It's been a while since I've posted here. School has kept me busy and I've kind of drifted from the superhero content I used to post here. However, I've returned (tentatively) because I've spent the last couple years focused on a new project I'd like to eventually publish. With great pleasure I'd like to present my passion project:
The Misadventures of Magehaven Academy
This story follows the adventures of 4 main characters navigating the world of Rembran, a world built off magic, royalty, and secrets that may best be kept secret.
At the center of this world is Magehaven, a kingdom college built for scholars and nobles. It's a place for heirs to forge alliances, 'spares' to find their place in society, and talented mages to make a name for themselves. A cast of colorful characters grace these halls, looking to drive themselves and their kingdoms to success.
This story features:
In-depth world building with unique kingdoms, cultures, and creatures. We have a whole magic vs technology plotline, plans to overthrow the ruling class, and seven officially recognized species! We also have the horrific monsters that are the reason for the uncanny valley effect (that totally have no deeper lore or plot implications).
A cast that explores the difference aspects of the world. How was today's political and social climate created by a century long war? Why is the Northeast completely barren and desolate? Why do we only have medium to small kingdoms that only specialize in one product/trade?
A fantasy genre with themes of comedy, adventure, and horror. There is magic, monsters, and a whole continent to discover! Big focus on food as well (as we look at the world through the eyes of our culinary track main character)
Character growth over the story! Many of my characters suffer. But it's ok they eventually get better (most of them). Character development comes in many forms, most of them painful.
Romance! We have slow burn acquaintances to best friends to lovers! We have tragic love! We have that one quiet couple that just stares at people but they are in love! We have both straight and queer couples (with Ace characters!). And if romance isn't your thing we also have our resident aromantic dwarf/avian duo who try to build a death ray!
Side characters you can love! Includes an assortment of chefs, a pride of nobles, a shoal of feral Mers, and apparently a lot of 'Romance alliance's members. All of them have dumb names like Cheddar Bon Cheesewich and Princess Buttermilk (actual side characters).
A few villains you can hate! Or love. I don't mind. However, I won't make it too obvious in the beginning so have fun during the first few installments!
If any of that interests you the feel free to stick around! I'll be posting about our main characters, the different kingdoms that feature in this story (the difference between staple and luxury kingdoms), and some of the species notes for humans, dwarves, fae, avians, etc.
For the main cast I will be releasing notes about 'Sweet', 'Resort', 'Stone', and 'Fae' (codenames prior to release because it's fun). If you have one you'd like to know about first answer in the poll below.
Preference for first character released?
Sweet
Resort
Stone
Fae
Voting ended onJan 11, 2025
If anyone has any questions about the story or requests for what to be released feel free to ask!
Learning that Abel was just an NPC working on behalf of Caine really highlights two things for me.
1. Caine knows his audience (the citizens of the digital circus).
2. Caine doesn't want Kinger involved in things at all costs.
Caine wants to do this adventure, he says he's been planning it for ages, but it's risky. He can't have Kinger remembering things and boy is he bringing up the past just to add some realism. So he needs to make sure Kinger is minimally involved in this adventure. Less opportunities to remember something that might be troublesome to deal with later. So what do you do?
Manipulate your audience.
When Pomni and Ragatha were constantly bringing up Kinger and how they trusted him, Abel was the one to try and spark doubt.
When first saying she'd get Kinger, Abel said he'd rather not, following up with:
When Pomni and Ragatha are following him to the admin room they're discussing how much they trust Kinger, Ragatha even saying that she trusts him the most in the circus. When they get suspicious:
I think there's a bit of truth in that statement but it's not Abel who means those words, I think they come from Caine.
Then when they're getting admin passes and Pomni insists on getting one for Kinger, Abel asks if she's sure, again trying to dissuade them from including Kinger. Pomni says he is knowledgeable. He responds with:
Afterwards Ragatha confronts him.
And again, he keeps it cryptic but never insulting Kinger, never going over the line to have them completely doubt him. Caine wants them to do this adventure, but it's high risk high reward, so he can't risk Kinger remembering. So:
Another non-answer. But 'Abel' knew he could get away with this strategy from the start. Why?
Because he took the two most trusting characters to help him here.
