Across The Multiverse: Movies Editions

Chapter 1: A Quiet Place: Mission Edition.

A draft I've had lying around for a few weeks.

Unedited.


-0-

(Initiating Revival in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1)

Peter's eyes flew open, chest heaving with heavy breaths. A hand was covering his mouth- belonging to a middle aged black man, he thought looked familiar.

The man kept his gaze locked on him, bringing a finger to his lips in a gesture of silence. Peter didn't fully understand what was going on, but nodded nonetheless.

Satisfied, the man slowly removed his hand, and that was when Peter noticed 2 things. First was that the room they were in was crowded. People crouched on the floor or huddled on the corners of the dark room.

And 2, it was eerily quiet. Too quiet. None of the 30+ people present made a sound. The only thing audible was the shuddering breaths that indicated fear and terror.

'No...it can't be...'

Peter thought to himself, recognizing this exact scene as part of a horror movie he'd watched the previous night.

'I'm in...A Quiet Place.'

He reasoned, recognizing the skinny woman with a cat who was the protagonist, sitting a short distance from him.

The cat's name was Frodo. That was about the only name he could recall.

But that wasn't important. Not as much as the possibility that he was somehow transported to a movie universe. A universe where humanity's survival was unsure.

An alien race of creatures had landed on Earth and began hunting any creature, man or animal that made even the slightest sound.

Based on the fact sound was an intrinsic part of every person's daily life, almost half of the population would perish on Day One.

And with how physically strong, durable, fast and numerous these creatures were, it would become hunting season from here on out.

It wasn't a fight- guns and conventional weaponry were useless against their hard exteriors- this was a massacre meant to drive humans to extinction.

'Shit shit shit fuck me! I get Isekaid, but of all places, end up in this doomed world? Whose idea of a joke is this?'

Peter complained, biting his nail like he did everytime he got nervous.

Wait, whoever sent him here wouldn't send him to die right? They would at least give him some way to defend himself. That's when he remembered the strange red box that had woke him up.

Sweeping his vision around, he found a blinking icon shaped like a box at the corner of his eye sight.

With a thought, the box maximized into a blood red screen that only he could see, granted no one seemed to notice the light it gave off.

-0-

[Welcome Peter, to a new reality. One filled with death and despair. To access your mission, think 'mission'. To access your starter pack, think 'Starter Pack']

-0-

Peter was grateful the commands were not voice based. That was considerate of whoever was responsible for bringing him here.

First, came his survival, so he immediately thought of the Starter Pack.

-0-

[You have received:-

-Inventory Space(10 cm²)

-Everflowing Water bottle.

-1 health potion.

-Dry rations×5(enough for 3 days)

-Random Mutant Ability(Unawakened)]

-0-

He wasn't sure about the Random part of his mutant ability. Random could mean anything from the ability to turn into Toad, to gaining Mutant Jesus' powers- X-Man, the son of Jean and Cyclopes.

The power gap between Epsilon mutants and Omega was like heaven and Earth. That said, he would take anything to survive this nightmare of a world.

Next up was the 'Mission'

With a thought, another panel took center stage.

-0-

[Mission: Protect the 50 people with you and ensure safe passage from the city to the rescue authorities waiting by the bay.

People-50/50.

Time Limit:- 1 hour 20 minutes]

-0-

Fucking shit in crap infested dung! If screaming in frustration was possible everyone in 50 blocks would have heard him. Instead, he settled for glaring at the stupid stupid!! Screen.

'Why don't you tell me to just die instead?'

He thought, feeling like tearing out his hair.

'I can do this...just depends on the mutant ability I awaken.'

All hope was not lost. Peter quietly got up and snuck to the bathroom. He needed privacy just in case the awakening caused a commotion.

Desperate and scared eyes followed him as he navigated the sea of quiet people. He passed by the female protagonist who was huddled with her cat by the corner.

'Unlike the others, she doesn't look afraid, more like...sad and impatient.'

In the movie, she suffers from Cancer and while everyone else simply wants to escape the city, she instead wants to get Pizza from her favorite restaurant. That leads to her abandoning the group and moving deeper into the city.

