A World Without Him

This is a freaking masterpiece. Also, I love Ethan in this style and how you showed events from RE: 7 and RE: 8. So cool!!!!!

over & over resident evil animation

yt link

Hello my friends! 👋💓

The situation in Gaza is worsening day by day, and my family is still struggling in very tough conditions. 😔💔

I only have $85 left to reach the $8500 goal, and I hope to achieve it today. 🇵🇸😢

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Hello,

My name is Anas Al Burri. I am 17 years old, and I live in G*za. My sister has jaundice because she gave birth to her child in an unhygienic area during the war. She has no medication, and her condition is worsening, almost life-threatening. She is too ill to produce milk for her son, and we can't get milk from anywhere else. I have no medication for my diabetes! I am missing insulin, and my blood sugar is critically high, often above 180 and sometimes even 400. I suffer from hyperglycemia attacks and can't get to a hospital because we are in the northern part of G*za.

Three months ago, my 14-year-old brother Ahmad was searching for something to eat when he was sh*ot in the ch*est by sni*pers from a kilometer away. The bul*let went straight through his body. He was just a CHILD! We still can't believe it and keep thinking he will come back any moment. We didn't even have time to mourn him before the next family members were kill*ed.

The hardships my family and I face are beyond what words can describe. This is our last resort.

We are reaching out to you with a desperate plea. We need your help to survive. Your donation can provide us with the life-saving medications and food that we desperately need. Every act of kindness brings us closer to safety and restores a glimmer of hope in our hearts.

With your support, you can give us and many other families in G*za a chance to survive and rebuild our shattered lives. Help us survive and leave G*za so that the last of our family does not perish.

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With heartfelt gratitude,

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Spende für Evacuate My Last Family Members in Gaza, organisiert von Anas Al-Burri

My name is Anas Al Burri. I am 17 years old, and I live in Gaza, a pl… Anas Al-Burri braucht deine Unterstützung für Evacuate My Last Fami

Shadow Trails ~~~~~~~~~~

Charlie looks up at the demon. He's taller than her, with card symbols all over his wings and outfit. He wears a black bowler hat and a white dress shirt with a red and black blazer, one that has the sleeves rolled up and two white J's standing back to back on the left chest pocket.

His gray pants are baggy, but dont bunch around his ankles while having diamonds, spades, hearts, and clubs going down in lines. He looks down at her with almost glowing yellow eyes.

Charlie rubs her eyes, blinks twice, and then gives a big smile. "Hello there! How can I help you? Are you here to stay at the Happy Hotel?"

The sinner tips his hat to her politely. "Heya. And, ah, no, I'm not exactly looking to stay here." The cat sinner ruffles his wings. "The name's Husk, gambling overlord, y'know. I own the casino "Chips and Trades" down on Betters Way. I was wondering if..." Husk had started.

But Charlie stopped listening when he said the casino name. This is the King of Cards. The King of Cards. Outside her door. Seemingly looking for her specifically for whatever reason. She should've noticed sooner with his souls being heavier than a normal sinners. Oh shit.

Husk coughs into his clawed hand before speaking again. "What do ya-" She closes the door in his face. Oh crap she closed the door in his face!

She quickly opens it again. Husk stares back, confused. "Uh, hello-" he tries to speak, but she closes it again. Aw crap. Crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap-

"Uh, Vaggie?" Charlie yells into the lobby, voice a bit wobbly.

"What is it?"

"The King of Cards is at the door..."

"Wait, what!?!" Vaggie yells, sitting up from the couch.

"What should I do!?" Charlie pulls on her hair, pacing in front of the doorway.

"Well, don't talk to him!"

"Who?" Angel pipes up, seemingly done with his popsicle as he waves the stick around for emphasis.

Charlie bites her nail before looking back at the door. Maybe he wasn't here for any bad reasons? He did seem like he was trying to talk to her civilly. But what if hes trying to ruin or take the hotel? Ugh! This is going nowhere!

'Y'know what? Im gonna do it. This hotel can't have it that much worse anyway.'

She finally takes a deep breath before opening the door again, looking Husk straight in the eyes. Sorry, Vaggie.

He looked down unimpressed. "Can I continue?" He asked in a bored tone. "You can." Charlie responds, trying to remain a bit confident.

