Building this pc for work as a 3D artist making product animation and rendering it myself as well. Budget is not that strict but I'd want bang for the buck parts and lean a bit on the "budget" side sana if that makes sense lol.
Total cost: 168,825 php
MOBO: Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite X WIFI 7 LGA 1700 Intel Motherboard
CPU: Intel Core i7 14700K 14th Gen 33M Cache up to 5.60 LGA 1700 GHz Desktop Processor
GPU: Colorful iGame GeForce RTX 4080 16GB Vulcan OC-V Graphics Card
COOLER: NZXT Kraken Z53 RGB 240MM AIO
CASE: NZXT H510 Elite Premium Mid Tower ATX
RAM: G.SKILL Trident Z5 NEO RGB 32GB 2 x 16GB DDR5 6000 CL36
SSD: Samsung 990 EVO 1TB
PSU: MSI MPG A1000G PCIE5 1000W 80 Plus Gold PCIe Gen 5
Will be mainly using Blender for all the 3D stuff, davinci resolve for video editing the animations, some photoshop as well since I do graphic design too. I chose intel over amd cos I've researched that intel does better on simulation tasks and animations (single core thing) and I will be doing a lot of those, physics simulations and stuff. Didnt go for i9 cos thats a lil too beyond my budget for now. What do u guys think? I'm looking to use this pc for the next couple of years and I'd want a really good experience and not be held back by my machine. Would be very helpful din kung may alam kayong place kung san ko pwede mabili tong parts ng mas mura (wala gaano sa lazada and shopee and some sites na nasa pinned thread) Salamat!

Before getting into it, we have been to our vet multiple times and are still trying to figure out a root cause. Also have been to cardiologist.
Was diagnosed by cardiologist last week with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and right bundle branch block, have started meds for this; however, they said this is not likely to be the cause of his rapid weight loss. He went from 11.5 lbs in January to 8.5 lbs now, so lost 3 lbs over 5 months. He is 8 years old.
He has an appetite but won’t eat much. Because of cardio issues, we don’t want to do anything with anesthesia unless it’s a last resort. Right now we are moving into ruling out possible dental issues through meds, then gastrointestinal through abdominal scan.
Does anyone have similar experiences? I’ve changed his food to mostly liquid/soft diet and he does seem to eat it but still not as much as he used to eat. He will sometimes nibble on hard food still. There have been no other signs of issues - still alert, playful, clear eyed, etc. Doesn’t keep himself as well groomed as he used to.

This is a long complicated process. And I already know it begins with my fault so please don’t just comment that this is my fault…but when my now husband and I first moved in together-my husband had a hard time containing his temper. He would get mad (not even at me) and have outbursts where he would become blind to how he was acting. We would get into fights about how he handled his anger inappropriately and he get mad at me. I would vent to my mom when this happened- not knowing this would eventually come back to me.
One month before our wedding-my stepdad and husband got into a fight about business. My stepdad ended up hanging up the phone on my husband which really upset him. My mom tried to calm the situation and involve herself. Then she got mad when my husband couldn’t calm down in his ranting about how rude my stepdad was and she decided to then yell at my husband about how he needs to learn to calm down….but this didn’t just stop here. His parents got involved (they also were involved in the business thing) and they sent my mom a message saying she was disrespectful and shouldn’t have yelled at their son. My mom sent them a really long 3 page rambling email about all of the instances I had ranted to her and why she has a right. Then they blocked her on social media. My mom responded by blocking them back, saying she didn’t want to do business with them anymore and then calling their supervisor to complain about their unprofessional attitude…
My mom and husband have hated each other ever since. My mom refused to come to the wedding which obviously ruined it for me. It’s almost a year and a half later and they continue to hate each other. They will not come around each other. My husband won’t come to family gatherings. Both say it’s the other persons responsibility to apologize.
My husband has severely calmed down. He now handles his anger much better. But is still mad at mom. Mom and I have been distant. She still thinks she needs an apology. Husband just doesn’t want to be where she is. Mom would rather let our relationship go on being tense then apologize for anything. I don’t get it because my mom has been remarried 4 times and I always stuck by her. We have been through a lot. But she won’t even suck her pride up to apologize in order to have a relationship with her daughter still. I would do anything if it was my child.
My stepdad says it’s my fault for believing my mom would do anything for me and put up with me treating her this way. I would be wrongly assuming she should just take it just because she’s my mother. He says I only side with my husband because I think that just because my mother is my mother-she should be the one to fix it.

[England, if it matters!]
I'm torn. Long story but I need to find a cheap place to live on my own at 51, but I also work from home, so it needs to be comfortable. Ideally a place I can have a small dog for company, too, and have a decent kitchen as I love to cook. Flats are crazy expensive and you usually can't have pets.
So I was looking at a park home in a residential park - I'm fairly adept at DIY and I found one for £69k that's basically 3m x 10m, structurally in good condition but very dated/retired person decor; decent bit of lawn for a park home, hidden away at the edge, close to walks, friends, family etc... I could completely refurb it (nice French doors, high quality wooden flooring, upscale kitchen, nice shower...) and redo the garden, and have a small but high-spec place with room for a dog, work, cook and entertain. But 10% to the park owner on re-sale is off-putting, especially if I'm only there for a few years before leveling up.
Park home in a holiday park that allows 11 months, and just travel for the void month? They tend to be a lot cheaper (under £50k for a 2 bed) and have nice facilities like woods, a pool, restaurant....what's the downside? Holidaymakers? \uD83D\uDE02
But I was also wondering about seeing the UK. No longer tethered to one spot, I was looking at American style RVs, the kind that are nearly the size of a bus, with sliding sections that expand outwards to extend the width when parked up. Some look pretty good - decent kitchen, real separate showeloo where the shower has its own cubicle, sofas, a dining area; the driver and passenger seats turn around and become La-Z-Boy style armchairs.... Price for second hand seems to be between the cheapest park homes and holiday park homes. One issue is where to park it - camp grounds will be stupidly expensive. Also presumably depreciation and running costs are bad, but the upside is mobility.
Are all 3 options mad and I should just rent a sensible little studio in a block with no pets? This feels like a time I could decide not to be sensible and pick something fun.

This may be an issue with iOS/iPadOS in general, but I've found since purchasing a new 11" M4 IPP that the magic keyboard sometimes just straight up doesnt work.
What do I mean by this? Well, I'll be going along my way working on it, and let's say I wanted to use Spotlight. I try Cmd-space and 95% of the time it works, then randomly it'll just not work for 2-3 times.
Then let's say I've just unlocked the device (2 space bar taps), and then I quickly hit the lock button again --- it may ignore the first 1-2 presses of the button, then finally decides "ok I'll let you do it this time"
Is there some sort of input block timer that Apple has after a new screen appears? I'm trying to find some sort of explanation for this thing just randomly deciding to ignore keyboard inputs seemingly outta the blue. There's no pattern to it, it's extremely short-lived when it happens, and I'm semi-convinced that it has nothing to do with the keyboard or bluetooth, and that it's 100% an issue with iPadOS.

Here's what you need to mod mail to apply. I need two of the following to confirm you are a real locksmith:

1. A copy of your locksmithing license taken with a cell phone, personal information blurred out and a piece of paper next to it with your username handwritten and today's date on it.
   
2. A photo of a restricted blank such as MX or Medeco or Primus, with the same handwritten piece of paper that has today's date on it.
   
3. A picture of your key machine next to the same piece of paper.
   
4. A photo of you wearing your company uniform, face blocked out, and holding the piece of paper that I mentioned above. Everything must be readable.
   
