#nick fury's a goth right?

[nostalgia-tblr]

For anyone keeping track (no one), I have started watching the first Avengers film (MCU not the 60s TV show) but only while eating lunch so it's gonna take a while. So far Nick Fury has been assembling the Avengers (the film was initially released in the UK as Avengers Assemble - because of that 60s TV show - but it's not called that on D+ so I'm calling it what the Americans called it, just FYI) even though there's not yet anything for them to avenge as That Suit Guy (j/k I know his name too!!) isn't dead yet, and now they're on THE FUCKING VALIANT FROM DR WHO and I assume we're gonna continue assembling for a while as they're not all there yet.

MEANWHILE Loki (who is neither an alligator nor a woman in this???) is in a SECRET UNDERGROUND LAIR with a bunch of his stans who are... idk something technobabble that involves irridium and anti-protons. He is there looking for the tesseract on behalf of ???? who I know will be revealed 47 films from now as... no, wait, it wasn't, was it? That was just announced on a website or something? So it could be LITERALLY ANYONE. The Avengers (in-progress) also seem to be after that thing, but I have already forgotten why everyone is wanting it, assuming it was mentioned (it probably was).

Thor hasn't shown up yet, but Arrows Hawkeye is working as a Loki Stan and there's Steve Rogers and THE HULK and The Only Woman One, whose power is that she's a Cold War assassin (??) and I think this one is the film where she gets called a cunt (!) and honestly I am not sure which of the men she's getting officially shipped with, I think Arrows Hawkeye though? Fairly sure, as the alternative is that a man and a woman like each other as people but not in a lusty way, which would never happen obviously. (Hey I may ship mostly het* pairings but I don't always like it!)

Based on the Valiant (if u don't know who she is get da hell out of here!) I am guessing that the film ends with Loki dying in Thor's arms romantically but then I remembered that I know it can't because one of Loki got kidnapped from... either the end of this film or the start of the next one or POSSIBLY just from a later film's time-travel bit (???) but like... maybe they've edited this film secretly and I was right after all? But nobody else has watched it on Disney + recently so nobody knows yet? IT COULD HAPPEN.

Not sure what to make of this film so far, a lot's been going on yet also not much has been going on, and the one I like best so far (Suit Guy) is gonna die (NOT EVEN IN THOR'S ARMS ROMANTICALLY) and god Iron Man really hasn't aged well now that we have that one tech billionaire being a twat in public all the time to remind us what such people tend to be like. WHERE IS THOR????

*I say het but everyone in everything is bisexual, I know this because I thought of it and announced it on tumblr and will now say "I don't make the rules" to make it an objective FACT. I don't make the rules!!!

#the avengers (mcu edition not the 60s one) #(though if u close one eye and tilt ur head the black widow looks a wee bit like emma peel maybe?) #i like to think the lair of loki stans exists after this to post angrily on social media about how actually he did nothing wrong etc etc #let me know if loki's just working from a subway station that's still in use in this that'd be hilarious he'd be so annoyed by it all #torn on the tortured-by-thanos issue so far he does look messy but he might just have the flu and didn't want to back out #a lot of people are depending on him to jumpstart a movie superhero franchise he can't just take the day off can he #if loki took care of himself thor would be LITERALLY UNEMPLOYED how could he? how could YOU? #(the 'god of thunder' thing isn't a job he doesn't get paid for it so it's just a hobby) #(he doesn't even monetise that hobby! you think iron man would give you storms for free? EXACTLY. he'd have a patreon AT LEAST) #(“if you enjoyed this torrential rain pls tip me on ko-fi which is not pronounced like you think it is because it's a really BAD pun”) #mcu tag i guess #and whatever the fuck my loki character tag was #like i said i really do need to categorise my lokis more it's been bothering me for a while #reminder: i am here because they cast a woman in a previously-male role and SHE'S NOT EVEN IN THIS FILM. OR ANY OF THEM. D: #don't think the alligator's gonna turn up here either :( :( :( #otherwise it's just kind of fascinating what this film assumes i do and don't know about these characters #nick fury's a goth right?

[thenexusofsouls]

I watched Oldboy knowing absolutely nothing about the plot, being like wow we have Wanda, Thanos, Mantis and Nick Fury in the same movie! And then after I watched the movie I was like. 💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀 Oh. My. GOD. Like it was a great movie but it gave me so much anxiety. If Marie ever finds out the truth... IDK that was SO TWISTED. Also if Mantis ends up becoming a goth in the MCU I might pass out because DAMNNN and I'm not even attracted to women. Give us goth Mantis, Marvel, don't be shy!

{i am the caretaker of souls} Oh hey! Someone who’s actually seen Marie’s movie! I am sorry to hear you went into it cold, though, heh. That’s always a trip. I saw the original movie years ago, so I already knew what I was in for. Even so, the emotion still got to me at the end. It’s a very emotional movie all around. No character had a good time in this film, heh.

Right? Like everyone was so good in this movie! Pom was amazingly cool, I was actually really sad when her character was killed off. What a waste of that much coolness, heh.

Yeah... with everything else Marie had been through with drug addiction, failed relationships, I get the feeling like money has been an issue, maybe legal troubles, and I’ve added in some background about her adoptive parents... I think Joe was afraid of what learning the truth would do to her. And Tom had mentioned that she’d been through a lot and asked Joe to please not hurt her, and I feel like Joe took that surprisingly to heart, especially at the end. Like sure he was ashamed and crushed himself, but I think he did what he did at the end largely to spare her from the damage the truth could do to her. For all he knew, she might decide to do something drastic to herself. Marie seemed to live hard and on the edge a bit, and something like that could push her back into drugs or toward something even worse. So I think he figured the damage he’d do by leaving her for good was far less than what the truth would do. It’s such a tragic and upsetting situation for both of them.

I FULLY SUPPORT GOTH!MANTIS. WE NEED THIS, MCU! DO IT! XD

#{ i am the caretaker of souls } ᵒᵒᶜ #muse: marie sebastian #tw: drug addiction mention #tw: suicidal thoughts mention

[byronicbi]

low key miss being a teacher, tbh. the school administration sucked ass and most of the people who worked there were miserable old farts who hated fun, but the teaching part is where it was at.

did i get shot in the eye by an arrow, point blank? yes. did i get body slammed into a wall by a ten year old boy and nearly cracked my head open? twice, actually. did my assistant lose her mind whenever she'd tell them to "sure, play avengers, but no weapons" only for me to go behind her back and give them an assortment of pool noodles, cardboard shields, and an arc reactor made out of a paper plate? absolutely.

i got in trouble a lot.

back during the Endgame hype I made a nice big graph for my students/their parents as a family engagement thingy and while the director was impressed enough to have it hang in the lobby, i was forced to change the title from "WHO WILL DIE IN ENDGAME" to "WHO WON'T MAKE IT TILL THE END" which really did not carry the same oomph. thor and captain america tied.

my co-teacher did come around at one point and purchased an actual fucking infinity gauntlet that triggered absolute chaos during recess. mostly between her and me. because i refused to lose the title of "coolest teacher this side of the Rockies" to her.

#text. #she was the jock and i was the geek so aside from teaching science i joined in on the LARPing #during their voltron phase they insisted i be allura because i was 'pretty' said the girls #the boys on the other hand would yell when i dibbed loki or nick fury. 'YOU CAN'T BE A BOY' they said. 'WATCH ME' i yelled right back. #i was also elsa a lot. #my co-teacher would let me have it because then she'd make me play sports and i'd straight die. #lady i'm gay and goth i can't swing a bat with any sort of coordination let me do my maths and my sciences. #adventures in teaching #anyways covid happened and it all went to shit.

[blackcatanna]

The Tale of the Demon Arms of Horniness Part 4(?)

Finally, we have arrived at Edo Blossoms! Things should be getting real weird(er) soon so I'm looking forward to that... Honestly, I don't like Iba's route, really... I prefer him when he shows up in other people's routes being a li'l shit... Anyway, we'll see how this goes.

"A selfish, ruthless ex-Captain of the Shinsengumi, Kanryusai Takeda," ENTER BASTARD! :')

"Iba, as a descendant of a famous sword dojo, had a reputation to uphold." Fair enough, makes sense. "Thus," uh-huh... "He became a Fury and fused a Demon's arm to his shoulder" o_e -_- I'm sure... Uh... Actually, no. This logic makes no sense at all, especially when you consider that he is forbidden to engage in human conflict in exchange for his demon powers. Historical Iba didn't let losing an arm stop him (not that I would blame him if it had)!

ANYWAY, Chapter 1: A Horny Spectre Looks: in which maybe Iba and Takeda start to get intrusive horny thoughts about our heroine, maybe not, I don't remember how soon that shit kicks off...

"Huh? Why are you thanking me?" It's a fair question (sorry, Chizuru) "If it were just me handling the house affairs, I'd no doubt lose my mind" Awe! Get you, Chizuru, being useful! We stan! And good for Shimada acknowledging her domestic work... Now I am concerned about how much thankless work she may have done back in Kyoto... What does a page even do? Also, was she paid??? I hope so but I doubt it X_X

"I can't look at you without beaming with pride," new dad alert!

"Neither Nagakura nor Harada could emerge from their funk after suffering serious, devastating trauma from the battle," o_e is "funk" a poorly judged euphemism for ptsd???

"Iba, whom I hadn't seen" *flips table* then why the fuck am I here??

Who the fuck ever even uses this medicine? Players of this game, I mean!

"Iba exalted over the steaming tea cup," XD Bless him...

"has that cretin, Takeda," XD FFS IBA! Poor Takeda :')

Iba clearly knows something bad... WHY DOES NOBODY TELL ME ANYTHING???? REVEAL YOUR SECRETS, SLUT!!! (Omfg, I am turning into Miki X_X)

"Spending time with you is such a luxury," BLEURGGH "That it would be a waste to let my mind wander so easily," >:( JUST TELL ME WHAT'S GOING ON! STOP TRYING TO DEFLECT WITH PRETTY WORDS >:(

"I wondered what thoughts plagued Iba's mind..." But I guess we can't just ASK because that would be RUDE and UNLADYLIKE -_-

"A feeling of guilt bubbled in my stomach." Repeat this phrase every few lines until the game ends...

COOL, we're going to Yukimura's home! Thankfully, we already know that Kodo's a creep so he won't ambush us! Hopefully, I am correct in recalling that weird horniness ensues...

"..." "Iba...?" Clearly, there is something wrong with this boi! Maybe look into that?? Omg, is it the horniness?!? I BET IT'S THAT! HERE IT COMES, FINALLY (seriously, who thought that this was a good narrative device??? -_- )

"something told me what Iba was concerned with was far more serious..." It's his boner, Chizuru... I guess that a haunted arm, brain and penis is pretty concerning...

"He furrowed his brow in quiet contemplation." XD If I wrong, I am going to look very stupid but if I'm right, this is hilarious!

"I darted my eyes around the yard, hoping to pin down what might've distracted him," XD Tbf, it must be very distracting having the ghost of some guy who's arm you've nicked constantly whispering horny thoughts at you (or however demon-induced-horniness works...) "but I was too nervous to ask him myself." ... Ngl, for once, this is probably for the best (assuming that I am right. I have played this route once before, of course. I feel like no sane person could predict this shit blindly)

"I felt compelled to comfort him." Well, Chizuru, I can think of an easy way for you to do that...

Ooh! I rlly like this musique! :)

"The melancholy in his eyes felt thicker than the dust around us. It was like I was speaking with a shadow." Chizuru should take up work as a goth poet.

"Did something happen, Iba...?" Ya, somebody chopped off his arm and replaced is with a creepy demon arm that wants him to fuck you... I can certainly forgive you for not predicting that last part... You know what, there are SO MANY THINGS which would make more sense! Sad because disillusioned with Shogun. Sad because realises that all his friends are doomed to die in a futile war in which he cannot participate. Sad because lonely because of constant veneer of perfection which no one has ever seen past. Sad because forever barred from using his carefully honed skills for anything which may benefit humanity. Sad because knows his shogunate friends won't understand why he has to abandon them to their fate. Sad because unwittingly unleashed superpowered Takeda on the world after losing his cool one time. I mean, there's so many things going on in Iba's life right now! All of them more interesting than a horny arm!

"You aren't as responsive as you normally are." -_- Perfect boy is broken so let's poke him, I guess...

"... Forgive me." :( Chizuru should kiss him >:( sad boy needs kiss! >:D

"the shogunate's Chief Vassal and I haven't exactly seen eye to eye." Could it be... Not horny???

Awe, Iba's worried about Hijikata bae and upset with the shogunate officials for mistreating him <3

"they wallow in their vanity." Well, this is a better reason to be withdrawn than because horny. Perhaps I misjudged this game but I am not so sure just yet... -_-

"Hijikata will figure something out" omfg, even my dialogue options are leaving everything up to poor Hiji-mama X_X Seriously, does he have to do fucking everything???

"But that smile is more like it. You're beginning to look like the Iba I remember." ... O_e Is Chizuru using toxic masculinity against Iba? Bad feminist: Yukimura Chizuru! Let him be sad, dammit! >:(

"You know, all of that explains so much..." "Iba shied away from me all of a sudden," Oh no... Is there more? Is this it?

OH FUCK, "To tell you the truth, something else has ensnared me. Something for which you may not be prepared..." OH FFS! I ALMOST LET MY GUARD DOWN BUT HERE IT FUCKING COMES X_X

"Huh? What else is there...?" Well, I can think of a few things but none of them include THIS

"Iba reached for me all of a sudden." X_X There it is. Fucking knew it. Dammit, Iba, your boner killed the nice music!

"And then..." "...!" X_X

"Iba tackled me, pinning me to the floor before I could react, kicking up a cloud of dust that tickled my nose." XD What an image!

Okay, now romantic music is playing but Chizuru looks scared shitless... Honestly, I am on the side of the music here! Chizuru, he is your love interest! Please summon some enthusiasm! He's pretty hot!

"I trembled underneath him." Understandable if horny, not if scared. Why would you suddenly be scared of Iba? Maybe she can sense demonic possession but I call bs... Honestly, I feel like this game just wants her to be all disgustingly pure and virtuous and shit. CHIZURU, WE HAVE READ YOUR EPIC THIRST PASSAGES ABOUT HIJIKATA!!! WE KNOW YOU'RE A THIRSTY BITCH LIKE THE REST OF US!!!

KISS HIM >:D

"his eyes had seemed more ravenous than passionate." Seems fine, KISS HIM!!! >:D

Seriously, how is she not even a little turned on by this? Don't you fancy this man? If not, why the fuck are we even here?!

"As I braced myself for my lips to touch--" XD sexy. Plot twist: Iba's demon arm is totally chill but he tried to kiss her and she wasn't into it and so needed to manufacture an excuse to save face. Takeda's in on it, of course. Because why the fuck not? They're boyfriends now. Makes more sense than whatever this shit is.

ANYWAY, yeah, sorry Iba! Even after all the romancing you did in Kyoto and all your childhood memories, guess she still isn't into you.

"I-It's okay!" -_- not terribly helpful or genuine sounding. Why bother, seriously...

"guilt began to well inside of me," -_- uuuuuuggggghhhhh

"My heart was pounding at a frightening pace," yet, for all the wrong reasons -_-

"Iba, a figure of propriety and class, was the last person I'd ever expect to force himself onto me..." WOAH. That's quite a fucking leap, Chizuru! He made to kiss you, you weren't into it, he did not kiss you! Chill the fuck out! Do any of the other guys ask before kissing you on their routes? I haven't played them all but I know that plenty don't.

HONESTLY, THIS WHOLE THING IS SO STUPID. LET PEOPLE BE HORNY ON THEIR OWN.

I couldn't even enjoy this even if I was into this route because Chizuru is so visibly uncomfortable. Seriously, WHO IS THIS FOR?!? People who like to see a woman uncomfortable in sexual situations because it confirms her "purity"??? I am TROUBLED.

Like, at least let her be into it even if she refuses him due to impropriety or literally any reason she likes!

"What was he planning to do...?" Well, seeing as he could physically have done anything he wanted due to his superior strength, it's safe to assume that he did not intend to assault you! Looks like he wanted to kiss you but you weren't into it so he backed off.

Tbf, I can see how this would be uncomfortable. It's always difficult when someone reveals strong feelings which aren't reciprocated

But I still can't believe I played through the entirety of Iba's fucking Kyoto Winds route only for Chizuru to still not be into him... -_- (is this game trying to slut shame me??? "Only a SLUT kisses after the umpteenth date!" "No no! Only a SLUT even acknowledges that they were ever on a date, even when her friend aggressively points it out!" Like, what are these Victorian values that Chizuru seems to embody... No one is like that! It's an ideal of womanhood which exists only in the minds of Victorian vicars! Or, at least, their sermons...

"I thought it better not to ask." Yeah, this doesn't seem important.

Oh, and bloodlust too... Chizuru really said, "I'll let you drink my blood straight from the source but I won't give you a kiss even though you are my love interest and most important guy in the world to me" XD

"A-All good..." Uh-huh... -_-

"Could this be..." PUNISHMENT FOR DARING TO BE HORNY INSIDE A HAKUOKI GAME??? (Better send some goblins after Saito in that one bloodlust scene of his too)

Wow, somehow, the whiteness of his hair only reinforces how pale his skin is.

Bitch, you know for sure that you are not going to use that fucking medicine. Actually, Chizuru might. She seemingly not that into poor Iba. (Side note: when I wrote "poor", my autofill wanted to add "Takeda" XD poor poor Takeda).

Honestly, I feel like Chizuru has her own horny demon living inside her. Its name is Anna and she mostly ignores me >:( but I can make her let I a drink her blood! Tiny revenge...

One of these days, I'm just going to keep making him endure it and watch him lose his mind but I cba today.

"Come here. Take a drink of my blood." XD Why is this funny to me?

"Sweat dripped down the sides of his contoured cheekbones." BITCH, I SEE YOU!!! DON'T YOU DARE TRY AND TELL ME YOU DON'T WANT TO KISS THIS FUCKER!!!

Pretty sure that Chizuru's not completely asexual, based on the routes I have played (though that would be valid) but it's hard to tell since she never really gets to say what she wants... I guess that's the problem with being an otome heroine. Right now, she's possessed with the spirit of a horny goblin but maybe I should ask one of my ace friends to try this game and see what they think... Also, I don't think that I am particularly horny! I identify as demisexual... But I do occasionally do things which some may consider scandalous... But I haven't had sex in well over two years and I'm fine with that... Well, they say that sexuality is a spectrum but I think that it has many, many dimensions... Wow, this got completely sidetracked... This game has got me thinking about assumptions to question, which is a whoooole other rabbit hole and so I shall CEASE.

ANYWAY, despite my urges to Chizuru to kiss Iba, I am really not feeling him... I feel like I would have a huge crush on him if I met him irl but his route is so stale, devoid of chemistry and full of bizarre narrative choices that it leaves me completely cold :(

"What you s-suggest... is s-sickening!" Yaaas! That's right, qween! My ideas are always sickening, no?

"I s-simply have no desire to drink y-your blood." Orlly?

"Promise me that y-you won't--urnh--look back at me until I finish..." Ugh, isn't giving you my blood enough for you?

"You mustn't watch me d-defile your precious body with my g-ghoulish needs..." Firs of all, what a fucking sentence. Secondly, Iba, don't be so selfish; maybe she is into that! Thirdly, I am sensing a fucking purity kink here and I am sooooo not into that XD

"he tepidly stuck his tongue out to lick." Omfg, you're doing it now! May as well enjoy it! -_-

"the pleasure I took in soothing his agony was enough of a distraction." I feel like this is a specific kink but I don't have a word to mind...

"I noticed myself blushing, and felt ashamed for having even fantasized about what had happened." NO, GIRL!!! DON'T SLUT SHAME YOURSELF! LET YOURSELF BE HORNY FOR IBA! YEEESSSSS!!! 3:D

"Or, did Iba have feeli--No. Thinking about it could only hurt me," y tho? -_- Of course he has feelings for you! He has stated as much before! Y U SO DENSE (stupid puritanical womanly ideal >:( )

"We'll all be buried by the time we're done waiting for you." XD seems unlikely, giving Yukimura's character but I always appreciate some good Hijikata snark :')

"I barely recognised any of the Shinsengumi men in their new attire." ... Hmm... Seems unlikely...

"Edo was an unsafe place for a young woman," ah yes, fair enough. I am sure that many thugs, ronin, thieves, drunkards, etc. lurk about :) "what with the Fury Corps on the prowl..." ... FFS GUYS!!???? OMFG!!! CAN YOU MAYBE NOT UNLEASH A SQUAD OF BLOODTHIRSTY, UNDEAD SOLDIERS ON THE CITY?!??? My sympathy with Itou only grows the more I play this game... -_-'

"is this your first time visiting Hachiro's place...?" Alas, yes, since Chizuru seemingly does not wish to hook up with him for some reason... Maybe she also thinks that their chemistry is terrible...

Oooh! Iba is a rich kid, of course! Let's see if his HOOSE lives up to Hijikata's implications...

Like most routes, this is making me love Hijikata more than the guy who's route I'm on... I want to stay with bastard mum, not go live in a gilded cage with Hachiro the Horny!

"a huge, lavish mansion." XD of course!

Hijikata is LOVING THIS!

"She's just wondering how she's gonna fit all her stuff inside, is all." Omfg, this is something that my Mum would say to me as a roast because I really do have a fuckload of stuff (gotta commit to that mad gothic wizard aesthetic)

"I was entranced by the sheer size of Iba's estate." Enough to fuck him? All I want to know is whether Iba has style and taste... Someone get Miki! And Kimigiku! Sen too! Miki's the resident fashion bitch, Kiku is fabulous and Sen seems to be smart enough to care about such important things!

"You may not recall him, but Motoyama will be joining us" XD poor Motoyama! Of course I remember him! He was very memorably scared shitless of the Shinsengumi!

