Reverse Duality RP

An RP blog for the steve saga role swap au Reverse Duality. Check out @reverseduality to find out more!

[rpduality]

H̵̳̓-̸̰̅ Hello? Is anyone there? I… I was working on some pages for my comic, but something. Really w̶e̵i̵r̴d̶ happened? I saw some strange blue glitches that almost seemed to s̸p̵l̴i̴t̴ the page I was working on i̶n̴ ̸t̴w̷o̴, and they also seemed to affect the reference world I’ve been using, because when I went to check it, there were two copies of the world???

I d̶i̷d̷n̸'̴t̷ ̶c̶r̷e̵a̴t̴e̴ that top world, and whenever I try to enter it I immediately get kicked out, but from what few glimpses I do get to see, it seems like t̴h̵e̵ ̸w̶o̴r̷l̸d̷ is somehow changing on it's own. I've noticed some lore started moving on its own on my main blog for the au - maybe the timeline split or something?? Honestly I have no idea what's going on but I think I've managed to contain the anomalous stuff to this blog for now, if anyone else knows what's g̷o̴i̵n̷g̷ ̴o̵n̶ could you p̶l̴e̸a̸s̴e̷ ̸l̴e̷t̷ ̴m̴e̷̸̞͆ k̷͉͒́n̴̟̟͍̏̀̽o̸̝͉͇̮͑̑̽̚͝w̷͍͇̒̆-̴̟͔̮͓̝̼̤̆̈́

ᓭ⍊𝙹𝙹ꖎ ⊣ᓭ⍊╎⍊

ʖꖎ⎓ ꖌ𝙹⨅ʖ⍊╎⍑ ⍊ᒲᑑꖎʖ ʖꖎ⎓╎ 𝙹∷⊣⊣𝙹⍊…

ℸ ̣ ⨅リ⍊⍑

∴ꖎ ʖꖎ⎓ ᒲꖎ⊣?

↸⍊𝙹𝙹 ⊣ᓭ⍊ᒲ

↸ᓭʖ ∴ꖎᒲ'⊣ ↸⍊ ᓭ⨅ᒷ⍊ ⨅ 𝙹∷⊣⊣𝙹⍊ ⚍⎓ᒲ?

Welcome to the roleplay blog for Reverse Duality, a steve saga au that swaps the roles of several different villains with several different protagonists!

As time goes on, I will be hosting mini arg events to unlock more characters and chapters to interact with, as well as other events based on how interactions change this timeline. Chapters after the sabre arc will not be available, however, as I do not want to spoil the comic's ending too soon.

Chapters available so far:

Research Notes Start

- Illusion,

Shadow, Nightmare, Light, First Encounter!Red, First Encounter!Green, Dark!Elder Blue

Blinding lights and vibrant colors

Home Base

Missing Pasts and Forgotten Futures

Fragments of the Lost Truth

To Create Anew

Infectious Mania

- Illusion, Sabre,

Elemental

Reliving the Present

The only rules I really have are no NSFW (I don't really know how to write that and also don't wanna get banned from tumblr), no slurs (for obvious reasons), and have fun!

Explore this world however you want! You can ask the characters questions, or you can send your own little guys down there :P

[rpduality]

Wanted to make a little addendum!

While general asks will all take place in the same core timeline, if someone else's character(s) shows up in this au, it will split off its own timeline for anyone from the initial universe/au that that character came from, so if multiple people from the same au show up at different points in the timeline/in different chapters, the Reverse Duality characters they interacted with will remember them in the future, but if they're from different universes, the reverse duality characters will not unless they showed up together.

(This is mostly so I can send multiple people to the same points in time without continuity issues)

Each chapter will also have a specific time and place new arrivals will usually be sent to!

Research notes start: On the beach at spawn with Illusion and Shadow, near a certain ocean monument

Infectious Mania: The Lab

[rpduality]

question.... are there rules on the characters we can play as? like.. could i play as tss rainbow steve (th..theoretically)

The only rules are the ones listed in the pinned post, so go for it if you want! Although that would teeeeeechnically mean there are two of the same person in one place-

[rpduality]

Still trying to figure out if all the RPs on this blog should be in different or the same timeline

[rpduality]

@trapped-in-my-story (making a new post bc pc tumblr got Consumed By The Darkness for a sec as I was trying to scroll down)

...

His nametag flickers and glitches slightly, as if it's broken. RD!Illusion buries himself further into his notebook, but is mostly doodling in the margins now, making little diagram sketches of RD!Sabre's weird wing cloak thing.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He finally just gives up on comprehending what's up with this guy and lets his face flop onto the cold, frosty ground.]

[rpduality]

Patches of frosted-over grass prickle slightly against him, like laying on a bed of brittle needles. It's almost as prickly as the kitten's fur is getting as it stares at nothing. A growl escapes from its throat as a snap can be heard, causing Elemental to pass out again, and a green glow begins manifesting near RD!Illusion.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[It's far from comfortable, but he'll make do. But as soon as he hears its growl, his own fur prickles up as his ears swivel towards the unusual sound. A deep, animalistic hiss rises from his own throat as his eyes jolt open, turning towards the uncomfortably green hue...]

Fucking. HELL.

[In one swift move, he scoops up the kitten onto his shoulder, using one of his back legs to kick at the glow, being careful not to hurt RD!Illusion. With his front paws, he tries to catch Elemental.]

[rpduality]

Elemental is successfully caught before he hits the ground, but the green, as well as RD!Illusion, are just out of reach. The glow brightens and 3 sets of wings open up out of seemingly nothing, revealing this world's Sabre with the same almost-performative flair as at the exit to his lab. He yanks up RD!Illusion by the arm, keeping him held in place as he tries to fight back, too weakened to do much.

Freaking finally! I thought I'd never get this chance! You are wayyyy too overprotective, you know :)

[trapped-in-my-story]

As I should be, clearly...

[He scowls and hisses at the bitch-ass-motherfucker before him, practically tossing Elemental behind him protectively. All five eyes are trained on Sabre. As soon as El is out of the way, his body starts transforming like it did once before.]

What do you even WANT with a weak player like him, anyways?!?! You just toy with people like they're damned prey!

[rpduality]

Well, that's just it! He *claims* he's a player-

Because I *am* one, you insufferable-

an extra, puppet-like floating hand appears out of nowhere, covering RD!Illusion's mouth.

MMPH--

As I was saying, he claims he's a player, gave everyone around him a near-encyclopedic description of what players are and what they can do, and these line up with old stories of players showing up in this world in the past, but half of his claims don't even seem to apply to him! I just wanna find out what he truly is!

He raises his wing and an arm as more puppet-like hands restrain a still-struggling Illusion. He clenches his own raised hand into a fist.

A pursuit of curiosity! Is that so wrong?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He's now standing up, his paws turned to hooves, as he takes on the boar form once again, his hands balled up into fists. His words come out as a barely-restrained hiss, whispered just above his breath.]

Curiosity?

CURIOSITY?!?

Do you even hear yourself? You know curiosity kills the cat! If ya snoop around too far, ya tend to regret it! YOU YOURSELF certainly don't seem to be everything you are on the surface, either! You could've chosen anywhere, anything! And yet! AND YET! THIS?

THIS IS WHAT YOU CHOOSE ANYWAYS?!?

...God, you're as insufferable as I am. You can't leave a single mystery alone, even if there's no damned reason...

[rpduality]

He grins wildly, larger than should be humanly possible.

Curiosity may kill the cat, but did ya hear? Satisfaction brings it back!

He gives an arrogant laugh.

Besides! I already know everything else about this world, that information was basically beamed into my head as soon as I was created! This guy - and you, I guess - are the only gaps I have left in my knowledge, and I just have one more experiment I'd like to do before I'm done with him.

He pulls out a bottle of a sickly, swirling blue-and-green ooze, looking like if an infection was condensed into a slimy form.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Oh, no you don't-!

[He leaps at him, trying to get the bottle out of his hands. If he can't get RD!Illusion out of here, then he'll take one for the fucking team if he has to.]

I'M SO TIRED OF THIS BULLSHIT, AND I SWEAR TO GOD, FUCKING TAKE ME THEN! SEE HOW THAT WORKS OUT!

[rpduality]

Sabre quickly steps back, moving RD!Illusion in front of himself.

Hey now, you don't wanna hurt your... friend? Your you?

...

This guy

by mistake, now, do you? :)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Instead, he grabs onto RD!lllusion, staring up at Sabre with murderous eyes. Practically hugging him, even. His neck fluff is still covering much of his chest, cushioning his impact.]

One way or another, I'll defy you like I've defied every. Thing. Else.

[rpduality]

RD!Illusion is still confined and muted by the strange puppet hands, so all he's seemingly able to do is bury his forehead into TWA!Illusion's neck fluff. He feels very bony through his clothes.

Yeah, naw bud, that's not how this is gonna work.

Another puppet hand manifests, grabbing for TWA!Illusion's neck fluff, trying to scruff him like an angry cat. All of Sabre's eyes are looking at him now, and he can feel a tugging at his mind, something trying to compel him to let go as Sabre sticks the needle of a syringe through the cork of the bottle to get some of the goop out, when suddenly the syringe needle breaks by a sudden jolt and the tugging stops, sabre's concentration broken. The hand covering RD!Illusion's mouth jerks away and disappears, leaving behind something wet to drop to the ground in a small splatter.

What the- Did you just lick my hand!? Aw- That's disgusting, man!

RD!Illusion turns his head and sticks his tongue out at what he hopes is Sabre; he's keeping his eyes closed to avoid eye contact.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He grins. Sabre did manage to scruff him, but he did not let go. The floating rings stretch out from his hands as he's pulled slightly away from RD!Illusion.]

I told you :)

[Still, he knows he needs to play his cards right. When Sabre is distracted, he shifts his fluffy mane into a hard, rocky substance that weighs his body down and pokes everything that touches it.]

[rpduality]

A- ow!

Ack-

Both RD! Sabre and Illusion yelp in pain, Illusion still being half-buried in the fluff and Sabre being more dramatic, the hand scruffing TWA!Illusion and a few of the hands confining RD!Illusion disappearing. Sabre drops the bottle, which surprisingly does not shatter on impact with the ground. Good thing, too; the contents of this bottle are not something you want a splash potion of.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[His head floats up and away from his body, as all six of his limbs immediately latching onto RD!Illusion. He headbutts Sabre as hard as he can, his hands holding his alternate self protectively as he pulls back. His tail attempts to push the bottle away.]

[rpduality]

Sabre's twin metallic halos clank together hard against his skull, making a really satisfying sound and causing almost all of his eyes to close as he flinches back from the blow.

Ow ow OW! That is just plain rude what is WRONG with you-

He puts his arms up, shielding his face.

The bottle rolls away, but it's sitting at an angle so it just kind of rolls in a circle and ends up closer than it was before.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He kicks at him, his mane turning back into fur as he launches himself back with RD!Illusion in his arms.]

Says YOU, who's fully intending on INJECTING SOMETHING directly into our bloodstreams!

[His body grows longer, as he gains more limbs like a pigeon-colored centipede. He reaches back to pick up Elemental and make sure the kitten is alright, keeping an eye on the vial of mystery goo...]

[He's GOTTA get that vial. They need to find out what this is, before they have yet another encounter....]

[rpduality]

Only HIS body, I already know how that stuff reacts to STEVES!

He's using his wings to shield himself now, using whatever hands he has left grabbing RD!Illusion to try to yank him back. One pulling at his wrist causes a sharp popping sound, and Illusion flinches, biting back a hiss before wrenching his head around to bite the disembodied hand.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He must have at least a dozen arms by now, all grabbing at Sabre's. When he hears that sharp pop, Illusion hisses too, slashing at the hand. He's no longer going for the offense, just defense. He needs to get out, he needs to get out, he needs to get OUT-]

Really?! Then maybe try it on YOURSELF, CUZ THE ONLY MOTHERFUCKING PLAYER I SEE HERE IS YOU!

[For a split second, he freezes.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre pauses, cocking his head to one side in confusion as his halos recalibrate themselves and he lowers his wings a bit to look at them. RD!Illusion looks up at him, equally confused.)

What are you talking about? I'm not a player-

(That seems to have really thrown him off, as the overly exaggerated chipper tone in his voice all but dissappears.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Just as soon as he'd frozen up, he suddenly pulls RD!Illusion away as fast as possible with all his might. And just as quickly as he'd lost his nerve, he seemed to regain it, retorting back with only slight hesitance in his voice.]

You certainly act like a certain someone I know!

[But it was already clear that he'd spoken something that had been on his mind since first seeing Sabre. The way his eyes glanced between the two said everything.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre's back to putting on his energetic tone.)

I have. No idea what you're talking about!

Though I suppose if there are more of him in the universe there may as well be more of me... interesting!

(one of his halos spins in small jolts, like the circular reel on a viewmaster toy, each eye showing a different emotions as it stops on them, giving them each a good look at the two.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He glares at him, hugging RD!Illusion as tightly as he can.]

I saw that. I won't tell you anything, not until you're dead and in your grave...

[rpduality]

Youuuu do that then, I'lllll just take the liberty to...

(All of sabre's eyes are focused on TWA!Illusion again. He feels a prickling at the edges of his mind, like something is trying to look into it.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Instead of fright, he....laughs? He laughs, right in front of him.]

Ohhhhhhh, you won't like what you find if you want to do that :) I was simply sparing you the details :)

[Illusion's mind seems to open up to his snooping around, completely, oddly, unprotected..]

[rpduality]

Ha! Now that's bold! If that's what you want, then who am I to give up the opportunity :)

(He's using the full force of his powers, and they feel...

Familiar

if a bit mixed up with something else. Instead of looking at his memories, however, Sabre takes the opportunity to try to compel him to shift back to his normal form, again pulling away RD!Illusion with his disembodied hands.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[His mind feels like it's swirling. Goddammit, he got too cocky- He...needs to...]

Augh, you bitch-!

[It hurts. He let it open too wide, and now he can't shut it out...! He's trying to latch onto something, anything that could keep him grounded, but...he's slipping. He knows he won't be able to get away scot-free this time...]

[His mind latches onto a single memory. The multiplayer screen, and the numbers in the Hypixel server. A useless thing, frankly. The number repeats over and over again.]

[Three. Seven. One. Six. Four. Three. Seven. One. Six. Four. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour...]

[It doesn't take long for his body to shift in response. Three pairs of arms, then seven, one, six, four....and finally, one. A pair of golden eyes and a laugh is stuck in his mind, practically teasing him. His hands slip..]

[rpduality]

And a yyyoink! Thank you very much, that was a big help :)

(RD!Illusion panicks, struggling against Sabre's grip and trying to use a now-free hand to grab one of TWA!Illusion's arms, missing as they shift.)

C- Come on, snap out of it! Don't let him get to you!

Once he's fully yanked back, Sabre goes to pick up the bottle, but before he can grab it, the kitten runs up and, after climbing one of his wings with its needle-like claws, gives one of his eyes a good swipe. He yells out, losing enough focus to let go of TWA!Illusion's mind.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He instinctively steps back as he's suddenly freed from Sabre's grip. His eyes blink away the memories as he remembers where he was. As soon as he sees what he's facing, he growls.]

So you're playing dirty, huh?! Two can play at that!

[When he shifts again, his body forms into not just many many arms, but his body fully and completely splits. Much like Sabre's own disembodied hands, each one grabs at him from every which way. But, more importantly, his head itself splits...]

Perhaps several, in fact!

[False versions of him start to appear from every direction, most obviously not the real one, but their many hands make it difficult to parse which hands are real or not.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre picks up the kitten by the scruff, annoyed, before teleporting it back to his lab to get it out of the way.)

OHO, Ya wanna play games with me, huh, bud? In that case, I've got something *REALLY* fun!

(The entire cave blacks out, as if engulfed in a dark void, before all the light turns back on again. Once again visible, there are now two versions of RD!Illusion; one even more confined by the puppet hands than before, another hand swooping in to cover his mouth again, and the other standing where Sabre once stood. He takes a shaky step back in confusion and fear, free of the hands.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He stares at the two of them.]

Well. Then I guess this is what we're doing now!

[He himself takes the form of RD!Illusion, purely for the sake of it. He's going to get that very very good cat back, he's sure of it. He..just...needs to play it right. He's got it.]

[Right...?]

[He pulls off the puppet hand covering the one's mouth.]

I guess let the games begin!

[rpduality]

(This Illusion is grimacing underneath the hand, before his gaze snaps to it in... surprise? as it tries to grab on to TWA!Illusion's wrist.

Meanwhile, the other RD!Illusion stumbles backwards. He's grabbed fistfuls of his own hair, hyperventilating, when his back hitting the wall brings him back to reality. He looks down, spotting the bottle next to his foot, and scoops it up, shoving it haphazardly into a random one of his inner coat pockets. It's a miracle he didn't drop and break it with how shaky his hands are.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He turns to the one that picked up the bottle.]

Hey! Bottle. Down. Now.

[In the meanwhile, he grabs the hand, attempting to break its fingers. If he can get one to react right...he might be able to get the hell outta here. God, he shouldn't have tempted fate, now he's stuck in a stupid game....AGAIN.]

No one is touching that thing.

[rpduality]

But I- ACK-

(There's the distinct sound of the creaking and snapping of rubber bands as the fingers get bent in ways they're not supposed to, and both Illusions react to the pain.

The freed one stares at his own hand in dazed confusion before passing out from the pain. He flops over right on top of the bottle, which slips out of his coat and rolls away, luckily only cracked. The cork, however, was not very secure, and has popped out of place. Some of the substance inside is leaking out onto the cave floor as the bottle rolls in a circle and hits this Illusion's hurt hand, which flinches a bit.

The confined one only winces, seemingly trying to not react to the pain at all. The hand disappears. He gives TWA!Illusion the most pathetic wet-cat facial expression he can.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Well, one down-

[He immediately picks up the passed-out Illusion, like a sack of potatoes. He grabs the cork with his other hand, quickly pulling the bottle back up while trying to avoid touching the stuff.]

One to go.

[He looks the confined one up and down.]

Can you speak? Clearly, your mouth is no longer covered. It should work the same as before.

And if not...Well. Time for more hand removal, I guess...

[rpduality]

Yes, I- I can talk, just. please let me out of these things-

(His voice sounds strained, to say the least. He's staring at the bottle nervously.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He stares at him for a long, long moment.]

Actually, I have a better idea.

[He puts the passed-out Illusion over with Elemental, before grabbing the bottle. He...just smiles at him...]

Mmmmmmaybe I should take this back home for testing...what do you think? Or maybe I should just...drink it...? :)

[rpduality]

THAT'S-

(he dryly swallows some air.)

That's probably a pretty bad idea, I don't exactly *know* what's in there, but I might have an idea of what it could be. Right before he showed up, there was some kind of weird virus going around. I couldn't figure out what was going on or how to stop it, but then it just suddenly. Went away, without a trace. That was when he first appeared, claiming he had just. Solved the situation. It was kinda amazing, really- BUT! UM! If he managed to somehow get a sample of that virus, then who knows what he could do with it-

[trapped-in-my-story]

That makes sense...farrrrrr too much sense.

[He picks up both Elemental and Illusion, before turning to the confined Illusion Steve, pocketing the bottle.]

Thank you, we shall be going now, Sabre~!

[He teleports, trying to reach the lab before He does. He can't just leave it there, he just can't-]

[rpduality]

Wait wha-

(They appear in a room full of potions equipment. Brewing stands on a counter line the walls, cabinets below emitting some. Interesting smells. Double chests are stacked high, one stack for each of the side walls that aren't the counter or the exit door. A large table sits in the middle, holding such wonders as a golden carrot sitting on a cutting board, and a pufferfish that was just. Left there.

The kitten isn't in this room.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

Pspspsps-! Come on little guy, we gotta get outta hereee-

[With the two unconscious people slung over his shoulders, it's slow going. He instinctually looks away in disgust when he sees the pufferfish.]

Nottt sticking around hereeee, eugh-

[He. Just kicks the door open, looking for the kitten.]

[rpduality]

They're back in the long hallway, with the 'exit' to their left and a trail of glowing purple and blue liquid dripped along the floor from there to the other end of the hall to the right. There's the faraway sound of the kitten mewing as loud as its tiny little voice can get, sad and lonely, before it stops at the sound of the door and the jingling of its nametags echo as it runs from one of the split off hallways to the right and starts streaking down the long hallway towards Illusion.

[trapped-in-my-story]

There you are! C'mon, let's get outta this hellhole-

[He awkwardly kneels down so it can get scooped up before they head...anywhere, at this point.]

[rpduality]

The kitten looks confusedly between TWA!Illusion and the unconscious RD!Illusion, before deciding to climb TWA!Illusion's sleeve in order to somehow perch on top of RD!Illusion, sitting down in a loaf and purring.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He quietly laughs.]

Yeah, sure, sure, that works-

[He stands back up, giving the place another glance and a glare.]

....well. Let'ssss just hope this works out in our favor- god knows how much longer I've got til I pass out too...

[Leaving the lab behind, he attempts to teleport somewhere that might be safer, maybe even somewhere they could hide, even for just a little...he tries to reach into the past for somewhere secluded and not yet known. Maybe, maybe, somewhere only he can recall...]

[rpduality]

they appear in a very familiar graveyard, the sky suddenly clear as the moon hangs perfectly in the center of it. While the graveyard is familiar, the area it's in is not nestled in the crook of a snowy mountain as abandoned snowcapped houses dot down the slope away from the entrance. While the area around them is snowy, not a single flake of it has entered the graveyard's walls.

A ball of ice blocks the entrance to a certain building, but there's a tunnel in it as if someone had dug through.

[vampocalypse-castle]

....Yeah that's. Totally normal actually. Definitely not an ominous sight.

[Once he gets his bearings, he heads into the tunnel of ice, carrying all three of his team members close so they don't freeze.]

[rpduality]

The ice quickly turns into a staircase downwards, leading to a familiar room. The room has a tomb in the middle, broken open with a ladder inside leading downwards. A tomb room, if you will.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, bringing himself to a stop.]

Cold and dusty...perfecttttt. At least we can lay low til the ghosts come home, eh?

[His voice echoes off the walls of the tomb room. He shivers a little, carefully setting RD!Illusion and Elemental down. He tiredly flops to the ground, curling up beside the others.]

Pleaseeeee don't possess me or my friends, I swear to god-

[rpduality]

Once everyone is down, the kitten fluffs up its fur and jumps off of RD!Illusion and nudges its way under TWA!Illusion's hand for warmth, curling up to go to sleep. The ground may be cold and hard, but the cat is warm and soft to the touch, vibrating a little in a near-silent purr.

It's not entirely cold in this room, as the lava on Elemental's arm slowly starts to warm up the area around them, its heat slowly permeating the air almost as a sort of aura.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, smiling tiredly as he pets it.]

...At least we're together for a moment.

[rpduality]

The room remains calm and quiet. Peaceful, despite its... decor, if you can call it that. The kitten quietly yawns, and RD!Illusion shifts, curling himself up tightly not unlike the little fluffer.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He can't help but sigh as he looks around their current place of residence.]

I guess that's more than I could possibly hope for, at this rate..

[rpduality]

The rest of the night, or. "Night", i guess, since it's permanently midnight in this place, passes without incident, though RD!Illusion keeps fidgeting, stuck in a nightmare. It seems like the perfect time to rest for a while, even the kitten feels safe enough to fall asleep, softly purring.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Illusion himself had eventually passed out, totally unable to keep up with the fast-paced experience of Dealing With Sabre. His form, which he can usually keep in shape easily, suddenly shifts as he sleeps.]

[Rather than his usual alt-teenager style, his clothes shift to a comfy sweater and black vest, his floating body fusing into a "normal" form. His face looks much more childlike (and....oddly human...) with short, messy hair in a very basic black and white haircut. His more "alien" features have been basically sanded down into a human with oddly colored skin and hair. His scorpion tail formed into a soft, fluffy tail with a galaxy-like print, though more to his color scheme than The Galaxy Steve's. He looks...oddly peaceful, for the moment.]

[rpduality]

Elemental's the first to wake up after several hours, and, while suprised at TWA!Illusion's form, decides not to wake up either of the illusions. Instead, he teleports out of the room, returning with a furnace, some chicken, some potatoes, and. An allium? He places down the furnace to cook. Whatever meal it's time for, and stares at the flower, not really knowing himself what to do with it, before setting it down on top of the furnace. He puts the food in the furnace and, quickly becoming impatient, tries to use some of his powers to speed up the cooking process. Some of the food comes out overdone, but he's got spirit!

[trapped-in-my-story]

[After a short while later, TWA!Illusion comes to with the smell of food. He tries to stretch like he usually would, only to find he has actual joints. As soon as he sees what he looks like right now, utter embarrassment fills his eyes as he tries to discretely shift back. He finds, to his horror, that he can only hold the form for a few seconds before failing. After about a comical (and sad) five minutes of this, he finally gives up and trudges over to see what Elemental has.]

....I see you made food.

[rpduality]

(Elemental eyes him for a bit, fighting to hold back a snicker. It's warm by the furnace, comforting after all this chill, though the flower placed on it is starting to wilt from the heat. He steps back a bit.)

Certainly tried-

(It's hard to tell who he's referring to.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He rolls his eyes, which are much fewer now. His sweater is far too big on him.]

I won't bring it up to him if you don't bring this up to him.

[He swipes a potato for himself, before deciding to just. Sulk beside the furnace and eat.]

[rpduality]

It's a deal, then.

(He grabs some of the chicken for himself to eat. The chicken's a bit dry, but despite the outer skin of the potato being charred, it's actually fairly well cooked in the middle, if a bit burning hot from being still fresh from the furnace.

The deal may not need to be upheld, as RD!Illusion stirs from his sleep. At some point, he had subconsciously taken his glasses off in his sleep, and he grabs for them, eyes still half-closed and bleary.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Illusion instinctively curls up in his sweater even more, tail fluffing up as he realizes he might be caught immediately.]

Goddammit-

[rpduality]

Elemental makes no move to intervene as RD!Illusion rubs the sleep out of his eyes and puts his glasses on and squints up at TWA!Illusion, not seeming to recognize him at first.

...a child?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He covers his face with his sleeves, immediately embarassed.]

Ohhh my goddddd..

No. No I am most certainly not.

[Even though his voice is the same, it's clear that all the edge to him is lost. Trying to hiss about it doesn't even come off as anything more than a kitten trying to puff up in panic.]

[rpduality]

He perks up when he recognizes his voice, before looking at the kitten, which is finally starting to try to clean the blood of itself.

I see the comparison now..

Are you alright?

[trapped-in-my-story]

Goddammit...

[He huffs, glancing at the small kitten from behind the soft, oversized sleeves.]

This is the last thing I'd want you all to see >:/

[rpduality]

(The kitten decides to trot over to TWA!Illusion and rub its head against his leg, mewing. aww.)

could I please have one of those potatoes?

(Elemental hands RD!Illusion some food as he looks around the room, partially embarrassed that he mistook TWA!Illusion for a child and partially because he recognizes it.)

... Is this where I think it is..?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[TWA!Illusion sighs, finally giving in and petting the brave little critter.]

...probably is...

[rpduality]

(He bites into the potato like an apple before carefully and wobbily using one of the alcoves in the wall to pull himself up, pausing as he gets lightheaded for a second as the not-enough-blood rushes down to his legs. He then crosses the room to lean against the tomb in the center, looking down its ladder.)

be careful-

[trapped-in-my-story]

We do not need you to break more bones, thank you.

[He watches him wobble across the room, wondering what he's up to now.]

[rpduality]

I'll be fine-

(he stares down the ladder for a minute longer before stepping over the side of the tomb and climbing down, dissappearing from view into the catacombs.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, glancing at Elemental as he continues to pet the cat.]

....should we really be letting him down there with no supervision?

[He was going to say "no adult supervision," but let's be real, TWA!Illusion is no better.]

[rpduality]

(Elemental's just staring at the ladder at the ladder at this point, bewildered in an exasperated sort of way.)

To be honest, I. Did not expect him do do that.

(He pauses for a second longer before taking a quick step to look down the hole to make sure Illusion did not hurt himself.

... Where did he go.

[trapped-in-my-story]

..What do you mean where did he go-

[He struggles to stand up, not used to being in this body.]

[rpduality]

(Illusion is no longer visible at the bottom of the ladder, having taken a few steps deeper into the catacombs. He's crouching, so his nametag is not visible through the wall. His voice echoes up from below.)

I'm fine, I'm just checking something.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Good lord, you cannot just do that-

[He sighs, plopping back on the ground. He's still tired even after succumbing to sleep.]

[rpduality]

I can do whatever I want, thank you very much.

(Only silence follows as Elemental continues to stare down the ladder in concern, unsure if he should follow him down. Eventually he puts his head in a very lava-covered hand.)

Why are you like this...

[trapped-in-my-story]

I think we Illusion Steves are just a little bit bizarre.

[He watches this go down, awkwardly sitting in the corner.]

[rpduality]

(He pauses for a second, before looking up at Illusion in confusion and curiosity.)

Illusion steves?

[trapped-in-my-story]

There's at least two of us here.

[He just shrugs.]

[rpduality]

But he's not a steve... wait, you are one?

[trapped-in-my-story]

??? Yes???

[He sighs, now recalling the instance earlier with Sabre. Fuck, right, right- The realization is plastered on his face, a mix of surprise and utter exhaustion at dealing with all this complicated secret-keeping.]

[rpduality]

Hm... the multiverse must be more complicated than I thought. Your energy is so similar, too...

Could I have a little help?

(Elemental looks back down the ladder, suprised to see RD!Illusion back at the bottom of it, exhausted and unable to pull himself back up. He uses his powers to teleport him up, and Illusion collapses, disoriented by the teleport.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, rolling his eyes when RD!Illusion collapses for the millionth time.]

Truly, I am honored to share a name and energy with that man.

[rpduality]

(Illusion looks up, confused, before the kitten walks up and presses its forehead against his face, demanding to be pet by multiple people at once.)

[rpduality]

@trapped-in-my-story (making a new post bc pc tumblr got Consumed By The Darkness for a sec as I was trying to scroll down)

...

His nametag flickers and glitches slightly, as if it's broken. RD!Illusion buries himself further into his notebook, but is mostly doodling in the margins now, making little diagram sketches of RD!Sabre's weird wing cloak thing.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He finally just gives up on comprehending what's up with this guy and lets his face flop onto the cold, frosty ground.]

[rpduality]

Patches of frosted-over grass prickle slightly against him, like laying on a bed of brittle needles. It's almost as prickly as the kitten's fur is getting as it stares at nothing. A growl escapes from its throat as a snap can be heard, causing Elemental to pass out again, and a green glow begins manifesting near RD!Illusion.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[It's far from comfortable, but he'll make do. But as soon as he hears its growl, his own fur prickles up as his ears swivel towards the unusual sound. A deep, animalistic hiss rises from his own throat as his eyes jolt open, turning towards the uncomfortably green hue...]

Fucking. HELL.

[In one swift move, he scoops up the kitten onto his shoulder, using one of his back legs to kick at the glow, being careful not to hurt RD!Illusion. With his front paws, he tries to catch Elemental.]

[rpduality]

Elemental is successfully caught before he hits the ground, but the green, as well as RD!Illusion, are just out of reach. The glow brightens and 3 sets of wings open up out of seemingly nothing, revealing this world's Sabre with the same almost-performative flair as at the exit to his lab. He yanks up RD!Illusion by the arm, keeping him held in place as he tries to fight back, too weakened to do much.

Freaking finally! I thought I'd never get this chance! You are wayyyy too overprotective, you know :)

[trapped-in-my-story]

As I should be, clearly...

[He scowls and hisses at the bitch-ass-motherfucker before him, practically tossing Elemental behind him protectively. All five eyes are trained on Sabre. As soon as El is out of the way, his body starts transforming like it did once before.]

What do you even WANT with a weak player like him, anyways?!?! You just toy with people like they're damned prey!

[rpduality]

Well, that's just it! He *claims* he's a player-

Because I *am* one, you insufferable-

an extra, puppet-like floating hand appears out of nowhere, covering RD!Illusion's mouth.

MMPH--

As I was saying, he claims he's a player, gave everyone around him a near-encyclopedic description of what players are and what they can do, and these line up with old stories of players showing up in this world in the past, but half of his claims don't even seem to apply to him! I just wanna find out what he truly is!

He raises his wing and an arm as more puppet-like hands restrain a still-struggling Illusion. He clenches his own raised hand into a fist.

A pursuit of curiosity! Is that so wrong?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He's now standing up, his paws turned to hooves, as he takes on the boar form once again, his hands balled up into fists. His words come out as a barely-restrained hiss, whispered just above his breath.]

Curiosity?

CURIOSITY?!?

Do you even hear yourself? You know curiosity kills the cat! If ya snoop around too far, ya tend to regret it! YOU YOURSELF certainly don't seem to be everything you are on the surface, either! You could've chosen anywhere, anything! And yet! AND YET! THIS?

THIS IS WHAT YOU CHOOSE ANYWAYS?!?

...God, you're as insufferable as I am. You can't leave a single mystery alone, even if there's no damned reason...

[rpduality]

He grins wildly, larger than should be humanly possible.

Curiosity may kill the cat, but did ya hear? Satisfaction brings it back!

He gives an arrogant laugh.

Besides! I already know everything else about this world, that information was basically beamed into my head as soon as I was created! This guy - and you, I guess - are the only gaps I have left in my knowledge, and I just have one more experiment I'd like to do before I'm done with him.

He pulls out a bottle of a sickly, swirling blue-and-green ooze, looking like if an infection was condensed into a slimy form.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Oh, no you don't-!

[He leaps at him, trying to get the bottle out of his hands. If he can't get RD!Illusion out of here, then he'll take one for the fucking team if he has to.]

I'M SO TIRED OF THIS BULLSHIT, AND I SWEAR TO GOD, FUCKING TAKE ME THEN! SEE HOW THAT WORKS OUT!

[rpduality]

Sabre quickly steps back, moving RD!Illusion in front of himself.

Hey now, you don't wanna hurt your... friend? Your you?

...

This guy

by mistake, now, do you? :)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Instead, he grabs onto RD!lllusion, staring up at Sabre with murderous eyes. Practically hugging him, even. His neck fluff is still covering much of his chest, cushioning his impact.]

One way or another, I'll defy you like I've defied every. Thing. Else.

[rpduality]

RD!Illusion is still confined and muted by the strange puppet hands, so all he's seemingly able to do is bury his forehead into TWA!Illusion's neck fluff. He feels very bony through his clothes.

Yeah, naw bud, that's not how this is gonna work.

Another puppet hand manifests, grabbing for TWA!Illusion's neck fluff, trying to scruff him like an angry cat. All of Sabre's eyes are looking at him now, and he can feel a tugging at his mind, something trying to compel him to let go as Sabre sticks the needle of a syringe through the cork of the bottle to get some of the goop out, when suddenly the syringe needle breaks by a sudden jolt and the tugging stops, sabre's concentration broken. The hand covering RD!Illusion's mouth jerks away and disappears, leaving behind something wet to drop to the ground in a small splatter.

What the- Did you just lick my hand!? Aw- That's disgusting, man!

RD!Illusion turns his head and sticks his tongue out at what he hopes is Sabre; he's keeping his eyes closed to avoid eye contact.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He grins. Sabre did manage to scruff him, but he did not let go. The floating rings stretch out from his hands as he's pulled slightly away from RD!Illusion.]

I told you :)

[Still, he knows he needs to play his cards right. When Sabre is distracted, he shifts his fluffy mane into a hard, rocky substance that weighs his body down and pokes everything that touches it.]

[rpduality]

A- ow!

Ack-

Both RD! Sabre and Illusion yelp in pain, Illusion still being half-buried in the fluff and Sabre being more dramatic, the hand scruffing TWA!Illusion and a few of the hands confining RD!Illusion disappearing. Sabre drops the bottle, which surprisingly does not shatter on impact with the ground. Good thing, too; the contents of this bottle are not something you want a splash potion of.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[His head floats up and away from his body, as all six of his limbs immediately latching onto RD!Illusion. He headbutts Sabre as hard as he can, his hands holding his alternate self protectively as he pulls back. His tail attempts to push the bottle away.]

[rpduality]

Sabre's twin metallic halos clank together hard against his skull, making a really satisfying sound and causing almost all of his eyes to close as he flinches back from the blow.

Ow ow OW! That is just plain rude what is WRONG with you-

He puts his arms up, shielding his face.

The bottle rolls away, but it's sitting at an angle so it just kind of rolls in a circle and ends up closer than it was before.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He kicks at him, his mane turning back into fur as he launches himself back with RD!Illusion in his arms.]

Says YOU, who's fully intending on INJECTING SOMETHING directly into our bloodstreams!

[His body grows longer, as he gains more limbs like a pigeon-colored centipede. He reaches back to pick up Elemental and make sure the kitten is alright, keeping an eye on the vial of mystery goo...]

[He's GOTTA get that vial. They need to find out what this is, before they have yet another encounter....]

[rpduality]

Only HIS body, I already know how that stuff reacts to STEVES!

He's using his wings to shield himself now, using whatever hands he has left grabbing RD!Illusion to try to yank him back. One pulling at his wrist causes a sharp popping sound, and Illusion flinches, biting back a hiss before wrenching his head around to bite the disembodied hand.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He must have at least a dozen arms by now, all grabbing at Sabre's. When he hears that sharp pop, Illusion hisses too, slashing at the hand. He's no longer going for the offense, just defense. He needs to get out, he needs to get out, he needs to get OUT-]

Really?! Then maybe try it on YOURSELF, CUZ THE ONLY MOTHERFUCKING PLAYER I SEE HERE IS YOU!

[For a split second, he freezes.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre pauses, cocking his head to one side in confusion as his halos recalibrate themselves and he lowers his wings a bit to look at them. RD!Illusion looks up at him, equally confused.)

What are you talking about? I'm not a player-

(That seems to have really thrown him off, as the overly exaggerated chipper tone in his voice all but dissappears.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Just as soon as he'd frozen up, he suddenly pulls RD!Illusion away as fast as possible with all his might. And just as quickly as he'd lost his nerve, he seemed to regain it, retorting back with only slight hesitance in his voice.]

You certainly act like a certain someone I know!

[But it was already clear that he'd spoken something that had been on his mind since first seeing Sabre. The way his eyes glanced between the two said everything.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre's back to putting on his energetic tone.)

I have. No idea what you're talking about!

Though I suppose if there are more of him in the universe there may as well be more of me... interesting!

(one of his halos spins in small jolts, like the circular reel on a viewmaster toy, each eye showing a different emotions as it stops on them, giving them each a good look at the two.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He glares at him, hugging RD!Illusion as tightly as he can.]

I saw that. I won't tell you anything, not until you're dead and in your grave...

[rpduality]

Youuuu do that then, I'lllll just take the liberty to...

(All of sabre's eyes are focused on TWA!Illusion again. He feels a prickling at the edges of his mind, like something is trying to look into it.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Instead of fright, he....laughs? He laughs, right in front of him.]

Ohhhhhhh, you won't like what you find if you want to do that :) I was simply sparing you the details :)

[Illusion's mind seems to open up to his snooping around, completely, oddly, unprotected..]

[rpduality]

Ha! Now that's bold! If that's what you want, then who am I to give up the opportunity :)

(He's using the full force of his powers, and they feel...

Familiar

if a bit mixed up with something else. Instead of looking at his memories, however, Sabre takes the opportunity to try to compel him to shift back to his normal form, again pulling away RD!Illusion with his disembodied hands.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[His mind feels like it's swirling. Goddammit, he got too cocky- He...needs to...]

Augh, you bitch-!

[It hurts. He let it open too wide, and now he can't shut it out...! He's trying to latch onto something, anything that could keep him grounded, but...he's slipping. He knows he won't be able to get away scot-free this time...]

[His mind latches onto a single memory. The multiplayer screen, and the numbers in the Hypixel server. A useless thing, frankly. The number repeats over and over again.]

