Lands end men's pants elastic waist
Tall Fashion Advice
2012.07.29 23:13 Tall Fashion Advice
Welcome to our tall fashion community, where style knows no height limits! Join us to support each other, share fashion tips, and celebrate our amazing style. All are welcome!
2023.06.08 12:47 xtremexavier15 TSROTI 7 (pt 2)
The episode resumed on a shot of the dark and dank and craggy underground cave, water drips echoing in the background as the camera panned to the left. It stopped on a small and sudden burst of bubbles, then cut in closer as Geoff broke the surface with a spluttering cough. Scarlett joined him a moment later.
"Where's Anne Maria?" Geoff wondered once he saw no sight of her.
He got his answer when Anne Maria resurfaced, Scarlett apparently on top of her head. "Do I look like a lifeboat?!" the jersey girl grunted and threw Scarlett off of her.
"We had no idea where we'd land. It's not our fault," Geoff said.
"And besides, we're separated from Dave and Molly," Scarlett replied. "Finding them will be beneficial if we want to make it out of here alive." As she spoke, a pair of glowing eyes figure appeared in the background, crawling down the rock.
"I do not want to die, and I definitely don't want anyone else to," Anne Maria said.
"My point exactly," Scarlett stated… just before the shadowy figure tackled her underwater.
"Scarlett!" Geoff shouted in worry. "Anne Maria, she's gone! What do we do?"
"Get out of this before we get dragged down," Anne Maria responded before they swam to shore.
\
The scene flashed to the wrecked mine cart still on dry land, which had crashed against a thick and massive stalagmite. The camera panned to the left onto the fallen bodies of Molly and Dave. The germaphobe got to his feet with an active flashlight still in his hands and groaned as he looked around.
He immediately spotted the indie girl nearby and gasped. "Molly!" he exclaimed, running over to her. "Get up!" he added, tapping Molly on the side of the head with the flashlight and groaning when he didn't get a response.
With a swift cry of "Wake up already!" he kicked the girl on her side, who immediately groaned in pain and got to her feet.
"Dave…" Molly mumbled and frowned. "Did you just kick me?"
"I had to get you up somehow," Dave admitted.
"I can see that," Molly agreed.
"Now come on," Dave said, Molly's eyes widening as he unknowingly rose about a foot into the air. "We have to find the others and the statue!" It was then that he noticed his sudden height change, and along with Molly, he looked at his feet.
The camera zoomed out a step, revealing that Dave was now standing on the head of a giant hairless gopher that had just popped out of the ground. They screamed and ran away in fear as the gopher rose up even more and roared at them.
\
The camera cut back to Trent and Scott running as their mutant gopher continued chasing them down a tunnel. Just then, Trent tripped on one of the planks laid out for mining cart tracks, and tumbled over Scott, sending them both to the floor.
The gopher caught up to them, much to their fright, and began sniffing at them. It recoiled with a whimper afterwards.
"Why is it doing that?" Trent asked as he and Scott got off the floor.
Scott looked at the gopher. "Their eyes are glued shut, so it had to follow us by smell."
"I took a shower this morning," Trent reminded the devious.
Scott lifted his right armpit and sniffed it. "I never do that, so my armpits are pretty skunky."
"Gross," Trent grimaced.
The gopher went back to squealing at the two Rats, and while Trent took a step back, Scott didn't do the same.
"You don't like the smell of my armpits?" Scott smirked at the gopher and took a step forward. "Too bad, because it's never going away!" He raised his arms, and moved towards the gopher, who scurried away in a second.
"Having a clean stench is important," Trent said as he stepped up beside him, "but since it saved us, I'll ignore it this time." He patted him on the back, to which Scott grinned back at.
\
The camera panned across another cave, from an entrance tunnel on the right, past a large pile of toxic waste barrels, and on to Scarlett lying on the ground with a small puddle of water near her face, next to some steps carved into a higher level of stone.
She coughed up a bit of water then looked up. "Where am I?" she asked.
The shot rather ominously panned up to a familiar figure sitting on what looked like a cobbled-together set of bunk beds atop the plateau. A few mutant gophers were on the platform with him, but a couple more started to surround Scarlett.
"I will have no problem harming you myself if you do not back off!" Scarlett threatened the gophers, and one of them got hit by a familiar shoe.
"Step away from her, gophers!" the figure said, stepping out to reveal himself as Max.
"Max!!! What are you doing here?" Scarlett flabbergasted.
Max put his shoe back on and focused on the brainiac. "I have come to enact my revenge on you fools!"
All Scarlett could do was roll her eyes and facepalm.
\
A flash took the scene back to DJ, Sierra, and Sammy running through the mine. "What's taking them so long to catch up?" Sierra asked.
Sammy looked around the shaft. "We probably should've marked where we came from. I think we might be lost from them!"
They were interrupted by the gopher that Scott scared off scampering past them.
"There you guys are!" Trent's voice called, and the three Rats looked in the direction the voice came from.
Scott and Trent then appeared on the scene. "We were almost killed by that gopher, but luckily, my armpits saved the day!" Scott boasted.
"Your armpits?" DJ muttered confused.
"He doesn't shower very often," Trent answered.
"Disgusting," Sammy winced. "Anywho, we should get going since we're reunited!"
Suddenly, five pairs of mutant gopher hands shot up out of the ground under the Rats, grabbing them by their ankles. "Unless they do that," Sammy sighed just before the gophers pulled them screaming into the earth.
\
"Why did you bring me here, and how were you able to return after your departure?!" Scarlett asked as the scene cut back to her and Max.
"I "borrowed" a canoe from a relative of mine and decided to swim back to the island after rewatching the past episodes and doing a bit of research on gophers in order to seize control of them," Max explained, using air quotes on borrowed.
"I highly doubt you were able to get these creatures under your control," Scarlett doubted. "You obviously had help from someone."
Max griped in annoyance. "If you must know, I encountered that clone from last season and decided to bring him along as he's a very intimidating fellow."
It was then that the second figure landed in the middle of the room. Scarlett widened her eyes and Max yelped and yelled "E-Clone! Do not sneak up on me!"
"Did you have the Ezekiel clone capture me so I would be one of your sidekicks," Scarlett followed up.
"With your super-advanced brain, who'd pass you up?" Max responded, making Scarlett and E-Clone frown at the super villain.
\
The scene cut to a drop of water landing in a small puddle, soon followed by two sets of feet that ran through it. The camera zoomed out to show them belonging to Molly and Dave, the two Maggots panting as they ran down the tunnel.
"I'm starting to feel the signs of chemical exposure," Molly moaned. "Fever and nausea."
Seconds later, Dave's arm badge beeped and turned red, earning a surprised look from both teens. "Five minutes left," Dave said. "Let's not die here." Molly's badge changed soon after, but they ignored it as they were in the same predicament.
"I see Dave and Molly!" the voice of Anne Maria called out. The scene zoomed out to show her and Geoff meeting up with the two.
"Anne Maria! Geoff! Nice to have you here," Dave told them. "But where's Scarlett?"
"She got captured by some cave monster," Geoff answered.
"We have to find her!" Molly declared.
"We should leave these dumb packs before they slow us down," Dave added, moving to take the straps off his shoulders.
The sudden crackle and whine of a loudspeaker turning on gave him pause however. "Those packs of pain stay on until I tell you otherwise!" Chris told them. "Or your whole team is disqualified! Dis-qual-i-fied!"
"YOU BETTER NOT LET US US DIE IN HERE!" Anne Maria screamed the moment the message ended.
"Uhh, I'm more of a watcher than a saver," Chris replied. The loudspeaker shut off again, and the four Maggots shared an infuriated look.
"My answer is no!" Scarlett's voice was heard.
"That's Scarlett over there," Geoff said, pointing forward. "Let's roll, dudes." He took off first, and his teammates quickly followed after.
\
The scene flashed back to the entrance to the cave that E-Clone, Max, and Scarlett were in as the four remaining Maggots ran in as well.
"Whatever you want to accomplish, I have no interest in assisting you," Scarlett informed Max, a few mutant gophers standing nearby.
"Can one of you get these gophers off of us!" the voice of Scott asked, causing the camera to quick-pan over to him. Though his team's jar of fireflies was still on DJ's head, the shot zoomed out to reveal that he was dangling with his heavy pack in the jaws of a mutant gopher standing on its haunches on a pile of barrels; another outward zoom revealed the rest of his team in a similar state next to him.
"Great. Now our chances of getting that statue is harder," Dave complained.
"So all of you have come for your golden statues?" Max asked everyone around him.
"Of course we did!" Sierra said. "And why not give my team our statue before the Maggots got here?"
"Simple. I take pleasure in making stuff harder for everybody around me, and seeing you hung up by the gophers is delightful," Max explained. "I told you I would get my revenge."
"Is he always this eccentric?" Trent asked the Rats since he didn't know Max prior to his team swap.
"To answer your question, definitely," Sammy nodded. She took the jar off of DJ's head, and the fireflies swarmed around the gophers' faces, forcing them to drop the Rats and their packs.
"This wasn't part of the plan," Max complained as he saw the gophers running around in order to avoid the fireflies.
"I'll go ahead and get the statue for us," DJ assured his teammates. He ran to the throne, and jumped on a passing gopher's back to reach it. Once up there, he took the statue with the green base. "I got it!"
The Maggots gasped in shock as the rest of the Rats got back up. "Rats, head for the mine carts!" Trent commanded, pointing off to where a trio of mine carts sat on a rail.
DJ agreed, only for E-Clone to appear and block his path. DJ yelped in fright, and the clone tackled him, starting a scuffle. The Toxic Rats' statue flew from DJ's hand in the process.
Moments later, a crackling through the air indicated the start of a message over the loudspeaker. "If you can hear this," Chris called out as DJ tried to fend off E-Clone, "congrats! You're not dead yet!" Scarlett was shown paying attention to the speaker, while Dave and Anne Maria ran to their statue and Molly collapsed out of exhaustion. "Wherever you are, immediately discard your bombs. I mean, backpacks, and run!"
The shot cut back to Scott and Sierra, who were in the process of taking off their own packs.
"Bombs?!" Sierra exclaimed, lifting the largest flap to see what looked like several sticks of dynamite and a detonator as Scott very quickly removed his backpack. "That's too far!"
"This is where I must be going!" Max screamed and rushed to the carts in a seemingly speedy manner, much to Scarlett's confusion. The super speeding boy tripped on a rail, but managed to land on the middle cart.
"He stayed here for way too long, and that's something I'll investigate after we're out," Scarlett said to herself and ran to the carts.
Anne Maria and Dave placed their packs on the throne, and Anne Maria snatched up the statue with the red base. "Bada bling, baby!"
"You guys," Geoff weakly called, "me and Molly are feeling wiped out." Dave and Anne Maria turned around, and saw Geoff dragging Molly slowly and weakly as their packs were discarded. Before they could get any closer, a gopher appeared and started squealing at them, frightening both Molly and Geoff.
"Geoff!!" Anne Maria cried out and gave the statue to Dave. "Hold the statue. These gophers are about to get ham fisted!"
"So I go to the carts? Okay," Dave shrugged and made his way to them.
Meanwhile, DJ managed to get the upper hand in his fight with E-Clone, and took off his pack in the process in order to put it on him.
"I have the statue. Let's go!" Sammy told DJ, who carried E-Clone along as Geoff and Molly were being protected by Anne Maria holding the gopher back.
The shot cut to the carts just as Dave reached them. Sammy, Scott, Sierra, and Trent were on the front cart and DJ, E-Clone, Max, and Scarlett were in the middle. Dave was about to get on the back cart, but he heard the sounds of Anne Maria struggling to fend off the gopher.
"I want to avoid toxic at all costs, and I can do so right now, but what about them?" Dave said while watching his endangered team.
"I can't hold on any longer!" Anne Maria grunted in her hold.
"You can do this," Geoff motivated the Jersey shore reject.
"Geoff, if we don't make it out alive," Anne Maria strained harder, "I want to let you know that I lo-"
A clang sound from behind the gopher was heard, and Anne Maria took her hands away from the gopher the moment it fainted from the blow. The camera panned out to show Dave appearing from behind it with their team's statue in hand.
"Dave!" Molly smiled. "You're our hero!"
"I'm not leaving anyone to die today!" Dave confirmed, and then frowned upon seeing the statue break.
The footage went ahead to them arriving at the rear most cart. Dave helped Molly and Geoff onto the cart, Anne Maria already on it. Dave pushed the carts from the side until they started moving forward, then hopped up into the back cart.
Most of those still conscious screamed as the carts rolled down a slope into a tunnel, then down even more into a slightly more open cave. The rails bent upward, and the carts followed them out of sight...
\
The shot cut outside to Chef and Chris waiting at what appeared to be a dilapidated mine entrance – a wooden platform and scaffolding that had been outside the elevated shaft had crumbled, and the cart track's end was twisted and bent. Both men were wearing hazmat suits, and Chef was holding the massive tongs normally reserved for elimination ceremonies.
"They're really cutting it close," Chris said.
"Mmm-hmm," Chef replied.
Seconds later, the camera panned up to focus on the entrance, and the trio of mine carts and their screaming passengers flew out into the air, then crashed just past the two adults.
When the resulting cloud of dust began to settle, the camera was focused on Max and E-Clone, the two boys coughing and hacking. The sudden clamping of the tongs around them caused them to stop, and the camera zoomed out to show Chef lifting them out of the rubble as Chris watched. "You two are leaving the island right now before you get more mutated," he said irritably before turning his focus towards the campers, just now groaning and getting to their feet.
Chris walked forward, and picked the green-based statue up off the ground. "And the Rats win! Again!"
The team just cheered weakly.
"All clear?" Chris turned and asked Chef, the hulking man still holding on to Max and E-Clone. Chef nodded, and the host took out a remote control. "EXECUTING OPERATION DOOMSDAY!" Chris shouted, pressing the button on the remote.
An explosion billowed out of the mine entrance, and when the smoke and dust cleared, it had been entirely blocked by rocks. Chris and Chef shared a happy nod.
"This wasn't about the statues!" Dave said, walking over to the two men.
"Sure it was!" Chris told him. "And as an added bonus," he motioned back to the blocked mine entrance, "you just helped me seal off the toxic waste forever! And get the feds off my back. It's win-win," he gave the camera a thumbs-up as Chef walked by behind him, "for me."
"I consider you anarchic," Scarlett told him, the shot zooming out to show the entire cast back on their feet.
"Yeah, I just keep getting better," Chris said. "Maggots, hope you're hungry for marshmallows. But first," Chef walked back up behind him, having traded in his captives for a fire hose, "before there's permanent genetic damage..." He walked away, and with a chuckle, Chef turned on the hose and doused the campers with a spray of water powerful enough to push them off-screen in a matter of seconds.
\
The footage skipped ahead to dusk, Molly and Dave standing by the girls' side of the Maggots' cabin. "I really appreciate you saving my life back there," Molly said to the normal guy.
"I couldn't just leave you guys behind," Dave responded. "That would have been selfish and wrong."
"I agree with that," Molly nodded. "Also, I'm sorry for not helping you and Katie when you were frozen. I'm trying to get used to cooperation, but that's no excuse to try and brush it off."
"You did mess up there, but I accept your apology," Dave smiled. "And here's something you can do as gratitude."
Dave whispered in Molly's ear, and the indie chick was surprised. "Really? You want to get eliminated?"
"I got over my fear of germs, and I don't want anything bad to happen after that near-death experience," Dave reasonably said.
"Did you already talk to our team about this?" Molly asked.
"I did," Dave nodded, "and besides, I was the one to break the statue, and nobody else did anything wrong."
"If this is what you want, I guess I can pay you back then," Molly agreed.
"That's all I needed out of you and the team," Dave said back.
\
The footage cut ahead to the ceremonial campfire.
"The votes, are in," Chris opened, the camera cutting outward to show him at his podium, Chef with the toxic marshmallow in a smaller pair of tongs, and the five members of the Mutant Maggots sitting nervously in a row. "Who will receive the Marshmallow of Loserdom and leave the game forever?" the host asked idly, the camera zooming in on the radioactive treat in question before panning back to Chris. "Following players are safe." He picked up the first of four normal marshmallows.
"Scarlett, Geoff, Anne Maria, and Molly," he said, tossing bits of white to each person called. "Dave, your time in Germ City has come to an end."
Dave got on his feet and quickly ducked as the toxic marshmallow was tossed overhead, landing with a sizzle off-camera. "Thanks for agreeing to vote for me!"
"You are a valuable asset to the team, but if you want to leave, then who are we to stop you?" Scarlett said.
"You're a total lifesaver man. I won't forget that about you," Geoff held out his hand for a high-five.
Dave returned the gesture. "Make sure to watch out for any more toxic that comes your way."
\
The scene flashed to the Dock of Shame, where Dave was already seated in the bucket of the season's catapult. Chris laughed, and asked "Any last words, Germaphobe?"
"One, I'm not scared of them as much anymore, and two, just fling the catapult," Dave replied, and he was soon flung into the sky.
The squeak of wheels caught Chris's attention, and the camera cut to a close-up of the wheels of a large hand truck. The shot zoomed out to reveal E-Clone and Max inside a cage being wheeled down the dock by Chef.
"It's time for the two of you to get off my island," Chris told the two captives.
"Aw, phooey," Max grumbled, and the Ezekiel clone growled angrily.
The footage flashed ahead a little, Max and E-Clone now sitting in the Hurl of Shame.
"I hope I taught you all a lesson," Max spoke up. "Evil always pre-VAAAIIIILLLLLLSSSS!" he shouted while he and E-Clone got shot into the sky.
The series's capstone theme began to play. "Join us next time," Chris said as he turned to the camera, "for more danger, treachery, and radical misadventures on Total! Drama! Rrrrevenge, of the Island!"
(Roll the Credits)
submitted by xtremexavier15 to u/xtremexavier15 [link] [comments]
"Where's Anne Maria?" Geoff wondered once he saw no sight of her.
He got his answer when Anne Maria resurfaced, Scarlett apparently on top of her head. "Do I look like a lifeboat?!" the jersey girl grunted and threw Scarlett off of her.
"We had no idea where we'd land. It's not our fault," Geoff said.
"And besides, we're separated from Dave and Molly," Scarlett replied. "Finding them will be beneficial if we want to make it out of here alive." As she spoke, a pair of glowing eyes figure appeared in the background, crawling down the rock.
"I do not want to die, and I definitely don't want anyone else to," Anne Maria said.
"My point exactly," Scarlett stated… just before the shadowy figure tackled her underwater.
"Scarlett!" Geoff shouted in worry. "Anne Maria, she's gone! What do we do?"
"Get out of this before we get dragged down," Anne Maria responded before they swam to shore.
\
The scene flashed to the wrecked mine cart still on dry land, which had crashed against a thick and massive stalagmite. The camera panned to the left onto the fallen bodies of Molly and Dave. The germaphobe got to his feet with an active flashlight still in his hands and groaned as he looked around.
He immediately spotted the indie girl nearby and gasped. "Molly!" he exclaimed, running over to her. "Get up!" he added, tapping Molly on the side of the head with the flashlight and groaning when he didn't get a response.
With a swift cry of "Wake up already!" he kicked the girl on her side, who immediately groaned in pain and got to her feet.
"Dave…" Molly mumbled and frowned. "Did you just kick me?"
"I had to get you up somehow," Dave admitted.
"I can see that," Molly agreed.
"Now come on," Dave said, Molly's eyes widening as he unknowingly rose about a foot into the air. "We have to find the others and the statue!" It was then that he noticed his sudden height change, and along with Molly, he looked at his feet.
The camera zoomed out a step, revealing that Dave was now standing on the head of a giant hairless gopher that had just popped out of the ground. They screamed and ran away in fear as the gopher rose up even more and roared at them.
\
The camera cut back to Trent and Scott running as their mutant gopher continued chasing them down a tunnel. Just then, Trent tripped on one of the planks laid out for mining cart tracks, and tumbled over Scott, sending them both to the floor.
The gopher caught up to them, much to their fright, and began sniffing at them. It recoiled with a whimper afterwards.
"Why is it doing that?" Trent asked as he and Scott got off the floor.
Scott looked at the gopher. "Their eyes are glued shut, so it had to follow us by smell."
"I took a shower this morning," Trent reminded the devious.
Scott lifted his right armpit and sniffed it. "I never do that, so my armpits are pretty skunky."
"Gross," Trent grimaced.
The gopher went back to squealing at the two Rats, and while Trent took a step back, Scott didn't do the same.
"You don't like the smell of my armpits?" Scott smirked at the gopher and took a step forward. "Too bad, because it's never going away!" He raised his arms, and moved towards the gopher, who scurried away in a second.
"Having a clean stench is important," Trent said as he stepped up beside him, "but since it saved us, I'll ignore it this time." He patted him on the back, to which Scott grinned back at.
\
The camera panned across another cave, from an entrance tunnel on the right, past a large pile of toxic waste barrels, and on to Scarlett lying on the ground with a small puddle of water near her face, next to some steps carved into a higher level of stone.
She coughed up a bit of water then looked up. "Where am I?" she asked.
The shot rather ominously panned up to a familiar figure sitting on what looked like a cobbled-together set of bunk beds atop the plateau. A few mutant gophers were on the platform with him, but a couple more started to surround Scarlett.
"I will have no problem harming you myself if you do not back off!" Scarlett threatened the gophers, and one of them got hit by a familiar shoe.
"Step away from her, gophers!" the figure said, stepping out to reveal himself as Max.
"Max!!! What are you doing here?" Scarlett flabbergasted.
Max put his shoe back on and focused on the brainiac. "I have come to enact my revenge on you fools!"
All Scarlett could do was roll her eyes and facepalm.
\
A flash took the scene back to DJ, Sierra, and Sammy running through the mine. "What's taking them so long to catch up?" Sierra asked.
Sammy looked around the shaft. "We probably should've marked where we came from. I think we might be lost from them!"
They were interrupted by the gopher that Scott scared off scampering past them.
"There you guys are!" Trent's voice called, and the three Rats looked in the direction the voice came from.
Scott and Trent then appeared on the scene. "We were almost killed by that gopher, but luckily, my armpits saved the day!" Scott boasted.
"Your armpits?" DJ muttered confused.
"He doesn't shower very often," Trent answered.
"Disgusting," Sammy winced. "Anywho, we should get going since we're reunited!"
Suddenly, five pairs of mutant gopher hands shot up out of the ground under the Rats, grabbing them by their ankles. "Unless they do that," Sammy sighed just before the gophers pulled them screaming into the earth.
\
"Why did you bring me here, and how were you able to return after your departure?!" Scarlett asked as the scene cut back to her and Max.
"I "borrowed" a canoe from a relative of mine and decided to swim back to the island after rewatching the past episodes and doing a bit of research on gophers in order to seize control of them," Max explained, using air quotes on borrowed.
"I highly doubt you were able to get these creatures under your control," Scarlett doubted. "You obviously had help from someone."
Max griped in annoyance. "If you must know, I encountered that clone from last season and decided to bring him along as he's a very intimidating fellow."
It was then that the second figure landed in the middle of the room. Scarlett widened her eyes and Max yelped and yelled "E-Clone! Do not sneak up on me!"
"Did you have the Ezekiel clone capture me so I would be one of your sidekicks," Scarlett followed up.
"With your super-advanced brain, who'd pass you up?" Max responded, making Scarlett and E-Clone frown at the super villain.
\
The scene cut to a drop of water landing in a small puddle, soon followed by two sets of feet that ran through it. The camera zoomed out to show them belonging to Molly and Dave, the two Maggots panting as they ran down the tunnel.
"I'm starting to feel the signs of chemical exposure," Molly moaned. "Fever and nausea."
Seconds later, Dave's arm badge beeped and turned red, earning a surprised look from both teens. "Five minutes left," Dave said. "Let's not die here." Molly's badge changed soon after, but they ignored it as they were in the same predicament.
"I see Dave and Molly!" the voice of Anne Maria called out. The scene zoomed out to show her and Geoff meeting up with the two.
"Anne Maria! Geoff! Nice to have you here," Dave told them. "But where's Scarlett?"
"She got captured by some cave monster," Geoff answered.
"We have to find her!" Molly declared.
"We should leave these dumb packs before they slow us down," Dave added, moving to take the straps off his shoulders.
The sudden crackle and whine of a loudspeaker turning on gave him pause however. "Those packs of pain stay on until I tell you otherwise!" Chris told them. "Or your whole team is disqualified! Dis-qual-i-fied!"
"YOU BETTER NOT LET US US DIE IN HERE!" Anne Maria screamed the moment the message ended.
"Uhh, I'm more of a watcher than a saver," Chris replied. The loudspeaker shut off again, and the four Maggots shared an infuriated look.
"My answer is no!" Scarlett's voice was heard.
"That's Scarlett over there," Geoff said, pointing forward. "Let's roll, dudes." He took off first, and his teammates quickly followed after.
\
The scene flashed back to the entrance to the cave that E-Clone, Max, and Scarlett were in as the four remaining Maggots ran in as well.
"Whatever you want to accomplish, I have no interest in assisting you," Scarlett informed Max, a few mutant gophers standing nearby.
"Can one of you get these gophers off of us!" the voice of Scott asked, causing the camera to quick-pan over to him. Though his team's jar of fireflies was still on DJ's head, the shot zoomed out to reveal that he was dangling with his heavy pack in the jaws of a mutant gopher standing on its haunches on a pile of barrels; another outward zoom revealed the rest of his team in a similar state next to him.
"Great. Now our chances of getting that statue is harder," Dave complained.
"So all of you have come for your golden statues?" Max asked everyone around him.
"Of course we did!" Sierra said. "And why not give my team our statue before the Maggots got here?"
"Simple. I take pleasure in making stuff harder for everybody around me, and seeing you hung up by the gophers is delightful," Max explained. "I told you I would get my revenge."
"Is he always this eccentric?" Trent asked the Rats since he didn't know Max prior to his team swap.
"To answer your question, definitely," Sammy nodded. She took the jar off of DJ's head, and the fireflies swarmed around the gophers' faces, forcing them to drop the Rats and their packs.
"This wasn't part of the plan," Max complained as he saw the gophers running around in order to avoid the fireflies.
"I'll go ahead and get the statue for us," DJ assured his teammates. He ran to the throne, and jumped on a passing gopher's back to reach it. Once up there, he took the statue with the green base. "I got it!"
The Maggots gasped in shock as the rest of the Rats got back up. "Rats, head for the mine carts!" Trent commanded, pointing off to where a trio of mine carts sat on a rail.
DJ agreed, only for E-Clone to appear and block his path. DJ yelped in fright, and the clone tackled him, starting a scuffle. The Toxic Rats' statue flew from DJ's hand in the process.
Moments later, a crackling through the air indicated the start of a message over the loudspeaker. "If you can hear this," Chris called out as DJ tried to fend off E-Clone, "congrats! You're not dead yet!" Scarlett was shown paying attention to the speaker, while Dave and Anne Maria ran to their statue and Molly collapsed out of exhaustion. "Wherever you are, immediately discard your bombs. I mean, backpacks, and run!"
The shot cut back to Scott and Sierra, who were in the process of taking off their own packs.
"Bombs?!" Sierra exclaimed, lifting the largest flap to see what looked like several sticks of dynamite and a detonator as Scott very quickly removed his backpack. "That's too far!"
"This is where I must be going!" Max screamed and rushed to the carts in a seemingly speedy manner, much to Scarlett's confusion. The super speeding boy tripped on a rail, but managed to land on the middle cart.
"He stayed here for way too long, and that's something I'll investigate after we're out," Scarlett said to herself and ran to the carts.
Anne Maria and Dave placed their packs on the throne, and Anne Maria snatched up the statue with the red base. "Bada bling, baby!"
"You guys," Geoff weakly called, "me and Molly are feeling wiped out." Dave and Anne Maria turned around, and saw Geoff dragging Molly slowly and weakly as their packs were discarded. Before they could get any closer, a gopher appeared and started squealing at them, frightening both Molly and Geoff.
"Geoff!!" Anne Maria cried out and gave the statue to Dave. "Hold the statue. These gophers are about to get ham fisted!"
"So I go to the carts? Okay," Dave shrugged and made his way to them.
Meanwhile, DJ managed to get the upper hand in his fight with E-Clone, and took off his pack in the process in order to put it on him.
"I have the statue. Let's go!" Sammy told DJ, who carried E-Clone along as Geoff and Molly were being protected by Anne Maria holding the gopher back.
The shot cut to the carts just as Dave reached them. Sammy, Scott, Sierra, and Trent were on the front cart and DJ, E-Clone, Max, and Scarlett were in the middle. Dave was about to get on the back cart, but he heard the sounds of Anne Maria struggling to fend off the gopher.
"I want to avoid toxic at all costs, and I can do so right now, but what about them?" Dave said while watching his endangered team.
"I can't hold on any longer!" Anne Maria grunted in her hold.
"You can do this," Geoff motivated the Jersey shore reject.
"Geoff, if we don't make it out alive," Anne Maria strained harder, "I want to let you know that I lo-"
A clang sound from behind the gopher was heard, and Anne Maria took her hands away from the gopher the moment it fainted from the blow. The camera panned out to show Dave appearing from behind it with their team's statue in hand.
"Dave!" Molly smiled. "You're our hero!"
"I'm not leaving anyone to die today!" Dave confirmed, and then frowned upon seeing the statue break.
The footage went ahead to them arriving at the rear most cart. Dave helped Molly and Geoff onto the cart, Anne Maria already on it. Dave pushed the carts from the side until they started moving forward, then hopped up into the back cart.
Most of those still conscious screamed as the carts rolled down a slope into a tunnel, then down even more into a slightly more open cave. The rails bent upward, and the carts followed them out of sight...
\
The shot cut outside to Chef and Chris waiting at what appeared to be a dilapidated mine entrance – a wooden platform and scaffolding that had been outside the elevated shaft had crumbled, and the cart track's end was twisted and bent. Both men were wearing hazmat suits, and Chef was holding the massive tongs normally reserved for elimination ceremonies.
"They're really cutting it close," Chris said.
"Mmm-hmm," Chef replied.
Seconds later, the camera panned up to focus on the entrance, and the trio of mine carts and their screaming passengers flew out into the air, then crashed just past the two adults.
When the resulting cloud of dust began to settle, the camera was focused on Max and E-Clone, the two boys coughing and hacking. The sudden clamping of the tongs around them caused them to stop, and the camera zoomed out to show Chef lifting them out of the rubble as Chris watched. "You two are leaving the island right now before you get more mutated," he said irritably before turning his focus towards the campers, just now groaning and getting to their feet.
Chris walked forward, and picked the green-based statue up off the ground. "And the Rats win! Again!"
The team just cheered weakly.
"All clear?" Chris turned and asked Chef, the hulking man still holding on to Max and E-Clone. Chef nodded, and the host took out a remote control. "EXECUTING OPERATION DOOMSDAY!" Chris shouted, pressing the button on the remote.
An explosion billowed out of the mine entrance, and when the smoke and dust cleared, it had been entirely blocked by rocks. Chris and Chef shared a happy nod.
"This wasn't about the statues!" Dave said, walking over to the two men.
"Sure it was!" Chris told him. "And as an added bonus," he motioned back to the blocked mine entrance, "you just helped me seal off the toxic waste forever! And get the feds off my back. It's win-win," he gave the camera a thumbs-up as Chef walked by behind him, "for me."
"I consider you anarchic," Scarlett told him, the shot zooming out to show the entire cast back on their feet.
"Yeah, I just keep getting better," Chris said. "Maggots, hope you're hungry for marshmallows. But first," Chef walked back up behind him, having traded in his captives for a fire hose, "before there's permanent genetic damage..." He walked away, and with a chuckle, Chef turned on the hose and doused the campers with a spray of water powerful enough to push them off-screen in a matter of seconds.
\
The footage skipped ahead to dusk, Molly and Dave standing by the girls' side of the Maggots' cabin. "I really appreciate you saving my life back there," Molly said to the normal guy.
"I couldn't just leave you guys behind," Dave responded. "That would have been selfish and wrong."
"I agree with that," Molly nodded. "Also, I'm sorry for not helping you and Katie when you were frozen. I'm trying to get used to cooperation, but that's no excuse to try and brush it off."
"You did mess up there, but I accept your apology," Dave smiled. "And here's something you can do as gratitude."
Dave whispered in Molly's ear, and the indie chick was surprised. "Really? You want to get eliminated?"
"I got over my fear of germs, and I don't want anything bad to happen after that near-death experience," Dave reasonably said.
"Did you already talk to our team about this?" Molly asked.
"I did," Dave nodded, "and besides, I was the one to break the statue, and nobody else did anything wrong."
"If this is what you want, I guess I can pay you back then," Molly agreed.
"That's all I needed out of you and the team," Dave said back.
\
The footage cut ahead to the ceremonial campfire.
"The votes, are in," Chris opened, the camera cutting outward to show him at his podium, Chef with the toxic marshmallow in a smaller pair of tongs, and the five members of the Mutant Maggots sitting nervously in a row. "Who will receive the Marshmallow of Loserdom and leave the game forever?" the host asked idly, the camera zooming in on the radioactive treat in question before panning back to Chris. "Following players are safe." He picked up the first of four normal marshmallows.
"Scarlett, Geoff, Anne Maria, and Molly," he said, tossing bits of white to each person called. "Dave, your time in Germ City has come to an end."
Dave got on his feet and quickly ducked as the toxic marshmallow was tossed overhead, landing with a sizzle off-camera. "Thanks for agreeing to vote for me!"
"You are a valuable asset to the team, but if you want to leave, then who are we to stop you?" Scarlett said.
"You're a total lifesaver man. I won't forget that about you," Geoff held out his hand for a high-five.
Dave returned the gesture. "Make sure to watch out for any more toxic that comes your way."
\
The scene flashed to the Dock of Shame, where Dave was already seated in the bucket of the season's catapult. Chris laughed, and asked "Any last words, Germaphobe?"
"One, I'm not scared of them as much anymore, and two, just fling the catapult," Dave replied, and he was soon flung into the sky.
The squeak of wheels caught Chris's attention, and the camera cut to a close-up of the wheels of a large hand truck. The shot zoomed out to reveal E-Clone and Max inside a cage being wheeled down the dock by Chef.
"It's time for the two of you to get off my island," Chris told the two captives.
"Aw, phooey," Max grumbled, and the Ezekiel clone growled angrily.
The footage flashed ahead a little, Max and E-Clone now sitting in the Hurl of Shame.
"I hope I taught you all a lesson," Max spoke up. "Evil always pre-VAAAIIIILLLLLLSSSS!" he shouted while he and E-Clone got shot into the sky.
The series's capstone theme began to play. "Join us next time," Chris said as he turned to the camera, "for more danger, treachery, and radical misadventures on Total! Drama! Rrrrevenge, of the Island!"
(Roll the Credits)
2023.06.08 12:46 xtremexavier15 TSROTI 7 (pt 1)
Toxic Rats: DJ, Scott, Trent, Sammy, Sierra
Mutant Maggots: Anne Maria, Molly, Scarlett, Dave, Geoff
Episode 07: A Mine is a Terrible Thing to Waste
"Last time, on Total Drama Revenge of the Island!" the unseen host opened on a stock shot of the island before the recap montage began. "We saw how clueless our players are when it comes to fashion," he said over a clip of the Maggots' disastrous attempt to bring a self-dressed Sasquatchanakwa out on to the runway. "And how useless they are when it comes to rescues!" he added over the Maggots getting knocked off the scaffolding by barrels thrown by Sasquatchanakwa and Sammy's ultimately failed attempt to seduce him.
"In the end, Katie got the toss-a-roo," Katie got tossed away by Sasquatchanakwa, and then was escorted away by Chef, "and DJ and Geoff got tossed onto opposite teams," Chris added over clips of the two boys volunteering, then high fiving each other as they walked over to their new teams.
The footage was cut to Chris sitting in a deck chair on the Dock of Shame as his toenails were being filed. "You call that buffing?" Chris asked, who was angry at the overweight intern filing his toenails. "I want to see my ruggedly handsome face in every toenail." The intern filed faster. "Who will thrive, and who won't survive?" Chris asked the camera, but a sudden strong wind and the sound of a rotor signaled the arrival of a helicopter.
"This is the Department of Environmental Protection!" a voice called out, the camera zooming out to show a RCMP helicopter hovering a few feet away from the host. "You're busted, McLean!"
"Aww, man!" Chris griped. "Meddling tree-huggers..." With a scowl on his face, he reached into his pocket, and pulled out a walkie-talkie. "Launch Operation Doomsday!" he ordered. "Repeat, Operation Doomsday! Over!" A short hiss of static ended the message, and he turned a smile to the camera. "What is Operation Doomsday, you ask? Find out right here, right now, on Total! Drama! Revenge, of the Island!" As the shot cut outward as usual, another pair of RCMP helicopters swooped down to join the first over the dock.
XXXXX
The scene opened up to show the Maggot cabin, where Dave was inside cleaning. He was currently setting up his bed and had just positioned his pillow.
"And with that, the cabin is clean and free of filth," Dave sighed happily.
Geoff then came running and breathing inside, unknowingly getting streaks on the floor.
"I just cleaned that!" Dave said with a bit of anger in his voice.
Geoff noticed his frustration. "Sorry 'bout that, man. I did just swap over to this team, so I don't know how much of a neat freak you are."
"It's okay," Dave forgave his new teammate. "Most of the jocks in my school come out messy after a football game, and I hate seeing muddy footprints and dirt all over the ground."
"You would not want to meet my team then," Geoff looked back. "We come off looking sweaty and we have to shower for ten minutes just to get the stink off."
Dave shuddered at the thought. "Let's stop talking about it. The thought of a muddy floor makes me nervous."
Confessional: DJ
"Being on a new team ain't gonna be a problem for me," DJ expressed his thoughts in the confessional. "I'm still lingering on from Katie's elimination. She tells me that she likes me, and I never get to tell her that I like her back." He let out a sigh of sadness. "I hope we get to meet after the show's all over."
Confessional Ends
The scene cut outside the Rats' cabin as a helicopter flew by overhead. The shot panned down to Geoff as he passed by the helicopter, then the camera showed Molly listening to another indie song on her mp3 player.
"You seemed to really like your mp3 player," Geoff chuckled a bit.
"I can't help it," Molly paused her song. "Indie songs don't normally play on the radio. Mostly pop and rock."
"I can see where you're coming from," Geoff sensed. "You like to drift away from the mainstream and focus on your own interests."
"I like other kinds of things like fashion trends and partying, but what I like is less out there," Molly answered. "I like to do things by myself. Being indie doesn't blend in well with other people."
Geoff sat down next to her. "Maybe no one will get invested by what you like to do, but there's someone who I know will."
"Who could that be?" Molly asked the party guy, not getting what she's saying.
Geoff picked up an earbud and put it in his ear. "They're right next to you."
Molly realized what was happening and put on the other earbud. "In that case, let me start the next song. It's really beachy."
This got a laugh out of both of them.
\
"Alright, let's just get our so-called breakfast over with!" Molly said as she and Geoff walked into the hall, the cast standing around looking confused.
"We can't," Dave replied. "Chef's not here, and neither is breakfast!"
"I suppose we will just have to hunt for our food, in a figure of speech," Scarlett requested before everyone began searching.
The perspective changed to show the inside of a refrigerator as Trent opened the door and looked inside. "There's no food in the fridge," he called out after looking over the bare shelves.
"Nothing in the cupboards, either!" Sammy added after opening a cupboard door.
"We should check in the walk-in freezer!" Chef suggested through a small open window, quickly hurrying away as the camera zoomed out to reveal Dave standing nearby.
"The freezer could work!" Dave thought out. He hurried across the room and threw open the freezer door, stepping inside as a cold mist poured out. "I can see meat inside," he called out and ran inside.
The others promptly ran in to join him...and a shutter door slid down behind them. They gasped, and the camera cut outside to show a truck driven by Chef starting up and moving away from a hole in the side of the mess hall.
"Challenge time, suckas!" Chef cackled, sliding open a small view slot and grinning at the camera and campers inside the cargo hold.
"This is so not cool!" Geoff complained, grabbing hold of a swinging piece of meat as most of the others tried to keep their balance in the moving vehicle.
"Where are you taking us?" Sierra asked Chef.
"You'll see," Chef answered with a devilish smile and snicker, sliding the viewing slot shut...and jamming his finger in the process, causing him to yelp in pain.
\
A flash took the scene to what appeared to be the entrance of a mineshaft. On a ledge to the right was a bulldozer and some other pieces of machinery, while to the left was not only a pile of toxic waste barrels, but also a widescreen television showing what seemed like a live feed of the host. The Chef-driven truck backed up to the entrance and with a grin the driver pushed a button that caused the hold to lift, dumping the campers out onto the dirt.
"Good. You're here. Finally," Chris said, giving them a quick look of annoyance before shifting into his typical smile. "Today's challenge is to find a Golden Chris statue in your team color," he raised his left hand and a statuette with a green base appeared with a flash and a chime, then did the same with a red-based statuette on his right, "hidden somewhere in this old abandoned mine." He motioned to the mine entrance, and the two statuettes disappeared with another flash. "First team back, wins!"
"That seems easy enough," Molly told her team confidently. "We got this, team."
"Before we go," Scarlett said, "we will need some supplies-"
She was cut off when a heavy orange backpack was tossed on her, forcefully knocking her to the ground. Everybody looked towards the truck with the others, the shot cutting over to show Chef – now in his hazmat suit – tossing the backpacks out of the back of the truck.
"Don't worry," Chris told them. "There are enough packs for everyone."
The shot cut outward just as Scott was tossed his, revealing that all the others had received packs as well. Most were lifting them with little trouble, though Dave was struggling and Scarlett was still lying on the ground.
"What'd you put in them? Rocks?" Geoff griped, reaching to open the pack's main flap.
"Up-up-up-up-up, no peeking!" Chris admonished. "Those 50 lb bags are purely for your torment," he explained, "and my amusement. Enjoy."
Scarlett was shown rooting through a side pocket and pulled out a small metal armband with a bright green triangular patch on front. "Chemical badges?" the quiet brainiac asked in concern. "Why do we need to measure our exposure to toxic waste?"
"No reason," Chris said with an impish shrug. "Except that I rented the mine out to store hazardous material." The campers all gasped.
"What?!" Trent asked in utter shock. "That is really dangerous and a hazard to our lives!"
Chris continued to be smug. "Which is why I'm in a studio right now!" Both teams immediately protested. "Relax," the devilish host told them, "it's perfectly safe. For thirty minutes," he clarified as an inset of a timer reading 30:00 appeared on the screen next to him. "When your badge turns orange," he pointed at the inset as it showed the green triangle that was on the armbands turning orange, "you have fifteen minutes left. Red is your five minute warning," the triangle turned red, "and, if you see a skull and crossbones," the entire triangle was replaced by a flashing skull and crossbones, "we'll dedicate this episode to you! But no way is it gonna come to that. A mysterious person has been down there for more than forty minutes," he said as the entire on-screen inset disappeared, "and I think they're gonna be fine!...ish..."
\
The shot went to the inside of the cave. It was pitch dark at first, but soon someone lit a candle to brighten the room. Their arm was silhouetted and dark, hiding the true identity of the one holding the candle.
All that could be heard was a villainous, but over exaggerated laugh.
\
"Now move it, peeps!" Chris told the cast, the camera cutting back outward to show them all standing with their packs.
"Can you at least give us a hint about where to find the statues?" Sammy asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Funny story," Chris said with an impish smile and sideways glance. "The statues have gone missing! Someone, or something down there must've taken them."
"Is it well lit down there?" DJ asked nervously.
"It’s a mine, bro" Chris answered, his smile almost mocking. "Pitch black all the way. There are flashlights and fireflies inside," he added, "first come, first serve. Anywho, time's a-wasting, and so are your healthy blood cells. So go!"
\
The scene cut inside the mine entrance as the Rats ran in with Sierra in the lead.
"We're in the lead!" she cheered, stopping right before a small elevator with an open front. "EEEHHH!" Her words echoed as her team joined her, and the five sent worried looks up just as the mine began to rumble and rocks fell down from the ceiling, burying them under.
The Maggots ran past them. "Thank you for allowing us to have the lead!" Scarlett said as Sierra and her teammates poked their heads out of the rubble.
"Nice going, Uber-Girl," Scott sneered at her.
The Maggot team entered the elevator, Scarlett closing the short gate as soon as she could.
"We've got the flashlights!" Dave said, picking up a pair of the devices from the elevator floor. An ominous creaking cut off any possible celebration, however, and moments later a cable snapped, dropping the elevator down its shaft. All five of the Maggots screamed.
They landed with a resounding crash, and the scene cut down to the total darkness at the bottom of the shaft. A few pained groans rose up, followed by Geoff saying "Is everyone okay?"
"I think so," Dave replied first.
"I'm fine," Anne Maria said next.
"The flashlights!" Scarlett exclaimed, Molky turning one on and revealing the broken elevator and scores of waste barrels scattered around the five fallen teens.
"Looks like a tunnel there," Molly said, the camera panning left to show both a normal mineshaft and a more natural-looking tunnel next to it. "Do we take it?"
She was answered by a high-pitched squealing that echoed through the tunnels and caves, lasting long enough for all five Maggots to look around in terror.
"Looks good to me!" Geoff answered, getting up and making a dash towards the more natural-looking tunnel. His teammates followed shortly after him.
\
The squeal faded away as the scene cut back to the top of the elevator shaft, where the five Rats had managed to get themselves free of the rubble.
"That elevator is not coming back up," Trent commented, looking down the shaft.
"We could just call it a day here," Scott impishly said.
"Or we could just shimmy down the line," DJ suggested.
"Are you sure that would work?" Sammy asked.
Trent bent down and picked up the firefly jar. "I'll go ahead and light the way," he told his team. "Then all of you can follow after me."
"That's a good idea," Sierra gave a thumbs-up.
"Here I go," Trent said in a confident tone, holding the cable with his left hand and the firefly jar under his right arm. He cried as he jumped into the shaft and slid down that cable, his declaration quickly turned into a pained shout.
The rest of the Rats shared a nervous look. "Hopefully he didn't burn his nuts," Scott said before the sound of a crash made the four of them wince.
"You can think again," Trent echoed up weakly through the shaft, causing his teammates to share another wary look.
\
A flash took the scene back down to the bottom of the shaft, Trent now lying on top of the broken elevator with his hands covering his groin. The rest of the Rats slid down above him, then hopped off to Trent's side.
"Are you alright?" Sammy asked, bending over her friend and offering him a hand.
"I'll get better," Trent said pitifully, taking her hand and allowing himself to be pulled to his feet.
"Where did the fireflies go?" Scott followed up.
"Over there," Sierra answered. The camera panned down and zoomed in on the upturned jar, then zoomed out as DJ picked it up.
"Looks like we all made it here in one piece," DJ said.
"We sure did," Sierra said as the shot quick-panned over to her standing near one of the tunnels. "We need to get going so the other team doesn't win."
"You, Sammy, and DJ can go on ahead. I'll stay back to help Trent on his feet," Scott said.
\
The Maggots were huffing and panting as the scene cut back to them entering a slightly wider portion of the tunnels. Scarlett and Molly were in front with the flashlights, Dave and Anne Maria were right behind them, and Geoff brought up the rear.
The camera zoomed in on Scarlett and Molly, who were inspecting another pair of tunnels – a normal-looking mineshaft on the left, and a jagged-edged hole on the right.
"Why are we stopping?" Dave protested.
"We hit a fork in the road," Scarlett said.
"So we have to choose between two death traps," Molly deadpanned.
"The tunnels are different," Scarlett explained. "The left one has minecart tracks and looks to be another shaft, and the right one looks like it was carved by a humongous object."
"So this mine's home to a lot of mutants?" Anne Maria finished.
"Why did we stop if we simply could've gone left?" Geoff asked.
"I don't trust rollercoasters," Molly answered. "You never know if they will fall apart."
"This path is better than the other one, so let's just roll with it," Dave concluded before they went to the shaft.
\
"Get back into this jar, fireflies!" Sierra ordered from the group of fireflies flying away while she was holding the jar of fireflies.
"DJ, chase the fireflies back to us so Sierra can catch them," Sammy told the gentle giant.
DJ nodded and dashed ahead. He immediately howled as the fireflies swarmed around his head, and when he returned back to the girls, Sierra slammed the jar on his head, trapping the fireflies but having them fly around the top of his head.
"This should be a good light source," Sammy smiled, much to DJ's indifference.
\
A flash took the focus to a pair of minecarts linked together on a downward slope as the beam of a flashlight approached.
"Yes! These carts will speed us up!" Geoff said excitedly as he led the rest of the Rats to the carts. "This'll be like riding a rollercoaster."
"This seems a lot like a death trap," Molly responded.
"This whole place is a death trap," Dave countered. "What we need is speed, so we can find our statue, get out of here, and not worry about being intoxicated."
Just then Anne Maria's badge turned from green to orange, earning a gasp from her and the others. "Anne Maria's badge is orange!" Scarlett exclaimed.
"Oh my gosh. I only have like fifteen seconds to live or somethin'!" Anne Maria cried out.
"We all have fifteen minutes. We'll be alright, Anne," Geoff comforted her.
"Oh well, that ain't so bad," Anne Maria said before filing her nails.
The shot focused in on Scarlett as her badge suddenly turned orange as well. "Everyone get in," she said before running over and diving headfirst into the back cart.
"Shotgun!" Dave called out as he hopped in the front cart with Molly.
"Looks like we're in the back," Anne Maria said happily to Geoff.
"Then let's move out!" Geoff said, grabbing her arms and pulling her to the carts. The shot cut to a close-up of the front wheel as Molly reached down and pulled away a rock that was holding them in place.
"My first time riding the rails, and I'm always unenthusiastic," Molly said.
The camera pulled back out to show all five Rats in their chosen cart, and Dave pulled a lever that made the carts start moving downhill. The Rats cheered as they rolled off-screen, but Dave quickly added "Wrong lever!" with a hint of terror in his voice.
\
"Thanks for staying back for me," Trent said as the scene moved to him and Scott in complete darkness, only their eyes visible. "Also, could you get your knee off my back?"
"Leaving someone to die is something I'm not into," Scott replied. "And my knee isn't on your back."
"Then...what is-? Oh! It's a flashlight," Trent clicked the device, and suddenly the two teens were visible... as well as a group of giant hairless - and presumably mutated - gophers standing on their hindlegs and screeching menacingly at them.
Scott and Trent clung to each other and screamed.
\
"It's great to be on this team with you guys, but if we lose, I don't mind if you vote me off," DJ told Sammy and Sierra. "We all have to go sometime."
Sammy looked taken aback by the statement. "I won't vote you off. That'd be unfair to you since you swapped teams last episode."
"And besides, we need someone that can lift a truck, and you fill the role already," Sierra said with a smile, and the three continued on with a decent amount of comfort for a few seconds more...before the badge on Sammy's arm beeped and turned orange.
DJ gasped. "Your badge! It's orange!" the brickhouse said. "You've only got fifteen minutes to live!"
Two more beeps drew their attention to DJ and Sierra's badges as they changed as well. "You do too!" Sammy cried out in panic.
"This can't be happening!" Sierra declared, dropping to her knees with an anguished look on her face. "I've never visited Paris, or gotten married legally!"
Sammy and DJ both blinked. "Uhh, what was that?" the former asked.
"I became an ordained minister on the internet, and I thought someone was into me as much as I was into them," Sierra giggled.
"We have to hurry!" Sammy said, and the three took off.
\
"Okay guys," Molly told her teammates as the scene cut back to them rolling down the slope and the camera zooming in on the pair in the front cart, "just keep your eyes open for that statue. It has to be around here somewhere."
"I think we have a problem," Dave tapped the indie chick on the shoulder and she perked up and looked back. The shot cut outward to show that the two carts were now on different tracks, with her and Dave in the foreground and Geoff, Scarlett, and Anne Maria in the back.
"How did that even happen?!" Scarlett exclaimed in disbelief.
The two carts exited from the tunnel into a much more open cave, with the former front cart's track curving downward while the other track sloped upward. Dave and Molly screamed as their cart dipped off-screen and promptly crashed, kicking up a bit of dust and causing the camera to shake.
The shot cut to Anne Maria, Scarlett, and Geoff as horror dawned on their faces as they looked ahead. "The track is broken!" Anne Maria cried out, the perspective moving to the front of the cart to reveal the mangled piece of track they were approaching.
"Everybody brace yourselves!" Geoff screamed, the camera moving back to a distant side-view as the second cart launched off the track, and fell straight down with its passengers screaming all the way. They quickly passed the rocky ledge where Molly and Dave lay seemingly unconscious, and landed with a splash far below.
The scene receded into a set of monitors, the leftmost one showing only static while the middle showed Sammy, Sierra, and DJ walking through the mine and the rightmost one showed an underground lake.
"Looks like our players are doomed," Chris said, the camera zooming out to reveal him and Chef standing in a control room of sorts. "Will any of them survive? I have my doubts," the host laughed. "But find out for sure when we return with more, Total! Drama! Revenge of the Island!"
\
(Commercial Break)
\
submitted by xtremexavier15 to u/xtremexavier15 [link] [comments]
Mutant Maggots: Anne Maria, Molly, Scarlett, Dave, Geoff
Episode 07: A Mine is a Terrible Thing to Waste
"Last time, on Total Drama Revenge of the Island!" the unseen host opened on a stock shot of the island before the recap montage began. "We saw how clueless our players are when it comes to fashion," he said over a clip of the Maggots' disastrous attempt to bring a self-dressed Sasquatchanakwa out on to the runway. "And how useless they are when it comes to rescues!" he added over the Maggots getting knocked off the scaffolding by barrels thrown by Sasquatchanakwa and Sammy's ultimately failed attempt to seduce him.
"In the end, Katie got the toss-a-roo," Katie got tossed away by Sasquatchanakwa, and then was escorted away by Chef, "and DJ and Geoff got tossed onto opposite teams," Chris added over clips of the two boys volunteering, then high fiving each other as they walked over to their new teams.
The footage was cut to Chris sitting in a deck chair on the Dock of Shame as his toenails were being filed. "You call that buffing?" Chris asked, who was angry at the overweight intern filing his toenails. "I want to see my ruggedly handsome face in every toenail." The intern filed faster. "Who will thrive, and who won't survive?" Chris asked the camera, but a sudden strong wind and the sound of a rotor signaled the arrival of a helicopter.
"This is the Department of Environmental Protection!" a voice called out, the camera zooming out to show a RCMP helicopter hovering a few feet away from the host. "You're busted, McLean!"
"Aww, man!" Chris griped. "Meddling tree-huggers..." With a scowl on his face, he reached into his pocket, and pulled out a walkie-talkie. "Launch Operation Doomsday!" he ordered. "Repeat, Operation Doomsday! Over!" A short hiss of static ended the message, and he turned a smile to the camera. "What is Operation Doomsday, you ask? Find out right here, right now, on Total! Drama! Revenge, of the Island!" As the shot cut outward as usual, another pair of RCMP helicopters swooped down to join the first over the dock.
XXXXX
The scene opened up to show the Maggot cabin, where Dave was inside cleaning. He was currently setting up his bed and had just positioned his pillow.
"And with that, the cabin is clean and free of filth," Dave sighed happily.
Geoff then came running and breathing inside, unknowingly getting streaks on the floor.
"I just cleaned that!" Dave said with a bit of anger in his voice.
Geoff noticed his frustration. "Sorry 'bout that, man. I did just swap over to this team, so I don't know how much of a neat freak you are."
"It's okay," Dave forgave his new teammate. "Most of the jocks in my school come out messy after a football game, and I hate seeing muddy footprints and dirt all over the ground."
"You would not want to meet my team then," Geoff looked back. "We come off looking sweaty and we have to shower for ten minutes just to get the stink off."
Dave shuddered at the thought. "Let's stop talking about it. The thought of a muddy floor makes me nervous."
Confessional: DJ
"Being on a new team ain't gonna be a problem for me," DJ expressed his thoughts in the confessional. "I'm still lingering on from Katie's elimination. She tells me that she likes me, and I never get to tell her that I like her back." He let out a sigh of sadness. "I hope we get to meet after the show's all over."
Confessional Ends
The scene cut outside the Rats' cabin as a helicopter flew by overhead. The shot panned down to Geoff as he passed by the helicopter, then the camera showed Molly listening to another indie song on her mp3 player.
"You seemed to really like your mp3 player," Geoff chuckled a bit.
"I can't help it," Molly paused her song. "Indie songs don't normally play on the radio. Mostly pop and rock."
"I can see where you're coming from," Geoff sensed. "You like to drift away from the mainstream and focus on your own interests."
"I like other kinds of things like fashion trends and partying, but what I like is less out there," Molly answered. "I like to do things by myself. Being indie doesn't blend in well with other people."
Geoff sat down next to her. "Maybe no one will get invested by what you like to do, but there's someone who I know will."
"Who could that be?" Molly asked the party guy, not getting what she's saying.
Geoff picked up an earbud and put it in his ear. "They're right next to you."
Molly realized what was happening and put on the other earbud. "In that case, let me start the next song. It's really beachy."
This got a laugh out of both of them.
\
"Alright, let's just get our so-called breakfast over with!" Molly said as she and Geoff walked into the hall, the cast standing around looking confused.
"We can't," Dave replied. "Chef's not here, and neither is breakfast!"
"I suppose we will just have to hunt for our food, in a figure of speech," Scarlett requested before everyone began searching.
The perspective changed to show the inside of a refrigerator as Trent opened the door and looked inside. "There's no food in the fridge," he called out after looking over the bare shelves.
"Nothing in the cupboards, either!" Sammy added after opening a cupboard door.
"We should check in the walk-in freezer!" Chef suggested through a small open window, quickly hurrying away as the camera zoomed out to reveal Dave standing nearby.
"The freezer could work!" Dave thought out. He hurried across the room and threw open the freezer door, stepping inside as a cold mist poured out. "I can see meat inside," he called out and ran inside.
The others promptly ran in to join him...and a shutter door slid down behind them. They gasped, and the camera cut outside to show a truck driven by Chef starting up and moving away from a hole in the side of the mess hall.
"Challenge time, suckas!" Chef cackled, sliding open a small view slot and grinning at the camera and campers inside the cargo hold.
"This is so not cool!" Geoff complained, grabbing hold of a swinging piece of meat as most of the others tried to keep their balance in the moving vehicle.
"Where are you taking us?" Sierra asked Chef.
"You'll see," Chef answered with a devilish smile and snicker, sliding the viewing slot shut...and jamming his finger in the process, causing him to yelp in pain.
\
A flash took the scene to what appeared to be the entrance of a mineshaft. On a ledge to the right was a bulldozer and some other pieces of machinery, while to the left was not only a pile of toxic waste barrels, but also a widescreen television showing what seemed like a live feed of the host. The Chef-driven truck backed up to the entrance and with a grin the driver pushed a button that caused the hold to lift, dumping the campers out onto the dirt.
"Good. You're here. Finally," Chris said, giving them a quick look of annoyance before shifting into his typical smile. "Today's challenge is to find a Golden Chris statue in your team color," he raised his left hand and a statuette with a green base appeared with a flash and a chime, then did the same with a red-based statuette on his right, "hidden somewhere in this old abandoned mine." He motioned to the mine entrance, and the two statuettes disappeared with another flash. "First team back, wins!"
"That seems easy enough," Molly told her team confidently. "We got this, team."
"Before we go," Scarlett said, "we will need some supplies-"
She was cut off when a heavy orange backpack was tossed on her, forcefully knocking her to the ground. Everybody looked towards the truck with the others, the shot cutting over to show Chef – now in his hazmat suit – tossing the backpacks out of the back of the truck.
"Don't worry," Chris told them. "There are enough packs for everyone."
The shot cut outward just as Scott was tossed his, revealing that all the others had received packs as well. Most were lifting them with little trouble, though Dave was struggling and Scarlett was still lying on the ground.
"What'd you put in them? Rocks?" Geoff griped, reaching to open the pack's main flap.
"Up-up-up-up-up, no peeking!" Chris admonished. "Those 50 lb bags are purely for your torment," he explained, "and my amusement. Enjoy."
Scarlett was shown rooting through a side pocket and pulled out a small metal armband with a bright green triangular patch on front. "Chemical badges?" the quiet brainiac asked in concern. "Why do we need to measure our exposure to toxic waste?"
"No reason," Chris said with an impish shrug. "Except that I rented the mine out to store hazardous material." The campers all gasped.
"What?!" Trent asked in utter shock. "That is really dangerous and a hazard to our lives!"
Chris continued to be smug. "Which is why I'm in a studio right now!" Both teams immediately protested. "Relax," the devilish host told them, "it's perfectly safe. For thirty minutes," he clarified as an inset of a timer reading 30:00 appeared on the screen next to him. "When your badge turns orange," he pointed at the inset as it showed the green triangle that was on the armbands turning orange, "you have fifteen minutes left. Red is your five minute warning," the triangle turned red, "and, if you see a skull and crossbones," the entire triangle was replaced by a flashing skull and crossbones, "we'll dedicate this episode to you! But no way is it gonna come to that. A mysterious person has been down there for more than forty minutes," he said as the entire on-screen inset disappeared, "and I think they're gonna be fine!...ish..."
\
The shot went to the inside of the cave. It was pitch dark at first, but soon someone lit a candle to brighten the room. Their arm was silhouetted and dark, hiding the true identity of the one holding the candle.
All that could be heard was a villainous, but over exaggerated laugh.
\
"Now move it, peeps!" Chris told the cast, the camera cutting back outward to show them all standing with their packs.
"Can you at least give us a hint about where to find the statues?" Sammy asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Funny story," Chris said with an impish smile and sideways glance. "The statues have gone missing! Someone, or something down there must've taken them."
"Is it well lit down there?" DJ asked nervously.
"It’s a mine, bro" Chris answered, his smile almost mocking. "Pitch black all the way. There are flashlights and fireflies inside," he added, "first come, first serve. Anywho, time's a-wasting, and so are your healthy blood cells. So go!"
\
The scene cut inside the mine entrance as the Rats ran in with Sierra in the lead.
"We're in the lead!" she cheered, stopping right before a small elevator with an open front. "EEEHHH!" Her words echoed as her team joined her, and the five sent worried looks up just as the mine began to rumble and rocks fell down from the ceiling, burying them under.
The Maggots ran past them. "Thank you for allowing us to have the lead!" Scarlett said as Sierra and her teammates poked their heads out of the rubble.
"Nice going, Uber-Girl," Scott sneered at her.
The Maggot team entered the elevator, Scarlett closing the short gate as soon as she could.
"We've got the flashlights!" Dave said, picking up a pair of the devices from the elevator floor. An ominous creaking cut off any possible celebration, however, and moments later a cable snapped, dropping the elevator down its shaft. All five of the Maggots screamed.
They landed with a resounding crash, and the scene cut down to the total darkness at the bottom of the shaft. A few pained groans rose up, followed by Geoff saying "Is everyone okay?"
"I think so," Dave replied first.
"I'm fine," Anne Maria said next.
"The flashlights!" Scarlett exclaimed, Molky turning one on and revealing the broken elevator and scores of waste barrels scattered around the five fallen teens.
"Looks like a tunnel there," Molly said, the camera panning left to show both a normal mineshaft and a more natural-looking tunnel next to it. "Do we take it?"
She was answered by a high-pitched squealing that echoed through the tunnels and caves, lasting long enough for all five Maggots to look around in terror.
"Looks good to me!" Geoff answered, getting up and making a dash towards the more natural-looking tunnel. His teammates followed shortly after him.
\
The squeal faded away as the scene cut back to the top of the elevator shaft, where the five Rats had managed to get themselves free of the rubble.
"That elevator is not coming back up," Trent commented, looking down the shaft.
"We could just call it a day here," Scott impishly said.
"Or we could just shimmy down the line," DJ suggested.
"Are you sure that would work?" Sammy asked.
Trent bent down and picked up the firefly jar. "I'll go ahead and light the way," he told his team. "Then all of you can follow after me."
"That's a good idea," Sierra gave a thumbs-up.
"Here I go," Trent said in a confident tone, holding the cable with his left hand and the firefly jar under his right arm. He cried as he jumped into the shaft and slid down that cable, his declaration quickly turned into a pained shout.
The rest of the Rats shared a nervous look. "Hopefully he didn't burn his nuts," Scott said before the sound of a crash made the four of them wince.
"You can think again," Trent echoed up weakly through the shaft, causing his teammates to share another wary look.
\
A flash took the scene back down to the bottom of the shaft, Trent now lying on top of the broken elevator with his hands covering his groin. The rest of the Rats slid down above him, then hopped off to Trent's side.
"Are you alright?" Sammy asked, bending over her friend and offering him a hand.
"I'll get better," Trent said pitifully, taking her hand and allowing himself to be pulled to his feet.
"Where did the fireflies go?" Scott followed up.
"Over there," Sierra answered. The camera panned down and zoomed in on the upturned jar, then zoomed out as DJ picked it up.
"Looks like we all made it here in one piece," DJ said.
"We sure did," Sierra said as the shot quick-panned over to her standing near one of the tunnels. "We need to get going so the other team doesn't win."
"You, Sammy, and DJ can go on ahead. I'll stay back to help Trent on his feet," Scott said.
\
The Maggots were huffing and panting as the scene cut back to them entering a slightly wider portion of the tunnels. Scarlett and Molly were in front with the flashlights, Dave and Anne Maria were right behind them, and Geoff brought up the rear.
The camera zoomed in on Scarlett and Molly, who were inspecting another pair of tunnels – a normal-looking mineshaft on the left, and a jagged-edged hole on the right.
"Why are we stopping?" Dave protested.
"We hit a fork in the road," Scarlett said.
"So we have to choose between two death traps," Molly deadpanned.
"The tunnels are different," Scarlett explained. "The left one has minecart tracks and looks to be another shaft, and the right one looks like it was carved by a humongous object."
"So this mine's home to a lot of mutants?" Anne Maria finished.
"Why did we stop if we simply could've gone left?" Geoff asked.
"I don't trust rollercoasters," Molly answered. "You never know if they will fall apart."
"This path is better than the other one, so let's just roll with it," Dave concluded before they went to the shaft.
\
"Get back into this jar, fireflies!" Sierra ordered from the group of fireflies flying away while she was holding the jar of fireflies.
"DJ, chase the fireflies back to us so Sierra can catch them," Sammy told the gentle giant.
DJ nodded and dashed ahead. He immediately howled as the fireflies swarmed around his head, and when he returned back to the girls, Sierra slammed the jar on his head, trapping the fireflies but having them fly around the top of his head.
"This should be a good light source," Sammy smiled, much to DJ's indifference.
\
A flash took the focus to a pair of minecarts linked together on a downward slope as the beam of a flashlight approached.
"Yes! These carts will speed us up!" Geoff said excitedly as he led the rest of the Rats to the carts. "This'll be like riding a rollercoaster."
"This seems a lot like a death trap," Molly responded.
"This whole place is a death trap," Dave countered. "What we need is speed, so we can find our statue, get out of here, and not worry about being intoxicated."
Just then Anne Maria's badge turned from green to orange, earning a gasp from her and the others. "Anne Maria's badge is orange!" Scarlett exclaimed.
"Oh my gosh. I only have like fifteen seconds to live or somethin'!" Anne Maria cried out.
"We all have fifteen minutes. We'll be alright, Anne," Geoff comforted her.
"Oh well, that ain't so bad," Anne Maria said before filing her nails.
The shot focused in on Scarlett as her badge suddenly turned orange as well. "Everyone get in," she said before running over and diving headfirst into the back cart.
"Shotgun!" Dave called out as he hopped in the front cart with Molly.
"Looks like we're in the back," Anne Maria said happily to Geoff.
"Then let's move out!" Geoff said, grabbing her arms and pulling her to the carts. The shot cut to a close-up of the front wheel as Molly reached down and pulled away a rock that was holding them in place.
"My first time riding the rails, and I'm always unenthusiastic," Molly said.
The camera pulled back out to show all five Rats in their chosen cart, and Dave pulled a lever that made the carts start moving downhill. The Rats cheered as they rolled off-screen, but Dave quickly added "Wrong lever!" with a hint of terror in his voice.
\
"Thanks for staying back for me," Trent said as the scene moved to him and Scott in complete darkness, only their eyes visible. "Also, could you get your knee off my back?"
"Leaving someone to die is something I'm not into," Scott replied. "And my knee isn't on your back."
"Then...what is-? Oh! It's a flashlight," Trent clicked the device, and suddenly the two teens were visible... as well as a group of giant hairless - and presumably mutated - gophers standing on their hindlegs and screeching menacingly at them.
Scott and Trent clung to each other and screamed.
\
"It's great to be on this team with you guys, but if we lose, I don't mind if you vote me off," DJ told Sammy and Sierra. "We all have to go sometime."
Sammy looked taken aback by the statement. "I won't vote you off. That'd be unfair to you since you swapped teams last episode."
"And besides, we need someone that can lift a truck, and you fill the role already," Sierra said with a smile, and the three continued on with a decent amount of comfort for a few seconds more...before the badge on Sammy's arm beeped and turned orange.
DJ gasped. "Your badge! It's orange!" the brickhouse said. "You've only got fifteen minutes to live!"
Two more beeps drew their attention to DJ and Sierra's badges as they changed as well. "You do too!" Sammy cried out in panic.
"This can't be happening!" Sierra declared, dropping to her knees with an anguished look on her face. "I've never visited Paris, or gotten married legally!"
Sammy and DJ both blinked. "Uhh, what was that?" the former asked.
"I became an ordained minister on the internet, and I thought someone was into me as much as I was into them," Sierra giggled.
"We have to hurry!" Sammy said, and the three took off.
\
"Okay guys," Molly told her teammates as the scene cut back to them rolling down the slope and the camera zooming in on the pair in the front cart, "just keep your eyes open for that statue. It has to be around here somewhere."
"I think we have a problem," Dave tapped the indie chick on the shoulder and she perked up and looked back. The shot cut outward to show that the two carts were now on different tracks, with her and Dave in the foreground and Geoff, Scarlett, and Anne Maria in the back.
"How did that even happen?!" Scarlett exclaimed in disbelief.
The two carts exited from the tunnel into a much more open cave, with the former front cart's track curving downward while the other track sloped upward. Dave and Molly screamed as their cart dipped off-screen and promptly crashed, kicking up a bit of dust and causing the camera to shake.
The shot cut to Anne Maria, Scarlett, and Geoff as horror dawned on their faces as they looked ahead. "The track is broken!" Anne Maria cried out, the perspective moving to the front of the cart to reveal the mangled piece of track they were approaching.
"Everybody brace yourselves!" Geoff screamed, the camera moving back to a distant side-view as the second cart launched off the track, and fell straight down with its passengers screaming all the way. They quickly passed the rocky ledge where Molly and Dave lay seemingly unconscious, and landed with a splash far below.
The scene receded into a set of monitors, the leftmost one showing only static while the middle showed Sammy, Sierra, and DJ walking through the mine and the rightmost one showed an underground lake.
"Looks like our players are doomed," Chris said, the camera zooming out to reveal him and Chef standing in a control room of sorts. "Will any of them survive? I have my doubts," the host laughed. "But find out for sure when we return with more, Total! Drama! Revenge of the Island!"
\
(Commercial Break)
\
2023.06.08 12:30 FappidyDat [H] TF2 Keys & PayPal [W] Humble Bundle Games (Also Games From Past Bundles)
Notes:
I pay with the following:
TF2 & PayPal
IGS Rep Page:
https://www.reddit.com/IGSRep/comments/ggsaik/fappidydats_igs_rep_page/
SteamTrades Rep Page (1000+):
https://www.steamtrades.com/use76561198097671494
GameTrade Rep Page:
https://www.reddit.com/GameTradeRep/comments/ggrz1y/fappidydats_gametrade_rep_page/?
SGSFlair Rep Page:
https://www.reddit.com/sgsflaicomments/ggag04/flair_profile_ufappidydat/
submitted by FappidyDat to indiegameswap [link] [comments]
- I am EXTREMELY busy, but I check my messages and DMs at least ONCE per day. Please be patient and wait at least 24 hours for my response if I don't get back to you immediately.
- I buy only in Unrevealed Key Link Format or Plain Steam Keys. No gift links.
