RJ Writing Ink

A Short Story Dedicated to the Memory of Reggie Groover, AKA Slick Goku

*In an undisclosed city in the 2GS Universe, at the bar Slick Shots, we see a sign on the front of the door that reads “Closed for a wake.” Inside the bar, a massive crowd of people from all over the Dragon Ball fan community has gathered for a wake in honor of the memory of Reggie “Slick Goku” Groover. 

Representing the DevilArtemis Universe, we have Perfect Cell, Kermit the Frog, Cell Jr., Frieza, Cooler, Shallot, Master Roshi, Pika Juan, Mecha-Ugandan Knuckles, Miss Piggy, and All for One.

From Daitomodachi’s Universe, we have Emo Gohan, Dai, Deki, Kakoyin, Gohan Black, Piccolo, Gohan Absalon, Grand Priest Gohan, and Chi-Chi. Android 21 and El Hermano are calling in on Skype and Discord.

SXR123’s represented by the trio of Rex, Haruhi, and Jeanne D’Arc.

In Prince Vegeta’s Universe, we have Vegeta, Bulma, and his harem of women.

Other guests include Kronk and Broly from KronkForce, Shrek (also played by KronkForce), TFS Nappa, KishinPain, BulmaBunny, Cermit with a C standing in for Kaggy, Uncle Al, and a whole other bunch of people that knew or worked with Slick Goku.

And from the Slickverse itself, we have Slick Gohan, Slick Goten, Slick Chi-Chi, Pan, Takashi, Issei, Natsu, Lucy, Kirito, Azula, Caulifla, Kale, Naruto, Hinata, and all the other characters that Slick met and worked with over the years. At the front of the bar is a podium with three photo’s: one of Slick Goku on the left, Otaku D. Furiku. At the podium itself is RJ “Jay” Writing Ink, wearing dress clothes and a black armband of mourning.*

Jay: Hello there, everyone, and thank you all for gathering here today. I’m RJ “Jay” Writing Ink, AKA Jungoguy, and I thought it best to organize this wake in honor of the memory of Slick Goku, who sadly passed away earlier this week.

I never met Slick Goku myself, but I have spoken to several of you people on Discord and I know how much he meant to all of you. I actually learned about Slick Goku when he appeared in a DevilArtemis video. Kermit the Frog was trying to get him to listen to his mixtape, then he and Cell both pulled their guns out on each other before deciding, “let’s team up for a job.” And I remember thinking, “This guy is one of the funniest guys I have ever seen on the Internet. Like, this version of Goku that he’s playing is the most gangster Goku I’ve ever seen in my life, and I love him.”

Whenever I saw him appear in a video, my face would light up because we all knew it would be good, right? I started subscribing to his channel, and I would watch and listen to him for hours. He was so funny, and I could listen to him for hours. Like, no cap, I would go to work, put in my headphones, and start listening to Slick’s videos on shuffle for hours at a time. It was just that much fun!

What I’m trying to say, everyone, and I think that we can all agree that we all feel the same way, is that Reggie Groover was a talented man who made the world a brighter place just by being here. Prince Vegeta said it himself on Twitter: Reggie was one of the best friends anyone could hope to have. They would spend hours upon hours talking and chatting and collabing together and just enjoying their lives to the fullest. 

Vegeta: I wouldn’t say this about any Kakarot, but Reggie was probably…sniff…he was probably the best friend I ever had. 

Jay: Facts. I never got to meet him or speak to him, but I was an absolute fan of his. He made tens ouf thousands of people happy every day, and on behalf of all his fans, we offer our condolences to his friends, his family, his loved ones. He will be missed.

*Jay then pulls out a bottle of tequila and encourages everyone else to take a glass and raise it up into the air*

Jay: On behalf of everyone who knew him and loved what he did, let’s make a toast to the memory of Reggie Groover, AKA Otaku D. Furiku, AKA Slick Goku. 

Daitomodachi: He was funny as hell.

Emo Gohan: He was the second Dad that I always wanted.

El Hermano: I wish I could’ve met him in person.

Rex: Rex wishes he could’ve fought him! 

TFS Nappa: He was hilarious and we will quote everything he said.

Perfect Cell: I normally don’t like Goku’s, but…he was an exception.

Kermit: Thanks for giving my mixtape a chance.

Shrek: He was a worthy opponent.

