10568/A Mountain Too Far

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A Mountain Too Far
Date of Scene: 29 December 2019
Location: K'un Lun, China
Synopsis: The goal is found...and lost. And where someone realizes the true price of immortality.
Cast of Characters: Indiana Jones, Tombstone, Silk




Indiana Jones has posed:
Indiana Jones was in trouble again.
He and Cindy had been taken to a nearby tent. It looked like something Genghis would use, except for the satellite dish and the portable communciations tower. The Khan of the 21st century.
Between periods of observation, he quietly advised Cindy to watch, wait, observe. They were considered valuable, ever since the sniper destroyed the glass plate. He had to play along, or they would simply slay Indy and Cindy, and that was NOT going to happen.
He had overhead that Kang had conscripted a local guide to take them up the mountains of K'un Lun. The guide, a young Chinese woman, was negotiated in Kang's usual manner - he'd slaughter everyone in her village until she said yes.
Right now, they were waiting for everyon to get ready for the trip up. But what he did NOT expect was the arrival of two more, a Triad gangster and a formidable-looking black man.
Indy and Cindy were both handcuffed, but the implicit threat was that everyone had orders to shoot them if they tried to escape. And now they had two more people to worry about.
"So...what brings you two to this tourist paradise called the PRC?" he asked dryly.

Tombstone has posed:
Zhao was not in a good mood. Here he was suffering a betrayal, stuck with an unconcious partner and handcuffed near the man he was sent to dispatch. As Zhao struggled against his bindings, he was yelling angered swears in Mandarin, threatening to kill everyone in the camp, which resulted in laughter from the soldiers. He then turns to Indy, anger evident on his face as he said in English," Tombstone sent me here. He wanted me and my "accomplice" to find what you were looking for and if possible, to kill you. Now look where we are!" Meanwhile, Andrew was still unconcious, his breathing shallow as his hooked hand dangled idly.

Silk has posed:
"Well, look on the bright side," Cindy offers cheerfully. "If we all make a break for it at the same time, we have a better chance of making it,cause there are more of us. 'Cept that guy. Cause he doesn't look like he's running away anywhere, anytime soon," she offers, nodding toward Andrew. "Still, I like the odds, considering we have vital information and we're valuable....and you...well, not so much." Cindy shrugs. Her face has become more sallow, her cheeks more gaunt, since beginning this journey.

Indiana Jones has posed:
Indy sighs. "Listen, buddy. Right now, if you want to get out of this alive and with the same volume of BRAIN you came in with, you're going to play along. Otherwise, Kang will consider you expendable, and, welllll...EXPEND you."
Andrew suddenly lurches, his eyes wide open but blind, his mouth opening. "LIFE BRINGS DEATH..." he hisses, a voice that is definitely NOT Andrew's. Then, used up, Andrew slumps down again.

This sort of thing would have unsettled Indy a long time ago, but this time it only brings caution and introspection. "Okay...odd warning, but I've lived too long to discount it."

He is about to say more, but then the tent flap opens and Kang steps in with two guards. "GENTLEMEN...you are about to prove your worth to your Khan."
"Not *my* Khan." Indy's voice is dry.
Kang frowns. "Shoot the girl."
Indy speaks as one guard raises his rifle. "You harm her, or these two, FORGET IT. I won't give you directions to the nearest PRC CHECKPOINT."
Kang looks at him carefully. "Truong, at ease."
"And if we're going on a little hike, I suggest you provide some food for my translator and forensic assistant. She has a fast metabolism."
Kang scowled, then barked at Truong to find some MREs. He looked back at Indy, then said, "Beware the end of your usefulness, Dr. Jones."
"I've faced off against NAZIS, Kang. Don't think too high of yourself."
Kang scowled darkly, but looked troubled as he left.

Tombstone has posed:
Zhao scowls angerily at Kang as he left. If only he wasn't handcuffed he would strangle the man himself. Suddenly, Andrew jolts awake,yelling out in Creole as he shakes about and starts covering his forehead in pain. If Indy could understand Creole, he would hear Andrew saying," It burns! Oh God it burns!" Suddenly Andrew stops yelling and looks around in surprise, as if wondering where he was. On the middle of his forehead however, was a new addition. It was a couple of Middle Chinese letters that seemed to spell out a word. Suddenly, Andrew turns towards Indy and Cindy and raises his hook menicingly and says," You!" Before he could do anything however, Zhao kicks him and says," Don't. We are in the prediciment of having to work with them."