Sure, Jax, Zooble, and Gangle don't have as strong of a relationship with Kinger but the former two strongly question things. Jax was already saying this was an adventure ("Silly Jax, always trying to ruin the adventure with his negativity") and Zooble didn't even like going on adventures and wouldn't accept half-assed answers ("If they figure it out, Zooble will definitely not continue the adventure!"). Not only would Zooble not take crappy answers but they also wouldn't leave Gangle alone to be with some new person they just met.
(also I think Zooble and Gangle didn't have actual "jobs" in the adventure. They were supposedly "look outs or distractions" but they don't really have a job other than "enjoy the adventure")
That left Pomni and Ragatha to join Abel. Which also worked out for him because they wouldn't be there to talk with Kinger. They are the only ones who know about Kinger's sanity in the dark. Therefore they would be the only ones that could have an uninterrupted conversation with Kinger. (And that would spoil the adventure).
And he already took care of the possibility of anyone else knowing Kinger's secret sanity (apparently having lights bright enough in the circus outside of Kinger's pillow fort to ensure insanity and, as many have already pointed out, making it extremely bright when revealing that the players got "The Good Ending™")
So yeah, Caine does his homework to make his adventures feel "real" to his audience. And he makes sure each of them plays their part to perfection. Because what do real humans love more than a great show that hits all the emotional beats!
Imagine a world where every word used in a language has to exist as a name for someone, no overlapping words. A bill passing putting it into law suddenly throws the world into chaos. Every word starts with a five year timer, if it's unused as a name it gets permeantly removed, being deleted in every instance it's used.
You have a rush of people hoping to get themselves and their kids a 'good' name. Grant, Lily, Hunter, etc. Just something that sounds normal. Of course the normal names run out fast. People start to get creative. They name themselves or their kids after more uncommon things that still sound nice or cool. Obscure animals and plants, emotions, things in nature, objects in space. A name like Photon or Constellation or Sonder is still nice, still interesting.
You have dumb yet passionate teens who don't want swear words to be deleted forever. Maybe in the future they'll regret the name Shit or Ass but for now they celebrate the fact that they can swear unapologetically, with pride even, whenever they introduce themselves.
You have companies bribing their workers to take their names or their product names. They offer cash rewards, life time supplies, anything so their brand name doesn't disappear. Kleenex. Febreeze. Hals. Some who take brand names are held in high regard at the company (more out of fear that they could change their names if they ever left).
You have researchers who know the name of their hyper obscure organism will be completely erased if they don't take it. Researchers who make posts about 'Beautiful names in Latin' hoping someone relates heavily to the name Bombyx, Elegans, or Coli.
You have young couples expecting and scouting the list of available names just scouting for something normal, something they can picture calling their child for the rest of their lives. Something that has a nice meaning or reference. And something that's easier to spell than Tryptophan or Yacht. Maybe even fighting and online discussion wars about taking words from another language to be names.
You have people going out into the word and finding their homophone match. Stake and Steak. Blue and Blew. Some plan their meetings just to get that quick selfie to tell stories about while others meet by pure chance during coffee order confusion.
And you have the keepers of these names watching with worry and horror as the timers tick down on these words, hoping that someone will bite the bullet and name themselves 'The' or 'A' just for the sake of the English language remaining comprehendible.
As a kid I went through a time where it felt like everything I did would turn out wrong. Where every action I took harmed the people I cared about. I could do nothing right. It seemed like everything I touched would turn to rot.
Sometimes nowadays I feel the same. Little mishaps at work that were completely avoidable or all my fault. Misinterpretations. Miscommunications. They seep under my skin like rain under sidewalk cracks. And it's always the same response.
"Focus more on what you're doing. Read more until you understand every aspect of every activity you're doing. If you understand everything these little mistakes won't happen."
But it doesn't matter how much I try. I come in and try everyday. I read, I listen, I learn. But it's never enough. It will never be enough to erase my mistakes. Everything I touch turns to rot.
The rot follows me home. You can find it in my un-vacuumed carpets and the dust bunnies on the floor. You can find it on the kitchen countertops among the unwashed plates that reside scattered there and the clean dishwasher I'll unload tomorrow. You can find it in my aloe vera pot, nestled among the shriveled brown stalks yearning for the dirt I've been meaning to pick up from home. And you can find it in me, a body that has long since relented to the pull of my rot, hands that could do nothing but ruin and decay.