Slick Gohan, Slick Goten, Takashi and Issei: We’ll miss you, pops/grandad.

Pan: I’ll never forget you, grandpa.

Slick Chi-Chi: You better save some guns for me in the afterlife.

Kronk: You were worth making the sacrifice for, Slick. 

Vegeta: He was…he was my best friend. I know I call myself the coolest motherf**cker who ever lived, but…he was always the slickest.

Jay: To Slick Goku. The realest Saiyan who ever lived!

Everyone: FACTS!

In memory of Reggie Groover, 1997-2023. 

The realest Saiyan who ever lived.

If you guys want to help support his family, there is a GoFundMe currently going on at the time of this writing to help pay for his funeral.

Help his family and friends out in this difficult time and keep living your best life. Reggie would’ve wanted that. Link is right here.

Thank you all for reading this. I really liked Slick’s videos, and this was my way of processing my grief at his passing. 

*The following was originally published on FANDOM. Due to the FANDOM Contributor Program being shut down, it has been copied and moved to my blog. Thank you!

Ask anyone who’s played it, and they’ll say that one of the best games for the Nintendo 3DS is Fire Emblem: Awakening. Released in 2012, the game’s received praise for its storyline and the depth of its characters. Most notable about the characters is the in-game mechanic known as the support system. This allows players to build bonds between characters that can even lead to marriage.

The marriage system gives rise to a lot of shipping amongst fans of Fire Emblem: Awakening. While providing the children characters good stats is essential, it doesn’t decide shipping. In fact, based on their support talks, these six are among the sweetest ships in Fire Emblem: Awakening.

CHROM AND SUMIA

Sumia’s introduced early in the game as part of the Shepherds, but she is prone to being quite clumsy. Meanwhile, Chrom is the leader of the Shepherds and eventual Exalt of Ylisse. While the game makes Chrom marry one of the Shepherds women after Chapter 11, Sumia is the first choice by default. Ignoring the gameplay mechanics, Chrom and Sumia do make a good couple.

In her first appearance, Sumia’s hinted to have feelings for Chrom, given how nervous she acts in front of him. As she grows more confident in the game’s first half, she becomes someone Chrom can depend both in and out of battle. By their supports end, Chrom admits that he sees Sumia as a source of personal strength, which is why he fell for her. This mutual bond can lead to their eventual marriage and is what makes this ship so sweet.

GAIUS AND MARIBELLE

These two may come from different backgrounds, but there is prior history between this noble and thief. Their conversations reveal Gaius had framed Maribelle’s father for false charges. Her dad may have avoided execution, but Maribelle remains angry at Gaius for his actions. What’s great about this couple, though, is that shows the heart of gold Gaius has within him.

It turns out, Gaius got blackmailed by a group of nobles to accuse her father in exchange for her life. Maribelle forgives him when she learns the truth, but Gaius feels guilty regardless. Seeing the good heart lying behind his thieving can lead to Maribelle to fall for him, while he can fall for her. Together, these two make for an unusual but sweet pair in the vein of Han Solo and Princess Leia.

HENRY AND OLIVIA

Olivia is one of the shyest members of the Shepherds, while Henry is outgoing and a little crazy. Given their different personalities, a romance between them seems as mad as Henry. Yet it works because Olivia comes to see that, despite his smile, Henry had a pretty rough past. Being abandoned by parents and living at a neglectful magic school can do that to someone, after all.

Olivia makes it her mission to teach Henry to feel real emotions, but Henry thinks she’s crazy to do so. Regardless, Henry does learn a little from Olivia about what it means to smile, and the two grow closer as a result. In return, Olivia comes to appreciate the dark mage for his odd behavior, which can lead to marriage. Together, they somehow make this ship work out, weirdness and all.

LON’QU AND PANNE

Lon’qu and Panne have a lot in common with each other. Both of them bear the wounds of a tragic past: Panne lost her people, while Lon’qu lost a childhood friend. Their trauma has made each into loners, with Lon’qu afraid of women, and Panne distrusting of humans. Finally, both have great skill at hunting and tracking, with Lon’qu even able to track Panne.

Given their similarities, it would seem natural for these two to get paired together as a couple. At first, Panne’s irritated by Lon’qu’s refusal to come near her, taking it as a hatred for her species. Once he reveals the nightmares he has over his friend’s death, she feels sympathetic. She later admits that she, too, suffers from nightmares — in her case, of mankind wiping out her people.

