#justifyanger

"I can tell you why I wouldn't be canceled. I was the one who discovered after hundreds of years of mistranslations that Yumean scripture wasn't homophobic or transphobic--it was only the mistranslations that made it so. I was the one who worked with Black, Indigenous, and other marginalized women of color to foster progressive movements based on both our innovations and the innovations of those from the world of Hisui's Hero, Noriko Nojiri. I was the one who created a safe haven for people like me that stands proud and strong to this day--a safe haven in which us Yumeans were able to find our way back to Eden. Why would you cancel someone like me?"

"Weren't you also one of history's first terrorists? Didn't you also betray Noriko when you seem oh so proud of mentioning how you worked with her? Didn't you also irrevocably change the history of multiple regions by slaughtering their entire governments down to the local level just because a single person from your communes suffered a miscarriage of justice under their legal systems? Didn't you try to destroy the world not once but TWICE?! If it was possible to un-prophet somebody, you should be FIRST in line to lose your title!"

"Ah ah ah~ But didn't you stab your bestie in the back by running ahead to beat Steven's League-defeating record while he lagged behind? Didn't you tell him you thought he didn't deserve to do better than you when he won the Hoenn League Conference and you got eliminated in the Round of 64?"

"That was when I was ten! And that doesn't even compare--!"

"Oh, but here's what you fail to consider, my dear fellow prophetess!" His nine fox tails are practically vibrating as they flick with amusement. "If we're talking about modern forms of cancellation, it doesn't matter how long ago you did the Thing That Makes You Bad--that thing can be held against you at any time for any reason and it still makes you ontologically Bad. You may have thought what you did 'wasn't that bad' because you were forgiven for it by your bestie, but when it comes to the world of cancellation, nobody gives a lick about forgiveness, because once you do Something That Makes You Bad, then you must Always Be Bad, I'm afraid! And if you want to bring up things I've done almost a hundred years ago or more in your own personal cancellation of me, you're not doing much better than what I've done yourself~!"

"Hnnnnnnnngggggggghhhhhhhh--"

"Ehehehehehehehe~"

The two glare at each other as they stare each other down--you can practically see the sparks shooting at each other from between their eyes! Then May breaks the tense silence with a smile.

"Well! I can tell you all about someone who's never done anything wrong in their entire life! And it's my brother, Brendan! He's been through a lot in life, as have all of us, but he's never once let it turn him bitter and cold. He's sweet, caring, considerate, and a lot braver than he gives himself credit for. I can see why Latios chose him and thought he was special--he must've used his psychic powers to do an X-ray and discovered not a mean bone in his body! When it comes to cancellation, I can't think of a single reason why~"

Brendan smiles sheepishly, trying not to look at Volo as he accepts his sister's praise.

"Ah....Thanks, sis, and I could say the same to you," he says. "I guess if I was canceled for anything, it would be that sometimes I'm kind of a doormat..."

"I mean...I guess sometimes you kinda are. But never when it really matters. When you absolutely need to, you can stand up to anyone." She casts a glance at Volo. "Including Mister 'I Almost Destroyed The World Not Once But Twice' over there~"

"Yes, quite!" Volo exclaims, and Brendan looks up at him with shock to hear him agreeing quite so cheerily, until--

"Who knows. If I try to destroy the world a third time, maybe you'll be the one to save us~!"

Brendan lets out an 'eep!' and hides behind May, who joins Asteria in their glaring.

Is it obvious this is probably the first time she's been out alone? If it wasn't before, it probably became so when she jumped at the person outside the restaurant calling out to her to try their burger eating challenge.

Right into someone in the crowd around her.

ah, so it was her that he spotted out in the distance. nice.

he stays put as her majesty bounces and jumps with a certain level of youthful delight, the true majesty of a pink rathian being ecstatic to see a friendly and familiar face in the wilds of the forbidden lands, instead of, and he quotes, all these little hatchlings. ( their bond ever closer, it didn't take the kinship stone for him to recognize what his best friend and longest monstie was feeling and thinking. )

he grins, the stubble across his lower jaw telling of months without proper facial hair upkeep, but it makes him look a little bit closer to his age of twenty-six. a little older than ciela... almost the age he lost his sister, half the age he lost his ma' & pa'.

It was difficult to think straight with all the blood he was losing. The blade had cut his abdomen, deep, near the stomach, turning his off-white tunic dark red and sopping-wet. Singlehandedly, this was the worst pain the tactician had ever felt in his life. Despite all of this, he recognized that voice, and face, and red hair, anywhere.

"Why should I trust you? Why should any of us ever trust you after all you've done?!"

@justifyanger sent: 🕯️ you know who >:)

"'WORLD'S PRETTY SMALL, HUH . . ." Mari murmured in thought. Navirou says he's been to all sorts of places . . . did everyone he ever got to meet just collectively come here?

The Paragon of the Southern Sun, many riders called her. Also known as the "Rider of the White Miracle" Ciela had been the very person to purify one of the largest Black Blight outbreaks known in recorded history. Her efforts, combined with a humble little Rathalos, had saved hundreds in the world over, even if they didn't know it.