But from time to time I remember what my grandparents taught me. How the worm bin outside on their back porch needs the rot to make fertilizer for the blackberry bushes. How the apples that rot can attract the coolest of insects. How the bananas that rot make the sweetest banana bread. How the rot does consume, but the rot also transforms.
So maybe work is going to rough me up around the edges. So maybe my clothes hang draped over a spare desk chair. But one day, when I reach that tomorrow when I clear my dishes. When I make a grocery run instead of a fast food trip. When I pick up that phone call from a dear friend and have time to catch up.
General notes about the region and map layout for Magehaven Academy's setting, Rembran. Physical map on the way. This story will feature the importance of food (from a cultural development perspective) so common regional cuisine is also featured in these notes.
Roughly imagine the continent is like a circle split down the center horizontally like the equator. The continent is surrounded by water on its North, South and East sides. It connects to a greater continent on the West.
The trend you'll find is Eastern kingdoms/regions are smaller but more developed as they were populated and expanded first. As you head est kingdoms get larger but less organized due to the great expansion and exploration (that's still underway in this story).
Additionally you'll tend to find Eastern cultures are more matriarchal while Western regions are more patriarchal even among same species. All regions (besides the Northwest) have issues acquiring food for one reason or another.
To the northwest we have plains, hills, and fine soil terrains. The North coast has a high, cliff like drop off. The NW has a grand mountain range to the East (separating it from the NE) and a dense jungle to the South (leading into the SW). You'll also find the occasional bog or marsh in the NW.
Inhabitants
Common races in the Northwest are Humans and Godbloods. Godbloods came here because they aren't well accepted in their own communities, many choosing to brave the perilous journey to the NW. Not many Mers inhabit the region due to the cliff blocking the ocean, the few that do come are usually freshwater/bog Mers (who got separated from the main ocean long ago and have integrated with bog life). Northwest people have the stereotype of being sheltered (due to their abundance of food and lack of interacting with other cultures) but kindhearted in nature.
Cuisine
Food in this region is inspired by mid-america, as some who immigrated to this region brought cultural dishes. Foods include chocolate cake, charcoal grill steak, chicken noodle soup, and several casserole dishes. Very sugar and fat heavy. Lots of corn and soybeans. Love cheese a lot. (Note: Northwesterners aren't as swayed by the heavier set = more attractive beauty standard because they have plenty of food. Other regions have this beauty standard due to food scarcity)
Northeast you have mountains, ice flows, and more rugged rocky terrain. The coast has a high, cliff like drop off but some in the past have carved out docks and pathways for boats.
Inhabitants
Common species include Humans, Dwarves, Artic Mers, Corvid Avians and the occasional Fae. Giants used to live here before the 100 year Magic War. People of the Northeast are very tough and hearty folks. Food is scarce due to the difficult travel to the Northwest and poor soil for growing. Because of this many turn to hunting, fishing (if close to a river) or have developed a way to eat typically non-edible foods. They have a reputation of being gruff but after warming up being loyal to the end.
Cuisine
Food is inspired by eastern Europe and many northern regions. You could find lichen soup, borscht, stinging nettle salad, roasted elk and triple berry pie. Lots of root vegetables in cooking, creative ways to use non-edible foods, and game meat. Careful when you accept food bc some do use actual poisons as spice (hemlock berries, apple seeds, green potatoes).
To the southwest we have a desert (small), a large collection of islands off the southwest coast (archipelago), and a more tropical atmosphere. You'll find sandy beaches, warm thriving creatures, and a few hidden coves.
Inhabitants
Common races include Humans, Mers, and Kea Avians. The Southeast is known by most as a tropical paradise, with a variety of unique plants, animals, and foods. Despite their long standing rivalry, the humans and mers of this region have the greatest relationship among all other humans/magical beings. This is due to three things, the close proximity, the need to pair up for survival, and the relaxing mood brought by the general regions. Mers would occasionally get stranded in the seating heat of the day while trying to find food, vegetation, or eggs that washed on shore. One human (of the original settlers) made it their goal to help mers no matter the risk to their own life. Despite the other settlers scolding them and the injuries they'd sustained, their hard work paid off. Mers started to trust humans. To repay their debt they'd drop off fish or escort ships for humans, making humans trust mers. All of this was the groundwork for today, where human and mer live together and share their love of the sea and relaxation. All members of the southwest are thought of as laid back and easygoing.