Husk just shrugs in response before ducking through the door, almost knocking Charlie over with his wings. "The name's Husk, but I already told you that. I'm here to make a proposal for you and your... lively hotel." He looks around the battered entrance and cringes. "To give a good fix-up in return for something I suddenly need."

"Wait, really!?!" Charlie stopped herself before continuing. "Uh, *ahem* so, what do you need exactly?" She quickly saves, following him to the lobby.

But before Husk can respond, an angelic spear is aimed straight at his throat. "Stop. Right there." Vaggie suddenly snaps. Husk snarls down at the weapon.

Charlie quickly steps between the two. "Vaggie, stop! We don't need violence right now. He's here to make a proposal for the hotel!"

Vaggie huffed before rebuffing her statement. "What would a gambling overlord have to gain from our hotel? One that's also specifically known for trickery and manipulation?" She gives a harder glare towards the overlord.

Husk swats the tip away from his neck before speaking. "Just so you know, I only do that to lower level assholes I don't like. I can be civil when I have to, and with the right people." He adds the second bit like an afterthought.

"And what business do you have at our hotel? Do you even believe in our hotel's cause?" Vaggie asks skeptically.

Husk suddenly laughs. " Oh! Yeah, no. I don't really think your whole 'redemption' thing is going to work out in what I think you're hoping for. I'm just here to see if this could be something interesting enough to invest in."

If looks could kill, Husk would be dead where he stood as Vaggie glared holes into the back of the overlords head.

However, Charlie suddenly grabs Husk's arm and leads him towards the staircase, trying to deescalate the situation. "Well then, I think a tour is in order for our future investor!" She laughs nervously before shooting a begging look to Vaggie.

Vaggie stands still for a second. Finally, she glares at Husk's back before lowering her weapon, groaning, and shooing them off. Charlie gives a happy squeak and starts dragging Husk off around the top of the staircase.

Vaggie throws herself back onto the couch and sets her spear within arms reach. She starts to rub her temple violently. This isn't going to end well.

"So, what's with whisker?" Angel suddenly asks, sitting down on the arm of the couch and staring at the pair walking all over the hotel. "Y'know, the big fluff-ball ya got Charlie dragging everywhere?"

Vaggie pipes up, exasperated. "Wait, you don't know the King of Cards? Husk? Husker?"

"I've heard the name 'Husker' used around the studio sometimes, usually in passing." Angel stands up and sits in the armchair across from the couch. "Huh, woulda thought he'd be a bit less, y'know, cuddly. Don't know much 'bout him otherwise."

Vaggie looks even more exasperated than before. "You don't know about his deals with The Legends?" Angel shrugs. "His rise up in ranks over a couple of days? The one who tore down all existing systems and pioneered his own on a straight up gamble?"

Angel gives another shrug before crossing his arms. "I don't really follow politics. I might start if he's front and center, though." He gives a smirk in the overlords direction.

"Ugh, Angel Dust..." Vaggie sighs before continuing. "The King of Cards arrived in hell just before the Overlord Slaughter."

Angel Dust sags. "Oh here we go."

"Shut up. Anyways, he had never shown his face before the overlords started to go missing. People say he organized the whole thing to take advantage of the other overlords, who were called The Legends for surviving the massacre. He preyed on their fear of death from whatever being killed the others, and gave them protection in exchange for parts of their domain, their power, and some even gave away their souls to avoid the next slaughter.

"This sudden surge in power gave him the ability to do almost anything he wanted. He started to tear down the previous influences of the other overlords, things like brands, buildings, and even whole districts, as he rebuilt things to his liking.

"This is how Betters Way was created, with Chips and Trades as the star of the alley. You couldn't walk two feet without seeing an ad for whatever the King of Cards had going at the time. And he never stopped growing.

"He'd take sinners and demons alike to his table, letting them think they even had a chance in besting the head of the gambling district. They would all fail, as the house always wins and have everything taken from them. Their possessions, their achievements, and their own souls would be ripped from them to be added to the ever growing mound.

"This is why we can't get involved in something that runs around him. He lies, he cheats, and he always finds some way to have his interests win over all or tear you down to bits until you can't be anything without what the King of Cards holds in his hands." Vaggie takes a deep breath.

Silence is the only thing between them before Angel speaks up again. " Hah! Well, to me, he looks like an oversized build-a-bear accident."

Vaggie grumbles before glaring back at the Overlord, who was with Charlie and starting to walk back down the stairs. "Well, I don't trust his intentions."