Silk has posed:
Cindy smiles sheepishly up at Kang as Indy makes demands on her behalf. "I like peanut butter..." she calls after him hopefully, as he exits the tent. She looks back at Indy, her expression falling, once they are left 'alone' again. "You need food, too. They better bring you something. I don't move until you've had some."

Then, Andrew is being a ninny again, only this time he overdid the makeup a little. Cindy furrows her brow at the letters on his forehead, though. "Dude, you're gonna have a devil of a time hiding that from them."

Indiana Jones has posed:
Indy chuckles. "I'll keep. You need it more than I do, Moon." He looks to Andrew, frowning at the symbol. He reads it, but it has no context for him. <Shén de shengyin?> Divine Voice? Well, he has been close to divine voices often in his life.

After a quick meal (with Indy passing Cindy his food), they travel up the mountain. Him, Cindy, Zhao, Andrew (who is not happy), Zang, the guide, and ten men with rifles. All have been outfitted with cold-weather gear and climbing gear (even if one of them can do without) and carrying provisions. Kang may not have the glass plate, but he is carrying the staff that had been taken from the Land Rover.
The guide doesn't look happy, but she is certainly sure-footed, but the trip up is through rapidly-worsening weather. Indy keeps Cindy close to him, hating himself for getting her involved, even though she can take care of herself.
During the third day of the climb, he makes his way over to Zhao. "You get the feeling our guide knows more than she is letting on?"

Tombstone has posed:
Zhao and Andrew were not happy during the three days they spent hiking the mountains, especially Andrew. While Zhao was generally displeased about the general hike and not being able to report back to his superiors in America. Andrew as more unnerrved than anything else, constantly looking over his shoulder, his eyes widened, and seemingly looking around if if he were seeing something no one else could. Zhao and Andrew were currently walking 5 feet away from Indy and Cindy, still being bitter about being stuck in this situation because of him.

Zhao turns to Indy, a scowl evident as he said," Yes, she seems very confident, as if she has done this multiple times." Andrew meanwhile, is just staring up in the sky, eyes widened, not making a sound as if he can see something.

Silk has posed:
"We should have been there by now, shouldn't we?" Cindy asks Indy quietly. She has learned to ignore Zhao's scowls, and Andrew's surprised expressions. But she relents for once, and lifts her voice enough to call out to him. "Whoever it is, tell them we're busy...say their piece and move on. Otherwise you're gonna trip and fall on a rock. Then they won't be able to tell ya /anything/."

Indiana Jones has posed:
"Careful, Zhao. Your face might stick that way." He looks up ahead of them. "We are getting close to something. Your friend there senses something, but he can't seem to tell if it's right here, or ahead of us."
"Something you want to share, Dr. Jones?" Kang asks sharply.
Indy looked back. "I think we're getting close, Zang." He turned back, then fished the energy bar that was in his last MRE and slipped it to Cindy.

An hour later, the trail ended in a snowdrift blocking the path.
"Dr. Jones??" Kang barked as Indy knelt down in the snow, removing the wool mittens to feel his way. "Jones, you are testing my patience..."
"Zang, be USEFUL for once and bring that staff over here."
Zang was surprised by the sharp Impatient-Professor tone in Indy's voice. He pauses for a moment, then walks forward with the staff.
"Here." He holds his hand out for the staff. After a moment, Kang gives it to him. He looks crossly at the others, as if daring them to doubt his authority.

Indy moves the tip of the staff around...then it suddenly sinks into the ground a full foot.
Indy looks back at Cindy and the others. He can't help it. He wants to know.
He turns the staff counterclockwise, and then the wall of snow shudders as a loud sound of rock moving against rock can be heard.
And then the path opens to reveal a wide archway of stone...and they can see summer through it.

Tombstone has posed:
Zhao and Andrew look on in shock as the snow collapses and reveals Summer. Zhao mutters to himself," Impossible, simply impossible." Meanwhile, Andrew is looking on, his eyes wider then ever as he suddenly blurts out in Middle Chinese," This is the Holy Garden." He then closes his mouth abruptly.

