Mamata’s assertions, saying, “The unfortunate events at Jadavpur are regrettable. Stringent measures should be taken against ragging. Why hasn’t her (Mamata Banerjee’s) government taken any action against it? During the Left’s tenure, anti-ragging laws were in place. Why has she destroyed all those laws?”

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, leader of the Congress party in the Lok Sabha, commented, “There is a lack of law and order and administration in West Bengal, allowing such an incident to occur at Jadavpur University.” Union Minister of State for Education and BJP member Subhas Sarkar blamed both the State government and the university administration. “All the closed-circuit cameras are lying unused, and UGC guidelines are consistently overlooked. The State government should apologise to the people of Bengal for this incident, and the JU administration should take necessary action to restore the university’s standing,” Sarkar asserted.

The incident highlighted significant lapses within JU that appear to have gone unchecked by the administration. A senior faculty member noted that certain individuals, connected to those in power, have illicitly maintained control over the hostel for years. “They’ve established a kind of gang culture there. Though they claim to be apolitical, they’re nothing more than thugs supported by certain right-wing parties. Whenever the University authorities attempted to confront them, they responded with violence on the campus… Currently, JU is unable to function effectively. The ongoing conflict between the Governor and the State government has left us without a permanent Vice Chancellor, and this tragedy underscores the limitations of the Dean of Students and the Registrar in managing the University,” a highly placed source within JU told Frontline.

#Ragging #Jadavpur University

[dadukos]

❝ i can’t beg you to forgive me. ❞ love, ilias. 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌: @demottcm. 𝐑𝐄: i can't starters, accepting.

𝐈𝐍 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐈𝐒 𝐀 𝐍𝐄𝐄𝐃 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄. it’s never been here before — it has quietly infiltrated her, burrowed its place between mercy and fear. the feeling is unnamed, aimless: does not demand bloodshed ( would never demand his, no matter how hard she’d want herself to ). it is directly tied to her presence here, now — what is this place ? lost track of the miles driven in a car that is not hers. the air smells like gasoline, in this forgotten industrial wasteland, and all is still, abandoned, pathetic — she wishes the gasoline would burn. that the thick grey cover of clouds would turn black and pour hell on earth. that this odd feeling of nothing would turn to thunder, or shockwaves, or fire, anything, anything at all. she would jumpstart herself then, one direction or another. turn to kindness or turn to hatred —— his words echo and come to her filtered by the stillness, distant. freddie sneers. 

❝ what are you doing here, then ? ❞

her skin itches, and she feels her eyes are swollen, though she hasn’t cried in weeks now, perhaps has forgotten how. the cigarette keeps burning, barely smoked — there is a comfort in the quiet sound of its consuming, slow death. she prefers giving attention to her fingers, instead. the cuticles around her fingernail, constantly picked at, ripped to the point of bleeding —— she lets her voice drift off, apathetic, like she’s not really listening, like he’s not really there. he’s always there. in the stillness in the air, in the back of her mind —— unrelenting, a haunting. and with him is the question ( which one is him, which one the other ), and is he there still after what she has seen —— and this sorrow she feels, is it for him or herself ? the need for violence survives because of it, too : the tenderness buried deep within, lying right next to it. in spite of it. she keeps her eyes fixed on the cigarette, or her fingernails, not him. what would he look like, if she turned to stare at him ? the knife, the lamb, or the ghost of what once was ? and where should forgiveness go then; if the first kills for nature, honed since birth to cut precisely where it hurts the most and the wound impossible to heal; if the second's lied half dead in her arms, ripped apart and carved out of his shell, beaten from man to boy and to nothing again; and if the third still lives, breathes within her, holds her tight in dreams at night, survives with feverish vividness in the tips of her fingers, the burning on her lips, the still impossibly tight knot around her stomach ?