- For PayPal, I am in the US region and I only send via G&S. Please note there will be PayPal fees (including international/conversion and purchasing fees) to consider.
- All games that you sell to me should ideally be REGION-FREE. Please ensure the games are not region-locked/bound to a specific country.
- You must be willing to fill a spreadsheet with steam keys.
I pay with the following:
TF2 & PayPal
| I BUY HB Games | with TF2 | with PayPal | Currently Active Humble Bundle? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20XX | 0.4 TF2 | $0.88 PP | - |
| 5D Chess With Multiverse Time Travel | 2.6 TF2 | $5.13 PP | - |
| 60 Parsecs! | 1.6 TF2 | $3.16 PP | - |
| 7 Billion Humans | 1.4 TF2 | $2.86 PP | - |
| 7 Days to Die | 1.1 TF2 | $2.16 PP | - |
| A Game of Thrones: The Board Game - Digital Edition | 1.4 TF2 | $2.72 PP | - |
| A Hat in Time | 5.1 TF2 | $10.08 PP | - |
| A Juggler's Tale | 1.5 TF2 | $2.9 PP | - |
| A Plague Tale: Innocence | 1.7 TF2 | $3.44 PP | - |
| ABZU | 2.1 TF2 | $4.23 PP | - |
| AMID EVIL | 0.6 TF2 | $1.15 PP | - |
| AO Tennis 2 | 0.8 TF2 | $1.57 PP | - |
| APICO | 2.3 TF2 | $4.61 PP | - |
| Absolver | 1.9 TF2 | $3.84 PP | - |
| Aeterna Noctis | 1.5 TF2 | $2.91 PP | - |
| Age of Empires Definitive Edition | 1.2 TF2 | $2.34 PP | - |
| Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition | 1.5 TF2 | $2.94 PP | - |
| Age of Wonders III Collection | 0.9 TF2 | $1.81 PP | - |
| Age of Wonders: Planetfall - Deluxe Edition | 0.4 TF2 | $0.85 PP | - |
| Age of Wonders: Planetfall | 1.1 TF2 | $2.28 PP | - |
| Airport CEO | 3.3 TF2 | $6.59 PP | - |
| Alan Wake Collector's Edition | 0.7 TF2 | $1.37 PP | - |
| Alan Wake's American Nightmare | 0.5 TF2 | $0.98 PP | - |
| Aliens: Colonial Marines Collection | 1.2 TF2 | $2.42 PP | - |
| Aliens: Fireteam Elite | 1.0 TF2 | $1.92 PP | - |
| Alina of the Arena | Luck of the Draw: Roguelike Deckbuilders Bundle | ||
| Amnesia: The Dark Descent | 1.8 TF2 | $3.53 PP | - |
| Among Us | 1.1 TF2 | $2.11 PP | - |
| Ancestors Legacy | 0.6 TF2 | $1.2 PP | - |
| Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey | 2.4 TF2 | $4.79 PP | - |
| Aragami | 0.4 TF2 | $0.89 PP | - |
| Arizona Sunshine | 2.1 TF2 | $4.19 PP | - |
| Arma 3 Apex Edition | 1.4 TF2 | $2.8 PP | - |
| Arma 3 Contact Edition | 2.4 TF2 | $4.86 PP | - |
| Arma 3 Jets | 1.1 TF2 | $2.1 PP | - |
| Arma 3 Marksmen | 0.9 TF2 | $1.72 PP | - |
| Arma 3 | 2.0 TF2 | $3.89 PP | - |
| Assetto Corsa Competizione | 3.1 TF2 | $6.1 PP | - |
| Assetto Corsa Ultimate Edition | 6.8 TF2 | $13.53 PP | - |
| Automobilista 2 | 9.4 TF2 | $18.68 PP | - |
| BATTLETECH - Mercenary Collection | 3.8 TF2 | $7.55 PP | - |
| BIOMUTANT | 1.5 TF2 | $2.91 PP | - |
| BROFORCE | 1.1 TF2 | $2.17 PP | - |
| Baba Is You | 1.5 TF2 | $3.06 PP | - |
| Back 4 Blood | 2.8 TF2 | $5.49 PP | - |
| Bad North: Jotunn Edition | 1.5 TF2 | $3.07 PP | - |
| Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition | 0.6 TF2 | $1.11 PP | - |
| Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition | 0.4 TF2 | $0.85 PP | - |
| Bang-On Balls: Chronicles | 3.1 TF2 | $6.12 PP | - |
| Banished | 2.2 TF2 | $4.29 PP | - |
| Barotrauma | 7.1 TF2 | $14.14 PP | - |
| Bastion | 0.5 TF2 | $0.95 PP | - |
| Batman - The Telltale Series | 1.4 TF2 | $2.83 PP | - |
| Batman Arkham Collection | 1.2 TF2 | $2.42 PP | - |
| Batman: Arkham Knight | 0.6 TF2 | $1.11 PP | - |
| Batman: The Enemy Within - The Telltale Series | 1.4 TF2 | $2.72 PP | - |
| Batman™: Arkham Knight Premium Edition | 1.3 TF2 | $2.53 PP | - |
| Batman™: Arkham Origins | 0.9 TF2 | $1.75 PP | - |
| Batman™: Arkham VR | 0.7 TF2 | $1.47 PP | - |
| Battle Chasers: Nightwar | 0.6 TF2 | $1.2 PP | - |
| Battlefleet Gothic: Armada II | 1.8 TF2 | $3.51 PP | - |
| Battlefleet Gothic: Armada | 0.8 TF2 | $1.69 PP | - |
| Battlezone Gold Edition | 2.1 TF2 | $4.25 PP | - |
| Besiege | 1.5 TF2 | $2.89 PP | - |
| Beyond Blue | 1.6 TF2 | $3.17 PP | - |
| Beyond Two Souls | 1.8 TF2 | $3.68 PP | - |
| BioShock Collection | 1.1 TF2 | $2.23 PP | - |
| BioShock Infinite | 0.8 TF2 | $1.6 PP | - |
| BioShock Remastered | 0.9 TF2 | $1.76 PP | - |
| Bioshock Infinite: Season Pass | 0.7 TF2 | $1.32 PP | - |
| Blade of Darkness | 1.1 TF2 | $2.23 PP | - |
| Blair Witch | 1.1 TF2 | $2.27 PP | - |
| Blasphemous | Must-Play Metroidvanias Bundle | ||
| Blood Bowl 2 - Legendary Edition | 0.8 TF2 | $1.67 PP | - |
| Blood: Fresh Supply | 0.6 TF2 | $1.28 PP | - |
| Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night | Must-Play Metroidvanias Bundle | ||
| Boomerang Fu | 0.6 TF2 | $1.18 PP | - |
| Borderlands 2 VR | 4.6 TF2 | $9.16 PP | - |
| Borderlands 2 | 0.8 TF2 | $1.53 PP | - |
| Borderlands 3 Super Deluxe Edition | 2.4 TF2 | $4.85 PP | - |
| Borderlands 3 | 1.3 TF2 | $2.63 PP | - |
| Borderlands 3: Director's Cut | 1.3 TF2 | $2.51 PP | - |
| Borderlands: The Handsome Collection | 3.3 TF2 | $6.5 PP | - |
| Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel | 0.6 TF2 | $1.11 PP | - |
| Brutal Legend | 1.0 TF2 | $2.03 PP | - |
| Bus Simulator 18 | 2.0 TF2 | $4.07 PP | - |
| CHUCHEL Cherry Edition | 0.5 TF2 | $0.91 PP | - |
| Call of Cthulhu | 1.1 TF2 | $2.21 PP | - |
| Call of Duty: WWII | 14.7 TF2 | $29.16 PP | - |
| Call of Juarez: Gunslinger | 0.4 TF2 | $0.79 PP | - |
| Call to Arms - Gates of Hell: Ostfront | 9.5 TF2 | $18.99 PP | - |
| Car Mechanic Simulator 2018 | 0.9 TF2 | $1.75 PP | - |
| Carcassonne - Tiles & Tactics | 0.6 TF2 | $1.22 PP | - |
| Carto | 0.4 TF2 | $0.78 PP | - |
| Celeste | Pixel Pride Bundle | ||
| Chess Ultra | 0.6 TF2 | $1.2 PP | - |
| Children of Morta | 0.6 TF2 | $1.23 PP | - |
| Chivalry 2 | 3.4 TF2 | $6.82 PP | - |
| Chivalry: Medieval Warfare | 0.4 TF2 | $0.8 PP | - |
| Chrono Ark | Luck of the Draw: Roguelike Deckbuilders Bundle | ||
| Cities: Skylines Deluxe Edition | 7.1 TF2 | $14.2 PP | - |
| Clone Drone in the Danger Zone | 4.8 TF2 | $9.55 PP | - |
| Cloudpunk | 0.9 TF2 | $1.74 PP | - |
| Code Vein | 1.7 TF2 | $3.35 PP | - |
| Coffee Talk | 2.5 TF2 | $4.93 PP | - |
| Company of Heroes 2 - The Western Front Armies | 0.8 TF2 | $1.55 PP | - |
| Company of Heroes | 1.8 TF2 | $3.62 PP | - |
| Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts | 0.7 TF2 | $1.49 PP | - |
| Conan Exiles | 1.9 TF2 | $3.88 PP | - |
| Construction Simulator 2015 | 1.2 TF2 | $2.44 PP | - |
| Contagion | 0.4 TF2 | $0.89 PP | - |
| Control Ultimate Edition | 1.9 TF2 | $3.86 PP | - |
| Creed: Rise to Glory™ | 2.2 TF2 | $4.37 PP | - |
| Crusader Kings II: Imperial Collection | 9.8 TF2 | $19.52 PP | - |
| Crusader Kings II: Royal Collection | 6.4 TF2 | $12.82 PP | - |
| Crusader Kings III | 7.1 TF2 | $14.2 PP | - |
| Crysis® 2 Maximum Edition | 0.8 TF2 | $1.56 PP | - |
| Cultist Simulator Anthology Edition | 1.4 TF2 | $2.75 PP | - |
| Cultist Simulator | 1.1 TF2 | $2.23 PP | - |
| Curse of the Dead Gods | Humble Choice (Jun 2023) | ||
| DARK SOULS™ III Deluxe Edition | 19.7 TF2 | $39.14 PP | - |
| DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR'S CUT | 3.0 TF2 | $5.89 PP | - |
| DEATHLOOP | 2.7 TF2 | $5.33 PP | - |
| DIRT 5 | 4.2 TF2 | $8.36 PP | - |
| DMC - Devil May Cry | 1.0 TF2 | $1.9 PP | - |
| DRAGON BALL FIGHTERZ - Ultimate Edition | 15.1 TF2 | $30.14 PP | - |
| DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE 2 | 1.8 TF2 | $3.54 PP | - |
| DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE | 0.6 TF2 | $1.16 PP | - |
| DRAGONBALL XENOVERSE Bundle Edition | 0.9 TF2 | $1.76 PP | - |
| DRIFT21 | 0.6 TF2 | $1.11 PP | - |
| Dark Deity | 0.4 TF2 | $0.83 PP | - |
| Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin | 7.8 TF2 | $15.53 PP | - |
| Dark Souls III | 16.6 TF2 | $33.01 PP | - |
| Darkest Dungeon | 0.6 TF2 | $1.17 PP | - |
| Darksiders Genesis | 1.3 TF2 | $2.66 PP | - |
| Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition | 1.0 TF2 | $2.06 PP | - |
| Darksiders III | 0.8 TF2 | $1.53 PP | - |
| Darkwood | 0.5 TF2 | $1.07 PP | - |
| Day of the Tentacle Remastered | 0.4 TF2 | $0.88 PP | - |
| DayZ | 8.1 TF2 | $16.2 PP | - |
| Daymare: 1998 | 0.4 TF2 | $0.78 PP | - |
| Dead Estate | 1.4 TF2 | $2.85 PP | - |
| Dead Island - Definitive Edition | 0.8 TF2 | $1.61 PP | - |
| Dead Island Definitive Collection | 1.5 TF2 | $2.96 PP | - |
| Dead Island Riptide - Definitive Edition | 0.6 TF2 | $1.25 PP | - |
| Dead Rising 2: Off the Record | 1.2 TF2 | $2.44 PP | - |
| Dead Rising 3 Apocalypse Edition | 1.7 TF2 | $3.29 PP | - |
| Dead Rising 4 Frank’s Big Package | 2.5 TF2 | $4.96 PP | - |
| Dead Rising 4 | 1.0 TF2 | $2.04 PP | - |
| Dead Rising | 1.0 TF2 | $1.92 PP | - |
| Dead Rising® 2 | 1.1 TF2 | $2.23 PP | - |
| Death's Gambit | 0.6 TF2 | $1.15 PP | - |
| Deep Rock Galactic | 3.3 TF2 | $6.58 PP | - |
| Descenders | 0.7 TF2 | $1.44 PP | - |
| Desperados III | 0.9 TF2 | $1.78 PP | - |
| Destiny 2: Beyond Light | 1.2 TF2 | $2.34 PP | - |
| Destroy All Humans | 1.0 TF2 | $2.06 PP | - |
| Deus Ex: Human Revolution - Director's Cut | 0.9 TF2 | $1.8 PP | - |
| Deus Ex: Mankind Divided | 1.1 TF2 | $2.21 PP | - |
| Devil May Cry HD Collection | 1.8 TF2 | $3.56 PP | - |
| Devil May Cry® 4 Special Edition | 1.4 TF2 | $2.84 PP | - |
| DiRT Rally 2.0 | 5.0 TF2 | $9.99 PP | - |
| Dicey Dungeons | Luck of the Draw: Roguelike Deckbuilders Bundle | ||
| Dinosaur Fossil Hunter | 0.5 TF2 | $0.9 PP | - |
| Distance | 1.0 TF2 | $2.07 PP | - |
| Distant Worlds: Universe | 0.6 TF2 | $1.27 PP | - |
| Do Not Feed the Monkeys | 0.4 TF2 | $0.75 PP | - |
| Doom Eternal | 2.6 TF2 | $5.19 PP | - |
| Door Kickers | 1.7 TF2 | $3.33 PP | - |
| Door Kickers: Action Squad | 0.4 TF2 | $0.74 PP | - |
| Dorfromantik | 2.0 TF2 | $4.0 PP | - |
| Dragon Ball FighterZ | 2.2 TF2 | $4.34 PP | - |
| Dragons Dogma - Dark Arisen | 1.0 TF2 | $2.07 PP | - |
| Drake Hollow | 0.4 TF2 | $0.89 PP | - |
| Drone Swarm | 0.4 TF2 | $0.8 PP | - |
| Dungeon Defenders | 1.1 TF2 | $2.24 PP | - |
| Dungeon Defenders: Awakened | 2.6 TF2 | $5.21 PP | - |
| Dungreed | 0.9 TF2 | $1.78 PP | - |
| Dusk | 2.0 TF2 | $4.0 PP | - |
| EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 4.1 The Shadow of New Despair | 3.1 TF2 | $6.22 PP | - |
| ELEX | 1.1 TF2 | $2.13 PP | - |
| EVERSPACE™ | 1.8 TF2 | $3.57 PP | - |
| Elite: Dangerous | 1.4 TF2 | $2.75 PP | - |
| Empire of Sin | 1.3 TF2 | $2.6 PP | - |
| Endzone - A World Apart | 0.4 TF2 | $0.78 PP | - |
| Euro Truck Simulator 2 | 1.7 TF2 | $3.37 PP | - |
| Exanima | 2.6 TF2 | $5.17 PP | - |
| FTL: Faster Than Light | 1.0 TF2 | $1.95 PP | - |
| Fable Anniversary | 4.8 TF2 | $9.48 PP | - |
| Fallout 76 | 2.2 TF2 | $4.32 PP | - |
| Fantasy General II | 0.6 TF2 | $1.23 PP | - |
| Farming Simulator 17 | 0.6 TF2 | $1.11 PP | - |
| Fight'N Rage | 0.7 TF2 | $1.34 PP | - |
| Fights in Tight Spaces | Luck of the Draw: Roguelike Deckbuilders Bundle | ||
| Firefighting Simulator - The Squad | 4.7 TF2 | $9.43 PP | - |
| First Class Trouble | 0.5 TF2 | $1.07 PP | - |
| For The King | 0.9 TF2 | $1.84 PP | - |
| Forager | 1.1 TF2 | $2.25 PP | - |
| Forts | 2.9 TF2 | $5.86 PP | - |
| Friday the 13th: The Game | 2.9 TF2 | $5.81 PP | - |
| Frostpunk | 1.0 TF2 | $2.03 PP | - |
| Full Metal Furies | 0.6 TF2 | $1.12 PP | - |
| Furi | 1.3 TF2 | $2.54 PP | - |
| GRID | 0.8 TF2 | $1.6 PP | - |
| GRIME | Humble Choice (Jun 2023) | ||
| GRIS | 0.5 TF2 | $0.91 PP | - |
| GUILTY GEAR XX ACCENT CORE PLUS R | 0.4 TF2 | $0.82 PP | - |
| Gang Beasts | 3.0 TF2 | $5.94 PP | - |
| Garden Paws | 1.0 TF2 | $2.0 PP | - |
| Gas Station Simulator | 3.1 TF2 | $6.15 PP | - |
| Gears 5 | 10.8 TF2 | $21.52 PP | - |
| Gears Tactics | 4.8 TF2 | $9.55 PP | - |
| Generation Zero® | 0.8 TF2 | $1.55 PP | - |
| Ghostwire Tokyo | Humble Choice (Jun 2023) | ||
| Goat Simulator | 0.4 TF2 | $0.89 PP | - |
| Godlike Burger | 1.0 TF2 | $1.9 PP | - |
| Golf With Your Friends | 1.1 TF2 | $2.23 PP | - |
| Gordian Quest | 1.8 TF2 | $3.54 PP | - |
| Gotham Knights | 5.4 TF2 | $10.84 PP | - |
| GreedFall | 0.8 TF2 | $1.52 PP | - |
| Gremlins, Inc. | 1.4 TF2 | $2.74 PP | - |
| Grim Dawn | 4.8 TF2 | $9.54 PP | - |
| Grim Fandango Remastered | 0.6 TF2 | $1.1 PP | - |
| Guacamelee! 2 | 0.6 TF2 | $1.18 PP | - |
| HITMAN™2 Gold Edition | 3.0 TF2 | $5.88 PP | - |
| HIVESWAP: Act 2 | 1.6 TF2 | $3.23 PP | - |
| HROT | 4.1 TF2 | $8.22 PP | - |
| Hard Bullet | 1.2 TF2 | $2.35 PP | - |
| Hearts of Iron IV: Battle for the Bosporus | 1.8 TF2 | $3.57 PP | - |
| Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet Edition | 5.9 TF2 | $11.67 PP | - |
| Hearts of Iron IV: Death or Dishonor | 1.0 TF2 | $1.94 PP | - |
| Hearts of Iron IV: Waking the Tiger | 1.9 TF2 | $3.88 PP | - |
| Heave Ho | 0.5 TF2 | $1.09 PP | - |
| Heavy Rain | 1.1 TF2 | $2.25 PP | - |
| Hell Let Loose | 6.2 TF2 | $12.38 PP | - |
| Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice | 1.4 TF2 | $2.86 PP | - |
| Hello, Neighbor! | 0.5 TF2 | $1.01 PP | - |
| Hellpoint | 0.4 TF2 | $0.73 PP | - |
| Heroes of Hammerwatch | 0.8 TF2 | $1.56 PP | - |
| Hitman Absolution | 0.4 TF2 | $0.77 PP | - |
| Hitman Game of the Year Edition | 1.3 TF2 | $2.58 PP | - |
| Hollow Knight | Must-Play Metroidvanias Bundle | ||
| Homefront: The Revolution | 0.8 TF2 | $1.65 PP | - |
| Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak | 0.4 TF2 | $0.76 PP | - |
| Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number Digital Special Edition | 0.6 TF2 | $1.22 PP | - |
| Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number | 0.6 TF2 | $1.14 PP | - |
| Hotline Miami | 0.9 TF2 | $1.81 PP | - |
| House Flipper | 3.1 TF2 | $6.08 PP | - |
| Human: Fall Flat | 1.2 TF2 | $2.29 PP | - |
| HuniePop | 0.4 TF2 | $0.85 PP | - |
| Huntdown | 1.7 TF2 | $3.3 PP | - |
| Hurtworld | 2.2 TF2 | $4.4 PP | - |
| Hyper Light Drifter | 1.6 TF2 | $3.09 PP | - |
| Hypnospace Outlaw | 0.8 TF2 | $1.53 PP | - |
| I Am Fish | 0.4 TF2 | $0.72 PP | - |
| I Expect You To Die | 1.3 TF2 | $2.67 PP | - |
| I-NFECTED | 4.0 TF2 | $8.02 PP | - |
| INSIDE | 1.6 TF2 | $3.14 PP | - |
| INSURGENCY | 2.2 TF2 | $4.46 PP | - |
| Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition | 0.4 TF2 | $0.73 PP | - |
| Imperator: Rome Deluxe Edition | 1.6 TF2 | $3.16 PP | - |
| Imperator: Rome | 1.1 TF2 | $2.28 PP | - |
| In Sound Mind | 0.5 TF2 | $0.91 PP | - |
| Injustice 2 Legendary Edition | 1.1 TF2 | $2.21 PP | - |
| Injustice 2 | 0.9 TF2 | $1.74 PP | - |
| Injustice: Gods Among Us - Ultimate Edition | 0.6 TF2 | $1.29 PP | - |
| Into the Breach | 1.5 TF2 | $2.91 PP | - |
| Into the Radius VR | 3.3 TF2 | $6.6 PP | - |
| Ion Fury | 1.9 TF2 | $3.74 PP | - |
| Iron Harvest | 0.9 TF2 | $1.83 PP | - |
| Jalopy | 0.9 TF2 | $1.81 PP | - |
| Job Simulator | 6.1 TF2 | $12.21 PP | - |
| Jurassic World Evolution 2 | 2.2 TF2 | $4.4 PP | - |
| Jurassic World Evolution | 0.7 TF2 | $1.43 PP | - |
| Just Cause 2 | 0.4 TF2 | $0.87 PP | - |
| Just Cause 3 XXL Edition | 1.2 TF2 | $2.34 PP | - |
| Just Cause 4: Complete Edition | 1.9 TF2 | $3.82 PP | - |
| KartKraft | 4.2 TF2 | $8.39 PP | - |
| Katamari Damacy REROLL | 1.0 TF2 | $2.08 PP | - |
| Katana ZERO | 1.4 TF2 | $2.88 PP | - |
| Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes | 2.7 TF2 | $5.42 PP | - |
| Kerbal Space Program | 1.3 TF2 | $2.58 PP | - |
| Killer Instinct | 8.7 TF2 | $17.3 PP | - |
| Killing Floor 2 | 0.7 TF2 | $1.38 PP | - |
| Killing Floor | 0.8 TF2 | $1.69 PP | - |
| Kingdom Come: Deliverance | 1.6 TF2 | $3.09 PP | - |
| Kingdom: Two Crowns | 1.1 TF2 | $2.09 PP | - |
| Kitaria Fables | 0.4 TF2 | $0.75 PP | - |
| LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham Premium Edition | 0.5 TF2 | $0.9 PP | - |
| LEGO Batman Trilogy | 1.4 TF2 | $2.74 PP | - |
| LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 | 0.6 TF2 | $1.2 PP | - |
| LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars | 0.6 TF2 | $1.16 PP | - |
| LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga | 0.6 TF2 | $1.16 PP | - |
| LEGO® City Undercover | 1.0 TF2 | $1.93 PP | - |
| LEGO® DC Super-Villains Deluxe Edition | 1.9 TF2 | $3.77 PP | - |
| LEGO® DC Super-Villains | 0.5 TF2 | $0.95 PP | - |
| LEGO® Jurassic World™ | 0.4 TF2 | $0.88 PP | - |
| LEGO® MARVEL's Avengers | 0.4 TF2 | $0.78 PP | - |
| LEGO® Marvel Super Heroes 2 Deluxe Edition | 1.1 TF2 | $2.15 PP | - |
| LEGO® Marvel Super Heroes 2 | 0.7 TF2 | $1.32 PP | - |
| LEGO® Star Wars™: The Force Awakens - Deluxe Edition | 1.1 TF2 | $2.23 PP | - |
| LEGO® Star Wars™: The Force Awakens | 0.5 TF2 | $0.98 PP | - |
| LEGO® Worlds | 1.0 TF2 | $1.96 PP | - |
| LIMBO | 0.4 TF2 | $0.71 PP | - |
| Labyrinth City: Pierre the Maze Detective | 0.7 TF2 | $1.45 PP | - |
| Labyrinthine | 1.8 TF2 | $3.54 PP | - |
| Lake | 0.6 TF2 | $1.11 PP | - |
| Last Oasis | 0.8 TF2 | $1.67 PP | - |
| Layers of Fear 2 | 6.1 TF2 | $12.22 PP | - |
| Layers of Fear | 0.6 TF2 | $1.11 PP | - |
| Legion TD 2 | 2.3 TF2 | $4.56 PP | - |
| Len's Island | 4.1 TF2 | $8.16 PP | - |
| Lethal League Blaze | 2.4 TF2 | $4.78 PP | - |
| Lethal League | 1.5 TF2 | $2.97 PP | - |
| Library Of Ruina | 3.2 TF2 | $6.36 PP | - |
| Life is Feudal: Your Own | 0.7 TF2 | $1.32 PP | - |
| Life is Strange 2 Complete Season | 0.7 TF2 | $1.43 PP | - |
| Little Misfortune | 2.2 TF2 | $4.42 PP | - |
| Little Nightmares Complete Edition | 1.6 TF2 | $3.09 PP | - |
| Little Nightmares | 0.9 TF2 | $1.79 PP | - |
| Lobotomy Corporation Monster Management Simulation | 5.0 TF2 | $9.88 PP | - |
| Loot River | 2.9 TF2 | $5.76 PP | - |
| Lords of the Fallen Game of the Year Edition | 0.8 TF2 | $1.61 PP | - |
| Lost Ember | 1.4 TF2 | $2.73 PP | - |
| Luck be a Landlord | Luck of the Draw: Roguelike Deckbuilders Bundle | ||
| METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN | 1.2 TF2 | $2.41 PP | - |
| METAL GEAR SOLID V: The Definitive Experience | 2.0 TF2 | $3.99 PP | - |
| MORTAL KOMBAT 11 | 1.5 TF2 | $3.07 PP | - |
| MX vs ATV Reflex | 0.6 TF2 | $1.11 PP | - |
| Mad Max | 1.1 TF2 | $2.22 PP | - |
| Mafia II: Definitive Edition | 3.0 TF2 | $5.99 PP | - |
| Mafia III: Definitive Edition | 2.1 TF2 | $4.23 PP | - |
| Mafia: Definitive Edition | 2.2 TF2 | $4.3 PP | - |
| Magicka 2 - Deluxe Edition | 1.0 TF2 | $1.9 PP | - |
| Magicka 2 | 0.6 TF2 | $1.16 PP | - |
| Magicka | 0.4 TF2 | $0.71 PP | - |
| Maneater | 0.8 TF2 | $1.6 PP | - |
| Mars Horizon | 0.8 TF2 | $1.52 PP | - |
| Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite - Deluxe Edition | 2.8 TF2 | $5.56 PP | - |
| Mass Effect™ Legendary Edition | 6.1 TF2 | $12.21 PP | - |
| Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne | 0.7 TF2 | $1.48 PP | - |
| Max Payne | 1.0 TF2 | $2.02 PP | - |
| MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries | 2.5 TF2 | $4.97 PP | - |
| Mega Man Legacy Collection 2 | 0.6 TF2 | $1.25 PP | - |
| Mega Man Legacy Collection | 0.4 TF2 | $0.79 PP | - |
| Men of War: Assault Squad 2 - Deluxe Edition | 0.8 TF2 | $1.67 PP | - |
| Men of War: Assault Squad 2 War Chest Edition | 0.8 TF2 | $1.64 PP | - |
| Men of War: Assault Squad 2 | 0.8 TF2 | $1.64 PP | - |
| Messenger | 0.9 TF2 | $1.72 PP | - |
| Metro 2033 Redux | 0.7 TF2 | $1.48 PP | - |
| Metro Exodus | 1.7 TF2 | $3.46 PP | - |
| Metro Redux Bundle | 0.9 TF2 | $1.78 PP | - |
| Metro: Last Light Redux | 1.1 TF2 | $2.14 PP | - |
| Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor Game of the Year Edition | 1.0 TF2 | $2.02 PP | - |
| Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™ | 0.7 TF2 | $1.48 PP | - |
| Middleearth Shadow of War Definitive Edition | 1.2 TF2 | $2.34 PP | - |
| Mirror's Edge | 3.8 TF2 | $7.56 PP | - |
| Miscreated | 1.5 TF2 | $2.91 PP | - |
| Monster Hunter: World | 3.4 TF2 | $6.8 PP | - |
| Monster Sanctuary | 0.6 TF2 | $1.25 PP | - |
| Monster Train | 0.5 TF2 | $0.98 PP | - |
| Moonlighter | 0.4 TF2 | $0.81 PP | - |
| Moons of Madness | 1.7 TF2 | $3.43 PP | - |
| Mordhau | 1.8 TF2 | $3.56 PP | - |
| Mortal Kombat X | 0.7 TF2 | $1.32 PP | - |
| Mortal Shell | 1.4 TF2 | $2.72 PP | - |
| Motorcycle Mechanic Simulator 2021 | 1.1 TF2 | $2.23 PP | - |
| Motorsport Manager | 1.4 TF2 | $2.73 PP | - |
| Move or Die | 0.7 TF2 | $1.44 PP | - |
| Moving Out | 1.0 TF2 | $1.9 PP | - |
| Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden - Deluxe Edition | 1.6 TF2 | $3.28 PP | - |
| Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden | 1.8 TF2 | $3.53 PP | - |
| My Friend Pedro | 0.9 TF2 | $1.76 PP | - |
| My Time At Portia | 1.1 TF2 | $2.11 PP | - |
| NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM 4 Road to Boruto | 3.5 TF2 | $6.89 PP | - |
| NASCAR Heat 5 - Ultimate Edition | 0.6 TF2 | $1.16 PP | - |
| Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 | 2.0 TF2 | $3.9 PP | - |
| Naruto to Boruto Shinobi Striker - Deluxe Edition | 1.6 TF2 | $3.1 PP | - |
| Naruto to Boruto Shinobi Striker | 0.4 TF2 | $0.82 PP | - |
| Necromunda: Hired Gun | 1.0 TF2 | $1.97 PP | - |
| Neon Abyss | 0.5 TF2 | $0.94 PP | - |
| Neverwinter Nights: Complete Adventures | 3.6 TF2 | $7.26 PP | - |
| Nine Parchments | 2.1 TF2 | $4.22 PP | - |
| No Straight Roads: Encore Edition | 1.3 TF2 | $2.63 PP | - |
| No Time to Relax | 3.7 TF2 | $7.29 PP | - |
| Northgard | 1.2 TF2 | $2.38 PP | - |
| Not For Broadcast | 0.6 TF2 | $1.28 PP | - |
| ONE PIECE BURNING BLOOD | 0.7 TF2 | $1.44 PP | - |
| ONE PIECE PIRATE WARRIORS 3 Gold Edition | 1.1 TF2 | $2.12 PP | - |
| One Step From Eden | 1.0 TF2 | $1.98 PP | - |
| Opus Magnum | 1.1 TF2 | $2.09 PP | - |
| Orcs Must Die! 3 | 1.9 TF2 | $3.81 PP | - |
| Outlast 2 | 0.8 TF2 | $1.61 PP | - |
| Outward | 1.5 TF2 | $2.91 PP | - |
| Overcooked | 0.8 TF2 | $1.58 PP | - |
| Overcooked! 2 | 1.5 TF2 | $2.91 PP | - |
| Overgrowth | 0.8 TF2 | $1.54 PP | - |
| PC Building Simulator | 0.7 TF2 | $1.41 PP | - |
| Paint the Town Red | 3.6 TF2 | $7.1 PP | - |
| Parkitect | 6.5 TF2 | $12.85 PP | - |
| Pathfinder: Kingmaker - Enhanced Plus Edition | 0.6 TF2 | $1.24 PP | - |
| Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous | 1.4 TF2 | $2.79 PP | - |
| Pathologic 2 | 0.5 TF2 | $1.03 PP | - |
| Pathologic Classic HD | 0.6 TF2 | $1.13 PP | - |
| Per Aspera | 0.7 TF2 | $1.37 PP | - |
| Pikuniku | 0.7 TF2 | $1.48 PP | - |
| Pillars of Eternity Definitive Edition | 1.4 TF2 | $2.87 PP | - |
| Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire | 1.0 TF2 | $2.02 PP | - |
| Pistol Whip | 6.1 TF2 | $12.21 PP | - |
| Plague Inc: Evolved | 1.6 TF2 | $3.2 PP | - |
| Planescape: Torment: Enhanced Edition | 0.4 TF2 | $0.76 PP | - |
| Planet Coaster | 1.8 TF2 | $3.63 PP | - |
| Planet Zoo | 2.1 TF2 | $4.17 PP | - |
| Planetary Annihilation: TITANS | 7.1 TF2 | $14.13 PP | - |
| Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid | 2.7 TF2 | $5.42 PP | - |
| PowerBeatsVR | 1.0 TF2 | $1.97 PP | - |
| PowerSlave Exhumed | 1.4 TF2 | $2.74 PP | - |
| Praey for the Gods | 0.5 TF2 | $0.9 PP | - |
| Prehistoric Kingdom | 1.3 TF2 | $2.51 PP | - |
| Prison Architect | 0.4 TF2 | $0.88 PP | - |
| Pro Cycling Manager 2019 | 1.3 TF2 | $2.58 PP | - |
| Project Hospital | 2.4 TF2 | $4.72 PP | - |
| Project Wingman | 1.6 TF2 | $3.25 PP | - |
| Project Winter | 1.4 TF2 | $2.88 PP | - |
| Propnight | 0.7 TF2 | $1.37 PP | - |
| Pumpkin Jack | 0.4 TF2 | $0.83 PP | - |
| Quantum Break | 2.6 TF2 | $5.14 PP | - |
| RESIDENT EVIL 3 | 2.4 TF2 | $4.76 PP | - |
| RUGBY 20 | 1.3 TF2 | $2.55 PP | - |
| RUINER | 0.5 TF2 | $1.04 PP | - |
| RWBY: Grimm Eclipse | 3.7 TF2 | $7.42 PP | - |
| Ragnaröck | 3.4 TF2 | $6.84 PP | - |
| Railway Empire | 0.4 TF2 | $0.8 PP | - |
| Rain World | Must-Play Metroidvanias Bundle | ||
| Raw Data | 1.1 TF2 | $2.14 PP | - |
| Re:Legend | 1.0 TF2 | $1.94 PP | - |
| Red Matter | 4.5 TF2 | $8.86 PP | - |
| Remnant: From the Ashes - Complete Edition | Humble Choice (Jun 2023) | ||
| Resident Evil / biohazard HD REMASTER | 1.1 TF2 | $2.09 PP | - |
| Resident Evil 0 / biohazard 0 HD Remaster | 1.2 TF2 | $2.31 PP | - |
| Resident Evil 5 GOLD Edition | 1.5 TF2 | $3.0 PP | - |
| Resident Evil 5 | 1.0 TF2 | $1.95 PP | - |
| Resident Evil 6 | 1.4 TF2 | $2.78 PP | - |
| Resident Evil: Revelations 2 Deluxe Edition | 2.4 TF2 | $4.84 PP | - |
| Resident Evil: Revelations | 1.0 TF2 | $1.93 PP | - |
| Retro Machina | 0.5 TF2 | $1.01 PP | - |
| Risen 3 - Complete Edition | 1.0 TF2 | $2.02 PP | - |
| Risen | 0.6 TF2 | $1.25 PP | - |
| Rising Storm 2: Vietnam | 0.7 TF2 | $1.33 PP | - |
| River City Girls | 1.4 TF2 | $2.83 PP | - |
| Roboquest | 0.5 TF2 | $1.05 PP | - |
| Rollercoaster Tycoon 2: Triple Thrill Pack | 1.6 TF2 | $3.16 PP | - |
| Rubber Bandits | 0.8 TF2 | $1.5 PP | - |
| Ryse: Son of Rome | 1.7 TF2 | $3.32 PP | - |
| SCP: Pandemic | 2.4 TF2 | $4.85 PP | - |
| SCUM | 3.4 TF2 | $6.86 PP | - |
| SOMA | 3.3 TF2 | $6.51 PP | - |
| SONG OF HORROR Complete Edition | 1.0 TF2 | $1.92 PP | - |
| STAR WARS® THE FORCE UNLEASHED II | 0.8 TF2 | $1.69 PP | - |
| STAR WARS®: Knights of the Old Republic™ II - The Sith Lords™ | 0.4 TF2 | $0.76 PP | - |
| STAR WARS™: Squadrons | 1.6 TF2 | $3.14 PP | - |
| SUPERHOT VR | 2.2 TF2 | $4.46 PP | - |
| SUPERHOT | 0.8 TF2 | $1.57 PP | - |
| SUPERHOT: MIND CONTROL DELETE | 0.5 TF2 | $0.98 PP | - |
| Saint's Row The Third Remastered | 2.4 TF2 | $4.81 PP | - |
| Saints Row 2 | 0.8 TF2 | $1.5 PP | - |
| Saints Row IV Game of the Century Edition | 1.3 TF2 | $2.6 PP | - |
| Saints Row IV | 1.1 TF2 | $2.23 PP | - |
| Saints Row the Third - The Full Package | 1.0 TF2 | $1.91 PP | - |
| Saints Row: The Third | 0.7 TF2 | $1.46 PP | - |
| Salt and Sanctuary | 1.1 TF2 | $2.14 PP | - |
| Sanctum 2 | 0.5 TF2 | $1.05 PP | - |
| Satisfactory | 6.8 TF2 | $13.49 PP | - |
| Scarlet Nexus | 2.9 TF2 | $5.75 PP | - |
| Scribblenauts Unlimited | 0.4 TF2 | $0.76 PP | - |
| Secret Neighbor | 0.9 TF2 | $1.74 PP | - |
| Serious Sam 2 | 0.8 TF2 | $1.57 PP | - |
| Serious Sam 3: BFE | 1.0 TF2 | $1.95 PP | - |
| Serious Sam 4 | 4.7 TF2 | $9.3 PP | - |
| Serious Sam: Siberian Mayhem | 2.2 TF2 | $4.47 PP | - |
| Severed Steel | 1.7 TF2 | $3.46 PP | - |
| Shadow Man Remastered | 1.1 TF2 | $2.11 PP | - |
| Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun | 0.4 TF2 | $0.85 PP | - |
| Shadow Warrior 2 | 0.9 TF2 | $1.74 PP | - |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | 3.1 TF2 | $6.15 PP | - |
| Shenmue 3 | 1.3 TF2 | $2.55 PP | - |
| Shenmue I & II | 1.3 TF2 | $2.55 PP | - |
| Shining Resonance Refrain | 0.4 TF2 | $0.81 PP | - |
| Sid Meier's Civilization V | 0.6 TF2 | $1.25 PP | - |
| Sid Meier's Civilization VI : Platinum Edition | 3.1 TF2 | $6.22 PP | - |
| Sid Meier's Civilization VI | 0.7 TF2 | $1.43 PP | - |
| Sid Meier's Civilization® V: The Complete Edition | 1.9 TF2 | $3.71 PP | - |
| Sid Meiers Civilization IV: The Complete Edition | 0.8 TF2 | $1.5 PP | - |
| Siege of Centauri | 0.6 TF2 | $1.15 PP | - |
| SimCasino | 1.3 TF2 | $2.54 PP | - |
| SimplePlanes | 2.0 TF2 | $3.89 PP | - |
| Skullgirls 2nd Encore | 1.8 TF2 | $3.62 PP | - |
| Slap City | 1.1 TF2 | $2.23 PP | - |
| Slay the Spire | 3.1 TF2 | $6.22 PP | - |
| Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition | 0.9 TF2 | $1.81 PP | - |
| Slime Rancher | 1.9 TF2 | $3.8 PP | - |
| Sniper Elite 3 | 0.9 TF2 | $1.87 PP | - |
| Sniper Elite 4 | 1.4 TF2 | $2.69 PP | - |
| Sniper Elite V2 Remastered | 1.4 TF2 | $2.86 PP | - |
| Sniper Elite V2 | 1.0 TF2 | $2.0 PP | - |
| Sniper Elite | 0.6 TF2 | $1.11 PP | - |
| Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 | 0.8 TF2 | $1.58 PP | - |
| Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts | 0.9 TF2 | $1.85 PP | - |
| Sonic Adventure DX | 0.7 TF2 | $1.39 PP | - |
| Sonic Adventure 2 | 1.5 TF2 | $2.91 PP | - |
| Sonic Mania | 1.5 TF2 | $3.06 PP | - |
| Soul Calibur VI | 1.6 TF2 | $3.2 PP | - |
| Source of Madness | 0.6 TF2 | $1.12 PP | - |
| Space Engineers | 2.6 TF2 | $5.24 PP | - |
| Space Haven | 0.6 TF2 | $1.13 PP | - |
| Spec Ops: The Line | 0.9 TF2 | $1.79 PP | - |
| SpeedRunners | 0.5 TF2 | $1.02 PP | - |
| Spelunky | 1.1 TF2 | $2.22 PP | - |
| Spirit Of The Island | 1.4 TF2 | $2.88 PP | - |
| SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated | 1.1 TF2 | $2.13 PP | - |
| Spyro™ Reignited Trilogy | 4.8 TF2 | $9.55 PP | - |
| Star Renegades | 2.9 TF2 | $5.82 PP | - |
| Star Trek: Bridge Crew | 4.3 TF2 | $8.55 PP | - |
| Star Wars: Battlefront 2 (Classic, 2005) | 0.4 TF2 | $0.84 PP | - |
| Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic | 0.4 TF2 | $0.76 PP | - |
| Star Wars® Empire at War™: Gold Pack | 1.1 TF2 | $2.15 PP | - |
| Star Wars®: Jedi Knight®: Jedi Academy | 0.4 TF2 | $0.73 PP | - |
| Starbound | 1.4 TF2 | $2.83 PP | - |
| State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition | 3.1 TF2 | $6.21 PP | - |
| Staxel | 0.6 TF2 | $1.11 PP | - |
| SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech | 0.5 TF2 | $1.06 PP | - |
| Steel Division: Normandy 44 | 2.2 TF2 | $4.36 PP | - |
| Stellaris Galaxy Edition | 4.8 TF2 | $9.61 PP | - |
| Stellaris | 4.1 TF2 | $8.07 PP | - |
| Stellaris: Lithoids Species Pack | 1.0 TF2 | $1.95 PP | - |
| Stick Fight: The Game | 0.6 TF2 | $1.27 PP | - |
| Strange Brigade | 0.5 TF2 | $0.9 PP | - |
| Strategic Command WWII: World at War | 2.1 TF2 | $4.21 PP | - |
| Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection | 2.4 TF2 | $4.77 PP | - |
| Stronghold 2: Steam Edition | 1.9 TF2 | $3.73 PP | - |
| Stronghold Crusader 2 | 0.9 TF2 | $1.89 PP | - |
| Stronghold Crusader HD | 0.6 TF2 | $1.16 PP | - |
| Stronghold Legends: Steam Edition | 0.9 TF2 | $1.74 PP | - |
| Styx: Shards Of Darkness | 0.9 TF2 | $1.74 PP | - |
| Subnautica | 3.5 TF2 | $7.0 PP | - |
| Summer in Mara | 0.5 TF2 | $1.04 PP | - |
| Sunless Sea | 0.9 TF2 | $1.85 PP | - |
| Sunless Skies | 1.1 TF2 | $2.18 PP | - |
| Sunset Overdrive | 1.8 TF2 | $3.56 PP | - |
| Super Meat Boy | 0.5 TF2 | $1.07 PP | - |
| Superliminal | 1.9 TF2 | $3.88 PP | - |
| Supraland Six Inches Under | 1.1 TF2 | $2.23 PP | - |
| Supreme Commander 2 | 0.8 TF2 | $1.58 PP | - |
| Surgeon Simulator: Experience Reality | 1.7 TF2 | $3.44 PP | - |
| Survive the Nights | 0.8 TF2 | $1.63 PP | - |
| Surviving the Aftermath | 0.7 TF2 | $1.4 PP | - |
| Sword Art Online Fatal Bullet - Complete Edition | 3.2 TF2 | $6.32 PP | - |
| Sword Art Online Hollow Realization Deluxe Edition | 1.5 TF2 | $2.97 PP | - |
| Syberia: The World Before | 1.1 TF2 | $2.25 PP | - |
| Synth Riders | 3.5 TF2 | $6.87 PP | - |
| TEKKEN 7 | 1.4 TF2 | $2.74 PP | - |
| TT Isle of Man Ride on the Edge 2 | 1.7 TF2 | $3.38 PP | - |
| Tales from the Borderlands | 3.8 TF2 | $7.49 PP | - |
| Tales of Berseria | 1.1 TF2 | $2.09 PP | - |
| Talisman: Digital Edition | 0.4 TF2 | $0.87 PP | - |
| Tank Mechanic Simulator | 1.1 TF2 | $2.14 PP | - |
| Telltale Batman Shadows Edition | 1.4 TF2 | $2.83 PP | - |
| Terraforming Mars | 0.6 TF2 | $1.28 PP | - |
| Terraria | 2.2 TF2 | $4.31 PP | - |
| The Ascent | 1.1 TF2 | $2.1 PP | - |
| The Battle of Polytopia | 0.5 TF2 | $0.9 PP | - |
| The Beast Inside | 0.4 TF2 | $0.76 PP | - |
| The Blackout Club | 0.6 TF2 | $1.11 PP | - |
| The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope | 2.1 TF2 | $4.21 PP | - |
| The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan | 2.2 TF2 | $4.37 PP | - |
| The Darkness II | 0.5 TF2 | $1.09 PP | - |
| The Dungeon Of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet Of Chaos | 0.8 TF2 | $1.5 PP | - |
| The Escapists 2 | 1.0 TF2 | $1.97 PP | - |
| The Escapists | 0.5 TF2 | $1.08 PP | - |
| The Henry Stickmin Collection | 0.7 TF2 | $1.43 PP | - |
| The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing Final Cut | 1.3 TF2 | $2.64 PP | - |
| The Intruder | 2.1 TF2 | $4.23 PP | - |
| The Jackbox Party Pack 2 | 2.0 TF2 | $3.96 PP | - |
| The Jackbox Party Pack 3 | 2.8 TF2 | $5.62 PP | - |
| The Jackbox Party Pack 4 | 2.0 TF2 | $4.07 PP | - |
| The Jackbox Party Pack 5 | 3.0 TF2 | $6.06 PP | - |
| The Jackbox Party Pack | 1.1 TF2 | $2.14 PP | - |
| The LEGO Movie 2 Videogame | 0.4 TF2 | $0.79 PP | - |
| The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky | 1.6 TF2 | $3.23 PP | - |
| The Long Dark | 2.6 TF2 | $5.21 PP | - |
| The Long Dark: Survival Edition | 0.5 TF2 | $0.9 PP | - |
| The Mortuary Assistant | 2.4 TF2 | $4.77 PP | - |
| The Red Solstice 2: Survivors | 0.4 TF2 | $0.78 PP | - |
| The Surge 2 | 0.9 TF2 | $1.78 PP | - |
| The Survivalists | 0.8 TF2 | $1.53 PP | - |
| The Talos Principle | 1.5 TF2 | $2.97 PP | - |
| The Walking Dead: The Final Season | 0.7 TF2 | $1.43 PP | - |
| The Walking Dead: The Telltale Definitive Series | 2.4 TF2 | $4.75 PP | - |
| The Witness | 3.9 TF2 | $7.67 PP | - |
| The Wolf Among Us | 1.2 TF2 | $2.42 PP | - |
| This Is the Police | 0.5 TF2 | $1.01 PP | - |
| This War of Mine: Complete Edition | 0.7 TF2 | $1.41 PP | - |
| Titan Quest Anniversary Edition | 0.6 TF2 | $1.16 PP | - |
| Torchlight II | 0.7 TF2 | $1.38 PP | - |
| Total Tank Simulator | 0.5 TF2 | $0.95 PP | - |
| Total War Shogun 2 Collection | 1.7 TF2 | $3.46 PP | - |
| Total War: ATTILA | 2.7 TF2 | $5.34 PP | - |
| Total War: Empire - Definitive Edition | 1.8 TF2 | $3.54 PP | - |
| Total War: Napoleon - Definitive Edition | 1.8 TF2 | $3.56 PP | - |
| Total War: Rome II - Emperor Edition | 2.7 TF2 | $5.38 PP | - |
| Total War™: WARHAMMER® | 2.9 TF2 | $5.76 PP | - |
| Totally Accurate Battle Simulator | 2.8 TF2 | $5.56 PP | - |
| Totally Reliable Delivery Service | 0.6 TF2 | $1.23 PP | - |
| Tour de France 2020 | 0.6 TF2 | $1.13 PP | - |
| Townscaper | 0.6 TF2 | $1.19 PP | - |
| Trailmakers Deluxe Edition | 1.4 TF2 | $2.74 PP | - |
| Train Simulator Classic | 0.8 TF2 | $1.58 PP | - |
| Tribes of Midgard | 0.8 TF2 | $1.53 PP | - |
| Tricky Towers | 2.0 TF2 | $4.0 PP | - |
| Trine 2: Complete Story | 1.1 TF2 | $2.28 PP | - |
| Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince | 1.2 TF2 | $2.37 PP | - |
| Trine Ultimate Collection | 5.1 TF2 | $10.15 PP | - |
| Tropico 5 – Complete Collection | 0.8 TF2 | $1.59 PP | - |
| Tropico 6 El-Prez Edition | 2.3 TF2 | $4.54 PP | - |
| Tropico 6 | 2.2 TF2 | $4.47 PP | - |
| Turmoil | 0.5 TF2 | $0.96 PP | - |
| Turok | 0.4 TF2 | $0.75 PP | - |
| Tyranny - Gold Edition | 0.7 TF2 | $1.36 PP | - |
| Ultimate Chicken Horse | 1.8 TF2 | $3.56 PP | - |
| Ultimate Fishing Simulator | 0.5 TF2 | $0.91 PP | - |
| Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 | 1.8 TF2 | $3.59 PP | - |
| Ultra Street Fighter IV | 0.6 TF2 | $1.11 PP | - |
| Undertale | 2.1 TF2 | $4.2 PP | - |
| Universe Sandbox | 4.7 TF2 | $9.41 PP | - |
| Unrailed! | 1.5 TF2 | $3.07 PP | - |
| Until You Fall | 0.7 TF2 | $1.39 PP | - |
| VTOL VR | 6.4 TF2 | $12.66 PP | - |
| Vacation Simulator | 5.1 TF2 | $10.21 PP | - |
| Vagante | 0.7 TF2 | $1.33 PP | - |
| Valkyria Chronicles 4 Complete Edition | 1.9 TF2 | $3.76 PP | - |
| Valkyria Chronicles™ | 1.0 TF2 | $1.97 PP | - |
| Vampyr | 2.2 TF2 | $4.34 PP | - |
| Verdun | 0.4 TF2 | $0.72 PP | - |
| Vertigo Remastered | 0.4 TF2 | $0.8 PP | - |
| Visage | 2.9 TF2 | $5.83 PP | - |
| Viscera Cleanup Detail | 2.0 TF2 | $4.05 PP | - |
| Void Bastards | 0.7 TF2 | $1.32 PP | - |
| Volcanoids | 1.4 TF2 | $2.82 PP | - |
| Vox Machinae | 3.4 TF2 | $6.7 PP | - |
| Wargame: Red Dragon | 5.1 TF2 | $10.22 PP | - |
| Wargroove | 0.5 TF2 | $0.91 PP | - |
| Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters | 2.0 TF2 | $3.89 PP | - |
| Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Master Collection | 1.5 TF2 | $2.91 PP | - |
| Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II - Grand Master Collection | 2.3 TF2 | $4.56 PP | - |
| Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II: Retribution | 0.8 TF2 | $1.68 PP | - |
| Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War | 0.7 TF2 | $1.4 PP | - |
| Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Tyranids | 1.4 TF2 | $2.86 PP | - |
| Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Collection | 3.1 TF2 | $6.22 PP | - |
| Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine | 1.6 TF2 | $3.28 PP | - |
| Warhammer: Chaosbane - Slayer Edition | 0.9 TF2 | $1.88 PP | - |
| Warhammer: End Times - Vermintide Collector's Edition | 0.7 TF2 | $1.36 PP | - |
| Warhammer: Vermintide 2 - Collector's Edition | 1.6 TF2 | $3.15 PP | - |
| Warhammer: Vermintide 2 | 0.7 TF2 | $1.44 PP | - |
| Warhammer® 40,000: Dawn of War® II | 0.6 TF2 | $1.25 PP | - |
| Warhammer® 40,000™: Dawn of War® III | 1.8 TF2 | $3.49 PP | - |
| Warpips | 0.7 TF2 | $1.48 PP | - |
| Wasteland 3 | 1.3 TF2 | $2.6 PP | - |
| We Happy Few | 0.9 TF2 | $1.88 PP | - |
| We Need to Go Deeper | 1.4 TF2 | $2.87 PP | - |
| We Were Here Too | 1.2 TF2 | $2.38 PP | - |
| White Day : a labyrinth named school | 0.6 TF2 | $1.24 PP | - |
| Who's Your Daddy | 1.8 TF2 | $3.67 PP | - |
| Wingspan | 1.2 TF2 | $2.31 PP | - |
| Winkeltje: The Little Shop | 1.0 TF2 | $2.08 PP | - |
| Witch It | 4.1 TF2 | $8.22 PP | - |
| Wizard of Legend | 1.8 TF2 | $3.56 PP | - |
| World War Z: Aftermath | 4.3 TF2 | $8.62 PP | - |
| Worms W.M.D | 1.2 TF2 | $2.37 PP | - |
| X4: Foundations | 8.3 TF2 | $16.49 PP | - |
| X4: Split Vendetta | 1.8 TF2 | $3.56 PP | - |
| XCOM 2 Collection | 1.4 TF2 | $2.7 PP | - |
| XCOM 2 | 0.4 TF2 | $0.76 PP | - |
| XCOM 2: Reinforcement Pack | 0.4 TF2 | $0.72 PP | - |
| XCOM: Enemy Unknown Complete Pack | 0.8 TF2 | $1.6 PP | - |
| XCOM: Enemy Unknown | 0.7 TF2 | $1.37 PP | - |
| XCOM: Ultimate Collection | 1.3 TF2 | $2.56 PP | - |
| Yakuza 0 | 2.4 TF2 | $4.76 PP | - |
| Yakuza 3 Remastered | 1.0 TF2 | $2.07 PP | - |
| Yakuza Kiwami 2 | 4.5 TF2 | $8.86 PP | - |
| Yakuza Kiwami | 2.4 TF2 | $4.68 PP | - |
| Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles | 1.3 TF2 | $2.66 PP | - |
| YouTubers Life | 0.7 TF2 | $1.42 PP | - |
| ZERO Sievert | 5.3 TF2 | $10.57 PP | - |
| Zenith MMO | 2.2 TF2 | $4.32 PP | - |
| Zero Caliber VR | 4.3 TF2 | $8.48 PP | - |
| Zombie Army 4: Dead War | 1.8 TF2 | $3.64 PP | - |
| Zombie Army Trilogy | 0.5 TF2 | $0.97 PP | - |
| biped | 0.8 TF2 | $1.61 PP | - |
| rFactor 2 | 4.8 TF2 | $9.55 PP | - |
| while True: learn() Chief Technology Officer Edition | 0.8 TF2 | $1.57 PP | - |
https://www.reddit.com/IGSRep/comments/ggsaik/fappidydats_igs_rep_page/
SteamTrades Rep Page (1000+):
https://www.steamtrades.com/use76561198097671494
GameTrade Rep Page:
https://www.reddit.com/GameTradeRep/comments/ggrz1y/fappidydats_gametrade_rep_page/?
SGSFlair Rep Page:
https://www.reddit.com/sgsflaicomments/ggag04/flair_profile_ufappidydat/
2023.06.08 12:24 Maxathron Kryptonian Invasion of a Far Greater Empire
The “human” yawned.
“Did you just yawn in response?! I said, the all-powerful Kryptonian Empire is intending to march upon this realm, starting here, conquering all lands and systems, and you ‘yawn’?!”
“Yep.”
“The Kryptonian Empire’s military numbers two hundred trillion soldiers, and a hundred billion starships, most of which would be imperial battleships, capable of turning the surface of entire worlds to slag. Their soldiers are equal to a thousand troopers of any given army, a literal one-man army, and their power-suits enable them to be walking main battle tanks. In fact, with normal levels of solar energy, they can fly as fast and as agile as combat aircraft, too!”
“Yeah, don’t give a shit.”
“The Empire is capable of blowing up entire planets, too…”
“Seriously, do you really think this ‘Kryptonian Empire’ is that much of a threat?”
“Yes!” the rogue Kryptonian said, exasperated.
“I don’t think you understand…”
“No, you don’t understand! They’re preparing for the invasion. We have to run and hide.”
“No thanks.”
“What will get through to you that this is such a grave threat!?”
“Nothing.”
The rogue Kryptonian, at his wit’s ends, was about to leave when the “human” spoke.
“So far, you have not actually explained anything of this ‘Kryptonian Empire’ that is capable of overcoming us. You have described battleships that measure a few kilometers long, about half that wide and tall, armed with solar cannons that produce one gigaton of energy per shot, protected by shields that can withstand a hundred of these cannons firing upon it without break, capable of traversing the entire length of a midsized galaxy within a week, with enough troops to contest an entire planet of a typical star republic’s military, by themselves.
“Considering every military to date, everything from invasion forces to security patrol militaries, hold the number of fighting men to non-fighting men at one soldier for every nine support personnel, that comes out to twenty trillion soldiers, and with one thousand soldiers per battleship, that is twenty billion battleships, plus whatever support and logistical craft that will follow the main invasion around.
“You stand here trying to convey the threat of this invasion to a Destroyer-class holographic avatar of and in service to the Catalum Empire and its People. Do you actually understand how vast our Empire is?”
“Of course, host avatar! But it pales in comparison to…”
“You don’t.”
The rogue Kryptonian set his jaw. He would at least get the point across that the Kryptonians were the real deal. For now, he would let the hologram speak.
“The Catalum Empire claims what is known to most civilizations around here as the Virgo Supercluster as its home territory. It is a peninsula of galaxies off what is known as the Laniakea Supercluster. Virgo contains forty thousand galaxies.
“The average Catalum galaxy contains a hundred million planets inhabited by our people, and the average planet is home to a hundred thousand Catalums. Doing the math, this comes out to four hundred quadrillion Catalums.
“The average Catalum lives on a ship such as myself. This is a holographic projection into a form that you, someone who is near enough to humans in overall shape and biology, can understand. This is a courtesy. My real form is a six-hundred-kilometer-long hexagonal prism with a million gigatons worth of firepower. The Kryptonian Battleship you described has at best, twenty-fire gigatons of firepower.
“Now, I am not the average Catalum ship. I am a destroyer, a midsized ship built for long-range exploration. The average Catalum ship is a corvette, which measures about four times as large as a Kryptonian Battleship. Catalum corvettes have a thousand gigatons worth of firepower. Ninety five percent of our people have a corvette.
“I have bothered to receive you mainly because no one else in the area can be bothered, the threat of the Kryptonians are so little to our empire, and because I’m the highest ranked remaining ship. Everyone else who would receive you are of the lower ranked corvette and frigate types.
“To prove our capabilities, I give you a look at this fleet.”
On screen to their right was an optical viewing of a vanguard fleet of the Teramitians, a race of termite-like organics that sought to consume the universe. Some of them managed to bleed into this universe as well. The fleet was made up of Kraken-class bio ships, a hybrid of a battleship and production carrier that transported and replenished the warriors of the Teramitians during their invasions of worlds they intended to consume.
Individual Krakens varied in size and equipment, but they had an overall shape superficially resembling a lobster. The typical Kraken was thirty kilometers long and required a dozen Kryptonian Battleships to kill and cut apart.
This was a big vanguard fleet. It set poised on the edge of the supercluster ready to start a new era of conquer and consumption.
And then, the lead ship poofed into dust. A fleet of unknown warships in the shapes of sideways pyramids, cubes, hexagonal prisms, and diamonds dropped out from nowhere and immediately started carving the Teramitians to pieces. It took them no less than a minute to finish off the last hive ship and their escorts and strike craft. The fleet then jumped back into the void and disappeared from view.
“That was a typical Teramitian vanguard incursion. It would have been a general mobilization where you come from. And we snapped them in half with a small fleet of Catalum ships. Do you understand now how little we care about this impending Kryptonian invasion?”
The rogue Kryptonian was feeling very, very small right now. He thought his new home was going to burn and melt under the might of the people he escaped from. He sought to sound the alarm. And this civilization made what he thought was a universe conquering military seem to be nothing more than a bunch of small angry critters.
While he was deep in thought, a puppy came over and sat next to him, looking up with these pitch-black unblinking eyes. The dog wagged its tail and had a goofy smile on.
The rogue knelt down and scritched the cute creature’s face. It made small sounds of contentment and happiness.
“Wait…”
“Yes?”
“You said ‘in service of’. Are you not a member of the Catalum empire?”
“No. Catalum ships are not Catalum citizens.”
“Then what are?”
The rogue glanced around. There were hundreds of these puppy dogs around him and the hologram. They all turned to look at the rogue. A little too hard, for half of them ended up falling over and making soft shrieks in the cry for help. The remaining creatures turned away from the rogue to help their fallen comrades.
The hologram turned to face the puppy dogs and spread its arms outward.
The rogue’s eyes grew larger as he started to understand.
submitted by Maxathron to maxathronwrites [link] [comments]
“Did you just yawn in response?! I said, the all-powerful Kryptonian Empire is intending to march upon this realm, starting here, conquering all lands and systems, and you ‘yawn’?!”
“Yep.”
“The Kryptonian Empire’s military numbers two hundred trillion soldiers, and a hundred billion starships, most of which would be imperial battleships, capable of turning the surface of entire worlds to slag. Their soldiers are equal to a thousand troopers of any given army, a literal one-man army, and their power-suits enable them to be walking main battle tanks. In fact, with normal levels of solar energy, they can fly as fast and as agile as combat aircraft, too!”
“Yeah, don’t give a shit.”
“The Empire is capable of blowing up entire planets, too…”
“Seriously, do you really think this ‘Kryptonian Empire’ is that much of a threat?”
“Yes!” the rogue Kryptonian said, exasperated.
“I don’t think you understand…”
“No, you don’t understand! They’re preparing for the invasion. We have to run and hide.”
“No thanks.”
“What will get through to you that this is such a grave threat!?”
“Nothing.”
The rogue Kryptonian, at his wit’s ends, was about to leave when the “human” spoke.
“So far, you have not actually explained anything of this ‘Kryptonian Empire’ that is capable of overcoming us. You have described battleships that measure a few kilometers long, about half that wide and tall, armed with solar cannons that produce one gigaton of energy per shot, protected by shields that can withstand a hundred of these cannons firing upon it without break, capable of traversing the entire length of a midsized galaxy within a week, with enough troops to contest an entire planet of a typical star republic’s military, by themselves.
“Considering every military to date, everything from invasion forces to security patrol militaries, hold the number of fighting men to non-fighting men at one soldier for every nine support personnel, that comes out to twenty trillion soldiers, and with one thousand soldiers per battleship, that is twenty billion battleships, plus whatever support and logistical craft that will follow the main invasion around.
“You stand here trying to convey the threat of this invasion to a Destroyer-class holographic avatar of and in service to the Catalum Empire and its People. Do you actually understand how vast our Empire is?”
“Of course, host avatar! But it pales in comparison to…”
“You don’t.”
The rogue Kryptonian set his jaw. He would at least get the point across that the Kryptonians were the real deal. For now, he would let the hologram speak.
“The Catalum Empire claims what is known to most civilizations around here as the Virgo Supercluster as its home territory. It is a peninsula of galaxies off what is known as the Laniakea Supercluster. Virgo contains forty thousand galaxies.
“The average Catalum galaxy contains a hundred million planets inhabited by our people, and the average planet is home to a hundred thousand Catalums. Doing the math, this comes out to four hundred quadrillion Catalums.
“The average Catalum lives on a ship such as myself. This is a holographic projection into a form that you, someone who is near enough to humans in overall shape and biology, can understand. This is a courtesy. My real form is a six-hundred-kilometer-long hexagonal prism with a million gigatons worth of firepower. The Kryptonian Battleship you described has at best, twenty-fire gigatons of firepower.
“Now, I am not the average Catalum ship. I am a destroyer, a midsized ship built for long-range exploration. The average Catalum ship is a corvette, which measures about four times as large as a Kryptonian Battleship. Catalum corvettes have a thousand gigatons worth of firepower. Ninety five percent of our people have a corvette.
“I have bothered to receive you mainly because no one else in the area can be bothered, the threat of the Kryptonians are so little to our empire, and because I’m the highest ranked remaining ship. Everyone else who would receive you are of the lower ranked corvette and frigate types.
“To prove our capabilities, I give you a look at this fleet.”
On screen to their right was an optical viewing of a vanguard fleet of the Teramitians, a race of termite-like organics that sought to consume the universe. Some of them managed to bleed into this universe as well. The fleet was made up of Kraken-class bio ships, a hybrid of a battleship and production carrier that transported and replenished the warriors of the Teramitians during their invasions of worlds they intended to consume.
Individual Krakens varied in size and equipment, but they had an overall shape superficially resembling a lobster. The typical Kraken was thirty kilometers long and required a dozen Kryptonian Battleships to kill and cut apart.
This was a big vanguard fleet. It set poised on the edge of the supercluster ready to start a new era of conquer and consumption.
And then, the lead ship poofed into dust. A fleet of unknown warships in the shapes of sideways pyramids, cubes, hexagonal prisms, and diamonds dropped out from nowhere and immediately started carving the Teramitians to pieces. It took them no less than a minute to finish off the last hive ship and their escorts and strike craft. The fleet then jumped back into the void and disappeared from view.
“That was a typical Teramitian vanguard incursion. It would have been a general mobilization where you come from. And we snapped them in half with a small fleet of Catalum ships. Do you understand now how little we care about this impending Kryptonian invasion?”
The rogue Kryptonian was feeling very, very small right now. He thought his new home was going to burn and melt under the might of the people he escaped from. He sought to sound the alarm. And this civilization made what he thought was a universe conquering military seem to be nothing more than a bunch of small angry critters.
While he was deep in thought, a puppy came over and sat next to him, looking up with these pitch-black unblinking eyes. The dog wagged its tail and had a goofy smile on.
The rogue knelt down and scritched the cute creature’s face. It made small sounds of contentment and happiness.
“Wait…”
“Yes?”
“You said ‘in service of’. Are you not a member of the Catalum empire?”
“No. Catalum ships are not Catalum citizens.”
“Then what are?”
The rogue glanced around. There were hundreds of these puppy dogs around him and the hologram. They all turned to look at the rogue. A little too hard, for half of them ended up falling over and making soft shrieks in the cry for help. The remaining creatures turned away from the rogue to help their fallen comrades.
The hologram turned to face the puppy dogs and spread its arms outward.
The rogue’s eyes grew larger as he started to understand.
2023.06.08 12:23 ForteSP33 [USA] [H] Chrono Trigger (SNES), SNES Games, DS Games, 3DS Games, Switch, Pokemon, Ps1, Horror, jRPGs, Dragon Quest, Playstation Longboxes, XBOX 360 High End Sports, NES, CIB Mike Tyson Punch Out, Graded Games, Factory sealed games, other titles, systems too! [W] Paypal, Zelle, Venmo, Cashapp
PLEASE NOTE ALL PRICING DOES NOT INCLUDE SHIPPING. I WILL CHARGE SHIPPING EXACTLY BASED ON ZIP / LOCATION. Typically shipping for a game will range between $3-5.