[Three. Seven. One. Six. Four. Three. Seven. One. Six. Four. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour...]

[It doesn't take long for his body to shift in response. Three pairs of arms, then seven, one, six, four....and finally, one. A pair of golden eyes and a laugh is stuck in his mind, practically teasing him. His hands slip..]

[rpduality]

And a yyyoink! Thank you very much, that was a big help :)

(RD!Illusion panicks, struggling against Sabre's grip and trying to use a now-free hand to grab one of TWA!Illusion's arms, missing as they shift.)

C- Come on, snap out of it! Don't let him get to you!

Once he's fully yanked back, Sabre goes to pick up the bottle, but before he can grab it, the kitten runs up and, after climbing one of his wings with its needle-like claws, gives one of his eyes a good swipe. He yells out, losing enough focus to let go of TWA!Illusion's mind.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He instinctively steps back as he's suddenly freed from Sabre's grip. His eyes blink away the memories as he remembers where he was. As soon as he sees what he's facing, he growls.]

So you're playing dirty, huh?! Two can play at that!

[When he shifts again, his body forms into not just many many arms, but his body fully and completely splits. Much like Sabre's own disembodied hands, each one grabs at him from every which way. But, more importantly, his head itself splits...]

Perhaps several, in fact!

[False versions of him start to appear from every direction, most obviously not the real one, but their many hands make it difficult to parse which hands are real or not.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre picks up the kitten by the scruff, annoyed, before teleporting it back to his lab to get it out of the way.)

OHO, Ya wanna play games with me, huh, bud? In that case, I've got something *REALLY* fun!

(The entire cave blacks out, as if engulfed in a dark void, before all the light turns back on again. Once again visible, there are now two versions of RD!Illusion; one even more confined by the puppet hands than before, another hand swooping in to cover his mouth again, and the other standing where Sabre once stood. He takes a shaky step back in confusion and fear, free of the hands.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He stares at the two of them.]

Well. Then I guess this is what we're doing now!

[He himself takes the form of RD!Illusion, purely for the sake of it. He's going to get that very very good cat back, he's sure of it. He..just...needs to play it right. He's got it.]

[Right...?]

[He pulls off the puppet hand covering the one's mouth.]

I guess let the games begin!

[rpduality]

(This Illusion is grimacing underneath the hand, before his gaze snaps to it in... surprise? as it tries to grab on to TWA!Illusion's wrist.

Meanwhile, the other RD!Illusion stumbles backwards. He's grabbed fistfuls of his own hair, hyperventilating, when his back hitting the wall brings him back to reality. He looks down, spotting the bottle next to his foot, and scoops it up, shoving it haphazardly into a random one of his inner coat pockets. It's a miracle he didn't drop and break it with how shaky his hands are.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He turns to the one that picked up the bottle.]

Hey! Bottle. Down. Now.

[In the meanwhile, he grabs the hand, attempting to break its fingers. If he can get one to react right...he might be able to get the hell outta here. God, he shouldn't have tempted fate, now he's stuck in a stupid game....AGAIN.]

No one is touching that thing.

[rpduality]

But I- ACK-

(There's the distinct sound of the creaking and snapping of rubber bands as the fingers get bent in ways they're not supposed to, and both Illusions react to the pain.

The freed one stares at his own hand in dazed confusion before passing out from the pain. He flops over right on top of the bottle, which slips out of his coat and rolls away, luckily only cracked. The cork, however, was not very secure, and has popped out of place. Some of the substance inside is leaking out onto the cave floor as the bottle rolls in a circle and hits this Illusion's hurt hand, which flinches a bit.

The confined one only winces, seemingly trying to not react to the pain at all. The hand disappears. He gives TWA!Illusion the most pathetic wet-cat facial expression he can.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Well, one down-

[He immediately picks up the passed-out Illusion, like a sack of potatoes. He grabs the cork with his other hand, quickly pulling the bottle back up while trying to avoid touching the stuff.]

One to go.

[He looks the confined one up and down.]

Can you speak? Clearly, your mouth is no longer covered. It should work the same as before.

And if not...Well. Time for more hand removal, I guess...

[rpduality]

Yes, I- I can talk, just. please let me out of these things-

(His voice sounds strained, to say the least. He's staring at the bottle nervously.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He stares at him for a long, long moment.]

Actually, I have a better idea.

[He puts the passed-out Illusion over with Elemental, before grabbing the bottle. He...just smiles at him...]

Mmmmmmaybe I should take this back home for testing...what do you think? Or maybe I should just...drink it...? :)

[rpduality]

THAT'S-

(he dryly swallows some air.)

That's probably a pretty bad idea, I don't exactly *know* what's in there, but I might have an idea of what it could be. Right before he showed up, there was some kind of weird virus going around. I couldn't figure out what was going on or how to stop it, but then it just suddenly. Went away, without a trace. That was when he first appeared, claiming he had just. Solved the situation. It was kinda amazing, really- BUT! UM! If he managed to somehow get a sample of that virus, then who knows what he could do with it-

[trapped-in-my-story]

That makes sense...farrrrrr too much sense.

[He picks up both Elemental and Illusion, before turning to the confined Illusion Steve, pocketing the bottle.]

Thank you, we shall be going now, Sabre~!

[He teleports, trying to reach the lab before He does. He can't just leave it there, he just can't-]

[rpduality]

Wait wha-

(They appear in a room full of potions equipment. Brewing stands on a counter line the walls, cabinets below emitting some. Interesting smells. Double chests are stacked high, one stack for each of the side walls that aren't the counter or the exit door. A large table sits in the middle, holding such wonders as a golden carrot sitting on a cutting board, and a pufferfish that was just. Left there.

The kitten isn't in this room.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

Pspspsps-! Come on little guy, we gotta get outta hereee-

[With the two unconscious people slung over his shoulders, it's slow going. He instinctually looks away in disgust when he sees the pufferfish.]

Nottt sticking around hereeee, eugh-

[He. Just kicks the door open, looking for the kitten.]

[rpduality]

They're back in the long hallway, with the 'exit' to their left and a trail of glowing purple and blue liquid dripped along the floor from there to the other end of the hall to the right. There's the faraway sound of the kitten mewing as loud as its tiny little voice can get, sad and lonely, before it stops at the sound of the door and the jingling of its nametags echo as it runs from one of the split off hallways to the right and starts streaking down the long hallway towards Illusion.

[trapped-in-my-story]

There you are! C'mon, let's get outta this hellhole-

[He awkwardly kneels down so it can get scooped up before they head...anywhere, at this point.]

[rpduality]

The kitten looks confusedly between TWA!Illusion and the unconscious RD!Illusion, before deciding to climb TWA!Illusion's sleeve in order to somehow perch on top of RD!Illusion, sitting down in a loaf and purring.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He quietly laughs.]

Yeah, sure, sure, that works-

[He stands back up, giving the place another glance and a glare.]

....well. Let'ssss just hope this works out in our favor- god knows how much longer I've got til I pass out too...

[Leaving the lab behind, he attempts to teleport somewhere that might be safer, maybe even somewhere they could hide, even for just a little...he tries to reach into the past for somewhere secluded and not yet known. Maybe, maybe, somewhere only he can recall...]

[rpduality]

they appear in a very familiar graveyard, the sky suddenly clear as the moon hangs perfectly in the center of it. While the graveyard is familiar, the area it's in is not nestled in the crook of a snowy mountain as abandoned snowcapped houses dot down the slope away from the entrance. While the area around them is snowy, not a single flake of it has entered the graveyard's walls.

A ball of ice blocks the entrance to a certain building, but there's a tunnel in it as if someone had dug through.

[vampocalypse-castle]

....Yeah that's. Totally normal actually. Definitely not an ominous sight.

[Once he gets his bearings, he heads into the tunnel of ice, carrying all three of his team members close so they don't freeze.]

[rpduality]

The ice quickly turns into a staircase downwards, leading to a familiar room. The room has a tomb in the middle, broken open with a ladder inside leading downwards. A tomb room, if you will.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, bringing himself to a stop.]

Cold and dusty...perfecttttt. At least we can lay low til the ghosts come home, eh?

[His voice echoes off the walls of the tomb room. He shivers a little, carefully setting RD!Illusion and Elemental down. He tiredly flops to the ground, curling up beside the others.]

Pleaseeeee don't possess me or my friends, I swear to god-

[rpduality]

Once everyone is down, the kitten fluffs up its fur and jumps off of RD!Illusion and nudges its way under TWA!Illusion's hand for warmth, curling up to go to sleep. The ground may be cold and hard, but the cat is warm and soft to the touch, vibrating a little in a near-silent purr.

It's not entirely cold in this room, as the lava on Elemental's arm slowly starts to warm up the area around them, its heat slowly permeating the air almost as a sort of aura.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, smiling tiredly as he pets it.]

...At least we're together for a moment.

[rpduality]

The room remains calm and quiet. Peaceful, despite its... decor, if you can call it that. The kitten quietly yawns, and RD!Illusion shifts, curling himself up tightly not unlike the little fluffer.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He can't help but sigh as he looks around their current place of residence.]

I guess that's more than I could possibly hope for, at this rate..

[rpduality]

The rest of the night, or. "Night", i guess, since it's permanently midnight in this place, passes without incident, though RD!Illusion keeps fidgeting, stuck in a nightmare. It seems like the perfect time to rest for a while, even the kitten feels safe enough to fall asleep, softly purring.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Illusion himself had eventually passed out, totally unable to keep up with the fast-paced experience of Dealing With Sabre. His form, which he can usually keep in shape easily, suddenly shifts as he sleeps.]

[Rather than his usual alt-teenager style, his clothes shift to a comfy sweater and black vest, his floating body fusing into a "normal" form. His face looks much more childlike (and....oddly human...) with short, messy hair in a very basic black and white haircut. His more "alien" features have been basically sanded down into a human with oddly colored skin and hair. His scorpion tail formed into a soft, fluffy tail with a galaxy-like print, though more to his color scheme than The Galaxy Steve's. He looks...oddly peaceful, for the moment.]

[rpduality]

Elemental's the first to wake up after several hours, and, while suprised at TWA!Illusion's form, decides not to wake up either of the illusions. Instead, he teleports out of the room, returning with a furnace, some chicken, some potatoes, and. An allium? He places down the furnace to cook. Whatever meal it's time for, and stares at the flower, not really knowing himself what to do with it, before setting it down on top of the furnace. He puts the food in the furnace and, quickly becoming impatient, tries to use some of his powers to speed up the cooking process. Some of the food comes out overdone, but he's got spirit!

[trapped-in-my-story]

[After a short while later, TWA!Illusion comes to with the smell of food. He tries to stretch like he usually would, only to find he has actual joints. As soon as he sees what he looks like right now, utter embarrassment fills his eyes as he tries to discretely shift back. He finds, to his horror, that he can only hold the form for a few seconds before failing. After about a comical (and sad) five minutes of this, he finally gives up and trudges over to see what Elemental has.]

....I see you made food.

[rpduality]

(Elemental eyes him for a bit, fighting to hold back a snicker. It's warm by the furnace, comforting after all this chill, though the flower placed on it is starting to wilt from the heat. He steps back a bit.)

Certainly tried-

(It's hard to tell who he's referring to.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He rolls his eyes, which are much fewer now. His sweater is far too big on him.]

I won't bring it up to him if you don't bring this up to him.

[He swipes a potato for himself, before deciding to just. Sulk beside the furnace and eat.]

[rpduality]

It's a deal, then.

(He grabs some of the chicken for himself to eat. The chicken's a bit dry, but despite the outer skin of the potato being charred, it's actually fairly well cooked in the middle, if a bit burning hot from being still fresh from the furnace.

The deal may not need to be upheld, as RD!Illusion stirs from his sleep. At some point, he had subconsciously taken his glasses off in his sleep, and he grabs for them, eyes still half-closed and bleary.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Illusion instinctively curls up in his sweater even more, tail fluffing up as he realizes he might be caught immediately.]

Goddammit-

[rpduality]

Elemental makes no move to intervene as RD!Illusion rubs the sleep out of his eyes and puts his glasses on and squints up at TWA!Illusion, not seeming to recognize him at first.

...a child?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He covers his face with his sleeves, immediately embarassed.]

Ohhh my goddddd..

No. No I am most certainly not.

[Even though his voice is the same, it's clear that all the edge to him is lost. Trying to hiss about it doesn't even come off as anything more than a kitten trying to puff up in panic.]

[rpduality]

He perks up when he recognizes his voice, before looking at the kitten, which is finally starting to try to clean the blood of itself.

I see the comparison now..

Are you alright?

[trapped-in-my-story]

Goddammit...

[He huffs, glancing at the small kitten from behind the soft, oversized sleeves.]

This is the last thing I'd want you all to see >:/

[rpduality]

(The kitten decides to trot over to TWA!Illusion and rub its head against his leg, mewing. aww.)

could I please have one of those potatoes?

(Elemental hands RD!Illusion some food as he looks around the room, partially embarrassed that he mistook TWA!Illusion for a child and partially because he recognizes it.)

... Is this where I think it is..?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[TWA!Illusion sighs, finally giving in and petting the brave little critter.]

...probably is...

[rpduality]

(He bites into the potato like an apple before carefully and wobbily using one of the alcoves in the wall to pull himself up, pausing as he gets lightheaded for a second as the not-enough-blood rushes down to his legs. He then crosses the room to lean against the tomb in the center, looking down its ladder.)

be careful-

[trapped-in-my-story]

We do not need you to break more bones, thank you.

[He watches him wobble across the room, wondering what he's up to now.]

[rpduality]

I'll be fine-

(he stares down the ladder for a minute longer before stepping over the side of the tomb and climbing down, dissappearing from view into the catacombs.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, glancing at Elemental as he continues to pet the cat.]

....should we really be letting him down there with no supervision?

[He was going to say "no adult supervision," but let's be real, TWA!Illusion is no better.]

[rpduality]

(Elemental's just staring at the ladder at the ladder at this point, bewildered in an exasperated sort of way.)

To be honest, I. Did not expect him do do that.

(He pauses for a second longer before taking a quick step to look down the hole to make sure Illusion did not hurt himself.

... Where did he go.

[trapped-in-my-story]

..What do you mean where did he go-

[He struggles to stand up, not used to being in this body.]

[rpduality]

(Illusion is no longer visible at the bottom of the ladder, having taken a few steps deeper into the catacombs. He's crouching, so his nametag is not visible through the wall. His voice echoes up from below.)

I'm fine, I'm just checking something.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Good lord, you cannot just do that-

[He sighs, plopping back on the ground. He's still tired even after succumbing to sleep.]

[rpduality]

I can do whatever I want, thank you very much.

(Only silence follows as Elemental continues to stare down the ladder in concern, unsure if he should follow him down. Eventually he puts his head in a very lava-covered hand.)

Why are you like this...

[trapped-in-my-story]

I think we Illusion Steves are just a little bit bizarre.

[He watches this go down, awkwardly sitting in the corner.]

[rpduality]

(He pauses for a second, before looking up at Illusion in confusion and curiosity.)

Illusion steves?

[trapped-in-my-story]

There's at least two of us here.

[He just shrugs.]

[rpduality]

But he's not a steve... wait, you are one?

[trapped-in-my-story]

??? Yes???

[He sighs, now recalling the instance earlier with Sabre. Fuck, right, right- The realization is plastered on his face, a mix of surprise and utter exhaustion at dealing with all this complicated secret-keeping.]

[rpduality]

Hm... the multiverse must be more complicated than I thought. Your energy is so similar, too...

Could I have a little help?

(Elemental looks back down the ladder, suprised to see RD!Illusion back at the bottom of it, exhausted and unable to pull himself back up. He uses his powers to teleport him up, and Illusion collapses, disoriented by the teleport.)

[rpduality]

@trapped-in-my-story (making a new post bc pc tumblr got Consumed By The Darkness for a sec as I was trying to scroll down)

...

His nametag flickers and glitches slightly, as if it's broken. RD!Illusion buries himself further into his notebook, but is mostly doodling in the margins now, making little diagram sketches of RD!Sabre's weird wing cloak thing.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He finally just gives up on comprehending what's up with this guy and lets his face flop onto the cold, frosty ground.]

[rpduality]

Patches of frosted-over grass prickle slightly against him, like laying on a bed of brittle needles. It's almost as prickly as the kitten's fur is getting as it stares at nothing. A growl escapes from its throat as a snap can be heard, causing Elemental to pass out again, and a green glow begins manifesting near RD!Illusion.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[It's far from comfortable, but he'll make do. But as soon as he hears its growl, his own fur prickles up as his ears swivel towards the unusual sound. A deep, animalistic hiss rises from his own throat as his eyes jolt open, turning towards the uncomfortably green hue...]

Fucking. HELL.

[In one swift move, he scoops up the kitten onto his shoulder, using one of his back legs to kick at the glow, being careful not to hurt RD!Illusion. With his front paws, he tries to catch Elemental.]

[rpduality]

Elemental is successfully caught before he hits the ground, but the green, as well as RD!Illusion, are just out of reach. The glow brightens and 3 sets of wings open up out of seemingly nothing, revealing this world's Sabre with the same almost-performative flair as at the exit to his lab. He yanks up RD!Illusion by the arm, keeping him held in place as he tries to fight back, too weakened to do much.

Freaking finally! I thought I'd never get this chance! You are wayyyy too overprotective, you know :)

[trapped-in-my-story]

As I should be, clearly...

[He scowls and hisses at the bitch-ass-motherfucker before him, practically tossing Elemental behind him protectively. All five eyes are trained on Sabre. As soon as El is out of the way, his body starts transforming like it did once before.]

What do you even WANT with a weak player like him, anyways?!?! You just toy with people like they're damned prey!

[rpduality]

Well, that's just it! He *claims* he's a player-

Because I *am* one, you insufferable-

an extra, puppet-like floating hand appears out of nowhere, covering RD!Illusion's mouth.

MMPH--

As I was saying, he claims he's a player, gave everyone around him a near-encyclopedic description of what players are and what they can do, and these line up with old stories of players showing up in this world in the past, but half of his claims don't even seem to apply to him! I just wanna find out what he truly is!

He raises his wing and an arm as more puppet-like hands restrain a still-struggling Illusion. He clenches his own raised hand into a fist.

A pursuit of curiosity! Is that so wrong?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He's now standing up, his paws turned to hooves, as he takes on the boar form once again, his hands balled up into fists. His words come out as a barely-restrained hiss, whispered just above his breath.]

Curiosity?

CURIOSITY?!?

Do you even hear yourself? You know curiosity kills the cat! If ya snoop around too far, ya tend to regret it! YOU YOURSELF certainly don't seem to be everything you are on the surface, either! You could've chosen anywhere, anything! And yet! AND YET! THIS?

THIS IS WHAT YOU CHOOSE ANYWAYS?!?

...God, you're as insufferable as I am. You can't leave a single mystery alone, even if there's no damned reason...

[rpduality]

He grins wildly, larger than should be humanly possible.

Curiosity may kill the cat, but did ya hear? Satisfaction brings it back!

He gives an arrogant laugh.

Besides! I already know everything else about this world, that information was basically beamed into my head as soon as I was created! This guy - and you, I guess - are the only gaps I have left in my knowledge, and I just have one more experiment I'd like to do before I'm done with him.

He pulls out a bottle of a sickly, swirling blue-and-green ooze, looking like if an infection was condensed into a slimy form.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Oh, no you don't-!

[He leaps at him, trying to get the bottle out of his hands. If he can't get RD!Illusion out of here, then he'll take one for the fucking team if he has to.]

I'M SO TIRED OF THIS BULLSHIT, AND I SWEAR TO GOD, FUCKING TAKE ME THEN! SEE HOW THAT WORKS OUT!

[rpduality]

Sabre quickly steps back, moving RD!Illusion in front of himself.

Hey now, you don't wanna hurt your... friend? Your you?

...

This guy

by mistake, now, do you? :)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Instead, he grabs onto RD!lllusion, staring up at Sabre with murderous eyes. Practically hugging him, even. His neck fluff is still covering much of his chest, cushioning his impact.]

One way or another, I'll defy you like I've defied every. Thing. Else.

[rpduality]

RD!Illusion is still confined and muted by the strange puppet hands, so all he's seemingly able to do is bury his forehead into TWA!Illusion's neck fluff. He feels very bony through his clothes.

Yeah, naw bud, that's not how this is gonna work.

Another puppet hand manifests, grabbing for TWA!Illusion's neck fluff, trying to scruff him like an angry cat. All of Sabre's eyes are looking at him now, and he can feel a tugging at his mind, something trying to compel him to let go as Sabre sticks the needle of a syringe through the cork of the bottle to get some of the goop out, when suddenly the syringe needle breaks by a sudden jolt and the tugging stops, sabre's concentration broken. The hand covering RD!Illusion's mouth jerks away and disappears, leaving behind something wet to drop to the ground in a small splatter.

What the- Did you just lick my hand!? Aw- That's disgusting, man!

RD!Illusion turns his head and sticks his tongue out at what he hopes is Sabre; he's keeping his eyes closed to avoid eye contact.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He grins. Sabre did manage to scruff him, but he did not let go. The floating rings stretch out from his hands as he's pulled slightly away from RD!Illusion.]

I told you :)

[Still, he knows he needs to play his cards right. When Sabre is distracted, he shifts his fluffy mane into a hard, rocky substance that weighs his body down and pokes everything that touches it.]

[rpduality]

A- ow!

Ack-

Both RD! Sabre and Illusion yelp in pain, Illusion still being half-buried in the fluff and Sabre being more dramatic, the hand scruffing TWA!Illusion and a few of the hands confining RD!Illusion disappearing. Sabre drops the bottle, which surprisingly does not shatter on impact with the ground. Good thing, too; the contents of this bottle are not something you want a splash potion of.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[His head floats up and away from his body, as all six of his limbs immediately latching onto RD!Illusion. He headbutts Sabre as hard as he can, his hands holding his alternate self protectively as he pulls back. His tail attempts to push the bottle away.]

[rpduality]

Sabre's twin metallic halos clank together hard against his skull, making a really satisfying sound and causing almost all of his eyes to close as he flinches back from the blow.

Ow ow OW! That is just plain rude what is WRONG with you-

He puts his arms up, shielding his face.

The bottle rolls away, but it's sitting at an angle so it just kind of rolls in a circle and ends up closer than it was before.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He kicks at him, his mane turning back into fur as he launches himself back with RD!Illusion in his arms.]

Says YOU, who's fully intending on INJECTING SOMETHING directly into our bloodstreams!

[His body grows longer, as he gains more limbs like a pigeon-colored centipede. He reaches back to pick up Elemental and make sure the kitten is alright, keeping an eye on the vial of mystery goo...]

[He's GOTTA get that vial. They need to find out what this is, before they have yet another encounter....]

[rpduality]

Only HIS body, I already know how that stuff reacts to STEVES!

He's using his wings to shield himself now, using whatever hands he has left grabbing RD!Illusion to try to yank him back. One pulling at his wrist causes a sharp popping sound, and Illusion flinches, biting back a hiss before wrenching his head around to bite the disembodied hand.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He must have at least a dozen arms by now, all grabbing at Sabre's. When he hears that sharp pop, Illusion hisses too, slashing at the hand. He's no longer going for the offense, just defense. He needs to get out, he needs to get out, he needs to get OUT-]

Really?! Then maybe try it on YOURSELF, CUZ THE ONLY MOTHERFUCKING PLAYER I SEE HERE IS YOU!

[For a split second, he freezes.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre pauses, cocking his head to one side in confusion as his halos recalibrate themselves and he lowers his wings a bit to look at them. RD!Illusion looks up at him, equally confused.)

What are you talking about? I'm not a player-

(That seems to have really thrown him off, as the overly exaggerated chipper tone in his voice all but dissappears.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Just as soon as he'd frozen up, he suddenly pulls RD!Illusion away as fast as possible with all his might. And just as quickly as he'd lost his nerve, he seemed to regain it, retorting back with only slight hesitance in his voice.]

You certainly act like a certain someone I know!

[But it was already clear that he'd spoken something that had been on his mind since first seeing Sabre. The way his eyes glanced between the two said everything.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre's back to putting on his energetic tone.)

I have. No idea what you're talking about!

Though I suppose if there are more of him in the universe there may as well be more of me... interesting!

(one of his halos spins in small jolts, like the circular reel on a viewmaster toy, each eye showing a different emotions as it stops on them, giving them each a good look at the two.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He glares at him, hugging RD!Illusion as tightly as he can.]

I saw that. I won't tell you anything, not until you're dead and in your grave...

[rpduality]

Youuuu do that then, I'lllll just take the liberty to...

(All of sabre's eyes are focused on TWA!Illusion again. He feels a prickling at the edges of his mind, like something is trying to look into it.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Instead of fright, he....laughs? He laughs, right in front of him.]

Ohhhhhhh, you won't like what you find if you want to do that :) I was simply sparing you the details :)

[Illusion's mind seems to open up to his snooping around, completely, oddly, unprotected..]

[rpduality]

Ha! Now that's bold! If that's what you want, then who am I to give up the opportunity :)

(He's using the full force of his powers, and they feel...

Familiar

if a bit mixed up with something else. Instead of looking at his memories, however, Sabre takes the opportunity to try to compel him to shift back to his normal form, again pulling away RD!Illusion with his disembodied hands.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[His mind feels like it's swirling. Goddammit, he got too cocky- He...needs to...]

Augh, you bitch-!

[It hurts. He let it open too wide, and now he can't shut it out...! He's trying to latch onto something, anything that could keep him grounded, but...he's slipping. He knows he won't be able to get away scot-free this time...]

[His mind latches onto a single memory. The multiplayer screen, and the numbers in the Hypixel server. A useless thing, frankly. The number repeats over and over again.]

[Three. Seven. One. Six. Four. Three. Seven. One. Six. Four. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour...]

[It doesn't take long for his body to shift in response. Three pairs of arms, then seven, one, six, four....and finally, one. A pair of golden eyes and a laugh is stuck in his mind, practically teasing him. His hands slip..]

[rpduality]

And a yyyoink! Thank you very much, that was a big help :)

(RD!Illusion panicks, struggling against Sabre's grip and trying to use a now-free hand to grab one of TWA!Illusion's arms, missing as they shift.)

C- Come on, snap out of it! Don't let him get to you!

Once he's fully yanked back, Sabre goes to pick up the bottle, but before he can grab it, the kitten runs up and, after climbing one of his wings with its needle-like claws, gives one of his eyes a good swipe. He yells out, losing enough focus to let go of TWA!Illusion's mind.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He instinctively steps back as he's suddenly freed from Sabre's grip. His eyes blink away the memories as he remembers where he was. As soon as he sees what he's facing, he growls.]

So you're playing dirty, huh?! Two can play at that!

[When he shifts again, his body forms into not just many many arms, but his body fully and completely splits. Much like Sabre's own disembodied hands, each one grabs at him from every which way. But, more importantly, his head itself splits...]

Perhaps several, in fact!

[False versions of him start to appear from every direction, most obviously not the real one, but their many hands make it difficult to parse which hands are real or not.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre picks up the kitten by the scruff, annoyed, before teleporting it back to his lab to get it out of the way.)

OHO, Ya wanna play games with me, huh, bud? In that case, I've got something *REALLY* fun!

(The entire cave blacks out, as if engulfed in a dark void, before all the light turns back on again. Once again visible, there are now two versions of RD!Illusion; one even more confined by the puppet hands than before, another hand swooping in to cover his mouth again, and the other standing where Sabre once stood. He takes a shaky step back in confusion and fear, free of the hands.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He stares at the two of them.]

Well. Then I guess this is what we're doing now!

[He himself takes the form of RD!Illusion, purely for the sake of it. He's going to get that very very good cat back, he's sure of it. He..just...needs to play it right. He's got it.]

[Right...?]

[He pulls off the puppet hand covering the one's mouth.]

I guess let the games begin!

[rpduality]

(This Illusion is grimacing underneath the hand, before his gaze snaps to it in... surprise? as it tries to grab on to TWA!Illusion's wrist.

Meanwhile, the other RD!Illusion stumbles backwards. He's grabbed fistfuls of his own hair, hyperventilating, when his back hitting the wall brings him back to reality. He looks down, spotting the bottle next to his foot, and scoops it up, shoving it haphazardly into a random one of his inner coat pockets. It's a miracle he didn't drop and break it with how shaky his hands are.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He turns to the one that picked up the bottle.]

Hey! Bottle. Down. Now.

[In the meanwhile, he grabs the hand, attempting to break its fingers. If he can get one to react right...he might be able to get the hell outta here. God, he shouldn't have tempted fate, now he's stuck in a stupid game....AGAIN.]

No one is touching that thing.

[rpduality]

But I- ACK-

(There's the distinct sound of the creaking and snapping of rubber bands as the fingers get bent in ways they're not supposed to, and both Illusions react to the pain.

The freed one stares at his own hand in dazed confusion before passing out from the pain. He flops over right on top of the bottle, which slips out of his coat and rolls away, luckily only cracked. The cork, however, was not very secure, and has popped out of place. Some of the substance inside is leaking out onto the cave floor as the bottle rolls in a circle and hits this Illusion's hurt hand, which flinches a bit.

The confined one only winces, seemingly trying to not react to the pain at all. The hand disappears. He gives TWA!Illusion the most pathetic wet-cat facial expression he can.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Well, one down-

[He immediately picks up the passed-out Illusion, like a sack of potatoes. He grabs the cork with his other hand, quickly pulling the bottle back up while trying to avoid touching the stuff.]

One to go.

[He looks the confined one up and down.]

Can you speak? Clearly, your mouth is no longer covered. It should work the same as before.

And if not...Well. Time for more hand removal, I guess...

[rpduality]

Yes, I- I can talk, just. please let me out of these things-

(His voice sounds strained, to say the least. He's staring at the bottle nervously.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He stares at him for a long, long moment.]

Actually, I have a better idea.

[He puts the passed-out Illusion over with Elemental, before grabbing the bottle. He...just smiles at him...]

Mmmmmmaybe I should take this back home for testing...what do you think? Or maybe I should just...drink it...? :)

[rpduality]

THAT'S-

(he dryly swallows some air.)

That's probably a pretty bad idea, I don't exactly *know* what's in there, but I might have an idea of what it could be. Right before he showed up, there was some kind of weird virus going around. I couldn't figure out what was going on or how to stop it, but then it just suddenly. Went away, without a trace. That was when he first appeared, claiming he had just. Solved the situation. It was kinda amazing, really- BUT! UM! If he managed to somehow get a sample of that virus, then who knows what he could do with it-

[trapped-in-my-story]

That makes sense...farrrrrr too much sense.

[He picks up both Elemental and Illusion, before turning to the confined Illusion Steve, pocketing the bottle.]

Thank you, we shall be going now, Sabre~!

[He teleports, trying to reach the lab before He does. He can't just leave it there, he just can't-]

[rpduality]

Wait wha-

(They appear in a room full of potions equipment. Brewing stands on a counter line the walls, cabinets below emitting some. Interesting smells. Double chests are stacked high, one stack for each of the side walls that aren't the counter or the exit door. A large table sits in the middle, holding such wonders as a golden carrot sitting on a cutting board, and a pufferfish that was just. Left there.

The kitten isn't in this room.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

Pspspsps-! Come on little guy, we gotta get outta hereee-

[With the two unconscious people slung over his shoulders, it's slow going. He instinctually looks away in disgust when he sees the pufferfish.]

Nottt sticking around hereeee, eugh-

[He. Just kicks the door open, looking for the kitten.]

[rpduality]

They're back in the long hallway, with the 'exit' to their left and a trail of glowing purple and blue liquid dripped along the floor from there to the other end of the hall to the right. There's the faraway sound of the kitten mewing as loud as its tiny little voice can get, sad and lonely, before it stops at the sound of the door and the jingling of its nametags echo as it runs from one of the split off hallways to the right and starts streaking down the long hallway towards Illusion.

[trapped-in-my-story]

There you are! C'mon, let's get outta this hellhole-

[He awkwardly kneels down so it can get scooped up before they head...anywhere, at this point.]

[rpduality]

The kitten looks confusedly between TWA!Illusion and the unconscious RD!Illusion, before deciding to climb TWA!Illusion's sleeve in order to somehow perch on top of RD!Illusion, sitting down in a loaf and purring.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He quietly laughs.]

Yeah, sure, sure, that works-

[He stands back up, giving the place another glance and a glare.]

....well. Let'ssss just hope this works out in our favor- god knows how much longer I've got til I pass out too...

[Leaving the lab behind, he attempts to teleport somewhere that might be safer, maybe even somewhere they could hide, even for just a little...he tries to reach into the past for somewhere secluded and not yet known. Maybe, maybe, somewhere only he can recall...]

[rpduality]

they appear in a very familiar graveyard, the sky suddenly clear as the moon hangs perfectly in the center of it. While the graveyard is familiar, the area it's in is not nestled in the crook of a snowy mountain as abandoned snowcapped houses dot down the slope away from the entrance. While the area around them is snowy, not a single flake of it has entered the graveyard's walls.

A ball of ice blocks the entrance to a certain building, but there's a tunnel in it as if someone had dug through.

[vampocalypse-castle]

....Yeah that's. Totally normal actually. Definitely not an ominous sight.

[Once he gets his bearings, he heads into the tunnel of ice, carrying all three of his team members close so they don't freeze.]

[rpduality]

The ice quickly turns into a staircase downwards, leading to a familiar room. The room has a tomb in the middle, broken open with a ladder inside leading downwards. A tomb room, if you will.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, bringing himself to a stop.]

Cold and dusty...perfecttttt. At least we can lay low til the ghosts come home, eh?

[His voice echoes off the walls of the tomb room. He shivers a little, carefully setting RD!Illusion and Elemental down. He tiredly flops to the ground, curling up beside the others.]

Pleaseeeee don't possess me or my friends, I swear to god-

[rpduality]

Once everyone is down, the kitten fluffs up its fur and jumps off of RD!Illusion and nudges its way under TWA!Illusion's hand for warmth, curling up to go to sleep. The ground may be cold and hard, but the cat is warm and soft to the touch, vibrating a little in a near-silent purr.

It's not entirely cold in this room, as the lava on Elemental's arm slowly starts to warm up the area around them, its heat slowly permeating the air almost as a sort of aura.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, smiling tiredly as he pets it.]

...At least we're together for a moment.

[rpduality]

The room remains calm and quiet. Peaceful, despite its... decor, if you can call it that. The kitten quietly yawns, and RD!Illusion shifts, curling himself up tightly not unlike the little fluffer.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He can't help but sigh as he looks around their current place of residence.]

I guess that's more than I could possibly hope for, at this rate..

[rpduality]

The rest of the night, or. "Night", i guess, since it's permanently midnight in this place, passes without incident, though RD!Illusion keeps fidgeting, stuck in a nightmare. It seems like the perfect time to rest for a while, even the kitten feels safe enough to fall asleep, softly purring.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Illusion himself had eventually passed out, totally unable to keep up with the fast-paced experience of Dealing With Sabre. His form, which he can usually keep in shape easily, suddenly shifts as he sleeps.]

[Rather than his usual alt-teenager style, his clothes shift to a comfy sweater and black vest, his floating body fusing into a "normal" form. His face looks much more childlike (and....oddly human...) with short, messy hair in a very basic black and white haircut. His more "alien" features have been basically sanded down into a human with oddly colored skin and hair. His scorpion tail formed into a soft, fluffy tail with a galaxy-like print, though more to his color scheme than The Galaxy Steve's. He looks...oddly peaceful, for the moment.]

[rpduality]

Elemental's the first to wake up after several hours, and, while suprised at TWA!Illusion's form, decides not to wake up either of the illusions. Instead, he teleports out of the room, returning with a furnace, some chicken, some potatoes, and. An allium? He places down the furnace to cook. Whatever meal it's time for, and stares at the flower, not really knowing himself what to do with it, before setting it down on top of the furnace. He puts the food in the furnace and, quickly becoming impatient, tries to use some of his powers to speed up the cooking process. Some of the food comes out overdone, but he's got spirit!

[trapped-in-my-story]

[After a short while later, TWA!Illusion comes to with the smell of food. He tries to stretch like he usually would, only to find he has actual joints. As soon as he sees what he looks like right now, utter embarrassment fills his eyes as he tries to discretely shift back. He finds, to his horror, that he can only hold the form for a few seconds before failing. After about a comical (and sad) five minutes of this, he finally gives up and trudges over to see what Elemental has.]

....I see you made food.

[rpduality]

(Elemental eyes him for a bit, fighting to hold back a snicker. It's warm by the furnace, comforting after all this chill, though the flower placed on it is starting to wilt from the heat. He steps back a bit.)

Certainly tried-

(It's hard to tell who he's referring to.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He rolls his eyes, which are much fewer now. His sweater is far too big on him.]

I won't bring it up to him if you don't bring this up to him.

[He swipes a potato for himself, before deciding to just. Sulk beside the furnace and eat.]

[rpduality]

It's a deal, then.

(He grabs some of the chicken for himself to eat. The chicken's a bit dry, but despite the outer skin of the potato being charred, it's actually fairly well cooked in the middle, if a bit burning hot from being still fresh from the furnace.

The deal may not need to be upheld, as RD!Illusion stirs from his sleep. At some point, he had subconsciously taken his glasses off in his sleep, and he grabs for them, eyes still half-closed and bleary.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Illusion instinctively curls up in his sweater even more, tail fluffing up as he realizes he might be caught immediately.]

Goddammit-

[rpduality]

Elemental makes no move to intervene as RD!Illusion rubs the sleep out of his eyes and puts his glasses on and squints up at TWA!Illusion, not seeming to recognize him at first.

...a child?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He covers his face with his sleeves, immediately embarassed.]

Ohhh my goddddd..

No. No I am most certainly not.

[Even though his voice is the same, it's clear that all the edge to him is lost. Trying to hiss about it doesn't even come off as anything more than a kitten trying to puff up in panic.]

[rpduality]

He perks up when he recognizes his voice, before looking at the kitten, which is finally starting to try to clean the blood of itself.

I see the comparison now..

Are you alright?

[trapped-in-my-story]

Goddammit...

[He huffs, glancing at the small kitten from behind the soft, oversized sleeves.]

This is the last thing I'd want you all to see >:/

[rpduality]

(The kitten decides to trot over to TWA!Illusion and rub its head against his leg, mewing. aww.)

could I please have one of those potatoes?

(Elemental hands RD!Illusion some food as he looks around the room, partially embarrassed that he mistook TWA!Illusion for a child and partially because he recognizes it.)

... Is this where I think it is..?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[TWA!Illusion sighs, finally giving in and petting the brave little critter.]

...probably is...

[rpduality]

(He bites into the potato like an apple before carefully and wobbily using one of the alcoves in the wall to pull himself up, pausing as he gets lightheaded for a second as the not-enough-blood rushes down to his legs. He then crosses the room to lean against the tomb in the center, looking down its ladder.)

be careful-

[trapped-in-my-story]

We do not need you to break more bones, thank you.

[He watches him wobble across the room, wondering what he's up to now.]

[rpduality]

I'll be fine-

(he stares down the ladder for a minute longer before stepping over the side of the tomb and climbing down, dissappearing from view into the catacombs.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, glancing at Elemental as he continues to pet the cat.]

....should we really be letting him down there with no supervision?

[He was going to say "no adult supervision," but let's be real, TWA!Illusion is no better.]

[rpduality]

(Elemental's just staring at the ladder at the ladder at this point, bewildered in an exasperated sort of way.)

To be honest, I. Did not expect him do do that.

(He pauses for a second longer before taking a quick step to look down the hole to make sure Illusion did not hurt himself.

... Where did he go.

[trapped-in-my-story]

..What do you mean where did he go-

[He struggles to stand up, not used to being in this body.]

[rpduality]

(Illusion is no longer visible at the bottom of the ladder, having taken a few steps deeper into the catacombs. He's crouching, so his nametag is not visible through the wall. His voice echoes up from below.)

