WakandaMan
12/10/2010, 03:32
Part 5 (of 6) of the Infinity Quest
Written by Space Jawa
Edited by WakandaMan
“I don’t like it.” Said Adam Warlock as the Osiris lifted off Sakaar to begin its path towards the next gem, though until they knew where it actually was,\ the flight path was mostly a matter of getting clear of the system to avoid any potential fallout from their visit.
“What don’t you like?” Asked Gamora. “The part where I knocked the Champion flat on his back, made him look like a fool, and retrieved the Power Gem?”
“What I don’t like is that you not only hid from us this symbiotes existence, but that you also decided to ‘bond’ with it. Especially considering our previous encounter with its kind.”
“He has a point.” Jazinda said off-handedly as she headed towards the cockpit to help Major Victory finish the transition off-planet.
“E tu, skrull?” Gamora said after her.
This one could sense an unnatural increased level of tension between Gamora and Warlock. It seemed prudent to play temporary mediator towards the situation.
“Perhaps it would be best if this matter were discussed in a more formal setting.” Mantis said, stepping half way in between Adam and Gamora. “Let the Osiris leave the system, attempt to gather your thoughts, and then perhaps it can be discussed with a more level head once everyone is gathered to discuss the next phase of the quest at hand.”
“Fine by me.” Gamora said.
“I can agree to this.” Adam replied, and then the two began to walk in separate directions as they would take an indirect path to the conference room.
Adam, however, would stop and turn for a brief moment as he thought he heard something behind him, only to briefly miss sight of the symbiote reaching some of its mass off of Gamora’s back to give the space wizard a raspberry.
*********
“I’m not so sure it’s a good idea to hold onto it, let alone let it run around free.” Adam said as the others looked on.
“Run around free?” Gamora replied. “Hardly. It hasn’t left my sight since I began wearing it.”
With the Far-Seeing Eye of the Osiris parked just outside the star system that Sakaar called home, all the Guardians had gathered in the conference room. With the rest of the Guardians sitting around the table, Adam and Gamora each stood at an end, and were currently debating the matter of the woman’s secret weapon. The symbiote itself was making no effort to hide itself, having formed a skin-tight bodysuit outside her normal clothing and leaving visible her head, arms, and the original V-cut that ran all the way down the front to her lower abdomen. What looked to be something resembling eyes has formed in front of each shoulder, and anyone paying close enough attention would be able to see those spots move as they reacted to the conversation being played out.
“And yet we have no way of ensuring that it will remain that way.” Adam said back.
“Yes we do.” Gamora replied. “It needs me. That’s how the ‘symbiote’ process works. It needs to be worn by someone, or else it starves to death. And in return for being fed, it provides an immense boost to my skills and talents.”
“And how do we know that this ‘feeding’ process isn’t harmful?”
“It’s not being fed anything I don’t have plenty of already. That’s why we work so well together. I have plenty of what it needs, and even without it I’m more than capable of taking care of myself. With it…”
”We aRe unStOppaBle…” The symbiote thought, finishing the woman’s unspoken sentence.
“Look, Warlock.” She said, continuing before anyone had an opportunity to get a word in. “You’ve seen firsthand what Thanos is capable of. We need every advantage we can get if we are going to stop him. This symbiote is an undeniable advantage. You saw what I did to The Champion. Do you really want to turn down that kind of power just because you’re worried my suit might suddenly start acting like the others?”
Adam simply gave a frustrated sigh as he crossed his arms and put his chin in one hand as he tried to consider the argument.
I knew she was right on some level. It was difficult to debate her arguments. And yet I knew in my gut that it was a bad idea for her to use the symbiote as she was.
“Is this really the best use of our time?” Vance spoke up. “We still have two gems to find before Thanos gets them.”
“Very well.” Adam said with a sigh. “I’ll refrain from attempting to debate the matter for now.”
“Thank you.” Gamora said. “From both of us.”
“However, I will be keeping a close eye on it.” Adam added. “We need to be sure it does nothing to hinder us, and will consider potential action should I deem it necessary.”
“That’s better than where we were.” Gamora replied as she and her symbiote both rolled their eyes in unison.
“If that is settled, perhaps the gems could be discussed?” Mantis said, looking to get their focus back on track.
“Yes, of course.” Adam said. “First thing...what of the Power Gem?”
“You mean this?” Gamora said as the symbiote spread down her arm and then immediately retreated back up again. It left in her hand a small, red glowing rock – the Power Gem. “I thought that since I was the one who challenged and defeated the Champion for it, I should be the one to hold onto it. Arguably, it belongs to me alone already. Besides, the symbiote may already increase what I’m capable of, just think of just how much more so that will be true if I have the Power Gem aiding me as well? Thanos will never know what hit him.”
Looking around the room, there were no signs of genuine disagreement towards the idea, aside from Warlock. Warlock, however, held back whatever argument he may have had and let it happen.
“Very well.”