Silk has posed:
Cindy frowns when Indy passes her the energy bar, but she realizes there is always method to his madness. She has unwrapped the bar, and she's shoving it into her mouth as the seasons change ahead of her. All the more reason to get that protein into her as quickly as possible. She utters a muffled "whoa..." through a mouthful that is an entire energy bar, as she chews it. "I guess I shoulda expected that..."

Indiana Jones has posed:
Zang is the first one through, but Indy shrugs and follows close behind. The guide, Cindy, Zhao and Andrew are pushed through by the other soldiers.
The area is maybe a square mile, surrounded by high mountain walls, and covered by clouds, but still bright somehow. A needle in a haystack, invisible from overhead. A microscopic needle in a haystack.
There is a tall Chinese pagoda at the end of a cobblestone path, and another path off to the right. This other path leads to a large garden, filled with Chinese native plants. Enough food for 20 people to live comfortably up here.
To the right of the garden is the orchard...and it does not disappoint. There are peach trees here, and the peaches are perfect specimens, seeming to glow with health, without flaw or mark.
Zang walks towards the orchard, and his soldiers seem to be spellbound by the sight. Indy is not looking at the orchard, but at the pagoda.
The guide has walked into the building, shedding the heavy parka as she does at the doorway before closing it behind her.

Tombstone has posed:
Zhao and Andrew are amazed by the sight before them. It was a literal living garden. Zhao seemed spellbound as his jaw hanged open from shock. Meanwhile, Andrew was just stareing at everything around him solemly, as if not surprised by what he saw.

Silk has posed:
In the midst of this splendorous garden of the living, Cindy is watching Indiana Jones. From his expression, she can guessthatthey are exactly where they are supposed to be. Only when she has taken complete stock of his impression, does she begin to truly take it in for herself. Her gaze follows his, as she shakes her head in disbelief and wonder at what they have found.

Indiana Jones has posed:
Zang smiled broadly, then turned to his men. "Secure the prisoners! I will deal with them shortly. Do not worry...you will all share in my ascendance!"
The men looked to each other, but shrugged and went back towards the foursome. Indy had not moved from where he was, committing every detail to memory.

Then the door of the pagoda opened again, and the guide stepped out. This time she was wearing a gold Chinese changpao dress suited for the 6th century, similar to the cheongsam dress popular in the 1920's. She wore an elaborate gold headdress, the crown's points each having a small gold peach hang from it on a golden chain.

She smiles sadly. "Greetings, Dr. Indiana Jones...Cindy Moon....Zhao...Andrew. I am Hsi Wang Mu...and for 3,400 years, this has been my home."

Tombstone has posed:
Zhao gapes in amazement even more as the legendary goddess Hsi Wang Mu, or the Queen Mother of the West appeared before them. All of his life, his Grandparents had told them legend after legend about her, and he never beleved it, until now. Zhao suddenly drops to his knees in shock as he says," Y-you, you are real?" Andrew suddenly suddenly drops to his kness and says," You were the one who send me the messages, wern't you?" Suddenly, he drops to his hands and kness and starts bowing.

Silk has posed:
Cindy can only stare. Her expression is one of confusion, and rapt amazement. "Of /course/ she was the only one who could have been the guide," Cindy asides to Indy. She seems to have little regard for the threats of her captors, in the face of this new revelation.

Indiana Jones has posed:
Mu smiles gently. "Rise, Andrew...Zhao." She looks to Indy. "It is only right that you have come, Indiana Jones...one immortal to another." She looks to the soldiers, then says, "Sit...eat from my garden, but do not eat from the orchard."
Indy tilted his head. "Why not?"
Mu smiles that enigmatic smile, sitting down at the steps to her pagoda. "Thirty-four centuries ago, I was only Mu, a peasant girl chased from her home by raiders. To escape them, I fled into the mountains. I walked for days, until, quite by chance, I found this place. I had seeds, and began to grow food for myself, but the orchard was here...as if waiting for me. I gorged on them, and became aware of their life-giving properties as months...then years went by. For three centuries, I built this home, and came to know how to hide it from others. Then, my home secured, I ventured out into the world. I watched it develop and grow and change, while I stayed unchanging. I learned voraciously, philosophy, science, languages. I taught in diverse places. And as I brought prosperity to the places I visited...I became known as the goddess of prosperity, Hsi Wang Mu. For a long time, it pleased and amused me to go on in this way."