Cuisine
Food here inspired by Caribbean (for the archipelago) and Central/South American (for the mainland) cuisine. You'd find dishes like baked fish, jerk chicken, nopal, guacamole, and banana pudding. Region loves spice and often host competitions for creating/eating the spiciest peppers, fruits, and other magical dishes.
To the southeast we have several inlets and one grand sea that dips into the continent (North half of land split by sea has the occasional mountain or two). The southeast has a more Mediterranean vibe with clay rich soil towards the center of the region.
Inhabitants
Common species include Humans, Giants, and Mers. While giants aren't common, you'll find the highest amount around here. The climate is very temperate, benefiting the most from the cooling sea breeze from the east. The Southeast is very structured and has some of the longest standing buildings and alliances. Kingdoms tend to be smaller but they have a lot of history and tourism. Unlike other regions, the humans here do not get along with the mers. Even to this day it's common to hear about a ship being sunk in the middle of the grand sea. Humans here are generally mistrusting of magical races/creatures
Cuisine
Food here is inspired by the Mediterranean. Lots of goat, fish, olives and cheese. Dishes you'd find would include shawarma, paella, frozen yogurt/gelato, shakshuka and briam. Fishing is a lucrative career but a deadly one due to the Mers, leading many humans to try their hand at farming.
Dividing the Northeast and Southeast is the Great Fae Forest, a thick woods of great magical ability. Many trees are resistant to fire magics (but not natural means). Forest stops roughly before the center of the continent horizontally.
Inhabitants
Only fae live in this forest. They secluded themselves from the rest of the world long ago after the Magic War. Very rarely do they venture out from these woods, usually only for political delegations.
Cuisine
Fae are pescatarian and won't eat meat from land creatures. As such their dishes include seasonal honey drizzle salads, coffee crusted mushroom steak, seasoned potato wedges fried in witches butter, pumpkin risotto, and lobster bisque. Recipes are changed based on needs of consumer as some Fae range from vegetarians, ovo-vegetarians, lacto-vegetarians, and vegan.
As always I'm happy to answer questions about the region. My next set of general installments will be detailing the difference species and races with general anatomy, culture, and unique traits. Stay tuned!
Ok, in the new short if you pause the YouTube episode at :40 you can briefly see a picture of Chikn's god form. One thing I've noticed is that he has seven eyes.
Coincidentally, these eyes seem to line up with a lot of his friends.
The top one I'm thinking is Chee or Chikn himself (more lore depending who, leaning Chee because of how central the eye is and the color stripes matching her hat)
Top left is Fwench Fwy (purpleish)
Top right is Iscream (red, kind of resembles Iscream's demon eyes)
Middle left is Old Pea (greenish and simple)
Middle right is Slushi (light blue, looks like fox tail)
Bottom left is Sody (orange)
Bottom right is Cofi (deep blue/purple, no other character that fits the vibe)
*ignore the fact that the positioning of his eyes makes his face look like a clock*
I return from the grave for one night only to post a Helluva Boss AU. Enjoy my delulu AU about a Christmas tree capitalist clown spider demon and his adopted cyborg clown son.
Also there is swearing and mentions of Fizzaroli's accident.
Mammon being a half decent step-dad AU
Mammon hears about Fizz much earlier though the grapevine (Paimon complaining to all royal demons about how his son got rid of all their shit bc of some clown kid)
Interested, he attends a show in disguise.
He finds that Fizz is good. Like, really good! Dollar signs start popping up in his head. Also the little bugger kind of reminds him of himself.
Immediately asks to buy Fizz from Cash Buckzo. He refuses at first because Fizz is his star but with strong negotiating tactics (money and threats) he caves.
Fizz is nervous about leaving his only home behind but is excited to be "adopted" by Mammon! His hero!
It's giving bought by One Direction vibes
At first Mammon was planning to just train him to be a child actor/clown, give him a TV show and pawn him off to someone to actually raise full-time. He wanted to be the convenient step-dad, not a full time parent!