Angel Dust raises a brow but says nothing, looking at the pair now standing at the bottom of the stairs.

Vaggie seemingly has enough as she gets up and drags Charlie away, leaving Husk to his own devices in the lobby.

Only when they're far enough away does Vaggie speak again. "You can't seriously be thinking about trusting that guy, right? He literally gambles peoples souls away for a living. He doesn't believe in what we're trying to do here, and he might even try to take one of our souls or tear down all of our work! "

Charlie glances at Husk before grabbing one of Vaggie's shoulders. "I know, Vaggie. He's definitely not here to be redeemed or to help with the idea of redemption in mind,"

Husk is now looking at the paintings on the walls, walking in front of them all with little to no interest for what's depicted on them.

"But this is what our hotel is about. To give sinners a chance and to have faith that they can be better! Turning someone away isn't something I can do. Just trust me this once, ok? Also, I'll give you full reign to do whatever if he tries anything."

Vaggie seems to think it over before answering. "Ok, just be sure not to make any exchanges, deals, or anything like that with him, got it?"

Charlie giggles before letting go of Vaggie. "Don't worry so much, Vaggie. If there's one thing I learned from my dad, it's that you dont take shit from other demons!"

Vaggie watches as Charlie confidently walks back up to Husk. "So, uh, Husk. I know you probably don't believe in what I'm doing and are just here for personal gain, but I do believe in what we're trying to do here." She says with a serious tone.

"This hotel is about taking chances and having the idea that sinners can be better in the first place, so I accept your offer to help out in our hotel. No strings attached or whatever you do with bets in your casino."

Husk squinted down at Charlie. "Hey now, I never made an offer like that. I made a proposal to help fix up this hotel in exchange for getting my name back into the game. I can give you more in exchange if you desire."

Husk suddenly holds out his hand as their surroundings turn a warm orange hue; soft voices echoed throughout the air.

Charlie immediately backs up from Husk. "Yeah, uh, no. No deals, no hand shaking, no exchanges, ok? Uhm, what about this instead."

Husk pulls his hand back and looks at Charlie expectantly. She coughs into her hand, then looks to Vaggie giving her an approving expression before speaking again.

"I, Princess of Hell, hereby declare that Husk, the gambling overlord, is to help out and fix the hotel to his best abilities for however long he desires in exchange for Husk's, uh, publicity." She finishes before looking back up at Husk.

He squinted down at her, seemingly thinking about her choice of words, then nods. "Good enough for me." Charlie let a breath she didn't know she was holding out in relief.

Husk suddenly walked around the lobby, starting to pick apart all the things that needed fixing. "Where is the rest of your staff anyways?"

Charlie tilts ger head to one side. "Staff?"

"Yeah, staff. Y'know, to help keep this hotel running? Things like maids, customer service people, the front desk runners?"

Charlie shrinks slightly before pointing to Vaggie. She in response just glared back into the overlords eyes.

Husk flinches back a bit. "Ho, yeah. You're going to need more than that to keep this hotel from running into disrepair."

He scans the room before finally acknowledging the resident spider sitting on the arm chair.

"And what exactly can you do?"

Angel Dust smirks before answering. "I can suck your dick!"

Silence falls in the lobby with Husk just staring for a second. Then he sighs, and grumbles something akin to "I'm too sober for this."

Angel laughs in his seat as Husk walks back to the center of the room. "Well, this certainly won't do if you're going to keep this project running. I might as well use a couple of tricks up my sleeve to at least give it a chance."

He then takes a jack of hearts from his sleeve and throws it into the parlor fireplace. It suddenly lights up as the entire parlor becomes free of dust and debris, with a little figure blackened by char stuck in the fireplace.

Everyone just stares as Husk goes up, picks the figure up by the scruff, and shakes the ash right off it. A single eye looks back up at them as he drops her back to the ground.

She's smaller than everyone there, about 3 feet tall if someone were to guess. She has a red poodle skirt on, with a poofy white shirt with three red spots on the chest and a white J surrounded by a red heart embroidered on top of where a human heart would be. There's a small red scarf around her neck, and her hair is short with red and orange highlights. She looks around the room erratically with her yellow eye.

"This little thing is Nifty. She'll make this hotel the cleanest it can be and keep everything in order. Just don't get too close: she can and will stab you." Husk warns before stepping back.