“Thank you, you’re such a dear.” Gamora said with a smile and tone both of which seemed to be genuine sincerity. Once again the symbiote stretched out along her arm only to retreat just as quickly, and the Power Gem disappeared to wherever it was on her person that Gamora was hiding the Gem.
“Now of the other two?” Mantis asked?
“ISAAC?” Adam said, calling up the Titan’s AI system.
“I am afraid there may be a problem.” The system said as it entered the conversation. “It appears that there is no solid lead on the location of the remaining gems.”
“Come again?” Asked Jazinda.
“Last known leads on the Soul Gem and Space Gem indicate that they were in possession of individuals who lost them. No following records show signs of their reappearance.”
“So we’ve reached a dead-end?” Gamora asked.
“No.” Adam responded. “We simply need to find an alternative way of searching.”
“Such as?” Jazinda asked.
“Mantis, you mentioned a theory before.” Vance said. “Something about the gems being drawn to individuals that had some kind of connection to their power.”
“That is correct.” Mantis answered.
“If all the gems form the Infinity Gauntlet when brought together, is it possible the gems share a similar connection to each other?” Vance continued.
“It is possible.”
“What if we could use that to our advantage? Take the two gems we already have and use them to locate the other two?”
“You mean like signal triangulation?” Jazinda asked.
“Exactly.” Said Vance.
“That’s brilliant.” Adam said. “ISAAC, could we use the Osiris’ sensors to accomplish the task?”
“My calculations have placed the possibility of such an attempt working within a favorable percentage.”
“So yes?” Jazinda asked.
“That is correct.”
*********
“Funny” Said Jazinda as the Osiris neared the end of its journey to the location the Gems had provided for them. It was a planet that was not unfamiliar to some of the Guardians, and the system even less so. Up ahead a planet began to fill the forward viewscreen, a planet known as Earth.
“What is?” Asked Vance, currently in the pilots seat.
“We travel across the galaxy chasing after the other gems, only now to come back to nearly where we started out. Just think, if we had known this one was here in the first place, we could have retrieved it first and had an advantage over Thanos when we first met.”
“I’m not sure it’s worth thinking about.” Vance replied as he carefully brought the ship through it’s final trajectory to Earth till they knew specifically where they should be looking. Even though the Osiris was more than capable of hiding it’s presence from the less advanced Earth-made satellites and detection systems, it was still important to watch where he was flying, lest he fly into any number of the pieces of debris that had been left in orbit or one of the satellites themselves.
“We don’t have the ability to change what happened now.”
”Jazinda, Vance, is everything all right up there?” came the voice of Warlock through the ships comm. system.
“Everything looks fine up here.” Said Jazinda. “Why?”
”I think we have a problem.”
*********
“You seem worried the problem is on this end.” Mantis said as she watched Adam.
”What kind of problem?” Asked Vance from the cockpit.
“The signal has stopped.” Mantis answered him as Adam concentrated, trying to consider what might have happened.
”Stopped transmitting?”
“No. The signal leads only to Earth, but there is no sign of where on Earth it may be.”
I hardly expected to be led to the exact location of the Gem, but I had expected we would have at least an area to begin searching in.
That’s when I had a realization.
“I don’t think it’s on Earth at all.” Adam stated.
“What do you mean?” asked Mantis, not sure she followed.
“Vance,” he said, not answering Mantis. “take us to New York City. We need to see Dr. Strange.”
*********
We landed the Osiris on an abandoned building in an area of the city where it was less likely that someone would accidentally stumble across it.
While I was able to make myself look human, Adam had to cast something to keep the others’ true identities concealed.
Personally, I don’t understand what the need was. From what I’ve seen, we would have hardly been the strangest things walking around New York. Probably would have fit right in. Adam, however, thought it was important to draw as little attention to ourselves as possible so we could get in and out ASAP.
The first knock on the door of what Adam claimed was the home of Dr. Strange yielded no results.
“Are we sure he’s home?” Gamora asked. “We didn’t exactly call ahead.”
“He would not leave the Sanctorum unoccupied.” Adam replied. “Someone will be home.”
With no answer, Adam knocked on the door a second time.
“How do you know Dr. Strange?” Mantis asked. Being from Earth, she had heard rumours of the Sorcerer herself, even if she’d had direct contact with him.
“Should I not have?” Adam asked matter-of-factly. “He is the Sorcerer Supreme. It’s only natural that someone such as myself would know of him.”
“I thought your powers weren’t technically magic.” Gamora said.
“Technically, no, we do not derive our powers from the exact same source, but the end result is close enough.”
Adam prepared to knock on the door a third time, but before he could, it opened just wide enough for a bald, asian man to peek through at the small gathering outside the door.
“Can I help you?” he asked.
“We need to see Dr. Strange.” Adam replied.
“I’m afraid that is not possible at this time.”
“It is critical that we speak with him.”
Hoping to convince the man to let them in, Adam allowed the disguises they were using to dissipate, showing them for who they truly were.
“I am Adam Warlock of the Guardians of the Galaxy.” He said. “And we have come to speak to Dr. Strange regarding a matter of intergalactic importance. There is a foe who seeks to unite the Infinity Gems for his own sinister ends.”