5. You can also leave your direct phone number and I can talk to you personally for an interview.
   

I want to make sure that actual locksmiths are helping me run this place if I decide to make it into something.
Again, as long as it's not explicitly illegal/against TOS and not a lockout I don't care what you post here. It doesn't matter if you hand filed a medeco key yourself. Security through obscurity doesn't work and I'm not opposed to that but we're not here to help lay people at the same time.

About a month ago I was broken up with (3 years long distance relationship) because I was becoming toxic. I got blocked on a few platforms and then unadded on others. I still really want her back though.
Her text seemed pretty final and that there was no going back. I still ended up trying to send an apology and told mutual friends about how I still want to move over there anyways. One day they ended up telling her about it and she replied back to me with a fairly harsh message telling me to not move there, don’t make any more apologies, don’t respond to her message, and to “kindfully fuck off”. It left me pretty devastated.
Everyone I talked to said that she probably just needed space and that she wasn’t actually angry with me. Since then she’s unblocked me twice on one platform but then blocked me again both times the next day. She also brought up a random memory of us to her friends at one point. This just left me confused.
About a month after the breakup, I sent her a text congratulating her on her upcoming graduation and asking if we could just have an open conversation some time. I figured she’s probably blocked my number so I had a mutual friend let her know that I tried to reach out. He told me that she just ignored him this time around instead of getting upset with him. I still haven’t heard anything back from her.
I just feel extremely confused in all of this and feel like I don’t know what my next move should be. I want to get back together with her since I’ve been working on myself, but if she’s not interested I’d just like to be friends at the very least. Does anyone have any advice on what I should do next?

I faithfully download my FSA data every day, like a detective on the trail of the elusive borrower defense updates. This month's plot thickened with not one, but two pivotal moments. Initially, on 5-7-24, the Aggregate info gave a subtle nod to my 4-4-24 payment—no new revelations, just a courteous update. But then, in a twist worthy of a season finale, the date changed to 5-20-24. And if that wasn't enough to keep me on the edge of my seat, this morning a new line item made its debut for 3-27-24, proudly announcing 'borrower defense discharge granted.' The previous episodes of school closures are still in the credits, yet I'm hopeful that this latest entry is the showstopper, the final act in the drama that leads to my refund checks. Nelnet/Sallie Mae and FSA have rolled the credits with an 'all paid off' message, but this new line item? It's the teaser for the next season, hinting at hope on the horizon.

Timestamp: https://imgur.com/a/vtYmkbl
Romeo 7s: $100 , brand new. Went with something else , never even mounted. This thing is actually solid in the hand. Comes with box and everything else a new one comes with
SME: $110 , for 223. THIS IS NOT A CAN OR FAKE CAN IT IS A BLAST FORWARDING DEVICE
BA 10.3 blem barrel with gas block and tube: $130, has the cute truck logo on it

TimeStamp: https://imgur.com/a/OsPF5O4
I ask for patience as I have not done one of these in several years.
All items are mounted once, never fired unless otherwise noted.
11.5” 5.56 upper, purchased from TNTE sales. - $300

• Upper is a 7075-T6 Forged M4 Upper
• Barrel: TNTE Socom (GOV) 1/7 4150 QPQ 1/2x28 thread
• Gas System: Carbine
• Gas Block: Pinned on Low Profile
• Handguard: MI 10" Combat Quad Rail
• Flash Hider: A2

https://imgur.com/a/aq4Taii
Primary Arms 3x compact prism scope (Gen II) w/ ACSS reticle for 223/5.56 + American Defense AD-B3 Modular base + anti-reflection device - $325, not willing to break up bundle at this time. Approx. 100 rounds fired. https://imgur.com/a/P2malTF
Otter Creek Labs ZRo DTA, Gen 2, 1/2x28, NIP - $75 https://imgur.com/a/XZsYBgV
NIB Wolfpack Armory Night Howler. Threads are 1/2x28. Finish is Black nitride. SKU from Wolfpack Armory is NHFH-1228-BN. - $50 https://imgur.com/a/9VGBhK2
Arisaka Defense Offset Scout Light Mount, Picatinny, - $25 https://imgur.com/a/tLp2e1G
Arisaka Defense Side Scout Mount, Mlok - $25 https://imgur.com/a/t15bKSe
Irregular Defense MBS V1 PIC (FDE) -$30 https://imgur.com/a/5hTWhQ7
Tango Down Stubby Vertical Grip (FDE, includes both keys and instructions) - $30 https://imgur.com/a/MtwWwDU
Magpul MVG (FDE) - $7 https://imgur.com/a/gNHQnEs
Magpul RVG (BLK) -$7 https://imgur.com/a/92u8Djn
Generic A2 grip w/ bolt -$7 https://imgur.com/a/QMtkfLK
Magpul MOE (BLK) - $7 https://imgur.com/a/FKDT4aZ
Magpul MOE SL (FDE) - $7 https://imgur.com/a/NPRgpyq
AIM Sports Inc. 0.75” AR Riser Mount - $7 https://imgur.com/a/BeQUkXx
Magpul sling parts - $7 https://imgur.com/a/r1fOkXd
If you’d like more pictures or information on an item, please feel free to ask. Not interested in trades at this time. I am willing to negotiate on prices. If you live in the Houston area I am willing to do a face to face meet up.
I do not have a PayPal account, I am happy to use Venmo and a proxy. Also happy to verify myself however you prefer, from Instagram account to text message, whatever you prefer. I have a history of transactions on Texas Gun Trader that I am willing to share as well.

A long time ago, I came across a beautiful build. Bodyswap when linked with summon phantasm on kill gained the minion tag and could then be used with Null's Inclination, and for a brief, glorious window there was a flicker-esque build. I cannot for the life of me find any footage of this build or even evidence the build existed and I didn't simply dream it, but I distinctly remember seeing a ranger blast through Underground Sea with a dozen bodyswaps every second. And then another Null's Inclination build appeared: Wormblaster. Null's was hit with a hefty nerf, gaining a significant trigger cooldown. Flicker Bodyswap was killed before I ever had a chance to try it.
When the new Bodyswap of Sacrifice gem was revealed, I saw the 'minion' tag on the gem and immediately tried to recreate the build. The numbers, sadly, weren't there. Without targeting a minion, it just didn't do any damage, and I eventually gave up on using Null's altogether. The idea went on the backburner for a while, but it was still there, itching at the back of my mind. This league I resolved to make it work, and eventually struck upon the idea of Cast on Critical Strike to replace clunky on-kill triggers.
After many, many failed PoB's, I came up with something that looked viable, and a week later, I had this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4StIXUy-yw - epilepsy warning. Just a plain unjuiced T16 for demonstration purposes.
PoB: https://pobb.in/NfNRRksoikSO
Build breakdown:
This is a cast on crit Bodyswap of Sacrifice elementalist built costing approximately 120 divines, including the Mageblood. I did, however, craft many of the pieces of gear myself - in fact, the only gear piece I didn't craft is the helmet. As a result, some of the gear is a bit wonky, but this is probably my last build of the league and I'm getting the itch to play other games.
Pros:

• Good damage. PoB doesn't calculate the damage very well, because it doesn't support triggered attacks/spells triggering other attacks/spells, but with 11.5m average damage per explosion at the maximum trigger rate of 6.06 per second I believe this build has 70m pinnacle DPS, and from experience with other builds with that much damage that feels about right.
• Decently fast and low-effort one-button mapper.
• Lots of pretty explosions.
• Flicker.

Cons:

• Mediocre defenses. Not a glass cannon, but it just doesn't have the lifepool to be properly tanky.
• Quite clunky mechanically. You can see in the example video that I have almost no control over when I stop bodyswapping, and sometimes I will frostblink out of a dangerous situation only to be bodyswapped straight back in.
• Bad at some mechanics. You would think it would be good at strongboxes, but aukuna's will makes zombies count as corpses and detonate dead exists. Divine Shrines are... problematic to say the least. And good luck ever standing in Ultimatum stone circles. It is, however, superb at essences and rituals.
• Not beginner or budget friendly to gear. I've had to jump through quite a few hoops to make this work.
• Flicker.