I'm fine, I'm just checking something.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Good lord, you cannot just do that-

[He sighs, plopping back on the ground. He's still tired even after succumbing to sleep.]

[rpduality]

I can do whatever I want, thank you very much.

(Only silence follows as Elemental continues to stare down the ladder in concern, unsure if he should follow him down. Eventually he puts his head in a very lava-covered hand.)

Why are you like this...

[trapped-in-my-story]

I think we Illusion Steves are just a little bit bizarre.

[He watches this go down, awkwardly sitting in the corner.]

[rpduality]

(He pauses for a second, before looking up at Illusion in confusion and curiosity.)

Illusion steves?

[trapped-in-my-story]

There's at least two of us here.

[He just shrugs.]

[rpduality]

But he's not a steve... wait, you are one?

[rpduality]

@trapped-in-my-story (making a new post bc pc tumblr got Consumed By The Darkness for a sec as I was trying to scroll down)

...

His nametag flickers and glitches slightly, as if it's broken. RD!Illusion buries himself further into his notebook, but is mostly doodling in the margins now, making little diagram sketches of RD!Sabre's weird wing cloak thing.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He finally just gives up on comprehending what's up with this guy and lets his face flop onto the cold, frosty ground.]

[rpduality]

Patches of frosted-over grass prickle slightly against him, like laying on a bed of brittle needles. It's almost as prickly as the kitten's fur is getting as it stares at nothing. A growl escapes from its throat as a snap can be heard, causing Elemental to pass out again, and a green glow begins manifesting near RD!Illusion.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[It's far from comfortable, but he'll make do. But as soon as he hears its growl, his own fur prickles up as his ears swivel towards the unusual sound. A deep, animalistic hiss rises from his own throat as his eyes jolt open, turning towards the uncomfortably green hue...]

Fucking. HELL.

[In one swift move, he scoops up the kitten onto his shoulder, using one of his back legs to kick at the glow, being careful not to hurt RD!Illusion. With his front paws, he tries to catch Elemental.]

[rpduality]

Elemental is successfully caught before he hits the ground, but the green, as well as RD!Illusion, are just out of reach. The glow brightens and 3 sets of wings open up out of seemingly nothing, revealing this world's Sabre with the same almost-performative flair as at the exit to his lab. He yanks up RD!Illusion by the arm, keeping him held in place as he tries to fight back, too weakened to do much.

Freaking finally! I thought I'd never get this chance! You are wayyyy too overprotective, you know :)

[trapped-in-my-story]

As I should be, clearly...

[He scowls and hisses at the bitch-ass-motherfucker before him, practically tossing Elemental behind him protectively. All five eyes are trained on Sabre. As soon as El is out of the way, his body starts transforming like it did once before.]

What do you even WANT with a weak player like him, anyways?!?! You just toy with people like they're damned prey!

[rpduality]

Well, that's just it! He *claims* he's a player-

Because I *am* one, you insufferable-

an extra, puppet-like floating hand appears out of nowhere, covering RD!Illusion's mouth.

MMPH--

As I was saying, he claims he's a player, gave everyone around him a near-encyclopedic description of what players are and what they can do, and these line up with old stories of players showing up in this world in the past, but half of his claims don't even seem to apply to him! I just wanna find out what he truly is!

He raises his wing and an arm as more puppet-like hands restrain a still-struggling Illusion. He clenches his own raised hand into a fist.

A pursuit of curiosity! Is that so wrong?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He's now standing up, his paws turned to hooves, as he takes on the boar form once again, his hands balled up into fists. His words come out as a barely-restrained hiss, whispered just above his breath.]

Curiosity?

CURIOSITY?!?

Do you even hear yourself? You know curiosity kills the cat! If ya snoop around too far, ya tend to regret it! YOU YOURSELF certainly don't seem to be everything you are on the surface, either! You could've chosen anywhere, anything! And yet! AND YET! THIS?

THIS IS WHAT YOU CHOOSE ANYWAYS?!?

...God, you're as insufferable as I am. You can't leave a single mystery alone, even if there's no damned reason...

[rpduality]

He grins wildly, larger than should be humanly possible.

Curiosity may kill the cat, but did ya hear? Satisfaction brings it back!

He gives an arrogant laugh.

Besides! I already know everything else about this world, that information was basically beamed into my head as soon as I was created! This guy - and you, I guess - are the only gaps I have left in my knowledge, and I just have one more experiment I'd like to do before I'm done with him.

He pulls out a bottle of a sickly, swirling blue-and-green ooze, looking like if an infection was condensed into a slimy form.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Oh, no you don't-!

[He leaps at him, trying to get the bottle out of his hands. If he can't get RD!Illusion out of here, then he'll take one for the fucking team if he has to.]

I'M SO TIRED OF THIS BULLSHIT, AND I SWEAR TO GOD, FUCKING TAKE ME THEN! SEE HOW THAT WORKS OUT!

[rpduality]

Sabre quickly steps back, moving RD!Illusion in front of himself.

Hey now, you don't wanna hurt your... friend? Your you?

...

This guy

by mistake, now, do you? :)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Instead, he grabs onto RD!lllusion, staring up at Sabre with murderous eyes. Practically hugging him, even. His neck fluff is still covering much of his chest, cushioning his impact.]

One way or another, I'll defy you like I've defied every. Thing. Else.

[rpduality]

RD!Illusion is still confined and muted by the strange puppet hands, so all he's seemingly able to do is bury his forehead into TWA!Illusion's neck fluff. He feels very bony through his clothes.

Yeah, naw bud, that's not how this is gonna work.

Another puppet hand manifests, grabbing for TWA!Illusion's neck fluff, trying to scruff him like an angry cat. All of Sabre's eyes are looking at him now, and he can feel a tugging at his mind, something trying to compel him to let go as Sabre sticks the needle of a syringe through the cork of the bottle to get some of the goop out, when suddenly the syringe needle breaks by a sudden jolt and the tugging stops, sabre's concentration broken. The hand covering RD!Illusion's mouth jerks away and disappears, leaving behind something wet to drop to the ground in a small splatter.

What the- Did you just lick my hand!? Aw- That's disgusting, man!

RD!Illusion turns his head and sticks his tongue out at what he hopes is Sabre; he's keeping his eyes closed to avoid eye contact.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He grins. Sabre did manage to scruff him, but he did not let go. The floating rings stretch out from his hands as he's pulled slightly away from RD!Illusion.]

I told you :)

[Still, he knows he needs to play his cards right. When Sabre is distracted, he shifts his fluffy mane into a hard, rocky substance that weighs his body down and pokes everything that touches it.]

[rpduality]

A- ow!

Ack-

Both RD! Sabre and Illusion yelp in pain, Illusion still being half-buried in the fluff and Sabre being more dramatic, the hand scruffing TWA!Illusion and a few of the hands confining RD!Illusion disappearing. Sabre drops the bottle, which surprisingly does not shatter on impact with the ground. Good thing, too; the contents of this bottle are not something you want a splash potion of.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[His head floats up and away from his body, as all six of his limbs immediately latching onto RD!Illusion. He headbutts Sabre as hard as he can, his hands holding his alternate self protectively as he pulls back. His tail attempts to push the bottle away.]

[rpduality]

Sabre's twin metallic halos clank together hard against his skull, making a really satisfying sound and causing almost all of his eyes to close as he flinches back from the blow.

Ow ow OW! That is just plain rude what is WRONG with you-

He puts his arms up, shielding his face.

The bottle rolls away, but it's sitting at an angle so it just kind of rolls in a circle and ends up closer than it was before.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He kicks at him, his mane turning back into fur as he launches himself back with RD!Illusion in his arms.]

Says YOU, who's fully intending on INJECTING SOMETHING directly into our bloodstreams!

[His body grows longer, as he gains more limbs like a pigeon-colored centipede. He reaches back to pick up Elemental and make sure the kitten is alright, keeping an eye on the vial of mystery goo...]

[He's GOTTA get that vial. They need to find out what this is, before they have yet another encounter....]

[rpduality]

Only HIS body, I already know how that stuff reacts to STEVES!

He's using his wings to shield himself now, using whatever hands he has left grabbing RD!Illusion to try to yank him back. One pulling at his wrist causes a sharp popping sound, and Illusion flinches, biting back a hiss before wrenching his head around to bite the disembodied hand.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He must have at least a dozen arms by now, all grabbing at Sabre's. When he hears that sharp pop, Illusion hisses too, slashing at the hand. He's no longer going for the offense, just defense. He needs to get out, he needs to get out, he needs to get OUT-]

Really?! Then maybe try it on YOURSELF, CUZ THE ONLY MOTHERFUCKING PLAYER I SEE HERE IS YOU!

[For a split second, he freezes.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre pauses, cocking his head to one side in confusion as his halos recalibrate themselves and he lowers his wings a bit to look at them. RD!Illusion looks up at him, equally confused.)

What are you talking about? I'm not a player-

(That seems to have really thrown him off, as the overly exaggerated chipper tone in his voice all but dissappears.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Just as soon as he'd frozen up, he suddenly pulls RD!Illusion away as fast as possible with all his might. And just as quickly as he'd lost his nerve, he seemed to regain it, retorting back with only slight hesitance in his voice.]

You certainly act like a certain someone I know!

[But it was already clear that he'd spoken something that had been on his mind since first seeing Sabre. The way his eyes glanced between the two said everything.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre's back to putting on his energetic tone.)

I have. No idea what you're talking about!

Though I suppose if there are more of him in the universe there may as well be more of me... interesting!

(one of his halos spins in small jolts, like the circular reel on a viewmaster toy, each eye showing a different emotions as it stops on them, giving them each a good look at the two.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He glares at him, hugging RD!Illusion as tightly as he can.]

I saw that. I won't tell you anything, not until you're dead and in your grave...

[rpduality]

Youuuu do that then, I'lllll just take the liberty to...

(All of sabre's eyes are focused on TWA!Illusion again. He feels a prickling at the edges of his mind, like something is trying to look into it.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Instead of fright, he....laughs? He laughs, right in front of him.]

Ohhhhhhh, you won't like what you find if you want to do that :) I was simply sparing you the details :)

[Illusion's mind seems to open up to his snooping around, completely, oddly, unprotected..]

[rpduality]

Ha! Now that's bold! If that's what you want, then who am I to give up the opportunity :)

(He's using the full force of his powers, and they feel...

Familiar

if a bit mixed up with something else. Instead of looking at his memories, however, Sabre takes the opportunity to try to compel him to shift back to his normal form, again pulling away RD!Illusion with his disembodied hands.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[His mind feels like it's swirling. Goddammit, he got too cocky- He...needs to...]

Augh, you bitch-!

[It hurts. He let it open too wide, and now he can't shut it out...! He's trying to latch onto something, anything that could keep him grounded, but...he's slipping. He knows he won't be able to get away scot-free this time...]

[His mind latches onto a single memory. The multiplayer screen, and the numbers in the Hypixel server. A useless thing, frankly. The number repeats over and over again.]

[Three. Seven. One. Six. Four. Three. Seven. One. Six. Four. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour...]

[It doesn't take long for his body to shift in response. Three pairs of arms, then seven, one, six, four....and finally, one. A pair of golden eyes and a laugh is stuck in his mind, practically teasing him. His hands slip..]

[rpduality]

And a yyyoink! Thank you very much, that was a big help :)

(RD!Illusion panicks, struggling against Sabre's grip and trying to use a now-free hand to grab one of TWA!Illusion's arms, missing as they shift.)

C- Come on, snap out of it! Don't let him get to you!

Once he's fully yanked back, Sabre goes to pick up the bottle, but before he can grab it, the kitten runs up and, after climbing one of his wings with its needle-like claws, gives one of his eyes a good swipe. He yells out, losing enough focus to let go of TWA!Illusion's mind.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He instinctively steps back as he's suddenly freed from Sabre's grip. His eyes blink away the memories as he remembers where he was. As soon as he sees what he's facing, he growls.]

So you're playing dirty, huh?! Two can play at that!

[When he shifts again, his body forms into not just many many arms, but his body fully and completely splits. Much like Sabre's own disembodied hands, each one grabs at him from every which way. But, more importantly, his head itself splits...]

Perhaps several, in fact!

[False versions of him start to appear from every direction, most obviously not the real one, but their many hands make it difficult to parse which hands are real or not.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre picks up the kitten by the scruff, annoyed, before teleporting it back to his lab to get it out of the way.)

OHO, Ya wanna play games with me, huh, bud? In that case, I've got something *REALLY* fun!

(The entire cave blacks out, as if engulfed in a dark void, before all the light turns back on again. Once again visible, there are now two versions of RD!Illusion; one even more confined by the puppet hands than before, another hand swooping in to cover his mouth again, and the other standing where Sabre once stood. He takes a shaky step back in confusion and fear, free of the hands.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He stares at the two of them.]

Well. Then I guess this is what we're doing now!

[He himself takes the form of RD!Illusion, purely for the sake of it. He's going to get that very very good cat back, he's sure of it. He..just...needs to play it right. He's got it.]

[Right...?]

[He pulls off the puppet hand covering the one's mouth.]

I guess let the games begin!

[rpduality]

(This Illusion is grimacing underneath the hand, before his gaze snaps to it in... surprise? as it tries to grab on to TWA!Illusion's wrist.

Meanwhile, the other RD!Illusion stumbles backwards. He's grabbed fistfuls of his own hair, hyperventilating, when his back hitting the wall brings him back to reality. He looks down, spotting the bottle next to his foot, and scoops it up, shoving it haphazardly into a random one of his inner coat pockets. It's a miracle he didn't drop and break it with how shaky his hands are.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He turns to the one that picked up the bottle.]

Hey! Bottle. Down. Now.

[In the meanwhile, he grabs the hand, attempting to break its fingers. If he can get one to react right...he might be able to get the hell outta here. God, he shouldn't have tempted fate, now he's stuck in a stupid game....AGAIN.]

No one is touching that thing.

[rpduality]

But I- ACK-

(There's the distinct sound of the creaking and snapping of rubber bands as the fingers get bent in ways they're not supposed to, and both Illusions react to the pain.

The freed one stares at his own hand in dazed confusion before passing out from the pain. He flops over right on top of the bottle, which slips out of his coat and rolls away, luckily only cracked. The cork, however, was not very secure, and has popped out of place. Some of the substance inside is leaking out onto the cave floor as the bottle rolls in a circle and hits this Illusion's hurt hand, which flinches a bit.

The confined one only winces, seemingly trying to not react to the pain at all. The hand disappears. He gives TWA!Illusion the most pathetic wet-cat facial expression he can.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Well, one down-

[He immediately picks up the passed-out Illusion, like a sack of potatoes. He grabs the cork with his other hand, quickly pulling the bottle back up while trying to avoid touching the stuff.]

One to go.

[He looks the confined one up and down.]

Can you speak? Clearly, your mouth is no longer covered. It should work the same as before.

And if not...Well. Time for more hand removal, I guess...

[rpduality]

Yes, I- I can talk, just. please let me out of these things-

(His voice sounds strained, to say the least. He's staring at the bottle nervously.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He stares at him for a long, long moment.]

Actually, I have a better idea.

[He puts the passed-out Illusion over with Elemental, before grabbing the bottle. He...just smiles at him...]

Mmmmmmaybe I should take this back home for testing...what do you think? Or maybe I should just...drink it...? :)

[rpduality]

THAT'S-

(he dryly swallows some air.)

That's probably a pretty bad idea, I don't exactly *know* what's in there, but I might have an idea of what it could be. Right before he showed up, there was some kind of weird virus going around. I couldn't figure out what was going on or how to stop it, but then it just suddenly. Went away, without a trace. That was when he first appeared, claiming he had just. Solved the situation. It was kinda amazing, really- BUT! UM! If he managed to somehow get a sample of that virus, then who knows what he could do with it-

[trapped-in-my-story]

That makes sense...farrrrrr too much sense.

[He picks up both Elemental and Illusion, before turning to the confined Illusion Steve, pocketing the bottle.]

Thank you, we shall be going now, Sabre~!

[He teleports, trying to reach the lab before He does. He can't just leave it there, he just can't-]

[rpduality]

Wait wha-

(They appear in a room full of potions equipment. Brewing stands on a counter line the walls, cabinets below emitting some. Interesting smells. Double chests are stacked high, one stack for each of the side walls that aren't the counter or the exit door. A large table sits in the middle, holding such wonders as a golden carrot sitting on a cutting board, and a pufferfish that was just. Left there.

The kitten isn't in this room.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

Pspspsps-! Come on little guy, we gotta get outta hereee-

[With the two unconscious people slung over his shoulders, it's slow going. He instinctually looks away in disgust when he sees the pufferfish.]

Nottt sticking around hereeee, eugh-

[He. Just kicks the door open, looking for the kitten.]

[rpduality]

They're back in the long hallway, with the 'exit' to their left and a trail of glowing purple and blue liquid dripped along the floor from there to the other end of the hall to the right. There's the faraway sound of the kitten mewing as loud as its tiny little voice can get, sad and lonely, before it stops at the sound of the door and the jingling of its nametags echo as it runs from one of the split off hallways to the right and starts streaking down the long hallway towards Illusion.

[trapped-in-my-story]

There you are! C'mon, let's get outta this hellhole-

[He awkwardly kneels down so it can get scooped up before they head...anywhere, at this point.]

[rpduality]

The kitten looks confusedly between TWA!Illusion and the unconscious RD!Illusion, before deciding to climb TWA!Illusion's sleeve in order to somehow perch on top of RD!Illusion, sitting down in a loaf and purring.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He quietly laughs.]

Yeah, sure, sure, that works-

[He stands back up, giving the place another glance and a glare.]

....well. Let'ssss just hope this works out in our favor- god knows how much longer I've got til I pass out too...

[Leaving the lab behind, he attempts to teleport somewhere that might be safer, maybe even somewhere they could hide, even for just a little...he tries to reach into the past for somewhere secluded and not yet known. Maybe, maybe, somewhere only he can recall...]

[rpduality]

they appear in a very familiar graveyard, the sky suddenly clear as the moon hangs perfectly in the center of it. While the graveyard is familiar, the area it's in is not nestled in the crook of a snowy mountain as abandoned snowcapped houses dot down the slope away from the entrance. While the area around them is snowy, not a single flake of it has entered the graveyard's walls.

A ball of ice blocks the entrance to a certain building, but there's a tunnel in it as if someone had dug through.

[vampocalypse-castle]

....Yeah that's. Totally normal actually. Definitely not an ominous sight.

[Once he gets his bearings, he heads into the tunnel of ice, carrying all three of his team members close so they don't freeze.]

[rpduality]

The ice quickly turns into a staircase downwards, leading to a familiar room. The room has a tomb in the middle, broken open with a ladder inside leading downwards. A tomb room, if you will.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, bringing himself to a stop.]

Cold and dusty...perfecttttt. At least we can lay low til the ghosts come home, eh?

[His voice echoes off the walls of the tomb room. He shivers a little, carefully setting RD!Illusion and Elemental down. He tiredly flops to the ground, curling up beside the others.]

Pleaseeeee don't possess me or my friends, I swear to god-

[rpduality]

Once everyone is down, the kitten fluffs up its fur and jumps off of RD!Illusion and nudges its way under TWA!Illusion's hand for warmth, curling up to go to sleep. The ground may be cold and hard, but the cat is warm and soft to the touch, vibrating a little in a near-silent purr.

It's not entirely cold in this room, as the lava on Elemental's arm slowly starts to warm up the area around them, its heat slowly permeating the air almost as a sort of aura.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, smiling tiredly as he pets it.]

...At least we're together for a moment.

[rpduality]

The room remains calm and quiet. Peaceful, despite its... decor, if you can call it that. The kitten quietly yawns, and RD!Illusion shifts, curling himself up tightly not unlike the little fluffer.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He can't help but sigh as he looks around their current place of residence.]

I guess that's more than I could possibly hope for, at this rate..

[rpduality]

The rest of the night, or. "Night", i guess, since it's permanently midnight in this place, passes without incident, though RD!Illusion keeps fidgeting, stuck in a nightmare. It seems like the perfect time to rest for a while, even the kitten feels safe enough to fall asleep, softly purring.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Illusion himself had eventually passed out, totally unable to keep up with the fast-paced experience of Dealing With Sabre. His form, which he can usually keep in shape easily, suddenly shifts as he sleeps.]

[Rather than his usual alt-teenager style, his clothes shift to a comfy sweater and black vest, his floating body fusing into a "normal" form. His face looks much more childlike (and....oddly human...) with short, messy hair in a very basic black and white haircut. His more "alien" features have been basically sanded down into a human with oddly colored skin and hair. His scorpion tail formed into a soft, fluffy tail with a galaxy-like print, though more to his color scheme than The Galaxy Steve's. He looks...oddly peaceful, for the moment.]

[rpduality]

Elemental's the first to wake up after several hours, and, while suprised at TWA!Illusion's form, decides not to wake up either of the illusions. Instead, he teleports out of the room, returning with a furnace, some chicken, some potatoes, and. An allium? He places down the furnace to cook. Whatever meal it's time for, and stares at the flower, not really knowing himself what to do with it, before setting it down on top of the furnace. He puts the food in the furnace and, quickly becoming impatient, tries to use some of his powers to speed up the cooking process. Some of the food comes out overdone, but he's got spirit!

[trapped-in-my-story]

[After a short while later, TWA!Illusion comes to with the smell of food. He tries to stretch like he usually would, only to find he has actual joints. As soon as he sees what he looks like right now, utter embarrassment fills his eyes as he tries to discretely shift back. He finds, to his horror, that he can only hold the form for a few seconds before failing. After about a comical (and sad) five minutes of this, he finally gives up and trudges over to see what Elemental has.]

....I see you made food.

[rpduality]

(Elemental eyes him for a bit, fighting to hold back a snicker. It's warm by the furnace, comforting after all this chill, though the flower placed on it is starting to wilt from the heat. He steps back a bit.)

Certainly tried-

(It's hard to tell who he's referring to.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He rolls his eyes, which are much fewer now. His sweater is far too big on him.]

I won't bring it up to him if you don't bring this up to him.

[He swipes a potato for himself, before deciding to just. Sulk beside the furnace and eat.]

[rpduality]

It's a deal, then.

(He grabs some of the chicken for himself to eat. The chicken's a bit dry, but despite the outer skin of the potato being charred, it's actually fairly well cooked in the middle, if a bit burning hot from being still fresh from the furnace.

The deal may not need to be upheld, as RD!Illusion stirs from his sleep. At some point, he had subconsciously taken his glasses off in his sleep, and he grabs for them, eyes still half-closed and bleary.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Illusion instinctively curls up in his sweater even more, tail fluffing up as he realizes he might be caught immediately.]

Goddammit-

[rpduality]

Elemental makes no move to intervene as RD!Illusion rubs the sleep out of his eyes and puts his glasses on and squints up at TWA!Illusion, not seeming to recognize him at first.

...a child?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He covers his face with his sleeves, immediately embarassed.]

Ohhh my goddddd..

No. No I am most certainly not.

[Even though his voice is the same, it's clear that all the edge to him is lost. Trying to hiss about it doesn't even come off as anything more than a kitten trying to puff up in panic.]

[rpduality]

He perks up when he recognizes his voice, before looking at the kitten, which is finally starting to try to clean the blood of itself.

I see the comparison now..

Are you alright?

[trapped-in-my-story]

Goddammit...

[He huffs, glancing at the small kitten from behind the soft, oversized sleeves.]

This is the last thing I'd want you all to see >:/

[rpduality]

(The kitten decides to trot over to TWA!Illusion and rub its head against his leg, mewing. aww.)

could I please have one of those potatoes?

(Elemental hands RD!Illusion some food as he looks around the room, partially embarrassed that he mistook TWA!Illusion for a child and partially because he recognizes it.)

... Is this where I think it is..?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[TWA!Illusion sighs, finally giving in and petting the brave little critter.]

...probably is...

[rpduality]

(He bites into the potato like an apple before carefully and wobbily using one of the alcoves in the wall to pull himself up, pausing as he gets lightheaded for a second as the not-enough-blood rushes down to his legs. He then crosses the room to lean against the tomb in the center, looking down its ladder.)

be careful-

[trapped-in-my-story]

We do not need you to break more bones, thank you.

[He watches him wobble across the room, wondering what he's up to now.]

[rpduality]

I'll be fine-

(he stares down the ladder for a minute longer before stepping over the side of the tomb and climbing down, dissappearing from view into the catacombs.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, glancing at Elemental as he continues to pet the cat.]

....should we really be letting him down there with no supervision?

[He was going to say "no adult supervision," but let's be real, TWA!Illusion is no better.]

[rpduality]

(Elemental's just staring at the ladder at the ladder at this point, bewildered in an exasperated sort of way.)

To be honest, I. Did not expect him do do that.

(He pauses for a second longer before taking a quick step to look down the hole to make sure Illusion did not hurt himself.

... Where did he go.

[trapped-in-my-story]

..What do you mean where did he go-

[He struggles to stand up, not used to being in this body.]

[rpduality]

(Illusion is no longer visible at the bottom of the ladder, having taken a few steps deeper into the catacombs. He's crouching, so his nametag is not visible through the wall. His voice echoes up from below.)

I'm fine, I'm just checking something.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Good lord, you cannot just do that-

[He sighs, plopping back on the ground. He's still tired even after succumbing to sleep.]

[rpduality]

I can do whatever I want, thank you very much.

(Only silence follows as Elemental continues to stare down the ladder in concern, unsure if he should follow him down. Eventually he puts his head in a very lava-covered hand.)

Why are you like this...

[trapped-in-my-story]

I think we Illusion Steves are just a little bit bizarre.

[He watches this go down, awkwardly sitting in the corner.]

[rpduality]

(He pauses for a second, before looking up at Illusion in confusion and curiosity.)

Illusion steves?

[trapped-in-my-story]

There's at least two of us here.

[He just shrugs.]

[rpduality]

But he's not a steve... wait, you are one?

[rpduality]

@trapped-in-my-story (making a new post bc pc tumblr got Consumed By The Darkness for a sec as I was trying to scroll down)

...

His nametag flickers and glitches slightly, as if it's broken. RD!Illusion buries himself further into his notebook, but is mostly doodling in the margins now, making little diagram sketches of RD!Sabre's weird wing cloak thing.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He finally just gives up on comprehending what's up with this guy and lets his face flop onto the cold, frosty ground.]

[rpduality]

Patches of frosted-over grass prickle slightly against him, like laying on a bed of brittle needles. It's almost as prickly as the kitten's fur is getting as it stares at nothing. A growl escapes from its throat as a snap can be heard, causing Elemental to pass out again, and a green glow begins manifesting near RD!Illusion.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[It's far from comfortable, but he'll make do. But as soon as he hears its growl, his own fur prickles up as his ears swivel towards the unusual sound. A deep, animalistic hiss rises from his own throat as his eyes jolt open, turning towards the uncomfortably green hue...]

Fucking. HELL.

[In one swift move, he scoops up the kitten onto his shoulder, using one of his back legs to kick at the glow, being careful not to hurt RD!Illusion. With his front paws, he tries to catch Elemental.]

[rpduality]

Elemental is successfully caught before he hits the ground, but the green, as well as RD!Illusion, are just out of reach. The glow brightens and 3 sets of wings open up out of seemingly nothing, revealing this world's Sabre with the same almost-performative flair as at the exit to his lab. He yanks up RD!Illusion by the arm, keeping him held in place as he tries to fight back, too weakened to do much.

Freaking finally! I thought I'd never get this chance! You are wayyyy too overprotective, you know :)

[trapped-in-my-story]

As I should be, clearly...

[He scowls and hisses at the bitch-ass-motherfucker before him, practically tossing Elemental behind him protectively. All five eyes are trained on Sabre. As soon as El is out of the way, his body starts transforming like it did once before.]

What do you even WANT with a weak player like him, anyways?!?! You just toy with people like they're damned prey!

[rpduality]

Well, that's just it! He *claims* he's a player-

Because I *am* one, you insufferable-

an extra, puppet-like floating hand appears out of nowhere, covering RD!Illusion's mouth.

MMPH--

As I was saying, he claims he's a player, gave everyone around him a near-encyclopedic description of what players are and what they can do, and these line up with old stories of players showing up in this world in the past, but half of his claims don't even seem to apply to him! I just wanna find out what he truly is!

He raises his wing and an arm as more puppet-like hands restrain a still-struggling Illusion. He clenches his own raised hand into a fist.

A pursuit of curiosity! Is that so wrong?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He's now standing up, his paws turned to hooves, as he takes on the boar form once again, his hands balled up into fists. His words come out as a barely-restrained hiss, whispered just above his breath.]

Curiosity?

CURIOSITY?!?

Do you even hear yourself? You know curiosity kills the cat! If ya snoop around too far, ya tend to regret it! YOU YOURSELF certainly don't seem to be everything you are on the surface, either! You could've chosen anywhere, anything! And yet! AND YET! THIS?

THIS IS WHAT YOU CHOOSE ANYWAYS?!?

...God, you're as insufferable as I am. You can't leave a single mystery alone, even if there's no damned reason...

[rpduality]

He grins wildly, larger than should be humanly possible.

Curiosity may kill the cat, but did ya hear? Satisfaction brings it back!

He gives an arrogant laugh.

Besides! I already know everything else about this world, that information was basically beamed into my head as soon as I was created! This guy - and you, I guess - are the only gaps I have left in my knowledge, and I just have one more experiment I'd like to do before I'm done with him.

He pulls out a bottle of a sickly, swirling blue-and-green ooze, looking like if an infection was condensed into a slimy form.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Oh, no you don't-!

[He leaps at him, trying to get the bottle out of his hands. If he can't get RD!Illusion out of here, then he'll take one for the fucking team if he has to.]

I'M SO TIRED OF THIS BULLSHIT, AND I SWEAR TO GOD, FUCKING TAKE ME THEN! SEE HOW THAT WORKS OUT!

[rpduality]

Sabre quickly steps back, moving RD!Illusion in front of himself.

Hey now, you don't wanna hurt your... friend? Your you?

...

This guy

by mistake, now, do you? :)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Instead, he grabs onto RD!lllusion, staring up at Sabre with murderous eyes. Practically hugging him, even. His neck fluff is still covering much of his chest, cushioning his impact.]

One way or another, I'll defy you like I've defied every. Thing. Else.

[rpduality]

RD!Illusion is still confined and muted by the strange puppet hands, so all he's seemingly able to do is bury his forehead into TWA!Illusion's neck fluff. He feels very bony through his clothes.

Yeah, naw bud, that's not how this is gonna work.

Another puppet hand manifests, grabbing for TWA!Illusion's neck fluff, trying to scruff him like an angry cat. All of Sabre's eyes are looking at him now, and he can feel a tugging at his mind, something trying to compel him to let go as Sabre sticks the needle of a syringe through the cork of the bottle to get some of the goop out, when suddenly the syringe needle breaks by a sudden jolt and the tugging stops, sabre's concentration broken. The hand covering RD!Illusion's mouth jerks away and disappears, leaving behind something wet to drop to the ground in a small splatter.

What the- Did you just lick my hand!? Aw- That's disgusting, man!

RD!Illusion turns his head and sticks his tongue out at what he hopes is Sabre; he's keeping his eyes closed to avoid eye contact.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He grins. Sabre did manage to scruff him, but he did not let go. The floating rings stretch out from his hands as he's pulled slightly away from RD!Illusion.]

I told you :)

[Still, he knows he needs to play his cards right. When Sabre is distracted, he shifts his fluffy mane into a hard, rocky substance that weighs his body down and pokes everything that touches it.]

[rpduality]

A- ow!

Ack-

Both RD! Sabre and Illusion yelp in pain, Illusion still being half-buried in the fluff and Sabre being more dramatic, the hand scruffing TWA!Illusion and a few of the hands confining RD!Illusion disappearing. Sabre drops the bottle, which surprisingly does not shatter on impact with the ground. Good thing, too; the contents of this bottle are not something you want a splash potion of.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[His head floats up and away from his body, as all six of his limbs immediately latching onto RD!Illusion. He headbutts Sabre as hard as he can, his hands holding his alternate self protectively as he pulls back. His tail attempts to push the bottle away.]

[rpduality]

Sabre's twin metallic halos clank together hard against his skull, making a really satisfying sound and causing almost all of his eyes to close as he flinches back from the blow.

Ow ow OW! That is just plain rude what is WRONG with you-

He puts his arms up, shielding his face.

The bottle rolls away, but it's sitting at an angle so it just kind of rolls in a circle and ends up closer than it was before.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He kicks at him, his mane turning back into fur as he launches himself back with RD!Illusion in his arms.]

Says YOU, who's fully intending on INJECTING SOMETHING directly into our bloodstreams!

[His body grows longer, as he gains more limbs like a pigeon-colored centipede. He reaches back to pick up Elemental and make sure the kitten is alright, keeping an eye on the vial of mystery goo...]

[He's GOTTA get that vial. They need to find out what this is, before they have yet another encounter....]

[rpduality]

Only HIS body, I already know how that stuff reacts to STEVES!

He's using his wings to shield himself now, using whatever hands he has left grabbing RD!Illusion to try to yank him back. One pulling at his wrist causes a sharp popping sound, and Illusion flinches, biting back a hiss before wrenching his head around to bite the disembodied hand.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He must have at least a dozen arms by now, all grabbing at Sabre's. When he hears that sharp pop, Illusion hisses too, slashing at the hand. He's no longer going for the offense, just defense. He needs to get out, he needs to get out, he needs to get OUT-]

Really?! Then maybe try it on YOURSELF, CUZ THE ONLY MOTHERFUCKING PLAYER I SEE HERE IS YOU!

[For a split second, he freezes.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre pauses, cocking his head to one side in confusion as his halos recalibrate themselves and he lowers his wings a bit to look at them. RD!Illusion looks up at him, equally confused.)

What are you talking about? I'm not a player-

(That seems to have really thrown him off, as the overly exaggerated chipper tone in his voice all but dissappears.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Just as soon as he'd frozen up, he suddenly pulls RD!Illusion away as fast as possible with all his might. And just as quickly as he'd lost his nerve, he seemed to regain it, retorting back with only slight hesitance in his voice.]

You certainly act like a certain someone I know!

[But it was already clear that he'd spoken something that had been on his mind since first seeing Sabre. The way his eyes glanced between the two said everything.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre's back to putting on his energetic tone.)

I have. No idea what you're talking about!

Though I suppose if there are more of him in the universe there may as well be more of me... interesting!

(one of his halos spins in small jolts, like the circular reel on a viewmaster toy, each eye showing a different emotions as it stops on them, giving them each a good look at the two.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He glares at him, hugging RD!Illusion as tightly as he can.]

I saw that. I won't tell you anything, not until you're dead and in your grave...

[rpduality]

Youuuu do that then, I'lllll just take the liberty to...

(All of sabre's eyes are focused on TWA!Illusion again. He feels a prickling at the edges of his mind, like something is trying to look into it.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Instead of fright, he....laughs? He laughs, right in front of him.]

Ohhhhhhh, you won't like what you find if you want to do that :) I was simply sparing you the details :)

[Illusion's mind seems to open up to his snooping around, completely, oddly, unprotected..]

[rpduality]

Ha! Now that's bold! If that's what you want, then who am I to give up the opportunity :)

(He's using the full force of his powers, and they feel...

Familiar

if a bit mixed up with something else. Instead of looking at his memories, however, Sabre takes the opportunity to try to compel him to shift back to his normal form, again pulling away RD!Illusion with his disembodied hands.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[His mind feels like it's swirling. Goddammit, he got too cocky- He...needs to...]

Augh, you bitch-!

[It hurts. He let it open too wide, and now he can't shut it out...! He's trying to latch onto something, anything that could keep him grounded, but...he's slipping. He knows he won't be able to get away scot-free this time...]

[His mind latches onto a single memory. The multiplayer screen, and the numbers in the Hypixel server. A useless thing, frankly. The number repeats over and over again.]

[Three. Seven. One. Six. Four. Three. Seven. One. Six. Four. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour...]

[It doesn't take long for his body to shift in response. Three pairs of arms, then seven, one, six, four....and finally, one. A pair of golden eyes and a laugh is stuck in his mind, practically teasing him. His hands slip..]

[rpduality]

And a yyyoink! Thank you very much, that was a big help :)

(RD!Illusion panicks, struggling against Sabre's grip and trying to use a now-free hand to grab one of TWA!Illusion's arms, missing as they shift.)

C- Come on, snap out of it! Don't let him get to you!

Once he's fully yanked back, Sabre goes to pick up the bottle, but before he can grab it, the kitten runs up and, after climbing one of his wings with its needle-like claws, gives one of his eyes a good swipe. He yells out, losing enough focus to let go of TWA!Illusion's mind.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He instinctively steps back as he's suddenly freed from Sabre's grip. His eyes blink away the memories as he remembers where he was. As soon as he sees what he's facing, he growls.]

So you're playing dirty, huh?! Two can play at that!

[When he shifts again, his body forms into not just many many arms, but his body fully and completely splits. Much like Sabre's own disembodied hands, each one grabs at him from every which way. But, more importantly, his head itself splits...]

Perhaps several, in fact!

[False versions of him start to appear from every direction, most obviously not the real one, but their many hands make it difficult to parse which hands are real or not.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre picks up the kitten by the scruff, annoyed, before teleporting it back to his lab to get it out of the way.)

OHO, Ya wanna play games with me, huh, bud? In that case, I've got something *REALLY* fun!

(The entire cave blacks out, as if engulfed in a dark void, before all the light turns back on again. Once again visible, there are now two versions of RD!Illusion; one even more confined by the puppet hands than before, another hand swooping in to cover his mouth again, and the other standing where Sabre once stood. He takes a shaky step back in confusion and fear, free of the hands.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He stares at the two of them.]

Well. Then I guess this is what we're doing now!

[He himself takes the form of RD!Illusion, purely for the sake of it. He's going to get that very very good cat back, he's sure of it. He..just...needs to play it right. He's got it.]

[Right...?]

[He pulls off the puppet hand covering the one's mouth.]

I guess let the games begin!

[rpduality]

(This Illusion is grimacing underneath the hand, before his gaze snaps to it in... surprise? as it tries to grab on to TWA!Illusion's wrist.

Meanwhile, the other RD!Illusion stumbles backwards. He's grabbed fistfuls of his own hair, hyperventilating, when his back hitting the wall brings him back to reality. He looks down, spotting the bottle next to his foot, and scoops it up, shoving it haphazardly into a random one of his inner coat pockets. It's a miracle he didn't drop and break it with how shaky his hands are.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He turns to the one that picked up the bottle.]

Hey! Bottle. Down. Now.

[In the meanwhile, he grabs the hand, attempting to break its fingers. If he can get one to react right...he might be able to get the hell outta here. God, he shouldn't have tempted fate, now he's stuck in a stupid game....AGAIN.]

No one is touching that thing.

[rpduality]

But I- ACK-

(There's the distinct sound of the creaking and snapping of rubber bands as the fingers get bent in ways they're not supposed to, and both Illusions react to the pain.

The freed one stares at his own hand in dazed confusion before passing out from the pain. He flops over right on top of the bottle, which slips out of his coat and rolls away, luckily only cracked. The cork, however, was not very secure, and has popped out of place. Some of the substance inside is leaking out onto the cave floor as the bottle rolls in a circle and hits this Illusion's hurt hand, which flinches a bit.

The confined one only winces, seemingly trying to not react to the pain at all. The hand disappears. He gives TWA!Illusion the most pathetic wet-cat facial expression he can.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Well, one down-

[He immediately picks up the passed-out Illusion, like a sack of potatoes. He grabs the cork with his other hand, quickly pulling the bottle back up while trying to avoid touching the stuff.]

One to go.

[He looks the confined one up and down.]

Can you speak? Clearly, your mouth is no longer covered. It should work the same as before.

And if not...Well. Time for more hand removal, I guess...