NES Games
submitted by ForteSP33 to GameSale [link] [comments]
NES Games
- CIB Mike Tyson Punch Out - $200
- Boxed Mike Tyson's Punch Out $170
- Fire N Ice - $200
- Castlevania with Manual - $55
- Mike Tyson's Punch Out - $41
- MC Kids with Manual - $40
- Boxed Tetris 2 - $22
- Bubble Bobble - $20
- 1943 - $20
- Lolo - $16
- Puzznic - $14
- Mario Bros - $20
- Super Pitfall - $13
- Chrono Trigger - $250
- Final Fantasy 2 - $55
- Brain Lord - 55
- Inindo - 28
- Soldiers of Fortune - 20
- Breath of Fire - 40 Wizardry V (slight peel) - 15
- Super Adventure Island - 20
- Arkanoid - $25
- Thomas the Tank Engine - $15
- Star Fox - $16
- Tin Star - $14
- NHL 94 - $10
- Toy Story (bad label) - $10
- Speedy Gonzales - $10
- NEW Smash Ultimate Gamecube controllers (x4) - $45
- CIB Mario Kart Double Dash - $75
- Boxed Animal Crossing - $55
- Boxed Sonic Adventure 2 Battle - $50
- CIB mario Sunshine - $45
- CIB Sonic Adventure DX - $40
- Boxed Sonic Adventure DX - $35
- Boxed Rayman 3 - $30
- CIB SSX Tricky - $30
- Loose Metroid Prime - $25
- Loose Four Swords Adventure - $65
- Loose Zelda Collector's Edition - $50
- CIB Need for Speed Carbon - $25
- CIB Spyro Enter the Dragonfly - $25
- CIB Spyro Enter the dragonfly (players choice) - $25
- Star Fox Adventure For Display Only - $40
- CIB Time Splitters 2 - $30
- Boxed Spongebob Revenge of the Flying Dutchman - $20
- CIB Barnyard - $20
- Loose Super Monkey Ball 2 - $18
- Mario 64 Player's Choice with original Mario 64 Box and manual - $125
- CIB Lego Racers - $70
- Mario 64 - $40
- Mario Party - $40
- Pokemon Snap - $20
- Mario Golf - $30
- Mario Tennis - $25
- Mario Kart 64 - $45
- Jeopardy - $15
- Wave Race - $10
- CIB Metroid Prime Trilogy - $130
- CIB Wii Party - $50
- Boxed Skyward Sword - $25
- CIB Kirby's Return to Dream Land - $35
- Sleeved New Super Mario Bros wii - $25
- CIB Wii Play Motion - $20
- CIB Super Paper Mario - $20
- NEW Zamazenta & Zacian Switch Lite - $325
- NEW Smash Ultimate Special Edition - $250
- CIB Dragon Quest XI S Echos of an Elusive Age - $45
- Sealed Pokemon Diamond/Pearl Double Pack - $85
- Sealed Jump Force - $50
- CIB Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania Anniversary Edition - $25
- CIB Sonic Colors Ultimate Launch Edition - $30
- CIB Pokemon Shield - $40
- CIB Link's Awakening - $40
- CIB Kirby Star Allies - $35
- CIB Xenoblade Chronicles 2 - $55
- Sealed Octopath Traveler 2 - $45
- Sealed Neo World Ends with You - $40
- CIB Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu - $40
- CIB Skullgirls - $40
- CIB Disgaea 5 Complete - $40
- CIB Mario Tennis Aces - $40
- Sealed Diablo 3 - $40
- CIB Zoids - $20
- CIB Helmut - $20
- CIB Shining Resonance Refrain - $30
- CIB Stardew Valley - $35
- CIB Ghostbusters Remastered - $20
- CIB Bravely Default II - $35
- Sealed Fortnite Minty Legends - $15
- Sealed Fortnite Anime Legends - $15
- Sealed Trollhunters - $15
- Sealed Ben 10 Power Trip - $ 15
- CIB Nickelodeon All-star Brawl - $20
- CIB Big Brain Academy - $15
- CIB Team Sonic Racing - $15
- CIB Sega Genesis Classics - $23
- CIB Puyo Puyo Tetris - $15
- CIB The Sisters - Party of the Year - $15
- CIB Just Dance 2017 - $25
- Hotel Transylvania loose - $10
- Gargoyle's Quest - $40
- Pokemon Blue (bad label) - $45
- Pokemon Gold (bad label) - $45
- Wario Land 3 - $30
- WATA 9.2 A++ Factory Sealed Golden Sun - $1500
- WATA 9.4 A+ Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga - $1250
- CIB Pokemon Sapphire - $250
- CIB Doom Advance - $150
- Final Fantasy VI Advance - $100
- Mario Pinball Land - $20
- Castlevania Double Pack - $90
- Castlevania Circle of Moon - $30
- Kirby Amazing Mirror - $50
- Shaymin Pokemon Distribution Cartridge (EUR) - $900
- Darkrai Pokemon Distribution Cartridge (EUR) - $900
- Diddy Kong Racing Not for Resale - $20
- CIB Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Sky - $210
- CIB Pokemon White 2 - $220
- Sealed Assassin's Creed 2 Discovery - $35
- Sealed Shaun the Sheep - $50
- CIB Puffy Ami Yumi - $30
- CIB New Super Mario Bros - $20
- CIB Dragon Quest VIII - $115
- Sealed Gogo Kokopolo Double Pack - $120
- CIB Pokemon Ultra Sun - $45
- CIB Ultra Sun (uae box + manual) - $40
- CIB Pokemon X - $45
- CIB Pokemon Omega Ruby - $45
- CIB Pokemon Alpha Sapphire - $45
- Loose Pokemon Art Academy - $45
- Boxed Super Mystery Dungeon - $45
- CIB Monster High New Ghoul in School - $25
- CIB Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate - $22
- CIB Final Fantasy Explorers - $40
- CIB Hey! Pikmin - $40
- CIB Story of Seasons Trio of Towns - 50
- CIB Harvest Moon: The Lost Valley - $25
- CIB Harvest Moon Skytree Village - $25
- CIB Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate - $20
- CIB Monster Hunter Generations - $20
- Boxed Wings of Wor - $90
- Loose Truxton - $50
- Boxed Forgotten Worlds - $35
- Boxed Strider - $40
- Boxed Star Control - $30
- Boxed Raiden Trad - $65
- Boxed Raiden Trad (cart wouldn't read) - $45
- CIB Cool Spot - $20
- CIB X-Men - $25
- CIB Sonic Spinball - $20
- CIB 6-Pak - $25
- CIB Ms. Pac Man - $10
- loose Street Fighter 2 Special Champ Edition (destroyed manual) - $20
- Marvel vs Capcom clash of Super Heroes - $55
- Sonic Adventure - $35
- House of the dead 2 - $20
- Jet Grind Radio - $40
- Trick style - FREE IF YOU BUY 3 OTHER SEGA GAMES
- CiB Silent Hill Black label (gutted manual) - $160
- CIB Primal Rage Long Box - $60
- CIB Tekken Long Box - $60
- CIB Battle Arena Toshinden 2 Long Box - $40
- CIB Parasite EVE 2 - $110
- CIB Parappa the Rapper - $120
- CIB Mega Man Legends with damaged manual - $70
- CIB Resident Evil 3 Nemesis 2 Disc (damaged case) - $55
- CIB Alien Resurrection - $45
- CIB Metal Gear Solid - $50
- Boxed Metal Gear Solid - $40
- CIB Final Doom - $40
- CIB Ace Combat 2 - $35
- CIB Road Rash - $25
- CIB Chronicles of the Sword - $20
- CIB Krazy Ivan LONGBOX (damaged manual) - $18
- CIB NHL Face Off LONG BOX - $10
- CIB Arcade's Greatest Hits LONG BOX - $15
- CIB Shadow Hearts + CIB Shadow Hearts Covenant - $200
- CIB Predator Concrete Jungle - $70
- CIB Neo Contra (x2) - $25
- Boxed Bouncer - $20
- CIB God of War 2 - $20
- CIB The Guy Game - $100
- CIB Final Fantasy X - $10
- CIB Auto Modellista - $30
- CIB Disaster Report - $60
- CIB Raw Danger! - $35
- CIB Siren - $50
- Factory Sealed WATA 9.6 A+ Liar Princess and the Blind Princes - $100
- Factory Sealed Star Wars Bounty Hunter Premium Edition - $120
- Factory Sealed Kingdom Hearts 3 Deluxe Edition - $55
- Last Guardian - $23
- Heavy Rain & Beyond Two Souls Collection - $22
- Middle Earth Shadow of War Gold Edition (with steelbook) - $20
- Root Letter Last Answer with art book - $20
- Knack 2 - $18
- Shenmue 1 & 2 - $17
- World of Final Fantasy - $15
- Sealed Minecraft Dungeons Hero Edition - $22
- Atari Flashback Cassics Vol 1 - $15
- Far Cry 5 - $10
- Skyrim VR - $12
- Payday 2 The Big Score - $12
- Nioh 2 - $8
- Assassin's Creed origins - $8
- Trails in the Sky - $110
- Tactics Ogre: Let us Cling together - $35
- Ghost Rider - $17
- Star Wars battlefront Elite Squadron - $16
- NCAA Basketball 10 - $110
- College Hoops 2k8 - $110
- College Hoops 2K7 - $25
- NCaa Basketball 09 - $35
2023.06.08 12:19 TheGeekyZoologist Jurassic World: The Hegemony of Biosyn (JWD rewrite) - Act IV (2/2)
Here's the second part of Act IV. Sorry for the double post but I had no choice due to the website's limitations.
Frightened by the new attack, Biosyn's board of directors leave the auditorium and, guided by their escort, they head for the panic room. Meanwhile, the employees finally manage to rush out of the burning cafetaria and while some surrender to the Italians and the Austrians, others rush to the metro station or the garages in order to flee to the Biosyn village, and a fraction try to make a run for the panic room but their way is blocked by a group of guards.
On their way to the panic room, the board of directors is partly caught in a stampeding crowd. Zoe Murdoch is pushed on the ground, trampled and left behind while Nathan Quinn abandons his fellow board members.
The wage of treachery
While she also started heading to the garages, knowing that Dodgson must be there, Bigelow is attacked by Massoud. They fight but despite her skills, Massoud is a stronger opponent and he overpower Bigelow. But just as he is strangling her, the grey guard is tased by Kayla and falls unconscious. The smuggler helps the CIA agent get up and they hurry to the garages.
The raiders
Meanwhile, the mysterious soldiers have reached the laboratories, killing everyone in their path, be they Biosyn guards and mercenaries, scientists who tried to save their work, or besiegers (including Luis Olivares).
They cross the different labs. In Dr Lesser's, Wu hides from them as he is still locked up. The raiders ends up reaching their objective: The locusts' lab. When they see the nine empty rooms, the raiders seem worried and frustrated, implying they came to do something with the locusts. They then has the remaining group gassed and we see the locusts taking flight and then starting to drop dead on the floor. While some of the raiders then raid and destroy the rest of the Locusts' lab, other squad members then free the animals contained in the cages of another lab.
In the lower levels
While crawling and climbing in the vents towards the top of the Citadel, Claire sees Owen running past her as he rushes to the kennels. But the alarms' blare prevent The Raptor Whisperer from hearing his fiancée.
In the lower levels, Mia Everett is trying to capture Victoria, intending to save her from the chaos and Biosyn's clutches, but the young Achillobator attack her, biting and clawing at her throat. Grievously injured, the scientist fall and Victoria lets her bleeds to death. When Owen finds Mia, she just has the time of uttering a few words before passing away. The Raptor Whisperer sees a number of animals running in the hallways, including Victoria. But just as he plans to catch her, Biosyn employees are being chased by some of the most dangerous escapees (like the dilophosaurs). Some of those animals prevent The Raptor Whisperer from going after Victoria and he is forced to hide in the first room he can find.
Tu quoque mi fili
On their way to the garages, Ramsay and Dodgson have an argument, during which the first say he no longer want to follow the second due to his recent fits of madness (filling Maisie's head with lies; the locusts' threats; literally declaring war with the Italians and the Austrians; behaving like a dictator...), even though he believed in his vision when he was recruited years ago (Ramsay genuinely believed that Biosyn's breakthroughs could improve the world etc...). When Ramsay admits having helped Wu with discovering the truth about Charlotte's videos and breaking Maisie out of the Citadel, Dodgson seems genuinely hurt by the betrayal of his son-like figure. One too many, after those of Wu, Drummond, and Pellegrino. Their argument worsens, up until they come to blows. At one point Dodgson pulls out a pistol and shoots Ramsay in the belly by accident. While the younger man bleeds out, the CEO is dazed and runs away while predators' growls can be heard nearby.
Near the garages' entrance, Dodgson is found by Bigelow and Kayla. The CIA agent asks about Ramsay and he answers that he didn't make it due to an attack on the way. The three take the last available vehicle and exits the Citadel, driving into the valley. Their objective is the same mountain path towards which Maisie and Drummond are heading.
Duel
On the way to the courtyard, one of the mysterious soldiers has a sword fight with a grey guard (Cesare oand Papadopoulos). During it, his opponent tear a part of his sleeve, revealing a tattoo which depicts a snake hieroglyph (actually a symbol of the god Apep). The soldier manage to climb aboard their helicopter, which take off and leave the valley with one of the attack helicopters. Confused, the grey guard wonder who those attackers were.
The dam busters
Meanwhile, the other has moved to the other end of the valley, where it's in the middle of a fight with one of the Special Forces' helicopters, just by the dam. During their battle, the dilapidated dam is destroyed and its unleashed frozen waters follow the valley's main river, flooding everything in their path, including the battlefield on the road and the area just in front of the Citadel. A number of animals, Carabinieri and Biosyn employees aboard a fleeing vehicle are carried away and many of them drown while Dodgson's vehicle is almost caught by the waters.
The flood reaches the south-eastern limits of Biosyn's lands, where it's momentarily stopped by the wall found there and which separates the Sanctuary from the nearest village. But under so much pressure, the wall breaks down and the flood continues, destroying parts of a riverside village after that, catching some of the inhabitants.
With its main power source gone, the electricity goes off within Biosyn's lands and the surrounding areas, deactivating the invisible fences and stopping the metro full of passengers in the middle of the tunnels.
Road accident
While in the part of the valley spared by the flood, Dodgson's vehicle nearly collide with a loose black billy goat (the same which ran away in the prologue) and in its attempt to bypass it, it tumble down a slope (with Bigelow being ejected in the bushes in the process) and ends up on its roof (like the vehicle carrying the original trio and Maisie in Trevorrow's version).
Aftermath
The attackers gone and most of Biosyn troops neutralized or routing, Vuillier, Dougal, Nyamu, Viscontini, and the surviving grey guards, the officers of the Carabinieri and the Special Forces, along with Pellegrino and Nathan Quinn starts organizing the evacuation of the remaining Biosyn employees and taking the wounded (as the grey guards' medic, Papadopoulos will tend to them) to a provisional secure location within the Citadel (the auditorium could be such a place). In the control room, all the technicians but a few were killed or badly injured by the helicopter's attack while the grey guard's team dispatched there is in a hardly better state as Isabella Perez was also injured. Al-Damiri orders their comrade to take her out of the tower, and give similar orders to the uninjured technicians, asking only one to stay just in case. The Egyptian grey guard and the remaining technician then assess the damage.
As power need to be put back on for various purposes (allowing the three grey guards continue their search in the archives; deactivating the valley "aerial defense" to let helicopters come in the Citadel and evacuate people; reactivating the metro; reactivating the invisible fences to prevent the animals from leaving the valley...), people are sent activating the emergency generators.
They want to send men after Dodgson's but while the valley's known exits are watched, they fear he knows a secret one.
Dodgson's demise
When Bigelow awakes amidst the bushes, she notices that the vehicle is surrounded by a group of Nasutoceratops (or some other buffalo-sized herbivores). Inside the crashed vehicle, Dodgson and Kayla regain consciousness and know they have to wait for the herbivores to leave before exiting the vehicle. Suddenly, the herbivores get agitated and leave. They caught the scent of a predator and the latter shows itself: It's the InGen-bred Acrocanthosaurus.
Ensue a scene where Dodgson, just like his novel version with Sarah Harding, tries to save his own skin by pushing Kayla from the vehicle so the Acro can eat her instead of him, deeming her expendable, but the opposite happens. When the CEO is shaken between the jaws, his precious hard-drive falls on the ground and Bigelow sees this and tries to reach it before it's crushed by the animal. Kayla tries to hold the CIA agent back, saying she'll get herself killed and that the hard-drive isn't worth it. Bigelow rushes towards her objective anyway. When it takes a still screaming Dodgson in the woods, the acro steps on the hard-drive, destroying it.
The black billy goat responsible for the road accident watches Dodgson being devoured by the dinosaur.
Meanwhile, a depressed Bigelow is looking at the destroyed hard-drive and Kayla is forced to shake her so they can move away and head for the mountains in order to leave the valley.
Drummond's confession
Walking above the surface and not in the tunnels in order to not reiterate the traumatizing experience with the pectinodons even if it's equally dangerous due to the other valley's predators, Drummond and Maisie are heading eastward, following the peripheral rim of mountains.
During their trek, Drummond tells Maisie about the Hunting activity in the Sanctuary and how its profits financed his research at Biosyn, explaining part of his self-loathing. He admits he's glad that Claire put an end to it, even if he wished less blood was spilled.
To add some light amidst those dark hours, the teenager and the palaeontologist have a peaceful encounter with some dinosaurs (probably herbivores).
While watching them, Drummond tells Maisie about his late wife's wish of having children, implying to the teenager that she has a roof under which to sleep if she doesn't want to return to Orick and leave the Lockwood name behind her in order to finally have a normal life.
At the opposite end of the valley, they see fire and smoke rising from the Citadel and wonder what happened there.
Zobie la Mouche/Whac-a-Mole
Another danger is spotted near the Citadel. Coming from the now-flooded area at the base of the building, comes Brontes, one of the Argentinosaurus.
After the battle and the flood, he just seeks a place to have some rest and thinks the Citadel's courtyard would be a decent choice. The characters in the atrium hide as he crosses the now destroyed hall. It's seen during that scene that the sauropod has many scars on his skull, implying some human abuse (probably for medical experiments). The sauropod's suite of small carnivores take off from it and land in the atrium, investigating the hall as they caught the scent of dead or wounded humans.
On his way, Brontes sees something moving on the ground. It's Murdoch, who's trying to crawl away despite the injuries she got after being trampled by a crowd. Brontes looks at her with curiosity and then crushes her under his foot. Murdoch now squashed, Brontes loses interest in her and enters the courtyard while some members of his suite eat the remains of Biosyn's vice-president. The Argentinosaurus stands in the middle of the courtyard, just in front of the tower's entrance, and starts to sleep while standing (a bit like elephants). A part of his suite is on the lookout, hearing noise all around within the Citadel.
Distracting Brontes
Our protagonists are bothered as Brontes and his suite are preventing them from going after Dodgson by the shortest way and reaching the archives' entrance. They can either make a long detour through a series of hallways or confront the dinosaur. As time is running against them, they take the second option and while some of the grey guards (Cesare, Massoud, Kapakas) are attracting Brontes and his suite towards a ruined part of the Citadel (and from the control room, Al Damiri help them by shooting on the beast), Vuillier and Nyamu run to the tower and reach it in time. At the archives' entrance, they join Chapuy and his two comrades.
Burning the Hydra's heads
In the dark hallways, Claire stumbles upon Betty Chapman (or whatever her real name is), who's pushing a cart with hydrogen cyanide canisters. At that moment, the audience also notices for the first time that Chapman has the same snake hieroglyph tattoo on her arm as the soldier who had a sword fight with the grey guard.
Claire first intends to stop the guard and bring her to the invading force so she can be put with the other Biosyn employees, but Chapman tells her that they should be allies as she's also an enemy of Biosyn. Claire demands precisions and while pushing the cart, the guard reveal that she infiltrated the company and was the one who sabotaged the Sanctuary in the last few months, by temporarily deactivating the invisible fence and allowing one of the Quetzalcoatlus to escape in order to accelerate the destroying of Biosyn's reputation, and sending intel to the raiders, whose objective were to destroy the locusts before their shipping abroad. When Claire asks who she and the raider are, Chapman only gives an enigmatic answer (something like "Chaos in the service of a greater good"). When she tells Claire that Wu made those locusts, the former director of Jurassic World thinks about finding the geneticist and follow through with her threats from three years earlier.
On the way, Claire has to scare off some escaped predator which wanted to attack them. Chapman tells her she's heading to the panic room, where the board of directors so foolishly trapped itself. The felon guard explain Claire they can't take the risk of having the board members leaving the panic room and escaping the valley and that she could help her giving a deadly blow from which Biosyn will never recover while they still can. Claire agrees to help her and looking at the canisters, she remembers what Doctor Karim Depéret, one of InGen's geneticists, told her during the Lockwood Estate incident, that Hydrogen Cyanide is a poison.
The emergency generators
As having a full suspenseful scene dedicated to restoring power like in Trevorrow's version would be too much of a retread of JP's bunker scene, the scene where power is restored is either much shorter or happening off-screen.
However, the emergency generators alone are not enough to provide power for all the needed tasks (the invisible fences and the aerial defense system are quite energy-intensive) and another black-out occurs. Power is once again put back on but our protagonists are forced to make choices. In order to keep the invisible fences on and the archives' power running, they are forced to keep the "aerial defense" system on and stop the evacuation's helicopters from going and coming between the Citadel and the camp outside the valley in order to not trigger pterosaurs' attack.
Dracul
Reaching the part of the Citadel where the panic room is located, Claire and Chapman bring the cart to a maintenance tunnel, prepare the canisters and neutralize the guards in front of the panic room, using darkness to their advantage. They block the door, preventing the board members from escaping. They return to the maintenance tunnel and Chapman lets Claire introduce hydrogen cyanide in the panic room's aeration, poisoning the board members. Finally, the Chapman gives Claire a box of matches. She takes it, lights a match, throws it in the right vent and while the gas catches fire, the two women run away. The panic room is destroyed in a violent explosion which finishes the board members off. It's heard and felt within most of the Citadel.
A wounded Biosyn guard sees Claire fleeing the panic room's area and notices the blood on her clothes. When he discovers what's left of the panic room and the board members (charred corpses at best), he utters with dread the following word: Dracul (Dragon in Romanian. The guard, a minor character, is established to be a Romanian immigrant in an earlier scene depicting the daily life of the facility's employees).
Claire tries to find Chapman after that but the other woman disappeared like a ghost and is not seen for the rest of the Dolomites Incident.
In the Archives
Vuillier, Nyamu and the three grey guards with them are still searching the archives for every incriminating document.
Reuniting
After discovering that Victoria and other animals escaped the citadel through a door and are now in the valley, Owen heads for the control room, aware that it must have some sort of tracking system. On the way, he reunites with Claire and soon, they are found by Dougal. As the Argentinosaurus is still posing a threat in the central courtyard, they pass under it in order to access the tower. They climb to the control room, meet Al-Damiri and the last technician there, get access to the tracking system and Victoria's current coordinates. They find a tracking tablet and Claire volunteers to stay in the control room and be their eyes.
While Owen and Dougal grab some capture equipment in a room near the kennels, Claire searches through the CCTV footage and finds Wu in Maisie's cell, within Dr Lesser's lab. She heads for the laboratories, telling the others she found the geneticist.
Following Victoria's signal thanks to their tracking tablet, Owen and Dougal leave the Citadel and head for the nearby forest, crossing the flooded area between the two.
Wu-ing for redemption
Claire reaches Dr Lesser's lab and opens its cell. Wu steps out but his old enemy brutally grabs him and interrogates him about the locusts. As he once again fucked up, she's about to strike him when pity hold her hand back. Wu tells her that they can still cancel Dodgson's apocalypse, by passing as the CEO himself and giving Biosyn's abroad agents the order to destroy the locusts, and just begs her to offer his help. After a moment of hesitation, Claire help the geneticist stand and give him his cane, the one Lockwood offered to him at the end of TRQ. Together, they then head immediately to the central tower and once in Dodgson's office, Wu turns the CEO's computer on but discovers it's empty. Claire's aggressiveness starts to return when Wu remembers that Dodgson kept some of his most precious information on paper and not necessarily on his computer as he feared being hacked. They start searching the office and the adjacent bedroom. Wu notices a framed picture of Dodgson as a child with his mother at some science fair (in an earlier scene, before he sent the containers, Dodgson could be seen closing the frame while Wu just stepped in his office). Wu opens the back of the frame and discover that Dodgson hid small pieces of papers between the picture and the frame itself. When he sees one paper with Hexapod Allies written on the top; a series of names, phone numbers and email addresses below; and a series of secret codes for the different orders on the back; he knows they put their hands on the jackpot. Wu and Claire hack Dodgson's email account (the password is Liddell, the maiden name of Dodgson's mother) and write the message to the agents involved in the Hexapod Allies operation, including the secret code for the Destroy order, but when they want to send it, the computer notify them that they can't due to internet connection issues. Wu realizes it's because the antenna on top of the control room might have moved following the helicopter's attack. Someone has to climb on the roof to properly realign it and since Wu can't because of his lame leg, the task goes to Claire.
Tracking Victoria
In the woods, Owen and Dougal hear Victoria's calls for help. The young Achillobator still thinks her mother might show up.
They find her and try to capture her but fails. They wander deeper in the woods.
Realigning the antenna
Claire climbs on the control room's roof and communicates with Wu through the radio, she ends up finding the right antenna.
However, just as she begin fixing it, the Argentinosaurus' suite start harassing her as the sauropod is just below. From the auditorium's entrance, Viscontini notices that. Learning through Wu what Claire is doing, Viscontini orders the grey guards to attack the Argentinosaurus so his suite will turn away from Claire to instead defend him. Wu also urges the AISI head to send men after Theo, Maisie and Drummond, as they're carrying very important data about the locusts, enough to destroy Biosyn.
Defying a Titan
Round two between the grey guards and Brontes start, and most of Claire's harassers go help him. This time, the sauropod actively chases his human attackers across parts of the Citadel, destroying walls and roofs with his sheer weight, letting out deafening bellows, passing his neck and head into breaches to try get access to the characters while his suite can reach them where he can't. Massoud ends up grabbed by the herbivore mouth and then thrown against the tower or any other surface, killing him instantly. An additional idea could be the titanosaur provoking small "earthquakes" when he strikes the ground with his forefeet, destabilizing Claire on top of the tower (she even almost falls).
Depending on the pace, there could be at the same time a suspenseful scene in the archives involving some creatures from the labs or the kennels. If the archives are low enough, maybe they'll get inundated because of the flood and the threat could be a semi-aquatic creature contained in the Citadel or brought by the flood (like the temnospondyl; while Nothosaurus, which had a small appearance in my JW rewrite, could be an alternative choice, with individuals housed in the kennels).
Prometheus' fate
After giving a few kicks while repelling her last harassers, Claire manages to properly realign the antenna and Wu successfully transmit the Destroy order to the Hexapod Allies agents. We cut to them as they destroy the locusts in their containers. When he receives their confirmation, the geneticist is relieved. But just as Claire is about to return to Dodgson's office, she sees a *Variraptor (*if it's chosen as Brontes' suite. If not, it will be some relatively large feathered coelurosaurian from the labs in order to make the parallels with Prometheus work) getting to its entrance first. Wu just has the time to barricade himself in the bedroom adjacent to the office but he knows the door won't hold long. Something (Brontes passing his head through a window and trying to attack her?) prevents her from reaching the office. She tells Wu to hold while she tries to save him but he asks her to instead save herself, wishing her a long and happy life. He bids her farewell and wait for his death while Claire escapes the tower. The raptor ends up breaking through the door and it pounce on Wu. While the predator starts devouring him, his cane falls on the ground and its amber pommel shatters.
Owen's decision
Just as the Owen and Dougal are about to start a new attempt in capturing Victoria, a pack of Achillobators (the same one which allied with Claire in the previous night) shows up and our duo hide while the raptors spot Victoria. At first, Owen fears they'll hurt or even kill her. He thinks about intervening, even if he might risk his own life, but after sniffing the young and scared Achillobator, the pack leader gently guides her towards her pack. Owen and Dougal watch the raptors disappear in the darkness. Dougal ask Owen if he'll do something but the Raptor Whisperer says nothing, willing to let Victoria live with a pack and without unnecessary human interference in her life. They head back to the Citadel.
The tower and the tyrannosaur
Kayla and Bigelow arrive by one of the observation towers, the one closest from the mountain path they're heading to. Nearby, the Special Forces' helicopter shot down by that of the raiders and the surrounding vegetation still burns. Just as they are about to climb to its observation bay in order to raid the tower for anything useful before starting the mountains' ascent, they are surrounded by a pack of small carnivores (just like Claire with the dilophosaurs in Trevorrow's version). Before they attack, a horn blast is heard. It's Drummond and after the palaeontologist insists with his portable horn (similar to the one Nigel Marven use against the velociraptors in The Giant Claw), the small carnivores scatter. He asks the two women if they're friends or foes, if they count among Dodgson's friends. Kayla answers that since Dodgson tried to sacrifice her to an Acrocanthosaurus, the answer is no for her, before adding that it ate Dodgson instead. Drummond is glad to hear that and he tells Maisie she can come. The teenager, hidden until there amidst the vegetation, joins them. Having heard Dodgson complaining about Maisie's escape, Bigelow is aware she must be very important but still wary, Drummond whisper to Maisie to not say a single word about the flash drive she's carrying. The two duos talk about their objectives and discover that they're the same. For better chances of survival, they decide to head together for the mountain's path.
But a tyrannosaur, the same one which Claire released earlier, makes its appearance while they're walking away from the tower. It saw them and they know that they better seek refuge in the tower than attempt to run from the predator. At first, they try to stay still, in order to not trigger its attack, but when he notices that the predator wouldn't mind eat one or two of them, Drummond tells Maisie and the two women to run. While they rush to the tower, he distracts the rex by agitating a burning branch. Afraid of the fire, the rex seek to avoid the branch and see the three other humans climbing the tower's ladder. The predator bypass Drummond and in its dash towards the tower, it sends the palaeontologist flying away with its tail. As such thing would have easily killed someone, Maisie fears the worst for him and when his motionless body falls into a ravine, the audience think it's over for him. Maisie panics while the rex has its jaws locked around the ladder's protective cage. What follows is pretty much similar to the Giganotosaurus' attack on the tower scene from Trevorrow's version, except that the final outcome will be quite different. As the observation towers' power has been turned off from the control room in order to save power for more urgent systems, our three protagonists can't have the observation bay rise to the top of the tower, where they would be safe from the rex. To make matters worse, another threat arrive.
I haven't decided which yet but the idea I'm having now is a group of pterosaurs, probably pteranodons, which targets our trio and chase the rex away from the tower by pecking at his head. Another manages to grab Maisie and take her out of the tower. However, the pterosaur let her go before it can be above the canopy due to some incident (another harassing it probably) and Maisie falls into dense bushes at a certain distance from the tower, out of the two women's sight. In the meantime, a mist has started descending from the mountains. Bigelow and Kayla exit the tower and begin searching for Maisie in the area, fearing she got herself hurt in the fall. To cover a maximum of ground before the mist reaches them, they decide to split up.
The end of a line
We see Maisie managing to stand up and while she got bruises**,** she seems relatively fine and still in walking condition. Now lost and alone in the middle of the woods, she's very scared though and starts screaming to help. In the silent forest, Kayla hears her voice and follows it. Just as the mist is about to reach Maisie, the smuggler sees the teenager in the distance and calls for her. But when she hears heavy footsteps and a rumble coming from just behind Maisie, in the mist, her heart stops and she's aghast when she sees the tyrannosaur's silhouette closing to the girl's. Before Maisie can flee, the predator open its maws, grabs her and swallow her whole before disappearing in the forest's shadows (the scene is meant to be a mirror of one from my JW rewrite, where the death of a little girl during the pterosaurs' attack on the main hub is concealed by smoke while Claire watch helplessly). Thus ends Lockwood's line, indirectly destroyed by Claire Dearing.
Bigelow arrives in her turn and sees the smuggler kneeled on the ground, speechless, too shocked by the scene she just saw. Understanding what happened, the CIA agent has an "Oh. Shit..." face and tells Kayla they have to leave the valley while they still can, as she doesn't know what the Italians will do with it once it's taken, even fearing that it might be firebombed in order to destroy the perpetrators of the various incidents of the past months.
While the two women head for the mountain's path and the mist passes away, Drummond is seen climbing out of the ravine and starts to call for Maisie, in vain. Seeing the destroyed observation bay empty, he looks around for clues about Maisie's or the women's whereabouts. He ends up stumbling on the rex's tracks and follows them up to the spot where the teenager last stood. There he finds Wu's flash drive and seeing some blood stains around, he realizes she is no more. This deeply saddens him and this loss and failure just add another load on his self-loathing, as he would have gladly died between the jaws of the king of the dinosaurs if it could have saved Maisie's life. Instead of trying to follow Kayla and Bigelow, he goes in the opposite direction, towards the valley itself.
Leaving the Sanctuary
While looking to reach the auditorium, Claire is forced to hide in one of the labs from dilophosaurs roaming in the area.
In the archives, Vuillier and Nyamu finally put their hands on the documents they were looking for and take them. They and the grey guards' archives team then leave the room and head to the auditorium, in order to reunite with Viscontini and co. On the way, they have to pass between the legs of Brontes while he's distracted by the grey guards. When they reach the auditorium, Viscontini tells them that helicopters are waiting for them. One of the aircrafts is on its way to pick up the Owen and Dougal.
Escorted by the Carabinieri and the Special Forces, the surviving Biosyn employees are evacuated from the Citadel and when the grey guards retreat from their confrontation against Brontes, Vuillier asks them if they've seen Claire coming back but they answer that no. He contacts her and she tells him that she's being delayed.
We see her evading the dilophosaurs which were about to discover her and leaving the labs. Now, start for her an Uncharted-esque race through the Citadel where she has to cross various obstacles and avoid/outrun the loose creatures within it (including the dilophosaurs mentioned above). Still pissed, Brontes targets her and chases her up to her extraction point. Before the Argentinosaurus can close his mouth on her, she jumps into one of the helicopters where Owen and Dougal are waiting for her. The two men help her get inside and their helicopter fly away from the Citadel while the sauropod lets out a mighty bellow.
The protagonists leave the valley and the helicopters which drop them off at Biosyn employees' village, which has been taken over by the Italians and the Austrians in the meantime.
A bitter dawn
While the first sun rays reach the valley, Drummond stumble upon the monstrous Acrocanthosaurus Quasimodo in the area devastated by the flood, in sight of the now destroyed south-eastern wall. Surprised by the waters near the road battlefield, the predator was carried on a certain distance before ending up blocked by rocks and then impaled by a tree. When the palaeontologist finds him, he's dead. Disgusted by the animal, Drummond first tries to ignore him and continue towards the wall, intending to reach the village beyond it, but he turns back and carefully approach him. Tired from his night-long trek, Drummond sit on a rock just next to Quasimodo's head and still quite shaken by Maisie's death and the disaster, Drummond start to ramble about various topics (about the evolution of palaeontology since the San Diego incident, his wife, working at Biosyn, Theo's and Maisie's death...) before breaking down in tears and he can't hold himself from calling Quasimodo a Manmade abomination which deserved to be destroyed by Nature. While looking towards the destroyed wall, the palaeontologist start to regret those harsh words and pulls out a flask of whisky from his bag. After drinking a sip, he puts it back in the bag and just sit silently by the dead animal for a few minutes, up until some Quetzalcoatlus land nearby. The gigantic pterosaurs walk up to the dead Acrocanthosaurus and ignoring Drummond as a way bigger meal is just in front of them, they start feasting. While they do so, Drummond follows the flood's desolation towards the Citadel and he is soon spotted by the men tasked with finding him.
Of rivalries and world-saving
In the morning, Claire steps out of the accommodation assigned to her and Owen within Biosyn's Village. She sees Drummond giving Wu's flash drive to Vuillier before taking his leave. After joining her boss, Claire ponders about her relationship with Wu, on how both destroyed Jurassic World five years ago and how they pretty much saved the world that night. She and Vuillier have a respectful moment of silence for their deceased enemy.
In the abandoned citadel, it's revealed that one of the locusts survived. It's seen crawling on the ground, towards one of the vents. But just before it could reach it, a Mononykus (freed from one of the cages during the raid) swoops on it and devours it.
League of Dragons
As she is crossing the village, Claire passes by one of the remaining Biosyn guards. It's actually the Romanian one, the one who saw her by the panic room. Frightened as hell, he moves away from her while yelling "Dracul! Dracul!", still traumatized by the past night's events. Claire briefly wonders why he is yelling and running away before she gets surrounded by other Biosyn guards and Lucrezia Pellegrino. The Citadel's head of security explains that he called her a dragon because of what he saw and some of the guards start throwing insults at Claire, calling her a monster and a butcher, and she realize that they and their superior want to avenge those she killed. Pellegrino adds that by sending dinosaurs on people who oppose her, Claire is no better than Dodgson on that matter.
Nearby, Owen sees his fiancée surrounded and when one of the Biosyn guards throws a stone at Claire, he gets furious, tackles him on the ground and starts to beat him up. As another guard pulls out a knife (which he hid when they had to give their weapons to the authorities) and is about to stab Owen, the surviving grey guards suddenly intervene, getting the couple out of the Biosyn ambush and then confronting the attackers, standing by Claire's and Owen's side. The grey guards retort to their opponents that their comrades could have denounced the Sanctuary's illegal activities, surrendered, deserted or arrested Dodgson while they could but did nothing, before adding that without Claire, they would have all eaten nothing but locusts in a near future. The Biosyn guards feel insulted however and as an ugly fight is about to break out between both groups, the Carabinieri are forced to intervene and assign them to opposite parts of the village.
The press, who just entered the Biosyn's lands, has witnessed the confrontation and so did Vuillier and Nyamu. The latter tells the Frenchman that since Claire pretty much saved the world, Odegaard could give her a well-deserved break, literally and figuratively.
Debate
In the village's equivalent of a community centre, a meeting about the incident's consequences and what to do with the Sanctuary and its animals is held. Among the attendees, are:
- The WDMC and the people directly affiliated to it: Claire, Owen, Dougal, Vuillier, and Nyamu.
- Representatives of the Italian government: Viscontini, Giovanni Pazzi, and a few local politicians.
- The surviving Biosyn executives and top researchers: Drummond, Pellegrino, Quinn.
During the meeting, we learn that:
- Dodgson was found, or at least five or six pieces of him.
- Some of the Sanctuary's denizens managed to flee the valley and are now somewhere in the Italian countryside. Among the escapees are Victoria and her new pack of Achillobators.
- Exterminators led by the surviving grey guards are about to be sent in the amber mines to slaughter the pectinodons down to the last individual and the species will be soon classified as a pest in Italy, Austria and probably other countries.
Several solutions for the valley, its denizens and the Citadel are discussed:
- Cull the animals, cleanse the valley of Biosyn's traces, and give it back to the inhabitants expropriated by the corporation when it decided to have the entire valley and some of the surrounding lands for itself and no one else.
- Abandoning the valley, let the animals fend for themselves and hope that "life will find a way", even if it poses huge risks for the local populations and ecosystems.
- Dispatch the surviving animals to zoos and other entities which can legally house dangerous captive animals. Proceeding like this will allow de-extinct creatures to no longer be in the ownership of a single entity like Biosyn or InGen.
- Round up the loose animals, cleanse the battle's and the flood's damages, and turn the place into a real Sanctuary for de-extinct animals. Not a "Kruger with dinosaurs" like the Five Deaths but more like a non-profit place with enclosures (akin to many sanctuaries for wild animals across the globe). It will be a public-private joint-venture, with the sanctuary co-managed by the UN's WDMC and the Italian government while private partners will help finance it (Nathan Quinn propose to be one of those but Vuillier, Dougal and a few others distrust him and prefer to not have some of Dodgson's former collaborators on the project). And in order to ensure good relations with the local communities, jobs will be offered to the area's inhabitants and some lands given back to them. Shall this solution be adopted, Vuillier proposes to have Claire Dearing as its manager, Owen Grady its head warden, Rod Drummond its chief researcher, and Laurenzo Cesare as head of security, if they accept. Pellegrino storms off at this moment, disgusted that they're about to leave her without a job and rewarding Claire, an unrepentant psychopath in her eyes. In a moment of consultation amidst the meeting, Claire tells Vuillier she'll probably refuse becoming the sanctuary's manager if this solution is adopted, telling him that she has the feeling that her future lies elsewhere and that she'll continue work as a field agent if he don't mind. Vuillier, who clearly saw how Claire evolved since she started playing spies back in 2019 and decided to close his eyes on her exactions, suggest her to settle for a quieter less-violent life and declares that managing the Sanctuary could be the ultimate redemption for her. Still shaken by the amount of violence she had to commit in order to stop Biosyn and desiring to spend more time with her son, she ends up being persuaded and accept the idea.
The different solutions are being debated for weeks if not months within the Italian government and the UN.
End of Act IV.
See you tomorrow for the final Act and the Epilogue.
submitted by TheGeekyZoologist to JurassicPark [link] [comments]
Act IV: The Clouds Burst (2/2)
To the Panic roomFrightened by the new attack, Biosyn's board of directors leave the auditorium and, guided by their escort, they head for the panic room. Meanwhile, the employees finally manage to rush out of the burning cafetaria and while some surrender to the Italians and the Austrians, others rush to the metro station or the garages in order to flee to the Biosyn village, and a fraction try to make a run for the panic room but their way is blocked by a group of guards.
On their way to the panic room, the board of directors is partly caught in a stampeding crowd. Zoe Murdoch is pushed on the ground, trampled and left behind while Nathan Quinn abandons his fellow board members.
The wage of treachery
While she also started heading to the garages, knowing that Dodgson must be there, Bigelow is attacked by Massoud. They fight but despite her skills, Massoud is a stronger opponent and he overpower Bigelow. But just as he is strangling her, the grey guard is tased by Kayla and falls unconscious. The smuggler helps the CIA agent get up and they hurry to the garages.
The raiders
Meanwhile, the mysterious soldiers have reached the laboratories, killing everyone in their path, be they Biosyn guards and mercenaries, scientists who tried to save their work, or besiegers (including Luis Olivares).
They cross the different labs. In Dr Lesser's, Wu hides from them as he is still locked up. The raiders ends up reaching their objective: The locusts' lab. When they see the nine empty rooms, the raiders seem worried and frustrated, implying they came to do something with the locusts. They then has the remaining group gassed and we see the locusts taking flight and then starting to drop dead on the floor. While some of the raiders then raid and destroy the rest of the Locusts' lab, other squad members then free the animals contained in the cages of another lab.
In the lower levels
While crawling and climbing in the vents towards the top of the Citadel, Claire sees Owen running past her as he rushes to the kennels. But the alarms' blare prevent The Raptor Whisperer from hearing his fiancée.
In the lower levels, Mia Everett is trying to capture Victoria, intending to save her from the chaos and Biosyn's clutches, but the young Achillobator attack her, biting and clawing at her throat. Grievously injured, the scientist fall and Victoria lets her bleeds to death. When Owen finds Mia, she just has the time of uttering a few words before passing away. The Raptor Whisperer sees a number of animals running in the hallways, including Victoria. But just as he plans to catch her, Biosyn employees are being chased by some of the most dangerous escapees (like the dilophosaurs). Some of those animals prevent The Raptor Whisperer from going after Victoria and he is forced to hide in the first room he can find.
Tu quoque mi fili
On their way to the garages, Ramsay and Dodgson have an argument, during which the first say he no longer want to follow the second due to his recent fits of madness (filling Maisie's head with lies; the locusts' threats; literally declaring war with the Italians and the Austrians; behaving like a dictator...), even though he believed in his vision when he was recruited years ago (Ramsay genuinely believed that Biosyn's breakthroughs could improve the world etc...). When Ramsay admits having helped Wu with discovering the truth about Charlotte's videos and breaking Maisie out of the Citadel, Dodgson seems genuinely hurt by the betrayal of his son-like figure. One too many, after those of Wu, Drummond, and Pellegrino. Their argument worsens, up until they come to blows. At one point Dodgson pulls out a pistol and shoots Ramsay in the belly by accident. While the younger man bleeds out, the CEO is dazed and runs away while predators' growls can be heard nearby.
Near the garages' entrance, Dodgson is found by Bigelow and Kayla. The CIA agent asks about Ramsay and he answers that he didn't make it due to an attack on the way. The three take the last available vehicle and exits the Citadel, driving into the valley. Their objective is the same mountain path towards which Maisie and Drummond are heading.
Duel
On the way to the courtyard, one of the mysterious soldiers has a sword fight with a grey guard (Cesare oand Papadopoulos). During it, his opponent tear a part of his sleeve, revealing a tattoo which depicts a snake hieroglyph (actually a symbol of the god Apep). The soldier manage to climb aboard their helicopter, which take off and leave the valley with one of the attack helicopters. Confused, the grey guard wonder who those attackers were.
The dam busters
Meanwhile, the other has moved to the other end of the valley, where it's in the middle of a fight with one of the Special Forces' helicopters, just by the dam. During their battle, the dilapidated dam is destroyed and its unleashed frozen waters follow the valley's main river, flooding everything in their path, including the battlefield on the road and the area just in front of the Citadel. A number of animals, Carabinieri and Biosyn employees aboard a fleeing vehicle are carried away and many of them drown while Dodgson's vehicle is almost caught by the waters.
The flood reaches the south-eastern limits of Biosyn's lands, where it's momentarily stopped by the wall found there and which separates the Sanctuary from the nearest village. But under so much pressure, the wall breaks down and the flood continues, destroying parts of a riverside village after that, catching some of the inhabitants.
With its main power source gone, the electricity goes off within Biosyn's lands and the surrounding areas, deactivating the invisible fences and stopping the metro full of passengers in the middle of the tunnels.
Road accident
While in the part of the valley spared by the flood, Dodgson's vehicle nearly collide with a loose black billy goat (the same which ran away in the prologue) and in its attempt to bypass it, it tumble down a slope (with Bigelow being ejected in the bushes in the process) and ends up on its roof (like the vehicle carrying the original trio and Maisie in Trevorrow's version).
Aftermath
The attackers gone and most of Biosyn troops neutralized or routing, Vuillier, Dougal, Nyamu, Viscontini, and the surviving grey guards, the officers of the Carabinieri and the Special Forces, along with Pellegrino and Nathan Quinn starts organizing the evacuation of the remaining Biosyn employees and taking the wounded (as the grey guards' medic, Papadopoulos will tend to them) to a provisional secure location within the Citadel (the auditorium could be such a place). In the control room, all the technicians but a few were killed or badly injured by the helicopter's attack while the grey guard's team dispatched there is in a hardly better state as Isabella Perez was also injured. Al-Damiri orders their comrade to take her out of the tower, and give similar orders to the uninjured technicians, asking only one to stay just in case. The Egyptian grey guard and the remaining technician then assess the damage.
As power need to be put back on for various purposes (allowing the three grey guards continue their search in the archives; deactivating the valley "aerial defense" to let helicopters come in the Citadel and evacuate people; reactivating the metro; reactivating the invisible fences to prevent the animals from leaving the valley...), people are sent activating the emergency generators.
They want to send men after Dodgson's but while the valley's known exits are watched, they fear he knows a secret one.
Dodgson's demise
When Bigelow awakes amidst the bushes, she notices that the vehicle is surrounded by a group of Nasutoceratops (or some other buffalo-sized herbivores). Inside the crashed vehicle, Dodgson and Kayla regain consciousness and know they have to wait for the herbivores to leave before exiting the vehicle. Suddenly, the herbivores get agitated and leave. They caught the scent of a predator and the latter shows itself: It's the InGen-bred Acrocanthosaurus.
Ensue a scene where Dodgson, just like his novel version with Sarah Harding, tries to save his own skin by pushing Kayla from the vehicle so the Acro can eat her instead of him, deeming her expendable, but the opposite happens. When the CEO is shaken between the jaws, his precious hard-drive falls on the ground and Bigelow sees this and tries to reach it before it's crushed by the animal. Kayla tries to hold the CIA agent back, saying she'll get herself killed and that the hard-drive isn't worth it. Bigelow rushes towards her objective anyway. When it takes a still screaming Dodgson in the woods, the acro steps on the hard-drive, destroying it.
The black billy goat responsible for the road accident watches Dodgson being devoured by the dinosaur.
Meanwhile, a depressed Bigelow is looking at the destroyed hard-drive and Kayla is forced to shake her so they can move away and head for the mountains in order to leave the valley.
Drummond's confession
Walking above the surface and not in the tunnels in order to not reiterate the traumatizing experience with the pectinodons even if it's equally dangerous due to the other valley's predators, Drummond and Maisie are heading eastward, following the peripheral rim of mountains.
During their trek, Drummond tells Maisie about the Hunting activity in the Sanctuary and how its profits financed his research at Biosyn, explaining part of his self-loathing. He admits he's glad that Claire put an end to it, even if he wished less blood was spilled.
To add some light amidst those dark hours, the teenager and the palaeontologist have a peaceful encounter with some dinosaurs (probably herbivores).
While watching them, Drummond tells Maisie about his late wife's wish of having children, implying to the teenager that she has a roof under which to sleep if she doesn't want to return to Orick and leave the Lockwood name behind her in order to finally have a normal life.
At the opposite end of the valley, they see fire and smoke rising from the Citadel and wonder what happened there.
Zobie la Mouche/Whac-a-Mole
Another danger is spotted near the Citadel. Coming from the now-flooded area at the base of the building, comes Brontes, one of the Argentinosaurus.
After the battle and the flood, he just seeks a place to have some rest and thinks the Citadel's courtyard would be a decent choice. The characters in the atrium hide as he crosses the now destroyed hall. It's seen during that scene that the sauropod has many scars on his skull, implying some human abuse (probably for medical experiments). The sauropod's suite of small carnivores take off from it and land in the atrium, investigating the hall as they caught the scent of dead or wounded humans.
On his way, Brontes sees something moving on the ground. It's Murdoch, who's trying to crawl away despite the injuries she got after being trampled by a crowd. Brontes looks at her with curiosity and then crushes her under his foot. Murdoch now squashed, Brontes loses interest in her and enters the courtyard while some members of his suite eat the remains of Biosyn's vice-president. The Argentinosaurus stands in the middle of the courtyard, just in front of the tower's entrance, and starts to sleep while standing (a bit like elephants). A part of his suite is on the lookout, hearing noise all around within the Citadel.
Distracting Brontes
Our protagonists are bothered as Brontes and his suite are preventing them from going after Dodgson by the shortest way and reaching the archives' entrance. They can either make a long detour through a series of hallways or confront the dinosaur. As time is running against them, they take the second option and while some of the grey guards (Cesare, Massoud, Kapakas) are attracting Brontes and his suite towards a ruined part of the Citadel (and from the control room, Al Damiri help them by shooting on the beast), Vuillier and Nyamu run to the tower and reach it in time. At the archives' entrance, they join Chapuy and his two comrades.
Burning the Hydra's heads
In the dark hallways, Claire stumbles upon Betty Chapman (or whatever her real name is), who's pushing a cart with hydrogen cyanide canisters. At that moment, the audience also notices for the first time that Chapman has the same snake hieroglyph tattoo on her arm as the soldier who had a sword fight with the grey guard.
Claire first intends to stop the guard and bring her to the invading force so she can be put with the other Biosyn employees, but Chapman tells her that they should be allies as she's also an enemy of Biosyn. Claire demands precisions and while pushing the cart, the guard reveal that she infiltrated the company and was the one who sabotaged the Sanctuary in the last few months, by temporarily deactivating the invisible fence and allowing one of the Quetzalcoatlus to escape in order to accelerate the destroying of Biosyn's reputation, and sending intel to the raiders, whose objective were to destroy the locusts before their shipping abroad. When Claire asks who she and the raider are, Chapman only gives an enigmatic answer (something like "Chaos in the service of a greater good"). When she tells Claire that Wu made those locusts, the former director of Jurassic World thinks about finding the geneticist and follow through with her threats from three years earlier.
On the way, Claire has to scare off some escaped predator which wanted to attack them. Chapman tells her she's heading to the panic room, where the board of directors so foolishly trapped itself. The felon guard explain Claire they can't take the risk of having the board members leaving the panic room and escaping the valley and that she could help her giving a deadly blow from which Biosyn will never recover while they still can. Claire agrees to help her and looking at the canisters, she remembers what Doctor Karim Depéret, one of InGen's geneticists, told her during the Lockwood Estate incident, that Hydrogen Cyanide is a poison.
The emergency generators
As having a full suspenseful scene dedicated to restoring power like in Trevorrow's version would be too much of a retread of JP's bunker scene, the scene where power is restored is either much shorter or happening off-screen.
However, the emergency generators alone are not enough to provide power for all the needed tasks (the invisible fences and the aerial defense system are quite energy-intensive) and another black-out occurs. Power is once again put back on but our protagonists are forced to make choices. In order to keep the invisible fences on and the archives' power running, they are forced to keep the "aerial defense" system on and stop the evacuation's helicopters from going and coming between the Citadel and the camp outside the valley in order to not trigger pterosaurs' attack.
Dracul
Reaching the part of the Citadel where the panic room is located, Claire and Chapman bring the cart to a maintenance tunnel, prepare the canisters and neutralize the guards in front of the panic room, using darkness to their advantage. They block the door, preventing the board members from escaping. They return to the maintenance tunnel and Chapman lets Claire introduce hydrogen cyanide in the panic room's aeration, poisoning the board members. Finally, the Chapman gives Claire a box of matches. She takes it, lights a match, throws it in the right vent and while the gas catches fire, the two women run away. The panic room is destroyed in a violent explosion which finishes the board members off. It's heard and felt within most of the Citadel.
A wounded Biosyn guard sees Claire fleeing the panic room's area and notices the blood on her clothes. When he discovers what's left of the panic room and the board members (charred corpses at best), he utters with dread the following word: Dracul (Dragon in Romanian. The guard, a minor character, is established to be a Romanian immigrant in an earlier scene depicting the daily life of the facility's employees).
Claire tries to find Chapman after that but the other woman disappeared like a ghost and is not seen for the rest of the Dolomites Incident.
In the Archives
Vuillier, Nyamu and the three grey guards with them are still searching the archives for every incriminating document.
Reuniting
After discovering that Victoria and other animals escaped the citadel through a door and are now in the valley, Owen heads for the control room, aware that it must have some sort of tracking system. On the way, he reunites with Claire and soon, they are found by Dougal. As the Argentinosaurus is still posing a threat in the central courtyard, they pass under it in order to access the tower. They climb to the control room, meet Al-Damiri and the last technician there, get access to the tracking system and Victoria's current coordinates. They find a tracking tablet and Claire volunteers to stay in the control room and be their eyes.
While Owen and Dougal grab some capture equipment in a room near the kennels, Claire searches through the CCTV footage and finds Wu in Maisie's cell, within Dr Lesser's lab. She heads for the laboratories, telling the others she found the geneticist.
Following Victoria's signal thanks to their tracking tablet, Owen and Dougal leave the Citadel and head for the nearby forest, crossing the flooded area between the two.
Wu-ing for redemption
Claire reaches Dr Lesser's lab and opens its cell. Wu steps out but his old enemy brutally grabs him and interrogates him about the locusts. As he once again fucked up, she's about to strike him when pity hold her hand back. Wu tells her that they can still cancel Dodgson's apocalypse, by passing as the CEO himself and giving Biosyn's abroad agents the order to destroy the locusts, and just begs her to offer his help. After a moment of hesitation, Claire help the geneticist stand and give him his cane, the one Lockwood offered to him at the end of TRQ. Together, they then head immediately to the central tower and once in Dodgson's office, Wu turns the CEO's computer on but discovers it's empty. Claire's aggressiveness starts to return when Wu remembers that Dodgson kept some of his most precious information on paper and not necessarily on his computer as he feared being hacked. They start searching the office and the adjacent bedroom. Wu notices a framed picture of Dodgson as a child with his mother at some science fair (in an earlier scene, before he sent the containers, Dodgson could be seen closing the frame while Wu just stepped in his office). Wu opens the back of the frame and discover that Dodgson hid small pieces of papers between the picture and the frame itself. When he sees one paper with Hexapod Allies written on the top; a series of names, phone numbers and email addresses below; and a series of secret codes for the different orders on the back; he knows they put their hands on the jackpot. Wu and Claire hack Dodgson's email account (the password is Liddell, the maiden name of Dodgson's mother) and write the message to the agents involved in the Hexapod Allies operation, including the secret code for the Destroy order, but when they want to send it, the computer notify them that they can't due to internet connection issues. Wu realizes it's because the antenna on top of the control room might have moved following the helicopter's attack. Someone has to climb on the roof to properly realign it and since Wu can't because of his lame leg, the task goes to Claire.
Tracking Victoria
In the woods, Owen and Dougal hear Victoria's calls for help. The young Achillobator still thinks her mother might show up.
They find her and try to capture her but fails. They wander deeper in the woods.
Realigning the antenna
Claire climbs on the control room's roof and communicates with Wu through the radio, she ends up finding the right antenna.
However, just as she begin fixing it, the Argentinosaurus' suite start harassing her as the sauropod is just below. From the auditorium's entrance, Viscontini notices that. Learning through Wu what Claire is doing, Viscontini orders the grey guards to attack the Argentinosaurus so his suite will turn away from Claire to instead defend him. Wu also urges the AISI head to send men after Theo, Maisie and Drummond, as they're carrying very important data about the locusts, enough to destroy Biosyn.
Defying a Titan
Round two between the grey guards and Brontes start, and most of Claire's harassers go help him. This time, the sauropod actively chases his human attackers across parts of the Citadel, destroying walls and roofs with his sheer weight, letting out deafening bellows, passing his neck and head into breaches to try get access to the characters while his suite can reach them where he can't. Massoud ends up grabbed by the herbivore mouth and then thrown against the tower or any other surface, killing him instantly. An additional idea could be the titanosaur provoking small "earthquakes" when he strikes the ground with his forefeet, destabilizing Claire on top of the tower (she even almost falls).
Depending on the pace, there could be at the same time a suspenseful scene in the archives involving some creatures from the labs or the kennels. If the archives are low enough, maybe they'll get inundated because of the flood and the threat could be a semi-aquatic creature contained in the Citadel or brought by the flood (like the temnospondyl; while Nothosaurus, which had a small appearance in my JW rewrite, could be an alternative choice, with individuals housed in the kennels).
Prometheus' fate
After giving a few kicks while repelling her last harassers, Claire manages to properly realign the antenna and Wu successfully transmit the Destroy order to the Hexapod Allies agents. We cut to them as they destroy the locusts in their containers. When he receives their confirmation, the geneticist is relieved. But just as Claire is about to return to Dodgson's office, she sees a *Variraptor (*if it's chosen as Brontes' suite. If not, it will be some relatively large feathered coelurosaurian from the labs in order to make the parallels with Prometheus work) getting to its entrance first. Wu just has the time to barricade himself in the bedroom adjacent to the office but he knows the door won't hold long. Something (Brontes passing his head through a window and trying to attack her?) prevents her from reaching the office. She tells Wu to hold while she tries to save him but he asks her to instead save herself, wishing her a long and happy life. He bids her farewell and wait for his death while Claire escapes the tower. The raptor ends up breaking through the door and it pounce on Wu. While the predator starts devouring him, his cane falls on the ground and its amber pommel shatters.
Owen's decision
Just as the Owen and Dougal are about to start a new attempt in capturing Victoria, a pack of Achillobators (the same one which allied with Claire in the previous night) shows up and our duo hide while the raptors spot Victoria. At first, Owen fears they'll hurt or even kill her. He thinks about intervening, even if he might risk his own life, but after sniffing the young and scared Achillobator, the pack leader gently guides her towards her pack. Owen and Dougal watch the raptors disappear in the darkness. Dougal ask Owen if he'll do something but the Raptor Whisperer says nothing, willing to let Victoria live with a pack and without unnecessary human interference in her life. They head back to the Citadel.
The tower and the tyrannosaur
Kayla and Bigelow arrive by one of the observation towers, the one closest from the mountain path they're heading to. Nearby, the Special Forces' helicopter shot down by that of the raiders and the surrounding vegetation still burns. Just as they are about to climb to its observation bay in order to raid the tower for anything useful before starting the mountains' ascent, they are surrounded by a pack of small carnivores (just like Claire with the dilophosaurs in Trevorrow's version). Before they attack, a horn blast is heard. It's Drummond and after the palaeontologist insists with his portable horn (similar to the one Nigel Marven use against the velociraptors in The Giant Claw), the small carnivores scatter. He asks the two women if they're friends or foes, if they count among Dodgson's friends. Kayla answers that since Dodgson tried to sacrifice her to an Acrocanthosaurus, the answer is no for her, before adding that it ate Dodgson instead. Drummond is glad to hear that and he tells Maisie she can come. The teenager, hidden until there amidst the vegetation, joins them. Having heard Dodgson complaining about Maisie's escape, Bigelow is aware she must be very important but still wary, Drummond whisper to Maisie to not say a single word about the flash drive she's carrying. The two duos talk about their objectives and discover that they're the same. For better chances of survival, they decide to head together for the mountain's path.
But a tyrannosaur, the same one which Claire released earlier, makes its appearance while they're walking away from the tower. It saw them and they know that they better seek refuge in the tower than attempt to run from the predator. At first, they try to stay still, in order to not trigger its attack, but when he notices that the predator wouldn't mind eat one or two of them, Drummond tells Maisie and the two women to run. While they rush to the tower, he distracts the rex by agitating a burning branch. Afraid of the fire, the rex seek to avoid the branch and see the three other humans climbing the tower's ladder. The predator bypass Drummond and in its dash towards the tower, it sends the palaeontologist flying away with its tail. As such thing would have easily killed someone, Maisie fears the worst for him and when his motionless body falls into a ravine, the audience think it's over for him. Maisie panics while the rex has its jaws locked around the ladder's protective cage. What follows is pretty much similar to the Giganotosaurus' attack on the tower scene from Trevorrow's version, except that the final outcome will be quite different. As the observation towers' power has been turned off from the control room in order to save power for more urgent systems, our three protagonists can't have the observation bay rise to the top of the tower, where they would be safe from the rex. To make matters worse, another threat arrive.
I haven't decided which yet but the idea I'm having now is a group of pterosaurs, probably pteranodons, which targets our trio and chase the rex away from the tower by pecking at his head. Another manages to grab Maisie and take her out of the tower. However, the pterosaur let her go before it can be above the canopy due to some incident (another harassing it probably) and Maisie falls into dense bushes at a certain distance from the tower, out of the two women's sight. In the meantime, a mist has started descending from the mountains. Bigelow and Kayla exit the tower and begin searching for Maisie in the area, fearing she got herself hurt in the fall. To cover a maximum of ground before the mist reaches them, they decide to split up.
The end of a line
We see Maisie managing to stand up and while she got bruises**,** she seems relatively fine and still in walking condition. Now lost and alone in the middle of the woods, she's very scared though and starts screaming to help. In the silent forest, Kayla hears her voice and follows it. Just as the mist is about to reach Maisie, the smuggler sees the teenager in the distance and calls for her. But when she hears heavy footsteps and a rumble coming from just behind Maisie, in the mist, her heart stops and she's aghast when she sees the tyrannosaur's silhouette closing to the girl's. Before Maisie can flee, the predator open its maws, grabs her and swallow her whole before disappearing in the forest's shadows (the scene is meant to be a mirror of one from my JW rewrite, where the death of a little girl during the pterosaurs' attack on the main hub is concealed by smoke while Claire watch helplessly). Thus ends Lockwood's line, indirectly destroyed by Claire Dearing.
Bigelow arrives in her turn and sees the smuggler kneeled on the ground, speechless, too shocked by the scene she just saw. Understanding what happened, the CIA agent has an "Oh. Shit..." face and tells Kayla they have to leave the valley while they still can, as she doesn't know what the Italians will do with it once it's taken, even fearing that it might be firebombed in order to destroy the perpetrators of the various incidents of the past months.
While the two women head for the mountain's path and the mist passes away, Drummond is seen climbing out of the ravine and starts to call for Maisie, in vain. Seeing the destroyed observation bay empty, he looks around for clues about Maisie's or the women's whereabouts. He ends up stumbling on the rex's tracks and follows them up to the spot where the teenager last stood. There he finds Wu's flash drive and seeing some blood stains around, he realizes she is no more. This deeply saddens him and this loss and failure just add another load on his self-loathing, as he would have gladly died between the jaws of the king of the dinosaurs if it could have saved Maisie's life. Instead of trying to follow Kayla and Bigelow, he goes in the opposite direction, towards the valley itself.
Leaving the Sanctuary
While looking to reach the auditorium, Claire is forced to hide in one of the labs from dilophosaurs roaming in the area.
In the archives, Vuillier and Nyamu finally put their hands on the documents they were looking for and take them. They and the grey guards' archives team then leave the room and head to the auditorium, in order to reunite with Viscontini and co. On the way, they have to pass between the legs of Brontes while he's distracted by the grey guards. When they reach the auditorium, Viscontini tells them that helicopters are waiting for them. One of the aircrafts is on its way to pick up the Owen and Dougal.
Escorted by the Carabinieri and the Special Forces, the surviving Biosyn employees are evacuated from the Citadel and when the grey guards retreat from their confrontation against Brontes, Vuillier asks them if they've seen Claire coming back but they answer that no. He contacts her and she tells him that she's being delayed.
We see her evading the dilophosaurs which were about to discover her and leaving the labs. Now, start for her an Uncharted-esque race through the Citadel where she has to cross various obstacles and avoid/outrun the loose creatures within it (including the dilophosaurs mentioned above). Still pissed, Brontes targets her and chases her up to her extraction point. Before the Argentinosaurus can close his mouth on her, she jumps into one of the helicopters where Owen and Dougal are waiting for her. The two men help her get inside and their helicopter fly away from the Citadel while the sauropod lets out a mighty bellow.
The protagonists leave the valley and the helicopters which drop them off at Biosyn employees' village, which has been taken over by the Italians and the Austrians in the meantime.
A bitter dawn
While the first sun rays reach the valley, Drummond stumble upon the monstrous Acrocanthosaurus Quasimodo in the area devastated by the flood, in sight of the now destroyed south-eastern wall. Surprised by the waters near the road battlefield, the predator was carried on a certain distance before ending up blocked by rocks and then impaled by a tree. When the palaeontologist finds him, he's dead. Disgusted by the animal, Drummond first tries to ignore him and continue towards the wall, intending to reach the village beyond it, but he turns back and carefully approach him. Tired from his night-long trek, Drummond sit on a rock just next to Quasimodo's head and still quite shaken by Maisie's death and the disaster, Drummond start to ramble about various topics (about the evolution of palaeontology since the San Diego incident, his wife, working at Biosyn, Theo's and Maisie's death...) before breaking down in tears and he can't hold himself from calling Quasimodo a Manmade abomination which deserved to be destroyed by Nature. While looking towards the destroyed wall, the palaeontologist start to regret those harsh words and pulls out a flask of whisky from his bag. After drinking a sip, he puts it back in the bag and just sit silently by the dead animal for a few minutes, up until some Quetzalcoatlus land nearby. The gigantic pterosaurs walk up to the dead Acrocanthosaurus and ignoring Drummond as a way bigger meal is just in front of them, they start feasting. While they do so, Drummond follows the flood's desolation towards the Citadel and he is soon spotted by the men tasked with finding him.
Of rivalries and world-saving
In the morning, Claire steps out of the accommodation assigned to her and Owen within Biosyn's Village. She sees Drummond giving Wu's flash drive to Vuillier before taking his leave. After joining her boss, Claire ponders about her relationship with Wu, on how both destroyed Jurassic World five years ago and how they pretty much saved the world that night. She and Vuillier have a respectful moment of silence for their deceased enemy.
In the abandoned citadel, it's revealed that one of the locusts survived. It's seen crawling on the ground, towards one of the vents. But just before it could reach it, a Mononykus (freed from one of the cages during the raid) swoops on it and devours it.
League of Dragons
As she is crossing the village, Claire passes by one of the remaining Biosyn guards. It's actually the Romanian one, the one who saw her by the panic room. Frightened as hell, he moves away from her while yelling "Dracul! Dracul!", still traumatized by the past night's events. Claire briefly wonders why he is yelling and running away before she gets surrounded by other Biosyn guards and Lucrezia Pellegrino. The Citadel's head of security explains that he called her a dragon because of what he saw and some of the guards start throwing insults at Claire, calling her a monster and a butcher, and she realize that they and their superior want to avenge those she killed. Pellegrino adds that by sending dinosaurs on people who oppose her, Claire is no better than Dodgson on that matter.
Nearby, Owen sees his fiancée surrounded and when one of the Biosyn guards throws a stone at Claire, he gets furious, tackles him on the ground and starts to beat him up. As another guard pulls out a knife (which he hid when they had to give their weapons to the authorities) and is about to stab Owen, the surviving grey guards suddenly intervene, getting the couple out of the Biosyn ambush and then confronting the attackers, standing by Claire's and Owen's side. The grey guards retort to their opponents that their comrades could have denounced the Sanctuary's illegal activities, surrendered, deserted or arrested Dodgson while they could but did nothing, before adding that without Claire, they would have all eaten nothing but locusts in a near future. The Biosyn guards feel insulted however and as an ugly fight is about to break out between both groups, the Carabinieri are forced to intervene and assign them to opposite parts of the village.
The press, who just entered the Biosyn's lands, has witnessed the confrontation and so did Vuillier and Nyamu. The latter tells the Frenchman that since Claire pretty much saved the world, Odegaard could give her a well-deserved break, literally and figuratively.
Debate
In the village's equivalent of a community centre, a meeting about the incident's consequences and what to do with the Sanctuary and its animals is held. Among the attendees, are:
- The WDMC and the people directly affiliated to it: Claire, Owen, Dougal, Vuillier, and Nyamu.
- Representatives of the Italian government: Viscontini, Giovanni Pazzi, and a few local politicians.
- The surviving Biosyn executives and top researchers: Drummond, Pellegrino, Quinn.
During the meeting, we learn that:
- Dodgson was found, or at least five or six pieces of him.
- Some of the Sanctuary's denizens managed to flee the valley and are now somewhere in the Italian countryside. Among the escapees are Victoria and her new pack of Achillobators.
- Exterminators led by the surviving grey guards are about to be sent in the amber mines to slaughter the pectinodons down to the last individual and the species will be soon classified as a pest in Italy, Austria and probably other countries.
Several solutions for the valley, its denizens and the Citadel are discussed:
- Cull the animals, cleanse the valley of Biosyn's traces, and give it back to the inhabitants expropriated by the corporation when it decided to have the entire valley and some of the surrounding lands for itself and no one else.
- Abandoning the valley, let the animals fend for themselves and hope that "life will find a way", even if it poses huge risks for the local populations and ecosystems.
- Dispatch the surviving animals to zoos and other entities which can legally house dangerous captive animals. Proceeding like this will allow de-extinct creatures to no longer be in the ownership of a single entity like Biosyn or InGen.
- Round up the loose animals, cleanse the battle's and the flood's damages, and turn the place into a real Sanctuary for de-extinct animals. Not a "Kruger with dinosaurs" like the Five Deaths but more like a non-profit place with enclosures (akin to many sanctuaries for wild animals across the globe). It will be a public-private joint-venture, with the sanctuary co-managed by the UN's WDMC and the Italian government while private partners will help finance it (Nathan Quinn propose to be one of those but Vuillier, Dougal and a few others distrust him and prefer to not have some of Dodgson's former collaborators on the project). And in order to ensure good relations with the local communities, jobs will be offered to the area's inhabitants and some lands given back to them. Shall this solution be adopted, Vuillier proposes to have Claire Dearing as its manager, Owen Grady its head warden, Rod Drummond its chief researcher, and Laurenzo Cesare as head of security, if they accept. Pellegrino storms off at this moment, disgusted that they're about to leave her without a job and rewarding Claire, an unrepentant psychopath in her eyes. In a moment of consultation amidst the meeting, Claire tells Vuillier she'll probably refuse becoming the sanctuary's manager if this solution is adopted, telling him that she has the feeling that her future lies elsewhere and that she'll continue work as a field agent if he don't mind. Vuillier, who clearly saw how Claire evolved since she started playing spies back in 2019 and decided to close his eyes on her exactions, suggest her to settle for a quieter less-violent life and declares that managing the Sanctuary could be the ultimate redemption for her. Still shaken by the amount of violence she had to commit in order to stop Biosyn and desiring to spend more time with her son, she ends up being persuaded and accept the idea.
The different solutions are being debated for weeks if not months within the Italian government and the UN.
End of Act IV.
See you tomorrow for the final Act and the Epilogue.
2023.06.08 12:16 TheGeekyZoologist Jurassic World: The Hegemony of Biosyn (JWD rewrite) - Act IV (1/2)
Acts I to III are available in my previous posts. This act is the longest of all and thus, I've been forced to divide it into two posts. Make sure you're comfortable. Enjoy your read!
While Ramsay is secretly covering them in the control room, Wu and Theo enters Katia Lesser's lab and with Rod Drummond's unexpected help (he's tired of working for Biosyn and intend to get out of the valley), they neutralize the scientist and frees Maisie from her cell. They then cross the other secret labs within Biosyn's Citadel and we several interesting elements:
- Dissected animals are seen in one of the labs while others are suffering medical experiments.
- In one of the sections, there are ten rooms. Nine of them are empty and in the tenth one, there are nothing but locusts, which surprise Theo. However, Drummond points out they don't exactly look like ordinary locusts (they're only slightly bigger than modern locusts. They could even be portrayed by real locusts (a bit enlarged by visual tricks) if this was a film) and noticing Wu's guilty look, the two men and Maisie realize he had a role in their creation). But he doesn't have the time to give explanations about those locusts.
- Another room has a window which overlooks a large dark bunker-like hall. In its darkness, they glimpse the shape of a large theropod with raised dorsal spines and crocodile-like scutes but when he sees the creature a bit more clearly, Drummond says something like "Those idiots made their cheap Godzilla knockoff!", recognizing the creature from the short film he mentioned to Wu in the Drinking Confession scene. He calls the mysterious theropod an "Ugly bastard" and a perversion of real dinosaurs.
After the labs, they head for the metro station just as planned but due to his lame leg (in TRQ, it was pierced by one of the Indoraptor's claws), Wu can't go with them and decides to stay in order to win some time for them. He and Maisie have a last look/exchange, with the teenager finally showing Wu some genuine respect and gratitude. Wu gives Theo a flash drive, urging him to send its content to Guillaume Vuillier of the WDMC as it contains the evidences of a scourge Biosyn intend to release soon. They separate, with Wu going in the opposite direction.
While the guards are chasing Wu, Maisie, Theo and Rod enter the metro and picks one of the stations on the eastern side of Auronzo (actually one of the observation towers). The metro leave the Citadel, following the valley loop. However, the metro system was badly designed and it can only follow the loop in a clockwise direction, forcing them to make a considerable detour and waste precious minutes.
Wu is soon caught and Dodgson's arrival in the control room prevents Ramsay from further helping the fugitives. Seeing one of the metro heading east, Dodgson has it stopped halfway of its journey and orders the guards to go inside the tunnels and bring back Maisie. Aware that Wu betrayed him, Dodgson takes a tablet and activates a certain Prometheus protocol.
Underground, Maisie, Theo and Drummond are forced to leave the metro and they try to find an exit before the guards can catch them. They find a door on the side and breaking it, they enter another smaller tunnel. However, the ground is slippery and they fall, descending further down into the darkness.
When the guards sent in the tunnels tell Dodgson that they lost Maisie, the CEO has a fit of anger.
The old amber mines
After their fall, Maisie, Theo and Drummond discover that they're in the old amber mines, which Biosyn exploited until their depletion, and search for an exit. Drummond also mentions that the valley's underground is like a cheese and that he wouldn't be surprised if some tunnels lead outside of the valley, which would explain all the incidents which occurred in the past year. During their crossing of the mines, they find several human skeletons or remains. It's implied that it's all the undesirable people who trespassed into the valley (governments' and rival companies' spies, anti-Biosyn activists...).