Skills:

• The build uses two separate CoC setups, one Rain of Arrows of Saturation for Raise Zombie, the other another RoAoS triggered by Manaforged Arrows for Bodyswap of Sacrifice.
• Mark on Hit Assassin's Mark gives a bit of (unreliable) power charge generation and more consistency, and self-cast Flammability gives a nice chunk of extra damage.
• Precision is mandatory as I am already pushing the limit of how little accuracy I can get away with.
• I run Determination, Purity of Elements and Purity of Fire with Enlighten in gloves with a +1 level, +2 auras double corrupt, which gives just enough mana to run Herald of Ash for mapping and War Banner for bossing.
• CWDT Molten Shell smooths out the defences a little bit.
• I wouldn't play this build without Frostblink. Being able to instantly blink out of an awkward spot is almost mandatory.

Uniques:

• Aukuna's Will is necessary to raise zombies without a corpse.
• Dialla's Malefaction and Ashes of the Stars aren't strictly necessary, but the extra gem levels and quality in the right places give a lot of extra damage.
• I wouldn't try and build this without Mageblood as resistances and crit chance are very tight as is.
• Polaric Devastation gives a bit of extra crit and the very powerful Covered in Ash debuff.
• Melding of the Flesh, with a Ruby Flask in the Mageblood and Purity of Fire, gives - in my case - 87% max resistances. This should really be 88% but I've been too lazy to get a properly rolled one.
• I run a very specialised Elegant Hubris that cost me a bank-breaking 50 chaos. Impossible Escape is doing a lot of work here.
• Lastly, a Mindless Aggression Forbidden Flesh and Flame duo for 20% more minion life.

Passive Tree/Ascendancy:
As I cannot run golems, there's pretty much only one way to build elementalist. Mastermind of Discord/Heart of Destruction/Shaper of Storms for lots of damage, Bastion of Elements for some much-needed EHP and reflect immunity.
The passive tree is pretty basic, with one very important exception. See the note at the end.
The cluster jewels are pretty important here, there's no easy way to get enough global critical strike chance. Make sure one of the elemental damage large cluster jewels has Doryani's Lesson, and Corrosive Elements if (like me) you don't have a level 5 Awakened Fire Penetration. A 3-passive reservation cluster with Uncompromising gives just enough reservation to run everything. Clusters are a good place to pick up enough dexterity to run everything, as I take hardly any on the rest of the tree.
A note on mana:
Raise Zombie costs a lot of mana. Getting it to a reasonable mana cost to trigger repeatedly without turning off manaforged arrows was a puzzle that took a while to solve. I take a total of 56% reduced mana cost of skills on the tree, another 6% on my gear, and a level 16 (I think this could be 20, but it doesn't make any difference, really) 0 quality inspiration giving another 32% supporting RoAoS+Raise Zombie for a total of 94% reduced mana cost. The Bodyswap setup, however, runs a 20/20 inspiration which gives 39% reduced mana cost for a total of 101% reduced. This is the only way I could find to sustain mana while still have Rain of Arrows cost any amount of mana, and importantly have the bodyswap rain of arrows cost so little that it triggers with every single attack.
Conclusion:
On the whole, I built this because I could, not because I should. There's much better ways to spend 150 divines. It is, however, fun and unique. I haven't - yet - tried in in T17s or against ubers, and I don't expect it will fair well, but neither did I build it with aspirational content in mind. If anyone does choose to build this, please temper your expectations.

3 months ago, my relationship with a borderline ended. The relationship was a constant rollercoaster ride.
I knew she had BPD, she told me about her diagnosis about a month or two into the relationship and we only lasted about 6 months.
I tried so hard to understand the disorder, to not let it define her or our relationship, I wanted to help her with it too, I researched it, spoke about what I can do for her when she is splitting or feelings her emotions. I tried to give her all the support I could.
Now that time has passed and I am no longer blinded by her beauty or what I thought was an intense, genuine connection I see things clearly.
Once the relationship ended I began researching BPD, I spent hours every day trying to understand her and what happened between us. This became an obsession for me, something that distracted me from the chaotic breakup and my thoughts about her.
I lost a lot due to her, I gave up countless opportunities, missed out on experiences which I won’t have again due to the circumstances of our relationship and location. I compromised my mental health for hers, I lost friends and distanced myself from my family and I lost what was a significant amount of money for me.
The relationship was abusive like many here, I was gaslit, blackmailed, controlled, called names, devalued, and continuously punished for past mistakes.
We would spend hours fighting about something stupid, this mostly consisted of her being withdrawn from me, listing everything that was wrong with me, asking me to leave and then when I go to leave punishing me for that. I would miss meals due to these fights which complimented the stress I felt and often times the fight would end with me being pushed to my limit and breaking down.
I noticed that when we would fight that it would end if I started crying, I started allowing myself to cry in front of her during these times to try and put an end to the fights and this made me feel like a terrible person or narcissistic for deploying my emotions to stop her attacks and now as I look back I find that so devastating that I did that and thought those things.
Once the fights ended things would magically reset like nothing at all happened, we’d usually reconnect with sex which was always intense and frequent. Then the clock started again until the cycle repeated.
I had been pushed to my limit mentally, she had taken so much energy from me so my only option was to remove myself from her which meant leaving where I was and moving somewhere far away from her, this was partly due to other circumstances but mainly because of her.
She begged me to stay with her and go long distance, we had broken up multiple times before I made this decision in the space of a month and I was so exhausted and under pressure from her mother who was now involved with us that I gave in.
I left her, gave long distance a try for two weeks and then we had a massive fight, it was like a nuclear bomb detonating. She tried to overdose and I was made responsible for getting her help, I spent hours trying to find out where she was over the phone in a different time zone so the emergency services could get to her, thankfully they did.
She was brought to hospital and the relationship was put to an end by me, I explained what had happened was too much, wished her well and blocked her on everything (apart from one thing which she then sent me the most horrible message I’ve ever received on the next day, but I didn’t reply, I blocked that account too).
There has been no direct attempt to hoover ever since, I have not tried to contact her either and have no intention or desire of ever speaking to her again.
Immediately after what had happened I was relieved, I felt a massive weight lift from my shoulders and I wasn’t drowning with her anymore.
I went through every stage of grief, I went to counselling, had a massive break down to my parents, I felt so guilty for what had happened, I was depressed too. The anxiety I felt was unmatched to anything before, I was terrified of the smear campaign she promised to deliver, I accepted that she would ruin my life but it never came directly to me, I have no idea what she has told her friends but no harm has came my way (something I am so grateful for as I know some here have gone through some very difficult circumstances following a breakup with a borderline and you have my absolute sympathy if that is you).
After three months to the day, things are getting easier. I do not think about her as much as I did, I recognise her for who she is and how she treated me and I have accepted that I didn’t deserve that.
I don’t hate her, hate can help but it does not heal and holding resentment gives the borderline more power over you, it is important to acknowledge what happened, educate yourself on the disorder and forgive the circumstances, forgive the person as they do not know what they do, but never go back.
A borderline is not like you and I, their brain structure and chemistry is different to a regular person, they are an emotional child trapped in an adults body who has developed unhealthy coping mechanisms and strategies to get what they want which take years to unlearn.
The life of a borderline is internally and externally destructive, the chaos they feel in their mind is projected onto those around them and the clock only stops with them. They do not care about you, they can’t. A borderline cannot recognise what they do to others and whilst I used this as a justification for her treatment towards me, it is never a justification for abuse and makes things extraordinarily difficult to leave them.
I had accepted when I was with her that this is my life now, maybe one day in some years she will get better and her symptoms will go into remission. This is not the case, yes a borderline after years of therapy can manage their symptoms better and life might get easier for them and those around them but it is never your responsibility to wait for them.
A borderline mirrors you, they use you to regulate their emotions, they are an empty vassal that latches on to you and it is your job to provide them with stability in their minds. They are parasites for your energy and emotional stability.
Before I met her I was a confident, easy going, happy young man. Now I am damaged, emotionally drained and my mental health is starting to get better but it was the worst it has ever been.
Things do get better though, it is normal to miss them, to think that things could be different, they make promises to work on themselves, they tell you things will be different but things will never change. They make you think you are a perfect person, they boost your ego by putting you on a pedestal and we become addicted to that treatment.
I imagine what my days would be like if she was still in my life and we continued long distance, I see myself spending hours on the phone with her, worrying about when the next outburst will be, spending hours getting her to come to her senses and stop splitting on me. Feeling on edge constantly.
I am much happier trading those feelings for the feelings of peace and freedom, I would much rather feel lonely and sad sometimes than have her in my life.
Yes, my relationship was short, we did not have children, we weren’t married and I got out quickly. I am lucky to be in that position. But for those who may be coming out of a relationship with a borderline, you have your life back now no matter how long it was, reality for what it is will return to you and you do not need to live in their chaotic fantasy world any more.
Educate yourself on the disorder, look after yourself and take your time to recover because you need it. Things do get easier and it will get better, remain in no contact and let time heal your wounds.