Listening to what Adam had to say, the man proceeded to open the door the rest of the way.
“Greetings, my name is Wong, and I am the servant of the esteemed Dr. Stephen Strange.” The man said with a small greeting bow before stepping aside and indicating for them all to enter. “Please, come inside.”
*********
“That sounds like quite the adventure.” Clea said as the Guardians finished telling her of their quest and their current predicament. “Dr. Strange had spoken of a great cataclysm that was approaching. I wonder if this is what he was speaking of.”
“It is unlikely.” Answered Wong as he entered the room carrying a freshly prepared tea tray and placing it on the table in the middle of the room. “If this was indeed the danger of which he spoke, I am certain that he would be prepared to meet you here and aid in your quest.”
“Oh, wonderful.” Said Gamora as she took a look at the tea. “So not only do we have Thanos and the Gems to worry about, we also have to be prepared for another potential disaster.”
Picking up one of the cups, she tried to figure out whether it was anything she would enjoy drinking, only for her symbiote to instead reach a small tentacle into the cup and suck it dry.
”What if I wanted to drink that?” She thought to it.
”SoRry.”
“If it is any consolation,” Wong continued “As Guardians of the Galaxy, I would not think you should need to worry yourselves over it. Not only do I trust my master and his allies to be more than capable of handling the situation, but I also do not expect it to threaten anything beyond Earth itself. Please, if you could refrain from touching anything?”
The last sentence was directed at Jazinda, who was moments away from putting her hands on one of the items displayed around the Sanctorum.
“Sorry.” She said as she stopped and stepped away from the mystical artifact.
“Then if Dr. Strange is busy preparing for this second potential catastrophe,” Said Warlock “it seems we may need to find someone else who can help us find where the Gem is.”
“Not necessarily.” Clea said.
“You believe that you can help us?” Asked Mantis.
“Yes.” Clea replied as she stood up. “I may not have nearly the training or the experience of Dr. Strange, but I’m no a stranger to the mystical arts, and I am currently training as his apprentice. And Wong has served Dr. Strange for years. He may not have any training himself, but he is more than capable of lending his assistance.”
“Sounds good to me.” Vance said.
“I agree.” Adam added. “We would be more than willing to accept your help.”
*********
As Adam and Clea used the Orb of Agamotto to determine where the gem they sought could be found, assisted by Wong and Mantis, the other three Guardians waited in one of the visitor rooms, and did their best to be patient. While Gamora seemed content to sit with her symbiote in some sort of meditative trance and Vance effectively played a one-man game of chess, Jazinda stood by the window and watched the world as it went about its daily life, never suspecting the danger that was looking for an opportunity to make its way to the galaxy’s doorstep.
“It’s a shame we can’t spare any time away from the Gems.” Jazinda said as took a moment to glance back inside. “I’d love to have an opportunity to wander around outside and see just what this planet has to offer for myself.”
“I’m sure there’ll be another opportunity sometime.” Vance said.
“I’m surprised you’re not over here looking at all this. I thought you originally came from Earth. Isn’t this like a homecoming for you?”
“Hardly.” Vance said with a heavy sigh. “This isn’t the Earth as I remember it. And right now, I can hardly look at it all without thinking about what will become of it. That is, if my past will even happen here anymore.”
The skrull tried to consider the soldier’s sentence, but quickly decided to leave it and return to her window-gazing.
Time-travel and alternate dimensions can give you a headache if you think about it too much.
“We’ve found it.” Said Adam Warlock as he entered the room, followed closely by the others.
“You have it?” Gamora asked, slowly standing up.
“Hardly.” Answered Wong. “We have simply learned where it may be retrieved from.”
“Unfortunately, it is located in one of the worse places it could be found.” Adam said, jumping ahead of any question as to where that location was. “The Soul Gem is hidden in the fiery bowels of the underworld. It is a realm of gluttony and hopelessness, ruled by an ancient demon as evil as he is powerful, and aided by an army of minions each of which is nearly as vile as he. Retrieving the Gem will be a challenge unlike anything we have faced thus far.”
“Then the Gem is already safe, isn’t it?” Asked Jazinda. “Do you really think even Thanos will be able to retrieve a Gem from a place like that?”
“We could wait and find out.” Gamora suggested. “You can keep an eye on the Gem, let us know when Thanos shows up, let him fight the big bad guy for us, pick off any minions left over, and steal it from behind his back.”
“Unfortunately, the Orb we used to find the Soul Gem doesn’t work that way.” Clea answered. “We would have no way of knowing whether Thanos is there or not until it’s already in his possession.”
“Probably for the best.” Said Vance. “Waiting for Thanos to show up would probably just make the situation worse.”
“For example,” Adam said. “Thanos is driven by a dangerous motive. It is not inconceivable that if the current owner of the Gem learned of what Thanos is capable of, he might be convinced to hand the gem over to Thanos willingly in order to further his own evil ambitions.”
