Sol Raveh Test Drive #4 - The Darkness Seems to Move

[solravehmods]

 

Something isn't right.

You weren't here before?

Where were you? Home? Somewhere else in the castle? Perhaps you were in some other far off world.

Not anymore.

The Queen is tired of Ozuma's meddling. So this time, you wake up in a fairly good sized area. However each door you try to leave through all you see is a wall of darkness. Almost as if threshold is all that keeps said darkness from spilling into the room where you hide.

So what will you do? Will you huddle in a corner in fear, waiting for others to help you? Will you march into that deep blackness to find help? Choose what you will do. Help or hinder? It's up to you. Just remember, the Darkness moves and it will come for you.

Comments

Steve Rogers | MCU

[coldfashioned]

[ Coming to Steve was very aware that he was not anywhere near S.H.I.E.L.D's new base. In fact. He didn't recognize any of the sounds around him. When his eyes opened he made a quick look around the area, taking in all the faces that surrounded him. At first glance he didn't see any he recognized, so that meant it was time to look around.

Standing he found his muscles stiff, the ground was damp and that only seemed to make the air's chill seem that much more.

It wasn't until he reached the threshold of one arch way that he tensed completely, shield raising. That darkness didn't look natural. It was too dark. It seemed almost as if it were solid, and yet not at the same time. He began to wonder if he really dared to step out. For now he would wait, watch the inky black shadows seem to more and ripple. Going alone might be too dangerous.

Alone.

He was never alone! Reaching up he moved to tap the communication device at his ear. ]

Romanoff? Barton? Can anyone hear me?

[ For a moment he waited, expecting either someone to respond or static. What he wasn't expecting was his own message echo'd back at him.

Great. Well there went that idea. ]

[cryogenics]

[Bucky had woken up there only a few minutes before Steve. Long enough to assess his status, check his weapons, and realize that wherever he was it was not D.C.. It could have been another test; he'd failed, hadn't he? He'd had the perfect shot to take out the Captain and he'd hesitated too long. His handlers were bound to still be angry with him.

He wasn't frightened to find himself cold, damp, and surrounded by unfamiliar faces. None of them were important to him, so he ignored them. There was only one thing that mattered to him right now; the target. And luck was on his side.

The plan was simple and straightforward. He'd used up most of his ammo before on the streets, so he circled around behind Steve, footsteps silent. Then he charged, throwing his weight into Steve and making contact left shoulder first.]

[coldfashioned]

Shi-

[ Steve felt his body rocked forward and into the pitch blackness of the next room. From his earlier assessment of the room he had thought the air would be thicker, and it nearly seemed so. But that wasn't the bad part. Aside from having a heavy weight at his back that he almost recognized, there was something else there. A presence he couldn't see.

All he did see was the abyss that seemed to surround them. Turning back to where he had been standing before being barreled into Steve could see the light that filtered through the archway but not into the room. He could also see a familiar silhouette. That could be good or bad.

Cautiously he raised his shield, not sure what the other might do now. ]

Bucky?

[cryogenics]

[He hadn't realized how uncomfortable the darkness in the next room felt until he'd barreled into Steve and was standing just in the doorway. Something wasn't right and he didn't like it. Were there reinforcements concealed in the gloom? Was he outnumbered?

But then Steve was calling him by that name again, the one that wasn't his because he didn't have a name. It was just as unsettling as the first time, and he hesitated, taking a step back. He wasn't going to run, but he didn't want to fight Steve in that room, either. Maybe he could draw him out.]

[coldfashioned]

Bucky wait.

[ Taking a step forward Steve moved to take a couple steps forward only to suddenly feel like he was going to trip. There was an odd pressure on his ankle. Like he was being grabbed. When he looked down he though he'd see a hand or something but instead all he saw was black. It shimmered and moved like it was alive. He could see his foot, nothing but darkness where his ankle should be, and then the rest of his leg.

Acting quickly Steve moved to shake off what ever it was only for his arm to be grabbed. He couldn't hear anything other than the air. It was like there was something in the darkness that was trying to drag him down. The longer he was in the grasp the more he felt an almost oily feeling taking over his leg and arm.

Something definitely had him. Something he couldn't see. It was like a nightmare. Turning he looked at Bucky with wide eyes. ]

Come on, jerk, you just gonna stand there?

[ He could only hope that using the jab would do something, anything, to jump start some sort of memory. Bucky had to know him. He had to get through to him. ]

[cryogenics]

[It didn't jar any memories, but he did realize that he apparently had some competition when it came to killing Steve. Something really wasn't right in that room; he didn't like it.

He didn't like the way that Steve looked at him either, like the man expected him to help. Why would he do that?

Except, Bucky came closer, grabbing onto Steve's arm and yanking hard, trying to pull him away from that room. It would only be so he could finish his mission, somewhere where whatever was in there wouldn't try to finish him, too.]

[coldfashioned]

[ When he's tugged back towards the other room, he can feel the resistance at first before the slick cold grip finally relents and he stumbles past Bucky into the other room.

Well, out of the fire and back into the frying pan? Either way he was in some sort of danger. At least if he couldn't get through to his old friend he would be. ]

Look, I know you're probably confused. But I know that somewhere in that thick head of yours, you remember me. You've got to.

[cryogenics]

[One goal accomplished; now to keep Steve from stumbling back into that room.

He was confused, but it had nothing to do with his memory or his mission. This was a strange place, and he didn't know what had happened or how they had gotten here, but his mission was still active. He would be punished if he didn't complete it.

So, logically, he ignored everything Steve said and punched him in the face.]

Re: Steve Rogers | MCU

[robodorable]

[And then, footsteps. Followed by... A woman with elf-looking ears, white hair, and blue pajamas and a cloak.]