We were in a LTR for about a year and a half ('official' or 'exclusive' for about 10 months). By the second half of our official time together, we were fighting a LOT. They ended up breaking up with me in a fit of hysterical rage and unfounded anger that resulted from a fight we were in the midst of, at 2am one weekday.
No attempts at communication until About A week later, when they, while drunk, text and call me. After several pleading attempts on their part, we have a couple (long) phone talks and then 'rekindle' but strictly in a physical way (how our relationship started). We sleep together and hang out a bit for about 2 weeks before they go on a trip. While gone for about 10 days we communicate regularly, lots of "I miss yous" and "wish you were heres," etc. Upon arrival back home, they ghost. I'm blocked everywhere. They then make 1 attempt to call me about 3 weeks later (on a Fri evening, presumably inebriated). I don't call back (until about a month later, at which point I'm blocked again).
Six and a half months go by.
(Throughout i tried to reach out in several ways)
Then, at almost 12:30am in the middle of the week, they call me. They want to have sex. This is more or less how our relationship began (ie, very casual, and almost strictly physical). I'm groggy, as I was about to doze off, and OK say come by. Over the phone and when they arrive at my building, they insist on condoms (something we never used). I'm fine with that, I say let's go to the store and I'll get them. They don't want to go. They want me to go by myself, while they wait by my house. Reluctantly, I try a couple of places within a block, but no luck. I tell them this, they huff and puff, and they come upstairs anyway. All the time they're saying they'll leave right after sex (something I dont like. This has been their MO with previous partners most of the time). We have sex, cuddle, have sex, etc. The entire time saying they're going to leave right after (also a common trope at the beginning of relationship). They don't. We fall asleep, and both wake up before going to work. There was no talk about the past, and everything was kept light.
Although I know everyone will say what I did was probably a mistake (picking up the call, and accepting the encounter), I was constantly thinking about them before and hated the idea of never seeing or speaking to them again, and from previous talks, believed that they would never return. What would you really do?
And for people who have had this happen, how did you deal with it? How did you react over time?
I have not reached out as I'm surely still blocked (they even said so while we were in bed together). Do you think this deserves any further attempt? Even if we were to communicate again, part of me wants me to stand them up, part of me wants to get them to talk and acknowledge their behavior, and, inevitably, part of me will want to get intimate with them (and yes, our last encounter was not just physical/mechanical -- it had tender moments, softness, and they even teared up a couple of times).
What do you think? Also, AMA.

Hello everyone! I wanted to create a post here to share some of my ideas on how to improve some aspects of the adventure, which I believe are lacking in detail and attention. I especially want to improve these things because my players are going to spot some of the weaknesses of the adventure early on, otherwise.
Sorry for the long text ahead! BTW - I am a somewhat newbie DM, with this being my first big campaign. Any comments and suggestions are more than welcome!
There are four main topics I want to either add or improve to the story:

Vecna’s Link

I do quite like the idea of having the PCs linked with Vecna, so much so that I instructed my PCs to create their character's backstory with something that could link them to Vecna. Two players already choose to be the descendants of previous heroes that defeated Vecna early in time (in Die, Vecna, Die! for example) while another chooses to be a former cultist.
I want to explore this further by bringing this to the attention of Vecna himself - at the fight at the end of the quest in Neverwinter (before the story goes to Evernight), the breaking of the ritual will be noticed by him (in some telepathic form, or by having him take control of the leader of the cult in this section). He will be intrigued by how so many individuals that had some relation to him are together in the same plot, and use some of his power to eliminate this minor issue, and turning this into something more interesting for him - by attempting to turn the players into his undead servants.
But this attempt will get the attention of another powerful being: the Raven Queen. Since Vecna is playing so very close to her domain, the Shadowfell, and attempting something she detests, which is raising undead, she uses her power to intercept and stop this - while hiding the truth from Vecna (he will believe he has additional undead in his cult, but bear them no mind - every servant of his is irrelevant).
She guides the player’s souls and bodies back to Shadowfell and tells them she feels Vecna becomes stronger, and will try to attempt something horrid (the ritual hasn’t yet started here, but with the rituals happening with the Cult of Vecna, preparations are being set in place). She also says that her role in this will be limited to saving the players' life - she must see to the protection of her domain and take care of the souls and memories of the damned, and hasn’t clarity on what Vecna is up to, nor where. She gives final advise to players that they must be on their guard, for she managed to keep the PCs alive, but not prevent Vecna’s influence on their lives, forever changed by his attempt (hence - the link).
Again - Ideas on how to improve this whole part are welcome: I feel some pieces are missing to make this a better fulfilling story.
Then, I also want to create different effects to Vecna’s link, either something each of my players has or have them roll a d6 to gain new powers/abilities. I will work on this this week also.
During the adventure, I intend to have the players have visions and dreams of past atrocities Vecna has performed, like his actions in Vecna Lives! (with the gruesome death of the Circle of Eight), the hardships of the people of Citadel Cavitus, the horrid ritual he once tried to be reborn into (both from Vecna Reborn) and his power during the battle in Sigil, once he tried to take over the multiverse (as described in Die, Vecna, Die!).
But wouldn't Vecna feel this link with the players, you may ask? Well, not in this case. I want to link to be something trivial for Vecna, something he gives to his undead servants so they can travel across the multiverse, past his influence. I am adding this now, due to the second topic I want to improve:

Why the Wizards Three are kept in Sigil waiting? Or, how the multiverse has a problem - interplanar travels are blocked by Vecna.