He looked around the room to ensure that everyone understood why they were unable to bet on the situation take care of itself.
“No, as treacherous as it may be, we have no choice but to try to retrieve the Gem ourselves.”
“I assume you have a plan to get there?” Asked Vance.
“We do.” Answered Adam. “It’s a relatively straightforward one.”
“If Adam and I combine our talents, we should be able to create a temporary portal to the realm the Gem resides in.” Clea said, explaining the plan. “One that should hopefully open somewhere close to the Soul Gem itself with minimal danger. Adam would then provide cover, allowing for us to enter the realm without raising suspicion or suffering any ill-effects from entering one of the realms of the dead as still-living mortals. I would in turn be responsible for keeping the gateway open and ensuring that should anything go wrong, we would be immediately be pulled back to the mortal plain, though in such a circumstance, we would not be able to bring the Gem back with us.”
“Then what are we waiting for?” Asked Gamora, her symbiote oozing to its full bodysuit mode. “The faster we grab the Gem, the less time we have to spend in Hell.”
*********
As the portal opened, a rush of heat was not the only thing that rushed back out of it. There was also an aura of doom, despair, and outright evil that was matched by a very few who regularly walked the Earth.
“Abandon hope, all ye who enter here.” Mantis said quietly as Adam and Clea activated the final preparations they would need before entering.
“Touching.” Gamora said with a touch of sarcasm. “You come up with that yourself?”
“Dante.” Mantis replied. “From The Inferno of his Divine Comedy. Circa 14th Century Earth.”
“We are ready.” Adam said. “I’ll go first.”
With a nearly undetectable hint of hesitation and uncertainty, Adam stepped through the portal. Once he was safely on the other side, he turned back to signal the others to come through. One by one, the Guardians and Clea followed after him and proceeded to walk forwards into the fiery depths of unspeakable horror.
“The Gem should be nearby.” Adam said as he looked around.
“I think I’ll stay here.” Gamora said from behind them. Turning around, they could see that there was something amiss with her new friend. Contrasting the suit that had formed prior to their entrance, the symbiote had retreated from much of her body, and most of it was concentrated on her back, facing out towards the exit.
“I’ll stay here and cover the exit in case something goes wrong. It’ll ensure that no one cuts off our escape.”
Not interested in debating the issue, Adam simply nodded and the rest continued onwards. It was only a few more yards inwards, however, before they found what they were looking for.
“There it is.” Said Adam. He pointed to a small, elevated display, the center of which was built around a small, green gem – the Soul Gem. Just as hoped, it was only a few yards further in. Even as they reached the display itself, the portal could still be made out behind them.
“That was easy.” Said Jazinda.
“We’re not out yet.” Warned Major Victory.
“The return is unlikely to be as easy.” Adam said with a heavy sigh as he examined the display. “I fear this display may be set to trigger an alarm.”
“So what do we do?” Jazinda asked.
“The only thing we can.” Adam answered as he reached out and grabbed it. “Run.”
They had hardly turned around, however, before the area shook with a small rumble and a dark prescience began to fill the area. In defiance of the unholy atmosphere that already filled the air, it brought with it and even greater sense of doom and evil.
“You dare?” A voice rumbled, piercing through the very souls of all who stood there. “You dare to enter my domain – still alive, mind you, and try to steal what is mine?”
From all sides, unholy soldiers and lesser demons of the realm began to emerge from the darkness, all of them looking to cut off the Guardian’s escape route.
“This will not come to pass.” The voice again rumbled. “I will take back what is mine, and then you will all suffer for your sins. But fear not, for I hardly intend to kill you. It is rare we find the living here among us, and what a pleasure it is when we do. However, by the time I am done with you, I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that death is what you will all plead for the most.”
Guardians of the Galaxy:
1) U CM87 Adam Warlock (61)
W/Extended Range (10)
2) R SV67 Mantis (35)
W/Maneuver (8), Vault (3)
3) R SV58 Major Victory (Vance Astro; 49)
W/Stunning Blow (10)
4) R Jazinda (25)
5) Clea (59)
Total: 260
Mephisto's Minions:
145 SI055 Mephisto
60 CR224 Shadow Demon
39 IN079 Death Demon
48 IN080 Death Demon
58 IN081 Death Demon
33 HA015 Fire Demon
68 LG049 The Demon
Total: 451
Map: Ancient Temple (http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils/map2.jsp?map=AT)
BC: INFERNO (Avengers #004): At the beginning of your turn, deal 1 damage to each friendly character occupying hindering terrain not generated by powers or abilities.
Special Objects: Each player can place one Lantern of their colour choice instead of a regular object (representing the unusual properties of the region).
Special Rules:
- The BC Inferno applies to water terrain instead of hindering terrain.
- Mephisto's Minions are not affected by the BC
- The Guardians start in the square between (and including) B10 and D13. The baddies can use both normal starting zones.
- Mephisto can use both options in his 'Dark Bargain' SP together
- If all Guardians currently in the game are inside the same starting zone, they can leave the map to 'escape'.