That changed after the first couple nights with Fizz living in his mansion.
It started with Fizz handing him a red balloon horse.
"Alright, not bad kid, but can ya make a balloon unicorn?"
Fizz ran off to attempt to make it. That'll keep him busy for a few hours, guess that meant he could make some calls and... He was back already with the completed unicorn.
"Give me another!"
"Uh, alright ya little bugger, why dontcha make a Quevie?"
This back and forth happened for the next few hours, with Mammon judging the balloon animal, giving a few pointers when he messed up, and Fizz making the next animal he asked for.
Damn, this parenting shit is easy.
It eventually got so late that Fizz fell asleep on the couch trying to complete a kangaroo.
Sighing, Mammon picked Fizz up and carried him to the bedroom he hired someone to decorate. He tucked him into bed and finally after an entire day was able to make a call.
However, the first call he made wasn't to the networking company or his broadcasting station. Instead, it was to Lucifer, his self proclaimed best friend and a successful parent.
"What is it Mammon? Do you have any idea how late it is?"
"Yeah, yeah. I just had a quick question for ya. What do children eat? Cereal? Oats? Ice cream?"
Needless to say, Lucifer had a long talk with Mammon about how to raise a kid, stating it'd be hard work.
After hanging up and going to bed, Mammon had only one thought on his mind. To raise this kid better than any of the other Sins could. His boy would be talk of the town and the best clown in all of Hell.
That first week of parenting went about as well as you'd expect.
Mammon had the approach of being "The fun step-dad" which included eating candy for every meal, teaching him swear words and showing him how to do all the tricks he thought a capable child could do.
(These tricks may or may not have included tax evasion and driving)
Speaking of, Mammon insisted on bringing Fizzaroli everywhere. Including work.
"Mammon, sir, I'm sorry for filing the paperwork for the expansion of LooLoo Land wrong- is that a child?"
"Yeah, this is my boy. Look attem. Ain't he talented!" Cue Fizz hanging off one of his arms. "Whatdya think Fizzie? Should we keep or fire him?"
"Fire!"
"You heard the boy! Off withya, ya bloody cunt!"
"Bloody cunt!"
Mammon would belly laugh whenever Fizzaroli would copy his swearing or accent. When is children swearing NOT funny?
Mammon's definitely the type to have tons of pictures in his wallet of his kid. Fizzaroli does get a TV show, lots of interviews and the spotlight often but whenever someone asks Mammon about him he immediately opens the photo wallet.
(He would kill anyone who even touched it)
Of course he still has some of the Mammon-ness we know, bribing and pushing Fizz to do shows, acts, commercials and more, causing Fizz to start getting overwhelmed.
Then one day Fizz's accident happened (it's a canon event)
Mammon practically broke down Belphagor's door when he got the news Fizz was hurt, demanding his boy get the best treatment in Hell.
Mammon didn't sleep for the entire time Fizz was in that hospital bed, sitting beside him for days at a time just thinking about how he nearly lost him. He couldn't lose him.
When Fizz woke up/was stable, Mammon was there during his emotional moments. When Fizz asked if Mammon would replace him he scoffed.
"Fizzie, why would I replace you? You're in recovery right now. A break. Yer fans are dying to see that Fizzie face when you get outta here. You're more popular and more in demand than ever. You do the recoverin and I'll show you the huge profit we return."
Mammon to English translation: It's stupid to think I'll leave. You'll be able to return to the stage, I'll make sure of it. You'll get better and I'll be here with you.
Fizz eventually recovered but needed limbs so Mammon sent a request (demand) to the best mechanic in Hell, Asmodeus. If anyone could make limbs for his boy it'd be that rooster fuck.
Of course just because Mammon had faith in him didn't mean he wasn't picky in what he delivered.
"Can ya loop your arm like a bendy straw?"
"Uh, no."
"Then it's not good enough for you!"
Mammon practically sent Asmodeus a list of limb adjustments and upgrades that needed to be done every other week. All other times he had Fizzie trying all these different therapies, practicing with his limbs, and occasionally try doing a trick. (Not clown car driving after last time). Eventually he was mostly satisfied with the work and to celebrate "Ozzie not *HONK*-ing up" he started teaching Fizz how to play the guitar.