❝ i want to hate you. ❞ 

her voice is hoarse, doesn’t much feel like her own —— but she almost smiles, savoring the taste of her own words. hate would be a comfort, such a clear cut line between then and now. instead all is still. and grey, and fucking miserable —— and once the taste of bile has dissolved she turns sad, and her nose itches again, and she misses him. feverishly, like waking up from a dream and desperately wishing to go back to that dimension which is lost by daylight. the daylight that glares still, in spite of the clouds — it doesn’t warm her skin, it just taunts her. she wonders how much time will pass before they’re back on the road. she in the backseat like cargo, or driving according to quiet indications as if her will was just not hers to own anymore. there is a need for hatred, too — if she can’t hate him, then why can’t it be aimed at them, the ghosts that make the haunting, talking to her like generals on the frontlines, when she never asked for the war to begin with ? ( it was not a matter of asking, she knows this. she’s carried it with her for the best part of thirty years, now ). it should be easy, it should be fair to call them enemies: they who came and once more shuffled the cards, the man whose eyes look as if he wants her to trust her, knowing damn well she can’t, not anymore, and the woman that lingers in the air like a question mark, yet again blurring the line between black and white, making it all grey, making it all still.

the cigarette burns her fingers — she’s not surprised. lets out a quiet ‘ oh ’, then drops it to the ground, and then misses the burning. the sun, behind the clouds, is high still — hours before sundown. she longs for the road, and yet she won’t move.

❝ can you leave me alone, now ? ❞

#demottcm #𝐈𝐍𝐁𝐎𝐗 — who cares who fired the gun ? ( ic ). #𝐅𝐓 — ilias k. aborn. #i hate :)

[broecross]

These are the Top Trending YouTube Videos of 2022.

Here's an exhaustive list of all the YouTube videos that defined 2020.

8:46 8:46 Dave Chappelle, by Netflix is a Joke

In this half-hour part stand-up, part sermon watched 29 million times, the legendary comedian tackles racism and police brutality in 2020 -- though they have been for a long time the subject of his comedic work.

The channel Netflix Is A Joke stated that this is not an Special that is impromptu purging and expressing of thoughts and feelings by Dave on his show in Ohio on June 6 in 2020.

Mark Rober, Building the Perfect Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder

Mark Rober faced a problem. The squirrels, these jerks kept taking Mark Rober's bird seed.

His solution? The creation of a highly intricate squirrel-proof bird feeder that he designed with the help of mechanical engineering.

The video has been watched more than 50 million times and it's 21 minutes of pure gold, but don't believe our word for it -- just ask any of millions of people who have watched it.

First Debate Cold Open by Saturday Night Live

The Fox News anchor Chris Wallace moderated the first presidential debate. It was memorable for a variety reasons.

In this 13-minute sketch, seen at just under 30 million times, "SNL" does what the show excels at: highlighting the absurdity of the event, so much that it's hard to tell if you should be laughing or crying.

Whatever you choose The video is a joy. Plus, Jim Carrey plays Joe Biden. Hbl.info

We Broke Up., by jeffreestar

Shockwaves erupted across the internet when Jeffree Star, a makeup expert announced her split from Nathan Schwandt. The video has been watched more than 33 million times.

Star, after five years of dating revealed his feelings clearly in the video: "I'm devastated." "I'm so sad."

I bought The World's Largest Firework ($600,000) by MrBeast

The video's title, which has more than 56 million views, is simple He purchased the biggest firework in the world.

The description of the video goes further: "I can't believe I spent this much on fireworks lol"

You might not believe it But there's a video of MrBeast setting the alarmand it's for free.

I'm Coming Out. by NikkieTutorials

NikkieTutorials is a Dutch makeup artist who came out as transgender in a video that has over 36 million views.

She said, "I love you all so very," in the comments to the video's 17 minutes long.

Minecraft Speedrunner 3 Hunters GRAND Finale by Dream

Gaming videos have been a major part of YouTube and it's only natural that this video has received more than 50 million views.

In this 41-minute rollercoaster, user Dream and friends do a game challenge using Minecraft. While Dream is trying to beat the game, his three friends attempt to stop him.

Dream wrote that it was a race and it was intense. Dream also shared some laughter.

