Who: Max Mayfield and Zari Tarazi What: Stuck in bizarro Madison Valley When: Monday Where: Upside Down Warning: Some creepiness, otherwise low Status: Closed/Completed Gdoc
The view from outside had Max convinced that she was still asleep having one of her many nightmares. Only problem was she knew this wasn’t the same Upside Down from her world because it looked more like the town she had been spending her time in. If this was her nightmare, Max liked to think it was going to take place in the town that she knew had this world. Still, just needing to double check, she pinched herself hard. “Ouch,” she mumbled, feeling the pain from how hard she had pinched herself. Every part of her body was on alert now knowing that somehow this world had ended up in Madison.
Her eyes looking off in the distance at the hints of red in the sky, but for the most part it was dark even though she was sure it was early in the morning. Was Dustin and Robin down here as well? They could handle themselves, and they knew this place just like she did. The people of Madison didn’t know this place or even about what to watch out for, how to navigate or anything like that. Made her have to put finding her friends second because she knew she had to help the people who may have ended up here that didn’t know this place. Before anyone got themselves killed or hurt because of not knowing.
Shifting her gaze to the vines on the ground, she moved to step over a thicker vine and made sure her foot didn’t land on any of the smaller or bigger ones. Max was hoping to run into someone who knew magic or had fire on them because she had nothing on her as a way to keep any of the monsters at bay, if she managed to run into them. Every now and again, she glanced up from watching the ground to see if she saw anyone. Even though the vines weren’t much for being in the street,, she didn’t need to accidentally step on one and cause attention to be drawn. Just like Max was also not wanting to shout since she had no idea who might be around.
Zari was not sure what the hell was happening. It was just another instance of being stuck in some alternate universe or timeline, something the dome liked to do from time to time. She was used to that part.
Something was very off about this place, though. The words that came to mine were apocalyptic and eerie. It looked like Madison, but it wasn't Madison. It was a bizarro Madison. This was creepier than the clown motel, that was for sure.
She did start to look around for anyone she might know. There were a lot of people she was concerned about, but she was the most concerned about Max. The girl was her ward...and she was now a part of her makeshift family. She wanted to protect her in the same way that she protected her brother. Knowing she could be in this world and scared somewhere was the only thing on her mind right now.
After a while, she came across people and she heard all kinds of creepy sounds. Most importantly, she spotted a familiar red-head. Not wanting to cause a commotion, she started waving her arm frantically, hoping Max noticed.
At the sight of Zari, Max was happy to not be down here all by herself. Even if she could handle this world and knew the working of it, she did not like being down here without anything to protect herself. No fire, no weapons, or anything that she could use if any of the creatures were around and decided to attack. From the sounds, it seemed like they were around and that also meant there were probably portals allowing the creatures to slip to the real Madison. Though after a moment, the happiness of seeing Zari was replaced by worry.
Zari was her guardian, but Max knew this world and didn’t want the woman who she trusted to be in danger. Being careful about her steps and her surroundings to make sure nothing was lurking, she made her way over to Zari so glad that the woman wasn’t screaming or drawing attention to herself.
“Are you okay? Did you also wake up here?” Max hoped the woman hadn’t been stupid enough to come in after her without having any back up plans. Not that she felt there had been enough time for any of that, but the idea was still there in the back of her mind. There was more worry than fear, knowing how this place was Max knew she was better equipped than some of the other people around here. Unless Robin and Dustin were down here, then she knew they’d be good as well.
Zari was relieved Max had seen her. She really didn't want to draw too much attention to either of them. This place did not seem to be the most friendly place she'd ever been to...
"I'm fine, I promise," she said, trying her best to sound assuring. "No bruises or anything. Are you okay?"
That was more important to Zari.
"Where the hell are we?" She didn't have any realization that this was a place Max knew about.
Max didn’t see any injuries on Zari, which did help relax her a bit. Also no comments on any of the various creatures that her and her friends had dealt with so that was a plus at the moment. Maybe the place just looked like the Upside Down and had the noises, but Max had a feeling they weren’t that lucky. Cause honestly, she’d rather deal with the Upside Down than the creatures that belonged in this place.
“Physically? Yes, I’m fine,” and she wasn’t lying unless there were some cuts or marks on her that she hadn’t realized yet. Very possible, but as far as she knew she was fine. “Emotionally? Might need to revisit that question because right now I feel like the dome decided to make my nightmares a reality,” she admitted.
Max had images of this place and the creatures, especially the monster that killed Billy in her nightmares every time she closed her eyes. Even though she had never been this far in, she knew from the details where she was. “We’re in a version of the Upside Down,” she said to Zari’s question without even thinking. “Only somehow we now have one of Madison now.” A growl off in the distance caused Max to turn around quickly, making sure it wasn’t in sight. Seeing that they were still good, she moved off to the side carefully, wanting to stay out of sight a bit just in case the dome somehow brought new monsters.
Zari moved with Max, figuring her ward knew more about this place. She'd mentioned the Upside Down before, so now that Zari knew that's where they were, she deferred to Max on what they should do next.
"I remember you telling me a little about this place," she said, looking around. "If I could, I would kick the dome's ass for doing this to you and your friends from home."
Not to mention the people of Madison Valley, but it likely would not be as trauma-inducing for them. At least not right away. After all, she also heard that growl in the distance. "So what do we have to avoid while we're here? And can any of the creatures here be fought?"
Would her amulet work here?