Motoyama, why are you such a fucking mess? Do you have a crush on Hijikata or something???

"Sounds like you can relax a little bit." Hm. We'll see..

"your time'll come." Nope. Demon arm!

"She's a troublemaker." XD Only in the most passive sense!

"he sneered coyly" omfg, I need to see this XD

"See how sweet she is, Iba?" I can hear you X_X

MOTOYAMA FFS "This is the ample opportunity to revel in the pleasures of a honeymoon without anyone else to impede on your celebration!" WHERE THE FUCK IS THIS COMING FROM??? TOO LITTLE TOO LATE! The romance was extinguished before the conclusion of the first game, like a candle deprived of oxygen! Where was your aggressive shipping then?!

"HER? As my wife?!" Um, EXQUEEZ ME!

"I'm unfit to serve as a husband at this time!" XD the fuck does that mean? Bitch, you ain't got shit else to do! You're not allowed to interfere in human conflicts... In fact, you're SUPPOSED to be stopping The Evil Egg and Takeda completing world domination but, since you cba, now is the perfect time to learn how to husband! (Do we think Iba knows what a clitoris is? I vote No). But seriously, it'd be nice to see Iba try to be vulnerable with someone for once. Motoyama can give Iba and Chizuru couples' therapy!

"Well, well. It seems both of you are stuck on the 'Woe is me, I'll never be good enough for the other' stage of your relationship, eg?" ... Did the writers just commit seppukku???

"I have to admit, I'm rather jealous..." Awe, Motoyama, maybe take your own advice and admit to Hijikata that you want him to step on you...

"With a gleeful smile, Motoyama pranced out of the room." XD This bitch! I love him! He is such a queen <3 This is what Iba deserves for being a li'l shit in Souma's route...

"Motoyama has a terrible sense of humor." *flashback to him drunkenly climbing a tree to try and reach the Moon* what are you taking about? He's a fucking genius!

"the two of us ate supper together in silence" is this supposed to be romantic tension? To me, it just looks like two people with nothing to say to each other...

"I found it impossible to sleep, as my attention was drawn to the room's extravagant décor," finally, a relatable moment! Mmmm... Pretty things...

"...I wondered if Iba was having any difficulty sleeping." XD Oh, I am sure he was...

"Hope you don't mind but I prepared some breakfast for you. Allow me to arrange the table for you." ... Chizuru deciding to play Motoyama's game, it seems... X_X IF I FORCE MY FOOD, SERVICE AND EVEN MY LITERAL BLOOD ON HIM, WILL HE LOVE ME THEN???

They're fucking married and I hate it.

Iba is a better Not-Husband than Kazama though... That fucking guy...

"allow me to manage all of your minutiae, including the welcoming of guests and post." OMFG STOP. FUCK OFF. STOP FORCING YOURSELF INTO HIS LIFE. I hate this...

HE HAS STAAAFFFFFF!!!

GIRL, YOU ARE NOT HIS WIFE!!!

IBA, YOU FUCKING IDIOT, DO NOT ALLOW THIS! IF YOU WANT A WIFE, WIFE THIS GIRL!

"I'm not sure I could stand to let any other woman cook for me again." Motoyama is trying his best but I feel like I am trapped in a domestic nightmare... This is weird... Chizuru is throwing her WIFEness at Iba like crazy and he's not acting like a husband in return. It's weird. Chizuru, stop. Back off a little, please!

"Say, why don't all of us go out for a drink?" Please?

LETTER OF DOOM (probably, knowing this game)

Nice to see Iba being angry and upset for a change! Let it all out, queen!

Okay, too far... "Iba began swinging his sword wildly," Perhaps if you let your emotions out more frequently in a controlled manner, this kind of outburst wouldn't happen (and Takeda might still be human... And you, too)

"Erm, why are you so upset...?" ... FFS CHIZURU X_X

"The shogunate ruthlessly feeds them to the dogs!" Yeah, this is pretty horrible, ngl. Genuinely curious as to what inspired such loyalty to the Shogunate in particular from the Shinsengumi...

"They sneer upon the Shinsengumi from their ivory towers," :'( Cruel and stupid, truly an unfortunate combination.

"What could I suggest that could substitute a possibly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity ...?" Well, you could send him to interfere with the demons getting involved in the conflict on the opposing side, you could finally go and fuck up Kodo, Takeda and the other furies, you could set about repairing the damage done to Sen's village, get to know the demons better, now that you are part of their world...

I wish Takeda would show up. I miss him...

"you can't just quit now " yeah, he should've quit as soon as he acquired the demon arm, gone and done something useful...

"I am in no way permitted to use my power against any humans." Dumbass, there'll be plenty of furies for you to slice.

"So, that leaves me with few suitable opponents, notably Takeda, Kodo, and... Whatever Fury cohorts they have in their company." Also, Kazama and friends. So maybe get on that asap, yes? Before they kill more people!

Omfg, my cat just coughed up a fucking enormous hairball on my Mum's cream carpet so I am going to call it a night... I'm probably at the end of a chapter but I need to deal with this! FFS PERCY XD Tbf, he is very fluffy.

#hakuouki #hakuoki #iba hachiro #no Takeda this time :( #Percy the cat #omfg I am so not looking forward to cleaning this up X_X #if I was Iba then I could ask my STAFF to help #or my overenthusiastic wannabe wife

[wiypt-writes]

Stark Spangled Destiny

Ch 3- Fuck You, Mr Stark.

Chapter Summary: Katie’s whacked out journey through her subconscious continues and she’s taken back to a time full of Hammer Drones, Senate Hearings and a Pirate Goth…

hapter Warnings: Bad Language words.

Chapter Pairings:  Steve Rogers x OFC Katie Stark

A/N: So these chapters contain flashbacks of sorts- but they’re not flashbacks as Katie is watching the events unfold in front of her-a “Time heist” of sorts. However, to keep it clear and hopefully not confusing, the events she is watching are depicted in itallics instead of me trying to keep calling her 2010 v 2030 Katie…

Disclaimer: This is a pure work of fiction and classified as 18+. Please respect this and do not read if you are underage. I do not own any characters in this series bar Katie Stark and the other OCs. By reading beyond this point you understand and accept the terms of this disclaimer.

Stark Spangled Destiny Masterlist // Main Masterlist

“Oh come on Kiddo!” Tony sighed as Katie got out of the car, slamming the door behind her. “You hardly spoke two words to me over dinner. I thought by taking you for your favourite double cheese and chilli fries you might have calmed down by now.”

“Well you thought wrong.”  She seethed as she turned to look at him. “What the hell were you thinking? Why didn’t you just stick to the cover that Coulson gave you?”

“Why should I?” Tony looked at her “It’s my suit. I made it, I own it.”

“God, you are so fucking arrogant.” She glared at him, storming up to the door of the mansion. “Look, will you just chill out!” Tony followed behind her “You saw the reaction, everyone loved it.” “Oh get your head out of your ass, Tony!” She wheeled around, blazing as she pressed her hand to the entry pad to the side of the door “You just painted a huge Target on our heads!”

“On my head…” “Yeah, and by proxy that includes ME!” She stalked into the house as the door clicked open. “Jesus Fucking Christ.”

She stepped into the entrance hall, Tony following her. “JARVIS.”  He called.

“Welcome home Sirrrrr.” JARVIS’ voice distorted and trailed off. Tony paused and looked at Katie, the two of them standing side by side as they glanced around the room. Tony stilled, his arm going out to the side in front of Katie to stop her walking any further into the room as they both spotted someone stood in the dark behind the couch, looking out of the large glass windows over the ocean.

“I am Iron Man.” The person spoke, not moving. “You think you’re the only Superhero in the world.” The man, dressed in a long black trench coat turned and began to walk forward a little as Tony did the same, Katie following. “Mr Stark, you just became part of a bigger universe, you just don’t know it yet.” Tony looked at his sister, then to the mystery man, frowning. “Who the hell are you?” The man walked forward into the light of the lamp by the sofa and Katie looked at him. He was tall, black and bald, an eyepatch covering his left eye “Nick Fury, director of SHIELD.”

“Oh.” Tony replied.

“I’m here to talk to you about the Avengers Initiative.”

“The what?” Katie asked.

“An initiative that SHIELD has.” Fury looked at her “An idea, to bring together a group of people with powers and abilities to keep the world safe.” “Powers and abilities?” She dead panned, arching an eyebrow. “What, like Superman?”

“No, he doesn’t exist.” Fury shook his head simply, unperturbed by her blatant sarcasm. “I’m thinking more along the lines of extraordinary people, if you get my drift.”

“Like who?” Tony asked, his tone clearly disbelieving.

“Two of my agents, the best I have” Fury turned to him. “And I am considering you and Dr Bruce Banner. If we can track him down that is.”

“Banner?” Katie frowned. “Who’s that?”

“He’s a scientist.” Tony replied his eyes not moving from Fury “He injected himself with some version of the serum the SSR used on Steve Rogers back in the day but it gave him a few side effects.”

“And unlike the ones Captain Rogers got they’re not permanent.” Fury finished.

“What do you mean?” Katie asked.

“Nine times outta ten he’s Dr Bruce Banner.” Fury continued “But when the Hulk as they call him takes over, well he’s big, green, and he struggles to control himself.”

“And you clearly have no idea where he is.” Tony spoke. “Which isn’t surprising.” He turned to Katie “The story I heard is that he found out the army wanted to use him as a weapon so he went underground.”

“Right.” She nodded, turning to Fury “And now you guys at SHIELD want him as a weapon? Along with Tony and these two other agents?”

“Not weapons, no.” Fury shook his head. “As a last line of defence.”

“Defence from what?” Tony looked back at Fury.

“Threats you couldn’t even begin to understand.”

“I’m pretty good at understanding most things, being a genius and all so try me.” Tony demanded.

“I’m well aware this all sounds a little crazy, Mr Stark but believe me when I say you simply have to trust me on this.”

“Erm, you break through my security, which I’m kinda disturbed about, then sit there like some kind of…” he waved his hand up and down, gesturing to Fury’s appearance “…spooky goth pirate and you want me to simply trust you?” Tony held Fury’s gaze and shook his head. “Sorry, no can do.”

Katie looked down at the floor, biting her lip at Tony’s summary of Fury’s appearance before she raised her head to see the Director was looking at her brother, an almost amused expression on his face.

“Alright.” He shrugged, and with that he walked towards the pair of them, pausing as he reached their side. “Just give it some thought.”

“I won’t.” Tony said simply.

Fury sighed and turned his attention to Katie. “Agent Coulson was impressed with you yesterday. SHIELD could use someone of your calibre.”

“Me?” Katie frowned. “For what? I don’t have a suit.” “Not all superheroes wear fancy outfits,” Fury stated as he shrugged a little, “and not all heroes are super.” Katie blinked. “Like I said, give it some thought. You have Agent Coulson’s number.

And with that he turned and headed through the door, leaving the siblings looking at one another in stunned silence.

Katie turned to Tony. “Goth pirate…man, the first time you said that I nearly died. Did you see my face?”

Tony grinned and Natasha smiled. “You know, it was actually one of his favourite nicknames.” “No kiddin’?” Tony turned to look at her. Natasha nodded and Katie snorted at her brother who simply gave a huff of laughter. The three of them left past Tony and Katie who were furiously in discussion about their encounter with the Director and the door shut behind them as they strode into the dark Malibu night. 

“Ok, so where’s next on this whacked out, fucked up dream trip?” Katie asked as Tony pulled the car out of the gate and onto the freeway.

Tony looked at Natasha in the rear view mirror, simply winking and Katie rolled her eyes. Again, she blinked and found herself looking up at Capitol Hill, in the daylight. Tony once more pulled the car to a stop, abandoning it basically in the middle of the road and they strode out, heading straight past the security guards at the gate as if they didn’t exist.

Which, Katie had to remind herself, they didn’t.

She followed Tony, taking in the familiar décor of the inside of the building, before she stopped as she looked at the large set of double doors at the end.

“Oh my God…please tell me this is the Senate Armed Services Committee meeting?” she turned to her brother, a smile on her face.

“Yup, welcome to the Weaponized Suit Defense Program Hearings…” Tony grinned as he yanked open the doors and they walked into the large senate room. She spotted herself and Tony sitting on the rows of benches at the front, the row of 8 senators all raised slightly higher at the front of the room, Stern perched in the middle.

“You know what…this has to be one of my favourite Tony Stark moments ever!” Katie turned to look at her brother.

Tony looked at her, smiling “Yeah, you’ve said that once or twice.”

“Mr and Miss Stark, could we pick up now where we left off?” Senator Stern spoke, banging his gavel down and Katie nodded at him, but Tony wasn’t paying attention. He was facing the opposite way, trying to speak to Pepper who was simply giving him a furious look telling him to turn around. There was more banging and Stern spoke again. “Mr Stark. Please.”

Katie elbowed Tony and he turned around. “Yes dear?”

“Can I have your attention?” Stern asked.

“Absolutely.”

“Do you or do you not possess a specialised weapon?” Stern looked.

“He does not.” Katie shook her head, looking at the Senator who was trying to keep his face straight at the fact she was answering, not Tony.  As part owner of Stark Industries she was also under scrutiny too, but she was both legally and commercially trained, and Stern knew this. He was going after Tony, because he was known to be the flashy, flamboyant one, the one that in their opinion would slip up. But Katie knew Tony. Well. Better than anyone. And for that fact she knew that Stern was seriously underestimating him.

This was going to be fun.

“You do not?” Stern looked at her.

“We do not.” She repeated.

“Well, it depends on how you define the word weapon.” Tony added. Katie turned her head to look at her brother, narrowing her eyes as the cameras from the various press members in front of them continued to flash.

“The Iron Man weapon.”

“No, my sister is right. My device does not fit that description.” Tony shook his head.

“Well… how would you describe it?” Stern asked, leaning forward.

“I would describe it by defining it as what it is, Senator.”

“As?”

“It’s a err, it’s a high-tech prosthesis.” Tony said. The people in the room laughed and Tony looked around before turning back to look at the Senate “That is… That is… That’s actually the most apt description I can make of it” Tony said, looking at Katie as he placed both hands on the table in front of him.

“It’s a weapon. It’s a weapon, Mr Stark. And we’re here today to...”

“Please, if your priority was actually the well-being of the American citizen…”

“My priority is to get the Iron Man weapon turned over to the people of the United States of America.” Stern spoke simply, looking at Tony.

“Well, you can forget it. I am Iron Man.”

“The suit and Tony are one.” Katie shrugged “To turn over the Iron Man suit would be to turn over Tony.” “Which is tantamount to indentured servitude or prostitution, depending on what state you’re in.” Tony shrugged as more laughter rang out

“You can’t have it.” Katie shrugged.

“Look, I’m no expert…” Stern began but Tony cut him off.

“In prostitution? Of course not. You’re a senator. Come on.” He slapped the desk and turned round, holding his hand up waving as the room laughed. Katie looked at him, then to Pepper exasperatedly. Pepper was glaring at Tony. He mouthed “no?” and she shook her head slowly, with the manner of a mother telling off a small child.

“I’m no expert in weapons.  But, we have somebody here who is an expert on weapons. I’d now like to call Justin Hammer, our current primary weapons contractor.”

Katie looked at Tony who raised an eyebrow and leaned forward to the microphone as Justin took a seat at the end of the bench. “Let the record reflect that I observed Mr Hammer entering the chamber, and I am wondering if and when any actual expert will also be in attendance.”

The room let out a little ooooh and Katie fought back a chuckle and looked at Tony as he shot her a small wink. Stern hammered on the desk once more as Hammer raised his glass of water to Tony, smiling a little as he took a sip before he laughed as he pulled the microphone towards him

“Absolutely. I’m no expert. I defer to you, Anthony.” Hammer looked at Tony, gesturing to him with his hand “You’re the wonder boy.”

Tony arched an eyebrow a Hammer continued.

“Senator, if I may…” He stood up. “I may well not be an expert, but you know who was the expert? Your dad. Howard Stark.” He looked at Katie and Tony. “Really a father to us all, and to the military-industrial age. Let’s just be clear, he was no flower child. He was a lion.”

Tony took a deep breath and Katie gently dropped her hand onto his, giving it a discrete squeeze as Tony looked up at Stern, before his eyes flickered back to Hammer.

“We all know why we’re here. In the last six months, Anthony Stark has created a sword with untold possibilities. And yet, he insists it’s a shield. He asks us to trust him as we cower behind it. I wish I were comforted, Anthony, I really do. I’d love to leave my door unlocked when I leave the house, but this ain’t Canada. You know, we live in a world of grave threats, threats that Mr Stark will not always be able to foresee.”

At that Katie rolled her eyes as Hammer moved to take a seat.

“Thank you. God bless Iron Man. God bless America.”

There was muted applause, the most of it coming from the Senators and Stern leaned forward again

“That is well said Mr Hammer. The committee would now like to invite Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes to the chamber.”

“Rhodey?” Katie frowned, looking at Tony who was also frowning.

“What?”

The cameras started flashing again and they both turned to see Rhodey walking towards the front.  Tony got up and headed down the aisle a little to greet him, shaking his hand.

“Hey, buddy. I didn’t expect to see you here”

“Look, it’s me, I’m here. Deal with it. Let’s move on.”

“I just…”

“Drop it.” Rhodey instructed as they walked towards the bench.

“All right, I’ll drop it.” Tony conceded.

Rhodey made his way behind Katie, squeezing her shoulder and she smiled at him

“Hey Kiddo.” He greeted her as he took a seat between her and Hammer.

There was a little introduction to the room about Rhodey being the USAF Weapons Procurement Liaison, before Stern finally got to the exact reason he’d called Rhodey to the hearing.

“I have before me a complete report on the Iron Man weapon, complied by Colonel Rhodes. And, Colonel, for the record, can you please read page 57, paragraph four?”

Katie felt herself grow cold as she glanced at Rhodey who was frowning.

“You’re requesting that I read specific selections from my report, Senator?”

“Yes, sir.”

“It was my understanding that I was going to be testifying in a much more comprehensive and detailed manner.” Rhodey stated calmly.

“I understand. A lot of things have changed today.”

“I bet they have.” Katie shot out, loudly. Stern turned to glare at her and she folded her arms, her gaze never faltering. Eventually he turned away and looked at Rhodey.

“So if you could just read…”

“You do understand that reading a single paragraph out of context does not reflect the summary of my final…”

“Just read it, Colonel. I do. Thank you.”

“Very well.”  Rhodey opened his report to the relevant page and took a breath “As he does not operate within any definable branch of government, Iron Man presents a potential threat to the security of both the nation and to her interests.” 

He glanced then to Katie, the pair of them looking at Tony as he was lounging back in the chair, his face devoid of any humour as Rhodey started to talk again.

“I did however, go on to summarise that the benefits of Iron Man far outweigh three liabilities and that it would be in our interest…”

“That’s enough Colonel” Stern but in but Rhodey continued.

“ …to fold Mr Stark…”

“That’s enough”

“…into the existing chain of command, Senator.”

Katie glanced at Rhodey who looked at Stern, his face passive. She smiled, loyal to a fault, her brother’s best friend had done his best to ensure the full picture was seen, trying to curtail the attempted hatchet job from Stern.

“I’m not a joiner, but I’ll consider Secretary of Defence, if you ask nice.” Tony nodded, to laughter form the crowd. “We can amend the hours a little bit.”

Besides her Rhodey sighed, reaching for his glass of water, taking a sip

“I’d like to go on and show, if I may, the imagery that’s connected to your report.” Stern ignored Tony and looked a Rhodey.

“Imagery?” Katie asked, as Rhodey shook his head.

“I believe it is somewhat premature to reveal these images to the general public at this time.”

“With all due respect, Colonel, I understand. And if you could just narrate those for us, we’d be very grateful”

Rhodey shrugged, defeated and waved his hand at the screen to their left “Let’s have the images.”

“Intelligence suggests that the devices seen in these photos are, in fact, attempts at making manned copies of Mr Stark’s suit….”

Katie kept one eye on the images and then noticed Tony lounge in his chair as he pulled out his StarkPhone as Rhodey continued.

“This has been corroborated by our allies and local intelligence on the ground…indicating that these suits are quite possibly, at this moment, operational.”

“Hold on a second buddy. Let me see something here.” Tony leaned forward, holding his device in front of him, tapping at it. As he did so, a separate box on the screen full of small lines of code, and the words “Welcome Mr Stark popped up. “Boy, I’m good. I commandeered your screens.” Tony informed the room as voices began to chatter. He turned to the right and did the same to the screen at that side. “I need them. Time for a little transparency.”

He leaned back in his chair, still looking at his device as he lay it flat on the desk. “Now, let’s see what’s really going on.”

“What is he doing?” Stern asked.

“Adding a little objectivity.” Katie smirked as Tony took a breath

“If you will direct your attention to said screens, I believe that’s North Korea.”

Tony tapped a few times and a video of a crude suit began to play. The suit didn’t work very well at all and fell over, its guns cracking the camera screen.

“Can you turn that off? Take it off.” Stern said loudly as talking broke out behind them, and Justin Hammer stood up.

“Iran…” Tony switched the footage to show another suit, this one could fly…for all of five seconds before crashing, judging by the smoke, probably on fire. “No graved threat here…” Tony mused and Katie nodded at the screen which was now showing a familiar face.

“Is that Justin Hammer?” She grinned, because it was clear it was, compounded by the small Hammer Advanced Weapons Systems logo in the bottom left hand corner. “How did Hammer get in the game?”

Tony grinned as the room started to mumble as the footage of Hammer, with a suit that didn’t really work played. “Justin, you’re on TV. Focus up.” Tony said as he looked at Katie, giving her a wink before the pair of them turning to Rhodey, almost identical smirks on their faces. Rhodey hastily hid his own smile behind his hand, rubbing at his top lip with his index finger.

“Okay, give me a left twist. Left’s good.” Hammer’s voice sounded from the TV “Turn to the right. Oh, shit. Oh, shit.”