Peter saw her as a liability to his mission. The system had entrusted everyone to him. He didn't know if there was a penalty for failure but he wouldn't risk it. She was coming with him whether she liked it or not.

Luckily, the theater(which is where they were all hiding) had the washrooms closeby.

He entered a stall and shut the bolt, then sat on the toilet bolt.

Breathing out in nerves, he willed for the mutant ability to awaken, desperately hoping for something good.

[Wheel of Ability Templates rolling...]

[Randomizing...]

[Gained: IceMan's Powers]

Immediately, Peter's skin tingled as cold air begun wafting off him, the stall walls and floor were covered in a sheet of cold ice. And the water in the Toilet bowl was frozen solid.

He curiously raised his palm, gaping at the ice cubes that formed above his palm.

He simply willed it to happen, and it did. A phenomenon that was impossible in reality. Yet here...in fiction...he was wielding an aspect of nature as easily as breathing.

Maybe...maybe he could do this. Afterall, Ice-Man was one of the strongest Omega level Mutants in Marvel. The Dude even froze over hell!

With that kind of power in Peter's hands, he wasn't afraid of those Xenomorph ripoffs.

"Let's fucking do this."

-0-

Leaving the stall after checking out his Inventory, Peter made his way to the man who'd woken him up. He seemed reliable, and had become a sort of leader, the others looked up to.

Luckily, he had his phone with him, which he used to type out,

"I can get us all out of here. But I'll need your help to convince the rest."

The Man looked skeptical.

"Think about your family."

Peter insisted, glancing at the little boy and woman huddled behind him.

A hard look crossed the Man's face, but then it was replaced by a determined one. He jerked his head in acceptance, before mouthing, 'How?'

Peter smiled.

"We'll need a large sign and some feint pens. Then I'll need you to switch on the projector at the back of the room."

-0-

A few minutes later, the stage above the theater lit up as an image was displayed across the curtains.

{PLEASE REMAIN QUIET. NUDGE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS SILENTLY AS YOU CAN. I NEED ALL YOUR ATTENTION HERE}

The first sign said.

Once all 50 people focused on the stage, another sign came on.

{MY NAME IS PETER. AND IN THE NEXT FEW MINUTES, THERE WILL BE A CITY WIDE ANNOUNCEMENT TO BEGIN EVACUATION TOWARDS THE BAY AREA WHERE RESCUE BOATS ARE WAITING}

A wave of relief swept through the silent crowd.

Another sign replaced it.

{WHILE THAT SOUNDS LIKE GOOD NEWS, ITS NOT. THERE WILL BE ALOT OF PEOPLE RUSHING OUT OF THE BUILDINGS AND THAT WILL MAKE ALL OF US VULNERABLE TO THE ALIEN MONSTERS. THEY ARE ATTRACTED TO SOUND AND TERRIFIED PEOPLE ARE ANYTHING BUT QUIET}

The fourth sign replaced it.

{WHICH IS WHY WE NEED TO LEAVE. NOW. WE CAN'T WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO SAVE US. WE NEED TO DO SO OURSELVES}

From behind the curtains, Peter could see the uncertainty on most of the group. People were scared. Unsure. They needed reassurance. Fortunately, the next sign provided that.

{TO EASE YOUR WORRIES, I'LL KEEP YOU ALL SAFE. EVERY PERSON IN HERE WILL LIVE TO SEE TOMORROW, I PROMISE. BUT I KNOW IT WILL TAKE MORE THAN WORDS ON A PIECE OF PAPER TO GAIN YOUR TRUST. I URGE ALL OF YOU, TO NOT MAKE A SOUND AFTER WHAT YOU SEE NEXT}

{PLEASE, DO NOT MAKE A SOUND!}

Steeling his resolve, he stepped out onto the stage before everyone's eyes.

With a flex of his new powers, Peter's entire body turned into ice. A wave of gasps filled the room, but fortunately no audible noises.

The last sign appeared, the light glinting off his icy form.