A great way to overcome pain from one’s past is to meet someone who understands your pain. Lon’qu and Panne both suffered in their childhoods, making them know each other’s pain. By talking to each other, they help heal the scars of their past, and that leads to lasting love and marriage. They give each other a chance for a better future and are thus happier as a couple.

ROBIN AND LISSA

As the Avatar character, Robin can marry anyone of the opposite gender in the Shepherds. This makes for a lot of shipping, but male Robin with Lissa stands out as particularly noteworthy.

From the start of the game, Lissa seems the most interested in Robin, being the first to want to help him when he’s found. This interest only grows, as out of the Shepherds, she’s the most impressed with his talents. This leads Lissa to desire to spend more time with Robin by pulling pranks, leading to funny moments.

Despite her pranking, Robin grows to love her spirit and loyalty, leading her love to be mutual. This leads to one of the best S-ranked supports in the entire game. Robin’s blushing as he confesses his feelings, followed by Lissa’s tears of joy, is adorable. This makes for the kind of passionate scene fans live for, and, as an added bonus, it means Chrom and Robin are brothers!

*The following was originally published on FANDOM. Due to the FANDOM Contributor Program being shut down, it has been copied and moved to my blog. Thank you!

Can you remember the last time a DC film was good? Of course not. Aside from Wonder Woman, they haven’t made a good film since The Dark Knight Rises. With so many bad films lately, the last thing you’d expect to succeed would be DC’s latest film, Teen Titans Go! To the Movies. Yet, it manages to do just that.

Teen Titans Go! gets a lot of hate from the original show’s fans for being immature and childish. Still, its movie has a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, compared to Justice League’s 40% rating. So, how is that possible, and what can the DCEU learn from the success of Teen Titans Go! To the Movies? They can learn a lot.

BETTER PLOT, SHORTER MOVIES

The DCEU’s films are long, each running more than two hours. When films are that long, pacing can be an issue. While good writing can make a movie worth the length, this was not the case with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Fans would have forgiven the two-and-a-half-hour runtime if the titular fight was worth it. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.

The premise for their fight in the film is flimsy at best. Batman’s tricked into thinking Superman’s a threat, while Superman’s blackmailed. It lacks the sheer excitement fans would expect from this clash of titans. Worse still, the whole fight gets overshadowed by the battle with Doomsday.

In contrast, Teen Titans Go! To the Movies is far shorter, at less than 90 minutes with a more focused plot. Since the whole movie is about the Titans learning to be themselves, each scene builds on that lesson. This culminates in the final fight where Robin admits that the Titans may be goofs, yet they’re still heroes. Combine that lesson with the Titans kicking Slade’s butt, and the audience enjoys a more significant payoff.

What the DCEU can learn from the plot and length of Teen Titans Go! To the Movies is that they can tell a good story in less time and with less content. Batman v Supermantried adding too much material, and it left fans with a confusing story. By the time the actual fight between Batman and Superman comes around, you wish the movie was over! Compared to that, Batman and Robin feels like an Oscar-winner.

STOP TRYING TO WORLDBUILD

DC had wanted to do Justice League so badly that it made the DCEU run before it knew how to walk. They crammed a gang of characters into each film but didn’t take the time to develop them. Zack Snyder thought that adding a bunch of famous heroes would be enough, and it backfired on him. The result? The DCEU is an unsatisfying mess.

Unlike Justice League or Batman vs. Superman, Teen Titans Go! To the Movies doesn’t try to worldbuild because it knows that it would be a waste of time. Fitting into a larger universe means conforming to pre-existing plots, which limits creative freedom. Not having to worry about that means Teen Titans Go! To the Movies has more time to focus on making sure the film entertains the audience. The result is a standalone film that is fun to watch.

Teen Titans Go! To the Movies is a wake-up call to DC: they need to stop trying to force together a shared universe. Instead, they should focus on ensuring their films can stand on their own at the box office and with critics. If enough standalone films are a success, then DC can consider more crossover films down the road.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO LIGHTEN UP

A big problem with the DCEU thus far is how it is so dark — almost depressing — in its tone. It feels like DC injected Batman’s darkness into its other films in the hopes of recreating that success. Instead of success, though, audiences watched overly-edgy, complex stories with bad ratings.