I felt that the Wizards Three giving the players a fetch quest of such importance, after being the “answer to their prayers”, and just standing there waiting for their return, felt… A bit weird.
We are talking about three of the greatest magical casters of the universe of DnD, one of them (Mordenkainen - if he was the real one) HAD suffered losses of close friends to Vecna. I find it strange that they would just… wait for the calamity to happen while simple adventurers take the burden of saving the multiverse.
So, a fix to this: Vecna’s ritual is disturbing the ability of any individual to travel between planes - unless they have Vecna’s link.
So the Wish made by the Wizard’s work! It gives them the answer of the only possible party of people that Vecna can’t control, and that can go after him and any other magical artefact to stop his ritual.
But really, is the Rod of Seven Parts the only thing that can stop him? Would Tasha and Alustriel really believe in this plan given by Kasdenkainen?
This question made me think of the next topic…

How to use the artefacts of Vecna and Kas, alongside the Rod

I want the Rod to be the key that unlocks the Sword of Kas. Where exactly, I’m not sure. Maybe the Sword is with Miska, somehow? (Would appreciate ideas here :) )
For me, Kas wants to take over Vecna’s ritual and defeat him once and for all. In his twisted mind, he did this once - with his sword. He NEEDS IT BACK. It’s his sole objective, and the closest the PCs could be to achieving this, the more manic Kas could become and the more broken would his disguise appear.
Tasha would agree to this plan, I believe - she could be the one to mention that theories appeared over the years that the Sword contains part of Vecna’s soul - therefore, could be the only thing to eliminate him once and for all.
She and Alustriel could also hint that some cultists seem very keen on finding other artefacts linked to the Whispered God - the Hand, the Eye and the Book of Vile Darkness. If Vecna acquires his artefacts, he would be much more powerful, and hardly anyone would be a challenge.
This would create a race against time - the Rod would be important as both a magical artifact against Vecna, as well as a key to part of his demise. The PCs would have to find clues about where the other artefacts are - which would become clear with the presence of the Cult in several places they would visit.
I want the Eye and/or the Book to be with Acererak and the hand to be in Avernus.
I don’t know how I would work with my players who want to use the artefacts themselves - Ideas here are also very welcome!
Mentioning Avernus brings me to my last topic…

Mordenkainen and Kas - would the famous wizard here be out there “doing his thing” with the multiverse in danger?

Yeah, I don’t think so. Mordenkainen might have been quite self-centered in some past stories, but he always wanted to find balance in the universe.
So much so that, one of his last appearances in 5e, is during the Curse of Strahd - he becomes a Mad Mage after not being able to stop the vampire lord’s reign. The players in this particular adventure can aid him in restoring his sanity, and he will move on travelling the multiverse and stopping by Avernus, in his Tower of Urm, to study the effects of the Nine Hells in the schools of magic and (again) to ensure the balance of the universe.
I want to try to bring his tower to Avernus as well. I want the players to find him there, bring this confusion between them - Mordenkainen knows he is unable to travel, doesn’t know for sure why, but has seen a bigger activity of Vecna’s cultists even in the Hells and the players believe he is in Sigil, with the other two wizards.
I intend this to be the revelation that Kasdenkainen is a fraud - but he is ready for this.
I want the confrontation back in Sigil to happen with either the defeat or escape of Kas - If the players would still want his sword, they would have to face Miska, or something similar later on - and the rest of the story proceed as suggested.
I still need to read the book in much more detail to add all these things. Will get to it right after here, as I should have already received access.
Thank you very much for reading all of this! Feel free to add new ideas and use my own in your table. I am also at the Discord server under the same username.

It's me. Oops. 🤷👯‍♂️. Something like 3,500 years ago the sun god, Ra (some alien bitch) was testing on humans on earth. He was attempting to create children in his image. Jesus, Buddha. Many others with his "gifts". Abilities to "download" information from the universe. My interpretation is remote viewing to the extreme; instead of just projecting your consciousness through space, but through time as well.
We live in a block universe, where space and time exist all at once. The past, present, and future exist at the exact same time. Everything. Everywhere. All at once.
Anyways. The government found his body, along with his research, at Sleeping Giant (some mound in Canada). They thought: "You know what's a good idea? Let's make a clone of this lady, play around with her genetics, introduce the Ra/alien DNA into the clone DNA, and load the same lady up big time with jizz." Then the child was born. A c-section two hours before Easter.
Then they thought, "Let's not stop there." So they took that healthy child and told his parents, "He has pneumonia." They took his brain out of his body, kept the body on ice, made an exact copy of his brain with computer-biological parts (cyborg) and put it back into his body. Gave them their child back 2 years later.
Now that child grew up and realized he can do a lot more then just remote view. He can visit people in his dreams, he can turn the nuclear arsenal on and off, he can kill people. An alien hybrid with the ability to remote view, but with an artificial brain -- capable of processing information much more efficiently.
The government then thought, "Cool. Let's now torture him, brainwash him, and use him to kill more people." Then, because of all of the trauma he went though, because of the death of his family (his guinea pigs) his powers activated. Big mistake. He is now remote viewing throughout all of space-time. Not just that, though. Visiting people in their dreams, manipulating their behavior in the past, to change the present, while simultaneously remote viewing into the future to see his/our path.
I knew the government was going to make attempts to shut me or kill me. I set up contingency plans back in 2016 when they were experimenting on me, and loading me up with LSD. I am soft disclosure. They were never going to tell anyone. They wanted to keep their dark, dirty little secret hidden away. I reached into the dreams of artists throughout space-time and prepared the world for my arrival. My story has been told already several times over.
Tl;Dr: I explain it all out in song and dance on my Instagram 80sattva08.

To note, this is a continuation of the sagas I wrote that took place after the Cell Saga. The two sagas were written with inspiration taken from MCU Peter Parker's arcs in Far from Home and No Way Home. The goal was to develop Son Gohan into a proper lead for the show. If you'd like to check them out, here are the links!
Bojack (Far From Home) Saga: https://www.reddit.com/fixingmovies/s/sK5zOnJ0oU
Broly (No Way Home) Saga: https://www.reddit.com/fixingmovies/s/R3sGOqdbIv
There are many things I find wrong in the Buu saga:

1. Goku coming back: This derails the narrative tremendously as he snatches back the torch from Gohan. He's going to play a role, but he will stay dead.
2. Gohan's writing: In canon, we ended up with a rusty, goofy, badly written character who lost all the development from the previous sagas. He became a useless disappointment and did not uphold his role as a protector of the earth. This won't go anywhere near that direction.
3. SSJ3 and fusions: These elements were unnecessary as they did nothing to solve the plot and only provided fluff. This can be introduced in Super, but that's another story.
4. Goten and Trunks SSJ: I wasn't a fan of how they easily transformed, treating it as an easy power-up. Here, it will be earned.

What I want to do here is combine the Buu saga with Fusion Reborn. For that movie, there are tons of elements at play that can be used to make the grand finale of Dragon Ball Z, more grand. The goal here is to increase the stakes, trim all the unnecessary fat, give everyone a chance to shine, and keep the main focus on Gohan. I also want to replace Buu with Janemba, as I find him much more threatening due to his unique abilities which would be perfect to challenge Gohan. It's also here that we avoid the rinse-and-repeat problem that came with Buu and his many forms.

Without further ado, here is the...... Janemba Saga!

