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tabsters · 4 months

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SOMEONE LIKE ME (CHAP. 6) - A STARGLASS ZODIAC X ZODIAC EXPERIMENT CROSSOVER

starting the new year off strong with a 2000+ word long chapter!!! happy 2024 y'all!!!

tagging @mythicalmagical-monkeyman, @hyperfixation-tangentopia, @maiawhimsicalt, and @sweet-star-cookie. if you want to get tagged for when i make zodiac posts or don't want to be tagged, please let me know!

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"Well...firstly, I'd like to thank all of you for your hospitality." Cassie said, stumbling over her words a bit. “And…um…”

All of the Zodiacs watched her intently. She fiddled with the hem of her sweater, taking a deep breath.

“Okay…this might sound absolutely insane, but…I come from a world where Zodiacs also exist. It’s called the Astral Plane, just like this realm…but it’s completely different.”

A collective gasp arose from the Zodiacs, accompanied by muttering amongst them. The other patrons of the restaurant wisely decided to pay no attention to what was happening.

"I'm in charge of gathering corrupted spirits that have fallen down to Earth and bringing them back to the Astral Plane to be healed. On one of these missions...I met Ciara. And her snake." Cassie pointed at Asclepius. "She walked me back to my portal, but we were ambushed by the corrupted spirit I was supposed to capture...she ended up in my portal by accident, and I got knocked into hers."

Aries raised his hand, like he was a child in elementary school. "What was Ciara doing on Earth? Who let her go? Wasn't she supposed to be resting after her last brush with death?"

Sagittarius coughed. "I sent her down to Earth to fight some Calamity demons."

"By herself?!"

"Well, yeah, she had her necklace and her sword, right? A bit of fighting is good for letting out some aggression."

Gemini looked like she was about to have an aneurysm. "You let her go down there by herself, and now she's trapped in an alternate dimension! Who knows what's happening to her right now!"

The green haired woman—Virgo—calmly raised her hand. "Ciara is a strong girl. She will be fine. The question now is how to get this one home." She pointed at Cassie.

"Why don't we just send her back using the portal nearest to the location she came from?" Aquarius asked, not looking up from her tablet. "We do know where she came from, right?"

"We don't know where she came from." Gemini admitted. "And there's no way to track where Ciara went because she has her necklace. We can't track that."

"I don't know where I came from." Cassie echoed. "There's many of my portals all over Earth. Whenever I go down to Earth from the Astral Plane for a mission, I get teleported to the portal that's near the corrupted spirit I need to find."

Ophiuchus spoke up. "Is there any way to get into contact with Ciara?"

Pisces snapped his fan closed and stood up to garner attention. It was then that Cassie realized Pisces was short, barely taller than her Aries. She had to stifle a snicker, as laughing would be highly inappropriate.

"She has a chunk of sarconite in her necklace. If we used the other sarconite gems in our possession, we could possibly engineer a way to communicate with her through her necklace." Pisces looked back and forth amongst the other Zodiacs. "Of course, the only other sarconite gems are located in—"

"We are not using the scythe," Gemini said, her voice hardening. "We've discussed at length already, Pisces."

The fish Zodiac shrugged and sat down. "I see no other option."

"There are always many options." Capricorn said, taking a drag on her cigarette. "Perhaps Cassie could recall any significant markers or signs that would indicate where she was? That would give us a clue as to where Ciara was as well."

"I...um..." Cassie racked her memory, trying to remember anything that could give her a clue as to where she was. The only thing she could remember was heaps and heaps of snow, which wouldn't help at all. "There was snow."

"Well, that eliminates every country near the equator," Aries said sarcastically. "That really narrows it down."

"Don't be rude, Aries." Scorpio elbowed his brother, who rolled his eyes. He looked back towards Cassie. "Sorry about him, he's just grumpy to everyone. At least we can infer you were somewhere up north."

"Were there a lot of trees? Or was it just a lot of snow?"

"What kind of trees?"

"Any animals nearby?"

"Uh—um..." Cassie looked around nervously, at the Zodiacs' inquisitive faces, not knowing how to answer.

"Let the girl rest." Ophiuchus stood up, walking to Cassie's side. "I imagine she's had a busy day. We will send for Centaurus in the morning, and she will be able to help Cassie with her memories."

Cassie exhaled, grateful for the save. "Thank you."

Gemini nodded. "Meeting adjourned! Sagittarius, send Centaurus here in the morning, will ya?"

"Will do!" Sagittarius waved goodbye at Gemini. "Thanks for having us!"

Capricorn tapped him on the shoulder, beckoning him away. "Come along, my son."

The Zodiacs all stood up and began heading out of the hall, leaving Cassie, Gemini, and Ophiuchus by themselves.

"Long day, huh?" Gemini waved her index finger in a circle, and small wisps of vapor began to form. They clumped together, creating a large, fluffy cloud. She climbed onto it, patting the empty space next to her. "Hop on."

Cassie tilted her head, looking at it. "Uh...how?"

"It'll hold you, don't worry." Gemini crossed her legs, criss-cross applesauce. "And if you fall off, I'll grab you."

"Okay..." Cassie grabbed Gemini's outstretched hand, climbing onto the cloud. It felt remarkably like a cloud should feel like, very soft and spongy.

"And away we gooooooooo!" Gemini pointed towards the exit, and they zoomed away. Ophiuchus sighed, shook her head, and followed them at a walking pace.

They ended up at Gemini's palace once more. Cassie was given a shower and a new change of clothes. She returned to see Ophiuchus setting up a bed in a guest bedroom. Asclepius slithered around on the floor, perking their head up when Cassie walked in.

"Hey, bud." Cassie knelt down, letting the snake crawl into her palm. "You're just a little guy, aren't you?" She patted the snake's small head.

Ophiuchus fluffed the pillows and smoothed out the bed sheets. "Goodnight, Cassie. Get some rest."

"Hey, Ophiuchus?" Cassie asked after a moment. "Will you tell me more about Ciara tomorrow?"

The constellation smiled. "Of course. Now, goodnight. Sweet dreams."

"Goodnight!" Cassie waved goodbye as Ophiuchus walked out and shut the door behind her. She flopped onto the soft bed, sinking into the mattress. Asclepius wriggled around on the floor near her, before tucking their head under their tail.

Cassie sighed contentedly, staring idly at the walls of the bedroom. She could see the stars through the glass window.

They look so similar to the stars back home.

Things are going to be okay. Everything will look better in the morning and once I've gotten some rest.

Things are going to be okay.

"Um...see, I..." Ciara looked up at all the Zodiacs. Her hand went to her sword, just in case they turned aggressive and tried to attack her.

"Okay...I come from a separate...alternate world...where Zodiacs also exist. They live in a world called the Astral Plane, like this one, but they're completely different. They also," She turned around and shot a nasty look at Scorpio. "Don't try to kill me on sight!"

Scorpio coughed awkwardly. "Sorry."

Some of the other Zodiacs, Libra especially, also shot him dirty looks.

"I went down to Earth on a mission to fight some rogue demons that fell down from the Astral Plane. I stumbled across Cassie, who was looking for a corrupted spirit? I don't know, but there was a snowstorm coming, and I helped her back to her portal thingy. And then my snake—"

"Snake?" Scorpio interrupted. "This snake wouldn't happen to be green, is it?"

Ciara stared at him. "No. It's black and purple. And sometimes red. Actually, it looks a lot like you, now that I think about it."

Scorpio's face scrunched up, offended, but Ciara ignored him. "And then my snake grew, because he grows when he's scared, and then the little fucker knocked me into Cassie's portal and now I'm here."

"So where did Cassie go?!" Libra asked, wringing her hands together. "Why are you here instead of her?"

"Uh...well, I made a portal right next to hers, and it was headed back to my own Astral Plane. So she might be still on earth, but my guess is that my bastard snake knocked her into my portal. So she's in my Astral Realm."

All the Zodiacs gasped, and looked nervously at each other, beginning to talk over each other. Virgo broke the chatter by raising her hand.

"Well, I see the solution." Virgo said, folding her hands in front of her. "Simply make a portal to your own Astral Plane, then retrieve Cassie, and then bring her back to our realm. The problem is solved."

"I can't make a portal. At least, not right now." Ciara said. "My powers need to recharge. And my necklace also needs to recharge."

"And how long will that take?" Sagittarius asked.

"Uh..." Ciara shrugged helplessly. "It could take anything from two days to two weeks. I don't have any potions or anything, so it'll take way longer for me to get my strength back."

The Zodiacs looked amongst each other. The Gemini twins and Leo were especially anxious.

"So...Cassie's gone?" Leo asked, her voice so small. "And we don't know when she's gonna be back?"

"She will be back, right?" Both Solana and Luna chorused together.

"This could be a problem," Aquarius said. "We don’t know where Cassie is, but I know she can take care of herself. She will, hopefully, be able to find a portal that leads back to our realm. What do we do with you, in the meantime?"

"Send me back to earth." Ciara's fist clenched around her sword. "I can fend for myself down there, and once I get my powers back I can return to my own Astral Plane."

"We will not do that," Cancer said. "You may stay with one of us until you get your powers back.

"You don't have to do that," Ciara said, hating these Zodiacs and their sympathetic gazes, and how they weren't her Zodiacs, but knowing that they did nothing wrong and that they were just trying to help. "I can handle it."

"How old are you, girl?" Sagittarius asked, crossing his arms. "Fourteen? Fifteen?"

"Eternally fifteen," Ciara said, her voice taking on a hostile edge. "I'm dead."

All the Zodiacs went silent, their pitying eyes searching Ciara's face. All except for Scorpio. He averted Ciara's gaze, staring at the floor.

"I'll stay with Scorpio." Ciara turned towards him, and his head snapped up. "He seems to know the most about Cassie."

The Zodiacs, for what seemed like the thousandth time, looked at each other, this time with apprehension. These Zodiacs seemed much more awkward around each other than her own.

"I'm sorry?" Scorpio asked, sounding more startled than anything.

“What Scorpio means to say,” Capricorn said, talking over him. “Is that he is not the best-equipped to house you right now. Perhaps you could stay with Cancer or Sagittarius? Maybe Aquarius and Pisces?”

"We'll be more than happy to take you in for the time being." Pisces reached for Aquarius' hand, smiling.

"Can she stay with us?" The Gemini twins piped up. Leo nodded along enthusiastically.

"I would like to ask her some questions about her Astral Plane," Libra muttered. Virgo chuckled, shaking her head.

"No. I'll take her." Scorpio spoke up, regaining his composure. He straightened up, staring at Ciara. "...if that's alright."

Libra arched an eyebrow. "Why the sudden change of heart, Scorpio?"

The scorpion zodiac straightened up. "We don’t know who she is or what she is. She could endanger this world, or she could be associated with Ophiu—"

“I am not a danger!” Ciara protested.

"I'll warn you, Scorpio..." Libra straightened her glasses. "You hurt this girl, you answer to me."

"If I wanted to hurt her," Scorpio's eyes narrowed, a muscle in his jaw clenching. His hand reached for the enormous scythe hanging on his back. "I would have done so already."

"Now, now. There is no need to fight." Virgo cleared her throat. "Scorpio has no history of harming Cassie. There is no reason to suspect he will harm this child either."

"I'm not a child." Ciara pouted.

"If the girl wants to stay with Scorpio, and if Scorpio agrees to house her," Virgo said, wisely ignoring Ciara's pouting. "Then I believe she should stay with Scorpio."

"I can hold my own in a fight," Ciara unsheathed her own sword and brandished it. "And I've taken down bigger beings than this guy." She twisted her thumb towards Scorpio.

"Then I suppose it's settled," Capricorn said, a lazy smile playing around his lips. "The girl will stay with Scorpio."

Scorpio nodded. "Good. Come with me, girl. Rest assured, I’ll keep a close eye on you." The rest of the Zodiacs began to leave the building.

"Ciara." Ciara stuck her tongue out at Scorpio. "My name is Ciara."

Cancer patted Ciara's shoulder as they passed. "You're more than welcome to change your mind and stay with me and Sagittarius. We’d love to test you in combat."

“Hah! The girl wouldn’t last two minutes in a fight with me!” Aries shouted, marching past Ciara. Taurus laughed at Aries’ words, clapping Ciara on the back as she passed.

Ciara grinned cheerfully at the departing Zodiacs, before running after Scorpio, trying to keep up with his long strides.

They ended up at a laboratory of sorts, though it looked more like an apothecary or alchemist's station to Ciara. It was made of dark stone, and it looked like a cartoon villain's lair.

"This is where you sleep?" Ciara asked incredulously as Scorpio went inside. She tried to poke her head in, but Scorpio blocked the entrance.

"No. Nobody is allowed in here except me." He rummaged around in a storage closet of some sort, throwing a folded up tent and sleeping bag out of the doors. "You will stay out here. I assume you've been camping before?"

"Dude. Why'd you volunteer to let me stay with you if you're just gonna make me sleep outside?" Ciara asked in disbelief, but begrudgingly began setting up the tent outside his lab.

"You wanted to know more about Cassie." Scorpio said nonchalantly, leaning against the door. "I want to know what happened to Cassie. Favors for favors.”

He then closed the door. Ciara huffed, finishing her shabby tent. She dragged the sleeping bag into the tent and crawled into it. The night was warm, and there was a pleasant breeze drifting through the air. She could see the stars through the mesh of the tent.

They look so similar to the stars back home.

Things are going to be okay. Everything will look better in the morning and once I've gotten some rest.

Things are going to be okay.

check out @sweet-star-cookie's Starglass Zodiac lore if you liked this!! questions about my lore are greatly appreciated!!

#oc #oc lore #zodiac #zodiacs #zodiac sign #zodiac signs #zodiac lore #zodiac oc #zodiac ocs

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eastofthemoon · 3 years

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A Paladin in the Fire Nation

Chapter 1 Chapter 2

Rating: PG

Series: Voltron Legendary Defender/Avatar the Last Airbender

Summary: After the fight with Zarkon, Shiro accidentally gets tossed into another reality where humans have the ability to bend the elements. His best shot at returning home is with someone called the Avatar, while he waits he might as well take on the job of being the Firelord’s bodyguard.

---------------------------------------------------

Shiro had been fearful Jee or Ling would question him further, and he wouldn’t have easy answers for either of them. Thankfully once he was safely back in his cell and his cuffs were removed, Jee instructed Ling to guard him and said nothing else.

The two sat in silence which suited Shiro just fine. It gave him time to think about his situation.

It was possible this was just a planet that had never encountered Voltron or the Galra but they looked like humans, and the guard had even said they were when Shiro asked.

But this place isn’t Earth, he thought. Wish the rest of the team were here.

His fists tightened. Was everyone alright? Did they survive the fight or did Zarkon capture them all and they were-

A gentle growl rumbled through his mind.

Shiro froze. “Black?”

Ling glanced up. “What?”

Shiro choked and waved a hand. “Oh, uh nothing.”

Ling raised an eyebrow, but gave a shrug.

Shiro leaned back and took a deep breath. Black?

Black purred. The voice wasn’t as strong as she normally was, but the fact remained she was still with him.

Okay, so I’m assuming something happened during the fight with Zarkon and I got transported to this place by accident?

The Black Lion purred again.

Is the team alright? Are they safe?

Another confirmed purr came and Shiro breathed just a bit easier.

Alright, so I’m going to assume I’m not on Earth, am I on a different planet?

He felt a growl this time. Then images of the astral plane along with words of ‘different’ and ‘reality’.

Shiro froze. I’m in another reality?b

The Black Lion purred again.

Shiro took a deep breath as he ran a hand through his hair. That was a lot to take in.

Don’t suppose you can send me back?

The Black Lion growled and this time the words ‘too far’ echoed through his head.

“Figures,” Shiro muttered as he crossed his arms. So he was stuck here until he could find some way to get home. His eyes narrowed at the cell bars.

They were just made out of iron. Shiro could break out of this place easily, but he still didn’t know the layout of it. Besides, he had no idea what this reality was like.

I better just lay low until I can figure out what this place is like, Shiro thought as he drummed his fingers against his knee. Not sure how I’m going to do that though unless I get the Firelord to trust me.

Suddenly, he heard a door open. Shiro quietly watched Ling leave, heard mummering and came back with a tray of food.

“Lunch,” she decreed as she took out two bowls for herself and slipped the tray under the cell for Shiro.

Curious, Shiro pulled the tray closer to him. He wasn’t sure what kind of food this place would have.

Let’s see, looks like a kind of soup and-

Shiro blinked. Slowly, he picked up the second bowl and stared amazed at the contents. “Is that rice?”

Ling raised an eyebrow with her own bowl of soup in her hands. “Um, yes, last I checked.”

Shiro took the chopsticks and carefully picked up a mouthful of rice. He almost moaned in pleasure. Shiro had never been a picky eater, but it had been almost two years now since he’d had rice. Hunk would probably be crying if he was here.

Shiro swallowed, only to realize Ling stared at him in puzzlement.

“You..know that rice is overcooked?” she said. “And I’m fairly certain a day old.”

“I...haven’t had rice in a long time,” Shiro said slowly and forced a smile.

He couldn’t exactly explain he hadn’t had rice since he got captured in space.

Ling raised a wary eyebrow as she sat and reached for her bowl of soup.

“You are weird,” Ling replied but then shrugged as she ate more of her meal, “but I’ll take guarding you over having to watch Ozai.” She cringed. “That man gives me the creeps.”

Shiro had no idea who this Ozai was, but kept quiet as he ate another mouth.

Ling sipped her soup, but then coughed. “Arrg, really, they forgot to heat it up again,” she grumbled as she held the bowl over her right hand. “If your soup is cold, I would be willing to warm it up for you.”

“Um, thanks,” Shiro began, “but I don’t-”

A flame ignited in her hand. Shiro froze as the chopsticks slipped from his hand. Ling smiled as she held the bowl over the clearly burning fire in the palm of her hand. Once steam started to rise, the fire went out and she sipped.

“Much better,” she commented and suddenly noticed Shiro staring at her. “What?”

“How..how did you do that?” Shiro said as he pointed.

Ling blinked. “Do..what?”

“Hold a fire in your hand and not have it burn you?” Shiro asked, stunned.

Did these people have some kind of magical ability here?

Ling tilted her head. “Um..I was just bending.”

Shiro continued to blink in puzzlement.

“Fire bending,” Ling continued as she sent down her soup and waved around her arms. “You know bending.”

“I..I really don’t,” Shiro continued. “Is that some kind of spell?”

Ling’s jaw dropped as if Shiro had just said he’d never seen the sky. “What, no! Great Agni, how do you not know what bending is?!”

“For any truth that everyone knows a thousand people learn it everyday.”

Upon hearing the new voice, Ling sprang to her feet and bowed.

“Prince Iroh, forgive me,” she said as she bowed. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

Shiro frowned as the voice approached and saw it was the older man that had sat alongside Zuko earlier from the meeting.

He gave a reassuring smile as he waved at Ling. “Nothing to forgive,” he laughed. “My old bones are not creaky just yet.”

The man then turned to Shiro as he tucked his hands into his long sleeves. “We were not properly introduced,” he greeted. “I am Prince Iroh.”

“Uh..Hello,” Shiro said slowly as he stood and tried to give a bow like Ling had.

If he was stuck in this place, he had to try to stay on good terms with these people. Although, why was this man here?

Iroh nodded and then frowned upon seeing Shiro’s food tray and looked to Ling. “Is that his lunch?”

“It’s what the chef gave me to bring him,” Ling replied with a shrug.

Iroh stroked his beard. “The quality of the food seemed to have degraded since my time in prison.”

Shiro raised an eyebrow. Did he just say prison?

“I will have to have a word with the kitchen later,” Iroh continued as he returned his gaze to Shiro. “It is just as well then that I extend my invention to you.”

Shiro narrowed his eyes. “Invention?”

“To join me for lunch in my chambers,” Iroh said smiling.

Shiro raised and lowered his hand, unsure how to respond. He had wondered if perhaps this was a local custom he wasn’t aware of, but judging by Ling’s equally shocked reaction it likely wasn’t the norm.

“Your chambers?” Ling said. “Sir, the Firelord made it quite clear the intruder was to remain in his cell.”

“I am aware,” Iroh said as he patted her shoulder, “although, I do believe it is not a realistic request.”

“What do you mean?” Ling asked.

Iroh pointed to Shiro. “I mean, I am quite certain this young man could break out of his cell whenever he wished but is only reframing from doing so in order to be customary to us.”

Ling’s eyes widened and glanced into the cell. Shiro rubbed the back of his neck as he gave a sheepish shrug.

“He’s..not wrong,” he said as he held up his cybernetic hand.

“Ah,” Ling replied slowly but then regained composure. “But Firelord Zuko-”

“I will handle him and take full responsibility,” Iroh said with a smile. “Now, can you please release Mister Shirogane?”

Ling looked hesitant and sighed. “Alright, but only if I’m allowed to escort you and him to your room.”

“That would be acceptable,” Iroh said with a smile as he stepped aside.

Shiro watched bewildered as his cell door was opened. He glanced at Iroh and his body tensed as he left. There was no way he was doing this on a lark. The man had to have some ulterior motive.

Ling went to the wall to fetch the handcuffs, but Iroh stopped her.

“There is no need for that,” Iroh insisted.

“But, Prince Iroh,” Ling began but quieted when Iroh shot her a look and pulled back her hand from the wall.

Iroh’s smile brightened as he tucked his hands behind his back. “This way please. I already informed the guards on route to avoid confusion.”

That made Shiro feel a bit more at ease. He’d rather not have the guards jumping at him for ‘escaping’ his cell. However, he still kept vigilant as he followed Iroh and Ling stayed close.

They walked in silence for several minutes until they reached what Shiro could only assume was the destination.

“Thank you, Ling,” Iroh said as he entered. “You may return to your post.”

Ling looked reluctant. “But shouldn’t I stand guard?”

Iroh gave her a smile. “I believe it would be better if you are at the cell in case the Firelord comes, and do not worry there are guards down the hall if I require assistance.”

Ling frowned, but sighed as she gave a bow. “Yes, Sir.” She glared at Shiro and pointed at her eye then his own. “Don’t try anything funny.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Shiro replied as he watched her go.

He debated if now would be a good time to try to escape, but he still didn’t know the layout of the place. Would he get that far?

“If you wish to escape that is fine,” Iroh commented, “but you might as well fill your stomach first.”

Shiro jumped slightly, but quickly regained his composure. No, it wouldn’t do much to escape now. Besides, talking to Iroh might be his best chance at learning more of where exactly he was.

The Black Lion growled in encouragement as Shiro entered.

Iroh’s quarters were certainly larger than Shiro’s cell. There were some furniture items, some states and artwork on the wall. There were maps, but Shiro didn’t recognize any of them. A low table with food and bowls sat in the centre of the room.

Before Shiro could speak Iroh suddenly shoved some articles of clothing into his arms.

“Here, these seem more fitting and comfortable than the robes you were given earlier,” Iroh said and pointed to a folding screen. “Change behind there.”