“Language Justin.” Katie grinned as Hammer found the plug and the screen went dark.

“Wow. Yeah, I’d say most countries, five, ten years away.” Tony nodded “Hammer Industries, twenty” “I’d like to point out that that test pilot survived.” Hammer hastily clarified into his mic as he sat down.

“I think we’re done is the point that he’s making.” Stern spoke as he stood up “I don’t think there’s any reason…”

“The point is, you’re welcome, I guess.” Tony drawled lazily, waving his hand.

“For what?”

“Because I’m your nuclear deterrent. It’s working. We’re safe. America is secure. You want my property? You can’t have it.” Tony’s last few words were punctuated by his hand slapping the desk. “But I did you a big favour,” at that he stood up and Katie looked at him, grimacing as he smirked, “I’ve successfully privatised world peace.”

Both his hands made the peace signs and everyone in the room stood up, all talking at once and applauding. Katie looked at Pepper who was shaking her head, her face stony.

“What more do you want? For now!” Tony clapped as he turned around, gesturing to the members of the committee “I tried to play ball with these ass-clowns.”

Katie groaned and then her head whipped to Stern as he sat down and spoke into the mic, his professional front completely gone.

“Fuck you, Mr Stark. Fuck you, buddy.” He seethed. Tony cupped his hand round his ear, mockingly as he smirked and picked up his sunglasses. “We’re adjourned. We’re adjourned for today.”

Tony put on the glasses and grinned at Stern “Okay.” he gave Stern the thumbs up.

“You’ve been a delight.” Stern snarked as Tony began to blow him kisses.

Present day Katie was doubled over, tears pouring from her eyes as she watched Tony flounce down the aisle in the courtroom towards the doors at the back. Her eyes strayed to her past self who was sat, looking at Rhodey, biting her lip trying hard not to laugh. She remembered thinking at the time how she should be as pissed, as Rhodey and Pepper where, at the fact Tony never took serious things seriously but this had been a hatchet job from the start. And Tony had outwitted them all, as usual.

“Fuck you, Mr Stark…oh, it’s a classic.” She wiped her eyes, turning back to her brother.

Tony grinned, before he sighed, looping an arm round he shoulder. “It was fun, huh?”

“Fun might not be the word I would use but, well, it was certainly entertaining.”

“Which is why I thought we could see it again.” Tony grinned. “A little reminder of just how you were by my side, once again.”

“I hate to break it to you but this next bit isn’t quite so hilarious.” Natasha said, moving forward so she was at the side of Katie.

“That’s because it doesn’t involve me.” Tony quipped and Natasha rolled her eyes as they walked out of the courtroom and made their way to the car. As they drove, Katie waited as long as she could before she blinked and then, to no surprise, their surroundings had changed again and she felt a pang of nostalgia wash over her as they drove over the bridge towards the Triskellion. She turned to Natasha who flashed her a smile.

“Good times.” “Yeah, not so bad. Until we brought it all crashing down.” Katie sighed, peering up at the place she had once-upon-a-time worked.

Natasha gave a huff of laughter as Tony drove through the magically opened barrier at the end of the avenue and into the car park.

“I’m sitting this one out.” Tony shrugged, looking around “Hmm, maybe I’ll take a walk, try and find a cheeseburger. Man I miss those.”

Katie looked at him, snorting as Natasha nudged her, signalling for her to follow. They headed into the familiar building and over to the elevator, the same one Steve had some sixteen years previously catapulted them out of.

“Least I’m going up, not out the side and down…” She mused.

They exited on the floor where Fury’s office was located and headed inside. The director was sat at his desk, Coulson and Natasha stood opposite him. Natasha’s hair was long and curly, just as it had been the first time Katie had met her.

“Natalie Rushman…” she quipped and Natasha looked at her, her eyebrows raised, smiling slightly.

“Stark is drawing un wanted attention to himself, as the Senate Hearing last week proved.” Coulson stated. “I don’t think that’s the last we’ve heard of that particular issue either.” “Yeah, well, I don’t trust Stern, as you know. There’s something about him.” Fury took a breath and stood up. “Okay, Romanoff, I want you in Stark Industries so you can get me a detailed appraisal of both the Stark siblings and let’s see how far this illness Tony is suffering from goes.”

“Both of them?” Natasha looked at Fury who nodded.

“Coulson likes the girl.” Fury stated and Coulson turned to Natasha, handing her a manila file with Katie’s photo on the front. “She’s smart. Brave too as I saw a few months ago.”

“What’s her background?” Natasha asked, taking the file and opening it.

“It’s all in there, but the quick version is she’s been working in the UK since graduating from Oxbridge in 2006 with a first in English literature and mythology. She published a number of papers on Greek and Norse mythology and from what I’ve seen she has good analytical skills, she can read people.”

“Useful.” Natasha mused and Coulson nodded.

“She currently heads up the Legal and Commercial team for Stark Industries International.  She’s not a bad shot with a gun either, she hit a water pipe straight where she aimed at from almost 200 yards out.” Coulson shrugged. “With a bit of training, I think she’d be a real asset.”

“You got forty-eight hours to come up with a plan on how to get in and a cover.” Fury spoke to Romanoff and Natasha nodded. Fury then looked at Coulson. “Is the fact Miss Stark seems to be, err, romantically involved with Agent Ward going to be a problem with this?”

Coulson shook his head. “Ward has no idea that we’re even considering recruiting her. And I’ll ensure its kept that way.”

“Ward’s sharp enough to recognise that if he does encounter me whilst I’m in position he won’t blow my cover.” Natasha nodded. “He knows the script.”

“Good because that is a complication we do not need.” Fury levelled her with a look and Natasha smirked, as she glanced down at a page in the file.

“From Jonny Storm to Grant Ward.” She closed the file. “Bit of a difference.” She grinned. “Suppose you can’t blame a girl for wanting something a little hot every now and then.”

“You sound like you’re speaking from experience.” Fury looked at Natasha who shook her head.

“He’s not my type.

“Which one, Storm or Ward?” Coulson asked.

Natasha shrugged “Either.”

Coulson smiled, his eye twinkling as Fury looked at Natasha before he met Coulson’s gaze, shrugging.  

“By the way, have we any idea on the whereabouts of Dr Banner?”

“Not yet.” Coulson shook his head. “But we’ll keep looking.”

Natasha turned to Katie. “I wanted you to see, that even before that little business with the Hammer drones we were thinking of recruiting you. Coulson saw something in you. Something special, that I saw too. Despite your constant protests to the contrary.”

Katie blinked, her eyes filling a little with tears as she shook her head.“I was nothing special, SHIELD made me what I was.” “Bullshit.” Natasha shook her head, gently squeezing Katie’s arm as they watched Fury dismiss Coulson and past Natasha. “You were our Supernova from the start.” Katie looked at her, sniffing a little as Natasha pulled her in for a hug “And you’re still a goddamned superhero, suit or not.”

***** Katie sighed as she entered her hotel room, reaching for the lights. That had been a fucking nightmare. Once Tony had effectively blown a hole in their home after a showdown with Rhodey he had taken off. She’d then, along with Natalie and Pepper spent fuck knows how long dealing with the emergency services. She had no idea where the hell her brother was, and at that particular point in time she didn’t care. He’d behaved like a prize prick.

She walked through to the main living are of the suite and gave a little yell of surprise as Natalie was sat on the couch, along with a familiar face.

“What the…” Her mouth dropped open, looking at Fury as he stood up. “Natalie…what…” And then it dawned on her and she let out a groan. “You’re one of them? You’re SHIELD?” “Miss Stark, allow me to introduce Agent Natasha Romanoff. One of the two I was telling you about.”

“Well,” Katie blew out her breath, “fuck me.” “Yeah, it was kind of a shock.” Katie looked at Natasha as they watched the scene in front of them evolving as it changed again to reveal Agents now moving around her Malibu home in the daylight which was a little bit broken from the events of the party. “But at that point I was kind of past the point of disbelieving anything. Especially after Monaco.” “In my defence,” Tony piped up as he appeared besides Katie, “I was dying.”

“Yeah, which is why we found you inside a huge Randy’s Donut sign, eating a real donut without a fucking care in the world.” Natasha looked at Tony as Katie sniggered.

“Sir! I’m gonna have to ask you to exit the doughnut.” She mimicked Fury’s voice. “You still wouldn’t come down, it took me threatening to climb up there myself for you to listen.”

Tony shrugged “I’d already told him, I didn’t want to join his super-secret boy band.”

“Lucky for you we ignored you.” Natasha shrugged “Well, I say ignored, it was quite the opposite actually. You’d become a pain in our ass.”

“Yeah, yeah, you had bigger problems in the Southwest, I remember.” Tony examined the cuff of his sleeve. “Namely Point Break.”

“If they hadn’t given you that lithium dioxide you’d have been a nightmare.” Katie looked at him. Tony eyed her for a moment, then nodded to the scene in front of them, Tony, Katie and Fury sat in their home, the wall completely blown away whilst two agents stood on the balcony looking out through binoculars.

“What do you remember about your dad?” Fury asked and Katie took in a deep breath and looked at Tony.

“He was cold, he was calculating. He never told me he loved me. He never even told me he liked me…”

“Tony…” Katie started to protest but he ignored her.

“…so it’s a little tough for me to digest when you’re telling me he said the whole future was riding on me and he’s passing it down. I don’t get that. You’re talking about a guy whose happiest day was when he shipped me off to boarding school.”

“That’s not true.”  Katie sighed, and Fury pointed at her

“She’s right. It’s not.”

“Well, then, clearly you both knew dad better than I did” Tony leaned back in his chair and Katie’s attention was drawn to two Agents who walked behind Fury, carrying a silver, metal box of sorts.

“As a matter of fact, I did.” Fury placed his glass down and glanced at his watch “He was one of the founding members of SHIELD.”

Katie blinked and looked at Agent Romanoff who had appeared behind her

“What?” Tony sat up straight.

“I still don’t know why he never told us.” Katie looked at Tony as they watched their past selves bombarding Fury with questions which he deflected.

“Beats me.” Tony shrugged “But he was a man of many mysteries, as this proves.”

Katie’s eyes tracked Fury as he left before she turned back to look at herself, her brother and Agent Coulson.

“I’ve been authorised by Director Fury to use any means necessary to keep you on premises.” Coulson looked at Tony “If you attempt to leave or play any games, I will tase you and watch Supernanny while you drool into the carpet. Okay?”

“I think I got it, yeah.”

“Wait, do I need to stay here too?” Katie looked at Coulson. “Because just to warn you, I’ll likely end up killing him before any blood poisoning does.” “Err, I can hear you.” Tony glared at her

“Good”

Coulson shrugged. “That’s up to you Miss Stark,” he then turned to Tony, “enjoy your evening’s entertainment.” He nodded to the box as he left.

Katie let out a sigh and sank into a chair, running her hands over her tired eyes.

“You heard what he just said. You can go.” Tony looked at her. “Yeah, well, as much as I would love to jump on a plane and head to New York right now, I can’t leave you like this, Tone.” Katie shook her head as her face reappeared from behind her hands. “What kind of sister would that make me?” Tony looked at her taking a deep breath before he glanced at the box again and grimaced. “Think I might burn that.” “Don’t.”

“Why not? I don’t care much to see what dearest Daddy left for us.” “For you.” Katie looked at him. “What he left for you.” “You know, that was the only reason I opened that damned box.” Tony said softly and Katie turned to look at him. “Like I said, I didn’t care and I didn’t believe a word Fury was saying but you, that simple phrase, reminding me that he left it for me specifically spurred me to do it.”

“Without that you would have died.” Katie stated simply.

“I did.”

“I mean then, dick.” Katie glared at him. “Man I was so angry at you when I found out the palladium was poisoning you and you hadn’t told me.”

“I didn’t want to worry you.” He shrugged, watching as their past selves both took a hold of a handle of the box each and picked it up. “Looking back on it, now I realise I was doing that anyway with my erratic behaviour.”

“Are you getting it yet?” Natasha asked gently and Katie looked at her. “All these seemingly small decisions you made and these apparent innocuous little statements, they all formed something so much bigger than you could ever have dreamed of.”

Katie looked down at her feet and swallowed.

“It isn’t about being Supernova, or an Avenger, or a perfect human.” Tony smiled “It’s about being Katie Stark, the person you are.” “That said, hold that thought because this next memory we’re gonna visit,” Natasha smiled, “this one was kind of a big decision.”

****

“So she’s worth a shot?” Fury lounged in his chair, looking at Natasha as she sat opposite him. The pair were sat in an abandoned warehouse that appeared to be serving as some kind of temporary housing facility for SHIELD. There were three large displays in front of them, all being projected from the same type of metal box Fury had left at the mansion, and nothing else in the room bar a desk and a few chairs.

“I believe so. But, the thing is, I don’t think you’ll get one without the other, and my assessment of Tony isn’t quite as favourable.”

“Then we’ll just have to pique her interest.” Fury shrugged.

Natasha frowned. “New Mexico?” and Fury gave a little smirk, causing Nat to snort, “good luck with that.”

“You make your own luck.” Fury said simply. “In the meantime, I have another assignment for you. I need you to trail Dr Banner. If this item in New Mexico is what we think, then things are starting to get a little…weird shall we say.”

Natasha nodded, “I’ll get right on it” and with that she stood up, nodding to the files on the desk. “Let me know how you get on.” “When do I ever need to tell you anything?” Fury looked at her. “You know more than me half the time.” Natasha laughed. “Now we know that isn’t true, don’t we Nick?”

“You absolute shits!” Katie looked at Natasha, tearing her eyes from the past version of the red head who was leaving Fury’s office. “That whole thing with Thor’s hammer, it was a ruse to get me into SHIELD.”

Natasha shrugged.

“I always thought it was because of what I did in New Mexico that I got offered a position but it was you all along!”

Natasha smiled. “Well, Coulson stuck you on the radar, but it was my decision to put you forward. A decision I’m proud of and would make a hundred times over.” “It was a shit decision.” Tony sniffed. “You knocked me back.”

“That was more of an ego check than anything.” Natasha shrugged. “I think deep down Fury always knew the way it would go.” She looked back at Katie. “You proved me, and Coulson for that matter, right with your actions in New Mexico. Showed the exact level of compassion, bravery and initiative that we expected.”

Katie blinked and shook her head. “I was just a normal person.” “You were, are a Stark.” Nat said simply. “And SHIELD was all the better for it. It was your dad’s legacy after all.”

The scene in front of them faded and then, in the same offices, Katie saw herself and Tony sat at a desk.

“Should you be looking at that?” Katie asked as she sat next to Tony who had picked up the manila file which was emblazoned with the words “AVENGERS INIAITIVE PRELIMINARY REPORT. Before Tony could reply, a hand pinned the report down and they both looked up at Fury who was leaning slightly over the desk.

“I don’t think I want you looking at that.” He levelled Tony with a look as he sat down opposite them at the other side of the desk. “I’m not sure it pertains to you anymore. Now this on the other hand,” he picked up another file off the desk, “is Agent Romanoff’s assessment of you. Read it.” He instructed, handing Tony the file.

“Errr,” Tony scanned the page, “personality overview. Mr Stark displays compulsive behaviour…’”

Katie snorted and Tony looked at Fury. “In my own defence that was last week”

Fury looked at him and Tony gave a small sigh and continued. “’Prone to self-destructive tendencies.’ I was dying. I mean, please. Aren’t we all? ‘Textbook narcissism’?”

“Agreed.” Katie jumped in and Tony turned to look at her as she shrugged. He arched an eyebrow, holding her gaze for a moment before he looked back at the report.

“Okay, here it is. ‘Recruitment assessment for Avenger Initiative. Iron Man? Yes.’ I gotta think about it.”

“Read on.” Fury replied.

“ ‘Tony Stark not… not recommended”? That doesn’t make any sense.” He dropped the file to the desk. “How can you approve me but not approve me?”  Katie’s eyes tracked Fury as he got up out of his chair with a heavy sigh as Tony continued. “I got a new ticker. I’m trying to do right by Pepper. I’m in a stable-ish relationship.”

Fury perched on the edge of the desk by Katie and looked at Tony. “Which leads us to believe at this juncture we’d only like to use you as a consultant.”

Katie knew that despite her brother declaring he wanted nothing to do with this initiative, that was going to be a blow to his ego and sure enough, Tony simply took a breath, stood up and offered Fury his hand to shake. Fury obliged, and Tony clasped his other hand on top of Fury’s. “You can’t afford me.”

At that he turned to leave. Katie made to follow but Fury signalled for her to stay in her seat.

“Then again,” Tony turned back round, “I will waive my customary retainer in exchange for a small favour. Rhodey and I are being honoured in Washington and we need a presenter.”

“I’ll see what I can do.” Fury said simply. “Now, if you would be so kind, I’d like five minutes with your sister.”

Tony looked at Katie who nodded. “I’ll be in the car, Kiddo.”

Once he was gone, Fury turned to her “Miss Stark, like I said to you six months ago, SHIELD could use someone of your calibre.” Katie smiled and shook her head. “I’m sorry Sir. I’m flattered, I really am but,” she took a deep breath, “this, well it really isn’t for me.”

Fury sighed, “I thought you might say that. In that case, would you, perhaps, consider also joining us as a consultant?”

“Consulting on what?”

“You’re fairly knowledgeable on Mythology, am I right?” “I did a degree and had a few papers published.” She frowned “Why?”

“This pressing issue in the South West.” Fury walked to one of the screens and pressing a button. “I’d like your take on it.”

Katie’s eyes fell open as she glanced at a picture of a huge crater, and inside it looked like…

“No,no way.” She mumbled, standing up. “That’s…no, I mean…what the hell is that?”

“The official story is its part of a satellite.” Fury shrugged. “Does it look like a satellite to you?”

“No, it looks like Mjolnir, the fabled hammer of Thor.” She frowned, before she scoffed, shaking her head. “This is a plant. A fake, a hoax.” She looked at Fury. “There has to be some kind of explanation.”

“Yes, you’re right.” Fury shrugged. “But the thing is, when you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how utterly ludicrous, has to be the truth, and, well, we’re running out of impossible to eliminate”

Katie looked back at the photo, shaking her head “No, no way.” “Miss Stark, when I said I’d seen things you couldn’t even begin to imagine I meant it.” He looked at her, and Katie swallowed as she stared back at him. “Now. I’d very much like for you to take a look and confirm that I’m crazy.”

“Where is it?” She asked after a short pause.

“New Mexico, about thirty miles South of Santa Fe.” “There’s a professor I know, based in Seville” Katie looked at Fury “He’s an expert I consulted a few times over my degree. Elliot Randal his name is. It’s probably worth giving him a call.”

“I’ll get onto it.” Fury nodded. “And as for you, well, I can have a jet ready to fly you out there within the hour.”

Katie glanced at the photo, everything inside of her was screaming that his was ridiculous, farfetched, down right ludicrous, but there was just that small part of her brain that was niggling. If it was what she thought it was, then she couldn’t pass up an opportunity to be part of the team that identified it.

Imagine what that would mean for man-kind going forward.

She inhaled, letting the breath out of her nose before she gave Fury a curt nod. “Okay. I’ll go.” “Really?” Tony scoffed as Katie watched herself, shaking hands with Fury. “It was that easy?”

“I was curious.” Katie shrugged. “And I’m glad I was. That decision to go to New Mexico, without it, I would never have joined SHIELD. Might never have met Steve. I’m guessing that’s what this little flashback is about?”

“Hmmm, possibly not but one thing is for sure, you wouldn’t have been the one sent to that Boxing Gym. And whether or not Steve has ever told you this, you were the reason he took that mission inadvertently.” “He would have done it anyway given the Tesseract…” “But he trusted you right from the start, and that swayed him.” Natasha pressed. “And when you fought alongside him in Stuttgart, captured Loki, then the battle in New York, all of that just solidified the fact in his mind you were a good person. It might not have been love at first sight but he trusted you, confided in you. You worked side by side, grew close both in and out of work, and he fell in love with you. You understood him, could cope with his lifestyle because you lived it.”

Katie blinked as what Natasha was saying began to sink in. “So this,” she waved her hand, “me seeing this now, isn’t simply a reminder of me making a decision that in the end led to me becoming an Avenger. It’s about me making a decision that meant Steve and I made it?”

Natasha nodded.

“Because we never would have done if I didn’t understand what SHIELD and the Avengers were about on a simple day-to-day basis.” Kate finished.

Natasha beamed, “You made it easy for him to love you and possible for him to envisage a future with you because you lived the life he was all about. Shared life experience, so to speak.”

“And all that stems from that simple decision to get on a plane to New Mexico because you were curious.” Tony smiled and Katie looked at him, once more the tears stinging her eyes “Actions have consequences Kiddo and nine times outta ten it’s the consequences we don’t ever dream of at the point of acting which are the ones that shape our lives.”

 **Original Posting**

#stark spangled destiny #steve rogers #Katie Stark #steve rogers fic #steve rogers x ofc #steve rogers x original female character #steve rogers fanfiction #mcu #mcu fanfic #chris evans #chris evans characters

[blackypanther9]

Part 1 - The mischievous student...

No one’s POV...

Destiny was 18 years old and in her last grade of high school. Seven months had passed from the New York attack. She was so angered that she couldn't see Loki. Her favorite Norse God. Instead she and her family left for Romania. No matter...she had school today. Giggling she entered.

"Destiny !!!"

Destiny turned around and saw her and her sister's best friend Alexander Cloud.

"Alex !"

They hugged each other as hello.

"How have you been yesterday ?"

"Good, good."

"Hello you losers.", one of your enemies said.

"Glad you are here again you poor bitches.", the other said.

Destiny rolled her eyes. The rich bitches from next door were here and annoying them...again... Then they went to their lockers. Destiny and Alex chuckled. As they opened their lockers they screamed.

"EWWW !!! SPIDERS !!!"

"EWWW !!! BUGS !!!"

"EWWW !!! INSECTS !!!"