The DC films don’t need to be as dark and as heavy as an ordinary Batman film, and Teen Titans Go! To the Movies shows what they can do instead. Even if it’s at their own expense or makes them look like goofs, the Titans aren’t afraid of making viewers laugh. Besides, if they like prank calling Superman or pooping in a prop toilet, that doesn’t make them any less of heroes.

The DC films have tried being dark and gritty, and that hasn’t worked out as well as they hoped. So instead of doing that, DC should try to inject some humor into their films. It doesn’t have to be to the extent of Teen Titans Go! To the Movies, but throwing in some snappy comebacks and one-liners can take the edge off a tense scene. Finding the balance between the Titans and Batman is what DC needs right now.

Despite how goofy it can be, Teen Titans Go! To the Movies has enough charm, humor, and self-confidence to work as a stand-alone film. DC should take note of this animated film’s success and see what its fans are looking for in a movie.

*The following was originally published on FANDOM. Due to the FANDOM Contributor Program being shut down, it has been copied and moved to my blog. Thank you!

These days, one significant factor in a video game’s success can come down to whether or not it’s worth replaying. No matter how good it may be, some games aren’t worth coming back to after a player completes it the first time. Other games, though, leave players hooked with anticipation for the next time they can play it. Whether it’s the different endings to the story or the freedom for creativity, these five PC games are the kind that will leave you saying “just one more turn.”

KERBAL SPACE PROGRAM

Getting to space has never been as easy or as fun as it is in Kerbal Space Program. Developed by indie game developers, Squad, the secret to this space flight simulator’s high replay value boils down to the freedom of creativity it gives players. While your primary goal is to get your plucky aliens, the Kerbals, into space, the game lets you decide what you use by constructing spaceplanes and rockets from scratch.

If the base game doesn’t have the parts you want, no reason to worry — it’s supported by a thriving modding community that’s continually adding new mechanics, skins and spaceship parts for players to use. The passionate modding community, in addition to regular updates, ensures that Kerbal Space Program will keep players reaching for the stars for years to come. That or they blow up ships in a hilarious fashion.

FALLOUT 4

Bethesda raised the bar on the open-world RPG with Fallout 4, and it has enough content to keep players busy until the bomb drops. The base game itself is massive in size and scope, with developers loading every portion with items to hunt, locations to explore and legendary enemies to kill.

In a first for the Fallout series, Bethesda added a base building feature, allowing players to build the post-apocalyptic settlement of their dreams. Combine that with several factions-based endings, the game’s modding community, and the DLC packs adding more places to explore, and you’re liable to ignore the plot and wander the wastelandsfor eternity.

CIVILIZATION IV

Of the many PC games that developers have released over the years, Sid Meier’s Civilization series stands near the very summit, and Civilization IV is possibly the greatest out of them all. On the gameplay level, Civilization IV and its major expansion packs contain numerous scenarios based on historical events or historical fiction that players can immerse themselves in for hours on end.

What makes this game so addictive, though, is the sheer level of customization available, with the world builder tool letting players design a world from scratch and build it as they see fit. Throw in a theme song so good it won a Grammy and narration by Leonard Nimoy, and little wonder why people keep coming back!

SID MEIER’S PIRATES!

Another creation of Sid Meier’s, Sid Meier’s Pirates! is the pirate game that refuses to grow old. A 2004 remake of the 1987 game of the same name, this is the go-to experience for those dreaming of life as a pirate. Sailing the waters of the 17th century Caribbean, the appeal of the game lies in its constantly changing scenarios.

While players can decide the difficulty, nationality, and starting era, the game randomly generates different situations involving a war between the four nations in the Caribbean for players to profit from, ensuring that no two games are alike. With the constantly changing variables, deep gameplay, and graphics that still look amazing even 14 years later, this is one game that you’ll want to replay dozens of times over.

JURASSIC WORLD: EVOLUTION

A recent release meant to coincide with the new Jurassic World film, Jurassic World: Evolution is the business simulator dinosaur lovers have wanted for years. The goal of the game is like the Zoo Tycoon series, only instead of lions and tigers, you have to worry about velociraptors and T-Rexes eating people.

The primary campaign on five unique islands presents a fun challenge as you adapt your build style, but its the sandbox mode on the original island of Isla Nublar where this game flexes its muscles, with unlimited funding leaving you free to make your dream dino park. When you’re bored with that, let the dinosaurs out and go nuts; that’s part of the appeal of the franchise, after all.