Ricky Gervais' Monologue - 2020 Golden Globes, by NBC

This was to be comedian Ricky Gervais’ last appearance hosting the Golden Globes. He said that he didn't care about who he offended.

It was that simple The actor was adamant about everyone, from Felicity Huffman (who had a stint behind bars for her involvement with the college admissions scandal) to Leonardo DiCaprio's repute for dating younger women.

It's an adventure, and it's been viewed 16.5 million times on YouTube.

Quarantine Stereotypes by Dude Perfect

An experience that is unique to 2020, this video -- which has 41 million views -- documents all the hilarious ways we've adapted to the pandemic.

You or someone you know could be comically depicted.

Some Good News with John Krasinski Ep. 1, by SomeGoodNews

With hundreds of thousands of deaths caused by the coronavirus pandemic , and increased tensions over racist violence, this year has been awash with bad news.

John Krasinski, an actor famous for his part on "The Office", came through in quarantine through his YouTube channel, which highlights positive stories. It was everything: a tribute to frontline health care workers as well as a virtual prom, and even an online wedding.

Krasinski hosted eight episodes of the show before selling it to ViacomCBS. Episode 1 was the most popular, with 18.3 million views.

#don't even mess with me

[usnewsrank]

British volunteer hails ‘mind-blowing Ukrainian unity’ as Russia bombards frontline city

British volunteer hails ‘mind-blowing Ukrainian unity’ as Russia bombards frontline city

Michael Betoin has cleared ruined apartments and repaired Ukrainian military vehicles after lending his support to the country (Picture: Michael Betoin/Boots on the Ground) Michael Betoin has felt the shockwaves of ‘bone-rattling’ missile strikes that have landed a few hundred meters from his apartment. Volunteering in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv brings a high degree of mortal peril amid…

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[artsy-hobbitses]

Besides the code names, do the TTB characters have any other nicknames or terms of endearment for each other?

I can’t do a detailed list but off the top of my head;

Bumblebee/Benjamin: Baby Boy/Leprotto (Sunstreaker, ie. ‘little bunny’), Ahrairah (Jazz/Prowl), Benjie/Benjie Elliot (HotRod ie. his name + Billy Elliot)

Ratchet/Ronan: Ratch, Doc, Blackjack (Windblade, who introduces him to the show), Patch (Dinobots ie. skin graft on his face), Assclepius (Sunstreaker)

Prowl/Preston: Baobei (Jazz, ie. 'babe), Prick (Basically anyone not on good terms with him), Capn’ (Hotrod, respectfully after Prowl loses an eye and saves him from the Functionist Universe)

Jazz/Jace: Jayzee (Hotrod, from his initials 'Jace Zayden'), Jinwu (Prowl ie. ‘Golden Crow’ East Asian myth, meant to represent the sun)

Springer/Spencer: Hu Zi (Prowl/Jazz, ie. 'little tiger'), Spence, Mametaro (Windblade ie. 'bean boy' referring to his cuteness as a kid, bight green hair + unique origin), Cabbage Patch (HotRod ie. green hair + little fella + unique origin)

Mirage/Meirion: Merry (Hound), Casper (HotRod)

OP/Omar: Aul Man (HotRod), Glowstick Prime (Whirl), Al-Khattab (Shockwave)

First Aid/Fatima: Nightingale (Streetwise, referring to Florence Nightingale due to her bedside manner compared with Ratchet)

Alpha Trion/Aillard: Gandalf (Hotrod), Pagemaster

Arcee/Ai Xia: Aikira (HotRod/Windblade because GRANNY DOIN BIKE SLIDES BABY), Pohpoh (Younger folks, 'granny')

Sideswipe/Sergio: Fratellino (Sunstreaker), Tweedledee (Ratchet), Saif (First Aid, ie. 'Sword', as he's a frontliner), Enjy (HotRod ie. his 'Enjolras' coat), Barricade Boy (Mirage)