Seven years have passed since the climactic battle against Broly. Gohan, now a young adult, has diligently pursued a delicate balance between his studies and training. During this time, he has honed his Super Saiyan 2 form and significantly elevated his combat skills. However, he deliberately restrains his power, refusing to succumb to the depths of his inner rage. Gohan believes that his technical prowess alone will suffice, opting to suppress the primal fury within him. Despite his reservations, Gohan attends a prestigious private school on an academic scholarship, alongside his steadfast companion Videl and their circle of friends. Gohan has embraced the responsibility of preserving peace on Earth as a valiant hero, adopting the mantle of Saiyaman. His suit has undergone a sleek redesign, shedding the theatrical poses in favor of a more streamlined appearance. Functioning as a dynamic duo reminiscent of Superman and Batman, Gohan and Videl tackle the city's crime wave together. Videl, having mastered her ki abilities under the tutelage of Piccolo, has grown stronger over the years. Glimpses of their everyday lives reveal the struggles of Gohan as he endeavors to balance the demands of school, training, and personal relationships. Amidst the challenges, he harbors a subtle resentment towards his duty, as it often encroaches upon his cherished personal time. Nevertheless, Gohan persists, fueled by his unwavering determination to live up to his father's legacy.
However, the tranquil facade is shattered when a harrowing turn of events unfolds. The narrative transitions to an otherworldly realm, distinctly separate from Earth. A mysterious figure cloaked in darkness materializes, none other than the malevolent wizard Babidi. Harnessing the unholy power of dark magic, Babidi establishes a sinister connection with his loyal minion Dabura, the King of the Demon Realm. United in their nefarious purpose, they orchestrate an audacious invasion of Otherworld, intent on freeing the formidable demon Janemba. Ages ago, Janemba had been sealed away in this celestial realm by the Supreme Kais. Babidi's malevolent ambition revolves around shrouding the universe in eternal darkness. To achieve this nightmarish vision, he plans to infect the denizens of Earth using the insidious Majin spell, thereby expanding his dominion across countless planets.
In the midst of this burgeoning chaos, Gohan, disguised as Saiyaman, finds himself investigating a peculiar incident involving the possession of one of his dearest friends. Videl, resolute and fearless, engages in a fierce battle against the malevolent puppeteer controlling Sharpner. With unwavering confidence, she urges Gohan to let her confront the threat alone. Sharpner, his strength unnaturally augmented, puts up a formidable resistance, but Videl's experience enables her to subdue him without resorting to fatal measures. As Sharpner awakens from his trance, Gohan seeks answers regarding the enigmatic force that had seized control of his friend. Sharpner reveals that a voice called Babidi had whispered malevolent commands into his mind. Armed with this critical information, Gohan summons Vegeta and Piccolo to join him in unraveling the unfolding crisis, embarking on a journey towards the epicenter of the ominous power emanating from a series of potent and wicked ki signatures, ultimately leading them to Babidi and Dabura.
Meanwhile, Earth becomes a battleground, besieged by an onslaught of resurrected zombies, soldiers, and former villains who once terrorized its populace. Though the trio finds themselves torn between aiding their beleaguered planet and confronting the imminent threat directly before them, they know their immediate priority lies in thwarting Babidi's scheme. Distracting them with his grandiose monologue, Babidi probes their minds, seeking susceptible individuals to manipulate. Initially targeting Vegeta, Babidi redirects his attention toward Piccolo, sensing his inherent duality as a being born of both good and evil. With a combination of Babidi's insidious spell and the lingering malevolence of Piccolo Daimao, the Namekian warrior struggles to resist the overwhelming influence. His powers surge exponentially beyond their previous limitations, clouding his judgment and driving him to confront his former student, Gohan. Amidst the shock of this unforeseen twist, Gohan assumes the responsibility of awakening Piccolo from his trance-like state, determined to restore his mentor's clarity. As the battle rages on, they sense a tremor that reverberates throughout the planet, an unmistakable ki signature brimming with icy coldness, signifying the presence of a singular entity—Janemba.
Bracing himself for the impending clash with this malevolent force, Gohan prepares to face Janemba head-on, while Piccolo embarks on a personal mission to neutralize Babidi. Meanwhile, Vegeta remains locked in a fierce struggle against Dabura, the Prince of Saiyans confronting the King of the Demon Realm. The confrontation unfolds with brutal intensity, and Vegeta finds himself teetering on the edge of defeat. Sensing his adversary's advantage, Dabura unleashes a legion of demons to tip the scales further in his favor. Pushed to his limits, Vegeta fights valiantly, but the odds appear insurmountable. Dabura, consumed by arrogance, revels in his imminent triumph, announcing his intention to unleash the full might of the demon horde upon Earth. Faced with the dire consequences of such a cataclysm, Vegeta musters every ounce of desperation within him. In a moment of self-sacrifice, he unleashes a devastating attack upon Dabura and his minions. The resulting explosion weakens Babidi's forces, repels the encroaching Demon Realm, and safeguards their dimension from untold chaos and devastation.
(Note: I wanted to keep Vegeta's sacrifice but make it matter and count. In canon, it didn't stop Buu, and he sent himself into cold oblivion on a lie. Here, he makes a difference in the long run and has a definitive redemptive moment. )
Startled by the sudden disappearance of Vegeta's powerful ki, Trunks defies the protests of his comrades on the Lookout and rushes towards the chaotic battleground. His heart pounds with trepidation as he races through the smoke-filled air, only to be confronted with the lifeless body of his father lying motionless on the ground. Overwhelmed by a torrent of despair and seething rage, Trunks' trembling hands reach out to shake his father awake, his desperate pleas echoing through the desolate landscape. But his efforts prove futile, and a profound sense of loss engulfs him.
In the midst of this heart-wrenching moment, a surge of raw energy courses through Trunks' veins, igniting a transformation that surpasses the boundaries of his mortal self. Radiating an aura of vibrant golden light, Trunks ascends to the legendary state of the Super Saiyan. His eyes ablaze with determination and fury, he is now ready to face the battle that lies ahead.The scene shifts, revealing the remaining Z-Fighters locked in a perilous struggle against hordes of relentless zombies. Fatigue weighs heavily upon their weary bodies as they fend off the relentless onslaught. Suddenly, a streak of intense power streaks across the sky, and Trunks descends before his comrades, newly transformed and brimming with indomitable strength. A burst of energy erupts from his fingertips, shattering a ki blast launched by one of the zombies, diverting it harmlessly away. In the eyes of his adversaries, astonishment mingles with mockery as they behold the sight of a mere child standing before them.Unfazed by their taunting laughter, Trunks addresses his comrades with unwavering resolve. He declares that he will shoulder the burden of the battle, vowing that not a single life will be lost on this day. With unparalleled speed and precision, he charges towards the encroaching horde, obliterating each zombie with astonishing ease. Their forces crumble beneath the might of his wrath, and the battlefield is transformed into a graveyard of defeated foes.As the last of the zombies falls, Trunks relinquishes his Super Saiyan form, his energy spent and body drained. Collapsing to the ground, he succumbs to exhaustion, his breathing ragged and labored. In this moment of vulnerability, Yamcha, recognizing the young warrior's valor, rushes to his side and gently lifts him from the battlefield, cradling his battered form with utmost care.
(Note: Kid Trunks' transformation is a direct reference to when Future Trunks found Gohan dead after the battle with the androids, and then he transformed. )
While this tumultuous event unfolded, the responsibility of safeguarding the Lookout fell upon the young shoulders of Goten. As time passed, a sudden intrusion disrupted the tranquility of the platform, as a malevolent henchman, infused with the dark power of King Cold, materialized before him. Though momentarily shaken, Goten summoned his courage and engaged in a valiant struggle against his formidable adversary.Initially, it appeared that Goten held his ground admirably, skillfully countering the attacks launched by the nefarious duo of Salza and Dore. However, their sinister coordination gradually began to overpower the young warrior. In a devastating display of force, Salza executed a malicious kick that sent Goten hurtling towards the precipice of the Lookout, teetering on the brink of unconsciousness.