“Uh, thanks,” Shiro said as he went to where Iroh directed.

Shiro removed the robes but decided to keep on his paladin undergarments for added protection as he slipped on the sleeveless shirt. It was bright red with yellow along the collar and edges. The pants were simple black with a red sash to tie around his waist.

Once he was finished, Shiro stepped out and saw Iroh was sitting at the table. He smiled in approval.

“Ah good,” he said as he reached for empty cups. “I wasn’t sure if they would fit.” He held up a teapot. “How about a fresh cup of tea? It goes well with the komodo chicken.”

“Before that,” Shiro said as he sat across from Iroh, “how about you tell me the reason I’m here.”

Iroh shrugged as he poured a cup. “To have lunch of course.”

Shiro raised an eyebrow. “I’m not familiar with your culture, but I have a hard time believing inviting a stranger to lunch is a tradition here.”

Iroh laughed. “No, not really,” Iroh said as he set down his cup and poured another. “I merely thought this might be a more comfortable setting for asking questions.”

So he’s doing his own interrogation, Shiro thought. That explains a few things.

Iroh held out Shiro’s cup to him, but saw he didn’t move his hand.

“I’m fine, thank you,” Shiro said.

Iroh gave a laugh. “If you are worried I slipped something into the tea, I promise you I didn’t. To ruin tea in such a way would be a disgrace.” He set the cup in front of Shiro before reaching for his own and taking a sip. “Ah, that warms the old spirit.

Shiro frowned and eyed the cup. He should be suspicious, but something told Shiro the old man was being honest.

Gingerly, Shiro picked up the cup and took a sip. He froze as the flavor hit his tongue and old childhood memories struck him. He knew this taste!

“Is this jasmine?” Shiro asked, stunned. This place may be an alternative reality, but Shiro never expected to see so many familiar things from Earth.

Iroh beamed. “Why yes,” he said and laughed. “It is my favorite blend. Fellow tea lover are you?”

“Not really,” Shiro replied as he stared into the cup. “My grandfather drank it all the time when I was a kid.”

There were times Shiro swore his grandfather had tea water instead of blood in his body.

“Oh, a man after my own heart then,” Iroh said as he picked up his chopsticks. “He must have great taste.”

Shiro gave a bittersweet smile. “Yeah, he did.”

Iroh’s smile softened understanding the use of past tense and took a piece of komodo chicken. “Do you have chopsticks where you are from?”

“Yes,” Shiro said as he picked up his set and tried to ignore his stomach growls and gathered his own chicken. “I haven’t used them for awhile though.”

Iroh laughed. “Then it is a good time to practice.”

They then ate and Shiro had to admit the komodo chicken was delicious. It didn’t taste quite like chicken from his reality, but there was an earthiness to it that was intriguing. He felt guilty the other paladins weren’t here to enjoy it, especially Hunk.

I hope they’re alright, Shiro thought as the Black Lion responded with a comforting purr to the thought.

They ate in silence. Shiro assumed Iroh was trying to be polite, but became puzzled when half the food was gone, Iroh set down his chopstick and patted his stomach.

“Nothing like a good meal,” Iroh said as he reached for his tea. “Would you not agree?”

“Yes,” Shiro replied slowly. “It was delicious, thank you.”

Iroh smiled. “Then perhaps I should send us some dessert? I believe there are some tea cakes in the kitchen.”

Shiro frowned as he lowered his own chopsticks. “Um..perhaps we better get to the reason why I’m here.”

Iroh frowned, but then gave a nod. “Yes, of course.” He set down his cup and tucked his hands into his sleeves. “What would you like to know?”

Shiro blinked. “What?”

“I said what would you like to know?” Iroh repeated gently.

Shiro tilted his head. “Like to-” He pointed to himself. “Excuse me, Prince Iroh, I’m confused. You said I was here for an interrogation.”

Iroh shook his head. “No, I said it was to ask questions.” He gestured to Shiro. “And I meant for you to ask me.”

“For me to ask?” Shiro asked.

Iroh nodded as he stroked his beard. “I assumed there would be less confusion if you understood how this world works before the firelord started to question you again.”

Shiro froze and slowly his eyes widened at his meaning. “You..you know?,” he said slowly.

“That you are from another world?” Iroh asked and nodded. “Yes.”

“But how?” Shiro asked.

Iroh’s eyes hardened. “There had been theories in the past that the Spirit World is a gateway to other worlds or even universes very different from ours.” He reached out for his teacup. “Having my own experience with the Spirit World, it’s a theory I fully believe and it explains much of your behaviour and the odd armour we found you wearing.”

Shiro’s eyes narrowed. “So, you’ve never heard of Voltron?”

Iroh shook his head. “No, but let’s set that aside for the moment.” He gave a small smile. “And please call me ‘Iroh’. I do not care much for formalities these days if I don’t need to.”

Shiro’s shoulders relaxed. “In that case, I prefer being called ‘Shiro’.”

“Very well, Shiro,” Iroh said as he poured more tea into his and Shiro’s cups. “So, to ask again, what would you like to ask first?”

Shiro took the cup, took a sip as he thought and then leaned over the table. “Please explain to me what bending is?”

Iroh gave a smile as he began to answer.

--------------------------------------------

Sokka reached for the last piece of komodo chicken until Toph’s hand took it.

“Hey,” Sokka cried as he watched Toph gulp it down. “I had dibs on that.”

“Really?” Toph said as she swallowed. “I never saw it!”

Sokka glared as she grinned at her own joke before he grumbled.

She snorted as she leaned back. “Besides, you got my tart at breakfast.”

“Because you stole my snack the night before!”

“That doesn’t count! That seal jerky was way too dry!”

“That’s how you know it’s done right!”

A clearing of a throat forced both of them to stop and turned their attention to see Zuko standing in the doorway.

“I have to say, it’s a relief to see the saviors of the world to have grown up into such mature adults,” Zuko said with his arms crossed and he sat down next to Sokka.

Sokka pouted. “You jest but food is a very important discussion and- Toph if you steal my dumpling I swear!”

Zuko sighed as he resisted slapping his hand to his forehead. There were times he had wondered how these guys were some of his best friends? He glanced around and frowned.

“Katara isn’t here?”

“She had to stop by Jang Hui first,” Toph explained. “She wanted to check and see how the river restoration project there was doing.”

“Oh,” Zuko replied softly. “That makes sense.”

Katara was always very passionate about ensuring the small villages of the both Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation got the assistance they needed. It was one of the reasons Zuko had managed to be popular among his lower class subjects and he couldn’t deny Katara held a huge hand in that.

“She’ll be here tomorrow morning,” Sokka replied as he frowned. “So, is everything okay? Your letter just said to get here as soon as possible.”

Zuko sighed as he tucked his hands into his sleeves. “It’s complicated, it might be better to wait until Katara is here so I can just explain it once-”

“We can just repeat things for Sugarqueen,” Toph replied as she sat up and narrowed her eyes. “What’s going on?”

Zuko rubbed his neck. “Intruders have been sneaking into the palace.”

Sokka raised an eyebrow. “What kind of intruders?”

“Not entirely certain but possibly assassins,” Zuko asked but quickly raised a hand, “and before you ask I’m not the target. They haven’t come after me.”

“Well, that’s a relief,” Sokka muttered.

Toph tilted her head. “Then who has been the target?”

Zuko cringed. “It’s Ozai.”

Silence fell upon the room, until Toph flopped back on the floor. “Oh, is that all? I say let them.”

Sokka coughed. “Uh Toph, this is Zuko’s dad we’re talking about here.”

"Who is also the bonehead who burnt off half of Zuko's face. And also tried to burn, what was it," she snapped her fingers, "right, the entire world. I don't have any sympathy for the guy."

“Nor do I,” Zuko replied, “but I can’t sit back and let him be killed in cold blood-”

“Whoa, whoa, let’s backtrack a bit,” Sokka said as he patted Zuko’s shoulder. “When did this start?”

“A couple of months ago,” Zuko replied as Toph sat back up. “The guards located some trespassers, but they escaped. We thought they were simply thieves, but they reappeared a few weeks later.”

“And did you arrest them?” Sokka asked.

“We tried, but they got away again,” Zuko replied as he reached into his pocket and brought up a rolled up parchment. “However, one of them dropped this and it’s a map leading straight to where Ozai is being held.”

Sokka took the map and his eyes narrowed as he rolled it out. “Is it possible they were trying to free him?”

“I had wondered as well,” Zuko replied, “but the intruders were Earth Kingdom, one was even an Earth bender.”

Sokka grasped his chin. “Okay, yeah, can’t see why anyone from the Earth Kingdom would want Ozai free, but it’s not impossible.”

“If you ask me,” Toph said as she leaned forward, “the best way to find out is to let them get near Ozai. They either kill him, or they break him out and then you kill him.” She clapped her hands. “Problem solved!”

Zuko buried his face into his hands. “Toph, I can’t let them kill Ozai.”

“I still have yet to hear a decent reason why?”

“Because he is still a Fire Nation citizen,” Zuko retorted. “Prisoner or not, if I let another nation come in and kill him there’s going to be outrage.” His eyes hardened. “Some would even argue it as an excuse to go to war with the Earth Kingdom again.”

Toph paused and growled. “Alright, fine that’s a good reason.”

Zuko’s shoulders slumped. “Granted, I’m not surprised it’s come to this.”

“What do you mean?”

Zuko shut his eyes. “The other nations have been ‘requesting’ I fully punish my father.”

“But he is punished?” Sokka replied. “He’s in a cell and got his fire bending taken away by Aang.”

“To them it’s not good enough,” Zuko said.

Sokka blinked and then chewed his bottom lip. “You mean execution?”

“The diplomats here aren’t that direct,” Zuko said, “but it’s clear that’s their meaning.”

“Why are they only bringing it up now though?” Sokka said as he reached for his drink. “The war has been over for 3 years.”

“I’m guessing cause it’s been 3 years,” Toph replied, “and they figure things are settled enough for you to do something.”

Zuko nodded.

Sokka drummed his drink as he took a side way glance. “Um...have you..well consider…-”

“I can’t kill him either Sokka,” Zuko said as he stared at the ground.

Sokka sighed. “Look, I get he’s your dad-”

“It’s not just that,” Zuko replied. “Aang didn’t want him to die, remember? He’s the Avatar. How would it look if I go against what the Avatar decreed.”

Toph shut hugged her knees. “Yeah, I can see Twinkletoes not being happy with that, even if it is Ozai.”

The room went quiet for a moment, until Sokka cleared his throat and set down his drink. “Let’s put that heavy stuff aside for a moment.” He looked at Zuko. “These potential assassins, do you know anything else about them?”

Zuko’s smile brightened. “As it so happens we caught one this morning....we think.”

“You think?” Toph replied.

“He looks different from the other intruders,” Zuko continued. “He wore this weird white armour and even has a metal arm.”

“Um..if he looks different how do you know he’s connected to the others?” Sokka asked.

“We found him unconscious in the royal garden,” Zuko replied.

“That only raises more questions,” Sokka replied dryly.

Zuko shook his head. “He claims his name is Takashi Shirogane and that he is a ‘Paladin of Voltron’.”

Both Toph and Sokka gave him baffle looks.

“What the spirits is a Paladin?” Toph asked.

“No idea,” Zuko replied with a shrug.

“And where is this Voltron?” Sokka asked.

Zuko’s frown tightened. “I don’t know and I’ve looked on every Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom map I have.” He had even questioned the map maker of it, but she had never heard of the place either.

“But that’s not the weirdest thing about him,” Zuko continued as he rose.

“How is not knowing where the guy came from not the weirdest thing?” Toph asked.

“I think it’s better if I just showed you,” Zuko said as he tucked his hands into his robes.

He led down the hall, and unlocked the room where the stranger’s armor was currently spread out on the table.

Sokka raised an intrigued eyebrow as he approached and lifted up the helmet.

“Whoa, okay I’m starting to see what you mean?” Sokka asked.

“Details?” Toph grumbled.

“It’s all white with black markings,” Zuko said as he brought her hand over to touch it. “I’ve had my best engineers examine it, but they’ve never seen armour built like this before.”

None of them could even guess what nation it was from. Some had been eager to take the whole apart to better understand it, but Zuko denied the request for the time being. At least not until they had a better idea who Shirogane truly was.

Toph was silent as her eyes widened and drew back her hand. “Okay, what is this armour made out of?”

Zuko raised an eyebrow. “I would assume metal..isn’t?”

Toph grasped her chin. “Kind of, it feels a bit like metal except it doesn’t feel like there’s anything for me to grab onto. There aren’t any impurities in it.”

“The style is also weird,” Sokka said as he examined the helmet. “It doesn’t look like Earth Kingdom or Fire Nation.” He tilted his head. “At best...maybe it’s Water Tribe?”

“A Water Tribe assassin?” Zuko asked.

Sokka held it up. “It’s white, so maybe it’s for blending in the snow for sneak attacks?”

Zuko gave him a dry look. “And so he decided to wear it to the Fire Nation where it never snows?”

“I didn’t say he was a smart assassin,” Sokka continued and frowned. “Although, if I’m honest this stuff really doesn’t have a ‘here to kill’ vibe to it.”

“That’s what Uncle said too,” Zuko commented.

It was durable, but no hidden compartments for weapons. Not even a pocket for a dagger to hide. It’s as if the person wanted to clearly display they come bearing no weapons.

“So, this intruder was wearing this?” Toph confirmed.

“And unconscious,” Zuko confirmed. “He claims he means no harm, but what was he doing in the palace then? It makes no sense.”

“Well, why don’t we ask the guy,” Sokka replied as he set the helmet back on the table. “Where is he?”

“In the dungeon,” Zuko said as he turned. “I tried to ask him questions already, but I didn’t get much.”

“Well, you got the ever pervasive Sokka in your corner now,” Sokka said as he placed an arm around Zuko’s shoulder.

“And if that doesn’t work,” Toph said as she punched a fist into her palm, “just let me have a crack at him.”

“I rather his bones remain unbroken,” Zuko added dryly.

“I wouldn’t break them,” Toph said with a shrug, “well not intentionally.”

Zuko shook his head, knowing Toph was joking..well, mostly joking as he led them to the dungeon.

Ling was at the cell and stood straight as soon as she spotted them. “My lord, I did not realize you were coming-”

“At ease,” Zuko said as he raised a hand and looked into the cell. “I just merely wish to question-”

He trailed off as he stared into the clearly empty cell.

“Uh...is this the right place?” Sokka asked.

Zuko took a deep breath and shut his eyes to calm himself. He knew Ling, and she wouldn’t just stand there guarding an empty cell for no reason.

“Ling, where is the intruder?” Zuko asked.

Ling sweated. “I take it you have not been informed yet?”

“Informed of what?” Zuko asked, trying to be careful to keep his temper under check.

Ling rubbed her neck. “That your uncle insisted on inviting the intruder to lunch?”

“HE WHAT?!” Zuko cried.

“Huh,” Toph said as she crossed her arms. “I had wondered why Iroh didn’t join us.”

“Think they got extra komodo chicken?” Sokka asked.

Zuko ignored the comments as he stepped up to Ling. “Where are they?”

“In Prince Iroh’s chambers,” Ling answered.

“And you left them alone?”

“I argued I should remain, but Lord Iroh insisted,” Ling replied.

Zuko groaned as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “Of course he did.”

“Forgive me, my lord,” Ling said with a bow. “I should have-”

Zuko raised a hand. “It’s not your fault for following orders,” he said. “You did nothing wrong.”

Ling nodded. “Do you wish me to escort you?”

“No, thank you,” Zuko growled as he stomped away. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to have a talk with my uncle about safety.”

“Before or after you murder him,” Toph snarked as she followed.

“I’m debating,” Zuko muttered darkly.

--------------------------------------------------------

This world was ‘unique’ as Shiro quickly discovered. Apparently, in this world some people had the ability to control the literal elements, and they had just ended a hundred year war. Shiro was quiet as Iroh gave him what he could only assume was a quick summary of the events.

“So, the Avatar is the only person that can control all four elements,” Shiro replied.

Iroh nodded. “Yes, Avatar Aang, who is currently the only remaining air bender from the war.”

“And the current Firelord, Zuko, helped him overthrow the previous Firelord who was his father,” Shiro repeated.

“Again, correct,” Iroh said as he grimaced. “You will have to forgive his behaviour earlier, we have been having a bit of a ‘tricky’ time with intruders lately. With your sudden appearance, it seemed to be a logical conclusion you were one of them.”

“No, I understand,” Shiro muttered as he stared into his cup. “I can imagine it wasn’t easy having to rule a nation at such a young age.”

Not to mention trying to make amends for a century-long war, Shiro thought. Willing to bet not everyone was happy with him ending the war.

“With that said,” Iroh continued as he sipped his tea, “I believe Aang would be the best person to assist you in returning home.”

Shiro frowned. “How so?”

“Earlier, when I mentioned the Spirit World? The Avatar is a natural bridge between our human world and theirs,” Iroh continued.

Shiro’s eyes widened slightly but then they narrowed. “I can understand your reasoning, but I’ve never crossed through a spirit world.”

“Are you certain?” Iroh said as lowered his cup. “All worlds have a special place where spirits dwell.” He stroked his beard. “Although, I imagine it looks very different and perhaps goes by a different name.”

Shiro shut his eyes in thought. “I can’t really think of a place-”

The Black Lion growled in his mind and an image of an endless sea of stars appeared in his head.

Shiro froze. Oh, right.

“You thought of a place?” Iroh asked.

“Maybe,” Shiro muttered as he rubbed his neck. “It might be a bit hard to explain-” “UNCLE!”

Shiro jumped, but noticed Iroh remained as still as a tree.

“Ah,” he said as he lifted his cup and sipped. “I believe that would be my nephew.”

“Nephew?” Shiro asked, but was swiftly cut off by the stomping of incoming feet. He whirled around in time to see a furious Zuko storming into the room.

His hair wasn’t as neatly as tied up as he had during the questioning and his robes were much simpler. Shiro noticed a boy in blue robes and a short girl wearing green entered.

The pair kept their distance as the Firelord locked his furious gaze upon Shiro. He looked ready to yell, but forced himself to take a deep breath.

“What are you doing in my uncle’s chambers?” he asked in a brisk tone.

Shiro blinked and then suddenly Iroh’s earlier words dawned on him. He pointed at the angry young man and turned to Iroh. “The firelord is your nephew?!”

“Why yes of course,” Iroh began but then paused as he stroked his beard. “Oh dear, did I never mention that?”

“Someone better answer me,” Zuko sharply cut in, refusing to be ignored.

“He is here because I invited him to share a meal with me,” Iroh stated calmly and shook his head. Shiro recalled his own grandfather doing inappropriate behaviour. “On that note, you are being very rude to our guest.”

Zuko choked as he kneeled next to his uncle. “Our guest?! UNCLE, HE IS AN INTRUDER!”

“Who has currently done nothing to earn such hostility,” Iroh corrected.

“Do you realize how much danger you put yourself in?!”

Iroh laughed. “I appreciate the concern but we both know I am quite capable of defending myself.”

“That is not the issue here!”

Iroh frowned. “Did you forget to eat? You are always more grumpy when you have an empty stomach.”

Zuko’s eye twitched as the two began to bicker and Shiro wondered if they had both forgotten he was present.

However, the other two people clearly hadn’t as the boy approached and sat next to Shiro.

“Hey, name’s Sokka,” the boy greeted, “and this is Toph.”

“Yo,” the girl waved.

“Um, hi?” Shiro said slowly.

Sokka pointed to the arguing uncle and nephew. “So, they’ll be at that for a bit, and I have a question.” He then pointed to Shiro’s cybernetic arm. “Who made that, and is it possible for me to get one?”

“That’s more than one question,” Shiro replied, “and unless you want to have an arm cut off I wouldn’t recommend it.”

Sokka gave a frown, but then sighed. “Yeah, I guess.”

“What are you talking about?” Toph growled as she pointed to her eyes. “Blind, remember?”

“The metal arm Zuko mentioned,” Sokka said. “It’s right next to you.”

“Got it,” Toph said and before Shiro could stop her, she placed her hand on his cybernetic arm.

Suddenly her eyes widened as she whipped her head around. “What the great spirits is this thing made out of?!”

“I just said metal-” Sokka continued.

“It’s not any metal I’ve felt,” Toph snapped and she drew back her hand and stared into it. “It’s weirder than the armour. It almost feels like a meteorite but-”

“How about we change the subject,” Shiro said gently.

Even if he wanted to answer her question, he barely knew what kind of metal his arm was made out of anyway.

Toph gave a pout, but was cut off as Zuko growled.

“Enough,” Zuko snapped and pointed to Shiro, “Shirogane’s going back to the dungeon.”

“His name is Shiro and he will do no such thing,” Iroh said calmly and grinned. “Especially when he was just about to grant me a fascinating conversation on what his world is like.”

Dead silence fell into the room as Shiro felt all the eyes slowly turn to Iroh.

“I’m sorry, what?” Sokka asked.

“Our friend here is from a world, a whole universe in fact,” Iroh continued.

Zuko took a deep breath. “Uncle, if this is a joke it is not one of your better ones.”

“It’s not a joke,” Shiro said slowly as he turned to him.

“Ookay,” Sokka replied as he raised an eyebrow and a hand, “and you are in our world because?”

Shiro sighed. “That’s where things get complicated.”

#atla #vld #voltron #vld gen #takashi shirogane #a paladin in the fire nation #my writing

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dogcopter · 4 years

Text

Jane is Lore 2020

Ok, here’s the round up of the ghost part of the situation with @keepbeachcitysafe and @keepbeachcityweird.

Theory: Ronaldo’s girlfriend Jane is the key to figuring out Rose Quartz is not gone, largely via a constellation of background clues. If that sounds ridiculous, I understand. I’m Ronaldo. Actually I’m not Ronaldo, but hopefully I’ll have a post about him too soon. I hope we can all have fun together tho

This post is very, very long and involves a lot of images. It will be confusing at first, but please entertain the thought and keep reading, and I hope it clicks into place. I may need to update it later.

Three sections for supporting evidence:

1. Restaurant Wars, Jane, KBCW/KBCS blogs’ interaction & contents

2. Astral projection/ghosts/fusions

3. Dogcopter secrets

Restaurant Wars Saga & Jane’s appearances

So Ronaldo has a blog at @keepbeachcityweird - he also published a book based on his blog called Keep Beach City Weird: You Can’t Hide the Truth!!!, which is available for purchase.

On April 23, 2014, Lion 2: The Movie airs. Jane appears for the first time working the ticket booth at the movie theater and sees Lion and the kids fight a killer robot. Dogcopter 3 is playing at the theater.

April 23, 2014, Ronaldo at Keep Beach City Weird also posts about seeing Dogcopter 3 at the movie theater, where the parking lot is a mess, presumably from Steven, Connie and Lion’s robot training fight.