Destiny and Alex went to their classroom and laughed inside there.

"Another pulled prank worked !!", Destiny cheered.

"You are truly a god in it Destiny ! I kneel in front of you !"

Alex fell to one of his knees and put one arm over his chest, like the asgardian people would do to the royals. Destiny laughed her ass off.

"Just wait for later !"

Alex stood up again and smiled.

"I always wonder again...how did I ever deserved the honor to meet you and pull pranks with you ?"

Destiny put her hand on his shoulder.

"Fate. It was fate who gave us three the honors to meet and become best friends."

Destiny took out her phone, giggling.

"That will be fun..."

They both ran out and Dest started to film. On the ground was wet soap and of course the rich bitches from next door had no eyes and brain to see it. They stepped on it and were sliding down the hallway, screaming. As Destiny recorded the whole school laughed. After she stopped recording, she put it into Facebook and YouTube. With the following words...'#another prank succeeded😂'. All of the students phones vibrated and they looked at their phones. They laughed and all commented on it. Like...'Lol' or 'Rofl' or ' Bruh.' And many more comments. Then the first lesson started...

Meanwhile in Avengers Tower...

Tony was pacing in the room.

"I want to know who that person is !! They hacked JARVIS in less than 5 minutes !"

"Not to mention that this person may have killed a few people from SHIELD.", Nat said.

Loki had joined the team 1 month ago and was right now reading a book. Not giving a damn about their problem.

"This person must be mischievous. No one else could be that clever...", Bruce said.

Now they had Loki's full attention.

"May I ask why ?", Loki said.

"They killed SHIELD people and hacked JARVIS. Loki...that person is a genius for not getting caught by us."

Loki put his book away.

"Who do you think is it ?"

"We don't know.", Clint said.

"Based on the high and design it must be a teenager.", Tony said.

"From where do you know ?", Steve asked Tony.

"JARVIS told me that the killer has that typical teenager goth style."

"Don't you think that something is off ?", Loki asked.

"What do you mean, brother ?", Thor asked Loki.

Loki pinched his nose.

"Why would the killer let one of the agents live ? They could have killed them easily and still they let him live."

"The killer didn't know that he escaped.", Tony said shrugging.

"Wrong Stark. Loki is right. The killer let him live, saying that he was innocent and not one of them.", Nick said, walking to them with a folder.

"It is a teenager from New York. Probably still in High school."

"And what do you wish to do now ?", Steve asked.

"I will send one of you into the only High school in New York."

"What is it called ?", Clint asked.

"Y/s/n (Your school’s name)."

"Who will you send there ?", Bruce asked.

"Someone who knows all kinds of mischief, tricks and can read every lie. Loki I am sending you on this mission."

Everyone's eyes widened, even Loki's.

"Me ? Are you certain you wish to send me there ?", he asked Fury with disbelief.

"Yes I am. Find the one responsible for all this, play their friend, give us all information about them and then arrest them."

"How ?"

"Go there as yourself a few times and tell them why you came. Feed them lies. Tell them that you are there to make sure that their school won't be attacked and nobody dies."

"And if he doesn't find them there ?", Thor asked.

"Then they escaped or we even guessed wrong.", Fury sighed.

Thor and the others nodded.

"We are counting on you Loki. Don't mess this up.", Nat said.

Loki nodded.

"You will go tomorrow. Until then read the file.", Nick told him.

He handed Loki the folder and with that Loki went into his room, reading the whole file.

'Mischievous, clever, intelligent, sly, genius....This will not be easy....', was Loki thinking.

As Loki was done he planned how to act and then when he was done with that, he decided to read in his book.

The next day at school...

Destiny and her group (her sister and their friend Alexander) were talking on the way to their lockers. Suddenly...

"All students into the theater room. We have a visitor and he wants to see you all.", said the headmaster through the speakers.

"Maaaaaaaan. I don't wanna !", Daniela said. (Your sister)

"And also...do not laugh. This is serious."

Destiny groaned.

"Not againnn.", she growled.

"What ?", Alex asked Destiny.

"I bet with you that this is another Cosplay fake Loki...This is the 20th time this year."

And with that Destiny put her earphones on and played in YouTube a song. She sang with it.

(Oh baby by Pitbull ft. T-Pain)

Soon the whole school sang with her, except the ones who always tried to bully her. All students walked into the room, Destiny and her friends were behind everyone. Hiding. Waiting.

"Thank you all for coming here. We have an Avenger in this school. Loki Laufeyson.", said the headmaster, gesturing to a tall man.

He spoke to the headmaster and showed to the microphone. He talked back and Loki looked at the microphone strangely. Then used the turn on button.

"Does it work ?", came his voice.

"Okay...Hello Midgardians. What the headmaster said is true. The Avengers send me here, because a killer is on the loose. I am here to make sure that this school will not be attacked and end up unprotected. I will stay here until the killer got arrested and put to jail."

Destiny giggled and looked at her sister. She nodded grinning and Destiny pulled out her microphone, faking her voice with Loki's.

"Okay...Hello Midgardians. What the headmaster said is true. The Avengers send me here, because a killer is on the loose. I am here to make sure that this school will not be attacked and end up unprotected. I will stay here until the killer got arrested and put to jail."

Even at the right timing, because Loki wanted to say something and right then came the command. And the best is, when Destiny speaks, his microphone is turned off. Everyone laughed, knowing that it was their very mischievous girl. Loki wasn't pleased at all.

"What kind of magic was that ? Who said that ?"

"Me who else you fool ! Another fake of me who thinks he can trick the school and the most mischievous person in school. Go back and crawl into a ball, cry, curse and die !"

"Show yourself !"

"You're a funny one. I almost bought it that you are the real Loki. But everyone knows that he is dead ! Or even imprisoned on Asgard ! I hate people who fake him ! I despise them !", came now a girls voice.

"Who is that ?", Loki asked the headmaster.

"I can't tell you. Data protection. I break many rules and could go to jail, if I tell you. But ! But we can challenge the speaker."

"And with what ?"

"They can ask you every question they want and you have to answer them truthfully. The girl is right. You aren't the only one who came here as a Loki. The first time she was so disappointed that it wasn't the real Loki. The next few times she never believed in him being alive again. She always said that he is really dead and that is final."

Loki's eyes widened.

"Why would they think that I am dead ?"

"Ask them yourself."

Loki nodded and turned back to the group. He looked at his microphone and tried to form a sentence.

Masterlist HERE !

#Part 1 - The mischievous student... #The mischievous one #Loki x Reader #Male!Loki #Fem!Reader #MCU #Marvel #Fanfiction #Avengers #Avenger!Loki #Loki Odinson #Loki Laufeyson

[what-is-your-plan-today]

Stark Spangled Destiny

Ch 3: F**K You, Mr Stark...

Chapter Summary: Katie’s whacked out journey through her subconscious continues and she’s taken back to a time full of Hammer Drones, Senate Hearings and a Pirate Goth…

Chapter Warnings: Bad Language words.

Chapter Pairings:  Steve Rogers x OFC Katie Stark

A/N: So these chapters contain flashbacks of sorts- but they’re not flashbacks as Katie is watching the events unfold in front of her-a “Time heist” of sorts. However, to keep it clear and hopefully not confusing, the events she is watching are depicted in itallics instead of me trying to keep calling her 2010 v 2030 Katie…

Please let me know what you think- comments and re-blogs muchly appreciated.

“Oh come on Kiddo…” Tony sighed as Katie got out of the car, slamming the door behind her. “You hardly spoke two words to me over dinner. I thought by taking you for your favourite double cheese and chilli fries you might have calmed down by now.”

“Well you thought wrong.”  She seethed as she turned to look at him. “What the hell were you thinking? Why didn’t you just stick to the cover that Coulson gave you?”

“Why should I?” Tony looked at her “It’s my suit. I made it, I own it…”

“God, you are so fucking arrogant.” she glared at him, storming up to the door of the mansion. “Look, will you just chill out!” Tony followed behind her “You saw the reaction, everyone loved it.” “Oh get your head out of your ass Tony!” she wheeled around, blazing as she pressed her hand to the entry pad to the side of the door “You just painted a huge Target on our heads!”

“On my head…” “Yeah, and by proxy that includes ME!” she shook her head, walking into the house as the door clicked open “Jesus Fucking Christ.”

She stepped into the entrance hall, Tony following her. “JARVIS.”  he called.

“Welcome home Sirrrrr.” JARVIS’ voice distorted and trailed off. Tony paused and looked at Katie, the two of them standing side by side as they glanced around the room. Tony stilled, his arm going out to the side in front of Katie to stop her walking any further into the room as they both spotted someone stood in the dark behind the couch, looking out of the large glass windows over the ocean.

“I am Iron Man.” The person spoke, not moving “You think you’re the only Superhero in the world.” The man, dressed in a long black trench coat turned and began to walk forward a little as Tony did the same, Katie following. “Mr Stark you just became part of a bigger universe, you just don’t know it yet.” Tony looked at his sister, then to the mystery man, frowning “Who the hell are you?” The man walked forward into the light of the lamp by the sofa and Katie looked at him. He was tall, black and bald, an eyepatch covering his left eye “Nick Fury, director of SHIELD.” He said simply.

“Oh.” Tony replied as if someone breaking in to their home was a regular, every day occurance.

“I’m here to talk to you about the Avengers Initiative.”

“The what?” Katie asked.

“An initiative that SHIELD has.” Fury looked at her “An idea, to bring together a group of people with powers and abilities to keep the world safe.” “Powers and abilities?” she dead panned, arching an eyebrow. “What, like…Superman?”

“No, he doesn’t exist.” Fury shook his head simply, unperturbed by her blatant sarcasm “I’m thinking more along the lines of extraordinary people, if you get my drift.”

“Like who?” Tony asked, his tone clearly disbelieving.

“2 of my agents, the best I have” Fury said “And I am considering you and Dr Bruce Banner. If we can track him down that is.”

“Banner?” Katie frowned “Who’s that?”

“He’s a scientist.” Tony replied his eyes not moving from Fury “He injected himself with some version of the serum the SSR used on Steve Rogers back in the day but it gave him a few side effects”

“And unlike the ones Captain Rogers got they��re not permanent.” Fury finished

“What do you mean?” Katie asked.

“9 times outta ten he’s Dr Bruce Banner.” Fury continued “But when the Hulk as they call him takes over…well he’s big, green, and he struggles to control himself.”

“And you clearly have no idea where he is.” Tony spoke “Which isn’t surprising” he turned to Katie “The story I heard is that he found out the army wanted to use him as a weapon so he went underground.”

“Right.” She nodded, turning to Fury “And now you guys at SHIELD want him as a weapon? Along with tony and these 2 other agents?”

“Not weapons, no.” Fury shook his head “As a last line of defence.”

“Defence from what?” Tony looked back at Fury.

“Threats you couldn’t even begin to understand.” Fury said simply

“I’m pretty good at understanding most things, being a genius and all so try me.” Tony demanded.

“I’m well aware this all sounds a little crazy, Mr Stark but believe me when I say you simply have to trust me on this.”

“Erm, you break through my security, which I’m kinda disturbed about, then sit there like some kind of…” he waved his hand up and down, gesturing to Fury’s appearance “…spooky goth pirate and you want me to simply trust you?” Tony held Fury’s gaze and shook his head “Sorry, no can do.”

Katie looked down at the floor, biting her lip at Tony’s summary of Fury’s appearance before she raised her head to see the Director was looking at her brother, an almost amused expression on his face.

“Alright.” He shrugged, and with that he walked towards the pair of them, pausing as he reached their side. “Just give it some thought.”

“I won’t.” Tony said simply.

Fury sighed and turned his attention to Katie “Agent Coulson was impressed with you yesterday. SHIELD could use someone of your calibre.”

“Me?” Katie frowned “For what? I don’t have a suit…” “Not all superheroes wear fancy outfits” Fury said simply, “And not all heroes are super.” Katie blinked “Like I said, give it some thought. You have Agent Coulson’s number.

And with that he turned and headed through the door, leaving the siblings looking at one another in stunned silence.

Katie turned to Tony “Goth pirate…man, the first time you said that I nearly died. Did you see my face?”

Tony grinned and Natasha smiled “You know, it was actually one of his favourite nicknames.” “No kiddin’?” Tony turned to look at her. Natasha nodded and Katie snorted at her brother who simply gave a huff of laughter. The three of them left past Tony and Katie who were furiously in discussion about their encounter with the Director and the door shut behind them as they strode into the dark Malibu night.

“Ok, so where’s next on this whacked out, fucked up dream trip?” Katie asked as Tony pulled the car out of the gate and onto the freeway.

Tony looked at Natasha in the rear view mirror, simply winking and Katie rolled her eyes. Again, she blinked and found herself looking up at Capitol Hill, in the daylight. Tony once more pulled the car to a stop, abandoning it basically in the middle of the road and they strode out, heading straight past the security guards at the gate as if they didn’t exist.

Which, Katie had to remind herself, they didn’t.

She followed Tony, taking in the familiar décor of the inside of the building, before she stopped as she looked at the large set of double doors at the end.

“Oh my God…please tell me this is the Senate Armed Services Committee meeting?” she turned to her brother, a smile on her face.

“Yup, welcome to the Weaponized Suit Defense Program Hearings…” Tony grinned as he yanked open the doors and they walked into the large senate room. She spotted herself and Tony sitting on the rows of benches at the front, the row of 8 senators all raised slightly higher at the front of the room, Stern perched in the middle.

“You know what…this has to be one of my favourite Tony Stark moments ever!” Katie turned to look at her brother.

Tony looked at her, smiling “Yeah, you’ve said that once or twice.”

“Mr and Miss Stark, could we pick up now where we left off?” Senator Stern spoke, banging his gavel down and Katie nodded at him, but Tony wasn’t paying attention. He was facing the opposite way, trying to speak to Pepper who was simply giving him a furious look telling him to turn around. There was more banging and Stern spoke again “Mr Stark. Please.”

Katie elbowed Tony and he turned around “Yes dear?”

“Can I have your attention?” Stern asked.

“Absolutely.”

“Do you or do you not possess a specialised weapon?” Stern looked.

“He does not.” Katie shook her head, looking at the Senator who was trying to keep his face straight at the fact she was answering, not Tony.  As part owner of Stark Industries she was also under scrutiny too, but she was both Legally and Commercially trained, and Stern knew his. He was going after Tony, because he was known to be the flashy, flamboyant one, the one that in their opinion would slip up. But she knew Tony. Well. Better than anyone. And for that fact she knew that Stern was seriously underestimating him.

This was going to be fun.

“You do not?” Stern looked at her.

“We do not.” She shook her head.

“Well, it depends on how you define the word weapon.” Tony added. Katie turned her head to look at her brother, narrowing her eyes as the cameras from the various press members in front of them continued to flash.

“The Iron Man weapon.”

“No, my sister is right. My device does not fit that description.” Tony shook his head.

“Well… how would you describe it?” Stern asked, leaning forward.

“I would describe it by defining it as what it is, Senator.”

“As?”

“It’s a err, it’s a high-tech prosthesis.” Tony said. The people in the room laughed and Tony looked around before turning back to look at the Senate “That is… That is… That’s actually the most apt description I can make of it” Tony said, looking at Katie as he placed both hands on the table in front of him.

“It’s a weapon. It’s a weapon, Mr Stark. And we’re here today to...”

“Please, if your priority was actually the well-being of the American citizen…”

“My priority is to get the Iron Man weapon turned over to the people of the United States of America.” Stern spoke simply, looking at Tony.

“Well, you can forget it. I am Iron Man.”

“The suit and Tony are one.” Katie shrugged “To turn over the Iron Man suit would be to turn over Tony.” “Which is tantamount to indentured servitude or prostitution, depending or what state you’re in.” Tony shrugged as more laughter rang out

“You can’t have it.” Katie shrugged.

“Look, I’m no expert…” Stern began but Tony cut him off.

“In prostitution? Of course not. You’re a senator. Come on.” He slapped the desk and turned round, holding his hand up waving as the room laughed. Katie looked at him, then to Pepper exasperatedly. Pepper was glaring at Tony. He mouthed “no?” and she shook her head slowly, with the manner of a mother telling off a small child.

“I’m no expert in weapons.  But, we have somebody here who is an expert on weapons. I’d now like to call Justin Hammer, our current primary weapons contractor.”

Katie looked at Tony who raised an eyebrow and leaned forward to the microphone as Justin took a seat at the end of the bench. “Let the record reflect that I observed Mr Hammer entering the chamber, and I am wondering if and when any actual expert will also be in attendance.”

The room let out a little ooooh and Katie fought back a chuckle and looked at Tony as he shot her a small wink. Stern hammered on the desk once more as Hammer raised his glass of water to Tony, smiling a little as he took a sip before he laughed as he pulled the microphone towards him

“Absolutely. I’m no expert. I defer to you, Anthony.” Hammer looked at Tony, gesturing to him with his hand “You’re the wonder boy.”

Tony arched an eyebrow a Hammer continued.

“Senator, if I may…” the man stood up. “I may well not be an expert, but you know who was the expert? Your dad. Howard Stark.” He looked at Katie and Tony. “Really a father to us all, and to the military-industrial age. Let’s just be clear, he was no flower child. He was a lion.”

Tony took a deep breath and Katie gently dropped her hand onto his, giving it a discrete squeeze as Tony looked up at Stern, before his eyes flickered back to Hammer.

“We all know why we’re here. In the last six months, Anthony Stark has created a sword with untold possibilities. And yet, he insists it’s a shield. He asks us to trust him as we cower behind it. I wish I were comforted, Anthony, I really do. I’d love to leave my door unlocked when I leave the house, but this ain’t Canada. You know, we live in a world of grave threats, threats that Mr Stark will not always be able to foresee.”

At that Katie rolled her eyes as Hammer moved to take a seat.

“Thank you. God bless Iron Man. God bless America.”

There was muted applause, the most of it coming from the Senators and Stern leaned forward again

“That is well said Mr Hammer. The committee would now like to invite Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes to the chamber.”

“Rhodey?” Katie frowned, looking at Tony who was also frowning.

“What?”

 The cameras started flashing again and they both turned to see Rhodey walking towards the front.  Tony got up and headed down the aisle a little to greet him, shaking his hand.

“Hey, buddy. I didn’t expect to see you here”

“Katie didn’t catch the rest of their hushed conversation, but she watched as Tony and Rhodey approached the bench, Rhodey smiling softly at her.

“Hey Kiddo.” He greeted as he took a seat between her and Hammer.

There was a little introduction to the room about Rhodey being the USAF Weapons Procurement Liaison, before Stern finally got to the exact reason he’d called Rhodey to the hearing.

“I have before me a complete report on the Iron Man weapon, complied by Colonel Rhodes. And, Colonel, for the record, can you please read page 57, paragraph four?”

Katie felt herself grow cold as she glanced at Rhodey who was frowning.

“You’re requesting that I read specific selections from my report, Senator?”

“Yes, sir.”

“It was my understanding that I was going to be testifying in a much more comprehensive and detailed manner” Rhodey said calmly.

“I understand. A lot of things have changed today.”

“I bet they have.” Katie said loudly. Stern turned to glare at her and she folder her arms, her gaze never faltering. Eventually he turned away and looked at Rhodey.

“So if you could just read…”

“You do understand that reading a single paragraph out of context does not reflect the summary of my final…”

“Just read it, Colonel. I do. Thank you.”

“Very well” Rhodey opened his report to the relevant page and took a breath “As he does not operate within any definable branch of government, Iron Man presents a potential threat to the security of both the nation and to her interests.” 

He glanced then to Katie, the pair of them looking at Tony as he was lounging back in the chair, his face devoid of any humour as Rhodey started to talk again.

“I did however, go on to summarise that the benefits of Iron Man far outweigh three liabilities and that it would be in our interest…”

“That’s enough Colonel” Stern but in but Rhodey continued.

“ …to fold Mr Stark…”

“That’s enough”

“…into the existing chain of command, Senator.”

Katie glanced at Rhodey who looked at Stern, his face passive. She smiled, loyal to a fault, her brother’s best friend had done his best to ensure the full picture was seen, trying to curtail the attempted hatchet job from Stern.

“I’m not a joiner, but I’ll consider Secretary of Defence, if you ask nice.” Tony said, to laughter form the crowd. “We can amend the hours a little bit.”

Besides her Rhodey sighed, reaching for his glass of water, taking a sip

“I’d like to go on and show, if I may, the imagery that’s connected to your report.” Stern ignored Tony and looked a Rhodey.

“Imagery?” Katie asked, as Rhodey shook his head.

“I believe it is somewhat premature to reveal these images to the general public at this time.”

“With all due respect, Colonel, I understand. And if you could just narrate those for us, we’d be very grateful”

Rhodey shrugged, defeated and waved his hand at the screen to their left “Let’s have the images.”

“Intelligence suggests that the devices seen in these photos are, in fact, attempts at making manned copies of Mr Stark’s suit….”

Katie kept one eye on the images and then noticed Tony lounge in his chair as he pulled out his StarkPhone as Rhodey continued.

“This has been corroborated by our allies and local intelligence on the ground…indicating that these suits are quite possibly, at this moment, operational.”

“Hold on a second buddy. Let me see something here.” Tony said, leaning forward and holding his device in front of him, tapping at it. As he did so, a separate box on the screen full of small lines of code, and the words “Welcome Mr Stark popped up. “Boy, I’m good. I commandeered your screens.” Tony said as voices began to chatter. He turned to the right and did the same to the screen at that side. “I need them. Time for a little transparency.”

He leaned back in his chair, still looking at his device as he lay it flat on the desk. “Now, let’s see what’s really going on.”

“What is he doing?” Stern asked.

“Adding a little objectivity.” Katie smirked as Tony took a breath.

“If you will direct your attention to said screens, I believe that’s North Korea.”

Tony tapped a few times and a video of a crude suit began to play. The suit didn’t work very well at all and fell over, its guns cracking the camera screen.