[rpduality]

Yes, I- I can talk, just. please let me out of these things-

(His voice sounds strained, to say the least. He's staring at the bottle nervously.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He stares at him for a long, long moment.]

Actually, I have a better idea.

[He puts the passed-out Illusion over with Elemental, before grabbing the bottle. He...just smiles at him...]

Mmmmmmaybe I should take this back home for testing...what do you think? Or maybe I should just...drink it...? :)

[rpduality]

THAT'S-

(he dryly swallows some air.)

That's probably a pretty bad idea, I don't exactly *know* what's in there, but I might have an idea of what it could be. Right before he showed up, there was some kind of weird virus going around. I couldn't figure out what was going on or how to stop it, but then it just suddenly. Went away, without a trace. That was when he first appeared, claiming he had just. Solved the situation. It was kinda amazing, really- BUT! UM! If he managed to somehow get a sample of that virus, then who knows what he could do with it-

[trapped-in-my-story]

That makes sense...farrrrrr too much sense.

[He picks up both Elemental and Illusion, before turning to the confined Illusion Steve, pocketing the bottle.]

Thank you, we shall be going now, Sabre~!

[He teleports, trying to reach the lab before He does. He can't just leave it there, he just can't-]

[rpduality]

Wait wha-

(They appear in a room full of potions equipment. Brewing stands on a counter line the walls, cabinets below emitting some. Interesting smells. Double chests are stacked high, one stack for each of the side walls that aren't the counter or the exit door. A large table sits in the middle, holding such wonders as a golden carrot sitting on a cutting board, and a pufferfish that was just. Left there.

The kitten isn't in this room.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

Pspspsps-! Come on little guy, we gotta get outta hereee-

[With the two unconscious people slung over his shoulders, it's slow going. He instinctually looks away in disgust when he sees the pufferfish.]

Nottt sticking around hereeee, eugh-

[He. Just kicks the door open, looking for the kitten.]

[rpduality]

They're back in the long hallway, with the 'exit' to their left and a trail of glowing purple and blue liquid dripped along the floor from there to the other end of the hall to the right. There's the faraway sound of the kitten mewing as loud as its tiny little voice can get, sad and lonely, before it stops at the sound of the door and the jingling of its nametags echo as it runs from one of the split off hallways to the right and starts streaking down the long hallway towards Illusion.

[trapped-in-my-story]

There you are! C'mon, let's get outta this hellhole-

[He awkwardly kneels down so it can get scooped up before they head...anywhere, at this point.]

[rpduality]

The kitten looks confusedly between TWA!Illusion and the unconscious RD!Illusion, before deciding to climb TWA!Illusion's sleeve in order to somehow perch on top of RD!Illusion, sitting down in a loaf and purring.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He quietly laughs.]

Yeah, sure, sure, that works-

[He stands back up, giving the place another glance and a glare.]

....well. Let'ssss just hope this works out in our favor- god knows how much longer I've got til I pass out too...

[Leaving the lab behind, he attempts to teleport somewhere that might be safer, maybe even somewhere they could hide, even for just a little...he tries to reach into the past for somewhere secluded and not yet known. Maybe, maybe, somewhere only he can recall...]

[rpduality]

they appear in a very familiar graveyard, the sky suddenly clear as the moon hangs perfectly in the center of it. While the graveyard is familiar, the area it's in is not nestled in the crook of a snowy mountain as abandoned snowcapped houses dot down the slope away from the entrance. While the area around them is snowy, not a single flake of it has entered the graveyard's walls.

A ball of ice blocks the entrance to a certain building, but there's a tunnel in it as if someone had dug through.

[vampocalypse-castle]

....Yeah that's. Totally normal actually. Definitely not an ominous sight.

[Once he gets his bearings, he heads into the tunnel of ice, carrying all three of his team members close so they don't freeze.]

[rpduality]

The ice quickly turns into a staircase downwards, leading to a familiar room. The room has a tomb in the middle, broken open with a ladder inside leading downwards. A tomb room, if you will.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, bringing himself to a stop.]

Cold and dusty...perfecttttt. At least we can lay low til the ghosts come home, eh?

[His voice echoes off the walls of the tomb room. He shivers a little, carefully setting RD!Illusion and Elemental down. He tiredly flops to the ground, curling up beside the others.]

Pleaseeeee don't possess me or my friends, I swear to god-

[rpduality]

Once everyone is down, the kitten fluffs up its fur and jumps off of RD!Illusion and nudges its way under TWA!Illusion's hand for warmth, curling up to go to sleep. The ground may be cold and hard, but the cat is warm and soft to the touch, vibrating a little in a near-silent purr.

It's not entirely cold in this room, as the lava on Elemental's arm slowly starts to warm up the area around them, its heat slowly permeating the air almost as a sort of aura.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, smiling tiredly as he pets it.]

...At least we're together for a moment.

[rpduality]

The room remains calm and quiet. Peaceful, despite its... decor, if you can call it that. The kitten quietly yawns, and RD!Illusion shifts, curling himself up tightly not unlike the little fluffer.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He can't help but sigh as he looks around their current place of residence.]

I guess that's more than I could possibly hope for, at this rate..

[rpduality]

The rest of the night, or. "Night", i guess, since it's permanently midnight in this place, passes without incident, though RD!Illusion keeps fidgeting, stuck in a nightmare. It seems like the perfect time to rest for a while, even the kitten feels safe enough to fall asleep, softly purring.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Illusion himself had eventually passed out, totally unable to keep up with the fast-paced experience of Dealing With Sabre. His form, which he can usually keep in shape easily, suddenly shifts as he sleeps.]

[Rather than his usual alt-teenager style, his clothes shift to a comfy sweater and black vest, his floating body fusing into a "normal" form. His face looks much more childlike (and....oddly human...) with short, messy hair in a very basic black and white haircut. His more "alien" features have been basically sanded down into a human with oddly colored skin and hair. His scorpion tail formed into a soft, fluffy tail with a galaxy-like print, though more to his color scheme than The Galaxy Steve's. He looks...oddly peaceful, for the moment.]

[rpduality]

Elemental's the first to wake up after several hours, and, while suprised at TWA!Illusion's form, decides not to wake up either of the illusions. Instead, he teleports out of the room, returning with a furnace, some chicken, some potatoes, and. An allium? He places down the furnace to cook. Whatever meal it's time for, and stares at the flower, not really knowing himself what to do with it, before setting it down on top of the furnace. He puts the food in the furnace and, quickly becoming impatient, tries to use some of his powers to speed up the cooking process. Some of the food comes out overdone, but he's got spirit!

[trapped-in-my-story]

[After a short while later, TWA!Illusion comes to with the smell of food. He tries to stretch like he usually would, only to find he has actual joints. As soon as he sees what he looks like right now, utter embarrassment fills his eyes as he tries to discretely shift back. He finds, to his horror, that he can only hold the form for a few seconds before failing. After about a comical (and sad) five minutes of this, he finally gives up and trudges over to see what Elemental has.]

....I see you made food.

[rpduality]

(Elemental eyes him for a bit, fighting to hold back a snicker. It's warm by the furnace, comforting after all this chill, though the flower placed on it is starting to wilt from the heat. He steps back a bit.)

Certainly tried-

(It's hard to tell who he's referring to.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He rolls his eyes, which are much fewer now. His sweater is far too big on him.]

I won't bring it up to him if you don't bring this up to him.

[He swipes a potato for himself, before deciding to just. Sulk beside the furnace and eat.]

[rpduality]

It's a deal, then.

(He grabs some of the chicken for himself to eat. The chicken's a bit dry, but despite the outer skin of the potato being charred, it's actually fairly well cooked in the middle, if a bit burning hot from being still fresh from the furnace.

The deal may not need to be upheld, as RD!Illusion stirs from his sleep. At some point, he had subconsciously taken his glasses off in his sleep, and he grabs for them, eyes still half-closed and bleary.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Illusion instinctively curls up in his sweater even more, tail fluffing up as he realizes he might be caught immediately.]

Goddammit-

[rpduality]

Elemental makes no move to intervene as RD!Illusion rubs the sleep out of his eyes and puts his glasses on and squints up at TWA!Illusion, not seeming to recognize him at first.

...a child?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He covers his face with his sleeves, immediately embarassed.]

Ohhh my goddddd..

No. No I am most certainly not.

[Even though his voice is the same, it's clear that all the edge to him is lost. Trying to hiss about it doesn't even come off as anything more than a kitten trying to puff up in panic.]

[rpduality]

He perks up when he recognizes his voice, before looking at the kitten, which is finally starting to try to clean the blood of itself.

I see the comparison now..

Are you alright?

[trapped-in-my-story]

Goddammit...

[He huffs, glancing at the small kitten from behind the soft, oversized sleeves.]

This is the last thing I'd want you all to see >:/

[rpduality]

(The kitten decides to trot over to TWA!Illusion and rub its head against his leg, mewing. aww.)

could I please have one of those potatoes?

(Elemental hands RD!Illusion some food as he looks around the room, partially embarrassed that he mistook TWA!Illusion for a child and partially because he recognizes it.)

... Is this where I think it is..?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[TWA!Illusion sighs, finally giving in and petting the brave little critter.]

...probably is...

[rpduality]

(He bites into the potato like an apple before carefully and wobbily using one of the alcoves in the wall to pull himself up, pausing as he gets lightheaded for a second as the not-enough-blood rushes down to his legs. He then crosses the room to lean against the tomb in the center, looking down its ladder.)

be careful-

[trapped-in-my-story]

We do not need you to break more bones, thank you.

[He watches him wobble across the room, wondering what he's up to now.]

[rpduality]

I'll be fine-

(he stares down the ladder for a minute longer before stepping over the side of the tomb and climbing down, dissappearing from view into the catacombs.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, glancing at Elemental as he continues to pet the cat.]

....should we really be letting him down there with no supervision?

[He was going to say "no adult supervision," but let's be real, TWA!Illusion is no better.]

[rpduality]

(Elemental's just staring at the ladder at the ladder at this point, bewildered in an exasperated sort of way.)

To be honest, I. Did not expect him do do that.

(He pauses for a second longer before taking a quick step to look down the hole to make sure Illusion did not hurt himself.

... Where did he go.

[trapped-in-my-story]

..What do you mean where did he go-

[He struggles to stand up, not used to being in this body.]

[rpduality]

(Illusion is no longer visible at the bottom of the ladder, having taken a few steps deeper into the catacombs. He's crouching, so his nametag is not visible through the wall. His voice echoes up from below.)

I'm fine, I'm just checking something.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Good lord, you cannot just do that-

[He sighs, plopping back on the ground. He's still tired even after succumbing to sleep.]

[rpduality]

I can do whatever I want, thank you very much.

(Only silence follows as Elemental continues to stare down the ladder in concern, unsure if he should follow him down. Eventually he puts his head in a very lava-covered hand.)

Why are you like this...

[trapped-in-my-story]

I think we Illusion Steves are just a little bit bizarre.

[He watches this go down, awkwardly sitting in the corner.]

[rpduality]

(He pauses for a second, before looking up at Illusion in confusion and curiosity.)

Illusion steves?

[rpduality]

@trapped-in-my-story (making a new post bc pc tumblr got Consumed By The Darkness for a sec as I was trying to scroll down)

...

His nametag flickers and glitches slightly, as if it's broken. RD!Illusion buries himself further into his notebook, but is mostly doodling in the margins now, making little diagram sketches of RD!Sabre's weird wing cloak thing.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He finally just gives up on comprehending what's up with this guy and lets his face flop onto the cold, frosty ground.]

[rpduality]

Patches of frosted-over grass prickle slightly against him, like laying on a bed of brittle needles. It's almost as prickly as the kitten's fur is getting as it stares at nothing. A growl escapes from its throat as a snap can be heard, causing Elemental to pass out again, and a green glow begins manifesting near RD!Illusion.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[It's far from comfortable, but he'll make do. But as soon as he hears its growl, his own fur prickles up as his ears swivel towards the unusual sound. A deep, animalistic hiss rises from his own throat as his eyes jolt open, turning towards the uncomfortably green hue...]

Fucking. HELL.

[In one swift move, he scoops up the kitten onto his shoulder, using one of his back legs to kick at the glow, being careful not to hurt RD!Illusion. With his front paws, he tries to catch Elemental.]

[rpduality]

Elemental is successfully caught before he hits the ground, but the green, as well as RD!Illusion, are just out of reach. The glow brightens and 3 sets of wings open up out of seemingly nothing, revealing this world's Sabre with the same almost-performative flair as at the exit to his lab. He yanks up RD!Illusion by the arm, keeping him held in place as he tries to fight back, too weakened to do much.

Freaking finally! I thought I'd never get this chance! You are wayyyy too overprotective, you know :)

[trapped-in-my-story]

As I should be, clearly...

[He scowls and hisses at the bitch-ass-motherfucker before him, practically tossing Elemental behind him protectively. All five eyes are trained on Sabre. As soon as El is out of the way, his body starts transforming like it did once before.]

What do you even WANT with a weak player like him, anyways?!?! You just toy with people like they're damned prey!

[rpduality]

Well, that's just it! He *claims* he's a player-

Because I *am* one, you insufferable-

an extra, puppet-like floating hand appears out of nowhere, covering RD!Illusion's mouth.

MMPH--

As I was saying, he claims he's a player, gave everyone around him a near-encyclopedic description of what players are and what they can do, and these line up with old stories of players showing up in this world in the past, but half of his claims don't even seem to apply to him! I just wanna find out what he truly is!

He raises his wing and an arm as more puppet-like hands restrain a still-struggling Illusion. He clenches his own raised hand into a fist.

A pursuit of curiosity! Is that so wrong?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He's now standing up, his paws turned to hooves, as he takes on the boar form once again, his hands balled up into fists. His words come out as a barely-restrained hiss, whispered just above his breath.]

Curiosity?

CURIOSITY?!?

Do you even hear yourself? You know curiosity kills the cat! If ya snoop around too far, ya tend to regret it! YOU YOURSELF certainly don't seem to be everything you are on the surface, either! You could've chosen anywhere, anything! And yet! AND YET! THIS?

THIS IS WHAT YOU CHOOSE ANYWAYS?!?

...God, you're as insufferable as I am. You can't leave a single mystery alone, even if there's no damned reason...

[rpduality]

He grins wildly, larger than should be humanly possible.

Curiosity may kill the cat, but did ya hear? Satisfaction brings it back!

He gives an arrogant laugh.

Besides! I already know everything else about this world, that information was basically beamed into my head as soon as I was created! This guy - and you, I guess - are the only gaps I have left in my knowledge, and I just have one more experiment I'd like to do before I'm done with him.

He pulls out a bottle of a sickly, swirling blue-and-green ooze, looking like if an infection was condensed into a slimy form.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Oh, no you don't-!

[He leaps at him, trying to get the bottle out of his hands. If he can't get RD!Illusion out of here, then he'll take one for the fucking team if he has to.]

I'M SO TIRED OF THIS BULLSHIT, AND I SWEAR TO GOD, FUCKING TAKE ME THEN! SEE HOW THAT WORKS OUT!

[rpduality]

Sabre quickly steps back, moving RD!Illusion in front of himself.

Hey now, you don't wanna hurt your... friend? Your you?

...

This guy

by mistake, now, do you? :)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Instead, he grabs onto RD!lllusion, staring up at Sabre with murderous eyes. Practically hugging him, even. His neck fluff is still covering much of his chest, cushioning his impact.]

One way or another, I'll defy you like I've defied every. Thing. Else.

[rpduality]

RD!Illusion is still confined and muted by the strange puppet hands, so all he's seemingly able to do is bury his forehead into TWA!Illusion's neck fluff. He feels very bony through his clothes.

Yeah, naw bud, that's not how this is gonna work.

Another puppet hand manifests, grabbing for TWA!Illusion's neck fluff, trying to scruff him like an angry cat. All of Sabre's eyes are looking at him now, and he can feel a tugging at his mind, something trying to compel him to let go as Sabre sticks the needle of a syringe through the cork of the bottle to get some of the goop out, when suddenly the syringe needle breaks by a sudden jolt and the tugging stops, sabre's concentration broken. The hand covering RD!Illusion's mouth jerks away and disappears, leaving behind something wet to drop to the ground in a small splatter.

What the- Did you just lick my hand!? Aw- That's disgusting, man!

RD!Illusion turns his head and sticks his tongue out at what he hopes is Sabre; he's keeping his eyes closed to avoid eye contact.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He grins. Sabre did manage to scruff him, but he did not let go. The floating rings stretch out from his hands as he's pulled slightly away from RD!Illusion.]

I told you :)

[Still, he knows he needs to play his cards right. When Sabre is distracted, he shifts his fluffy mane into a hard, rocky substance that weighs his body down and pokes everything that touches it.]

[rpduality]

A- ow!

Ack-

Both RD! Sabre and Illusion yelp in pain, Illusion still being half-buried in the fluff and Sabre being more dramatic, the hand scruffing TWA!Illusion and a few of the hands confining RD!Illusion disappearing. Sabre drops the bottle, which surprisingly does not shatter on impact with the ground. Good thing, too; the contents of this bottle are not something you want a splash potion of.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[His head floats up and away from his body, as all six of his limbs immediately latching onto RD!Illusion. He headbutts Sabre as hard as he can, his hands holding his alternate self protectively as he pulls back. His tail attempts to push the bottle away.]

[rpduality]

Sabre's twin metallic halos clank together hard against his skull, making a really satisfying sound and causing almost all of his eyes to close as he flinches back from the blow.

Ow ow OW! That is just plain rude what is WRONG with you-

He puts his arms up, shielding his face.

The bottle rolls away, but it's sitting at an angle so it just kind of rolls in a circle and ends up closer than it was before.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He kicks at him, his mane turning back into fur as he launches himself back with RD!Illusion in his arms.]

Says YOU, who's fully intending on INJECTING SOMETHING directly into our bloodstreams!

[His body grows longer, as he gains more limbs like a pigeon-colored centipede. He reaches back to pick up Elemental and make sure the kitten is alright, keeping an eye on the vial of mystery goo...]

[He's GOTTA get that vial. They need to find out what this is, before they have yet another encounter....]

[rpduality]

Only HIS body, I already know how that stuff reacts to STEVES!

He's using his wings to shield himself now, using whatever hands he has left grabbing RD!Illusion to try to yank him back. One pulling at his wrist causes a sharp popping sound, and Illusion flinches, biting back a hiss before wrenching his head around to bite the disembodied hand.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He must have at least a dozen arms by now, all grabbing at Sabre's. When he hears that sharp pop, Illusion hisses too, slashing at the hand. He's no longer going for the offense, just defense. He needs to get out, he needs to get out, he needs to get OUT-]

Really?! Then maybe try it on YOURSELF, CUZ THE ONLY MOTHERFUCKING PLAYER I SEE HERE IS YOU!

[For a split second, he freezes.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre pauses, cocking his head to one side in confusion as his halos recalibrate themselves and he lowers his wings a bit to look at them. RD!Illusion looks up at him, equally confused.)

What are you talking about? I'm not a player-

(That seems to have really thrown him off, as the overly exaggerated chipper tone in his voice all but dissappears.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Just as soon as he'd frozen up, he suddenly pulls RD!Illusion away as fast as possible with all his might. And just as quickly as he'd lost his nerve, he seemed to regain it, retorting back with only slight hesitance in his voice.]

You certainly act like a certain someone I know!

[But it was already clear that he'd spoken something that had been on his mind since first seeing Sabre. The way his eyes glanced between the two said everything.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre's back to putting on his energetic tone.)

I have. No idea what you're talking about!

Though I suppose if there are more of him in the universe there may as well be more of me... interesting!

(one of his halos spins in small jolts, like the circular reel on a viewmaster toy, each eye showing a different emotions as it stops on them, giving them each a good look at the two.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He glares at him, hugging RD!Illusion as tightly as he can.]

I saw that. I won't tell you anything, not until you're dead and in your grave...

[rpduality]

Youuuu do that then, I'lllll just take the liberty to...

(All of sabre's eyes are focused on TWA!Illusion again. He feels a prickling at the edges of his mind, like something is trying to look into it.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Instead of fright, he....laughs? He laughs, right in front of him.]

Ohhhhhhh, you won't like what you find if you want to do that :) I was simply sparing you the details :)

[Illusion's mind seems to open up to his snooping around, completely, oddly, unprotected..]

[rpduality]

Ha! Now that's bold! If that's what you want, then who am I to give up the opportunity :)

(He's using the full force of his powers, and they feel...

Familiar

if a bit mixed up with something else. Instead of looking at his memories, however, Sabre takes the opportunity to try to compel him to shift back to his normal form, again pulling away RD!Illusion with his disembodied hands.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[His mind feels like it's swirling. Goddammit, he got too cocky- He...needs to...]

Augh, you bitch-!

[It hurts. He let it open too wide, and now he can't shut it out...! He's trying to latch onto something, anything that could keep him grounded, but...he's slipping. He knows he won't be able to get away scot-free this time...]

[His mind latches onto a single memory. The multiplayer screen, and the numbers in the Hypixel server. A useless thing, frankly. The number repeats over and over again.]

[Three. Seven. One. Six. Four. Three. Seven. One. Six. Four. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour...]

[It doesn't take long for his body to shift in response. Three pairs of arms, then seven, one, six, four....and finally, one. A pair of golden eyes and a laugh is stuck in his mind, practically teasing him. His hands slip..]

[rpduality]

And a yyyoink! Thank you very much, that was a big help :)

(RD!Illusion panicks, struggling against Sabre's grip and trying to use a now-free hand to grab one of TWA!Illusion's arms, missing as they shift.)

C- Come on, snap out of it! Don't let him get to you!

Once he's fully yanked back, Sabre goes to pick up the bottle, but before he can grab it, the kitten runs up and, after climbing one of his wings with its needle-like claws, gives one of his eyes a good swipe. He yells out, losing enough focus to let go of TWA!Illusion's mind.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He instinctively steps back as he's suddenly freed from Sabre's grip. His eyes blink away the memories as he remembers where he was. As soon as he sees what he's facing, he growls.]

So you're playing dirty, huh?! Two can play at that!

[When he shifts again, his body forms into not just many many arms, but his body fully and completely splits. Much like Sabre's own disembodied hands, each one grabs at him from every which way. But, more importantly, his head itself splits...]

Perhaps several, in fact!

[False versions of him start to appear from every direction, most obviously not the real one, but their many hands make it difficult to parse which hands are real or not.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre picks up the kitten by the scruff, annoyed, before teleporting it back to his lab to get it out of the way.)

OHO, Ya wanna play games with me, huh, bud? In that case, I've got something *REALLY* fun!

(The entire cave blacks out, as if engulfed in a dark void, before all the light turns back on again. Once again visible, there are now two versions of RD!Illusion; one even more confined by the puppet hands than before, another hand swooping in to cover his mouth again, and the other standing where Sabre once stood. He takes a shaky step back in confusion and fear, free of the hands.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He stares at the two of them.]

Well. Then I guess this is what we're doing now!

[He himself takes the form of RD!Illusion, purely for the sake of it. He's going to get that very very good cat back, he's sure of it. He..just...needs to play it right. He's got it.]

[Right...?]

[He pulls off the puppet hand covering the one's mouth.]

I guess let the games begin!

[rpduality]

(This Illusion is grimacing underneath the hand, before his gaze snaps to it in... surprise? as it tries to grab on to TWA!Illusion's wrist.

Meanwhile, the other RD!Illusion stumbles backwards. He's grabbed fistfuls of his own hair, hyperventilating, when his back hitting the wall brings him back to reality. He looks down, spotting the bottle next to his foot, and scoops it up, shoving it haphazardly into a random one of his inner coat pockets. It's a miracle he didn't drop and break it with how shaky his hands are.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He turns to the one that picked up the bottle.]

Hey! Bottle. Down. Now.

[In the meanwhile, he grabs the hand, attempting to break its fingers. If he can get one to react right...he might be able to get the hell outta here. God, he shouldn't have tempted fate, now he's stuck in a stupid game....AGAIN.]

No one is touching that thing.

[rpduality]

But I- ACK-

(There's the distinct sound of the creaking and snapping of rubber bands as the fingers get bent in ways they're not supposed to, and both Illusions react to the pain.

The freed one stares at his own hand in dazed confusion before passing out from the pain. He flops over right on top of the bottle, which slips out of his coat and rolls away, luckily only cracked. The cork, however, was not very secure, and has popped out of place. Some of the substance inside is leaking out onto the cave floor as the bottle rolls in a circle and hits this Illusion's hurt hand, which flinches a bit.

The confined one only winces, seemingly trying to not react to the pain at all. The hand disappears. He gives TWA!Illusion the most pathetic wet-cat facial expression he can.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Well, one down-

[He immediately picks up the passed-out Illusion, like a sack of potatoes. He grabs the cork with his other hand, quickly pulling the bottle back up while trying to avoid touching the stuff.]

One to go.

[He looks the confined one up and down.]

Can you speak? Clearly, your mouth is no longer covered. It should work the same as before.

And if not...Well. Time for more hand removal, I guess...

[rpduality]

Yes, I- I can talk, just. please let me out of these things-

(His voice sounds strained, to say the least. He's staring at the bottle nervously.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He stares at him for a long, long moment.]

Actually, I have a better idea.

[He puts the passed-out Illusion over with Elemental, before grabbing the bottle. He...just smiles at him...]

Mmmmmmaybe I should take this back home for testing...what do you think? Or maybe I should just...drink it...? :)

[rpduality]

THAT'S-

(he dryly swallows some air.)

That's probably a pretty bad idea, I don't exactly *know* what's in there, but I might have an idea of what it could be. Right before he showed up, there was some kind of weird virus going around. I couldn't figure out what was going on or how to stop it, but then it just suddenly. Went away, without a trace. That was when he first appeared, claiming he had just. Solved the situation. It was kinda amazing, really- BUT! UM! If he managed to somehow get a sample of that virus, then who knows what he could do with it-

[trapped-in-my-story]

That makes sense...farrrrrr too much sense.

[He picks up both Elemental and Illusion, before turning to the confined Illusion Steve, pocketing the bottle.]

Thank you, we shall be going now, Sabre~!

[He teleports, trying to reach the lab before He does. He can't just leave it there, he just can't-]

[rpduality]

Wait wha-

(They appear in a room full of potions equipment. Brewing stands on a counter line the walls, cabinets below emitting some. Interesting smells. Double chests are stacked high, one stack for each of the side walls that aren't the counter or the exit door. A large table sits in the middle, holding such wonders as a golden carrot sitting on a cutting board, and a pufferfish that was just. Left there.

The kitten isn't in this room.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

Pspspsps-! Come on little guy, we gotta get outta hereee-

[With the two unconscious people slung over his shoulders, it's slow going. He instinctually looks away in disgust when he sees the pufferfish.]

Nottt sticking around hereeee, eugh-

[He. Just kicks the door open, looking for the kitten.]

[rpduality]

They're back in the long hallway, with the 'exit' to their left and a trail of glowing purple and blue liquid dripped along the floor from there to the other end of the hall to the right. There's the faraway sound of the kitten mewing as loud as its tiny little voice can get, sad and lonely, before it stops at the sound of the door and the jingling of its nametags echo as it runs from one of the split off hallways to the right and starts streaking down the long hallway towards Illusion.

[trapped-in-my-story]

There you are! C'mon, let's get outta this hellhole-

[He awkwardly kneels down so it can get scooped up before they head...anywhere, at this point.]

[rpduality]

The kitten looks confusedly between TWA!Illusion and the unconscious RD!Illusion, before deciding to climb TWA!Illusion's sleeve in order to somehow perch on top of RD!Illusion, sitting down in a loaf and purring.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He quietly laughs.]

Yeah, sure, sure, that works-

[He stands back up, giving the place another glance and a glare.]

....well. Let'ssss just hope this works out in our favor- god knows how much longer I've got til I pass out too...

[Leaving the lab behind, he attempts to teleport somewhere that might be safer, maybe even somewhere they could hide, even for just a little...he tries to reach into the past for somewhere secluded and not yet known. Maybe, maybe, somewhere only he can recall...]

[rpduality]

they appear in a very familiar graveyard, the sky suddenly clear as the moon hangs perfectly in the center of it. While the graveyard is familiar, the area it's in is not nestled in the crook of a snowy mountain as abandoned snowcapped houses dot down the slope away from the entrance. While the area around them is snowy, not a single flake of it has entered the graveyard's walls.

A ball of ice blocks the entrance to a certain building, but there's a tunnel in it as if someone had dug through.

[vampocalypse-castle]

....Yeah that's. Totally normal actually. Definitely not an ominous sight.

[Once he gets his bearings, he heads into the tunnel of ice, carrying all three of his team members close so they don't freeze.]

[rpduality]

The ice quickly turns into a staircase downwards, leading to a familiar room. The room has a tomb in the middle, broken open with a ladder inside leading downwards. A tomb room, if you will.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, bringing himself to a stop.]

Cold and dusty...perfecttttt. At least we can lay low til the ghosts come home, eh?

[His voice echoes off the walls of the tomb room. He shivers a little, carefully setting RD!Illusion and Elemental down. He tiredly flops to the ground, curling up beside the others.]

Pleaseeeee don't possess me or my friends, I swear to god-

[rpduality]

Once everyone is down, the kitten fluffs up its fur and jumps off of RD!Illusion and nudges its way under TWA!Illusion's hand for warmth, curling up to go to sleep. The ground may be cold and hard, but the cat is warm and soft to the touch, vibrating a little in a near-silent purr.

It's not entirely cold in this room, as the lava on Elemental's arm slowly starts to warm up the area around them, its heat slowly permeating the air almost as a sort of aura.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, smiling tiredly as he pets it.]

...At least we're together for a moment.

[rpduality]

The room remains calm and quiet. Peaceful, despite its... decor, if you can call it that. The kitten quietly yawns, and RD!Illusion shifts, curling himself up tightly not unlike the little fluffer.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He can't help but sigh as he looks around their current place of residence.]

I guess that's more than I could possibly hope for, at this rate..

[rpduality]

The rest of the night, or. "Night", i guess, since it's permanently midnight in this place, passes without incident, though RD!Illusion keeps fidgeting, stuck in a nightmare. It seems like the perfect time to rest for a while, even the kitten feels safe enough to fall asleep, softly purring.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Illusion himself had eventually passed out, totally unable to keep up with the fast-paced experience of Dealing With Sabre. His form, which he can usually keep in shape easily, suddenly shifts as he sleeps.]

[Rather than his usual alt-teenager style, his clothes shift to a comfy sweater and black vest, his floating body fusing into a "normal" form. His face looks much more childlike (and....oddly human...) with short, messy hair in a very basic black and white haircut. His more "alien" features have been basically sanded down into a human with oddly colored skin and hair. His scorpion tail formed into a soft, fluffy tail with a galaxy-like print, though more to his color scheme than The Galaxy Steve's. He looks...oddly peaceful, for the moment.]

[rpduality]

Elemental's the first to wake up after several hours, and, while suprised at TWA!Illusion's form, decides not to wake up either of the illusions. Instead, he teleports out of the room, returning with a furnace, some chicken, some potatoes, and. An allium? He places down the furnace to cook. Whatever meal it's time for, and stares at the flower, not really knowing himself what to do with it, before setting it down on top of the furnace. He puts the food in the furnace and, quickly becoming impatient, tries to use some of his powers to speed up the cooking process. Some of the food comes out overdone, but he's got spirit!

[trapped-in-my-story]

[After a short while later, TWA!Illusion comes to with the smell of food. He tries to stretch like he usually would, only to find he has actual joints. As soon as he sees what he looks like right now, utter embarrassment fills his eyes as he tries to discretely shift back. He finds, to his horror, that he can only hold the form for a few seconds before failing. After about a comical (and sad) five minutes of this, he finally gives up and trudges over to see what Elemental has.]

....I see you made food.

[rpduality]

(Elemental eyes him for a bit, fighting to hold back a snicker. It's warm by the furnace, comforting after all this chill, though the flower placed on it is starting to wilt from the heat. He steps back a bit.)

Certainly tried-

(It's hard to tell who he's referring to.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He rolls his eyes, which are much fewer now. His sweater is far too big on him.]

I won't bring it up to him if you don't bring this up to him.

[He swipes a potato for himself, before deciding to just. Sulk beside the furnace and eat.]

[rpduality]

It's a deal, then.

(He grabs some of the chicken for himself to eat. The chicken's a bit dry, but despite the outer skin of the potato being charred, it's actually fairly well cooked in the middle, if a bit burning hot from being still fresh from the furnace.

The deal may not need to be upheld, as RD!Illusion stirs from his sleep. At some point, he had subconsciously taken his glasses off in his sleep, and he grabs for them, eyes still half-closed and bleary.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Illusion instinctively curls up in his sweater even more, tail fluffing up as he realizes he might be caught immediately.]

Goddammit-

[rpduality]

Elemental makes no move to intervene as RD!Illusion rubs the sleep out of his eyes and puts his glasses on and squints up at TWA!Illusion, not seeming to recognize him at first.

...a child?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He covers his face with his sleeves, immediately embarassed.]

Ohhh my goddddd..

No. No I am most certainly not.

[Even though his voice is the same, it's clear that all the edge to him is lost. Trying to hiss about it doesn't even come off as anything more than a kitten trying to puff up in panic.]

[rpduality]

He perks up when he recognizes his voice, before looking at the kitten, which is finally starting to try to clean the blood of itself.

I see the comparison now..

Are you alright?

[trapped-in-my-story]

Goddammit...

[He huffs, glancing at the small kitten from behind the soft, oversized sleeves.]

This is the last thing I'd want you all to see >:/

[rpduality]

(The kitten decides to trot over to TWA!Illusion and rub its head against his leg, mewing. aww.)

could I please have one of those potatoes?

(Elemental hands RD!Illusion some food as he looks around the room, partially embarrassed that he mistook TWA!Illusion for a child and partially because he recognizes it.)

... Is this where I think it is..?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[TWA!Illusion sighs, finally giving in and petting the brave little critter.]

...probably is...

[rpduality]

(He bites into the potato like an apple before carefully and wobbily using one of the alcoves in the wall to pull himself up, pausing as he gets lightheaded for a second as the not-enough-blood rushes down to his legs. He then crosses the room to lean against the tomb in the center, looking down its ladder.)

be careful-

[trapped-in-my-story]

We do not need you to break more bones, thank you.

[He watches him wobble across the room, wondering what he's up to now.]

[rpduality]

I'll be fine-

(he stares down the ladder for a minute longer before stepping over the side of the tomb and climbing down, dissappearing from view into the catacombs.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, glancing at Elemental as he continues to pet the cat.]

....should we really be letting him down there with no supervision?

[He was going to say "no adult supervision," but let's be real, TWA!Illusion is no better.]

[rpduality]

(Elemental's just staring at the ladder at the ladder at this point, bewildered in an exasperated sort of way.)

To be honest, I. Did not expect him do do that.

(He pauses for a second longer before taking a quick step to look down the hole to make sure Illusion did not hurt himself.

... Where did he go.

[trapped-in-my-story]

..What do you mean where did he go-

[He struggles to stand up, not used to being in this body.]

[rpduality]

(Illusion is no longer visible at the bottom of the ladder, having taken a few steps deeper into the catacombs. He's crouching, so his nametag is not visible through the wall. His voice echoes up from below.)

I'm fine, I'm just checking something.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Good lord, you cannot just do that-

[He sighs, plopping back on the ground. He's still tired even after succumbing to sleep.]

[rpduality]

I can do whatever I want, thank you very much.

(Only silence follows as Elemental continues to stare down the ladder in concern, unsure if he should follow him down. Eventually he puts his head in a very lava-covered hand.)

Why are you like this...

[rpduality]

@trapped-in-my-story (making a new post bc pc tumblr got Consumed By The Darkness for a sec as I was trying to scroll down)

...

His nametag flickers and glitches slightly, as if it's broken. RD!Illusion buries himself further into his notebook, but is mostly doodling in the margins now, making little diagram sketches of RD!Sabre's weird wing cloak thing.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He finally just gives up on comprehending what's up with this guy and lets his face flop onto the cold, frosty ground.]

[rpduality]

Patches of frosted-over grass prickle slightly against him, like laying on a bed of brittle needles. It's almost as prickly as the kitten's fur is getting as it stares at nothing. A growl escapes from its throat as a snap can be heard, causing Elemental to pass out again, and a green glow begins manifesting near RD!Illusion.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[It's far from comfortable, but he'll make do. But as soon as he hears its growl, his own fur prickles up as his ears swivel towards the unusual sound. A deep, animalistic hiss rises from his own throat as his eyes jolt open, turning towards the uncomfortably green hue...]

Fucking. HELL.

[In one swift move, he scoops up the kitten onto his shoulder, using one of his back legs to kick at the glow, being careful not to hurt RD!Illusion. With his front paws, he tries to catch Elemental.]

[rpduality]

Elemental is successfully caught before he hits the ground, but the green, as well as RD!Illusion, are just out of reach. The glow brightens and 3 sets of wings open up out of seemingly nothing, revealing this world's Sabre with the same almost-performative flair as at the exit to his lab. He yanks up RD!Illusion by the arm, keeping him held in place as he tries to fight back, too weakened to do much.

Freaking finally! I thought I'd never get this chance! You are wayyyy too overprotective, you know :)

[trapped-in-my-story]

As I should be, clearly...

[He scowls and hisses at the bitch-ass-motherfucker before him, practically tossing Elemental behind him protectively. All five eyes are trained on Sabre. As soon as El is out of the way, his body starts transforming like it did once before.]

What do you even WANT with a weak player like him, anyways?!?! You just toy with people like they're damned prey!

[rpduality]

Well, that's just it! He *claims* he's a player-

Because I *am* one, you insufferable-

an extra, puppet-like floating hand appears out of nowhere, covering RD!Illusion's mouth.

MMPH--

As I was saying, he claims he's a player, gave everyone around him a near-encyclopedic description of what players are and what they can do, and these line up with old stories of players showing up in this world in the past, but half of his claims don't even seem to apply to him! I just wanna find out what he truly is!

He raises his wing and an arm as more puppet-like hands restrain a still-struggling Illusion. He clenches his own raised hand into a fist.

A pursuit of curiosity! Is that so wrong?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He's now standing up, his paws turned to hooves, as he takes on the boar form once again, his hands balled up into fists. His words come out as a barely-restrained hiss, whispered just above his breath.]

Curiosity?

CURIOSITY?!?

Do you even hear yourself? You know curiosity kills the cat! If ya snoop around too far, ya tend to regret it! YOU YOURSELF certainly don't seem to be everything you are on the surface, either! You could've chosen anywhere, anything! And yet! AND YET! THIS?

THIS IS WHAT YOU CHOOSE ANYWAYS?!?

...God, you're as insufferable as I am. You can't leave a single mystery alone, even if there's no damned reason...

[rpduality]

He grins wildly, larger than should be humanly possible.

Curiosity may kill the cat, but did ya hear? Satisfaction brings it back!

He gives an arrogant laugh.

Besides! I already know everything else about this world, that information was basically beamed into my head as soon as I was created! This guy - and you, I guess - are the only gaps I have left in my knowledge, and I just have one more experiment I'd like to do before I'm done with him.

He pulls out a bottle of a sickly, swirling blue-and-green ooze, looking like if an infection was condensed into a slimy form.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Oh, no you don't-!

[He leaps at him, trying to get the bottle out of his hands. If he can't get RD!Illusion out of here, then he'll take one for the fucking team if he has to.]

I'M SO TIRED OF THIS BULLSHIT, AND I SWEAR TO GOD, FUCKING TAKE ME THEN! SEE HOW THAT WORKS OUT!

[rpduality]

Sabre quickly steps back, moving RD!Illusion in front of himself.

Hey now, you don't wanna hurt your... friend? Your you?

...

This guy

by mistake, now, do you? :)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Instead, he grabs onto RD!lllusion, staring up at Sabre with murderous eyes. Practically hugging him, even. His neck fluff is still covering much of his chest, cushioning his impact.]