He mentions “First of all, it’s a huge mistake to turn the last Dogcopter book into THREE movies.”, but that’s less relevant to this particular post. The important thing is that he, like Connie, follows Dogcopter, who’s also associated with Jane. (We’ll get to Dogcopter’s appearances in SU in the last part of this once the context is established)

Ronaldo’s posts in general document specific events and details in his home Beach City, but that’s another post entirely.

Exactly a year later, Ronaldo on April 23, 2015 posted about receiving a mysterious letter, which might be from Jane because (beneath a great deal of smudging) it appears to call Ronaldo the CUTEST GUY EVER! (This isn’t crucial or anything, just noting it as one of our first Jane points).

I GOT A LETTER TODAY!!! But for some reason it was all wet and I can’t even tell what it says. Is it a love letter? Is it a death threat? Please tell me! I need to know if I should lock my doors or open my heart!

Jane also appears in Beach City Drift. After Beach City Drift, keepbeachcitysafe posts an episode reaction blog, on July 22 2016, and takes special notice of Jane.

Hey did you guys notice that girl that keeps appear. We saw her when Steven took Connie to the movies and now she’s here. I wonder if she’s involved in something. Hmmmm. So Stevonnie raced Kevin down the hill in his Himitsu X12, that’s secret in Japanese.

(Kevin’s Himitsu X12 is his car, in the middle there. We’ll come back to this and what KBCS means in a second.)

July 25 2016, Restaurant Wars airs, the third of Jane’s four appearances in SU. In this ep, Jane comes a long way to return Ronaldo’s Koala Princess DVDs, and catches Ronaldo with Kiki and is upset.

KBCS posts another episode reaction blog, pays attention to Jane again, and says they plan to message Ronaldo.

Ronaldo says he can’t do it because of his girlfriend. Ooo, he has a girlfriend, that’s pretty cool, you just know whats gonna happen next.

Ok so, Ronaldo’s, GIRLFRIEND, (imagine me saying that in slow motion) showed up at the worst possible moment.

Everything was back to normal. Except poor Ronaldo, I should sent him a letter to cheer him up. Seen ya next week.

Almost immediately the KBCS and KBCW blogs play out a little interaction online:

Ronaldo goes through some stuff.

No post today. If anyone needs me I’ll be at Brooding Hill… where I’ll be CRYING. I usually cry at Crying Canyon, but it’s closed right because of some flash flood warnings.

Then Ronaldo posts KBCS’s letter.

Note how KBCW caps this message so the name is clearly visible? It’s referring to Ronaldo’s bio:

It’s not very cheering...but things work out shortly thereafter. Jane likes one of Ronaldo’s posts and all seems well.

I think it’s going to work out you guys. Thanks for all your support.

After this, Ronaldo doesn’t post again until Rocknaldo several months later, and one last time after publishing his book.

That’s April 18 2017. The KBCW tumblr is never updated again. KBCS’s final post is not long after, Jul 4, 2017.

Finally, Jane makes a cameo alongside Ronaldo in the very last scene of Steven Universe Future, “The Future.”

Koala Princess, Astral Projection and Psychic Ghosts

So some interesting patterns come up when you connect the two blogs, the clues associated with Jane, and some understanding of Steven’s powers. Let’s revisit Keep Beach City Weird, a Ronaldo’s primary blog, and Keep Beach City Safe, which contains mysteries too big for this simple Dogcopter/Jane-hime lore post.

Keep Beach City Weird - Ran from September 2013 to April 2017, with a lot of posts made in October 2015 and July 2016.

Keep Beach City Safe - Ran from June 2015 to July 2017, with most posts in 2016 of course.

Let’s look at a timeline of posts. I’m going to call out things that we’ll connect to the Jane lore at the end.

Keep Beach City Weird: Ronaldo’s blog

Nov 1, 2013, days before Steven Universe first airs: KBCW’s first post is all about Astral Projection.

Astral Projection! The ability to travel outside your physical body and into other planes of existence!

I began to feel lightheaded and before I knew it, I was floating above my body. Amazing! I walked out onto the boardwalk in my new ASTRAL FORM, and you know what the weird thing was? Nobody even said hello to me. I was COMPLETELY INVISIBLE! I mean, usually nobody really notices me, but this was a different kind of not being noticed. This was not being noticed on another plane of existence - so I didn’t feel bad about it.Anyway, after being ignored in the arcade and Fish Stew Pizza, I got bored and I went back to the fry shop to re-merge with my body.

Astral projection is a power Steven demonstrates a number of times, and you’ll see among these posts that certain powers of Steven involving this stuff are called out by the blog.

Connie: What? Where are you? How are you...? Steven: I’m not sure, but I think it’s a classic psychic ghost type situation. Connie: Ah, of course! So, what’s the plan?

from Reunited

Steven: Oh man. I fell asleep and had this weird dream. I opened the door and Lapis was there, and- Pearl: Well, that doesn’t make any sense. Lapis is fused with Jasper at the bottom of the ocean. Steven: You’ve never had a dream before, huh? Pearl: Uh, I don’t think so.

from Chille Tid

August 28, 2014, Joking Victim, Ronaldo posts about ghosts. And an arsonist from about 150 years ago.

September 04 2014, Steven and the Stevens, Ronaldo posts about "cross dimensional travelers”

And all the cross dimensional time travelers I know don’t want to go on the record about their experiences.

Not mentioning posts that don’t mention ghosts/astral projection/dimensions in some capacity, but in realtime Ronaldo liveblogs in response to episode events.

Ronaldo also answers some fan asks. On October 31 2014 after Keep Beach City Weird he answers this question about floaters with “BACTERIAL GHOSTS” in all caps, this one about his first encounter with the supernatural (the events shown in Horror Club, which aired February 12, 2015)

Nov 2014, Ronaldo posts twice about Watermelon Stevens and a review of the anime Soul Blaster, “Like every anime, Soul Blaster is about a high school student. Our hero is a cool dude, with even cooler hair named Kyosuke. He battles rogue spirits with the help of his Soul Blaster - which happens to be powered by the spirit of his deceased younger brother, Kettaro. “

On December 4, 2014 Ronaldo posts about Koala Princess, who will become important in this post when we get back to Dogcopter and Jane. Koala Princess is repeatedly used as a stand-in for talking about Steven’s journey. In this post Ronaldo says:

AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Ok, so I just finished the final episode of Koala Princess and I don’t want to get too emotional on you guys but I CAN’T STOP CRYING! Koala Princess goes on a walkabout and enters dreamtime and finally MEETS HER KOALA MOTHER FOR THE FIRST TIME!!! SLKDJFSDJ:FS

I’ve got so many feels! These feels are the real deals! On wheels! WHAT AM I SAYING?! I’M GOING CRAZY!!!

Lion 3: Straight to Video aired on the same day as Ronaldo’s post. In this episode Steven meets Dogcopter in a dream, and then sees his mother Rose Quartz for the first time - she speaks to him via a VHS tape.

After Alone Together, Ronaldo posts about Stevonnie, who is a fusion. He also gets stuck under a fridge for a bit after Future Vision in January 2015.

And I want TO GET OUT FROM UNDER THIS FRIDGE!

He posts like five times about it in the same day because he’s freaking out.

And also I want my body to be shot into space with a print version of my blog so an alien civilization can find me reconstruct my body and worship me.

On February 19 2015 after Winter Forecast, he posts about using time travel to fix bad decisions:

Sometimes I think about all the bad decisions I’ve made and how they’ve affected my life, and I wish I could go back in time and change them. But unless I can find a way to break into the Pentagon and steal a time bike, I’m just stuck with having regrets.

After Political Power Ronaldo claims glowsticks are filled with ghost blood.

Anyway, then stuff happens.

January 4 2016, after The Answer, Ronaldo posts about seeing Dogcopter 4 and shares the poster for it.

One interesting thing about the poster is that if you invert it and mess with the contrast a bit, a strange diagram appears on the left. A true mystery.

And after months of avoiding and spoilers or teasers or trailers, I was in line for Dogcopter 4, and then some dummy walking out of the theater TOTALLY SPOILED EVERYTHING and was like, “I can’t believe that Dogcopter’s parents are actually cats.”

Coming back to Dogcopter in a minute, but these are relevant details.

Dogcopter dies defending the planet but then he comes back to life because he’s actually part cat and cats have 9 lives.

On Jan 5, Steven’s Birthday, Ronaldo posts about celebrating his birthday on a different date every year.

Every year, I celebrate my birthday on a completely different day. Why? To keep my birthdate a SECRET so that no clandestine government agencies can steal my identity!

July 2016, the saga with Jane and KBCS above happens. When he’s sad about Jane breaking up with him, the same day Kiki’s Pizza Delivery Service comes out (in which Steven astral projects into Kiki’s dream), he listens to sad music.

Ugh, I wish I had some sad music to listen to at work. All I have is a playlist of video game soundtracks and some EVP recordings of ghost hauntings. I guess ghosts are sad. I’ll just listen to those.

But if you’re feeling happy, I do suggest listening to the “Go-Go Gorilla Go-Go Kart Racing” soundtrack. Some solid 16-bit J-reggae.

This post may partly be a reference to the Sadie Killer song G-G-G-Ghost, which is performed in The Big Show and wouldn’t air for a bit, but is also astral projection related.

Why can't you see me? Why can't you see me? I think I might be A g-g-g-ghost. Can't you see that I exist? And I don't need an exorcist To let me out Look at me and I'll appear Why can't you see that I'm right here? That I'm right here? Why can't you see me? Why can't you see me? I think I might be A g-g-g-ghost. I'm calling you from the other side

Once Ronaldo has gone through grief and anger, he resorts to begging her to come back. This post is from July 28, the day Alone at Sea aired in which Jasper begs Lapis to return.

Much like Koala Princess’ vision in the Eucalyptus Jungle in Season 5, Episode 13 what you saw on the Boardwalk the other day was not what it seemed. I was only pretending to date Kiki to defend my family’s honor, just as the Kanga-ronin did in Season 1, Episode 3!

Here is another Koala Princess reference. There are a couple SU references in the episode numbers in this post.

The events of Season 5, Episode 13 of KP was not what it seemed: for Steven Universe, this is Your Mother and Mine, in which Garnet tells a story told to her by Rose Quartz. It later turns out to be a false origin story to cover the truth that Rose Quartz was Pink Diamond.

Kanga-ronin pretended at something to defend family honor in Season 1, Episode 3, which in SU is Cheeseburger Backpack - where Steven buys a novelty backpack so he can carry things on missions to be useful for the gems, fails his first mission and pretends he’s fine. The events of this ep are later referenced in The Test.

Finally, Koala Princess’ vision in the Eucalyptus Jungle is a reference to Stevonnie’s vision in Jungle Moon, which is Stevonnie’s first interaction with Pink Diamond via a memory dream. In this dream, all was not as it seemed either.

Then the KBCW blog doesn’t post until Feb 2017, after Rocknaldo. A couple ghost and dream-y quotes from here:

In my searches for THE TRUTH, I’ve done a lot of listening. I’ve listened to haunted houses to hear ghosts from other dimensions. I’ve listened to radio signals from the cosmos for signs of alien life.

I’ve also learned that HUMANS NEED TO SLEEP. I didn’t sleep for 48 hours and I PASSED OUT FOR DAYS.

Ronaldo’s final post is an ad for his book, which comes out during a hiatus, and he references Koala Princess again:

I did have a little help from some fellow truth-stigators I met on a Koala Princess forum, Ben Levin and Matt Burnett, but most of the work was definitely done by ME!

Now let’s look at Keep Beach City Safe.

Keep Beach City Safe: [???]’s blog

For KBCS, I’m only going to skim to address ghost/astral projection related content that comes back to the business with Jane, Dogcopter, Koala Princess and Rose. The rest of this blog is a little too big for right now.

It’s interesting that KBCS seems to have mostly flown under the radar, but between the Jane arc and a couple other things I believe it to be legit. Suffice to say I’m treating it as real and you will see why in a minute.

For KBCS I’ll mostly mention which episode a post is associated with, but not the date like with Ronaldo’s.

KBCS’s reaction blog to Nightmare Hospital includes a couple relevant lines:

Where was the Gem M.? I heard footsteps behind me. I turned around! It was mom!

Don’t tell me It’s on the other side of the hall corner. That would mean it saw mo- Connie’s mom!

KBCS posts a blog between Too Far and The Answer, in which they review a number of events. (They post another blog about fusions in which they describe Garnet and Stevonnie’s components as well)

During the movie the TV just shut down and they were being chased around by a “ghost”. It was actually a gem stuck inside the house, making the house seem like it was possessed.

They also get pretty excited about Steven’s birthday.

Only a few more minutes until Steven’s Birthday!

Eeeeh! Only a few mins left until midnight. We finally get to learn about Garnet’s past! Are guys happy, I know I am. I can’t even express how happy I feel, but I’ll try. And I will not act crazy while doing it, Imma keep it cool. So it’s like Peace and Love had a son, and his name was Steven! Then Steven fused with Connie, who was the daughter of Happiness. And they formed Stevonnie, who was made of everything right within the universe!

On Steven’s Birthday they also post about the Dogcopter 4 movie.

I’m gonna be a Smart Spoiler and drop hints in my post for you guess. Only those who have watched it will notice the clues. Yep, watching it 9 times.

This clearly references Ronaldo’s post about Dogcopter having nine lives, but KBCS is a little more considerate about spoilers.

In KBCS’s “It Could’ve Been Great” post, they’re still talking about Steven’s birthday. There’s a promo image attached as well.

To start things off I just wanted to say: I did see Steven turn into a baby? And I would also like to say: DID YOU SEE STEVEN TURN INTO A BABY!?!?

So, by now your probably wondering what the second image is aren’t you? We clearly it’s a pic of Rose holding a cupcake candle.

We, here at Keep Beach City Safe, thought that Steven would’ve liked to have his mom at his birthday party. Happy Birthday from all of us at KBCS. Hope you like it.

Future Vision reference. (Some of this is less relevant to the Jane thing but I’m pulling quotes that are related to fusion and stuff in the hopes it gets clearer)

This reminds me of the time that Garnet gave Stevens her future vision. I don’t know what happens exactly, but I think you see what’s going to happen in the future hence the name future vision. Being able to see into the future would be awesome, yet terrified at same time.

There’s a great post about Pie Day - in fact, KBCS posts about Pie Day a few times. They call out Pearl, too, which reminds me of a certain prolific fandom video editor’s handle.

You know who else knows about Pi. Pearl, but also Peridot.

Pearl Doesn’t Like Pie. Happy Pie Day!

This is not a good photo of Pear let’s see if we can find a better one. Now that’s better.

Sorry for the tangent. Let’s talk koalas now.

KBCS posts about The New Lars. They have thoughts about Steven’s ability to hop into other bodies, namely the question of whether Rose could do this as well.

Steven is worried that Lars isn’t being truthful about his feelings. So through his dreams, Steven jumps into Lar’s body, and trys to make his life better. But he only makes things worse.

Steven somehow possessed Lars’s body through his dreams. He’s done it before and he’ll do it again, we have a word for it now: Dream Possession. But he can also enter dreams.

He did it with Lapis, the Watermelon Stevens, and now Lars. That’s one gem, one sentient plant, and one human. Well with lapis he was merely communicating with her. This, new power, is seems to activates itself whenever Steven wants to help someone, but can’t because something getting in the way. Could this be a power passed down from Rose, or is this a power he himself posses?

#koala vs sloth

in The New Lars, koalas come up twice. Koalas in SU are associated with Steven’s astral projection powers. Remember how Koala Princess met her mother in the dreamscape?

Steven: For your consideration...The koala, a marsupial from the forests of Australia, and the sloth, hailing from the forests of South America. Who should be crowned the king of the "Hanging Around Doing Nothing" mammals!?

Steven in Lars’ body: Whatcha doing? Hanging out? Buck: Yeah. Steven: That's cool. Would you say you hang out more like koalas or sloths? Uh, I'm asking for Steven.

Steven: Um... I'm really, really sorry about yesterday. I got you a card, it's got a koala and a sloth.

From The New Lars. Steven references koalas three times.

KBCS gets to Beach City Drift. They take notice of Jane and of Kevin’s car.

Hey did you guys notice that girl that keeps appear. We saw her when Steven took Connie to the movies and now she’s here. I wonder if she’s involved in something. Hmmmm.

So Stevonnie raced Kevin down the hill in his Himitsu X12, that’s secret in Japanese.

So while we’re back on the subject of Jane, here’s something interesting about Dogcopter and the Himitsu X12. They both show up in advertisements together in the background of Empire City.

Mr Greg

Same Old World

This is what KBCS is talking about - Dogcopter has a secret.

For Kiki’s Pizza Delivery Service, KBCS has more to say about dreams.

She has a nightmare and Steven, coincidentally, falls asleep after eating and enters Kiki’s dream. Now Steven The Dream Warrior, must help Kiki battle her dream, and finally end this nightmare once and for all.

Steven, who for some reason keeps going into people’s dreams, goes into Kiki’s dream.

Steven fought for about week, and he’s was tired by day four. And we know from experience that a sleepless Steven, is a cranky Steven.

This is the same power Steven used in Chille Tid. and look who showed up again?

After Monster Reunion airs, KBCS posts a liveblog and includes a far-fetched accusation that Rose Quartz is Pink Diamond.

Think about it! A Diamond should have access to all gem controlled tech, right. And if Rose Quartz was Pink Diamond, which she is, then she should be able to too, right. And Steven has Rose’s gem. So now Steven can access gem tech. And one more thing to prove this theory once and for all.

But there’s one thing that doesn’t add up. Rose Quartz… is a Quartz. How could she be a Diamond?????? Maybe I’m wrong, she could have been just working along side Pink Diamond. Maybe this just a crackpot theory about the impossible. I don’t think gems can turn into different gems? who knows, I guess we’ll find out sooner or later.

When KBCS gets to Crack the Whip, they take note of Lion and tag him thrice:

Crack the Whip! Is it just me or is that foreshadowing?

Oh, did I mention that Lion was there. He was just there, when Connie opened the door, he walked up and just started hanging. It was so cool! It was like, Just Lion Things 2! So the snack break, that takes the whole day, ends at the beach, where the idea originally began.

Amethyst faces off Jasper, gem to gem, while Steven and Connie, and don’t forget Lion, fight the corrupted gem.

Lion was keeping the Gem Monster busy while all of this was happening. I was so stunned when Steven and Connie fused, without doing a fusion dance! How well they worked, together, they rode on Lion, and defeated Jasper, and poofed the Gem Monster all at the same time!!!

#just lion things 2 #lion fights #lion still fights

There’s also a weird Google Slides slideshow connected to the KBCS account, which includes this image featuring Lion, Tiny Floating Whale, (and Connie and Greg) and the word TRUE with Steven’s affirmative!

More Koala Princess

Two more Koala Princess references - although only one is immediately relevant -

In Gemcation, Ronaldo keeps texting Steven about Koala Princess. Steven’s lockscreen is a selfie with him and Lion.

Also, as a sidenote, Koala Princess is implicated in sneople trolls on anime message boards.

Dogcopter

These are just the Dogcopter appearances (Thanks to SU wiki as well as my brain) Dogcopter fights robots in at least one timeline, and the book is allegedly really long. Bold Dogcopters are the pink dogcopter, everything else is an ad or grey.

Lars and the Cool Kids - Poster

Lion 2 - The movie they all go see.

Lion 3 - Gives Steven advice.

Chille Tid - Shows Steven how to find Lapis. Meows. (Dogcopter’s parents are cats.)

Same Old World & Mr. Greg - Advertisement

Kiki’s Pizza Delivery Service - flies Steven away.

In Dreams and Growing Pains (Note this is grey Dogcopter) - Flies away in Stefan’s nightmare, proposes to Drew the driver (or at least offers them something) in the Dogcopter 6 Till Death Do Us Bark I Now Pronounce You Man and Woof trailer.

Snow Day - Pupcopter, a spinoff for babies.

And for Steven’s Birthday - Connie points out a Dogcopter constellation.

Astral Projection

Another quick summary. I’ve written a lot on this psychic ghost stuff so check my blog if you want the tags, idrc. Summary of astral projection powers Steven has shown:

Leaving his body (Reunited, Escapism)

Possessing other bodies (New Lars, Escapism, SWI)

Traveling to others’ dreams (Kiki’s Pizza, Chille Tid)

Interacting with fusion components within the fusion’s mind (Chille Tid, Mindful)

Regarding KBCS’s question of whether Rose could have done this, it doesn’t seem impossible - and as of Fragments and Homeworld Bound, we know that Gems don’t die when they are killed. (Lol.) That is, the personality/soul can appear in the same gem if it’s shattered and repaired. And Steven’s mom’s gem is perfectly intact, inside him.

Literally what is the point of all this

So after KBCS and KBCW spent so long talking about astral projection, ghosts, dreams, fusions, etc etc. they never actually got to the point - just pointed us in the direction of a bunch of clues that

Rose Quartz isn’t gone.

Obviously. She’s in his gem in him, like Lapis and the mirror, or the lighthouse gem. She uses astral projection to help Steven in his dreams as well as see him in Rose’s room, like other fusions speak in the mindscape. (There’s a lot more to this but this is enough to ask anyone to wrap their head around atm)

She also interacts with him through other bodies, the same way Steven takes over Lars’ body, or the Watermelon Stevens.

Remember this?

We, here at Keep Beach City Safe, thought that Steven would’ve liked to have his mom at his birthday party.

Who came to Steven’s birthday in which Connie points out that Dogcopter constellation?

Who gave Steven advice when he wished he could talk to his mom?

Who showed Steven where to find the tape?

Who else could have asked Steven, “What do you want” in Susan Egan’s voice?

(Why did they choose to hire Susan Egan to voice a cameo in Under the Knife in the first few seconds of Fusion Cuisine, where she says “It’s my son!” while Lion is onscreen)

Or reassured him that Rose’s tape was telling him the truth?

Who first brought him to Pink Diamond’s moon base?

Who knew where Rose’s armory was and how to train with it? (Note the giant penny)

Who showed Steven the location of Pink’s fallen palanquin?

Who found Rose’s lost scabbard?

and knew where Pearl would run to when she’s upset?

Who (reluctantly) brought Steven to the landfill and Pink Diamond’s ship?

Who showed him how to find Malachite?

Twice?

Who showed him how Pink Diamond tried to stop the Earth’s colonization, and who to ask for the truth?

Who tried to entertain him on Mask Island when he was trapped on Homeworld?

And then rescued him from the open sea?

Who showed Stevonnie the password to Yellow Diamond’s moon base?

Much like Koala Princess’ vision in the Eucalyptus Jungle in Season 5, Episode 13 what you saw on the Boardwalk the other day was not what it seemed.

So yeah Rose is Lion 2020. Thanks for reading this extremely long nonsense.

Also thanks to @babybeetlebongos for both mindscape lore and fixing Ronaldo’s cheek in the banner image, lol. I made a Twitter thread about this as well (and the more in depth Lion and astral projection theory threads are quoted at the top, if you need them. the #mindscape deeplore 2020 tag/tags on this post have stuff too.)