"Hi! I'm Nifty! It's been a while since I've seen other sinners in person." She rambles before looking around the lobby. Her face immediately drops.

"Oh my gosh! This place is filthy! It needs a lady's touch, which is weird because all of you are ladies, no offense." She speaks quickly as she takes a duster from... somewhere, and starts to clean every inch of the place, sometimes stabbing roaches with a sewing needle.

Angel scoffs at her comment but says nothing more. After she's apparently done, she skitters back to Husk's side and looks up at him with a begging look.

"So when are you bringing Al?" She asks a bit jittery, but with certainty. Husk rubs his temple. "I just brought you here, Nif. Summoning you guys takes a lot outa' me, believe it or not."

"Who's Al?" Charlie pipes up.

"Ooh, he's the best!" Nifty speaks up before Husk can answer. "He let's me climb all over him and put on roach puppet shows at his poker table without shooing me away!"

Husk speaks up before she can continue rambling. "*ahem* He's my top dealer. Got his soul a couple of years back, and now he works the poker tables and on my schedule. Brings in more souls than the rest per week on floor 13."

Vaggie squinted in suspension. "And what can he do for the hotel?"

Husk shrugs. "You'll see." He grumbles the next part mostly to himself. "I need to get him anyway. He holds all my liquor."

He then takes a deep breath before pulling out an ace of spades card from his left chest pocket. He flicks it onto the open floor as it grows and levitates upright

As if thrown, a figure stumbles from the cards picture, making the card blank for the time being. It shrinks and starts to float down before the figure snatches it and puts it back into his right chest pocket.

A soft hum of static could be heard after his arrival. He's taller than Husk, but not by much. He wears brown dress shoes, black slacks, a long-sleeved white undershirt, a dark red vest, and a black bow tie with a red jewel in the middle. On his right chest is a pocket with an embroidered A on top of a black spade.

He has striking, wavy red hair, with deer ears that stick up on either side of his head and a small tail. The tips of his ears, tail, and hair look like they were dipped in black, with the hair framing yellow eyes with red irises. The only thing blocking them were gold framed glasses that had a beaded chain to hang them around his neck while not in use.

When the figure finally steadied himself, he began to speak to the Overlord. "What fantastical event do you need me for now Husker-" he finally looked to the group as he turned around, eyes widening slightly as he set them on Charlie.

But he quickly took the situation in stride, patting down his uniform and speaking in his radio-like voice. "Why, hello there! My name is Alastor. It is a pleasure to be meeting you." He gives a nod, then a small smile, revealing sharp teeth through the gap.

Vaggie's eyes widen in turn, but she doesn't say anything back. "What exactly am I doing this time?" Alastor asks, now aimed back at Husker.

He huffed before answering. "You're gonna man the front desk at this "Happy Hotel". Making sure people check in, get the right keys and shit. Maybe a card game or two while they're here."

Charlie speaks up. "Wait what-"

Husk is already throwing the cards before she can finish. The cards surround the beaten up front desk, swirling around it and blocking the set up from view before throwing themselves back into Husk's deck, with a brand new poker table in place of the previous desk. The entire thing looks brand new, with fixed key holders to one side and a stock of liquor in the other.

Vaggie seethes. "What is this!? This is a place that discourages sin! We can't have a literal bar as our check-in desk!"

Husk raises a brow. "But it's not a bar. It's a poker table." He gestures to the surprisingly smooth poker table currently displayed as a desk. Angel Dust snorts before adding on. "Yeah, toots. That's obviously a poker table."

"Ugh! I can't with you two." Vaggie walks back over to the couch and flops down. Alastor grins at the scene before heading behind the desk.

Charlie takes this opportunity to go up and lean against the desk to talk to Alastor. "Hi! Welcome to the Happy Hotel! YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE IT HERE!!!!"

Alastor gives a small chuckle in response. "I think I might find this at least a bit entertaining. Haven't been summoned like this since 1997! It does get boring after shuffling so many cards and sitting around the same establishment all day, you know. I'm excited to see where this project will take us, my dear!"

Charlie gives a big smile to him as she turns back to Husk, waiting for him to say something.

He ruffles his wings again before speaking. "So, uh, what do ya' think?" He asks with a lazy tone.

Charlie literally squeals in delight. "This is amazing! Thank you so much, Husk!" Vaggie sits up just to mumble out a quick."I guess I can tolerate it."