Should the giant temnospondyl be scrapped from the frozen lake sequence, it's probably going to be included here, as there are underground rivers and reservoirs by the mines.
Aviano Air Base
At Aviano Air Base, at the very gates of the Alps, Jessica Bigelow boards a US air force helicopter which takes her to Auronzo.
Prometheus Protocol
Wu is brought to Dodgson, which shows him a screen. Wu is aghast as it's a Twitter feed with the following hashtag #MadScientistWu, which is trending. Dodgson then explains that he had a file containing evidences of Wu's ethical misbehaviour (his work on the Indominus and Indoraptor, and especially the use of human DNA in their making ..) be made and ready to be sent to the media at once should he betray him. His reputation being destroyed for good, Wu breaks down and Dodgson orders the guards to bring him to Dr Lesser's lab and put him in Maisie's cell. Several characters (Ramsay, Pellegrino, Chapman, Everett...) watch Wu being led away by the guards.
With Mia Everett being nearby, Dodgson declares that Biosyn shouldn't have accepted a single InGen employees within its ranks has they have been nothing but traitors and burdens, before announcing to Mia he finally decided to pull the plug on her research program, as her rival and his team have much more promising results and shall be soon covered in glory.
Raiding and Betrayal
While the afternoon reaches its end, Owen, Dougal and Kayla end up near one of the Sanctuary's seven observation towers. There's no one inside and Kayla suggest entering it to raid some of the supplies it contains. She also tells her two companions that there is a metro station beneath each of the towers, stations connected to the Citadel by the tunnels. Thinking they could infiltrate the Citadel by those tunnels, Dougal agrees with her plan and the trio enters the tower and steal the needed supplies but a drone has spotted them. Just as they are about to follow the tunnels, they notice flashlights, those of incoming Biosyn guards. They climb back to the top of the tower but a security vehicle parks in front of the building and other guards step out of it. Surrounded, the trio prepare for a siege inside the tower but just as the guards are about to enter, Kayla points her weapon on Dougal's head and tells Owen to drop his or his colleague dies.
From the nearby forest, Claire witnesses the capture of her two colleagues and watches the Biosyn Security vehicle taking Kayla and the prisoners to the Citadel while the sound of helicopters approaching can be heard.
The board arrives
The helicopter(s) transporting Biosyn's board of directors lands on the Citadel's helipad and its passengers (which include Nathan Quinn and Zoe Murdoch) are welcomed by Dodgson and Ramsay.
Obstinacy
At the same time, Jessica Bigelow is brought to the Citadel and asks to see Dodgson but Murdoch stands in her way, claiming he's very busy. The CIA agent insists and Dodgson finally listens to what she has to say. But he wants to carry on with his event whatever happens, but reassure her as for Biosyn's most important research: They're already on a hard-drive in his office.
The cells
We cut to Owen and Dougal as they are locked up in a cell in the Security HQ. Kayla is standing outside, next to Pellegrino who's interrogating the two men about their mission and Claire's whereabouts. The smuggler reveals to the two WDMC agents that powerful friends suggested to her to let herself be arrested by the Italians as they expected they'll use her as a Trojan horse. She adds that there's nothing personal, she's just thinking about herself. While Pellegrino carries on with her questions, Kayla leaves the Security HQ and meets Bigelow by its exit (telling the audience that Kayla's powerful friends are the CIA). She asks her about their next moves and the CIA agent answers that the two of them will leave the valley with Dodgson and his escort. Back in the cell, Owen and Dougal hope Claire will succeed.
Unleashed dragon
As she's nearing the Citadel, Claire is spotted by a patrol of mercenaries or a drone. They chase after her and in her flight, she ends up in an enclosed part of the Sanctuary with several paddocks and cages. Several of them contain animals and it's implied that it's where Biosyn keeps those it just acquired or bred before releasing them in the valley. One of the cages contains a tyrannosaur and just as the mercenaries are about to catch her, Claire releases the predator and the mercenaries panic, triggering the rex's attack. It kills them before turning towards Claire, who's crouched and not making a single move. The rex sniffs her lengthily and Claire notices it's the animal she saw the day before, which left the droppings she used to mask her scent... The rex leaves Claire alone and disappears in the woods, heading north while Claire heads in the opposite direction. On the way, she sees a mysterious large theropod (she and the audience have visual obstacles which prevents them from clearly seeing it but we know it's the one from the bunker under the Citadel) being transported towards the western part of the valley.
In the besiegers' camp
While the sun is setting, a meeting is held in one of the besiegers camp's tents. Among the attendees are Vuillier, Nyamu, Viscontini, the leader of the Carabinieri Colonel Orlando Pasolini, and those of the Italian and Austrian Special Forces (and Pazzi through videoconference as he's still in Rome). They're talking about Biosyn's defenses and forces, the species which might be encountered in the Sanctuary, eventual negotiation strategies, the WDMC agents' mission, the grey guards who are in the valley and currently heading to the Citadel... Argument breaks out as some (like Pazzi) advocates for an immediate offensive, to surprise Dodgson and prevent him from fleeing or preparing some nasty surprise, while others want to wait until dawn, to let time for the grey guards and the eventual surviving WDMC agents to accomplish their mission in addition of avoiding sending men in a valley full of deadly animals in the dark of the night. Pazzi is for an immediate offensive and gives his blessing to colonel Pasolini.
Worried about the fate of his agents, Vuillier contacts the grey guards, which are already heading to the Citadel, following a path in the uplands.
The US spies
From a nearby wood, some people are seen spying the camp and northern entrance of Biosyn's lands. We cut to a meeting room inside the CIA's headquarters at Langley where Gibbon and his colleagues just received news that an offensive is about to start at Auronzo. Some ask the head of the DSD news about his agent inside Biosyn's Citadel.
Open the gates
Bigelow, with Ramsay's help, is trying to persuade Dodgson to cancel the event, take the hard-drive with the key research, and secretly evacuate Auronzo before ordering the control room to open the gates and let the Italian authorities in. While those would be searching through the Citadel, they would leave the area by the mountains before heading to a secret safehouse. Dodgson complains that the only help the US government sends is her but she mockingly retorts that the US won't risk a war with Italy and Austria just because of him and that had he been more careful, all that mess wouldn't have happened.
Watching footage of the besiegers' camp, Dodgson finally orders the opening of the northern gate. He and Ramsay then go to the auditorium, where Biosyn's board and other important figures are waiting for the CEO.
The convoy
Believing Dodgson finally surrendered, Colonel Pasolini and most of his Carabinieri enter Biosyn's lands while the Italian and Austrian Special Forces remain in the camp. After passing by the mercenaries (who were ordered by Dodgson to stand down) and the airstrip, the convoy enters a narrow pass through the mountains, the same one through which the hunters were brought to the Sanctuary.
Chips
In the Citadel's auditorium, Dodgson begins his presentation with a speech about how dinosaurs and other de-extinct animals were used since InGen first cloned them. At the same time, all the non-essential employees are gathered in the cafeteria and locked there by the mercenaries on his orders while others are deployed in some of the Citadel's most strategic locations (the control room, the labs' entrance...)
Meanwhile, the Carabinieri convoy has entered the Sanctuary and following the main road to the Citadel, they pass by the lake seen in A bed in the trees scene and several animals, including predators, which do nothing but watch the convoy. Drones are seen flying above the Italian vehicles. However, just as the Citadel is visible in the distance, the convoy stops when the first vehicle notices that a fallen tree is lying across the road. While it's quite large, said tree is still light enough to be moved by a group of people and with a lot of effort. Colonel Pasolini orders for a certain number of his men to get out and move the tree out of their way but while they start accomplishing their task, the Carabinieri feels the ground trembling beneath their feet and they and those still in the vehicles see ripples in the water puddles along the road. A racket starts to be heard in the woods on both sides of the road and in the distance, trees can be heard being jostled or even falling. Aware that large dinosaurs must be nearby, Pasolini orders his men to get back inside the vehicles and to the last in the convoy to return to the last crossroads and search another way to the Citadel. But just as said vehicle turns around, a tree falls across the road, larger than the one ahead of the convoy. The latter is now stuck between the two fallen trees and when they see human silhouettes running away from the one behind the convoy, the Carabinieri realize that they've fallen into an ambush (hearing the Carabinieri's communications on the radio, Vuillier and Viscontini wonder what treachery Dodgson has planned). Meanwhile, the drones have returned over the convoy and the racket in the woods gets closer and closer and the people in the convoy glimpse three large necks rising from the forest: argentinosaurs, charging argentinosaurs. Frightened at such a sight, the Carabineri are struck with fear and just as the sauropods are about to burst out of the forest at any second, a dreadful booming sound (similar to that of the orcs horns in Battle of the Five Armies; or the reapers' sound from the Mass Effect series) comes from speakers on some nearby elevation and in response, the sauropods let out a deafening bellow heard across much of the Sanctuary. Before they can take action, the Carabinieri are attacked by the argentinosaurs and their suite of small predators.
In the control room, Pellegrino witnesses the attack through some drone visuals and is wondering how it happened. She orders the technicians to send a signal in the sauropods' brain chips (during the Inspection scene at the beginning of the story, Pellegrino explain to the group that the Sanctuary animals are chipped) in order to make them stop but when they try to send the signal, the get an error notification, and one of the technicians say that either the chips fried and are driving the animals mad, or they were hacked. Pellegrino then asks to deactivate the aerial defense system to let the besiegers fly their helicopters into the valley but she's told that some program recently inserted prevent them from doing that for the entire duration of the prenstation. Powerless, the head of security watches the argentinosaurs crushing vehicles and men under their feet, and their suites of small predators harassing them. She's even more surprised when a few Ankylosaurus (first glimpsed in the news montage when the report talks about "tailored dinosaurs". Compared to those from the fossil record and those made by InGen, those Ankylosaurus are bigger and more high-legged, giving them enhanced mobility. Design-wise, it's basically the one from the actual JW films, albeit perhaps more intimidating) join the fray. Having suspicions, she head for the auditorium.
After learning that Pasolini and his Carabinieri fell into an ambush, an offensive is launched against the walls of Biosyn lands. Vuillier and Viscontini watch the Italian and Austrian Special Forces engaging the mercenaries defending the walls by the airstrip. They hope they'll soon make a breach so they can reach the convoy before it's too late (they know they can't send helicopters due the pterosaurs acting as the Citadel's aerial defense).
In the valley, one of the Carabinieri notice that the animal isn't acting on its own will (it's seen blocking its movements for a short moment, like someone resisting to a possession) and even seems in pain.
We cut to the auditorium and his observation is confirmed, with Dodgson explaining to the board of directors that thanks to chips (originally designed by Mantah Corp but Dodgson being Dodgson, he doesn't mention that and instead give the credit to the team rival of Mia's), they can control the animals like puppets. He precise that while the chips work well on some animals, trials have failed with others (like the raptors). On the auditorium's giant screen, various diagrams and footage of trials are seen.
We then follow another POV, that of technicians inside a command centre-like room. The technicians are sitting in front of monitors and each of them is seen typing on keyboards, giving instructions to the argentinosaurs' and ankylosaurs' chips (on the monitors, the audience can notice that they give names to each of the animals. For example, the three Argentinosaurus are named Brontes, Steropes, and Arges; after three of the cyclops from Greek Mythology). Through their drones or even micro cameras attached to the dinosaurs, they see the Carabinieri fleeing northwards while some of the Italians retaliate to the attack by shooting on the dinosaurs. But their weapons are ineffective against the argentinosaurs' hide and the ankylosaurs' armours. On the order of a mercenary officer, the technicians send a second wave of animals.
The speakers make once again their awful booming sound, exacerbating the animals' aggressiveness, and the second wave emerges from the forest. Before the scene cuts, we see it's made of, among other things, a Gigantoraptor (named Jabberwocky on its controlling technician's monitor), a couple of Quetzalcoatlus, probably some medium-large theropods like Allosaurus or Carnotaurus, a Biosyn Triceratops, and maybe even some Hyaenodon/sabre-toothed felid (depends on which will appear in the fighting pit in Malta) and Gigantopithecus recently imported to Auronzo. Many of those new attackers wear armor pieces comparable to those of police and military dogs or horses.
In the auditorium, the giant screen ends up showing the battle occurring in the valley. Dodgson's audience gasps when they see the drones' footage. One of the board members ask: "It's from a video game? Right?"
NOTE: I fear that there might be too many animals and different species involved in the battle. The mandatory ones are the following: Argentinosaurus (maybe have more than three individuals? The Brontes-Steropes-Arges trio could be seen charging abreast, evoking from afar a single three-headed gigantic beast) and their suite, Triceratops (which will illustrate itself soon and show how it's different from InGen's trikes), Gigantoraptor (in order to have a faster and more agile creature in the lot), and another player foreshadowed in earlier scenes (you'll know which when we'll return to the battle).
Sneaking into the Citadel
While battle just broke out further west, a Biosyn guard posted by a large gate carved at the base of the mountain near the Citadel spots a hooded silhouette under the trees: Claire. She retreats into the darkness and as a huge reward has been promised to anyone who would capture Vuillier's she-wolf, he runs after her. However, just like the colleagues she killed the day before, she lures him into an ambush and neutralizes him. She then steals his uniform and badge, and use the latter to open the gate, entering in an underground corridor, large enough to allow the transportation of large animals like the mysterious big theropod she glimpsed earlier. She follows it towards the Citadel.
Unbeknownst to her, the grey guards have also started their infiltration in the Citadel, by walking down the slopes behind the central tower. After neutralizing the few Biosyn guards positioned there, they enter the garden around the tower. In the latter's shadow, they split up in four groups, each heading into different parts of the Citadel:
- Cesare, Olivares and another are tasked with entering the labs.
- Perez, Al-Damiri and a third team member must take over the control room at the top of the tower.
- Chapuy and two others are tasked with searching the archives under the tower and preventing anyone from destroying the documents.
- Massoud, Kapakas and Papadopoulos must find the cells and free the WDMC agents if they're there.
The Battle of Auronzo
Following the road, the retreating Carabinieri reach the Valley's main river and the bridge the convoy crossed on the way just a few minutes ago. However, a controlled animal charging from the other side of the river prevents the first Carabinieri from taking it and they are forced to cross the cold waters of the river itself (it's thigh-deep at best) while the controlled animals are right on their heels. Several Carabinieri get killed during the crossing while some of their colleagues are cut off from them and must escape into the woods on the southern side of the river. Luckily, the controlling technicians didn't notice them. Once Pasolini and his remaining men are all on the other side of the river with the few vehicles they could have gotten out of the ambush site, the controlling technicians have their animals stopped just at the edge. A last animal codenamed Quasimodo arrive on the battlefield, a large Biosyn-made predator which visually, looks like a perversion of the real animal which makes up its base genome: It's the monstrous theropod from the bunker, an Acrocanthosaurus whose DNA was spliced with that of other animals, including crocodile (due to the croc fetish of some Biosyn executives) in order to be bigger and more "Monstrous and cooler-looking" than InGen's Acrocanthosaurus (yes, it's just JWD's Giganotosaurus with a different name). The apex predator makes his way through the other animals, which are seen looking at him with fright (in case of the smaller species) or irritation (in case of the Argentinosaurus and the other megaherbivores) but still controlled, they can't run away or fight it. As they're not controlled by the chips, the members of the Argentinosaurus' suite are showing aggression and one of them dares to attack him, but Quasimodo just grabs it in the air and eats it, discouraging the others from attacking as long as the sauropods won't. Quasimodo then stops in front of the bridge and looks at the Carabinieri on the other side. Confronted to this surreal sight, Pasolini don't know if they shall continue their retreat northwards or wait and hope for reinforcements' arrival.
While the animals are eerily standing still by the river, Dodgson exposes an idea to the board: They will bred new animals which aren't in their official catalogue, secretly release them in various parts of the globe, create "controlled" incidents and then get contracted by governments to capture the animals (capture which will be very easy with the chips, barely an inconvenience...) and send them to Auronzo. Biosyn will be both the disease and the cure, getting profits from this endless cycle of incidents and capture and obtaining absolute control on genetic power while their remaining competitors will die one by one. Basically, they'll soon become the equivalent in the Bio-engineering world of the British East India Company, something InGen aspired to be before crumbling. The CEO adds that his friends within the US government are already very interested by this technology.
Hidden in a technical room right behind the auditorium's stage, Pellegrino heard Dodgson bragging about controlling the animals. Realizing that he's so mad that he is slaughtering her fellow countrymen just to sell a technology, she takes a potentially fatal decision.
Back at the camp near the airstrip, Viscontini tells Vuillier that someone within the Italian government must have warned Dodgson, explaining how he got the time to do his nasty preparations. As the Special Forces just defeated the mercenaries guarding the northern entrance of Biosyn's lands and took the airstrip, Vuillier and Nyamu join them, asking for a weapon and climbing into one of their vehicles, refusing to stay safely in the camp while their friends and colleagues are in danger of death within the valley.
The speakers let out a third blast and hearing it, the few Carabinieri south of the river turn towards its origin. They see the speaker and an movable antenna on a nearby ridge and are aware that it must have something to do with the animals' unnatural behaviour. They rush towards it, hoping to save their comrades.
Irritated by the third blast, the controlled animals stamp and growl/bellow for a moment, before their controlling technicians orders them to move forward, as they were ordered to crush the Carabinieri before the arrival of their allies. While the other animals cross the river, Quasimodo the monstrous Acrocanthosaurus takes the bridge, accelerating his pace little by little before roaring and dashing on the Carabinieri. Aware that they'll be all slaughtered within a few minutes if they just stand there, Pasolini ordered to his men a few moments before to scatter in every direction and flee as long as possible in order to win time while the remaining vehicles will be either used to carry a maximum amount of men to the nearest shelter (could be the Hunting Lodge) before coming back and picking up those they can. Pasolini volunteers to stay on foot.
While flying between the speakers and the river, one of the drones spot the Carabinieri left south of the river. Noticing those troublemakers, the controlling technicians recall two of the animals from the battlefield (probably one of the Argentinosaurus and the Gigantoraptor).
On the other side of the river, the rest of the controlled animals have started attacking Pasolini and his men. The argentinosaurs charge through the forest and crush the Carabinieri like ants while their predatory auxiliaries harass them; the trike basically acts like a giant version of the boar from Australian horror film Razorback, charging, goring with its horns, and cutting off limbs with its sharp beak; Quasimodo devour several of the Italians... Colonel Pasolini ends up killed by one of the creatures and his death ruins the morale of his men who are about to rout.
Meanwhile, reactions among Dodgson's audience are varied:While some are captivated, others are not sure what to think about using the Carabinieri as guinea pigs, and one or two are disgusted. Nathan Quinn has a neutral attitude (he's interested by the technology but even if he strongly disapproves the actual demonstration and the bloodbath, he doesn't show it) while Ramsay avoid looking at the screen.
Hearing one of the Argentinosaurus bulldozing its way through the forest behind them just as they are about to reach the speakers and the antenna, the other Carabinieri start to run but during their race, they are surprised by the Gigantoraptor when it kills one of the Carabinieri, acting a bit like an oversized terror bird. They are forced to climb into a tree near a cliff's edge in order to escape it, with even another of the Carabinieri sacrificing himself to let the others climb high reach its targets, the Gigantoraptor tries to climb on the tree but to no avail, as it's too big. However, the tree bends and ends up uprooted under its assaults. Our characters are now hanging on an horizontal tree which will probably soon fall if the theropod keeps kicking it under its controller's command. They can't escape by one end as the Gigantoraptor is waiting for them and to make matters worse, the Argentinosaurus appears below the cliff and it can raise its head almost high enough to grab our characters. They can't escape.
Sneaky as a viper
After passing by the entrance of the large bunker where the monstrous Acrocanthosaurus was contained, Claire decides to pass by the vents after hearing some guards.
The Goblins of Nublar
During their journey through the amber mines, Maisie, Theo and Drummond stumble upon a lone Pectinodon. Remembering what he said earlier about the network of tunnels and its potential exits leading out of the valley, Drummond realize that the Pectinodons, and not the raptors, were involved in several of the external incidents (including the one from the Prologue). As he had to capture some of those creatures in a post-apocalyptic Nublar for Mills and Wu while he was part of Wheatley's mercenary company, Theo warns his companions about the danger of those animals. Maisie remembers having seen babies of those animals in the manor's basement along all the others Mills sold in his secret auction. The lone Pectinodon let out a series of calls and soon, an entire pack threatens our protagonists.
Ensue a scene where they have to repel them (Drummond tries to use the portable horn he has in his bag in order to scare the pectinodons but they're not impressed) and flee. However, Theo is bitten during that scene and his two companions notice this during a brief moment of respite. Maisie hopes they could perhaps find some cure but Theo answers that while one exists, they won't reach it in time. He adds that the venom will drive him mad (as seen in JPTG and mentioned in TRQ) and turn him into a danger for them. While his mind is still clear, he give Wu's flash drive to Maisie, has farewell words with her, asks Drummond to take care of her, and then runs back to where they came from, intending to win some time for them. While Maisie and Rod flee, Theo stands in the tunnel, preventing the pectinodons from going any further. He battles them to the death, taking several to the grave with him. An alternative could be him attracting a maximum of pectinodons in a room where he either provokes a crumbling, either a flooding, something that kills Theo and his attackers.
Finding a ladder, Maisie and Drummond follows it and climb out of the mines, narrowly escaping the pectinodons. They are back to the surface, somewhere in the northern part of the valley, not far from the dam. The palaeontologist then takes the traumatized teenager to the nearest tower, where they rest and resupply for a time.
Turning the Tide
Just as hope seems lost for the Carabinieri in the western part of the valley, a group of Shantungosaurus steps out from the forest and when the speakers on the trailer let out another blast to infuriate the controlled Gigantoraptor and Argentinosaurus nearby, the hadrosaurs, pissed by the sound made, attack the speakers and in the process, destroy also the antenna which sends the signals to the controlled animals' chips.
Freed of the mercenaries' control, the animals stop for a moment and most being scared by the gunshots or having no interest in killing the humans in front of them, just leave. However some like the Triceratops or Quasimodo carry on with their attacks due to their natural instincts but when the Special Forces finally arrive from the north, they hesitate and after being intimidated by the newcomers, they retreat and disappear in the forest' darkness. The surviving Carabinieri start to rally to their allies.
Witnessing the shift in the situation, Dodgson is frustrated and leaves the auditorium, tasking Ramsay with trying to reassure the board. He calls Bigelow, telling her to meet him at his office. On the way, the CEO is cornered by Pellegrino and some of her men, mostly Italians, who point their pistols on him. The head of security tells Dodgson he's under arrest and orders him to cease this madness and surrender to the authorities. However, the putschists are surrounded in their turn by Dodgson's bodyguards and some mercenaries, and all except Pellegrino are gunned down. While she is neutralized and taken to the cells, Dodgson hurries to the Citadel's central tower. By the entrance of his office, Bigelow and Kayla are waiting for him. They enter his office and Dodgson starts cleaning his computer and putting his most precious belongings in a bag, including the hard-drive with Biosyn's most important research. The CEO also orders some men to destroy the archives.
At the top of the tower, Isabella Perez, Sherif Al-Damiri and their companion reach the control room and while they're securing it, Vincent Chapuy and his two comrades have to fight the men sent by Dodgson to the archives. Perez orders the technicians to deactivate the aerial defense system and the pterosaurs are seen moving away, letting the Special Forces (accompanied by Viscontini) fly to the battlefield. A couple of their helicopters go directly to the Citadel, engaging the mercenaries defending it.
While the dead or wounded Carabinieri are taken off the valley before the scavengers show up, the others regroup and with the Special Forces' ground forces, march to the Citadel where they intend to soon end the battle. Vuillier contacts Cesare, asking him about his progress. Cesare and his two companions haven't yet entered the labs, as Dodgson deployed seasoned mercenaries and not simple guards at their entrance, offering a hard resistance.
While the Citadel's defenders are engaged with the Special Forces dropped by the helicopters, Armand Massoud, Angelos Papadopoulos and Lydia Kapakas enter the Security HQ and free Owen and Dougal after a small fight with the gaolers. Pellegrino is also freed. The Raptor Whisperer asks one of the gaolers where Victoria is. She's in the kennels, in the lower levels. While Owen rushes to the kennels, the three grey guards, Dougal and Pellegrino head for the atrium.
Running out of time (his computer is having some issues), Dodgson sends his last forces to the Citadel's atrium, where a shootout occurs. With the cafeteria no longer guarded, the non-essential employees try to break out. Meanwhile several Biosyn guards drop their weapons and surrender when they see Pellegrino collaborating with the besiegers.
Dodgson's joker card
The defenders lose ground and as they are about to be caught between the Carabinieri, the Italian and Austrian Special Forces, the Massoud-Kapakas-Papadopoulos trio and Pellegrino's followers, one of the Biosyn guard calls for a ceasefire. The fight stops and Dodgson appears on top of the stairs which lead to the main courtyard. Bigelow, Kayla and his bodyguards are with him (while Ramsay is seen arriving from the Auditorium) and Dodgson has his bag with him. Seeing the CIA agent, the trio of grey guards hurls threats and insults at her, declaring she'll pay for Digby who died in Malta because of her treachery.
Dodgson look at his enemies: Vuillier, Nyamu and Viscontini down in the atrium, standing in front of the Carabinieri; the grey guards, Dougal and Pellegrino on one of the floors. He talks to them, congratulating them for taking the valley from him, before adding that they won one battle but not the war. Just as he is about to get arrested, he unveils his joker card: Should he be imprisoned or killed, his agents abroad have the order of releasing the content of nine containers he sent across the globe: Swarms of genetically-modified locusts designed to eat every crop but Biosyn's (a montage show trucks carrying the same containers as those seen in the airstrip. They park in the countryside of the following regions: US Midwest, India, Burkina Faso, Tanzania, Egypt, China, Argentina, Australia, and Germany). Should the locusts be freed, they would trigger a global famine, with people being forced to turn to Biosyn if they want to eat. Even if Dodgson doesn't leave Auronzo alive, Biosyn will have a future as it will be the only entity which could ensure mankind's survival in this apocalyptic scenario.
New attackers
Meanwhile, three helicopters arrive from the opposite side of the valley. At first, it's believed that they are others Special Forces helicopters but as no one on the besiegers' camp ordered them to head for the Citadel, some try to contact the oncoming aircrafts, to no avail. Fearing some ill shift in situation, Vuillier suggest his allies to take cover. One of the besiegers' helicopter tries to intercept the trio of helicopters but they shoot it down and it crashes in the eastern part of the valley, near one of the observation towers. Everyone in the atrium is surprised, including Dodgson, and rushes to shelter while two of the helicopters fire missiles in several of the Citadel's key locations, including the atrium, the helipad (destroying the board's helicopters) and the cafeteria, and spray the control room (Perez is hit while one of the technician accidently release the animals contained in the kennel when he falls dead head first on his console. The freed animals not only include Victoria but also dilophosaurs among other things). After that, they distract those of the besieging forces and attack the Citadel's defenders. Many casualties are inflicted among the besiegers and Biosyn employees.
Dodgson regains consciousness just after the attack, which killed his bodyguards and projected Bigelow and Kayla away. Next to him, Ramsay is still unconscious. He sees the third helicopter of the attackers landing in the courtyard and debarking a squad of armed men who directly rushes to the laboratories. As soon as they're gone, Dodgson grabs his bag, wakes Ramsay up, and takes advantage of the situation to escape, towards the nearest elevator. He chose one of the lower levels, that of the garages. The elevator blocks itself halfway and the two Biosyn executives must force their way out while chaos has taken over the rest of the building.
submitted by TheGeekyZoologist to JurassicPark [link] [comments]
Act IV: The Clouds Burst (1/2)
Maisie's evasionWhile Ramsay is secretly covering them in the control room, Wu and Theo enters Katia Lesser's lab and with Rod Drummond's unexpected help (he's tired of working for Biosyn and intend to get out of the valley), they neutralize the scientist and frees Maisie from her cell. They then cross the other secret labs within Biosyn's Citadel and we several interesting elements:
- Dissected animals are seen in one of the labs while others are suffering medical experiments.
- In one of the sections, there are ten rooms. Nine of them are empty and in the tenth one, there are nothing but locusts, which surprise Theo. However, Drummond points out they don't exactly look like ordinary locusts (they're only slightly bigger than modern locusts. They could even be portrayed by real locusts (a bit enlarged by visual tricks) if this was a film) and noticing Wu's guilty look, the two men and Maisie realize he had a role in their creation). But he doesn't have the time to give explanations about those locusts.
- Another room has a window which overlooks a large dark bunker-like hall. In its darkness, they glimpse the shape of a large theropod with raised dorsal spines and crocodile-like scutes but when he sees the creature a bit more clearly, Drummond says something like "Those idiots made their cheap Godzilla knockoff!", recognizing the creature from the short film he mentioned to Wu in the Drinking Confession scene. He calls the mysterious theropod an "Ugly bastard" and a perversion of real dinosaurs.
After the labs, they head for the metro station just as planned but due to his lame leg (in TRQ, it was pierced by one of the Indoraptor's claws), Wu can't go with them and decides to stay in order to win some time for them. He and Maisie have a last look/exchange, with the teenager finally showing Wu some genuine respect and gratitude. Wu gives Theo a flash drive, urging him to send its content to Guillaume Vuillier of the WDMC as it contains the evidences of a scourge Biosyn intend to release soon. They separate, with Wu going in the opposite direction.
While the guards are chasing Wu, Maisie, Theo and Rod enter the metro and picks one of the stations on the eastern side of Auronzo (actually one of the observation towers). The metro leave the Citadel, following the valley loop. However, the metro system was badly designed and it can only follow the loop in a clockwise direction, forcing them to make a considerable detour and waste precious minutes.
Wu is soon caught and Dodgson's arrival in the control room prevents Ramsay from further helping the fugitives. Seeing one of the metro heading east, Dodgson has it stopped halfway of its journey and orders the guards to go inside the tunnels and bring back Maisie. Aware that Wu betrayed him, Dodgson takes a tablet and activates a certain Prometheus protocol.
Underground, Maisie, Theo and Drummond are forced to leave the metro and they try to find an exit before the guards can catch them. They find a door on the side and breaking it, they enter another smaller tunnel. However, the ground is slippery and they fall, descending further down into the darkness.
When the guards sent in the tunnels tell Dodgson that they lost Maisie, the CEO has a fit of anger.
The old amber mines
After their fall, Maisie, Theo and Drummond discover that they're in the old amber mines, which Biosyn exploited until their depletion, and search for an exit. Drummond also mentions that the valley's underground is like a cheese and that he wouldn't be surprised if some tunnels lead outside of the valley, which would explain all the incidents which occurred in the past year. During their crossing of the mines, they find several human skeletons or remains. It's implied that it's all the undesirable people who trespassed into the valley (governments' and rival companies' spies, anti-Biosyn activists...).
Should the giant temnospondyl be scrapped from the frozen lake sequence, it's probably going to be included here, as there are underground rivers and reservoirs by the mines.
Aviano Air Base
At Aviano Air Base, at the very gates of the Alps, Jessica Bigelow boards a US air force helicopter which takes her to Auronzo.
Prometheus Protocol
Wu is brought to Dodgson, which shows him a screen. Wu is aghast as it's a Twitter feed with the following hashtag #MadScientistWu, which is trending. Dodgson then explains that he had a file containing evidences of Wu's ethical misbehaviour (his work on the Indominus and Indoraptor, and especially the use of human DNA in their making ..) be made and ready to be sent to the media at once should he betray him. His reputation being destroyed for good, Wu breaks down and Dodgson orders the guards to bring him to Dr Lesser's lab and put him in Maisie's cell. Several characters (Ramsay, Pellegrino, Chapman, Everett...) watch Wu being led away by the guards.
With Mia Everett being nearby, Dodgson declares that Biosyn shouldn't have accepted a single InGen employees within its ranks has they have been nothing but traitors and burdens, before announcing to Mia he finally decided to pull the plug on her research program, as her rival and his team have much more promising results and shall be soon covered in glory.
Raiding and Betrayal
While the afternoon reaches its end, Owen, Dougal and Kayla end up near one of the Sanctuary's seven observation towers. There's no one inside and Kayla suggest entering it to raid some of the supplies it contains. She also tells her two companions that there is a metro station beneath each of the towers, stations connected to the Citadel by the tunnels. Thinking they could infiltrate the Citadel by those tunnels, Dougal agrees with her plan and the trio enters the tower and steal the needed supplies but a drone has spotted them. Just as they are about to follow the tunnels, they notice flashlights, those of incoming Biosyn guards. They climb back to the top of the tower but a security vehicle parks in front of the building and other guards step out of it. Surrounded, the trio prepare for a siege inside the tower but just as the guards are about to enter, Kayla points her weapon on Dougal's head and tells Owen to drop his or his colleague dies.
From the nearby forest, Claire witnesses the capture of her two colleagues and watches the Biosyn Security vehicle taking Kayla and the prisoners to the Citadel while the sound of helicopters approaching can be heard.
The board arrives
The helicopter(s) transporting Biosyn's board of directors lands on the Citadel's helipad and its passengers (which include Nathan Quinn and Zoe Murdoch) are welcomed by Dodgson and Ramsay.
Obstinacy
At the same time, Jessica Bigelow is brought to the Citadel and asks to see Dodgson but Murdoch stands in her way, claiming he's very busy. The CIA agent insists and Dodgson finally listens to what she has to say. But he wants to carry on with his event whatever happens, but reassure her as for Biosyn's most important research: They're already on a hard-drive in his office.
The cells
We cut to Owen and Dougal as they are locked up in a cell in the Security HQ. Kayla is standing outside, next to Pellegrino who's interrogating the two men about their mission and Claire's whereabouts. The smuggler reveals to the two WDMC agents that powerful friends suggested to her to let herself be arrested by the Italians as they expected they'll use her as a Trojan horse. She adds that there's nothing personal, she's just thinking about herself. While Pellegrino carries on with her questions, Kayla leaves the Security HQ and meets Bigelow by its exit (telling the audience that Kayla's powerful friends are the CIA). She asks her about their next moves and the CIA agent answers that the two of them will leave the valley with Dodgson and his escort. Back in the cell, Owen and Dougal hope Claire will succeed.
Unleashed dragon
As she's nearing the Citadel, Claire is spotted by a patrol of mercenaries or a drone. They chase after her and in her flight, she ends up in an enclosed part of the Sanctuary with several paddocks and cages. Several of them contain animals and it's implied that it's where Biosyn keeps those it just acquired or bred before releasing them in the valley. One of the cages contains a tyrannosaur and just as the mercenaries are about to catch her, Claire releases the predator and the mercenaries panic, triggering the rex's attack. It kills them before turning towards Claire, who's crouched and not making a single move. The rex sniffs her lengthily and Claire notices it's the animal she saw the day before, which left the droppings she used to mask her scent... The rex leaves Claire alone and disappears in the woods, heading north while Claire heads in the opposite direction. On the way, she sees a mysterious large theropod (she and the audience have visual obstacles which prevents them from clearly seeing it but we know it's the one from the bunker under the Citadel) being transported towards the western part of the valley.
In the besiegers' camp
While the sun is setting, a meeting is held in one of the besiegers camp's tents. Among the attendees are Vuillier, Nyamu, Viscontini, the leader of the Carabinieri Colonel Orlando Pasolini, and those of the Italian and Austrian Special Forces (and Pazzi through videoconference as he's still in Rome). They're talking about Biosyn's defenses and forces, the species which might be encountered in the Sanctuary, eventual negotiation strategies, the WDMC agents' mission, the grey guards who are in the valley and currently heading to the Citadel... Argument breaks out as some (like Pazzi) advocates for an immediate offensive, to surprise Dodgson and prevent him from fleeing or preparing some nasty surprise, while others want to wait until dawn, to let time for the grey guards and the eventual surviving WDMC agents to accomplish their mission in addition of avoiding sending men in a valley full of deadly animals in the dark of the night. Pazzi is for an immediate offensive and gives his blessing to colonel Pasolini.
Worried about the fate of his agents, Vuillier contacts the grey guards, which are already heading to the Citadel, following a path in the uplands.
The US spies
From a nearby wood, some people are seen spying the camp and northern entrance of Biosyn's lands. We cut to a meeting room inside the CIA's headquarters at Langley where Gibbon and his colleagues just received news that an offensive is about to start at Auronzo. Some ask the head of the DSD news about his agent inside Biosyn's Citadel.
Open the gates
Bigelow, with Ramsay's help, is trying to persuade Dodgson to cancel the event, take the hard-drive with the key research, and secretly evacuate Auronzo before ordering the control room to open the gates and let the Italian authorities in. While those would be searching through the Citadel, they would leave the area by the mountains before heading to a secret safehouse. Dodgson complains that the only help the US government sends is her but she mockingly retorts that the US won't risk a war with Italy and Austria just because of him and that had he been more careful, all that mess wouldn't have happened.
Watching footage of the besiegers' camp, Dodgson finally orders the opening of the northern gate. He and Ramsay then go to the auditorium, where Biosyn's board and other important figures are waiting for the CEO.
The convoy
Believing Dodgson finally surrendered, Colonel Pasolini and most of his Carabinieri enter Biosyn's lands while the Italian and Austrian Special Forces remain in the camp. After passing by the mercenaries (who were ordered by Dodgson to stand down) and the airstrip, the convoy enters a narrow pass through the mountains, the same one through which the hunters were brought to the Sanctuary.
Chips
In the Citadel's auditorium, Dodgson begins his presentation with a speech about how dinosaurs and other de-extinct animals were used since InGen first cloned them. At the same time, all the non-essential employees are gathered in the cafeteria and locked there by the mercenaries on his orders while others are deployed in some of the Citadel's most strategic locations (the control room, the labs' entrance...)
Meanwhile, the Carabinieri convoy has entered the Sanctuary and following the main road to the Citadel, they pass by the lake seen in A bed in the trees scene and several animals, including predators, which do nothing but watch the convoy. Drones are seen flying above the Italian vehicles. However, just as the Citadel is visible in the distance, the convoy stops when the first vehicle notices that a fallen tree is lying across the road. While it's quite large, said tree is still light enough to be moved by a group of people and with a lot of effort. Colonel Pasolini orders for a certain number of his men to get out and move the tree out of their way but while they start accomplishing their task, the Carabinieri feels the ground trembling beneath their feet and they and those still in the vehicles see ripples in the water puddles along the road. A racket starts to be heard in the woods on both sides of the road and in the distance, trees can be heard being jostled or even falling. Aware that large dinosaurs must be nearby, Pasolini orders his men to get back inside the vehicles and to the last in the convoy to return to the last crossroads and search another way to the Citadel. But just as said vehicle turns around, a tree falls across the road, larger than the one ahead of the convoy. The latter is now stuck between the two fallen trees and when they see human silhouettes running away from the one behind the convoy, the Carabinieri realize that they've fallen into an ambush (hearing the Carabinieri's communications on the radio, Vuillier and Viscontini wonder what treachery Dodgson has planned). Meanwhile, the drones have returned over the convoy and the racket in the woods gets closer and closer and the people in the convoy glimpse three large necks rising from the forest: argentinosaurs, charging argentinosaurs. Frightened at such a sight, the Carabineri are struck with fear and just as the sauropods are about to burst out of the forest at any second, a dreadful booming sound (similar to that of the orcs horns in Battle of the Five Armies; or the reapers' sound from the Mass Effect series) comes from speakers on some nearby elevation and in response, the sauropods let out a deafening bellow heard across much of the Sanctuary. Before they can take action, the Carabinieri are attacked by the argentinosaurs and their suite of small predators.
In the control room, Pellegrino witnesses the attack through some drone visuals and is wondering how it happened. She orders the technicians to send a signal in the sauropods' brain chips (during the Inspection scene at the beginning of the story, Pellegrino explain to the group that the Sanctuary animals are chipped) in order to make them stop but when they try to send the signal, the get an error notification, and one of the technicians say that either the chips fried and are driving the animals mad, or they were hacked. Pellegrino then asks to deactivate the aerial defense system to let the besiegers fly their helicopters into the valley but she's told that some program recently inserted prevent them from doing that for the entire duration of the prenstation. Powerless, the head of security watches the argentinosaurs crushing vehicles and men under their feet, and their suites of small predators harassing them. She's even more surprised when a few Ankylosaurus (first glimpsed in the news montage when the report talks about "tailored dinosaurs". Compared to those from the fossil record and those made by InGen, those Ankylosaurus are bigger and more high-legged, giving them enhanced mobility. Design-wise, it's basically the one from the actual JW films, albeit perhaps more intimidating) join the fray. Having suspicions, she head for the auditorium.
After learning that Pasolini and his Carabinieri fell into an ambush, an offensive is launched against the walls of Biosyn lands. Vuillier and Viscontini watch the Italian and Austrian Special Forces engaging the mercenaries defending the walls by the airstrip. They hope they'll soon make a breach so they can reach the convoy before it's too late (they know they can't send helicopters due the pterosaurs acting as the Citadel's aerial defense).
In the valley, one of the Carabinieri notice that the animal isn't acting on its own will (it's seen blocking its movements for a short moment, like someone resisting to a possession) and even seems in pain.
We cut to the auditorium and his observation is confirmed, with Dodgson explaining to the board of directors that thanks to chips (originally designed by Mantah Corp but Dodgson being Dodgson, he doesn't mention that and instead give the credit to the team rival of Mia's), they can control the animals like puppets. He precise that while the chips work well on some animals, trials have failed with others (like the raptors). On the auditorium's giant screen, various diagrams and footage of trials are seen.
We then follow another POV, that of technicians inside a command centre-like room. The technicians are sitting in front of monitors and each of them is seen typing on keyboards, giving instructions to the argentinosaurs' and ankylosaurs' chips (on the monitors, the audience can notice that they give names to each of the animals. For example, the three Argentinosaurus are named Brontes, Steropes, and Arges; after three of the cyclops from Greek Mythology). Through their drones or even micro cameras attached to the dinosaurs, they see the Carabinieri fleeing northwards while some of the Italians retaliate to the attack by shooting on the dinosaurs. But their weapons are ineffective against the argentinosaurs' hide and the ankylosaurs' armours. On the order of a mercenary officer, the technicians send a second wave of animals.
The speakers make once again their awful booming sound, exacerbating the animals' aggressiveness, and the second wave emerges from the forest. Before the scene cuts, we see it's made of, among other things, a Gigantoraptor (named Jabberwocky on its controlling technician's monitor), a couple of Quetzalcoatlus, probably some medium-large theropods like Allosaurus or Carnotaurus, a Biosyn Triceratops, and maybe even some Hyaenodon/sabre-toothed felid (depends on which will appear in the fighting pit in Malta) and Gigantopithecus recently imported to Auronzo. Many of those new attackers wear armor pieces comparable to those of police and military dogs or horses.
In the auditorium, the giant screen ends up showing the battle occurring in the valley. Dodgson's audience gasps when they see the drones' footage. One of the board members ask: "It's from a video game? Right?"
NOTE: I fear that there might be too many animals and different species involved in the battle. The mandatory ones are the following: Argentinosaurus (maybe have more than three individuals? The Brontes-Steropes-Arges trio could be seen charging abreast, evoking from afar a single three-headed gigantic beast) and their suite, Triceratops (which will illustrate itself soon and show how it's different from InGen's trikes), Gigantoraptor (in order to have a faster and more agile creature in the lot), and another player foreshadowed in earlier scenes (you'll know which when we'll return to the battle).
Sneaking into the Citadel
While battle just broke out further west, a Biosyn guard posted by a large gate carved at the base of the mountain near the Citadel spots a hooded silhouette under the trees: Claire. She retreats into the darkness and as a huge reward has been promised to anyone who would capture Vuillier's she-wolf, he runs after her. However, just like the colleagues she killed the day before, she lures him into an ambush and neutralizes him. She then steals his uniform and badge, and use the latter to open the gate, entering in an underground corridor, large enough to allow the transportation of large animals like the mysterious big theropod she glimpsed earlier. She follows it towards the Citadel.
Unbeknownst to her, the grey guards have also started their infiltration in the Citadel, by walking down the slopes behind the central tower. After neutralizing the few Biosyn guards positioned there, they enter the garden around the tower. In the latter's shadow, they split up in four groups, each heading into different parts of the Citadel:
- Cesare, Olivares and another are tasked with entering the labs.
- Perez, Al-Damiri and a third team member must take over the control room at the top of the tower.
- Chapuy and two others are tasked with searching the archives under the tower and preventing anyone from destroying the documents.
- Massoud, Kapakas and Papadopoulos must find the cells and free the WDMC agents if they're there.
The Battle of Auronzo
Following the road, the retreating Carabinieri reach the Valley's main river and the bridge the convoy crossed on the way just a few minutes ago. However, a controlled animal charging from the other side of the river prevents the first Carabinieri from taking it and they are forced to cross the cold waters of the river itself (it's thigh-deep at best) while the controlled animals are right on their heels. Several Carabinieri get killed during the crossing while some of their colleagues are cut off from them and must escape into the woods on the southern side of the river. Luckily, the controlling technicians didn't notice them. Once Pasolini and his remaining men are all on the other side of the river with the few vehicles they could have gotten out of the ambush site, the controlling technicians have their animals stopped just at the edge. A last animal codenamed Quasimodo arrive on the battlefield, a large Biosyn-made predator which visually, looks like a perversion of the real animal which makes up its base genome: It's the monstrous theropod from the bunker, an Acrocanthosaurus whose DNA was spliced with that of other animals, including crocodile (due to the croc fetish of some Biosyn executives) in order to be bigger and more "Monstrous and cooler-looking" than InGen's Acrocanthosaurus (yes, it's just JWD's Giganotosaurus with a different name). The apex predator makes his way through the other animals, which are seen looking at him with fright (in case of the smaller species) or irritation (in case of the Argentinosaurus and the other megaherbivores) but still controlled, they can't run away or fight it. As they're not controlled by the chips, the members of the Argentinosaurus' suite are showing aggression and one of them dares to attack him, but Quasimodo just grabs it in the air and eats it, discouraging the others from attacking as long as the sauropods won't. Quasimodo then stops in front of the bridge and looks at the Carabinieri on the other side. Confronted to this surreal sight, Pasolini don't know if they shall continue their retreat northwards or wait and hope for reinforcements' arrival.
While the animals are eerily standing still by the river, Dodgson exposes an idea to the board: They will bred new animals which aren't in their official catalogue, secretly release them in various parts of the globe, create "controlled" incidents and then get contracted by governments to capture the animals (capture which will be very easy with the chips, barely an inconvenience...) and send them to Auronzo. Biosyn will be both the disease and the cure, getting profits from this endless cycle of incidents and capture and obtaining absolute control on genetic power while their remaining competitors will die one by one. Basically, they'll soon become the equivalent in the Bio-engineering world of the British East India Company, something InGen aspired to be before crumbling. The CEO adds that his friends within the US government are already very interested by this technology.
Hidden in a technical room right behind the auditorium's stage, Pellegrino heard Dodgson bragging about controlling the animals. Realizing that he's so mad that he is slaughtering her fellow countrymen just to sell a technology, she takes a potentially fatal decision.
Back at the camp near the airstrip, Viscontini tells Vuillier that someone within the Italian government must have warned Dodgson, explaining how he got the time to do his nasty preparations. As the Special Forces just defeated the mercenaries guarding the northern entrance of Biosyn's lands and took the airstrip, Vuillier and Nyamu join them, asking for a weapon and climbing into one of their vehicles, refusing to stay safely in the camp while their friends and colleagues are in danger of death within the valley.
The speakers let out a third blast and hearing it, the few Carabinieri south of the river turn towards its origin. They see the speaker and an movable antenna on a nearby ridge and are aware that it must have something to do with the animals' unnatural behaviour. They rush towards it, hoping to save their comrades.
Irritated by the third blast, the controlled animals stamp and growl/bellow for a moment, before their controlling technicians orders them to move forward, as they were ordered to crush the Carabinieri before the arrival of their allies. While the other animals cross the river, Quasimodo the monstrous Acrocanthosaurus takes the bridge, accelerating his pace little by little before roaring and dashing on the Carabinieri. Aware that they'll be all slaughtered within a few minutes if they just stand there, Pasolini ordered to his men a few moments before to scatter in every direction and flee as long as possible in order to win time while the remaining vehicles will be either used to carry a maximum amount of men to the nearest shelter (could be the Hunting Lodge) before coming back and picking up those they can. Pasolini volunteers to stay on foot.
While flying between the speakers and the river, one of the drones spot the Carabinieri left south of the river. Noticing those troublemakers, the controlling technicians recall two of the animals from the battlefield (probably one of the Argentinosaurus and the Gigantoraptor).
On the other side of the river, the rest of the controlled animals have started attacking Pasolini and his men. The argentinosaurs charge through the forest and crush the Carabinieri like ants while their predatory auxiliaries harass them; the trike basically acts like a giant version of the boar from Australian horror film Razorback, charging, goring with its horns, and cutting off limbs with its sharp beak; Quasimodo devour several of the Italians... Colonel Pasolini ends up killed by one of the creatures and his death ruins the morale of his men who are about to rout.
Meanwhile, reactions among Dodgson's audience are varied:While some are captivated, others are not sure what to think about using the Carabinieri as guinea pigs, and one or two are disgusted. Nathan Quinn has a neutral attitude (he's interested by the technology but even if he strongly disapproves the actual demonstration and the bloodbath, he doesn't show it) while Ramsay avoid looking at the screen.
Hearing one of the Argentinosaurus bulldozing its way through the forest behind them just as they are about to reach the speakers and the antenna, the other Carabinieri start to run but during their race, they are surprised by the Gigantoraptor when it kills one of the Carabinieri, acting a bit like an oversized terror bird. They are forced to climb into a tree near a cliff's edge in order to escape it, with even another of the Carabinieri sacrificing himself to let the others climb high reach its targets, the Gigantoraptor tries to climb on the tree but to no avail, as it's too big. However, the tree bends and ends up uprooted under its assaults. Our characters are now hanging on an horizontal tree which will probably soon fall if the theropod keeps kicking it under its controller's command. They can't escape by one end as the Gigantoraptor is waiting for them and to make matters worse, the Argentinosaurus appears below the cliff and it can raise its head almost high enough to grab our characters. They can't escape.
Sneaky as a viper
After passing by the entrance of the large bunker where the monstrous Acrocanthosaurus was contained, Claire decides to pass by the vents after hearing some guards.
The Goblins of Nublar
During their journey through the amber mines, Maisie, Theo and Drummond stumble upon a lone Pectinodon. Remembering what he said earlier about the network of tunnels and its potential exits leading out of the valley, Drummond realize that the Pectinodons, and not the raptors, were involved in several of the external incidents (including the one from the Prologue). As he had to capture some of those creatures in a post-apocalyptic Nublar for Mills and Wu while he was part of Wheatley's mercenary company, Theo warns his companions about the danger of those animals. Maisie remembers having seen babies of those animals in the manor's basement along all the others Mills sold in his secret auction. The lone Pectinodon let out a series of calls and soon, an entire pack threatens our protagonists.
Ensue a scene where they have to repel them (Drummond tries to use the portable horn he has in his bag in order to scare the pectinodons but they're not impressed) and flee. However, Theo is bitten during that scene and his two companions notice this during a brief moment of respite. Maisie hopes they could perhaps find some cure but Theo answers that while one exists, they won't reach it in time. He adds that the venom will drive him mad (as seen in JPTG and mentioned in TRQ) and turn him into a danger for them. While his mind is still clear, he give Wu's flash drive to Maisie, has farewell words with her, asks Drummond to take care of her, and then runs back to where they came from, intending to win some time for them. While Maisie and Rod flee, Theo stands in the tunnel, preventing the pectinodons from going any further. He battles them to the death, taking several to the grave with him. An alternative could be him attracting a maximum of pectinodons in a room where he either provokes a crumbling, either a flooding, something that kills Theo and his attackers.
Finding a ladder, Maisie and Drummond follows it and climb out of the mines, narrowly escaping the pectinodons. They are back to the surface, somewhere in the northern part of the valley, not far from the dam. The palaeontologist then takes the traumatized teenager to the nearest tower, where they rest and resupply for a time.
Turning the Tide
Just as hope seems lost for the Carabinieri in the western part of the valley, a group of Shantungosaurus steps out from the forest and when the speakers on the trailer let out another blast to infuriate the controlled Gigantoraptor and Argentinosaurus nearby, the hadrosaurs, pissed by the sound made, attack the speakers and in the process, destroy also the antenna which sends the signals to the controlled animals' chips.
Freed of the mercenaries' control, the animals stop for a moment and most being scared by the gunshots or having no interest in killing the humans in front of them, just leave. However some like the Triceratops or Quasimodo carry on with their attacks due to their natural instincts but when the Special Forces finally arrive from the north, they hesitate and after being intimidated by the newcomers, they retreat and disappear in the forest' darkness. The surviving Carabinieri start to rally to their allies.
Witnessing the shift in the situation, Dodgson is frustrated and leaves the auditorium, tasking Ramsay with trying to reassure the board. He calls Bigelow, telling her to meet him at his office. On the way, the CEO is cornered by Pellegrino and some of her men, mostly Italians, who point their pistols on him. The head of security tells Dodgson he's under arrest and orders him to cease this madness and surrender to the authorities. However, the putschists are surrounded in their turn by Dodgson's bodyguards and some mercenaries, and all except Pellegrino are gunned down. While she is neutralized and taken to the cells, Dodgson hurries to the Citadel's central tower. By the entrance of his office, Bigelow and Kayla are waiting for him. They enter his office and Dodgson starts cleaning his computer and putting his most precious belongings in a bag, including the hard-drive with Biosyn's most important research. The CEO also orders some men to destroy the archives.
At the top of the tower, Isabella Perez, Sherif Al-Damiri and their companion reach the control room and while they're securing it, Vincent Chapuy and his two comrades have to fight the men sent by Dodgson to the archives. Perez orders the technicians to deactivate the aerial defense system and the pterosaurs are seen moving away, letting the Special Forces (accompanied by Viscontini) fly to the battlefield. A couple of their helicopters go directly to the Citadel, engaging the mercenaries defending it.
While the dead or wounded Carabinieri are taken off the valley before the scavengers show up, the others regroup and with the Special Forces' ground forces, march to the Citadel where they intend to soon end the battle. Vuillier contacts Cesare, asking him about his progress. Cesare and his two companions haven't yet entered the labs, as Dodgson deployed seasoned mercenaries and not simple guards at their entrance, offering a hard resistance.
While the Citadel's defenders are engaged with the Special Forces dropped by the helicopters, Armand Massoud, Angelos Papadopoulos and Lydia Kapakas enter the Security HQ and free Owen and Dougal after a small fight with the gaolers. Pellegrino is also freed. The Raptor Whisperer asks one of the gaolers where Victoria is. She's in the kennels, in the lower levels. While Owen rushes to the kennels, the three grey guards, Dougal and Pellegrino head for the atrium.
Running out of time (his computer is having some issues), Dodgson sends his last forces to the Citadel's atrium, where a shootout occurs. With the cafeteria no longer guarded, the non-essential employees try to break out. Meanwhile several Biosyn guards drop their weapons and surrender when they see Pellegrino collaborating with the besiegers.
Dodgson's joker card
The defenders lose ground and as they are about to be caught between the Carabinieri, the Italian and Austrian Special Forces, the Massoud-Kapakas-Papadopoulos trio and Pellegrino's followers, one of the Biosyn guard calls for a ceasefire. The fight stops and Dodgson appears on top of the stairs which lead to the main courtyard. Bigelow, Kayla and his bodyguards are with him (while Ramsay is seen arriving from the Auditorium) and Dodgson has his bag with him. Seeing the CIA agent, the trio of grey guards hurls threats and insults at her, declaring she'll pay for Digby who died in Malta because of her treachery.
Dodgson look at his enemies: Vuillier, Nyamu and Viscontini down in the atrium, standing in front of the Carabinieri; the grey guards, Dougal and Pellegrino on one of the floors. He talks to them, congratulating them for taking the valley from him, before adding that they won one battle but not the war. Just as he is about to get arrested, he unveils his joker card: Should he be imprisoned or killed, his agents abroad have the order of releasing the content of nine containers he sent across the globe: Swarms of genetically-modified locusts designed to eat every crop but Biosyn's (a montage show trucks carrying the same containers as those seen in the airstrip. They park in the countryside of the following regions: US Midwest, India, Burkina Faso, Tanzania, Egypt, China, Argentina, Australia, and Germany). Should the locusts be freed, they would trigger a global famine, with people being forced to turn to Biosyn if they want to eat. Even if Dodgson doesn't leave Auronzo alive, Biosyn will have a future as it will be the only entity which could ensure mankind's survival in this apocalyptic scenario.
New attackers
Meanwhile, three helicopters arrive from the opposite side of the valley. At first, it's believed that they are others Special Forces helicopters but as no one on the besiegers' camp ordered them to head for the Citadel, some try to contact the oncoming aircrafts, to no avail. Fearing some ill shift in situation, Vuillier suggest his allies to take cover. One of the besiegers' helicopter tries to intercept the trio of helicopters but they shoot it down and it crashes in the eastern part of the valley, near one of the observation towers. Everyone in the atrium is surprised, including Dodgson, and rushes to shelter while two of the helicopters fire missiles in several of the Citadel's key locations, including the atrium, the helipad (destroying the board's helicopters) and the cafeteria, and spray the control room (Perez is hit while one of the technician accidently release the animals contained in the kennel when he falls dead head first on his console. The freed animals not only include Victoria but also dilophosaurs among other things). After that, they distract those of the besieging forces and attack the Citadel's defenders. Many casualties are inflicted among the besiegers and Biosyn employees.
Dodgson regains consciousness just after the attack, which killed his bodyguards and projected Bigelow and Kayla away. Next to him, Ramsay is still unconscious. He sees the third helicopter of the attackers landing in the courtyard and debarking a squad of armed men who directly rushes to the laboratories. As soon as they're gone, Dodgson grabs his bag, wakes Ramsay up, and takes advantage of the situation to escape, towards the nearest elevator. He chose one of the lower levels, that of the garages. The elevator blocks itself halfway and the two Biosyn executives must force their way out while chaos has taken over the rest of the building.
2023.06.08 11:45 chanon17 A longer-than-you-asked-for life update filled with trans joy and complications
Hello friends! Chelsea here. 😊
I've thought about making this post for a while but just hadn't gotten around to it. But as I said in the title, I slept most of the day because 🤷🏻♀️ so I'm up late drinking coffee and trying to figure life out. If you're interested in being up-to-date on my life story (and why wouldn't you want to know the intimate details of a random stranger on the internet?), here are past updates for your convenience:
June 2022:
Further complications following coming out to my parents:
I came out to my parents and there were complications, which you can read about in the linked posts above. What happened after that is that a couple of weeks later, my parents asked me to come over to 1) see if anything had changed (uh, duh, it hadn't) and to warn me: they were going to go camping with my grandparents and aunt/uncle, and my mom wasn't sure that she could keep things to herself regarding my trans identity. Specifically, she warned that she might tell her brother (my uncle) in order to gauge what his thoughts on how their parents (my grandparents) would react to the information.
I told her that I'd rather she didn't, and her response was "well I just don't know if I'll be able to help it". So that was fun. The weekend passed, and the day after they had all gotten home, I received a cryptic text from my aunt, where she told me she loved me and prayed for me constantly. She said that she had noticed from my book-tailored Instagram account that I'd read a specific book about churches and LGBTQ issues that she was going to read too because she likes to "read lots of things and try to consider all sides of issues before [making] a decision", and that she was going to watch a specific video made by the author of this book. (I'm leaving out the name of the book and the author for my own privacy reasons.) I assumed that this text meant my mom had told my aunt/uncle after all because I had made no mention of this book's author or any videos he had made, so her mentioning the video indicated that she had been pointed in a specific direction. Anyway, nothing further was said, about me being trans or otherwise, for a long time, but I more or less operated under the assumption that my aunt and uncle now knew.
December 2022:
Christmas time with family update:
Christmas at my aunt and uncle's house with the rest of the family, sans my grandparents because my grandma came down with Covid. Towards the end of our stay, my dad pulled me aside and asked me what my plan was around "telling my aunt and uncle", to which I responded "I thought that you and Mom did tell them", and he said no, that they figured that it should come from me. I still call BS, that even if they didn't outright say "[deadname] is trans", they hinted pretty heavily that something was going on. In any case, I told him I had no plan of telling them and didn't. The months leading up to this were weird because I was taking HRT but otherwise not presenting femme because of my work and family situations, so my parents never said a word about it before that moment with my dad even though I ate dinner at their place once a week.
January 2023:
Okay, now we're getting to the good stuff!!
Coming out to my bible study class:
If you didn't read my previous posts: I have always valued my Christian faith, and it was important to me early in my transition to find peace between my transition and my relationship with God. I'd found a local church in March/April-ish that was fully affirming and accepting of LGBTQ individuals and had been attending in person since May. And let me tell you everyone, finding this church is maybe the best thing that has ever happened to me!
When I first started attending, I filled out a guest registration form and disclosed that I was trans but not presenting yet, and the person who responded directed me to a bible study class of people around my age. In that class, I made friends for the first time in literal years, and not just one or two, but many! I didn't come out to them, but I also didn't try very hard to hide things like my budding breasts or longer hair or other changes like I did in other social spaces. I joined the choir, played in the band (there's a wind ensemble at the church that I play my French horn in once a month), was enlisted into the New Member Committee, and just had the best time.
That said, in January of 2023, I decided I wanted to come out to my class, so I recorded a video myself, posted it in the class group chat, and then put my phone on Do Not Disturb before going to the gym. When I got back to my car, I opened my phone and was overwhelmed with messages of love and support and acceptance; it was everything I could have hoped for! I told them that I didn't have a timeline for presenting femme or for changing my name and pronouns, I just wanted them to know so that they could be on the journey with me.
Getting a church name tag of my chosen name in secret:
ALSO: I mentioned that I was enlisted into the New Member Committee, and we had our first meeting this month. The staff liaison to the committee, who just so happened to be the person who had responded to my guest registration form and directed me to my Bible study class, was going to order everyone in the committee name tags so that we could wear them around church to be hospitable to people. I emailed her afterwards, reminding her that I was trans if she had forgotten and asked for her to make an extra name tag: one for my deadname that everyone still new me as, and one for my chosen name. And she was more than happy to oblige!
February 2023:
1-year HRT anniversary:
Firstly, this was the 1-year anniversary of me starting hormones! Just a few stats: I'd lost around 45-50 pounds, grown my hair from bald to just past my earlobes (with a stubborn patch of male-pattern-baldness right in the front 😔), and felt good in my body for the first time in my life.
Coming out to the rest of my mom's side of the family:
Secondly, this was the month when I came out to the rest of my (mom's side of the) family. Not because I felt especially like I wanted to but because I was more or less cornered into it.
I was at church choir rehearsal when the family group chat lit up: my uncle was asking us to look at our emails so that we could make plans for a family cruise to celebrate my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary...in December. And we had to book the vacation ASAP.
My heart sunk into my stomach. I was still only out to my parents and brother, and here we were trying to make travel plans for 10 months from now? When I wouldn't look the same, when my documents hopefully wouldn't match what they are now? I knew that I would have to come out to everyone because I didn't see this vacation as something that I could plan for at this point in time.
My dad called me that night, asking me about my thoughts on the vacation, to which I told him I didn't think I could do it. He was beating around the bush, saying that if it was a money issue that he and my mom could help, to which I responded "you know why I can't go". His response was that I needed to call my uncle and come out to him. But I didn't that night. I did type out a coming out letter addressed to the rest of the family, and I debated between sending it in the group chat, sending it to individual family members, or recording a video of myself reading it, but never did.
The next day, I was basically in a fugue state all day at work. I had a sense of impending doom knowing that I would likely have to come out to my family by the end of the day. My dad texted me asking what I was going to do, and I just told him that I wasn't going to go on the cruise, which he passed on to my uncle. Around midday I got a text from my uncle since he hadn't heard from me and he was the one booking the cruise, but I didn't respond. He called later on my way home from work, and again, I ignored it.
When I got home from work, I set about trying to record the video of me reading the letter I mentioned before, but I couldn't get the tone right...it always sounded too angry. Eventually, my aunt messaged the family chat, asking for confirmation from each person about their availability and willingness to go on the trip, and one by one everyone responded except for me. The moment came...I had to do something.
So I called my aunt. Crying, I came out to her, confessing that I'd been on hormones for a year (this actually happened the day before my 1-year hormone anniversary). She responded that she and my uncle weren't blind, that they had noticed something was up (or my mom had told them👀), and that no matter what, they still love me. She did say that she wanted to talk with me about this at some point to learn about my perspective, especially regarding my faith and how it was that my church and I had come to justify being trans/LGBTQ with what the Bible says (more on that later).
But she also understood my concerns regarding the trip, and she said there was no version of this trip that they would go on without me. But I needed to come out to my grandparents because there needed to be a reason for the trip to be called off all of a sudden.
So I gathered my courage, drove to my grandparents' neighborhood, and after a bit of hesitation, called my grandma. I asked if I could come talk to them, and warned that it was likely not going to be a happy conversation...I didn't want to blindside her.
So I came out to the two of them, sitting in their living room, and it went...better than it did with my parents?! I mean, let's be real, no one was necessarily happy about it, but no one yelled or stormed off in anger. My grandma told me she'd noticed something was going on too but just assumed I was gay (I mean...not in the way she thinks), and my grandpa, bless him in his 80 years of age, said that I'm an adult and can make my own decisions. (Imagine that!) And they both reiterated that they loved me.
My aunt had also asked if it was okay if she talked to her kids/my cousins about me being trans. Maybe I shouldn't have said yes because I don't know exactly what was said to them, but my oldest cousin, who is four years younger than me, texted me separately saying she and her husband-to-be loved me just as much as they did before and that she's "always make sure that [I] still feel loved and know [I'm] a valued family member".
And that's the story of how I came out to my mom's side of the family! My dad's side? TBD...but also less important because I don't see them very often.
Oh, one more thing: we're going to go on that cruise after all. My uncle asked the travel agent he was booking the cruise with if it was possible to change/update my booking information if all the identification changes that I'm hoping for happen, and she said as long as I've got updated documents by a certain date, they can be changed on the reservation. So now I just have a casual email from my uncle discussing my gender transition, which is surreal.
March 2023:
Coming out to my church choir director:
My church choir director had announced his retirement and impending move across the country, which was coming at the end of April. I had started making plans around this time to debut as Chelsea later in May, after he'd be gone, and I had a sense that I didn't want him to learn after the fact that I came out after he had left and think that I had waited for him to leave. So I wrote him a letter thanking him and coming out, and I gave it to him after rehearsal one night.
He emailed me in response the next day, expressing all the same joy and acceptance and love that my bible study class had shown, and he also asked if he could know my chosen name, which I happily shared, because at this point I'd gotten the name tags I mentioned before and had taken a picture.
I told him in the letter that I'd be stepping away from the choir for at least a little while once I started presenting as Chelsea, and he said he understood but hoped I wouldn't stay away for too long because "this is the most remarkable group of people" and "they will accept you however you choose to present".
April 2023:
My cousin's wedding but then ears pierced:
My cousin got married Easter weekend. Even though I was out to this side of the family, they weren't ready for me to be Chelsea around them, and to be honest neither was I, but that doesn't mean that I was happy wearing a men's suit. I drove the three hours back home late after the wedding so that I could be at my church's Easter events starting early the next morning. And the day after Easter? I got my ears pierced! They're still healing, so I haven't worn any cute earrings yet, but soon!
(By the way, I told my family about getting my ears pierced ahead of them seeing me a few days later. I didn't want them to notice them on their own and think I was trying to hide it. My mom texted my aunt about it, saying she wasn't handling it well, and my grandmother straight-up cried. They never said anything to me about them though. 🤷🏻♀️)
Coming out to the man whose writing brought me to my affirming church:
That book that I mentioned earlier, the one that my aunt said she would read? Well, the author of the book attends my church. Up to this point, I had only met and spoken with him once, back in January: he had just published a new book and was signing copies at church, so I went up to him and bought the new one, but I also brought my copy of the other one and told him that I was at this church because of him. I didn't tell him why, though.
At a dinner party saying goodbye to the retiring choir director, I found myself next to this author in line, and he mentioned a job opening that he thought I might be a good fit for because it was in my field, but what he didn't know (yet) is that I am trans and was leaving my job shortly and would be looking for something completely different.
I messaged him later that night, coming out to him, and he thanked me for confiding in him, asking if we could meet up for coffee or dinner sometime soon so he could hear more of my story.
May 2023:
Coming out to the church congregation at large:
My church has a weekly bulletin/newsletter that each week has a member profile in it, where church members share a picture of themselves and answer some questions so that the rest of the congregation can know them better. I had been contacted to participate in this member profile really early in my time attending the church but had refrained, probably not knowing at the time that I'd save my chance as my method of coming out to the church at large.
And on May 1st, I emailed the staff member who had made me the name tag with my chosen name on it my copy of the profile, including a picture of myself as Chelsea, and I requested a specific date later in the month to be featured. And she said yes!
A few days later, I had dinner with the author mentioned before, and we had a lovely time talking about my life path bringing me to this moment. I shared with him the picture of my name tag, and I also told him that I'd be making the switch to Chelsea in just a few short weeks.
Just a reminder that even though I was out as trans to my bible study class, I was still known as [deadname] and used he/him pronouns. I had only shared my chosen name with a couple of people; I had decided that I didn't want to make the switch until I could make it permanently with them. The week before the member profile was set to go live, I told my class that it was my last time attending church as [deadname], so they needed to keep an eye out on the upcoming newslettebulletin.
The newsletter went live on that Friday, and I was once again flooded with messages from my class expressing their love and acceptance of me, and they all told me they had updated their contact for me in their phones. I was also added to the women-only group chat, which I'd been invited to before but didn't want to join until I was officially Chelsea to them.
The night the newsletter went live, I had my first Chelsea test run. There's a couple in my class who I go see plays/musicals with on a regular basis, so I chose that opportunity to go out with them. I wore a black dress and ballet flats, and we went out for Thai food before seeing the play together. It's funny, before coming out to myself as trans, I'd crossdressed and gone out a few times over the years, but since starting HRT, the most I had done was wear femme pajamas at home and maybe tighter pants on occasion. I didn't even practice makeup on my own. So going out to the play as Chelsea was my first real experience doing so, and it went great and felt so good!
That first Sunday, I arrived with my nails painted navy blue, wearing a floral dress and makeup, and I was so at ease driving to church that morning. One member of my class had arranged for everyone to meet earlier than normal so they could celebrate me, so we had donuts and coffee together before class officially started, and many of them wrote notes of encouragement to me to take home and read later. Even our senior pastor stopped by to write a note!
As for the rest of the church? They were amazing! I met so many new people who wanted to come meet me after reading my member profile, and many of the people who I had already interacted with on a regular basis came up and hugged me, including the author I'd had dinner with and the staff member who had made me the name tag (that I was now proudly wearing) and my bible study teacher. So I am exclusively Chelsea at church now. 😊
Coming out to my coworker and leaving my job:
In other news, I finally came out to my coworker (we're teachers) and told him that I was leaving. I'd been at this school for 6 years, and 5 of them had been with him as my coworker. I knew that he would be affirming and supportive when I told him, but it was still really hard to tell him. For the rest of the school year, though, he was really careful to be sensitive to gendered language, even trying to leave the "Mr." off in front of my last name when addressing me in front of our students.
There was still one more week of school after I came out at church, which meant that after a full weekend as Chelsea, I had to go to work Monday morning as [deadname] again, which really sucked. My coworker even pulled me aside that first morning to acknowledge how weird it must be for me.
Packing up my office on the last couple of days of school was really hard. I was in the career that I had more or less envisioned for myself since I was 13 years old, and here I was at 31 just packing it up without knowing for sure what was next career-wise. There were definitely parts of teaching that really sucked, especially in the time since the pandemic, but I did still enjoy it a lot of the time. Saying goodbye was difficult.
Family update:
For Mother's Day, I had considered writing my mom and my grandma letters expressing understanding that getting used to the idea of me being trans was difficult for them, and saying that I hoped that I could start sharing more of myself with them soon, and signing it with my chosen name...which my family (aside from my brother) still doesn't know, by the way. But I decided my original letters were a little too much too fast (I mean, not really, but I was trying to be courteous), so I wrote shorter versions, and instead of signing with my deadname, I simply signed "C". There were lots of tears and mouthed "I love you"s from across the room.
