metalogs | [Closed] Field trip to the Underworld

Entry tags:

[Closed] Field trip to the Underworld

Who: Leo

faceguy, Donnie

purplexing, Accelerator

levelshift, Huvrye

effiomsfavorite, Jason 2

reneger, and Nico

dimigoth
What: Leo's dead, but hopefully this condition can be fixed
When: Late February, after the battle with the Atlanteans
Where: Sunset Falls, the Underworld
Content Warnings: idk it's hell? violence? dead people?

Leo died. At least it happened fast.

Balthier died as well. The Alliance made their choice, and Balthier was brought back. Even one starfallen radiating cosmic energy is a massive risk, and so they did not bring Leo back alongside him. Instead, his soul was left to go to Hades, with the other dead from the war.

All is not lost, however. Leo's body is taken by the Alliance and put in stasis, and his family contacted. Go to the high school gym in Sunset Falls, enter the Underworld, and guide Leo's soul back to the surface. They have 72 hours.

Should be easy enough, right?

[[OOC: I'll be putting specific comment headers in this post that break down the different parts of the trip. If you want anything else specific, hit me up at

dandywonderous!]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Accelerator is standing at the edge of the river Styx, leaning on his crutch as he stares down at the water. It's kind of ironic, even though he's an athiest he figured that, if Hell existed, he'd definitely be going there after he died. The Underworld isn't quite that, but still. He never expected to be in a place like this for a reason like this.

Rescuing someone from the Underworld is something a hero does. Not... him.

But he feels like he needs to do something. Leo was his friend, and he wants to help. He wants to be there for Donnie, wants to drag Leo back to the world of the living so he can punch him for being so dumb (even though none of this was his fault). He's been hanging back for most of the journey, though, his meltdown from before hanging around in the back of his mind. Despite wanting to help, he also doesn't want to end up making things worse.

He's poking around at the river, not quite touching the water as he mulls their options over. "Do souls even have vectors?"

Is he debating using his vector manipulation to control the river? Maybe.

Taking in the situation as a whole makes this look incredibly daunting. There are other people, other souls there, practically making up the flow of the river and Donnie's eyes widen as he stares out, feeling that all too familiar overwhelming sensation start to claw its way up into existence again.

Accelerator's voice snaps him out of it, the words having no business being strung together but it's enough to make the turtle's own mind start to kick into gear from its stall-out again. Donnie's fingers tighten into a fist as he continues to stare out at the river.

"...they probably don't," he says quietly. "But if Leo's out there... I should be able to sense him."

It isn't scientific, but the Hamato ninpō is more than just DNA. Even in death that bond can't completely be broken. Maybe...maybe it just needs a reconnection.

Accelerator hums thoughtfully, tapping his crutch on the ground. Honestly, he'd like to just rip the entire river right out of the ground, even if that would possibly fuck things up. But he knows that's just his emotional instability threatening to overwhelm him again. It isn't a reasonable thing to do.

"That would probably be a safer test," he replies lowly. "You won't suffer any adverse side effects from trying it?"

Donnie hesitates, looking about to reply before he thinks better of it. He shakes his head.

"I'm not sure... Technically there shouldn't be. Our clan's ninpō is a connection through our family and it's what links our power." He tries not to think about how awful it had felt when he felt that connection snap, not quite able to suppress a shudder.

"I don't know what state Leo's soul is in, if...he'd be aware enough to sense me back and try to reach out. ...or if anyone else around here might be able to do the same." Yeugh, now that thought is a creepy one. As though traveling on a boat floating through a bunch of people isn't creepy enough.

"I'm not an expert on this sort of thing, but if it'll give us a better chance of narrowing down where to find Leo, it's worth a shot. But I'm going to have to really focus, so...the rest is on you guys," Donnie says, casting a look at the others around, trying not to look completely uncomfortable about it.

If it's an exclusive link between Leo and Donnie (and the rest of their family, but they aren't here so that's a moot point), then there shouldn't be any major problems. Probably? If this were some kind of bond that could be explained scientifically then Accelerator is fairly sure he could just control the vectors to prevent any issues. But it being some weird spiritual nonsense....

He isn't sure. Does ninpō have vectors? It must, or at least the spiritual equivalent of vectors. Could he control those? What kinds of equations would that even require?

As much as he'd like to figure all of that out, that isn't why he's here. He gives Donnie a small nod, turning his attention to how he can support the turtle. "Yeah, that'll be fine. You do your thing and we'll make sure you don't end up getting your soul sucked out or what the fuck ever."