Sunstreaker/Serafino: Fratellone (Sideswipe), Tweedledum (Ratchet), Shamsir (First Aid ie. 'Sword', but also 'Sham' ie. 'Sun'), Lucifer/Lucy (StrongArm ie. his name, 'Angel' and his terrible demeanor)

StrongArm/Stella: White Dwarf (Sunny ie. her name--'Star'--her white hair and her short height), Evenstar (Sideswipe)

Kup/Kopisha: Bajyai (Springer, 'Grandma'), Harisa (Shockwave, ie. 'lioness')

Windblade/Wariko: Riko, Cara Mia (Starscream)

Chromia/Carina: Rina, Dora Milaje, Grace Jones

Drift/Dai: Deadman (Sunstreaker, his body count + ghost-seeing ability)

Starscream/Stefan: Red Baron, Pretty Bird (Shockwave), Uguisu (Windblade, 'Bush Warbler'), Pet (Windblade, not the way Tarn uses it but the way folks in Northeast England use it)

Ravage/Ramiro: Rami, Elskede (Laserbeak, ‘Beloved one’), Lapcat (Tarn), Bagheera (HotRod)

Laserbeak/Lara: Hot Topic (Hotrod), Mi Sol (Ravage, ‘My Sun’),

This is not comprehensive at all! I do have a cast of 40+ and the tangled relationship lines they weave between each other after all :'3 If you'd like to know about a specific person not named here, feel free to ask for that person specifically!

#inbox #save for later

[tiesthatbind-tf]

Combat Granny Kup’s all done up and ready to raise hell once she’s done knitting  this scarf, give her a second, children these days are so impatient.  Young!Springer was definitely a sweet surprise for her, despite their ‘unique’ background, especially after her time helping Senator Shockwave save Outlier children. They become a literal bigger surprise with how fast their grow in her care. 

More of her story below!

Kopisha ‘Kop’ Prasad was born to parents Arjun Prasad and Gauri Chaudhary in the town of Lukla at the foot of Mt.  Everest in 1920, the year Quintessons came into contact with Earth.

Humanity’s disastrous loss to and ongoing subjugation by the Quintesson colonizers by 1925 pushed many survivors of the First Quintesson War from obliterated major cities into isolated towns and villages where Quintessons would have difficulty launching a sustained assault; Lukla’s subarctic climate, for nine months of the year, provide a measure of protection for those who took refuge there and eventually turned the area into a fort.

As such, Kopisha grew up in a tight-knit community focused on mutual survival and joined the scouting division when she was eighteen, gathering intel for the Gurkha division during the Summer months, when the weather became warm  enough for Quintessons to attempt surveillance and invasions.

During an excursion, she was captured by a Quintesson scientific expedition team who brought her to Kathmandu where their outpost was stationed. They ran experiments on her there, attempting to understand the people who lived on such inhospitable terrain and better adapt to it.

She escaped after a year in captivity, using her time there to map out the area and subtly gather intel from her captors, which proved to be invaluable to the survival of Lukla down the line, and while she has never confirmed this, she believes the experimentations on her in that time might have contributed to her longevity.

With her no-nonsense attitude, her dedication to her team and her talent for combat, she was quickly drafted into the Gurkhas three years into the Second Quintesson War where she excelled as a frontliner and took on the mantle of her squad’s leader in 1943.

She helped lead her squad to victory in the first counter-invasion on the  Quintesson stronghold in Kathmandu in 1945, which was part of a collaborative, international effort to draw the attention of the Quintessons away from their Mothership via simultaneous worldwide rebellions so an attack could be launched on it by the 13 Primes.

After their victory and the end of the Second Quintesson War, she was promoted and continued to climb the ranks in the Gurkha division, eventually reaching the rank of Major.

She retired from active duty in 1980, taking up a position in Singapore’s Gurkha Contingent  where she would work for a decade before heading to Nepal where she took part time work as a soldier-for-hire and training cadets for the Indian army.

It was during this time that she established a relationship with other retired soldiers who took on for-hire work together, eventually becoming a loosely-linked squad known as the Wreckers who went on dangerous missions mainly for the challenge, ranging in everything from extraction of kidnapping victims to infiltrating major drug dens.