I mentioned before that I used to go over to my parents' house once a week for dinner and hangout time, but ever since that day in February when I came out to everyone, I hadn't heard from my parents about coming over anymore. To be honest, it was probably just a lack of communication on both sides, but I felt that since we always met at their house, they should be the ones to reinitiate the weekly hangouts. They eventually did resume, more or less the same as they were before, but even though I'm still not dressing femme around them, now I'm more willing to wear shorts to show off my bare legs, or keep my nails painted, or not be concerned if they feel a bra strap or see my breast growth under my shirt. I even went to my grandparents' house my bare legs and navy blue nails, and no one batted an eye! Progress! I think the Mother's Day notes helped.
Meeting with my aunt to talk about me being trans and my faith:
I mentioned before that my aunt wanted to talk with me about my journey into my identity and Christian perspective on LGBTQ acceptance, and we did have that talk. She was in town for work and texted me asking if I wanted to have dinner with her, so we met for tacos and talked. She had read the book I mentioned before, and she didn't necessarily agree with what was presented in it, but she also didn't fully condemn it. We had a perfectly lovely, civil conversation.
June 2023:
Pride month update:
Well, here we are. I'm currently Chelsea a few times a week, which has been so much fun, but it has also made being [deadname] so much harder. With it being Pride Month, I'm really itching to officially come out to the world so that I can stop hiding behind [deadname]'s Facebook page and trying to save my family's feelings about my transition.
There's still one more friend who I haven't come out to yet, and I kinda want to come out to him (and to my dad's parents) before I make anything super public. Along with the friend who was the first person I came out to back in March of last year, this friend is one of my high school best friends, and we lived together in the 2+ years immediately preceding the pandemic. But while that first friend and I have both grown more liberal over the years, I don't know if the same can be said of this other friend, and I still fear his reaction. I don't want to lose a friend, but I know that I can't hide it much longer. Nor do I want to!
I'm actively searching for work, which always sucks. I need something soon though because my money situation is not super great. I have a paycheck from my teaching job until the end of August, but I'd really like to earn more money on top of that and double up while I can. I thought for a while that I would learn coding and become a programmer or web developer of some kind, but at the moment I'd rather find a job using skills that I already have rather than taking all the time to learn something completely new. I realize I didn't plan ahead for this very well, but I'll be okay.
The author I've mentioned several times is also a preacher, and this past Sunday he was out of town guest preaching at another church. That afternoon, he messaged me a link to the archived livestream of his message, telling me part of his sermon was about how I inspired him. 🥺 I've only watched it 50 times so far.
I've thought about using this video as a way of coming out to my friend, or to reveal my chosen name to my family (as well as the fact that I'm actively femme much of the time I'm not around them). I've also got a video recorded for the purpose of coming out on social media, though I might rerecord it or do something different when the time actually comes.
By the way, I went to my first Pride this last weekend, and my church had Pride shirts made and also had their own booth at the festival, giving out Pride versions of their logo stickers! I'm so lucky to be where I am, even though Texas be scary.
In any case, this was a looooooooooong post. If you read any of it, thank you for your time. Really, this was just therapeutic for me to get it all out of my head a bit, but as I mentioned before, reading others' trans experiences has been really helpful to me, so I hope others can find hope in my story.
I'm happy to answer questions if you have them. Otherwise, best wishes to you all - happy Pride Month!
-Chelsea❤️
P.S. - I don't know if the spoilers make this post easier or more frustrating to parse; I was hoping for expandable/collapsible blocks of text to make the post not as lengthy at face value, but I can't find a way to do that. If you need me to take the spoilers off, I'll do that.
submitted by chanon17 to MtF [link] [comments]
I've thought about making this post for a while but just hadn't gotten around to it. But as I said in the title, I slept most of the day because 🤷🏻♀️ so I'm up late drinking coffee and trying to figure life out. If you're interested in being up-to-date on my life story (and why wouldn't you want to know the intimate details of a random stranger on the internet?), here are past updates for your convenience:
- My best friend and I just came out to each other, totally unplanned
- Came out to my Christian parents as trans tonight
- Came out to my Christian parents as trans tonight (Update)
June 2022:
Further complications following coming out to my parents:
I came out to my parents and there were complications, which you can read about in the linked posts above. What happened after that is that a couple of weeks later, my parents asked me to come over to 1) see if anything had changed (uh, duh, it hadn't) and to warn me: they were going to go camping with my grandparents and aunt/uncle, and my mom wasn't sure that she could keep things to herself regarding my trans identity. Specifically, she warned that she might tell her brother (my uncle) in order to gauge what his thoughts on how their parents (my grandparents) would react to the information.
I told her that I'd rather she didn't, and her response was "well I just don't know if I'll be able to help it". So that was fun. The weekend passed, and the day after they had all gotten home, I received a cryptic text from my aunt, where she told me she loved me and prayed for me constantly. She said that she had noticed from my book-tailored Instagram account that I'd read a specific book about churches and LGBTQ issues that she was going to read too because she likes to "read lots of things and try to consider all sides of issues before [making] a decision", and that she was going to watch a specific video made by the author of this book. (I'm leaving out the name of the book and the author for my own privacy reasons.) I assumed that this text meant my mom had told my aunt/uncle after all because I had made no mention of this book's author or any videos he had made, so her mentioning the video indicated that she had been pointed in a specific direction. Anyway, nothing further was said, about me being trans or otherwise, for a long time, but I more or less operated under the assumption that my aunt and uncle now knew.
December 2022:
Christmas time with family update:
Christmas at my aunt and uncle's house with the rest of the family, sans my grandparents because my grandma came down with Covid. Towards the end of our stay, my dad pulled me aside and asked me what my plan was around "telling my aunt and uncle", to which I responded "I thought that you and Mom did tell them", and he said no, that they figured that it should come from me. I still call BS, that even if they didn't outright say "[deadname] is trans", they hinted pretty heavily that something was going on. In any case, I told him I had no plan of telling them and didn't. The months leading up to this were weird because I was taking HRT but otherwise not presenting femme because of my work and family situations, so my parents never said a word about it before that moment with my dad even though I ate dinner at their place once a week.
January 2023:
Okay, now we're getting to the good stuff!!
Coming out to my bible study class:
If you didn't read my previous posts: I have always valued my Christian faith, and it was important to me early in my transition to find peace between my transition and my relationship with God. I'd found a local church in March/April-ish that was fully affirming and accepting of LGBTQ individuals and had been attending in person since May. And let me tell you everyone, finding this church is maybe the best thing that has ever happened to me!
When I first started attending, I filled out a guest registration form and disclosed that I was trans but not presenting yet, and the person who responded directed me to a bible study class of people around my age. In that class, I made friends for the first time in literal years, and not just one or two, but many! I didn't come out to them, but I also didn't try very hard to hide things like my budding breasts or longer hair or other changes like I did in other social spaces. I joined the choir, played in the band (there's a wind ensemble at the church that I play my French horn in once a month), was enlisted into the New Member Committee, and just had the best time.
That said, in January of 2023, I decided I wanted to come out to my class, so I recorded a video myself, posted it in the class group chat, and then put my phone on Do Not Disturb before going to the gym. When I got back to my car, I opened my phone and was overwhelmed with messages of love and support and acceptance; it was everything I could have hoped for! I told them that I didn't have a timeline for presenting femme or for changing my name and pronouns, I just wanted them to know so that they could be on the journey with me.
Getting a church name tag of my chosen name in secret:
ALSO: I mentioned that I was enlisted into the New Member Committee, and we had our first meeting this month. The staff liaison to the committee, who just so happened to be the person who had responded to my guest registration form and directed me to my Bible study class, was going to order everyone in the committee name tags so that we could wear them around church to be hospitable to people. I emailed her afterwards, reminding her that I was trans if she had forgotten and asked for her to make an extra name tag: one for my deadname that everyone still new me as, and one for my chosen name. And she was more than happy to oblige!
February 2023:
1-year HRT anniversary:
Firstly, this was the 1-year anniversary of me starting hormones! Just a few stats: I'd lost around 45-50 pounds, grown my hair from bald to just past my earlobes (with a stubborn patch of male-pattern-baldness right in the front 😔), and felt good in my body for the first time in my life.
Coming out to the rest of my mom's side of the family:
Secondly, this was the month when I came out to the rest of my (mom's side of the) family. Not because I felt especially like I wanted to but because I was more or less cornered into it.
I was at church choir rehearsal when the family group chat lit up: my uncle was asking us to look at our emails so that we could make plans for a family cruise to celebrate my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary...in December. And we had to book the vacation ASAP.
My heart sunk into my stomach. I was still only out to my parents and brother, and here we were trying to make travel plans for 10 months from now? When I wouldn't look the same, when my documents hopefully wouldn't match what they are now? I knew that I would have to come out to everyone because I didn't see this vacation as something that I could plan for at this point in time.
My dad called me that night, asking me about my thoughts on the vacation, to which I told him I didn't think I could do it. He was beating around the bush, saying that if it was a money issue that he and my mom could help, to which I responded "you know why I can't go". His response was that I needed to call my uncle and come out to him. But I didn't that night. I did type out a coming out letter addressed to the rest of the family, and I debated between sending it in the group chat, sending it to individual family members, or recording a video of myself reading it, but never did.
The next day, I was basically in a fugue state all day at work. I had a sense of impending doom knowing that I would likely have to come out to my family by the end of the day. My dad texted me asking what I was going to do, and I just told him that I wasn't going to go on the cruise, which he passed on to my uncle. Around midday I got a text from my uncle since he hadn't heard from me and he was the one booking the cruise, but I didn't respond. He called later on my way home from work, and again, I ignored it.
When I got home from work, I set about trying to record the video of me reading the letter I mentioned before, but I couldn't get the tone right...it always sounded too angry. Eventually, my aunt messaged the family chat, asking for confirmation from each person about their availability and willingness to go on the trip, and one by one everyone responded except for me. The moment came...I had to do something.
So I called my aunt. Crying, I came out to her, confessing that I'd been on hormones for a year (this actually happened the day before my 1-year hormone anniversary). She responded that she and my uncle weren't blind, that they had noticed something was up (or my mom had told them👀), and that no matter what, they still love me. She did say that she wanted to talk with me about this at some point to learn about my perspective, especially regarding my faith and how it was that my church and I had come to justify being trans/LGBTQ with what the Bible says (more on that later).
But she also understood my concerns regarding the trip, and she said there was no version of this trip that they would go on without me. But I needed to come out to my grandparents because there needed to be a reason for the trip to be called off all of a sudden.
So I gathered my courage, drove to my grandparents' neighborhood, and after a bit of hesitation, called my grandma. I asked if I could come talk to them, and warned that it was likely not going to be a happy conversation...I didn't want to blindside her.
So I came out to the two of them, sitting in their living room, and it went...better than it did with my parents?! I mean, let's be real, no one was necessarily happy about it, but no one yelled or stormed off in anger. My grandma told me she'd noticed something was going on too but just assumed I was gay (I mean...not in the way she thinks), and my grandpa, bless him in his 80 years of age, said that I'm an adult and can make my own decisions. (Imagine that!) And they both reiterated that they loved me.
My aunt had also asked if it was okay if she talked to her kids/my cousins about me being trans. Maybe I shouldn't have said yes because I don't know exactly what was said to them, but my oldest cousin, who is four years younger than me, texted me separately saying she and her husband-to-be loved me just as much as they did before and that she's "always make sure that [I] still feel loved and know [I'm] a valued family member".
And that's the story of how I came out to my mom's side of the family! My dad's side? TBD...but also less important because I don't see them very often.
Oh, one more thing: we're going to go on that cruise after all. My uncle asked the travel agent he was booking the cruise with if it was possible to change/update my booking information if all the identification changes that I'm hoping for happen, and she said as long as I've got updated documents by a certain date, they can be changed on the reservation. So now I just have a casual email from my uncle discussing my gender transition, which is surreal.
March 2023:
Coming out to my church choir director:
My church choir director had announced his retirement and impending move across the country, which was coming at the end of April. I had started making plans around this time to debut as Chelsea later in May, after he'd be gone, and I had a sense that I didn't want him to learn after the fact that I came out after he had left and think that I had waited for him to leave. So I wrote him a letter thanking him and coming out, and I gave it to him after rehearsal one night.
He emailed me in response the next day, expressing all the same joy and acceptance and love that my bible study class had shown, and he also asked if he could know my chosen name, which I happily shared, because at this point I'd gotten the name tags I mentioned before and had taken a picture.
I told him in the letter that I'd be stepping away from the choir for at least a little while once I started presenting as Chelsea, and he said he understood but hoped I wouldn't stay away for too long because "this is the most remarkable group of people" and "they will accept you however you choose to present".
April 2023:
My cousin's wedding but then ears pierced:
My cousin got married Easter weekend. Even though I was out to this side of the family, they weren't ready for me to be Chelsea around them, and to be honest neither was I, but that doesn't mean that I was happy wearing a men's suit. I drove the three hours back home late after the wedding so that I could be at my church's Easter events starting early the next morning. And the day after Easter? I got my ears pierced! They're still healing, so I haven't worn any cute earrings yet, but soon!
(By the way, I told my family about getting my ears pierced ahead of them seeing me a few days later. I didn't want them to notice them on their own and think I was trying to hide it. My mom texted my aunt about it, saying she wasn't handling it well, and my grandmother straight-up cried. They never said anything to me about them though. 🤷🏻♀️)
Coming out to the man whose writing brought me to my affirming church:
That book that I mentioned earlier, the one that my aunt said she would read? Well, the author of the book attends my church. Up to this point, I had only met and spoken with him once, back in January: he had just published a new book and was signing copies at church, so I went up to him and bought the new one, but I also brought my copy of the other one and told him that I was at this church because of him. I didn't tell him why, though.
At a dinner party saying goodbye to the retiring choir director, I found myself next to this author in line, and he mentioned a job opening that he thought I might be a good fit for because it was in my field, but what he didn't know (yet) is that I am trans and was leaving my job shortly and would be looking for something completely different.
I messaged him later that night, coming out to him, and he thanked me for confiding in him, asking if we could meet up for coffee or dinner sometime soon so he could hear more of my story.
May 2023:
Coming out to the church congregation at large:
My church has a weekly bulletin/newsletter that each week has a member profile in it, where church members share a picture of themselves and answer some questions so that the rest of the congregation can know them better. I had been contacted to participate in this member profile really early in my time attending the church but had refrained, probably not knowing at the time that I'd save my chance as my method of coming out to the church at large.
And on May 1st, I emailed the staff member who had made me the name tag with my chosen name on it my copy of the profile, including a picture of myself as Chelsea, and I requested a specific date later in the month to be featured. And she said yes!
A few days later, I had dinner with the author mentioned before, and we had a lovely time talking about my life path bringing me to this moment. I shared with him the picture of my name tag, and I also told him that I'd be making the switch to Chelsea in just a few short weeks.
Just a reminder that even though I was out as trans to my bible study class, I was still known as [deadname] and used he/him pronouns. I had only shared my chosen name with a couple of people; I had decided that I didn't want to make the switch until I could make it permanently with them. The week before the member profile was set to go live, I told my class that it was my last time attending church as [deadname], so they needed to keep an eye out on the upcoming newslettebulletin.
The newsletter went live on that Friday, and I was once again flooded with messages from my class expressing their love and acceptance of me, and they all told me they had updated their contact for me in their phones. I was also added to the women-only group chat, which I'd been invited to before but didn't want to join until I was officially Chelsea to them.
The night the newsletter went live, I had my first Chelsea test run. There's a couple in my class who I go see plays/musicals with on a regular basis, so I chose that opportunity to go out with them. I wore a black dress and ballet flats, and we went out for Thai food before seeing the play together. It's funny, before coming out to myself as trans, I'd crossdressed and gone out a few times over the years, but since starting HRT, the most I had done was wear femme pajamas at home and maybe tighter pants on occasion. I didn't even practice makeup on my own. So going out to the play as Chelsea was my first real experience doing so, and it went great and felt so good!
That first Sunday, I arrived with my nails painted navy blue, wearing a floral dress and makeup, and I was so at ease driving to church that morning. One member of my class had arranged for everyone to meet earlier than normal so they could celebrate me, so we had donuts and coffee together before class officially started, and many of them wrote notes of encouragement to me to take home and read later. Even our senior pastor stopped by to write a note!
As for the rest of the church? They were amazing! I met so many new people who wanted to come meet me after reading my member profile, and many of the people who I had already interacted with on a regular basis came up and hugged me, including the author I'd had dinner with and the staff member who had made me the name tag (that I was now proudly wearing) and my bible study teacher. So I am exclusively Chelsea at church now. 😊
Coming out to my coworker and leaving my job:
In other news, I finally came out to my coworker (we're teachers) and told him that I was leaving. I'd been at this school for 6 years, and 5 of them had been with him as my coworker. I knew that he would be affirming and supportive when I told him, but it was still really hard to tell him. For the rest of the school year, though, he was really careful to be sensitive to gendered language, even trying to leave the "Mr." off in front of my last name when addressing me in front of our students.
There was still one more week of school after I came out at church, which meant that after a full weekend as Chelsea, I had to go to work Monday morning as [deadname] again, which really sucked. My coworker even pulled me aside that first morning to acknowledge how weird it must be for me.
Packing up my office on the last couple of days of school was really hard. I was in the career that I had more or less envisioned for myself since I was 13 years old, and here I was at 31 just packing it up without knowing for sure what was next career-wise. There were definitely parts of teaching that really sucked, especially in the time since the pandemic, but I did still enjoy it a lot of the time. Saying goodbye was difficult.
Family update:
For Mother's Day, I had considered writing my mom and my grandma letters expressing understanding that getting used to the idea of me being trans was difficult for them, and saying that I hoped that I could start sharing more of myself with them soon, and signing it with my chosen name...which my family (aside from my brother) still doesn't know, by the way. But I decided my original letters were a little too much too fast (I mean, not really, but I was trying to be courteous), so I wrote shorter versions, and instead of signing with my deadname, I simply signed "C". There were lots of tears and mouthed "I love you"s from across the room.
I mentioned before that I used to go over to my parents' house once a week for dinner and hangout time, but ever since that day in February when I came out to everyone, I hadn't heard from my parents about coming over anymore. To be honest, it was probably just a lack of communication on both sides, but I felt that since we always met at their house, they should be the ones to reinitiate the weekly hangouts. They eventually did resume, more or less the same as they were before, but even though I'm still not dressing femme around them, now I'm more willing to wear shorts to show off my bare legs, or keep my nails painted, or not be concerned if they feel a bra strap or see my breast growth under my shirt. I even went to my grandparents' house my bare legs and navy blue nails, and no one batted an eye! Progress! I think the Mother's Day notes helped.
Meeting with my aunt to talk about me being trans and my faith:
I mentioned before that my aunt wanted to talk with me about my journey into my identity and Christian perspective on LGBTQ acceptance, and we did have that talk. She was in town for work and texted me asking if I wanted to have dinner with her, so we met for tacos and talked. She had read the book I mentioned before, and she didn't necessarily agree with what was presented in it, but she also didn't fully condemn it. We had a perfectly lovely, civil conversation.
June 2023:
Pride month update:
Well, here we are. I'm currently Chelsea a few times a week, which has been so much fun, but it has also made being [deadname] so much harder. With it being Pride Month, I'm really itching to officially come out to the world so that I can stop hiding behind [deadname]'s Facebook page and trying to save my family's feelings about my transition.
There's still one more friend who I haven't come out to yet, and I kinda want to come out to him (and to my dad's parents) before I make anything super public. Along with the friend who was the first person I came out to back in March of last year, this friend is one of my high school best friends, and we lived together in the 2+ years immediately preceding the pandemic. But while that first friend and I have both grown more liberal over the years, I don't know if the same can be said of this other friend, and I still fear his reaction. I don't want to lose a friend, but I know that I can't hide it much longer. Nor do I want to!
I'm actively searching for work, which always sucks. I need something soon though because my money situation is not super great. I have a paycheck from my teaching job until the end of August, but I'd really like to earn more money on top of that and double up while I can. I thought for a while that I would learn coding and become a programmer or web developer of some kind, but at the moment I'd rather find a job using skills that I already have rather than taking all the time to learn something completely new. I realize I didn't plan ahead for this very well, but I'll be okay.
The author I've mentioned several times is also a preacher, and this past Sunday he was out of town guest preaching at another church. That afternoon, he messaged me a link to the archived livestream of his message, telling me part of his sermon was about how I inspired him. 🥺 I've only watched it 50 times so far.
I've thought about using this video as a way of coming out to my friend, or to reveal my chosen name to my family (as well as the fact that I'm actively femme much of the time I'm not around them). I've also got a video recorded for the purpose of coming out on social media, though I might rerecord it or do something different when the time actually comes.
By the way, I went to my first Pride this last weekend, and my church had Pride shirts made and also had their own booth at the festival, giving out Pride versions of their logo stickers! I'm so lucky to be where I am, even though Texas be scary.
In any case, this was a looooooooooong post. If you read any of it, thank you for your time. Really, this was just therapeutic for me to get it all out of my head a bit, but as I mentioned before, reading others' trans experiences has been really helpful to me, so I hope others can find hope in my story.
I'm happy to answer questions if you have them. Otherwise, best wishes to you all - happy Pride Month!
-Chelsea❤️
P.S. - I don't know if the spoilers make this post easier or more frustrating to parse; I was hoping for expandable/collapsible blocks of text to make the post not as lengthy at face value, but I can't find a way to do that. If you need me to take the spoilers off, I'll do that.
2023.06.08 11:44 bweeezz I (28f) need the guidance/strength to detach from him (35m)
LENGTHY POST basically i need to detach from someone who is damaged.
so, ending of last august i started hooking up w this guy. from the jump, we’ve both expressed that we are both single & not seeing anyone. so, we’re started to talk like everyday & hooking up here n there. about a month later, he kinda just ghosts me? so i just let it be. so after a while, i ended up messaging him & he basically told me since we had stopped talking he didn’t think it needed to be said, but, his “ex wife” (still legally married to) decided to go to couples therapy & one of the rules were to not talk/see anyone during the time. so, im like confused af atp cuz i had no idea she was in the picture still? so whatever, im super understanding to him but to myself, im pissed & kinda hurt honestly. fast forward, he creeps back in my life & we start hooking up & talking like everyday again. we talked so much that i ended up catching real feelings for him. (im such a lover girl btw & sensitive) so, after a while, i end up telling him how i felt about liking him & ofc, he’s saying things that’s totally leading me on. he finally says he likes me as well but also expresses to me that he basically is trying to get oveheal from his ex wife who he shares a son w. he has 3 kids & 2 baby mamas btw. um, so atp, him & i are like going to dinnebfast/lunch & stuff. i stayed over, he cooked my bfast the next morning type stuff. so on our last couple hang outs, he’s super open about what goes on w his ex & him & how he’s basically hurt & wants to move on but is struggling. i’ve suggested before that him & i don’t see each other anymore until he figures out what he wants bc my feelings are getting way too involved atp. mind u, weeks prior, he told me he was hooking up w other girls & after processing it for a couple weeks, i’ve decided that i wasn’t okay w him sleeping w me plus w other girls as well since i already had these feelings for him, i couldn’t get passed that bc i know my feelings would be hurt in the end. like i said, i’m sensitive to stuff like that & i just feel like i can’t handle him sleeping w & other women too. so he basically says he doesn’t wanna just sleep around, he eventually wants something real but he can’t shake the feeling of his ex. so i’ve been super understanding & patient w him about the situation w his ex. i explained to him on the last couple hang outs that i don’t feel good about this/us bc i’m feeling used & being used as a distraction. he tells me that i’m not & that he does like me & wants to continue to see me but i’m just like, i can’t handle all of this baggage basically. i’m feeling shitty bc i want someone who wants someone else essentially. but he explains he’s not even sure if he wants her or not & that he’s trying to allow himself to feel the feelings so he can move on. he’s in therapy btw. but i keep explaining that, i can’t help that i’m feeling so unsure & just straight up used to help him get over her & he prolly just wants me to stick around cuz it’s easier for him to have that distraction but really if it came down to me or her, it would be her. i’ve gotten way too deep into this situation & im mad at myself that i’ve allowed it to get this far but i can’t control my feelings & i want to so bad. we did agree to not see each other & to do this the right way but we failed immediately. he also said, he’s worried that what if when he is ready to pursue me, that i won’t be around. like what? idk, sounds selfish. i’ve been married 8 years previously(legally still married, separated for 3 years, no kids) we have zero ties together im just slackin on the paperwork divorce stuff. anyway, my point, i only know toxic. i’ve only been in two serious long term relationships & i got treated like shit w both all throughout them. i’m like mad & sad that i keep allowing men to treat me like this. i’m annoyed that i’m forgetting my worth & im putting up w so much bs that i don’t deserve. like, how can i even like someone who doesn’t choose me first & who has been messing w my feelings? btw, him & i currently, imo, are in a weird place bc i can feel the energy is off & isn’t as strong? he’s so wishy washy all the time. idk how much more clear he can be w the fact him showing me he doesn’t gaf about me. i wanna be strong enough to detach for good bc he doesn’t deserve me, my attention, or my love. i’m struggling tho. i feel like i’m not strong enough & i want to be so bad. you’d think after being treated like shit for so long in the past that i wouldn’t even think to put up w this bs but here i am. i know i’m an idiot & it’s embarrassing that i’m even in this situation but i really just need the strength to just put me first. he’s also my tattoo artist so i don’t wanna leave on bad terms bc i obviously wanna get tattooed by him still but also just want him to respect me & not f*ck w my feelings anymore. TL;DR i’m done doing the whole nice girl thing but it conned natural bc like i said, i’m a lover girl & i love love but i NEED to get out of delulu land asap. i have so much self love but for some reason, i’m forgetting my worth. thank y’all for reading <3
submitted by bweeezz to relationships [link] [comments]
so, ending of last august i started hooking up w this guy. from the jump, we’ve both expressed that we are both single & not seeing anyone. so, we’re started to talk like everyday & hooking up here n there. about a month later, he kinda just ghosts me? so i just let it be. so after a while, i ended up messaging him & he basically told me since we had stopped talking he didn’t think it needed to be said, but, his “ex wife” (still legally married to) decided to go to couples therapy & one of the rules were to not talk/see anyone during the time. so, im like confused af atp cuz i had no idea she was in the picture still? so whatever, im super understanding to him but to myself, im pissed & kinda hurt honestly. fast forward, he creeps back in my life & we start hooking up & talking like everyday again. we talked so much that i ended up catching real feelings for him. (im such a lover girl btw & sensitive) so, after a while, i end up telling him how i felt about liking him & ofc, he’s saying things that’s totally leading me on. he finally says he likes me as well but also expresses to me that he basically is trying to get oveheal from his ex wife who he shares a son w. he has 3 kids & 2 baby mamas btw. um, so atp, him & i are like going to dinnebfast/lunch & stuff. i stayed over, he cooked my bfast the next morning type stuff. so on our last couple hang outs, he’s super open about what goes on w his ex & him & how he’s basically hurt & wants to move on but is struggling. i’ve suggested before that him & i don’t see each other anymore until he figures out what he wants bc my feelings are getting way too involved atp. mind u, weeks prior, he told me he was hooking up w other girls & after processing it for a couple weeks, i’ve decided that i wasn’t okay w him sleeping w me plus w other girls as well since i already had these feelings for him, i couldn’t get passed that bc i know my feelings would be hurt in the end. like i said, i’m sensitive to stuff like that & i just feel like i can’t handle him sleeping w & other women too. so he basically says he doesn’t wanna just sleep around, he eventually wants something real but he can’t shake the feeling of his ex. so i’ve been super understanding & patient w him about the situation w his ex. i explained to him on the last couple hang outs that i don’t feel good about this/us bc i’m feeling used & being used as a distraction. he tells me that i’m not & that he does like me & wants to continue to see me but i’m just like, i can’t handle all of this baggage basically. i’m feeling shitty bc i want someone who wants someone else essentially. but he explains he’s not even sure if he wants her or not & that he’s trying to allow himself to feel the feelings so he can move on. he’s in therapy btw. but i keep explaining that, i can’t help that i’m feeling so unsure & just straight up used to help him get over her & he prolly just wants me to stick around cuz it’s easier for him to have that distraction but really if it came down to me or her, it would be her. i’ve gotten way too deep into this situation & im mad at myself that i’ve allowed it to get this far but i can’t control my feelings & i want to so bad. we did agree to not see each other & to do this the right way but we failed immediately. he also said, he’s worried that what if when he is ready to pursue me, that i won’t be around. like what? idk, sounds selfish. i’ve been married 8 years previously(legally still married, separated for 3 years, no kids) we have zero ties together im just slackin on the paperwork divorce stuff. anyway, my point, i only know toxic. i’ve only been in two serious long term relationships & i got treated like shit w both all throughout them. i’m like mad & sad that i keep allowing men to treat me like this. i’m annoyed that i’m forgetting my worth & im putting up w so much bs that i don’t deserve. like, how can i even like someone who doesn’t choose me first & who has been messing w my feelings? btw, him & i currently, imo, are in a weird place bc i can feel the energy is off & isn’t as strong? he’s so wishy washy all the time. idk how much more clear he can be w the fact him showing me he doesn’t gaf about me. i wanna be strong enough to detach for good bc he doesn’t deserve me, my attention, or my love. i’m struggling tho. i feel like i’m not strong enough & i want to be so bad. you’d think after being treated like shit for so long in the past that i wouldn’t even think to put up w this bs but here i am. i know i’m an idiot & it’s embarrassing that i’m even in this situation but i really just need the strength to just put me first. he’s also my tattoo artist so i don’t wanna leave on bad terms bc i obviously wanna get tattooed by him still but also just want him to respect me & not f*ck w my feelings anymore. TL;DR i’m done doing the whole nice girl thing but it conned natural bc like i said, i’m a lover girl & i love love but i NEED to get out of delulu land asap. i have so much self love but for some reason, i’m forgetting my worth. thank y’all for reading <3
2023.06.08 11:12 PocketFMofficial He refused to marry her, but 5 yrs later he was shocked when she returned as the richest woman in the country.
 | submitted by PocketFMofficial to u/PocketFMofficial [link] [comments] https://preview.redd.it/n0inqd4k7r4b1.png?width=764&format=png&auto=webp&s=fec02630991a1959c028a6ea2f756ef2ac68a321 https://preview.redd.it/58jrjcydgr4b1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=9d7a1094acc28a5c8ca43e5215520350f6b47e11 Episode 1. I Don’t Want You To Be Happy It was 10 p.m. and the moonlight was dazzling. Room 101, on the top floor of Hotel Waverick Seattle, was pitch black, and there was the faint sound of breathing. Natalie Davidson opened her eyes, but the world before her was so muddled that she couldn't see clearly. Her body felt strange as if it had caught fire and she was burning alive. Someone seemed to be lying on top of her, pressing down, but no matter how much she struggled to push him away, he remained motionless. Her mind was a mess and she couldn't think straight. She only vaguely remembered that the previous night she had welcomed her fiancé back from his travels abroad, and then because she was so happy and drunk, she had been brought to her stepsister's room to rest. She hadn’t expected to find this when she woke up. "Who are yo–" Natalie's voice was cut off by a heavy gasp from the man, and his grip on her body got tighter and tighter. She didn't have the strength to push him away. "Let me go …" She had never felt like this before. A wave of lust washed over her, and she could not help but respond to him. Her body was exceptionally hot and she frowned. Something wasn't right. The feeling of lust faded and she suddenly felt terrified, but she couldn't stop the man. As he pushed into her, she felt herself losing consciousness until finally she couldn't stay awake any longer and passed out. Outside, the sky was dark. Around three in the morning, the cell phone on the bedside table vibrated violently. With a frown, the man woke up from his sleep. His gaze slid across the messy bedsheets and then over to Natalie, who was covered only by a thin blanket. His expression immediately darkened. He picked up the phone and slammed it down. The hostility in his eyes was clear. These people had actually dared to drug him. They must have gotten tired of living. Steadily, he got up, threw back the covers, and went to take a shower in the bathroom. Afterward, without a trace of hesitation, he turned and left the room, as if the person on the bed was just an object he didn't need to pay attention to. When Natalie woke up, it was morning. The moment she opened her eyes, she felt pain. She had a splitting headache and her entire body was extremely sore as if it had been beaten. She sat motionless at the head of the bed. The events of the previous night flashed through her mind like a movie, making her tremble with despair. The man who had assaulted her was obviously not her fiancé, Nick. How could she have lost her virginity under such strange circumstances? What should she do? What on earth should she do? She hurriedly picked up her clothes from the floor and put them on. She wanted to go home quickly and wash up; she couldn’t bear to stay in this room even a second longer. But the moment she opened the door, she saw Nick, who was standing outside with a shocked face, alongside her stepsister Sheryl and her father Tom, who both looked furious. "Nick?" Natalie didn't know how to explain and barely got a grip on her thoughts before she was slapped in the face by her father. The mess in the room had not been cleaned up and the evidence of what had happened there was obvious. "Look at what you’ve done! You’ve cheated on your fiancé, you’ve embarrassed me, you’ve embarrassed the whole family! How could I have raised a daughter like you?" Nick gripped Tom’s hand tightly and frowned as he looked at her face. "Natalie, how could you do this?" "No, no." She shook her head with all her might, trying to clasp his hand, afraid that he would leave. “I was drunk last night. I only came back to the room to rest.” She suddenly looked at Sheryl, who was standing in front of her with wide eyes. “You did this, didn’t you? You were the one who brought me back to the hotel last night, to this room. Why did you do this to me?" When Sheryl heard this, she looked wrong. "I don't understand what you're saying. I did no such thing." "You didn't?" Natalie growled as her anger reached its peak. "Then how did I end up in someone else's room? Why would that man–" "Enough!" Nick interrupted her with a loud shout as if he didn't want to hear any more. "You want to blame someone else for what you've done?" He looked at her coldly. "I only left for six months and you're already this desperate. Did you really have to climb into someone else's bed?!" Natalie hugged her arm in panic as tears rolled down her cheeks and dripped onto the carpet. She couldn’t believe Nick was saying these things. They had been together for three years and were about to get married. "Nick," she said in a low voice, practically begging as she looked at the resolute man in front of her. "Please believe me …" "Don't say any more, just listening to you disgusts me." With a look of pure disdain, he turned around and strode off down the corridor. "The engagement’s off. I don't want to see you again." His words were like a sharp knife stabbing straight into her heart. Despair slowly spread through her and was on the verge of spilling out. It was so painful that she could no longer breathe. "Nick!" She staggered after him, but her father grabbed her by the arm and shoved her to the floor. “Natalie, you’re no longer part of this family. From this day on, you’re not my daughter!” She was stunned. After they left, her head was in shambles; she didn't even know how she made it home, but by the time she did her belongings were already packed and left by the door. Tom had even booked a plane ticket for her, and he told her to pick up her stuff and leave the country immediately. "Natalie, are you alright?" She was in a daze as she lowered her head to pick up her things. Sheryl walked down the steps at a leisurely pace. When Natalie ignored her, she didn't get angry. Instead, she laughed. "Do you really want to know how you ended up in that room? Let me tell you. You were right, I put you there. I did it because I want to marry Nick and I can't stand the thought of you being happy with him." https://preview.redd.it/3a0kklnn7r4b1.png?width=764&format=png&auto=webp&s=cc7030f379912f5166ea85cbbfcd828cd7cbf36a Episode 2. Exile Natalie raised her head and bit her lip. She was so angry that she couldn't utter a single word. Her whole body was trembling with fury. She couldn't understand why Sheryl would ruin her life like this. "Hmm” Sheryl smiled, “So what if you’re angry?" Sheryl played with her curly hair and sneered. "Nick doesn't believe you. Your father doesn't believe you either. You can go abroad and live on your own." Natalie was furious. "Why are you doing this to me? Why are you running my life? Why" She rushed forward hysterically and wrapped her hands around Sheryl’s neck, but Sheryl didn't resist. She only blinked pitifully at her. "Sister, don't hurt me … Last night really wasn't my fault … What are you doing?" Hearing the commotion, Tom rushed out, looking so angry that the veins on his neck stood out. He raised his hand and pushed Natalie to the ground. "Are you crazy? Are you trying to kill your sister?" Natalie fell to the ice-cold sidewalk, where she remained. Unable to bear the pain any longer, she was on the verge of tears. She thought of her mother and her childhood, but no matter how hard she wished, she could never return to that time. Rosemary, her stepmother, came up behind her. When she saw the marks on her daughter's neck, she was so angry – just like her husband – that she raised her hand and slapped Natalie. "You uneducated brat! You're just the same as your mother! You might as well die!" The more she slapped, the harder each slap became. Tom stood beside her, but he only seemed to be concerned about Sheryl's injuries. As the attack went on, Natalie’s vision grew blurry from the blows, but all she could feel was the coldness in her heart as if all warmth had left it. —----------------------- At that time, in his office at the Clair Group, Bryce was looking at his assistant with a malicious expression. "What's going on?" His face was so gloomy that his gaze could bore holes through a person. "How is the investigation going?" His assistant was sweating under his gaze, but he swallowed and told him the news. "It's Evan Wilson." Bryce knew of Evan. A while ago, he had worked with the Clair Group on a project and had taken many kickbacks from it. Bryce didn't like his way of handling things, so he had sent his men to destroy the Wilson family. Right now, the Wilsons were on the verge of bankruptcy and collapse. "Evan bribed the hotel's waiter and drugged you. He probably wanted to use this to …" The assistant's voice trailed off until he was no longer breathing. The situation was clear now: Evan was behind all of this. Bryce had never thought that something would go wrong and that he would have to completely deviate from his original plan. "I checked, Evan booked a room in the hotel last night." The assistant looked up at him hesitantly, then looked down again. "But you didn't use it …" Bryce's expression suddenly changed and he asked in a low voice, "What do you mean?" The assistant was confused. He could only look at his face and repeat hesitantly, "You didn't use the room yesterday." If he didn't go into his room, then who was the woman who had been lying on his bed? In his mind, he saw broken images of her flushed cheeks and her body writhing beneath him, but what he remembered clearest were those cries of grief and heart-breaking pain. He suddenly remembered the crimson spots on the sheets that he had noticed before he left — the woman had been a virgin. Bryce's brows knit together. He told his assistant in a deep voice, "Go check the identity of the woman who was in my room immediately." He wanted to know where she had come from. The assistant immediately hurried off to do as he had been told. But no matter how fast he moved, he wouldn’t be able to find any useful information. The hotel’s surveillance tapes had already been wiped by Sheryl. How could she possibly leave behind evidence that would show that she had set Natalie up? Naturally, she had had to cover her tracks. After doing this, she continued to pretend that she was innocent, and gloated as she watched Natalie get kicked out of her house in a sorry state. Natalie didn't even stay a night before she was packed off and sent out of the country. She lugged her heavy luggage onto the plane. She had been exiled without knowing when she could return. https://preview.redd.it/99j3kxnz7r4b1.png?width=764&format=png&auto=webp&s=82f5f97a0e8bb923c7744b51d704c2d9174a425c Episode 3. You’re My Daddy Five years later, Natalie stood in the first-class lounge at Heathrow Airport, staring at the two tickets in her hands, unable to focus. She had been in England for five years and in all that time she hadn't made even one phone call to her family. Her father treated her like she was dead and as if he couldn't care less about it. If it wasn't for Sheryl and Nick’s engagement, he might not even have remembered she existed. Her heart had no attachment to the place she had been separated from for years. All her feelings had been erased on the day she was thrown out. She didn't want to go back and see the people who had hurt her, but she couldn't stand listening to her father's threats on the phone. If she did not do what he said, he would not let her grandmother live peacefully, he could even hurt her. Her grandmother was the closest person in the world to her. She had wanted to bring her to England to spend the rest of her life there, but she couldn't sway the old lady from her desire to be in the country where her husband and daughter had lived. Natalie had no choice but to leave her where she was. If it wasn't for her grandmother, she probably wouldn't go back for the rest of her life, but she couldn't afford to lose her to her father’s anger. "Mommy, Mommy." Lost in her thoughts, she suddenly heard a lovely, gentle voice beside her. She looked down and saw a four-year-old boy lightly tugging at the corner of her jumper. He told her in a serious tone, "Stop daydreaming. The plane is about to take off." Only then did she recover her wits. The anger in her eyes gradually softened as she smiled and picked up the child. "Alright then, let's go to the gate." At the same time, on the other side of the first-class lounge, a tall man in a suit with two burly bodyguards standing behind him strode towards the gate with a cold expression. Natalie had bought first-class tickets. In the past few years, she had suffered a lot from feeling rootless in a foreign country, and she had developed many issues. She had bad insomnia and headaches, and she was afraid of loud noises. The moment she got on the plane, she covered her eyes with a blanket to try to fall asleep, but first, she told Liam to be good and not run around. Liam was her most precious treasure. He was very well behaved. He sat on his seat as he was told and played with the toy she had bought him, occasionally stealing glances at her. Natalie put her head against the window. He soon noticed that she did not look well. "Mommy." He leaned across and looked at her. Seeing that she was frowning, he asked worriedly, "Are you not feeling well?" Natalie coughed twice due to an itch in her throat. With a hint of weakness in her voice, she answered, "I'm fine …" She looked at the child and forced a smile. "I'm just a little thirsty." Without waiting for her to say anything, Liam jumped out of his seat and hurried off excitedly to get her some water. She didn't know who he took after. He was only four years old, but he was as sensible as a small adult, and he could even take care of her. Liam came running back with a glass of water. As he reached their seats, he bumped into a man who had just stepped into the plane. The glass in his hand wobbled and the water spilled from it, wetting the man’s shoes and the legs of his pants. Bryce lowered his head and looked at the water stains on his clothes. He frowned in displeasure. "What are you doing? Don't you know to watch where you're going?" "I'm sorry." Liam held the cup and apologized repeatedly. But when he raised his head and looked at the man, he was immediately stunned, "I …" Liam had once finally mustered the courage to ask his mother about his father. Natalie was taken aback and stood speechless for a moment before she randomly showed the young boy a picture of a handsome man and told him that this was him. Looking at Bryce, Liam instantly somehow recalled the same picture, and realized that the two men resembled each other to almost a fault! Bryce was a well-built man, who possessed a muscular demeanor and suave gait. His pose and grace made the young boy quiver. The more he looked at Bryce, the more he felt that the man in front of him fit his image of his father from the picture. He stood quiet for two seconds, before hurling himself at Bryce’s long leg and then shouted, "Daddy!" The two bodyguards behind Bryce were completely taken aback by the scene unfolding in front of them. They had been with Bryce for a long time, but this was the first time they’d seen someone act so affectionately with him, let alone someone so young. Bryce's expression instantly turned ugly. He reached out his hand to push away the little arms that were wrapped around him and said coldly, "Don't randomly call people your father. I'm not your father." He had known many women who had claimed to be pregnant with his child, but this was the first time he had ever seen such a clever and affectionate 'son'. Liam stared at his face and answered with certainty, "You are my daddy. Why did you abandon me and Mommy?" The more he spoke, the more wronged he felt. He pouted his small mouth and put on a pitiful expression. When the passengers beside them heard this, they immediately looked over in curiosity. Natalie couldn’t sleep through the commotion. She opened her eyes and looked in the direction of the noise, only to find her son standing in the middle of the aisle, holding onto the leg of an unfamiliar man. "Sorry, sorry." She quickly got up. Embarrassed, she reached out to take the child's hand. "He must have made a mistake. Liam, let go of him." Her son had always been sensible and listened to her over anyone else, but today she didn't know what was going on. No matter how much she tried to persuade him, Liam continued to hold onto the leg of that strange man's pants. He bit his lips in frustration and refused to let go. Bryce was a cold person, but when he looked at the child's pitiful expression, he felt a bit moved. He frowned and said to Natalie, "Why did you become a mother? If you couldn’t give him a complete family, it would have been better not to have him at all." https://preview.redd.it/jl95vvb08r4b1.png?width=764&format=png&auto=webp&s=0187a79ea0d46ae0cb9d3919e145ea29caf09b18 |
2023.06.08 10:44 Drakolf Dragon Rising- 22. Contact:
The morning after our victory, I led a small team of Paladins, Clerics, and Artificers, with Rogues outside of sight alongside us.
Well, it was more accurate to say that we took one of the military vehicles and carefully drove it over to the next city. The Artificers didn't strip entire cars bare on the street, they had to get it into a garage somehow.
This excursion was primarily exploratory, to see what we were dealing with at the end of our effective territory.
The blockade was a nice touch. We slowed to a stop, we got out, and we approached. When they raised their guns, I held my hand up, and we stopped.
"This is a formal request for a ceasefire." I stated, projecting my voice with the amplifier. "We will continue to approach, opening fire will signal to us that you do not value your lives."
We continued approaching, the guns still trained on us.
The person who came out to speak with us was more forced out, he clearly didn't want to be the one to talk to us.
"Am I to assume you speak with authority?" I asked. He looked at the other soldiers, he didn't have a clue. "Then I'll make this concise and brief. You will dismantle this blockade, you will retreat, and you will not prevent us from making contact with the neighboring city. Any attempts to prevent us from passing will result in your immediate capture, any attempts to harm us will result in your immediate death."
The standoff was tense, after a few moments, I began to count down. "Five."
I could see sweat beading down their faces.
"Four."
Eyes wide, terrified.
"Three."
They broke first, backing away, guns still trained on us.
"If your intention is to retreat, such that you can face us with a larger force, allow me to make one thing clear." I blasted their blockade apart, some of them screamed. "Your bullets are useless against us."
They ran, we cleared the blockade away, and we repeated this two more times.
Seeing the city after so long felt... overwhelming. I had completely forgotten how big it was. It was almost enough to not notice the checkpoint, and the fifty of so Humans who stood on the other side, guns pointed at us.
"I will allow one of you to shoot me." I said, walking toward them. "A freebie, use your highest caliber, try and hurt me."
The bullet that struck me ricocheted into a tree, The silence that fell was just as deafening as the report from the gun, they stared at me in utter shock, and then they all ran
Several Human civilians looked at the fleeing soldiers, then looked at us as we stepped out from our territory and into theirs.
"Oh, shit. That video was real." I heard someone say. "Look at that sick fuckin' armor." Another spoke. "Are they going to attack us?"
"Halt." I commanded, my troop stopped, the tension in the air was palpable.
"My name is Ruuk Stingtail." I spoke. "For the time being, I come in peace, and invite anyone who is curious to ask questions.After all, it has been a solid year and a half since we had any contact with anyone other than enemies and ourselves."
There was still tension, of course, but eventually someone did approach, cautiously, of course. "Yo, uh, can I touch you? You know, to make sure you're actually real and not some sort of weird animatronic?"
I reached my hand out and he touched it. "Whoa." He pulled his hand back.
Several Humans had pulled out their phones, they were already recording us. I quickly appraised the people around us, looking for anything we could exploit for our own uses. I noticed someone with their arm in a sling, it wasn't in a cast, but it was wrapped up.
"You there." I said, pointing at him. He pointed at himself. "Yes, come here."
He approached cautiously. "What happened to your arm?" I asked.
"I, uh, I tore a muscle." He said. "Doctor said I can't do much with it until it heals."
"Ruka." I said, looking at the Paladin of Bahamut. He walked closer. "Show us your injury, if you would."He did, there was the ugliest bruise I'd ever seen.
"Do you consent to having your injury healed?" I asked.
"What?" He asked, blinking.
"I'm offering to have your injury healed." I reiterated.
"Yeah, sure?"
Ruka gently laid his hands on the Human's arm. "O, holy Bahamut, heal this grievous wound and grant wholeness and wellness to his man, zyak qe coi."
The Paladin's hands radiated holy light, the bruise rapidly faded, and the Human stared at it, utterly awestruck. "Holy shit." He gasped. "I mean-"
"It is not taken as blasphemy." Ruka stated, holding his hand up.
"We are here-" I spoke, looking at everyone, "-to prove our existence beyond a single video. Circumstances demand that what we do isn't simply charity, but the means by which we can survive. For this, I am sorry, I recognize that in this way, I am using you." I paused, dredging up and wiping away tears. "Our people depend on this."
If we were to have any form of peace, any form of justification for war, we needed to be sympathetic. By taking prisoners, we made ourselves targets to any would-be vigilantes looking to serve their country.
By being up front about our intentions, we showed a quiet desperation, efforts made to foster peace, even though I had bared the fangs of war.
More Humans gathered, those who were sick or in pain, we provided healing. I told our story, of how we one day woke up like this, the struggles of finding ourselves in a situation where nothing was made for us, how when we were quarantined, we were forced to fend for ourselves. How when the mine collapsed, we worked together to save the trapped miners. How when we were blockaded so they could force us to die en masse, how we were blessed with miracles.
How, when we fully understood what our intended fate was, the people heard the wisdom of my Emperor and elevated me to the position of Imperator, and how I used my authority to direct our people to our first victory.
"I shall admit, taking those soldiers' lives brought us satisfaction." I said. "They had oppressed us, tried to eradicate us, we gave them every opportunity to choose peace, to choose life. I just can't understand how they couldn't see us as people who desperately wished for love and compassion."
I laid it on thick, and the Humans ate it up.
Before long, we had expended our spells, and I said, "We will try to return, presuming the military doesn't try to carpet bomb us into oblivion, our prisoners of war be damned. I pray your leaders see reason."
We returned to our commandeered vehicle, closing the checkpoint so nobody could get in, and we returned to the city.
We did this each day we could, speaking words of hope for peace, determination to protect ourselves as needed. As always, we provided healing to those who needed it, some people even came, desperate for relief from something incurable, to which we did the best we could. Throughout this, I spoke of things to come, a thriving city, as much a part of the world as anywhere else, a place where we could share the wonders of magic.
I was asked, "Why do you close the gate when you leave?"
I simply answered, "If you entered, they would force you to remain, even though we know anyone who remains Human under the Divine Gate remains Human." It was an embellishment, but it was more poetic and exotic.
Throughout all of this, the military watched us like a hawk, waiting for us to slip up and cause some damage.
Days turned to weeks turned into a month, and we had solidified our existence to the world. We turned the checkpoint into our border, our Rangers found that we were completely sealed in on all sides by fencing.
I declared it the territory of the Empire.
"All of the land that the U.S. government sealed off belongs to the Empire." I spoke. "By locking it behind fence and gate, they have declared it our border, and we shall agree to that sentiment."
It was such a tiny parcel of land, compared to the rest of the continent, but it could comfortably fit ten offshoot villages, each which could connect us to other cities.
Construction of the new border wall began shortly after, the fencing uprooted piece by piece, replaced by solid stone proudly displaying the anachronism our lives had become, and even though there had been no agreement to peace, the U.S. government was powerless to stop us.
The moment I had claimed the land, the moment it was known to be claimed, my Emperor had claimed it in turn. By the end of the week, we had a new border wall built, one that was staffed with Rangers, Druids, Fighters, and Artificers. One that was connected by tramways, simplifying travel.
And throughout this all, Darastrixthurhi was transformed from a lifeless rock, to a city teeming with plantlife.
My Emperor held me in his arms as we laid on our bed. Sharing a bed together had always been a highlight of his being with me, his willingness to hold me, to touch me, made it all better, made it all right.
"Our enemy stalls for time, while we win the hearts of their people." He mused. "I can hear them praying to me, wishing for strength, for power, and I pull on them, make their hearts yearn. Tomorrow, invite them to visit, to witness the splendors of our nation, to feast with us in the name of peace."
"As you wish, my Emperor." I spoke.
"Ruuk, I permit you to call me your love."
"As you wish, slaitov." I replied. "Shall there be a day when we show our subjects?"
"I shall announce it during our feast." He replied.
My heart thundered, it was so sudden, yet... "Thank you, slaitov."
"Soon to be husband, Imperator mine." He replied.
When I announced the feast, the Humans who wished to join us were ecstatic. I even extended the invitation to the military personnel. "Come as civilians, if you would." I said.
The preparations that went into the feast went underway, we had a good hunt and our efforts to preserve our food was going excellently. When the Humans arrived, they marveled at the tramways, the architecture of our housing, our magical wonders. Some even saluted me, though they said they simply wanted to give me the respect I deserved.
I ensured they had the grand tour of the town, but when we neared the wall into the Fortress City, I spoke solemnly, "Any further, and you risk your Humanity." I looked at them all. "I would interpret any such entry as a desire to join our Empire, and will expect a pledge of loyalty."
The look of longing in their eyes showed me that my warning was largely going to be ignored. Hell, a handful of Humans walked right in, transforming almost immediately.
"It reacts to a want to become a Kobold." I said. "Anyone who doesn't want to might have a better time of it."
While our new citizens were given some proper clothing, I led the rest of the Humans around.
"Why didn't you stop them?" One of the Humans, a female soldier, spoke.
"Why should I?" I asked. "I very clearly stated what would happen, they made the choice."
I showed them around the Artificery, magic items and what technology we were able to make was proudly on display. I noticed one of them palm a device and walked over to them, holding my hand out. "Do not think we are not paying attention." I said. There was a tense moment before she put it in my hand. "Besides, this is just a little hand fan." I flicked a switch, two paper and wood blades extended and began to spin. "You taking this would have left one of our prisoners without any form of air conditioning."
I put it back, they tried to hide the anger at my casual mention of prisoners.
"Are they being treated well?" The soldier asked.
"Yes." I said. "Due to the lack of wireless signal, we allow them their phones so they have something to occupy their time when we're not putting them out in the yard for exercise or giving them their ration."
"You're forcing them to eat rations?" She asked.
"We all eat rations." I replied. "Feasts like this are for when we have a surplus that we can't guarantee to keep." I smirked. "That being said, as we are smaller, we need less to eat than the average Human."
I didn't pretend any of that was meant to be reassuring. "The prisoners will be joining us for the feast." I said. The incredulous looks I got elicited a chuckle from me. "If you think I'm being bold or flippant, we have them fitted with enchanted collars that will choke them if they attempt to flee. They are cursed, you see, and can only be removed with magic."
"That's fucked up." Another soldier stated.
"Inhumane, actually." I corrected. "But it's the only thing we have available that won't accidentally kill them. The worst that will happen is they'll pass out, a passive regeneration effect will keep them alive."
"Have you... tested these collars?" A third soldier asked.
"We have a small group of Sorcerers in the Warren who tried to summon a Demon for power." I said. "They have tested the collars every now and again, usually by fucking around and finding out." We approached the area where the feast was being held, food was already being set up, the prisoners were already seated, their eyes widened when they saw their fellow soldiers.
"You won't get away with this." The female soldier growled.
"Funny, that's what we said when we were locked in here." I replied. "They are fed, given water, are clothed, and are provided shelter. That's far more than we were ever given."
I directed them to their table, and soon, everyone was sat, except for my Council, and my Emperor. They arrived shortly after every one was seated, each took their seats. I sat beside my Emperor's seat.
I noted that same female soldier was attempting to film us surreptitiously.
"Today, we are gathered to welcome our Human guests, those who have seen us as people, rather than monsters." My Emperor spoke. "The establishment of my Empire was always a dream, to bring back a glory lost to time, to honor the thousands who died during the first Dragon Rage, to honor those who were murdered by my long-standing enemy." He looked around. "It had always been me desire to hunt down every last one of his children, to eradicate them, it was my Imperator who entreated me to choose compromise."
He paused, taking up a cup. "These Humans are here because my Imperator has likewise chosen compromise, to cast aside the hatred that has grown in his heart, for the sake of our peace and prosperity. Enough lives have been lost, let the first year of our Empire not be drenched in blood, that in peace and prosperity, our greatness is acknowledged, whether grudgingly, or emphatically. To my Imperator, without whom this victory would have never been manifest."
Every Kobold raised their cups, including our new citizens.
"And to our guests, who have agreed to come here in peace. May their wisdom be echoed by their leaders."
The cups were raised again.
"Now enough talk, let us feast!"
The Human frowned, putting their phone away. It was clear she didn't get what she wanted from that. After everyone polished off their plates, the people began dancing as our musicians displayed their newly awakened Bard Class- it seemed not simply playing or doing well at the arts was enough, one needed confidence and a desire to entertain.
Our guests were allowed to mingle and enjoy themselves, though the prisoners were kept under guard, any Soldiers who wished to speak to them would have to live with the fact that they would be listened in on, and considering the guards could use the spell Comprehend Languages, well, they wouldn't be able to hide beneath a foreign language.
"So, you're the leader of this little group." I regarded the Human who approached me, that same soldier who seemed bound and determined to catch us with our pants down.
"Yes." I said. "Your attempt at catching us with your recording won't work, you know." She betrayed surprise. "One, any idiot would know not to say anything incriminating at a party their enemies are invited to. Two, anyone stupid enough to do so wouldn't even make it as far as we did."
"Indeed." She said. "What was this about compromise?"
"Exactly as it sounds." I replied. "My God, Kurtulmak, has nurtured a well-earned hatred of Gnomes, considering their God committed near genocide against us. Imprisoned against his will, for the crime of wanting justice... When the victors write the history books, they will do everything in their power to make those who are suffering injustice out to be the bad guys."
"And what will your history books say?" She asked.
"That depends on your leaders' answer, Miss..?"
"Martel." She said. "Corporal Martel."
I had completely put it out of my mind, after all, we got our vengeance on the soldiers who tried to have us massacred by a God.
"So." I said. "The one who set Garl Glittergold against us shows her face." I remarked. Her eyes widened. "Why were you, of all people, not present that day, when we marched on your encampment?"
"I was called away on duty-" She started.
"Bullshit." I said. "You fled, didn't you? You ran from your fellow soldiers like the coward you are, you left them to die."
Arcane energy crackled across my body, and I had to hold back from blasting her apart. "Leave." I hissed. "This day of peace is not for cowards and traitors."
She backed away, clearly terrified. I couldn't hold back the anger any more, but I wasn't going to let her be a casualty yet. I aimed my spell at the metal pole, the Witch Bolt striking it. "I said LEAVE!" I roared. "IF YOU EVER DARE TO RETURN HERE, I WILL END YOUR MISERABLE, PATHETIC, COWARDLY LIFE!"
She fled, I did not care that several eyes were on me, if there was one thing I hated more than Humans, it was self-serving cowards like her.
I felt my God's touch on my shoulder, his presence soothed the rage, granted me the clarity of mind I needed to function. I cast my gaze toward the rest of the soldiers, who looked like they were mice caught in a trap. I approached them.
"You may leave, if you wish." I stated. "My anger at her is not anger at you."
"What the fuck did Tiana do, that pissed you off so much?" One of the soldiers asked.
"That woman was the one who called down a God to kill us." I stated. "The fact that she is present at all means she abandoned her post and left her fellow soldiers to die." My lip curled into a snarl. "The only thing I hate worse than anything, is a coward and a traitor, and that woman, Tiana Martel, is both."
I sensed a jolt of shock from my Emperor, I looked at him.
"Ruuk." He said. "Say that name again."
"Tiana Martel." I replied.
My Emperor about faced and roared, "Paladins of Bahamut, after that woman! Move!"
The Paladins gave chase, our Emperor did not order them around, out of respect for his pact with Bahamut.
"My Emperor, do you really want to risk any peace we could gain, chasing after one woman?" I asked.
"Ruuk." He said. "What are the chances that a single woman who can call down a God, who has knowledge of us that can be exploited, is suddenly not present when we finally make a counter attack? By our pact, your eyes are my eyes, and she has tried to cause problems the entire time she has been here."
He paused. "Tiana Mahtel, that's how she pronounced it, yes?"
I blinked.
"Wait, that woman is Tiamat?" I asked.
As if in answer, there was a roar, and in the distance, a dragon reared up, one bearing five heads of different colors.
[Navigation for 'Dragon Rising'- [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22]]
submitted by Drakolf to DrakolfsWritings [link] [comments]
Well, it was more accurate to say that we took one of the military vehicles and carefully drove it over to the next city. The Artificers didn't strip entire cars bare on the street, they had to get it into a garage somehow.
This excursion was primarily exploratory, to see what we were dealing with at the end of our effective territory.
The blockade was a nice touch. We slowed to a stop, we got out, and we approached. When they raised their guns, I held my hand up, and we stopped.
"This is a formal request for a ceasefire." I stated, projecting my voice with the amplifier. "We will continue to approach, opening fire will signal to us that you do not value your lives."
We continued approaching, the guns still trained on us.
The person who came out to speak with us was more forced out, he clearly didn't want to be the one to talk to us.
"Am I to assume you speak with authority?" I asked. He looked at the other soldiers, he didn't have a clue. "Then I'll make this concise and brief. You will dismantle this blockade, you will retreat, and you will not prevent us from making contact with the neighboring city. Any attempts to prevent us from passing will result in your immediate capture, any attempts to harm us will result in your immediate death."
The standoff was tense, after a few moments, I began to count down. "Five."
I could see sweat beading down their faces.
"Four."
Eyes wide, terrified.
"Three."
They broke first, backing away, guns still trained on us.
"If your intention is to retreat, such that you can face us with a larger force, allow me to make one thing clear." I blasted their blockade apart, some of them screamed. "Your bullets are useless against us."
They ran, we cleared the blockade away, and we repeated this two more times.
Seeing the city after so long felt... overwhelming. I had completely forgotten how big it was. It was almost enough to not notice the checkpoint, and the fifty of so Humans who stood on the other side, guns pointed at us.
"I will allow one of you to shoot me." I said, walking toward them. "A freebie, use your highest caliber, try and hurt me."
The bullet that struck me ricocheted into a tree, The silence that fell was just as deafening as the report from the gun, they stared at me in utter shock, and then they all ran
Several Human civilians looked at the fleeing soldiers, then looked at us as we stepped out from our territory and into theirs.
"Oh, shit. That video was real." I heard someone say. "Look at that sick fuckin' armor." Another spoke. "Are they going to attack us?"
"Halt." I commanded, my troop stopped, the tension in the air was palpable.
"My name is Ruuk Stingtail." I spoke. "For the time being, I come in peace, and invite anyone who is curious to ask questions.After all, it has been a solid year and a half since we had any contact with anyone other than enemies and ourselves."
There was still tension, of course, but eventually someone did approach, cautiously, of course. "Yo, uh, can I touch you? You know, to make sure you're actually real and not some sort of weird animatronic?"
I reached my hand out and he touched it. "Whoa." He pulled his hand back.
Several Humans had pulled out their phones, they were already recording us. I quickly appraised the people around us, looking for anything we could exploit for our own uses. I noticed someone with their arm in a sling, it wasn't in a cast, but it was wrapped up.
"You there." I said, pointing at him. He pointed at himself. "Yes, come here."
He approached cautiously. "What happened to your arm?" I asked.
"I, uh, I tore a muscle." He said. "Doctor said I can't do much with it until it heals."
"Ruka." I said, looking at the Paladin of Bahamut. He walked closer. "Show us your injury, if you would."He did, there was the ugliest bruise I'd ever seen.
"Do you consent to having your injury healed?" I asked.
"What?" He asked, blinking.
"I'm offering to have your injury healed." I reiterated.
"Yeah, sure?"
Ruka gently laid his hands on the Human's arm. "O, holy Bahamut, heal this grievous wound and grant wholeness and wellness to his man, zyak qe coi."
The Paladin's hands radiated holy light, the bruise rapidly faded, and the Human stared at it, utterly awestruck. "Holy shit." He gasped. "I mean-"
"It is not taken as blasphemy." Ruka stated, holding his hand up.
"We are here-" I spoke, looking at everyone, "-to prove our existence beyond a single video. Circumstances demand that what we do isn't simply charity, but the means by which we can survive. For this, I am sorry, I recognize that in this way, I am using you." I paused, dredging up and wiping away tears. "Our people depend on this."
If we were to have any form of peace, any form of justification for war, we needed to be sympathetic. By taking prisoners, we made ourselves targets to any would-be vigilantes looking to serve their country.
By being up front about our intentions, we showed a quiet desperation, efforts made to foster peace, even though I had bared the fangs of war.
More Humans gathered, those who were sick or in pain, we provided healing. I told our story, of how we one day woke up like this, the struggles of finding ourselves in a situation where nothing was made for us, how when we were quarantined, we were forced to fend for ourselves. How when the mine collapsed, we worked together to save the trapped miners. How when we were blockaded so they could force us to die en masse, how we were blessed with miracles.
How, when we fully understood what our intended fate was, the people heard the wisdom of my Emperor and elevated me to the position of Imperator, and how I used my authority to direct our people to our first victory.
"I shall admit, taking those soldiers' lives brought us satisfaction." I said. "They had oppressed us, tried to eradicate us, we gave them every opportunity to choose peace, to choose life. I just can't understand how they couldn't see us as people who desperately wished for love and compassion."
I laid it on thick, and the Humans ate it up.
Before long, we had expended our spells, and I said, "We will try to return, presuming the military doesn't try to carpet bomb us into oblivion, our prisoners of war be damned. I pray your leaders see reason."
We returned to our commandeered vehicle, closing the checkpoint so nobody could get in, and we returned to the city.
We did this each day we could, speaking words of hope for peace, determination to protect ourselves as needed. As always, we provided healing to those who needed it, some people even came, desperate for relief from something incurable, to which we did the best we could. Throughout this, I spoke of things to come, a thriving city, as much a part of the world as anywhere else, a place where we could share the wonders of magic.
I was asked, "Why do you close the gate when you leave?"
I simply answered, "If you entered, they would force you to remain, even though we know anyone who remains Human under the Divine Gate remains Human." It was an embellishment, but it was more poetic and exotic.
Throughout all of this, the military watched us like a hawk, waiting for us to slip up and cause some damage.
Days turned to weeks turned into a month, and we had solidified our existence to the world. We turned the checkpoint into our border, our Rangers found that we were completely sealed in on all sides by fencing.
I declared it the territory of the Empire.
"All of the land that the U.S. government sealed off belongs to the Empire." I spoke. "By locking it behind fence and gate, they have declared it our border, and we shall agree to that sentiment."
It was such a tiny parcel of land, compared to the rest of the continent, but it could comfortably fit ten offshoot villages, each which could connect us to other cities.
Construction of the new border wall began shortly after, the fencing uprooted piece by piece, replaced by solid stone proudly displaying the anachronism our lives had become, and even though there had been no agreement to peace, the U.S. government was powerless to stop us.
The moment I had claimed the land, the moment it was known to be claimed, my Emperor had claimed it in turn. By the end of the week, we had a new border wall built, one that was staffed with Rangers, Druids, Fighters, and Artificers. One that was connected by tramways, simplifying travel.
And throughout this all, Darastrixthurhi was transformed from a lifeless rock, to a city teeming with plantlife.
My Emperor held me in his arms as we laid on our bed. Sharing a bed together had always been a highlight of his being with me, his willingness to hold me, to touch me, made it all better, made it all right.
"Our enemy stalls for time, while we win the hearts of their people." He mused. "I can hear them praying to me, wishing for strength, for power, and I pull on them, make their hearts yearn. Tomorrow, invite them to visit, to witness the splendors of our nation, to feast with us in the name of peace."
"As you wish, my Emperor." I spoke.
"Ruuk, I permit you to call me your love."
"As you wish, slaitov." I replied. "Shall there be a day when we show our subjects?"
"I shall announce it during our feast." He replied.
My heart thundered, it was so sudden, yet... "Thank you, slaitov."
"Soon to be husband, Imperator mine." He replied.
When I announced the feast, the Humans who wished to join us were ecstatic. I even extended the invitation to the military personnel. "Come as civilians, if you would." I said.
The preparations that went into the feast went underway, we had a good hunt and our efforts to preserve our food was going excellently. When the Humans arrived, they marveled at the tramways, the architecture of our housing, our magical wonders. Some even saluted me, though they said they simply wanted to give me the respect I deserved.
I ensured they had the grand tour of the town, but when we neared the wall into the Fortress City, I spoke solemnly, "Any further, and you risk your Humanity." I looked at them all. "I would interpret any such entry as a desire to join our Empire, and will expect a pledge of loyalty."
The look of longing in their eyes showed me that my warning was largely going to be ignored. Hell, a handful of Humans walked right in, transforming almost immediately.
"It reacts to a want to become a Kobold." I said. "Anyone who doesn't want to might have a better time of it."
While our new citizens were given some proper clothing, I led the rest of the Humans around.
"Why didn't you stop them?" One of the Humans, a female soldier, spoke.
"Why should I?" I asked. "I very clearly stated what would happen, they made the choice."
I showed them around the Artificery, magic items and what technology we were able to make was proudly on display. I noticed one of them palm a device and walked over to them, holding my hand out. "Do not think we are not paying attention." I said. There was a tense moment before she put it in my hand. "Besides, this is just a little hand fan." I flicked a switch, two paper and wood blades extended and began to spin. "You taking this would have left one of our prisoners without any form of air conditioning."
I put it back, they tried to hide the anger at my casual mention of prisoners.
"Are they being treated well?" The soldier asked.
"Yes." I said. "Due to the lack of wireless signal, we allow them their phones so they have something to occupy their time when we're not putting them out in the yard for exercise or giving them their ration."
"You're forcing them to eat rations?" She asked.
"We all eat rations." I replied. "Feasts like this are for when we have a surplus that we can't guarantee to keep." I smirked. "That being said, as we are smaller, we need less to eat than the average Human."
I didn't pretend any of that was meant to be reassuring. "The prisoners will be joining us for the feast." I said. The incredulous looks I got elicited a chuckle from me. "If you think I'm being bold or flippant, we have them fitted with enchanted collars that will choke them if they attempt to flee. They are cursed, you see, and can only be removed with magic."
"That's fucked up." Another soldier stated.
"Inhumane, actually." I corrected. "But it's the only thing we have available that won't accidentally kill them. The worst that will happen is they'll pass out, a passive regeneration effect will keep them alive."
"Have you... tested these collars?" A third soldier asked.
"We have a small group of Sorcerers in the Warren who tried to summon a Demon for power." I said. "They have tested the collars every now and again, usually by fucking around and finding out." We approached the area where the feast was being held, food was already being set up, the prisoners were already seated, their eyes widened when they saw their fellow soldiers.
"You won't get away with this." The female soldier growled.
"Funny, that's what we said when we were locked in here." I replied. "They are fed, given water, are clothed, and are provided shelter. That's far more than we were ever given."
I directed them to their table, and soon, everyone was sat, except for my Council, and my Emperor. They arrived shortly after every one was seated, each took their seats. I sat beside my Emperor's seat.
I noted that same female soldier was attempting to film us surreptitiously.
"Today, we are gathered to welcome our Human guests, those who have seen us as people, rather than monsters." My Emperor spoke. "The establishment of my Empire was always a dream, to bring back a glory lost to time, to honor the thousands who died during the first Dragon Rage, to honor those who were murdered by my long-standing enemy." He looked around. "It had always been me desire to hunt down every last one of his children, to eradicate them, it was my Imperator who entreated me to choose compromise."
He paused, taking up a cup. "These Humans are here because my Imperator has likewise chosen compromise, to cast aside the hatred that has grown in his heart, for the sake of our peace and prosperity. Enough lives have been lost, let the first year of our Empire not be drenched in blood, that in peace and prosperity, our greatness is acknowledged, whether grudgingly, or emphatically. To my Imperator, without whom this victory would have never been manifest."
Every Kobold raised their cups, including our new citizens.
"And to our guests, who have agreed to come here in peace. May their wisdom be echoed by their leaders."
The cups were raised again.
"Now enough talk, let us feast!"
The Human frowned, putting their phone away. It was clear she didn't get what she wanted from that. After everyone polished off their plates, the people began dancing as our musicians displayed their newly awakened Bard Class- it seemed not simply playing or doing well at the arts was enough, one needed confidence and a desire to entertain.
Our guests were allowed to mingle and enjoy themselves, though the prisoners were kept under guard, any Soldiers who wished to speak to them would have to live with the fact that they would be listened in on, and considering the guards could use the spell Comprehend Languages, well, they wouldn't be able to hide beneath a foreign language.
"So, you're the leader of this little group." I regarded the Human who approached me, that same soldier who seemed bound and determined to catch us with our pants down.
