#like when you are the size of a mountain you cant just slam your sister into the ground

[shirecorn]

*raises hand*

does nightmare moon ouccur in this fancy lore version of mlp? if so, how?

Yes, and there is an area of equestria with craters from stomping hooves and a massive valley where one of the goddesses was thrown to the earth. It's a fertile river valley now with a huge blooming city (idk which city. pick one for me)

I havent decided if the battle is going to be a painting or a fic, but I made a playlist that will inspire me when I do get to it.

These songs are picked on vibe rather than lyrics.

Please picture you are a pony watching the sky catch fire and burn, darkened by choking, star-filled smoke, split with sunbeams that char the ground on which they hit. None of it is aimed at you. None of it is aimed at the village where your father lives. None of it is meant to destroy the land or leave chasms where there were once people.

The gods aren't angry with you. But there is a hole where there used to be a town. You know no one survived.

As they cast beams of magic into the sky that rip the atmosphere to shreds, you wonder if the next earthquake will land closer or further from the place where you stand.

You close your eyes and pray it takes you next.

It includes at least one song from an MLP au that I don't know anything about except that the music SLAPS. And that's Infinite Eclipse songs by JC Row

#ask #shire draws mlp #skyscraper gods lore #skyscraper gods #like when you are the size of a mountain you cant just slam your sister into the ground #imagine two giant monster trucks with flame throwers #duking it out on a meadow filled with small trees and tiny creeks and acres upon acres of burrows and nesting birds #max max doesn't care that it crushed an entire flock of quail #its too busy playing fire-guitar

[adjure]

Chapter 1 - The Child Born of Rebellion Dedicated to @phen0l, thanks for being a constant Magi superstar. :D

This fine evening, you are a guest of the great Kou Empire. Honored in a wicked way, escorted into the throne hall by two guards within a palace you could get lost in; a place that is much too grandiose for the likes of you. 

Nothing separates you from the emperor ahead. Nothing except for however many steps it takes for your legs to carry you there. But they are shackled by chains and weights at the ankles, and your wrists are bound behind your back. The armored guards hold your arms, swords sheathed in a deadly promise. All that is left is for you to do is drag your sore, bare  feet along the clean, revered path of the dragon’s den. Aching body the least willing sacrifice to be made, defiance present in the very breaths you take.

You will never bow your head. Never.

The metal chains clack against one another while your chin cants upwards with careless abandon– or perhaps with the dignity you refuse to let go. Wavering neither when faced by the armored guards shoving you in, nor the moments you stood among the blaze of Kou’s ruined military outpost in the south, your limbs blackened by soot and ash.

Between clusters of clamorous rukh, red hot with unbridled anger, you are forced to kneel by the foot of the throne on scraped and bruised knees, wearing tattered clothes painted with mud and blood. You glare with fiery eyes, indignant enough to warrant your immediate beheading here upon the pristine tiles of Kou’s grand throne hall if he wishes for it.

If he so wills it, then your death comes in one simple gesture. That is what your life amounts to; the flick of a wrist, an order from a pair of lips that should not be different from any other. 

But it is. And what makes his words different from yours, or from the people his army has slain– what makes his words different from the ones born in the slums, the ones bent under his feet, the ones who cannot speak– is that he has robbed the power, the freedom, the rights and liberty of his subjects. Giving nothing but a wash of false security in return under the guise of crafty laws.

This existence of an unbending power looks down upon your ragged form, a man solely crafted to mock people like you; the one who holds the crown, the throne, the glorious warlord risen from what small country Kou used to be. His gaze is sharp and precise, expression betraying nothing.

A mockery to your inability under his overwhelming force.

You see him from behind disheveled hair, a figure wearing dark, silken robes lined with golden, soaring dragons climbing up towards the heavens. The headdress dangles over his face, casting shadows when he moves, a long beard resting on his chest. Two pillars erect on either sides, two generals stand to his left and to his right. They are the emperor’s arms and legs, fingers gripping their spears in unfaltering prowess. 

There is no warmth here in the middle of a merciless winter for you. Although the flames continue to burn, alighting this hall and all its glory, your breaths don’t fail to come out in puffs of fog from parted lips. Ones that curl into a dry, teeth-baring smile. Perhaps closer to a snarl of a cornered beast, whose fingertips are freezing and body trembling with neither fear nor apprehension.

It is raw, gut-wrenching wrath that seizes you when you try to scream, try to stand, only to be slammed down onto the floor. Your jaw and ribs ache, breaths trembling, yet you do not stop struggling. If your blood is to be spilled here– if your corpse will roll here and soil this sacred palace, then your rukh will stay as their reminder and it will be your victory.