#steven universe theory #steven universe future #su theory #steven universe #rose is lion 2020 #mindscape deeplore 2020 #jane lore 2020 #kbcs lore #dogcopter #lion the mood #rosedemption 2020 #would you believe this isn't even the deep part of the rabbit hole??? im tired tho #i hope i left enough info for others to get into KBCS if anyone cares #i love this fool rose quartz

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the-sympathetic-villain · 4 years

Text

You Belong With Me - Chapter 10

AO3 | First | Previous | Next | Masterpost

Description: Much to his surprise, after being released from prison for a crime he didn’t commit, Logan has been appointed as a the prince’s new advisor.

Word Count: 5069

Chapter Warnings: Vague wording that could be interpreted as suicidal ideation (Let me know if I missed anything!)

Virgil gestured for Patton to move away from Logan and Patton followed him. Slowly, he slid down into his chair, keeping his eyes carefully trained on Virgil. Fidgeting nervously, Virgil pulled Patton’s desk chair out to sit in front of him. He rested his arms on his knees, interlacing his fingers, glancing over at Logan. A moment of silence passed as Virgil collected his thoughts. “Patton, I'm going to warn you that what I'm about to tell you is only part of the story.”

“Virgil—" Patton began sternly.

“Pat, it's not a question of trust. If I could share, I would.” Virgil interrupted him. “When’s the only time I keep things from you?”

Patton looked over at him, disgruntled, before sighing. “When it's not yours to share.”

He met Patton's worried gaze. “Logan deserves a choice in how and when he shares some of this information. Okay?”

Patton’s look softened and he glanced over to Logan sleeping on the far side of the room. He was quiet for a moment, watching Logan’s chest rise and fall as he slept peacefully. “Okay, Virgil. You’re right. I won't to take that from him. Tell me whatever you can.”

"Logan has been being followed since he was released from his time in the dungeons.” Virgil hesitated, noting Patton’s distressed expression. Anxiously, he rubbed his hands together before he pressed forward. “Patton, when Roman left him alone the first day after his release, he was jumped the second he was alone.”

Patton frowned, looking sadly over at the bruises on Logan's face. Virgil followed his gaze, sympathetically waiting for Patton to adjust to this new information before he continued.

“He got lucky, Patton. Princey was nearby and got to him before anything serious happened." Virgil paused, sighing. "But he could have gotten hurt badly , if Roman hadn't stepped in when he did. So, Roman asked me to help protect him. Logan hasn't been alone since. Either princey or I have been around to make sure he's safe and whoever's after him can't get close to him."

“Poor Logan. He's been through so much recently.”

“I know, Pat, and they tried to grab him again earlier tonight." Virgil clenched his jaw, looking down at the ground. "I barely got him out of there, Pat. We must have crossed an entire wing of the castle before we managed to ditch them.”

“No one came to help you?” Patton looked up at him in confusion.

Virgil sighed, running his hand through his hair. “We didn’t pass a single person the entire time they were chasing us. I can't stand the idea of him getting hurt again, but the person after him is incredibly powerful. Powerful enough to clear an entire wing of the castle without raising any alarms.”

Patton looked away, lost in thought, watching the fire burning beside them. After a moment, Patton looked up at him curiously. “But Virgil, you escaped from them, right?”

Virgil nodded at him.

“So, what happened to Logan?" Patton pressed him and Virgil reluctantly continued his story.

“We made it back to his chambers safely and we talked for a while.” He paused, looking despondent. “Pat, it was so hard to listen to him talk about everything that happened to him. He didn’t deserve any of this.”

“I know it wasn't easy to hear, Virge. He's endured a lot more than any person should have to recently, but you did a good thing, kiddo. Logan needed someone on his side and you were there for him.” Patton reached forward from his chair to gently squeeze Virgil’s hand.

Virgil smiled back,feeling more at ease. “Thanks, Pat.”

Patton beamed proudly at him.

He chuckled for a moment before he let out a deep sigh, clenching his jaw. Patton looked down at him in surprise as he squeezed Patton's hand tightly.

“It's going to be okay, Virge.” Patton gently rubbed his thumb on Virgil’s wrist. Concern felt ready to burst out from his chest as he watched Virgil's emotions start to spill over. Patton squeezed his hand and tried to reassure him. “You’re both okay now, kiddo.”

Virgil nodded, holding Patton's hand tightly. “It started to get late and I sent Logan to bed. It'd only been a couple hours when, out of nowhere, I heard screaming from the other room.” Virgil’s hands started to shake until he dropped Patton’s hand, anxiously running his hands through his hair, tugging slightly at the ends. “That scream…It was gut-wrenching, Pat. I never want to hear that sound again. What could you even do to person to—” Virgil cut himself off, unable to continue the thought.

“Sounds awful, kiddo.” Patton curled his hands up in his lap, watching Virgil empathetically.

“I thought he was waking up from a nightmare. I tried to calm him down but Logan insisted it was more than a nightmare. He started groaning. He was in pain and I panicked and—"

“Virge,” Patton stopped him calmly, waiting until Virgil looked up at him. “Take a breath and back up. What do you mean it wasn't a nightmare?”

Virgil breathed deeply, trying to calm his nerves. “The first words out of Logan's mouth were that it wasn’t a nightmare, and of course, I didn't believe him at first, but he pulled his shirt down and he has this giant fresh bruise on his shoulder. He said something about being stabbed—"

“What?!” Patton exclaimed as he leaped up and rushed over to Logan.

“Pat, no!” Virgil hissed. He reached out to stop him but Patton breezed by him. “Please, don't wake him!”

“I won't, Virgil. Don’t worry. I just want to look.” He paused, hovering above Logan. He whispered to Virgil. “Right or left?”

“Right.” Virgil answered hesitantly.

Patton eased Logan's shirt down to examine his shoulder, careful not to disturb him. His heart dropped at the sight of the dark bruising. “Oh, Lo.”

“He said he was stabbed in his shoulder in his dream, Pat.” He said as he watched Patton drag his feet back to his chair. “They did that much damage and they weren’t even in the room with him.”

“So, that's why you came to me.” Patton hung his head as he dropped back into his chair.

“They tortured him while he slept alone in his room and I couldn’t protect him, Pat. I didn’t even know until he woke up.” Virgil paused, letting his hands drop to his sides. “You’re the only one I know who might have been able to protect him.”

“Well, he seems to be sleeping peacefully now.” Patton crossed his legs in front of him, leaning tiredly into the soft fabric of the arm of the arm. “You did the right thing, kiddo.”

“I hope so, Pat.” He sighed.

“You did, Virgil.” Patton yawned as he propped his head up on his hand as he leaned on his elbow. “Logan needed to be somewhere warded so he can recover. If you hadn’t acted as quickly as you did, he might not have made it down here at all. You did good. He's safe now, because of you.”

“Thanks, Pat. I needed to hear that.” Virgil sighed, leaning back in his chair. “It just scares me how fast he faded once we left his room. I was sure he was going to pass out halfway here.”

Patton shrugged, unconcerned. “I’m honestly more surprised he didn't. Most people pass out almost immediately after waking the first time they astral project. It takes an incredible amount of energy to do. Somehow he was resilient enough for him to stay awake, and that's impressive given he was already exhausted.”

Virgil looked confused. “Patton, he wasn't the one astral projecting. Someone astral projected into his dreams.”

“It doesn't work like that, kiddo. You can't enter someone else's dream.” Patton smiled softly as Virgil looked at him with skepticism, before he continued. “But, when someone is in their personal dreamspace, it is easier to pull their spirit out of their body to a neutral plane that would essentially function like a dream, but both parties have to astral project, willingly or not. That's the only way it works.”

“So, that's why he suddenly got so tired?”

Patton nodded. “Astral projecting for any amount of time takes a lot of energy and we don't how long he was in there. After everything else he's been through, he was lucky it wasn't worse.”

Virgil leaned his elbows on his knees, anxiously rubbing his hands together. “He’s okay now though, right Pat?"

“Yeah, he's going to be fine, kiddo. They can't find him here.” Patton smiled at him, pointing to his head. “Even if they could, they can't reach him. He's safely inside his own head.”

“Good.”

“You can breathe now, Virge.” Patton smiled tiredly at him.

“Alright. I get it, Pat.” Virgil smirked at him. “When did you get so good at this?”

“I learned from the best.” Patton smirked back at him. “After all, you're not usually the one who needs comforting around here.”

“I don't think you picked any of this up from me.” Virgil chuckled softly, feeling more relaxed. He looked up at Patton's drooping eyes and smiled. “Why don't you rest, Pat? There are still a few hours until dawn. I'll keep an eye out, okay?”

“Alright, Virgil.” Patton gave in easily, slouching back into the soft chair. “Try not to worry too much though, kiddo. Everyone's okay, right now, and worrying about the future doesn't do anyone any good tonight.”

“I'll try, Pat." He smiled sternly at Patton. "Go to bed.”

“Okay. Sounds good.” Patton pulled a blanket out from next to his chair. He cuddled up in his big armchair, wrapped up tightly in his blanket. He was asleep in a few short minutes, snoring away in his chair. Virgil smiled as he watched Patton sleep for a few minutes, but after a while, Virgil turned his gaze down to the fire, his face turning serious. He kneeled down, resting on his ankles as he watched the flames, deep in thought as the hours of the night ticked away.

Virgil peeked out the curtains of Patton’s hut. Patton and Logan still slept, but the sun was high in the sky by this time of the morning. People had filtered into the courtyard hours ago. Virgil watched as busy bodies mulled about their daily tasks, blissfully unaware of the political tension that threatened to throw the entire kingdom into chaos. He sighed tensely, leaning into the wall. Everything had been quiet since Patton had fallen asleep. Not a shadow had stirred outside of Patton’s cottage during the night and yet, Virgil couldn’t shake his paranoia. Anxiety prickled at the back of his neck as he considered the possibility that they'd been spotted last night. He couldn’t bear the guilt, if he'd brought trouble to Patton’s doorstep.

A soft groan pulled him from his spiraling thoughts. He turned away from the window, careful to fully close the curtain behind him. He watched quietly as Logan stirred and groggily tried to sit up.

“Slowly, L.” He whispered, glancing over to make sure he hadn’t woken Patton, who was snoring peacefully in his chair. He silently crossed the room, sliding onto the bed next to Logan.

Logan leaned back onto the bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “Where am I?”

“Patton’s house, L.” Virgil answered cautiously. His hair fell over his eyes as he leaned down over Logan. “Do you remember coming here last night?”

“I seem to have only a hazy recollection of what exactly happened last night, but yes. I seem to remember showing at his doorstep at some point in the night.”

Logan tried again to push himself upright and Virgil leaned over to help him. After some effort, Logan was leaned against the wall, with his legs tucked up on the bed.

Virgil edged back to the wall to sit next to him, watching cautiously as Logan swayed slightly next to him. “I’m not surprised. You were pretty out of it by the time we arrived.”

“I’m still feel rather disoriented.” Logan held his head with both hands.

“Lean on me, Logan. It'll help stop the spinning.” Virgil reached an arm around him, pulling him into his shoulder.

Logan exhaled with relief as the world around him stabilized.

“It may take a few minutes for the herbs we gave you to wear off.”

“What herbs?” Logan's muscles tensed at the idea of not remembering being medicated.

"Patton gave you something to help you sleep.” Virgil spoke reassuringly, gently rubbing his thumb on Logan's shoulder. “We just wanted to make sure you got some rest. That's all, Logan.”

Logan relaxed slightly, feeling guilty for reaction. He didn't want Virgil to feel like he doubted him. “Patton did?”

“Yeah, he's a pretty talented herbalist on top of maintaining the greenhouses.” Virgil smiled down at him.

“I guess his expertise in botany would lend itself well to studying herbalism.” Logan thought out loud as he rubbed his eyes. After a moment, he paused, dropping his voice. His tone became guarded as he whispered nervously to Virgil. “What did you tell Patton about why you showed up on his doorstep with me nearly unconscious on your shoulder?”

“I told him the basics of what happened last night, but I left out who was involved. I figured it was up to you if you wanted to share that with him.”

“Thanks, Vee. I don't want to put him in danger.” His eyes drifted up to check that Patton was still asleep before going limp against Virgil’s shoulder. “I’m going to tell Roman everything.”

Virgil hesitantly stopped rubbing his shoulder. “Okay, but we need plan. I don't want that to go sideways on you, L.”

“I just want to tell him and get it over with.”

“Logan—" Virgil started but Logan cut him off.

“I don't care about the consequences, Vee. He needs to know.”

Virgil leaned forward to meet Logan’s downcast eyes. He hesitated for a moment before he speaking, unsure if he even wanted to bring up Logan's unwanted memories. “Logan, do you remember your nightmare last night?”

Logan was quiet for a while. He reached up to rest his hand on his injured shoulder. “It's hazy, Vee. Like waking up from any other dream, I only remember certain pieces, but I have enough… experience with Remus to put together what happened.”

Virgil squeezed his shoulder, frowning down at him.

Logan continued, exhaustion creeping into his voice. “But if you’re specifically referring to the threat he made, yes. I remember that part of my encounter with him. I suppose it wouldn't do him any good, if I forgot the details of that part of the encounter.”

Virgil’s heart ached as Logan curled closer to him. “L, we need to think this through. I don't want to see you get hurt.”

“I know the risks.”

“Do you?” Virgil raised an eyebrow at him skeptically. “Because if Remus' comes after you at full force, I don't know if I can protect you.”

"I don't care about the consequences anymore, Vee. I'm done playing his game.” Logan paused. “Roman shouldn’t have to pay the price for my selfishness.”

“You don’t need to try and be a hero, L. We’ll figure out a way to tell Roman, and he'll be fine. We just need a plan first.” Virgil paused, exhaling slowly. “It's not selfish to not want to get hurt, Logan. I'm not willing to trade your safety for Roman's.”

“I won't wait to tell him anymore, Vee. I refuse to be Remus' puppet.” Logan sat up, leaning against the wall behind him. “Besides, if Remus gets to anyone, it’d be better if it was me, instead of Roman.”

“Your life isn't worth any less than Roman’s, Logan.”

Silence hung in the air between them as Logan looked away.

“I'm not letting you risk your safety antagonizing Remus.” Virgil clenched his jaw as he pulled his hand back from Logan, struggling to keep his voice down. “I'm not letting it happen.”

Logan shrugged tiredly. “You can't keep me from Roman, Vee.”

Patton stirred awake at the noise, blinking wearily as he rose up in his chair. He stared at them for a moment before the tension seemed to register in his mind. He sat up, looking between the two of them. “What's going on guys?”

Patton watched as Virgil jumped up off the bed, storming over to the window, without saying a word.

Logan finally broke the silence. His face turned to the ground, almost talking to himself. “He resorted to threatening me because he doesn't think he can take me from you, Vee. Leaving me with Roman is not worth the risk if he had any other option.”

Virgil didn't respond. He silently stopped on the far side of the room, body going limp on the wall.

Patton sat up straight in his chair, eyes darting back and forth between the two of them. Eventually, his gaze settled on Logan since Virgil seemed too upset to talk. “Lo, what’s going on?”

“I can’t put you in danger, Patton.” Logan replied, sadly turning away from Virgil to look at Patton.

“You don’t have to protect me, kiddo.” Patton leaned forward, smiling reassuringly at him.

“I’m not a child.” Logan’s tone was flat as he curled his legs to his chest, leaning his arms on his knees. His eyes were distant, staring at the floor.

“I know, Lo.” Patton continued to smile at him patiently. “Forgive me. You just seem a little lost right now.”

“I’m perfectly aware of my current location.” Logan deflected, not meeting Logan's gaze.

Patton watched him quietly for a moment, recognizing the sad look in Logan's eyes. “Logan, do you believe that Roman, Virgil and I genuinely care about you?”

Logan continued to stare at the floor but Patton patiently waited for a response.

“No. I don't.” He replied sadly.

Logan could see Virgil turn back towards them out of the corner of his eye but he avoided Virgil’s gaze. His face flushed with shame.

“That's good, Lo!” Patton scrunched his face before smiling apologetically at Logan. “Well, I mean that's not good that you feel that way, but it is good you can recognize what you’re feeling. Lo, why do you believe that?”

“Roman and Virgil have only known me a few days. You've only known me for a matter of hours. That’s hardly enough time to form a significant bond and, on top of that, you been forced to take care of me the entire. Our relationship has hardly been mutually beneficial.” Logan paused, his voice quivering lightly. “I've been nothing but a burden to all of you.”

“Well, kid-I mean Logan. I think it's worth saying that you don’t have to be useful for us to care for you.” Patton stood up off his chair and hopped up on the bed facing Logan. He crossed his legs, and reached over to take Logan’s hand. Logan didn't return his grip but Patton held on tightly anyway. “Lo, why do you think Virgil brought you here?”

Logan’s eyes seemed to focus for a second, pondering Patton’s question. When he finally spoke again, his voice was soft and timid. “To get me some some sort of medicine that would force me to sleep, I suppose.”

Patton squeezed Logan's hand. “Well, yeah. The hypnotic that I gave you last night was definitely important. You were severely sleep deprived and your body was hurting because it, but that's not the only reason.”

Logan looked up at him as Patton continued.

“When you got here last night, I put all of these up.” He gestured to the charms hanging around the room, watching Logan as he followed his gaze around the room. “They're called wards, and they're magical protective barriers that I put up to makes sure you were safe in your own head as you slept last night.”

Patton smiled as Logan tightened his grip on his hand.

“I know you’re scared and you don't feel safe right now, but Virgil brought you here because he was worried about you. He wanted to make sure you couldn't get hurt again. He cares about you, Lo.”

Logan’s grip tightened on his hand.

“And I was glad to help because I care a lot about you too. You haven't been here long, but you've had a big impact on us. I may have only known you for a few hours, but in that time, you've shown me that you are a kind, brave, compassionate person. Helping you hasn't been a burden. It's been a joy because I get to spend more time with you.”

Logan closed his eyes. He fought back tears as he gripped Patton’s hand, almost afraid it might disappear.

"Roman too, Lo. He's so glad he decided to bring you here. He smiles more when you're around." Patton paused. "He may have been upset earlier today, but that's only because of how much he cares. It's been hard for all of us to hear what happened to you. No one deserves to be treated the way you were. You deserve better and we want to give that to you."

Tears fell freely down his face and Logan gripped Patton's hand tighter. "I don't deserve—"

“You do, Logan. You deserve to be treated well. You deserve to have have friends around you who care enough about you to stand with you through everything that you're going through. You have a beautiful and kind spirit and we love having you around.” Patton paused, exhaling quietly. “We want you to stay with us, Lo, and we're willing to fight to make that happen.”

Wet streaks glistened on his face as Logan hung his head, unable to meet Patton’s gaze. Still gripping Patton’s hand tightly, his mind quieted, unsure how to process what Patton was saying.

Patton smiled patiently at him. “Some people will tell you that you can't be loved until you love yourself, and I don't think that's true.” Patton paused briefly as Logan gripped his hand tighter. He smiled looking down at Logan's hand wrapped in his, before continuing. “But Lo, when we don't love ourselves, sometimes it feels like other people couldn't possibly love us, and that's not true either.”

Logan didn’t respond. He leaned his head back against the wall behind him.

"Can I hug you, Logan?” Patton asked.

Logan remained stiff but managed a small nod. Patton climbed over to across the bed. Logan's body relaxed as he felt Patton’s arms wrap around him. His arms hung limply at his sides, but Patton seemed content whether Logan reciprocated or not. Logan's heart felt lighter, even as he felt tears fall down his face.

“Thanks, Pat.” Logan whispered.

“Anytime kid- I mean Logan.”

“It's okay if you want to call me kiddo, Patton. I think I'll grow to appreciate it.” Logan laughed quietly as Patton beamed up at him.

“You got it, kiddo.”

“Logan,” Virgil started quietly. Logan pulled away from Patton and looked up at Virgil finally. He was surprised to see Virgil had tears in his eyes. “I'm sorry I got upset with you.”

“It’s fine, Vi—"

“No, it's not.” Virgil came to sit on his other side. “I shouldn't have lost my temper. I'm not excusing that, but what you suggested scared me. I don’t want to lose you, and it felt like you we’re giving up, L.”

Logan was quiet, looking at Virgil. He bit his lip, before speaking slowly. “Maybe, you were right. I thought that, if I put myself at risk, I could give Roman a better chance."

Logan was quiet for a long time before Virgil came back over to the bed and carefully wrapped his arm around him. Logan leaned into Patton and Virgil’s arms, smiling appreciatively at their comforting warmth. He took a deep breath before continuing.

“When I was imprisoned, I’d given up on being saved. I felt too broken. After all you'd done for me, I didn't want to be a burden on you any longer. Maybe I thought...Maybe I thought it would be easier on everyone if I was just gone.”

“L, no. That's not—"

Virgil started to plead with him but Logan cut him off, smiling up at him as he wiped the tears from his face. “I know, Vee. I was wrong. I truly underestimated the damage I would have caused. I was overwhelmed. He made me think he could take me away from you and I thought...I thought it'd be better if I could at least control how I lost you guys.” Logan took a deep breath. “But I don't want to lose you. I want to stay, and if that means continuing to fight, I will.”

Virgil and Patton leaned into Logan, holding him gently. Patton whispered into his shoulder. “We're going to protect you, Lo.”

Logan smiled and closed his eyes, feeling his friends wrapped around him. He exhaled deeply, as tension left his body.

“Virgil?” He whispered hesitantly.

“Yeah, L?” Virgil pulled away, keeping his eyes on Logan.

“We still have to tell Roman.” His face was serious as he looked up at Virgil.

“I know.” Virgil smiled at him with a tired look in his eyes.

Logan smiled back at him as he wiped the tears from his face. “We'll be careful. Remus doesn't have to know that I told him.”

“Remus?” Patton inquired.

Virgil glanced down curiously at Logan and Logan nodded back at him, leaning into Virgil’s shoulder.

“Patton, Prince Remus is behind the attacks on Roman and Logan.”

“Prince Remus?” Patton sat up, shocked. “Roman's brother?”

Virgil looked down at Logan curled in his shoulder and nodded.

“Oh,” Patton paused, thinking. “I can see now why you were hesitant to let me know what was going on.”

“Patton,” Logan murmured. “You still don't have to get involved if you don't want to. I know this is a whole different level of dangerous.”

“Lo, I'm not going anywhere. I’m here for you, no matter what.” Patton smiled reassuringly at him, gently rubbing circles on Logan’s back. “I was just surprised, but if that's the case Virgil, I have to agree with Logan. Roman has to know.”

Virgil nodded sadly. “There’s a catch though, Pat. If Remus suspects that Roman knows, he intends to take Logan from us. And, if he gets his hands on Logan, we have no idea what he’ll do.”

"Yes, we do Virgil. This isn't the time to sugarcoat things for Patton or for me.” Logan said tiredly as he sat up off of Virgil’s shoulder and turned to Pat. “Patton, if Remus finds out I told Roman and he gets me back, he said he will take me somewhere no one can find me and make me regret existing.”