One way or another, I'll defy you like I've defied every. Thing. Else.

[rpduality]

RD!Illusion is still confined and muted by the strange puppet hands, so all he's seemingly able to do is bury his forehead into TWA!Illusion's neck fluff. He feels very bony through his clothes.

Yeah, naw bud, that's not how this is gonna work.

Another puppet hand manifests, grabbing for TWA!Illusion's neck fluff, trying to scruff him like an angry cat. All of Sabre's eyes are looking at him now, and he can feel a tugging at his mind, something trying to compel him to let go as Sabre sticks the needle of a syringe through the cork of the bottle to get some of the goop out, when suddenly the syringe needle breaks by a sudden jolt and the tugging stops, sabre's concentration broken. The hand covering RD!Illusion's mouth jerks away and disappears, leaving behind something wet to drop to the ground in a small splatter.

What the- Did you just lick my hand!? Aw- That's disgusting, man!

RD!Illusion turns his head and sticks his tongue out at what he hopes is Sabre; he's keeping his eyes closed to avoid eye contact.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He grins. Sabre did manage to scruff him, but he did not let go. The floating rings stretch out from his hands as he's pulled slightly away from RD!Illusion.]

I told you :)

[Still, he knows he needs to play his cards right. When Sabre is distracted, he shifts his fluffy mane into a hard, rocky substance that weighs his body down and pokes everything that touches it.]

[rpduality]

A- ow!

Ack-

Both RD! Sabre and Illusion yelp in pain, Illusion still being half-buried in the fluff and Sabre being more dramatic, the hand scruffing TWA!Illusion and a few of the hands confining RD!Illusion disappearing. Sabre drops the bottle, which surprisingly does not shatter on impact with the ground. Good thing, too; the contents of this bottle are not something you want a splash potion of.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[His head floats up and away from his body, as all six of his limbs immediately latching onto RD!Illusion. He headbutts Sabre as hard as he can, his hands holding his alternate self protectively as he pulls back. His tail attempts to push the bottle away.]

[rpduality]

Sabre's twin metallic halos clank together hard against his skull, making a really satisfying sound and causing almost all of his eyes to close as he flinches back from the blow.

Ow ow OW! That is just plain rude what is WRONG with you-

He puts his arms up, shielding his face.

The bottle rolls away, but it's sitting at an angle so it just kind of rolls in a circle and ends up closer than it was before.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He kicks at him, his mane turning back into fur as he launches himself back with RD!Illusion in his arms.]

Says YOU, who's fully intending on INJECTING SOMETHING directly into our bloodstreams!

[His body grows longer, as he gains more limbs like a pigeon-colored centipede. He reaches back to pick up Elemental and make sure the kitten is alright, keeping an eye on the vial of mystery goo...]

[He's GOTTA get that vial. They need to find out what this is, before they have yet another encounter....]

[rpduality]

Only HIS body, I already know how that stuff reacts to STEVES!

He's using his wings to shield himself now, using whatever hands he has left grabbing RD!Illusion to try to yank him back. One pulling at his wrist causes a sharp popping sound, and Illusion flinches, biting back a hiss before wrenching his head around to bite the disembodied hand.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He must have at least a dozen arms by now, all grabbing at Sabre's. When he hears that sharp pop, Illusion hisses too, slashing at the hand. He's no longer going for the offense, just defense. He needs to get out, he needs to get out, he needs to get OUT-]

Really?! Then maybe try it on YOURSELF, CUZ THE ONLY MOTHERFUCKING PLAYER I SEE HERE IS YOU!

[For a split second, he freezes.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre pauses, cocking his head to one side in confusion as his halos recalibrate themselves and he lowers his wings a bit to look at them. RD!Illusion looks up at him, equally confused.)

What are you talking about? I'm not a player-

(That seems to have really thrown him off, as the overly exaggerated chipper tone in his voice all but dissappears.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Just as soon as he'd frozen up, he suddenly pulls RD!Illusion away as fast as possible with all his might. And just as quickly as he'd lost his nerve, he seemed to regain it, retorting back with only slight hesitance in his voice.]

You certainly act like a certain someone I know!

[But it was already clear that he'd spoken something that had been on his mind since first seeing Sabre. The way his eyes glanced between the two said everything.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre's back to putting on his energetic tone.)

I have. No idea what you're talking about!

Though I suppose if there are more of him in the universe there may as well be more of me... interesting!

(one of his halos spins in small jolts, like the circular reel on a viewmaster toy, each eye showing a different emotions as it stops on them, giving them each a good look at the two.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He glares at him, hugging RD!Illusion as tightly as he can.]

I saw that. I won't tell you anything, not until you're dead and in your grave...

[rpduality]

Youuuu do that then, I'lllll just take the liberty to...

(All of sabre's eyes are focused on TWA!Illusion again. He feels a prickling at the edges of his mind, like something is trying to look into it.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Instead of fright, he....laughs? He laughs, right in front of him.]

Ohhhhhhh, you won't like what you find if you want to do that :) I was simply sparing you the details :)

[Illusion's mind seems to open up to his snooping around, completely, oddly, unprotected..]

[rpduality]

Ha! Now that's bold! If that's what you want, then who am I to give up the opportunity :)

(He's using the full force of his powers, and they feel...

Familiar

if a bit mixed up with something else. Instead of looking at his memories, however, Sabre takes the opportunity to try to compel him to shift back to his normal form, again pulling away RD!Illusion with his disembodied hands.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[His mind feels like it's swirling. Goddammit, he got too cocky- He...needs to...]

Augh, you bitch-!

[It hurts. He let it open too wide, and now he can't shut it out...! He's trying to latch onto something, anything that could keep him grounded, but...he's slipping. He knows he won't be able to get away scot-free this time...]

[His mind latches onto a single memory. The multiplayer screen, and the numbers in the Hypixel server. A useless thing, frankly. The number repeats over and over again.]

[Three. Seven. One. Six. Four. Three. Seven. One. Six. Four. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour...]

[It doesn't take long for his body to shift in response. Three pairs of arms, then seven, one, six, four....and finally, one. A pair of golden eyes and a laugh is stuck in his mind, practically teasing him. His hands slip..]

[rpduality]

And a yyyoink! Thank you very much, that was a big help :)

(RD!Illusion panicks, struggling against Sabre's grip and trying to use a now-free hand to grab one of TWA!Illusion's arms, missing as they shift.)

C- Come on, snap out of it! Don't let him get to you!

Once he's fully yanked back, Sabre goes to pick up the bottle, but before he can grab it, the kitten runs up and, after climbing one of his wings with its needle-like claws, gives one of his eyes a good swipe. He yells out, losing enough focus to let go of TWA!Illusion's mind.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He instinctively steps back as he's suddenly freed from Sabre's grip. His eyes blink away the memories as he remembers where he was. As soon as he sees what he's facing, he growls.]

So you're playing dirty, huh?! Two can play at that!

[When he shifts again, his body forms into not just many many arms, but his body fully and completely splits. Much like Sabre's own disembodied hands, each one grabs at him from every which way. But, more importantly, his head itself splits...]

Perhaps several, in fact!

[False versions of him start to appear from every direction, most obviously not the real one, but their many hands make it difficult to parse which hands are real or not.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre picks up the kitten by the scruff, annoyed, before teleporting it back to his lab to get it out of the way.)

OHO, Ya wanna play games with me, huh, bud? In that case, I've got something *REALLY* fun!

(The entire cave blacks out, as if engulfed in a dark void, before all the light turns back on again. Once again visible, there are now two versions of RD!Illusion; one even more confined by the puppet hands than before, another hand swooping in to cover his mouth again, and the other standing where Sabre once stood. He takes a shaky step back in confusion and fear, free of the hands.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He stares at the two of them.]

Well. Then I guess this is what we're doing now!

[He himself takes the form of RD!Illusion, purely for the sake of it. He's going to get that very very good cat back, he's sure of it. He..just...needs to play it right. He's got it.]

[Right...?]

[He pulls off the puppet hand covering the one's mouth.]

I guess let the games begin!

[rpduality]

(This Illusion is grimacing underneath the hand, before his gaze snaps to it in... surprise? as it tries to grab on to TWA!Illusion's wrist.

Meanwhile, the other RD!Illusion stumbles backwards. He's grabbed fistfuls of his own hair, hyperventilating, when his back hitting the wall brings him back to reality. He looks down, spotting the bottle next to his foot, and scoops it up, shoving it haphazardly into a random one of his inner coat pockets. It's a miracle he didn't drop and break it with how shaky his hands are.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He turns to the one that picked up the bottle.]

Hey! Bottle. Down. Now.

[In the meanwhile, he grabs the hand, attempting to break its fingers. If he can get one to react right...he might be able to get the hell outta here. God, he shouldn't have tempted fate, now he's stuck in a stupid game....AGAIN.]

No one is touching that thing.

[rpduality]

But I- ACK-

(There's the distinct sound of the creaking and snapping of rubber bands as the fingers get bent in ways they're not supposed to, and both Illusions react to the pain.

The freed one stares at his own hand in dazed confusion before passing out from the pain. He flops over right on top of the bottle, which slips out of his coat and rolls away, luckily only cracked. The cork, however, was not very secure, and has popped out of place. Some of the substance inside is leaking out onto the cave floor as the bottle rolls in a circle and hits this Illusion's hurt hand, which flinches a bit.

The confined one only winces, seemingly trying to not react to the pain at all. The hand disappears. He gives TWA!Illusion the most pathetic wet-cat facial expression he can.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Well, one down-

[He immediately picks up the passed-out Illusion, like a sack of potatoes. He grabs the cork with his other hand, quickly pulling the bottle back up while trying to avoid touching the stuff.]

One to go.

[He looks the confined one up and down.]

Can you speak? Clearly, your mouth is no longer covered. It should work the same as before.

And if not...Well. Time for more hand removal, I guess...

[rpduality]

Yes, I- I can talk, just. please let me out of these things-

(His voice sounds strained, to say the least. He's staring at the bottle nervously.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He stares at him for a long, long moment.]

Actually, I have a better idea.

[He puts the passed-out Illusion over with Elemental, before grabbing the bottle. He...just smiles at him...]

Mmmmmmaybe I should take this back home for testing...what do you think? Or maybe I should just...drink it...? :)

[rpduality]

THAT'S-

(he dryly swallows some air.)

That's probably a pretty bad idea, I don't exactly *know* what's in there, but I might have an idea of what it could be. Right before he showed up, there was some kind of weird virus going around. I couldn't figure out what was going on or how to stop it, but then it just suddenly. Went away, without a trace. That was when he first appeared, claiming he had just. Solved the situation. It was kinda amazing, really- BUT! UM! If he managed to somehow get a sample of that virus, then who knows what he could do with it-

[trapped-in-my-story]

That makes sense...farrrrrr too much sense.

[He picks up both Elemental and Illusion, before turning to the confined Illusion Steve, pocketing the bottle.]

Thank you, we shall be going now, Sabre~!

[He teleports, trying to reach the lab before He does. He can't just leave it there, he just can't-]

[rpduality]

Wait wha-

(They appear in a room full of potions equipment. Brewing stands on a counter line the walls, cabinets below emitting some. Interesting smells. Double chests are stacked high, one stack for each of the side walls that aren't the counter or the exit door. A large table sits in the middle, holding such wonders as a golden carrot sitting on a cutting board, and a pufferfish that was just. Left there.

The kitten isn't in this room.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

Pspspsps-! Come on little guy, we gotta get outta hereee-

[With the two unconscious people slung over his shoulders, it's slow going. He instinctually looks away in disgust when he sees the pufferfish.]

Nottt sticking around hereeee, eugh-

[He. Just kicks the door open, looking for the kitten.]

[rpduality]

They're back in the long hallway, with the 'exit' to their left and a trail of glowing purple and blue liquid dripped along the floor from there to the other end of the hall to the right. There's the faraway sound of the kitten mewing as loud as its tiny little voice can get, sad and lonely, before it stops at the sound of the door and the jingling of its nametags echo as it runs from one of the split off hallways to the right and starts streaking down the long hallway towards Illusion.

[trapped-in-my-story]

There you are! C'mon, let's get outta this hellhole-

[He awkwardly kneels down so it can get scooped up before they head...anywhere, at this point.]

[rpduality]

The kitten looks confusedly between TWA!Illusion and the unconscious RD!Illusion, before deciding to climb TWA!Illusion's sleeve in order to somehow perch on top of RD!Illusion, sitting down in a loaf and purring.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He quietly laughs.]

Yeah, sure, sure, that works-

[He stands back up, giving the place another glance and a glare.]

....well. Let'ssss just hope this works out in our favor- god knows how much longer I've got til I pass out too...

[Leaving the lab behind, he attempts to teleport somewhere that might be safer, maybe even somewhere they could hide, even for just a little...he tries to reach into the past for somewhere secluded and not yet known. Maybe, maybe, somewhere only he can recall...]

[rpduality]

they appear in a very familiar graveyard, the sky suddenly clear as the moon hangs perfectly in the center of it. While the graveyard is familiar, the area it's in is not nestled in the crook of a snowy mountain as abandoned snowcapped houses dot down the slope away from the entrance. While the area around them is snowy, not a single flake of it has entered the graveyard's walls.

A ball of ice blocks the entrance to a certain building, but there's a tunnel in it as if someone had dug through.

[vampocalypse-castle]

....Yeah that's. Totally normal actually. Definitely not an ominous sight.

[Once he gets his bearings, he heads into the tunnel of ice, carrying all three of his team members close so they don't freeze.]

[rpduality]

The ice quickly turns into a staircase downwards, leading to a familiar room. The room has a tomb in the middle, broken open with a ladder inside leading downwards. A tomb room, if you will.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, bringing himself to a stop.]

Cold and dusty...perfecttttt. At least we can lay low til the ghosts come home, eh?

[His voice echoes off the walls of the tomb room. He shivers a little, carefully setting RD!Illusion and Elemental down. He tiredly flops to the ground, curling up beside the others.]

Pleaseeeee don't possess me or my friends, I swear to god-

[rpduality]

Once everyone is down, the kitten fluffs up its fur and jumps off of RD!Illusion and nudges its way under TWA!Illusion's hand for warmth, curling up to go to sleep. The ground may be cold and hard, but the cat is warm and soft to the touch, vibrating a little in a near-silent purr.

It's not entirely cold in this room, as the lava on Elemental's arm slowly starts to warm up the area around them, its heat slowly permeating the air almost as a sort of aura.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, smiling tiredly as he pets it.]

...At least we're together for a moment.

[rpduality]

The room remains calm and quiet. Peaceful, despite its... decor, if you can call it that. The kitten quietly yawns, and RD!Illusion shifts, curling himself up tightly not unlike the little fluffer.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He can't help but sigh as he looks around their current place of residence.]

I guess that's more than I could possibly hope for, at this rate..

[rpduality]

The rest of the night, or. "Night", i guess, since it's permanently midnight in this place, passes without incident, though RD!Illusion keeps fidgeting, stuck in a nightmare. It seems like the perfect time to rest for a while, even the kitten feels safe enough to fall asleep, softly purring.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Illusion himself had eventually passed out, totally unable to keep up with the fast-paced experience of Dealing With Sabre. His form, which he can usually keep in shape easily, suddenly shifts as he sleeps.]

[Rather than his usual alt-teenager style, his clothes shift to a comfy sweater and black vest, his floating body fusing into a "normal" form. His face looks much more childlike (and....oddly human...) with short, messy hair in a very basic black and white haircut. His more "alien" features have been basically sanded down into a human with oddly colored skin and hair. His scorpion tail formed into a soft, fluffy tail with a galaxy-like print, though more to his color scheme than The Galaxy Steve's. He looks...oddly peaceful, for the moment.]

[rpduality]

Elemental's the first to wake up after several hours, and, while suprised at TWA!Illusion's form, decides not to wake up either of the illusions. Instead, he teleports out of the room, returning with a furnace, some chicken, some potatoes, and. An allium? He places down the furnace to cook. Whatever meal it's time for, and stares at the flower, not really knowing himself what to do with it, before setting it down on top of the furnace. He puts the food in the furnace and, quickly becoming impatient, tries to use some of his powers to speed up the cooking process. Some of the food comes out overdone, but he's got spirit!

[trapped-in-my-story]

[After a short while later, TWA!Illusion comes to with the smell of food. He tries to stretch like he usually would, only to find he has actual joints. As soon as he sees what he looks like right now, utter embarrassment fills his eyes as he tries to discretely shift back. He finds, to his horror, that he can only hold the form for a few seconds before failing. After about a comical (and sad) five minutes of this, he finally gives up and trudges over to see what Elemental has.]

....I see you made food.

[rpduality]

(Elemental eyes him for a bit, fighting to hold back a snicker. It's warm by the furnace, comforting after all this chill, though the flower placed on it is starting to wilt from the heat. He steps back a bit.)

Certainly tried-

(It's hard to tell who he's referring to.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He rolls his eyes, which are much fewer now. His sweater is far too big on him.]

I won't bring it up to him if you don't bring this up to him.

[He swipes a potato for himself, before deciding to just. Sulk beside the furnace and eat.]

[rpduality]

It's a deal, then.

(He grabs some of the chicken for himself to eat. The chicken's a bit dry, but despite the outer skin of the potato being charred, it's actually fairly well cooked in the middle, if a bit burning hot from being still fresh from the furnace.

The deal may not need to be upheld, as RD!Illusion stirs from his sleep. At some point, he had subconsciously taken his glasses off in his sleep, and he grabs for them, eyes still half-closed and bleary.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Illusion instinctively curls up in his sweater even more, tail fluffing up as he realizes he might be caught immediately.]

Goddammit-

[rpduality]

Elemental makes no move to intervene as RD!Illusion rubs the sleep out of his eyes and puts his glasses on and squints up at TWA!Illusion, not seeming to recognize him at first.

...a child?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He covers his face with his sleeves, immediately embarassed.]

Ohhh my goddddd..

No. No I am most certainly not.

[Even though his voice is the same, it's clear that all the edge to him is lost. Trying to hiss about it doesn't even come off as anything more than a kitten trying to puff up in panic.]

[rpduality]

He perks up when he recognizes his voice, before looking at the kitten, which is finally starting to try to clean the blood of itself.

I see the comparison now..

Are you alright?

[trapped-in-my-story]

Goddammit...

[He huffs, glancing at the small kitten from behind the soft, oversized sleeves.]

This is the last thing I'd want you all to see >:/

[rpduality]

(The kitten decides to trot over to TWA!Illusion and rub its head against his leg, mewing. aww.)

could I please have one of those potatoes?

(Elemental hands RD!Illusion some food as he looks around the room, partially embarrassed that he mistook TWA!Illusion for a child and partially because he recognizes it.)

... Is this where I think it is..?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[TWA!Illusion sighs, finally giving in and petting the brave little critter.]

...probably is...

[rpduality]

(He bites into the potato like an apple before carefully and wobbily using one of the alcoves in the wall to pull himself up, pausing as he gets lightheaded for a second as the not-enough-blood rushes down to his legs. He then crosses the room to lean against the tomb in the center, looking down its ladder.)

be careful-

[trapped-in-my-story]

We do not need you to break more bones, thank you.

[He watches him wobble across the room, wondering what he's up to now.]

[rpduality]

I'll be fine-

(he stares down the ladder for a minute longer before stepping over the side of the tomb and climbing down, dissappearing from view into the catacombs.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, glancing at Elemental as he continues to pet the cat.]

....should we really be letting him down there with no supervision?

[He was going to say "no adult supervision," but let's be real, TWA!Illusion is no better.]

[rpduality]

(Elemental's just staring at the ladder at the ladder at this point, bewildered in an exasperated sort of way.)

To be honest, I. Did not expect him do do that.

(He pauses for a second longer before taking a quick step to look down the hole to make sure Illusion did not hurt himself.

... Where did he go.

[trapped-in-my-story]

..What do you mean where did he go-

[He struggles to stand up, not used to being in this body.]

[rpduality]

(Illusion is no longer visible at the bottom of the ladder, having taken a few steps deeper into the catacombs. He's crouching, so his nametag is not visible through the wall. His voice echoes up from below.)

I'm fine, I'm just checking something.

[rpduality]

@trapped-in-my-story (making a new post bc pc tumblr got Consumed By The Darkness for a sec as I was trying to scroll down)

...

His nametag flickers and glitches slightly, as if it's broken. RD!Illusion buries himself further into his notebook, but is mostly doodling in the margins now, making little diagram sketches of RD!Sabre's weird wing cloak thing.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He finally just gives up on comprehending what's up with this guy and lets his face flop onto the cold, frosty ground.]

[rpduality]

Patches of frosted-over grass prickle slightly against him, like laying on a bed of brittle needles. It's almost as prickly as the kitten's fur is getting as it stares at nothing. A growl escapes from its throat as a snap can be heard, causing Elemental to pass out again, and a green glow begins manifesting near RD!Illusion.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[It's far from comfortable, but he'll make do. But as soon as he hears its growl, his own fur prickles up as his ears swivel towards the unusual sound. A deep, animalistic hiss rises from his own throat as his eyes jolt open, turning towards the uncomfortably green hue...]

Fucking. HELL.

[In one swift move, he scoops up the kitten onto his shoulder, using one of his back legs to kick at the glow, being careful not to hurt RD!Illusion. With his front paws, he tries to catch Elemental.]

[rpduality]

Elemental is successfully caught before he hits the ground, but the green, as well as RD!Illusion, are just out of reach. The glow brightens and 3 sets of wings open up out of seemingly nothing, revealing this world's Sabre with the same almost-performative flair as at the exit to his lab. He yanks up RD!Illusion by the arm, keeping him held in place as he tries to fight back, too weakened to do much.

Freaking finally! I thought I'd never get this chance! You are wayyyy too overprotective, you know :)

[trapped-in-my-story]

As I should be, clearly...

[He scowls and hisses at the bitch-ass-motherfucker before him, practically tossing Elemental behind him protectively. All five eyes are trained on Sabre. As soon as El is out of the way, his body starts transforming like it did once before.]

What do you even WANT with a weak player like him, anyways?!?! You just toy with people like they're damned prey!

[rpduality]

Well, that's just it! He *claims* he's a player-

Because I *am* one, you insufferable-

an extra, puppet-like floating hand appears out of nowhere, covering RD!Illusion's mouth.

MMPH--

As I was saying, he claims he's a player, gave everyone around him a near-encyclopedic description of what players are and what they can do, and these line up with old stories of players showing up in this world in the past, but half of his claims don't even seem to apply to him! I just wanna find out what he truly is!

He raises his wing and an arm as more puppet-like hands restrain a still-struggling Illusion. He clenches his own raised hand into a fist.

A pursuit of curiosity! Is that so wrong?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He's now standing up, his paws turned to hooves, as he takes on the boar form once again, his hands balled up into fists. His words come out as a barely-restrained hiss, whispered just above his breath.]

Curiosity?

CURIOSITY?!?

Do you even hear yourself? You know curiosity kills the cat! If ya snoop around too far, ya tend to regret it! YOU YOURSELF certainly don't seem to be everything you are on the surface, either! You could've chosen anywhere, anything! And yet! AND YET! THIS?

THIS IS WHAT YOU CHOOSE ANYWAYS?!?

...God, you're as insufferable as I am. You can't leave a single mystery alone, even if there's no damned reason...

[rpduality]

He grins wildly, larger than should be humanly possible.

Curiosity may kill the cat, but did ya hear? Satisfaction brings it back!

He gives an arrogant laugh.

Besides! I already know everything else about this world, that information was basically beamed into my head as soon as I was created! This guy - and you, I guess - are the only gaps I have left in my knowledge, and I just have one more experiment I'd like to do before I'm done with him.

He pulls out a bottle of a sickly, swirling blue-and-green ooze, looking like if an infection was condensed into a slimy form.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Oh, no you don't-!

[He leaps at him, trying to get the bottle out of his hands. If he can't get RD!Illusion out of here, then he'll take one for the fucking team if he has to.]

I'M SO TIRED OF THIS BULLSHIT, AND I SWEAR TO GOD, FUCKING TAKE ME THEN! SEE HOW THAT WORKS OUT!

[rpduality]

Sabre quickly steps back, moving RD!Illusion in front of himself.

Hey now, you don't wanna hurt your... friend? Your you?

...

This guy

by mistake, now, do you? :)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Instead, he grabs onto RD!lllusion, staring up at Sabre with murderous eyes. Practically hugging him, even. His neck fluff is still covering much of his chest, cushioning his impact.]

One way or another, I'll defy you like I've defied every. Thing. Else.

[rpduality]

RD!Illusion is still confined and muted by the strange puppet hands, so all he's seemingly able to do is bury his forehead into TWA!Illusion's neck fluff. He feels very bony through his clothes.

Yeah, naw bud, that's not how this is gonna work.

Another puppet hand manifests, grabbing for TWA!Illusion's neck fluff, trying to scruff him like an angry cat. All of Sabre's eyes are looking at him now, and he can feel a tugging at his mind, something trying to compel him to let go as Sabre sticks the needle of a syringe through the cork of the bottle to get some of the goop out, when suddenly the syringe needle breaks by a sudden jolt and the tugging stops, sabre's concentration broken. The hand covering RD!Illusion's mouth jerks away and disappears, leaving behind something wet to drop to the ground in a small splatter.

What the- Did you just lick my hand!? Aw- That's disgusting, man!

RD!Illusion turns his head and sticks his tongue out at what he hopes is Sabre; he's keeping his eyes closed to avoid eye contact.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He grins. Sabre did manage to scruff him, but he did not let go. The floating rings stretch out from his hands as he's pulled slightly away from RD!Illusion.]

I told you :)

[Still, he knows he needs to play his cards right. When Sabre is distracted, he shifts his fluffy mane into a hard, rocky substance that weighs his body down and pokes everything that touches it.]

[rpduality]

A- ow!

Ack-

Both RD! Sabre and Illusion yelp in pain, Illusion still being half-buried in the fluff and Sabre being more dramatic, the hand scruffing TWA!Illusion and a few of the hands confining RD!Illusion disappearing. Sabre drops the bottle, which surprisingly does not shatter on impact with the ground. Good thing, too; the contents of this bottle are not something you want a splash potion of.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[His head floats up and away from his body, as all six of his limbs immediately latching onto RD!Illusion. He headbutts Sabre as hard as he can, his hands holding his alternate self protectively as he pulls back. His tail attempts to push the bottle away.]

[rpduality]

Sabre's twin metallic halos clank together hard against his skull, making a really satisfying sound and causing almost all of his eyes to close as he flinches back from the blow.

Ow ow OW! That is just plain rude what is WRONG with you-

He puts his arms up, shielding his face.

The bottle rolls away, but it's sitting at an angle so it just kind of rolls in a circle and ends up closer than it was before.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He kicks at him, his mane turning back into fur as he launches himself back with RD!Illusion in his arms.]

Says YOU, who's fully intending on INJECTING SOMETHING directly into our bloodstreams!

[His body grows longer, as he gains more limbs like a pigeon-colored centipede. He reaches back to pick up Elemental and make sure the kitten is alright, keeping an eye on the vial of mystery goo...]

[He's GOTTA get that vial. They need to find out what this is, before they have yet another encounter....]

[rpduality]

Only HIS body, I already know how that stuff reacts to STEVES!

He's using his wings to shield himself now, using whatever hands he has left grabbing RD!Illusion to try to yank him back. One pulling at his wrist causes a sharp popping sound, and Illusion flinches, biting back a hiss before wrenching his head around to bite the disembodied hand.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He must have at least a dozen arms by now, all grabbing at Sabre's. When he hears that sharp pop, Illusion hisses too, slashing at the hand. He's no longer going for the offense, just defense. He needs to get out, he needs to get out, he needs to get OUT-]

Really?! Then maybe try it on YOURSELF, CUZ THE ONLY MOTHERFUCKING PLAYER I SEE HERE IS YOU!

[For a split second, he freezes.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre pauses, cocking his head to one side in confusion as his halos recalibrate themselves and he lowers his wings a bit to look at them. RD!Illusion looks up at him, equally confused.)

What are you talking about? I'm not a player-

(That seems to have really thrown him off, as the overly exaggerated chipper tone in his voice all but dissappears.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Just as soon as he'd frozen up, he suddenly pulls RD!Illusion away as fast as possible with all his might. And just as quickly as he'd lost his nerve, he seemed to regain it, retorting back with only slight hesitance in his voice.]

You certainly act like a certain someone I know!

[But it was already clear that he'd spoken something that had been on his mind since first seeing Sabre. The way his eyes glanced between the two said everything.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre's back to putting on his energetic tone.)

I have. No idea what you're talking about!

Though I suppose if there are more of him in the universe there may as well be more of me... interesting!

(one of his halos spins in small jolts, like the circular reel on a viewmaster toy, each eye showing a different emotions as it stops on them, giving them each a good look at the two.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He glares at him, hugging RD!Illusion as tightly as he can.]

I saw that. I won't tell you anything, not until you're dead and in your grave...

[rpduality]

Youuuu do that then, I'lllll just take the liberty to...

(All of sabre's eyes are focused on TWA!Illusion again. He feels a prickling at the edges of his mind, like something is trying to look into it.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Instead of fright, he....laughs? He laughs, right in front of him.]

Ohhhhhhh, you won't like what you find if you want to do that :) I was simply sparing you the details :)

[Illusion's mind seems to open up to his snooping around, completely, oddly, unprotected..]

[rpduality]

Ha! Now that's bold! If that's what you want, then who am I to give up the opportunity :)

(He's using the full force of his powers, and they feel...

Familiar

if a bit mixed up with something else. Instead of looking at his memories, however, Sabre takes the opportunity to try to compel him to shift back to his normal form, again pulling away RD!Illusion with his disembodied hands.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[His mind feels like it's swirling. Goddammit, he got too cocky- He...needs to...]

Augh, you bitch-!

[It hurts. He let it open too wide, and now he can't shut it out...! He's trying to latch onto something, anything that could keep him grounded, but...he's slipping. He knows he won't be able to get away scot-free this time...]

[His mind latches onto a single memory. The multiplayer screen, and the numbers in the Hypixel server. A useless thing, frankly. The number repeats over and over again.]

[Three. Seven. One. Six. Four. Three. Seven. One. Six. Four. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour...]

[It doesn't take long for his body to shift in response. Three pairs of arms, then seven, one, six, four....and finally, one. A pair of golden eyes and a laugh is stuck in his mind, practically teasing him. His hands slip..]

[rpduality]

And a yyyoink! Thank you very much, that was a big help :)

(RD!Illusion panicks, struggling against Sabre's grip and trying to use a now-free hand to grab one of TWA!Illusion's arms, missing as they shift.)

C- Come on, snap out of it! Don't let him get to you!

Once he's fully yanked back, Sabre goes to pick up the bottle, but before he can grab it, the kitten runs up and, after climbing one of his wings with its needle-like claws, gives one of his eyes a good swipe. He yells out, losing enough focus to let go of TWA!Illusion's mind.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He instinctively steps back as he's suddenly freed from Sabre's grip. His eyes blink away the memories as he remembers where he was. As soon as he sees what he's facing, he growls.]

So you're playing dirty, huh?! Two can play at that!

[When he shifts again, his body forms into not just many many arms, but his body fully and completely splits. Much like Sabre's own disembodied hands, each one grabs at him from every which way. But, more importantly, his head itself splits...]

Perhaps several, in fact!

[False versions of him start to appear from every direction, most obviously not the real one, but their many hands make it difficult to parse which hands are real or not.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre picks up the kitten by the scruff, annoyed, before teleporting it back to his lab to get it out of the way.)

OHO, Ya wanna play games with me, huh, bud? In that case, I've got something *REALLY* fun!

(The entire cave blacks out, as if engulfed in a dark void, before all the light turns back on again. Once again visible, there are now two versions of RD!Illusion; one even more confined by the puppet hands than before, another hand swooping in to cover his mouth again, and the other standing where Sabre once stood. He takes a shaky step back in confusion and fear, free of the hands.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He stares at the two of them.]

Well. Then I guess this is what we're doing now!

[He himself takes the form of RD!Illusion, purely for the sake of it. He's going to get that very very good cat back, he's sure of it. He..just...needs to play it right. He's got it.]

[Right...?]

[He pulls off the puppet hand covering the one's mouth.]

I guess let the games begin!

[rpduality]

(This Illusion is grimacing underneath the hand, before his gaze snaps to it in... surprise? as it tries to grab on to TWA!Illusion's wrist.

Meanwhile, the other RD!Illusion stumbles backwards. He's grabbed fistfuls of his own hair, hyperventilating, when his back hitting the wall brings him back to reality. He looks down, spotting the bottle next to his foot, and scoops it up, shoving it haphazardly into a random one of his inner coat pockets. It's a miracle he didn't drop and break it with how shaky his hands are.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He turns to the one that picked up the bottle.]

Hey! Bottle. Down. Now.

[In the meanwhile, he grabs the hand, attempting to break its fingers. If he can get one to react right...he might be able to get the hell outta here. God, he shouldn't have tempted fate, now he's stuck in a stupid game....AGAIN.]

No one is touching that thing.

[rpduality]

But I- ACK-

(There's the distinct sound of the creaking and snapping of rubber bands as the fingers get bent in ways they're not supposed to, and both Illusions react to the pain.

The freed one stares at his own hand in dazed confusion before passing out from the pain. He flops over right on top of the bottle, which slips out of his coat and rolls away, luckily only cracked. The cork, however, was not very secure, and has popped out of place. Some of the substance inside is leaking out onto the cave floor as the bottle rolls in a circle and hits this Illusion's hurt hand, which flinches a bit.

The confined one only winces, seemingly trying to not react to the pain at all. The hand disappears. He gives TWA!Illusion the most pathetic wet-cat facial expression he can.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Well, one down-

[He immediately picks up the passed-out Illusion, like a sack of potatoes. He grabs the cork with his other hand, quickly pulling the bottle back up while trying to avoid touching the stuff.]

One to go.

[He looks the confined one up and down.]

Can you speak? Clearly, your mouth is no longer covered. It should work the same as before.

And if not...Well. Time for more hand removal, I guess...

[rpduality]

Yes, I- I can talk, just. please let me out of these things-

(His voice sounds strained, to say the least. He's staring at the bottle nervously.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He stares at him for a long, long moment.]

Actually, I have a better idea.

[He puts the passed-out Illusion over with Elemental, before grabbing the bottle. He...just smiles at him...]

Mmmmmmaybe I should take this back home for testing...what do you think? Or maybe I should just...drink it...? :)

[rpduality]

THAT'S-

(he dryly swallows some air.)

That's probably a pretty bad idea, I don't exactly *know* what's in there, but I might have an idea of what it could be. Right before he showed up, there was some kind of weird virus going around. I couldn't figure out what was going on or how to stop it, but then it just suddenly. Went away, without a trace. That was when he first appeared, claiming he had just. Solved the situation. It was kinda amazing, really- BUT! UM! If he managed to somehow get a sample of that virus, then who knows what he could do with it-

[trapped-in-my-story]

That makes sense...farrrrrr too much sense.

[He picks up both Elemental and Illusion, before turning to the confined Illusion Steve, pocketing the bottle.]

Thank you, we shall be going now, Sabre~!

[He teleports, trying to reach the lab before He does. He can't just leave it there, he just can't-]

[rpduality]

Wait wha-

(They appear in a room full of potions equipment. Brewing stands on a counter line the walls, cabinets below emitting some. Interesting smells. Double chests are stacked high, one stack for each of the side walls that aren't the counter or the exit door. A large table sits in the middle, holding such wonders as a golden carrot sitting on a cutting board, and a pufferfish that was just. Left there.

The kitten isn't in this room.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

Pspspsps-! Come on little guy, we gotta get outta hereee-

[With the two unconscious people slung over his shoulders, it's slow going. He instinctually looks away in disgust when he sees the pufferfish.]

Nottt sticking around hereeee, eugh-

[He. Just kicks the door open, looking for the kitten.]

[rpduality]

They're back in the long hallway, with the 'exit' to their left and a trail of glowing purple and blue liquid dripped along the floor from there to the other end of the hall to the right. There's the faraway sound of the kitten mewing as loud as its tiny little voice can get, sad and lonely, before it stops at the sound of the door and the jingling of its nametags echo as it runs from one of the split off hallways to the right and starts streaking down the long hallway towards Illusion.

[trapped-in-my-story]

There you are! C'mon, let's get outta this hellhole-

[He awkwardly kneels down so it can get scooped up before they head...anywhere, at this point.]

[rpduality]

The kitten looks confusedly between TWA!Illusion and the unconscious RD!Illusion, before deciding to climb TWA!Illusion's sleeve in order to somehow perch on top of RD!Illusion, sitting down in a loaf and purring.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He quietly laughs.]

Yeah, sure, sure, that works-

[He stands back up, giving the place another glance and a glare.]

....well. Let'ssss just hope this works out in our favor- god knows how much longer I've got til I pass out too...

[Leaving the lab behind, he attempts to teleport somewhere that might be safer, maybe even somewhere they could hide, even for just a little...he tries to reach into the past for somewhere secluded and not yet known. Maybe, maybe, somewhere only he can recall...]

[rpduality]

they appear in a very familiar graveyard, the sky suddenly clear as the moon hangs perfectly in the center of it. While the graveyard is familiar, the area it's in is not nestled in the crook of a snowy mountain as abandoned snowcapped houses dot down the slope away from the entrance. While the area around them is snowy, not a single flake of it has entered the graveyard's walls.

A ball of ice blocks the entrance to a certain building, but there's a tunnel in it as if someone had dug through.

[vampocalypse-castle]

....Yeah that's. Totally normal actually. Definitely not an ominous sight.

[Once he gets his bearings, he heads into the tunnel of ice, carrying all three of his team members close so they don't freeze.]

[rpduality]

The ice quickly turns into a staircase downwards, leading to a familiar room. The room has a tomb in the middle, broken open with a ladder inside leading downwards. A tomb room, if you will.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, bringing himself to a stop.]

Cold and dusty...perfecttttt. At least we can lay low til the ghosts come home, eh?

[His voice echoes off the walls of the tomb room. He shivers a little, carefully setting RD!Illusion and Elemental down. He tiredly flops to the ground, curling up beside the others.]

Pleaseeeee don't possess me or my friends, I swear to god-

[rpduality]

Once everyone is down, the kitten fluffs up its fur and jumps off of RD!Illusion and nudges its way under TWA!Illusion's hand for warmth, curling up to go to sleep. The ground may be cold and hard, but the cat is warm and soft to the touch, vibrating a little in a near-silent purr.

It's not entirely cold in this room, as the lava on Elemental's arm slowly starts to warm up the area around them, its heat slowly permeating the air almost as a sort of aura.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, smiling tiredly as he pets it.]

...At least we're together for a moment.

[rpduality]

The room remains calm and quiet. Peaceful, despite its... decor, if you can call it that. The kitten quietly yawns, and RD!Illusion shifts, curling himself up tightly not unlike the little fluffer.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He can't help but sigh as he looks around their current place of residence.]

I guess that's more than I could possibly hope for, at this rate..

[rpduality]

The rest of the night, or. "Night", i guess, since it's permanently midnight in this place, passes without incident, though RD!Illusion keeps fidgeting, stuck in a nightmare. It seems like the perfect time to rest for a while, even the kitten feels safe enough to fall asleep, softly purring.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Illusion himself had eventually passed out, totally unable to keep up with the fast-paced experience of Dealing With Sabre. His form, which he can usually keep in shape easily, suddenly shifts as he sleeps.]

[Rather than his usual alt-teenager style, his clothes shift to a comfy sweater and black vest, his floating body fusing into a "normal" form. His face looks much more childlike (and....oddly human...) with short, messy hair in a very basic black and white haircut. His more "alien" features have been basically sanded down into a human with oddly colored skin and hair. His scorpion tail formed into a soft, fluffy tail with a galaxy-like print, though more to his color scheme than The Galaxy Steve's. He looks...oddly peaceful, for the moment.]

