Reality Crisis

Selina's time in this newly, relocated part of the world had been short. She hadnt yet ventured from the house she had to herself to explore for fear of not knowing what was out there. In Sanctuary there had been a protective wall around them to keep things out. And now there was nothing here to separate them from what was unknown. The Cat really didn't care too much for those odds. Especially considering her power and skills were limited in this world. She only had guns and swords to keep herself safe, and even then who said anything out beyond here could even die by those things?

Those snow dinosaurs had. They had gotten lucky, but what else might pop up unannounced and try to eat all of them? Selina wasn't too keen on waiting around to find out.

That and she was going a bit stir crazy in the house by herself. In Gotham she at least had a circle of people to go to if she needed company, The Bat included, but here she was more or less on her own. Since Jonathan was gone Selina found herself to hold a void she didn't know she had been capable of possessing. And she wasn't used to that.

Usually she got what she wanted with little to no effort but it was different here. She couldn't stand it either.

Selina sighed heavily and stood facing the outside, her back to the city. Her blue eyes swept the area around and her ears were unable to pick up anything out of the ordinary. At one hip settled the holster for a gun, and another was wrapped around the upper thigh of the opposite side. Her trusty whip was curled around her waist, and she stood there impatiently with her hands on her hips, waiting for anyone else whom might be out and about, either joining in the patrol or simply out wandering.

Company was company. She wasn't going to be too picky at this point. Even Dinah would do as far as ideal for conversation. Of course she would've preferred the Bat, but she would take what she could get.

Bruce had patched what he could of the roof. The places he knew that had been leaking for sure, and the rest...well, that would have to wait until the next heavy rainfall to see. The roof itself had been no easy task. Lucky for the petite scientist there was a small ladder in the attic and a pallet of old, worn out shingles. But at least the house wouldn't spring a leak between now and whenever it rained again. He hoped.

It was hard to fix a roof without all of the proper material. One couldn't simply venture down to the hardware store and get supplies. No, this wasn't that easy unfortunately. But Bruce managed.

He left the task of the windows to Evey, figuring she would get to them when she was ready. Bruce had been up long before she had, and he had no care to wake her from what he supposed was much needed sleep. He couldn't fathom doing that to anyone, especially someone that needed it, and so he left her to wake when she was ready.

Now, Bruce was in the small kitchen area.

He was doing what he could to wash what little dishes they had. The floor by the hearth was void of blankets, each neatly folded and tucked away on a chair so they wouldn't get any dirtier than necessary. His own bedclothes that he utilized when sleeping on the couch were also folded neatly and put out of the way. Despite his upbringing Bruce tried to remain relatively tidy. His lab had been a mess, but that wasn't a place where most people were on a daily basis and he was sharing this space with another.

A hum, something soft and unidentifiable left his lips as he worked, washing the coffee mugs and any plates or bowls they may have used to eat from. He didn't like leaving Evey extra things to do. She seemed burdened by bigger things than dirty dishes, thus Bruce managed to keep the small things off of her mind and out of the way.

The list in the living room was slowly diminishing. He had also opened cabinet doors in the bathroom and kitchen to keep the pipes from freezing, and took efforts on that part as well to keep the house as warm as possible. Maybe it was a little too domestic for his tastes, but you made due when you had to. And he definitely didn't have much of a choice.

[Edit: Originally this was going to be a 'Kate and Bruce weren't in the original thread because they were hiding' post, but that changed. Haha. So anyone can join in if you were in the first Snow Dino plot or not.]

Kate sat huddled in a large truck with over half a dozen other survivors. The top of it was boxy, covered in canvas and the archer thought it looked like the kind of vehicle seen only in movies. In Mother Russia, you don't drive truck. Truck drive you!

She thought about sharing the joke with Bruce, seated across from her, but her smile faded as soon as she looked up at him. Kate thought better of it.