At this moment, your voice is nowhere to be found. Hoarse and gone from the screaming, tied by a gag of cloth too fine for you and a knot too tight for comfort. You do not find solace here, as a young child barely thirteen of age, held beneath a man twice your size. And, in a twist of irony, granted an audience by the lord of these lands while being treated worse than a slave.

You are the seed of rebellion that needs to be trampled before your roots grow too deep and too strong.

Emperor Hakutoku is known to be wise and just, powerful and frightening, the perfect figure to stand as both a leader and a father to his citizens. He has conquered many lands, the man to topple Kai and Go and brought them all together. Hailed as a hero, a ruler beloved by all.

Only if they submit.

You? What are you but nothing more than a prize for the royal princes of Kou who have successfully quelled the rebellion of the south? Trekking even the most hazardous of the mountain ranges, maneuvering their soldiers with expertise that exceeds even the greatest warriors of your tribe. No, it was not raw power your people lacked.

It was the fealty Kou soldiers had for the glory of their empire. It was the perverted sense of justice that your tribe lacked as the bloody battle was waged and exhausted your brethrens one by one, while the imperial forces continued to rain down as hell incarnate and razed everything to the ground. Everything replays in your head, vivid as day; clear in the forefront of your skull.

“That’s enough, release the girl.” Suddenly, the weight on your back is no more. Hakutoku’s deep, rumbling order did nothing to gain your gratitude. Only a scoff as you lift your body with a heaving grunt. A snake ready to strike.

But something else strikes first.

“His Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince Hakuyuu and Second Prince Hakuren have requested an audience with the Emperor!” A eunuch’s shrill voice announces the presence of Kou’s two princes from outside of the hall’s gates, causing the silence that has already laid upon you to feel heavier than before. As if you needed more weight on your shoulders. As if you needed it to be harder to breathe.

“Let them in.” Emperor Hakutoku’s order is concise. And soon, two pairs of footsteps– those of trained soldiers, light yet present all the same, march across the long stretch of the gate to the throne. They don’t spare you a glance, and you keep your spine straight where you kneel.

Head up high. Eyes ahead. Chin lifted. Your fingers curl till the knuckles turn  pale.

For those who lived and lost, you keep your trembling body still.

It is then that the princes stop ahead of you on either side, with the younger one (whose wide, pale blue eyes remind you of a bright and cunning fox when he looks your way) to your left. Ren Hakuren stands impressively, sinewy muscles apparent as the fabric of his sleeves roll back as he bends his elbows and clasps a fist within a palm to greet the emperor. The off-white garment is decorated in black and silver, contrasting his elder brother’s darker robes.

And him . Ren Hakuyuu, the owner of a gaze as cold and sharp as iron, piercing like the finest of blades forged during the darkest of dusk. A mirroring pair of blues yet paler than anyone else’s, it catches you the same way the worst of snowstorms would. The crown prince stands there, a silent blizzard with poise befitting of the dragon’s son. And you swallow emptily as they bow in respect towards their royal father.

“Father,” Prince Hakuyuu begins, a voice that naturally demands attention pouring out of those lips like the smoothest of Go liquor, “I implore you, please do not kill this child.”

The short, guttural laugh that comes from Hakutoku twists your guts. A part of you believes bile would rise from your throat to empty your already hollow stomach. “Kill? What makes you think I would?”

“By our own laws, rebels are to be executed.” Hakuyuu’s stance is firm, unbending even as he lifts his head. Hakuren follows. “You are a just ruler, Father, forgive me for being improper but I ask you to break this law.”

Hakutoku’s hand, roughened from decade long scars, stroke his beard. “For a simple child?”

“Father, if I may speak.” It is Hakuren who perks up, tone lighter than Hakuyuu’s ever stern one. Hakuren is earnest, his voice bright. And he lives up to his name, carrying a grace and purity like lotus flowers would, hidden deep in murky waters of the Kou Empire’s expanse.

“You may.”

“Thank you, Father. Brother Hakuyuu and I believe that she would be a great friend for Hakuei. Our sister is still young, but she has yet made any friends with the other princesses.”

Interest piqued, Hakutoku ‘s hand stops and both brows raise high on his forehead. “Then why not ask the general’s children? Or one of the official’s?”

“They might use this opportunity to use Hakuei as their pawn in order to gain your favor.” Once again, Hakuren clasps his hands true to Kou’s greeting and bows his head. “This child has no connections to Kou’s internal politics, and we can keep a close eye on her if she is by Hakuei’s side.”