(She scored her best payout during one of these missions in the form of an Ovcharka belonging to a Russian drug lord, which she adopted after they crippled his syndicate. Dakshi is her baby)

Around this time, she was approached by an up and coming Senator from Pakistan named Sharifuddin Waseem (Shockwave) who, having heard of her accolades,  wanted to employ her services as his bodyguard while he traveled Asia and Russia seeking out a small group of people known as Outliers to save from oppression by governments which had deemed them as aberrations.

She agreed, and the two of them travelled the world for five years, seeking out children with special abilities who were abandoned, ostracized or hidden away by their communities, beginning with a boy simply known as Tagan (Tarn) from Turkmenistan, whose abilities led to villagers amputating both his hands out of fear of him, and Aleksandr ‘Sasha’ Kolyanov (Skids) from Russia.

These two served as the first students in Sharifuddin’s new secret Institute focussed on giving them an education and helping them develop their abilities for the betterment of mankind.

Despite having no desire for a family, Kopisha grew close to the children she helped bring to the Institute, who often referred to her as ‘Bajyai’ (Grandma).

It was also through her time with Sharifuddin that she became more aware of the activism he took part in, concerning the treatment of the poor and the working class as well as the new caste system based around work stratification.

These were things she agreed with, more so with many of her Wrecker friends turning to for-hire work after being unable to secure any different positions after their usefulness as soldiers had dissipated.

At his Institute was where she met Omar Parvez (Optimus Prime), Morgan Trayton (Megatron) and Stefan Scavarro (Starscream) for the first time, as members of a movement that was fighting for equality across the board for all members of society.

She was drawn to Omar’s warmth and sincerity almost immediately, and took the position of training the frontliners once more given her experience in the military.

When Omar was believed to have been killed by Sentinel Prime and Morgan  sought to forcefully assimilate those loyal to the man into his new Decepticon faction to continue with his agenda, she was one of the few who escaped and regrouped into a splinter faction.

Omar’s miraculous reappearance weeks later however, seemingly with no lasting damage, was something they all rallied behind and she got into contact with her Wrecker friends to form a strike team which would help with breaking into the Decepticon base to free their comrades who were imprisoned there.

With their success and the establishment of the Autobots, the  Wreckers, under her leadership, were officially assigned as their Spec Op team.

Having lived through the Second Quintesson War has jaded her towards battle, more so that Sharifuddin and several of the now adult children which she had helped save had chosen to align themselves with the Decepticons, but she holds onto the things that are worth fighting for, taking up the mantle of mentor once more for Stella Armstrong (StrongArm), Spencer Richards (Springer) and Praveen Satvinder (Perceptor) when the head scientist decides to take up the position of a sniper on the field.

#Maccadam #Humanformers #Kup #Prowl #Springer #Character Art #Art #This poor grandma looking at her fully adult green bean grandchild after two years like #”I said they were growing like a weed and goddamn they really were”

[nerdythebard]

#25: Artio, The Bear Goddess

Fáilte, Gods and Goddesses!

Today, we step onto the green shores of Ireland for our first Celtic deity. Meet Artio, the Bear Goddess. Evidence of her cult was found as far as modern-day Switzerland, where a figure showing a woman feeding a bear was discovered. In SMITE, Artio is a melee druidess who shapeshifts into a bear to protect her allies.

Next Time: Who knew the wisest of the gods would turn out to be the pettiest...

Let's start with the goals of making Artio:

Bear Hug: Easy one, but necessary - we need to be able to transform into a huge bear and deal some serious damage.

Mother Nature: Artio can heal, conjure up vines, and drain vitality from her enemies.

Celtic Guardian: Artio's strong sides are good Crowd Control abilities and High Sustain. We need to be able to soak in some damage and prevent enemies from advancing.