It wasn't that she didn't like Bruce, it was that Kate still planned on getting back home. It would have been just fine if she didn't like Bruce. At least not in that way. But, in Kate's estimation, in a group this full of heroes meant someone was going to figure out how to send everyone back home any time now. Honestly, she was a little surprised it had taken this long.

She offered the very attractive and approachable scientist a smile and that was it.

Then the caravan came to a stop.

Kate frowned and stood up, opening the canvas flap to peek outside and get a good look.

Snow dinosaurs. There were dinosaurs made of snow. It wasn't the dinosaurs that worried Hawkeye. There seemed to be plenty of capable people to take care of dinosaurs made of snow. Nope. What worried Kate was the scientist.

Because snow dinosaurs were destructible. The Hulk, however, was not.

Kate cleared her throat and forced a smile. "Just sit tight, folks. Everything's going to be just fine."

She readied her bow and pulled an arrow from her quiver just in case.

The meet up with the snow dinosaurs had been enough to establish the need to keep a look out over ones shoulder constantly. This wasn't an action new to the scientist, a man who had spent most of his present existence running from...well, a good many things. Himself included, but mostly the government. His time as an Avenger had been surprising considering the publicity it had brought, which only meant unwarranted attention to who and what he really was and could become. It was his most vulnerable secret and it was stained across the lips of every resident of New York.

He had done it because he had to. The world needed him. But this world didn't need him. This world had people like Dinah and Eric watching out for the people. Bruce didn't mind that one bit. Staying in the shadows meant les chance of an outbreak. And that was something that none of them needed.

So when the battle with the snow dinosaurs ensued Bruce made sure to help other people around hide and not become involved. Involvement meant commitment to the battle itself and thus exposing himself. His inner self. He didn't want these people to know unless he had to show them. And even then Bruce struggled to comprehend if they would continue to accept him. He was helpful, sure, but were his few skills worth the empty, green rage that lived inside of him? The risk? Was it too great it could these people look past that? He never wanted to find out if he could help it.

So he blended in as much as he could.

Currently the scientist stood warily in front of a small, one-story house. The structure itself would need ample work, but at least it was standing. The roof seemed firmly attached for it being in the condition it was, and despite there being no glass in most of the windows it looked almost..."Cozy..." Bruce breathed softly, a warm fog leaving his lips.

But he knew that the task of rebuilding this structure would take one man a very long time to accomplish. He was going to need help, especially since he had no idea even where to start. It seemed like such a large task for such a small man. But he liked a challenge.

Dinah still hadn't found Bruce. Upon returning to the cave, she'd found half of it missing and she'd had a long moment where she was sure he was gone. Yet, she couldn't convince herself to stop looking. Not just yet. Bruce was always on the move and it was just as likely that he'd be checking on others and helping where he was needed. If he was still here, she could only think of how he'd feel when he found part of their base of operations and the place that was as close to a home as one could get in this world-when he found it missing.

Since she'd checked Sanctuary, she headed to die Festung to see if maybe the Bat was there. He wasn't, though she was there for Belia's meeting. For the news that everyone-from die Festung to Sanctuary to New Troy-was packing up and heading to hopefully safer ground. She also managed to spot some of the people that she cared about who were still in die Festung, to confirm that they were still in this world.

She needed to find Bruce even more now, but she also needed to do what she could to prepare to leave. If she could track down Clark, perhaps she could get him to find Bruce and make sure that he didn't get left behind.

She headed back to the cave to get the supplies that hadn't been obliterated and then she headed toward Sanctuary. Upon asking around, she discovered that at least Bruce had been spotted at the meeting held by Erik. That soothed her for the time being and made it easier to focus on shuttling supplies back and forth using her ATV and helping with the preparations for the move as she could. She just hoped that this entire area could hold it together until the next morning when they'd all head out.

The TARDIS faded into reality with a familiar vworp! vworp! It connected solidly with the ground and moments later the door opened, releasing The Doctor and a plume of smoke. No matter that he pulled the door inward when the sign on the TARDIS clearly indicated that the doors were meant to be opened outward. It was habit.