{I KNOW YOU HAVE QUESTIONS. ALL I CAN SAY IS, WHILE I'M NOT NORMAL, I'M STILL HUMAN. THOSE THINGS OUTSIDE ARE NOT. I COULD EASILY LEAVE YOU ALL HERE TO DIE, BUT THE GUILT AND REGRET WOULD HAUNT ME FOREVER. SO I DECIDED TO RISK YOUR PERSECUTION, YOUR DISCRIMINATION FOR THE KIDS HIDING UNDER THE TABLES. FOR YOUR FAMILIES WAITING AT HOME. PLEASE, PLACE YOUR LIVES IN MY HANDS AND I'LL PLACE MINE BETWEEN YOU AND THOSE MONSTERS. IF YOU ACCEPT RAISE YOUR HAND}

Peter was pleasantly surprised when after a few tense moments, everyone put their hands up. Everyone, except for the female protagonist.

-0-

After that, it was quick work to get everyone ready to move.

While Djimon, the sort of Leader Peter had gotten assistance from was checking on everyone, Peter approached the Female Protagonist, who stared at him with distrust in her black eyes.

"You didn't raise your hand. Are you coming with us or not?"

He typed out and showed her the screen.

After reading, her response was a silent headshake. He offered her the phone which she hesitantly took and typed out a response,

"I have other plans. I'm sorry, but I WILL not come with you. Don't insist, you won't change my mind."

Peter could feel a headache coming over him. He could knock her out and carry her to the Bay but...that would make the others distrust him. And with the wary looks he was getting from some, it was clear their trust was very light.

That meant...giving away something that was very valuable to him.

"What if I promised you a cure for your cancer? A REAL cure. No jokes, no lies. If I can form Ice from my body, then you bet I have something for your medical condition. What do you say?"

He typed and showed her the screen.

Upon reading, she was stunned, the hold on her cat tightening. Hope warred with disbelief in her eyes, leading to a maelstrom of emotions that she could not voice.

With a flourish, a vial with a glowing red liquid appeared in his hands. Which he then placed in her hand.

"Drink it now, or keep it safe and give to a doctor to verify it's authenticity, it's your choice. Will you come with us now?"

He typed out.

The girl nodded, wide eyes intensely stuck on the vial.

'There goes my only health potion...'

Peter's heart was bleeding. Nonetheless, the mission was important.

He left her and moved towards the exit, where Djimon and his were waiting for him.

Peter formed a question mark above his palm using Ice.

Understanding he was asking about everyone's state, Djimon gave Peter a thumbs up.

He nodded gratefully, then threw a final glance at the 50 people behind him, doing his best to project confidence with his face.

Then he pushed the door open as quietly as he could. A row of stairs ascended to the open streets- as silent as a grave. Peter calmed his racing heart and took the first step, walking out.

-0-

The streets were pandemonium personified. Overturned and burning cars with splotches of blood on bent chasis' blocked the road.

Glass shattered from storefronts lay on the concrete pavement along with discarded valuables, debris and more blood.

Some buildings were on fire, sending smog into the cloudy sky. And the air smelled of burning tires and death.

The group stayed together, everyone following Peter, while Djimon took up the rear. All of them, quiet, although the sound of gagging could be heard.

'When was my last time in New York?'

Peter thought, trying to distract himself from the crawling monstrosities in the buildings around them.

As long as they stayed quiet, the aliens didn't seem to notice their passing. It went like this up until, Peter raised a hand.

Everyone stopped.

From afar, the drone of a helicopter reached his hears. And along with the approaching loud noise, the ground had begun to shake.

The Aliens on the buildings around them got agitated- they were reacting to the sound.

Peter immediately slapped his hands on the ground, creating a wall of ice around the group in the form of a dome. Then he added more and more layers, thickening the walls as much as he could.

It's creation was buried under the sound of the chopper which was now near enough that they could hear the operator talking on the loudspeaker.

(...BOAT EVACUATIONS ARE BEGGINING NOW AT SOUTHSTREET SEA PORT. TRAVEL SOUTH WITH EXTREME CAUTION. ATTACKERS ARE DEADLY...)

Just like Peter had told them. But the worst was yet to come. Because following the sound of the passing choppers, was a horde of Aliens.

"Hold on to each other! And do NOT make a Sound or we all die!"

Peter yelled out, his voice muted by the walls surrounding them.