---

Now, we could just go with a human or (like Artemis) an elf, but for Artio, I think we'll look at the Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron and one of their races. More specifically, the Beasthide Shifter. Believed to be descendants of humans and lycanthropes, Shifters combine the traits of man and beast into a single, deadly force. Beasthide Shifters get a +2 Constitution and a +1 Strength, 60 feet of Darkvision, and proficiency in Athletics skill. We also get the Shifting ability; as a bonus action, we can assume a more bestial form for up to 1 minute. We gain Temporary Hit Points equal to [our level + our Constitution modifier] plus one more benefit depending on our Shifter subrace. Beasthide Shifters gain an extra 1d6 THP and +1 AC bonus when shifted.

As the Big Bear In Charge, Artio is the protector first and foremost, so making her the Folk Hero seems right to me. We gain proficiency in Animal Handling and Survival, one type of artisan's tools, and land vehicles. The Rustic Hospitality feature allows us to seek help and shelter among the common folk, because of our good reputation among the poor.

ABILITY SCORES

We'll start with Strength - we're a melee combatant, our blows need to pack a punch. Constitution will be next, we're the guardian with a thick bear hide for a reason. Follow that up with Wisdom, it's going to be our casting ability, but we won't be very spell-forward.

Dexterity is next, while not the most nimble of fighters, we need to make sure everyone around is protected. Charisma is a little low, but since Artio keeps mostly to the wilderness and forests, she doesn't necessarily interact with people... although we need to boost this up, bears are pretty intimidating. Finally, we're dumping Intelligence. I don't see a reason to have academic smarts here.

CLASS

Now, I know what you're thinking. Nature, shapeshifting, magic... Druid start-to-finish, right? Well, not necessarily. Half-a-point for trying, though.

Level 1 - Fighter: Artio is a melee character with spellcasting. We need to be a tank first, a magic-user second. Fighters get a d10 Hit Dice, [10 + Constitution modifier] initial Hit Points, and proficiency with light armour, medium armour, heavy armour, shields, simple weapons, and martial weapons. For Artio (when not in the Bear Form) I think we could get regular leather armour and either a quarterstaff or a glaive. Our saving throws are Strength and Constitution and we get to pick two class skills (Intimidation and Perception).

Fighters begin by choosing their Fighting Style, and to fulfil Artio's role as a guardian, we're gonna go with Interception from Tasha's Cauldron of Everything. Whenever a creature within 5 feet of us is hit by an attack, we can use our reaction to reduce the damage taken by [1d10 + our proficiency bonus] to a minimum of 0 damage. We must be wielding a shield or a simple/martial weapon for this.

We also get Second Wind, which lets us take a breather and heal [1d10 + our Fighter level] Hit Points as a bonus action once per short or long rest.

Level 2 - Fighter: We get Action Surge. Once per short or long rest we can take one additional Action on our turn.

Level 3 - Fighter: We get to pick our subclass, our Martial Archetype. For Artio, who uses her bear form to maul any enemy in her sights, we're gonna pick the Brute archetype from a 2018 Unearthed Arcana. With Brute Force we increase our overall weapon damage by an extra 1d4.

Level 4 - Fighter: Time for our first Ability Score Improvement. We're really going to double down on our Hit Points, by taking the Tough feat. Our maximum Hit Points increase by [our level x2]. Whenever we level up afterwards, we get +2 Hit Points Maximum.

Level 5 - Druid: Time for some representation of Nature's might. Multiclassing into a Druid gives us proficiencies we already have, so we're going to skip it. We do, however, learn the Druidic language - a system of phrases and symbols we can use to encrypt messages.

Druids are also full casters, so we learn Spellcasting from the start. Wisdom is our casting ability, and we can learn cantrips and ritual spells. Druids have an access to their full spell list, and can each day prepare [our Wisdom modifier + our Druid level] spells. We start by knowing two cantrips:

Druidcraft is a druid-exclusive cantrip used to influence nature around us. We can make flowers bloom or wither, predict the weather, light and extinguish small flames, and create harmless sensory effects.

Guidance lasts for 1 minute (concentration). A willing creature we touch (or us) can add a 1d4 to one ability check of its choice.