Cue a bit of a time skip of say 7 years.
Fizz has his hands in nearly every facet of entertainment. News, sports, cooking competitions (which he surprisingly sucked at), and of course comedy. Fizz didn't want to say it but doing so much had him tired, stressed, and anxious. He was doing this for Mammon, the person who gave him everything. He couldn't just let him down. He'd seen what happened to those that failed him. All those people who got fired for mistakes they made. He couldn't fail.
At the same time Mammon wants to get into the robot doll industry. Not sex dolls because he can't stand the thought of his (boy) brand being sold like that. Instead personal assistance robots that have all the features. It can make coffee, teach you yoga, be a parent, etc. but of course he needs the mechanical help of Asmodeus again.
Once again Fizz is taking trips to Lust to oversee the production of the robots. After 2 years of this the robots are completed (a huge financial success) and Fizz asks Mammon if he can stay with Ozzie.
Mammon is surprised but ok with it as long as he visits and does a show every now and again. Especially guest judging the Clown Pageant.
He doesn't realize Fizz and Oz have a thing until the Clown Pageant (his final one in canon)
Once it comes out, oh boy, Mammon goes full demon mode. Shit gets ugly. Mammon goes on his normal rant (minus the "raised you like the son I didn't want" part) and Fizz, unwaivering because he's seen this a million times, retorts back with all the anxiety Mammon caused. The acting and shows. How it weighed on him. How he was so scared of fucking something up and getting kicked out.
"I'd never kick you out! You're the crown jewel of my empire! My runt turned pick of the litta! I made you in my image! If I pushed you hard it was because you could be better! I raised you! You've got my training in your back pocket so I knew you could be a better clown than I ever was! All of this was for you!"
Eventually Mammon breaks down and asks why Asmodeus. He's worried about their relationship considering he's known Asmodeus since the beginning of hell.
"Why do you need to date him when you have my empire! If you need money, we have it! If you need companionship, we can buy it! If you need power we have that too! We built this empire! Your talent brought in a fortune and you've seen how to run the business! If you need your own power or your own space you can have it!"
"I'm not with him for any of those things! I know I have everything else here! But I love him Mammon! He takes care of me. He's kind, sweet, handsome, and supports me even on my roughest days. I love him."
"...he makes you feel safe?"
"Yes."
"He treats you good?"
"He treats me amazingly."
"You love him?"
"With all my heart."
"...ok."
"Ok?"
"I... Respect your decision. I'm going to make it about me but please bear with me. I know I haven't been the best at raising you. I can be overbearing. And clingy. And I pushed you to do a lot of things that were hard or uncomfortable or er... greedy. I haven't been the best influence on your life but I did my best and if I had to I'd do it all over again."
"Mam..."
"Up up up, let me finish ya little shit. You know I have a hard time letting go of things. And I was kidding myself when I thought I'd have ya forever. I forgot how fast ya implings grow up. I thought I could keep ya safe and smilin but I couldn't even do that right. The second most painful thing I experienced in my life was gettin kicked from heaven. The most was seein you in that hospital bed. I've been smotherin ya since. Yer my boy and I wanted better for ya. Thought I could protect ya if I pushed harder. Taught ya more. Did more shit with ya. But in the end you were always gonna have ta leave ta find a life of yer own.
Mammon paused, taking a familiar but heavily deflated remnant of a red horse balloon from under his hat
"I'm at least glad ya took somethin after me. Yer greedy like me and ya landed the best bachelor Hell has ta offer. I... I don't want to let ya go but... Ya need to do this. Live yer life kid, and live it better than me."
The fucking stadium was in tears (me too tbh)
Before Fizz could say anything (he was choking on his words) Mammon extended a card with his sigil on it.
"Remember I'm always here. Please... Call me if ya need me."
Fizz wrapped his robotic limbs around Mammon, bringing him in for a tight hug.
"I love you, Dad."
Mammon cried on that stage, hugging the son he always wanted.
A magical creature is trying to grant wishes and give people superpowers. Unfortunately the popularity of Madoka magica, spam calls, and pure skepticism has made their job extremely difficult.
Magical creature: Hi! I'm here to make your dreams come true! UwU
The average pedestrian: Nu-uh I know how this goes. See you never demon!