“Logan, I don't—" Patton started, concern in his eyes.

“I know, Pat, but if we don't tell Roman, Remus could try to kill him again. I won’t have his blood on my hands.” Logan paused, taking a deep breath. “Not to mention, if Remus kills Roman, there is nothing stopping him from coming for me anyway. Both my odds and Roman's are more favorable when he knows what's truly going on. We have to tell him as soon as possible and keep the fact that he knows a secret as long as we can. Roman is our only chance at stopping him completely.”

“I don’t want you to get hurt, L.” Virgil said, resigned.

“I won't, Vee.” Logan smiled at him. “I was serious when I said Remus wouldn't waste time threatening me if he believed he could take me. He wouldn’t take the risk of leaving me with Roman.”

Virgil squeezed his shoulder and sighed. “That could change, L. If Remus uses all of his resources, I don't know if I’ll be enough to protect you. Not to mention, if he somehow gets you arrested again, I'm not sure even Roman could protect you.”

Logan swallowed, nervously. “None of our options are without risk, Vee.”

“I know, L. I’m just saying.”

“You could leave.” Patton suggested so quietly the others nearly didn't hear him.

“I don't want to do that, Patton.”

“I know, Logan, but it wouldn't be for forever. Just until we were able to figure out how to stop Remus. Roman could know and you could be safe. It's the only option that has both.”

“I can't just hide out somewhere while all of you are in danger. I'd rather take the risk and be here to help, if it's necessary.” Logan glanced over at Patton's anxious expression. “Listen, we can keep it as a backup plan. If something changes and I have to get out, I will. Okay?”

Patton nodded sadly.

“Good. Now, we just need to find a way to track down Roman without giving Remus reason to be suspicious.”

Virgil cleared his throat. “If Patton will call Roman here, you can tell him here. No one knows we’re here. As long as princey can manage some self-control, it'll just look like he's visiting Patton.”

“Self-control doesn't appear to be one of Roman’s stronger attributes.” Logan noted skeptically.

"Leave that part to me, L. We just have to make sure he understands the stakes of what's going on. Once he understands, he'll be able hide it from Remus. He's a royal. He's well-practiced in hiding his emotions.” Virgil looked up from Logan to Patton. “Pat, there’s a courier at the main gate. Can you send him to fetch Roman?”

Patton nodded, reluctantly leaving Logan to stand up off the bed.

Virgil continued as Patton walked to the door. “Stress that it's urgent and remember not to let anyone know Logan and I are here.

“Okay, I'll be back soon.” Patton nodded and left through the front door, locking it behind him.

Virgil turned to Logan. “When Roman shows up, we need to be out of sight. No one outside can see that we are here and I need a chance to silence Roman before he can react. Otherwise, he'll give us away.”

“Hiding space here is extremely limited, Virge.” Logan glanced skeptically around the room.

“We'll hide behind the door. As long as Patton gets the door shut behind him, I'll only need a second to get him under control.”

You Belong With Me Taglist: @cas-is-a-hunter @insert-cool-blogname@ironwoman359 @i-know-im-smart @imbadatnames8d @optimistic-violinist @somehow-i-got-an-account @croftersphoenix @chronicallynervouschild @dwbh888

#sanders sides #sanders sides fic #thomas sanders #ts #ts virgil #ts patton #ts logan #platonic moxiety #platonic analogical #platonic logicality #You Belong With Me #villain writes

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justanotherfangirlst · 4 years

Photo

“Dani, you save dragons. This is ninja business,” Kai said with a smug grin.

“I do not just save dragons! I do so much more than that. I only told you what you could handle. Now stay here,” she argued, pointing at the monastery.

“Cupcake, what are you talking about?” Cole asked.

“I don’t just save dragons out of trees. I keep the balance across the realms. Saving dragons is only a small part of my role as the Purple Ninja. What is attacking Ninjago right now make the Oni look like kittens. These demons will stop at nothing to destroy everything,” Dani answered, her face grim.

“And you’re the only one to stop them, right?” Lloyd asked crossly.

“Exactly. Now stay put,” Daniella answered.

“No!” Lloyd protested, grabbing her arm. “There is no way that I will let you go out there and fight. You save dragons, that’s what Sensei Wu told us.”

“Because that was what I asked him too! Now he’s out there and I have to save him, let go!”

“No!” Lloyd repeated, staring into her eyes. She held his gaze defiantly.

“I am not some useless little girl that needs protecting.”

“We just don’t want you getting hurt,” Cole said, standing next to Lloyd.

“Hurt? That’s cute, but I will be fine,” she assured.

“Daniella Nichole, you aren’t ready,” Lloyd scolded. Daniella whipped her head back to meet her brother’s gaze. The ground slightly shook.

“Cole, what are you doing?” Jay whispered.

“That’s not me,” Cole answered, looking around for the cause.

“Not ready? I’ll show you who’s not ready,” Daniella whispered. The ground shook more as Daniella’s eyes began to glow purple.

“What’s going on?” Jay yelled.

Then the group was no longer in the monastery gardens, but on a clear sheet of glass, surrounded by stars and an eerie fog. The stars shined brightly as a few came closer to the ninja. They backed away slowly, not sure where to go. The stars stopped a few feet away, revealing that they were not stars, but moving images. Images of demons the size of mountains, villages on fire, the screams of children and the roar of a hideous creature.

“What are these?” Jay asked.

“They are my memories. I tried to choose the most family friendly ones,” Daniella answered from behind. They turned to see Daniella, staring past them towards the memories.

“What did you do?” Lloyd asked. “Where are we?”

“We haven’t moved. We are still in the garden of the monastery,” she answered.

“Dani?” Cole asked, staring worriedly at her. Her clothes had changed to a more elegant gi and she now had the horns, wings, and tail of a dragon. The dragon features seemed to glow with her power.

“You didn’t answer my question! We are not in the garden!” Lloyd stated, holding his arms out gesturing around them.

“I did answer your question. We are still in the garden. Physically. I stopped time and brought all your mental selves into an astral plane. These stars are projections of my memories. I picked the ones that I thought you could handle,” Daniella reiterated.

“These are your memories? These are terrible,” Zane whispered, gazing back at the memories that were on loop.

“And they only get worse,” she added, moving through the group, using the Staff of Light as a walking stick, so much like her father and uncle. She stopped in front of the memories and waved them away, summoning a new star.

“Dragons represent creation,” she said as a dragon flew into view. “It is why Grandfather was able to create Ninjago. Saving them is only a portion of the balance. Destruction is the other.” The dragon dissolved into an Oni.

“When we defeated the Oni in our realm, I sent them back to the First Realm. It is their home and where they belong, keeping the balance.”

The ninja watched as they created the Tornado of Creation and sent the Oni running.

“But the memories, those weren’t Oni,” Nya interrupted.

“Correct. There are far worse things out there than the Oni,” Daniella nodded, waving away the image.

“We barely defeated the Oni, how are we supposed to fight now? Jay asked in defeat.

“You don’t. I do,” Daniella answered, staring at the group.

“Dani, that’s impossible,” Lloyd argued, although in a softer tone than before.

“Impossible? Sounds like a Tuesday to me. All the villains I have ever dealt with try to destroy the world on a Tuesday.” Daniella smiled softly at her joke.

“So what do we do to help?” Cole asked, stepping up.

“Nothing. You stay in the monastery. For once, please just do what your told. Let me get Wu back and send the people of Ninjago to the realm of the Great Library. I will come back for you and we retreat for now,” she begged.

“Retreat?” Lloyd asked.

“For now. If we retreat now, I can train you to become the next line of warriors of the Dragon Guard and I can explain everything to you that I can. But my grip on time is slipping. Do we have a deal?” she asked.

The ninja all looked at one another, before all turning to look at Lloyd. He sighed before turning to face his sister.

“Promise you’ll come back?”

There was a sudden flash. The others blinked and looked around in disbelief at the garden of the monastery. Lloyd stared into his sister’s eyes, gripping her arm as before.

“I promise.”

Lloyd nodded silently and let go of her arm. Daniella silently willed her Staff into her hand and walked over to Cole.

“Make sure they stay,” she whispered before kissing his cheek. ********************************************************************************************************************************** Bro, than got a little darker than I thought it would. Her fanseason is going to be so much fun to write! Like I said earlier, her fanseason has two parts. The first part is set between Seasons 3 and 4. The other ninja aren't part of this one and she is supposed to keep her identity as the Purple Ninja a secret. Only her father knows and maybe PIXAL, I'm not sure about her knowing yet though. The second part is set between Season 10 and 11. This is when Ninjago is attacked by demons and the evil deity Chaos and she is forced to share her secret. ^^ I post little snippets here but I am going to post the entire thing to my Wattpad. ^^

#NinjagoOCDay2020 #ninjago #ninjagooc #I like this one better

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annalandin · 5 years

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Hey there! Sorry for bothering but i loved your d&d character Asra and wanted to know more about her. Personality, how she got into the monk thing and stuff like that :)

Hello, Anon! Tumblr must have hiccupped and eaten the notification for your message because I only just found it now. Asra is a acts-first-thinks-later kind of girl and always has been. A bit abrasive, but never on purpose - and for the last few years of her life, she’s been a bit of a fish out of water. She is perfectly comfortable and at ease in familiar situations - like when she’s in the middle of a fight, or in any space that reminds her of home - but when she finds herself in unfamiliar territory, she tends to fumble a lot. Like that time we were undercover infiltrating a prison on Acheron, and the prison warden asked us a question - and instead of answering, Asra just panicked and punched him in the face. She started on the path of becoming a monk when she was about five, and her uncle* - who was her only parental figure, as her actual parents were never really around - decided to leave the Plane of Air and join a monastery in Elysium. Asra came along with him, and has been there ever since. Or at least up until a few years ago, when her childhood friend and fellow monk Sargas made a big dramatic deal of leaving the order and wrecked some things before he went. Asra was sent to bring him back, but failed, and this sent her spiralling into a state of severe self-doubt and fear, and instead of going back to the monastery and dealing with her failure, she instead ran off to live in Sigil for a few years. Until she got swept up in an adventure with a bunch of other chaotic messes with led her on a long trip through a variety of planes and saw her participate in jailbreaks, prison riots, daring rescues, heists and the multiverse’s most subversive stage play. *) her uncle, Khamsin, is, uh. Not technically her uncle? He’s more like her older half-brother. Air genasi family trees are complicated. Asra’s mom is a djinn from the Plane of Air, and her dad is an aasimar monk who guides the spirits of the dead through the Astral Plane. Khamsin’s mom is the same djinn, but who KNOWS who his dad is. There’s a short story with important scenes from her past in a public Patreon-post if you want to read it!

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katiekat1321 · 6 years

Text

The Master and The God (part 2)

Part 1

As soon as you made it back to the New York sanctum you went straight through the door to Kamar-Taj. You had a few minor injuries to tend to and you knew you definitely had some Chitauri blood, or whatever kept those things alive, in your hair. After showering you headed to the medic room to bandage a few cuts and then headed to the library.

There you found Master Mordo reading a book written in Sanskrit. “Hello Master y/n,” he said as you plopped down in the seat next to him, not even looking up from his book.

“How many times do I have to tell you to just call me y/n?” you asked shoving him a little. You made a portal to grab a book off a shelf on the other side of the room. It was about the Norse gods, written by masters who lived long ago. This was not a book of myths, but a journal documenting Odin’s interactions with Earth. After the Jotuns terrorized the planet the sorcerer supreme of that time had made a deal with Odin. Masters were sent from around the globe to help Asgardian forces and once the battles were over Earth was to be left out of such matters. Odin cut Jotunheim’s connection to the other nine realms and made Asgardian visits to Earth few and far between.

That is until New Mexico. You wondered what your next move should be. It was obvious that Thor would be taking Loki back to Asgard for his crimes, but you weren’t sure if you should go to see Loki before then. You really had no need to, your mission was just to protect the people of New York from the situation you let get out of hand. You were just supposed to be watching Asgardian visitors, but you felt oddly drawn to Loki. You felt like something bigger was going on.

“You should just go see him,” Baron said. You gave him a questioning look to which he sighed and closed his own book. “You’ve been staring at that picture of Loki for around 20 minutes. We all heard that you went against the Ancient One to fight in New York,” he said.

“Woah, woah, woah!” you interrupted, “She didn’t forbid it… she just highly suggested I not go. But everything was fine, I just got a few scratches.”

“Go see him, I can see it in your eyes,” he says with a wink, “You’re thinking your questions so loudly I can practically hear them.”

“I don’t know what you’re suggesting Baron… But the issue is bigger than us. I feel like something is going to happen, something I don’t think can be prevented and going to speak with Loki for a few hours before Thor returns him to Asgard is not enough time.” I said as you rose from you seat and actually walked over to put the book back. “I’m actually considering going and speaking with Thor. As this involved Earth I feel we masters have a right to question him.”

“For now, just go to him y/n, he wishes to see you too,” Baron says as he leaves the library, not giving you the chance to question or yell at him.

After an hour of going back and forth, trying to convince yourself not to do anything foolish you found yourself at the facility they were holding Loki in. You can’t just ring the doorbell and ask to see Loki y/n… I didn’t think this through, you thought to yourself as you crouched in a bush. You hated the idea of leaving your body outside in a bush, but your only option of getting in there and talking to Loki is to not let anyone else know you’re there.

You went into the astral plane again and entered the facility to find Loki. You passed the Avengers, who were discussing going out to eat shawarma, and eventually you found Loki sitting in a cage. His arms and legs shackled and a muzzle of sorts on his mouth. That is going to make getting answers a bit difficult, you mused to yourself.

“Lie down and pretend to go to sleep,” you whispered into Loki’s ear. He startled a bit and quickly looked around trying to find you, however you hadn’t revealed yourself to him just yet. He tried to say something, but the muzzle prevented you from understanding him. “Relax, I need to talk to you and for that to happen these guards are going to need to think you’re asleep.”

Loki seemed to consider his options before lying down and following instructions. After a few minutes he hears you speak again. “I’m going to force your astral form out of your physical form,” you say as you lay a hand on his chest and push with your energy. It takes much more power to do this outside of your physical body you silently take note.

“Who are you?” Loki asks immediately, “who taught you to do these things. Where did you learn such magic?”

You look at him again and simply laugh. “I don’t think you are really in the position to be asking questions,” you say pointedly looking at his restrained body. “Why did you come to Earth?”

He is silent for a moment before he pulls out a knife and stabs you, trying to make a run for it. You double over in surprise before wrangling him and forcing him back into his body which awakes with a start. “We are going to try this again. But be warned, my patience is starting to run thin,” you whisper in his ear again.

He nods absentmindedly and lies down again. You force out his astral form again and immediately slap him. “Don’t try that shit again. Why did you come to Earth?”

“I was sent to invade Midgard, to weaken the planet from someone else. I was just the beginning.” He responded.

“Who?” you pushed.

“I didn’t truly realize what was going to happen. Things went too far.” He said softly, more to himself.

“You’re not going to tell me are you?” You said, sitting on the floor.

“Believe me, the less you know of him the better and safer this world is wizard.”

You laughed again, “I’m not a wizard, I’m a master of the mystic arts. My job is to protect my planet from you, clearly I didn’t do so well…” you said with a sigh.

“Don’t feel bad darling, I’m notably problematic wherever I go.” Loki said as he floated around his cell.

“Wait,” you said, realizing an interesting discrepancy, “how do you not know of Earth’s masters?”

“Well there is no record of you on Asgard, you must be a quite secret organization... or very unimportant,” Loki replied simply. You nodded, but made note to bring this up later when speaking with the Ancient One.

“When will you be leaving?” You asked.

Loki smirked, “eager to be rid of me?”

“Quite the opposite actually. I have this feeling,” you said, trying to find the words to explain yourself, “Like a premonition that things will only get worse from here and I fear that you will be at the center of these problems.”

Loki considered this for a moment. Clearly this mortal is not average, she could be useful. “I’m flattered, really. I’ve been told we leave in two days,” Loki admitted before lying back down and rejoining his physical body.

Part 3 -->

#loki x reader #loki x plus size reader #loki imagine #avengers imagine #Loki Laufeyson #loki odinson

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ididntlookback · 6 years

Note

IDK I CANT THINK OF ANYTHING BUT PLS WRITE SOMETHING CUZ IM DESPERATE AFTER S6

that’s a big phat mood so have this super self indulgent things i wrote. This is what i picture having happened right after where s6 leaves off. Btw, because i’m klance trash i put a tiny little romantic undertone here but feel free to read this and just think of it as a friendship (wc: 2,000)

Keith looked up into space. He looked as far as his eyes could reach, and he saw things- stars, planets, whatever else was out there- he saw them sparkle. They’d glow brighter and then they’d go back to normal. They’d shine for a few seconds and then tone back down.

Keith saw space like that every day he’d been away from earth, especially on the back of that whale- there hadn’t been much more to do than look up. These sparkles, though, they felt so different as Keith stood on a random rock in space, his temporary home gone but his brother back.

It felt like those stars were shining for Keith and his team. The stars and the unknown were applauding them.

Or maybe Keith was just really out of it.

He felt as though he hadn’t sat down in ages. A small bit of adrenalin was still coursing through him from his fight with ‘Shiro’ and Lotor. His heart was still pounding from how close he had been to losing Shiro.

The team was still on the same rock they landed on to heal Shiro. They had decided to go back to earth, but after such an intense day they needed to rest before their long trip home.

Shiro- new and improved- was resting in the Black lion. Pidge and Hunk were doing maintenance on the Lions but taking frequent breaks in between their work. Allura was taking it easy as well, the magic having taken a lot out of her. She, Coran, and Romelle were chatting about the new Altean that Keith and Krolia had discovered. Krolia, her mother’s instinct acting up, was checking up on everyone to make sure they were okay.

Keith didn’t know what he was doing. Shiro was okay, and so was everyone else. For the time being, the team didn’t have a mission- they certainly weren’t going to free people of galra control with just the lions and no home base. With nothing big on Keith’s plate, he just… didn’t know what he was doing. He didn’t know what he was suppose to be doing.

Keith had gotten pats on the backs and ‘good jobs’ from the team after their battle, plus a hug from his mom. She had told him to sit and rest, but at the time Keith was still hopped up on adrenaline.

Keith looked up at the sky and felt the stars applauding them. That was what he was doing.

There was a certain star that shined more than the others- it must’ve been a planet. Keith took a few tentative steps toward it, as if those few steps would reveal the mystery of the lights identity to him.

He found himself doing the same thing as before, just watching the sky shine.

“What are you doing?”

Keith was so out of it that he almost yelled at the sound of the voice, surprising him. He looked at the source of the sound and saw Lance only a few feet away. He was sitting against the red lion, his arms folded and his legs crossed in front of him.

“Hm?” Keith asked.

“What are you doing?” Lance repeated.

The question wasn’t snarky, which was the tone Keith most acquainted with Lance, it was just curious. Keith couldn’t help but notice that it sounded worn, as well. His voice was a bit gritty, and it wasn’t as loud and piercing as Lance usually sounded.

“Oh,” Keith said. “I don’t really know. What are you doing?”

“Just sitting,” Lance responded.

“Why aren’t you over with the others?”

“There’s not much for me to be doing over there.”

The two didn’t talk for a few seconds. Keith didn’t know what to say.

“Uh, can I sit?” Keith asked, gesturing to the open space next to Lance.

Lance’s eyes squinted slightly, but he nodded yes after a few seconds.

Keith sat, one knee up against his chest and his other leg straight in front of him, next to Lance’s legs. He placed his arm on his propped up knee.

Once he was situated, he looked over at Lance. Lance looked far away, his mind both nowhere and everywhere. He looked… different. Or maybe Keith just didn’t pay close enough attention to Lance before he had left for the blade of marmora.

“Good job,” Lance said, breaking the silence. “You know… leading the team and stuff.”

“Thanks,” Keith said. He glanced over at Lance, who was looking straight in front of himself and into space. Maybe he was looking at the stars as well. “Sorry for snapping at you when I first got back.”

“It’s whatever,” Lance shrugged. “You had bigger things to deal with.”

Keith sighed slightly. What he needed was a joke or two, or at least some sarcasm. The usual team producer of just that seemed out of business, and it was weird. “You alright?”

Lance looked over at Keith. “Yeah, i just have a lot on my mind.”

Keith looked at Lance’s eyes and saw clumps of his long eyelashes dried together. They were from dried tears.

“What did you mean before?” Keith asked, not being able to help himself. “You said that Shiro had tried to contact you.”

Lance sighed and cleaned dirt out from underneath his finger nails. Keith suspected it was more of a way to keep himself occupied than to keep up his hygiene.

He didn’t respond for a few minutes, and neither of them talked. Keith knew that there was nothing else underneath Lance’s fingernails, but he kept picking at them.

“We went on a mission a week or two back,” Lance started, “and we all went into this weird… astral plane thing. I guess it was the consciousness of our lions or something. One by one we disappeared until it was just me and Shiro left.”

Despite sitting by himself and not talking for however long they’d been on that rock, Lance’s voice sounded dry and worn.

“He tried calling out to me. He told me to listen to him, but I couldn’t hear him well. It was kind of like a staticky radio station. Then, we were out of the astral plane. I asked Shiro- or… fake Shiro about it, but he said he didn’t know what i was talking about.”

Lance looked over at Keith, his eyes dark and heavy.

“That was the real Shiro. He was trying to tell me, but i just- i didn’t know- I didn’t figure it out. If i had, we could’ve saved him earlier. But… I didn’t figure it out.”

“Lance,” Keith said gently, “you can’t blame yourself.”

Lance scoffed. “Yeah? Why not?”

“Because you didn’t do anything wrong. It’s not that you didn’t figure it out, it’s that you couldn’t possibly have figured it out. You didn’t have enough to go on. If Pidge or Hunk or Allura were in your place, they wouldn’t have been able to figure it out, either.”

“You don’t know that, thought.”

“I’m pretty sure of it,” Keith said. “And anyway, it doesn’t matter, Lance. No one got hurt, and Shiro’s okay now.”

Lance looked over at Keith and looked like he was at least considering Keith’s words. “He’s missing an arm.”

“That’s on me, though,” Keith said with a raised eyebrow. “And he was missing an arm before, anyway.”

Lance laughed lightly. He still looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders, but he looked a bit better. Keith was relieved by that.

“Wait here,” Lance said after looking over at Keith.

He walked into the red lion and emerged a few seconds later, holding a metal box Keith identified as the first aid box they all had in their lions.

“What are you doing with that?” Keith asked.

Lance snorted. “Have you looked in a mirror in the past day?”

“There’s… no mirrors to look into,” Keith said, suddenly feeling self conscious.

“Well, you look like shit.”

“Thanks.”

Lance pried open the box and took out a sterilizing wipe. “Can I?” he asked.

Keith didn’t fully process what he was asking, but he said yes.

Lance scooted closer to Keith and lightly pressed at the long burn on Keith’s face. Each dab sent a spike of pain through Keith, but it was bearable.