Written by Space Jawa
Edited by WakandaMan
“I don’t like it.” Said Adam Warlock as the Osiris lifted off Sakaar to begin its path towards the next gem, though until they knew where it actually was,\ the flight path was mostly a matter of getting clear of the system to avoid any potential fallout from their visit.
“What don’t you like?” Asked Gamora. “The part where I knocked the Champion flat on his back, made him look like a fool, and retrieved the Power Gem?”
“What I don’t like is that you not only hid from us this symbiotes existence, but that you also decided to ‘bond’ with it. Especially considering our previous encounter with its kind.”
“He has a point.” Jazinda said off-handedly as she headed towards the cockpit to help Major Victory finish the transition off-planet.
“E tu, skrull?” Gamora said after her.
This one could sense an unnatural increased level of tension between Gamora and Warlock. It seemed prudent to play temporary mediator towards the situation.
“Perhaps it would be best if this matter were discussed in a more formal setting.” Mantis said, stepping half way in between Adam and Gamora. “Let the Osiris leave the system, attempt to gather your thoughts, and then perhaps it can be discussed with a more level head once everyone is gathered to discuss the next phase of the quest at hand.”
“Fine by me.” Gamora said.
“I can agree to this.” Adam replied, and then the two began to walk in separate directions as they would take an indirect path to the conference room.
Adam, however, would stop and turn for a brief moment as he thought he heard something behind him, only to briefly miss sight of the symbiote reaching some of its mass off of Gamora’s back to give the space wizard a raspberry.
*********
“I’m not so sure it’s a good idea to hold onto it, let alone let it run around free.” Adam said as the others looked on.
“Run around free?” Gamora replied. “Hardly. It hasn’t left my sight since I began wearing it.”
With the Far-Seeing Eye of the Osiris parked just outside the star system that Sakaar called home, all the Guardians had gathered in the conference room. With the rest of the Guardians sitting around the table, Adam and Gamora each stood at an end, and were currently debating the matter of the woman’s secret weapon. The symbiote itself was making no effort to hide itself, having formed a skin-tight bodysuit outside her normal clothing and leaving visible her head, arms, and the original V-cut that ran all the way down the front to her lower abdomen. What looked to be something resembling eyes has formed in front of each shoulder, and anyone paying close enough attention would be able to see those spots move as they reacted to the conversation being played out.
“And yet we have no way of ensuring that it will remain that way.” Adam said back.
“Yes we do.” Gamora replied. “It needs me. That’s how the ‘symbiote’ process works. It needs to be worn by someone, or else it starves to death. And in return for being fed, it provides an immense boost to my skills and talents.”
“And how do we know that this ‘feeding’ process isn’t harmful?”
“It’s not being fed anything I don’t have plenty of already. That’s why we work so well together. I have plenty of what it needs, and even without it I’m more than capable of taking care of myself. With it…”
”We aRe unStOppaBle…” The symbiote thought, finishing the woman’s unspoken sentence.
“Look, Warlock.” She said, continuing before anyone had an opportunity to get a word in. “You’ve seen firsthand what Thanos is capable of. We need every advantage we can get if we are going to stop him. This symbiote is an undeniable advantage. You saw what I did to The Champion. Do you really want to turn down that kind of power just because you’re worried my suit might suddenly start acting like the others?”
Adam simply gave a frustrated sigh as he crossed his arms and put his chin in one hand as he tried to consider the argument.
I knew she was right on some level. It was difficult to debate her arguments. And yet I knew in my gut that it was a bad idea for her to use the symbiote as she was.
“Is this really the best use of our time?” Vance spoke up. “We still have two gems to find before Thanos gets them.”
“Very well.” Adam said with a sigh. “I’ll refrain from attempting to debate the matter for now.”
“Thank you.” Gamora said. “From both of us.”
“However, I will be keeping a close eye on it.” Adam added. “We need to be sure it does nothing to hinder us, and will consider potential action should I deem it necessary.”
“That’s better than where we were.” Gamora replied as she and her symbiote both rolled their eyes in unison.
“If that is settled, perhaps the gems could be discussed?” Mantis said, looking to get their focus back on track.
“Yes, of course.” Adam said. “First thing...what of the Power Gem?”
“You mean this?” Gamora said as the symbiote spread down her arm and then immediately retreated back up again. It left in her hand a small, red glowing rock – the Power Gem. “I thought that since I was the one who challenged and defeated the Champion for it, I should be the one to hold onto it. Arguably, it belongs to me alone already. Besides, the symbiote may already increase what I’m capable of, just think of just how much more so that will be true if I have the Power Gem aiding me as well? Thanos will never know what hit him.”
Looking around the room, there were no signs of genuine disagreement towards the idea, aside from Warlock. Warlock, however, held back whatever argument he may have had and let it happen.
“Very well.”
“Thank you, you’re such a dear.” Gamora said with a smile and tone both of which seemed to be genuine sincerity. Once again the symbiote stretched out along her arm only to retreat just as quickly, and the Power Gem disappeared to wherever it was on her person that Gamora was hiding the Gem.