"Good, cause I wasn't gonna change nothing anyways." Husk slinks to the front desk and just asks Alastor for the usual thing of alcohol.

Alastor just nods as he wrangles an energetic Nifty from his shoulder and sits her down across from Husk. "Try to stay still for once, Nifty."

Nifty is now bouncing in her seat as Alastor pours out Husk's drink. Setting it in front of him, Alastor exits the desk and picks up a now very jittery Nifty, making sure she doesn't go out on a stabbing rampage again.

Vaggie had already sat up, with Charlie now sitting next her her. They just watch the scene unfold, with Angel surprisingly quiet in the armchair.

The nice silence was suddenly broken as one of the hotels' walls crashed down, causing everything to be covered in a layer of dust, again.

The force caused the pair of girls to fall sideways on the couch, knocked Angel completely off the chair, and hit Husk's drink out of his hands before he could take a second sip. Alastor and Nifty are relatively unphased.

Manic laughter could be heard from outside as the group went and looked out of the crash site.

"It isss I! Sir Pentiousss! I know you're in there, Angel Dussst! Prepare for a rematch and to face my wrath!" The snake sinner declared as he shot up the surrounding area.

Husk stepped outside first, observing the threat level, and then deeply groaned. Alastor came right up to his side. "Want me to take care of it?"

Husk shook his head and started to ready his wings. "Nah, he spilled my drink. Also, I should show these guys what I'm actually made of."

With that, he took off right in front of the blimp. He punched the front, causing glass to shatter everywhere outside and inside the blimp.

Charlie, Vaggie, and Angel just stared as Husk went ham on the poor sinner. He threw cards that cut through the steel like butter, never-ending ribbons that restricted all of the blimps movement, and the bomb that was about to release got poofed into pigeons with a single touch after being completely covered up by the ribbon.

One card finally hit the engine, causing the entire thing to explode, sending the snake flying in the opposite direction.

Husk landed right in front of the group, all of them just staring at the explosion site. "Ugh... I need another drink." Husk finally spoke as he started to head back to the hotel through the smashed wall.

Charlie guided Vaggie back to the hole with a hand on her shoulder. Angel followed right after them, with Nifty skipping close behind. Then finally, Alastor came from the back.

He stopped right inside of the hole, snapped, and watched as the entire wall started to piece itself together again out of everyone else's view.

Once the wall looked good as new, Alastor went back to the front desk/poker table. He huffed to himself as he saw everyone crowded around Husk. The dust was still layered on everything, though. But that could be left to Nifty.

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Good Omens Season 2 Ending Drabbles

Spoilers ahead for Good Omens Seaon 2

I have just watched the entirety of Good Omens season 2 and what I want to say is... am I the only one that thinks Aziriphale went with the Head of Heaven guy (forgot his name/title/whatever) to easily?

Like I know that he had those longing glances and the whole talk and the KISS, but, it just seems a bit... off, to me.

Like, I think Aziraphale is so much smarter than that, even with his naivety towards heaven, because of all his growth from seasons 1 AND 2. He got to see a bit of the underbelly of heaven and obviously didn't like what they were doing.

Also, I initially though Aziraphale was gonna legit be kidnapped again or something when he went with the heaven official (still can remember that dudes name/title/whatever). He had sinister music coming off him when they went out the door, and had hateful glances towards Aziraphale and Crowley, like twice! That guy is so shady and since we didn't see the full conversation between him and Aziraphale, i think he did SOMETHING to Azi.

Aziraphale seemed to uptight, or maybe anxious, after his 'high of being back in heaven'. He seemed to want to say something, ANYTHING that would at least agree with Crowley, but he couldn't even nod or hum in agreement. Even when Crowley said something he should obviously agree on.

Their nightingale song also started to play after the argument and Crowleys line, maybe to signify that Aziraphale does REALLY want to go with him, playing their song saying that he agrees, even if he can't show it.

He seemed to be holding back tears, maybe trying to convey his true emotions with his eyes, but just couldn't for whatever reason. (My bets on Heaven Official guy)

And my final point, at the end where Aziraphale is about to go down the elevator. My initial thought, like everyone else's, was that he was doing his final decision of Crowley or Heaven, and chose to have his 'life' back.

But, maybe it was something more. The direct, long glance towards Crowley mightive been one last call for help, hoping Corwley could steal him away again. When it was clear Crowley was only their to see Aziraphale go and uproot the life they made together on earth, to see if he would really 'choose his old life than their life', he sighed and reluctantly got into the elevator.