Guttural whickering was mixed with unnatural clicks and the noise of hundreds of monsters stampeding across the buildings and streets.

Impacts rang out across the ice dome. The sound was akin to a Tank bombardment. The thick walls held, only light cracks left behind as brown forms skittered above and around the dome.

It went on for a few minutes, Peter reinforcing the dome where weak. And then it finally ended.

He threw a glance behind to make sure everyone was okay. Djimon gave him a breathless thumbs up from the rear.

'Good, still 50/50.'

However, only 10 minutes remained on the time limit.

'We gotta hurry.'

Peter decided, coming up with an idea. Due to the noise he couldn't simply shatter the ice apart. So he placed a hand on the Ice dome and turned it into cold air. Ice-Man's powers only affected Ice- not water or mist.

But changing the solid Ice to a another state was simple, he just wouldn't have control over the resulting liquid or gas.

It was also harder than producing Ice, as Peter found out through the sudden headache that assaulted him.

The mist hang around them, obscuring the area. That said, Peter kept an eye on his people and continued leading them forward, increasing his pace due to the time limit.

The group navigated the ruined city streets as quietly as they could. Once the edge of the water became visible, their spirits were enlivened and Peter breathed a sigh of relief. He wouldn't fail his mission.

That said, other people had started rushing out into the streets, headed for the South Sea Port for salvation.

Some even joined with his group and Peter began noticing the strange looks he was getting- still in his Ice Form. The added number of civilians seeking to escape the city resulted in an uncontrollable flood moving in one direction.

Despite being quiet, the sound of so many footsteps worked against them and the Attacking Aliens noticed.

Peter raised a hand and his group stopped.

Attracted by the noise, one of the Monsters landed on a car roof a few meters to his front, sending a spray of glass flying out.

The crowds froze. A woman close by yelped. The monster pounced and tore her apart. More screams arose as people panicked and scattered. More Aliens gathered and started hunting down the unorganized masses.

"Hold on to each other!!"

Peter remined, slapping the ground once more and constructing another ice dome.

This time the scene was visceral. Through the translucent surface of the dome, they witnessed the slaughter. Limbs sent flying, heads caved in, blood painting the dome.

It was so terrible that some in the group couldn't hold in their cries of horror.

The sound while muted by the ice, attracted the Monsters and dozens started wailing on the dome, seeking to penetrate the thick walls. The group started getting anxious.

'Shit. I'ts a cycle of noise and death. At this rate, leave alone protecting them, I might die here!'

Peter freaked out, doing his best to reinforce the walls.

The brief respite allowed him to think. The southsea port was close by. Enough that they could make it in the time they had, if they rushed. There had to be something he could do before they were swarmed.

'That's it!'

He turned to the people who had put their trust in him,

"I'll create a tunnel that will take us the rest of the way! Make sure you keep up! Now let's go!"

Saying so, he started running, molding dome into a tunnel as he went.

The Group rushed forward, the way cleared by Peter. Any obstacle in front was swept to the side by the or thrown into the air by the Ice tide.

Naturally the sound called to every Alien monster around the vicinity. The walls of the tunnel started cracking under the wild bombardment. They were made thinner than the Dome thus weaker.

Fortunately, the shore was close by, and rescue boats waited for them on the water beyond the harbor.

With a shattering sound, the tunnel was breached and the monsters began their earnest pursue through the wide tunnel.

"Go! Go! Go!"

Peter urged, having extended the ice to a slide that emptied onto the first boat.

The group passed him by as he moved to the back, hoping to intercept the Attackers.

Nodding to Djimon, who threw a thanks his way, Peter stood alone, in between the group and the encroaching monsters. With 4 multi-jointed limbs and long sharp claws, they looked like a nightmare.

In the movies, nothing could hurt these things.

"Let's see if Ice stands a chance."

Peter stated, waiting for the first monster to reach him.

Then he let loose.

A thick ice spike, shot off the ground and penetrated the creature's durable skin with only a slight effort.

Peter smiled at the rest.

"You guys are fucked."

-0-

[Mission Complete]

[50/50 lives Protected]

[Reward: Random World Entry Ticket]

::----------------::

What do you guys think?