[rpduality]

Elemental's the first to wake up after several hours, and, while suprised at TWA!Illusion's form, decides not to wake up either of the illusions. Instead, he teleports out of the room, returning with a furnace, some chicken, some potatoes, and. An allium? He places down the furnace to cook. Whatever meal it's time for, and stares at the flower, not really knowing himself what to do with it, before setting it down on top of the furnace. He puts the food in the furnace and, quickly becoming impatient, tries to use some of his powers to speed up the cooking process. Some of the food comes out overdone, but he's got spirit!

[trapped-in-my-story]

[After a short while later, TWA!Illusion comes to with the smell of food. He tries to stretch like he usually would, only to find he has actual joints. As soon as he sees what he looks like right now, utter embarrassment fills his eyes as he tries to discretely shift back. He finds, to his horror, that he can only hold the form for a few seconds before failing. After about a comical (and sad) five minutes of this, he finally gives up and trudges over to see what Elemental has.]

....I see you made food.

[rpduality]

(Elemental eyes him for a bit, fighting to hold back a snicker. It's warm by the furnace, comforting after all this chill, though the flower placed on it is starting to wilt from the heat. He steps back a bit.)

Certainly tried-

(It's hard to tell who he's referring to.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He rolls his eyes, which are much fewer now. His sweater is far too big on him.]

I won't bring it up to him if you don't bring this up to him.

[He swipes a potato for himself, before deciding to just. Sulk beside the furnace and eat.]

[rpduality]

It's a deal, then.

(He grabs some of the chicken for himself to eat. The chicken's a bit dry, but despite the outer skin of the potato being charred, it's actually fairly well cooked in the middle, if a bit burning hot from being still fresh from the furnace.

The deal may not need to be upheld, as RD!Illusion stirs from his sleep. At some point, he had subconsciously taken his glasses off in his sleep, and he grabs for them, eyes still half-closed and bleary.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Illusion instinctively curls up in his sweater even more, tail fluffing up as he realizes he might be caught immediately.]

Goddammit-

[rpduality]

Elemental makes no move to intervene as RD!Illusion rubs the sleep out of his eyes and puts his glasses on and squints up at TWA!Illusion, not seeming to recognize him at first.

...a child?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He covers his face with his sleeves, immediately embarassed.]

Ohhh my goddddd..

No. No I am most certainly not.

[Even though his voice is the same, it's clear that all the edge to him is lost. Trying to hiss about it doesn't even come off as anything more than a kitten trying to puff up in panic.]

[rpduality]

He perks up when he recognizes his voice, before looking at the kitten, which is finally starting to try to clean the blood of itself.

I see the comparison now..

Are you alright?

[trapped-in-my-story]

Goddammit...

[He huffs, glancing at the small kitten from behind the soft, oversized sleeves.]

This is the last thing I'd want you all to see >:/

[rpduality]

(The kitten decides to trot over to TWA!Illusion and rub its head against his leg, mewing. aww.)

could I please have one of those potatoes?

(Elemental hands RD!Illusion some food as he looks around the room, partially embarrassed that he mistook TWA!Illusion for a child and partially because he recognizes it.)

... Is this where I think it is..?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[TWA!Illusion sighs, finally giving in and petting the brave little critter.]

...probably is...

[rpduality]

(He bites into the potato like an apple before carefully and wobbily using one of the alcoves in the wall to pull himself up, pausing as he gets lightheaded for a second as the not-enough-blood rushes down to his legs. He then crosses the room to lean against the tomb in the center, looking down its ladder.)

be careful-

[trapped-in-my-story]

We do not need you to break more bones, thank you.

[He watches him wobble across the room, wondering what he's up to now.]

[rpduality]

I'll be fine-

(he stares down the ladder for a minute longer before stepping over the side of the tomb and climbing down, dissappearing from view into the catacombs.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, glancing at Elemental as he continues to pet the cat.]

....should we really be letting him down there with no supervision?

[He was going to say "no adult supervision," but let's be real, TWA!Illusion is no better.]

[rpduality]

(Elemental's just staring at the ladder at the ladder at this point, bewildered in an exasperated sort of way.)

To be honest, I. Did not expect him do do that.

(He pauses for a second longer before taking a quick step to look down the hole to make sure Illusion did not hurt himself.

... Where did he go.

[rpduality]

@trapped-in-my-story (making a new post bc pc tumblr got Consumed By The Darkness for a sec as I was trying to scroll down)

...

His nametag flickers and glitches slightly, as if it's broken. RD!Illusion buries himself further into his notebook, but is mostly doodling in the margins now, making little diagram sketches of RD!Sabre's weird wing cloak thing.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He finally just gives up on comprehending what's up with this guy and lets his face flop onto the cold, frosty ground.]

[rpduality]

Patches of frosted-over grass prickle slightly against him, like laying on a bed of brittle needles. It's almost as prickly as the kitten's fur is getting as it stares at nothing. A growl escapes from its throat as a snap can be heard, causing Elemental to pass out again, and a green glow begins manifesting near RD!Illusion.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[It's far from comfortable, but he'll make do. But as soon as he hears its growl, his own fur prickles up as his ears swivel towards the unusual sound. A deep, animalistic hiss rises from his own throat as his eyes jolt open, turning towards the uncomfortably green hue...]

Fucking. HELL.

[In one swift move, he scoops up the kitten onto his shoulder, using one of his back legs to kick at the glow, being careful not to hurt RD!Illusion. With his front paws, he tries to catch Elemental.]

[rpduality]

Elemental is successfully caught before he hits the ground, but the green, as well as RD!Illusion, are just out of reach. The glow brightens and 3 sets of wings open up out of seemingly nothing, revealing this world's Sabre with the same almost-performative flair as at the exit to his lab. He yanks up RD!Illusion by the arm, keeping him held in place as he tries to fight back, too weakened to do much.

Freaking finally! I thought I'd never get this chance! You are wayyyy too overprotective, you know :)

[trapped-in-my-story]

As I should be, clearly...

[He scowls and hisses at the bitch-ass-motherfucker before him, practically tossing Elemental behind him protectively. All five eyes are trained on Sabre. As soon as El is out of the way, his body starts transforming like it did once before.]

What do you even WANT with a weak player like him, anyways?!?! You just toy with people like they're damned prey!

[rpduality]

Well, that's just it! He *claims* he's a player-

Because I *am* one, you insufferable-

an extra, puppet-like floating hand appears out of nowhere, covering RD!Illusion's mouth.

MMPH--

As I was saying, he claims he's a player, gave everyone around him a near-encyclopedic description of what players are and what they can do, and these line up with old stories of players showing up in this world in the past, but half of his claims don't even seem to apply to him! I just wanna find out what he truly is!

He raises his wing and an arm as more puppet-like hands restrain a still-struggling Illusion. He clenches his own raised hand into a fist.

A pursuit of curiosity! Is that so wrong?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He's now standing up, his paws turned to hooves, as he takes on the boar form once again, his hands balled up into fists. His words come out as a barely-restrained hiss, whispered just above his breath.]

Curiosity?

CURIOSITY?!?

Do you even hear yourself? You know curiosity kills the cat! If ya snoop around too far, ya tend to regret it! YOU YOURSELF certainly don't seem to be everything you are on the surface, either! You could've chosen anywhere, anything! And yet! AND YET! THIS?

THIS IS WHAT YOU CHOOSE ANYWAYS?!?

...God, you're as insufferable as I am. You can't leave a single mystery alone, even if there's no damned reason...

[rpduality]

He grins wildly, larger than should be humanly possible.

Curiosity may kill the cat, but did ya hear? Satisfaction brings it back!

He gives an arrogant laugh.

Besides! I already know everything else about this world, that information was basically beamed into my head as soon as I was created! This guy - and you, I guess - are the only gaps I have left in my knowledge, and I just have one more experiment I'd like to do before I'm done with him.

He pulls out a bottle of a sickly, swirling blue-and-green ooze, looking like if an infection was condensed into a slimy form.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Oh, no you don't-!

[He leaps at him, trying to get the bottle out of his hands. If he can't get RD!Illusion out of here, then he'll take one for the fucking team if he has to.]

I'M SO TIRED OF THIS BULLSHIT, AND I SWEAR TO GOD, FUCKING TAKE ME THEN! SEE HOW THAT WORKS OUT!

[rpduality]

Sabre quickly steps back, moving RD!Illusion in front of himself.

Hey now, you don't wanna hurt your... friend? Your you?

...

This guy

by mistake, now, do you? :)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Instead, he grabs onto RD!lllusion, staring up at Sabre with murderous eyes. Practically hugging him, even. His neck fluff is still covering much of his chest, cushioning his impact.]

One way or another, I'll defy you like I've defied every. Thing. Else.

[rpduality]

RD!Illusion is still confined and muted by the strange puppet hands, so all he's seemingly able to do is bury his forehead into TWA!Illusion's neck fluff. He feels very bony through his clothes.

Yeah, naw bud, that's not how this is gonna work.

Another puppet hand manifests, grabbing for TWA!Illusion's neck fluff, trying to scruff him like an angry cat. All of Sabre's eyes are looking at him now, and he can feel a tugging at his mind, something trying to compel him to let go as Sabre sticks the needle of a syringe through the cork of the bottle to get some of the goop out, when suddenly the syringe needle breaks by a sudden jolt and the tugging stops, sabre's concentration broken. The hand covering RD!Illusion's mouth jerks away and disappears, leaving behind something wet to drop to the ground in a small splatter.

What the- Did you just lick my hand!? Aw- That's disgusting, man!

RD!Illusion turns his head and sticks his tongue out at what he hopes is Sabre; he's keeping his eyes closed to avoid eye contact.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He grins. Sabre did manage to scruff him, but he did not let go. The floating rings stretch out from his hands as he's pulled slightly away from RD!Illusion.]

I told you :)

[Still, he knows he needs to play his cards right. When Sabre is distracted, he shifts his fluffy mane into a hard, rocky substance that weighs his body down and pokes everything that touches it.]

[rpduality]

A- ow!

Ack-

Both RD! Sabre and Illusion yelp in pain, Illusion still being half-buried in the fluff and Sabre being more dramatic, the hand scruffing TWA!Illusion and a few of the hands confining RD!Illusion disappearing. Sabre drops the bottle, which surprisingly does not shatter on impact with the ground. Good thing, too; the contents of this bottle are not something you want a splash potion of.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[His head floats up and away from his body, as all six of his limbs immediately latching onto RD!Illusion. He headbutts Sabre as hard as he can, his hands holding his alternate self protectively as he pulls back. His tail attempts to push the bottle away.]

[rpduality]

Sabre's twin metallic halos clank together hard against his skull, making a really satisfying sound and causing almost all of his eyes to close as he flinches back from the blow.

Ow ow OW! That is just plain rude what is WRONG with you-

He puts his arms up, shielding his face.

The bottle rolls away, but it's sitting at an angle so it just kind of rolls in a circle and ends up closer than it was before.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He kicks at him, his mane turning back into fur as he launches himself back with RD!Illusion in his arms.]

Says YOU, who's fully intending on INJECTING SOMETHING directly into our bloodstreams!

[His body grows longer, as he gains more limbs like a pigeon-colored centipede. He reaches back to pick up Elemental and make sure the kitten is alright, keeping an eye on the vial of mystery goo...]

[He's GOTTA get that vial. They need to find out what this is, before they have yet another encounter....]

[rpduality]

Only HIS body, I already know how that stuff reacts to STEVES!

He's using his wings to shield himself now, using whatever hands he has left grabbing RD!Illusion to try to yank him back. One pulling at his wrist causes a sharp popping sound, and Illusion flinches, biting back a hiss before wrenching his head around to bite the disembodied hand.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He must have at least a dozen arms by now, all grabbing at Sabre's. When he hears that sharp pop, Illusion hisses too, slashing at the hand. He's no longer going for the offense, just defense. He needs to get out, he needs to get out, he needs to get OUT-]

Really?! Then maybe try it on YOURSELF, CUZ THE ONLY MOTHERFUCKING PLAYER I SEE HERE IS YOU!

[For a split second, he freezes.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre pauses, cocking his head to one side in confusion as his halos recalibrate themselves and he lowers his wings a bit to look at them. RD!Illusion looks up at him, equally confused.)

What are you talking about? I'm not a player-

(That seems to have really thrown him off, as the overly exaggerated chipper tone in his voice all but dissappears.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Just as soon as he'd frozen up, he suddenly pulls RD!Illusion away as fast as possible with all his might. And just as quickly as he'd lost his nerve, he seemed to regain it, retorting back with only slight hesitance in his voice.]

You certainly act like a certain someone I know!

[But it was already clear that he'd spoken something that had been on his mind since first seeing Sabre. The way his eyes glanced between the two said everything.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre's back to putting on his energetic tone.)

I have. No idea what you're talking about!

Though I suppose if there are more of him in the universe there may as well be more of me... interesting!

(one of his halos spins in small jolts, like the circular reel on a viewmaster toy, each eye showing a different emotions as it stops on them, giving them each a good look at the two.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He glares at him, hugging RD!Illusion as tightly as he can.]

I saw that. I won't tell you anything, not until you're dead and in your grave...

[rpduality]

Youuuu do that then, I'lllll just take the liberty to...

(All of sabre's eyes are focused on TWA!Illusion again. He feels a prickling at the edges of his mind, like something is trying to look into it.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Instead of fright, he....laughs? He laughs, right in front of him.]

Ohhhhhhh, you won't like what you find if you want to do that :) I was simply sparing you the details :)

[Illusion's mind seems to open up to his snooping around, completely, oddly, unprotected..]

[rpduality]

Ha! Now that's bold! If that's what you want, then who am I to give up the opportunity :)

(He's using the full force of his powers, and they feel...

Familiar

if a bit mixed up with something else. Instead of looking at his memories, however, Sabre takes the opportunity to try to compel him to shift back to his normal form, again pulling away RD!Illusion with his disembodied hands.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[His mind feels like it's swirling. Goddammit, he got too cocky- He...needs to...]

Augh, you bitch-!

[It hurts. He let it open too wide, and now he can't shut it out...! He's trying to latch onto something, anything that could keep him grounded, but...he's slipping. He knows he won't be able to get away scot-free this time...]

[His mind latches onto a single memory. The multiplayer screen, and the numbers in the Hypixel server. A useless thing, frankly. The number repeats over and over again.]

[Three. Seven. One. Six. Four. Three. Seven. One. Six. Four. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour...]

[It doesn't take long for his body to shift in response. Three pairs of arms, then seven, one, six, four....and finally, one. A pair of golden eyes and a laugh is stuck in his mind, practically teasing him. His hands slip..]

[rpduality]

And a yyyoink! Thank you very much, that was a big help :)

(RD!Illusion panicks, struggling against Sabre's grip and trying to use a now-free hand to grab one of TWA!Illusion's arms, missing as they shift.)

C- Come on, snap out of it! Don't let him get to you!

Once he's fully yanked back, Sabre goes to pick up the bottle, but before he can grab it, the kitten runs up and, after climbing one of his wings with its needle-like claws, gives one of his eyes a good swipe. He yells out, losing enough focus to let go of TWA!Illusion's mind.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He instinctively steps back as he's suddenly freed from Sabre's grip. His eyes blink away the memories as he remembers where he was. As soon as he sees what he's facing, he growls.]

So you're playing dirty, huh?! Two can play at that!

[When he shifts again, his body forms into not just many many arms, but his body fully and completely splits. Much like Sabre's own disembodied hands, each one grabs at him from every which way. But, more importantly, his head itself splits...]

Perhaps several, in fact!

[False versions of him start to appear from every direction, most obviously not the real one, but their many hands make it difficult to parse which hands are real or not.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre picks up the kitten by the scruff, annoyed, before teleporting it back to his lab to get it out of the way.)

OHO, Ya wanna play games with me, huh, bud? In that case, I've got something *REALLY* fun!

(The entire cave blacks out, as if engulfed in a dark void, before all the light turns back on again. Once again visible, there are now two versions of RD!Illusion; one even more confined by the puppet hands than before, another hand swooping in to cover his mouth again, and the other standing where Sabre once stood. He takes a shaky step back in confusion and fear, free of the hands.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He stares at the two of them.]

Well. Then I guess this is what we're doing now!

[He himself takes the form of RD!Illusion, purely for the sake of it. He's going to get that very very good cat back, he's sure of it. He..just...needs to play it right. He's got it.]

[Right...?]

[He pulls off the puppet hand covering the one's mouth.]

I guess let the games begin!

[rpduality]

(This Illusion is grimacing underneath the hand, before his gaze snaps to it in... surprise? as it tries to grab on to TWA!Illusion's wrist.

Meanwhile, the other RD!Illusion stumbles backwards. He's grabbed fistfuls of his own hair, hyperventilating, when his back hitting the wall brings him back to reality. He looks down, spotting the bottle next to his foot, and scoops it up, shoving it haphazardly into a random one of his inner coat pockets. It's a miracle he didn't drop and break it with how shaky his hands are.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He turns to the one that picked up the bottle.]

Hey! Bottle. Down. Now.

[In the meanwhile, he grabs the hand, attempting to break its fingers. If he can get one to react right...he might be able to get the hell outta here. God, he shouldn't have tempted fate, now he's stuck in a stupid game....AGAIN.]

No one is touching that thing.

[rpduality]

But I- ACK-

(There's the distinct sound of the creaking and snapping of rubber bands as the fingers get bent in ways they're not supposed to, and both Illusions react to the pain.

The freed one stares at his own hand in dazed confusion before passing out from the pain. He flops over right on top of the bottle, which slips out of his coat and rolls away, luckily only cracked. The cork, however, was not very secure, and has popped out of place. Some of the substance inside is leaking out onto the cave floor as the bottle rolls in a circle and hits this Illusion's hurt hand, which flinches a bit.

The confined one only winces, seemingly trying to not react to the pain at all. The hand disappears. He gives TWA!Illusion the most pathetic wet-cat facial expression he can.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Well, one down-

[He immediately picks up the passed-out Illusion, like a sack of potatoes. He grabs the cork with his other hand, quickly pulling the bottle back up while trying to avoid touching the stuff.]

One to go.

[He looks the confined one up and down.]

Can you speak? Clearly, your mouth is no longer covered. It should work the same as before.

And if not...Well. Time for more hand removal, I guess...

[rpduality]

Yes, I- I can talk, just. please let me out of these things-

(His voice sounds strained, to say the least. He's staring at the bottle nervously.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He stares at him for a long, long moment.]

Actually, I have a better idea.

[He puts the passed-out Illusion over with Elemental, before grabbing the bottle. He...just smiles at him...]

Mmmmmmaybe I should take this back home for testing...what do you think? Or maybe I should just...drink it...? :)

[rpduality]

THAT'S-

(he dryly swallows some air.)

That's probably a pretty bad idea, I don't exactly *know* what's in there, but I might have an idea of what it could be. Right before he showed up, there was some kind of weird virus going around. I couldn't figure out what was going on or how to stop it, but then it just suddenly. Went away, without a trace. That was when he first appeared, claiming he had just. Solved the situation. It was kinda amazing, really- BUT! UM! If he managed to somehow get a sample of that virus, then who knows what he could do with it-

[trapped-in-my-story]

That makes sense...farrrrrr too much sense.

[He picks up both Elemental and Illusion, before turning to the confined Illusion Steve, pocketing the bottle.]

Thank you, we shall be going now, Sabre~!

[He teleports, trying to reach the lab before He does. He can't just leave it there, he just can't-]

[rpduality]

Wait wha-

(They appear in a room full of potions equipment. Brewing stands on a counter line the walls, cabinets below emitting some. Interesting smells. Double chests are stacked high, one stack for each of the side walls that aren't the counter or the exit door. A large table sits in the middle, holding such wonders as a golden carrot sitting on a cutting board, and a pufferfish that was just. Left there.

The kitten isn't in this room.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

Pspspsps-! Come on little guy, we gotta get outta hereee-

[With the two unconscious people slung over his shoulders, it's slow going. He instinctually looks away in disgust when he sees the pufferfish.]

Nottt sticking around hereeee, eugh-

[He. Just kicks the door open, looking for the kitten.]

[rpduality]

They're back in the long hallway, with the 'exit' to their left and a trail of glowing purple and blue liquid dripped along the floor from there to the other end of the hall to the right. There's the faraway sound of the kitten mewing as loud as its tiny little voice can get, sad and lonely, before it stops at the sound of the door and the jingling of its nametags echo as it runs from one of the split off hallways to the right and starts streaking down the long hallway towards Illusion.

[trapped-in-my-story]

There you are! C'mon, let's get outta this hellhole-

[He awkwardly kneels down so it can get scooped up before they head...anywhere, at this point.]

[rpduality]

The kitten looks confusedly between TWA!Illusion and the unconscious RD!Illusion, before deciding to climb TWA!Illusion's sleeve in order to somehow perch on top of RD!Illusion, sitting down in a loaf and purring.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He quietly laughs.]

Yeah, sure, sure, that works-

[He stands back up, giving the place another glance and a glare.]

....well. Let'ssss just hope this works out in our favor- god knows how much longer I've got til I pass out too...

[Leaving the lab behind, he attempts to teleport somewhere that might be safer, maybe even somewhere they could hide, even for just a little...he tries to reach into the past for somewhere secluded and not yet known. Maybe, maybe, somewhere only he can recall...]

[rpduality]

they appear in a very familiar graveyard, the sky suddenly clear as the moon hangs perfectly in the center of it. While the graveyard is familiar, the area it's in is not nestled in the crook of a snowy mountain as abandoned snowcapped houses dot down the slope away from the entrance. While the area around them is snowy, not a single flake of it has entered the graveyard's walls.

A ball of ice blocks the entrance to a certain building, but there's a tunnel in it as if someone had dug through.

[vampocalypse-castle]

....Yeah that's. Totally normal actually. Definitely not an ominous sight.

[Once he gets his bearings, he heads into the tunnel of ice, carrying all three of his team members close so they don't freeze.]

[rpduality]

The ice quickly turns into a staircase downwards, leading to a familiar room. The room has a tomb in the middle, broken open with a ladder inside leading downwards. A tomb room, if you will.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, bringing himself to a stop.]

Cold and dusty...perfecttttt. At least we can lay low til the ghosts come home, eh?

[His voice echoes off the walls of the tomb room. He shivers a little, carefully setting RD!Illusion and Elemental down. He tiredly flops to the ground, curling up beside the others.]

Pleaseeeee don't possess me or my friends, I swear to god-

[rpduality]

Once everyone is down, the kitten fluffs up its fur and jumps off of RD!Illusion and nudges its way under TWA!Illusion's hand for warmth, curling up to go to sleep. The ground may be cold and hard, but the cat is warm and soft to the touch, vibrating a little in a near-silent purr.

It's not entirely cold in this room, as the lava on Elemental's arm slowly starts to warm up the area around them, its heat slowly permeating the air almost as a sort of aura.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, smiling tiredly as he pets it.]

...At least we're together for a moment.

[rpduality]

The room remains calm and quiet. Peaceful, despite its... decor, if you can call it that. The kitten quietly yawns, and RD!Illusion shifts, curling himself up tightly not unlike the little fluffer.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He can't help but sigh as he looks around their current place of residence.]

I guess that's more than I could possibly hope for, at this rate..

[rpduality]

The rest of the night, or. "Night", i guess, since it's permanently midnight in this place, passes without incident, though RD!Illusion keeps fidgeting, stuck in a nightmare. It seems like the perfect time to rest for a while, even the kitten feels safe enough to fall asleep, softly purring.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Illusion himself had eventually passed out, totally unable to keep up with the fast-paced experience of Dealing With Sabre. His form, which he can usually keep in shape easily, suddenly shifts as he sleeps.]

[Rather than his usual alt-teenager style, his clothes shift to a comfy sweater and black vest, his floating body fusing into a "normal" form. His face looks much more childlike (and....oddly human...) with short, messy hair in a very basic black and white haircut. His more "alien" features have been basically sanded down into a human with oddly colored skin and hair. His scorpion tail formed into a soft, fluffy tail with a galaxy-like print, though more to his color scheme than The Galaxy Steve's. He looks...oddly peaceful, for the moment.]

[rpduality]

Elemental's the first to wake up after several hours, and, while suprised at TWA!Illusion's form, decides not to wake up either of the illusions. Instead, he teleports out of the room, returning with a furnace, some chicken, some potatoes, and. An allium? He places down the furnace to cook. Whatever meal it's time for, and stares at the flower, not really knowing himself what to do with it, before setting it down on top of the furnace. He puts the food in the furnace and, quickly becoming impatient, tries to use some of his powers to speed up the cooking process. Some of the food comes out overdone, but he's got spirit!

[trapped-in-my-story]

[After a short while later, TWA!Illusion comes to with the smell of food. He tries to stretch like he usually would, only to find he has actual joints. As soon as he sees what he looks like right now, utter embarrassment fills his eyes as he tries to discretely shift back. He finds, to his horror, that he can only hold the form for a few seconds before failing. After about a comical (and sad) five minutes of this, he finally gives up and trudges over to see what Elemental has.]

....I see you made food.

[rpduality]

(Elemental eyes him for a bit, fighting to hold back a snicker. It's warm by the furnace, comforting after all this chill, though the flower placed on it is starting to wilt from the heat. He steps back a bit.)

Certainly tried-

(It's hard to tell who he's referring to.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He rolls his eyes, which are much fewer now. His sweater is far too big on him.]

I won't bring it up to him if you don't bring this up to him.

[He swipes a potato for himself, before deciding to just. Sulk beside the furnace and eat.]

[rpduality]

It's a deal, then.

(He grabs some of the chicken for himself to eat. The chicken's a bit dry, but despite the outer skin of the potato being charred, it's actually fairly well cooked in the middle, if a bit burning hot from being still fresh from the furnace.

The deal may not need to be upheld, as RD!Illusion stirs from his sleep. At some point, he had subconsciously taken his glasses off in his sleep, and he grabs for them, eyes still half-closed and bleary.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Illusion instinctively curls up in his sweater even more, tail fluffing up as he realizes he might be caught immediately.]

Goddammit-

[rpduality]

Elemental makes no move to intervene as RD!Illusion rubs the sleep out of his eyes and puts his glasses on and squints up at TWA!Illusion, not seeming to recognize him at first.

...a child?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He covers his face with his sleeves, immediately embarassed.]

Ohhh my goddddd..

No. No I am most certainly not.

[Even though his voice is the same, it's clear that all the edge to him is lost. Trying to hiss about it doesn't even come off as anything more than a kitten trying to puff up in panic.]

[rpduality]

He perks up when he recognizes his voice, before looking at the kitten, which is finally starting to try to clean the blood of itself.

I see the comparison now..

Are you alright?

[trapped-in-my-story]

Goddammit...

[He huffs, glancing at the small kitten from behind the soft, oversized sleeves.]

This is the last thing I'd want you all to see >:/

[rpduality]

(The kitten decides to trot over to TWA!Illusion and rub its head against his leg, mewing. aww.)

could I please have one of those potatoes?

(Elemental hands RD!Illusion some food as he looks around the room, partially embarrassed that he mistook TWA!Illusion for a child and partially because he recognizes it.)

... Is this where I think it is..?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[TWA!Illusion sighs, finally giving in and petting the brave little critter.]

...probably is...

[rpduality]

(He bites into the potato like an apple before carefully and wobbily using one of the alcoves in the wall to pull himself up, pausing as he gets lightheaded for a second as the not-enough-blood rushes down to his legs. He then crosses the room to lean against the tomb in the center, looking down its ladder.)

be careful-

[trapped-in-my-story]

We do not need you to break more bones, thank you.

[He watches him wobble across the room, wondering what he's up to now.]

[rpduality]

I'll be fine-

(he stares down the ladder for a minute longer before stepping over the side of the tomb and climbing down, dissappearing from view into the catacombs.)

[rpduality]

@trapped-in-my-story (making a new post bc pc tumblr got Consumed By The Darkness for a sec as I was trying to scroll down)

...

His nametag flickers and glitches slightly, as if it's broken. RD!Illusion buries himself further into his notebook, but is mostly doodling in the margins now, making little diagram sketches of RD!Sabre's weird wing cloak thing.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He finally just gives up on comprehending what's up with this guy and lets his face flop onto the cold, frosty ground.]

[rpduality]

Patches of frosted-over grass prickle slightly against him, like laying on a bed of brittle needles. It's almost as prickly as the kitten's fur is getting as it stares at nothing. A growl escapes from its throat as a snap can be heard, causing Elemental to pass out again, and a green glow begins manifesting near RD!Illusion.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[It's far from comfortable, but he'll make do. But as soon as he hears its growl, his own fur prickles up as his ears swivel towards the unusual sound. A deep, animalistic hiss rises from his own throat as his eyes jolt open, turning towards the uncomfortably green hue...]

Fucking. HELL.

[In one swift move, he scoops up the kitten onto his shoulder, using one of his back legs to kick at the glow, being careful not to hurt RD!Illusion. With his front paws, he tries to catch Elemental.]

[rpduality]

Elemental is successfully caught before he hits the ground, but the green, as well as RD!Illusion, are just out of reach. The glow brightens and 3 sets of wings open up out of seemingly nothing, revealing this world's Sabre with the same almost-performative flair as at the exit to his lab. He yanks up RD!Illusion by the arm, keeping him held in place as he tries to fight back, too weakened to do much.

Freaking finally! I thought I'd never get this chance! You are wayyyy too overprotective, you know :)

[trapped-in-my-story]

As I should be, clearly...

[He scowls and hisses at the bitch-ass-motherfucker before him, practically tossing Elemental behind him protectively. All five eyes are trained on Sabre. As soon as El is out of the way, his body starts transforming like it did once before.]

What do you even WANT with a weak player like him, anyways?!?! You just toy with people like they're damned prey!

[rpduality]

Well, that's just it! He *claims* he's a player-

Because I *am* one, you insufferable-

an extra, puppet-like floating hand appears out of nowhere, covering RD!Illusion's mouth.

MMPH--

As I was saying, he claims he's a player, gave everyone around him a near-encyclopedic description of what players are and what they can do, and these line up with old stories of players showing up in this world in the past, but half of his claims don't even seem to apply to him! I just wanna find out what he truly is!

He raises his wing and an arm as more puppet-like hands restrain a still-struggling Illusion. He clenches his own raised hand into a fist.

A pursuit of curiosity! Is that so wrong?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He's now standing up, his paws turned to hooves, as he takes on the boar form once again, his hands balled up into fists. His words come out as a barely-restrained hiss, whispered just above his breath.]

Curiosity?

CURIOSITY?!?

Do you even hear yourself? You know curiosity kills the cat! If ya snoop around too far, ya tend to regret it! YOU YOURSELF certainly don't seem to be everything you are on the surface, either! You could've chosen anywhere, anything! And yet! AND YET! THIS?

THIS IS WHAT YOU CHOOSE ANYWAYS?!?

...God, you're as insufferable as I am. You can't leave a single mystery alone, even if there's no damned reason...

[rpduality]

He grins wildly, larger than should be humanly possible.

Curiosity may kill the cat, but did ya hear? Satisfaction brings it back!

He gives an arrogant laugh.

Besides! I already know everything else about this world, that information was basically beamed into my head as soon as I was created! This guy - and you, I guess - are the only gaps I have left in my knowledge, and I just have one more experiment I'd like to do before I'm done with him.

He pulls out a bottle of a sickly, swirling blue-and-green ooze, looking like if an infection was condensed into a slimy form.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Oh, no you don't-!

[He leaps at him, trying to get the bottle out of his hands. If he can't get RD!Illusion out of here, then he'll take one for the fucking team if he has to.]

I'M SO TIRED OF THIS BULLSHIT, AND I SWEAR TO GOD, FUCKING TAKE ME THEN! SEE HOW THAT WORKS OUT!

[rpduality]

Sabre quickly steps back, moving RD!Illusion in front of himself.

Hey now, you don't wanna hurt your... friend? Your you?

...

This guy

by mistake, now, do you? :)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Instead, he grabs onto RD!lllusion, staring up at Sabre with murderous eyes. Practically hugging him, even. His neck fluff is still covering much of his chest, cushioning his impact.]

One way or another, I'll defy you like I've defied every. Thing. Else.

[rpduality]

RD!Illusion is still confined and muted by the strange puppet hands, so all he's seemingly able to do is bury his forehead into TWA!Illusion's neck fluff. He feels very bony through his clothes.

Yeah, naw bud, that's not how this is gonna work.

Another puppet hand manifests, grabbing for TWA!Illusion's neck fluff, trying to scruff him like an angry cat. All of Sabre's eyes are looking at him now, and he can feel a tugging at his mind, something trying to compel him to let go as Sabre sticks the needle of a syringe through the cork of the bottle to get some of the goop out, when suddenly the syringe needle breaks by a sudden jolt and the tugging stops, sabre's concentration broken. The hand covering RD!Illusion's mouth jerks away and disappears, leaving behind something wet to drop to the ground in a small splatter.

What the- Did you just lick my hand!? Aw- That's disgusting, man!

RD!Illusion turns his head and sticks his tongue out at what he hopes is Sabre; he's keeping his eyes closed to avoid eye contact.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He grins. Sabre did manage to scruff him, but he did not let go. The floating rings stretch out from his hands as he's pulled slightly away from RD!Illusion.]

I told you :)

[Still, he knows he needs to play his cards right. When Sabre is distracted, he shifts his fluffy mane into a hard, rocky substance that weighs his body down and pokes everything that touches it.]

[rpduality]

A- ow!

Ack-

Both RD! Sabre and Illusion yelp in pain, Illusion still being half-buried in the fluff and Sabre being more dramatic, the hand scruffing TWA!Illusion and a few of the hands confining RD!Illusion disappearing. Sabre drops the bottle, which surprisingly does not shatter on impact with the ground. Good thing, too; the contents of this bottle are not something you want a splash potion of.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[His head floats up and away from his body, as all six of his limbs immediately latching onto RD!Illusion. He headbutts Sabre as hard as he can, his hands holding his alternate self protectively as he pulls back. His tail attempts to push the bottle away.]

[rpduality]

Sabre's twin metallic halos clank together hard against his skull, making a really satisfying sound and causing almost all of his eyes to close as he flinches back from the blow.

Ow ow OW! That is just plain rude what is WRONG with you-

He puts his arms up, shielding his face.

The bottle rolls away, but it's sitting at an angle so it just kind of rolls in a circle and ends up closer than it was before.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He kicks at him, his mane turning back into fur as he launches himself back with RD!Illusion in his arms.]

Says YOU, who's fully intending on INJECTING SOMETHING directly into our bloodstreams!

[His body grows longer, as he gains more limbs like a pigeon-colored centipede. He reaches back to pick up Elemental and make sure the kitten is alright, keeping an eye on the vial of mystery goo...]

[He's GOTTA get that vial. They need to find out what this is, before they have yet another encounter....]

[rpduality]

Only HIS body, I already know how that stuff reacts to STEVES!

He's using his wings to shield himself now, using whatever hands he has left grabbing RD!Illusion to try to yank him back. One pulling at his wrist causes a sharp popping sound, and Illusion flinches, biting back a hiss before wrenching his head around to bite the disembodied hand.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He must have at least a dozen arms by now, all grabbing at Sabre's. When he hears that sharp pop, Illusion hisses too, slashing at the hand. He's no longer going for the offense, just defense. He needs to get out, he needs to get out, he needs to get OUT-]

Really?! Then maybe try it on YOURSELF, CUZ THE ONLY MOTHERFUCKING PLAYER I SEE HERE IS YOU!

[For a split second, he freezes.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre pauses, cocking his head to one side in confusion as his halos recalibrate themselves and he lowers his wings a bit to look at them. RD!Illusion looks up at him, equally confused.)

What are you talking about? I'm not a player-

(That seems to have really thrown him off, as the overly exaggerated chipper tone in his voice all but dissappears.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Just as soon as he'd frozen up, he suddenly pulls RD!Illusion away as fast as possible with all his might. And just as quickly as he'd lost his nerve, he seemed to regain it, retorting back with only slight hesitance in his voice.]

You certainly act like a certain someone I know!

[But it was already clear that he'd spoken something that had been on his mind since first seeing Sabre. The way his eyes glanced between the two said everything.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre's back to putting on his energetic tone.)

I have. No idea what you're talking about!

Though I suppose if there are more of him in the universe there may as well be more of me... interesting!

(one of his halos spins in small jolts, like the circular reel on a viewmaster toy, each eye showing a different emotions as it stops on them, giving them each a good look at the two.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He glares at him, hugging RD!Illusion as tightly as he can.]

I saw that. I won't tell you anything, not until you're dead and in your grave...

[rpduality]

Youuuu do that then, I'lllll just take the liberty to...

(All of sabre's eyes are focused on TWA!Illusion again. He feels a prickling at the edges of his mind, like something is trying to look into it.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Instead of fright, he....laughs? He laughs, right in front of him.]

Ohhhhhhh, you won't like what you find if you want to do that :) I was simply sparing you the details :)

[Illusion's mind seems to open up to his snooping around, completely, oddly, unprotected..]

[rpduality]

Ha! Now that's bold! If that's what you want, then who am I to give up the opportunity :)

(He's using the full force of his powers, and they feel...

Familiar

if a bit mixed up with something else. Instead of looking at his memories, however, Sabre takes the opportunity to try to compel him to shift back to his normal form, again pulling away RD!Illusion with his disembodied hands.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[His mind feels like it's swirling. Goddammit, he got too cocky- He...needs to...]

Augh, you bitch-!

[It hurts. He let it open too wide, and now he can't shut it out...! He's trying to latch onto something, anything that could keep him grounded, but...he's slipping. He knows he won't be able to get away scot-free this time...]

[His mind latches onto a single memory. The multiplayer screen, and the numbers in the Hypixel server. A useless thing, frankly. The number repeats over and over again.]

[Three. Seven. One. Six. Four. Three. Seven. One. Six. Four. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour...]

[It doesn't take long for his body to shift in response. Three pairs of arms, then seven, one, six, four....and finally, one. A pair of golden eyes and a laugh is stuck in his mind, practically teasing him. His hands slip..]

[rpduality]

And a yyyoink! Thank you very much, that was a big help :)

(RD!Illusion panicks, struggling against Sabre's grip and trying to use a now-free hand to grab one of TWA!Illusion's arms, missing as they shift.)

C- Come on, snap out of it! Don't let him get to you!

Once he's fully yanked back, Sabre goes to pick up the bottle, but before he can grab it, the kitten runs up and, after climbing one of his wings with its needle-like claws, gives one of his eyes a good swipe. He yells out, losing enough focus to let go of TWA!Illusion's mind.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He instinctively steps back as he's suddenly freed from Sabre's grip. His eyes blink away the memories as he remembers where he was. As soon as he sees what he's facing, he growls.]

So you're playing dirty, huh?! Two can play at that!

[When he shifts again, his body forms into not just many many arms, but his body fully and completely splits. Much like Sabre's own disembodied hands, each one grabs at him from every which way. But, more importantly, his head itself splits...]

Perhaps several, in fact!

[False versions of him start to appear from every direction, most obviously not the real one, but their many hands make it difficult to parse which hands are real or not.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre picks up the kitten by the scruff, annoyed, before teleporting it back to his lab to get it out of the way.)

OHO, Ya wanna play games with me, huh, bud? In that case, I've got something *REALLY* fun!

(The entire cave blacks out, as if engulfed in a dark void, before all the light turns back on again. Once again visible, there are now two versions of RD!Illusion; one even more confined by the puppet hands than before, another hand swooping in to cover his mouth again, and the other standing where Sabre once stood. He takes a shaky step back in confusion and fear, free of the hands.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He stares at the two of them.]

Well. Then I guess this is what we're doing now!

[He himself takes the form of RD!Illusion, purely for the sake of it. He's going to get that very very good cat back, he's sure of it. He..just...needs to play it right. He's got it.]

[Right...?]

[He pulls off the puppet hand covering the one's mouth.]