... This unit doesn't recognize those names. Have you heard the summary of what's going on yet?

[coldfashioned]

[ Steve jumped slightly at the new voice, only to narrow his eyes. She wasn't like anyone he'd seen before. ]

Can't say I have, care to enlighten me?

[robodorable]

[...Sorry for the lack of icons; I'm working on that. The woman sighs, but smiles.]

Well, I haven't too much either. But this unit can tell a few things - my magic's at least a little helpful there. Those shadows have some sort of creature inside them - almost assuredly hostile, but not Cearean in origin.

Second, you're from a different world than this unit, and thus it is logical to presume this is a different world than either of our respective homes.

Third, of course, is that the only way we're getting anywhere is going to be going into those shadows. Which, of course, is also the riskiest thing we can do.

[coldfashioned]

[ Not a problem, happens to us all.

Steve seems to look confused. Something about magic? Great. Other worlds? Things were getting pretty weird pretty fast, and Mr. 1940s wasn't quite sure how to handle it. ]

Right. So...why is it so risky?

[ Sure he could tell there was something about the air that just set his nerves on fire but still...it looked pretty empty.

Not that he'd really thought it was. He's not that naive. ]

[robodorable]

That's the hard part. There's no clear answer at all. Which makes it harder to predict, for example, what magic to bring to bear in the situation. If any.

[freedom_engineer]

[Colin's voice fills Steve's comm suddenly.]

You're broadcasting on an unsecure channel.

[Okay, it's probably really, seriously military secure... but it's also about 7 centuries behind Colin's tech level, and he's been monitoring active comm frequencies for over a year now.]

I'm afraid I've got some bad news, you've been cut off from your universe. Plucked out, more accurately.

My name's Colin, by the way. Sorry for hijacking your comm.

[coldfashioned]

[ After hearing his own voice, Steve wasn't expecting to hear some other unknown voice. ]

Since when is this unsecured? This is the Avengers line...Stark himself made sure it was secure.

[ Damn it, since when? He's not sure what to say. Instead he chalks it up to this weird place before he sighs, irritated. The feed back of his own words being echo'd back ]

Never mind that, names Captain Rogers, do you have any information on where I am?

[freedom_engineer]

Avengers huh? Explains a few things.

Thought it was strange..

Anyway, I can't give you a detailed description, this world is not any place I'm familiar with. But I can tell you you're not on Earth. And if you knew WHICH Earth you were from, I might be able to narrow it down...

[coldfashioned]

[ Steve narrowed his eyes at the quieter words. Had this person been from his Earth? ]

Can't say I know, not exactly something we're all too familiar with.

[freedom_engineer]

I'll clue you in, then. I'm familiar with Earths and Avengers. Unfortunately, I'm familiar with MULTIPLE earths and Avengers. I personally know of no less than four Captain Rogers, assuming you're who I think you are.

Do you know anything about a hellmouth in Iowa? This will let me narrow down if you and I are talking about the same Earth.

If not, don't worry about it. It's a huge multiverse...

[satanslash]

[Not everyone there got a nice, soft landing upon arrival. Some people were simply dropped haphazardly like a sack of potatoes, missing half the top of the stairs and instead getting a fun little trip down them with a rough stop at the bottom.

A certain tailed teenager was one of those unfortunate residents that the Queen decided she wasn't going to take any pity on, leaving him to a trail of swears as he hit ground and went rolling.]

Fuck--! Hnng, what the hell?!

[Holding his head where most of the impact had happened, Rin curled in on himself with tail lashing in upset.]

Was that really fuckin' necessary, lady?! Jesus!

[coldfashioned]

[ Steve was quick to move, shield up and poised to defend or attack if need be.

Of course, there's that automatic reaction that Tony liked to tease him about. ]

Language-

[ As soon as he says it he regrets it. Damn it. Everytime. Why!? It's not like he cared when the Howling Commandos did it? Or when Bucky would back in Brooklyn. ]

[satanslash]

[The only response that Steve is going to get at first is a loud groan before Rin lets out a breath, taking his hand away to see spots of crimson on his pale fingers. Wait, some one spoke-- Language?! Seriously?! Rin leveled an unamused expression at the man, vivid blue eyes glaring.] After what that bitch just did to me, I think I'm allowed.

[coldfashioned]

Sorry I--

[ And then he noticed the blood. ]

Are you okay? That looked some fall. You might have a concussion, hold still.

[satanslash]

[Rin sighed and touched his head again, wincing at the open wound that was still trying to close. He was lucky he didn't crack his head open, the way she threw him in here. ... speaking of which, where was here? Still the castle, but not somewhere familiar.] Probably. Wouldn't be surprised. Bitch Queen made a big show of grabbing a few of us and throwin' us like rag dolls in here. [-- he swore again.] ... sorry. Habit. Livin' in a church didn't do crap for my mouth. Anyway... it'll heal. Probably shouldn't stand up for a minute, though.

[coldfashioned]

[ Steve made a hissing notice when he not only saw the wound but heard what ever what this "Queen" seemed to do. ]

Don't worry, it was a habit for me too. I would have to agree, with a head wound like that even I'd be shaken.

[satanslash]

More pissed than shaken. ... but grateful she didn't grab anyone else near me. [Which he was going to hear no end of once he made it back. He had put himself in between the Queen and Ryuji on purpose. His friend was likely very unhappy about that.] I've had worse. [Like getting his foot cut off once. That was fun. He let out a sigh, pulling his fingers away again and ignoring the blood that had accumulated on them. More stains for his already stained shirt. Terrific. He looked up, then around a bit, wincing at the pain the motion caused.] Still in the castle... at least-- Shit! [And just like that he was scrambling around in spite of how dizzy the fall had made him, searching frantically for something.] Where is it?!