We also start with two 1st-level spell slots:

Cure Wounds is a very useful healing spell. One creature we touch regains [1d8+our spellcasting modifier] Hit Points instantly. The number of Hit Points healed increases if we use a spell slot higher than 1st level.

Earth Tremor creates a shockwave within 10 feet of us. Each creature in the range must make a Dexterity saving throw or take 1d6 bludgeoning damage and fall prone.

Level 6 - Druid: We unlock the Druid's signature ability: Wild Shape. As an action, we can transform into a beast for a number of hours equal to half of our Druid level (rounded down). In the beginning, we can only transform into a beast with no flying or swimming speed and with a maximum CR of 1/4... which means, we can't become a bear yet.

We also get to pick a second subclass, our Druid Circle. We need to become a bear ASAP, therefore we're choosing Circle of the Moon, which focuses on improving our Wild Shape. The Combat Wild Shape feature lets us transform as a bonus action instead of action and lets us spend a spell slot when transformed to regain 1d8 Hit Points. Circle Forms changes our Wild Shape table, giving us the ability to transform into beasts with a maximum CR of 1 as of now. This means we can now become either a brown or black bear.

We gain another 1st-level spell: Entangle causes grasping vines and thick brambles to grow in a 20-foot square area centred at a point within 90 feet of us. For 1 minute (concentration), the area becomes difficult terrain. Any creature that enters (or ends their turn in) the area must make a Strength saving throw or become restrained. On each of their turn, they can make a Strength saving throw to free themselves.

Level 7 - Druid: We don't get any class features here, but we do unlock 2nd-level spells. Gust of Wind causes a strong gale to blow in a line 60 feet long and 10 feet wide for 1 minute (concentration). For every 1 foot they want to move, all creatures within the line must spend 2 feet of their movement speed. The wind disperses gases and fog and can either extinguish flames or fan them (50% chance).

Level 8 - Druid: Time for another ASI. This time, let's put two points into Constitution for even better durability.

Our Wild Shape ability also improves, now giving us the ability to transform into beasts with a maximum CR of 1 but with swimming speed (e.g. a giant octopus).

We also learn a new cantrip: Frostbite causes ice and frost to appear on one target within 60 feet of us. The target must make a Constitution saving throw or take 1d6 cold damage and gain disadvantage on their next weapon attack before the end of its next turn.

We get one more Druid spell: Enhance Ability lasts for 1 hour (concentration) and enhances one ability for one creature of our choice (or ourselves).

Level 9 - Fighter: Coming back to the frontline combatant, we unlock Extra Attack. We can now attack twice instead of once during each Attack action.

Level 10 - Fighter: Halfway through the build and we get an ASI. This time, let's raise our Dexterity by 2 points for better AC and Initiative count.

Level 11 - Fighter: We get another subclass update. With Brutish Durability, we can now shake off more powerful attacks. Whenever we make a saving throw, we can roll a 1d6 and add the result to the overall score. This benefit also works on Death Saving Throws; if a total result is 20 or higher, we gain the DST benefit of a Natural 20 (+2 saves).

Level 12 - Fighter: Another ASI. This time, let's put one point in Strength and one in Dexterity.

Level 13 - Fighter: We get the Indomitable feat. Once per long rest, we can re-roll a failed saving throw. We have to use a new result even if we fail it again.

Level 14 - Fighter: Another subclass upgrade. This time, we get to pick a second Fighting Style. The Superior Technique style lets us choose one manoeuvre from the Battle Master subclass. We also get one d6 Superiority Die to fuel said manoeuvre. Pushing Attack allows us to spend the Superiority Die whenever we hit the enemy and impose the Strength saving throw on them. On a failed save, the target is pushed up to 15 feet away from us.

Level 15 - Fighter: Our Extra Attack can now be used to attack twice instead of once, for a total of three attacks per one Attack action.

Level 16 - Fighter: For another ASI, we once again increase both Strength and Dexterity.

Level 17 - Fighter: We improve our Indomitable feature into two re-rolls between long rests.