"Amelia! Amelia! I worked out what it was! I know what I was missing!"

The Doctor hopped over the root of a ancient tree branch, running quickly through a patchwork of realities before he realized he was running through a patchwork of realities and was not, in fact, in the quaint front yard of a seven year old Scottish girl's English home.

"Right."

Normally he would have been content to take a curious peek around, especially since, and this was odd for him, he didn't immediately recognize the time period. Sticking his tongue out in the air he tasted a mixture of prehistoric and twenty-first century air.

Turning on a heel he walked calmly back to the TARDIS, grabbed the handle and pushed.

She wouldn't open.

The Doctor tried using his key. He tried pulling. The TARDIS still didn't budge.

"No, no. Don't do that to me now." He leaned against the TARDIS, and being alone, spoke soothingly to her, tracing his fingers along the window. She was still rebuilding, or trying to. There was so much smoke!

Something was wrong with this world and if he was going to save Amelia he would have to take a slight detour and look around in this world first.

So he started running. His converse sneakers were only barely holding up. They'd been a brilliant footwear choice, excellent for running but part of the sole on his left shoe was slightly melted. Oops. None of his clothes were his own, not really, but he could stand to be raggedy for a bit longer.

Duel circulatory system and Time Lord physiology made running a bit easier than the average human. He tried taking in every detail he passed, but new body made it harder to focus or even coordinate. Instead of running through the gates into the first sign of (collapsing) civilization he ran into them and knocked himself unconscious.

Being without a proper medical facility was quite difficult. Bacteria could run rampant if left untreated and this miserable excuse for a world wasn't very promising in the realm of antibiotics or antiseptics for wounds. How there were even any people left waking this planet Bruce wasn't exactly sure. It puzzled him, the lack of proper medication and what seemed to be the leftover, surviving communities. These people needed proper medical attention when something went wrong or awry, and despite all of the want he had, Bruce wasn't very hopeful for them. Of course he didn't let that show in his demeanor, and these people were very low on the totem pole of his priorities.

Kate mattered most.

And of course she was gone from where he had left her.

He knew it wasn't easy to just lay around and heal, but being in the unknown didn't leave them with a lot of options. To Bruce, Kate held a lot of the same qualities that Tony Stark did. With less ego and more pretty, but the quality was essentially the same. She was head-strong, stubborn and determined. Also she wasn't the type to display obvious weakness and wouldn't accept help unless she really had to out of pride. Bruce could respect that. But there was a line in the sand that needed to be drawn between utter stupidity and being proud of oneself. If survival meant resting and taking it easy, then that's what had to be done. To move, shift and be out in and unsterile world meant unforeseen infection, and normally treatable minor conditions could be fatal.

She was far too precious for that.

And yet she was gone.

With a sigh Bruce walked around in the Sanctuary, trying to see if he could find the archer. He didn't like that she had gone, and that was obvious by his expression, but there wasn't much he could do. Selina offered to tie her down but (despite really embarrassing thoughts that he wasn't ever going to have again) Bruce had declined. Kate was a person and she would do what she felt was best.

All he could do for her was try to keep her safe.

It wasn't really the car or the weapons that were valuable. There wasn't any gas for the car, only about three-fourths of a tank left, and the luxury vehicle wasn't made to work in broken world on terribly maintained roads. The weapons? They were okay if you had the skill or training to use them. Most people were really well armed.

No, the valuable stuff was her shampoo, her road snacks -- luxuries that were few and far in between. They were also things she could part with for trade. Until she met with Erik she was sleeping in her car. The leather seating was probably more comfortable than whatever they cobbled together in the "huts" anyway.

"Looks like we're camping," she said to the dog. As long as Bruce was safe, and by extension, the Hulk was asleep, then all was right with the world. She'd get some sleep, get a feel for the place and then...

Then there was an earthquake.

Scratch that. No good news. Everything sucks.