Hakuyuu says not a word, simply standing there as he glances at you. The exact moment he does, all pairs of eyes present in this room are drilling into your figure, as if willing you to collapse. Your knees and legs have long gone numb, and you dare not close your eyes.

“…I see.”

It is very simple indeed. Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer. Young as you may be, you have known what it is like to kill a man, to bury a knife deep into the chest of a soldier as you try to protect those dear to you– feel blood roll down your arms, and another body go limp.

For someone who has grown with war, you have not known peace.

But you know how precious it is to live.

“I will make sure she can do Hakuei no harm,” Hakuyuu adds.

“Then I will entrust you to this, Hakuyuu.”

The process of bringing you from the throne hall to a quiet, desolate corner of the palace far from the main hustle and bustle of imperial activities is much different to the process of hauling you in. The guards had been dismissed some time ago, and you now walk along between the two princes who are keeping up with your excruciatingly slow pace. Your lips twist.

After a long stretch of silence, Hakuren tries to converse with you. He cheerily asks, “What’s your name?”

You don’t answer.

“I don’t think she will talk to either of us, Hakuren.”

“Ah,” comes the sheepish laugh as Hakuren scratches his cheek. “I know, but I thought I’d try. She seems… well, I can’t help but feel a bit pitiful.”

At the word pitiful , you shoot him a glare. Hakuyuu’s lips part when he sighs, and Hakuren simply smiles at you. Seems like you’ve fallen to some trap of his. This cunning second prince.

“A negative reaction is better than none at all!” comes the cheerful announcement as if Hakuren has nothing else to worry about in this world. You clench your jaw and stagger forward, feeling the pricks on your legs that threaten to topple over. Oddly enough, neither asks if you need help.

Whether it’s because they think you are too filthy to touch or they respect your dignity, you are glad either way. There is nothing you’d like more but to owe no debts, especially to Kou royalty.

There are no maids to take care of you here, as expected. The three of you arrive in a forgotten part of the Crane Pavillion, a good long half an hour walk away from the central palace where the emperor resides. Through gardens and less-trodden stone paths, winding about even worse than a maze, you begin to realize the magnitude of this palace. It is larger than anything you have ever seen; a city within a city.

Yet this place still carries an air of serenity. Well-kept, by the looks of it. Artificial outcrops and trimmed grass line the path towards a gazebo that rests in the middle of a manmade pond. You see shadows of fat kois swimming in it, hiding beneath floating lily pads. But it’s too dark to admire what otherwise would be a slice of heaven in a tumultuous world.

“You will stay here for now,” Hakuyuu orders, his figure partly a silhouette from the warm lanterns lining your surroundings. “Food and clean clothes have already been provided in your room. I will send you a handmaiden come morning.”

What? You turn to him, and your lips turn thin. Whatever expression you have on your face seems to communicate your apprehension well enough to the princes.

“Make sure to clean yourself properly, kiddo,” adds Hakuren as he makes a scrubbing motion. He grins. “You’ll be our little sister’s playmate after all.”

Wanting to rebut his statement, you realize that your voice still hasn’t returned. Only a dampened whistling noise comes out when you try to speak, causing you to frown.

“Go now,” Hakuyuu ushers you through the sliding doors, closing it to give you some space. And from your shoulders, just peeking between the space before the door shuts entirely, you can see Hakuren waiting for his brother in the gazebo. He waves when he catches your gaze.

Then, they’re nowhere to be seen.

You know that they’re still out there, as you hear faint voices conversing too far for your ears to pick up words. Instead, you finally let yourself crumple onto the floor by the bed, legs shaking. In the confines of a cage that disguises itself as the sky, you are now nothing more than a bird whose wings are clipped. But clipped wings are better than none, and one day, you will learn how to fly again.

Now, you curse the neither condescending nor demeaning attitude of the princes who led an army to siege your home. From the beginning, they have neither treated you like less nor more. Just like everyone else, they see you as human.

And you hate it.

#my fics #magi: the labyrinth of magic #magi reader insert #magi fanfic #hakuei x reader

[avengers-nextgen]

All Things Grow I

“The news is so depressing,” Nathaniel grumbled clicking off the television, “everything’s all about the bad stuff happening in the world. Uhm hello? I experience it first hand people!”

“It’s what’s engaging unfortunately,” Wanda sighed having been watching it too, “the only way to attract an audience.”

“Yeah, well it sucks.”

“You sound like my brother,” She laughed.