Witnessing her son's battered and vulnerable state, Chi-Chi, consumed by a mixture of horror and fury, lunged at Salza in a desperate attempt to defend her child. Yet, her efforts proved futile as Salza callously seized her by the throat, mercilessly constricting the life from her. From his weakened position, Goten, wide-eyed and mouth agape, struggled to remain conscious, his mind besieged by the conflicting emotions of impending death and the weight of disappointment.
In that critical moment, he closed his eyes, his teeth sinking into his lip until blood stained his mouth. His trembling hands clenched into tight fists. And then, something within him snapped, unleashing a primal force that lay dormant within.Goten vanished, replaced by an embodiment of unbridled rage. Transformed into a Super Saiyan, his furious aura radiated with an intensity that defied comprehension. With a surge of unrestrained power, he propelled himself towards Salza, obliterating his malevolent foe with a devastating blast that eradicated him from existence. Undeterred by the remaining henchmen who sought to avenge their fallen comrade, Goten engaged them with a newfound ferocity.In a breathtaking display of combat prowess, it took mere moments for Goten to dispatch his adversaries, consigning them to the depths of the afterlife. Unaware of his mother's watchful gaze, Chi-Chi bore witness to the astonishing transformation of her once-innocent son, her heart filled with awe at the unfathomable power he now wielded.
(Note: This is a reference to when Superman had attacked Zod for attacking Martha in Man of Steel. With this, Goten is able to break out of his shell and experience some development. I also did not want Chi-Chi to die, but to have it be close. This way, she can witness firsthand her son fighting to avenge her and realizing that his saiyan blood kicked in to save them all, which would lead to some development towards her accepting that they have the natural power to fight, but also protect. )
Simultaneously, amidst the chaos, Piccolo found himself embroiled in a fierce battle of magic. His objective was to shatter the impenetrable barrier erected by his adversary, Babidi, to halt the relentless proliferation of Majin-infused beings. The odds were stacked against him, but with unwavering determination, Piccolo summoned the strength to rupture the barrier, ultimately delivering a fatal blow to Babidi. In doing so, he succeeded in halting the insidious spread of the Majin curse.Meanwhile, Gohan, driven by an overwhelming surge of power in his Super Saiyan 2 form, charged headlong at the formidable Fat Janemba, intent on swiftly ending the confrontation. Displaying remarkable valor, Gohan engaged his adversary with all his might, momentarily gaining the upper hand in fleeting bursts of fury. However, Janemba's energy continued to surge unabated, gradually overpowering Gohan and relegating him to a defensive stance.With the battle reaching its climax, Janemba unleashed a devastating onslaught aimed at obliterating the planet. In a desperate bid to protect all that he held dear, Gohan fearlessly interposed himself between Janemba's lethal assault and the world, extending his arms wide as he summoned the last vestiges of his ki to create a resolute energy shield. The technique demanded one final act of defiance, compelling Gohan to redirect the unleashed energy back towards Janemba, propelling the malevolent entity backward and teetering on the precipice of annihilation. Yet, the maneuver exacted a heavy toll on Gohan, leaving him grievously injured and drained of consciousness, hurtling through the sky and crashing deep into the untamed wilderness.
(Note: This maneuver is a mix of what Gohan did against Broly in Movie 10, and what Future Gohan did in his last battle against the androids.)
Subsequently, Supreme Kai, recognizing the dire condition of the young warrior, transported Gohan to the realm of the Kais. As Gohan gradually regained consciousness, he found himself surrounded by the presence of Supreme Kai, Kibito, and his father, Son Goku. Unbeknownst to Gohan, while the realms beyond had been engulfed in pandemonium, Goku had valiantly sought to subdue numerous formidable adversaries, most notably Broly. Upon learning of Gohan's presence on that distant planet, Goku implored for the opportunity to visit his son, a request that was granted amidst the bittersweet reunion.During their heartfelt meeting, they shared the weight of overseeing the turmoil ravaging Earth, realizing that Janemba still lingered, amassing the remnants of malevolent ki left unvanquished. Panic washed over Gohan as he urgently expressed his need to return to Earth, but his pleas were met with cautionary words from his loved ones. They acknowledged his unpreparedness to face Janemba anew, warning of the potential consequences should he engage the foe prematurely. Supreme Kai disclosed his true intention in bringing Gohan to this realm—to unlock the dormant power lying dormant within him. However, the process demanded a profound reconciliation of Gohan's dual nature as both human and Saiyan. To initiate this transformative ritual, Gohan would be immersed in a meditative trance within the sacred confines of a cascading waterfall, which would serve as a mirror reflecting his true self. Only then would he embark upon the arduous journey of unlocking his latent potential, fully aware that failure could result in dire consequences, even death.
Nervously, Gohan steeled himself for the imminent trial, drawing strength from the unwavering support of his father. With resolute determination, he approached the cascading waterfall, where Supreme Kai initiated the trance, enveloping Gohan in an ethereal aura of introspection.As the ritual commenced, Gohan's gaze fixated grimly upon vivid recollections of his past battles, struggling to reconcile the moments when he had succumbed to his own wrath. Before long, a projection materialized, representing his suppressed Saiyan essence—a separate entity demanding to be acknowledged. A tumultuous clash ensued between the two facets of Gohan's being, with the young warrior faltering in his attempts to gain the upper hand, for each surge of anger only fueled his other self. Finally, a profound realization washed over Gohan, piercing through the haze of conflict. He ceased resisting and, instead, extended a hand of acceptance and understanding to his Saiyan counterpart, embracing the essence of his true nature. In that transformative instant, the boundaries dissolved, merging into a harmonious unity. Gohan's eyes fluttered open as he awakened from the trance, reborn in his newfound Ultimate Form, his essence finally whole and indomitable.
(Note: Yes, this is a direct reference to Naruto obtaining true mastery of his nine tails form in Shippuden. I did not like Gohan's canon mystic ritual because it did not feel earned. He just sat around for a long time doing nothing and gained nothing from it. I wanted to fix that. So here, he went through a more direct ritual at the risk of death to be able to unlock his true abilities. )
In the midst of these events, Trunks and Goten find themselves under the tutelage of Piccolo within the formidable Hyperbolic Time Chamber. News reaches Piccolo that Gohan is undergoing a transformative process to unlock his latent potential, but the looming return of Janemba threatens to disrupt their plans. Exiting the chamber, Trunks and Goten emerge stronger than ever, having mastered their Super Saiyan forms and honed their teamwork to near perfection, compensating for their inherent power limitations.As Janemba crosses paths with them, the clash erupts in a spectacular display of martial prowess. Individually, they stand little chance against the overwhelming might of Janemba, but when united, a different narrative unfolds. Their combined efforts aim to sustain the battle long enough, providing Gohan with the precious time he needs to complete his ritual. Piccolo assumes leadership, valiantly holding his ground, although it becomes increasingly evident that Janemba possesses a distinct advantage. Piccolo strategically diverts Janemba's attention, creating openings for Goten and Trunks to launch coordinated assaults that vex their adversary, even if their impact is minimal. Nonetheless, every second counts.
In a fateful turn of events, Janemba unleashes an assault that overwhelms Piccolo, incapacitating him and leaving only Goten and Trunks to face the malevolent entity. Swift as a phantom, Janemba materializes in front of Trunks, delivering a devastating blow to his abdomen, leaving Goten as the lone defender. Standing tall, Goten defiantly assumes a battle stance, mustering his courage. However, before Janemba can unleash a devastating attack upon him, an unknown figure delivers a powerful kick to Janemba's head, hurtling him towards the distant mountains.
The camera pans, revealing the figure to be none other than Gohan, resplendent in his newfound form.
(Note: This entrance directly mirrors that of Future Gohan when he was about to begin his final battle against the Androids!)