It wasn't just an earthquake. It was so much more than an earthquake. Where her car had been strategically parked was now a pile of rubble. The bumper of her blue car just visible. Lucky had made it out, living up to his name once again. Kate thought she heard barking, she couldn't be sure. Only that she was unable to move, would be lucky if she hadn't broken something and was probably about to loose consciousness.

Hopefully everyone else was alright.

Her side hurt. Thankfully, Kate Barton was unable to see why.

"Hulk Smash!"

With a mighty roar, Hulk slammed a gigantic green fist against the backside of the slithering alien, determined to punch a hole completely through the thing. That was impossible, of course, due to the mass of the thing itself but Hulk wasn't ever one to give up that easily.

All around him the world seemed to be in panic. Below the streets were flooded with fire, aliens and overturned vehicles. Humans scurried about like ants.

The air around them buzzed with pulsating blasts, bullets and a mixture of screams from mankind and triumphant roars from the invaders.

The God of Thunder landed not far from the heavy green monster, but Hulk paid the puny God no attention at present. Their quarrel could be finished later.

Instead Hulk pried a piece of bone-like fin from the serpent and drove it deep into the scaly, exposed skin. Blood poured from the wound and the beast cried out in pain.

A roar of triumph erupted from the lips of the green monster and then suddenly it was falling.

The sounds around Hulk buzzed in his ears and he flailed as he was pulled toward the ground by Gravity.

The next thing he knew he was hitting Earth, dirt and grass. Not the concrete or civilians he had originally expected. Nonetheless Hulk had made a crater upon impact which seemed to stir some of the local creatures to the sight.

An ear-splitting, blood curdling sound soared across the sky. It cracked the very serenity of the settling dust and without another moment the Hulk had pulled itself to its feet and looked around.

From its seven foot tall stature it was able to spot a herd of strange looking zombie creatures that were heading towards it.

Lips pulling back from his teeth Hulk balled its giant hands into fists, pulled itself to its full height and shot the approaching creatures a warning glare. It was all the notice they would get.

"Hulk smash!"

With that, Hulk was sprinting across the forest, knocking down trees without a second thought as he ran. Unearthing the lumber, Hulk hurled it at the beasts that had scattered upon impact.
Not far from where the fight was taking place stood the wall of a city. It was within throwing distance of Hulk should it catch his eye. At present he was making a large amount of ruckus, launching the zombie creatures into each other, but his attention could divert at any moment. And God be with anyone that got in its way when it was angry.

You wouldn't like me when I'm angry.

( Read more... )

The apartment wasn't bad, Bruce had to say. I've got lots of room to myself. And the top floor means the Other Guy will be able to jump his way out of the city. He could only hope that's what he'd want. Bruce didn't like trying to get inside the Other Guy's head, it just- wait for it- made him angry.

He'd done his best to clean the place up, but there was only so much to be done. He'd been tempted to stay inside and keep a low profile, but the rain of reptiles had brought out his altruistic side. He'd set up a makeshift lab in the biggest of his bedrooms, and begun synthesizing anti-venom. The doctors (if you could really call them that) at the medical clinic had been astounded when he showed up with a crate of the stuff.

Since then Bruce had stayed under the radar, trying to find a way to get the equipment that had come through the hole in reality with him to work. For the most part they were in good repair, but they were bleeding-edge pieces of lab technology- even slight misalignments would destroy their ability to function properly.

So he'd spent the morning scrounging for parts and now he was in the local saloon, promising pieces of equipment strewn across the table. A server brought over a plate of grilled lizard and a cup of cider for him. I think everyone is going to be eating reptiles for a while.

Belia Ohorek sat at her desk, waiting. They'd gotten word to her rather quickly about the strange sites outside the city as well as the strange one who entered with one of the hunters. She had her own network always watching for something or someone new, as she felt the more information she had, the better she could serve her people.

She had to make choices everyday that she knew most wouldn't understand, certainly not the Chosen. One of these choices had long ago been that she would make sure she knew everything that came and went in her city and around her city. Now, she had someone new to deal with, although the attitude was that this new one was much stranger than any they'd seen.