“Now of the other two?” Mantis asked?
“ISAAC?” Adam said, calling up the Titan’s AI system.
“I am afraid there may be a problem.” The system said as it entered the conversation. “It appears that there is no solid lead on the location of the remaining gems.”
“Come again?” Asked Jazinda.
“Last known leads on the Soul Gem and Space Gem indicate that they were in possession of individuals who lost them. No following records show signs of their reappearance.”
“So we’ve reached a dead-end?” Gamora asked.
“No.” Adam responded. “We simply need to find an alternative way of searching.”
“Such as?” Jazinda asked.
“Mantis, you mentioned a theory before.” Vance said. “Something about the gems being drawn to individuals that had some kind of connection to their power.”
“That is correct.” Mantis answered.
“If all the gems form the Infinity Gauntlet when brought together, is it possible the gems share a similar connection to each other?” Vance continued.
“It is possible.”
“What if we could use that to our advantage? Take the two gems we already have and use them to locate the other two?”
“You mean like signal triangulation?” Jazinda asked.
“Exactly.” Said Vance.
“That’s brilliant.” Adam said. “ISAAC, could we use the Osiris’ sensors to accomplish the task?”
“My calculations have placed the possibility of such an attempt working within a favorable percentage.”
“So yes?” Jazinda asked.
“That is correct.”
*********
“Funny” Said Jazinda as the Osiris neared the end of its journey to the location the Gems had provided for them. It was a planet that was not unfamiliar to some of the Guardians, and the system even less so. Up ahead a planet began to fill the forward viewscreen, a planet known as Earth.
“What is?” Asked Vance, currently in the pilots seat.
“We travel across the galaxy chasing after the other gems, only now to come back to nearly where we started out. Just think, if we had known this one was here in the first place, we could have retrieved it first and had an advantage over Thanos when we first met.”
“I’m not sure it’s worth thinking about.” Vance replied as he carefully brought the ship through it’s final trajectory to Earth till they knew specifically where they should be looking. Even though the Osiris was more than capable of hiding it’s presence from the less advanced Earth-made satellites and detection systems, it was still important to watch where he was flying, lest he fly into any number of the pieces of debris that had been left in orbit or one of the satellites themselves.
“We don’t have the ability to change what happened now.”
”Jazinda, Vance, is everything all right up there?” came the voice of Warlock through the ships comm. system.
“Everything looks fine up here.” Said Jazinda. “Why?”
”I think we have a problem.”
*********
“You seem worried the problem is on this end.” Mantis said as she watched Adam.
”What kind of problem?” Asked Vance from the cockpit.
“The signal has stopped.” Mantis answered him as Adam concentrated, trying to consider what might have happened.
”Stopped transmitting?”
“No. The signal leads only to Earth, but there is no sign of where on Earth it may be.”
I hardly expected to be led to the exact location of the Gem, but I had expected we would have at least an area to begin searching in.
That’s when I had a realization.
“I don’t think it’s on Earth at all.” Adam stated.
“What do you mean?” asked Mantis, not sure she followed.
“Vance,” he said, not answering Mantis. “take us to New York City. We need to see Dr. Strange.”
*********
We landed the Osiris on an abandoned building in an area of the city where it was less likely that someone would accidentally stumble across it.
While I was able to make myself look human, Adam had to cast something to keep the others’ true identities concealed.
Personally, I don’t understand what the need was. From what I’ve seen, we would have hardly been the strangest things walking around New York. Probably would have fit right in. Adam, however, thought it was important to draw as little attention to ourselves as possible so we could get in and out ASAP.
The first knock on the door of what Adam claimed was the home of Dr. Strange yielded no results.
“Are we sure he’s home?” Gamora asked. “We didn’t exactly call ahead.”
“He would not leave the Sanctorum unoccupied.” Adam replied. “Someone will be home.”
With no answer, Adam knocked on the door a second time.
“How do you know Dr. Strange?” Mantis asked. Being from Earth, she had heard rumours of the Sorcerer herself, even if she’d had direct contact with him.
“Should I not have?” Adam asked matter-of-factly. “He is the Sorcerer Supreme. It’s only natural that someone such as myself would know of him.”
“I thought your powers weren’t technically magic.” Gamora said.
“Technically, no, we do not derive our powers from the exact same source, but the end result is close enough.”
Adam prepared to knock on the door a third time, but before he could, it opened just wide enough for a bald, asian man to peek through at the small gathering outside the door.
“Can I help you?” he asked.
“We need to see Dr. Strange.” Adam replied.
“I’m afraid that is not possible at this time.”
“It is critical that we speak with him.”
Hoping to convince the man to let them in, Adam allowed the disguises they were using to dissipate, showing them for who they truly were.
“I am Adam Warlock of the Guardians of the Galaxy.” He said. “And we have come to speak to Dr. Strange regarding a matter of intergalactic importance. There is a foe who seeks to unite the Infinity Gems for his own sinister ends.”