Accelerator was welcome to study it. Maybe some other time, when they aren't working against the clock.

"-oh yeah, that makes me feel so much better," Donnie groans. The book on mythical figures that he'd checked out so long ago did not cover how to navigate the Underworld and the River Styx. Still, he knows not to take anything Accelerator says, lightly. If the esper says he's going to watch his back, Donnie trusts him.

"Well. Guess we'd better get out there first, then." He looks dubiously at the available watercraft, moving to board it. Are they supposed to paddle this thing themselves, or pay someone..? There are so many details the Alliance did not provide, not that Donnie's not already upset at them for letting his brother die. ...it may not be exactly how it happened, but there's a jumble of things going on in his head and his heart and right now, at least he can focus on something more important, like finding his brother.

He inhales slowly, determination masking over his uncertainty as he steps onto the boat.

The idea of saying something encouraging does cross Accelerator's mind, but he's at a loss as to what that might be. Donnie lost a sibling, is about to do something potentially really dangerous, and when it comes to anything emotional he's sorely out of his depth. So that's what the turtle gets, even though he's aware it isn't enough.

"Yeah," he replies, turning his gaze to the boat as well. Those things aren't his favourite, though at least his choker is fully charged in case he needs to use his ability. He's got his gun as well, but it seems incredibly unlikely that'll be of any use down here. Following after Donnie, he steps onto the boat. Much like him, Accelerator has no clue what they're supposed to do next.

So far as Donnie knows, there isn't anything anyone can say that would make him feel any better. He still feels like he's trying to balance on the edge of a razor, and the only reason he's keeping together at all is because if he doesn't, he might lose Leo for good. That isn't an option.

Now that the river's right under them, it's easier to see the shapes flowing with it. Or is it the actual river itself that's made up of souls? Don't think about it, Donnie tells himself, getting himself as settled as he can on the boat. Once they're all aboard and setting off, he'll try to get a handle on himself.

How's he supposed to do this? How did it work before, when they first all discovered their ninpō? It feels like so long ago...

Taking a deep breath, Donnie closes his eyes.

Once on the boat, Accelerator steps over to the side of it so he can look over the edge. Staring down at the - water? - whatever it is, he glares down at it. He doesn't really understand how the whole river works, but it irritates him.

Also, the boat is rocking a bit, and for a guy who has to rely on a crutch for stability, it isn't great. The last thing any of them need is him losing his balance and falling into that water nonsense.

After a moment of thought, he reaches up to keep his hand on his choker switch. Then he turns his attention over to Donnie, watching him carefully. He was serious about being back-up for him, so if he notices anything off he's ready to switch to his ability.

Somewhere in the river, there’s a soul floating along. Not noticeably different from any other soul (except, perhaps, for being a turtle mutant), it follows the river to its final resting place, to join the throngs of the dead forever.

Except this soul is different, in one small but significant way. It’s able to reach out and grab on… if only the right person extends their hand.

Please don't fall into the water, Accelerator.

With so many bodies in the water, finding one in particular is daunting, even if it may be quite different from the rest. Hopefully Donnie can save them some time by narrowing down where they need to look.

It's difficult trying to calm yourself, and meditation has never been Donnie's strong point, but luckily this isn't quite the same, but it still requires focus. He breathes out, trying to remember how it felt when they'd all first sparked that connection to each other, he and his brothers. How it felt when they'd reached out to Raph as they watched him fall down a cliff.

Sparking his ninpō for something so abstract is a lot different than when he's actively forming tech. He tries to imagine a line, or a compass. A magnet? It's something at least, evinced by that familiar purple glow that traces the markings on his shoulders and thighs, and along the lines of his battle shell.

He'll do his very best, if only because falling in would be super embarrassing and he doesn't want to deal with that after the last few days.

But yes, Accelerator will remain silent, not wanting to interrupt whatever the hell Donnie is doing or trying to do. He's got barely any idea of how the ninpō stuff works, and he isn't even sure if Leo's soul would respond to normal stimuli, so....

Sheesh. This is a pain in the ass. It's too bad they don't have someone here like that weird nun from back home, she seemed pretty familiar with magic and strange holy energy bullshit. Plus, she's a nun. She'd probably be perfect for finding and catching souls.

Out in the water ahead, there’s a change. Small and almost innocuous at first, it grows in time with Donnie’s own ninpo.

Blue, faint and pulsating at first, and then getting brighter and steadying out - a faint line that rises from the water and reaches back toward the family that’s calling for it.