“Can you turn that off? Take it off.” Stern said loudly as talking broke out behind them, and Justin Hammer stood up.

“Iran…” Tony switched the footage to show another suit, this one could fly…for all of five seconds before crashing, judging by the smoke, probably on fire. “No graved threat here…” Tony mused and Katie nodded at the screen which was now showing a familiar face.

“Is that Justin Hammer?” she said, grinning, because it was clear it was, compounded by the small Hammer Advanced Weapons Systems logo in the bottom left hand corner. “How did Hammer get in the game?”

Tony grinned as the room started to mumble as the footage of Hammer, with a suit that didn’t really work played. “Justin, you’re on TV. Focus up.” Tony said as he looked at Katie, giving her a wink before the pair of them turning to Rhodey, almost identical smirks on their faces. Rhodey hastily hid his own smile behind his hand, rubbing at his top lip with his index finger.

“Okay, give me a left twist. Left’s good.” Hammer’s voice sounded from the TV “Turn to the right. Oh, shit. Oh, shit.”

“Language Justin.” Katie grinned as Hammer found the plug and the screen went dark.

“Wow. Yeah, I’d say most countries, five, ten years away.” Tony nodded “Hammer Industries, twenty” “I’d like to point out that that test pilot survived.” Hammer hastily clarified into his mic as he sat down.

“I think we’re done is the point that he’s making.” Stern spoke as he stood up “I don’t think there’s any reason…”

“The point is, you’re welcome, I guess” Tony said lazily, waving his hand.

“For what?”

“Because I’m your nuclear deterrent. It’s working. We’re safe. America is secure. You want my property? You can’t have it.” Tony said, his last few words punctuated by his hand slapping the desk. “But I did you a big favour.” At that he stood up and Katie looked at him, grimacing as he smirked “I’ve successfully privatised world peace.”

Both his hands made the peace signs and everyone in the room stood up, all talking at once and applauding. Katie looked at Pepper who was shaking her head, her face stony.

“What more do you want? For now!” Tony clapped as he turned around, gesturing to the members of the committee “I tried to play ball with these ass-clowns.”

Katie groaned and then her head whipped to Stern as he sat down and spoke into the mic, his professional front completely gone.

“Fuck you, Mr Stark. Fuck you, buddy.” He seethed. Tony cupped his hand round his ear, mockingly as he smirked and picked up his sunglasses. “We’re adjourned. We’re adjourned for today.”

Tony put on the glasses and grinned at Stern “Okay.” he gave Stern the thumbs up.

“You’ve been a delight.” Stern snarked as Tony began to blow him kisses.

Present day Katie was doubled over, tears pouring from her eyes as she watched Tony flounce down the aisle in the courtroom towards the doors at the back. Her eyes strayed to her past self who was sat, looking at Rhodey, biting her lip trying hard not to laugh. She remembered thinking at the time how she should be as pissed, as Rhodey and Pepper where, at the fact Tony never took serious things seriously but this had been a hatchet job from the start. And Tony had outwitted them all, as usual.

“Fuck you, Mr Stark…oh, it’s a classic.” She wiped her eyes, turning back to her brother.

Tony grinned, before he sighed, looping an arm round he shoulder. “Fun times huh…”

“Fun might not be the word I would use but…it was certainly entertaining.”

“Which is why I thought we could see it again.” Tony grinned “A little reminder of just how you were by my side, once again.”

“I hate to break it to you but this next bit isn’t quite so hilarious.” Natasha said, moving forward so she was at the side of Katie.

“That’s because it doesn’t involve me.” Tony quipped and Natasha rolled her eyes as they walked out of the courtroom and made their way to the car. As they drove, Katie waited as long as she could before she blinked and then, to no surprise, their surroundings had changed again and she felt a pang of nostalgia wash over her as they drove over the bridge towards the Triskellion. She turned to Natasha who flashed her a smile.

“We had some good times” “Yeah, until we brought it all crashing down.” Katie said, peering up at the place she had once-upon-a-time worked.

Natasha gave a huff of laughter as Tony drove through the magically opened barrier at the end of the avenue and into the car park.

“I’m sitting this one out.” Tony shrugged, looking around “Hmm, maybe I’ll take a walk, try and find a cheeseburger. Man I miss those.”

Katie looked at him, snorting as Natasha nudged her, signalling for her to follow. They headed into the familiar building and over to the elevator, the same one Steve had some 16 years previously catapulted them out of.

“Least I’m going up, not out the side and down…” She mused.

They exited on the floor where Fury’s office was located and headed inside. The director was sat at his desk, Coulson and Natasha stood opposite him. Natasha’s hair was long and curly, just as it had been the first time Katie had met her.

“Natalie Rushman…” she quipped and Natasha looked at her, her eyebrows raised, smiling slightly.

“Stark is drawing un wanted attention to himself. As the Senate Hearing last week proved.” Coulson stated “I don’t think that’s the last we’ve heard of that particular issue either.” “Yeah, well, I don’t trust Stern, as you know. There’s something about him…” Fury took a breath and stood up. “Ok. Romanoff, I want you in Stark Industries so you can get me a detailed appraisal of both the Stark siblings and let’s see how far this illness Tony is suffering goes.”

“Both of them?” Natasha looked at Fury who nodded.

“Coulson likes the girl.” Fury stated and Coulson turned to Natasha, handing her a manilla file with Katie’s photo on the front. “She’s smart, brave too as I saw a few months ago.”

“What’s her background?” Natasha asked, taking the file and opening it.

“It’s all in there, but the quick version is she’s been working in the UK since graduating from Oxbridge in 2006 with a first in English literature and mythology. She published a number of papers on Greek and Norse mythology and from what I’ve seen she has good analytical skills, she can read people.”

“Useful.” Natasha mused and Coulson nodded.

“She currently heads up the Legal and Commercial team for Stark Industries International.  She’s not a bad shot with a gun either, she hit a water pipe straight where she aimed at from almost 200 yards out” Coulson shrugged “With a bit of training, I think she’d be a real asset.”

“You got 48 hours to come up with a plan on how to get in and a cover.” Fury spoke to Romanoff and Natasha nodded. Fury then looked at Coulson “Is the fact Miss Stark seems to be, err, romantically involved with Ward going to be a problem with this?”

Coulson shook his head “Ward has no idea that we’re even considering recruiting her. And I’ll ensure its kept that way.”

“Ward’s sharp enough to recognise that if he does encounter me whilst I’m in position he won’t blow my cover.” Natasha nodded “He knows the script.”

“Good because that is a complication we do not need…” Fury levelled her with a look and Natasha smirked, as she glanced down at a page in the file.

“From Jonny Storm to Grant Ward…” she closed the file “bit of a difference.” She grinned “Suppose you can’t blame a girl for wanting something a little hot every now and then.”

“You sound like you’re speaking from experience.” Fury looked at Natasha who shook her head.

“He’s not my type.”

“Which one, Storm or Ward?” Coulson asked.

Natasha shrugged “Either.”

Coulson smiled, his eye twinkling as Fury looked at Natasha before he met Coulson’s gaze, shrugging.  

“By the way, have we any idea on the whereabouts of Dr Banner?”

“Not yet.” Coulson shook his head “But we’ll keep looking.”

Natasha turned to Katie “I wanted you to see, that even before that little business with the Hammer drones we were thinking of recruiting you. Coulson saw something in you. Something special, that I saw too. Despite your constant protests to the contrary.”

Katie blinked, her eyes filling a little with tears as she shook her head “I was nothing special, SHIELD made me what I was.” “Bullshit.” Natasha shook her head, gently squeezing Katie’s arm as they watched Fury dismiss Coulson and Past Natasha. “You were our Supernova from the start.” Katie looked at her, sniffing a little as Natasha pulled her in for a hug “And you’re still a goddamned superhero, suit or not.”

***** Katie sighed as she entered her hotel room, reaching for the lights. That had been a fucking nightmare. Once Tony had effectively blown a hole in their home after a showdown with Rhodey he had taken off. She’d then, along with Natalie and Pepper spent fuck knows how long dealing with the emergency services. She had no idea where the hell her brother was, and at that particular point in time she didn’t care. He’d behaved like a prize prick.

She walked through to the main living room and gave a little yell of surprise as Natalie was sat on the couch, along with a familiar face.

“What the…” she looked at Fury as he stood up. “Natalie…what…” And then it dawned on her… “You’re one of them? You’re SHIELD?” “Miss Stark, allow me to introduce Agent Natasha Romanoff. One of the 2 I was telling you about”

“Well...” Katie blew out her breath “Fuck me.” “Yeah, it was kind of a shock.” Katie looked at Natasha as they watched the scene in front of them evolving as it changed again to reveal Agents now moving around their Malibu home in the daylight which was a little bit broken from the events of the party. “But at that point I was kind of past the point of disbelieving anything. Especially after Monaco.” “In my defence…” Tony piped up as he appeared besides Katie. “I was dying.”

“Yeah…which is why we found you inside a huge Randy’s Donut sign, eating a real donut without a fucking care in the world.” Natasha looked at Tony as Katie sniggered.

“Sir! I’m gonna have to ask you to exit the doughnut.” She mimicked Fury’s voice “Man...you still wouldn’t come down, it took me threatening to climb up there myself for you to listen”

Tony shrugged “I’d already told him, I didn’t want to join his super-secret boy band.”

“Lucky for you we ignored you.” Natasha shrugged “Well, I say ignored…it was quite the opposite actually. You’d become a pain in our ass.”

“Yeah, yeah, you had bigger problems in the southwest, I remember.” Tony said “Namely Point Break.”

“If they hadn’t given you that lithium dioxide you’d have been a nightmare.” Katie looked at him. Tony eyed her for a moment, then nodded to the scene in front of them, Tony, Katie and Fury sat in their home, the wall completely blown away whilst two agents stood on the balcony looking out through binoculars.

“You told Tony that he hadn’t tried everything.” Katie looked at Fury “What do you mean he hasn’t tried everything? What hasn’t he tried?”

“He said that Tony was the only person with the means and knowledge to finish what he started.” Fury looked at her, then to her brother as he took a sip of his water.

“He said that?” Tony raised his eyebrows, clearly not believing a word Fury was saying.

“Are you that guy? Are you? ‘Cause if you are, then you can solve the riddle of your heart.”

Katie looked at Tony as she shook his head. “I don’t know where you get your information, but he wasn’t my biggest fan.”

“What do you remember about your dad?” Fury asked and Katie took in a deep breath and looked at Tony.

“He was cold, he was calculating. He never told me he loved me. He never even told me he liked me…”

“Tony…” Katie started to protest but he ignored her.

“…so it’s a little tough for me to digest when you’re telling me he said the whole future was riding on me and he’s passing it down. I don’t get that. You’re talking about a guy whose happiest day was when he shipped me off to boarding school.”

“That’s not true.”  Katie sighed, and Fury pointed at her

“She’s right. It’s not.”

“Well, then, clearly you both knew dad better than I did” Tony leaned back in his chair and Katie’s attention was drawn to two Agents who walked behind Fury, carrying a silver, metal box of sorts.

“As a matter of fact, I did.” Fury placed his glass down and glanced at his watch “He was one of the founding members of SHIELD.”

Katie blinked and looked at Agent Romanoff who had appeared behind her

“What?” Tony sat up straight.

“I still don’t know why he never told us…” Katie looked at Tony as they watched their past selves bombarding Fury with questions which he deflected.

“Beats me…” Tony shrugged “But he was a man of many mysteries, as this proves…”

Katie’s eyes tracked Fury as he left before she turned back to look at herself, her brother and Agent Coulson.

“I’ve been authorised by Director Fury to use any means necessary to keep you on premises.” Coulson looked at Tony “If you attempt to leave or play any games, I will tase you and watch Supernanny while you drool into the carpet. Okay?””

“I think I got it, yeah.”

“Wait, do I need to stay here too? Katie looked at Coulson “Because just to warn you, I’ll likely end up killing him before any blood poisoning does.” “Err, I can hear you.” Tony glared at her

“Good”

Coulson shrugged “That’s up to you Miss Stark” he then turned to Tony “Enjoy your evening’s entertainment.” He nodded to the box as he left.

Katie let out a sigh and sank into a chair.

“You heard what he just said. You can go.” Tony looked at her. “Yeah, well, as much as I would love to jump on a plane and head to New York right now, I can’t leave you like this Tone.” Katie ran her hands over her face “What kind of sister would that make me?” Tony looked at her taking a deep breath before he glanced at the box again and grimaced. “Think I might burn that.” “Don’t.” Katie said gently.

“Why not? I don’t care much to see what dearest daddy left for us.” “For you.” Katie looked at him. “What he left for you…” “You know, that was the only reason I opened that damned box.” Tony said softly and Katie turned to look at him “Like I said, I didn’t care and I didn’t believe a word Fury was saying but you, that simple phrase, reminding me that he left it for me specifically spurred me to do it.”

“Without that you would have died.” Katie said gently

“I did.” He grinned, shrugging.

“I mean then” Katie glared at him “Man I was so angry at you when I found out the palladium was poisoning you and you hadn’t told me.”

“I didn’t want to worry you.” He shrugged, watching as their past selves both took a hold of a handle of the box each and picked it up “Looking back on it, now I realise I was doing that anyway with my erratic behaviour.”

“Are you getting it yet?” Natasha said gently and Katie looked at her “All these seemingly small decisions you made and these apparent innocuous little statements…they all formed something so much bigger than you could ever have dreamed of.”

Katie looked down at her feet and swallowed.

“It isn’t about being Supernova, or an Avenger, or a perfect human.” Tony smiled “It’s about being Katie Stark, the person you are.” “Yeah, hold that thought because this next memory we’re gonna visit…” Natasha smiled “This one was kind of a big decision…”

****

“So she’s worth a shot?” Fury lounged in his chair, looking at Natasha as she sat opposite him. The pair were sat in an abandoned warehouse that appeared to be serving as some kind of temporary housing facility for SHIELD. There were 3 large displays in front of them, all being projected from the same type of metal box Fury had left at the mansion, and nothing else in the room bar a desk and a few chairs.

“I believe so. But, the thing is, I don’t think you’ll get one without the other…and my assessment of Tony isn’t quite as favourable.”

“Then we’ll just have to pique her interest so to speak…” Fury shrugged.

Natasha frowned “New Mexico?” and Fury gave a little smirk, causing Nat to snort “Good luck with that.”

“You make your own luck.” Fury said simply “In the meantime, I have another assignment for you. I need you to trail Dr Banner. If this item in New Mexico is what we think, then things are starting to get a little…weird shall we say.”

Natasha nodded “I’ll get right on it” and with that she stood up, nodding to the files on the desk. “Let me know how you get on.” “When do I ever need to let you know anything?” Fury looked at her “You know more than me half the time.” Natasha laughed “Now we know that isn’t true, don’t we Nick?”

“You absolute shits!” Katie looked at Natasha, tearing her eyes from the past version of the red head who was leaving Fury’s office. “That whole thing with Thor’s hammer…it was a ruse to get me into SHIELD.”

Natasha shrugged.

“I always thought it was because of what I did in New Mexico that I got offered a position but it was you all along, not Coulson like I thought!”

Natasha smiled “Coulson stuck you on the radar, but it was my decision to put you forward. A decision I’m proud of and would make a hundred times over.” “It was a shit decision.” Tony sniffed “You knocked me back.”

“That was more of an ego check than anything.” Natasha shrugged “I think deep down Fury always knew the way it would go.” She looked back at Katie “You proved me, and Coulson for that matter, right with your actions in New Mexico. Showed the exact level of compassion, bravery and initiative that we expected.”

Katie blinked and shook her head “I was just a normal person.” “You were, are a Stark.” Nat said simply “And SHIELD was all the better for it. It was your dad’s legacy after all.”

The scene in front of them faded and then, in the same offices, Katie saw herself and Tony sat at a desk.

“Should you be looking at that?” Katie asked as she sat next to Tony who had picked up the manilla file which was emblazoned with the words “AVENGERS INIAITIVE PRELIMINARY REPORT. Before Tony could reply a hand pinned the report down and they both looked up at Fury who was leaning slightly over the desk.

“I don’t think I want you looking at that.” He levelled Tony with a look as he sat down opposite them at the other side of the desk. “I’m not sure it pertains to you anymore. Now this on the other hand…” he said, picking up another file off the desk “…is Agent Romanoff’s assessment of you. Read it.” He instructed, handing Tony the file.

“Errr….” Tony scanned the page “’Personality overview. Mr Stark displays compulsive behaviour…’”

Katie snorted and Tony looked at Fury “In my own defence that was last week”

Fury looked at him and Tony gave a small sigh and continued “’Prone to self-destructive tendencies.’ I was dying. I mean, please. Aren’t we all? ‘Textbook narcissism’?”

“Agreed.” Katie jumped in and Tony turned to look at her as she shrugged. He arched an eyebrow, holding her gaze for a moment before he looked back at the report.

“Okay, here it is. ‘Recruitment assessment for Avenger Initiative. Iron Man? Yes.’ I gotta think about it.”

“Read on.” Fury replied.

“ ‘Tony Stark not… Not recommended”? That doesn’t make any sense.” He dropped the file to the desk. “How can you approve me but not approve me?”

Katie’s eyes tracked Fury as he got up out of his chair with a heavy sigh as Tony continued.

“I got a new ticker. I’m trying to do right by Pepper. I’m in a stable-ish relationship.”

Fury perched on the edge of the desk by Katie and looked at Tony. “Which leads us to believe at this juncture we’d only like to use you as a consultant.”

Katie knew that despite her brother declaring he wanted nothing to do with this initiative, that was going to be a blow to his ego and sure enough, Tony simply took a breath, stood up and offered Fury his hand to shake. Fury obliged, and Tony clasped his other hand on top of Fury’s. “You can’t afford me.”

At that he turned to leave. Katie made to follow but Fury signalled for her to stay in her seat.

“Then again…” Tony turned back round “I will waive my customary retainer in exchange for a small favour. Rhodey and I are being honoured in Washington and we need a presenter.”

“I’ll see what I can do.” Fury said simply “Now, if you would be so kind, I’d like 5 minutes with your sister.”

Tony looked at Katie who nodded. “I’ll be in the car, Kiddo.”

Once he was gone, Fury turned to her “Miss Stark, like I said to you 6 months ago, SHIELD could use someone of your calibre.” Katie smiled and shook her head “I’m sorry Sir. I’m flattered, I really am but…” she took a deep breath “This, well it really isn’t for me.”

Fury sighed, “I thought you might say that. In that case, would you, perhaps, consider also joining us as a consultant?”

“Consulting on what?”

“You’re fairly knowledgeable on Mythology, am I right?” “I did a degree and had a few papers published.” She frowned “Why?”

“This pressing issue in the South West.” Fury said, walking to one of the screens and pressing a button. “I’d like your take on it.”

Katie’s eyes fell open as she glanced at a picture of a huge crater, and inside it looked like…

“No…no way.” She mumbled, standing up. “That’s…no, I mean…what the hell is that?”

“The official story is its part of a satellite.” Fury shrugged “Does it look like a satellite to you?”

“No, it looks like Mjolnir, the fabled hammer of Thor…” she said, before she scoffed, shaking her head “This is a plant. A fake, a hoax…” she looked at Fury “There has to be some kind of explanation.”

“Yes, you’re right.” Fury shrugged “But the thing is, when you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how utterly ludicrous, has to be the truth…and, well, we’re running out of impossible to eliminate”

Katie looked back at the photo, shaking her head “No, no way…” “Miss Stark, when I said I’d seen things you couldn’t even begin to imagine I meant it.” He looked at her, and Katie swallowed as she stared back at him. “Now. I’d very much like for you to take a look and confirm that I’m crazy.”

“Where is it?” she asked after a short pause.

“New Mexico, about 30 miles South of Santa Fe.” “There’s a professor I know, based in Seville” Katie looked at Fury “He’s an expert I consulted a few times over my degree. Elliot Randal his name is. It’s probably worth giving him a call.”

“I’ll get onto it.” Fury nodded “And as for you, well, I can have a jet ready to fly you out there within the hour.”

Katie glanced at the photo, everything inside of her was screaming that his was ridiculous, farfetched, down right ludicrous…but there was just that small part of her brain that was niggling. If it was what she thought it was, then she couldn’t pass up an opportunity to be part of the team that identified it. Imagine what that would mean for man-kind going forward.

She inhaled, letting the breath out of her nose before she gave Fury a curt nod. “Ok. I’ll go.” “Really?” Tony scoffed as Katie watched herself, shaking hands with Fury “It was that easy?”

“I was curious.” Katie shrugged. “And I’m glad I was. That decision to go to New Mexico…without it, I would never have joined SHIELD. Might never have met Steve….I’m guessing that’s what this little flashback is about?”

“Hmmm, possibly not but one thing is for sure, you wouldn’t have been the one sent to that Boxing Gym. And whether or not Steve has ever told you this, you were the reason he took that mission inadvertently.” “He would have done it anyway given the Tesseract…” “But he trusted you right from the start, and that swayed him.” Natasha pressed. “And then when you fought alongside him in Stuttgart, captured Loki, then the battle in New York...all of that just solidified the fact in his mind you were a good person. It might not have been love at first sight but he trusted you, confided in you. You worked side by side, grew close both in and out of work, and he fell in love with you. You understood him, could cope with his lifestyle because you lived it.”

Katie blinked as what Natasha was saying began to sink in. “So this…” she waved her hand “Me seeing this now, isn’t simply a reminder of me making a decision that in the end led to me becoming an Avenger. It’s about me making a decision that meant Steve and I made it.?”

Natasha nodded.

“Because we never would have done if I didn’t understand what SHIELD and the Avengers were about on a simple day-to-day basis.” Kate finished.

Natasha beamed, “You made it easy for him to love you and possible for him to envisage a future with you because you lived the life he was all about. Shared life experience, so to speak.”