Wdym by "Writings outside of a superpower AU" here?
I mean other types of AUs, like royaltyAUs, sci-fi AUs, etc. I like superpowers and writing about heros and villains but I think branching out to other universes could be fun too.
After months of planning Villain had finally managed to kidnap Hero.
Their heart and mind was racing. They actually got away with it!? Did they have that dramatic monologue ready? Oh the agony they were going to put Hero through!
However when they put Hero in their holding cell they didn't expect to hear out pourings of gratefulness.
Hero: I thought you were going to torture me? Why'd you take me to such a nice room?
Villain, sputtering: Nice room!? This is a dungeon! There is nothing "nice" about it!
Hero: But I have a bed! With a sheet! This is nicer than any room the agency put me in! If I didn't know any better I'd think you like me or something.
Tldr: After an awful battle Hero goes to a rooftop to mourn the loss of their beloved Villain. Hero sobs about their mistakes and the regret they have for not confessing sooner to Villain. Villain is alive mutual confession ensues. Hurt/comfort, Dessert Creation Villain x Hero
CW: Talk of death, implied death, burns, mourning, blood, dissociation
Hero had failed. They'd failed to recognize Supervillain's master plan. They failed to help when the other heroes needed them. And perhaps worst of all, they had failed to save their Villain.
They only arrived in time to watch Villain get burnt to a sugary crisp by Supervillain. The flan shield they created around themselves was no match for the raw firepower Supervillain released. The unrelenting blaze charred any chance of Villain's survival.
Hero had only processed what had happened next when they found themselves sitting on the edge of a familiar rooftop.
Everything felt like a blur to them. The burn on their shoulder was numb. The soot on their cape unnoticed. The dried blood on their hands the only evidence confirming they ended Supervillain's reign.
Hero sat there for what felt like ages, gazing upon the city skyline until the lights smeared and scattered across their vision. Tears. Once they realized they were crying it felt like a floodgate opened. They couldn't stop. Hero pathetically wiped at their eyes with the backs of their hands.
Why Villain? Why Villain!?
Villain was one of the few villains in the city who wasn't some deranged psychotic menace to society! Villain would never think of harming anyone. They were just some goofy Villain who trapped people in toffee or put office buildings in jello or some other major inconvenience. They gave out candy when they were arrested and offered other villains lollipops in holding cells. They ate sugar cubes chronically and paid hackers to get your Pinterest account so they could spam you with dessert recipes.
Hero wished they'd told Villain how much they loved them sooner.
Hero was sure if Villain were still alive they'd make a joke about smelling like burnt cookies. The ash left behind didn't offer such comfort.
They reached a quivering hand into their pocket and pulled out a couple crushed sugar cubes. Hero cupped the cubes in both hands, closed their eyes and brought their clasped hands to their forehead. With a croaky voice they talked out loud, perhaps hoping their words would be heard.
"I miss you. God, I miss you." They sniffled and leaned into their hands, trying to steady themselves. "It shouldn't have been you. I should have gotten there sooner. I should have known what would happen. I should have reached out more."
Their voice cracked as they continued.
"It should have been me!" They openly weeped. "I was supposed to protect this city! I was supposed to protect you!"
"How am I supposed to go on knowing you aren't here! How am I supposed to patrol what's left of this shit hole of a city without you sitting on this roof beside me?
How am I supposed to patrol without you insisting we bounce instead because you want to turn the sidewalks to jello?
How am I supposed to enter your lair without you demanding I open the windows you can't reach because you paid extra for them and don't want them to go to waste?
How am I supposed to laugh when I can't hear your dumb jokes? Or see you put on a shirt backwards because you want to see if I'll notice.
I'll never hear you crunch another sugar cube like some goddamn horse ever again. I never thought I'd miss that noise but right now... Right now I'd give anything to hear that horrific crunching sound.
I'm so sorry for everything! For getting you killed! For never reaching out to know you better! For being a coward who couldn't even tell you how happy you made me! How much light you brought to everyone. How much light you brought into my boring empty life! I love you! I loved you!"
Hero collapsed into themselves, murmuring tearful confessions of love and regrets. They were completely alone now in this world. Family long gone, a job that wouldn't take too kindly to "vigilante justice", and just losing the only person in the world they cared about.