Tombstone has posed:
Andrew and Zhao rose from their knees, both of them obviously shaken from their encounter with a "divine" figure. As Zhao sat down near the pagoda and began to forage for any type of berry, Andrew began to look for edibles also near the pagoda, ocassionaly glancing at Mu, or at the ceiling of the cave, as if seeing something.

Silk has posed:
Cindy moves closer to Indy, eyeing the soldiers warily. "I understand why you have hidden your presence and this place away for so long. So many would not understand it. So many would exploit it. But why would you lead us here, now?"

Indiana Jones has posed:
Mu seemed to take no mind of the soldiers, or of Zhao and Andrew as they partook of grapes, blackberries, and strawberries. "I traveled as the world got larger, but I always returned here with what I discovered. I learned the ways of the earth, of how to travel the hidden paths of the world."
She looked to Cindy, her smile growing wistful. "I am old, although I do not look it. My life before I came here exists in the space of a moment. And the world is changing. It no longer has any need for me. Why seek me out for the wisdom of farming, when one can open a computer and check a website? I am worshipped less and less, and that is what must happen." She reaches into the folds of her dress and pulls out an oddity in this ancient place--a memory card. "All the wisdom and knowledge I have gathered in my library, but it would be impossible to take it all. So, for now, I will give you this, and I hope that you will return in two years, when I am gone."

Tombstone has posed:
Andrew paused in mid pick of a particularlly nice looking stawberry when he heard Mu say When I am gone. Andrew then heads over to Mu and says, with wide eyes," Gone? What do you mean When i am gone? Where are you going?" Andrew's eyes are wider then every, and they appear to be twitching as they start darting all over the place, as if seeing multiple things at once. Zhao see his conferderate acting up and starts heading towards him, his face locked with a look of concern.

Silk has posed:
Cindy is likewise intrigued, but she awaits the deity's answer, since her own questions have been given voice already.

Indiana Jones has posed:
Mu touched Andrew's face, her smile kind and thoughtful. "You, as I, have been seized with purpose. But it is time. The peaches do indeed confer immortality, but there is a price." She looks to Indy. "There is always a price for such longevity, is it not so?"
Indy nods, looking at the soldiers, who are glancing nervously at the orchard.
"The price is the power of immortality must be renewed, as all life must be renewed. If one eats of them, they must eat of them again to renew immortality. I once went without them for two years, and by the time I returned, I was barely clinging to life. And they only grow here. Once they leave this place, they begin to rot quickly, and planting the seeds elsewhere produce nothing. Even pits from ordinary peach trees produce normal trees here." She looks to Zhao. "Zang is like many I have seen over my long lifetime. They are little men who conspire to be powerful. And if they do discover real power..."

A sudden, harsh light blooms as an explosion fills the air. There is a sound that rattles the pagoda and cause the berry bushes to shake.
Indy stands up, suddenly, looking around...and then sees it.
The orchard is on fire.

"...they do not share it," Mu continues, the look of serene acceptance.

Tombstone has posed:
Andrew seemingly calmed as Mu touched him face, slumping a bit as he did. Zhao flinched when Mu turned to him, but calmed down a bit as she talked about petty men and their scrambles for eternal life. Zhao looked on uncomfortably, wondering how Tombstone was gonna react once he found out he spent all of that moeny only for them to come back empty handed. Once the explosin and fire starts, Zhao starts panicking and swearing in Mandarin. Meanwhile, Andrew slumps to his knees again and shouts in Middle Chinese," Holy destruction comes Zang!"

Silk has posed:
Cindy swallows past an aching lump in her throat. She does not know this woman, apart from what she has learned throughout this expedition. But she knows that the woman has seen much. Experienced much. And she knows what sorrows and trials it must have taken to bring her to the decision that she has made.