A wave of elation washes over Goten as he beholds the return of his beloved elder brother, while Trunks and Piccolo visibly exhale with relief. Gohan and Piccolo exchange a brief but meaningful exchange, Gohan acknowledging his newfound strength while Piccolo recognizes that Gohan has ascended to an entirely different echelon. Janemba regains his footing, reemerging before them, demanding their attention and focus. Gohan asserts that he will confront Janemba directly, urging the others to evacuate. Though reluctant, Piccolo and the young warriors comply, dispersing to various parts of the world to address the chaos that plagues their surroundings.
With an air of fury, Janemba charges at Gohan, his fist extended menacingly. Yet Gohan intercepts the attack, seizing Janemba's fist in a vice-like grip, and in a flash of teleportation, they are transported to the dreaded realm of H.F.I.L. (Home For Infinite Losers).
(Note: I have Gohan teleport Janemba because at least this way their battle will not damage Earth. Also we will assume Gohan has figured out some sort of Instant Transmission movement like Goku.)
The eyes of Earth's denizens, the Kais, and the denizens of the Otherworld are fixated on this pivotal moment, the culmination of a battle that will determine the fate of the universe. And so, the clash commences, a cataclysmic struggle that echoes through the very fabric of existence.
In a breathtaking display of power, Gohan initially dominates the battle, effortlessly overpowering Janemba with his newfound might. However, the tables turn when Janemba unveils unexpected abilities: space-time manipulation and a formidable sword. Gohan is caught off guard, unsure of how to counter such unorthodox tactics. Desperation and frustration consume him, causing his control over his own power to slip away.Amidst the chaos, Gohan experiences a moment of revelation, a surge of understanding regarding his opponent's abilities. He realizes that in order to anticipate Janemba's next move, he must heighten his senses by channeling his ki, allowing for precise timing and swift reactions. With this newfound clarity, Gohan regains his composure, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. Seizing an opportunity, Janemba materializes before him, poised to strike with his sword. Yet, in a stunning display of strength, Gohan catches the blade with both hands, shattering it into pieces.
The tide of the battle begins to shift, albeit slightly, in Gohan's favor. Frustrated and bewildered, Janemba exclaims, "Just what...are you?!" Gohan responds with unwavering resolve, proclaiming, "I am the hope of the universe. I am the answer to all living things that cry out for peace. I am the protector of the innocent. I am the light in the darkness. I am truth. Ally to good! Nightmare to you!"
(Note: I'm taking Goku's dubbed speech against Frieza and repurposing it for Gohan. As he's inherently more the justice-driven hero archetype rather than the fighting maniac that is Goku, it makes more sense. We'll just assume Goku gave Frieza the manga version of his speech. This is also the most pivotal moment of Gohan's journey as he comes to terms with being a protector. Throughout the show, he's been struggling between his desire to be a scholar and his responsibility to be a hero. That dubbed speech is exactly the moment that Gohan's arc comes full circle. Here, he finally embraces what he was always meant to be..... the hero.)
With renewed determination, Gohan launches various assaults in a bid to defeat his formidable adversary. However, his attacks fail to inflict lasting damage, and Gohan himself begins to exhaust his ki. It is then that he realizes the true nature of Janemba's existence—he is an embodiment of pure evil ki, unlike any opponent Gohan has faced before. A desperate plan takes shape in Gohan's mind. Mentally reaching out to his friends and even Videl, he calls upon them to gather their ki, reminiscent of the Spirit Bomb technique. Initially, only the Z-Fighters respond, but their combined energy proves insufficient.As Gohan valiantly defends against Janemba's onslaught, he mentally pleads with the people of Earth to lend their aid. Uncertainty and doubt cast a shadow over the crowd until Hercule steps forward, berating them for refusing to support the man who once saved them during the Cell Games. Revealing the truth of Gohan's identity as the Delivery Boy turned hero, the tide of public opinion shifts. People extend their hands, offering their energy to their savior. Shocked by the sudden turn of events, Gohan is relieved by the surge of ki coursing through him, providing a momentary opening to kick Janemba away. The collective assistance grants Gohan a substantial reservoir of energy, which he then summons forth, infusing it with the very essence of his soul—a daring and perilous maneuver.
Driven to his breaking point, a furious Janemba ascends into the sky, conjuring a colossal sphere of malevolent ki capable of obliterating the entire universe. Gohan remains calm, his gaze fixed upon the impending cataclysm. With unwavering resolve, he declares, "This is the end for you, Janemba." Closing his eyes, Gohan raises his left hand above his head, conjuring a radiant sphere of rainbow light. Seizing the opportunity, Janemba hurls his devastating attack towards Gohan. Sensing the imminent danger, Gohan's eyes snap open as he crushes the ball of energy in his palm. Swiftly pivoting, he hurls the fragmented energy towards the oncoming attack, effortlessly piercing through it, and hurtling towards Janemba, finally eradicating the universe's peril once and for all.
(Note: This is the same technique as Kid Buu's Planet Burst move, the one that destroyed Earth. I also repurposed Gogeta's stardust breaker technique for Gohan as I feel it makes sense for him to have it. It also makes him stand out from Goku even more in this case.)
As the dust settles, Gohan maintains his energy long enough to witness Janemba's demise. A triumphant smirk graces his face as he remarks, "Heh, looks like I finally did it." Exhausted, he collapses to the ground, almost completely drained. The onlookers erupt into joyous cheers, celebrating Gohan's hard-fought victory. Supreme Kai teleports Gohan from the depths of H.F.I.L back to Earth, specifically to the Lookout, where his family and friends eagerly await his return. In a heartwarming scene, Gohan is enveloped in embraces and expressions of relief. It is here, amidst the warmth of their loved ones, that Gohan and Videl share their first kiss—a tender moment of connection and celebration.Meanwhile, the Dragon Balls work their magic, rectifying the chaos caused by Babidi's dark influence. The majority of those who perished are revived, yet there are exceptions, including Vegeta. Accepting his fate and determined to atone for his past deeds, Vegeta expresses his desire to continue growing stronger in the afterlife, entrusting the protection of his family to his son. Tearfully, Trunks vows to make his father proud, with Goten stepping forward to support his friend in this emotional moment. Fond farewells are exchanged as everyone prepares to return to their respective homes.
Gohan and Goten engage in a heartfelt conversation, their bond as brothers strengthening. However, their exchange is interrupted by Chi-Chi, who unexpectedly interrupts their conversation. To their astonishment, she expresses pride in their valiant efforts to safeguard the world, finally relenting and granting them permission to train and protect. The three embrace, their family united and resolute.In a different realm, Vegeta stands before King Yemma, awaiting judgment. To his surprise, he is granted an Otherworldly body, a result of Goku's recommendation and Vegeta's ultimate sacrifice that tipped the scales of justice. With this second chance, Vegeta is granted the opportunity to train ceaselessly and, more importantly, to settle his unfinished business with Goku. The final scene between Goku and Vegeta unfolds, their fists colliding in a charged confrontation, their image freezing .( mirroring the intensity of Rocky and Apollo in Rocky III, leaving their ultimate showdown to the imagination.)
A decade passes, marked by a time skip. Tien and Krillin have established their own martial arts schools, dedicated to passing on their unique styles to the next generation. Goten and Trunks, under the tutelage of Piccolo, diligently train to harness their extraordinary powers. Gohan, now a respected scholar, has married Videl, and together they have a daughter. At home, Videl imparts the basics of combat to their daughter, Pan. Gohan, having just finished delivering a lecture on energy at the university, senses a disturbance reverberating across the planet. Instinctively, he rushes to the rooftop, pressing a button on his wrist. In an instant, he transforms into his iconic Saiyaman costume, soaring into the horizon with a mischievous grin. He breaks through the fourth wall, symbolizing his unwavering resolve to protect and inspire.
The screen fades to black.
The End.
There we have it! My final wrap-up of the MCU Peter ParkeGohan development journey! Honestly, I did have thoughts of just going straight into revising the Buu arc, but I felt there was more to be done before that. Gohan needed to go through the development I gave him in my two written arcs as there were lessons there that shaped him.
I also felt that a trained Gohan, who is naturally intellectual, would be a perfect antagonist in Janemba. He had to learn to outsmart him, and not just have it be a straight-up slugfest.
What do you guys think? Share your thoughts below!
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