Listening to what Adam had to say, the man proceeded to open the door the rest of the way.
“Greetings, my name is Wong, and I am the servant of the esteemed Dr. Stephen Strange.” The man said with a small greeting bow before stepping aside and indicating for them all to enter. “Please, come inside.”
*********
“That sounds like quite the adventure.” Clea said as the Guardians finished telling her of their quest and their current predicament. “Dr. Strange had spoken of a great cataclysm that was approaching. I wonder if this is what he was speaking of.”
“It is unlikely.” Answered Wong as he entered the room carrying a freshly prepared tea tray and placing it on the table in the middle of the room. “If this was indeed the danger of which he spoke, I am certain that he would be prepared to meet you here and aid in your quest.”
“Oh, wonderful.” Said Gamora as she took a look at the tea. “So not only do we have Thanos and the Gems to worry about, we also have to be prepared for another potential disaster.”
Picking up one of the cups, she tried to figure out whether it was anything she would enjoy drinking, only for her symbiote to instead reach a small tentacle into the cup and suck it dry.
”What if I wanted to drink that?” She thought to it.
”SoRry.”
“If it is any consolation,” Wong continued “As Guardians of the Galaxy, I would not think you should need to worry yourselves over it. Not only do I trust my master and his allies to be more than capable of handling the situation, but I also do not expect it to threaten anything beyond Earth itself. Please, if you could refrain from touching anything?”
The last sentence was directed at Jazinda, who was moments away from putting her hands on one of the items displayed around the Sanctorum.
“Sorry.” She said as she stopped and stepped away from the mystical artifact.
“Then if Dr. Strange is busy preparing for this second potential catastrophe,” Said Warlock “it seems we may need to find someone else who can help us find where the Gem is.”
“Not necessarily.” Clea said.
“You believe that you can help us?” Asked Mantis.
“Yes.” Clea replied as she stood up. “I may not have nearly the training or the experience of Dr. Strange, but I’m no a stranger to the mystical arts, and I am currently training as his apprentice. And Wong has served Dr. Strange for years. He may not have any training himself, but he is more than capable of lending his assistance.”
“Sounds good to me.” Vance said.
“I agree.” Adam added. “We would be more than willing to accept your help.”
*********
As Adam and Clea used the Orb of Agamotto to determine where the gem they sought could be found, assisted by Wong and Mantis, the other three Guardians waited in one of the visitor rooms, and did their best to be patient. While Gamora seemed content to sit with her symbiote in some sort of meditative trance and Vance effectively played a one-man game of chess, Jazinda stood by the window and watched the world as it went about its daily life, never suspecting the danger that was looking for an opportunity to make its way to the galaxy’s doorstep.
“It’s a shame we can’t spare any time away from the Gems.” Jazinda said as took a moment to glance back inside. “I’d love to have an opportunity to wander around outside and see just what this planet has to offer for myself.”
“I’m sure there’ll be another opportunity sometime.” Vance said.
“I’m surprised you’re not over here looking at all this. I thought you originally came from Earth. Isn’t this like a homecoming for you?”
“Hardly.” Vance said with a heavy sigh. “This isn’t the Earth as I remember it. And right now, I can hardly look at it all without thinking about what will become of it. That is, if my past will even happen here anymore.”
The skrull tried to consider the soldier’s sentence, but quickly decided to leave it and return to her window-gazing.
Time-travel and alternate dimensions can give you a headache if you think about it too much.
“We’ve found it.” Said Adam Warlock as he entered the room, followed closely by the others.
“You have it?” Gamora asked, slowly standing up.
“Hardly.” Answered Wong. “We have simply learned where it may be retrieved from.”
“Unfortunately, it is located in one of the worse places it could be found.” Adam said, jumping ahead of any question as to where that location was. “The Soul Gem is hidden in the fiery bowels of the underworld. It is a realm of gluttony and hopelessness, ruled by an ancient demon as evil as he is powerful, and aided by an army of minions each of which is nearly as vile as he. Retrieving the Gem will be a challenge unlike anything we have faced thus far.”
“Then the Gem is already safe, isn’t it?” Asked Jazinda. “Do you really think even Thanos will be able to retrieve a Gem from a place like that?”
“We could wait and find out.” Gamora suggested. “You can keep an eye on the Gem, let us know when Thanos shows up, let him fight the big bad guy for us, pick off any minions left over, and steal it from behind his back.”
“Unfortunately, the Orb we used to find the Soul Gem doesn’t work that way.” Clea answered. “We would have no way of knowing whether Thanos is there or not until it’s already in his possession.”
“Probably for the best.” Said Vance. “Waiting for Thanos to show up would probably just make the situation worse.”
“For example,” Adam said. “Thanos is driven by a dangerous motive. It is not inconceivable that if the current owner of the Gem learned of what Thanos is capable of, he might be convinced to hand the gem over to Thanos willingly in order to further his own evil ambitions.”