He was a little surprised at the caring role Lance was taking on. Would he have done this for Keith before he’d left for the blade of Marmora? Then again, would Keith have tried to comfort Lance as he had just done before he had left with the blade?

“Did you mean what you said? That I’ve changed?” Keith found himself asking. Lance was still cleaning his wound. Keith could feel Lance’s breath. His hands were warm.

“Well, yeah,” Lance said. “Your hair’s longer. And you’re taller. And kind of jacked- uh, not that i… pay attention to how jacked you usually are. You’ve also got a mom now, and you just… seem more complete? I don’t know if that makes sense. I just think you’re more confident in who you are now.”

“Oh,” Keith said, surprised by the answer. His heart fluttered a bit.

“Don’t get me wrong,” Lance backtracked. “I still totally hate you. Yuck. As if i’d ever enjoy your presence.”

Keith smirked, Lance’s hands leaving his face after he finished placing a bandage on his cheek. Lance smiled back at him, the air clear and light. There it was, the sarcasm that Keith needed.

Lance sat back where he was before, and Keith relaxed again against the lion. “So, what are gonna do when you get back to earth?” Keith asked.

Lance smiled at the reminder of their destination. He didn’t stop smiling. “I’ll go see my family. I miss them a lot, and I have… however many months we’ve been up here of noogies to make up for to my siblings. No scalp is safe from my wrath.”

Keith laughed at that.

“What about you?”

“Dunno,” Keith said with a shrug. “Not like I have a ton to go back down there for.”

“You can come back with me,” Lance said. He looked a bit surprised by his own words. “If- if you want. You don’t have to. My family is kind of a handful, so i’d get it i-”

“I’d love to meet them,” Keith cut in. “I mean, we’re all a family now, too, right?”

Lance relaxed a bit. “Yeah, we are.”

The two didn’t speak for a while longer. It was comfortable, though, and Keith felt like he just discovered something that he’d been missing.

Lance still looked a bit lost, but who wouldn’t be after what they’d been through the past few days? He seemed distracted from the negative thoughts Keith knew were hacking away at his brain, and Keith was glad he had some relief.

“I missed you, you know,” Lance said quietly.

Keith looked over at Lance, and Lance looked at him. Keith smiled a smile that he didn’t know he had in him. “I missed you, too.”

Lance flashed a smile as bright as the stars Keith had been so hypnotized by before. “Tell my about your time away. Tell me about your mom.”

So Keith did. He talked with Lance for what seemed like forever, the pain in his cheek subsiding but the deep fatigue he felt slowly dawning on him.

This was what Keith was supposed to be doing. He was supposed to be with his family, both old and new.

He looked back up at the applauding stars and imagined how different they’d look on Earth. How different they’d look from a planet that once was so lonely for Keith; how different they’d look when Keith returned to that planet, no longer alone.

#Klance #voltron #voltron s6 #vld s6 #vld #keith #lance #lance vld #keith vld #vld fic

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eternalwritingstudent · 6 years

Text

Spiritocalypse Chap. 2 Pt 1

Alright, so since I got some good reaction (some in all caps) about me posting the rough draft of this as I go, here is the first half of chapter two. i feel like I should warn you, this is my first go at first person POV too, so sorry if the rough draft slips to third sometimes.

@pigeonbooks @pheita @wildwestiewrites @ramblingsofabourbondrinker @cog-writes @aschenink @youdontneedoxegyntoburn

If anyone else wants on my tag list for this, please let me know.

When the helicopter touched down in Tuscon, I was tempted to kneel down and touch the ground. I resisted though, not wanting to look like a complete loser and an idiot. There were other black suited men waiting on us as we got out, some thankfully holding umbrellas. Agent Wild took one and then took my arm guiding me inside. Once there, he handed off the umbrella, but never let go of my arm. I glanced over at him, frowning. I was suddenly feeling like I was under arrest and that didn’t sit well with me. I’d never been in trouble with the law and I hadn’t done anything tonight to get myself in trouble either.

It didn’t help matters any when he led me into what looked like the interrogation room you saw on every television cop show. Could you really get anymore stereotypical? He let go of my arm and left without a word. Sighing, I sat down in a surprisingly comfy chair and kicked my feet up on the table.

“Miss Anders, please remove your feet from the table.”

I jerked at the sound of the voice, nearly falling out of the chair, but I put my feet down. Alright. I was being watched. Noted. The question was why? Did they expect me to do some kind of psychic trick like they saw on those fake television shows? Not likely. Most people who were sensitive were nothing like that. Quite often, in fact, we tried to hide it. Ignoring the fact that I was being watched, my mind went to thinking about who it might be that they were waiting on to join them.

I had a sinking feeling that I was going to be in for another ride in a chopper or plane. At least a plane I could shut the windows and not feel quite as exposed. There was a rattle at the door and I looked up as Agent Wild came in with a tray. It held two cups of coffee and an assortment of snacks. I had to admit, I was surprised.

“Why I told you to get your feet off the table, don’t want your feet where we’re going to have food.” He picked up one of the coffees and took a sip off it, sighing like he was getting his fix for the first time today.

I sat up in the seat, reaching for my own cup. The umbrella’s had been great, but I was still wet and chilled thanks to the rain. “No problem. So how long before you haul me outta here like some sorta criminal again?”

Agent Wild pulled out a chair and sank down, frowning at me. “You’re not being treated like a criminal. More like a valuable commodity. You’ll understand soon.”

“I’d rather understand now.” Why lie to him? I wasn’t good with this cloak and dagger stuff. I preferred people to be up front with me.

My comment actually seemed to amuse the Agent as she smiled. “I’m sure you would, but we don’t always get what we want. Let’s look at it this way. You’re going to hear it all soon, from someone more qualified than me.”

Sipping my coffee, I let my gaze linger on him before I lowered it. “I don’t do well with big words Agent Wild.”

“You don’t do well with patience either do you?”

Shaking my head no, I smiled and reached for a piece of chocolate candy on the tray, popping it in my mouth and chewing. Just as I swallowed, the door opened and good old stoneface walked in. I started to say something about chocolate being able to crack that face of his, but when he stepped to the side, another person was ushered in. This man was in cuffs. I looked at Agent Wild then back to the prisoner.

Now, I was uncomfortable. No, being a prisoner didn’t make you bad person, but he just gave off a vibe that said he was dangerous. I had never been able to read aura’s, but I got vibes off people and his was pure danger. I sank back into my seat putting as much space between the man who was being sat at the table and myself as possible.

I knew I was staring. I couldn’t help it. He had long scraggly hair that looked like it hadn’t been washed in a month, his eyes stared straight ahead at Agent Wild, but they looked distant. Something was off there. I didn’t think he was blind because he was staring so intently. As he turned those intense eyes to me, I lifted my coffee cup to my lips and looked down, away from him.

He kept staring and I finally looked over at him. I knew now why his eyes looked odd. They were the strangest color I had ever seen. They were charcoal grey with a brilliant blue line around them. Maybe they had been tattooed like that. Something told me they weren’t. The blue line reminded me of the eyes that had stared at me through Sawyer’s screen. That made me nervous again and I looked away again.

“Hello, Callie.”

I looked up sharply as he said my name and Agent Wild looked at Stoneface who shrugged. “How do you know her name?”

The man looked at the Agent and smiled. “I’ve met her before.”

I was shaking my head. “No. No we haven’t. I’ve never seen you before.”

“That’s not very nice Callie. Sawyer introduced us. This evening in fact.” He gave me a smile that sent a shiver through me. He was not sane. Not by a long shot.

“That’s not possible. Sawyer didn’t…”

He began to laugh loudly, his eyes fully flashing that blue. I gasped, spilling my coffee in the floor. “Now do you remember.”

“That’s… no… I… how? How?”

“It’s called astral projection Callie. It’s I who told our friends here about you, Sawyer and the others. You all can stop it. With my help of course.”

“Stop what?” Agent Wild and I spoke at the same time and I glanced to him with a frown.

“The end of the world of course.” Shaking his head, he smiled and leaned back in the seat. “You can undo these cuffs, I don’t want to leave. This show is going to be too good.”

Agent Wild chuckled, "Not happening. I've seen your psych profile and your criminal record. I will chain you to the table though."

I watched, shaken as Wild moved forward and readjusted the prisoners bonds, giving him a bit more space to move. It seemed like he planned on the man being in that chair for a while. Astral projection was just a fairy tale. Even people like me, who could see the dead and other spirits were known to chuckle at such things.

How was I supposed to explain it away? He knew my name. He knew Sawyer. He knew what had happened in Sawyer's apartment. It was too many factors to be chance. He couldn't have overheard. I hadn't said Sawyer's name or my own since I was in this room. I realized I was staring at him and looked away. When the man chuckled, I blushed. He was enjoying my confusion and discomfort.

"Do I have to stay in here with him?" I already knew if that was an option, Wild wouldn't have brought him here in the first place.

"Sorry, Callie. Limited room."

The prisoner laughed. "Come now, Callie we can become good friends. Aren't you even going to ask my name?"

"No, I'm not. I don't care to know you." I looked over now, trying to be brave. "I don't associate with criminals."

My attempt at badassery resulted in the dirty, scruffy man, doubling over in laughter at my comments. My cheeks blushed redder and I couldn't look Agent Wild in the eye either. This was embarrassing. I should have just ignored him. I always did this. Got pulled in when I was trying to be the bigger person. I always ended up looking like an idiot too.

Agent Wild smacked the table, getting the man to stop laughing. "Unless you wanna make this trip in a hood and gag, you'll leave the young woman alone Katick."

I couldn't help but look up then, eyes wide. Katick? I knew that name from the news. "James Katick? The mass murderer Katick?" Blushing was no longer an issue as all the blood had drained from my body.

Agent Wild looked at me, sighing. "Yes, but he can't and won't harm you. He's got too much on the line with this. All of us do. Ain't that right Katick?"

James Katick gave him a cold smile. "You far more than I, Agent." His eyes moved to me and he inclined his head. "Nice to be known by you Callie, but… you forget. I pleaded not guilty. Innocent as the day is long." The smile he gave me was cold and I couldn't help the shiver that went down my spine. "Of that at least."

"Shut up Katick. You're not here to socialize. Don't speak unless its needed." Wild turned to me, but I was still staring at the murdered sitting just a few feet from me. "I'm going to have to step out. Just say out of his reach alright?"

I nodded without a word, eyes dropping to the chains. I shrank back in my chair, heart speeding a bit still. Katick just sat there, smiling at me, clearly enjoying my discomfort. I forced myself to look away, staring anywhere but at the man at the table. My mind began to wander to the others. Were they going through the same thing in different parts of the world? Where they all coming here then going somewhere else? Would I not see them until we got to the central location?

They had said not to bring phones, but I felt mine down in the bottom of my purse. The familiar lump gave it away, though it likely was dead, or close to it. I hadn't intentionally brought it. I'd just forgotten to leave it at home. It was sort of a relief to know that if things got insane, I might be able to call for help. At least let my mom know that I was alive and alright. I took a deep breath and was able to relax a little. I felt a little less adrift.

The silence seemed to go on and on as Agent Wild was gone. It left me with too much time to think and worry. What exactly was going on? It surprised me that if the veil was broken that the government would be involved. Didn't they spend a lot of money and time to shoot down ideas that the metaphysical and spiritual was a load of bull? I shook my head, hating to think that the conspiracy theorist were right about things. Surely this was a last minute scramble for the protective services of the world to try to put together a battle plan against an enemy that you couldn't fight and most couldn't even see.

"You're going to hurt your brain, Callie."

I glanced over with a frown at Katick. "Would you please leave me alone? I'm not comfortable talking to you."

"Ah, but without me, you'd be clueless and still sitting at home thinking you were going crazy as more and more spirits tried to warn you." He leaned forward on the table. "Or worse yet, tried to possess you."

"Bullshit, they'd have to be demons to do that." Of course I knew my lore. I wasn't some little kid who had never read or heard anything about spirits before.

Katick looked at me like I was the insane one, then began to laugh. "You are such a sweet girl. So naïve. That was before the veil was torn asunder. I was so hoping you'd be smarter than this, Callie. Hopefully your friends will make up for your ignorance."

"How am I supposed to know how spirits change when the veil is torn? It's never happened before!"

I stood up and walked over to the door, peeking out the little window. I didn't want to be in here with him. If regular spirits were now able to do what demons could do, they were all in trouble. I couldn't stand still, fidgeting constantly as I peeked out the window.

"You can't run away from it Callie. You might as well sit down and listen to me." The chair scraped over the floor, causing me to turn back to him.

"Why not save your breath for when we're all together?" I didn't want to talk to him. I didn't want to think about this. Still, I asked the question that rose in my mind. "How do you know what the spirits can do with the veil torn? You can't have experienced it."

"Oh, but I can." Katick's sick smile spread over his lips again. "I've seen it. Small tears. Just one or two spirits slipping through before whatever controls the veil or the other side sealed it again. They happen all the time."

I didn't know what to say. I just leaned against the wall and slid down it, arms on my knees. "God above…"

"It's not God you have to worry about, Callie. It's the devil." Katick began to laugh uncontrollably as if a fit of insanity had taken him. Or perhaps his moment of sanity had fled him.

"The devil is just a symbol for evil." At least that was what I wanted to believe, in this moment at least. It was less terrifying. I wasn't a police officer or someone in the military. I wasn't trained to be brave in these situations. I wanted to be, but I was scared.

The laughing stopped and Katick stared at me intently enough that I tried to shrink into the wall. "No he isn't. He might not be what the bible says after all the translations have gotten screwed up, but he's very real. You're going to have to face your fears, Callie. You're going to be a soldier in this war, just like me. I might be crazy, but I'd rather be me and be crazy, than be possessed by God only knows what and out of control."

I had to admit, I agreed. I'd rather be here terrified and fighting than giving up and just become some toy for a dead person. Did that count as necrophilia of any sort? I shivered at the though and then shook my head at myself for such insane thoughts at a time like this. "You have a point. Did you have something to do with them picking us?"

"Not specifically, but I've known this was happening for a few weeks now. Me and a few others they keep under lock and key. I've been astral traveling, looking for people with the spark. Your little group showed some potential so I pointed you out. It was up to Agent Wild's bosses who they picked up." The smile he gave her wasn't as unsettling as before. "Your lucky day I guess."

"You've known for weeks? Why would the government believe you when you told them?"

"That's a story for a different time, Callie. Now, it's time to go." He looked towards the door and my eyes followed him, head tilted up as to see who was entering. I never even thought to second guess that someone was coming.

Agent Wild stepped in, looking confused for a moment. "Callie?" He turned seeing me in the floor but his frown deepened. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine. I'm just on edge." I stood up, dusting myself off. "Company doesn't help much with that, but he's not too bad."

Katick gave a toothy grin and held his hands up. "I'm ready to for my first class flight, Agent."

Wild sighed and shook his head. "I'm taking Callie first."

He held his hand out to me and I took it, surprised to feel it was a bit sweaty. It hadn't occurred to me that this situation might unsettle or scare an FBI agent. I didn't say anything out loud, but I gave him a smile. "Good to know the FBI has manners, Wild."

He chuckled at me and shook his head. "Surprised you're so snarky in a situation like this."

Opening the door, he motioned me out and I grabbed my things hurrying out with him before I answered. "It's a defense mechanism. If I can deflect, I don't freak out so bad. I use it on a daily basis. I have… some issues."

Wild didn't say anything in response, keeping his eyes straight ahead, as we walked. I wished in this moment that I could read his mind. To know the thoughts that he was keeping from me. No, I'm not a mind reader, but I have learned to read people. When you've got social anxiety, which thankfully I took my meds for today, a bit shy, and introverted, you found new ways to learn about people. Reading their body language, the look in their eyes, the way their muscles bunched around their eyes, gave me a good window into a person's mind. Also, I just got these gut feelings when I looked at someone. Sawyer said I was a bit empathic, but I never thought much about it.

"Something is bothering you, Agent Wild. I know I don't know you, but… I'm glad to listen." Listening was something I could honestly say I was good at.

He finally looked at me, smiling faintly. "You're not authorized for this level of troubling thoughts. Sorry, Callie." He patted my shoulder. "Nice of you to offer though. Do you need anything before we go."

A thought hit me and I opened my purse digging inside it. No meds. I wasn't thinking about this long a trip and they said no phone, just my identification. "I have medicines I take. If I’m not going to be home tomorrow… I'll need them."

"That can be arranged. We have medical on site where we're going. Anything else? Because you won't be home tomorrow. I can't guarantee next week or next month. Your family will be contacted tomorrow, but is there anyone else that needs contacted?"

I was staring at him. My mind hadn't processed past tomorrow. He couldn't guarantee next month. I couldn't work. I couldn't pay my rent. I'd be homeless. Oh holy fuck. I began to breathe a bit harder and he looked at him. Anxiety was crawling all over me and I crossed my arms. I began to pace a bit, working this out in my head. "I can have my mom clean out my apartment. I can leave a notice at my work…"

"Woah, woah… I'll do all that. Or have someone do it. I can't let you contact anyone. This is too sensitive." He stopped and looked around, then took my arm guiding me to a desk further down the hall.

The whole sterile look of the place, the grey walls, the limited furniture, and what there was being metal, made me think military or medical facility. The desk area even reminded me of a nurses desk. Wild picked up a pad of paper. "Here, write down everyone you need to contact. Bills, rent, landlords, anything that needs to be maintained to avoid notice of you being gone. You'll quit your job of course."

"Quit? How the hell am I supposed to pay my bills if I quit?" I had taken the pad and a pen off the desk writing down my needs, but that had me stopping and looking at him like he was insane.

"We'll pay you and your upkeep. Consider it compensation for your assistance in this matter, Callie. Any pay will be put into a new federal bank account for your use once this is over. Until then, you're a ward of the government and we will furnish food, clothes, spending money as needed, and any supplies to accomplish your work, which in this case includes your rent and bills." Wild smiled at her. "I feel for all you kids jerked up out of nothing. You kind of remind me of my sister. She's a few years younger than me. Snarky and has issues dealing with people."

"I hope she's not sensitive or they might recruit her too." I had gone back to writing, but the sharp inhale of made me look up. "Oh… no. Is she?"

"I, well… I mean… I shouldn't be discussing this stuff with you. I'd be telling you the parameter's that we used to pick our groups. I'm sure she's safe." He gave me a smile, trying to soften the blow of cutting me off. "You're safe. I hope you know that. I mean, not everyone is going to be as nice to you as I am, but I've always gotten docked on my reviews for my personality flaws." Wild chuckled and shrugged. "I get the job done. That's what matters."

Hearing him open up, just that tiny bit, did make me feel safer. I felt like someone in this organization would care if something happened to those of us being picked up. "I've felt safe so far… except for when we were flying. Flying doesn't make me feel safe." I chuckled softly and wrote down the name of my landlord, his phone number, my work information, and anything else I thought might need addressed in my absence. "I wasn't expecting for this to be so involved. I figured I'd be home tomorrow after some excitement."

"That would be wonderful, but I doubt everyone will even be gathered by tomorrow, Callie." He took the list I gave him and pulled the radio off his hip. He called for another agent. When they arrived, he gave him the list. The two men spoke for a few long moments and then he rejoined me. "All handled. Ready now, Callie?

I nodded and started to walk with him, much calmer now. "I have another question."

"I can't tell you where we're going."

"No, what's your name? I know your first name isn't Agent."

"Oh…" Wild didn't answer me right away, but after a few moments of debating, his dark eyes turned to me. "Antonio, but I prefer Tone or Tony. You should stick to Agent Wild for now. If any of my superiors think I'm favoring you then it won't be good for either of us."

"Right, no. I get it. Wild is fine. I was just curious." I couldn't help but wonder how much harder he had to work to get where he was compared to the white agents I had met today. I was sure it was a lot. I had it hard, paying my bills and things, but I still knew I was privileged in the grand scheme of things. "Will my other friends from the chat room be at this place we're going?"

"Eventually. Depends on flight time and weather of course." Wild pointed to a hallway up on the left. "That way."

I knew we were going to another aircraft of some sort, but I didn't like it. I could use something to calm my anxiety or else Wild was going without his coat again. "Is it a long flight?"

"Longer than the last one." He motioned for me to go as I had stopped when I got to the hallway. "It's a plane, not a chopper. It won't be so bad."

"That's what you think," I grumbled before sighing and heading down the hall.

Wild chuckled softly as we walked. "I can't be as… friendly, on the plane. There will be more than me and my partner and they want us being professional."

"Then why have you been so nice to me so far?" I knew he wasn't acting like the stereotypical agent. At least not like what I had seen on television.

"I am a human being, Callie. I'm not stone cold. Besides, like I said, you remind me of my sister in some ways. There are very few agents who can honestly pull off the tv trope version of an agent, but they don't expect us to be 'chatty' with the people we're responsible for."

"I guess that makes sense. It makes it harder for you to be objective if you've made close friendships with the people you're protecting. Then again, I guess it could have some upsides." We had reached the door that I guessed would lead outside to the airfield or wherever for getting on the plane.

"Upsides? Like what?" Wild opened the door and motioned me out. "C'mon. You can't put it off. I don't want to cuff you and force you into the plane."

"I don't want that either." I took a deep breath and headed through the door. It was another hallway, but narrow with very sterile, but yellow tinted lighting. It was like a hallway I'd expect to see in an old World War 2 movie. It didn't make me feel any better about what was coming either.

"You didn't answer my question." Wild's voice echoed about me a bit from the way the hallway was built and stretched far ahead.

I glanced back at him. "Sorry, my mind is on the plane. Upsides, like… having people trust you, or reading people. It's always easier to read people you're friends with or connected to instead of strangers, but it is possible to read strangers."

Wild was quiet for a moment and I could just imagine him nodding behind me. "I guess you have a point. Not that my bosses will care, but just don't get angry if I can't talk to you much or answer your questions."

"No, I get it. I won't get mad. Just… I hope the others can be as patient as you are with my flying freak out." There was another door coming into view at the end of the hall and I sighed. "That one goes outside doesn't it?"

"The girls a genius." Wild stepped past me and put one hand on the bar and one on my upper back. "C'mon. Standing here dwelling won't help."

I took a deep breath and nodded, stepping outside. For some reason, I had been expecting a jet or at most a standard plane. What was sitting on the runway was a huge military plane. There were dozens of people milling about, moving boxes, reading clip boards and barking orders. I was so surprised that I managed to keep walking. I was curious now. There were military bases all over the desert. It wasn't unusual to see military planes fly over, but I'd never been close to one.

I glanced at Wild, eyes a little wide. "All of this to escort me and Katick to an unknown location?"

"No, that's only part of our mission." Wild sighed and pulled me to the side, keeping his voice low. "If what Katick has seen is true, then there's a huge disaster ahead. We're prepping for all eventualities. All levels of government and law enforcement are working together on this."

I frowned, glancing back at the plane. "Then why hasn't there been a national alert sent out? Don't they do that?"

"Because we don't know yet what to warn for. We don't know that everyday people can defend against what's coming. That’s why we've reached out to people like you. People like your friends. You may be the only defense we have."