“He was smart.” Nathaniel remarked. “Not to mention I can hardly turn on the tv without politics showing up every five seconds. I can see the headline, ‘local senator eats out at family restaurant. Guess what he eats.’”

“Shrimp, a cup of self righteous wine, and a bunch of carbs.” Fox glanced up from her tablet. “What? I pay attention sometimes.”

“You have a habit of being really quiet and then scaring people when you talk.” Nathaniel explained.

“My bad.” Fox wasn’t apologizing at all, instead she was storing that info away to be used later. “Welp, I have work to do so have fun being depressed.”

“She’s a wray of pitch black,” Nathaniel snorted.

“We have to go.” Nathaniel glanced over his shoulder hearing Enzo’s voice from the hallway.

“What’s he carrying on about?”

“Bianca and Enzo are trying to convince the others to go to a hockey game.” Wanda explained. “I think Scout’s going. He finds it mildly interesting, and Orion looked the sport up on YouTube. He’s going in hopes there’s a fight.”

“I’m not surprised.” Nathaniel sighed. “Are there tickets for everyone?”

“I believe so.” Wanda frowned, “Piper made sure to get extras.”

“Great. Then I guess I have something less depressing to do.” Nathaniel decided. “Enzo!”

“Yeah?” The boy scampered out of the hallway dressed for the cold rink.

“I’m coming along.”

— — —

“Churros.” Thalia didn’t even care about the size of the stadium. She’d spotted the concessions right away and so had Penny.

“Mountain Dew.” Penny grinned.

“More like Mountain Dew not drink it.” Chloe frowned. “You’ll have to pee every five minutes.”

“I have perfect control over my bladder.” Penny glowered. “Right Arthur?”

“Yes?”

“That’s a really uncomfortable question.” James mumbled. “And you just...agree?”

“Hey, I’m not about to start an argument.” Arthur whispered back.

“We are not going inside yet.” Enzo stated. “We are waiting like good people.”

“For who?” Siyanda asked, holding Thalia’s hand to keep her from running off.

“My friend.” Enzo said.

“There they are.” Bianca pointed out the blonde kid in the crowd.

“He’s small.” Sage remarked, “How can he play hockey if he’s so skinny?”

“Not he,” Enzo corrected, “they, or them.”

“What-oh shit. Sorry.” Sage winced.

“Not scoring any good big sister points today are we?” Piper teased.

“Shut up.” Sage glowered. Enzo ignored their banter and waved his friend over.

“Max, this is my family.” Enzo stated. “That’s Nathaniel. Nathaniel say hi.”

“Hi,” Nathaniel smiled kindly and waved.

“That’s Piper and that’s her best friend Gen. They’re weird. That’s Siyanda and her girlfriend Thalia. She likes food so guard it. Then there’s James. He’s really cool even if he looks scary. Then there’s Fox and she’s just...honestly I don’t know. Penny is fun you’ll like her. Arthur and Chloe are twins. Bianca you’ve met.” Enzo smiled.

Max seemed to relax a bit upon seeing a familiar face and waved at her, “Heya.”

“This is Alex she’s really nice and we all love her.” Enzo teased, “and this is my sister who is Alex’s girlfriend and she’s not as scary as she looks.”

“She’s pretty scary.” Max admitted.

“Nice to know I still have that effect.” Sage smirked.

“Oh! Almost forgot.” Enzo interrupted. “That’s Scout. He’s kind of shy but he knows nearly everything about everything. Next to him is his boyfriend Orion.”

Orion waved casually trying to seem as normal as possible. With the help of Scout and Piper he’d managed to cover his green face with paint for one of the teams. He’d made sure to wear gloves and dress warmly too.

“Well it’s nice to meet everyone. Enzo talks about you guys a lot. He says you’re all really cool.” Max smiled. “Anyways, I think the game is gonna start soon so we should get our seats.”

— — —

The group took up a section of the stands sticking close together and watching the players warm up with curiosity. Max was rattling off statistics to Scout and Enzo who both listened intently.

“If there isn’t a single fight I’m going to be mad.” Sage admitted. “I want to watch some losers knock each other out.”

“For once I agree,” Fox shrugged.

“Ew. Don’t ever say that again.” Sage frowned.

“I got churros!” Thalia grinned proudly having two in each hand.

“You’re sharing,” Siyanda reminded her plucking one from the Asgardian’s grasp.

“I know. You can have the fresh ones. But only because I love you.” Thalia stated.

“Oh she can have churros but I can’t?” Penny pouted.

“We have to limit your sugar intake.” Arthur reminded her. “Or you’ll be asleep halfway through once you come down from the rush.”