"Yes." I said. "Your attempt at catching us with your recording won't work, you know." She betrayed surprise. "One, any idiot would know not to say anything incriminating at a party their enemies are invited to. Two, anyone stupid enough to do so wouldn't even make it as far as we did."
"Indeed." She said. "What was this about compromise?"
"Exactly as it sounds." I replied. "My God, Kurtulmak, has nurtured a well-earned hatred of Gnomes, considering their God committed near genocide against us. Imprisoned against his will, for the crime of wanting justice... When the victors write the history books, they will do everything in their power to make those who are suffering injustice out to be the bad guys."
"And what will your history books say?" She asked.
"That depends on your leaders' answer, Miss..?"
"Martel." She said. "Corporal Martel."
I had completely put it out of my mind, after all, we got our vengeance on the soldiers who tried to have us massacred by a God.
"So." I said. "The one who set Garl Glittergold against us shows her face." I remarked. Her eyes widened. "Why were you, of all people, not present that day, when we marched on your encampment?"
"I was called away on duty-" She started.
"Bullshit." I said. "You fled, didn't you? You ran from your fellow soldiers like the coward you are, you left them to die."
Arcane energy crackled across my body, and I had to hold back from blasting her apart. "Leave." I hissed. "This day of peace is not for cowards and traitors."
She backed away, clearly terrified. I couldn't hold back the anger any more, but I wasn't going to let her be a casualty yet. I aimed my spell at the metal pole, the Witch Bolt striking it. "I said LEAVE!" I roared. "IF YOU EVER DARE TO RETURN HERE, I WILL END YOUR MISERABLE, PATHETIC, COWARDLY LIFE!"
She fled, I did not care that several eyes were on me, if there was one thing I hated more than Humans, it was self-serving cowards like her.
I felt my God's touch on my shoulder, his presence soothed the rage, granted me the clarity of mind I needed to function. I cast my gaze toward the rest of the soldiers, who looked like they were mice caught in a trap. I approached them.
"You may leave, if you wish." I stated. "My anger at her is not anger at you."
"What the fuck did Tiana do, that pissed you off so much?" One of the soldiers asked.
"That woman was the one who called down a God to kill us." I stated. "The fact that she is present at all means she abandoned her post and left her fellow soldiers to die." My lip curled into a snarl. "The only thing I hate worse than anything, is a coward and a traitor, and that woman, Tiana Martel, is both."
I sensed a jolt of shock from my Emperor, I looked at him.
"Ruuk." He said. "Say that name again."
"Tiana Martel." I replied.
My Emperor about faced and roared, "Paladins of Bahamut, after that woman! Move!"
The Paladins gave chase, our Emperor did not order them around, out of respect for his pact with Bahamut.
"My Emperor, do you really want to risk any peace we could gain, chasing after one woman?" I asked.
"Ruuk." He said. "What are the chances that a single woman who can call down a God, who has knowledge of us that can be exploited, is suddenly not present when we finally make a counter attack? By our pact, your eyes are my eyes, and she has tried to cause problems the entire time she has been here."
He paused. "Tiana Mahtel, that's how she pronounced it, yes?"
I blinked.
"Wait, that woman is Tiamat?" I asked.
As if in answer, there was a roar, and in the distance, a dragon reared up, one bearing five heads of different colors.
[Navigation for 'Dragon Rising'- [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22]]
2023.06.08 10:09 WaveOfWire One Hell Of A Vacation - Chapter 89
First Prev Next Royal Road Patreon
u/KieveKRS providing the Trash certification of quality! (with help from u/coldfireknight cuz this one needed it.)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Nalah affixed the massive shield to her back, the rectangular form large enough for him to fit behind while only needing to crouch slightly. It was mostly ironwood, but the sides and front were metal-plated, so it still weighed a considerable amount. Despite that, the thing’s bulk hardly seemed to be noticed by the blonde-furred female, likely due to the constant construction work she involved herself in. It paired oddly with the long pike she insisted on using, but he couldn’t deny that poking at things while hiding behind a mobile wall sounded like a good idea.
Jax was wearing his new armour, the bulky chest-piece a mirror of his blond-furred pack mate’s. Though he forwent the protection a buckler or likewise would offer, he doubled up on gear. Gauntlets, vambraces, pauldrons, and anything else he could wear to compliment the massive axe he had taken a liking to.
Where Nalah was fitted to look like an apocalypse survivor—her protections limited to her torso, forearms, and shield—the black-furred male resembled a giant, if underfunded, paladin. All he needed now was some religious imagery and a penchant for exalting the qualities of their god. Joseph almost nudged the guy to suggest it for kicks.
On second thought, he decided that Jax absolutely did not need a reason to start yelling about the Human-turned-religious-figure, because there was no way in hell he wouldn’t. There was no telling what he would choose to say, and the Grand Hunter was perfectly happy never knowing.
Having been with the male as long as he had, it would probably involve ‘taming’ females or something else that would leave him groaning for weeks, if not just contemplating another high-dive from the cliff.
Joseph fixed his own equipment, the ‘Wraith armour’ worn over his own thin iron breastplate. He wasn’t thrilled to wear the extra weight, but it beat being mauled by the thing they were heading out to kill. The trips so far had been tolerable, fog and overcast skies keeping the temperature in check, but he didn’t want to go out in this on a hotter day as Summer really kicked back in. He was sweaty enough without baking inside all this crap.
He adjusted the wolf-skull mask, the rest of the hunting party having gotten over the worst of the unease it gave them. Though they’d needed to rotate people out for the sake of fairness, this would be their eighth consecutive scouting. Using the information that Raine and Faye provided, they narrowed down a likely stomping grounds for the creature and were systematically clearing sectors. It might have been discouraging to keep looking after so long, but the occasional marking on trees and the odd moss-wolf corpse tipped them off that they were getting close. There was still another week’s worth of searching left if today wasn’t the day, but somehow he doubted they wouldn’t need that long.
All in all, they numbered six; larger parties were attempted, but their efforts at stealth quickly became pointless between so many trudging through the forest and stopping for breaks. There was a bit of a scare where one of Mi’low’s pack went missing, but the guy had just stopped to relieve himself. Since the discovery was made by someone else knocking him over in the process by mistake, they decided that keeping the number smaller made communication easier. And lowered the amount of grumbling about needing a bath.
Jax, Nalah, two security members, one of the hunters, and him. Sure, grabbing Tel or the Wraiths would have been a bit more useful for cohesion, but they were all busy with things, and he didn’t want to grind everything in the settlement to a halt for nothing if the search turned up empty again. They were more suited to taking out their fellow Lilhun than some monster in the woods, as much as he disliked the thought.
Scarlet was spending a lot of time with Violet and the new Atmo, Faye was spending much of her recovery with the moss-wolves and moss-pup, and Tel was in the process of helping Harrow shore up the few security members that were slated to become snipers. Kaslin was still learning chemistry with Toril, and Raine was helping whoever needed a hand, so that marked off all of his usual accompaniment. He could have taken more of his direct pack, but they all had important things to take care of as well.
Sahari was managing the pack and putting people where people needed to be put, Pan was working with Idee and Heralt to make a line of armour for the whole pack, and Mi’low was...well, Mi’low. He was pretty sure she was unofficially the master of the hunter’s lodge and spent most of her time keeping track of what came in and out of it, while also making sure that everyone got their fair share. It needed to be done with the settlement growing as much as it had, and it kept Mi’low busy enough to stymie the flow of complaints, so he wasn’t about to complain.
They double checked that they had everything that was needed; food, water, arrows, bolts, and some bags to store anything that the snares had caught on the way back. Four ranged and two melee weapons meant that they would be mostly using Jax and Nalah to soak hits if it came down to it, the others peppering it with projectiles. Given that Harrow was insistent on the bear-thing being resistant to anything they could use at a distance, they also carried spare weapons for the ranged users, just in case. Nodding, Joseph gestured to the group finishing up their preparations for the day’s trip.
“A moment, sir?” Scarlet called to him as she approached the gate, the Wraith flanked by Rose and Cobalt. The two Atmo were decked-out in their own armour, which appeared to be almost entirely metal, save for the palm lining the inside for comfort. Each of their six legs were adorned with broad shields, their bases capped off with a flat storage carriage. They looked like someone had a little too much fun testing how much the insects could effortlessly carry and had ended up with sapient hexapedal tanks.
“Only if you explain why those two would look more at home if they had cannons installed on their backs,” he quipped, an expression somewhere between surprised, amused, and plain dumbfounded plastered on his face. The blackish red-furred female smirked for a split-second before resuming her usual servile presentation.
“The young mistress had extended her request for these two to accompany you.”
Joseph tilted his head incredulously. “Violet told you to send them?”
Scarlet nodded, gesturing to the outfitted Atmo. “They have been under her tutelage for some time now, and wish to be of assistance.”
The Grand Hunter snapped his mouth closed when he was about to ask why his daughter would teach them anything that might be useful for fighting a deadly beast. Of course she did; It was one of the first things he did for her. It would have been weirder for her not to pass on what she knew after all the hours she spent either seeing him coach the others, or being coached herself. With the time she had under her belt, she was the local Atmo Close Quarters Combat specialist, and no one else understood how the modified boxing she learned worked with their bodies like she did.
He wore a hesitant expression, shifting his weight to his other leg. “Well, they’ve certainly geared up.”
“It is a product our smith is rather proud of,” the Wraith affirmed confidently.
He exhaled slowly. “Seems a bit much.”
She seemed to be expecting the remark, barely pausing to register what he said before responding. “Your kit wishes you safe, yet understands you would not allow her to accompany you. These two wish to be of assistance.”
To punctuate her point, the two nodded in agreement, walking forward and slinging some of the backpacks onto their carriages. It seemed ‘no’ wasn’t something they were going to accept after Violet had said her piece. He sighed, conceding that they wouldn’t slow the party down with everyone carrying so much weight in equipment, regardless of the bags. They took breaks frequently enough to accommodate the Atmo, so that wouldn’t hinder anything either.
“Fine,” he relented with a wave of his hand. “We’ll take them. Not like they’d hurt anyway. But–” He put a warning into his tone. “–they’re not playing the hero and getting themselves killed. This isn’t going to work if they think any of us dying is still a net positive, got it?”
The two Atmo mimed their understanding, Scarlet replying with a victorious smile. Joseph couldn’t help but bemusedly roll his eyes. The female had taken rather well to baby-sitting, and that seems to have extended to humouring the young Queen’s schemes now. It wasn’t an unwelcome addition to their little sojourn. At least they could haul back any larger game without it tacking hours onto the return trip.
He thanked Scarlet for her trouble before dismissing her, confirming with the group that everything was accounted for, and set off before it grew too late. He wasn’t looking to get caught out in the woods during the night. The Lilhuns might be fine, but he was pretty well blind unless the moon felt generous.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Jax watched the two Atmo quietly follow on the sides of the group, their heavily armoured forms posing no issues with their naturally soundless movements in the forest. In the den, they would make moderate clacks and clicks as their chitinous legs contacted the ground, but the soft dirt and foliage stifled all but the smallest report of their travel. With Scarlet supervising alongside Violet, he wouldn’t have been surprised to learn that the former Blade had influenced their movement with the goal in mind, though he had never paid much attention to how they walked before to compare.
He had to admit, having them carry the additional equipment was exceedingly useful. He had proposed having the group use the newly acquired platforms on their more arachnid-like abdomen to rest in shifts, but Joseph was quick to insist that the insects were of lesser stamina than even Lilhuns. The phrasing seemed like a comparative insult, but Jax had more than enough experience with the Human to know that he had simply spoken his mind. To him, everyone had sub-par stamina. Training had gone some way to remedy the discrepancy, but the Grand Hunter could still continue for longer than even the most well-conditioned of them.
The black-furred male rolled his shoulders, feeling the heft of his axe shift with the movement. It was an impressive size, the weight well-balanced and its edge sharp. He had once laid it to the ground out of curiosity and confirmed that it was about as tall as Pan from head to haft, though only if she stood to her full height. Regardless of its size, it was still lighter than the armour he chose to don.
Having only really worn leathers or a few sets of ironwood protections, the encumbering prominence of the iron equipment took getting used to. It wasn’t entirely restrictive, but did put a damper on any chances he had of sprinting from danger. That was fine, he supposed, since he was wearing it against a beast he had no experience with. It could very well outrun him regardless, and he would rather have the defences in either case.
Nalah seemed to be doing fine, the large barrier she kept on her back swaying slightly as she walked. She was unhindered by it, her movements barely affected by the bulk, which was reassuring. Joseph, however, seemed to be panting more than usual, the rolling cloud coverage easing as the sun progressively warmed the environment. The fog from earlier meant that it was rather humid, and that seemed to bore no well wishes for the male encased in dark leathers and thick plates. He had even flipped down his hood, the sweat beading on his skin adding a sheen to his visage.
“I liked this better when the sun didn’t exist,” the Human lamented quietly, just loud enough for Jax to hear. The black-furred male chuckled.
“It would be rather dark.”
Joseph glared at him for a moment before rolling his eyes. “I just don’t rank ‘heavily armoured hike through the woods’ high up on my list of things I want to do regularly.”
“I believe that list would be occupied by your mates, no?” he ribbed playfully, a smirk arising when the Grand Hunter shunted his eyes closed in a grimace.
“I hate you.”
“I can see your smile underneath your displeasure, Joseph,” Jax quipped, nudging the male with his elbow, then giving an apologetic smile when his friend almost fell. Joseph sighed, waving Cobalt over and fetching a water-skin from the luggage that the insect was ferrying without breaking stride—though he needed to be careful not to get stepped on.
The Atmo always amused Jax. Be it their passive demeanour hidden by their towering stature, or his interactions with the den-kit, they never failed to be curious people. Having the two that accompanied Volta with them was an unexpected development, but he couldn’t claim to disapprove. If they had been imparted the methods of combat that Violet had cultivated, then there was little worry of them being harmed by naught but perhaps their current target. At least not until there was a better reference of its strength than the single encounter the first-years had so long ago.
At the time, it had smashed pillars and pierced flesh effortlessly, claws proving to be little more than tempting ministrations of tender touch to the thick hide. Jax only had some of the pack’s recount to base the experience off of, but was content to take their word for it. He was, ashamedly, preoccupied taking care of baser needs when the event transpired, so he was woefully unprepared for the eventual encounter. Still, he was afforded the best the settlement had to offer so that he might serve his duty of protecting the Grand Hunter. Harrow would never forgive him if only he returned.
His thoughts were disturbed by Joseph calling for a rest, Jax’s legs thankful for the break from supporting the unusual weight for so long. The Human dispensed rations and water for the pack, the Atmo waiting until everyone else was supplied before accepting their portion. They rested on their base directly, instead of curling their legs beneath them like Jax had become accustomed. Perhaps the armour impeded such, or they wished to remain mobile in the event such was required. Regardless, they blocked what little breeze there was, forcing the Grand Hunter to walk beyond them to enjoy it in the shade. It was short-lived however, as Rose quickly repositioned to stay between the pack and whatever lay beyond their protections.
It was a futile effort, it seemed, because it repeated again twice before Joseph groaned loudly and threw himself atop the carriage to lay back, his legs dangling at the knee. He seemed perfectly content with the unorthodox arrangement, snorting his amusement along with a muttered comment about a ‘taxi.’
The entertaining sight was marred by a distant yelp, snapping the group to attention. Jax and Joseph traded looks, subtle nods and gestures given to move out while remaining quiet. Ignoring his earlier complaints, the Grand Hunter flicked his hood up and donned the mask, drawing his crossbow and readying a bolt. The hunter of the pack mimicked the preparation, the two security members loosely nocking their arrows while Rose, Cobalt, Jax, and Nalah took point.
They proceeded quietly for far longer than the proximity of the noise would have suggested, but marks and gashes upon the trees implied a moving conflict. Thoughts of it being a lost cause quickly became moot as a closer growl and bark shattered the careful silence they had been maintaining.
Motioning for the pack to stop, Joseph waved Jax forward, Nalah approaching the other side. Using the large shield as additional cover, they peered around a particularly thick tree. Locked in combat were two moss-wolves, both attacking a truly massive grey creature.
Twice the Human’s height, half that in width. Four pillars as legs—the muscular trunks sinewy and defined—supported the disturbing hunched figure, the wide base tapering slightly into a thick and extended torso. A singular eye-stalk replaced the head, the ocular organ atop it pitch black and free of any indication of its focus. Four arms with deadly claws parried and sliced the two yellow beasts as they attempted to drive off the predator, a sickeningly large maw gaping to catch any attempts at a lunge. The mouth of the creature almost occupied the entirety of the available surface area upon its front, the jagged bone tools of manduction undulating with the promise of sustenance.
Joseph pulled them back, cursing under his breath as he tried to fight off the tension. From Nalah’s worried expression, it seemed his caution was rather potent, the other members of the group smelling his reaction as well.
“So, what’s the plan, Jax?” the Human whispered, his grip on the crossbow alternating with his fingers stretching across the trigger lest his fidgeting cause a misfire.
“I thought that, with your record, you would wish to tame it for the settlement,” Jax replied while thinking through a plan of action. He was glad that his friend trusted him, but he wished he had known the true scale of the beast prior. Joseph grit his teeth, turning to glance past the tree again with sarcasm pouring out of his response.
“Can’t quite see Winnie-the-woodchipper there playing great with kids.”
“You say that after adopting an Atmo as kit, Grand Hunter,” he returned, nodding to himself when a plan formed. The Human smiled, the banter easing the tension somewhat. “Rose, Cobalt, you two are the most well defended of us. Circle around and drive the beast this way. You should be capable of such without noise, yes?”
The two insects nodded, emptying their luggage behind a tree so as not to lose any of it before disappearing into the trees. The slight glimmer of their iron armour was the only indication of their position through the dense forest. Jax hoped that the beast was not particularly curious about the dimly pulsing glare, nor finished with its current altercation in time to impede the pair.
Satisfied with their progress, he motioned for the two security members to scale a tree and gain a superior vantage point. Their weapons would be able to maintain a more rapid pace of sustained fire at longer ranges. Joseph and the hunter were instructed to hide behind trees nearby, though the Human would need to remain grounded as his lack of claws made scaling the large flora difficult with his equipment.
Finally, Nalah and he positioned themselves much closer, in order to flank the creature as it fled the Atmo and occupy it long enough for the others to bleed it out, if not outright dispose of it.
With the forms of the Atmo peeking through the brush opposite them, Jax raised his axe to signal the start.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Joseph felt the hammering in his chest, his heart preparing him to fight for his life against the walking abomination that easily outclassed the only other predator that he had experience with. Sure, the moss-wolves were easy to take down once you had equipment and a plan, but that thing screamed danger.
He watched Jax and Nalah set up behind thick trees, their goal being for Jax to hopefully disable a leg or two with the war-axe while Nalah occupied it with the shield. As the two strongest members of his little family, he trusted both to do their job.
As a clusterfuck of animal and torture device, he had no faith in the creature playing along.
Swallowing his hesitation, he adjusted his grip on the crossbow again, mentally tallying his shots and cursing himself for not researching explosives. Sure, Toril didn’t want to be involved in that kind of weapon, but at the moment, the tailless white-furred male could suck it up and make one anyway. Joseph would give his left nut to see how quickly the chemist would make weapons of mass destruction just to annihilate whatever that thing called home.
Jax raised his axe, glinting the sunlight of it towards the Atmo. Receiving the start signal, the two clicked and loosed a deafening screech, the Human’s ears ringing even from this distance.
The beast seemed unperturbed by the noise, though the lack of visible ears may have had something to do with the lacklustre effect. Regardless, it did notice the two armour-clad insects charging at it, and smartly decided to extradite itself from the area. The moss-wolves, however, didn’t quite get the memo, mistaking the advancing assistance as yet another foe to defend themselves from.
He had to say, Violet taught the two well. They flashed their blades out in the same flicker jab that he had shown his daughter, and with an unceremonious squelch, the two bisected canines landed in four pieces, a vibrant green ichor now staining the weapon-like appendages of the Atmo. Undeterred by their first act of violence—as far as he was aware, anyway—they continued herding the beast.
It wasn’t as fast as they might have feared, its quadrupedal gait hindered by its proportions, but it was still quick enough to be damn intimidating. Its arms acted as a counter balance, constantly adjusting this way and that just to keep it stable. That thing was clearly never meant for sprinting, all its mobility being given to the overactive maw that pulsated with the exertion.
He readied his crossbow, the shaking in his hands not ruining his aim against such a large target. He eyeballed the distance between the creature and the ambush point, forcibly moving his finger off the trigger so that he didn’t fire early.
Closer. Come on. Almost.
Now.
Jax wound up like a particularly enthusiastic lumberjack, putting his full body into the rotation. The massive axe swung like a horizontal pendulum striking home with all the finality of a clock tolling midnight. It bit into the front leg of the beast, only sinking a few inches before momentum nearly wretched the weapon from the black-furred male. Luckily, the force and timing was enough to trip it, the creature crashing to the forest floor with a deafening roar of pain.
They could hurt it. That made him feel better.
His relief evaporated as the beast swiftly recovered, hauling itself from the ground faster than he thought possible, but his archers took it for an unspoken signal. Arrows and bolts peppered its thick hide, to no effect—it shrugged off the projectiles like they were nothing more than pine needles, none sinking far enough to gain notable purchase.
Jax hefted his axe for another strike, careful not to over-commit this time. Nalah prodded the beast wherever she could with her pike, the melee weapon sliced and skewered just past the surface of the hide, though not enough to do more than marr. It was, however, enough to gain the attention of the target, the creature swinging two of its four arms to rake across the shield that the blond-furred female held. The iron plating across the front let out an unearthly shriek as claws ripped and crumpled the metal.
Well, fuck.
Nalah was quick to react, treating the shield less as an immovable barrier and more like a slight distance buffer, dodging in and out of range to steal jabs with the polearm. The security members nocked another volley, picking different targets than before. An arrow bounced harmlessly off the black orb of an eye, another finding purchase in what passed for gums in its mouth.
The hint was received; aim for the mouth. Thankfully, that was a large target. Less thankfully, it realized that flashing its teeth was detrimental to its health, slamming the maw closed.
Jax managed another swing, this time into one of the rear legs. It wasn’t as effective as the first strike, but it did warrant a sweeping double back-fist from the creature, scoring Jax’s armour with shallow claw marks as he jumped backwards. Joseph let out a breath as he fired his second shot, only just narrowly missing the sliver of a gap between razor teeth that the enraged attack afforded. It couldn’t keep its mouth shut forever, each frenzied swipe pulling its form enough for glimpses of softer flesh within to appear. The hunter dropped from their tree, darting across to reposition for a wider angle to capitalize on. The creature noticed, lunging forward to eviscerate the easier target.
Joseph blinked as two armoured figures jumped in front of the Lilhun, raising their blades in a tight guard to block the four arms grabbing for a quick meal. The beast recoiled with a thunderous screech, two of its appendages sporting deep gashes that fountained blood, while the others managed to impact above the edged outside of the blades. Rose and Cobalt pressed forward, buying time and space for the hunter to collect themselves and scale up another perch. Taking advantage of its pain, two new arrows ripped through the air, smacking into exposed inner flesh. Two new protrusions joined the first in the mouth, one landing next to the existing projectile, while the other cleared the gateway of serration, driving deeply inside of it.
More flicker jabs and extended straights pushed and cut the beast as it tried to gain distance from the two that wounded it, every retaliatory strike earning it another gash in its grey hide.. Unencumbered by the constant barrage, Nalah thrust into its legs more vigorously, her body leaning into each attack to gain every inch of penetration she could into the muscle and thick hide.
Jax used the chance to score another chopping blow, doubling down on a previous wound to a back leg—striking bone this time, based on the unholy wail the beast uttered. Joseph raised his crossbow to land another shot into its mouth, but the beast flailed wildly to fend off the ambush.
Rose managed to block, Jax lunged backwards, Nalah deflected most of it with what remained of her shield, but Cobalt was caught by a strike, taking the hit to its torso. The Atmo flew backwards, rolling when it landed, the carriage and assorted armoured plates trailing behind it. Rose shifted instantly, covering the direction that their companion had been sent while Jax and Nalah focused on pulling the beast away from the downed combatant.
Joseph’s eyes flicked to the Atmo, waging an internal battle on whether helping the insect would be better or worse for the situation as a whole. He didn’t want to lighten up their assault if it would just mean more injuries, but Cobalt could be in dire need for a patch job. It was hard to tell from where he was.
Cursing, he bolted from his spot, firing off one last round into the gaping maw before clipping the crossbow onto his armour and sliding on his knees in front of Cobalt, healroot hastily retrieved from his pocket.
He paused, sighing in relief when none of the armour bore more than deep gashes, the carapace underneath unblemished by the attack. Cobalt clicked lightly, dazed, but otherwise seeming unhurt. Unlearned in the physiology relevant, he ushered the Atmo to remain out of the fight for fear of concussion or something similar. They could look at the insect back at the base to be sure later.
“Joseph!”
His head spun around at both Jax and Nalah screaming his name, a massive clawed hand sweeping at him—the monster's approach unnoticed while he focused on Cobalt. Lacking a better option, he lunged forward towards the underside of the beast to dodge the swipe, crashing to his shoulder on the dirt below.
The creature raised a leg above Joseph, pounding the earth scant inches from his head as he rolled sideways. Ignoring the kicked up dirt, he brought his fist to the underside of the beast, flicking the release on his bracer.
Blood spouted from the newly formed wound, the blade breaking at the mechanism as the massive animal lurched in pain, Joseph rolling out of the way of another attempted trampling. He scrambled to his feet, feeling the wind of another strike narrowly missing him.
Yeah, that would probably kill him.
Luckily, the injuries renewed the desire to flee in the monstrosity, the group of attackers proving too dangerous to continue challenging. It stumbled away from them, sparing Cobalt from its panicked trudging. Jax and Nalah started to run towards him, worry evident in their eyes, but he barked for them to finish it, redirecting the two to keep the pressure going. He didn’t want to mention the pain in the arm from where the bracer hitched. It didn’t feel broken, and thus was irrelevant.
Pressure applied, the grey beast picked a random direction free of opponents to escape, ignorant of the waiting security. When it was too close for them to shoot into its mouth at a decent angle, they slung the bows over their shoulders and drew the swords they had been afforded, patiently waiting with the blades turned down.
It passed below them, the two Lilhuns dropping from the branches to put their full weight into the plunging blades. Both landed on the large target, one sword sinking deep into a shoulder, while the other managed to pierce one of its hip joints. The beast spun haphazardly to dislodge the ‘new’ threats, both security members kicking off and finding new trees to set up in.
Whatever damage was actually done, it had lost the use of an arm, and its gait shifted awkwardly as the blade lodged in its hip worked more harm with each shambling step.. Emboldened, Jax picked up the pace, struggling to position himself with the amount of metal he wore. Ducking another swipe of its claws, he saw his chance and swung, pivoting with his axe as a counter weight. For the third time, his axe blade found the wound in its leg, adding a sickening crunch as the bone snapped from the impact.
The creature swung wildly, forced to favour its two remaining good legs, and the only other leg that could still support at least some of its weight. It was unstable now, the hunched figure swaying while unmoving. Unable to run, it decided to go down with as many of them as it could.
Rose caught up with the attack, drawing attention from the comparatively squishy Nalah as the blond-furred female deflected a wayward swing with her shield. The once iron-plated ironwood now sporting little more than jagged scraps of metal atop its silver wooden structure, a series of deep gouges marring the surface. Two lunging thrusts with the pike bit flesh, drawing new blood from the beast.
Joseph loaded his crossbow, getting off two bolts, but not managing to keep it steady enough to hit anything of use, his arm faltering under the weight of the weapon. Cursing, he decided to flank the beast and try his luck with the other bracer. If nothing else, the force in which the blade deployed was enough to pierce the thick hide, and the others were doing a good job of distracting it.
The red armoured Atmo let loose a series of directed swings, the fifth severing an arm in motion, the flying appendage forcing Nalah to raise her shield to block the unorthodox projectile. The female was sent sprawling from the weight of the impact, but the beast was too busy voicing its agony to take advantage of it. Jax worked another two chops into the broad legs, but neither managed to incapacitate it any more, and the prolonged exertion was slowing his reflexes.
As if cued into his waning energy, the beast flung Jax with another strike, the hunter of the group sinking a bolt deep into the cavernous flesh of its mouth to prevent an attempt at following up.
Joseph roared, desperate to finish it off before the creature could do the same to his downed pack. He sprinted at the monster's back and slid underneath it with as much speed as he could muster. Throwing his fist into the passing undercarriage, he let the deployed blade leave a long gash in its wake.
The grey monster lost its ability to stand, torn tendons, blood loss, and inflicted injuries taking their toll. The Grand Hunter kicked off his knees to fling himself out of the way of the collapsing figure, grimacing as the remaining bracer proved unable to support the abuse he had put it through. He looked back at the beast, the flailing body failing to right itself as teeth did little more than gouge dirt, its back exposed. Rose approached, raising their blades together and plunging it through the body over and over until it stopped moving.
Exhausted, the Atmo dropped where it was, breathing heavily. Joseph’s instinct to yell their victory was delayed as he hurried over to Jax and Nalah to confirm he didn't need to bring back bad news. Nalah seemed fine, if a bit sore from hitting the dirt and rolling, while Jax just asked to lay down when he heard that everything was over. Cobalt came over to the group, the armour that had come off collected atop the carriage it had managed to loosely affix to its base.
It was light, a chuckle originating from the Human as he slumped to the ground against a tree, but soon the entire group was roaring with laughter as victory settled in their minds. The two security members helped the hunter begin disassembling the beast, their contribution to the fight leaving them with more energy than the rest. They hadn’t been slacking off, that much was certain. The number of arrows jammed into the maw of the thing would have guaranteed a few extra seconds of survival and chances to escape if one of them had been forcibly tossed into there, and it had caused enough pause for the rest of them to get in a few hits up close.
Joseph rested across from Jax and Nalah, letting his heart rate slow from the rapid pace it had been pinned to since the start of the conflict. His arm continued its protests, but from the amount of movement he still had, he guessed that he had just strained the elbow. A few days taking it easy should straighten that right up.
Once the active members were about half way through processing the creature for hide and meat, Cobalt approached him, a mimed request for assistance putting their armour back on being redirected to Nalah since he doubted he could lift the damn pieces without hurting himself at the moment. She obliged, getting the blue Atmo back in full attire, though it took a while.
Rose stood first, stopping over to allow the hunter to place collected bits and pieces onto the carriage before securing it with whatever they could make due. A security member gathered the moss-wolf corpses for a similar treatment. Waste not, want not, he supposed.
Rose ended up carrying most of their spoils. When he was about to ask why, he, Jax, and Nalah were dragged to Cobalt and hefted onto the carriage. A series of confused questions revealed that the rest wanted to head back before it started getting dark, and it was pretty obvious who was the most exhausted of them. Lacking the will or energy to argue it, he flopped back on the Atmo as the trees passed them by, Nalah resting her legs across him as her head sat on Jax’s lap. The black-furred male didn’t so much as smirk, so it was clear he had pushed himself too far to quip about the arrangement as he laid down.
“The next time you wish to exhaust me this much, Joseph,” the Head of Security started after a long while of silence, tiredness in his voice, “I would prefer it to involve my mate and a bed.”
The Human snorted, closing his eyes and enjoying the lack of walking as the surprisingly stable Atmo carried the three of them. “Fuck off, Jax.”
“Of course, Grand Hunter.”
Next
A/N: Patreon is fixed!... aka new one cuz problems with the last. Check it out to support the story, get AI character art every now and then, or even preview sections of chapters as i write them! (aka, before kieve gets to fix them :D)
submitted by WaveOfWire to HFY [link] [comments]
u/KieveKRS providing the Trash certification of quality! (with help from u/coldfireknight cuz this one needed it.)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Nalah affixed the massive shield to her back, the rectangular form large enough for him to fit behind while only needing to crouch slightly. It was mostly ironwood, but the sides and front were metal-plated, so it still weighed a considerable amount. Despite that, the thing’s bulk hardly seemed to be noticed by the blonde-furred female, likely due to the constant construction work she involved herself in. It paired oddly with the long pike she insisted on using, but he couldn’t deny that poking at things while hiding behind a mobile wall sounded like a good idea.
Jax was wearing his new armour, the bulky chest-piece a mirror of his blond-furred pack mate’s. Though he forwent the protection a buckler or likewise would offer, he doubled up on gear. Gauntlets, vambraces, pauldrons, and anything else he could wear to compliment the massive axe he had taken a liking to.
Where Nalah was fitted to look like an apocalypse survivor—her protections limited to her torso, forearms, and shield—the black-furred male resembled a giant, if underfunded, paladin. All he needed now was some religious imagery and a penchant for exalting the qualities of their god. Joseph almost nudged the guy to suggest it for kicks.
On second thought, he decided that Jax absolutely did not need a reason to start yelling about the Human-turned-religious-figure, because there was no way in hell he wouldn’t. There was no telling what he would choose to say, and the Grand Hunter was perfectly happy never knowing.
Having been with the male as long as he had, it would probably involve ‘taming’ females or something else that would leave him groaning for weeks, if not just contemplating another high-dive from the cliff.
Joseph fixed his own equipment, the ‘Wraith armour’ worn over his own thin iron breastplate. He wasn’t thrilled to wear the extra weight, but it beat being mauled by the thing they were heading out to kill. The trips so far had been tolerable, fog and overcast skies keeping the temperature in check, but he didn’t want to go out in this on a hotter day as Summer really kicked back in. He was sweaty enough without baking inside all this crap.
He adjusted the wolf-skull mask, the rest of the hunting party having gotten over the worst of the unease it gave them. Though they’d needed to rotate people out for the sake of fairness, this would be their eighth consecutive scouting. Using the information that Raine and Faye provided, they narrowed down a likely stomping grounds for the creature and were systematically clearing sectors. It might have been discouraging to keep looking after so long, but the occasional marking on trees and the odd moss-wolf corpse tipped them off that they were getting close. There was still another week’s worth of searching left if today wasn’t the day, but somehow he doubted they wouldn’t need that long.
All in all, they numbered six; larger parties were attempted, but their efforts at stealth quickly became pointless between so many trudging through the forest and stopping for breaks. There was a bit of a scare where one of Mi’low’s pack went missing, but the guy had just stopped to relieve himself. Since the discovery was made by someone else knocking him over in the process by mistake, they decided that keeping the number smaller made communication easier. And lowered the amount of grumbling about needing a bath.
Jax, Nalah, two security members, one of the hunters, and him. Sure, grabbing Tel or the Wraiths would have been a bit more useful for cohesion, but they were all busy with things, and he didn’t want to grind everything in the settlement to a halt for nothing if the search turned up empty again. They were more suited to taking out their fellow Lilhun than some monster in the woods, as much as he disliked the thought.
Scarlet was spending a lot of time with Violet and the new Atmo, Faye was spending much of her recovery with the moss-wolves and moss-pup, and Tel was in the process of helping Harrow shore up the few security members that were slated to become snipers. Kaslin was still learning chemistry with Toril, and Raine was helping whoever needed a hand, so that marked off all of his usual accompaniment. He could have taken more of his direct pack, but they all had important things to take care of as well.
Sahari was managing the pack and putting people where people needed to be put, Pan was working with Idee and Heralt to make a line of armour for the whole pack, and Mi’low was...well, Mi’low. He was pretty sure she was unofficially the master of the hunter’s lodge and spent most of her time keeping track of what came in and out of it, while also making sure that everyone got their fair share. It needed to be done with the settlement growing as much as it had, and it kept Mi’low busy enough to stymie the flow of complaints, so he wasn’t about to complain.
They double checked that they had everything that was needed; food, water, arrows, bolts, and some bags to store anything that the snares had caught on the way back. Four ranged and two melee weapons meant that they would be mostly using Jax and Nalah to soak hits if it came down to it, the others peppering it with projectiles. Given that Harrow was insistent on the bear-thing being resistant to anything they could use at a distance, they also carried spare weapons for the ranged users, just in case. Nodding, Joseph gestured to the group finishing up their preparations for the day’s trip.
“A moment, sir?” Scarlet called to him as she approached the gate, the Wraith flanked by Rose and Cobalt. The two Atmo were decked-out in their own armour, which appeared to be almost entirely metal, save for the palm lining the inside for comfort. Each of their six legs were adorned with broad shields, their bases capped off with a flat storage carriage. They looked like someone had a little too much fun testing how much the insects could effortlessly carry and had ended up with sapient hexapedal tanks.
“Only if you explain why those two would look more at home if they had cannons installed on their backs,” he quipped, an expression somewhere between surprised, amused, and plain dumbfounded plastered on his face. The blackish red-furred female smirked for a split-second before resuming her usual servile presentation.
“The young mistress had extended her request for these two to accompany you.”
Joseph tilted his head incredulously. “Violet told you to send them?”
Scarlet nodded, gesturing to the outfitted Atmo. “They have been under her tutelage for some time now, and wish to be of assistance.”
The Grand Hunter snapped his mouth closed when he was about to ask why his daughter would teach them anything that might be useful for fighting a deadly beast. Of course she did; It was one of the first things he did for her. It would have been weirder for her not to pass on what she knew after all the hours she spent either seeing him coach the others, or being coached herself. With the time she had under her belt, she was the local Atmo Close Quarters Combat specialist, and no one else understood how the modified boxing she learned worked with their bodies like she did.
He wore a hesitant expression, shifting his weight to his other leg. “Well, they’ve certainly geared up.”
“It is a product our smith is rather proud of,” the Wraith affirmed confidently.
He exhaled slowly. “Seems a bit much.”
She seemed to be expecting the remark, barely pausing to register what he said before responding. “Your kit wishes you safe, yet understands you would not allow her to accompany you. These two wish to be of assistance.”
To punctuate her point, the two nodded in agreement, walking forward and slinging some of the backpacks onto their carriages. It seemed ‘no’ wasn’t something they were going to accept after Violet had said her piece. He sighed, conceding that they wouldn’t slow the party down with everyone carrying so much weight in equipment, regardless of the bags. They took breaks frequently enough to accommodate the Atmo, so that wouldn’t hinder anything either.
“Fine,” he relented with a wave of his hand. “We’ll take them. Not like they’d hurt anyway. But–” He put a warning into his tone. “–they’re not playing the hero and getting themselves killed. This isn’t going to work if they think any of us dying is still a net positive, got it?”
The two Atmo mimed their understanding, Scarlet replying with a victorious smile. Joseph couldn’t help but bemusedly roll his eyes. The female had taken rather well to baby-sitting, and that seems to have extended to humouring the young Queen’s schemes now. It wasn’t an unwelcome addition to their little sojourn. At least they could haul back any larger game without it tacking hours onto the return trip.
He thanked Scarlet for her trouble before dismissing her, confirming with the group that everything was accounted for, and set off before it grew too late. He wasn’t looking to get caught out in the woods during the night. The Lilhuns might be fine, but he was pretty well blind unless the moon felt generous.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Jax watched the two Atmo quietly follow on the sides of the group, their heavily armoured forms posing no issues with their naturally soundless movements in the forest. In the den, they would make moderate clacks and clicks as their chitinous legs contacted the ground, but the soft dirt and foliage stifled all but the smallest report of their travel. With Scarlet supervising alongside Violet, he wouldn’t have been surprised to learn that the former Blade had influenced their movement with the goal in mind, though he had never paid much attention to how they walked before to compare.
He had to admit, having them carry the additional equipment was exceedingly useful. He had proposed having the group use the newly acquired platforms on their more arachnid-like abdomen to rest in shifts, but Joseph was quick to insist that the insects were of lesser stamina than even Lilhuns. The phrasing seemed like a comparative insult, but Jax had more than enough experience with the Human to know that he had simply spoken his mind. To him, everyone had sub-par stamina. Training had gone some way to remedy the discrepancy, but the Grand Hunter could still continue for longer than even the most well-conditioned of them.
The black-furred male rolled his shoulders, feeling the heft of his axe shift with the movement. It was an impressive size, the weight well-balanced and its edge sharp. He had once laid it to the ground out of curiosity and confirmed that it was about as tall as Pan from head to haft, though only if she stood to her full height. Regardless of its size, it was still lighter than the armour he chose to don.
Having only really worn leathers or a few sets of ironwood protections, the encumbering prominence of the iron equipment took getting used to. It wasn’t entirely restrictive, but did put a damper on any chances he had of sprinting from danger. That was fine, he supposed, since he was wearing it against a beast he had no experience with. It could very well outrun him regardless, and he would rather have the defences in either case.
Nalah seemed to be doing fine, the large barrier she kept on her back swaying slightly as she walked. She was unhindered by it, her movements barely affected by the bulk, which was reassuring. Joseph, however, seemed to be panting more than usual, the rolling cloud coverage easing as the sun progressively warmed the environment. The fog from earlier meant that it was rather humid, and that seemed to bore no well wishes for the male encased in dark leathers and thick plates. He had even flipped down his hood, the sweat beading on his skin adding a sheen to his visage.
“I liked this better when the sun didn’t exist,” the Human lamented quietly, just loud enough for Jax to hear. The black-furred male chuckled.
“It would be rather dark.”
Joseph glared at him for a moment before rolling his eyes. “I just don’t rank ‘heavily armoured hike through the woods’ high up on my list of things I want to do regularly.”
“I believe that list would be occupied by your mates, no?” he ribbed playfully, a smirk arising when the Grand Hunter shunted his eyes closed in a grimace.
“I hate you.”
“I can see your smile underneath your displeasure, Joseph,” Jax quipped, nudging the male with his elbow, then giving an apologetic smile when his friend almost fell. Joseph sighed, waving Cobalt over and fetching a water-skin from the luggage that the insect was ferrying without breaking stride—though he needed to be careful not to get stepped on.
The Atmo always amused Jax. Be it their passive demeanour hidden by their towering stature, or his interactions with the den-kit, they never failed to be curious people. Having the two that accompanied Volta with them was an unexpected development, but he couldn’t claim to disapprove. If they had been imparted the methods of combat that Violet had cultivated, then there was little worry of them being harmed by naught but perhaps their current target. At least not until there was a better reference of its strength than the single encounter the first-years had so long ago.
At the time, it had smashed pillars and pierced flesh effortlessly, claws proving to be little more than tempting ministrations of tender touch to the thick hide. Jax only had some of the pack’s recount to base the experience off of, but was content to take their word for it. He was, ashamedly, preoccupied taking care of baser needs when the event transpired, so he was woefully unprepared for the eventual encounter. Still, he was afforded the best the settlement had to offer so that he might serve his duty of protecting the Grand Hunter. Harrow would never forgive him if only he returned.
His thoughts were disturbed by Joseph calling for a rest, Jax’s legs thankful for the break from supporting the unusual weight for so long. The Human dispensed rations and water for the pack, the Atmo waiting until everyone else was supplied before accepting their portion. They rested on their base directly, instead of curling their legs beneath them like Jax had become accustomed. Perhaps the armour impeded such, or they wished to remain mobile in the event such was required. Regardless, they blocked what little breeze there was, forcing the Grand Hunter to walk beyond them to enjoy it in the shade. It was short-lived however, as Rose quickly repositioned to stay between the pack and whatever lay beyond their protections.
It was a futile effort, it seemed, because it repeated again twice before Joseph groaned loudly and threw himself atop the carriage to lay back, his legs dangling at the knee. He seemed perfectly content with the unorthodox arrangement, snorting his amusement along with a muttered comment about a ‘taxi.’
The entertaining sight was marred by a distant yelp, snapping the group to attention. Jax and Joseph traded looks, subtle nods and gestures given to move out while remaining quiet. Ignoring his earlier complaints, the Grand Hunter flicked his hood up and donned the mask, drawing his crossbow and readying a bolt. The hunter of the pack mimicked the preparation, the two security members loosely nocking their arrows while Rose, Cobalt, Jax, and Nalah took point.
They proceeded quietly for far longer than the proximity of the noise would have suggested, but marks and gashes upon the trees implied a moving conflict. Thoughts of it being a lost cause quickly became moot as a closer growl and bark shattered the careful silence they had been maintaining.
Motioning for the pack to stop, Joseph waved Jax forward, Nalah approaching the other side. Using the large shield as additional cover, they peered around a particularly thick tree. Locked in combat were two moss-wolves, both attacking a truly massive grey creature.
Twice the Human’s height, half that in width. Four pillars as legs—the muscular trunks sinewy and defined—supported the disturbing hunched figure, the wide base tapering slightly into a thick and extended torso. A singular eye-stalk replaced the head, the ocular organ atop it pitch black and free of any indication of its focus. Four arms with deadly claws parried and sliced the two yellow beasts as they attempted to drive off the predator, a sickeningly large maw gaping to catch any attempts at a lunge. The mouth of the creature almost occupied the entirety of the available surface area upon its front, the jagged bone tools of manduction undulating with the promise of sustenance.
Joseph pulled them back, cursing under his breath as he tried to fight off the tension. From Nalah’s worried expression, it seemed his caution was rather potent, the other members of the group smelling his reaction as well.
“So, what’s the plan, Jax?” the Human whispered, his grip on the crossbow alternating with his fingers stretching across the trigger lest his fidgeting cause a misfire.
“I thought that, with your record, you would wish to tame it for the settlement,” Jax replied while thinking through a plan of action. He was glad that his friend trusted him, but he wished he had known the true scale of the beast prior. Joseph grit his teeth, turning to glance past the tree again with sarcasm pouring out of his response.
“Can’t quite see Winnie-the-woodchipper there playing great with kids.”
“You say that after adopting an Atmo as kit, Grand Hunter,” he returned, nodding to himself when a plan formed. The Human smiled, the banter easing the tension somewhat. “Rose, Cobalt, you two are the most well defended of us. Circle around and drive the beast this way. You should be capable of such without noise, yes?”
The two insects nodded, emptying their luggage behind a tree so as not to lose any of it before disappearing into the trees. The slight glimmer of their iron armour was the only indication of their position through the dense forest. Jax hoped that the beast was not particularly curious about the dimly pulsing glare, nor finished with its current altercation in time to impede the pair.
Satisfied with their progress, he motioned for the two security members to scale a tree and gain a superior vantage point. Their weapons would be able to maintain a more rapid pace of sustained fire at longer ranges. Joseph and the hunter were instructed to hide behind trees nearby, though the Human would need to remain grounded as his lack of claws made scaling the large flora difficult with his equipment.
Finally, Nalah and he positioned themselves much closer, in order to flank the creature as it fled the Atmo and occupy it long enough for the others to bleed it out, if not outright dispose of it.
With the forms of the Atmo peeking through the brush opposite them, Jax raised his axe to signal the start.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Joseph felt the hammering in his chest, his heart preparing him to fight for his life against the walking abomination that easily outclassed the only other predator that he had experience with. Sure, the moss-wolves were easy to take down once you had equipment and a plan, but that thing screamed danger.
He watched Jax and Nalah set up behind thick trees, their goal being for Jax to hopefully disable a leg or two with the war-axe while Nalah occupied it with the shield. As the two strongest members of his little family, he trusted both to do their job.
As a clusterfuck of animal and torture device, he had no faith in the creature playing along.
Swallowing his hesitation, he adjusted his grip on the crossbow again, mentally tallying his shots and cursing himself for not researching explosives. Sure, Toril didn’t want to be involved in that kind of weapon, but at the moment, the tailless white-furred male could suck it up and make one anyway. Joseph would give his left nut to see how quickly the chemist would make weapons of mass destruction just to annihilate whatever that thing called home.
Jax raised his axe, glinting the sunlight of it towards the Atmo. Receiving the start signal, the two clicked and loosed a deafening screech, the Human’s ears ringing even from this distance.
The beast seemed unperturbed by the noise, though the lack of visible ears may have had something to do with the lacklustre effect. Regardless, it did notice the two armour-clad insects charging at it, and smartly decided to extradite itself from the area. The moss-wolves, however, didn’t quite get the memo, mistaking the advancing assistance as yet another foe to defend themselves from.
He had to say, Violet taught the two well. They flashed their blades out in the same flicker jab that he had shown his daughter, and with an unceremonious squelch, the two bisected canines landed in four pieces, a vibrant green ichor now staining the weapon-like appendages of the Atmo. Undeterred by their first act of violence—as far as he was aware, anyway—they continued herding the beast.
It wasn’t as fast as they might have feared, its quadrupedal gait hindered by its proportions, but it was still quick enough to be damn intimidating. Its arms acted as a counter balance, constantly adjusting this way and that just to keep it stable. That thing was clearly never meant for sprinting, all its mobility being given to the overactive maw that pulsated with the exertion.
He readied his crossbow, the shaking in his hands not ruining his aim against such a large target. He eyeballed the distance between the creature and the ambush point, forcibly moving his finger off the trigger so that he didn’t fire early.
Closer. Come on. Almost.
Now.
Jax wound up like a particularly enthusiastic lumberjack, putting his full body into the rotation. The massive axe swung like a horizontal pendulum striking home with all the finality of a clock tolling midnight. It bit into the front leg of the beast, only sinking a few inches before momentum nearly wretched the weapon from the black-furred male. Luckily, the force and timing was enough to trip it, the creature crashing to the forest floor with a deafening roar of pain.
They could hurt it. That made him feel better.
His relief evaporated as the beast swiftly recovered, hauling itself from the ground faster than he thought possible, but his archers took it for an unspoken signal. Arrows and bolts peppered its thick hide, to no effect—it shrugged off the projectiles like they were nothing more than pine needles, none sinking far enough to gain notable purchase.
Jax hefted his axe for another strike, careful not to over-commit this time. Nalah prodded the beast wherever she could with her pike, the melee weapon sliced and skewered just past the surface of the hide, though not enough to do more than marr. It was, however, enough to gain the attention of the target, the creature swinging two of its four arms to rake across the shield that the blond-furred female held. The iron plating across the front let out an unearthly shriek as claws ripped and crumpled the metal.
Well, fuck.
Nalah was quick to react, treating the shield less as an immovable barrier and more like a slight distance buffer, dodging in and out of range to steal jabs with the polearm. The security members nocked another volley, picking different targets than before. An arrow bounced harmlessly off the black orb of an eye, another finding purchase in what passed for gums in its mouth.
The hint was received; aim for the mouth. Thankfully, that was a large target. Less thankfully, it realized that flashing its teeth was detrimental to its health, slamming the maw closed.
Jax managed another swing, this time into one of the rear legs. It wasn’t as effective as the first strike, but it did warrant a sweeping double back-fist from the creature, scoring Jax’s armour with shallow claw marks as he jumped backwards. Joseph let out a breath as he fired his second shot, only just narrowly missing the sliver of a gap between razor teeth that the enraged attack afforded. It couldn’t keep its mouth shut forever, each frenzied swipe pulling its form enough for glimpses of softer flesh within to appear. The hunter dropped from their tree, darting across to reposition for a wider angle to capitalize on. The creature noticed, lunging forward to eviscerate the easier target.
Joseph blinked as two armoured figures jumped in front of the Lilhun, raising their blades in a tight guard to block the four arms grabbing for a quick meal. The beast recoiled with a thunderous screech, two of its appendages sporting deep gashes that fountained blood, while the others managed to impact above the edged outside of the blades. Rose and Cobalt pressed forward, buying time and space for the hunter to collect themselves and scale up another perch. Taking advantage of its pain, two new arrows ripped through the air, smacking into exposed inner flesh. Two new protrusions joined the first in the mouth, one landing next to the existing projectile, while the other cleared the gateway of serration, driving deeply inside of it.
More flicker jabs and extended straights pushed and cut the beast as it tried to gain distance from the two that wounded it, every retaliatory strike earning it another gash in its grey hide.. Unencumbered by the constant barrage, Nalah thrust into its legs more vigorously, her body leaning into each attack to gain every inch of penetration she could into the muscle and thick hide.
Jax used the chance to score another chopping blow, doubling down on a previous wound to a back leg—striking bone this time, based on the unholy wail the beast uttered. Joseph raised his crossbow to land another shot into its mouth, but the beast flailed wildly to fend off the ambush.
Rose managed to block, Jax lunged backwards, Nalah deflected most of it with what remained of her shield, but Cobalt was caught by a strike, taking the hit to its torso. The Atmo flew backwards, rolling when it landed, the carriage and assorted armoured plates trailing behind it. Rose shifted instantly, covering the direction that their companion had been sent while Jax and Nalah focused on pulling the beast away from the downed combatant.
Joseph’s eyes flicked to the Atmo, waging an internal battle on whether helping the insect would be better or worse for the situation as a whole. He didn’t want to lighten up their assault if it would just mean more injuries, but Cobalt could be in dire need for a patch job. It was hard to tell from where he was.
Cursing, he bolted from his spot, firing off one last round into the gaping maw before clipping the crossbow onto his armour and sliding on his knees in front of Cobalt, healroot hastily retrieved from his pocket.
He paused, sighing in relief when none of the armour bore more than deep gashes, the carapace underneath unblemished by the attack. Cobalt clicked lightly, dazed, but otherwise seeming unhurt. Unlearned in the physiology relevant, he ushered the Atmo to remain out of the fight for fear of concussion or something similar. They could look at the insect back at the base to be sure later.
“Joseph!”
His head spun around at both Jax and Nalah screaming his name, a massive clawed hand sweeping at him—the monster's approach unnoticed while he focused on Cobalt. Lacking a better option, he lunged forward towards the underside of the beast to dodge the swipe, crashing to his shoulder on the dirt below.
The creature raised a leg above Joseph, pounding the earth scant inches from his head as he rolled sideways. Ignoring the kicked up dirt, he brought his fist to the underside of the beast, flicking the release on his bracer.
Blood spouted from the newly formed wound, the blade breaking at the mechanism as the massive animal lurched in pain, Joseph rolling out of the way of another attempted trampling. He scrambled to his feet, feeling the wind of another strike narrowly missing him.
Yeah, that would probably kill him.
Luckily, the injuries renewed the desire to flee in the monstrosity, the group of attackers proving too dangerous to continue challenging. It stumbled away from them, sparing Cobalt from its panicked trudging. Jax and Nalah started to run towards him, worry evident in their eyes, but he barked for them to finish it, redirecting the two to keep the pressure going. He didn’t want to mention the pain in the arm from where the bracer hitched. It didn’t feel broken, and thus was irrelevant.
Pressure applied, the grey beast picked a random direction free of opponents to escape, ignorant of the waiting security. When it was too close for them to shoot into its mouth at a decent angle, they slung the bows over their shoulders and drew the swords they had been afforded, patiently waiting with the blades turned down.
It passed below them, the two Lilhuns dropping from the branches to put their full weight into the plunging blades. Both landed on the large target, one sword sinking deep into a shoulder, while the other managed to pierce one of its hip joints. The beast spun haphazardly to dislodge the ‘new’ threats, both security members kicking off and finding new trees to set up in.
Whatever damage was actually done, it had lost the use of an arm, and its gait shifted awkwardly as the blade lodged in its hip worked more harm with each shambling step.. Emboldened, Jax picked up the pace, struggling to position himself with the amount of metal he wore. Ducking another swipe of its claws, he saw his chance and swung, pivoting with his axe as a counter weight. For the third time, his axe blade found the wound in its leg, adding a sickening crunch as the bone snapped from the impact.
The creature swung wildly, forced to favour its two remaining good legs, and the only other leg that could still support at least some of its weight. It was unstable now, the hunched figure swaying while unmoving. Unable to run, it decided to go down with as many of them as it could.
Rose caught up with the attack, drawing attention from the comparatively squishy Nalah as the blond-furred female deflected a wayward swing with her shield. The once iron-plated ironwood now sporting little more than jagged scraps of metal atop its silver wooden structure, a series of deep gouges marring the surface. Two lunging thrusts with the pike bit flesh, drawing new blood from the beast.
Joseph loaded his crossbow, getting off two bolts, but not managing to keep it steady enough to hit anything of use, his arm faltering under the weight of the weapon. Cursing, he decided to flank the beast and try his luck with the other bracer. If nothing else, the force in which the blade deployed was enough to pierce the thick hide, and the others were doing a good job of distracting it.
The red armoured Atmo let loose a series of directed swings, the fifth severing an arm in motion, the flying appendage forcing Nalah to raise her shield to block the unorthodox projectile. The female was sent sprawling from the weight of the impact, but the beast was too busy voicing its agony to take advantage of it. Jax worked another two chops into the broad legs, but neither managed to incapacitate it any more, and the prolonged exertion was slowing his reflexes.
As if cued into his waning energy, the beast flung Jax with another strike, the hunter of the group sinking a bolt deep into the cavernous flesh of its mouth to prevent an attempt at following up.
Joseph roared, desperate to finish it off before the creature could do the same to his downed pack. He sprinted at the monster's back and slid underneath it with as much speed as he could muster. Throwing his fist into the passing undercarriage, he let the deployed blade leave a long gash in its wake.
The grey monster lost its ability to stand, torn tendons, blood loss, and inflicted injuries taking their toll. The Grand Hunter kicked off his knees to fling himself out of the way of the collapsing figure, grimacing as the remaining bracer proved unable to support the abuse he had put it through. He looked back at the beast, the flailing body failing to right itself as teeth did little more than gouge dirt, its back exposed. Rose approached, raising their blades together and plunging it through the body over and over until it stopped moving.
Exhausted, the Atmo dropped where it was, breathing heavily. Joseph’s instinct to yell their victory was delayed as he hurried over to Jax and Nalah to confirm he didn't need to bring back bad news. Nalah seemed fine, if a bit sore from hitting the dirt and rolling, while Jax just asked to lay down when he heard that everything was over. Cobalt came over to the group, the armour that had come off collected atop the carriage it had managed to loosely affix to its base.
It was light, a chuckle originating from the Human as he slumped to the ground against a tree, but soon the entire group was roaring with laughter as victory settled in their minds. The two security members helped the hunter begin disassembling the beast, their contribution to the fight leaving them with more energy than the rest. They hadn’t been slacking off, that much was certain. The number of arrows jammed into the maw of the thing would have guaranteed a few extra seconds of survival and chances to escape if one of them had been forcibly tossed into there, and it had caused enough pause for the rest of them to get in a few hits up close.
Joseph rested across from Jax and Nalah, letting his heart rate slow from the rapid pace it had been pinned to since the start of the conflict. His arm continued its protests, but from the amount of movement he still had, he guessed that he had just strained the elbow. A few days taking it easy should straighten that right up.
Once the active members were about half way through processing the creature for hide and meat, Cobalt approached him, a mimed request for assistance putting their armour back on being redirected to Nalah since he doubted he could lift the damn pieces without hurting himself at the moment. She obliged, getting the blue Atmo back in full attire, though it took a while.
Rose stood first, stopping over to allow the hunter to place collected bits and pieces onto the carriage before securing it with whatever they could make due. A security member gathered the moss-wolf corpses for a similar treatment. Waste not, want not, he supposed.
Rose ended up carrying most of their spoils. When he was about to ask why, he, Jax, and Nalah were dragged to Cobalt and hefted onto the carriage. A series of confused questions revealed that the rest wanted to head back before it started getting dark, and it was pretty obvious who was the most exhausted of them. Lacking the will or energy to argue it, he flopped back on the Atmo as the trees passed them by, Nalah resting her legs across him as her head sat on Jax’s lap. The black-furred male didn’t so much as smirk, so it was clear he had pushed himself too far to quip about the arrangement as he laid down.
“The next time you wish to exhaust me this much, Joseph,” the Head of Security started after a long while of silence, tiredness in his voice, “I would prefer it to involve my mate and a bed.”
The Human snorted, closing his eyes and enjoying the lack of walking as the surprisingly stable Atmo carried the three of them. “Fuck off, Jax.”
“Of course, Grand Hunter.”
Next
A/N: Patreon is fixed!... aka new one cuz problems with the last. Check it out to support the story, get AI character art every now and then, or even preview sections of chapters as i write them! (aka, before kieve gets to fix them :D)
2023.06.08 09:44 Affectionate_Emu5292 Am I overthinking?
I need some advice regarding my friendship with my BFF. (A long one but please read)
My BFF and I both met and married our men around the same time (with 3-6 months of each other. She got married first and they became a blended family with no kids together. my husband and I got engaged, then I got pregnant and we married after our son was born. My husband and I are a blended family. 1 together and he has 3 and I have 2 . Our kids love each other and they all love to love on their baby brother.
My BFF & I talk all the time and of course vent about our husbands but I do keep some stuff reserved for just my marriage. Lately I have noticed some things with her. Idk if she’s in competition with me or jealous but idk how to bring it up without trying to accuse her of anything in case I’m overthinking it (I’m naturally a overthinker and an empath).
Whenever I say I want something or show her something online that ima ask my husband for, she says her husband already bought it for her and it’s on the way. Now I don’t mind us having the same things ( I know companies make hundreds of products) but it’s the tone. Almost as if she is saying “haha I got it first”.
Now I wasn’t the one who originally noticed it. My sister (my BFF, my sister and i have a group chat) & my husband both brought it to my attention at separate times and that’s what made me start thinking is something else going on.
She has vented to me about her husband and how detached he is and they are pretty much like roommates. They don’t have sex besides once every other month they have been married going on 2 years. I, of course gave healthy suggestions, like role play, date nights, getting it in randomly in the laundry but she refuses to even try these things. She complains that my husband and I have sex too much but in the same breath will say she wish her and husband had sex as much as me and mine. (The question came up during a game night for her 21 yr olds birthday). Sometimes I feel like I’m giving advice but she won’t take it. I have started asking her during conversation “do you want my advice or am I just being a listening ear” so I can know how to support her.
Sometimes I can’t even tell her my good news because she always make me feel bad for having some many good things going on in my life. I can say “oh I can’t hang Saturday, we have date night” and she will say “eww y’all always together, what do you need a date night for” or “I came first, cancel your plans and hang with me instead”. The few times her and her husband have a date night planned and I asked her to hang out, I usually say “enjoy and have a shot for me”. I don’t get the problem of actually enjoying spending time with my husband. We have very busy lives so little things like going to target together makes me happy and we just like to talk. My husband and I can laugh and talk for hours. She gets upset when she calls and he’s around. I have to explain to her we were just having a convo when she called and she will say something smart like “well call me when you have time to talk to me which will probably be tomorrow cause your always talking to him”.
I guess I’m getting at the energy is not being reciprocated.
Recently my husband got a job offer and doing all the HR stuff to start soon and will be making almost $80k a year. I work full time as well but also received a job offer so our income will about well over $100k. Me being excited about this because I can finally rebuild our savings and save to purchase land so we can build our home from the ground up, I told my BFF. Not trying to rub it in but just wanting to share the good news with her because I was so excited and she says “must be nice”. I ignored it and didn’t say anything else. During this same conversation we started talking about Amazon and spending habits. Her and her husband were at our home and my husband heard me say I was hungry. While he was talking to her husband, he walks over and hands me his wallet. I asked him what it was for and he tells me to get dinner for everyone (them included). I asked for a spending limit and he said “just get whatever you want and make sure it’s enough for everyone”. Me and her leave and she says “must be nice to have a man just spoil you. The fact you can touch his wallet. I bet you have access to his accounts”. I quietly confirmed that I did and she goes on a rant about how I always ended up with the good ones and she gets the bums that have her paying all the bills. I just changed the subject to the music on the radio.
There has also been other smart remarks but I over look it and say to myself “she my best friend and she didn’t mean it like that” but I think I need to start taking it how she said it.
Am I crazy? I love her to death but it’s starting to hurt my feelings and effecting my mental health.
submitted by Affectionate_Emu5292 to FriendshipAdvice [link] [comments]
My BFF and I both met and married our men around the same time (with 3-6 months of each other. She got married first and they became a blended family with no kids together. my husband and I got engaged, then I got pregnant and we married after our son was born. My husband and I are a blended family. 1 together and he has 3 and I have 2 . Our kids love each other and they all love to love on their baby brother.
My BFF & I talk all the time and of course vent about our husbands but I do keep some stuff reserved for just my marriage. Lately I have noticed some things with her. Idk if she’s in competition with me or jealous but idk how to bring it up without trying to accuse her of anything in case I’m overthinking it (I’m naturally a overthinker and an empath).
Whenever I say I want something or show her something online that ima ask my husband for, she says her husband already bought it for her and it’s on the way. Now I don’t mind us having the same things ( I know companies make hundreds of products) but it’s the tone. Almost as if she is saying “haha I got it first”.
Now I wasn’t the one who originally noticed it. My sister (my BFF, my sister and i have a group chat) & my husband both brought it to my attention at separate times and that’s what made me start thinking is something else going on.
She has vented to me about her husband and how detached he is and they are pretty much like roommates. They don’t have sex besides once every other month they have been married going on 2 years. I, of course gave healthy suggestions, like role play, date nights, getting it in randomly in the laundry but she refuses to even try these things. She complains that my husband and I have sex too much but in the same breath will say she wish her and husband had sex as much as me and mine. (The question came up during a game night for her 21 yr olds birthday). Sometimes I feel like I’m giving advice but she won’t take it. I have started asking her during conversation “do you want my advice or am I just being a listening ear” so I can know how to support her.
Sometimes I can’t even tell her my good news because she always make me feel bad for having some many good things going on in my life. I can say “oh I can’t hang Saturday, we have date night” and she will say “eww y’all always together, what do you need a date night for” or “I came first, cancel your plans and hang with me instead”. The few times her and her husband have a date night planned and I asked her to hang out, I usually say “enjoy and have a shot for me”. I don’t get the problem of actually enjoying spending time with my husband. We have very busy lives so little things like going to target together makes me happy and we just like to talk. My husband and I can laugh and talk for hours. She gets upset when she calls and he’s around. I have to explain to her we were just having a convo when she called and she will say something smart like “well call me when you have time to talk to me which will probably be tomorrow cause your always talking to him”.
I guess I’m getting at the energy is not being reciprocated.
Recently my husband got a job offer and doing all the HR stuff to start soon and will be making almost $80k a year. I work full time as well but also received a job offer so our income will about well over $100k. Me being excited about this because I can finally rebuild our savings and save to purchase land so we can build our home from the ground up, I told my BFF. Not trying to rub it in but just wanting to share the good news with her because I was so excited and she says “must be nice”. I ignored it and didn’t say anything else. During this same conversation we started talking about Amazon and spending habits. Her and her husband were at our home and my husband heard me say I was hungry. While he was talking to her husband, he walks over and hands me his wallet. I asked him what it was for and he tells me to get dinner for everyone (them included). I asked for a spending limit and he said “just get whatever you want and make sure it’s enough for everyone”. Me and her leave and she says “must be nice to have a man just spoil you. The fact you can touch his wallet. I bet you have access to his accounts”. I quietly confirmed that I did and she goes on a rant about how I always ended up with the good ones and she gets the bums that have her paying all the bills. I just changed the subject to the music on the radio.
There has also been other smart remarks but I over look it and say to myself “she my best friend and she didn’t mean it like that” but I think I need to start taking it how she said it.
Am I crazy? I love her to death but it’s starting to hurt my feelings and effecting my mental health.
2023.06.08 09:34 duddlered The Big Oof! Volume 1 Chapter 41: Token of Gratitude
This is the official end of the first Volume. Next week will begin Volume 2!
After a lot of progress on my story, I'm making changes to my Patreon and instead of reading 3 chapters ahead, you'll get access to 5.
Elijah Commission
Azeline Commission
The Little Menace
Worship Her
If you want to read 5 chapters ahead, check out my Patreon!
Support me by upvoting me or leaving a comment!
I also have the series uploaded to Royal Road, come leave a comment and give me a review by clicking HERE
Here's a map of where the area
Join my Discord!
[First] [Previous] [Next]
-
Bennett was dead asleep in his hammock when he was roused by hushed whispers and the sound of activity echoed throughout the room, seemingly amplified by its cramped space.
“Ben.” A voice called out.
As the engineer slowly opened a singular eye, he found himself struggling to make sense of the situation. A figure was just a few meters away from him, rifling through a bag when they turned around and faced him. However, Bennetts groggy state prevented him from fully discerning who or what was responsible for the disruption.
“Ben, wake up.” The voice called out one more time.
Scowling in irritation, Bennett chose to ignore the voice and flipped over, burying his face into the hammock's fabric. He was determined to get back to sleep, even as the voice grew more insistent and the room's activity continued.
“Ben, wake the fuck up!” The voice finally yelled.
Suddenly, Bennett found himself suspended in the air, his groggy state replaced with fear and anxiety as he was forcefully yanked out of his hammock. He tried to process what was happening, but before he could comprehend the situation, he felt the cold embrace of the hardwood floor.
THUD
“Argh! Fuck!” The Engineer groaned as he slowly lifted himself up off the ground. "You goddamn asshole!" Bennett snapped, his voice hoarse from the mixture of pain and anger.
Standing over Bennett with a cackling Fairy on his shoulder, Elijah decided he wasn’t going to wait for the stubborn man to get up on his own. "It's time to get up," Elijah said, turning around to continue sifting through his bag. "We got a lot of shit to do before we leave, and I can't afford to have you sleeping in."
Bennett’s glare shifted between his captain and his sadistic partner. "Fine, fine. I'm up," he grumbled, rubbing his sore back. He knew Elijah was right, but that didn't make the sudden wake-up call any less infuriating. Yana, on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying Bennett's misery, her laughter ringing in his ears.
THUD
Pulling out his remaining Bioscanner, Elijah began running diagnostics on the device, ensuring it was in working order for when he delivered it to Salvanius. It was a trade that he was loathing, but it was a trade he would make 1000 times if given the chance to get the rest of their equipment back. Even if they only managed to find a quarter of their property, that was still a lot better than having nothing at all.
As the Bioscanner's display indicated the device was functioning optimally, Elijah let out a small depressed sigh and slid it into his pocket. "Alright, let's get this over with," he said, opening the door and stepping out into the dimly lit corridor. Bennett followed, still grumbling under his breath about the hostile work environment while shifting his stink eye at both Yana and Elijah.
THUD
“GOD DAMNIT!!” Bennett yelled, rubbing his head after hitting the top of the door frame.
He had completely forgotten how cramped everything was on this wooden death trap and how he had to crouch throughout the entire interior. Frustration and annoyance etched on his face, Bennett muttered a string of curses under his breath as he adjusted his posture to avoid the low ceilings and narrow passageways.
“Midgets…” The Engineer sneered as he heard Elijah snicker father up ahead.
It only took a few moments for Elijah and Bennett to reach the deck, and there they observed Rhea efficiently issuing orders to the ship's sailors. Her authoritative voice rang out over the hustle and bustle of the ship’s crew, who were quickly scurrying about, securing ropes and checking supplies. What really caught their attention, though, was Rhea was finally out of her armor.
Adorned in a faded white linen long-sleeved shirt, Rhea left her chest straps slightly undone, revealing a hint of her modest, but alluring cleavage. The Knight Captain’s slim, athletic figure was displayed in stark contrast to the thick padding underneath the metal armor she normally wore. To accentuate her figure, the tight brown linen pants she wore hugged her humbly, but satisfyingly shapely curves and seamlessly tucked into her leather boots. The outfit, deceptively sultry, effortlessly exuded a sense of casual confidence and undeniable charm.
Turning her head slight, the Knight Captain finally noticed the two Humans and acknowledged them with a nod. “Good morning Sir Elijah, Sir Bennett and…” She made a difficult face when her eyes locked onto Yana.
“Your Honor will do!” The Fairy said in a chipper voice, crossing her legs. “I am both a Goddess and a confirmed Eternal Judge of the Fae courts!”
Rhea’s expression turned sour for a moment, but decided it was best not to engage any further with the mischievous Vanir. "Very well, good morning Your Honor," Rhea replied, forcing a polite smile. "We're running a bit late, but we should be ready to set sail in just a few hours.”
Elijah raised an eyebrow at the small fairy at the mention of being a confirmed judge, but shifted his attention back towards Rhea and nodded in understanding. "We'll be ready whenever you are," he said with his eyes traveling up her entire figure attire before refocusing on her face. "Just give us the signal when it's time to set sail." .
“I’m assuming the northern woman is still asleep?” The Knight Captain asked, tilting her head curiously.
Seeing her long elf ears bounce up and down seemed to be the final straw for Elijah, as an unbidden and almost adolescent fascination welled up within him. He blinked a few times, trying to regain his composure before replying. "Uh, yeah, she’s still asleep," Elijah finally responded, exhaling deeply. "We’ve been up for almost 36 hours, so I think it's best to let her rest for a while longer." he replied, trying to maintain a professional demeanor despite the lingering fascination with her elf ears.