There was a sudden weight on my shoulders. A sudden pressure of a responsibility that I hadn't dreamed could exist. Defense? How were we supposed to defend against the veil between the living and dead breaking? "But we don't know how…"

"That's why we've got to hurry. We don't have much time for you and the others to figure it out." He motioned back to the plane. "We need to go."

I felt silly now, being afraid of the plane, when there was so much on the line. "Right. Yeah. Of course."

I followed Wild up the big wide platform and into the strange looking seats with lots of straps and belts. "Well, I won't fall out."

Wild chuckled. "No, no you won't. That is true."

"Wild is this the girl? Has she had her medical?"

Wild and I both looked over at the woman who was speaking. I looked over at my eye level naturally, but found myself looking down a bit lower. The woman was looking at the tablet in her hand, scribbling down things rapidly on the screen. Her mousy brown hair was tied up with a zip tie, clearly having pulled it up in a hurry. She looked up at Wild with a frustrated gaze in her grey eyes and lifted a brow, clearly expecting an answer.

"Sorry, Franny, she's not had time. We're fast tracking this."

"I don't care if you're super-fast tracking it. This plane isn't taking off without at least a brief exam and I'm pulling up her medical files now. I'll send all medication to the facility so it should be in your quarters waiting when you arrive." Franny looked to me and then looked around, motioning to a large metal crate. "Sit."

I glanced at Wild not sure about this new person in the fragile dynamic I'd built with him to keep myself calm. He nodded and I went to sit down. I didn't know Wild, but I felt I could trust him. He'd opened up a bit as we walked and I appreciated that, but it wasn't enough to really say I could trust him. I was following my gut and I hope it didn't end me in big trouble.

"What's the exam for, Dr…." I was guessing she was a doctor, but she hadn't given me her name at all.

"Ah, manners. Wild hasn't corrupted you." She took a moment to glance at me before she laid the tablet down. "Dr. Francis Peters, Franny to those who enjoy annoying me." The doctor began to listen to my heart and give me a general look over.

"Well nice to meet you, Dr. Peters. You didn't answer my question though."

Franny looked up at her, then glanced at Wild. He shrugged. "She won't let up. It's her coping mechanism."

Shaking her head, she checked my pulse then looked at my files. "It's to make sure you're not going to drop dead under stress, Ms. Anders." Franny frowned a bit, scrolling through, then sat the tablet back down. "You have slight sugar issues, a little overweight but not much, but otherwise healthy. Good. Wild will probably run any weight off you and you'll be eating a military diet. No extra sugar or salt. Wild… she's all yours."

Before I could say anything in reply, she was walking off. I hopped off the crate and looked down at myself. "So much for my self-esteem."

"Oh, I'm not getting into that conversation. I know I'd just put my foot in my mouth."

I couldn't help but laugh at him. It was a dangerous topic. If he said I wasn't fat, then I might take it as flirting, or if he didn't say it I might get upset that he was calling me fat and ugly. I wouldn't do either, but he didn't know that. I shook my head at him and didn't say anything, picking up my purse again.

As we walked up to the front of the plane, he kept checking his phone. "No one is going to text you what you should say to me about my looks. You're all alone."

Wild chuckled then. "Oh, no. I don't need help with that. This is business. No comments required or needed." He gave me a smile and motions to the seats. "Take your pick."

"I'm not sure how to take that." I gave him a smile and picked a seat where I'd have someone on either side. It made me feel safer. "Don't worry though. I'm ok with how I look. I'm happy."

"Good to hear that. This isn't a dating service, so not sure that it will matter. These things may not take looks into account." Wild sat down next to me, showing me how to do the multiple straps.

"Aww, but I was hoping to charm them, maybe get a date. Never know… could be a husband or a wife in it for me."

Wild looked up at me from the straps, clearly not sure how to take me in the moment. "Getting more nervous aren't you?"

I gave him a sheepish grin, my long dark hair getting nervously tucked behind my ear. "That obvious huh?"

"You spitting out your sexual orientation and that you're single in the middle of a stressful situation sort of gave it away, Callie." He shook his head and smiled. "You're gonna be fine. Trust me, this flight is going to be nothing compared to what's to come."

"I know that's meant to be comforting, but it's not. Not at all."

"Sorry, it's the truth though. Wouldn't you rather I be honest?"

"I guess so… still doesn't help my nerves either way." I finished strapping in and leaned my head back with a sigh. "Go do what you need to. The chubby nervous girl is fine for now. I'm not going to run away."

Wild smiled and put his hand on my shoulder squeezing it. "Good, I'll be back soon. Got to escort Katick out." He hung a tag around my neck. I looked at my driver's license picture and groaned. "Don't complain, we didn't have time for a photoshoot and you don't want shot on sight for trespassing."

"No, though this picture makes it seem like a good alternative." Sighing, I looked up, watching him go before glancing back to the picture. I was only 18 when it was taken. It seemed a lifetime ago. I was fresh out of high school, where I had never fit in. I hadn't gone to college since I couldn't afford it, but I had taken some online classes and gotten an associate's degree in business. I wasn't totally uneducated. I'd even made the dean's list for the place, not that an online college had the same prestige of a traditional school.

I stared for a moment longer, momentarily pondering what had made me think green frames on my glasses had been a good idea. "Ah, being a teenager." I finally dropped the picture and leaned my head back. It was getting late by now and my body said I should have fed it proper food and put it in bed by now. I didn't see myself doing either of those for a while though. My eyes weren't just tired though, they were filling gritty, so I dug in my purse and got my eye drops out.

I was glad I'd had that Lasik eye surgery because dealing with contacts or glasses in this situation would be near impossible. I would have been blind otherwise. I glanced around, seeing I was finally all alone for the first time in a while. I let out a sigh and tried to relax. My muscles were tense, which was normal enough for me and my stress levels, but alone time helped me relax. It looked like it was going to be a rare thing.

What had I gotten mixed up with? It wasn't like I'd gone looking to join a mass effort by the government to save the world from the dead, but look at me now. Wouldn't my mom be proud? God, mom was going to freak if I didn't call her in the next couple of days. I had to wonder if the government realized what a headache they were causing for everyday people by jerking us out of our lives like this. Sure, Wild seemed like a decent person, but the idea that everyone I was going to deal with would be like that was beyond insane. I was many things, but it was quickly dawning on me that insane wasn't one of them.

I wasn't sure if I was relieved by that or stressed. Was the government going to keep this situation out of the news? Would anyone know it happened? If not then everyone would still think she was the crazy girl who saw ghosts. Ghost shows were super popular on television, but that didn't stop individuals from not believing or thinking people who said they were sensitive were liars or insane.

What were the others going through? I doubted that other countries would be in such… turmoil. America seemed like the last ones to get on the 'spirits are real' bandwagon. Even though I can see them, I never imagined something like this could ever happen. What had torn the veil? Why were the dead wanting to come back? Wasn't death supposed to be peaceful? I could ask one, but I wasn't sure I wanted to know. What if they told her it was horrible and not at all what they were taught?

I felt my stomach tightening from the train of thought I was on, so I decided to change directions. I opened my eyes and looked down the plane towards the opening at the back. There were still dozens of soldiers moving around, but there were also bunches of crates now filling the back of the plane. I couldn't see the entire opening now. Though I did see a flash of orange coming up the ramp. Ah, Wild had gone and gotten Katick. Great. More play time with the murderer.

Katick looked right at me and grinned when he got close. "Hello again, Callie. Ready for play time?"

I couldn't help but narrow my eyes at him. "Alright… just what is your flavor of, I don't know the correct term for it, mental abnormality? Telepathic? Clairvoyant? A mixed bag? Cause you didn't pick that choice of words by chance."

"I didn't?" He chuckled, lifting his hands to let Wild strap him in. "If you say so, Callie."

I sighed, realizing he wasn't going to answer me. I stared at him intently for a moment thinking at him to stay out of my head, but he just started laughing. I wasn't sure if he was laughing at my words or my stare. Maybe both. I probably looked a little insane. I looked away with a sigh, glancing at Wild. "So how long is the flight?"

"A while. More than 4 hours. Less than 10." He gave her a nod, glancing back as more suits walked up and began to settle in. I knew he was telling me that talking would be limited now. I sighed, but was glad when he sat down next to me.

I glanced around, then whispered to him. "I should have asked Franny for something for my nerves."

"That would have been good, Miss Anders, but just try to stay calm."

"Easier said than done." I sighed and leaned my head back staring at the ceiling. At least once the ramp in the back of the military plane was up, there weren't any windows I could see out of.

Katick leaned forward as far as he could and smiled. "They aren't going to make this flight easy. They're starting to increase in numbers." Looking around at the agents, he locked eyes on Callie. "I can help with your fears of flying, Callie. Just… let me in."

"Ohhh but fuck no. I'd rather be terrified shitless than let you anywhere near my mind."

"Callie… such language from a lady." Katick laughed and sat back. He was clearly impressed with himself.

One of the new agents, a silver haired man with a frown deep set on his face, grabbed Katick and jerked him back into the seat. "Shut your mouth. We don't even know if any of nonsense is real. Even if it is, ghost can't mess with a plane. Leave the girl alone or you'll find yourself muzzled."

"Oh, kinky. Cuffs and gags. You're getting me excited, Agent." The prisoner laughed as the man rolled his eyes.

I was looking around between them, more fixated on what the agent had said. "What do you mean you don't know if it's real or not? We saw them. We heard the warnings. How can it not be real?" I looked to Wild, not understanding why they would bring sensitives in if they weren't sure or ready to believe.

"I don't believe in all this mumbo jumbo. Just because our research team's been working on it for decades don't make it real. I'll worry when I see some proof." He seemed determined and the more I watched him, I knew he was scared.

I leaned back, a thoughtful expression on my face. How could I, a 23 year old woman, be less afraid of what was coming than this well trained government agent? I looked back at him and he looked away, clearly not liking the attention. I wanted to tell him it was alright. That it was normal to be afraid of something you couldn't see or couldn't physically fight. That introverted part of me stopped the words dead in my throat. There were more people in the plane and close than I cared for. It felt like they were draining my energy, so I pulled out my note pad taking notes about the people I was meeting.

I didn't know the agents name, but he would be Silver in my note pad. I jotted down what I knew about him. He was a non-believer, scared of the paranormal, very closed minded, angry, and frustrated. I glanced to my left at Wild, who happened to be looking at me curiously. I gave him a smile and went back to writing.

Agent Wild was an easier entry. Handsome, confident, open minded, gentle in his own way, open minded, and willing to listen. Good ol' stoneface was sitting next to him and after I wrote stoneface on the paper, I just put a question mark. He'd not said or done anything, but after a moment, I marked out the question mark and put down observant. He was always watching. There was nothing wrong with that, but it could be a bit unnerving. I didn't know the other four agents sitting down the row, but I had a feeling they would be the first of many I met.

I began to write down Katick's name and he chuckled. I looked up and flipped him off. I thought at him to stay out of my head again and tried to remember how to raise a barrier like my friend had taught me. I visualized it around my mind and began to write again, hoping it would work. Katick's list was simple. He was insane and dangerous. I did note that he may be telepathic, clairvoyant, and could do astral projection.

I could write down all my friends, but if my barrier didn't work, I didn't want Katick seeing about them. Though, he already seemed to know of us if nothing else. I became curious and didn't know if I'd get yelled at, but I looked up at Katick. "Why Sawyer?"

Katick lifted a brow. "Finally, a smart question. Sawyer is an open book. He has no barriers and no protections. It's why he's so introverted and shy. People overwhelm him. You could try to teach him that trick you're doing with your mind. It's very frustrating." Katick smirked at me. "Besides, Sawyer is my nephew."

The shock must have been clear on my face. "What? No. There's no way. He lives in Argentina. Has all his life. He has no family in the states."

"My parents split when we were kids. Dad took my sister to Argentina. He's my sisters son. My family is gifted, but they refuse to use their gifts. Sawyer doesn't. He's scared, but he'll stand up when he needs too." Leaning back, Katick looked at the agents. "Surprise."

Silver was already ranting that this whole thing was an escape attempt and that they were all being played. Wild took a deep breath and looked at me. "Put your notes away, please." He then turned his attention to Silver. "Shut the hell up. The notification came from the upper levels. We were going to talk with Katick long before he reached out to us. Just relax."

I was just starting to wonder how long they had been aware

I was just starting to wonder how long they had been aware of the issue with the veil and was going to ask, but the plane chose that moment to start taking off and I gasped grabbing the arm of the seat. "Ohhh, this can't be over fast enough."

Stoneface leaned around Wild looking at me. "Once we're leveled out, Franny is in the lower deck checking over troops. I can tell her you need something."

I stared at him surprised. He could speak. I realized he was awaiting an answer and I nodded. "Yes, please. Thank you." See, he was observant. He remembered the chopper trip and knew I was afraid. Maybe he wasn't so bad.

It didn't take long for the flight to be leveled out. The agents started unbuckling, leaving just me and Katick strapped in. I knew I could, but I didn't want too. I watched Stoneface disappear and I leaned towards Wild. "What's his name?"

"Ask him yourself, Ms. Anders." He was clearly amused, knowing I wanted it for my little note pad.

"You're no fun, Wild." Sighing, I sat back, trying to take deep breaths and relax.

Franny came up the ramp, looking through a bag. "Why didn't you tell me you were afraid of flying?" She pulled out a bottle and handed me a pill, then a bottle of water. "Take that. It will probably make you sleepy. Not so sleepy you can't be woken up if need be."

"Sorry, I didn't think about it. I figured you were busy." I took the pill and the water, glancing at Katick and back to Wild. "Thank you."

"I was busy, but taking care of you people is my job. Hurry up, so I can get back to checking out those downstairs."

I downed the pill and sighed. "All gone." I looked at Wild again. "If I fall asleep, I don't want to be alone with him."

"Not to worry. You won't be alone with him anyway Ms. Anders. Asleep or not. You can relax about that." Wild gave me a nod, that sparkle of friendliness in his eyes if not his expression.

I nodded and took a deep breath. "Thank you, Agent. I appreciate that." I drank more of the water before lidding it. There might not be a bathroom on this thing, better not fill up. The pill was quick working and I blinked a few times feeling my eyes get heavy as I yawned. I closed them, not quite asleep, but not awake either.

Blue eyes filled my minds eye and I suddenly couldn't breathe. I knew who it was. I tried to push him out, but the drugs made it impossible. His voice seemed to echo inside my head.

"I'm not going to hurt you, Callie. I want to stop this, but don't trust the government. They have plans and they aren't good for any of us. I've not been in a regular jail. I've been in a government testing facility having my gifts tested to see if they could be weaponized. Stopping the rip in the veil is paramount, but they won't let you go after this. Wild might seem nice, but I can't get in his mind. I don't know if he's aware of what the end goal is here. Trust me just a bit Callie. We're all in danger."

I couldn't answer, my drugged brain not making words as sleep stole me away from his words. The drugs pulled me into that deep dreamless sleep that didn't let you solve any of your problems or work out scenarios.

#original writing #my wip #rough draft #Spiritocalypse #my ocs #geez this is long #sorry for the super longness #Callie Anders #Agent Wild #James Katick

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dent-de-leon · 7 years

Note

sorry if you've already answered this question somewhere, but do you have any thoughts maybe on why black accepted kuron at the beginning of s4? I'm a diehard clone theory supporter, but that one bit still leaves me... stumped.

A few reasons. I know you probably mean the in-universe reason though, so to go over that first: it happens for mostly the same reason the lion swap happens. The new pilots aren’t the lions’ first choice, but you have to form Voltron somehow, so they’ll still try to make it work as best they can. Would Black prefer Shiro? Undoubtably. But in Shiro’s absence, she must have known the person Shiro was closest to, the person he trusted most and wanted to lead in his absence, the person he believed in–was Keith.

She didn’t choose Keith because it was Keith. Not really. She chose him because of his love for Shiro. Keith’s desire to protect Shiro is what convinced her to let him pilot in the first place. Keith coming to her again in season 3 and trying to “talk to Shiro” through her is what prompted her to turn on again. When asked why the Lion chose him, Joaquim said, “[Keith] and Shiro have the closest relationship, so there is that kinship there.” And Lauren added, “And I think the Black Lion probably got from Shiro what Shiro saw in Keith.” (source)

Keith’s motivation for piloting Black has always been for Shiro’s sake. He found some measure of comfort in Black Lion’s seat because it let him feel closer to Shiro. He speaks to himself in the Black Lion as if Shiro is right there beside him. The closest thing we ever see to something like this is Allura saying, “What would Lance do?” But even then, she makes a distinction between Lance and her Lion. She doesn’t directly talk to Lance as if he is Blue. “This one’s for you, Shiro.” For Keith, this is a coping mechanism. Another way his grief manifests. He’s still mourning. So as soon as “Shiro” comes back? He pulls away. Immediately gives up the Lion without a second though. “Keith, are you sure?” “I’m sure.” It was never about leading. It was about carrying on for Shiro and the team.

So I don’t think Black wanted Kuron per say. She would have preferred Keith, which would have been honoring Shiro’s wishes. And at least, through Shiro’s memories and feelings, she knew without a doubt she could trust Keith. Because Shiro always did. Implicitly. But Keith was gone. She has very limited options here, and no, this isn’t Shiro. But he’s someone who still cares, who is genuinely a good person and wants to fight the good fight. Who’s learning to open up and trust Black even when he believes she sent him back to the galra’s hands in the first place.

That’s incredibly brave and noble and trusting on his part. He’s not here saying, “I’m the rightful paladin! I have to lead!” or “Why did you betray me?” He says, “Please, people’s lives are at stake. You trusted me once. Trust me again.” And isn’t that what Shiro said about his bond with Black before? That it’s all about trust? And doing what’s right? When Shiro says “It’s about earning each other’s trust,” in the astral plane, Black’s eyes light up. When Kuron says, “Trust me again,” she powers on. That’s not a coincidence.

Kuron might not be Shiro. But in that moment, she saw that same spark in him. Those same qualities of a black paladin. Of someone who was ready to open up and trust her wholeheartedly and wanted nothing more than to save lives and defend others. Yes, it does take more time. It’s something she has to consider. It’s something that feels off, and we can see that when she has trouble powering on. But Kuron’s heart and pleas are genuine, and right now, he’s the best she’s got.

And you know what else? Visually speaking, the way those monitors flicker for a bit and go out and on again. It looks like a glitch. And given that the Lions tend to mirror the quintessence and mindset of their pilot, I can’t help but feel that’s their way of showing there’s also something wrong with Kuron. We’ve already seen his weird headaches, and this definitely brings that to mind. The galra have done something to him, that much is obvious. Whether you believe he’s a clone or they’ve tampered with his brain and this is some form of mind control, it’s clear this isn’t the same Shiro. The fact that Operation Kuron even exists proves it.

From a writing standpoint, if you’re going to explore Keith’s role as a leader without Shiro there as his support, it makes sense to show “Shiro” takeover without his right hand man. Makes for an interesting contrast. I think it’s also the first time Voltron’s ever played around with this idea of Allura and “Shiro”/Sven both piloting at the same time, which is kinda neat. Could also be about Shiro being a popular character and toy companies especially wanting to capitalize on that by putting “Shiro” back in the action quickly.

Of course, I strongly believe that Kuron is still Baby Clone as well, and that Shiro is the true Black paladin. This is something that Keith has been saying all along, and it’s a part of why he eventually leaves–thinking the Black Lion will be restored to the hands of its rightful paladin. “Shiro’s the head.” “Stop talking like that. You’re gonna make it.” “Didn’t you see how he sole the Black Lion right out from under Shiro? Or how he could do all that cool stuff with his bayard? Shiro’s bayard?” “Why are we even talking about this? Nothing is gonna happen to you.” “You mean your bayard.” “Shiro’s the Black Lion.” “I know this is what you wanted for me, Shiro. But I’m not you. I can’t lead them like you.” “You had a connection with the Black Lion and I know it’s still there.” “It was always meant to be yours.”

If there’s one person who never doubted Shiro’s ability to lead and his bond with his lion, it’s Keith. And even though things between him and Kuron have been getting tense, Keith ultimately believes leaving Voltron in his hands is for the best. Because that’s Shiro, right? And as soon as Keith finds out about Operation Kuron, I’m pretty sure we’ll see him try to take back the Black Lion and use her to find the real Shiro. But Baby Clone certainly doesn’t have any malicious intentions here (that he’s consciously aware of), and he’s trying to keep the team together and do what’s right. Right now, that will just have to be enough. But it’s very much temporary–and it’s clear Black herself is very aware something’s off. It’s why she tried to shut him out in the first place.

#voltron spoilers #voltron #sheith #shiro #takashi shirogane

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blandvoltronheadcanons · 6 years

Note

Not really another headcanon, but since the thanos and voltron one brought me so much joy I wanted to ask that if voltron shared any connection to lok and atla who do you think would be the descendents of who?

OH HON YOU OPENED THE FLOODGATES IM SO SORRY

OK so honestly I’ve thought about this quite a bit, and honestly I think the best solution to this would be actually if Avatarverse and Voltronverse actually coexisted, but on separate planets! (hold up I’m going to go on a quick tangent/story and then get back to your question)

10,000 years ago, a comet came through a rift in realities, as we all know. This comet would later become Voltron. BUT the comet was not really a comet at all. It was a SPIRIT that guided Alfor into the construction of itself, dividing its consciousness in 5 parts, that would become each of the 5 lions respectively.

Because, you see, the Spirit World is actually the rift itself! It has the same yellow glow, that same powerful energy, etc. The monster that came through and terrorized Daibazaal was a dark spirit, like Vaatu (in fact, honestly it might even have BEEN Vaatu--same dark black/purple-ish energy to it)

But Honerva kept messing with the rift, and finally, Zarkon tricked Voltron into WIDENING the rift, destroying Daibazaal. But here’s the thing--while in our reality, planets are separated by ya know, nothingness, the spirit world exists kinda EVERYWHERE. Think of it like the astral plane. Now through most of space it’s pretty blank--think Shiro in his astral plane battle with Zarkon, that was in the spirit world--but there’s stuff THERE. So, the destruction of Daibazaal sent shockwaves throughout leylines in the universe--all the way to Earth.

Yes, a rift briefly opened up on Earth about 10,000 years ago, and some humans fell into it (probably mostly in Asia....)! Many of them died straight away, but some found shelter among Lion Turtles, great spirits, and lived on their backs! This brings us to Wan--the first avatar, who’s story was told in Legend of Korra.

When Wan made peace with the spirits and separated the ‘spirit world’ and the material world of the humans, what actually was happening was the spirits....letting them through the spirit portals into the Avatar Earth. The Humans CALLED it Earth, because that was the land that they knew from when their ancestors were dropped in the rift, but it was ACTUALLY a smaller planet lightyears away that was similar to the planet their ancestors remembered--hence the different continents.