Also, a little thing, the Heaven Official guy seemed a bit pushy. Taking Aziraphale away from his companions as soon as possible, saying he's the only right fit for the place of Archangel, and then saying so many nice things about the job, mostly things about getting to stay with Crowley that we don't even know are true. I just get a bad feeling from him.

Anyway, I loved this season we all have been waiting patiently for, for FOREVER, and I can't wait to see what happens in the Totally Coming Out season 3 that's coming up. I was already squealing when Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy played on Corwley's radio while going to save Aziraphale, so you bet I did the whole screaming and kicking when they FREAKING KISSED. I never in my life thought it would be cannon but IT IS, and I LOVE IT! I obviously was heartbroken at the end and was emotionally numb for a few moments, but that's what everyone probably experienced at that ending. I'll be patiently waiting for season 3.

TL;DR: I don't think this is something Aziraphale would do so quickly, like in just an afternoon and one meeting with little to no questions asked nor answered. I think something must've gone on in the conversation bits we didn't see and any alone time between Aziraphale and the Heaven Official guy.

★ Soul Searching ★ 2

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

Tang had been in that bathroom for hours, taking deep, controlled breaths to calm himself down. He would never have wanted this to happen; not ever.

Mk, not knowing what he's gotten himself into drives his thoughts to that staff. He kept thinking back to Mk, too, how he would have that thing for the rest of his life...

He really hoped this was just a horrible dream his head made up.

However, his delusions were soon broken as the doors to the noodle shop slammed open. "Tang! We need to leave for Flower Fruit Mountain now!" Pigsy yelled throughout the restaurant.

Tang came running into the lobby. "What!?" He had a distressed look on his face before he shifted it to one of bewilderment. "Wait, that place actually exists, too?!"

Pigsy just grabbed Tang's hand, dragging him out of the building before responding. "Yeah, that place apparently exists, too, and we need a map to get there. That's why we need you and all your books on those myths you're obsessed with to make it there."

Tang stalled at that, looking back at the noodle shop. "Well, I left it in the shop... y'know, the one with all the sticky notes..."

Pigsy just stared, sighed, then let got of Tang's hand. "Just go quickly. We need to get there as soon as possible."

Tang just nodded before running back into the restaurant and sitting down onto a bar stool. He took the book off the counter and erratically flipped through the pages, settling on a hand drawn map.

He stared at it; taking it in that this is reality now. He took a final deep breath before pocketing the book and heading back outside.

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

"AHHHH-"

Pigsy rushed through the city, carrying Tang on his back. Tang, seemingly not being used to this speed, was screaming in terror the entire time.

When they finally reached Sandy's boat, Tang was panting and leaning on one of the rails. "Don't just, *huff* pick me up and run like that again!" He managed between breaths.

Pigsy just scoffed. "It was the quickest way to get here. You would've slowed us down on foot." Tang seemed offended, but before he could respond, Sandy came out of the boat door and onto the deck.

He hulked over Tang and Pigsy before bending down with a smile on his face. "Hello there! You must be Tang; nice to meet you!" Sandy took Tang's arm and yanked it up and down, leaving Tang a bit disheveled.

Tang quickly fixed his outfit and hair before Mei popped out of the open door and started to speak. "Hey Sandy, is Pigsy back with Tang yet? We really need to get going."

"Over here, Mei." Pigsy gruffed out, getting Mei's attention. "Hey, you guys are back! Now Mr. Tang, you really need to give Sandy that map." Mei stated before walking back into the boat.

Tang just sighed as he walked forward to Sandy, taking his book out of his jacket and reluctantly putting it in the awaiting hands. "The map is at the end of the book. Please be careful with it."

Sandy smiled at Tang as he straightened his back. "Of course! I won't let anything happen to it. Let me treat you to a cup of tea when this is over."

Tang smiled back. "I'll hold you to that." He promised as he walked by the boat door and sat down on one of the deck benches.

Pigsy frowned at that, a worried look passing over his face as he looked at Sandy. "Something's wrong. I don't know what, but something's wrong with Tang." Pigsy looked back to where Tang sat down. Tang is staring at the open ocean, seemingly lost in thought.

Sandy hummed, "I could tell. That's why I offered some tea. He's stressed over something, but I'm not entirely sure what."