Level 18 - Fighter: Another level, another ASI. Let's max out our Constitution into 20.

Level 19 - Fighter: We get our final subclass upgrade. With Devastating Critical, when we score a critical hit with a weapon attack, we gain a bonus to damage roll equal to our Fighter level.

Level 20 - Fighter: Our capstone is Fighter 16, which means final ASI. Let's put two points into Intelligence to get rid of negative modifiers.

---

And that is Artio, the Mother Bear of Ireland. Let's see what I came up with here:

To start off, we're an absolute tanking beast (no pun intended). With an average Hit Points of 235 and Temporary HP of 25+1d6 every time we shift, we can soak some serious damage and protect our allies. Our AC is 16, and we have a +3 to our Initiative.

Unfortunately, our magic capabilities are pretty scarce for a Druid. Plus, most of our spells require concentration. Our Intelligence and Charisma scores are also not great, so we might be vulnerable to those kinds of saving throws.

---

Another day, another build. I hope you guys enjoyed it and I'll see you for the next one. I'll start with another request when we finish gods beginning at the letter A.

- Nerdy out!

#dnd #d&d #dungeons and dragons #smite #smite gods #artio #celtic gods #druid #d&d druid #circle of the moon #shifter #beasthide shifter #fighter #brute #dnd build

[powdermelonkeg]

Oh! Something else I don't know if you've said, so sorry if you have, but what sort of cast do you have for Bluesparks? Is it just OCs, just pre-existing characters but reimagined, or a mix of both? Because any of the above would be interesting

It's almost all pre-established! There are a couple of originals sprinkled in to fill niches I couldn't do with the already-canon characters (especially the humans); can you spot them?

Initial Autobots

The Top Brass:

Optimus Prime/Orion Pax

Elita One/Aerial

Ultra Magnus

Medical Team:

Ratchet

Pharma

Perceptor

Ambulon

HQ Team:

Chromedome

Rewind

Eject

Swerve

Pipes

Frontliners:

Sideswipe

Sunstreaker

Firestar

Arcee

Wreckers:

Bulkhead

Wheeljack

Ironhide

Seaspray

Nautica

Spy Team:

Prowl

Blaster

Mirage

Blurr

Hound

The Bluesparks:

Jazz

Goldbug/Bumblebee

Moonracer

Tracks

First Aid

Cosmos

Initial Decepticons

The Top Brass:

Megatron

Starscream

Thundercracker

Skywarp

Soundwave

Medic Team:

Knockout

Breakdown

Hook (Also on Team Devastator)

Nickel

Team Devastator:

Scrapper

Bonecrusher

Scavenger

Mixmaster

Long Haul

Hook (Also on the Medic Team)

Flight Patrol:

Slipstream

Nacelle

Steelwing

Skyquake

Dreadwing

Deadlock

Triple Changers:

Astrotrain

Blitzwing

Octane (Also on the HQ Team)

Insecticons:

Airachnid

Shrapnel

Hardshell

Kickback

HQ Team:

Nightbird

Frenzy (Also on Team Soundwave)

Swindle

Wildrider

Octane (Also with the Triple Changers)

Team Soundwave:

Rumble

Frenzy (also on the HQ team)

Laserbeak

Ravage

Cybertronians for later entry

Skyfire

Misfire

Cloudrunner

Tarantulas

Shockwave

Metroplex

Windblade

Humans

Autobot-Aligned:

Raoul Dupont

Astoria Carlton-Ritz

Leo Price

Mel Price

Decepticon-Aligned:

Jaden Dotson

Summer Barrett

Neutral:

Noelle Marchand

Govt:

Braeden Poole

Ruby Oliver

M.E.C.H:

Dr. Arkeville

Leland Bishop

Robert Jensen

#long post #sure why not #the nice thing about transformers is that i can list basically everybody without risking spoilers #and i think that's amazing #transformers #transformers: bluesparks #tfb #ask bee #yes i know arial and knock out are spelled differently but i changed it on purpose #also thank u pancake for giving me opportunities to gush about this