So, tl;dr quintessence=spirit energy, rift=dangerous spirit portal, Avatar Earth=alien world human settlers called Earth even though they’re two separate places, Voltron Earth=where Avatar people came from. The Alteans, especially royal alteans like Allura, Haggar (?), and Alfor, probably have about as close as a connection to the spirit world as an Avatar, which is what gives them “magic.” So, while Allura can’t control all the elements, she can do most of the spiritual part of the Avatar job, and any Avatar can probably pilot the Altean ship and make portals and such.

Oh yeah Altean portals kinda sorta use the Spirit World too, cause the Spirit World doesn’t operate under the same level of space/time as the material world.

OKAY SO BACK TO YOUR QUESTION

I don’t know if there are any direct relationships, but some of this AU is easy, like Lance=waterbender, Keith=firebender, Hunk=Earthbender. For Pidge I’d either put her as a non-bender in the Earth Kingdom, OR a waterbender that lives in the swamp and does stuff with plants, mostly. Allura as airbender makes most sense to me and....Shiro firebender or fire nation at least, given he’s japanese. As for specific Avatarverse characters, Lance is closest to Sokka or Korra so I could see him related to either of them, Keith definitely has some Zuko vibes, but could also go towards Avatar Wan, Hunk seems similar to Bolin, Pidge to that inventor guy in Avatar i can’t remember his name....Coran kinda feels like Varrick maybe....I got nothing for Allura....or Shiro....sorry.

OH also, I did start a fic with all of this, theres only one chapter up right now, but it goes with the above theory and that Shiro accidentally fell INTO this spirit world after Season 2. So, here: Quintessence Bending

#not a headcanon #voltron legendary defender #avatar the last airbender #legend of korra #sorry i get really into au's #arkhamkicksass

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frenchy-and-the-sea · 7 years

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10 with Ianry and Val!

I still think that for a prompt that was ‘not ambush hug,’ this one ended up being a little less sincere and a little more ridiculous. That’s Val’s style though, so maybe that’s a good thing.

Another long one this time, about 2400 words. From this meme here, featuring @villnis‘ Ianry, who I love like my own son.

“Wasn’t Amon on watch tonight?”

Val looked up suddenly from her absent prodding of the fire andfound Ianry’s head poking out of his tent, his eyes squinting blearily at herover the light of the flames.

“He was,” she replied with a little half-shrug. “But I sent himback to bed. Might as well let him sleep since I can’t seem to.”

She made a little gesture down to her stomach, where the tightnessof a bandage still pulled at her, and Ianry hummed with understanding. They hadall taken a bit of a beating in their latest scrap, but some - she, Ianry andSarula in particular - still had lingering wounds even three days later.Sleeping on cold, rocky ground had only seemed to aggravate them.

“Your shoulder keeping you up too?” she asked as Ianry pushed therest of the way out the tent. He shot her a strangely haggard look, then huffedand returned to tugging his boots the rest of the way on.

“Among other things.”

She raised an eyebrow, but didn’t bother trying to press him foran explanation. Too often, questions that hedged on personal were regarded byIanry with a folding of his arms, and a stern, “I don’t think that’s any ofyour business.”

It usually wasn’t, fairly, but that didn’t make the habit anyeasier to deal with.

“Nightmares had me about myself too,” she went on instead, andgestured with her flask so that the liquid inside sloshed loudly. “That’s whatthis is for. Well, for that and boredom.”

Ianry snorted, but snatched the flask out of her hand as hecrossed to the fire beside her. He uncapped it as he sat down and gave theopening an investigative sniff.

“I didn’t know you got nightmares often enough to warrant keeping rumaround,” he said after a moment, wrinkling his nose and passing it back. Valshrugged.

“Not as often anymore,” she admitted. “Guess that fight just hitme a little harder than I expected.”

She still had hazy memories of flickering in and out ofconsciousness, of feeling her knees suddenly weaken beneath her, of seeingHakir raise the sword before the world went fuzzy black. Sleeping near a firehelped blot out some of the darkness that she could remember, but not sleepingat all kept it at bay entirely.

She grimaced and took another quick swig, wiping her mouth acrossher sleeve before offering the flask to Ianry again. He considered it for aminute, then shrugged and accepted.

“Helps with the pain some too, provided you don’t drink yourselfsick,” Val said as he tipped it back. He pulled it away from his lips almost asfast, face screwed up with the taste and the burn of alcohol down his throat.

“Well, it’s just a miracle cure, isn’t it?” he muttered tightly,pushing the flask back into Val’s waiting hand. She snorted.

“You’d think it was, way some men talk about it. They say it killsanything you want it to, from pain to memories.”

Or that’s how the barkeep had sold her on it, anyway. Shegrimaced at the thought, taking one more quick draw before she recapped theflask again and set it at her feet.

They sat in silence for a long while after that, watching the logsshift and crackle in the fire. Summer wasn’t quite over yet, but a chill hadalready crept into the air as it whistled through the trees around them, asharp, dogged cold that blew straight through even Val’s thick arming layers.Ianry grumbled every time a particularly stiff breeze kicked up, scrubbing atthe arms of his robe and cursing in what she could only assume was dwarvish forhow it rattled in her ears. About the third time it happened, Val grabbed ahandful of kindling and pushed herself painfully to her feet.

“We’ll need to think about buying some more wool if we want tokeep traveling during the next few months,” she mused as she tossed itcarefully into the heart of the fire. The flames licked up at the dry leavesstill clinging to their branches, sending a sharp burst of heat into the air.Ianry uncurled himself from the folds of his robes long enough to prod themfurther into the fire.

“I’d rather not be traveling at all. Not if all we’re going to dois freeze out in the middle of some woods somewhere,” he muttered. Val chuckledand sat down again - this time, so close to Ianry that their shoulders brushed.She watched his stick suddenly stop prodding at the fire, and did her markedbest to sit still.

It was just an offer, after all. Cold as she felt, Val knew thatshe still ran warmer compared to most anyone else - and especially compared toscrawny elves who wrapped themselves in scarves on a regular basis. But Ianryhad never given her any reason to assume that he was particularly fond of physicalcontact, even the kind with an excuse built in; even when no one was around toblame him for folding back into his robe again, for stretching, for saggingjust a little bit closer….

Something solid bumped suddenly against her, and Val quietlytucked her smile into the collar of her shirt. She leaned back, casuallyletting him slide just a touch closer to the crook of her arm, until Ianry’selbow propped itself against her thigh.

“I’m not hurting you, am I?” he muttered, his voice almost too lowto hear except for the quiet thrum that she felt through their touchingshoulders. This time, Val did not try to hide her smile.

“Dangerously close to where the bastard tried to gut me,” shesaid, just as quietly, “But no. Don’t move too much and I should be fine.”

Ianry snorted - Val would swear on her life that she could feelhis eyes roll - but when he settled back, she noticed how delicate he waswith her bandaged side.

“Maybe if you didn’t try to take dangerous people in solo combat,you wouldn’t have to worry about being injured three days later,” he said as hemoved. She felt his hair tickling across her arm as he turned to shoot her alittle smirk. “Isn’t that what you always say to Amon?”

“That,” Val replied, with a huff that barely covered her grin, “isentirely different. I can take those hits, and I don’t make it an offerfirst.”

Ianry just shrugged, a delicate, one-shoulder thing that groundagainst her arm, and Val felt the competitive little flame in her chestsuddenly flicker to life.

“Alright, what about you then? Jumping into the middle of thefight like that?” She nudged gently at him, her grin twisting into a smirk.“Impressive as that was, I always thought you magic types were smartenough to stay away from the people jabbing at each other with pointed steel.”

She expected a huff, or a roll of his eyes, maybe even anot-so-gentle nudge in return - instead, she felt a twitch rattle all throughthe shoulder beside her, and then a rush of cold air as Ianry suddenly pulledaway.

“Oh, is that what we’re supposed to do?” he asked, hisvoice tight with sarcastic surprise. Val’s stomach suddenly plunged downward asIanry put another span of distance back between them, tugging his robe tighteraround himself like he had caught another chill. “Well, I guess my parents were right, then - I must just be a terriblesorcerer.”

He laughed again, too sharp and too bitter for the mocking in hisvoice to sound like anything but an afterthought. Val watched, frowning, as heturned away and began prodding at the fire, his shoulder suddenly like abarrier between them, his eyes downcast and away.

There were certain things that didn’t come up on those long roadsbetween cities. Family, for one; it had taken three months and a trip throughthe astral plane for Amon to even broach the topic of his parentage, and he wasthe most open book among them. If Ianry had decided not to talk about hisfamily, well, Val had just assumed that it was because they were relativelyboring, or irritating, or dead - something innocuous like that.

But here, with his tone and the foot of distance that he hadsuddenly put between them? Here, Ianry had made it abundantly clear that hissilence meant something else entirely.

She sat for a long moment in the quiet, watching the flames glintoff of the scales speckled across his face as he worked to look everywhere butin her direction.

“Well,” she said at last, gathering herself up with a grunt andsliding a few inches after him, “They must have a pretty rotten sense of theword ‘terrible,’ then. ‘Cause I’d take you to have my back in a fight before Itook the best spellcaster in Sendra.”

The points and lines along Ianry’s back twitched up, then loosenedall at once, like a sail slacking into the wind. He turned just enough toglower skeptically at her over his shoulder.

“I’m being serious,” Val insisted, baring her palms like they weresomehow proof of her sincerity. “We don’t just want you around for hurlingfireballs at whatever’s trying to kill us. Not that we’re exactly complainingabout that, mind.”

Ianry had turned away again, but from behind the curtain of hishair, Val heard what sounded like a short, weary laugh, and the thought that itmight be one spurred her onward.

“Ianry, we want you around because you actually give a shit,enough to put yourself into the thick of it with Amon and me. We want youaround because we know you’re reasonable enough to see the sense in what we do,and to tell us exactly when you don’t; because, for all of the weird shit we’veput you through, you have never once backed off when you found that the causewas just ‘helping someone.’” She closed the rest of the distance between themslowly, sliding across the ground until she could nudge her shoulder againstthe back of his.

“That’s not just loyalty, mate. That’s not just a love of money,or pride, or anything else you’ve convinced yourself of. That’s just you beinga good fucking person, and no amount of magical training in the world canteach that.”

Ianry didn’t move at first, didn’t even twitch to acknowledge thatshe had spoken, and as the seconds crept up on minutes, Val felt an old panicsomewhere deep in her gut start to claw it’s way up again. She had crossed aline, somewhere - offered a part of her affection that was neither wanted norappreciated, and started the quick work of running him off. Her hand strayed upto the tattoo on her chest and scrubbed at it through the fabric of her shirtuntil it burned.

Then, suddenly, the sound came again, that short, quiet rush ofair that sounded almost like a laugh, and Ianry tucked the last of his hairback away from his face. In the profile, she could see him looking sidelong ather, his eyes green and glittering in the dark.

“Okay,” he said, a shaky smile twitching onto his lips. Then hestraightened, as if suddenly remembering himself. “But to be fair, runningstraight into the middle of a fight wouldn’t exactly make me a good sorcerer.You know, for your next attempt at a pep talk.”

Cold relief washed over Val in a wave, sweeping the last of hertension away with such force that she sagged into a round of deep, shakinglaughter. She had used deflection enough to know what it sounded like, but atleast he was speaking to her again; at least he had conceded something.

“Maybe,” she said when she had finally collected herself enough tospeak. Then she grinned and leaned closer, elbowing him gently in the side.“Would make you a pretty decent front line fighter, though.”

“Oh, great,” Ianry groaned with a roll of his eyes, “One moreidiot doing nothing but swinging some pointy metal around. That’s justwhat we need.”

Val made a great show of recoiling, a hand pressed over her heartlike his words were a physical wound and she was staving off the bleeding.“What I do is an art, you smug little asshole. C’mere.”

Grinning, she slung an arm around Ianry’s waist and pulled himover into a great, crushing hug. His back went ramrod straight in her arms,startled, but Val made no move to let go. His hands were free after all,hanging limply over her back in a gesture half-made to push her away and thenquietly reconsidered. She knew him well enough to be sure that he would let herknow, one way or another, if he wanted to get away.

She also knew him well enough to have seen him loiter on the edgeof a collective group hug, pretending like he wasn’t standing just inside arm’sreach for a reason.

He still seemed rather committed to his impression of a stone,though. One moment of silence ticked slowly over into two, into three; then,all at once, Ianry sagged like a breath suddenly exhaled. He didn’t return herembrace so much as deflate, letting his hands list back down to rest at hersides, palms turned coincidentally inward. In the crook of his shoulder, Valsmiled.

“I can wake the others if you need any more reassurance that we’dprefer you flinging your magic from our side,” she teased. A short huff of airtickled against her ear.

“I’m fine, thanks,” Ianry muttered, finally leaning away from her.He got as far as Val’s elbows before the hands clasped behind his back stoppedhim.

He paused, frowned, tried tugging back again. Still, her arms heldfast.

“Val.”

“Mhm?”

There was another tug, another huff against her shoulder. “Whatthe fuck are you doing?”

“Oh, this? This is training, mate.” Val’s facesplit into a grin, so wide that her cheeks burned. “If you’re gonna be throwingyourself in the middle of a sword fight as you’ve been, you’re gonna need to bea little stronger than that.”

#my writing #pile of idiots #other people's ocs #d&d shenanigans #valtish #val doesn't knoooow how to be totally sincere without ending things in a joke #it's just the way she rolllllls

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c1qfxugcgy0 · 7 years

Text

So the latest thing by Jon Bois, 17776, is making the rounds. Which is interesting, since he already wrote a magic realism future football piece with Google Earth graphics back in 2014, called The Tim Tebow CFL Chronicles.

TTCC is an interesting work. I can’t say I regret reading it, but I also can’t really recommend that you read it either. It’s like Lost, or Homestuck.①

TTCC is the story of a single 3 million yard long football game. It starts in Toronto, and stretches across Canada. It’s full of weird little Achewood-like character moments. It rhymes with Jason and the Argonauts. It also features maybe the grimmest setting I’ve seen outside of Warhammer 40K. The hopelessness of the world of TTCC plays out in small ways.

(Spoilers follow)

Tebow. How come you've got a wheel?

Driver. How come I've got a wheel?

Tebow. Yeah.

Driver. So ... I can drive the elevator.

Tebow. Do you need to steer it, though?

Driver. Nah. I always just drive the elevator straight up or straight down. Those are pretty much the only directions that folks need to go on an elevator. Do you need to go left or right? I could see what would happen. Never done it.

Tebow. No, thanks. Just up.

The Canadians, unfortunately, are in the process of innovating themselves into a corner. They're developing new technologies, and adapting new modes of living, that save and generate as much wealth, resources, and energy as they'll ever need. It's all being produced in such abundance that employment is becoming unnecessary to acquire wealth. This is an unexpected problem for Canadians, who are a considerably industrious people. They want to work. And so initiatives have recently been implemented to create "make-work."

This elevator is an example of that: contractors were assigned to equip it with a steering column that may or may not attach to anything. It's equipped with life vests. It has a flare kit. These were all installed by people who worked for the sake of work. So does this man, who has gripped this steering wheel every day for years, and has never turned it.

The central question of both TTCC and 17776 is this: What do we do? What is the purpose of life? If you don’t have to work, then what do you work on? If nobody needs you, what do you do?

I always felt like I kind of related to Todd. He played football all his life, he had been there and done that. And now, he was just hanging around for no reason. The difference between us is that, you know, I eventually found a team that could use me. He just didn't.

Nothing will make you lonelier than not having purpose. Purpose is like gravity. All the friends and fans and everything? Without purpose, they're just floating there, the universe is like a big soup.

Nobody in the history of human civilization has a come up with a satisfying answer to this question. Unfortunately for us, finding an answer is becoming a pressing matter, as technology gets closer to actually giving a post-scarcity economy, and if we can’t figure out something sane to do with it, late capitalism will give us its default answer: an endless dystopian hellscape, eternal suffering and deprivation without end.

Bois does have an answer. It’s this: the purpose of humanity is to play sports.

Tebow and friends drive the football for millions of yards, and eventually discover Tahimik, a city founded in Greenland by the ancient Polynesians. There they discovered all the physical laws, and invented all the technology.

Melvin: How did humankind go from the hot-air balloon to the supersonic SR-71 spy plane, which travels at Mach 3, in, what, 63 years? Do you really think a civilization of people can advance to that technology if nobody feeds it to them? Consider also that we didn't have a reliable cordless phone in 1990, and we had an iPhone in our pocket 17 years later. People accepted this as true because no other possibilities were really suggested to them. But take a step back and think, really think, about how the Hell that is possible, unless another party gives them this stuff an an accelerated rate.

That's what we did. That's what we've done for nearly 3,000 years. Every now and then, we very quietly leak a new technology to our agents in the rest of the world. That's how you got the sailing ship, the steam engine, the automobile, and the Sega Dreamcast, and that is how you will get things you can't even yet conceive of.

But not so many things. Here is the truth: we are running out of stuff.

Tebow: How is that possible?

Melvin: Very soon, we think, we will have cured every disease, solved every economic crisis, made every season of every TV show that anyone would conceivably want to watch. And then we'll be out of stuff. We're gonna release the greatest smartphone of all time sometime in the 2050s. That, I figure, will be the last thing.

[...]

Melvin: Around the year 1500, we hit a wall. We precisely mapped every star that has ever sent light in our direction. And then we start to realize that virtually all of it is a place we can never reach.

Humankind can't travel much further than our solar system. Astral physics won't allow it. Our human bodies won't allow it. Faster-than-light travel is impossible. All the teleportation business that we keep dreaming up in movies is absolutely impossible.

We know that quantum mechanics are in motion everywhere, but around that time, we also discover that we will never be able to comprehend or explore this, either. We stubbornly fought against this truth. God, how we fought. But it was like telling yourself that if you stare at a glass of water hard enough, it'll turn into wine. We were used to running into barriers a handful of times before we figured ways around them. But at this point, we just kept on circling around and hitting our heads on the same, impenetrable wall, thousands of times, forever.

There are things we cannot do. Humankind can travel to a handful of planets so barren that we'd never want to visit them anyway. Apart from that, we are stuck here. Forever, and ever, and nothing can be done about it.

[...]

Means. It's impossible. There has to be more to discover, more to create.

Melvin. Well, by all means. Would you like your smartphone to have a terabyte of memory? Sure, we can do that. Do you want to go to Mars? Be our guest. You can stand there for 20 minutes and look at all the nothing, and then we'll bring you back.

Means. You just haven't tried enough. You haven't given yourselves enough time.

Melvin. Do you realize that it's been 500 years since we ran out? Do you realize how many epochs that is, by our standards? We invented the Atari 2600 on a Monday in the year 783. By Saturday, we had made the PlayStation 6. We know what it is like to discover so quickly we can barely process it.

In TTCC, science and technology is over. Not only is it over, but it’s been over for centuries. There’s no ideas left to discover, and no places worth exploring.

What’s left? Sports!

Melvin: You know, when I was younger, a lot of academics back home used to turn up their noses at sports. They were lowbrow wastes of time, they said. People were too obsessed with them. The unmissable insinuation being, of course, that they themselves were up to something more important.

We are small. We are nothing. We are such nothing that the universe does not acknowledge that we are even here, and it never will. Accept that. And now, stand on this line, and look at that quarterback, and drill the fuck out of him. Nothing you do will be more important, because nothing you do will be important.

It is quite well that we love sports. Because one day, sports will be the only adventures we have left. There will be nothing else to do, and for eternity.

A parallel, from 17776:

9: We don’t ... do anything, right? There’s nothing we’re supposed to be doing?

10: Nope. We completed our mission 15,000 years ago.

9: So now we just... hang out. We perpetually hang out. Just like all the people down there, we shoot the shit, and watch football, and waste time.

[...]

10: A human being will rarely admit this to you, but they tend to be terrified of living forever. They were born and raised with the understanding that their lives would end. They achieved everything they wanted to achieve, all the ills that plagued them.

10: And now boredom is their only enemy. And they get up in the morning and fight it every day of their eternal lives. Recreation and play sustain them. Football sustains them.

So far, this is just regular weird. It gets weirder!

Through a series of contrived explanations, it transpires that, to avoid an energy crunch resulting from running out of oil, the US has converted all football stadiums into solar power collectors.

Crouch. The government seized almost every sizable football stadium in the country, and retrofitted them into permanent, single-purpose buildings for one purpose. Collecting power. Football was left without a place to play.

Tebow. Just ... just take a season off football! Just wait until you build new stadiums somewhere else!

Crouch. The crisis had already left the economy staggering. Nobody had the money for all that, Timmy. College and pros combined, that's over a hundred huge stadiums you're asking for them to build, just like that.

Hall. More than that, then. Take five years off. Ten.

Crouch. I think you're overestimating the patience of the American people. They have moved on. Build all the stadiums you want. America has moved on.

[...]

Williams. Most NFL teams went out of business years ago. The rest play on old high school fields. A game might draw 500 people, if it's a big game.

Bois has constructed a fictional universe where nothing matters and human endeavor is pointless, except for sports, set a football player as the viewpoint character, then killed football.

Voicemail message. Thank you for calling the Tim Tebow Football Studio. This Fall, save 20 percent when you sign up the whole family. Leave a message and we will be happy to return your call.

Nereida Volquez. Tim. Dante said he still hasn't heard back from you.

It's not healthy, Timmy ... you gotta let go of football. Come along with us, remember it and what you loved about it, but let it go. Think about it like this. Football was the most beautiful thing in the world, and you got to be there for the end of it. The end of what it was, anyway. Doesn't that make you feel lucky? To have seen it?

I just think about you sitting in the middle of that strip mall in the middle of Florida. Just baking in this big oven of ... I don't know, sadness?

Your reward for reading 40,000 words about a fictional game of football is... nothing! You lose! Good day, sir!

So you can see why I’m perhaps hesitant to recommend that you read TTCC! Plus, if you’re reading this sentence, I spoiled the entire plot.

In any event, 17776 seems to be hitting many of the same plot beats. Superhumanly tough football players. Themes of stagnation and pointlessness. Google Earth zooms. I’m not confident about the ending!

①:

So, do I recommend Homestuck? Should you drop everything and start reading it?

You can’t. Homestuck is over, and I mean over, not just that it isn’t updating. “Homestuck,” the masterpiece, was the event, the community, the shifting pace of updates, the constant chatter between fandom and author. Homestuck is done. If you missed it, you missed it.

②: There isn’t a footnote 2, I just wanted to complain about Jon’s intolerably shitty Twitter feed. He’s a decent long-form writer, but in the Twitter format he seems to lean on the Family Guy-style “repetition is humor” joke.

For a year, he tweeted “welcome to college football saturday”, every Saturday, even when no college football games were actually happening, then wrote a post about it. Okay, sure, that’s annoying, but at least he had a minimal excuse for doing it. But he kept fucking going! His feed is full of minimally funny shit like this. He seems to understand his tweets are bad, but still refuses to stop tweeting. Screw you, Jon! You suck! Log off!!

#jon bois #17776 #tim tebow CFL chronicles

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