Belia was willing to overlook strange if it came with a way to save her people and her world. Of course, she knew that all of this came with a price. Currently the price was quickly becoming a sense of distrust among the Chosen, which she would accept as long as they stayed. She would find away to save everyone, possibly not matter the cost.

Wet.

He tried to inhale, and water filled his mouth and nose. Bruce erupted in a fit of coughing, and jerked his head to the side. His face had been half submerged in a puddle. He spat out a mouthful of muddy water and opened his eyes. What he saw didn't make him feel much better. Concrete streets and sidewalks overrun with grass and foliage, half collapsed skyscrapers towering all around him.

Bruce pulled his aching body up from the ground, looking around him in awe. "Alright..." he said evenly, going over the last thing he remembered. Stark Tower, the lab, 2:30 in the morning. My research. Time for coffee. Then a point of light, tearing across the wall. The Tesseract? Similar, but it lacked the blue-hue. And none of my Gamma instruments gave any kind of warning. A portal of some kind. And then- white. All white.

Bruce paced up to what had once been an intersection, and looked down one street, then the next, then the next. In every direction it was the same thing. Empty streets, cracked pavement, rodents and small game grazing next to traffic signals and deserted vehicles. He thought about yelling, but his instincts prevented him. The gravity of the situation began to dawn on him. "Right, so I'm alone, in what looks like a major metropolitan city. Aaand it's deserted..." He nodded, interlacing his fingers, turning in circles as he considered his predicament.

This isn't right... A sinking feeling came to his stomach, the kind that happened when the data was inevitably pointing in a direction the researcher didn't want it to. Bruce was too well read to have missed a major city of this size suddenly being deserted. The vegetation suggested it had been this way for some time- at least a year at his best guess.

"So there are three possible explanations, " Bruce muttered to himself. "One, that I've been away long enough for some disaster to strike, for a major city to be deserted, and for vegetation to overrun it. Two, that I'm experiencing some sort of hallucination, or have finally lost my goddamned mind. Or three, that I'm not on Earth at all...". He thought about Thor and Loki- maybe this was one of the nine realms they talked about? He took a deep breath for a moment, closing his eyes, accepting the crushing terror and hopelessness of the situation. That it was a distinct possibility that he had had a complete break from reality, or that the world had finally descended into nuclear war. That he would likely never see any of his friends ever again. Exhaling his eyes snapped open, a serene expression on his face. "So par for the course, really."

--
An hour later saw Bruce in full-scale survival mode. A lifetime spent on the run from every government agency had given the man more than a few skills that would come in handy in this bleak new world. He'd located some shelter in a ruined storefront, then had set about gathering whatever resources he could. He'd quickly discovered that a number of items from the laboratory had been pulled through the rift with him, and he scoured the are for anything he could find.

As night fell, he made his way back into his shelter and hunkered down for the night. A small pile of objects sat at the opposing side of his small fire. There were a few pieces of lab equipment which wouldn't be of any immediate use, but it was nice to have all the same. The real find had been his "go-bag". Really it was just a canvas shoulder bag any college professor might carry, but Bruce was always ready for the possibility of running at a moment's notice. He had a change of clothes, some dehydrated fruit and energy bars, a bottle of water, a shaving kit, an empty shoe polish tin filled with basic survival supplies, and his laptop, the real gem of the collection. A Stark Granitebook- the same model used in combat zones, but Bruce's titanium casing had a drab green sheen- Tony's idea of a joke. Add to that the smartphone he'd had in his pocket, his wallet, his watch, his glasses, and the clothes on his back. He'd been worse off.

Something rattled in the street. Bruce looked up with concern, his heartbeat jumping. His fire was small and concealed behind rubble, but Bruce quickly stomped it out all the same. Peeking over the edge, Bruce saw there were figures in the street. He stayed silent, prepared to wait out the night unless he heard some actual human voices...