Pigsy sighed. "Let's just get this over with. Find the Monkey King and let him handle this." Sandy nodded before going back inside the boat, leaving the door slightly open.

Pigsy gave one last glance to Tang before going inside the boat and closing the door behind him.

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

The boat ride was long for Tang. The inevitable slowly creeping forth as they got closer and closer to Flower Fruit Mountain. The waves became more fierce as they progressed.

Tang could already feel the heat and smell the ash as they approached they outer ring; a ring around Flower Fruit Mountain that consisted only of volcanoes. The lava in the water stops boats from getting through with all the volcanic rock in the way.

He still can't fathom why he's even here again. All they needed was his map to get Sun Wukong so he could go clean up one of his poorly-dealt-with problems.

But he's already on the boat, getting closer and closer to the one place he has tried to avoid all these years.

Tang just sighs as he looks towards the choppy water surrounding the boat. Sea breeze blowing through his hair and the occasional sea spray flowing up to the deck.

He almost misses the water as Sandy carefully docks the boat at the edge of the volcanic ring, taking out metal stakes and large rope to secure it. Mk jumps out first, followed by Mei, then Pigsy and Sandy.

"What is this?" Mk shouted out loud, gripping the staff tightly. Tang walked up to the rail, leaning over it so Mk could hear. "It's the defense measure of Flower Fruit Mountain. This ring of volcanoes protects it from unwanted visitors."

"Wait, does that include us?" Pigsy suddenly asks. Tang just shrugs at that. "Well, we better be quick, anyways. Demon Bull King isn't just gonna disappear." Mk suddenly says as he goes running into the ring.

"Mk, wait on us!" Pigsy calls out to an Mk growing smaller and smaller. "At least watch out for the lava walls!" Tang shouts to Mk, if a bit frantically.

"Wait, what- OOMF" Mk fell back onto his butt as magma spouted from a crack in the volcanic rock, simmering the edges of his Har.

"You better run after him." Tang groaned, rubbing his temples while leaning on the rail. Sandy and Mei immeadietly ran to Mk's side while Pigsy hesitated, looking back to Tang.

"Aren't you going to come with us?" Pigsy asked, leaning on the rail before looking to Mei, who was frantically patting Mk's head to put out the flames with Sandy fanning Mk with the same motive.

Tang's small smile strained on his face as he also looked to the trio. He took another deep breath before looking back to Pigsy. "I don't think I'd be useful out there. What could I do if a random villain showed up? Bore them to death with my constant rambling?" Tang huffed at his own comment.

"You guys will be okay without me this time. Besides, I don't want to go out in that heat and ruin all this hard work." Tang flipped his hair for added effect. This got a small chuckle out of Pigsy, so Tang counted that as a win.

"Ok, I'll stop botherin' ya. You can look after the boat while we're gone. Don't set anything on fire." Pigsy said with a serious tone. Tang full on laughed at that, doubling over the rail.

"Haha! Don't worry about it, Pigsy. I'll be fine. Just make sure you and everyone else stay safe on the way there, too. Also, make sure to step back if you feel vibrations under your feet."

Pigsy huffed in response, picking himself off the railing and starting to walk towards the group. He waves back to Tang before booking it up to the group and pulling them back before more magma could roast them alive.

Tang had waved back, watching as the bickering group slowly faded into the smoke and ash. After their figure were no longer visible, he let his face fall before heading into the boat, locking the door and sliding back against it.

He put his head into his knees, wrapping his arms around himself.

"You'll be fine." He whispered. "You have moved on from it all. You can't be affected by his mere presence or mention anymore." His vision started to blur.

Then Tang fell back into old habits, taking deep, slow breaths to regain his composure. In, wait, then out. Again and again.

After many rounds of breathing, he was finally able to raise his head, letting it smack against the boat door. He groaned, slowly stood up, and finally made his way to an actual chair.

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

Tang had found himself wandering around the boat, picking up anything that seemed interesting and just rolling with how everything worked.

The cats had been avoiding him, hissing at his presence and then jumping onto the nearest surface away from him. Tang had just sighed as he picked up a boat manual and sat as a comfy blue couch.

The book was nothing particularly interesting, but Tang needed something to keep his brain occupied (and to silence his anxiety). It worked for the most part.

However, his thoughts always wondered to Mk. Why was he even able to lift the damn thing, how he had found that place where it was buried, and what his connections were to Sun Wukong.

