(Untitled)

[oliverplus]

Characters: Oliver Day (oliverplus), Asch (promisedsomeone) and Leela (anoblesavage)
Location: Outside the shop
Time: Just after receiving the uncandy note
Summary: Oliver, Asch, and Leela go through trials to save their friends.
Warnings: Horrible emotional trials and whatever they may contain.

Comments

[anoblesavage]

[Leela had not been able to read the note herself, but she had heard Meredith's earlier message. She made her way to the shop - a place to meet the other visitors to the Plane, as well as the puppeteers that controlled them - in the absence of any other plan.

It had not been difficult to put the pieces together. Others had told her what she needed to know but, before she could step inside and begin the fight for the cure - for Hiccup and for whoever else needed to be saved - Oliver ran up beside her.]

Yes. I think that is why we are all here.

I am *so* sorry for the late. I've had... issues. |D It's all good now.

[promisedsomeone]

[Hardly one to be late, a redhead with an expression like death steps out of the shadows. He prefers working by himself, but this situation is... complicated, and there are a lot of people affected by the most recent experiment.

At least his replica isn't one of them.]

I'm sure this is some kind of elaborate trap. [He sets a hand on the pommel of his sword.] I'm going with you. For now.

I'm just glad to see you here!

[oliverplus]

[Oliver nods, knowing that's the most commitment Asch is going to be willing to give] Thanks. [he gives a small, nervous smile. he's grateful]

So...let's see what they're planning for us this time. [he licks dry lips. then, glancing at them both, he reaches out to open the door and enter the shop]

[anoblesavage]

[Leela could not see the expression on Asch's face, but she knew the voice of a warrior when she heard one. And that was good. They needed warriors if they were defeat a foe as fickle and dangerous as the people of the Plane.]

If it is a trap, we will be ready for it.

[promisedsomeone]

[Asch is definitely a warrior, and when it comes down to it, he's a protector as well. He touches the red favor on his arm briefly before following them into the shop.]

Hey. [He addresses Leela.] Can you fight?

[oliverplus]

[Oliver knows Leela's pride enough that he isn't going to answer for her, but he also knows how critical Asch is, so he gives him a silent nod to show him that he is backing Leela whole-heartedly. he's the weak link in the group when it comes to fighting--not that he's going to let that stop him from going. in fact, he's the first to step into the shop]

[but the room he steps into is not the shop they expect. in fact, this room is completely white--not empty, but plain, with padded walls and floor. the smell in the room is heavy--sterile. it's clearly a mental ward. aside from the padding, the only things in it are pillows on the floor and a man, lying among them in a plain white smock. his complexion is dark, but his hair is blond. his back is to them, and he doesn't seem to notice their entry]

[the second they step into the room, Oliver freezes, going pale]

[anoblesavage]

I am a warrior of the Sevateem. [There was a trace of amusement in her voice, as if she doubted the fighting ability of anyone who had to ask such a question and did not know a warrior when they saw one.] I can fight.

[Without hesitation, she followed him into the shop that was far more than a shop. The floor felt soft beneath her feet. She could hear the breathing of a fourth figure.]

Who are you?

[promisedsomeone]

Fine. [It's not that she was a girl, it's that he isn't familiar with Leela or her culture. He knows princesses who are more than capable in battle, after all.

Asch's steps are cautious and prepared. However, he's not ready for the sudden shift in surroundings. This should be the shop, not... whatever the hell this is. His hand moves to the hilt of his sword, and then he notices Oliver's trepidation. He moves to Oliver's side.]

Do you know him?

[oliverplus]

[Oliver nods numbly. he knows him, all right]

[meanwhile, the man on the floor hears them talking] You don't know? [his voice is scratchy, as though disused--or perhaps overused; someone who spends too much time shouting. he slowly rolls over to look at the people who have entered, showing his emaciated form. and when he does see them, he begins to laugh, shrilly] You! It's you! [he grins, gesturing at Leela and Asch] Did they finally figure it out? Have they come to lock you up with me? [his expression darkens with vindictive amusement] Have you finally started killing?

[Oliver, tense with fear, takes a hesitant step forward] No. Th-this isn't real! Sukhrit--you're still on Gondovan. [he looks up at the ceiling] Whoever is doing this, you aren't going to fool us!

[Sukhrit laughs, sneering] As if you could ever fully escape Gondovan. You'll never get away from the darkness, Oliver. It's in you, you know. We're the same. So... [slowly, he draws himself up from his place on the floor, standing to face the group

[anoblesavage]

[Leela placed her free hand on Oliver's arm, drawing her knife with the other. Her friend's tension was palpable and that voice - the voice of someone who fancied themselves clever and was unmistakeably cruel - grated on her nerves.]

You are right, Oliver. This is not real. He is not real.

[promisedsomeone]

[He doesn't waste his time on small comforts. He edges his way between Oliver and Sukhrit, drawing his sword. Asch makes a very good wall when he tries, even if he's only 5'7". He somehow seems bigger. It's all in the body language and the presence.]

Hiding behind a trick? How pathetic. I-- we're stronger than any illusion. Right, Oliver?

[He keeps his level glare on the crazy. Come and get it.]

[oliverplus]

[Oliver nods, comforted by their confidence, but he wishes he felt so certain. Sukhrit frightens him--he always has. still, he tries to sound firm] Yeah. And Sukhrit's only human! [and unarmed, not to mention not in the best physical condition. that gives Oliver hope, at least]

[but Sukhrit starts to laugh again at that] Only human? [he smirks--and in an instant, he's charging at Asch, using the inhuman speed of someone possessed by the Puppeteer. he has the strength, too, and he's aiming to bowl Asch right out of the way]

[anoblesavage]

[She was hampered by her blindness and the unfamiliarity of her surroundings, but Leela learned to read the sounds of a place as well as the words that people left unsaid. She was ready when the man charged, providing a second line of defense and keeping herself between Oliver - a dear friend, but not a warrior - and his enemy.]

[promisedsomeone]

[Holy shit, this guy is fast. Asch has to rely more on instinct than thought. He slashes at Sukhrit, but only hits air. This guy is just too damn fast. It shouldn't even be possible.

Next thing Asch knows, he's staggering into one of the padded walls. He rebounds quickly, but it's not enough to save Oliver.]

Damn-!

[oliverplus]

[Oliver wants to protest, wants to do something. he can see now that Sukhrit, even though it's impossible, is somehow possessed by the Puppeteer, and he knows exactly how dangerous that makes him. but even so, here are his friends, trying to protect him... and he can't fight, so what can he do!?]

Sukhrit, no! It's already dead! You--you can't have the Puppeteer!

[but Oliver's cry only makes Sukhrit laugh again. with Asch pushed into the wall, he continues his forward momentum. there is only one more obstacle to overcome--a woman. still moving with inhuman speed, Sukhrit brings up a hand. unless Leela is able to get out of the way somehow, he's going to clasp it tightly around her throat. and he's laughing all the while]

[anoblesavage]

[Leela always relied on instinct rather than thought and, although she was quick, the phantom of Oliver's trial was quicker. His hand reached for and, before Leela could make use of her dagger, found her throat.

She let out an almost feral snarl, she struggled to pull free. How did you kill someone who was not there to begin with?]