“And all that stems from that simple decision to get on a plane to New Mexico because you were curious.” Tony smiled and Katie looked at him, once more the tears stinging her eyes “Actions have consequences Kiddo and nine times outta ten it’s the consequences we don’t ever dream of at the point of acting which are the ones that shape our lives.”

#stark spangled destiny #steve rogers x oc #steve rogers x original female character #steve rogers #katie stark #tony stark #natasha romanoff

[la5t-res0rt]

this was written several weeks ago in response to asks i was receiving i am posting it now it is very long the longest i have ever made and it is not very well edited but here it is in this final essay i talk about how shitty rae is about black people in her writing as well as just me talking about how her writing sucks in general lets begin

hello everyone 

as you may know i have received a lot of anons in the last week or so about issues of racism in the beetlejuice community both just generally speaking and also within specific spaces 

i was very frustrated to not be getting the answers i wanted because i typically do not talk about what i do not see but in an effort to be better about discourse i went looking through discourse from before my time in the fandom and i also received some receipts and information from my followers and from some friends

keep in mind that the voices and thoughts of bipoc are not only incredibly important at all times but in this circumstance it is important that if a bipoc has something to add you listen and learn and be better

i admit that when this happened i wasnt aware of the extent of what occurred and im angry at myself for not doing more at that time and i want to work harder to make sure something like this doesnt go unnoticed again

im a hesitant to talk about months old discourse because i have been criticized for bringing up quote old new unquote but this is very important and i am willing to face whatever comes from to me

lets talk about this

content from our local racist idiot that may be months old but its important

putting my thoughts under a cut to spare the dash but before i begin obviously this is awful

lets fucking unpack this folks

right out the gate op states that she supports artistic freedom but then within a couple words she goes against that statement

being entirely canon compliant isnt artistic freedom and even so if this person has so much respect for canon they wouldnt be out here erasing lydias obvious disgust for beetlejuice in the movie or ignoring lydias age for the sake of shipping that shit isnt canon either 

also we love the quick jab at the musical there hilarious we love it dont we because god forbid a licensed and successful branch on a media have any standing in this conversation but whatever

now lets scroll down and talk about the term racebending

the term racebending was coined around 2009 in response to the avatar the last airbender movie a film in which the east asian races of the characters were erased by casting white actors in the three leading roles of aang sokka and katara 

whenever the term racebending is used in a negative light it is almost always a case of whitewashing like casting scarlett johansen in ghost in the shell or the casting of white actors of the prince of persia sands of time instead of iranian ones

this kind of racebending erases minorities from beeing seen in media and is wrong

all that being said however racebending has also been noted to have very positive after effects like the 1997 adaptation of cinderella or casting samuel jackson as nick fury in the marvel movies nick fury was originally a white guy can you even imagine

i read this piece from an academic that said quote writers can change the race and cultural specificity of central characters or pull a secondary character of color from the margins transforming them into the central protagonist unquote

racebending like the kind that rae is so heated about is the kind of creative freedom that leads to more representation of bipoc in media which will never be a bad thing ever no matter how pissy you get about it

designing a version of a character as a poc isnt serving to make them necessarily better it serves to give new perspective and perhaps the opportunity to connect even more deeply with a character it doesnt marginalize or erase white people it can uplift poc and if you think uplifting poc is wrong because it tears down white people or whatever youre a fucking moron and you need to get out of your podunk white folk town and see the real world

the numbers of times a bipoc particularly a bipoc that is also lgbt+ has been represented in media are dwarfed by what i as a white dude have seen myself represented in media is and that isnt okay that isnt equality and its something that should change not only in mainstream media but in fandom spaces as well

lets move down a bit further to the part about bullying straight people which is hilarious and lets also talk about the term fetishistic as well lets start with that

this person literally writes explicit pornography of a minor and an adult are we really going to let someone like that dictate what is and what isnt fetishistic

similarly to doing a positive racebend situation people may project lgbt+ headcanons on a character because its part of who they are and it helps them feel closer to the character and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that

depicting lgbt+ subject matter on existing characters isnt an inherently fetishistic action generally things only really become fetishistic when the media is being crafted and hyped by people who are outside of lgbt+ community for example how young teens used to flip a tit about yaoi or how chasers fetishize trans people

but drawing a character with top surgery scars or headcanoning them as trans is harmless and its just another way to interpret a character literally anone could be trans unless if their character bio says theyre cis and most of them dont go that deep so it really is open to interpretation and on the whole most creators encourage this sort of exploration because it is a good thing to get healthy representation out in the world

as for it being used to bully straights thats just funny i dont have anything else on that like if youre straight and you feel threatened and bullied because of someone headcanoning someone as anything that isnt cishet youre a fucking idiot and a weak baby idiot at that like the real world must fucking suck for you because lgbt+ people are everywhere and statistically a big chunk of your favorite characters arent cishet sorry be mad about it

lets roll down a bit further about the big meat of the issue which was when several artists were drawing interpretations of lydia as a black girl which i loved but clearly this person didnt love it because they have a very narrow and very racist and problematic view of what it means to be a black person

and before i move forward i must reiderate that i am a white person and you should listen to the thoughts of poc people like @fright-of-their-lives​ or @gender-chaotic it is not my place to explain what the black experience is like and it certainly isnt this persons either

implying that the story of a black person isnt worth telling unless if the character faces struggles like racism and prejudice is downright moronic 

why use the word kissable to describe a black persons lips now thats what i call fetishistic and its to another extreme if youre talking about a black version of lydia on top of that

the author of this post says herself that shes white so clearly shes the person whos an authority on the black experience and what it means to be a black person right am i reading that right or am i having a fucking conniption

how about allowing black characters to exist without having to struggle why cant a black version of lydia just be a goth teenager with a ghost problem who likes photography and is also black like she doesnt have to move to a hick town and get abused by racist folks she doesnt have to go through any more shit than she already goes through and if you honestly think thats the only way to tell a black persons story you need to get your brain cleaned

you know nothing about the complexities about being a black person and i dont either but you know wh odo black people who are doing black versions of canon characters they fucking know 

lets squiggle down just a bit further 

so the writer has issues with giving characters traits like a broad nose or larger lips if theyre a woman but if theyre a man suddenly its totally okay to go all ryan murphy ahs coven papa legba appropriation when approaching character design like are you fucking stupid do you hear yourself is that really how you see black men like what the fuck is wrong with you

none of the shit youre spewing takes bravery it takes ignorance and supreme levels of stupidity

do you really think you with your fic where a black lgbt+ woman is tortured and abused where you use the n word with a hard r to refer to her like that shits not okay its fucking depraved and yeah we know you love being shitty but like christ on a bike thats so much 

can we also talk about this

what the fuck is this fetishistic bull roar garbage calling this black character beyonce dressing her up in quote fuck me heels unquote are you are you seriously gonna write this and say its a shining example of how to write a black character youre basically saying ope here she is shes a sex icon haha im so progressive and i clealry understand the black experience hahahaha fuck you oh my god

on top of that theres a point where this character is only referred to as curly hair or the fact that the n word is used in the fic with the hard r like thats hands down not okay for you to use especially not in a manner like this jesus christ

oop heres a little more a sampling for you of the hell i am enduring in reading this drivel

oh boy lets put a leash on the angry black woman character lets put her in a leash and have the man imply hes a master like are you kidding me are you for real and what the fuck is with calling her shit like j lo and beyonce do you actually think thats clever at all are you just thinking of any poc that comes into your head for this 

also lydia fucking tells this girl that she shouldnt have lost her temper like she got fucking leashed im so tired why is this writing so problematic and also so bad

hold up before i lose my head lets look at some of her own comments on the matter of this character and what happens to her

hi hello youre just casually tossing the word lynch out there in the wide open world as if thats not a problem that is still real like are you fucking unhinged there have been multiple cases of this exact thing happening in our firepit of a country in the last five months alone like how can you still have shit like this up for people to read how can you be proud of work like this in this climate

and also what the fuck is that last bit 

what the actual fuck

i dont speak for black people as a white person but you do!? im sorry i had to get my punctuation out for that because wow thats fucking asinine just because one black person read your fic and didnt find the torture and abuse of your one black character abhorrant doesnt mean that the vast majority of people not only in the fandom but in the human population with decency are going to think its okay because its not 

i started this post hoping to be level headed and professional but jesus fucking christ this woman is something else white nationalism is alive and well folks and its name is rae

if you defend this woman you defend some truly abhorrant raecism

editors notes 

in order to get some perspective on these issues more fully some of the writing by the author was examined and on the whole it was pretty unreadable but i want to just call back to the very beginning of this essay where the person in question talked about holding canon in high regard but then in their writing they just go around giving people magic and shit and ignoring the end of the movie entirely like are you canon compliant or nah 

the writing doesnt even read like beetlejuice fanfic it reads as self indulgent fiction you could easily change the names and its just a bad fanfic from 2007

also can we talk about writing the lesbian character as an angry man hater like its 2020 dude and als olets touch on that girl on girl pandering while beetlejuice is just there like here we go fetishizing again wee

i cant find a way to work this into this already massive post but

im going to throw up

okay so thats a lot we have covered a lot today and im sure my ask box will regret it but this definitely should have been more picked apart when it happened

please feel free to add more to this i would love more perspectives than just my own.

#long post #racism #raecism #im so tired #thanks for reading

[r-romanoff]

Photon Blasts & Spider Webs

Chapter: 2

Peter Parker x Male Reader

Masterlist

Chapter Summary:

September, 25, 2019

"I don't know what to do ned. I mean I don't want to lie to Y/N, I mean I don't wanna spy on him either but still you get the point." I turn to him for advice after fully explaining situation. "Peter this is something that Nick Fury asked of you personally-" "through Happy." I correct him; "None the less this is a big deal and think of it this way, if you to actually become really good friends it would be in your favor. It's a win win, for his mom Fury and you." Ned tries to point out the brightside for me the, me still feeling the same since the beginning of this conversation. "Dud his mom is freaking awesome, I met her while saving the world! Also all I'm saying is I don't want an energy Blasts to the face if he finds out even if it is just for a month." I inform Ned on an other one of the countless ways this can go wrong. "That is actually true." He kinda laughs back. "Dude it's not funny, I could die. Wow I never thought I would ever die at the hands of spying on an other teenager." I realise how strange that would be for me.

"Hey you guys coming or not you've been in the bathroom for a while and Mj, Betty, and I wanna head to the food court first." I hear Y/N's voice as he entered the rest rooms he was wearing a red converse, a worn pink jacket that looks like it could have belonged to a girl, and normal blue jeans. "Is that a girl jacket?" I turn to see ned speak the same question on my mind. Looking back to Y/N for a reaction to be met with slight giggling and an embarrassed smile. "It's um, my sister's" he answers Ned's question. "Hurry up I'm starving!" MJ's annoyed moan bounces of the bathroom walls from the entrance Ned and I rushing out not wanting to irritate her any more than we probably had for the last 7 minutes. "So, to the food court!" I announce stepping out of the bathroom, ned right behind me. "Ok actually. I'll meet you guys there I have to take this it's my mom, it's very important to me." Y/N starts walking away in the other direction immediately with a small sense of urgency. Without a second to ask what was going on he was gone, disappeared in the labyrinth which was the mall. "Wow I've never seen anyone that serious about a call from their mom before." Mj says before completely seeming to forget about it and beins to walk with Betty to the Food court Ned and I not straying far. "Do you think he talks to his mom often, considering her profession." Ned asks leading me to ponder. "I don't think so, I mean she's probably always busy. Also considering how her work tends to take her far I don't think the commune so often." I lay my thoughts out. "Are you two gonna keep talking about the new kid behind his back or are you gonna hurry up and get to the food court." Mj turns to sulk at us Betty also budding in. "Yeah you seem pretty interested in him for some reason, it's kinda wired don't you think. Also kinda rude talking about him like I didn't invite him." She continues to avoid walking into people on our way to get something to eat. "No not really, he's just an interesting person don't you think." I try to make it sound as normal as possible not wanting Mj to think I'm weird, nor Betty. "What does his mom do anyway, you were saying." Mj says keeping the topic going. Turning to Ned I shoot him an expression, basically saying I don't know what to say because well she's an intergalactic superhero. "She is a... Lieutenant in the air force" Ned quickly comes up with, I quickly high five him after. "That's pretty cool I mean kinda frightening but-" "I'm Getting Chinese." Mj interrupts Betty practically running into line as we finally made it to the area of scattered tables and groups of other teenagers. "I'm gonna get sea food, we can all find a table in a bit." Betty runs off her khaki plaid skirt swooshing behind her. "Pizza?" I turn to Ned being my last companion. "Combination." He answers both of us making out way down the court into line.

Eventually we all finished grabbing what we're gonna eat and made our way to a large circular table probably meant for a couple more people. Then again considering Mj bought half of the Chinese food in the entire mall was appropriate. "And that's why they are my favorite fictional eco goth bad of all time, but if I had to choose a real one It would be nirvana, or the killers, or the third blind eye. Probably, I don't know I listen to a lot of rock bands." Mj finishes, "Mine is Led Zeppelin." I answer, "No Doubt, is my absolute favorite." Betty shares as we finally begin digging into out food. "Panic at the disco." Ned gives his opinion on the matter. "Favorite musical?" Mj presents a new topic "Heathers is the best, however I like the movie better." I answer. "Hamilton or Phantom of the oprah probably." Mj shoots back. "Annie just because it's a classic." Ned reason's giving some sort of insight. "That's a tough one. Mean Girls, Chicago, or Wicked. Top three!" Betty exclaims "Wow Mj, your eating faster then Peter." Ned shifts the group's attention to the burnett who had just finished slurping down a bowl of chow mein. Accompanied by an empty bowl of rice and orange chicken.

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

This was supposed to be chapter 2 if anyone remembers me, if you want me to continue I will I have nothing else to do during quarantine, so I probably might idk.

Ps this hasn't been edited so if it's bad forgive me

Tag List (ask to be put on)

@klanceiscannon14 @wiitchy-wooo @multifandom-slytherin @jonnyjay2413 @lazerman217 @stuffdealwithit @sorceressandy @sunshadetrees @filthydeatheaters

#male reader #marvel #peter parker #peter parker x male reader #spiderman #bi spiderman

[goliath-de-senfina-sango]

Local Teens Break Into Highschool and Fight Slime Monster, Self Esteem Issues Galore, Worried Parents Scold Stubborn Hacker, Strange Tech Geek Has Epiphany

Flying with their hoverboards to the school was both insanely fun and much easier than Danny expected - once Sam and Tucker were drilled on how to fly them properly.   They landed on the roof, Danny slid them all into that space between spaces where the real was illusion and the unseeable was reality and they sank down into the school easily.  Slowing their descent with a tug on the dark strings of gravity, Danny dropped everyone back into their natural solid state and waited for Sam and Tucker to take a deep breath. "I'm wondering if I even need to breathe cause I didn't have a problem with air passing through my whole body instead of in and out of my lungs."

"Speculation later," Sam said with a hand over Danny's mouth.  "Let's go, alright? We need to find the security office, which should be this way."  The goth lead the group and Tucker pulled out the USB with the data they needed on it.

"Why do you know where that is, Sam?"

"C'mon, Tucker, you do after school stuff in theater, you know how boring it is to wait for clubs to start.  I just wandered around a bunch cause it's healthier than idling with some game."

"So you walked while playing a game?"

"Oh shut up," Sam rolled her eyes, nudging Tucker with her elbow.   Once they got to the security room door, Sam reached for her pocket before pausing and turning to Danny.   "I brought my lock pick for nothing when you can just walk us through the door."

"Why do you know how to pick locks?"  Danny examined the door and pressed his hand on it.  He could see the strings that wove together to make it, vibrations slow compared to the ones in the air.  Curious, Danny plucked one of the threads and watched as the door became as solid as air. Tucker and Sam walked right through but Danny could see the door settle back into its proper state after just a moment. Danny slid into that breathless darkness beyond the door entirely and walked into the room, dropping into corporeality's warmth to see Tucker's PDA jacked into the main computer and pulling up the details on the Fenton tech installed.

Tucker's foot was tapping as he examined the layout of the security system and frowned.  His fingers flew over the keyboard and the deeper he delved the less he liked. "Alright good news: I can get it done.  Bad news: gotta shut down the entire system for a whole five minutes to do it, and that's a pretty long time for it to be down in case something attacks us now."

"What are the odds of something attacking us right now, Tucker?"  The geek arched a disbelieving eye brow at Sam, who shrugged with a sigh.  "Point taken. How about this? I stay here with you and Danny patrols the halls for a ghost attacking?  He can sense them, so it shouldn't be a problem."

"Great as a point as that is, if I just close my eyes I can look around for a ghost right from here.  Do it Tuck, I'll know if anything comes for us." Tucker nodded and got to work on his update of the system, inserting the USB after a frustrating fumble with it.  Danny closed his eyes and looked around with more than his limited human senses. Electrical currents ran all over the school to keep the Air Conditioning running right, or as right as a high school could get it, and the power stored in the lasers hidden all over the school lit up like tiny lamps in the shadows surrounding them.  But then the computer went dark and Danny felt a tug in the back of his head, pulling him toward an empty spot in the world.

There, off to the side, Danny could see a gap, a void where the snapping threads of electricity and heat should've been.  He let that tingling emptiness build up in his center and spread outward, until it blanketed every atom of his being and the faint and distant chorus of Starsong echoed in the back of his mind.   "We've got company. I'll go and chat, see if we can get through a ghost encounter without fighting first."

"First time for everything Danny," Sam encouraged - or at least he thought she was trying to encourage him - and Danny followed a current he guided to the source of that blank spot, where light and heat and power collapsed inward.  When he got closer, Danny saw what looked to be an office and a few framed pictures of depressed teens with an overly perky ginger woman. He didn't have time to linger on that, though, because a green blob with arms and bright red eyes was staring at him.   Danny waved with a smile.

"Hi there."  The creature turned to stare at Danny and for a long moment, nothing happened.   Then a maw of razor sharp teeth was bared his way and a guttural, bestial snarl hit his ears and Danny had to move as fast as he could.  A clawed hand slashed at his side and Danny sucked in a hissed cry as the jumpsuit gave and his nicked skin was exposed. "Well fuck you too then."

Raising the wrist ray Danny caught the thing in the shoulder with a shot before it rolled out of the way and punched him in the gut, waves of pain spreading out as the fucking stretchy arm pulled back.   Grabbing onto that rubbery green goo, Danny jabbed at the creature's center when he was yanked close enough. Unfortunately it opened up a hole in itself and Danny's fist sailed through that hole harmlessly.  His arm was trapped in goop and the blob roared in his face, encompassing Danny's body and lunging into a wall, slamming Danny against it and ringing his head like a gong.

While Danny tried to get his bearings within the slime monster he felt it turn and something inside of him rang out in horror.   He looked, past the monster and walls, and saw it looking in Sam and Tucker's direction. A bubbling fury boiled in Danny's chest when the blob started moving toward them, and the ghost boy reached inside of himself past the shows and whispering dark void, reaching for the light that filled the shadows and pulled it into himself and let it build and build up until every inch of his body shone like a star.  Bright green and silver light poured out of Danny from every molecule of his body, sending the goo monster in every direction to splatter on the floor, walls, and ceiling.

Danny hovered there for a moment, taking deep superfluous breaths and pulling the strands of crackling pale light to his fingertips.  Silver gave way to green and shined through his glove and Danny stared at it in awe. "Holy shit!" A fist collided with his face, knocking Danny into a chair.   He groaned and raised a hand, cold light gathering until it burned brighter than a torch and flew from his palm to turn a chunk of the monster's arm into green vapor.  "Back the fuck off flubber, I'm packing heat!"

Blank red eyes narrowed at him and Danny rose to his feet with his fists in front of his face, glowing green with wisps of white at the edges like smoke.   The monster snarled at him, countless predatory roars and howls layered upon each other in a headache-inducing din before flinging itself back through the wall behind it and quickly leaving Danny's sight.  Danny moved to chase after the thing and found that his body didn’t agree with that idea. “Fuck.” Great, ok, pain.  No more talking, though the world shall mourn my silence.  Danny flew slowly back to his friends, on the alert for the blob of ectoplasm, and flopped onto Sam’s back when he got into the security room.   Sam started and aimed her wrist ray at him before seeing that it was just him.

“Gods, I hate you sometimes.  Are you ok? You would’ve laughed by now if you were.”  Sam looked down and watched Danny’s hands moving, and frowned.  “A blob did this to you?” It was a smart blob.  “That says something about you, genius boy.”  Dig the knife in why don’t you?  “Left it at home.  Tucker, how’s the program going?”

“One full minute left.”  Tucker spun around in his chair, Wrist Ray™ whirring up and ready to fire.  “So a sentient blob monster was hangin out in an office at school. Wonderful.  What next, Cthulu decides to take a nap in Lake Eyre and we have to go and deal with him?”

Don’t tempt fate, Tucker, Danny signed.  We might actually have to deal with that after what we’ve done to those ectopi.

“That is both an exciting and depressing thought.  How are we gonna deal with Cthulu?” To answer Sam’s question, Danny stood up and pulled a bit of heat and light to his hand, and it glowed brighter and brighter until a ball of ectoplasm burned in the palm of his gloved hand.  “I’m not trying to be as blind as Tucker, Danny, please put that away. Thank you. That as fucking awesome! What, you can shoot plasma out of your hands now?”

There is a tiny portal to the Ethereal Realm in the center of my ghost, where my consciousness is stored, and I can pull extra ectoplasm out of it to burn and attack with apparently.  Danny tilted his head and added, I think that’s how our more effective weapons work.  Dad only made so many rifles so far.

“You know what?  Good. I’m glad he didn’t make too many of those,” Sam said with a shudder.  “Imagine him selling that technology to the military so that they’d be armed against ghosts.  I don’t wanna know what would happen if we had that kind of power enmass.”