At first Donnie wonders if it's even working. Maybe he's not doing it right, maybe he should be focusing on something else, maybe-

His eyes snap open with a gasp. He'd felt it, something- Again he closes his eyes before he can let his own connection slip, but now he has something to really focus on, and he's afraid if he loses his concentration, they'll lose track of where Leo is.

"There..." he says, hoping someone can steer this boat in the right direction.

Accelerator waits, tense and impatient, and when Donnie's eyes snap open he's immediately looking back out in the river for any signs that the water has changed. It's either that or Donnie's failed, but when he speaks up it's clear that isn't the case.

After a few moments he sees it, barely visible. "Shit. That's his stupid colour," he says, hitting his choker switch. He has virtually no experience with boats, so he's just going to stomp his foot and control the vectors to send the damn thing in that direction.

The color swirls and reaches, trying to find something to grip onto. The river is swift, though, and if they aren't fast with the boat it will start to drift out of sight.

As they get closer, though, they'll be able to pick him out from among the other souls in the water - not just from his distinctive shell but also because his soul is pulsing blue around the edges, like a beacon calling them forward.

As the boat suddenly lurches forward, Donnie nearly falls back. He risks opening his eyes again, feeling he has a better handle on his ninpō, like he's hanging onto threads. Or grasping for them.

He can see that wispy color, glad for Accelerator's confirmation. As he leans forward to grip the front of the boat, Donnie reaches out with his other hand, steady glowing purple stretching outwards like he's casting out a line. Nearer still and he can make out that familiar shape, just the sight of his brother threatening to tip his precarious calm over the edge. He swallows, leaning out further.

"Leo..!"

Thankfully, weird River Styx boat vectors aren't any different from normal vectors, so even though this is all really bizarre Accelerator has good control of the boat. He tries to focus on that, and not how utterly weak that blue light is. The damn thing looks like it's about to be snuffed out at any second --

No, not thinking about it. Manipulating the vectors, the boat slows down as they approach, so that they don't overshoot.

The blue rises, twisting around the line of purple like it’s testing it. After a few seconds, it latches on with a snap, giving Donnie a tug.

In the water, Leo twists and turns up. His eyes are still closed, but he’s stopped moving with the other souls, caught by the line.

Donnie doesn't even let himself think about that, and that's easier to do once blue and purple meet, connect. This time he gasps in relief, and there's nothing stopping a few traitorous tears from slipping.

He leaves the boat handling to the esper as he tries to pull Leo in. In hindsight it might be a ridiculous spectacle, maybe they'll even laugh about it later, but right now, all Donnie's focused on is bringing his brother within reach so he can grab a hold of him.

Yeah, this is definitely really bizarre to witness. It's probably a good thing Accelerator has already been through a lot of weird magic nonsense, like his fight with Aiwass. Even though he's an atheist and scientific-minded none of this is throwing him off-balance enough to affect his calculations, so he'll keep on controlling the boat while Donnie handles the... soul... fishing?

Is that what's happening. Soul-fishing? Good lord.

Soul-fishing may be the best word for it, as the tether pulls Leo nearer to the boat. He’s floating within arm’s reach now, looking a bit more solid than the souls around him.

Now all he needs is to be pulled out.

Yep. Soul-fishing sure seems to be a thing here. Donnie braces a foot against the front of the boat as he continues to haul. Never mind how unnatural this all is, or how Leo looks. Never mind that he otherwise doesn't seem responsive, he's right there.

Once Leo's close enough, Donnie's back to leaning over the edge- maybe a bit precariously but he's not putting much thought into anything other than to grab his brother. He reaches a hand out, fingers brushing the strap over Leo's shoulder before he leans out a little more enough to snag the lip of his shell, pulling Leo closer still until he can hook his hands around his brother's arms, dragging him away from all the disturbing shapes, into the boat.

Accelerator will force the boat to come to a stop, dead in the water despite the current, once Donnie grabs onto Leo's soul. He still hangs back, though he's ready to jump in in case he needs help.

It looks like he's got this though, so Accelerator glances around in case there's some... he doesn't know... weird guardian monster like the dog before. Maybe a giant fish? Aside from the other souls in the river though, it looks like they're in the clear.

"How's he doing?"

Once in the boat, the blue glow around Leo’s soul dies down. He’s still not the right color, the same sort of pale shimmering silver as the other souls in the river, but he looks more solid now that he’s out. His chest even starts to move in an imitation of breathing, though there’s notably not any actual air going into or out of his mouth.

His eyes are still closed, like he’s asleep. But with all the jostling and at the sound of Accelerator’s voice, his face scrunches up a bit. And, slowly, he starts to stir.

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