It seemed like they spent an eternity crying when a stutter step came from behind them.
They turned to find a roughed up Villain standing frozen, mouth covered by their hands and tears in their eyes.
They couldn't believe it. Their body moved on instinct as they ran to give them the tightest hug, holding Villain's head to their chest as they cried into their hair. Both parties were a mess of crying and "I thought you were dead's".
It wasn't until 20 minutes later that they calmed down enough to even begin talking, still holding onto each other for dear life.
"I thought I lost you." Villain sobbed, adding to the tear marks on Hero's suit.
"I thought so too." Hero returned. "When Supervillain sent that message I flew as fast as I could, but I only arrived to see you..." They choked on the words while Villain pet their back.
"You got there in time. I would have... you know... But your arrival distracted Supervillain enough for me to escape. The moment she took her eyes off me I dropped beneath the floor using the flan shield as a cover." Villain explained.
"But when I finally got out and back to the fight no one was there. The only thing left was a trail of blood and tons of ash. I thought she..." Villain reached up to Hero's face, firmly cradling their jaw as if to prove they were there.
"I'm here." Hero whispered, placing a hand over the one on their jaw and leaning into it. Neither were sure who leaned in first but it didn't really matter. They shared a tender and delicate kiss, neither wanting to hurt the other more than they had been today. It was clear they both felt this way about each other for a long time. To Hero, the kiss felt like home.
When they pulled away Hero was the first to speak.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
Villain's immediate response made Hero's heart sing. Their next move would surprise Hero even more.
"Let's run away together."
"What?"
"You heard me. Just me and you. The world thinks we're gone, no one will ask questions, so let's just leave. We don't have to play this stupid good guy bad guy game anymore! We can just go somewhere far away from this and live a happy life together! I want this. I want us! And I don't want any of this to ever happen again. I know this is sudden but-"
"Where were you thinking?"
"Huh?"
"I'll follow you anywhere, but I'd prefer some place rural. I don't think I like cities anymore."
The smile on Villain's face set Hero's heart aglow.
Two plane tickets and one shower later the two of them stood hand in hand on a runway.
"Hero? Is this a crazy thing to do?" Villain fidgeted nervously. Two squeezes on their hand turned their attention to Hero's face.
"Yeah. But I wouldn't want it any other way Sugar Cube." Hero said with a smile.
This has probably already been talked about but I just realized it so here I am.
We all knew Belos was having Hunter destroy parts for a new Grimwalker (first episode of season 2 when Belos wanted the Selkidomus dead) but I never gave much thought as to why.
After the ending of the last season I realized that even if Hunter hadn't found out the truth of Belos, Belos likely wouldn't have removed his coven sigil which would likely lead to his death. Hunter was never meant to make it out (if the remnants of the other Grimwalkers didn't make that clear) but he was meant to be the last.
Knowing Belos he likely justified it by saying he was laying his brother to rest after ridding the world of witches.
Hero couldn't believe their eyes. Their Villain had disappeared for nearly a month. They expected to find them in their next robbery gone wrong or worse, tied up in some mad man's basement.
Of all the countless possibilities that kept Hero up at night, Villain working at a cat maid cafe was so arbitrary that even the meer thought was laughable.
Yet here they were.
Hero barged in ready to ask question upon question. How did you get here? Did someone threaten you? Why did you leave without telling me? But before they could even ask Villain tapped at a menu signifying Hero needed to order.
One cute milk foam latte later and Hero could finally begin getting closure.
"What made you quit villainy? Threats? Change of heart? Lack of funds?"
"I like cats and I can play with them after my shift is over."
"Ha! Stupid Heroes! You'll never guess the password to shut off my army of robots!" Supervillain maniacally laughed over the computer monitor.
"It's PeanutButterL0ver with the o replaced with a zero." Sidekick stated with a deadpan expression while nudging Superhero over so they could type on the keyboard.
Supervillain's mouth hung open in shock as Superhero looked over in awe.
"How did you know?!" Supervillain practically screeched over the speakers.
"Are you psychic?" Superhero asked while eyeing the room for tinfoil.
"No. Supervillain literally has a Post-it note with the password right on the computer. You know it really is a wonder that you two are the biggest threats to the city."