"It is my sincere hope that you may find peace in your works, and rest from the trials that you have encountered," Cindy says softly, turning back to Mu. "It is clear that you have striven for great things. And much of that, you have accomplished. I hope that, in the end, the work that you have done will outweigh the struggles, and you may find peace."

Indiana Jones has posed:
The men look around, shocked at their own potential immortality literally going up in smoke. Then Zang appears from the garden, his own rifle raised at his men.
On some level, they know they are facing death, and they open fire on Zang. Zang winces, staggers, but then smiles as he straightens, moving towards them as the bullets fall to the ground, flattened and useless. One by one, the rifles fall silent as the bullets run out. Zang grins savagely, then opens fire on his men, laughing as they fall, even continuing to shoot at them until nothing is left. He looks to the group near the pagoda, still smiling that insane smile.

"I HAVE /ASCENDED./ Now begins my ETERNAL Khanate."
Indy turns to the others, then says, "Anyone have any problem with kicking this snake out of paradise?"
Mu produces something else from her robe, passing it quickly to Indy. His Webley. "It may do nothing..." she says, then looks to Cindy.
Indy takes a deep breath. An idea comes to him. He whispers to Cindy, "Go. Take care of him before he gets back to civilization and causes more damage!"
He looked to Zhao and Andrew. "Hey! Help me get her in the pagoda!"

Tombstone has posed:
Zhao and Andrew looked on in shock and horror as Zang comes out of the garden, immortal and insane. One Indy shouts his order to them, the men snap out of it and appraoch Mu, Andrew drawing out a pistol, and Andrew standing close to Mu, hook raised protectivley as he says" Follow me, Queen Mother."

Silk has posed:
Cindy gives Indy a snappy, two-fingered salute. She doesn't think twice. Then she disappears into the conflagration. Amidst the chaos, time seems to slow for Cindy. Here, she notices who breathes, and who does not. She takes note of the position and location of every man who can be saved, and she covers the closed eyes of the dead with dust, as she moves among them with supernatural speed.

But she does not linger long among the dead. The last thing that Zang will see is a red hooded sweatshirt being shed, to flutter in the breeze of Mu's garden.

A thick globule of sticky spiderweb smacks directly over the Ascended One's eyes, and before he can stumble forward, he is threaded like a marionette, and zipped backward, pulled into the burning branches of the peach tree from whence his momentary salvation came. "Let the same fire that destroys the fruit of immortality burn through your veins. Only the gods who give life and and take it away can decide your fate. It is not your decision to make." And heaped upon him here in the divine fire are the threads which may seal his fate, bound to a tree like a martyr, or a thief.

Indiana Jones has posed:
Zang struggles in the inferno. It is less his immortality than his strength of will that causes him to break the charred truck he was webbed to. In his panic, he rushes forward, aware that he is burning, seeking the sensation of cold, any cold.

Indy looks outside the pagoda to see Zang run, a flaming torch with legs, through the archway into the cold...
...and right off the moutain ledge into empty space. He winces, then closes the pagoda door. "Cindy's missing, but Zang blundered into the fire and ran out. I think he fell off the mountain."
Mu shakes her head. "He will heal, although he will not be immune from the pain. But he will die in two years...and painfully, if my own experiences are any indication."
Indy shook his head. "Damn short-sighted bastard." He looked to the other two. "Look after her. I'm going to try and find Cindy." He took a deep breath, then stepped out again.

The fire was not doing far. But he could see the orchard was a total loss.

Indiana Jones has posed:
Zang struggles in the inferno. It is less his immortality than his strength of will that causes him to break the charred truck he was webbed to. In his panic, he rushes forward, aware that he is burning, seeking the sensation of cold, any cold.

Indy looks outside the pagoda to see Zang run, a flaming torch with legs, through the archway into the cold...
...and right off the moutain ledge into empty space.
Indy winces, then closes the pagoda door. "Cindy's missing, but Zang blundered into the fire and ran out. I think he fell off the mountain."
Mu shakes her head. "He will heal, although he will not be immune from the pain. But he will die in two years...and painfully, if my own experiences are any indication."
Indy shook his head. "Damn short-sighted bastard." He looked to the other two. "Look after her. I'm going to try and find Cindy." He took a deep breath, then stepped out again.