“I only know a little about this place, but it’s tied to my world normally. This is new on it looking like somewhere not Hawkins,” Max sighed softly. She couldn’t help the shifting of her weight from being uncomfortable because now her mind was fully on the Mind Flayer rather than it only haunting her in her nightmares. Trying to bury it for now, she had to focus. “I don’t even know if my friends are down here, but I hope not because I could use them. We’re probably the best ones on either side to help people.”
As much as she hated everything right now, and wanted to break down, Max wouldn’t let herself. Insead, she had to focus on helping others who might be down here, knowing they’d be clueless when it came to everything about here. “I have no idea if the monsters from this place are here or if they slipped through wherever the portals to exit are. First off, avoid the vines as much as possible. This place,” she waved her hand around, “has a hive mind. You do something to one vine, the whole place feels it.” Max told her, knowing that was the most important thing to make clear right off the bat. “The creatures are connected to the vines, and anything done will be felt by everything.” Max wanted to make that very clear.
“I know of a few creatures that belong to this world. Might be more here, might be none. They can be fought but it’s easier to avoid them since they can’t be killed all that easily. Fire tends to work wonders. My friend had powers who dealt better with the monsters, but El isn’t here. However, we need to get to Robin’s place or Dustin’s place. If we do, I can maybe communicate with them if they are still on the other side.” That was the game plan along with helping anyone who they came across. Max wasn’t about to let people try to figure this place out on their own, especially with how dangerous it was.
Zari nodded, making mental notes about everything Max was relaying to her. The biggest thing she took away from their conversation was to stay away from the vines. That, she would definitely remember.
“You do know more about this place, which is a big help,” she said, giving her ward a bit of cautious confidence. “But remember, you do not have to do anything alone. I’m here, too. We can protect each other.”
That seemed to be an important thing to make note of, too. Teamwork was better than working alone in a place like this.
“We can head in the direction of your friends and meet up with them if they’re here,” she added. “And I can use my wind power if we need to.”
Only if they were approached by a creature. She wasn’t going to do anything if she didn’t have to, so as not to draw attention.
“Sadly, I do. The creatures from my world that came over from this place weren’t the easiest to deal with, and I’m figuring it’s probably happening like it did back in Hawkins. Which means Madison might be getting the different creatures,” she didn’t even want to think about Madison becoming the new Hawkins and the trouble that could come from this. What if she lost Dustin or Robin? Or some of the other people who she liked around here? Max was pretty sure she couldn’t take another loss. Not when Billy’s death was still fresh for her and one that still had her very messed up.
Max heard what Zari said, but her attention was drawn to something lurking off in the distance. The shape told her it wasn’t human and looked more like a demogorgon. Keeping quiet and not saying anything to what Zari said as she waited for it to pass where it was out of view. Once Max felt it was safe, she spoke. “I know, but…” Max paused, trying to think how to word what she wanted to say without Zari getting upset or mad. Deciding to just say what she was thinking, “But if trouble starts to happen, I’ll draw the attention away so you are in the clear. It’s the least I could do after everything I’ve done.” Not that Zari knew anything about Billy, but the guilt was there and she felt she deserved this. Max knew Zari wasn’t going to entertain the idea; however, Max felt that she was faster and knew better of this place. Also the fact she didn’t care much for herself or what happened to her these days.
Nodding, she checked to see where they were and to make sure they were going in the right direction. “We can head towards Robin’s apartment first. If I can’t seem to get in contact with her, then we will go find Dustin’s place. One of them has to be home, and I know they’ll be able to pick up on what’s going on if they haven’t already.” Then again if the monsters were showing up, Max was sure they already knew. “But yeah, wind power sounds good even if it will only piss them off. Better than nothing.”
“No,” Zari adamantly said. “None of that. We are going to stick together. No distracting so I can get away. I would never just leave you. Not going to happen.”
Even if she was told to run, she wouldn’t. Max wasn’t just her ward. She was her family, like a little sister. She had to leave Behrad once, and now he was gone. She wasn’t going to be in that situation again.
“We’re going to stick together and come up with a plan.” Admittedly, it’d probably be on the fly. She could work with that. “I don’t care what you did or did not do. That doesn’t matter to me.”
She’d done many things she wasn’t proud of. She was glad no one had given up on her.
“Now, we’re going to find your friends.”
Max wanted to argue, but she also knew they had to get moving. They had to get to Robin’s place since it was closer before trying Dustin if she had no luck with Robin to get them to help her with finding an exit out of this place. The less time spent here, the better! “You don’t even know what I did. For all you know I could be a serial killer,” Max pointed out, reaching a bit on that one, but she didn’t really care. Though the small smile on her face did show the statement meant a lot to her.
Lately, she felt like any comments that could be considered caring wouldn’t come from either of her mom or stepdad. Actually, Max could say for sure it would never come from her stepdad, knowing how much of an asshole he was to her and his own son when he had been alive. Pushing that thought aside, she couldn’t focus on any of that right now. Though Max figured once they were on the other side and this nightmare was gone, then she’d need to tell Zari about Billy. Maybe it was time to let someone know what she was feeling rather than bottling it up and letting it out in unhealthy ways when it happened.
“We’ll head to Robin’s first. Her place is closer and if that doesn’t work, then Dustin might be home?. Stay alert and watch out for the vines,” she reminded Zari before slipping from the spot to head in the direction of where she knew Robin lived.
"Watch out for the vines," Zari repeated as if it was the most important rule she had ever had to learn. "Alright, let's do this."
She gave Max a reassuring look before they headed off to their first destination.