“We could always leave her in the stands.” Chloe remarked dryly. James stifled a laugh.

“Okay that’s just rude.” Penny rolled her eyes.

“Hush. They’re gonna do the preshow.” Bianca bounced excitedly in her seat. Sure enough the lights dimmed and color beams danced across the ice.

“Like a kid in a candy store,” Nathaniel snorted, setting a hand on Bianca’s shoulder to still the girl.

With the display of color and the excited announcement of players taking the ice the group was completely enthralled. Each seemed to pick a favorite player right away just based off of attitude and facade.

When the game started both Sage and Fox were pleasantly surprised by how physical it was. Players were slammed with sticks, pushed into walls, and shoved about with ease. Orion seemed to be the only one aside from Thalia who could easily follow the black speck ricocheting across the ice.

James’ brain went into tactic mode as did Bianca’s. The girl was rattling off strategies to Max who nodded in agreement. Siyanda studied the keeper’s finding their reflexes very impeccable.

Nathaniel boasted that with his aim he could have scored early on but Enzo was quick to shush him as tension built into a push on the attack. The buzzer sounded and the crowd yelled excitedly.

“Can you imagine hockey with rockets on the skates?” Piper grinned evilly.

“People would die, Piper.” Gen reminded her.

“But it would be so fun to watch!”

“I’d participate in the sport.” Orion smiled. “Seems exhilarating.”

“Not the smartest idea,” Alex warned knowing very well that Piper could and would test rocket skates on Orion.

— — —

At one point a fight did erupt which ended up being almost everyone’s highlight of the game. The gloves flew off and the men went at it swinging wildly. Even the refs took a bit of a beating.

“Max, do you ever fight anyone?” Thalia asked.

“No. I do school and club hockey which both give strong penalties for it you fight,” They said.

“Bummer.” Sage sighed. “I’d have enjoyed this as a kid.”

“The women don’t really fight,” Scout stated, “they’re much more socially sophisticated about the game.”

“Thank you captain encyclopedia,” Piper teased.

“Only trying to clear the air,” Scout shrugged.

All in all the game ended in a draw which was fine since none of them had a particular team to root for. Thankfully for Thalia the end of the game meant she could finally take that bathroom break she’d been waiting ages for.

“Gotta say I’m glad I came to watch this,” Nathaniel groaned, stretching his arms happily overhead.

“How’d you get into the sport?” James asked.

“Since I was little. My uncle got me involved, he’s from Canada, and then my parents indulged it. They don’t talk to him anymore though,” Max shrugged, “but I’ve liked it for as long as I can remember.”

“Nice.” Orion grinned. “Mind giving me a big stick I can hit people with?”

“Orion, you can get a big stick outside.” Scout rolled his eyes.

“It’s not the same.” Orion argued.

“Big stick energy.” Nathaniel mumbled and Piper and Penny were goners. The two dissolved into laughter which lead to tears.

“I don’t understand,” Thalia frowned having returned from the bathroom.

“My aunt showed me as did uncle Peter. It’s a meme: Big dick energy, except they made a parody of it.” Siyanda explained.

“Big dick energy? Seriously?” Scout huffed. “There’s nothing amusing about that at all. It makes no sense.”

“Just...drop it.” Arthur sympathized. “Let’s get going shall we?”

“Sure!” Enzo nodded. “See you at School Max. You have a ride don’t you?”

“Yeah I’m good.” Max nodded. Enzo gave his friend a quick fist bump before scrambling up the steps of the stadium to follow his family.

“I say that was a success.” Nathaniel decided.

“More or less.” Chloe corrected. “Let’s not forget that joke of yours.”

“It was legendary. Don’t be so bitter about it.” Piper laughed. “Man, Nathaniel I adore you.”

“You too kiddo.” Nathaniel smiled.

“We have Bianca right?” Alex asked glancing about. “And....we lost her.”

“Oh yeah she’s in the gift shop!” Enzo smacked his forehead. “I’ll be back.”

“From now on we have to do a headcount.” Nathaniel decided. “We cant afford to lose anyone. Not my little ducks.”

“Quack.” Sage glowered.

“That’s the spirit.” Nathaniel smiled.

“Anyone want quackers?” Thalia asked. It was a stupid joke but the look of pride on her face was enough to draw laughs from everyone else. Siyanda kissed the blonde’s cheek good naturedly. “I told you I was funny Si!”

#avengers #avengers next gen #marvel #black widow #captain america #mcu #natasha romanoff #pepper potts #romanogers #scarlet witch