He looked around the room to ensure that everyone understood why they were unable to bet on the situation take care of itself.
“No, as treacherous as it may be, we have no choice but to try to retrieve the Gem ourselves.”
“I assume you have a plan to get there?” Asked Vance.
“We do.” Answered Adam. “It’s a relatively straightforward one.”
“If Adam and I combine our talents, we should be able to create a temporary portal to the realm the Gem resides in.” Clea said, explaining the plan. “One that should hopefully open somewhere close to the Soul Gem itself with minimal danger. Adam would then provide cover, allowing for us to enter the realm without raising suspicion or suffering any ill-effects from entering one of the realms of the dead as still-living mortals. I would in turn be responsible for keeping the gateway open and ensuring that should anything go wrong, we would be immediately be pulled back to the mortal plain, though in such a circumstance, we would not be able to bring the Gem back with us.”
“Then what are we waiting for?” Asked Gamora, her symbiote oozing to its full bodysuit mode. “The faster we grab the Gem, the less time we have to spend in Hell.”
*********
As the portal opened, a rush of heat was not the only thing that rushed back out of it. There was also an aura of doom, despair, and outright evil that was matched by a very few who regularly walked the Earth.
“Abandon hope, all ye who enter here.” Mantis said quietly as Adam and Clea activated the final preparations they would need before entering.
“Touching.” Gamora said with a touch of sarcasm. “You come up with that yourself?”
“Dante.” Mantis replied. “From The Inferno of his Divine Comedy. Circa 14th Century Earth.”
“We are ready.” Adam said. “I’ll go first.”
With a nearly undetectable hint of hesitation and uncertainty, Adam stepped through the portal. Once he was safely on the other side, he turned back to signal the others to come through. One by one, the Guardians and Clea followed after him and proceeded to walk forwards into the fiery depths of unspeakable horror.
“The Gem should be nearby.” Adam said as he looked around.
“I think I’ll stay here.” Gamora said from behind them. Turning around, they could see that there was something amiss with her new friend. Contrasting the suit that had formed prior to their entrance, the symbiote had retreated from much of her body, and most of it was concentrated on her back, facing out towards the exit.
“I’ll stay here and cover the exit in case something goes wrong. It’ll ensure that no one cuts off our escape.”
Not interested in debating the issue, Adam simply nodded and the rest continued onwards. It was only a few more yards inwards, however, before they found what they were looking for.
“There it is.” Said Adam. He pointed to a small, elevated display, the center of which was built around a small, green gem – the Soul Gem. Just as hoped, it was only a few yards further in. Even as they reached the display itself, the portal could still be made out behind them.
“That was easy.” Said Jazinda.
“We’re not out yet.” Warned Major Victory.
“The return is unlikely to be as easy.” Adam said with a heavy sigh as he examined the display. “I fear this display may be set to trigger an alarm.”
“So what do we do?” Jazinda asked.
“The only thing we can.” Adam answered as he reached out and grabbed it. “Run.”
They had hardly turned around, however, before the area shook with a small rumble and a dark prescience began to fill the area. In defiance of the unholy atmosphere that already filled the air, it brought with it and even greater sense of doom and evil.
“You dare?” A voice rumbled, piercing through the very souls of all who stood there. “You dare to enter my domain – still alive, mind you, and try to steal what is mine?”
From all sides, unholy soldiers and lesser demons of the realm began to emerge from the darkness, all of them looking to cut off the Guardian’s escape route.
“This will not come to pass.” The voice again rumbled. “I will take back what is mine, and then you will all suffer for your sins. But fear not, for I hardly intend to kill you. It is rare we find the living here among us, and what a pleasure it is when we do. However, by the time I am done with you, I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that death is what you will all plead for the most.”
Guardians of the Galaxy:
1) U CM87 Adam Warlock (61)
W/Extended Range (10)
2) R SV67 Mantis (35)
W/Maneuver (8), Vault (3)
3) R SV58 Major Victory (Vance Astro; 49)
W/Stunning Blow (10)
4) R Jazinda (25)
5) Clea (59)
Total: 260
Mephisto's Minions:
145 SI055 Mephisto
60 CR224 Shadow Demon
39 IN079 Death Demon
48 IN080 Death Demon
58 IN081 Death Demon
33 HA015 Fire Demon
68 LG049 The Demon
Total: 451
Map: Ancient Temple (http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils/map2.jsp?map=AT)
BC: INFERNO (Avengers #004): At the beginning of your turn, deal 1 damage to each friendly character occupying hindering terrain not generated by powers or abilities.
Special Objects: Each player can place one Lantern of their colour choice instead of a regular object (representing the unusual properties of the region).
Special Rules:
- The BC Inferno applies to water terrain instead of hindering terrain.
- Mephisto's Minions are not affected by the BC
- The Guardians start in the square between (and including) B10 and D13. The baddies can use both normal starting zones.
- Mephisto can use both options in his 'Dark Bargain' SP together
- If all Guardians currently in the game are inside the same starting zone, they can leave the map to 'escape'.