Tang was sure Mk had no ill intentions; his feelings were like an open book to Tang. This is how he had noticed the shift in Mk to begin with; how he had changed drastically.

And what was Sun Wukong planning with a successor? Tang could tell from the smothering gold covering Mk's spirit. Why would he let someone else wield the staff so suddenly, giving all his powers to a literal teenager?! And how would this affect everyone Mk is close to!?

Tang couldn't focus on the manual anymore.

He sighed. Stop thinking so much about it. This has nothing to do with you, he thought. You're completely fine; unaffected. It's not like he would've-

*WOOOOSH*

The boat creaks as a harsh gust of wind sends it tilting back and forth. Tang fell onto the ground with the furniture sliding along with him. With the therapy cats strewn across the entire inside, Tang quickly ran to unlock the door and look out from the deck.

He blanched at what he saw. Freaking PRINCESS IRON FAN was BATTLING THE GANG.

How did she find them!? Shit shit shit shit this was bad. He couldn't tell much from the distance, but Tang knew that this lady was mainly going against Mk. The continuous recoil from the staff was enough indication.

Plumes of smoke kept rising up at odd angles, with rumbles coming quickly and shaking up the boat even more. Tang quickly jumped over the rail and grounded his feet to the volcanic rock.

He started to madly pull out the metal pegs one by one, throwing them up onto the deck and wrapping all the rope on his shoulders as he could feel the gang getting closer and closer. The recoiling had stopped, and this is what worried him the most.

He barely took the small quakes into account as he finally got the last peg up on the deck, quickly jumping, grabbing the railing, and pulling himself over again. He could see them running straight for the boat, and he quickly through the rope/pegs into an open container before shutting it.

Now, he could clearly see their silhouettes as they ran from the now VERY active volcanoes. He could see Pigsy, Sandy, Mei... wait. Where's Mk!?

Tang's train of thought was shattered as everyone jumped up onto the deck, making it dip before Sandy rushed to the wheel. He steered that boat away from the ring so fast that no one had time to get inside.

Now they're silently speeding away. Total silence encompasses everyone out on deck. Pigsy was sitting down, arm around Mei's shoulders. Tang was right next to them, gripping the rail as he looked blankly at the ocean.

"What happened." Tang voiced blankly. Pigsy looked up with a concerned expression. "Tang....." Tang snapped his neck to look directly at Pigsy. "What. Happened." He repeated.

Pigsy closed his eyes for a second, slowly rubbing a sobbing Mei's back. "She... she was after the staff and took it from Mk. In the process she... she blasted him and sent him flying somewhere, and we don't know where he is or if he even survived the blast." Pigsy's voice wavered as he responded.

A shocked expression took over Tang's face before he schooled it into distraught expression. He never said anything back for the entire ride. Just looking back out at the ocean, a blank look stuck on his face.

He knew Mk wasn't dead. Before they ran, Tang could still clearly feel the strong thrum of Mk's spirit, even if it was weaker than before.

But Tang couldn't tell them this without proof; proof Tang couldn't willingly give. So, he kept quiet and eventually put a hand on Pigsy's shoulder for the remainder of the ride.

When the boat was finally parked, only Sandy moved to secure it and turn the engine off, eventually joining everyone else on the deck silently.

Tang couldn't take it anymore. "We can't just sit here doing nothing." He suddenly sputtered. Everyone looked to him with concern. "Demon Bull King and his family have already taken too much from us. We can't just sit here and do nothing while they continue what we already tried to stop." Tang looked up to everyone.

"Mk would've kept going. He would've wanted everyone to be safe and to be happy again. We have to finish what we started. For Mk, and for everything else we might lose at the end of this. We need to be strong for Mk, to honor his memory by helping his last effort. We can at least try for his sake."

This seemed to have shaken everyone out of their grief, even if by just a bit. "*sniff* yeah! We need to kick those guys butts for what they did!" Mei shouted out, wiping her tears as she stood up.

"There will be many robots trying to kill us, that with the added main family will not be east for us alone." Pigsy warned, rising back up next to Tang.

"We know. But we have to do something. Anything to help fight against the Demon Bull King. For Mk." Tang stated

"For Mk!" Mei shouted.

"For the kid!" Yelled Pigsy.

"For MK!" Sandy exclaimed.

For Mk.

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