I guess let the games begin!

[rpduality]

(This Illusion is grimacing underneath the hand, before his gaze snaps to it in... surprise? as it tries to grab on to TWA!Illusion's wrist.

Meanwhile, the other RD!Illusion stumbles backwards. He's grabbed fistfuls of his own hair, hyperventilating, when his back hitting the wall brings him back to reality. He looks down, spotting the bottle next to his foot, and scoops it up, shoving it haphazardly into a random one of his inner coat pockets. It's a miracle he didn't drop and break it with how shaky his hands are.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He turns to the one that picked up the bottle.]

Hey! Bottle. Down. Now.

[In the meanwhile, he grabs the hand, attempting to break its fingers. If he can get one to react right...he might be able to get the hell outta here. God, he shouldn't have tempted fate, now he's stuck in a stupid game....AGAIN.]

No one is touching that thing.

[rpduality]

But I- ACK-

(There's the distinct sound of the creaking and snapping of rubber bands as the fingers get bent in ways they're not supposed to, and both Illusions react to the pain.

The freed one stares at his own hand in dazed confusion before passing out from the pain. He flops over right on top of the bottle, which slips out of his coat and rolls away, luckily only cracked. The cork, however, was not very secure, and has popped out of place. Some of the substance inside is leaking out onto the cave floor as the bottle rolls in a circle and hits this Illusion's hurt hand, which flinches a bit.

The confined one only winces, seemingly trying to not react to the pain at all. The hand disappears. He gives TWA!Illusion the most pathetic wet-cat facial expression he can.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Well, one down-

[He immediately picks up the passed-out Illusion, like a sack of potatoes. He grabs the cork with his other hand, quickly pulling the bottle back up while trying to avoid touching the stuff.]

One to go.

[He looks the confined one up and down.]

Can you speak? Clearly, your mouth is no longer covered. It should work the same as before.

And if not...Well. Time for more hand removal, I guess...

[rpduality]

Yes, I- I can talk, just. please let me out of these things-

(His voice sounds strained, to say the least. He's staring at the bottle nervously.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He stares at him for a long, long moment.]

Actually, I have a better idea.

[He puts the passed-out Illusion over with Elemental, before grabbing the bottle. He...just smiles at him...]

Mmmmmmaybe I should take this back home for testing...what do you think? Or maybe I should just...drink it...? :)

[rpduality]

THAT'S-

(he dryly swallows some air.)

That's probably a pretty bad idea, I don't exactly *know* what's in there, but I might have an idea of what it could be. Right before he showed up, there was some kind of weird virus going around. I couldn't figure out what was going on or how to stop it, but then it just suddenly. Went away, without a trace. That was when he first appeared, claiming he had just. Solved the situation. It was kinda amazing, really- BUT! UM! If he managed to somehow get a sample of that virus, then who knows what he could do with it-

[trapped-in-my-story]

That makes sense...farrrrrr too much sense.

[He picks up both Elemental and Illusion, before turning to the confined Illusion Steve, pocketing the bottle.]

Thank you, we shall be going now, Sabre~!

[He teleports, trying to reach the lab before He does. He can't just leave it there, he just can't-]

[rpduality]

Wait wha-

(They appear in a room full of potions equipment. Brewing stands on a counter line the walls, cabinets below emitting some. Interesting smells. Double chests are stacked high, one stack for each of the side walls that aren't the counter or the exit door. A large table sits in the middle, holding such wonders as a golden carrot sitting on a cutting board, and a pufferfish that was just. Left there.

The kitten isn't in this room.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

Pspspsps-! Come on little guy, we gotta get outta hereee-

[With the two unconscious people slung over his shoulders, it's slow going. He instinctually looks away in disgust when he sees the pufferfish.]

Nottt sticking around hereeee, eugh-

[He. Just kicks the door open, looking for the kitten.]

[rpduality]

They're back in the long hallway, with the 'exit' to their left and a trail of glowing purple and blue liquid dripped along the floor from there to the other end of the hall to the right. There's the faraway sound of the kitten mewing as loud as its tiny little voice can get, sad and lonely, before it stops at the sound of the door and the jingling of its nametags echo as it runs from one of the split off hallways to the right and starts streaking down the long hallway towards Illusion.

[trapped-in-my-story]

There you are! C'mon, let's get outta this hellhole-

[He awkwardly kneels down so it can get scooped up before they head...anywhere, at this point.]

[rpduality]

The kitten looks confusedly between TWA!Illusion and the unconscious RD!Illusion, before deciding to climb TWA!Illusion's sleeve in order to somehow perch on top of RD!Illusion, sitting down in a loaf and purring.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He quietly laughs.]

Yeah, sure, sure, that works-

[He stands back up, giving the place another glance and a glare.]

....well. Let'ssss just hope this works out in our favor- god knows how much longer I've got til I pass out too...

[Leaving the lab behind, he attempts to teleport somewhere that might be safer, maybe even somewhere they could hide, even for just a little...he tries to reach into the past for somewhere secluded and not yet known. Maybe, maybe, somewhere only he can recall...]

[rpduality]

they appear in a very familiar graveyard, the sky suddenly clear as the moon hangs perfectly in the center of it. While the graveyard is familiar, the area it's in is not nestled in the crook of a snowy mountain as abandoned snowcapped houses dot down the slope away from the entrance. While the area around them is snowy, not a single flake of it has entered the graveyard's walls.

A ball of ice blocks the entrance to a certain building, but there's a tunnel in it as if someone had dug through.

[vampocalypse-castle]

....Yeah that's. Totally normal actually. Definitely not an ominous sight.

[Once he gets his bearings, he heads into the tunnel of ice, carrying all three of his team members close so they don't freeze.]

[rpduality]

The ice quickly turns into a staircase downwards, leading to a familiar room. The room has a tomb in the middle, broken open with a ladder inside leading downwards. A tomb room, if you will.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, bringing himself to a stop.]

Cold and dusty...perfecttttt. At least we can lay low til the ghosts come home, eh?

[His voice echoes off the walls of the tomb room. He shivers a little, carefully setting RD!Illusion and Elemental down. He tiredly flops to the ground, curling up beside the others.]

Pleaseeeee don't possess me or my friends, I swear to god-

[rpduality]

Once everyone is down, the kitten fluffs up its fur and jumps off of RD!Illusion and nudges its way under TWA!Illusion's hand for warmth, curling up to go to sleep. The ground may be cold and hard, but the cat is warm and soft to the touch, vibrating a little in a near-silent purr.

It's not entirely cold in this room, as the lava on Elemental's arm slowly starts to warm up the area around them, its heat slowly permeating the air almost as a sort of aura.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, smiling tiredly as he pets it.]

...At least we're together for a moment.

[rpduality]

The room remains calm and quiet. Peaceful, despite its... decor, if you can call it that. The kitten quietly yawns, and RD!Illusion shifts, curling himself up tightly not unlike the little fluffer.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He can't help but sigh as he looks around their current place of residence.]

I guess that's more than I could possibly hope for, at this rate..

[rpduality]

The rest of the night, or. "Night", i guess, since it's permanently midnight in this place, passes without incident, though RD!Illusion keeps fidgeting, stuck in a nightmare. It seems like the perfect time to rest for a while, even the kitten feels safe enough to fall asleep, softly purring.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Illusion himself had eventually passed out, totally unable to keep up with the fast-paced experience of Dealing With Sabre. His form, which he can usually keep in shape easily, suddenly shifts as he sleeps.]

[Rather than his usual alt-teenager style, his clothes shift to a comfy sweater and black vest, his floating body fusing into a "normal" form. His face looks much more childlike (and....oddly human...) with short, messy hair in a very basic black and white haircut. His more "alien" features have been basically sanded down into a human with oddly colored skin and hair. His scorpion tail formed into a soft, fluffy tail with a galaxy-like print, though more to his color scheme than The Galaxy Steve's. He looks...oddly peaceful, for the moment.]

[rpduality]

Elemental's the first to wake up after several hours, and, while suprised at TWA!Illusion's form, decides not to wake up either of the illusions. Instead, he teleports out of the room, returning with a furnace, some chicken, some potatoes, and. An allium? He places down the furnace to cook. Whatever meal it's time for, and stares at the flower, not really knowing himself what to do with it, before setting it down on top of the furnace. He puts the food in the furnace and, quickly becoming impatient, tries to use some of his powers to speed up the cooking process. Some of the food comes out overdone, but he's got spirit!

[trapped-in-my-story]

[After a short while later, TWA!Illusion comes to with the smell of food. He tries to stretch like he usually would, only to find he has actual joints. As soon as he sees what he looks like right now, utter embarrassment fills his eyes as he tries to discretely shift back. He finds, to his horror, that he can only hold the form for a few seconds before failing. After about a comical (and sad) five minutes of this, he finally gives up and trudges over to see what Elemental has.]

....I see you made food.

[rpduality]

(Elemental eyes him for a bit, fighting to hold back a snicker. It's warm by the furnace, comforting after all this chill, though the flower placed on it is starting to wilt from the heat. He steps back a bit.)

Certainly tried-

(It's hard to tell who he's referring to.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He rolls his eyes, which are much fewer now. His sweater is far too big on him.]

I won't bring it up to him if you don't bring this up to him.

[He swipes a potato for himself, before deciding to just. Sulk beside the furnace and eat.]

[rpduality]

It's a deal, then.

(He grabs some of the chicken for himself to eat. The chicken's a bit dry, but despite the outer skin of the potato being charred, it's actually fairly well cooked in the middle, if a bit burning hot from being still fresh from the furnace.

The deal may not need to be upheld, as RD!Illusion stirs from his sleep. At some point, he had subconsciously taken his glasses off in his sleep, and he grabs for them, eyes still half-closed and bleary.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Illusion instinctively curls up in his sweater even more, tail fluffing up as he realizes he might be caught immediately.]

Goddammit-

[rpduality]

Elemental makes no move to intervene as RD!Illusion rubs the sleep out of his eyes and puts his glasses on and squints up at TWA!Illusion, not seeming to recognize him at first.

...a child?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He covers his face with his sleeves, immediately embarassed.]

Ohhh my goddddd..

No. No I am most certainly not.

[Even though his voice is the same, it's clear that all the edge to him is lost. Trying to hiss about it doesn't even come off as anything more than a kitten trying to puff up in panic.]

[rpduality]

He perks up when he recognizes his voice, before looking at the kitten, which is finally starting to try to clean the blood of itself.

I see the comparison now..

Are you alright?

[trapped-in-my-story]

Goddammit...

[He huffs, glancing at the small kitten from behind the soft, oversized sleeves.]

This is the last thing I'd want you all to see >:/

[rpduality]

(The kitten decides to trot over to TWA!Illusion and rub its head against his leg, mewing. aww.)

could I please have one of those potatoes?

(Elemental hands RD!Illusion some food as he looks around the room, partially embarrassed that he mistook TWA!Illusion for a child and partially because he recognizes it.)

... Is this where I think it is..?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[TWA!Illusion sighs, finally giving in and petting the brave little critter.]

...probably is...

[rpduality]

(He bites into the potato like an apple before carefully and wobbily using one of the alcoves in the wall to pull himself up, pausing as he gets lightheaded for a second as the not-enough-blood rushes down to his legs. He then crosses the room to lean against the tomb in the center, looking down its ladder.)

be careful-

[rpduality]

@trapped-in-my-story (making a new post bc pc tumblr got Consumed By The Darkness for a sec as I was trying to scroll down)

...

His nametag flickers and glitches slightly, as if it's broken. RD!Illusion buries himself further into his notebook, but is mostly doodling in the margins now, making little diagram sketches of RD!Sabre's weird wing cloak thing.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He finally just gives up on comprehending what's up with this guy and lets his face flop onto the cold, frosty ground.]

[rpduality]

Patches of frosted-over grass prickle slightly against him, like laying on a bed of brittle needles. It's almost as prickly as the kitten's fur is getting as it stares at nothing. A growl escapes from its throat as a snap can be heard, causing Elemental to pass out again, and a green glow begins manifesting near RD!Illusion.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[It's far from comfortable, but he'll make do. But as soon as he hears its growl, his own fur prickles up as his ears swivel towards the unusual sound. A deep, animalistic hiss rises from his own throat as his eyes jolt open, turning towards the uncomfortably green hue...]

Fucking. HELL.

[In one swift move, he scoops up the kitten onto his shoulder, using one of his back legs to kick at the glow, being careful not to hurt RD!Illusion. With his front paws, he tries to catch Elemental.]

[rpduality]

Elemental is successfully caught before he hits the ground, but the green, as well as RD!Illusion, are just out of reach. The glow brightens and 3 sets of wings open up out of seemingly nothing, revealing this world's Sabre with the same almost-performative flair as at the exit to his lab. He yanks up RD!Illusion by the arm, keeping him held in place as he tries to fight back, too weakened to do much.

Freaking finally! I thought I'd never get this chance! You are wayyyy too overprotective, you know :)

[trapped-in-my-story]

As I should be, clearly...

[He scowls and hisses at the bitch-ass-motherfucker before him, practically tossing Elemental behind him protectively. All five eyes are trained on Sabre. As soon as El is out of the way, his body starts transforming like it did once before.]

What do you even WANT with a weak player like him, anyways?!?! You just toy with people like they're damned prey!

[rpduality]

Well, that's just it! He *claims* he's a player-

Because I *am* one, you insufferable-

an extra, puppet-like floating hand appears out of nowhere, covering RD!Illusion's mouth.

MMPH--

As I was saying, he claims he's a player, gave everyone around him a near-encyclopedic description of what players are and what they can do, and these line up with old stories of players showing up in this world in the past, but half of his claims don't even seem to apply to him! I just wanna find out what he truly is!

He raises his wing and an arm as more puppet-like hands restrain a still-struggling Illusion. He clenches his own raised hand into a fist.

A pursuit of curiosity! Is that so wrong?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He's now standing up, his paws turned to hooves, as he takes on the boar form once again, his hands balled up into fists. His words come out as a barely-restrained hiss, whispered just above his breath.]

Curiosity?

CURIOSITY?!?

Do you even hear yourself? You know curiosity kills the cat! If ya snoop around too far, ya tend to regret it! YOU YOURSELF certainly don't seem to be everything you are on the surface, either! You could've chosen anywhere, anything! And yet! AND YET! THIS?

THIS IS WHAT YOU CHOOSE ANYWAYS?!?

...God, you're as insufferable as I am. You can't leave a single mystery alone, even if there's no damned reason...

[rpduality]

He grins wildly, larger than should be humanly possible.

Curiosity may kill the cat, but did ya hear? Satisfaction brings it back!

He gives an arrogant laugh.

Besides! I already know everything else about this world, that information was basically beamed into my head as soon as I was created! This guy - and you, I guess - are the only gaps I have left in my knowledge, and I just have one more experiment I'd like to do before I'm done with him.

He pulls out a bottle of a sickly, swirling blue-and-green ooze, looking like if an infection was condensed into a slimy form.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Oh, no you don't-!

[He leaps at him, trying to get the bottle out of his hands. If he can't get RD!Illusion out of here, then he'll take one for the fucking team if he has to.]

I'M SO TIRED OF THIS BULLSHIT, AND I SWEAR TO GOD, FUCKING TAKE ME THEN! SEE HOW THAT WORKS OUT!

[rpduality]

Sabre quickly steps back, moving RD!Illusion in front of himself.

Hey now, you don't wanna hurt your... friend? Your you?

...

This guy

by mistake, now, do you? :)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Instead, he grabs onto RD!lllusion, staring up at Sabre with murderous eyes. Practically hugging him, even. His neck fluff is still covering much of his chest, cushioning his impact.]

One way or another, I'll defy you like I've defied every. Thing. Else.

[rpduality]

RD!Illusion is still confined and muted by the strange puppet hands, so all he's seemingly able to do is bury his forehead into TWA!Illusion's neck fluff. He feels very bony through his clothes.

Yeah, naw bud, that's not how this is gonna work.

Another puppet hand manifests, grabbing for TWA!Illusion's neck fluff, trying to scruff him like an angry cat. All of Sabre's eyes are looking at him now, and he can feel a tugging at his mind, something trying to compel him to let go as Sabre sticks the needle of a syringe through the cork of the bottle to get some of the goop out, when suddenly the syringe needle breaks by a sudden jolt and the tugging stops, sabre's concentration broken. The hand covering RD!Illusion's mouth jerks away and disappears, leaving behind something wet to drop to the ground in a small splatter.

What the- Did you just lick my hand!? Aw- That's disgusting, man!

RD!Illusion turns his head and sticks his tongue out at what he hopes is Sabre; he's keeping his eyes closed to avoid eye contact.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He grins. Sabre did manage to scruff him, but he did not let go. The floating rings stretch out from his hands as he's pulled slightly away from RD!Illusion.]

I told you :)

[Still, he knows he needs to play his cards right. When Sabre is distracted, he shifts his fluffy mane into a hard, rocky substance that weighs his body down and pokes everything that touches it.]

[rpduality]

A- ow!

Ack-

Both RD! Sabre and Illusion yelp in pain, Illusion still being half-buried in the fluff and Sabre being more dramatic, the hand scruffing TWA!Illusion and a few of the hands confining RD!Illusion disappearing. Sabre drops the bottle, which surprisingly does not shatter on impact with the ground. Good thing, too; the contents of this bottle are not something you want a splash potion of.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[His head floats up and away from his body, as all six of his limbs immediately latching onto RD!Illusion. He headbutts Sabre as hard as he can, his hands holding his alternate self protectively as he pulls back. His tail attempts to push the bottle away.]

[rpduality]

Sabre's twin metallic halos clank together hard against his skull, making a really satisfying sound and causing almost all of his eyes to close as he flinches back from the blow.

Ow ow OW! That is just plain rude what is WRONG with you-

He puts his arms up, shielding his face.

The bottle rolls away, but it's sitting at an angle so it just kind of rolls in a circle and ends up closer than it was before.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He kicks at him, his mane turning back into fur as he launches himself back with RD!Illusion in his arms.]

Says YOU, who's fully intending on INJECTING SOMETHING directly into our bloodstreams!

[His body grows longer, as he gains more limbs like a pigeon-colored centipede. He reaches back to pick up Elemental and make sure the kitten is alright, keeping an eye on the vial of mystery goo...]

[He's GOTTA get that vial. They need to find out what this is, before they have yet another encounter....]

[rpduality]

Only HIS body, I already know how that stuff reacts to STEVES!

He's using his wings to shield himself now, using whatever hands he has left grabbing RD!Illusion to try to yank him back. One pulling at his wrist causes a sharp popping sound, and Illusion flinches, biting back a hiss before wrenching his head around to bite the disembodied hand.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He must have at least a dozen arms by now, all grabbing at Sabre's. When he hears that sharp pop, Illusion hisses too, slashing at the hand. He's no longer going for the offense, just defense. He needs to get out, he needs to get out, he needs to get OUT-]

Really?! Then maybe try it on YOURSELF, CUZ THE ONLY MOTHERFUCKING PLAYER I SEE HERE IS YOU!

[For a split second, he freezes.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre pauses, cocking his head to one side in confusion as his halos recalibrate themselves and he lowers his wings a bit to look at them. RD!Illusion looks up at him, equally confused.)

What are you talking about? I'm not a player-

(That seems to have really thrown him off, as the overly exaggerated chipper tone in his voice all but dissappears.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Just as soon as he'd frozen up, he suddenly pulls RD!Illusion away as fast as possible with all his might. And just as quickly as he'd lost his nerve, he seemed to regain it, retorting back with only slight hesitance in his voice.]

You certainly act like a certain someone I know!

[But it was already clear that he'd spoken something that had been on his mind since first seeing Sabre. The way his eyes glanced between the two said everything.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre's back to putting on his energetic tone.)

I have. No idea what you're talking about!

Though I suppose if there are more of him in the universe there may as well be more of me... interesting!

(one of his halos spins in small jolts, like the circular reel on a viewmaster toy, each eye showing a different emotions as it stops on them, giving them each a good look at the two.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He glares at him, hugging RD!Illusion as tightly as he can.]

I saw that. I won't tell you anything, not until you're dead and in your grave...

[rpduality]

Youuuu do that then, I'lllll just take the liberty to...

(All of sabre's eyes are focused on TWA!Illusion again. He feels a prickling at the edges of his mind, like something is trying to look into it.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Instead of fright, he....laughs? He laughs, right in front of him.]

Ohhhhhhh, you won't like what you find if you want to do that :) I was simply sparing you the details :)

[Illusion's mind seems to open up to his snooping around, completely, oddly, unprotected..]

[rpduality]

Ha! Now that's bold! If that's what you want, then who am I to give up the opportunity :)

(He's using the full force of his powers, and they feel...

Familiar

if a bit mixed up with something else. Instead of looking at his memories, however, Sabre takes the opportunity to try to compel him to shift back to his normal form, again pulling away RD!Illusion with his disembodied hands.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[His mind feels like it's swirling. Goddammit, he got too cocky- He...needs to...]

Augh, you bitch-!

[It hurts. He let it open too wide, and now he can't shut it out...! He's trying to latch onto something, anything that could keep him grounded, but...he's slipping. He knows he won't be able to get away scot-free this time...]

[His mind latches onto a single memory. The multiplayer screen, and the numbers in the Hypixel server. A useless thing, frankly. The number repeats over and over again.]

[Three. Seven. One. Six. Four. Three. Seven. One. Six. Four. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour...]

[It doesn't take long for his body to shift in response. Three pairs of arms, then seven, one, six, four....and finally, one. A pair of golden eyes and a laugh is stuck in his mind, practically teasing him. His hands slip..]

[rpduality]

And a yyyoink! Thank you very much, that was a big help :)

(RD!Illusion panicks, struggling against Sabre's grip and trying to use a now-free hand to grab one of TWA!Illusion's arms, missing as they shift.)

C- Come on, snap out of it! Don't let him get to you!

Once he's fully yanked back, Sabre goes to pick up the bottle, but before he can grab it, the kitten runs up and, after climbing one of his wings with its needle-like claws, gives one of his eyes a good swipe. He yells out, losing enough focus to let go of TWA!Illusion's mind.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He instinctively steps back as he's suddenly freed from Sabre's grip. His eyes blink away the memories as he remembers where he was. As soon as he sees what he's facing, he growls.]

So you're playing dirty, huh?! Two can play at that!

[When he shifts again, his body forms into not just many many arms, but his body fully and completely splits. Much like Sabre's own disembodied hands, each one grabs at him from every which way. But, more importantly, his head itself splits...]

Perhaps several, in fact!

[False versions of him start to appear from every direction, most obviously not the real one, but their many hands make it difficult to parse which hands are real or not.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre picks up the kitten by the scruff, annoyed, before teleporting it back to his lab to get it out of the way.)

OHO, Ya wanna play games with me, huh, bud? In that case, I've got something *REALLY* fun!

(The entire cave blacks out, as if engulfed in a dark void, before all the light turns back on again. Once again visible, there are now two versions of RD!Illusion; one even more confined by the puppet hands than before, another hand swooping in to cover his mouth again, and the other standing where Sabre once stood. He takes a shaky step back in confusion and fear, free of the hands.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He stares at the two of them.]

Well. Then I guess this is what we're doing now!

[He himself takes the form of RD!Illusion, purely for the sake of it. He's going to get that very very good cat back, he's sure of it. He..just...needs to play it right. He's got it.]

[Right...?]

[He pulls off the puppet hand covering the one's mouth.]

I guess let the games begin!

[rpduality]

(This Illusion is grimacing underneath the hand, before his gaze snaps to it in... surprise? as it tries to grab on to TWA!Illusion's wrist.

Meanwhile, the other RD!Illusion stumbles backwards. He's grabbed fistfuls of his own hair, hyperventilating, when his back hitting the wall brings him back to reality. He looks down, spotting the bottle next to his foot, and scoops it up, shoving it haphazardly into a random one of his inner coat pockets. It's a miracle he didn't drop and break it with how shaky his hands are.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He turns to the one that picked up the bottle.]

Hey! Bottle. Down. Now.

[In the meanwhile, he grabs the hand, attempting to break its fingers. If he can get one to react right...he might be able to get the hell outta here. God, he shouldn't have tempted fate, now he's stuck in a stupid game....AGAIN.]

No one is touching that thing.

[rpduality]

But I- ACK-

(There's the distinct sound of the creaking and snapping of rubber bands as the fingers get bent in ways they're not supposed to, and both Illusions react to the pain.

The freed one stares at his own hand in dazed confusion before passing out from the pain. He flops over right on top of the bottle, which slips out of his coat and rolls away, luckily only cracked. The cork, however, was not very secure, and has popped out of place. Some of the substance inside is leaking out onto the cave floor as the bottle rolls in a circle and hits this Illusion's hurt hand, which flinches a bit.

The confined one only winces, seemingly trying to not react to the pain at all. The hand disappears. He gives TWA!Illusion the most pathetic wet-cat facial expression he can.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Well, one down-

[He immediately picks up the passed-out Illusion, like a sack of potatoes. He grabs the cork with his other hand, quickly pulling the bottle back up while trying to avoid touching the stuff.]

One to go.

[He looks the confined one up and down.]

Can you speak? Clearly, your mouth is no longer covered. It should work the same as before.

And if not...Well. Time for more hand removal, I guess...

[rpduality]

Yes, I- I can talk, just. please let me out of these things-

(His voice sounds strained, to say the least. He's staring at the bottle nervously.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He stares at him for a long, long moment.]

Actually, I have a better idea.

[He puts the passed-out Illusion over with Elemental, before grabbing the bottle. He...just smiles at him...]

Mmmmmmaybe I should take this back home for testing...what do you think? Or maybe I should just...drink it...? :)

[rpduality]

THAT'S-

(he dryly swallows some air.)

That's probably a pretty bad idea, I don't exactly *know* what's in there, but I might have an idea of what it could be. Right before he showed up, there was some kind of weird virus going around. I couldn't figure out what was going on or how to stop it, but then it just suddenly. Went away, without a trace. That was when he first appeared, claiming he had just. Solved the situation. It was kinda amazing, really- BUT! UM! If he managed to somehow get a sample of that virus, then who knows what he could do with it-

[trapped-in-my-story]

That makes sense...farrrrrr too much sense.

[He picks up both Elemental and Illusion, before turning to the confined Illusion Steve, pocketing the bottle.]

Thank you, we shall be going now, Sabre~!

[He teleports, trying to reach the lab before He does. He can't just leave it there, he just can't-]

[rpduality]

Wait wha-

(They appear in a room full of potions equipment. Brewing stands on a counter line the walls, cabinets below emitting some. Interesting smells. Double chests are stacked high, one stack for each of the side walls that aren't the counter or the exit door. A large table sits in the middle, holding such wonders as a golden carrot sitting on a cutting board, and a pufferfish that was just. Left there.

The kitten isn't in this room.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

Pspspsps-! Come on little guy, we gotta get outta hereee-

[With the two unconscious people slung over his shoulders, it's slow going. He instinctually looks away in disgust when he sees the pufferfish.]

Nottt sticking around hereeee, eugh-

[He. Just kicks the door open, looking for the kitten.]

[rpduality]

They're back in the long hallway, with the 'exit' to their left and a trail of glowing purple and blue liquid dripped along the floor from there to the other end of the hall to the right. There's the faraway sound of the kitten mewing as loud as its tiny little voice can get, sad and lonely, before it stops at the sound of the door and the jingling of its nametags echo as it runs from one of the split off hallways to the right and starts streaking down the long hallway towards Illusion.

[trapped-in-my-story]

There you are! C'mon, let's get outta this hellhole-

[He awkwardly kneels down so it can get scooped up before they head...anywhere, at this point.]

[rpduality]

The kitten looks confusedly between TWA!Illusion and the unconscious RD!Illusion, before deciding to climb TWA!Illusion's sleeve in order to somehow perch on top of RD!Illusion, sitting down in a loaf and purring.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He quietly laughs.]

Yeah, sure, sure, that works-

[He stands back up, giving the place another glance and a glare.]

....well. Let'ssss just hope this works out in our favor- god knows how much longer I've got til I pass out too...

[Leaving the lab behind, he attempts to teleport somewhere that might be safer, maybe even somewhere they could hide, even for just a little...he tries to reach into the past for somewhere secluded and not yet known. Maybe, maybe, somewhere only he can recall...]

[rpduality]

they appear in a very familiar graveyard, the sky suddenly clear as the moon hangs perfectly in the center of it. While the graveyard is familiar, the area it's in is not nestled in the crook of a snowy mountain as abandoned snowcapped houses dot down the slope away from the entrance. While the area around them is snowy, not a single flake of it has entered the graveyard's walls.

A ball of ice blocks the entrance to a certain building, but there's a tunnel in it as if someone had dug through.

[vampocalypse-castle]

....Yeah that's. Totally normal actually. Definitely not an ominous sight.

[Once he gets his bearings, he heads into the tunnel of ice, carrying all three of his team members close so they don't freeze.]

[rpduality]

The ice quickly turns into a staircase downwards, leading to a familiar room. The room has a tomb in the middle, broken open with a ladder inside leading downwards. A tomb room, if you will.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, bringing himself to a stop.]

Cold and dusty...perfecttttt. At least we can lay low til the ghosts come home, eh?

[His voice echoes off the walls of the tomb room. He shivers a little, carefully setting RD!Illusion and Elemental down. He tiredly flops to the ground, curling up beside the others.]

Pleaseeeee don't possess me or my friends, I swear to god-

[rpduality]

Once everyone is down, the kitten fluffs up its fur and jumps off of RD!Illusion and nudges its way under TWA!Illusion's hand for warmth, curling up to go to sleep. The ground may be cold and hard, but the cat is warm and soft to the touch, vibrating a little in a near-silent purr.

It's not entirely cold in this room, as the lava on Elemental's arm slowly starts to warm up the area around them, its heat slowly permeating the air almost as a sort of aura.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, smiling tiredly as he pets it.]

...At least we're together for a moment.

[rpduality]

The room remains calm and quiet. Peaceful, despite its... decor, if you can call it that. The kitten quietly yawns, and RD!Illusion shifts, curling himself up tightly not unlike the little fluffer.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He can't help but sigh as he looks around their current place of residence.]

I guess that's more than I could possibly hope for, at this rate..

[rpduality]

The rest of the night, or. "Night", i guess, since it's permanently midnight in this place, passes without incident, though RD!Illusion keeps fidgeting, stuck in a nightmare. It seems like the perfect time to rest for a while, even the kitten feels safe enough to fall asleep, softly purring.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Illusion himself had eventually passed out, totally unable to keep up with the fast-paced experience of Dealing With Sabre. His form, which he can usually keep in shape easily, suddenly shifts as he sleeps.]

[Rather than his usual alt-teenager style, his clothes shift to a comfy sweater and black vest, his floating body fusing into a "normal" form. His face looks much more childlike (and....oddly human...) with short, messy hair in a very basic black and white haircut. His more "alien" features have been basically sanded down into a human with oddly colored skin and hair. His scorpion tail formed into a soft, fluffy tail with a galaxy-like print, though more to his color scheme than The Galaxy Steve's. He looks...oddly peaceful, for the moment.]

[rpduality]

Elemental's the first to wake up after several hours, and, while suprised at TWA!Illusion's form, decides not to wake up either of the illusions. Instead, he teleports out of the room, returning with a furnace, some chicken, some potatoes, and. An allium? He places down the furnace to cook. Whatever meal it's time for, and stares at the flower, not really knowing himself what to do with it, before setting it down on top of the furnace. He puts the food in the furnace and, quickly becoming impatient, tries to use some of his powers to speed up the cooking process. Some of the food comes out overdone, but he's got spirit!

[trapped-in-my-story]

[After a short while later, TWA!Illusion comes to with the smell of food. He tries to stretch like he usually would, only to find he has actual joints. As soon as he sees what he looks like right now, utter embarrassment fills his eyes as he tries to discretely shift back. He finds, to his horror, that he can only hold the form for a few seconds before failing. After about a comical (and sad) five minutes of this, he finally gives up and trudges over to see what Elemental has.]

....I see you made food.

[rpduality]

(Elemental eyes him for a bit, fighting to hold back a snicker. It's warm by the furnace, comforting after all this chill, though the flower placed on it is starting to wilt from the heat. He steps back a bit.)

Certainly tried-

(It's hard to tell who he's referring to.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He rolls his eyes, which are much fewer now. His sweater is far too big on him.]

I won't bring it up to him if you don't bring this up to him.

[He swipes a potato for himself, before deciding to just. Sulk beside the furnace and eat.]

[rpduality]

It's a deal, then.

(He grabs some of the chicken for himself to eat. The chicken's a bit dry, but despite the outer skin of the potato being charred, it's actually fairly well cooked in the middle, if a bit burning hot from being still fresh from the furnace.

The deal may not need to be upheld, as RD!Illusion stirs from his sleep. At some point, he had subconsciously taken his glasses off in his sleep, and he grabs for them, eyes still half-closed and bleary.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Illusion instinctively curls up in his sweater even more, tail fluffing up as he realizes he might be caught immediately.]

Goddammit-

[rpduality]

Elemental makes no move to intervene as RD!Illusion rubs the sleep out of his eyes and puts his glasses on and squints up at TWA!Illusion, not seeming to recognize him at first.

...a child?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He covers his face with his sleeves, immediately embarassed.]

Ohhh my goddddd..

No. No I am most certainly not.

[Even though his voice is the same, it's clear that all the edge to him is lost. Trying to hiss about it doesn't even come off as anything more than a kitten trying to puff up in panic.]

[rpduality]

He perks up when he recognizes his voice, before looking at the kitten, which is finally starting to try to clean the blood of itself.

I see the comparison now..

Are you alright?

[trapped-in-my-story]

Goddammit...

[He huffs, glancing at the small kitten from behind the soft, oversized sleeves.]

This is the last thing I'd want you all to see >:/

[rpduality]

(The kitten decides to trot over to TWA!Illusion and rub its head against his leg, mewing. aww.)

could I please have one of those potatoes?

(Elemental hands RD!Illusion some food as he looks around the room, partially embarrassed that he mistook TWA!Illusion for a child and partially because he recognizes it.)

... Is this where I think it is..?

[rpduality]

@trapped-in-my-story (making a new post bc pc tumblr got Consumed By The Darkness for a sec as I was trying to scroll down)

...

His nametag flickers and glitches slightly, as if it's broken. RD!Illusion buries himself further into his notebook, but is mostly doodling in the margins now, making little diagram sketches of RD!Sabre's weird wing cloak thing.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He finally just gives up on comprehending what's up with this guy and lets his face flop onto the cold, frosty ground.]

[rpduality]

Patches of frosted-over grass prickle slightly against him, like laying on a bed of brittle needles. It's almost as prickly as the kitten's fur is getting as it stares at nothing. A growl escapes from its throat as a snap can be heard, causing Elemental to pass out again, and a green glow begins manifesting near RD!Illusion.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[It's far from comfortable, but he'll make do. But as soon as he hears its growl, his own fur prickles up as his ears swivel towards the unusual sound. A deep, animalistic hiss rises from his own throat as his eyes jolt open, turning towards the uncomfortably green hue...]

Fucking. HELL.

[In one swift move, he scoops up the kitten onto his shoulder, using one of his back legs to kick at the glow, being careful not to hurt RD!Illusion. With his front paws, he tries to catch Elemental.]

[rpduality]

Elemental is successfully caught before he hits the ground, but the green, as well as RD!Illusion, are just out of reach. The glow brightens and 3 sets of wings open up out of seemingly nothing, revealing this world's Sabre with the same almost-performative flair as at the exit to his lab. He yanks up RD!Illusion by the arm, keeping him held in place as he tries to fight back, too weakened to do much.

Freaking finally! I thought I'd never get this chance! You are wayyyy too overprotective, you know :)

[trapped-in-my-story]

As I should be, clearly...

[He scowls and hisses at the bitch-ass-motherfucker before him, practically tossing Elemental behind him protectively. All five eyes are trained on Sabre. As soon as El is out of the way, his body starts transforming like it did once before.]

What do you even WANT with a weak player like him, anyways?!?! You just toy with people like they're damned prey!

[rpduality]

Well, that's just it! He *claims* he's a player-

Because I *am* one, you insufferable-

an extra, puppet-like floating hand appears out of nowhere, covering RD!Illusion's mouth.

MMPH--

As I was saying, he claims he's a player, gave everyone around him a near-encyclopedic description of what players are and what they can do, and these line up with old stories of players showing up in this world in the past, but half of his claims don't even seem to apply to him! I just wanna find out what he truly is!

He raises his wing and an arm as more puppet-like hands restrain a still-struggling Illusion. He clenches his own raised hand into a fist.

A pursuit of curiosity! Is that so wrong?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He's now standing up, his paws turned to hooves, as he takes on the boar form once again, his hands balled up into fists. His words come out as a barely-restrained hiss, whispered just above his breath.]

Curiosity?

CURIOSITY?!?

Do you even hear yourself? You know curiosity kills the cat! If ya snoop around too far, ya tend to regret it! YOU YOURSELF certainly don't seem to be everything you are on the surface, either! You could've chosen anywhere, anything! And yet! AND YET! THIS?

THIS IS WHAT YOU CHOOSE ANYWAYS?!?

...God, you're as insufferable as I am. You can't leave a single mystery alone, even if there's no damned reason...

[rpduality]

He grins wildly, larger than should be humanly possible.

Curiosity may kill the cat, but did ya hear? Satisfaction brings it back!

He gives an arrogant laugh.

Besides! I already know everything else about this world, that information was basically beamed into my head as soon as I was created! This guy - and you, I guess - are the only gaps I have left in my knowledge, and I just have one more experiment I'd like to do before I'm done with him.

He pulls out a bottle of a sickly, swirling blue-and-green ooze, looking like if an infection was condensed into a slimy form.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Oh, no you don't-!

[He leaps at him, trying to get the bottle out of his hands. If he can't get RD!Illusion out of here, then he'll take one for the fucking team if he has to.]

I'M SO TIRED OF THIS BULLSHIT, AND I SWEAR TO GOD, FUCKING TAKE ME THEN! SEE HOW THAT WORKS OUT!

[rpduality]

Sabre quickly steps back, moving RD!Illusion in front of himself.

Hey now, you don't wanna hurt your... friend? Your you?

...

This guy

by mistake, now, do you? :)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Instead, he grabs onto RD!lllusion, staring up at Sabre with murderous eyes. Practically hugging him, even. His neck fluff is still covering much of his chest, cushioning his impact.]

One way or another, I'll defy you like I've defied every. Thing. Else.

[rpduality]

RD!Illusion is still confined and muted by the strange puppet hands, so all he's seemingly able to do is bury his forehead into TWA!Illusion's neck fluff. He feels very bony through his clothes.

Yeah, naw bud, that's not how this is gonna work.

Another puppet hand manifests, grabbing for TWA!Illusion's neck fluff, trying to scruff him like an angry cat. All of Sabre's eyes are looking at him now, and he can feel a tugging at his mind, something trying to compel him to let go as Sabre sticks the needle of a syringe through the cork of the bottle to get some of the goop out, when suddenly the syringe needle breaks by a sudden jolt and the tugging stops, sabre's concentration broken. The hand covering RD!Illusion's mouth jerks away and disappears, leaving behind something wet to drop to the ground in a small splatter.

What the- Did you just lick my hand!? Aw- That's disgusting, man!

RD!Illusion turns his head and sticks his tongue out at what he hopes is Sabre; he's keeping his eyes closed to avoid eye contact.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He grins. Sabre did manage to scruff him, but he did not let go. The floating rings stretch out from his hands as he's pulled slightly away from RD!Illusion.]

I told you :)

[Still, he knows he needs to play his cards right. When Sabre is distracted, he shifts his fluffy mane into a hard, rocky substance that weighs his body down and pokes everything that touches it.]

[rpduality]

A- ow!