Bennett narrowed his eyes in annoyance as he regarded his captain with a disgusted look. "Can you control yourself?" he asked with a judgmental tone.
Also noticing Elijah’s basically ogling her, Rhea couldn't help but laugh at the exchange while running a hand through her hair. "I'm glad to see at least someone finds me attractive," she said, her cheeks tinted with a slight blush. Elijah cleared his throat, trying to regain some semblance of dignity as he shifted his gaze away from her.
"Ah... My apologies, Lady Rhea, but I was caught off guard," Elijah said, giving her a genuine smile. "I wasn’t prepared for the famed Knight Captain to be so beautiful out of her armor. It's a pleasant surprise, to say the least."
Rhea found herself momentarily speechless as her cheeks flushing a deep shade of red. She wasn't used to receiving compliments, let alone being called beautiful by someone as striking as Elijah. A small, bashful smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she looked down to hide her embarrassment. "Well… I, um… Thank you, Sir Elijah.” she managed to say, her voice uncharacteristically timid. “I appreciate the kind words."
Noticing the usually confident and stern Knight Captain was completely flustered, Elijah knew she was on the backfoot and went for blood. “You’re more than welcome Lady Rhea,” he responded, bowing his head. “I was just saying it how I see it—”
"Yana, zap him!" Bennett ordered, sensing that Elijah was about to push his luck too far.
The mischievous fairy didn't hesitate, and with a magical pop, she immediately shifted forms, transforming the fiery inferno atop her head into a flowing teal, wind that cascaded past her shoulders. After her transformation, a maniacal grin spread across her face as she clutched two fistfuls of Elijah's hair.
“AHH FUCK!” Elijah yelped in pain.
A light chuckle escaped Rhea's lips as she watched the scene play out before her, momentarily pushing aside her embarrassment and wariness of the group. Their playful antics, though unprofessional, stirred a sense of lighthearted camaraderie she hadn't experienced in years. The thrill of exploring the unknown alongside trusted friends had been lost to her ever since she joined Salvanius' Order. The organization's rigid structure and hierarchy had dampened her once-adventurous spirit, and witnessing Elijah's crew sparked a touch of envy within her.
Yana, still grinning mischievously, finally released her grip on Elijah's hair. The man, now fuming with anger, made a hasty attempt to snatch her out of the air, but the nimble fairy easily dodged his grasp, giggling all the while.
"I'm going to kill the both of you!" Elijah yelled, glaring at both Yana and Bennett. His frustration only caused more laughter from the fairy and an amused smirk from Bennett, who crossed his arms and leaned back against the railing.
"Come now, Sir Elijah, there's no need for violence," Rhea interjected while covering her mouth in a poor attempt to hide her own laughter. "I'm sure you can find it in your heart to forgive their little prank.” She continued, adjusting her hair that was flowing in the wind. “We’re going to spend a few long days sailing if we’re going to catch up with them, after all.”
Glancing back at her crew, Rhea's face returned to its usual stern expression when she noticed the sailors gawking and whispering amongst themselves. It was evident that her momentary display of mirth had taken them by surprise, as they rarely saw their Knight Captain in such a lighthearted state.
"What in the name of Tylas are you all gawking at!?" She roared, placing her hands firmly on her hips “GET BACK TO WORK!”
Rhea's eyes narrowed as the scrambling crew members hastily returned to their tasks, their faces pale with fear. The ship's atmosphere instantly shifted back to its usual disciplined state as the sailors focused on their duties, aware that their Knight Captain's gaze was upon them.
Elijah let out an annoyed sigh in the realization that he was probably never going to catch that little psychopath and shifted his gaze to Bennett. “I’m gonna get you.” He hissed hatefully. “Mark my words, you piece of shit.” However, Bennett merely smirked in response, clearly unfazed by his captain's threats.
Just as Elijah was about to ask the Knight Captain about the whereabouts of her liege, the man himself appeared on deck. Salvanius came sauntering up the planks that connected the ship to the docks, his imposing figure drawing the attention of everyone present.
"It's quite rare to hear you so jovial, Rhea," the Demigod remarked, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Rhea, slightly taken aback by her liege's observation, straightened her posture and cleared her throat.
"My apologies, your grace," she replied respectfully, attempting to regain her usual composure. "I shall see to it that this Cog is ready to depart, post haste."
Salvanius waved a dismissive hand, his expression softening slightly. "There's no need to apologize, Rhea. It's good to see you enjoying yourself, even if just for a moment. However, you are correct; our guest would most likely appreciate departing as soon as possible."
With that, Rhea nodded and began barking orders to her crew, ensuring that everything was in order for their imminent departure.
Turning to his guests, Salvanius addressed them with an air of authority. "I assume you two have the magical tool..." He paused, recalling the events that transpired the previous day. "I mean, the tool. Is it ready?"
The two Human’s exchanged glances before Elijah stepped forward, pulling out the bioscanner from his pocket. "You’re not going to be able to understand it, but I’ve configured it in a way where you can still get a lot of functionality without having to read." he explained, holding the device out for Salvanius to see.
Time flew as Elijah went into an in depth explanation of the bioscanner's functions and features. He walked Salvanius through everything all the way from disease diagnosis to health monitoring and treatments. With each new feature the human listed seemed to make Salvanius’ jaw drop lower and lower until he found himself looking like a fool.
"And finally, if a red tube with a bolt of lightning ever just starts flashing, all you have to do is flip it over so these panels face the star and just wait," Elijah explained, pointing at the bright orb in the morning sky as he showed the Demigod the solar panels. "It's designed to recharge itself using starlight, so you'll never have to worry about finding a power source."
Salvanius' eyes widened even further, if that were possible. "Astounding," he breathed, clearly impressed. "And you’re just willing to give this to me…?"
“Eh.” Elijah shrugged dismissively. “I have augments- I mean I can already do most of that stuff other than a few things, so it’s mainly just redundant fail safe incase I’m away or dead.”
A complicated expression spread across Salvanius' face as Elijah mentioned that the device was merely a redundancy measure in case of his absence. Suddenly the prospect of having this man as a retainer became much, MUCH more appealing. However, his thoughts were soon interrupted when the Vanir made its appearance by landing squarely on Elijah’s shoulder while glaring daggers at the Demigod.
Salvanius met Yana's gaze and sighed, dispelling the intrusive and dishonorable thoughts of taking these Artificers for himself.
“I understand.” The demigod said, turning his focus back to Elijah. “The Holy Dominion will not forget this grace you’ve bestowed upon us.” He gave a grateful nod before spinning around and heading towards the dock.
However, he soon came to a halt as his eyes fell upon a group of women arguing with his knights at the ramp leading to the ship. The women seemed intent on gaining access to the ship, their arms laden with various items, including several sizable platters of food.
“W-Wait! I-I was instructed to board!” A slim and fearful redhead said, holding a large burlap sack.
Something felt… Off about her.
It was almost as if Salvanius could recognize the woman, even though he was fairly certain he hadn't met her before. Then again, he had met a great number of people in this damned village, but his instincts kept nudging him to take a closer look. But his thoughts were interrupted when he recognized the Beastkin woman and the gaggle of Ferfolk slaves next to her.
"What do ye mean we ain't allowed entry!? I gotta deliver me gratitude before it's too late!" the dog-like woman bellowed, her voice full of frustration and urgency.
An amused huff left Salvanius’ mouth before looking over his shoulder. “I do believe you have guests.” The Demigod said before making his way down the plank.
“Let them through.” He said to his knights, waving his hand dismissively as he walked past the group.
The knights obeyed without hesitation and stepped aside allowing the gaggle of women to board the ship. "Thank ye, yer grace," The dog-like woman bowed deeply before her and the Ferfolk ran up the ramp.
As Elijah approached at the edge of the ship , confusion spread across his face as Mara suddenly appeared with her renowned tubers in hand. The woman stopped a good distance away, staring intently at the man, attempting to gauge his reaction and determine whether he would be receptive to her presence. Seeing he was just staring at her impassively, Mara gathered her courage, and stepped forward with a warm smile.
"I... I wanted to give ye this as a token of me gratitude…” She said shyly. “Ye know, for everything ye done for us."
Elijah's eyes flicked between Mara and the tubers, his confusion slowly melting away into a wry smile as he flicked his hand in a beckoning motion. The action caused Mara’s Shyness to completely dissipate as she bounded forward and handed him the tubers with enthusiasm. "You really didn't have to, but thank you," Elijah said, accepting the gift.
Mara beamed at his response, clearly relieved. "It's the least I could do!” She said, with her tail wagging vigorously. “I couldn’t bear the thought of not makin’ amends with ye.”
Turning around, Elijah handed this plate of tubers to the salivating Engineer and watched as Yana bolted off his shoulder in an attempt to attack the pile of food. Shaking his head, Elijah turned back to Mara and the group of women with a bemused expression. "Hopefully they’ll leave me some," he commented.
“Ye can always come back and get more.” Mara replied with a coy. “I’ll let ye have all the service ye want.”
A chuckle escaped Elijah’s mouth as he ran a hand through his hair. "I might just take you up on that," he said with a smirk. "Your food isn’t the only thing I’m going to miss."
Mara's cheeks flushed deeply at Elijah's reply, her tail wagging even faster as she tried to play it cool. "Well, I'll be sure to make myself available whenever ye are in need of some company," she replied, propping up her supple chest.
Elijah couldn't help but let his eyes wander for a moment before meeting Mara's gaze again, a lopsided grin playing at the corners of his mouth. "I'll… keep that in mind as long as you promise not to try to get me killed again." he replied with a goofy tone that made the dog-girl giggle.
“So all I need to do is spread my legs if I’m ever in need of your forgiveness?” Azelines voice rang out from behind him as the blond Elf woman emerged from the ship still rubbing the sleepiness from her eyes.
With a mouth full of fried tubers, Bennett decided to chime in. “I told him his dick is going to eventually get him killed.” He said, beckoning the Ferfolks to place the other platters on a nearby box.
Bringing a hand up to press against his eyes, Elijah let out an annoyed groan before turning his attention towards the two. “Why do you have to make this weird?” He asked in exasperation. "It’s all about sincerity.”
Bennett snickered, shoving another tuber into his mouth. "Ah yes. You hear that Aze?” He continued in a mocking tone while elbowing Azeline in the ribs. “You need to put more effort in your apologies!"
Azeline smirked, her teasing nature starting to leak out. "Is that so? I guess I’ll make sure any future apologies come with… an appropriate amount of sincerity and effort." She said, striking a pose that was more satirical than seductive.
“Jesus Christ…” Elijah muttered under his breath while his two crewmates broke out into laughter. “I hate both of you.”
The laughter continued after successfully eliciting an annoyed response from their beleaguered captain. However, a quiet seemed to take over the deck as everyone's attention shifted towards the approaching Knight Captain. "So that's the type of man you are, Sir Eli-jah" Rhea remarked with a raised eyebrow. "I'll bear that in mind when you try to charm me with your honeyed words."
“Oh god damnit…” Elijah facepalmed and dragged his hand down his face as another roar of laughter erupted from everyone in the group.
Rhea’s hand was covering her mouth as she tried to suppress a chuckle. “A-Anyways…” She chortled. “We should be ready to sail any moment now, so make sure you’re all prepared for departure.” The woman said, walking off in the direction of the Helm while her shoulders shook in mirth.
Elijah just stood there for a moment, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Where the hell is Auri?” He asked no one in particular, his frustration starting to show.
“A-Ahh… H-Hello.”
Recognizing the voice, Elijah looked up to see a petite woman with bright red hair looking up at him expectantly while holding onto a large burlap sack. Glad to see that he at least didn’t have to go hunting for the dainty woman, Elijah let loose a heavy breath of relief. “Alright, I’ll go tell Lady Rhea-” He tried to say, but Auri interrupted him.
Auri squirmed nervously before asking, "Umm… Should I be worried that you also have designs on me?"
“Oh for fucks sake!” Elijah threw his arms up and let them slap against his thighs in frustration as the rest of the crew barked in laughter. "Let’s just go already!”
Yana however, completely ignored the incessant bickering and Instead, she hungrily finished off one of the smaller platters of tubers and chomped down on the last tiny morsel on the wooden plate. Sighing Contentedly, the Fairy’s gaze fell upon Mara and her small group of Ferfolks as they said their goodbyes and disappeared from view. In their stead, the more fidgety whelping appeared, the one who always seemed to look at Ben and Eli with eager eyes. Although this man seemed far weaker than his sibling, he at least displayed a measure of reverence towards her servants.
Turning her head up towards the clear blue sky, Yana placed a hand on her tiny belly and sighed contentedly. She couldn't wait to see what other delightful mortal delicacies or fanciful experiences she would get to experience in the future.
[First] [Previous] [Next]
submitted by duddlered to HFY [link] [comments]
After a lot of progress on my story, I'm making changes to my Patreon and instead of reading 3 chapters ahead, you'll get access to 5.
Elijah Commission
Azeline Commission
The Little Menace
Worship Her
If you want to read 5 chapters ahead, check out my Patreon!
Support me by upvoting me or leaving a comment!
I also have the series uploaded to Royal Road, come leave a comment and give me a review by clicking HERE
Here's a map of where the area
Join my Discord!
[First] [Previous] [Next]
-
Bennett was dead asleep in his hammock when he was roused by hushed whispers and the sound of activity echoed throughout the room, seemingly amplified by its cramped space.
“Ben.” A voice called out.
As the engineer slowly opened a singular eye, he found himself struggling to make sense of the situation. A figure was just a few meters away from him, rifling through a bag when they turned around and faced him. However, Bennetts groggy state prevented him from fully discerning who or what was responsible for the disruption.
“Ben, wake up.” The voice called out one more time.
Scowling in irritation, Bennett chose to ignore the voice and flipped over, burying his face into the hammock's fabric. He was determined to get back to sleep, even as the voice grew more insistent and the room's activity continued.
“Ben, wake the fuck up!” The voice finally yelled.
Suddenly, Bennett found himself suspended in the air, his groggy state replaced with fear and anxiety as he was forcefully yanked out of his hammock. He tried to process what was happening, but before he could comprehend the situation, he felt the cold embrace of the hardwood floor.
THUD
“Argh! Fuck!” The Engineer groaned as he slowly lifted himself up off the ground. "You goddamn asshole!" Bennett snapped, his voice hoarse from the mixture of pain and anger.
Standing over Bennett with a cackling Fairy on his shoulder, Elijah decided he wasn’t going to wait for the stubborn man to get up on his own. "It's time to get up," Elijah said, turning around to continue sifting through his bag. "We got a lot of shit to do before we leave, and I can't afford to have you sleeping in."
Bennett’s glare shifted between his captain and his sadistic partner. "Fine, fine. I'm up," he grumbled, rubbing his sore back. He knew Elijah was right, but that didn't make the sudden wake-up call any less infuriating. Yana, on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying Bennett's misery, her laughter ringing in his ears.
THUD
Pulling out his remaining Bioscanner, Elijah began running diagnostics on the device, ensuring it was in working order for when he delivered it to Salvanius. It was a trade that he was loathing, but it was a trade he would make 1000 times if given the chance to get the rest of their equipment back. Even if they only managed to find a quarter of their property, that was still a lot better than having nothing at all.
As the Bioscanner's display indicated the device was functioning optimally, Elijah let out a small depressed sigh and slid it into his pocket. "Alright, let's get this over with," he said, opening the door and stepping out into the dimly lit corridor. Bennett followed, still grumbling under his breath about the hostile work environment while shifting his stink eye at both Yana and Elijah.
THUD
“GOD DAMNIT!!” Bennett yelled, rubbing his head after hitting the top of the door frame.
He had completely forgotten how cramped everything was on this wooden death trap and how he had to crouch throughout the entire interior. Frustration and annoyance etched on his face, Bennett muttered a string of curses under his breath as he adjusted his posture to avoid the low ceilings and narrow passageways.
“Midgets…” The Engineer sneered as he heard Elijah snicker father up ahead.
It only took a few moments for Elijah and Bennett to reach the deck, and there they observed Rhea efficiently issuing orders to the ship's sailors. Her authoritative voice rang out over the hustle and bustle of the ship’s crew, who were quickly scurrying about, securing ropes and checking supplies. What really caught their attention, though, was Rhea was finally out of her armor.
Adorned in a faded white linen long-sleeved shirt, Rhea left her chest straps slightly undone, revealing a hint of her modest, but alluring cleavage. The Knight Captain’s slim, athletic figure was displayed in stark contrast to the thick padding underneath the metal armor she normally wore. To accentuate her figure, the tight brown linen pants she wore hugged her humbly, but satisfyingly shapely curves and seamlessly tucked into her leather boots. The outfit, deceptively sultry, effortlessly exuded a sense of casual confidence and undeniable charm.
Turning her head slight, the Knight Captain finally noticed the two Humans and acknowledged them with a nod. “Good morning Sir Elijah, Sir Bennett and…” She made a difficult face when her eyes locked onto Yana.
“Your Honor will do!” The Fairy said in a chipper voice, crossing her legs. “I am both a Goddess and a confirmed Eternal Judge of the Fae courts!”
Rhea’s expression turned sour for a moment, but decided it was best not to engage any further with the mischievous Vanir. "Very well, good morning Your Honor," Rhea replied, forcing a polite smile. "We're running a bit late, but we should be ready to set sail in just a few hours.”
Elijah raised an eyebrow at the small fairy at the mention of being a confirmed judge, but shifted his attention back towards Rhea and nodded in understanding. "We'll be ready whenever you are," he said with his eyes traveling up her entire figure attire before refocusing on her face. "Just give us the signal when it's time to set sail." .
“I’m assuming the northern woman is still asleep?” The Knight Captain asked, tilting her head curiously.
Seeing her long elf ears bounce up and down seemed to be the final straw for Elijah, as an unbidden and almost adolescent fascination welled up within him. He blinked a few times, trying to regain his composure before replying. "Uh, yeah, she’s still asleep," Elijah finally responded, exhaling deeply. "We’ve been up for almost 36 hours, so I think it's best to let her rest for a while longer." he replied, trying to maintain a professional demeanor despite the lingering fascination with her elf ears.
Bennett narrowed his eyes in annoyance as he regarded his captain with a disgusted look. "Can you control yourself?" he asked with a judgmental tone.
Also noticing Elijah’s basically ogling her, Rhea couldn't help but laugh at the exchange while running a hand through her hair. "I'm glad to see at least someone finds me attractive," she said, her cheeks tinted with a slight blush. Elijah cleared his throat, trying to regain some semblance of dignity as he shifted his gaze away from her.
"Ah... My apologies, Lady Rhea, but I was caught off guard," Elijah said, giving her a genuine smile. "I wasn’t prepared for the famed Knight Captain to be so beautiful out of her armor. It's a pleasant surprise, to say the least."
Rhea found herself momentarily speechless as her cheeks flushing a deep shade of red. She wasn't used to receiving compliments, let alone being called beautiful by someone as striking as Elijah. A small, bashful smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she looked down to hide her embarrassment. "Well… I, um… Thank you, Sir Elijah.” she managed to say, her voice uncharacteristically timid. “I appreciate the kind words."
Noticing the usually confident and stern Knight Captain was completely flustered, Elijah knew she was on the backfoot and went for blood. “You’re more than welcome Lady Rhea,” he responded, bowing his head. “I was just saying it how I see it—”
"Yana, zap him!" Bennett ordered, sensing that Elijah was about to push his luck too far.
The mischievous fairy didn't hesitate, and with a magical pop, she immediately shifted forms, transforming the fiery inferno atop her head into a flowing teal, wind that cascaded past her shoulders. After her transformation, a maniacal grin spread across her face as she clutched two fistfuls of Elijah's hair.
“AHH FUCK!” Elijah yelped in pain.
A light chuckle escaped Rhea's lips as she watched the scene play out before her, momentarily pushing aside her embarrassment and wariness of the group. Their playful antics, though unprofessional, stirred a sense of lighthearted camaraderie she hadn't experienced in years. The thrill of exploring the unknown alongside trusted friends had been lost to her ever since she joined Salvanius' Order. The organization's rigid structure and hierarchy had dampened her once-adventurous spirit, and witnessing Elijah's crew sparked a touch of envy within her.
Yana, still grinning mischievously, finally released her grip on Elijah's hair. The man, now fuming with anger, made a hasty attempt to snatch her out of the air, but the nimble fairy easily dodged his grasp, giggling all the while.
"I'm going to kill the both of you!" Elijah yelled, glaring at both Yana and Bennett. His frustration only caused more laughter from the fairy and an amused smirk from Bennett, who crossed his arms and leaned back against the railing.
"Come now, Sir Elijah, there's no need for violence," Rhea interjected while covering her mouth in a poor attempt to hide her own laughter. "I'm sure you can find it in your heart to forgive their little prank.” She continued, adjusting her hair that was flowing in the wind. “We’re going to spend a few long days sailing if we’re going to catch up with them, after all.”
Glancing back at her crew, Rhea's face returned to its usual stern expression when she noticed the sailors gawking and whispering amongst themselves. It was evident that her momentary display of mirth had taken them by surprise, as they rarely saw their Knight Captain in such a lighthearted state.
"What in the name of Tylas are you all gawking at!?" She roared, placing her hands firmly on her hips “GET BACK TO WORK!”
Rhea's eyes narrowed as the scrambling crew members hastily returned to their tasks, their faces pale with fear. The ship's atmosphere instantly shifted back to its usual disciplined state as the sailors focused on their duties, aware that their Knight Captain's gaze was upon them.
Elijah let out an annoyed sigh in the realization that he was probably never going to catch that little psychopath and shifted his gaze to Bennett. “I’m gonna get you.” He hissed hatefully. “Mark my words, you piece of shit.” However, Bennett merely smirked in response, clearly unfazed by his captain's threats.
Just as Elijah was about to ask the Knight Captain about the whereabouts of her liege, the man himself appeared on deck. Salvanius came sauntering up the planks that connected the ship to the docks, his imposing figure drawing the attention of everyone present.
"It's quite rare to hear you so jovial, Rhea," the Demigod remarked, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Rhea, slightly taken aback by her liege's observation, straightened her posture and cleared her throat.
"My apologies, your grace," she replied respectfully, attempting to regain her usual composure. "I shall see to it that this Cog is ready to depart, post haste."
Salvanius waved a dismissive hand, his expression softening slightly. "There's no need to apologize, Rhea. It's good to see you enjoying yourself, even if just for a moment. However, you are correct; our guest would most likely appreciate departing as soon as possible."
With that, Rhea nodded and began barking orders to her crew, ensuring that everything was in order for their imminent departure.
Turning to his guests, Salvanius addressed them with an air of authority. "I assume you two have the magical tool..." He paused, recalling the events that transpired the previous day. "I mean, the tool. Is it ready?"
The two Human’s exchanged glances before Elijah stepped forward, pulling out the bioscanner from his pocket. "You’re not going to be able to understand it, but I’ve configured it in a way where you can still get a lot of functionality without having to read." he explained, holding the device out for Salvanius to see.
Time flew as Elijah went into an in depth explanation of the bioscanner's functions and features. He walked Salvanius through everything all the way from disease diagnosis to health monitoring and treatments. With each new feature the human listed seemed to make Salvanius’ jaw drop lower and lower until he found himself looking like a fool.
"And finally, if a red tube with a bolt of lightning ever just starts flashing, all you have to do is flip it over so these panels face the star and just wait," Elijah explained, pointing at the bright orb in the morning sky as he showed the Demigod the solar panels. "It's designed to recharge itself using starlight, so you'll never have to worry about finding a power source."
Salvanius' eyes widened even further, if that were possible. "Astounding," he breathed, clearly impressed. "And you’re just willing to give this to me…?"
“Eh.” Elijah shrugged dismissively. “I have augments- I mean I can already do most of that stuff other than a few things, so it’s mainly just redundant fail safe incase I’m away or dead.”
A complicated expression spread across Salvanius' face as Elijah mentioned that the device was merely a redundancy measure in case of his absence. Suddenly the prospect of having this man as a retainer became much, MUCH more appealing. However, his thoughts were soon interrupted when the Vanir made its appearance by landing squarely on Elijah’s shoulder while glaring daggers at the Demigod.
Salvanius met Yana's gaze and sighed, dispelling the intrusive and dishonorable thoughts of taking these Artificers for himself.
“I understand.” The demigod said, turning his focus back to Elijah. “The Holy Dominion will not forget this grace you’ve bestowed upon us.” He gave a grateful nod before spinning around and heading towards the dock.
However, he soon came to a halt as his eyes fell upon a group of women arguing with his knights at the ramp leading to the ship. The women seemed intent on gaining access to the ship, their arms laden with various items, including several sizable platters of food.
“W-Wait! I-I was instructed to board!” A slim and fearful redhead said, holding a large burlap sack.
Something felt… Off about her.
It was almost as if Salvanius could recognize the woman, even though he was fairly certain he hadn't met her before. Then again, he had met a great number of people in this damned village, but his instincts kept nudging him to take a closer look. But his thoughts were interrupted when he recognized the Beastkin woman and the gaggle of Ferfolk slaves next to her.
"What do ye mean we ain't allowed entry!? I gotta deliver me gratitude before it's too late!" the dog-like woman bellowed, her voice full of frustration and urgency.
An amused huff left Salvanius’ mouth before looking over his shoulder. “I do believe you have guests.” The Demigod said before making his way down the plank.
“Let them through.” He said to his knights, waving his hand dismissively as he walked past the group.
The knights obeyed without hesitation and stepped aside allowing the gaggle of women to board the ship. "Thank ye, yer grace," The dog-like woman bowed deeply before her and the Ferfolk ran up the ramp.
As Elijah approached at the edge of the ship , confusion spread across his face as Mara suddenly appeared with her renowned tubers in hand. The woman stopped a good distance away, staring intently at the man, attempting to gauge his reaction and determine whether he would be receptive to her presence. Seeing he was just staring at her impassively, Mara gathered her courage, and stepped forward with a warm smile.
"I... I wanted to give ye this as a token of me gratitude…” She said shyly. “Ye know, for everything ye done for us."
Elijah's eyes flicked between Mara and the tubers, his confusion slowly melting away into a wry smile as he flicked his hand in a beckoning motion. The action caused Mara’s Shyness to completely dissipate as she bounded forward and handed him the tubers with enthusiasm. "You really didn't have to, but thank you," Elijah said, accepting the gift.
Mara beamed at his response, clearly relieved. "It's the least I could do!” She said, with her tail wagging vigorously. “I couldn’t bear the thought of not makin’ amends with ye.”
Turning around, Elijah handed this plate of tubers to the salivating Engineer and watched as Yana bolted off his shoulder in an attempt to attack the pile of food. Shaking his head, Elijah turned back to Mara and the group of women with a bemused expression. "Hopefully they’ll leave me some," he commented.
“Ye can always come back and get more.” Mara replied with a coy. “I’ll let ye have all the service ye want.”
A chuckle escaped Elijah’s mouth as he ran a hand through his hair. "I might just take you up on that," he said with a smirk. "Your food isn’t the only thing I’m going to miss."
Mara's cheeks flushed deeply at Elijah's reply, her tail wagging even faster as she tried to play it cool. "Well, I'll be sure to make myself available whenever ye are in need of some company," she replied, propping up her supple chest.
Elijah couldn't help but let his eyes wander for a moment before meeting Mara's gaze again, a lopsided grin playing at the corners of his mouth. "I'll… keep that in mind as long as you promise not to try to get me killed again." he replied with a goofy tone that made the dog-girl giggle.
“So all I need to do is spread my legs if I’m ever in need of your forgiveness?” Azelines voice rang out from behind him as the blond Elf woman emerged from the ship still rubbing the sleepiness from her eyes.
With a mouth full of fried tubers, Bennett decided to chime in. “I told him his dick is going to eventually get him killed.” He said, beckoning the Ferfolks to place the other platters on a nearby box.
Bringing a hand up to press against his eyes, Elijah let out an annoyed groan before turning his attention towards the two. “Why do you have to make this weird?” He asked in exasperation. "It’s all about sincerity.”
Bennett snickered, shoving another tuber into his mouth. "Ah yes. You hear that Aze?” He continued in a mocking tone while elbowing Azeline in the ribs. “You need to put more effort in your apologies!"
Azeline smirked, her teasing nature starting to leak out. "Is that so? I guess I’ll make sure any future apologies come with… an appropriate amount of sincerity and effort." She said, striking a pose that was more satirical than seductive.
“Jesus Christ…” Elijah muttered under his breath while his two crewmates broke out into laughter. “I hate both of you.”
The laughter continued after successfully eliciting an annoyed response from their beleaguered captain. However, a quiet seemed to take over the deck as everyone's attention shifted towards the approaching Knight Captain. "So that's the type of man you are, Sir Eli-jah" Rhea remarked with a raised eyebrow. "I'll bear that in mind when you try to charm me with your honeyed words."
“Oh god damnit…” Elijah facepalmed and dragged his hand down his face as another roar of laughter erupted from everyone in the group.
Rhea’s hand was covering her mouth as she tried to suppress a chuckle. “A-Anyways…” She chortled. “We should be ready to sail any moment now, so make sure you’re all prepared for departure.” The woman said, walking off in the direction of the Helm while her shoulders shook in mirth.
Elijah just stood there for a moment, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Where the hell is Auri?” He asked no one in particular, his frustration starting to show.
“A-Ahh… H-Hello.”
Recognizing the voice, Elijah looked up to see a petite woman with bright red hair looking up at him expectantly while holding onto a large burlap sack. Glad to see that he at least didn’t have to go hunting for the dainty woman, Elijah let loose a heavy breath of relief. “Alright, I’ll go tell Lady Rhea-” He tried to say, but Auri interrupted him.
Auri squirmed nervously before asking, "Umm… Should I be worried that you also have designs on me?"
“Oh for fucks sake!” Elijah threw his arms up and let them slap against his thighs in frustration as the rest of the crew barked in laughter. "Let’s just go already!”
Yana however, completely ignored the incessant bickering and Instead, she hungrily finished off one of the smaller platters of tubers and chomped down on the last tiny morsel on the wooden plate. Sighing Contentedly, the Fairy’s gaze fell upon Mara and her small group of Ferfolks as they said their goodbyes and disappeared from view. In their stead, the more fidgety whelping appeared, the one who always seemed to look at Ben and Eli with eager eyes. Although this man seemed far weaker than his sibling, he at least displayed a measure of reverence towards her servants.
Turning her head up towards the clear blue sky, Yana placed a hand on her tiny belly and sighed contentedly. She couldn't wait to see what other delightful mortal delicacies or fanciful experiences she would get to experience in the future.
[First] [Previous] [Next]
2023.06.08 09:24 sufferingsomuch I just wanna know what you would consider this situation if it happened to you and what it means?
I’m not gonna go into details about the relationship but I spent months getting beat and cheated on and blocked unblocked death threats, knives held to my throat items stolen. Drugged. Endorsing my suicide infront of police. Everything under the umbrella. I collected evidence (which then was told by counseling to delete) I never got any Justice for anything.
I think I spent two months prior to meeting said individual asking to talk, a sign really just asking to speak. I was given STD’s (without knowledge they were actually cheating on me) I felt disgusting. I really wanted to end the relationship. I kept asking to talk and I had no luck getting a good word in and formally breaking apart. I’d spend nights getting accused of cheating when I was out living life I would fear being around other men as I would get calls and accused.
One day I’m being asked to buy him gifts and so I ask “how come I have to buy you things to see you.” And he said “ask yourself that.” I just don’t know why I even bothered. I drove to the place to pick up the items and then I get phone calls of someone threatening to kill me and how mentally insane I am and then he calls me tells me to go back home tells me to block the numbers. I’m just getting freaked out irl and he hangs up blocks me unblocks me blocks me he calls me cussing me out. I’m getting frustrated and people around me are asking to buy my car. So then I continue to go meet him because I just wanted to speak and break it off I just wanted to talk. Biggest regret. I don’t know why. I was already half way there and he said “come can’t wait to see you it’s fine just come since you’re here meet me here.”
So then I come and hes paying me zero attention very disinterested in anything I’m saying. Very cold. I say “I brought you this stuff like you asked!” Just very disinterested I felt so uncomfortable I shouldn’t even be here. So then he leads me to a McDonald’s and I’m trying to explain why I came and whatever. Zero interest. Then he says “drive to the spot.”
So we drive to this spot that’s behind a bunch of buildings and it’s an empty parking lot. And he tells me to park. Then he gets into the back seat of my car and sits there. I just wanted to talk honestly. He went into the backseat and started signaling me to come back. “We will talk come back here.” Then he pulls his pants off. And I say “I didn’t even shave I don’t even want that I just wanna talk.” And I ask “do you even love me at all?” And then he says “I’ll tell you after you show me how much you love me.” he starts pressuring me by saying “my friends need me, I need to go.” And he says “come on show me how much you love me.” I didn’t want that in that moment it felt so vile…. I just wanted to ask if I was worth anything after everything I did. So then he takes his pants off and says “it’s up to you I gotta go soon though!” And I’m really not sure I felt so much pressure I kept stumbling upon words “what about a condom the stds!” He kept saying “ah well I’ll just go then.” In a tone of voice. I just went into a state of panic. We began kissing. So then I try very hard to please and he won’t even say my name at all. Then afterwards I ask “Do you love me at all.” And he says “you’re only worth like 30%.” “I don’t believe anything you tell me.” “Come back when you learn to control yourself.”
I don’t even know what I responded to that. Besides compete blank emotions. Then I drive him home and leave. Then he contacts me saying “I show my passion through sex” And I just started spamming how can you know your controlling someone and doing this and how can you do that to someone how can you do that. And then he says “sorry Imma have to let you go.” And I’m blocked and I say to never contact me ever again.
I started second guessing what just happened. I felt like I was sexually assaulted? Was it? Many times through the “relationship.” Which he never “claimed me.” He would film me without consent. Etc. I don’t know what to think about it. Right after I go to work and have a break down. And then a mental program that tells me I’m schizophrenic and I lose it.
submitted by sufferingsomuch to abusiverelationships [link] [comments]
I think I spent two months prior to meeting said individual asking to talk, a sign really just asking to speak. I was given STD’s (without knowledge they were actually cheating on me) I felt disgusting. I really wanted to end the relationship. I kept asking to talk and I had no luck getting a good word in and formally breaking apart. I’d spend nights getting accused of cheating when I was out living life I would fear being around other men as I would get calls and accused.
One day I’m being asked to buy him gifts and so I ask “how come I have to buy you things to see you.” And he said “ask yourself that.” I just don’t know why I even bothered. I drove to the place to pick up the items and then I get phone calls of someone threatening to kill me and how mentally insane I am and then he calls me tells me to go back home tells me to block the numbers. I’m just getting freaked out irl and he hangs up blocks me unblocks me blocks me he calls me cussing me out. I’m getting frustrated and people around me are asking to buy my car. So then I continue to go meet him because I just wanted to speak and break it off I just wanted to talk. Biggest regret. I don’t know why. I was already half way there and he said “come can’t wait to see you it’s fine just come since you’re here meet me here.”
So then I come and hes paying me zero attention very disinterested in anything I’m saying. Very cold. I say “I brought you this stuff like you asked!” Just very disinterested I felt so uncomfortable I shouldn’t even be here. So then he leads me to a McDonald’s and I’m trying to explain why I came and whatever. Zero interest. Then he says “drive to the spot.”
So we drive to this spot that’s behind a bunch of buildings and it’s an empty parking lot. And he tells me to park. Then he gets into the back seat of my car and sits there. I just wanted to talk honestly. He went into the backseat and started signaling me to come back. “We will talk come back here.” Then he pulls his pants off. And I say “I didn’t even shave I don’t even want that I just wanna talk.” And I ask “do you even love me at all?” And then he says “I’ll tell you after you show me how much you love me.” he starts pressuring me by saying “my friends need me, I need to go.” And he says “come on show me how much you love me.” I didn’t want that in that moment it felt so vile…. I just wanted to ask if I was worth anything after everything I did. So then he takes his pants off and says “it’s up to you I gotta go soon though!” And I’m really not sure I felt so much pressure I kept stumbling upon words “what about a condom the stds!” He kept saying “ah well I’ll just go then.” In a tone of voice. I just went into a state of panic. We began kissing. So then I try very hard to please and he won’t even say my name at all. Then afterwards I ask “Do you love me at all.” And he says “you’re only worth like 30%.” “I don’t believe anything you tell me.” “Come back when you learn to control yourself.”
I don’t even know what I responded to that. Besides compete blank emotions. Then I drive him home and leave. Then he contacts me saying “I show my passion through sex” And I just started spamming how can you know your controlling someone and doing this and how can you do that to someone how can you do that. And then he says “sorry Imma have to let you go.” And I’m blocked and I say to never contact me ever again.
I started second guessing what just happened. I felt like I was sexually assaulted? Was it? Many times through the “relationship.” Which he never “claimed me.” He would film me without consent. Etc. I don’t know what to think about it. Right after I go to work and have a break down. And then a mental program that tells me I’m schizophrenic and I lose it.
2023.06.08 09:00 dannelbaratheon Of Dagor Dagorath - Two Kinslayers (Tolkien/Wheel of Time Crossover)
Chapter V
Two Kinslayers
"Has anything changed?"The man, if he could thought of as a man, was covered in black robes. He refused to wear anything else, murmuring in his foreign language at every word, move or sound of others.
"Is he any better?"
As good as us, Lews Therin said. He's a killer, like I am.
Shut up.
Alanna and Verin both inspected him. Looking up, Rand noticed Mat, Aviendha and the Maidens of the Spear were all terrified of him. The Aiel women did their best to hide it, but he still saw it in their faces.
"Moriñgotho." the man said. "Moriñgotho enutúlie." The word "Moriñgotho" was the one he kept repeating all the time.
"He is..." Verin said bewildered, staring at him still. "He is...fine. There is nothing wrong about him. His body is completely healthy. No scars, no wound...he is completely fine."
Alanna touched his head. "Light! It's the opposite. His body is stronger than any of us. He is in better shape than anyone I've ever seen."
"Eru apseni. Ilúvatar, apseni. "
"He is stronger. Taller. Healthier than anyone I had ever seen."
Rand nodded, looking down at the man. He was still shaking and murmuring. He was not looking at any of them or anything at all. His grey eyes were completely absent. Rand barely needed to even lean to touch the man - even when sitting, his head and shoulders were close to Rand's. Rand removed his thick black hair, in his hand feeling it very smooth, looking at his ears. "Pointy? He has pointy ears?"
"Yes." Verin said, looking at the other one. "I don't understand it either." His ears were not slightly pointed: rather both ears were noticeably longer than of any ordinary man. Not abnormaly so, but noticeably. "Maybe he was just born that way."
"If he was born at all." Mat added.
The Aes Sedai looked at him, visibly irritated, with Alanna biting her lip. "And why exactly are you questioning that?"
"Why? Oh, I have no idea. Maybe because he fell from the bloody sky?"
"Cauthon!"
"Stop!" That was all Rand needed to say to convince them. Shutting up an Aes Sedai or Mat was an impossible task sometimes.
"Moriñgotho." the man continued. "Moriñgotho."
"Is he speaking real words or is he just...stuttering?"
Like you, maybe? Lews Therin chuckled.
Verin did not answer immediately. She kept listening to him for a while. "Those are real words. But..."
"But what?"
"I don't know what language it is, Rand." she said bluntly. "And I don't think anyone in the world does."
"Moriñgotho. Moriñgotho."
"That word he is repeating." Aviendha said. "Maybe it is his name?"
Rand looked at the man again. He was repeating that word all the time, yes - but he did so with terror. It seemed like he said it always as quickly as possible, just to end it. "No. It's not a name. Not his at least."
"How do you know?"
"I do." Aviendha and the Maidens rumbled about "wetlanders" when he said that. He placed the hand on his shoulder, slightly shaking him. "Listen to me..."
"Moriñgotho. Moriñgotho." he said. "Morikotto. Morkotho?" He looked at them once, as if waiting to be corrected, but then continued... "Moringotto. Moriñgotho."
He's lost his mind, Rand thought. Is he a channeler? And yet somehow, Rand doubted that was the case.
"What do we do with him?" Mat asked. "He needs help."
"And what do you want us to do, Cauthon?"
"Heal him."
Verin scoffed. "From what? Have you heard what we said? There is nothing wrong with him."
"Light, woman, he is mad! Rumbling the same thing over and over again!"
"Morkotho. Moriñgotho. Morgotto? Morikotto."
"You can Heal him, can't you?"
Alanna was frustrated with Mat's tone, but she felt Rand's answer to that. Just try if you dare. She bit her lip. "One Power can heal all wounds of the body, Cauthon. All except death itself. That is true. But no one, not even in the Age of Legends, was ever able to heal any mental illness or insanity itself. That is impossible. At most the Compulsion can be reversed, but that is all."
Mat looked at him. "Rand?"
Rand just shook his head. Lews Therin remembered some type of Healing of the mind, but... It came from him, not the Creator. You are still mad, though.
Mat kept looking back at the man. "We can't just leave him."
"And what will we do, Mat?" Rand asked him, almost deciding to turn back. "We cannot help everyone." Curse me, but we cannot.
Davram Bashere looked at the man, then at Rand again. "With all due respect, Lord Dragon, everyone saw him fall from the sky. Not only that, but people have said they saw a bright falling star moments before he fell."
"And you think he is that star?" Of all people, Rand never expected Bashere to be superstituos.
"If the possibilities are that narrow?" he shrugged. "I honestly do."
Rand clicked his tongue. And they say male channelers are mad.
"Rand al'Thor." Aviendha said. "No one is lying here. We all saw the star falling."
"Suppose you are all right." He played with buttons on his sleeve. "Let us say there was a star that fell and he was there when it did. Doesn't mean at all he needs to be that star."
Alanna felt frustrated, Rand returning that emotion.
"Rand, look at him!" Mat pointed at the man. "Does he look like an ordinary man to you? And we are all telling you - he fell from the sky!"
"If you do not trust us," Aviendha said. "ask the others in the city."
"The Pattern, Rand." Verin said. "Whoever or whatever he is, the Pattern brought him here."
"And how do you know that?"
"How?" Verin scratched her chin. "Well, I am just an Aes Sedai, after all. However, I seem to remember people do not often fall from the sky."
Sky was filled with fire and ash, then. Lews Therin seemed to have gotten quite talkative at the moment. When I killed her. He started weeping. I killed my Ilyena.
"Moriñgotho."
"I cannot take care of him."
"Who said so?" Alanna commented. "Honestly, you would be the worst person for that, al'Thor."
Rand bit his tongue before answering back. If I don't want her being proud, I must be humble too.
"We will take care of him." Verin said. "We can..."
Rand cut her off with one short glance. "Mat?"
"Yes?"
"You will take care of him."
Cauthon reached his chest. "What?"
"Since you are so eager to help him. And you found him first."
He nodded. "So...I need to go find the princess and take care of this poor man. You want me to clean your toilet too?"
Alanna felt like an injustice was done to her when Rand let that pass. "He is safe with you too."
"This is absurd!" Verin said. "Rand al'Thor, we need him with us! Whatever he is saying must be properly translated."
"Fingolfin..." The man said, with a voice that was almost breaking. "Hanno! Hanno, apseni!"
"He is going where I said he is going - as far away from Aes Sedai as possible." He did not consider them deserving of even a look. "He is going with the Band of the Red Hand. I will not argue about this."
Even Sulin scoffed. "Rand al'Thor, don't you dare be that stupid!"
Davram Bashere just looked to the side during this argument. Insulting superiors was something only the Aiel considered acceptable, as it seemed. Rand continued with his own. "He goes with Matrim, Aes Sedai. My decision is final."
"If you do this, the White Tower will not be on good terms with you anymore. And you need us, Rand al'Thor."
They all stopped as the man stood up from his seat. Standing now almost a head taller than Rand, he gave a glance to each of them. Those grey eyes were deeper and older than the sea itself and the face, again, more timeless than the face of the Aes Sedai. He looked down on them all, then fixing his sight on Rand. He stared long enough for Lews Therin to start rumbling...and then go silent without any interferrence of Rand.
The man walked up to the window, looking over the city. Rand slowly approached him from behind, and the man turned back to him. "Here." he said abruptly.
Rand narrowed his eyes. "What?"
"Here." The man pointed towards the bottom, then to himself. "Here. Stay?" he said, again waiting to be corrected. "Here. Stay here."
"What, you want me to stay here?" The man started nodding, but when Rand pointed at himself, he shook it, then placing a hand on his chest. "No...you want to stay here?"
The man nodded. "Náto."
"I suppose that means yes." Rand said. "Very well. Do you want their help?" Rand pointed towards the Aes Sedai and tried to explains with his hands as best as possible.
The man slowly came to understand it. "No."
"No?"
"No know?" He shook his head. "No! Lá sí. Now not."
"Not now? You do not want their help at the moment? In this place or at the moment?"
"Náto."
"But maybe later?"
"Náto."
"Alright then." Rand said, offering his hand for a shake. "You may stay." Alanna felt like she will scream. The man looked at Rand's hand for a bit before eventually taking it and slowly shaking it. Light, he has a strong shake! he admitted. "Bashere?"
"My lord."
"Find some servants to help our friend. Get him a home or a room."
"At command, lord." he clasped, leaving the room to look for some servants.
When Rand turned, he saw them all staring at him, confused and frustrated, all except Verin. He had no intention to explain himself, not even to Aviendha and Mat. Verin, however, was staring at the man. "He just learned to speak the Common Tongue fluently...within minutes?"
Mat scratched his hand. "Uh...Verin Sedai, he simply babbled a few words."
"That he never heard before or understood." Verin looked towards Rand, expecting him to change his mind.
"He is not a rat you can experiment on." Rand said. "He said he doesn't want your help now. He will ask for it later."
She pursed her lips and closed her eyes. "Rand, please! He is important, whoever he is. We can help him..."
"He will ask for it when he needs it." Rand did not raise his voice and went to leave. "Mat, you come with me. You others can stay or go."
The women all wanted to burn him as it seemed, but he could not care less about it anymore. The room he led them to was Mat's temporary place while he was still in Caemlyn. Rand was not going to change his plans, despite the man's appearance. "Nice place." Rand said. "Not as warm as the Two Rivers, however."
"It is cozy, yes." Mat took a seat on his bed. "But I must admit I miss the Two Rivers."
Tam's gentle voice. The baaing of sheep. What did I do to deserve this? "Make haste slowly, Mat.” He started striding up and down. He never looked in Mat’s direction. He could feel sweat slicking his face, and his jaw was tight. "He has to see it coming. Everything depends on it.”
Mat started taking his boots off. "I know,” he said sourly. "I helped make the bloody plan, remember?”
That was a thing Mat would always say. He missed those days when the two of them, along with Perrin, would just live and rejoice. He found it, at he very least, good he met other people and loved other people after that. That was not encouraging, but it was comforting.
He started thinking of Aviendha then. Mat always had a way with women, he thought. How do you know you’re in love with a woman, Mat? he almost asked, but then brushed it off. Mat already had enough of burden on his own shoulders. Rand did not want to place his own upon him too. And...something pulled those words away from him.
He still did not stop his striding, and he dropped it in as if it fit what he had been saying. "I’ll finish Sammael, Mat. I promised that; I owe it to the dead. But where are the others? I need to finish them all. One at a time, though.” That was all he could do.
What did I do to deserve this?
"There are Dragonsworn in Murandy, Mat. In Altara, too. Men sworn to me. Once Illian is mine, Altara and Murandy will drop like ripe plums. I’ll make contact with the Dragonsworn in Tarabon - and in Arad Doman - and if the Whitecloaks try to keep me out of Amadicia, I’ll crush them. The Prophet has Ghealdan primed, and Amadicia almost, so I hear."
The Prophet. An old word. From an age long forgotten. Even Lews Therin mocked it from time to time. Men who heard voices in their heads, he would often say. So I am a prophet too, am I?
"Can you imagine Masema as the Prophet?" Unimportant question. "Saldaea will come to me; Bashere is sure of it. All the Borderlands will come. They have to! I am going to do it, Mat. Every land united before the Last Battle. I’m going to do it!” He hadn't noticed his voice had taken on a feverish tone.
"Sure, Rand.” Mat said slowly, depositing his other boot beside the first. “But one thing at a time, right?”
One thing at a time. There was a game like that. His voice started breaking. The game my children liked to play. I killed them. I killed them and my Ilyena.
Rand sighed. "No man should have another man’s voice in his head." he muttered. How long has Lews Therin been in there? Rand did not remember when was the first time he heard him. It seemed to him that it happened when Lanfear met him in Tear. That seemed to have triggered Lews Therin to come out. Since then, the Kinslayer just started speaking louder and louder. Very rarely did he say meaningful things. Just babbling about his wife and children, and friends long gone. From time to time, he would speak of creatures of old, or "Angels of Heaven" as he called them, begging them or the Creator for forgiveness. But otherwise, he was just babbling.
He's like us. Lews Therin said then. &He's like me. He killed.*
Who?
Those who were his family.
No. Who are you talking about?
I killed my Ilyena.
He sighed again. You are mad. Like Sammael was. "He can be gulled, Mat - Sammael always thinks in straight lines - but is there any opening he can slip through? If there’s any mistake, thousands will die. Tens of thousands. Hundreds will anyway, but I don’t want it to be thousands.” he said that more to himself than to Mat. Not even to Lews Therin - himself.
"But, what about him?" Mat asked, expecting Rand to know. "You really don't think he's a big thing?"
"Maybe." Rand said. "Maybe the Pattern or the Creator himself sent him as help or temptation." Then he narrowed his eyes. "Or maybe the Dark One himself sent him here. Maybe he is even one of the Forsaken." Lews Therin did not agree, however. "You see it makes sense, right Mat?"
Mat looked down at his boots. "Yes...I think I know what you mean. But...Light, what if he is an ally? You can't refuse help, you know?"
Lews Therin scoffed and, honestly, Rand would have too. He has been refusing "help" ever since killing Rahvin. "Don't worry about him, Mat. He is my burden now. What you need to do is stick to the plan."
"But, there is something off about this, Rand..."
"Don't worry about it." He insisted. "Just stick to the plan."
"That is all?" Mat expected something more. What is it? "That is all you have to say?"
"Yes. That's all." He opened the door, not even looking back. "Sleep, Mat. You'll need good rest tonight." Rand closed the door, continuing his way through the red corridor that was covered in light of only few torches. He made some light himself, weaving Fire and Air together. The Maidens were, at the moment, absent, and had left him alone there.
Two hundred and five. That is how many people had died when he fought Rahvin excluding Aviendha and Mat and who, unlike them, stayed dead. And Mangin...He was hanged this morning. I watched it. That was all he could do for him. The young Aiel was much like Mat, and had a great respect for Rand, wanting to protect his honor. He cursed Aiel honor three times when that happened. Aiel customs, Aiel culture and all of it. And he cursed Andoran stupidity, Andoran pride and Andoran carelessness. Lews Therin instead behaved practically and cursed them both. Wetlander, Andoran, Aiel...it's all the same. Bands of babbling idiots, both talking of honor, when they can't even agree what that word means.
How many more needed to die because of such pathetic views of honor? The Forsaken also wanted honor - honor and glory. Demandred, Sammael and Lanfear wanted it most of all. Did it make it any better? Lews Therin seemed to actually wonder about that.
He wondered again. He hated it. Hard as stone. I must be hard. Light, I must. The man can stay for now. If he is an ally, good. If he is an enemy, good - he knows how to handle him quickly. As easy as Rahvin.
He extinguished the lights, allowing sound and smell to lead him instead. He woke up the next day, still feeling tired.
2023.06.08 08:58 dannelbaratheon Of Dagor Dagorath - Two Kinslayers (Tolkien/Wheel of Time Crossover)
Chapter V
Two Kinslayers
"Has anything changed?"The man, if he could thought of as a man, was covered in black robes. He refused to wear anything else, murmuring in his foreign language at every word, move or sound of others.
"Is he any better?"
As good as us, Lews Therin said. He's a killer, like I am.
Shut up.
Alanna and Verin both inspected him. Looking up, Rand noticed Mat, Aviendha and the Maidens of the Spear were all terrified of him. The Aiel women did their best to hide it, but he still saw it in their faces.
"Moriñgotho." the man said. "Moriñgotho enutúlie." The word "Moriñgotho" was the one he kept repeating all the time.
"He is..." Verin said bewildered, staring at him still. "He is...fine. There is nothing wrong about him. His body is completely healthy. No scars, no wound...he is completely fine."
Alanna touched his head. "Light! It's the opposite. His body is stronger than any of us. He is in better shape than anyone I've ever seen."
"Eru apseni. Ilúvatar, apseni. "
"He is stronger. Taller. Healthier than anyone I had ever seen."
Rand nodded, looking down at the man. He was still shaking and murmuring. He was not looking at any of them or anything at all. His grey eyes were completely absent. Rand barely needed to even lean to touch the man - even when sitting, his head and shoulders were close to Rand's. Rand removed his thick black hair, in his hand feeling it very smooth, looking at his ears. "Pointy? He has pointy ears?"
"Yes." Verin said, looking at the other one. "I don't understand it either." His ears were not slightly pointed: rather both ears were noticeably longer than of any ordinary man. Not abnormaly so, but noticeably. "Maybe he was just born that way."
"If he was born at all." Mat added.
The Aes Sedai looked at him, visibly irritated, with Alanna biting her lip. "And why exactly are you questioning that?"
"Why? Oh, I have no idea. Maybe because he fell from the bloody sky?"
"Cauthon!"
"Stop!" That was all Rand needed to say to convince them. Shutting up an Aes Sedai or Mat was an impossible task sometimes.
"Moriñgotho." the man continued. "Moriñgotho."
"Is he speaking real words or is he just...stuttering?"
Like you, maybe? Lews Therin chuckled.
Verin did not answer immediately. She kept listening to him for a while. "Those are real words. But..."
"But what?"
"I don't know what language it is, Rand." she said bluntly. "And I don't think anyone in the world does."
"Moriñgotho. Moriñgotho."
"That word he is repeating." Aviendha said. "Maybe it is his name?"
Rand looked at the man again. He was repeating that word all the time, yes - but he did so with terror. It seemed like he said it always as quickly as possible, just to end it. "No. It's not a name. Not his at least."
"How do you know?"
"I do." Aviendha and the Maidens rumbled about "wetlanders" when he said that. He placed the hand on his shoulder, slightly shaking him. "Listen to me..."
"Moriñgotho. Moriñgotho." he said. "Morikotto. Morkotho?" He looked at them once, as if waiting to be corrected, but then continued... "Moringotto. Moriñgotho."
He's lost his mind, Rand thought. Is he a channeler? And yet somehow, Rand doubted that was the case.
"What do we do with him?" Mat asked. "He needs help."
"And what do you want us to do, Cauthon?"
"Heal him."
Verin scoffed. "From what? Have you heard what we said? There is nothing wrong with him."
"Light, woman, he is mad! Rumbling the same thing over and over again!"
"Morkotho. Moriñgotho. Morgotto? Morikotto."
"You can Heal him, can't you?"
Alanna was frustrated with Mat's tone, but she felt Rand's answer to that. Just try if you dare. She bit her lip. "One Power can heal all wounds of the body, Cauthon. All except death itself. That is true. But no one, not even in the Age of Legends, was ever able to heal any mental illness or insanity itself. That is impossible. At most the Compulsion can be reversed, but that is all."
Mat looked at him. "Rand?"
Rand just shook his head. Lews Therin remembered some type of Healing of the mind, but... It came from him, not the Creator. You are still mad, though.
Mat kept looking back at the man. "We can't just leave him."
"And what will we do, Mat?" Rand asked him, almost deciding to turn back. "We cannot help everyone." Curse me, but we cannot.
Davram Bashere looked at the man, then at Rand again. "With all due respect, Lord Dragon, everyone saw him fall from the sky. Not only that, but people have said they saw a bright falling star moments before he fell."
"And you think he is that star?" Of all people, Rand never expected Bashere to be superstituos.
"If the possibilities are that narrow?" he shrugged. "I honestly do."
Rand clicked his tongue. And they say male channelers are mad.
"Rand al'Thor." Aviendha said. "No one is lying here. We all saw the star falling."
"Suppose you are all right." He played with buttons on his sleeve. "Let us say there was a star that fell and he was there when it did. Doesn't mean at all he needs to be that star."
Alanna felt frustrated, Rand returning that emotion.
"Rand, look at him!" Mat pointed at the man. "Does he look like an ordinary man to you? And we are all telling you - he fell from the sky!"
"If you do not trust us," Aviendha said. "ask the others in the city."
"The Pattern, Rand." Verin said. "Whoever or whatever he is, the Pattern brought him here."
"And how do you know that?"
"How?" Verin scratched her chin. "Well, I am just an Aes Sedai, after all. However, I seem to remember people do not often fall from the sky."
Sky was filled with fire and ash, then. Lews Therin seemed to have gotten quite talkative at the moment. When I killed her. He started weeping. I killed my Ilyena.
"Moriñgotho."
"I cannot take care of him."
"Who said so?" Alanna commented. "Honestly, you would be the worst person for that, al'Thor."
Rand bit his tongue before answering back. If I don't want her being proud, I must be humble too.
"We will take care of him." Verin said. "We can..."
Rand cut her off with one short glance. "Mat?"
"Yes?"
"You will take care of him."
Cauthon reached his chest. "What?"
"Since you are so eager to help him. And you found him first."
He nodded. "So...I need to go find the princess and take care of this poor man. You want me to clean your toilet too?"
Alanna felt like an injustice was done to her when Rand let that pass. "He is safe with you too."
"This is absurd!" Verin said. "Rand al'Thor, we need him with us! Whatever he is saying must be properly translated."
"Fingolfin..." The man said, with a voice that was almost breaking. "Hanno! Hanno, apseni!"
"He is going where I said he is going - as far away from Aes Sedai as possible." He did not consider them deserving of even a look. "He is going with the Band of the Red Hand. I will not argue about this."
Even Sulin scoffed. "Rand al'Thor, don't you dare be that stupid!"
Davram Bashere just looked to the side during this argument. Insulting superiors was something only the Aiel considered acceptable, as it seemed. Rand continued with his own. "He goes with Matrim, Aes Sedai. My decision is final."
"If you do this, the White Tower will not be on good terms with you anymore. And you need us, Rand al'Thor."
They all stopped as the man stood up from his seat. Standing now almost a head taller than Rand, he gave a glance to each of them. Those grey eyes were deeper and older than the sea itself and the face, again, more timeless than the face of the Aes Sedai. He looked down on them all, then fixing his sight on Rand. He stared long enough for Lews Therin to start rumbling...and then go silent without any interferrence of Rand.
The man walked up to the window, looking over the city. Rand slowly approached him from behind, and the man turned back to him. "Here." he said abruptly.
Rand narrowed his eyes. "What?"
"Here." The man pointed towards the bottom, then to himself. "Here. Stay?" he said, again waiting to be corrected. "Here. Stay here."
"What, you want me to stay here?" The man started nodding, but when Rand pointed at himself, he shook it, then placing a hand on his chest. "No...you want to stay here?"
The man nodded. "Náto."
"I suppose that means yes." Rand said. "Very well. Do you want their help?" Rand pointed towards the Aes Sedai and tried to explains with his hands as best as possible.
The man slowly came to understand it. "No."
"No?"
"No know?" He shook his head. "No! Lá sí. Now not."
"Not now? You do not want their help at the moment? In this place or at the moment?"
"Náto."
"But maybe later?"
"Náto."
"Alright then." Rand said, offering his hand for a shake. "You may stay." Alanna felt like she will scream. The man looked at Rand's hand for a bit before eventually taking it and slowly shaking it. Light, he has a strong shake! he admitted. "Bashere?"
"My lord."
"Find some servants to help our friend. Get him a home or a room."
"At command, lord." he clasped, leaving the room to look for some servants.
When Rand turned, he saw them all staring at him, confused and frustrated, all except Verin. He had no intention to explain himself, not even to Aviendha and Mat. Verin, however, was staring at the man. "He just learned to speak the Common Tongue fluently...within minutes?"
Mat scratched his hand. "Uh...Verin Sedai, he simply babbled a few words."
"That he never heard before or understood." Verin looked towards Rand, expecting him to change his mind.
"He is not a rat you can experiment on." Rand said. "He said he doesn't want your help now. He will ask for it later."
She pursed her lips and closed her eyes. "Rand, please! He is important, whoever he is. We can help him..."
"He will ask for it when he needs it." Rand did not raise his voice and went to leave. "Mat, you come with me. You others can stay or go."
The women all wanted to burn him as it seemed, but he could not care less about it anymore. The room he led them to was Mat's temporary place while he was still in Caemlyn. Rand was not going to change his plans, despite the man's appearance. "Nice place." Rand said. "Not as warm as the Two Rivers, however."
"It is cozy, yes." Mat took a seat on his bed. "But I must admit I miss the Two Rivers."
Tam's gentle voice. The baaing of sheep. What did I do to deserve this? "Make haste slowly, Mat.” He started striding up and down. He never looked in Mat’s direction. He could feel sweat slicking his face, and his jaw was tight. "He has to see it coming. Everything depends on it.”
Mat started taking his boots off. "I know,” he said sourly. "I helped make the bloody plan, remember?”
That was a thing Mat would always say. He missed those days when the two of them, along with Perrin, would just live and rejoice. He found it, at he very least, good he met other people and loved other people after that. That was not encouraging, but it was comforting.
He started thinking of Aviendha then. Mat always had a way with women, he thought. How do you know you’re in love with a woman, Mat? he almost asked, but then brushed it off. Mat already had enough of burden on his own shoulders. Rand did not want to place his own upon him too. And...something pulled those words away from him.
He still did not stop his striding, and he dropped it in as if it fit what he had been saying. "I’ll finish Sammael, Mat. I promised that; I owe it to the dead. But where are the others? I need to finish them all. One at a time, though.” That was all he could do.
What did I do to deserve this?
"There are Dragonsworn in Murandy, Mat. In Altara, too. Men sworn to me. Once Illian is mine, Altara and Murandy will drop like ripe plums. I’ll make contact with the Dragonsworn in Tarabon - and in Arad Doman - and if the Whitecloaks try to keep me out of Amadicia, I’ll crush them. The Prophet has Ghealdan primed, and Amadicia almost, so I hear."
The Prophet. An old word. From an age long forgotten. Even Lews Therin mocked it from time to time. Men who heard voices in their heads, he would often say. So I am a prophet too, am I?
"Can you imagine Masema as the Prophet?" Unimportant question. "Saldaea will come to me; Bashere is sure of it. All the Borderlands will come. They have to! I am going to do it, Mat. Every land united before the Last Battle. I’m going to do it!” He hadn't noticed his voice had taken on a feverish tone.
"Sure, Rand.” Mat said slowly, depositing his other boot beside the first. “But one thing at a time, right?”
One thing at a time. There was a game like that. His voice started breaking. The game my children liked to play. I killed them. I killed them and my Ilyena.
Rand sighed. "No man should have another man’s voice in his head." he muttered. How long has Lews Therin been in there? Rand did not remember when was the first time he heard him. It seemed to him that it happened when Lanfear met him in Tear. That seemed to have triggered Lews Therin to come out. Since then, the Kinslayer just started speaking louder and louder. Very rarely did he say meaningful things. Just babbling about his wife and children, and friends long gone. From time to time, he would speak of creatures of old, or "Angels of Heaven" as he called them, begging them or the Creator for forgiveness. But otherwise, he was just babbling.
He's like us. Lews Therin said then. &He's like me. He killed.*
Who?
Those who were his family.
No. Who are you talking about?
I killed my Ilyena.
He sighed again. You are mad. Like Sammael was. "He can be gulled, Mat - Sammael always thinks in straight lines - but is there any opening he can slip through? If there’s any mistake, thousands will die. Tens of thousands. Hundreds will anyway, but I don’t want it to be thousands.” he said that more to himself than to Mat. Not even to Lews Therin - himself.
"But, what about him?" Mat asked, expecting Rand to know. "You really don't think he's a big thing?"
"Maybe." Rand said. "Maybe the Pattern or the Creator himself sent him as help or temptation." Then he narrowed his eyes. "Or maybe the Dark One himself sent him here. Maybe he is even one of the Forsaken." Lews Therin did not agree, however. "You see it makes sense, right Mat?"
Mat looked down at his boots. "Yes...I think I know what you mean. But...Light, what if he is an ally? You can't refuse help, you know?"
Lews Therin scoffed and, honestly, Rand would have too. He has been refusing "help" ever since killing Rahvin. "Don't worry about him, Mat. He is my burden now. What you need to do is stick to the plan."
"But, there is something off about this, Rand..."
"Don't worry about it." He insisted. "Just stick to the plan."
"That is all?" Mat expected something more. What is it? "That is all you have to say?"
"Yes. That's all." He opened the door, not even looking back. "Sleep, Mat. You'll need good rest tonight." Rand closed the door, continuing his way through the red corridor that was covered in light of only few torches. He made some light himself, weaving Fire and Air together. The Maidens were, at the moment, absent, and had left him alone there.
Two hundred and five. That is how many people had died when he fought Rahvin excluding Aviendha and Mat and who, unlike them, stayed dead. And Mangin...He was hanged this morning. I watched it. That was all he could do for him. The young Aiel was much like Mat, and had a great respect for Rand, wanting to protect his honor. He cursed Aiel honor three times when that happened. Aiel customs, Aiel culture and all of it. And he cursed Andoran stupidity, Andoran pride and Andoran carelessness. Lews Therin instead behaved practically and cursed them both. Wetlander, Andoran, Aiel...it's all the same. Bands of babbling idiots, both talking of honor, when they can't even agree what that word means.
How many more needed to die because of such pathetic views of honor? The Forsaken also wanted honor - honor and glory. Demandred, Sammael and Lanfear wanted it most of all. Did it make it any better? Lews Therin seemed to actually wonder about that.
He wondered again. He hated it. Hard as stone. I must be hard. Light, I must. The man can stay for now. If he is an ally, good. If he is an enemy, good - he knows how to handle him quickly. As easy as Rahvin.
He extinguished the lights, allowing sound and smell to lead him instead. He woke up the next day, still feeling tired.
2023.06.08 08:26 black-knight-13 My Hero Academia: Next Generation-Part 5
Seat 5
Name: Shirogane Shohei
Age: 15
Appearance: Slender build, pale skin, short black hair, silver eyes, small scar under his left eye.
Clothing: Dark grey pants, long-sleeved black shirt, grey vest, black fingerless gloves, grey and white sneakers, beaded necklace around his neck, and a black face mask covering the lower half of his face.
Personality: Calm, friendly, down to earth, diligent, serious, and a real sweetheart when it comes to his girlfriend.
Quirk: Gray Ghost. Shohei's Quirk allows him to transform his body into a glowing, silver specter. His skin becomes translucent, his hair transforms into silver, his eyes shine brightly, and he gains the ability to physically phase his body through any solid object. This gives him a great advantage when it comes to surprise attacks and escapes.
Quirk Drawbacks: Shohei's Quirk doesn't really offer him any form of physical strength so he needs to rely purely on the physical techniques he learns to be able to cause any kind of damage. He is also incredibly weak to any kind of Quirk that causes bright flashes of light. In his ghost form, his senses are a lot more sensitive.
Quirk Supermoves:
Fade Out: Shohei quickly shifts into his ghose form and phases through the ground below him to disappear and then reappear behind his target.
Ghost Drive: Shohei disappears and then reappears behind his target, wraps his arms around them, pins their arms to their body, phases them both through the ground and reappears at a higher elevation before dropping them either on their back or front.
Hero Name: The Phantasmal Hero: Gray Ghost
Hero Costume: A black and silver bodysuit with armored protectors on his shins, thighs, shoulders, and forearms. He wears a long, hooded cloak over it all and a silver belt that keeps it tied around his waist. Silver, metal-lined shoes are on his feet, and gray fingerless gloves are on his hands. He carries smoke bombs on his belt and a set of specially made, collapsable tonfa are carried on his waist. He still wears his mask over his mouth.
Background: Shohei comes from a rough neighborhood just outside of Musutafu. His parents were never really around so he had to make ends meet the only way he knew how and that was by fighting. He didn't have a strong build but he did have the skill and practiced a lot until he became undefeated on the streets. He eventually left his town and traveled to Musutafu to make something of himself but soon found himself back in the fighting ring to make ends meet. This was all he knew for 3 years until the day came when he met Akari, the woman that would become the love of his life. She healed his injuries and looked at him like he was a person and not an animal. She showed him a different way to live and a way to use his skills to do good for those around him which led to him applying to UA and becoming a hero.
submitted by black-knight-13 to BNHA_OC_Characters [link] [comments]
Name: Shirogane Shohei
Age: 15
Appearance: Slender build, pale skin, short black hair, silver eyes, small scar under his left eye.
Clothing: Dark grey pants, long-sleeved black shirt, grey vest, black fingerless gloves, grey and white sneakers, beaded necklace around his neck, and a black face mask covering the lower half of his face.
Personality: Calm, friendly, down to earth, diligent, serious, and a real sweetheart when it comes to his girlfriend.
Quirk: Gray Ghost. Shohei's Quirk allows him to transform his body into a glowing, silver specter. His skin becomes translucent, his hair transforms into silver, his eyes shine brightly, and he gains the ability to physically phase his body through any solid object. This gives him a great advantage when it comes to surprise attacks and escapes.
Quirk Drawbacks: Shohei's Quirk doesn't really offer him any form of physical strength so he needs to rely purely on the physical techniques he learns to be able to cause any kind of damage. He is also incredibly weak to any kind of Quirk that causes bright flashes of light. In his ghost form, his senses are a lot more sensitive.
Quirk Supermoves:
Fade Out: Shohei quickly shifts into his ghose form and phases through the ground below him to disappear and then reappear behind his target.
Ghost Drive: Shohei disappears and then reappears behind his target, wraps his arms around them, pins their arms to their body, phases them both through the ground and reappears at a higher elevation before dropping them either on their back or front.
Hero Name: The Phantasmal Hero: Gray Ghost
Hero Costume: A black and silver bodysuit with armored protectors on his shins, thighs, shoulders, and forearms. He wears a long, hooded cloak over it all and a silver belt that keeps it tied around his waist. Silver, metal-lined shoes are on his feet, and gray fingerless gloves are on his hands. He carries smoke bombs on his belt and a set of specially made, collapsable tonfa are carried on his waist. He still wears his mask over his mouth.
Background: Shohei comes from a rough neighborhood just outside of Musutafu. His parents were never really around so he had to make ends meet the only way he knew how and that was by fighting. He didn't have a strong build but he did have the skill and practiced a lot until he became undefeated on the streets. He eventually left his town and traveled to Musutafu to make something of himself but soon found himself back in the fighting ring to make ends meet. This was all he knew for 3 years until the day came when he met Akari, the woman that would become the love of his life. She healed his injuries and looked at him like he was a person and not an animal. She showed him a different way to live and a way to use his skills to do good for those around him which led to him applying to UA and becoming a hero.
2023.06.08 08:06 EscapingKid Patch Notes - Update 24.1
 | https://preview.redd.it/fsfkykn4jq4b1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=42a36efb2bffcf66a8b3bd6a1875a4556dd8a069 submitted by EscapingKid to PUBGConsole [link] [comments] Welcome to the Update 24.1 Patch Notes. Let's dive right in, as there's a lot of new changes and additions! 24.1 HighlightsPatch Report #24.1 on YouTubeLive Maintenance Schedule※ The times shown below are subject to change.
Map Service※ Please note that PC players can anticipate map changes every Wednesday at 2 AM UTC, while Console players can expect the same every Thursday at 7 AM UTC.※ In Random Map regions, each map will have an equal probability of being selected, with a probability of 20%.
Tactical GearWe're turning Tactical Gear into essential items by bestowing them a new purpose, enhancing their significance beyond consumable options. Experience the game in a multitude of ways with this update, whether playing individually or as part of a team. From beginners to veterans, the renewed Tactical Gear can foster a sense of achievement among all players by enabling them to contribute to the success of their squad.https://preview.redd.it/00w2ktq5jq4b1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=a9d24dd62f012068136ed79c4a55690892f9bc33 ※ This update applies to only Normal Matches, Intense Battle Royale mode, and Custom Matches (Normal Match, Intense Battle Royale).