Before uncomfortable truths about their home could be brought up further, the computer screens all lit up and Tucker spun around to check on them.  “Looks like everything is set up, and Danny can come back to school. Makes it a lot less lonely for us.” Tucker stood up and stretched. “The robotics club just can’t keep up with me sometimes.”

Awesome.  Can we go now?  I think I can fix myself up back at home, I have a first aid kit in my workshop.

“Wait, you have your own workshop?”  Tucker lunged at Danny, who hissed and slipped around his fingers to hover out of reach.  “Sorry. But for real, you have a workshop? Since when? Why have I not known about this?”  Danny shook his head and chuckled, then clutched as his chest in throbbing pain. I better not have to take off my binder for this, or I’m gonna shake the thermos when I catch that thing.  Reaching up to touch the ceiling, Danny grabbed onto the thread of energy running through the concrete and tried to pull it into him.  The line of electricity snapped at his fingers and zapped him to the floor, bringing a keening whine from his throat as the pain radiated all over his body and the hand that had reached out looked to be glitching out, morphing into a dark swirling mass of cold.

Past the ringing in his head and blood - ectoplasm? - rushing through his ears, Danny could feel himself being lifted up and carried out of the room.  He did his best to make that easier, unweaving the shadowy tendrils of gravity pulling on his body, and soon it was just Tucker’s familiar and warm hands holding him up like a balloon.  While Sam was working on the lock between barely opened doors so they could get out the old fashioned way, Danny pulled those lingering shadows back together until they were his hand again.  But then his other hand glitched and he groaned in frustration. Looking all around, Danny sucked in a sharp breath and reached down to tap Tucker’s Wrist Ray™, which had the other boy whirling around with it aimed.

Tucker fired off a ray at the ghost, who snarled at him for burning off an arm, and swiped out a claw at Tucker.  Danny pulled on the power inside of him and pushed it out of his still stable hand, building a wall of green around them that the claw smashed into, shattering it and causing Danny’s legs to dissolve.  Tucker fired off another shot that pushed the blob back and shouted. “¡Tíranos hasta el techo!” Danny sucked in a sharp breath and concentrated. His lower half was dissolved into a nebulous cloud of shadows beneath him but he had both hands, and now he was grabbing up Sam and Tucker in his arms and pulling them through the door and up.  He dropped back into solid space and saw Tucker and Sam calling their boards to them, and when he felt Tucker solidly on stable ground, Danny’s vision went dark, and the last thing he saw was the light of his transformation and Tucker’s chest in his face.

Unraveled and broken down and broken free into yet another star among the endless diamond sky. He can see it, the threads connecting every constellation. Chamaeleon calls to him, and he can see the kaleidoscope of flames weaving between the stars, crackling and vibrating in harmony to sing the most beauteous song. Just beyond it, he faintly sees the tangle of verdant greens that wove themselves with shadows into his friend. And she was not beyond the stars but before them, before him, and she was calling out to him and that was right, he was needed on the ground. He can reach out and dance among the stars another time, he knows they will be there for him, as they have always been there for him. It takes an eon, but mere seconds too, for Danny to remember how he is supposed to fit into the small confines of his body. He holds up his hand, turns it this way and that. Is this his? How has he ever considered himself something so… so small, so simple and well-defined?

“Danny? Danny, can you hear me?” He turned to Sam’s voice and reached a hand out, gently gripping her shoulder and nodding with a small smile. “Thank gods! Danny, are you ok? Can you speak?”

Danny tugged gently on that care concern help love that came through his bond to Sam and guided it to his jaw and chin. Letting out a sigh and snapping back to reality he nodded again. “Fornax, Sam that hurt. What happened? I passed out after Tucker got his board under him.”

“That blob thing attacked us while I was picking the lock, and Tucker got you to pull us out so we could get to our boards. Once you blacked out - bleeding, by the way, your head had been busted open - Tucker and I shot the thing until it left. When we got here, I started working on you while Tucker worked up a convincing lie to tell your parents.” She pointed at the door. “He’s right outside, but that’s as close as he can get without having a breakdown.” Danny nodded and slowly got to his feet. “You know that’s a dumb idea, right?”

“Isn’t that like, my middle name?” Danny chuckled. “I need to make sure Tucker is alright. And uh, Sam? Where’s my-” Sam handed over his binder and Danny smiled, slipping it into that in-between space and letting it solidify around him.  

“Thankfully you don’t have a broken rib or that might just make it worse.” That was true. Danny easily could’ve been making his wounds worse with the constricting force on his ribs. Glancing down at himself, Danny tried to look just sideways of the world like he did when looking for ghosts, but when he did all he saw was his phantom jumpsuit. Huffing a breath he shook his head. 

“I don’t feel like my chest is hurting much so I should be good.” Danny walked out of the door and saw Tucker sitting next to it. "Tucker, bro, thanks for saving my ass back there. Heard you did a great job flying, keeping me on the board And shooting the evil blob monster."

Tucker snorted, setting down his PDA. "That's cause I'm TF for Too Fine at a lot of things.  Coulda done better by programming a remote activation for the security and lighting the thing up with it though."

"Surf lessons and videogames can't help you prophesy the future, Tuck." Tucker scoffed, shaking his head.

"No, my inherent genius does that. Calculating the odds."

Danny cocked a brow at him, unseen since Tucker was staring at a wall. "Oh, a gambler I see. Did the loot crates get to you? Do you need an intervention? Is it like the coffee thing?" Danny put his hand on Tucker’s shoulder, gently squeezing as he spoke.

Tucker finally looked at Danny, expression and tone flat. “You literally learned how to make the highest caffeine content cold brew coffee possible and drink it daily, there is no room for argument there Danny."

"I remember you helping him, Tucker." Sam sat next to the geek and nudged his arm

“Your point is?"

"You might be addicted to gambling and caffeine but we definitely can help Tuck." Danny and Tucker laughed, Sam and Danny wrapping their arms around Tucker’s shoulders in a group hug that was only somewhat awkward.

"Seriously though, Tucker, you did perfectly fine. I dunno how you manage to do all of what you do."

"It's how I'm gonna kick your ass in videogames one day."

Danny smirked. “I'll record it."

"I will destroy you, both of you know that." Sam turned her head up, looking all the world like the quern of destruction they knew she could be.

“We will conquer! Right, Tuck?"

"Yeah!" The boys pumped their fists in the air and all three of them broke down into a fit of laughter. They disentangled and got up, Danny wincing at the aches exasperated by sitting like that.

“Alright guys, let’s head to sleep and then like, tell Danny’s parents we beat Skulker and that’s why he’s all roughed up?” Everyone agreed with Sam’s idea - they usually did - and headed up to Danny’s room to pass out for several hours.

Shadows illuminated from within by starlight collected over countless eons swirl like smoke around him, letting him see the stars themselves weave together into beautiful shapes and beings just on the edge of imaginable. He can feel it, past the cold shadows in his mind, the fire in his soul that he can pull out, weave it with his shadows to make something new if only he knew how. If only he dipped his brush into that well of fire and plasma and life within him and painted the empty air with it. He can, he just needs to move his fingers, the small heavy things they are.

“Danny, honey! Breakfast is ready!” Danny felt himself groan at the sound of his mother’s voice and buried his head further into someone’s arm. The air shifted, the door open, and Mom gasped. “Danny! Oh Danny, what happened?” Right, he’d forgotten he had a few bruises left by that blob. It’s too early to remember things though. The concern worry fear pinging in his head was enough to drag Danny to full consciousness and address the mounting panic his mother was diving into. 

“Good news is: I can go to school again. Bad news is: I can go to school again.” Danny propped his elbow on Sam’s side as his friends got up. “But uh, we turned the ghost to goop. I’m mostly fine. Only sting a little.” Danny groaned as he was shoved by Sam into Tucker who fell off the bed with his hand clasped around Danny’s shoulder. “What’s for breakfast?”

It turned out they were having waffles, eggs, and fruit salad for breakfast. Danny ate like there was no tomorrow, Tucker doing much the same while Sam went at s civilized pace. Must be years of being in a ‘proper’ home. Cutting out Danny’s powers they regaled how they beat Skulker and Danny held up the thermos full of ectoplasm they removed from the zoo. “So we’re safe now.”

“I expect you to contact me and your father next time you do something so dangerous, young man!” Danny could see the blue bleeding through the yellow in her aura and nodded dutifully. Mom relaxed into her seat and sighed. “I’m proud of you for taking down your first ghost though!”

“Thanks, Mom. He was a pain in the Apus.” A spark of yellow that had him grinning. “It’s a constellation o-”

“Trust me, Danny, I know.” Mom kissed his head and Danny rambled away about the constellation anyway. “I’ll let the principal know that the ghost is dealt with. You three eat up and do whatever it is you kids do after fighting an evil monster.” Mom walked away and Danny looked over at his friends.

“What do we do once we beat a bad guy?” Other than worry about the next one. I’m almost starting to think Agatha is a rarity. “Cause I kinda wanna try beating Sam in something.”

“You poor naive boy, you think you can actually win.” Sam shook her head and patted Danny on his shoulder. “One day you’ll learn.”

“That day is not today!” Tucker shouted around his eggs. “To victory!”

“I’m painting something on the loser’s back, just so you know.” Danny waved his fork menacingly. “If you squirm from being tickled by the brush then I will have to start over.” The three of them laughed, finished up their breakfasts, and headed to the living room to start up a star finder videogame for Tucker to try and beat Sam in. Tucker lost and Danny tortured him with the cool ticklish strokes of his paintbrush while he put down a painting of a toucan on his side.

“As fun as kicking your butt has been, I think I’m gonna take off,” Sam said as she collected her helmet and new magnetized boots. They did just as much damage as her old combat boots, but these let her stick to her hoverboard. “And I swear if you make that a pun, Danny Fenton-”

“Take off into the sky and make sure not to crash land!” Danny was knocked back by his jacket being thrown at his face and Tucker wheezed out a laugh next to him. The door closed and Danny pounced, pinning Tucker to the floor. “And so the jester took down the friar, twas hardly a fight.”

Tucker pushed Danny up and off of him, rolling over to sit on his friend and crossing his arms. “I am triumphant and rose to the position of king! As such, I’m gonna see if I can crack that idiot’s code. Mind if I use your little workshop?”

“As long as you don’t try to leave through the portal to the moon, it’s perfectly cool dude. Best of luck with the metal head.” Danny squirmed free and headed up the stairs. “I just realized I can paint over those glow in the dark stickers on my ceiling now!”

Tucker shook his head and headed upstairs as well. He grabbed his stuff, got on his board, and flew home with a quick text to his parents to explain that he’d been at Danny’s house again. Tucker shook his head and headed upstairs as well. He grabbed his stuff, got on his board, and flew home with a quick text to his parents to explain that he’d been at Danny’s house again.  Once Tucker reached his house, touching down in his backyard and pulling the hoverboard into the garage to idle, he headed upstairs immediately to grab Skulker's head. When he got to the ladder that leads up to his trapdoor, Tucker was met with his parents and upset faces. "Uh, hi?"

"Young man, why were you out all night without telling us first?  That dangerous... ghost thing is still out there, hunting you and your friends.  Your leg has only barely gotten any better!" Wow, Tucker definitely needed that reminder of the dull throbbing ache that the Advil was masking just well enough for him to ignore on the way here.  Moms were the best at unwanted reminders, Tucker was beginning to think. "You could have gotten hurt!"

"Well, would it make you feel better to know that I am 100% sure that Skulker isn't a problem anymore?"

"If you could give us proof of that, maybe."  Dad frowned. "That doesn't excuse not telling us that you were staying the night with Danny.  We were worried sick."

"If you let me up into my room I can show you that proof."  They conceded and let Tucker climb his ladder, following up immediately after.  "I've spent like half my nights at Danny's place anyway." Tucker rushed over to his closet and pulled the helmet to Skulker's suit out of the pile of clothes he'd been hiding it under.

"That's no excuse young ma- Tucker what in god's name is that?"  I've never seen Dad so close to cussing in front of me before.  This is a true milestone.

"Tucker Malik Foley is that the head of the robot ghost that shot at the targets in the backyard?"  His mom didn't sound very thrilled, and Tucker could admit that he should've seen that coming but he needed the head anyways.

"I told you that the Fentons have great hologram technology and you saw that I have Sharon back, right?  See, the hoverboard, some holograms and the kind of backdoor that opens up when you put someone else's things into your own stuff lead to us taking Skulker down.  He's back on the other side where he belongs. And I thought 'hey, I could shut it down and eject him through my PDA, what can I figure out with my laptop' and I can see that you're not happy with the idea, which makes sense, but if I can figure out how Skulker's armor works then not only could I make something insanely effective at deterring ghosts from attacking us, but I'd also be able to make something that I can sell!  And just imagine what kind of things we can get if I made money off of this." His parents had one of those silent conversations people had with looks and Tucker scrambled for something to add, something that would stop them from taking this away from him when he was on the edge of a breakthrough. "I'm close to breaking down all the firewalls, I know I am. I made an entire cybersecurity system for Dad's job, I think I can manage to crack a firewall."

"And how," Dad asked, "are we to know that you're doing this safely?  You might trigger some sort of self destruct in the thing if you do this."  Mom gave Dad a look, and Tucker almost snorted. "What? Angela this is like we stepped into a sci-fi world and I have no clue what to expect, so why wouldn't an evil ghost have a self destruct inside the robot suit it was possessing?"

"Valid enough concern, Dad, but I already disabled that and I uh, I'll do it at Fentonworks.  They have all kinds of stuff for volatile experiments there. If something is about to blow, I'll get behind a blast shield and be as safe as possible."  Another long moment of silent deliberation and his Mom sighed.

"Alright, we'll allow it.  But if you at all get hurt then all of the suit that I know you're trying to hide from us is going to the dump, you understand me mr.?"  Tucker put the head on his bed, launched himself at his parents, and hugged them both tight. "This doesn't excuse you getting into a fight with a ghost young man."  They were both hugging back, so Tucker laughed it off.  That was a discussion for later.

Before his parents could make it a discussion for then and there, Tucker grabbed the head, slid down his ladder, and got to his board as quickly as he could.  Taking to the skies, Tucker zoomed straight for Danny's workshop building instead of going through the Fenton's house. Opening the door, he rode the board in and blinked a couple of times as he looked around, getting a better chance to take it all in.  "So this is where he does all of that art.  It looks like Dr. Fenton put every painting or doodle Danny's ever done on the walls in here."  There were very few empty spaces on the walls of the very first room, easels and framed paintings and even first-grade doodles that Tucker recognized were hung all around the room.  Dismounting the board, Tucker headed down the stairs and plopped himself in Danny's wheely chair, spinning around a couple of times before setting down Skulker's head and opening a drawer.  "Danny and I are gonna discuss him moving my stuff when I leave it here."

With Skulker’s helmet on the table and connected to his laptop, the room was full of the hum and buzz of electricity, the clacking of his fingers on the keys and Tucker lost track of time.  Sure, he’d managed to shut it down and open up the thing to force Skulker out of the chest but those were the easiest things for him to access even with a backdoor. “There’s no way someone like Skulker could’ve made something with this much protection. I usually have something like this dealt within two days tops.” He hit enter once more, running his firewall crack and leaned back. “There’s gotta be something useful in all of this.”

Ding! Humming, whirring, buzzing, the head came to life with emerald flame and something clicked. Tucker saw the programs pop up on his screen, the programs, the blueprints, and weapon schematics, and the code sang to him, how to do what Skulker did with just a bit of energized ectoplasm!  Music filled his ears, his soul, his fingers. His human mouth could not sing the melodies, but metal could and metal would. 

"The world is just vibrating strings, you just gotta know how to play the universe's song."  Tucker took special note of one piece in particular. “Intangibility modulater huh? Thank you Hunter Grovsner, you’re so pathetically weak of a ghost your suit has to compensate.  Now then,” Tucker thinks, thinks of all the things he could do with something like that, thinks of how to best make it convenient, and he starts designing, letting the music of the universe guide him, “let’s get to work.”

#Danny Phantom #Danny Fenton #Sam Manson #Tucker Foley #Bertrand #Maddie Fenton #Angel Foley #Maurice Foley #Fanfiction #Phanfiction #fanPhiction #PhanPhiction #Fanphic #fanfic #Phanfic #PhanPhic #Monstrous Chosen Spellslingers #MCS #Rexy Writes

[fly-pow-bye]

Powerpuff Girls 2016 - “Bucketboy!”

Written by: Haley Mancini

Written & Storyboarded by: Benjamin P. Carow, Caitlin Vanarsdale

Directed by: Nick Jennings, Bob Boyle

Oh, bucket.

The episode begins with Barry serving up some bakery items from his own recipes, one of the traits he managed to keep between Can't Buy Love and this episode. Unfortunately, that appeared to be his only trait!

Mayor: I'm a-twitter for these fritters!

Barry: Thanks, whoever you are!

This is as close as we get to Barry's potential "beware the Illuminati" character, as he would be the person most likely to see the Mayor as a body double. More likely than not, and judging by how this character acts in the rest of the episode, this is just a "Barry is silly" joke.

Suddenly, a monster named Gothra shows up to grab that silly boy. The Powerpuff Girls just as suddenly show up to tell him to stop bugging their friend. Before he could even tell his side of the story, unless he's one of those mythical non-talking animals, these bug-eyed freaks rush in to swat this bug-eyed giant bug out of the sky. I wince for the inevitable scene that seems to follow such scenes...

But, in a surprise twist, we actually do get a psychedelic slideshow beatdown! A punch in the face, a kick in the eye, and then a rotating image of Gothra zooming across a shot of Townsville. They must have been playing some more of those overly violent robot fighting games; it's far from their usual "stay in one place and/or assume he's a good monster" strategy. This fight must turn out to be a bad thing.

Well, kind of. Not that grateful about being saved, Barry sadly states that he wants to be a hero just like the Powerpuff Girls, and not just the useless Barry that can't even protect his gingerbread cookies. They give him a similar speech to the one they gave Bubbles in Memory Lane of Pain, except this is a lot more deserved, as Barry is just an ordinary boy. An ordinary boy with a Korean ninja mom, but they do not really talk about that anymore.

They let Barry go, thinking that their message about how he could be a "Super Barry" will not go misinterpreted. The next day at the cafeteria, Barry barges through the doors with a new identity, something he desperately needed.

Indeed, he took the identity of Quailman from Doug, complete with him wearing his underwear over his one-piece suit, and a towel for a cape! No, it's just SuperBarry. It's a wonder why he decided to wear a mask if he's just going to use his real name anyway. As he makes a feeble attempt to cartwheel across the room only to fall flat on his face, the Puffs realize calling him Super Barry was not a good idea.

Blossom tries immediately to talk some sense into him, but there's already danger a foot. Yeah, that's not as catchy as "there's evil a-foot".

It's a generic bully wanting to get his generic lunch money from a generic wimpy kid who may or may not have a generic diary. This bully kind of looks like a Ren & Stimpy character, and it's a missed opportunity that he doesn't get any exaggerated reaction shots. Left with no choice, he decides to use his superpower: his fists of fury! Clearly, with the help of his Korean ninja mom, this has to be some impressive Taekwondo!

Yeah, more like Taekwandon't. As Barry aimlessly wanders around the cafeteria circling his arms, the Powerpuff Girls show up and stare at the bully angrily, their pupils filled with fire, and that alone causes the bully to run away crying. I wouldn't blame him; he couldn't have possibly known to throw crayons at them.

The kid getting bullied opens his eyes and sees Barry in his superhero costume, and assumes he was the one who "scared him away". Everyone then joins in with his cheering. Buttercup isn’t too pleased, though she does awkwardly say that even her heart melted a little when she saw that he was happy "and crud".

However, Blossom assures her that no harm could possibly be done if Barry thinks he’s a superhero. Sure, he might think he could fly, but that never seems to cross her mind. After all, sometimes humans just fly in this universe, just ask Princess. They get a call from the Mayor that a monster is attacking the city, and not just any monster.

Once again, we see the creative genius of the monster designs. After we saw a goth Mothra, we get a giant sentient garbage can that does the Can Can. Well, I can't say this garbage can is not in an appropriate show. Honestly, monsters like these make me wonder about their origin stories. Maybe Barry threw some uranium into a trash can. Wouldn't be the first time that ended up making a monster.

Before Buttercup can dent this vile beast, they hear a familiar call from the brand new superhero they accidentally made. SuperBarry tries to use his trademark Fists of Fury again, but the Can Can Man kicks his building before he could even attempt to do any contact.

Barry isn't too happy that crime fighting was so much easier with the bully than with a giant monster. Bubbles tries to calm him down by saying that he still makes great pies. Oh yeah, there's a running "joke" where Bubbles is eating pies that have been dropped on the ground from the first scene. The joke is that Bubbles is so silly, eating those rotten pies.

Blossom also tries to comfort Barry by saying what they really meant. They really didn't mean that he could be a superhero like they are. However, that hurts his feelings, which tugs at one of the Powerpuff Girls' hearts too much. Specifically...

...Buttercup's? So now Blossom’s the one that doesn’t want him to be a superhero, and Buttercup's the one that wants him to be one? This total change of character comes out of nowhere, especially since Buttercup's usually the one to put people down. Well, I guess there's one reason, and I'll get to that later.

While the Powerpuff Girls can't exactly transfer their powers by letting him eat a strand of their hair, hey, you can't prove that can't happen, Buttercup has one idea.

She puts a bucket on his head, covering his eyes. She then puts him right in front of a garbage can. See, there’s a reason why this villain had to be a garbage can: so Barry can punch a regular-sized non-dancing garbage can and believe he’s actually punching the giant one. How convenient! They then go and defeat the monster off-screen. I would assume this giant garbage can was too powerful for them to not use the "off-camera power boost".

The monster defeated, SuperBarry raises his hands in victory. I guess nobody in Townsville was watching anything but the aftermath, as they all believe this guy who was punching this garbage can defeated the terrible Can Can Man. He’s renamed Bucketboy by the citizens of Townsville, and he just rolls with it. It's heavily implied he can't get that bucket off with his fists of fury, but that doesn't stop him from continuing his pretend crimefighting.