Ack-

Both RD! Sabre and Illusion yelp in pain, Illusion still being half-buried in the fluff and Sabre being more dramatic, the hand scruffing TWA!Illusion and a few of the hands confining RD!Illusion disappearing. Sabre drops the bottle, which surprisingly does not shatter on impact with the ground. Good thing, too; the contents of this bottle are not something you want a splash potion of.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[His head floats up and away from his body, as all six of his limbs immediately latching onto RD!Illusion. He headbutts Sabre as hard as he can, his hands holding his alternate self protectively as he pulls back. His tail attempts to push the bottle away.]

[rpduality]

Sabre's twin metallic halos clank together hard against his skull, making a really satisfying sound and causing almost all of his eyes to close as he flinches back from the blow.

Ow ow OW! That is just plain rude what is WRONG with you-

He puts his arms up, shielding his face.

The bottle rolls away, but it's sitting at an angle so it just kind of rolls in a circle and ends up closer than it was before.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He kicks at him, his mane turning back into fur as he launches himself back with RD!Illusion in his arms.]

Says YOU, who's fully intending on INJECTING SOMETHING directly into our bloodstreams!

[His body grows longer, as he gains more limbs like a pigeon-colored centipede. He reaches back to pick up Elemental and make sure the kitten is alright, keeping an eye on the vial of mystery goo...]

[He's GOTTA get that vial. They need to find out what this is, before they have yet another encounter....]

[rpduality]

Only HIS body, I already know how that stuff reacts to STEVES!

He's using his wings to shield himself now, using whatever hands he has left grabbing RD!Illusion to try to yank him back. One pulling at his wrist causes a sharp popping sound, and Illusion flinches, biting back a hiss before wrenching his head around to bite the disembodied hand.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He must have at least a dozen arms by now, all grabbing at Sabre's. When he hears that sharp pop, Illusion hisses too, slashing at the hand. He's no longer going for the offense, just defense. He needs to get out, he needs to get out, he needs to get OUT-]

Really?! Then maybe try it on YOURSELF, CUZ THE ONLY MOTHERFUCKING PLAYER I SEE HERE IS YOU!

[For a split second, he freezes.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre pauses, cocking his head to one side in confusion as his halos recalibrate themselves and he lowers his wings a bit to look at them. RD!Illusion looks up at him, equally confused.)

What are you talking about? I'm not a player-

(That seems to have really thrown him off, as the overly exaggerated chipper tone in his voice all but dissappears.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Just as soon as he'd frozen up, he suddenly pulls RD!Illusion away as fast as possible with all his might. And just as quickly as he'd lost his nerve, he seemed to regain it, retorting back with only slight hesitance in his voice.]

You certainly act like a certain someone I know!

[But it was already clear that he'd spoken something that had been on his mind since first seeing Sabre. The way his eyes glanced between the two said everything.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre's back to putting on his energetic tone.)

I have. No idea what you're talking about!

Though I suppose if there are more of him in the universe there may as well be more of me... interesting!

(one of his halos spins in small jolts, like the circular reel on a viewmaster toy, each eye showing a different emotions as it stops on them, giving them each a good look at the two.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He glares at him, hugging RD!Illusion as tightly as he can.]

I saw that. I won't tell you anything, not until you're dead and in your grave...

[rpduality]

Youuuu do that then, I'lllll just take the liberty to...

(All of sabre's eyes are focused on TWA!Illusion again. He feels a prickling at the edges of his mind, like something is trying to look into it.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Instead of fright, he....laughs? He laughs, right in front of him.]

Ohhhhhhh, you won't like what you find if you want to do that :) I was simply sparing you the details :)

[Illusion's mind seems to open up to his snooping around, completely, oddly, unprotected..]

[rpduality]

Ha! Now that's bold! If that's what you want, then who am I to give up the opportunity :)

(He's using the full force of his powers, and they feel...

Familiar

if a bit mixed up with something else. Instead of looking at his memories, however, Sabre takes the opportunity to try to compel him to shift back to his normal form, again pulling away RD!Illusion with his disembodied hands.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[His mind feels like it's swirling. Goddammit, he got too cocky- He...needs to...]

Augh, you bitch-!

[It hurts. He let it open too wide, and now he can't shut it out...! He's trying to latch onto something, anything that could keep him grounded, but...he's slipping. He knows he won't be able to get away scot-free this time...]

[His mind latches onto a single memory. The multiplayer screen, and the numbers in the Hypixel server. A useless thing, frankly. The number repeats over and over again.]

[Three. Seven. One. Six. Four. Three. Seven. One. Six. Four. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour...]

[It doesn't take long for his body to shift in response. Three pairs of arms, then seven, one, six, four....and finally, one. A pair of golden eyes and a laugh is stuck in his mind, practically teasing him. His hands slip..]

[rpduality]

And a yyyoink! Thank you very much, that was a big help :)

(RD!Illusion panicks, struggling against Sabre's grip and trying to use a now-free hand to grab one of TWA!Illusion's arms, missing as they shift.)

C- Come on, snap out of it! Don't let him get to you!

Once he's fully yanked back, Sabre goes to pick up the bottle, but before he can grab it, the kitten runs up and, after climbing one of his wings with its needle-like claws, gives one of his eyes a good swipe. He yells out, losing enough focus to let go of TWA!Illusion's mind.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He instinctively steps back as he's suddenly freed from Sabre's grip. His eyes blink away the memories as he remembers where he was. As soon as he sees what he's facing, he growls.]

So you're playing dirty, huh?! Two can play at that!

[When he shifts again, his body forms into not just many many arms, but his body fully and completely splits. Much like Sabre's own disembodied hands, each one grabs at him from every which way. But, more importantly, his head itself splits...]

Perhaps several, in fact!

[False versions of him start to appear from every direction, most obviously not the real one, but their many hands make it difficult to parse which hands are real or not.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre picks up the kitten by the scruff, annoyed, before teleporting it back to his lab to get it out of the way.)

OHO, Ya wanna play games with me, huh, bud? In that case, I've got something *REALLY* fun!

(The entire cave blacks out, as if engulfed in a dark void, before all the light turns back on again. Once again visible, there are now two versions of RD!Illusion; one even more confined by the puppet hands than before, another hand swooping in to cover his mouth again, and the other standing where Sabre once stood. He takes a shaky step back in confusion and fear, free of the hands.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He stares at the two of them.]

Well. Then I guess this is what we're doing now!

[He himself takes the form of RD!Illusion, purely for the sake of it. He's going to get that very very good cat back, he's sure of it. He..just...needs to play it right. He's got it.]

[Right...?]

[He pulls off the puppet hand covering the one's mouth.]

I guess let the games begin!

[rpduality]

(This Illusion is grimacing underneath the hand, before his gaze snaps to it in... surprise? as it tries to grab on to TWA!Illusion's wrist.

Meanwhile, the other RD!Illusion stumbles backwards. He's grabbed fistfuls of his own hair, hyperventilating, when his back hitting the wall brings him back to reality. He looks down, spotting the bottle next to his foot, and scoops it up, shoving it haphazardly into a random one of his inner coat pockets. It's a miracle he didn't drop and break it with how shaky his hands are.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He turns to the one that picked up the bottle.]

Hey! Bottle. Down. Now.

[In the meanwhile, he grabs the hand, attempting to break its fingers. If he can get one to react right...he might be able to get the hell outta here. God, he shouldn't have tempted fate, now he's stuck in a stupid game....AGAIN.]

No one is touching that thing.

[rpduality]

But I- ACK-

(There's the distinct sound of the creaking and snapping of rubber bands as the fingers get bent in ways they're not supposed to, and both Illusions react to the pain.

The freed one stares at his own hand in dazed confusion before passing out from the pain. He flops over right on top of the bottle, which slips out of his coat and rolls away, luckily only cracked. The cork, however, was not very secure, and has popped out of place. Some of the substance inside is leaking out onto the cave floor as the bottle rolls in a circle and hits this Illusion's hurt hand, which flinches a bit.

The confined one only winces, seemingly trying to not react to the pain at all. The hand disappears. He gives TWA!Illusion the most pathetic wet-cat facial expression he can.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Well, one down-

[He immediately picks up the passed-out Illusion, like a sack of potatoes. He grabs the cork with his other hand, quickly pulling the bottle back up while trying to avoid touching the stuff.]

One to go.

[He looks the confined one up and down.]

Can you speak? Clearly, your mouth is no longer covered. It should work the same as before.

And if not...Well. Time for more hand removal, I guess...

[rpduality]

Yes, I- I can talk, just. please let me out of these things-

(His voice sounds strained, to say the least. He's staring at the bottle nervously.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He stares at him for a long, long moment.]

Actually, I have a better idea.

[He puts the passed-out Illusion over with Elemental, before grabbing the bottle. He...just smiles at him...]

Mmmmmmaybe I should take this back home for testing...what do you think? Or maybe I should just...drink it...? :)

[rpduality]

THAT'S-

(he dryly swallows some air.)

That's probably a pretty bad idea, I don't exactly *know* what's in there, but I might have an idea of what it could be. Right before he showed up, there was some kind of weird virus going around. I couldn't figure out what was going on or how to stop it, but then it just suddenly. Went away, without a trace. That was when he first appeared, claiming he had just. Solved the situation. It was kinda amazing, really- BUT! UM! If he managed to somehow get a sample of that virus, then who knows what he could do with it-

[trapped-in-my-story]

That makes sense...farrrrrr too much sense.

[He picks up both Elemental and Illusion, before turning to the confined Illusion Steve, pocketing the bottle.]

Thank you, we shall be going now, Sabre~!

[He teleports, trying to reach the lab before He does. He can't just leave it there, he just can't-]

[rpduality]

Wait wha-

(They appear in a room full of potions equipment. Brewing stands on a counter line the walls, cabinets below emitting some. Interesting smells. Double chests are stacked high, one stack for each of the side walls that aren't the counter or the exit door. A large table sits in the middle, holding such wonders as a golden carrot sitting on a cutting board, and a pufferfish that was just. Left there.

The kitten isn't in this room.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

Pspspsps-! Come on little guy, we gotta get outta hereee-

[With the two unconscious people slung over his shoulders, it's slow going. He instinctually looks away in disgust when he sees the pufferfish.]

Nottt sticking around hereeee, eugh-

[He. Just kicks the door open, looking for the kitten.]

[rpduality]

They're back in the long hallway, with the 'exit' to their left and a trail of glowing purple and blue liquid dripped along the floor from there to the other end of the hall to the right. There's the faraway sound of the kitten mewing as loud as its tiny little voice can get, sad and lonely, before it stops at the sound of the door and the jingling of its nametags echo as it runs from one of the split off hallways to the right and starts streaking down the long hallway towards Illusion.

[trapped-in-my-story]

There you are! C'mon, let's get outta this hellhole-

[He awkwardly kneels down so it can get scooped up before they head...anywhere, at this point.]

[rpduality]

The kitten looks confusedly between TWA!Illusion and the unconscious RD!Illusion, before deciding to climb TWA!Illusion's sleeve in order to somehow perch on top of RD!Illusion, sitting down in a loaf and purring.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He quietly laughs.]

Yeah, sure, sure, that works-

[He stands back up, giving the place another glance and a glare.]

....well. Let'ssss just hope this works out in our favor- god knows how much longer I've got til I pass out too...

[Leaving the lab behind, he attempts to teleport somewhere that might be safer, maybe even somewhere they could hide, even for just a little...he tries to reach into the past for somewhere secluded and not yet known. Maybe, maybe, somewhere only he can recall...]

[rpduality]

they appear in a very familiar graveyard, the sky suddenly clear as the moon hangs perfectly in the center of it. While the graveyard is familiar, the area it's in is not nestled in the crook of a snowy mountain as abandoned snowcapped houses dot down the slope away from the entrance. While the area around them is snowy, not a single flake of it has entered the graveyard's walls.

A ball of ice blocks the entrance to a certain building, but there's a tunnel in it as if someone had dug through.

[vampocalypse-castle]

....Yeah that's. Totally normal actually. Definitely not an ominous sight.

[Once he gets his bearings, he heads into the tunnel of ice, carrying all three of his team members close so they don't freeze.]

[rpduality]

The ice quickly turns into a staircase downwards, leading to a familiar room. The room has a tomb in the middle, broken open with a ladder inside leading downwards. A tomb room, if you will.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, bringing himself to a stop.]

Cold and dusty...perfecttttt. At least we can lay low til the ghosts come home, eh?

[His voice echoes off the walls of the tomb room. He shivers a little, carefully setting RD!Illusion and Elemental down. He tiredly flops to the ground, curling up beside the others.]

Pleaseeeee don't possess me or my friends, I swear to god-

[rpduality]

Once everyone is down, the kitten fluffs up its fur and jumps off of RD!Illusion and nudges its way under TWA!Illusion's hand for warmth, curling up to go to sleep. The ground may be cold and hard, but the cat is warm and soft to the touch, vibrating a little in a near-silent purr.

It's not entirely cold in this room, as the lava on Elemental's arm slowly starts to warm up the area around them, its heat slowly permeating the air almost as a sort of aura.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, smiling tiredly as he pets it.]

...At least we're together for a moment.

[rpduality]

The room remains calm and quiet. Peaceful, despite its... decor, if you can call it that. The kitten quietly yawns, and RD!Illusion shifts, curling himself up tightly not unlike the little fluffer.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He can't help but sigh as he looks around their current place of residence.]

I guess that's more than I could possibly hope for, at this rate..

[rpduality]

The rest of the night, or. "Night", i guess, since it's permanently midnight in this place, passes without incident, though RD!Illusion keeps fidgeting, stuck in a nightmare. It seems like the perfect time to rest for a while, even the kitten feels safe enough to fall asleep, softly purring.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Illusion himself had eventually passed out, totally unable to keep up with the fast-paced experience of Dealing With Sabre. His form, which he can usually keep in shape easily, suddenly shifts as he sleeps.]

[Rather than his usual alt-teenager style, his clothes shift to a comfy sweater and black vest, his floating body fusing into a "normal" form. His face looks much more childlike (and....oddly human...) with short, messy hair in a very basic black and white haircut. His more "alien" features have been basically sanded down into a human with oddly colored skin and hair. His scorpion tail formed into a soft, fluffy tail with a galaxy-like print, though more to his color scheme than The Galaxy Steve's. He looks...oddly peaceful, for the moment.]

[rpduality]

Elemental's the first to wake up after several hours, and, while suprised at TWA!Illusion's form, decides not to wake up either of the illusions. Instead, he teleports out of the room, returning with a furnace, some chicken, some potatoes, and. An allium? He places down the furnace to cook. Whatever meal it's time for, and stares at the flower, not really knowing himself what to do with it, before setting it down on top of the furnace. He puts the food in the furnace and, quickly becoming impatient, tries to use some of his powers to speed up the cooking process. Some of the food comes out overdone, but he's got spirit!

[trapped-in-my-story]

[After a short while later, TWA!Illusion comes to with the smell of food. He tries to stretch like he usually would, only to find he has actual joints. As soon as he sees what he looks like right now, utter embarrassment fills his eyes as he tries to discretely shift back. He finds, to his horror, that he can only hold the form for a few seconds before failing. After about a comical (and sad) five minutes of this, he finally gives up and trudges over to see what Elemental has.]

....I see you made food.

[rpduality]

(Elemental eyes him for a bit, fighting to hold back a snicker. It's warm by the furnace, comforting after all this chill, though the flower placed on it is starting to wilt from the heat. He steps back a bit.)

Certainly tried-

(It's hard to tell who he's referring to.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He rolls his eyes, which are much fewer now. His sweater is far too big on him.]

I won't bring it up to him if you don't bring this up to him.

[He swipes a potato for himself, before deciding to just. Sulk beside the furnace and eat.]

[rpduality]

It's a deal, then.

(He grabs some of the chicken for himself to eat. The chicken's a bit dry, but despite the outer skin of the potato being charred, it's actually fairly well cooked in the middle, if a bit burning hot from being still fresh from the furnace.

The deal may not need to be upheld, as RD!Illusion stirs from his sleep. At some point, he had subconsciously taken his glasses off in his sleep, and he grabs for them, eyes still half-closed and bleary.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Illusion instinctively curls up in his sweater even more, tail fluffing up as he realizes he might be caught immediately.]

Goddammit-

[rpduality]

Elemental makes no move to intervene as RD!Illusion rubs the sleep out of his eyes and puts his glasses on and squints up at TWA!Illusion, not seeming to recognize him at first.

...a child?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He covers his face with his sleeves, immediately embarassed.]

Ohhh my goddddd..

No. No I am most certainly not.

[Even though his voice is the same, it's clear that all the edge to him is lost. Trying to hiss about it doesn't even come off as anything more than a kitten trying to puff up in panic.]

[rpduality]

He perks up when he recognizes his voice, before looking at the kitten, which is finally starting to try to clean the blood of itself.

I see the comparison now..

Are you alright?

[rpduality]

@trapped-in-my-story (making a new post bc pc tumblr got Consumed By The Darkness for a sec as I was trying to scroll down)

...

His nametag flickers and glitches slightly, as if it's broken. RD!Illusion buries himself further into his notebook, but is mostly doodling in the margins now, making little diagram sketches of RD!Sabre's weird wing cloak thing.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He finally just gives up on comprehending what's up with this guy and lets his face flop onto the cold, frosty ground.]

[rpduality]

Patches of frosted-over grass prickle slightly against him, like laying on a bed of brittle needles. It's almost as prickly as the kitten's fur is getting as it stares at nothing. A growl escapes from its throat as a snap can be heard, causing Elemental to pass out again, and a green glow begins manifesting near RD!Illusion.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[It's far from comfortable, but he'll make do. But as soon as he hears its growl, his own fur prickles up as his ears swivel towards the unusual sound. A deep, animalistic hiss rises from his own throat as his eyes jolt open, turning towards the uncomfortably green hue...]

Fucking. HELL.

[In one swift move, he scoops up the kitten onto his shoulder, using one of his back legs to kick at the glow, being careful not to hurt RD!Illusion. With his front paws, he tries to catch Elemental.]

[rpduality]

Elemental is successfully caught before he hits the ground, but the green, as well as RD!Illusion, are just out of reach. The glow brightens and 3 sets of wings open up out of seemingly nothing, revealing this world's Sabre with the same almost-performative flair as at the exit to his lab. He yanks up RD!Illusion by the arm, keeping him held in place as he tries to fight back, too weakened to do much.

Freaking finally! I thought I'd never get this chance! You are wayyyy too overprotective, you know :)

[trapped-in-my-story]

As I should be, clearly...

[He scowls and hisses at the bitch-ass-motherfucker before him, practically tossing Elemental behind him protectively. All five eyes are trained on Sabre. As soon as El is out of the way, his body starts transforming like it did once before.]

What do you even WANT with a weak player like him, anyways?!?! You just toy with people like they're damned prey!

[rpduality]

Well, that's just it! He *claims* he's a player-

Because I *am* one, you insufferable-

an extra, puppet-like floating hand appears out of nowhere, covering RD!Illusion's mouth.

MMPH--

As I was saying, he claims he's a player, gave everyone around him a near-encyclopedic description of what players are and what they can do, and these line up with old stories of players showing up in this world in the past, but half of his claims don't even seem to apply to him! I just wanna find out what he truly is!

He raises his wing and an arm as more puppet-like hands restrain a still-struggling Illusion. He clenches his own raised hand into a fist.

A pursuit of curiosity! Is that so wrong?

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He's now standing up, his paws turned to hooves, as he takes on the boar form once again, his hands balled up into fists. His words come out as a barely-restrained hiss, whispered just above his breath.]

Curiosity?

CURIOSITY?!?

Do you even hear yourself? You know curiosity kills the cat! If ya snoop around too far, ya tend to regret it! YOU YOURSELF certainly don't seem to be everything you are on the surface, either! You could've chosen anywhere, anything! And yet! AND YET! THIS?

THIS IS WHAT YOU CHOOSE ANYWAYS?!?

...God, you're as insufferable as I am. You can't leave a single mystery alone, even if there's no damned reason...

[rpduality]

He grins wildly, larger than should be humanly possible.

Curiosity may kill the cat, but did ya hear? Satisfaction brings it back!

He gives an arrogant laugh.

Besides! I already know everything else about this world, that information was basically beamed into my head as soon as I was created! This guy - and you, I guess - are the only gaps I have left in my knowledge, and I just have one more experiment I'd like to do before I'm done with him.

He pulls out a bottle of a sickly, swirling blue-and-green ooze, looking like if an infection was condensed into a slimy form.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Oh, no you don't-!

[He leaps at him, trying to get the bottle out of his hands. If he can't get RD!Illusion out of here, then he'll take one for the fucking team if he has to.]

I'M SO TIRED OF THIS BULLSHIT, AND I SWEAR TO GOD, FUCKING TAKE ME THEN! SEE HOW THAT WORKS OUT!

[rpduality]

Sabre quickly steps back, moving RD!Illusion in front of himself.

Hey now, you don't wanna hurt your... friend? Your you?

...

This guy

by mistake, now, do you? :)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Instead, he grabs onto RD!lllusion, staring up at Sabre with murderous eyes. Practically hugging him, even. His neck fluff is still covering much of his chest, cushioning his impact.]

One way or another, I'll defy you like I've defied every. Thing. Else.

[rpduality]

RD!Illusion is still confined and muted by the strange puppet hands, so all he's seemingly able to do is bury his forehead into TWA!Illusion's neck fluff. He feels very bony through his clothes.

Yeah, naw bud, that's not how this is gonna work.

Another puppet hand manifests, grabbing for TWA!Illusion's neck fluff, trying to scruff him like an angry cat. All of Sabre's eyes are looking at him now, and he can feel a tugging at his mind, something trying to compel him to let go as Sabre sticks the needle of a syringe through the cork of the bottle to get some of the goop out, when suddenly the syringe needle breaks by a sudden jolt and the tugging stops, sabre's concentration broken. The hand covering RD!Illusion's mouth jerks away and disappears, leaving behind something wet to drop to the ground in a small splatter.

What the- Did you just lick my hand!? Aw- That's disgusting, man!

RD!Illusion turns his head and sticks his tongue out at what he hopes is Sabre; he's keeping his eyes closed to avoid eye contact.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He grins. Sabre did manage to scruff him, but he did not let go. The floating rings stretch out from his hands as he's pulled slightly away from RD!Illusion.]

I told you :)

[Still, he knows he needs to play his cards right. When Sabre is distracted, he shifts his fluffy mane into a hard, rocky substance that weighs his body down and pokes everything that touches it.]

[rpduality]

A- ow!

Ack-

Both RD! Sabre and Illusion yelp in pain, Illusion still being half-buried in the fluff and Sabre being more dramatic, the hand scruffing TWA!Illusion and a few of the hands confining RD!Illusion disappearing. Sabre drops the bottle, which surprisingly does not shatter on impact with the ground. Good thing, too; the contents of this bottle are not something you want a splash potion of.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[His head floats up and away from his body, as all six of his limbs immediately latching onto RD!Illusion. He headbutts Sabre as hard as he can, his hands holding his alternate self protectively as he pulls back. His tail attempts to push the bottle away.]

[rpduality]

Sabre's twin metallic halos clank together hard against his skull, making a really satisfying sound and causing almost all of his eyes to close as he flinches back from the blow.

Ow ow OW! That is just plain rude what is WRONG with you-

He puts his arms up, shielding his face.

The bottle rolls away, but it's sitting at an angle so it just kind of rolls in a circle and ends up closer than it was before.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He kicks at him, his mane turning back into fur as he launches himself back with RD!Illusion in his arms.]

Says YOU, who's fully intending on INJECTING SOMETHING directly into our bloodstreams!

[His body grows longer, as he gains more limbs like a pigeon-colored centipede. He reaches back to pick up Elemental and make sure the kitten is alright, keeping an eye on the vial of mystery goo...]

[He's GOTTA get that vial. They need to find out what this is, before they have yet another encounter....]

[rpduality]

Only HIS body, I already know how that stuff reacts to STEVES!

He's using his wings to shield himself now, using whatever hands he has left grabbing RD!Illusion to try to yank him back. One pulling at his wrist causes a sharp popping sound, and Illusion flinches, biting back a hiss before wrenching his head around to bite the disembodied hand.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He must have at least a dozen arms by now, all grabbing at Sabre's. When he hears that sharp pop, Illusion hisses too, slashing at the hand. He's no longer going for the offense, just defense. He needs to get out, he needs to get out, he needs to get OUT-]

Really?! Then maybe try it on YOURSELF, CUZ THE ONLY MOTHERFUCKING PLAYER I SEE HERE IS YOU!

[For a split second, he freezes.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre pauses, cocking his head to one side in confusion as his halos recalibrate themselves and he lowers his wings a bit to look at them. RD!Illusion looks up at him, equally confused.)

What are you talking about? I'm not a player-

(That seems to have really thrown him off, as the overly exaggerated chipper tone in his voice all but dissappears.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Just as soon as he'd frozen up, he suddenly pulls RD!Illusion away as fast as possible with all his might. And just as quickly as he'd lost his nerve, he seemed to regain it, retorting back with only slight hesitance in his voice.]

You certainly act like a certain someone I know!

[But it was already clear that he'd spoken something that had been on his mind since first seeing Sabre. The way his eyes glanced between the two said everything.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre's back to putting on his energetic tone.)

I have. No idea what you're talking about!

Though I suppose if there are more of him in the universe there may as well be more of me... interesting!

(one of his halos spins in small jolts, like the circular reel on a viewmaster toy, each eye showing a different emotions as it stops on them, giving them each a good look at the two.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He glares at him, hugging RD!Illusion as tightly as he can.]

I saw that. I won't tell you anything, not until you're dead and in your grave...

[rpduality]

Youuuu do that then, I'lllll just take the liberty to...

(All of sabre's eyes are focused on TWA!Illusion again. He feels a prickling at the edges of his mind, like something is trying to look into it.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Instead of fright, he....laughs? He laughs, right in front of him.]

Ohhhhhhh, you won't like what you find if you want to do that :) I was simply sparing you the details :)

[Illusion's mind seems to open up to his snooping around, completely, oddly, unprotected..]

[rpduality]

Ha! Now that's bold! If that's what you want, then who am I to give up the opportunity :)

(He's using the full force of his powers, and they feel...

Familiar

if a bit mixed up with something else. Instead of looking at his memories, however, Sabre takes the opportunity to try to compel him to shift back to his normal form, again pulling away RD!Illusion with his disembodied hands.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[His mind feels like it's swirling. Goddammit, he got too cocky- He...needs to...]

Augh, you bitch-!

[It hurts. He let it open too wide, and now he can't shut it out...! He's trying to latch onto something, anything that could keep him grounded, but...he's slipping. He knows he won't be able to get away scot-free this time...]

[His mind latches onto a single memory. The multiplayer screen, and the numbers in the Hypixel server. A useless thing, frankly. The number repeats over and over again.]

[Three. Seven. One. Six. Four. Three. Seven. One. Six. Four. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour. ThreeSevenOneSixFour...]

[It doesn't take long for his body to shift in response. Three pairs of arms, then seven, one, six, four....and finally, one. A pair of golden eyes and a laugh is stuck in his mind, practically teasing him. His hands slip..]

[rpduality]

And a yyyoink! Thank you very much, that was a big help :)

(RD!Illusion panicks, struggling against Sabre's grip and trying to use a now-free hand to grab one of TWA!Illusion's arms, missing as they shift.)

C- Come on, snap out of it! Don't let him get to you!

Once he's fully yanked back, Sabre goes to pick up the bottle, but before he can grab it, the kitten runs up and, after climbing one of his wings with its needle-like claws, gives one of his eyes a good swipe. He yells out, losing enough focus to let go of TWA!Illusion's mind.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He instinctively steps back as he's suddenly freed from Sabre's grip. His eyes blink away the memories as he remembers where he was. As soon as he sees what he's facing, he growls.]

So you're playing dirty, huh?! Two can play at that!

[When he shifts again, his body forms into not just many many arms, but his body fully and completely splits. Much like Sabre's own disembodied hands, each one grabs at him from every which way. But, more importantly, his head itself splits...]

Perhaps several, in fact!

[False versions of him start to appear from every direction, most obviously not the real one, but their many hands make it difficult to parse which hands are real or not.]

[rpduality]

(Sabre picks up the kitten by the scruff, annoyed, before teleporting it back to his lab to get it out of the way.)

OHO, Ya wanna play games with me, huh, bud? In that case, I've got something *REALLY* fun!

(The entire cave blacks out, as if engulfed in a dark void, before all the light turns back on again. Once again visible, there are now two versions of RD!Illusion; one even more confined by the puppet hands than before, another hand swooping in to cover his mouth again, and the other standing where Sabre once stood. He takes a shaky step back in confusion and fear, free of the hands.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He stares at the two of them.]

Well. Then I guess this is what we're doing now!

[He himself takes the form of RD!Illusion, purely for the sake of it. He's going to get that very very good cat back, he's sure of it. He..just...needs to play it right. He's got it.]

[Right...?]

[He pulls off the puppet hand covering the one's mouth.]

I guess let the games begin!

[rpduality]

(This Illusion is grimacing underneath the hand, before his gaze snaps to it in... surprise? as it tries to grab on to TWA!Illusion's wrist.

Meanwhile, the other RD!Illusion stumbles backwards. He's grabbed fistfuls of his own hair, hyperventilating, when his back hitting the wall brings him back to reality. He looks down, spotting the bottle next to his foot, and scoops it up, shoving it haphazardly into a random one of his inner coat pockets. It's a miracle he didn't drop and break it with how shaky his hands are.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He turns to the one that picked up the bottle.]

Hey! Bottle. Down. Now.

[In the meanwhile, he grabs the hand, attempting to break its fingers. If he can get one to react right...he might be able to get the hell outta here. God, he shouldn't have tempted fate, now he's stuck in a stupid game....AGAIN.]

No one is touching that thing.

[rpduality]

But I- ACK-

(There's the distinct sound of the creaking and snapping of rubber bands as the fingers get bent in ways they're not supposed to, and both Illusions react to the pain.

The freed one stares at his own hand in dazed confusion before passing out from the pain. He flops over right on top of the bottle, which slips out of his coat and rolls away, luckily only cracked. The cork, however, was not very secure, and has popped out of place. Some of the substance inside is leaking out onto the cave floor as the bottle rolls in a circle and hits this Illusion's hurt hand, which flinches a bit.

The confined one only winces, seemingly trying to not react to the pain at all. The hand disappears. He gives TWA!Illusion the most pathetic wet-cat facial expression he can.

[trapped-in-my-story]

Well, one down-

[He immediately picks up the passed-out Illusion, like a sack of potatoes. He grabs the cork with his other hand, quickly pulling the bottle back up while trying to avoid touching the stuff.]

One to go.

[He looks the confined one up and down.]

Can you speak? Clearly, your mouth is no longer covered. It should work the same as before.

And if not...Well. Time for more hand removal, I guess...

[rpduality]

Yes, I- I can talk, just. please let me out of these things-

(His voice sounds strained, to say the least. He's staring at the bottle nervously.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He stares at him for a long, long moment.]

Actually, I have a better idea.

[He puts the passed-out Illusion over with Elemental, before grabbing the bottle. He...just smiles at him...]

Mmmmmmaybe I should take this back home for testing...what do you think? Or maybe I should just...drink it...? :)

[rpduality]

THAT'S-

(he dryly swallows some air.)

That's probably a pretty bad idea, I don't exactly *know* what's in there, but I might have an idea of what it could be. Right before he showed up, there was some kind of weird virus going around. I couldn't figure out what was going on or how to stop it, but then it just suddenly. Went away, without a trace. That was when he first appeared, claiming he had just. Solved the situation. It was kinda amazing, really- BUT! UM! If he managed to somehow get a sample of that virus, then who knows what he could do with it-

[trapped-in-my-story]

That makes sense...farrrrrr too much sense.

[He picks up both Elemental and Illusion, before turning to the confined Illusion Steve, pocketing the bottle.]

Thank you, we shall be going now, Sabre~!

[He teleports, trying to reach the lab before He does. He can't just leave it there, he just can't-]

[rpduality]

Wait wha-

(They appear in a room full of potions equipment. Brewing stands on a counter line the walls, cabinets below emitting some. Interesting smells. Double chests are stacked high, one stack for each of the side walls that aren't the counter or the exit door. A large table sits in the middle, holding such wonders as a golden carrot sitting on a cutting board, and a pufferfish that was just. Left there.

The kitten isn't in this room.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

Pspspsps-! Come on little guy, we gotta get outta hereee-

[With the two unconscious people slung over his shoulders, it's slow going. He instinctually looks away in disgust when he sees the pufferfish.]

Nottt sticking around hereeee, eugh-

[He. Just kicks the door open, looking for the kitten.]

[rpduality]

They're back in the long hallway, with the 'exit' to their left and a trail of glowing purple and blue liquid dripped along the floor from there to the other end of the hall to the right. There's the faraway sound of the kitten mewing as loud as its tiny little voice can get, sad and lonely, before it stops at the sound of the door and the jingling of its nametags echo as it runs from one of the split off hallways to the right and starts streaking down the long hallway towards Illusion.

[trapped-in-my-story]

There you are! C'mon, let's get outta this hellhole-

[He awkwardly kneels down so it can get scooped up before they head...anywhere, at this point.]

[rpduality]

The kitten looks confusedly between TWA!Illusion and the unconscious RD!Illusion, before deciding to climb TWA!Illusion's sleeve in order to somehow perch on top of RD!Illusion, sitting down in a loaf and purring.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He quietly laughs.]

Yeah, sure, sure, that works-

[He stands back up, giving the place another glance and a glare.]

....well. Let'ssss just hope this works out in our favor- god knows how much longer I've got til I pass out too...

[Leaving the lab behind, he attempts to teleport somewhere that might be safer, maybe even somewhere they could hide, even for just a little...he tries to reach into the past for somewhere secluded and not yet known. Maybe, maybe, somewhere only he can recall...]

[rpduality]

they appear in a very familiar graveyard, the sky suddenly clear as the moon hangs perfectly in the center of it. While the graveyard is familiar, the area it's in is not nestled in the crook of a snowy mountain as abandoned snowcapped houses dot down the slope away from the entrance. While the area around them is snowy, not a single flake of it has entered the graveyard's walls.

A ball of ice blocks the entrance to a certain building, but there's a tunnel in it as if someone had dug through.

[vampocalypse-castle]

....Yeah that's. Totally normal actually. Definitely not an ominous sight.

[Once he gets his bearings, he heads into the tunnel of ice, carrying all three of his team members close so they don't freeze.]

[rpduality]

The ice quickly turns into a staircase downwards, leading to a familiar room. The room has a tomb in the middle, broken open with a ladder inside leading downwards. A tomb room, if you will.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, bringing himself to a stop.]

Cold and dusty...perfecttttt. At least we can lay low til the ghosts come home, eh?

[His voice echoes off the walls of the tomb room. He shivers a little, carefully setting RD!Illusion and Elemental down. He tiredly flops to the ground, curling up beside the others.]

Pleaseeeee don't possess me or my friends, I swear to god-

[rpduality]

Once everyone is down, the kitten fluffs up its fur and jumps off of RD!Illusion and nudges its way under TWA!Illusion's hand for warmth, curling up to go to sleep. The ground may be cold and hard, but the cat is warm and soft to the touch, vibrating a little in a near-silent purr.

It's not entirely cold in this room, as the lava on Elemental's arm slowly starts to warm up the area around them, its heat slowly permeating the air almost as a sort of aura.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He sighs, smiling tiredly as he pets it.]

...At least we're together for a moment.

[rpduality]

The room remains calm and quiet. Peaceful, despite its... decor, if you can call it that. The kitten quietly yawns, and RD!Illusion shifts, curling himself up tightly not unlike the little fluffer.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He can't help but sigh as he looks around their current place of residence.]

I guess that's more than I could possibly hope for, at this rate..

[rpduality]

The rest of the night, or. "Night", i guess, since it's permanently midnight in this place, passes without incident, though RD!Illusion keeps fidgeting, stuck in a nightmare. It seems like the perfect time to rest for a while, even the kitten feels safe enough to fall asleep, softly purring.

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Illusion himself had eventually passed out, totally unable to keep up with the fast-paced experience of Dealing With Sabre. His form, which he can usually keep in shape easily, suddenly shifts as he sleeps.]

[Rather than his usual alt-teenager style, his clothes shift to a comfy sweater and black vest, his floating body fusing into a "normal" form. His face looks much more childlike (and....oddly human...) with short, messy hair in a very basic black and white haircut. His more "alien" features have been basically sanded down into a human with oddly colored skin and hair. His scorpion tail formed into a soft, fluffy tail with a galaxy-like print, though more to his color scheme than The Galaxy Steve's. He looks...oddly peaceful, for the moment.]

[rpduality]

Elemental's the first to wake up after several hours, and, while suprised at TWA!Illusion's form, decides not to wake up either of the illusions. Instead, he teleports out of the room, returning with a furnace, some chicken, some potatoes, and. An allium? He places down the furnace to cook. Whatever meal it's time for, and stares at the flower, not really knowing himself what to do with it, before setting it down on top of the furnace. He puts the food in the furnace and, quickly becoming impatient, tries to use some of his powers to speed up the cooking process. Some of the food comes out overdone, but he's got spirit!

[trapped-in-my-story]

[After a short while later, TWA!Illusion comes to with the smell of food. He tries to stretch like he usually would, only to find he has actual joints. As soon as he sees what he looks like right now, utter embarrassment fills his eyes as he tries to discretely shift back. He finds, to his horror, that he can only hold the form for a few seconds before failing. After about a comical (and sad) five minutes of this, he finally gives up and trudges over to see what Elemental has.]

....I see you made food.

[rpduality]

(Elemental eyes him for a bit, fighting to hold back a snicker. It's warm by the furnace, comforting after all this chill, though the flower placed on it is starting to wilt from the heat. He steps back a bit.)

Certainly tried-

(It's hard to tell who he's referring to.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[He rolls his eyes, which are much fewer now. His sweater is far too big on him.]

I won't bring it up to him if you don't bring this up to him.

[He swipes a potato for himself, before deciding to just. Sulk beside the furnace and eat.]

[rpduality]

It's a deal, then.

(He grabs some of the chicken for himself to eat. The chicken's a bit dry, but despite the outer skin of the potato being charred, it's actually fairly well cooked in the middle, if a bit burning hot from being still fresh from the furnace.

The deal may not need to be upheld, as RD!Illusion stirs from his sleep. At some point, he had subconsciously taken his glasses off in his sleep, and he grabs for them, eyes still half-closed and bleary.)

[trapped-in-my-story]

[Illusion instinctively curls up in his sweater even more, tail fluffing up as he realizes he might be caught immediately.]

Goddammit-

[rpduality]

Elemental makes no move to intervene as RD!Illusion rubs the sleep out of his eyes and puts his glasses on and squints up at TWA!Illusion, not seeming to recognize him at first.

...a child?

[toomanyillusions]

The kitten sits, watching GM read this very dusty book.

The first page is written entirely in metallic purple gel ink. The handwriting is neat, although slightly smudged, and one or two misspelled words are scribbled out and rewritten. The letters are somewhat square-ish.

To anyone who may stumble across this, this cabin is a safe spot from any dangers both in this realm and the one above. The walls will withstand a hit from any creatures native to the nether, and this lava-filled place should be damaging enough to Rainbow and Light that they wouldn't step foot here. Feel free to stay and rest as long as you need.

GM hesitates for a second, seeing the metallic ink. Just for a spilt second is he reminded of the ink that Sabre has in his pens back in his world, but surely this isn't like that.... He reads it out loud, speaking in what sounds like the same tone that Wifis uses when he reads anything during his ARG videos. He clears his throat after, glancing up at GB.

"Oh cool... What's wrong with Light and Rainbow, though?"

"Maybe this world is like a zombie infection one?"

"Well- normally I'd call you insane for saying something like that, but it would explain the lab..."

GM nods, surprised that she's actually agreeing with him on something he's suggesting. He turns the page to see what else is written in the book.