EMT GearTo primarily serve the purpose of team healing rather than self-healing, the healing feature will only apply to team members. Additionally, to balance the overly beneficial healing effects when using heal items, the usage time of heal items has been adjusted to the following:
Tactical Pack
Spotter ScopeImproved for more straightforward and less time-consuming use.
Drone
Blue Chip DetectorThe Blue Chip Detector has been perceived as an overperforming gear. Therefore, it has been decided to receive several adjustments to harmonize it with other Tactical Gear.
Following the initial introduction of Tactical Gear, we have observed their considerable utility in gameplay. However, we also understand the magnitude of the decision players are faced with in sacrificing a primary weapon slot for Tactical Gear, particularly in battle scenarios where mid-to-long range combat is crucial. As such, with the renewal of the Tactical Gear system, we eagerly anticipate witnessing our players' varied gameplay strategies! For example, for solo play, we look forward to see players utilizing a strategy centered around their chosen Tactical Gear, which you'd select to complement your primary weapon. You may opt for a slow-burn approach with the EMT Gear, spending more time looting and gradually entering the Safe Zone. The Drone and Blue Chip Detector can help with a strategy that involves quick penetration of the center area, swiftly identifying incoming enemies. And the Tactical Pack could suit those favoring weapons with high ammo consumption. As for the Spotter Scope, it may be ideal for players selecting weapons aimed at precise long-distance engagement. As for team play, we anticipate strategic looting that aligns with team dynamics while avoiding overlapping roles. Each teammate would have a distinct role, contributing effectively to the team's primary goal. Utilize the Drone and Spotter Scope for ordering and coordination. Or the Spotter Scope could enhance accuracy for those sharpshooters. The EMT Gear and Tactical Pack may also be helpful to novice players, so they could actively contribute to team survival, or even the Blue Chip Detector for optimal information delivery. With this change, we are also committed to implementing constraints that are proportional to in-game performance - we do not aim to unfairly boost the abilities of already-skilled players. With this in mind, we've made it so that once a Tactical Gear is selected, it becomes irreplaceable. Players are required to use their chosen equipment consistently throughout the match. We have also proceeded with an overall balance update. ItemsTactical Gear - Repair KitThe current Helmet/Armor Repair Kits and Mechanic's Toolbox seemed to have limited applications in specific circumstances - therefore, we're merging them into a single versatile Repair Kit that can repair Helmets, Vests, and vehicles. With this multipurpose tool, you can now consider the possibility of pursuing the role of your team's go-to mechanic.https://preview.redd.it/up9tljj6jq4b1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=bff2b90159dd69c13211007879d91b5e4c15e3d0 ※ This update applies to only Normal Matches, Intense Battle Royale mode, and Custom Matches (Normal Match, Intense Battle Royale).
Emergency Pickup, BZ Grenade, Jammer Pack, Mortar, and Panzerfaust
World - VikendiAfter the Vikendi Reborn update last year, we've diligently monitored player trends and incorporated your valuable feedback into the latest update.https://preview.redd.it/mhxfvwo7jq4b1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=3c5b1107ceb034e42d78089d436089afa62db897 Terrain
https://preview.redd.it/0pheucj8jq4b1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=2a6f2c8ee0138e630854545c16abb738d759061e Phase
Item spawn
Vehicle spawn
Blizzard Zone
Cable Car
Comeback BR
Crowbar Interaction
Sound
Minimap
Ranked - Season 24https://preview.redd.it/ewryzck9jq4b1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=2af89c9f32d6d692e04107d3b1e132e30a4f5c9f
Season 23 RewardsBelow are the rewards you'll be receiving based on your final Tier from the previous Ranked season.
Custom Match
Tutorial
Survivor Pass: Splash Royalehttps://preview.redd.it/65kh4epcjq4b1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=bb5da0d3ecd22f32d8c2d4bbef26fcbea6b7df69A new Survivor Pass: Splash Royale is prepared for the approaching hottest season of the year. Read more details on the upcoming June Store Update announcement! WorkshopChesthttps://preview.redd.it/pu0hk5hdjq4b1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=0380750beaa3716ec16586867e7e96b0eda38393
Performance
Bug FixesGameplay
World
UX/UI
Lobby
Items & Skins※ Clipping issue: Graphics that are shown outside the visible part of an image/object.
|
2023.06.08 07:52 EscapingKid Patch Notes - Update 24.1
 | https://preview.redd.it/j57c2v5wtq4b1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=6c3cb0bf708c7eb528d3f20d35128f0f14d3ba78 submitted by EscapingKid to PUBATTLEGROUNDS [link] [comments] Welcome to the Update 24.1 Patch Notes. Let's dive right in, as there's a lot of new changes and additions! 24.1 HighlightsPatch Report #24.1 on YouTubeLive Maintenance Schedule※ The times shown below are subject to change.
Map Service※ Please note that PC players can anticipate map changes every Wednesday at 2 AM UTC, while Console players can expect the same every Thursday at 7 AM UTC.※ In Random Map regions, each map will have an equal probability of being selected, with a probability of 20%.
Tactical GearWe're turning Tactical Gear into essential items by bestowing them a new purpose, enhancing their significance beyond consumable options. Experience the game in a multitude of ways with this update, whether playing individually or as part of a team. From beginners to veterans, the renewed Tactical Gear can foster a sense of achievement among all players by enabling them to contribute to the success of their squad.※ This update applies to only Normal Matches, Intense Battle Royale mode, and Custom Matches (Normal Match, Intense Battle Royale).
EMT GearTo primarily serve the purpose of team healing rather than self-healing, the healing feature will only apply to team members. Additionally, to balance the overly beneficial healing effects when using heal items, the usage time of heal items has been adjusted to the following:
Tactical Pack
Spotter ScopeImproved for more straightforward and less time-consuming use.
Drone
Blue Chip DetectorThe Blue Chip Detector has been perceived as an overperforming gear. Therefore, it has been decided to receive several adjustments to harmonize it with other Tactical Gear.
Following the initial introduction of Tactical Gear, we have observed their considerable utility in gameplay. However, we also understand the magnitude of the decision players are faced with in sacrificing a primary weapon slot for Tactical Gear, particularly in battle scenarios where mid-to-long range combat is crucial. As such, with the renewal of the Tactical Gear system, we eagerly anticipate witnessing our players' varied gameplay strategies! For example, for solo play, we look forward to see players utilizing a strategy centered around their chosen Tactical Gear, which you'd select to complement your primary weapon. You may opt for a slow-burn approach with the EMT Gear, spending more time looting and gradually entering the Safe Zone. The Drone and Blue Chip Detector can help with a strategy that involves quick penetration of the center area, swiftly identifying incoming enemies. And the Tactical Pack could suit those favoring weapons with high ammo consumption. As for the Spotter Scope, it may be ideal for players selecting weapons aimed at precise long-distance engagement. As for team play, we anticipate strategic looting that aligns with team dynamics while avoiding overlapping roles. Each teammate would have a distinct role, contributing effectively to the team's primary goal. Utilize the Drone and Spotter Scope for ordering and coordination. Or the Spotter Scope could enhance accuracy for those sharpshooters. The EMT Gear and Tactical Pack may also be helpful to novice players, so they could actively contribute to team survival, or even the Blue Chip Detector for optimal information delivery. With this change, we are also committed to implementing constraints that are proportional to in-game performance - we do not aim to unfairly boost the abilities of already-skilled players. With this in mind, we've made it so that once a Tactical Gear is selected, it becomes irreplaceable. Players are required to use their chosen equipment consistently throughout the match. We have also proceeded with an overall balance update. ItemsTactical Gear - Repair KitThe current Helmet/Armor Repair Kits and Mechanic's Toolbox seemed to have limited applications in specific circumstances - therefore, we're merging them into a single versatile Repair Kit that can repair Helmets, Vests, and vehicles. With this multipurpose tool, you can now consider the possibility of pursuing the role of your team's go-to mechanic.※ This update applies to only Normal Matches, Intense Battle Royale mode, and Custom Matches (Normal Match, Intense Battle Royale).
Emergency Pickup, BZ Grenade, Jammer Pack, Mortar, and Panzerfaust
World - VikendiAfter the Vikendi Reborn update last year, we've diligently monitored player trends and incorporated your valuable feedback into the latest update.Terrain
Phase
Item spawn
Vehicle spawn
Blizzard Zone
Cable Car
Comeback BR
Crowbar Interaction
Sound
Minimap
Ranked - Season 24
Season 23 RewardsBelow are the rewards you'll be receiving based on your final Tier from the previous Ranked season.
Custom Match
Tutorial
Survivor Pass: Splash RoyaleA new Survivor Pass: Splash Royale is prepared for the approaching hottest season of the year. Read more details on the upcoming June Store Update announcement! WorkshopChest
Performance
Bug FixesGameplay
World
UX/UI
Lobby
Items & Skins※ Clipping issue: Graphics that are shown outside the visible part of an image/object.
|
2023.06.08 07:16 critical_courtney [A Bargain for Bliss] — Chapter Eleven (sequel to The Fae Queen's Pet)
![[A Bargain for Bliss] — Chapter Eleven (sequel to The Fae Queen's Pet)](https://b.thumbs.redditmedia.com/2lScdiolOaeBJLVCNy4XrjAWx__pQBs4WRQyIzalYSI.jpg "[A Bargain for Bliss] — Chapter Eleven (sequel to The Fae Queen's Pet)") | submitted by critical_courtney to redditserials [link] [comments] https://preview.redd.it/8bgezt09aq4b1.jpg?width=1410&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a98c000b9146bca947211aa35dd3e253e45f1e4c Previous Chapter Chapter Eleven: Walking into a dimly lit basement, I looked down at the cracked concrete floor. The room smelled of old drainage and expired cleaning products. I turned around to see the mirror I’d just crawled out of and caught sight of the Intrinsic Pathways chamber fading back into my reflection. A simple white plastic border surrounded the glass surface. The thing was barely big enough for me to fit through. Barsilla didn’t have any trouble, though — the benefit of being a piskie and only a few inches tall. She darted up to my shoulder and hid herself in my hair. “I’m glad you’ve been growing your hair out,” she said. A moment later, the piskie stuck her head out of my hair and added, “And I’m also glad you switched to the pineapple and raspberry shampoo.” I rolled my eyes. Today I was playing carriage to the queen’s left-hand lady in the human world. And I could already tell it was going to be a test of my nerves. I’d never spent an extended time with Barsilla before, primarily because she was a bit scolding and judgmental. But today came with an important mission before we left for Kilgara tomorrow. We needed to make contact with a powerful fae that lived in the human world. “How can a fae live in the human world full-time? Wouldn’t that be a death sentence with all the iron and the lack of glamour?” I’d asked my queen. “You’ll see,” was all she said before sending me here to accompany Barsilla. And by accompany, she meant carry. The piskie looked around the little room we’d appeared in. It was a small space with concrete walls and floors. Against one wall a shelf of cleaning supplies stood, along with a mop and a janitor’s cart on wheels. “Where are we?” I asked. A grimy voice from the ceiling made me jump. I looked around to find the source. “You’re in the basement of Ssorc Insurance Arena,” a masculine-presenting fae said. When I finally found him, my eyes widened. In one of the ceiling corners hung a spider-like faery about a foot tall. When I got a closer look, I saw he had the body of a tiny man but a thorax and four narrow legs behind him that clung to the wall. His front arms were crossed as he looked down at us. Eight brown and black eyes spread across his forehead kept a close watch on us. “Hello there,” he said, waving a tiny hand. “Name’s Jello. Welcome to Portland.” I raised a finger and opened my mouth to speak. “Because he likes to eat Jell-O,” Barsilla said from inside my hair. I lowered my finger and closed my mouth, nodding. That made plenty of sense. Maybe I could change my name to Chicken Nugget. “You’re not going to come out and say hello to your old friend, Barsilla?” Jello called with a grin revealing two fangs and additional mandibles. Her voice called out from in my hair. “I’m quite good here, thanks.” I raised an eyebrow. Barsilla sounded a little scared, which was a first for me. I’d always been put in my place by the tiny creature so long as we were in the palace. Here, her voice wavered, and she grabbed my hair a little more tightly than when we first arrived. Truth be told, I was torn. Part of me wanted to rub it in, maybe jokingly hand her over to the spider dude. And the other half of me wanted to show mercy, because even when I get a chance to show vengeance. . . I’m not good at taking it. It took me years to destroy my abusive father, and he hurt me daily. So, I decided not to push the issue. “Alright, Jello. That’s enough,” I said, laughing. To his credit, the spider didn’t exactly seem upset with me pushing back. He rubbed one of his mandibles and looked me up and down. “You must be the queen’s new pet I’ve heard so much about,” he said. “That’s me. Werewolf extraordinaire,” I said. He nodded. “It’s almost too difficult to believe. Your kind is so rare that for the queen to have ensnared one. . . I’m just left impressed,” he said. My. . . kind, I thought. Aside from Mom, I’ve never met another like me. And does she even really count? She died when I was a kid. All I could do was shrug. Maybe we were rare. But the fact that he wasn’t the first fae to mention such a thing did stick out in my mind. The queen had emotional attachments to me. Of that much, I was sure. But to other fae, ones I’d see at Kilgara. . . I’d be a token — no, a specimen. It’d be like those videos of rich people who own tigers or lions and just let them roam around the house, lying on the couch and shit. In that case, I’d just have to be all the more threatening to keep their minds off such imagery and more focused on preserving their own lives. Of course, that’d be up to my inner wolf. And I had no doubt she’d be up to the task. Unlike me, she didn’t take shit from anybody. “Well, Jello. If you come by Featherstone when the Raven Queen holds court, you can see my more visceral self on full display,” I said. “But until then, I’ll ask where we’re supposed to go from here.” The spider chuckled and looked into my hair, trying to find a certain piskie with his eyes alone. When he didn’t have any luck, Jello rolled his eyes and pointed to a filthy door covered in dust and mold. “Out that door, up the cement stairs to your left, and outside by the garage. That’ll spit you out onto a path the humans call Free Street,” Jello said. I thanked him, and we left without Barsilla saying a word. Once I’d started up the stairs, she poked her head out next to my ear and said, “Just for the record, in Faerie, his kind prey upon piskies. They find the best hiding spots in the forest and then drop on any little fae that happens to be hovering over the ground, looking for nuts or fruit.” This was a tender confession from the tiny person who’d left me paralyzed on the floor during our first meeting. So I put all that aside before I spoke. “I figured it was something like that. But it’s not like I would have let him do anything to you,” I said. “Afraid of how your mistress might react?” Barsilla asked. Shaking my head, I sighed. “I just know what it’s like to be a tiny thing standing before a giant monster that wants nothing more than to hurt you. You try to shrink yourself down so that the monster doesn’t see you, but it’s never small enough. I always hoped someone would come along when I was trying to shrink myself and snatch me away. So I guess today I just wanted to be the person that would snatch you to safety,” I said, finally spotting a metal door with sunlight streaming in. Varella’s left-hand lady didn’t say anything for a moment. But right before we got outside, she spoke. “That’s actually how her majesty found me, you know? I was in the web of someone like Jello, crying out for help. Most faeries ignore such cries since the forest can be filled with them at times. And if you anger a spider, there’s always the chance they’ll scurry off to a Gohma to have her curse you.” “A Gohma?” I asked. Barsilla placed both hands on the back of my ear to steady herself as I climbed the last few steps. “Queens among the spiderlings. Some of them are quite powerful, and once in a while, they’ll curse anyone who causes trouble with their underlings. That is, they’ll curse anyone. . . except for the ruler of a court. Varella happened to be flying by, heard my cries, and for reasons I’ve never been able to figure out, plucked me from the web. The spiderling that was savoring me was too frightened to say a word. He just hid under a bush, waiting for the Raven Queen to fly away. I’ve served her loyally ever since,” the piskie said. Holy shit. Am I bonding with the piskie? I thought, again squashing the temptation to say something mocking of the little fae which could and would get revenge when we returned to Featherstone. At that moment, Lady Bon-Hwa’s words came back to me. She said I craved legitimacy from beings that wore many masks. Had Barsilla just dropped hers? “How you felt when she plucked you from the web, Barsilla?” I started. She gripped my ear a little tighter. “That’s how I felt the day I struck the bargain with my mistress. Like she’d pulled me out of the jaws of death or something.” I heard the piskie rub her chin. “So when you submit to the queen, it’s about more than a simple pleasure for you. Immense gratitude is also mixed in there somewhere,” she said. Clearing my throat, I felt heat rush to my cheeks. Barsilla was the last person I wanted to discuss submissiveness with. I’d talk about it with Ceras before her. And even they weren’t high on the list. Walking outside, I heard the cries of gulls above us and heard a couple boys laughing as their mother walked by with a shopping bag that said “Remys” on it. Now that was a store I remembered. My father dragged me there more times than I could count. And it was always a long haul down to Bangor to visit. The sky above us was cloudy, and a chilly wind gusted by occasionally, bringing with it smells of a harbor not too far away. A normal person wouldn’t smell it from this distance. But I could smell boat fuel and seafood. “Do you remember the address?” I asked Barsilla. “I remember the way from here. The last time I came to the human city of Portland it was through a different pathway. But if you walk down a block and turn left, it’ll spit you out on a path called Congress Street.” Doing as I was told, I found myself on what appeared the be the busiest street in downtown Portland. Barsilla guided me with whispers to continue onward past the downtown square where a statue of a large woman stood overlooking dozens of people shopping or visiting restaurants or coming out of the public library. I read a message on the side that said, “To her sons who died for the Union.” Barsilla whispered, “I’ve never understood that message. What’s the Union? Some kind of human court?” Sighing and shaking my head, I tried to figure out the easiest way to explain this particularly bloody piece of U.S. history. “A couple centuries back, this country tore itself in two. There was the Confederacy and the Union. People from Maine, that’s where we are now, fought for the Union, which tried to put the country back together again.” “Did the Union succeed?” I nodded. “They won the war, but a lot of shit happened afterward I don’t want to get into. And when I left this place to move into Featherstone — well, let’s just say I’d rather live in Faerie than any part of this world,” I said. With the guidance of Varella’s left-hand lady, we continued walking down Congress Street for at least a mile before she told me to make a turn. We walked past an old Italian grocery store, turned again, and finally arrived at a dentist's office. “Big Smiles? What kind of name is that?” I asked, looking inside. “The name of a business where mortals go to get their teeth fixed because they don’t have glamour to do it for them. Consider yourself fortunate the palace healers make this place unnecessary in Faerie,” Barsilla said, tapping on my ear for me to go inside. Sighing, I did as I was told. . . again. Unlike most dentist’s offices I’d been in, this one was immaculately clean and polished. Behind two receptionists stood a wall covered entirely in ivy. And it was real. I smelled its vegetative scent from where I stood. To my right stood a glass wall with a water feature running underneath the reflective surface. A little transparent refrigerator sat next to some uncomfortable wooden chairs, and it was filled with bottled water. “Hi there!” one of the receptionists said. He appeared to be freshly graduated from college and wore a button-down shirt and black pants. His nametag said “Jace,” and had “He/Him” pronouns listed underneath. “Uh, hi,” I said, trying to remember the coded message my mistress taught me before leaving Featherstone. “I need to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. I’m trying to get the shinest teeth in all the land.” I resisted the urge to slap my face in embarrassment. What kind of stupid code was that? This receptionist was just as likely to throw me out as he was to find me a nightmare fae by the name of Dramyra. Jace snickered a little and said, “Well, who doesn’t love shiny teeth? And we’ve got a great new polishing technique our dentists just started using this month.” An older woman’s voice spoke from behind me. “That won’t be necessary, Jace. I’ll see her now.” Jace looked surprised. “Are you sure, Dr. Murphy? I think you’ve got an appointment in 15,” he said. The voice behind me waved off his concern. “Just have Melissa take care of that one. This is important.” Jace scratched his wavy brown hair and nodded before punching something into his keyboard. I could only assume he was editing an appointment at the last minute. When I turned to see who’d been giving orders to the receptionist, I spotted a woman who appeared to be in her early 50s leaning around a corner. She wore a long white jacket and had eyes the color of jasper. As I stared, she blinked horizontally instead of vertically like every other human I’d met. As my eyes widened, she smiled, and I noticed an inhuman pointedness to her teeth. . . all four rows of them. “Why don’t you come this way, and I’ll get you settled?” the fae said. I gulped and nodded, suddenly getting the heebie-jeebies from this person I was going to follow into a private area. Dr. Murphy led me past an X-ray room, a couple rooms with kid-sized dentist seats and small televisions mounted on the roof, and an employee bathroom. At last, we came to her private office, and she opened the door, motioning for me to enter. When I hesitated, she said, “Oh come now. I wouldn’t be so foolish as to harm one hair on the Raven Queen’s pet. Few would be that dumb.” Walking inside the surprisingly plain office, I was greeted by a tiny sofa, a mini fridge, a marker board, and a skylight. The walls were painted beige, and a desktop computer sat over in the corner on a screensaver with fish swimming by. I took a seat on the sofa, and our faerie host closed the door behind us, locking it, which caused me to gulp again. As soon as the door was closed, the fae dropped her glamor, and before me stood a five-foot-tall woman with pointed ears, turquoise skin, and a shaved head. When she smiled, I saw those four rows of razor teeth and two tongues, one purple, one red. Her eyes now blinked vertically every few seconds, and they were the color of sand. Black curled horns hung down from the back of the faerie’s skull, wrapping around her ears and ending in spiky white tips. The faerie leaned against her door and stared down at her claws, which were painted a shade of crimson. “Dramyra,” Barsilla said, flying out from my hair and bowing her head. “It’s been some time.” The fae did not seem very impressed at the piskie’s sudden appearance. “Well well. . . if it isn’t the Raven Queen’s left-hand lady. I don’t recall receiving a letter warning of your arrival.” Now I spoke up, bowing my head. “Apologies. The queen has been busy preparing for a trip to Kilgara. She didn’t mean to offend by sending us without an announced arrival,” I said. I shivered when Dramyra’s sandy eyes looked me over. It felt like. . . like it wasn’t just her eyes watching me, but her shadow’s eyes as well. And I didn’t like that one bit. She smelled of vetiver and leather. It was a strange combination that seemed to whisper much more was hiding beneath the surface. “First time seeing a nightara?” Dramyra asked, watching me shiver for the third time in the last hour. It wasn’t like the room was cold. Rather, it felt like her glamor kept brushing up against me and light scraping over my arms. “What’s a—” I started, rather stupidly. Barsilla cut me off. “Dramyra is a nightmare faerie. Her sister rules the Nightmare Court.” “Well just give her my life story, why don’t you, Barsilla?” Dramyra sassed, folding her arms and locking with my eyes. The room fell silent. I sure as hell didn’t know what to say, so I did what I always did in that situation. . . asked a dumb question. “Excuse me, Dramyra?” She smiled at me. “Yes, royal pet?” I do not like it when she calls me that, I thought. In fact, I don’t like it when she calls me anything. Taking a deep breath as Barsilla turned to flash me a look that said, “Be careful, puppy,” I raised an eyebrow. “My mistress said you lived here in the human world permanently. I was wondering. . . how you survived here in a world of iron and without any glamour?” Dramyra ran a finger down one of her arms. “Well, for starters, all of my tools here in the office aren’t made of iron. They’re custom designed from silver. Not an ounce of iron here. And I assure you, I have all the glamour I need.” I must have looked like I had more questions because Dramyra pointed a finger at me. “You must not have a solid grasp on how glamour works. Glamour isn’t something that just exists naturally in this world or Faerie. Rather, fae produce glamour by feeding. Different fae feed in different ways. Your queen feeds off your affections as well as the power of her throne itself. And I. . . well, I feed off the fear of others.” That sounded pretty damn terrifying. . . which I’m sure was exactly the effect Dramyra must have intended because she just laughed when I slunk down into the couch. “Oh relax. It’s not so bad. I learned a few decades ago that there are some things mortals fear collectively as a species. And one of them?” It clicked in my head. “The dentist! I fucking hated visiting the dentist. Growing up, there was no place more terrifying. With every visit, I was petrified that I needed yet another filling or maybe even a root canal.” Dramyra looked pleased with my figuring it out. “Exactly. So, knowing this, I disguised myself as a dentist, opened this business, and the mortals bring me their terrified children every single day. All I have to do is walk up and down the hall with a mask on my face, looking at paperwork, and nobody suspects a thing. The entire office fills with fear, which I devour, and then I can produce all the glamour I need.” When I realized this, it was kind of ingenious. This was like. . . the ultimate business model for a nightmare fae like Dramyra. And if this place went belly up, she could always disguise herself as an IRS agent. Though that might get her more anger than fear. Barsilla cleared her throat. “Oh, yes. You were getting ready to explain why you showed up without warning. Well, go on, little piskie,” Dramyra said, her smile fading as she turned her attention back to Varella’s left-hand lady. Pulling out her little clipboard and an even smaller pencil, the piskie looked over a few things as if she was steadying herself for what had to be said. “Queen Varella is officially calling in her favor. Decades ago, she hid you—” “I know why I owe her,” Dramyra snapped, her sandy eyes glowing orange. “You can skip that part.” Barsilla quickly crossed something off on her papers. “Right, well, she wants you to make a request to your sister, the Nightmare Queen. Her majesty informed me Queen Trylla will grant you anything you ask of her.” The nightara rubbed her chin as she leaned against the wall even more. “It’s true. My little sister adores me. Though I don’t know what the Raven Queen would want from her.” I looked back and forth between the fae, finding myself wondering about how my mistress hid the nightmare fae before me. What were the circumstances? Was it a witness protection kind of thing? Did faeries even have need of that? It’s not like they can call some vacuum store and vanish to Alaska, I thought, scratching the back of my head. Barsilla looked down at her notes, not meeting Dramyra’s eyes when she relayed my mistress’ request. “The Raven Queen wants you to ask your sister for her vote in Kilgara.” Silence filled the room again as I heard Barsilla’s tiny heart beating like that of a hummingbird. She was sweating a little, too. But Dramyra’s mood changed almost instantly. She laughed louder than I’d heard before and threw her head back. “Ahahahaha! So, Queen Varella is making a move for Bliss. How interesting! Not in a thousand years would I have guessed such a thing. That ought to make for a very interesting summit with the other courts. Suddenly this mission of great importance made more sense. My mistress sent us to cash in a favor so she could try and stack the deck before we gathered with the other rulers of Faerie to decide who would host Bliss. The nightara locked eyes with me, and I felt more gooseflesh crawling over my arms and thighs. I really wished she would stop doing that. “Very well, piskie. I will do as the Raven Queen asks. It’s not like I have the power to refuse a favor when I’m in her debt. So you may scurry back with the young wolf here and tell her at least one vote is safely in her corner,” Dramyra said. “As for you, Sierra, I hope you're ready to meet folks even scarier than me. And I’d stick real close to that mistress of yours once you leave the halls of Featherstone. You have no idea just how many lords and ladies of Faerie would love to have themselves a pet werewolf. You’re quite—” “Rare,” I finished for her. “I’ve heard it before.” I sounded agitated, but I was just trying to mask my fear. I’d happily submit to my mistress a thousand times. But I was no fool. I knew there were cruel immortals all through Faerie that would find worse ways to hurt me than my father ever could have. And we were off to a summit where they’d all be gathered. As we left the dentist, I hoped and prayed my inner wolf had gotten at least a few memories of today and would understand she needed to carry the visage of an absolute killer. I didn’t want to end up in the clutches of a nightara. . . or worse. |
2023.06.08 06:51 hijesushere Have you guys been indoctrinated into the cult of "Famous p- Holy Plumb you guys, yeah, you mean a-" yet? It's kind... algebra homework. Bread Pudding without either one: it's just an empty conceptual hole. I'd take meds if I were even your call cannot be completed as dialed. At the tone leave a voi
Lyrics in songs I've noticed.
Red Velvet
It kept calling us
Wonderland beyond distant memories
...........
Cntd
We we we strong, nothing missing
Wake up, the answer is Simple
Be Boss, blow the Whistle
The bigger world is noticing you.
Shall we have a festival? I hold your hand.
We've been waiting for this moment. Spread your wings and be yourself.
Come play at My carnival.
Climax? It starts now.
Watch out! We are making the rules.
......
It’s now or never, we got forever.
Sappy
;
You're sobbing and being pessimistic
You're hesitating again, you can't choose
Writing poems in your note, your hobby is sentimental
Look, now it's time to open the door
........
Tell me, which do you love?
It's not bad thing to dream
It's not a fairytale, it's the real world
What are you gonna do? Which one are you
gonna pick?
Reality or fantasy, adolescent boy?
I'm still clearing dating simulation games
using the manual
I'm still a long way from real love
.......
It's not that I don't like it
Escape from being just two-dimensional
Which one do you love?
Tonight let me know your true feelings
You'll really grow up then
Tell me, which one do you love?
(In the video the lyrics are "Logging out from delusion" for a part of it.)
That's not even getting into the imagery in the video.
Feel My Rhythm
Blowing up this fancy ball
We're back, cute chaotic delight
This is gonna be a crazy night
Epic appearance to stunning greetings
Let's have a little fun
Don't be shy, Bae bae
Let the play start
(Birds and wings everywhere in the video. Irene is shown offering strawberries to a gigantic statue of some sort which then falls towards her. Joy is seen standing in front of some type of being with wings, I can't tell what it would be though. Maybe o- I Cant tell, she's, yeah she's blocking the shot)
Imagine anything
Now cruising into a weird, new dimension
A place I've never imagined appears unexpectedly
Don't miss this moment, baby.
Don't confine yourself to yesterday or tomorrow.
I'm truly free right now.
Come ride with me (Sway)
Let's go anywhere (Way)
I want to mess all the boundaries
In this world (Oh yeah)
When the world stops What a what a feeling Come take my hand (All right) A brand new Film We falling deep, You and I Next time, spin the clock Where should we go? Come on, let's start again You and I
Everglow
You used to be afraid of the dark night (ah yeah yeah) Hiding without anyone else knowing (ah yeah yeah) No one say happy ending You stayed silent and ran away (Here we go Here we go like)...
Knock Knock There’s a monster It’s growing larger, the black hole inside of you When you back uh? The howler has swallowed you, that’s the killer Don’t be afraid, hold my hand Your past is making you scared But know your power For the final time, be first You know that I come first I’m the winner winner winner Yes, it’s the last melody To save save save you (so don’t keep) Don’t be deceived by the lie That there is no light in this world Together we will Dream a dream that’s never been seen before Dream a dream that’s never been seen before (Ya) It’s ok if you fall (stand up) It’s you (hands up) Faster Stronger Better Gotta be the best Between night and day, around 5:30AM A war without loyalty will suffocate you, this is a foul Lies, darkness, truth, ecstasy, fantasy My candle makes you explode like a fireworks of melodies in the dawn Don’t be afraid, hold my hand Your past is making you scared But know your power For the final time, be first You know that I come first I’m the winner winner winner Yes, it’s the last melody To save save save you (so don’t keep) Don’t be deceived by the lie That there is no light in this world Together we will Dream a dream that’s never been seen before I’m breaking down the walls, crossing the lines I won’t shrivel up, I’ll jump over one step You got me now got me now two step Don’t slow it down slow it down Shout towards the sky that comes to you Hold onto the key of hope...
Bon bon chocolate
Avenged Sevenfold
Hate to twist your mind, but God ain't on your side
Flesh is burning, you can smell it in the air 'Cause men like you have such an easy soul to steal (steal) So stand in line while they ink numbers in your head You're now a slave until the end of time here Nothing stops the madness turning Haunting, yearning, pull the trigger You should've known the price of evil And it hurts to know that you belong here, yeah Ooh, it's your fuckin' nightmare While your nightmare comes to life
You've been lied to just to rape you of your sight And now they have the nerve to tell you how to feel (feel) So sedated as they medicate your brain And while you slowly go insane they tell you Given with the best intentions Help you with your complications
You should've known the price of evil And it hurts to know that you belong here, yeah No one to call, everybody to fear Your tragic fate is lookin' so clear, yeah Ooh, it's your fuckin' nightmare Ha, ha, ha, ha
And I know you hear their voices (calling from above) And I know they may seem real (these signals of love) But our life's made up of choices (some without appeal) They took for granted your soul And it's ours now to steal As your nightmare comes to life
Afterlife
Like walking into a dream, so unlike what you've seen So unsure but it seems, 'cause we've been waiting for you Fallen into this place, just giving you a small taste Of your afterlife here so stay, you'll be back here soon anyway
A place of hope and no pain, perfect skies with no rain Can leave this place but refrain, 'cause we've been waiting for you Fallen into this place, just giving you a small taste Of your afterlife here so stay, you'll be back here soon anyway This piece on Earth's not right (with my back against the wall) No pain or sign of time (I'm much too young to fall) So out of place, don't wanna stay, I feel wrong and that's my sign I've made up my mind Give me your hand but realize I just wanna say goodbye Please, understand I have to leave and carry on my own life
Creating God
Standing in the shade of altruism, answering the call Came a modern messiah to save us all Something far beyond the work of fiction, Positronic brain A world that's void of all the anguish and suffering, pain
We're creating god, master of our designs We're creating god, unsure of what we'll find
Never held a high regard for Darwin, selection takes too long A little kick in the pool shouldn't do us wrong Devouring the very last invention man would ever need But exponential growth is a frightening thing, indeed
Sometimes when I look up to the sky I have to wonder are we "summoning the demon" you and I?
Have you noticed that I'm needin' it more now, more than it needs me Got a couple of billion that seem to agree Surfing in an artificial dimension, but we're not alone Now the master has become just a stepping stone, oh
We're Creating, God.
Beast and the Harlot
This shining city built of gold A far cry from innocence There's more than meets the eye around here Look to the waters of the deep A city of evil There sat a seven headed beast Ten horns raised from his head Symbolic woman sits on his throne But hatred strips her and leaves her naked The beast and the harlot
The city dressed in jewels and gold Fine linen, myrrh and pearls Her plagues will come all at once As her mourners watch her burn Destroyed in an hour Merchants and captains of the world Sailors navigators too Will weep and mourn this loss With her sins piled to the sky The beast and the harlot
The day has come for all our sinners If you're not a servant, you'll be struck to the ground Flee the burning, greedy city Looking back on her to see there's nothing around
The day has come for all our sinners If you're not a servant, you'll be struck to the ground Flee the burning, greedy city Looking back on her to see there's nothing around I don't believe in fairy tales and no one wants to go to hell You've made the wrong decision and it's easy to see Now if you wanna serve above or be a king below with us You're welcome to the city where your future is set forever
Welcome to the family
Hey kid (hey kid) Do I have your attention? I know the way you've been living Life's so reckless, tragedy endless Welcome to the family Hey There's something missing Only time will alter your vision Never in question, lethal injection Welcome to the family Not long ago you find the answers were so crystal clear Within a day you find yourself living in constant fear Can you look at yourself now, can you look at yourself? You can't win this fight
I try and help you with the things that can't be justified I need to warn you that there is no way to rationalize So have you figured it out now, so have you figured it out? You can't win this fight
And in a way it seems there's no one to call When our thoughts are so numb And our feelings unsure We all have emptiness inside, we all have answers to find But you can't win this fight!
I see you're a king who's been dethroned Cast out in a world you've never know Stand down, place your weapon by your side It's our war in the end, we'll surely lose but that's alright So have you figured it out now, so have you figured it out?
Bat Country
So sorry you're not here I've been sane too long, my vision's so unclear Now take a trip with me But don't be surprised when things aren't what they seem
You've been breakin' down for far too long Far too many moons since you felt well and strong You see, you could say goodbye but you don't have to die Not ever
Engineer the wires to your brain Architect a code so you won't feel the pain With your family by your side and vigor in your eyes forever Live Forever I'm way up, a god in size, beyond the reach of mortals I shed my human side Father, oh father I stare at my reflection, have I lost that boy inside? Final paradigm What's it really mean to be a man? Think about your answer but please understand While it's natural to fear, I'll make it disappear forever I forever I'm way up, a god in size, beyond the reach of mortals I shed my human side Father, oh father I stare at my reflection, have I lost that boy inside? Final paradigm Singular I am I have the question if these thoughts are mine To live forever but did something in me die? I'm clawing my skin but I can't feel it inside I know the agony of pain would hurt so much better I'm way up, so far up Have I lost myself tonight? Mother, oh father Have you lost that boy you used to know?
Simulation
It seems I should have walked away Reverse the wager I've no means to pay Toto has pulled back the green tonight, in sight And blue pills coat with such disdain I wore the shades for so long That I've forgotten how to see The curtain rises but who dares to pull the strings
I know this might be hard for you to believe and all, But you only exist because we allow it I question all the voices in my head Are they mine or have I been misled? Total understanding doesn't seem to mean a thing When you can't see behind the silver screen, a figurine Can't you hear me scream? By the way of cosmic rays A subtle breakdown jarred the code display A simulation as I can tell, our cell Playing out a hopeless scene We stand to lose all our charm And faith just seems to wane A billion years can seem a stunningly short time You've been beaten down time and time again But still you find yourself at the center of it all I question all the voices in my head Are they mine or have I been misled? Total understanding doesn't seem to mean a thing When you can't see behind the silver screen, a figurine Can't you hear me scream? You hear me, you had one thing to do, one thing And you fucked it up, piece of shit Nurse, patient 666158 needs to be sedated We need 500 CCs of M Oh hello there, dearie I've been expecting you Posturing the way I feel Is truth only what we believe is real? Marvel the sketches that paint the night, starlight And take a breath before it's all erased away
Their song Angels; Waking the Fallen, Sounding the Seventh Trumpet.
Everglow:
Pirate
Yeah EVERGLOW Gonna be mad lunatic, girl When the mysteriously changed moon comes A show that will start suddenly In secret, yeah, dance I want it Ddi-dam-bam-bam, bba-rira-bam-bam A paradise found in a whole new world that is out of sync ‘Cause I’m a pirate, yeah, yeah A pirate, yeah, yeah A pirate, yeah, yeah Now let me introduce myself I am a fleet I Start this voyage Towards the moon mist Yeah, let me introduce myself...
Twenty four hours, the light disappears Overnight, night, overnight During the night when the dazzling starlight shines Ayy, lift the anchor Girls all over the world Dance tonight And we could be anything, anything now Go crazy, no doubt Rowin’ for the Crown Waving the flag, yeah...
All the way, all the way, all the way The riot we made All the way, all the way, all the way Can’t ever stay quiet Girls all over the world Run tonight Just get on board ‘Cause I’m a pirate, yeah, yeah A pirate, yeah, yeah A pirate, yeah, yeah Now let me introduce myself I am a fleet Start this voyage Towards the moon mist Yeah, let me introduce myself Ahoy! Sing a song now The hidden moon festival Well, shiver me timbers (Aye-aye) Watch this night together Last chance, get on board Approaching tsunami, disappearing afternoon Everyone falls asleep under these waves Yeah, I’m making the moves During the night when the dazzling starlight shines Ayy, lift the anchor Girls all over the world Dance tonight And we could be anything, anything now Go crazy, no doubt Rowin’ for the crown Waving the flag, yeah (Oh woah) All the way, all the way, all the way The riot that we made (Oh yeah) All the way, all the way, all the way Can’t ever stay quiet Girls all over the world Run tonight Just get on board...
A letter from that future Together with that blinding light Trust me and follow me up to my ark...
Katy Perry and Nikki Manage
Michael Jackson's Best Tracks
"Swish Swish" lyrics Katy Perry Lyrics Play "Swish Swish" on Amazon Music Unlimited (ad) "Swish Swish" (feat. Nicki Minaj)
They know what is what But they don't know what is what They just strut What the fuck?
[Katy Perry:] A tiger Don't lose no sleep Don't need opinions From a shellfish or a sheep Don't you come for me No, not today You're calculated I got your number 'Cause you're a joker And I'm a courtside killer queen And you will kiss the ring You best believe
So keep calm, honey, I'mma stick around For more than a minute, get used to it Funny my name keeps comin' out your mouth 'Cause I stay winning Lay 'em up like
Swish, swish, bish Another one in the basket Can't touch this Another one in the casket
Your game is tired You should retire You're 'bout as cute as An old coupon expired And karma's not a liar She keeps receipts
So keep calm, honey, I'mma stick around For more than a minute, get used to it Funny my name keeps comin' out your mouth 'Cause I stay winning Lay 'em up like
Swish, swish, bish Another one in the basket Can't touch this Another one in the casket (Let's go) Swish, swish, bish Another one in the basket Can't touch this Another one in the casket
They know what is what But they don't know what is what Katy Perry They just know what is what Young Money But they don't know what is what They just know what is what But they don't know what is what They just strut Hahaha, yo What the fuck?
[Nicki Minaj:] Pink Ferragamo sliders on deck Silly rap beefs just get me more checks My life is a movie, I'm never off set Me and my a-Migos (no, not Offset) Swish swish, aww I got them upset But my shooters'll make 'em dance like dubstep Swish, swish, aww, my haters is obsessed 'Cause I make M's, they get much less Don't be tryna double back I already despise you All that fake love you showin' Couldn't even disguise you (Yo, yo) Ran? When? Nicki gettin' tan Mirror mirror who's the fairest bitch in all the land? Damn, man, this bitch is a Stan Muah, muah, the generous queen will kiss a fan Ass goodbye, I'mma be riding by I'mma tell my ...Biggz, yeah that's the guy A star's a star, da ha da ha They never thought the swish god would take it this far Get my pimp cup, this is pimp shit, baby I only rock with Queens, so I'm makin' hits with Katy
[Katy Perry:] Swish, swish, bish Another one in the basket And another one and another one Can't touch this Another one in the casket And another one and another one
They know what is what Do they know? But they don't know what is what They just know what is what But they don't know what is what They just know what is what But they don't know what is what They just strut What the...
Red Velvet: Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb –31
You need to “Beat It” That boy Michael Jackson ”Bad” I’m not your “Billie Jean” Don’t you “Leave Me Alone” But you’re so ambiguous, I want “Black Or White” I can’t give up on you, my “Man In The Mirror” “Why You Wanna Trip On Me” You’re too harsh Boy, you make me “Scream” Why am I like this? Well, your “Love really Never Felt So Good” It’s so electrifying that it’s like
Aespa
Next Level
aespa
I’m on the Next Level, yeah I follow the absolute rules Don't let go of my hand unity is my weapon I walk to KWANGYA I know your home ground Confront the threat Beat it, beat it, beat it
An unexpected black out The temptation is deep and strong (Too hot too hot) Letting go of the hands held together But I'll never give up
I'm on the Next Level I open the door over there Next Level I'll destroy you in thе end Until I reach the Nеxt Level KOSMO Next Level Beat it, beat it, beat it
La, la, la, la, la, la La, la, la, la, la, la La, la, la, la, la, la La, la, la, la, la
I see the NU EVO The hostile suffering and sorrow Make you popping and evolve further That's my naevis, it's my naevis You lead, we follow After learning the feelings Watch me while I make it out
Watch me while I work it out Watch me while I make it out Watch me while I work it out Work it, work it, work it out
Even the unbearable despair Can't break my faith Watch me while I work it Even if a more painful trial comes I won't let go of your hand, oh
Never look back Don’t covet things of KWANGYA If the promises are broken, everything will be out of control The signal is becoming unstable since a certain point in time I'll destroy you in the end (We want it) Come on! Show me the way to KOSMO, yeah
A hallucination quest created by the Black Mamba Aespa, they want to separate out ae, that's right I lose my balance and my voice too In the illusion of being criticized and alienated Nævis we (Call ae, ae) Aespa's Next Level Open "P.O.S" This is the REAL WORLD, I'm awake We against the villain, what's the name? Black Mamba
I open the door in the end (Too hot, too hot) That light is like Fire to you I'm dying to know The next story that will unfold Huh!
I'm on the Next Level I open the door over there Next Level I'll destroy you in the end Until I reach the Next Level KOSMO Next Level Beat it, beat it, beat it
I'm on the Next Level I become stronger and free Next Level I'm no longer who I was at KWANGYA Next Level Feel me I'm like a beast Next Level Beat it, beat it, beat it Huh! https://lyricstranslate.com/en/next-level-next-level.html-0
Savage
[Intro: Karina] Oh my gosh Don't you know I'm a savage?
[Verse 1: Karina, Giselle] I'm a Killa who will break you, ae You're still hiding and hallucinating Beat you up, we holler I'm not afraid of you, you, hit you harder Push me in, deep fake on me To the unprepared stage Corner me in, fake on me Got everybody, mock up to me You shake me up so that I feel ashamed Cold spectators are collapsed, ae I can't stand you anymore, say, "No!"
[Refrain: Winter, Ningning] Wait and see, I'm a little savage Your dirty play I can't stand it any longer You want to break me Your hallucinations are becoming The reasons to construct you
[Pre-Chorus: Winter, Ningning] I'm a savage I'll break you into pieces yeah, oh I'm a savage I'll crush you, oh
[Chorus: Karina, Giselle, Karina & Ningning] Get me, get me now Get me, get me now (Zu-zu-zu-zu) Or I'll become more Savage (Zu-zu-zu-zu) Get me, get me now Get me, get me now (Zu-zu-zu-zu) Now I'm going to get you Now, I'm a savage Gimme, gimme now Gimme, gimme now (Zu-zu-zu-zu) I can see your words Your weakness Algorithm (Zu-zu-zu-zu) Steaming, it's steaming Steaming, it's steaming (Zu-zu-zu-zu) MA ae SYNK Don't bother me and bog off, savage (Zu-zu-zu-zu)
[Verse 2: Giselle, Winter, Karina] Mhm, everybody looks at me I'm used to it, I should take a step back I have to endure it like an adult I'm locked up in the glass I want to play such a horrible expectation I'm locked up in that hallucination frame I'm going to KWANGYA, game in Defeating a subtle alienation And making me drift apart from my ae Your satisfying trick We gone KWANGYA, game in Cut it down, my sword of light To you who is damaged It's a merciless punch
[Refrain: Ningning, Winter] See? I'm a little Savage I block your regenerative power I distract you, I leave you out Don't forget, this is KWANGYA I control your time and space Make it, break it
You are the one who protected me when I was in trouble My naevis, we love you My victory, one SYNK DIVE All the opportunities you've created I know your sacrifices, oh My naevis, we love you I know, we'll make sure to find your memories Let's meet surely after the resurrection
[Breakdown: Karina, Ningning] Savage Savage Yeah
Girls
Wake up! In a deadlier war Hold on with your feet(our feet are like hands back home) Hook! Black Mamba I am not afraid of you Hoot! I’ll break you It has changed when we entered KWANGYA Distorted æ more like me, like one A crazy presence that shows The ember that was left behind...
grew into a great evil When I helplessly isolate you Reunite we’re together again Whoo Whoo Attack Beat it Yah You’re not alone...
Shined sacrifice If you found the memory Can you show us? Can you show up? Right now, right here Follow me (Bow down) Watch me (My skill) You will get surprised (Say wow) We coming Scream (Get loud) Listen (My sound) Call it (Upgrade) We coming Blooming in chaos (We Them Girls) And confronting fear, That courage (Ah Yeah) Whenever we are together We Them Girls We Them Girls We Them Girls Meta universe exists now Parallel world All beings have meaning Part of my heart We use sympathetic words and share the body temperatures In the end, we only pursue the value of goodwill I finally became stronger I don’t get swindled or hurt It’s distorted It has started again Make sides Isolate you and me so that we can’t see ahead The algorithms that have been distorted by bad desires Use existence as the weapon and swallow with destruction Ah Evil was started at that moment Whoo Whoo Move out flip Yah I’m not alone I want to protect first encountering REKALL I will hug you so that you can feel Without SYNK DIVE Follow me (Bow down) Watch me (My skill) You will get surprised (Say wow) We coming Scream (Get loud) Listen (My sound) Call it (Upgrade) We coming Blooming in chaos (We Them Girls) And confronting fear, That courage (Ah Yeah) Whenever we are Together We Them Girls We Them Girls To face a peaceful day Inside the FLAT We laugh and love together With my friends Now I’m more curious about the future together with nævis Eventually we will probably meet nævis on the REAL MY WORLD Hold up! REAL MY WORLD Your existence is brighter than my reflection in the mirror Can you tell me? Until when, will we be together? Follow me (Bow down) Watch me (My skill) You will get surprised (Say wow) We coming Scream (Get loud) Listen (My sound) Call it (Upgrade) We coming Blooming in chaos (We Them Girls) And confronting fear, That courage (Ah Yeah) Whenever we are together We Them Girls We Them Girls We Them Girls Girls! Official translation. Play "Girls" on Amazon Music Unlimited (ad) Other Songs from Girls Album Girls Girls
Far away, far away Higher and higher To the place unseen
No one can stop me anymore Get set, go! Good-bye I’m not my old self Take a look at my WILDSIDE
By instinct, do it Come along with me Let us go down, down, down, down, da street
I didn’t go anywhere Now I could go everywhere Scared of change Just looking from the side
When you protect me and I’m breathing I’m forced into misery like a puppet, muppet I thought I was no good But behind weakness there was strength Words from loveless people, I don’t care about it anymore I will show you the truth
Never tell lies to myself any more Fly now to the place I want to be I’m never scared of going to the sky
Inside O-O-Out My wild side, my wild side The unseen me who has Overcome weakness (WILDSIDE) Far away, far away Higher and higher To the place unseen
No one can stop me anymore Get set, go! Good-bye I’m not my old self Which this WILDSIDE
Accepting myself that I don’t even know of I want to love more, believe myself more So I don’t get lost, Yeah
Starlight, slash the dark night already So bright, sparkle La-la-la-la-la
Inside O-O-Out My wild side, my wild side The unseen me who has Overcome weakness (WILDSIDE) Far away, far away Higher and higher To the place unseen
No one can stop me anymore Get set, go! Good-bye I’m not my old self Which this WILDSIDE
By instinct, do it Come along with me Let us go down down I will show you my wild side
https://youtu.be/Qpf26PtBXgo 😬 cya ❤️🩹😾🙀🙈
....
submitted by hijesushere to conspiracy [link] [comments]
Red Velvet
- Queendom
It kept calling us
Wonderland beyond distant memories
...........
Cntd
We we we strong, nothing missing
Wake up, the answer is Simple
Be Boss, blow the Whistle
The bigger world is noticing you.
Shall we have a festival? I hold your hand.
We've been waiting for this moment. Spread your wings and be yourself.
Come play at My carnival.
Climax? It starts now.
Watch out! We are making the rules.
......
It’s now or never, we got forever.
;
You're sobbing and being pessimistic
You're hesitating again, you can't choose
Writing poems in your note, your hobby is sentimental
Look, now it's time to open the door
........
Tell me, which do you love?
It's not bad thing to dream
It's not a fairytale, it's the real world
What are you gonna do? Which one are you
gonna pick?
Reality or fantasy, adolescent boy?
I'm still clearing dating simulation games
using the manual
I'm still a long way from real love
.......
It's not that I don't like it
Escape from being just two-dimensional
Which one do you love?
Tonight let me know your true feelings
You'll really grow up then
Tell me, which one do you love?
(In the video the lyrics are "Logging out from delusion" for a part of it.)
That's not even getting into the imagery in the video.
Feel My Rhythm
Blowing up this fancy ball
We're back, cute chaotic delight
This is gonna be a crazy night
Epic appearance to stunning greetings
Let's have a little fun
Don't be shy, Bae bae
Let the play start
(Birds and wings everywhere in the video. Irene is shown offering strawberries to a gigantic statue of some sort which then falls towards her. Joy is seen standing in front of some type of being with wings, I can't tell what it would be though. Maybe o- I Cant tell, she's, yeah she's blocking the shot)
Imagine anything
Now cruising into a weird, new dimension
A place I've never imagined appears unexpectedly
Don't miss this moment, baby.
Don't confine yourself to yesterday or tomorrow.
I'm truly free right now.
Come ride with me (Sway)
Let's go anywhere (Way)
I want to mess all the boundaries
In this world (Oh yeah)
When the world stops What a what a feeling Come take my hand (All right) A brand new Film We falling deep, You and I Next time, spin the clock Where should we go? Come on, let's start again You and I
Everglow
You used to be afraid of the dark night (ah yeah yeah) Hiding without anyone else knowing (ah yeah yeah) No one say happy ending You stayed silent and ran away (Here we go Here we go like)...
Knock Knock There’s a monster It’s growing larger, the black hole inside of you When you back uh? The howler has swallowed you, that’s the killer Don’t be afraid, hold my hand Your past is making you scared But know your power For the final time, be first You know that I come first I’m the winner winner winner Yes, it’s the last melody To save save save you (so don’t keep) Don’t be deceived by the lie That there is no light in this world Together we will Dream a dream that’s never been seen before Dream a dream that’s never been seen before (Ya) It’s ok if you fall (stand up) It’s you (hands up) Faster Stronger Better Gotta be the best Between night and day, around 5:30AM A war without loyalty will suffocate you, this is a foul Lies, darkness, truth, ecstasy, fantasy My candle makes you explode like a fireworks of melodies in the dawn Don’t be afraid, hold my hand Your past is making you scared But know your power For the final time, be first You know that I come first I’m the winner winner winner Yes, it’s the last melody To save save save you (so don’t keep) Don’t be deceived by the lie That there is no light in this world Together we will Dream a dream that’s never been seen before I’m breaking down the walls, crossing the lines I won’t shrivel up, I’ll jump over one step You got me now got me now two step Don’t slow it down slow it down Shout towards the sky that comes to you Hold onto the key of hope...
Bon bon chocolate
go up to the sky.
Avenged Sevenfold
Hate to twist your mind, but God ain't on your side
Flesh is burning, you can smell it in the air 'Cause men like you have such an easy soul to steal (steal) So stand in line while they ink numbers in your head You're now a slave until the end of time here Nothing stops the madness turning Haunting, yearning, pull the trigger You should've known the price of evil And it hurts to know that you belong here, yeah Ooh, it's your fuckin' nightmare While your nightmare comes to life
You've been lied to just to rape you of your sight And now they have the nerve to tell you how to feel (feel) So sedated as they medicate your brain And while you slowly go insane they tell you Given with the best intentions Help you with your complications
You should've known the price of evil And it hurts to know that you belong here, yeah No one to call, everybody to fear Your tragic fate is lookin' so clear, yeah Ooh, it's your fuckin' nightmare Ha, ha, ha, ha
And I know you hear their voices (calling from above) And I know they may seem real (these signals of love) But our life's made up of choices (some without appeal) They took for granted your soul And it's ours now to steal As your nightmare comes to life
Afterlife
Like walking into a dream, so unlike what you've seen So unsure but it seems, 'cause we've been waiting for you Fallen into this place, just giving you a small taste Of your afterlife here so stay, you'll be back here soon anyway
A place of hope and no pain, perfect skies with no rain Can leave this place but refrain, 'cause we've been waiting for you Fallen into this place, just giving you a small taste Of your afterlife here so stay, you'll be back here soon anyway This piece on Earth's not right (with my back against the wall) No pain or sign of time (I'm much too young to fall) So out of place, don't wanna stay, I feel wrong and that's my sign I've made up my mind Give me your hand but realize I just wanna say goodbye Please, understand I have to leave and carry on my own life
Creating God
Standing in the shade of altruism, answering the call Came a modern messiah to save us all Something far beyond the work of fiction, Positronic brain A world that's void of all the anguish and suffering, pain
We're creating god, master of our designs We're creating god, unsure of what we'll find
Never held a high regard for Darwin, selection takes too long A little kick in the pool shouldn't do us wrong Devouring the very last invention man would ever need But exponential growth is a frightening thing, indeed
Sometimes when I look up to the sky I have to wonder are we "summoning the demon" you and I?
Have you noticed that I'm needin' it more now, more than it needs me Got a couple of billion that seem to agree Surfing in an artificial dimension, but we're not alone Now the master has become just a stepping stone, oh
We're Creating, God.
Beast and the Harlot
This shining city built of gold A far cry from innocence There's more than meets the eye around here Look to the waters of the deep A city of evil There sat a seven headed beast Ten horns raised from his head Symbolic woman sits on his throne But hatred strips her and leaves her naked The beast and the harlot
The city dressed in jewels and gold Fine linen, myrrh and pearls Her plagues will come all at once As her mourners watch her burn Destroyed in an hour Merchants and captains of the world Sailors navigators too Will weep and mourn this loss With her sins piled to the sky The beast and the harlot
The day has come for all our sinners If you're not a servant, you'll be struck to the ground Flee the burning, greedy city Looking back on her to see there's nothing around
The day has come for all our sinners If you're not a servant, you'll be struck to the ground Flee the burning, greedy city Looking back on her to see there's nothing around I don't believe in fairy tales and no one wants to go to hell You've made the wrong decision and it's easy to see Now if you wanna serve above or be a king below with us You're welcome to the city where your future is set forever
Welcome to the family
Hey kid (hey kid) Do I have your attention? I know the way you've been living Life's so reckless, tragedy endless Welcome to the family Hey There's something missing Only time will alter your vision Never in question, lethal injection Welcome to the family Not long ago you find the answers were so crystal clear Within a day you find yourself living in constant fear Can you look at yourself now, can you look at yourself? You can't win this fight
I try and help you with the things that can't be justified I need to warn you that there is no way to rationalize So have you figured it out now, so have you figured it out? You can't win this fight
And in a way it seems there's no one to call When our thoughts are so numb And our feelings unsure We all have emptiness inside, we all have answers to find But you can't win this fight!
I see you're a king who's been dethroned Cast out in a world you've never know Stand down, place your weapon by your side It's our war in the end, we'll surely lose but that's alright So have you figured it out now, so have you figured it out?
Bat Country
So sorry you're not here I've been sane too long, my vision's so unclear Now take a trip with me But don't be surprised when things aren't what they seem
You've been breakin' down for far too long Far too many moons since you felt well and strong You see, you could say goodbye but you don't have to die Not ever
Engineer the wires to your brain Architect a code so you won't feel the pain With your family by your side and vigor in your eyes forever Live Forever I'm way up, a god in size, beyond the reach of mortals I shed my human side Father, oh father I stare at my reflection, have I lost that boy inside? Final paradigm What's it really mean to be a man? Think about your answer but please understand While it's natural to fear, I'll make it disappear forever I forever I'm way up, a god in size, beyond the reach of mortals I shed my human side Father, oh father I stare at my reflection, have I lost that boy inside? Final paradigm Singular I am I have the question if these thoughts are mine To live forever but did something in me die? I'm clawing my skin but I can't feel it inside I know the agony of pain would hurt so much better I'm way up, so far up Have I lost myself tonight? Mother, oh father Have you lost that boy you used to know?
Simulation
It seems I should have walked away Reverse the wager I've no means to pay Toto has pulled back the green tonight, in sight And blue pills coat with such disdain I wore the shades for so long That I've forgotten how to see The curtain rises but who dares to pull the strings
I know this might be hard for you to believe and all, But you only exist because we allow it I question all the voices in my head Are they mine or have I been misled? Total understanding doesn't seem to mean a thing When you can't see behind the silver screen, a figurine Can't you hear me scream? By the way of cosmic rays A subtle breakdown jarred the code display A simulation as I can tell, our cell Playing out a hopeless scene We stand to lose all our charm And faith just seems to wane A billion years can seem a stunningly short time You've been beaten down time and time again But still you find yourself at the center of it all I question all the voices in my head Are they mine or have I been misled? Total understanding doesn't seem to mean a thing When you can't see behind the silver screen, a figurine Can't you hear me scream? You hear me, you had one thing to do, one thing And you fucked it up, piece of shit Nurse, patient 666158 needs to be sedated We need 500 CCs of M Oh hello there, dearie I've been expecting you Posturing the way I feel Is truth only what we believe is real? Marvel the sketches that paint the night, starlight And take a breath before it's all erased away
Their song Angels; Waking the Fallen, Sounding the Seventh Trumpet.
Everglow:
Pirate
Yeah EVERGLOW Gonna be mad lunatic, girl When the mysteriously changed moon comes A show that will start suddenly In secret, yeah, dance I want it Ddi-dam-bam-bam, bba-rira-bam-bam A paradise found in a whole new world that is out of sync ‘Cause I’m a pirate, yeah, yeah A pirate, yeah, yeah A pirate, yeah, yeah Now let me introduce myself I am a fleet I Start this voyage Towards the moon mist Yeah, let me introduce myself...
Twenty four hours, the light disappears Overnight, night, overnight During the night when the dazzling starlight shines Ayy, lift the anchor Girls all over the world Dance tonight And we could be anything, anything now Go crazy, no doubt Rowin’ for the Crown Waving the flag, yeah...
All the way, all the way, all the way The riot we made All the way, all the way, all the way Can’t ever stay quiet Girls all over the world Run tonight Just get on board ‘Cause I’m a pirate, yeah, yeah A pirate, yeah, yeah A pirate, yeah, yeah Now let me introduce myself I am a fleet Start this voyage Towards the moon mist Yeah, let me introduce myself Ahoy! Sing a song now The hidden moon festival Well, shiver me timbers (Aye-aye) Watch this night together Last chance, get on board Approaching tsunami, disappearing afternoon Everyone falls asleep under these waves Yeah, I’m making the moves During the night when the dazzling starlight shines Ayy, lift the anchor Girls all over the world Dance tonight And we could be anything, anything now Go crazy, no doubt Rowin’ for the crown Waving the flag, yeah (Oh woah) All the way, all the way, all the way The riot that we made (Oh yeah) All the way, all the way, all the way Can’t ever stay quiet Girls all over the world Run tonight Just get on board...
A letter from that future Together with that blinding light Trust me and follow me up to my ark...
Katy Perry and Nikki Manage
Michael Jackson's Best Tracks
"Swish Swish" lyrics Katy Perry Lyrics Play "Swish Swish" on Amazon Music Unlimited (ad) "Swish Swish" (feat. Nicki Minaj)
They know what is what But they don't know what is what They just strut What the fuck?
[Katy Perry:] A tiger Don't lose no sleep Don't need opinions From a shellfish or a sheep Don't you come for me No, not today You're calculated I got your number 'Cause you're a joker And I'm a courtside killer queen And you will kiss the ring You best believe
So keep calm, honey, I'mma stick around For more than a minute, get used to it Funny my name keeps comin' out your mouth 'Cause I stay winning Lay 'em up like
Swish, swish, bish Another one in the basket Can't touch this Another one in the casket
Your game is tired You should retire You're 'bout as cute as An old coupon expired And karma's not a liar She keeps receipts
So keep calm, honey, I'mma stick around For more than a minute, get used to it Funny my name keeps comin' out your mouth 'Cause I stay winning Lay 'em up like
Swish, swish, bish Another one in the basket Can't touch this Another one in the casket (Let's go) Swish, swish, bish Another one in the basket Can't touch this Another one in the casket
They know what is what But they don't know what is what Katy Perry They just know what is what Young Money But they don't know what is what They just know what is what But they don't know what is what They just strut Hahaha, yo What the fuck?
[Nicki Minaj:] Pink Ferragamo sliders on deck Silly rap beefs just get me more checks My life is a movie, I'm never off set Me and my a-Migos (no, not Offset) Swish swish, aww I got them upset But my shooters'll make 'em dance like dubstep Swish, swish, aww, my haters is obsessed 'Cause I make M's, they get much less Don't be tryna double back I already despise you All that fake love you showin' Couldn't even disguise you (Yo, yo) Ran? When? Nicki gettin' tan Mirror mirror who's the fairest bitch in all the land? Damn, man, this bitch is a Stan Muah, muah, the generous queen will kiss a fan Ass goodbye, I'mma be riding by I'mma tell my ...Biggz, yeah that's the guy A star's a star, da ha da ha They never thought the swish god would take it this far Get my pimp cup, this is pimp shit, baby I only rock with Queens, so I'm makin' hits with Katy
[Katy Perry:] Swish, swish, bish Another one in the basket And another one and another one Can't touch this Another one in the casket And another one and another one
They know what is what Do they know? But they don't know what is what They just know what is what But they don't know what is what They just know what is what But they don't know what is what They just strut What the...
Red Velvet: Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb –31
You need to “Beat It” That boy Michael Jackson ”Bad” I’m not your “Billie Jean” Don’t you “Leave Me Alone” But you’re so ambiguous, I want “Black Or White” I can’t give up on you, my “Man In The Mirror” “Why You Wanna Trip On Me” You’re too harsh Boy, you make me “Scream” Why am I like this? Well, your “Love really Never Felt So Good” It’s so electrifying that it’s like
Aespa
Next Level
aespa
I’m on the Next Level, yeah I follow the absolute rules Don't let go of my hand unity is my weapon I walk to KWANGYA I know your home ground Confront the threat Beat it, beat it, beat it
An unexpected black out The temptation is deep and strong (Too hot too hot) Letting go of the hands held together But I'll never give up
I'm on the Next Level I open the door over there Next Level I'll destroy you in thе end Until I reach the Nеxt Level KOSMO Next Level Beat it, beat it, beat it
La, la, la, la, la, la La, la, la, la, la, la La, la, la, la, la, la La, la, la, la, la
I see the NU EVO The hostile suffering and sorrow Make you popping and evolve further That's my naevis, it's my naevis You lead, we follow After learning the feelings Watch me while I make it out
Watch me while I work it out Watch me while I make it out Watch me while I work it out Work it, work it, work it out
Even the unbearable despair Can't break my faith Watch me while I work it Even if a more painful trial comes I won't let go of your hand, oh
Never look back Don’t covet things of KWANGYA If the promises are broken, everything will be out of control The signal is becoming unstable since a certain point in time I'll destroy you in the end (We want it) Come on! Show me the way to KOSMO, yeah
A hallucination quest created by the Black Mamba Aespa, they want to separate out ae, that's right I lose my balance and my voice too In the illusion of being criticized and alienated Nævis we (Call ae, ae) Aespa's Next Level Open "P.O.S" This is the REAL WORLD, I'm awake We against the villain, what's the name? Black Mamba
I open the door in the end (Too hot, too hot) That light is like Fire to you I'm dying to know The next story that will unfold Huh!
I'm on the Next Level I open the door over there Next Level I'll destroy you in the end Until I reach the Next Level KOSMO Next Level Beat it, beat it, beat it
I'm on the Next Level I become stronger and free Next Level I'm no longer who I was at KWANGYA Next Level Feel me I'm like a beast Next Level Beat it, beat it, beat it Huh! https://lyricstranslate.com/en/next-level-next-level.html-0
Savage
[Intro: Karina] Oh my gosh Don't you know I'm a savage?
[Verse 1: Karina, Giselle] I'm a Killa who will break you, ae You're still hiding and hallucinating Beat you up, we holler I'm not afraid of you, you, hit you harder Push me in, deep fake on me To the unprepared stage Corner me in, fake on me Got everybody, mock up to me You shake me up so that I feel ashamed Cold spectators are collapsed, ae I can't stand you anymore, say, "No!"
[Refrain: Winter, Ningning] Wait and see, I'm a little savage Your dirty play I can't stand it any longer You want to break me Your hallucinations are becoming The reasons to construct you
[Pre-Chorus: Winter, Ningning] I'm a savage I'll break you into pieces yeah, oh I'm a savage I'll crush you, oh
[Chorus: Karina, Giselle, Karina & Ningning] Get me, get me now Get me, get me now (Zu-zu-zu-zu) Or I'll become more Savage (Zu-zu-zu-zu) Get me, get me now Get me, get me now (Zu-zu-zu-zu) Now I'm going to get you Now, I'm a savage Gimme, gimme now Gimme, gimme now (Zu-zu-zu-zu) I can see your words Your weakness Algorithm (Zu-zu-zu-zu) Steaming, it's steaming Steaming, it's steaming (Zu-zu-zu-zu) MA ae SYNK Don't bother me and bog off, savage (Zu-zu-zu-zu)
[Verse 2: Giselle, Winter, Karina] Mhm, everybody looks at me I'm used to it, I should take a step back I have to endure it like an adult I'm locked up in the glass I want to play such a horrible expectation I'm locked up in that hallucination frame I'm going to KWANGYA, game in Defeating a subtle alienation And making me drift apart from my ae Your satisfying trick We gone KWANGYA, game in Cut it down, my sword of light To you who is damaged It's a merciless punch
[Refrain: Ningning, Winter] See? I'm a little Savage I block your regenerative power I distract you, I leave you out Don't forget, this is KWANGYA I control your time and space Make it, break it
You are the one who protected me when I was in trouble My naevis, we love you My victory, one SYNK DIVE All the opportunities you've created I know your sacrifices, oh My naevis, we love you I know, we'll make sure to find your memories Let's meet surely after the resurrection
[Breakdown: Karina, Ningning] Savage Savage Yeah
Girls
Wake up! In a deadlier war Hold on with your feet(our feet are like hands back home) Hook! Black Mamba I am not afraid of you Hoot! I’ll break you It has changed when we entered KWANGYA Distorted æ more like me, like one A crazy presence that shows The ember that was left behind...
grew into a great evil When I helplessly isolate you Reunite we’re together again Whoo Whoo Attack Beat it Yah You’re not alone...
Shined sacrifice If you found the memory Can you show us? Can you show up? Right now, right here Follow me (Bow down) Watch me (My skill) You will get surprised (Say wow) We coming Scream (Get loud) Listen (My sound) Call it (Upgrade) We coming Blooming in chaos (We Them Girls) And confronting fear, That courage (Ah Yeah) Whenever we are together We Them Girls We Them Girls We Them Girls Meta universe exists now Parallel world All beings have meaning Part of my heart We use sympathetic words and share the body temperatures In the end, we only pursue the value of goodwill I finally became stronger I don’t get swindled or hurt It’s distorted It has started again Make sides Isolate you and me so that we can’t see ahead The algorithms that have been distorted by bad desires Use existence as the weapon and swallow with destruction Ah Evil was started at that moment Whoo Whoo Move out flip Yah I’m not alone I want to protect first encountering REKALL I will hug you so that you can feel Without SYNK DIVE Follow me (Bow down) Watch me (My skill) You will get surprised (Say wow) We coming Scream (Get loud) Listen (My sound) Call it (Upgrade) We coming Blooming in chaos (We Them Girls) And confronting fear, That courage (Ah Yeah) Whenever we are Together We Them Girls We Them Girls To face a peaceful day Inside the FLAT We laugh and love together With my friends Now I’m more curious about the future together with nævis Eventually we will probably meet nævis on the REAL MY WORLD Hold up! REAL MY WORLD Your existence is brighter than my reflection in the mirror Can you tell me? Until when, will we be together? Follow me (Bow down) Watch me (My skill) You will get surprised (Say wow) We coming Scream (Get loud) Listen (My sound) Call it (Upgrade) We coming Blooming in chaos (We Them Girls) And confronting fear, That courage (Ah Yeah) Whenever we are together We Them Girls We Them Girls We Them Girls Girls! Official translation. Play "Girls" on Amazon Music Unlimited (ad) Other Songs from Girls Album Girls Girls
Far away, far away Higher and higher To the place unseen
No one can stop me anymore Get set, go! Good-bye I’m not my old self Take a look at my WILDSIDE
By instinct, do it Come along with me Let us go down, down, down, down, da street
I didn’t go anywhere Now I could go everywhere Scared of change Just looking from the side
When you protect me and I’m breathing I’m forced into misery like a puppet, muppet I thought I was no good But behind weakness there was strength Words from loveless people, I don’t care about it anymore I will show you the truth
Never tell lies to myself any more Fly now to the place I want to be I’m never scared of going to the sky
Inside O-O-Out My wild side, my wild side The unseen me who has Overcome weakness (WILDSIDE) Far away, far away Higher and higher To the place unseen
No one can stop me anymore Get set, go! Good-bye I’m not my old self Which this WILDSIDE
Accepting myself that I don’t even know of I want to love more, believe myself more So I don’t get lost, Yeah
Starlight, slash the dark night already So bright, sparkle La-la-la-la-la
Inside O-O-Out My wild side, my wild side The unseen me who has Overcome weakness (WILDSIDE) Far away, far away Higher and higher To the place unseen
No one can stop me anymore Get set, go! Good-bye I’m not my old self Which this WILDSIDE
By instinct, do it Come along with me Let us go down down I will show you my wild side
https://youtu.be/Qpf26PtBXgo 😬 cya ❤️🩹😾🙀🙈
....