We then see various scenes featuring our new favorite superhero fighting crime with his Bart Simpson-inspired fighting style, while the Powerpuff Girls help him out every way they can. It comes with a song that pretty much spells out the inner psyche we see later, about how he fights crime by himself. Sure, anyone could possibly see that the Powerpuff Girls are doing all the work, but as later episodes would prove, and even original episodes have proven, the people of Townsville are not too bright.

As an aside, is there even any reason why Barry has to be the superhero? They never really tie in the conspiracy theory or the baker aspect of his character to this hero, so this kid could have been any of the muggles. It could have been Jennifray, or Maylyn, or Jared Sh...okay, Barry was the perfect choice.

Speaking of perfect choice, Barry is busy signing autographs. I will admit, there is a joke that's actually funny here. A small one, but one that made me chuckle nonetheless. Not making anyone chuckle is seeing the Powerpuff Girls tired from all of that helping. One of them seems to have a slightly different outlook on this.

Yeah, I think they're trying to make ButterBarry a thing. Yes, because they had so much chemistry before! I guess they just decided that since they happened to share the same voice actress, they might as well make them love each other for this one time and, as far as I can tell, only time.

At least this subplot never becomes "Blossom sure loves that Jared" blatant or creepy, and that shouldn't even be an accomplishment. I mean, it's pretty much just because Barry never does anything on the level of "trying to kiss Bubbles on the lips as a final joke". Yes, that happened.

Speaking of Bubbles, while she's also too tired, she has another reason to spill the beans to Barry: he hasn't been making those pies, and she's still eating that one pie from weeks ago. Despite making her want to vomit, she still says it's good. Oh, that Bubbles! But wait, if those pies were so good, how come she ate it so slowly? I can't believe there's a flaw in that running joke!

They go up and confront Bucketboy, and tell them the truth. While it looks like he's just about to realize the error of his ways, they decide to completely meet our expectations, because he's now the jerk of the episode. He just thinks they're jealous of how high and mighty he is. To prove his super-heroism, he's going to do the one thing the Powerpuff Girls could never do!

We jump to Discount Jojo's lair, as he built this "build-your-own-robot" that can destroy Townsville. All he needs is a disposable brain. Okay, Discount Jojo, give in yours. You’re the one who needed that cork fork. Thankfully for him, an equally disposable brain shows up at Jojo's doorstep, as Bucketboy decided the one thing the Powerpuff Girls never did was send Discount Jojo to his doom. I'm guessing it's the most TV-Y7 way of saying he's going to kill him.

Thankfully, he never really goes anywhere with that plan, and Jojo decides this brain will do! Wait, is he going to actually cut his head open? Wow, that's actually kind of dark! Sure, Barry did have a lot of potential, but it's clear that they weren't going to do anything with it.

Nah, he’s just going to stick that body into the head part of the robot. Thankfully, it happens to be a bot that can use Bucketboy's unique fighting style. Wow, what a coincidence! I think what they tried to go with was that Barry was full of rage because his friends didn't believe he could be a superhero, but that never really comes through. For all we know, he's just brainwashed in there.

Why would Jojo even need that disposable brain aside from plot convenience? Funnily enough, there's an answer to that! As this bot is controlled by another person's brain, he can now spend his free time doing what he loves best: online shopping! We never quite figure out what he's shopping for, but the way he says "online shopping" suggests something feminine.

Speaking of feminine, the Powerpuff Girls show up to stop this menace, only to see that Barry is inside the robot! At least there's more of a point to the Monster Punch, Girls Down, as they don't want to fight this robot.The big hang-up is that Buttercup really doesn't want to hurt Barry, and neither do the other two! I mean, Barry is their friend, supposedly! It seems that the only solution is to convince Barry to not destroy the city and realize what he's really good at, possibly with an emotional plea.

Or, they can just tear off both of the robot's arms, and just grab Barry out of there. Potential difficulty averted! Of course, Buttercup is teary eyed after saving that hunk of a man.

Buttercup: Keep it together, Buttercup!

Oh, we get it already! The robot lands on Discount Jojo, but don't worry, Jojo says "I'm okay". The robot then explodes. I guess there's some comedic timing there.

Back at the Powerpuff Girls' home, Barry reveals that this whole ordeal made him realize that he could be a superhero just by baking pies. Everything turned out okay. Even Bubbles gets her happy ending by getting that fresh pie she desperately wanted. However, she felt that something was missing.

It needed some dirt. Well, at least the Bubbles rotten pie gag has a payoff. I'm sure everyone is pleased to hear that.

Does the title fit?

It's another “name of the character” episode title, though that additional exclamation point helps a little.

How does it stack up?

This episode could have went in directions that would have made it really annoying, or we could have had a good Don Quixote type of story with a fleshed out character to love and/or hate. They decided to do neither option and played it extremely safe. This is sort of a problem in itself, because this episode ended up being boring.

This episode has a similar problem to Brain Freeze, in that it is mainly one joke over and over again, and it's not funny. It's a little better, but not better enough to avoid the same rating.

Next, a brand new villain!

← Lights Out! ☆ The Fog →

#fpb ppg 2016 #fpb reviews #powerpuff girls #ppg 2016 #cartoon network

[takaraphoenix]

Riiight, so I’m on season 2 episode 11 of X-Men: Evolution right now and I have some more thoughts (it’s been a while since I checked in, so let’s get caught up):

Mystique being Kurt’s mom being revealed and then essentially... shelved. How about some digging? Or more attempts on Mystique’s side to get her son to join her? Also. Questions about his dad. He should have them. And if I were Kurt, I would 100% suspect Hank McCoy to be my dad - fuzzy blue and all...

Alex Summers. I... somehow don’t have a lot of opinions on him. But seeing him seriously makes me wanna rewatch X-Men: First Class.

So. Fucking. Many. New. Characters. Still waiting for most of them to actually get a proper introduction though.

Magma: Interesting. Got only one episode so far though so not too much to say. But I love elemental powers and she seems really powerful.

Jubilee: ...Has bad ideas. So far, not impressed.

Boom Boom: What the actual fuckery. “Hey, I can live in a pretty villa where I get free food and training but let’s move into the crappy place with the villains because... reasons”...??

Multiple Man: ...Boy, right? The kid is a kid. He’s adorable though.

Hank McCoy: So different from the prequel trilogy. So disorienting.

Angel: Gets as much character and stuff to do as he does in the third movie...? Also known as: Nothing at all. Hope he reappears soon so we get something more than the movies did...

Sooo Rogue gets a hot goth girlfriend and I start shipping them, just for them to reveal her to be Mystique? Oh, come the fuck ooon.

STORM ORIGIN STORY. I AM SO HERE FOR STORM ORIGIN STORY. Seeing her so uncomposed and vulnerable was absolutely stunning, considering she always seems to be the... most put-together of them all.

I really like Lance and I need him to become one of the good guys. I hate that Scott and everyone had to go full suspicious asshole on him when he was ready to try and be a good guy. He was trying really hard and he was doing so well and urgh.

I am really tempted to pretend that Bayville Sirens episode just didn‘t happen. The whole thing felt like it was on drugs. With the pseudo partial musical elements of them dancing and singing in a montage of getting black leather outfits and becoming a team? And it was one of the most cringeworthy Female Empowerment Episodes I have ever seen??

WHITE NICK FURY FREAKS ME THE FUCK OUT. I know he used to be white before the MCU, but I only watched Marvel cartoons post!MCU, all featuring black Nick Fury so this is just... really weeeird.

I HAAATE THAT WE DIDN’T GET PROPER CROSSOVERS IN THE MOVIES. Like. Seriously? Logan and Steve Rogers fighting together in WWII? Imagine the Hugh Jackman cameo in Captain America: First Avenger. Like, damn.

#X-Men Evolution #Phoe's Random Show Rants

[grivessillus]

So I finally saw Spider-Man Far From Home. It came on TV.

I want to see Spider-Man Homecoming next. The Vulture looks awesome!

It's much better than I thought. But also has big plot holes.

Mysterio

He is deeply unconvincing as a villain.

I don't mean the portrayal. He's good in portrayal. It's the sheer amount of work you'd have to do for a big con. And he isn't even stealing money and running away. He's grabbing the attention during and after.

And it's all a illusion. It could be undone by someone touching him. Or recording him. Or being curious. Or straight up running at the monsters because they want to fight them. The only physical aspect is the drones and cameras. Did no one touch him, etc, out of curiosity? Brush past? Come on

And the enemies all being Stark ex employees is trite. And unlikely. If you got all the people together who have worked for a past company that are scum. They wouldn't get on.

I get that Tony Stark might have pissed a few people off. But that's pushing it.

And he wants to bring this to S.H.I.E.L.D?! The people who would see through him straight away and if caught, rip him to shreds. S. H.I.E.L.D are nasty!

I think this must be a flaw in all Mysterios. Once you find out he makes illusions, you wonder how he's fooling anyone.

And the loyalty seems a bit iffy. You'd think they'd bail once he got found out. And he's blatantly wearing the virtual reality suit in the fake video!

If they'd made him a augmented being. Have the cybernetic in him. Had him produce hardlight holograms that did real damage. Just himself. Then that would have been much better.

Uniqueness Sacrificed For Tie Ins

They sacrificed Spider-Mans story to tie the Stark thing.

I love Ironman. He's awesome. But it didn't need to be related to Tony Stark. It takes away from the film.

They should have just had the glass'. That is enough.

It Seems Off

There is something off about the film.

Like the teacher yelling about witches.

And the wierdly overdone focus on science. It's just science. Don't go overboard. Enjoy the places. Have fun.

MJ seems off. She's not goth or emo or anything. And while you can be a miserable get while being a normie or prep, etc. She acts like a wierd goth or emo cliche.

Nick Fury is really off! He didn't suspect Mysterio?!

Peter Parker Really Is Off

So in this. He's a smart idiot. And I get that happens.

But giving Quentin Beck the glass' is idiotic.

And why didn't they identify Quentin Beck and everyone else?! It identifies everyone else EDITH saw! And what they're doing!

There should have been a way bigger lock on the glass'. Make sure no one else and no known enemies can use them.

Or put them in a trust. He can't get them till he's 18 or 21.

Aunt May

Aunt May seems too young.

I liked the Andrew Garfield Aunt May. She was older but not too old. Tobey Maguire Aunt May was too old. I never got why they made his aunt so old. Ever.

Marisa Tomai. She's not right. Beautiful. But not right.

A Very Unconvincing Lie

So the big thing is that Mysterio had his allies make a fake video to make out Spider-Man was behind the attacks and killed him. And he exposes his identity.

But it could be refuted and covered up by infinate sources. Including S.H.I.E.L.D.

S.H.I.E.L.D made a entire cover story for Ironman to make out Tony wasn't him!

They couldn't refute the claims and make some fake evidence to make out Peter isn't Spider-Man? Have him be rescued by Spider-Man. Be seen with him.

Get some Skulls to mimic him.

Have him go on some scholastic quiz and have a Skrull or someone else mimic him on the other side of the world. With many witness'. And broadcast live. Do it multiple times!

Tom Holland Is Not That Good

Tom Holland is a bit anaemic. Not entirely his fault, it's the MCU writing.

But he lacks presence.

Other Spider-Man have had something to stand out.

Toby Maguire was nerdy but scrappy. If it came to it, he would fight. Andrew Garfield was flashy, fun, and very handsome. Beautiful man. The 1960s cartoon one was a punchy nerd. The 1990s cartoon one was ginger and a punchy nerd. The 1998 or 1999 series were he was in another world. He was clever and a bit overconfident. He spent most of it shocked. I really must watch the rest of it. It's a wierd one that wasn't on tv when it came out, were I could see it. I watched it in youtube. One were he was on S.H.I.E.L.D was flashy and fun. Confident.

I might be wrong on some things. But the point is, they all stand out. Holland doesn't.

Good Stuff

Having him be able to change his armour is good. Having him have Happy Hogan as support is good.

Happy Hogan is great.

Maria Hill is great. I like her. Sometimes she is a alien.

There is a sinister air of distrust about if stuff is real or not.

I have a burning curiosity to see Spider-Man No Way Home. I want to see what happens when you shove 3 series together.

#Spider-Man Far From Home #Spider-Man

[nightmareonfilmstreet]

Oscar Isaac and Charlize Theron to Lead Animated ADDAMS FAMILY Revival

The Addams Family is back, and spookier than ever! Last October we reported that the directors of Sausage Party and Shrek 2  were bringing America’s favorite family of fiends back from the dead in a new animated feature film.  After months of speculation, MGM studios along with their partner Cinesite Studios revealed for the first time today the upcoming film’s full voice cast along with our first look at the animated Addams Family.

Remember a few months back when that fan made Addams Family poster  featuring Oscar Isaac (Annihalation, Ex Machina) set the internet aflame with Addams fever? Well it turns out that the folks at MGM  sure remembered, as the Star Wars hero leads the cast as family patriarch Gomez Addams. Joining Isaac is Academy Award winning actress Charlize Theron (Mad Max Fury Road, Monster) as goth idol and feminist icon Morticia Addams. Rounding out voice cast are Broadway legend Bette Midler (Hocus Pocus, Beaches) as Grandmama, Nick Kroll (The League, Big Mouth) as Uncle Fester, Chloe Grace Moretz (Let Me In, If I Stay) and Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things, It) as the sadistic siblings Wednesday and Puglsey Addams. There’s still no word on whether Cousin It will appear in the new film or who would voice him if he does. My money’s on Brad “The Vanisher” Pitt. (#Pitt4It, let’s get this trending!)

While details remain sparse this early in production, the film is set to follow the Addams family’s struggle against a duplicitous reality-TV host while also preparing their macabre mansion for an extended family celebration. As for the newly revealed character designs, I am digging them! While quite different from both the 1964 live action show and the 1990’s Hanna-Barbera cartoon (whose theme songs you almost certainly have stuck in your head right now), this new take on the Addams brood is decidedly old school. Whether this adaptation lives up to it’s esteemed pedigree remains to be seen, but this Horror Writer has his fingers ready to snap.

The Addams Family hits theaters nationwide October 11th, 2019

  The post Oscar Isaac and Charlize Theron to Lead Animated ADDAMS FAMILY Revival appeared first on Nightmare on Film Street - Horror Movie Podcast, News and Reviews.

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[gogglor]

Caught Up In Our Stories, Chapter 9

Here’s the typo-free version of chapter 9 of my fanfic. To read the original in all its typo-riddled glory, you can go here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/30020544

Website title: Fanfiction.fake

Subtitle: Very clever, using the elevator like that. I'll allow it, since I need to keep you busy somehow, and it won't help you in the end.

Links: Click here to escape! . Oh that's right, you're trapped inside so you can't even read this . Enjoy it while you can . I won't need any of you much longer .   Login. Register  

Category: Movies > Marvel Cinematic Universe

Title: Wake Me Up Inside  

By: Gogglor

Summary: My name is Natasha Nightshade Blood’ness Vampira Way Romanov an I am a  goth vampire and I have a hot boyfriend & we are in love.

Rated: Fiction M  - English, barely - Natasha Romanov, Steve Rogers, Tony Stark -  Chapters: 6 - Words: 2235 - Reviews: 32 - Favs: 1 - Follows: 5 - Updated:  March 24, 2005 - Published: March 19, 2005 - Status: Incomplete - id:  1029802

Chapter 6

(AN: Thanks for the good reviews. Natasha is not a god sue she has flaws! Loki is not out of character, he got the tattoo because he loves Natasha so much. Preps stop flaming!)

(Wake me up) Bid my blood to run

(I can't wake up) Before I come undone

(Save me) Save me from the nothing I've become

“You see, I wanted to date Steve but if I did that publicly all the homophobic preps and haters would come out, so I put on this disguise. But that’s why we need to hurry up and get to the concert. I can’t be late for my own show,” said GERArD WAY OMG OMG OMG!

“Yeah! Yeah, Nick Fury, he hates the Chemical Romance. He might try to stop us! We should hurry!” said Steve.

We ran toward the lift (That’s British for elevator because I am half British , that’s why I have an accent) but then my eyes rolled up & I started to have a vision of the future. But before I could see it, Gerard shouted “Nick Fury is your real father!”

“I’m your evil twin brother!” yelled Steve.

“I’ve been cursed by your mother, the fairy queen!” yelled Gerard.

“Loki is actually an alien from Asgard!” shouted Steve.

“And he’s secretly a frost giant!” hollered Ferard.

We went in the elevator and

Natasha didn’t open her eyes immediately when she regained consciousness. She was in a small, well-lit space with a polished stone floor that smelled relatively clean, most likely an elevator. Around her were two people who were shifting their weight uneasily. Her hands weren’t bound, and she wasn’t drugged. If they’d counted on her staying knocked out they were about to get quite a surprise.

“Was I unconscious this long after my floor?” said Tony’s familiar voice, and Natasha felt herself relax. She allowed herself to show signs she wasn’t unconscious.

“Just about. And it looks like she’s coming around,” said Steve Rogers’s voice.

Natasha opened her eyes and looked up. She very nearly burst out laughing at the sight of Steve and Tony standing over her wearing moody goth teenager costumes, but the laughter died in her throat when she realized she was wearing one too, and she didn’t remember putting it on. She wasn’t hungover, which meant… oh no.

“Did I kill anyone?” Natasha asked, fearing the answer but needing to know.

“No, Nat. Just some evil magic making us do stupid things, but nothing that bad,” said Tony as he held out a hand to help Natasha up.

“How stupid?” said Natasha, as she furrowed her brow at the skulls painted on her nails.

Ten minutes of explanation later, all Natasha could say was, “Thor is never going to let me live this down.”

“First of all, forget Thor, I’m never going to let you live this down,” said Tony. “Second of all, cheer up, for all we know Thor is in a porno with Red Skull and Modok right now.”

“Jesus, Tony, I did not need to picture that!” said Steve, his whole body visibly recoiling.

Natasha chuckled a bit and said, “C’mon. If the universe stays in place after we’ve left it, we can go back to the Hot Topic and find something less terrible to wear. They’ve got to have band tee shirts and jeans, right?”

“I mean, minus the contacts, the overshirt and the shoes, this is pretty much what I wear every day,” said Tony. Then he paused and added, “I’m not sure what that says about me.”

“That you have the fashion sense of a moody teenager?” said Natasha.

“I resent that. My usual ripped jeans make my ass look much better than these do,” said Tony, turning around to illustrate his point, and utterly oblivious to the blush creeping up Steve’s neck.

Idiots.

“What if fake Loki or Fury tries to stop us?” asked Steve.

“Kill them or knock them out, I’m not picky if they’re not real,” said Natasha with a shrug. Then a thought struck her, and she said, “Boys, how bad is my make up right now?”

“We need to get going,” said Steve hastily. “Strange said not to spend too much time, and if we’re making a clothes stop we’re already—”

“Wow, that bad?” said Natasha, raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah. That bad,” winced Tony.

[lieutenantcupcake]

My lame annual end of the year survey is a little belated...

1. What did you do in 2017 that you’d never done before? Had my own apartment

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Not really. Last year’s was to stop giving a fuck about things that don’t matter and putting all my effort into the things that do and honestly that’s still a good one.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? My cousin!!!

4. Did anyone close to you die? I don’t think so.

5. What countries did you visit? None

6. What would you like to have in 2018 that you lacked in 2017? The ability to truly not give a fuck.

7. What date from 2017 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? The Women’s March, maybe? It was pretty impressive.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Traveling by myself to Chicago to see Nick Cave alone and then putting my hot little hands all over his old goth body.

9. What was your biggest failure? Not doing more for the cause.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Not really

11. What was the best thing you bought? Replacement spiky shoes.

14. Where did most of your money go? Grad school, ew

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Nick Cave.

16. What song will always remind you of 2017? Freedom--Beyonce

Compared to this time last year, are you:

17. Thinner or fatter? Fatter.

18. Richer or poorer? Poorer.

19. What do you wish you’d done more of? Traveling

20. What do you wish you’d done less of? Worrying. 

21. How will you be spending Christmas? I was at my grandmother’s house.

22. Did you fall in love in 2017? Nope

23.  What was your best costume of the year? I guess Rey? I didn’t really do a lot of costumey things this year which is upsetting.

24. What was your favorite TV program? uhhhh I watched so much Parks and Rec this year, does that count?

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Every single fucking person on the right side of the political spectrum.

26. What was the best book you read? lol i don’t read

27. What was your greatest musical discovery? I just listen to the same stuff over and over again.

28. What did you want and get? Into grad school but now I kind of wish I hadn’t

29. What did you want and not get? lol

30. What was your favorite film of this year? I really enjoyed the beautiful 2 hour panic attack that was Dunkirk

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I was 30 and I went out with a bunch of my friends and it was nice.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Grad school not being a shitshow.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2017? Lazy goth

34. What kept you sane? The usual mix of friends and fandom.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? The usual suspects: Oscar Isaac. Ryan Gosling. Rami Malek. Chris Evans. Gwendoline Christi. Diego Luna.

36. What political issue stirred you the most? Everything, but the situation in Yemen really got to me bad when I was trying to do school work cause like, what the fuck am I doing making a fucking Victorian nurse’s cap when everyone in Yemen is dying.

37. Who did you miss? My friends

38. Who was the best new person you met? I’ve met some amazingly solid people in grad school who are the only thing keeping me going and I love all of them.

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

The judge said five to ten-but I say double that again I'm not working for the clampdown No man born with a living soul Can be working for the clampdown Kick over the wall 'cause government's to fall How can you refuse it? Let fury have the hour, anger can be power D'you know that you can use it?

The voices in your head are calling Stop wasting your time, there's nothing coming Only a fool would think someone could save you The men at the factory are old and cunning You don't owe nothing, so boy get runnin' It's the best years of your life they want to steal

#end of the year #survey