The fire was not going far. But he could see the orchard was a total loss.

Tombstone has posed:
Zhao and Andrew both wince as they see Zang on fire rush out and off a cliff. Once Indy orders the two to watch Mu, they nod and stand besides her at either side, guns drawn. Andrew then peers down at Mu with concern written on his face.

Silk has posed:
As Indy runs out to find Cindy, she is running to meet him. She is once again in her red hoodie, and she reaches out to grab him up in a hug. There are tear stains on her cheeks, and she shakes her head. "I couldn't stop him, Indy."

Indiana Jones has posed:
Mu smiles up to Andrew. "There is a time for all things under heaven, as one sage said. I am not afraid. But if you choose to visit me in the time I have left...you will not be turned away." She looks to Zhao. "I extend this to you as well. You are also welcome here."

Indy hugs Cindy gently. What a life to get dragged into. He draws back slightly, then nods to Cindy. "Welcome to the glamorous life of an archaeologist, Cindy Moon." He looks to the pagoda. "We'd better check on them. I still think we have enough supplies to get back down the mountain, though." He looks to the charred orchard. "So much for immortality, right?"

Tombstone has posed:
Andrew looked at Mu sadly and says," I will." Zhao just grunts and nods, confirming he will try as well. Suddenly, Andrew drops down and gives her a hug, his hooked hand awkardly hanging down as he did.

Silk has posed:
Cindy nods to Indy as she hugs him, then looks up into his face. "I wouldn't be anywhere else, Indy. Not for the wide world."

Indiana Jones has posed:
FOUR DAYS LATER

Indy picked up the tickets, then walked back towards Cindy. "Okay...heading back. Flying coach, but I stocked up on protein bars at the kiosk down the hall. Barring weather, we should get back to New York by tomorrow..."
He looked over to the other two near the coffee shop. "...Might as well say sayonara." He beckoned to Cindy to follow as he walked towards Andrew and Zhao. "Well, gents...this is where we part ways. And don't take this the wrong way, but I hope we never meet again. Nothing personal."

Tombstone has posed:
Zhao and Andrew had been very quiet for the past four days, the experience at the mountain forever being etched in their memories. Zhao and Andrew were also at the airport, but seemed to be at odds with each other something. The two turn towards Indy, Zhao with his usual scowl as he says," I booked a separate flight back to NYC. Tombstone is not gonna be happy and will think this story will be bullshit. I'd watch your back, he will think you cost him money. You won't be seeing Andrew for a while, he is gonna try to find a Taoist Sage, something about becoming The Eminent Sage of Harlem, gotta explain to the boss why one of his early friends ran off on him to be a big,bad magic man or somethin."

Andrew just nodded, not saying much. His experiences made him decide to drop his life as a gangster and turn a new leaf.

Silk has posed:
"Not a bad idea, all in all," Cindy replies, approaching to join Indy. "You might wanna think over new leaves yourself, Zhao."

Cindy looks renewed. Refreshed. Fed. "Cause you know that dealing with Tomby is never gonna net you anything but second prize in an asshole contest."

Indiana Jones has posed:
Indy nods. "I'll add him to the List." He looked to Andrew. "Hang on to that staff she gave you. Keep it safe. As far as I know, that's the only way to get to the place now."

"Flight 19, now boarding." The voice over the loudspeaker came over with a mildly impersonal tone.
"That's us, Miss Moon. Time to go." He looked to the other two men, then said, "Take care of yourselves."
Indiana Jones tipped his hat to the two men, then walked off with Cindy Moon to the plane, and to the world beyond...


Zang opened his eyes.
The pain had been a fever dream, a nightmare, but the pain was gone. Even the hideous itching was gone.
He took a breath, wondering why the air tasted bad.
Then he realized he couldn't move.
He opened his eyes to darkness. He remembered falling into space, hearing a loud rumble as he fell...
He was unbearably hungry. It was like a living thing inside him.
He tried to push, but he couldn't move. It took in a few minutes before he realized what had happened.
There had been a rock slide. He was buried under it. Imprisoned under what may be tons of rock.
Starving, powerless, mired in darkness...and yet unable to die. Because he was immortal and invulnerable.

His screams went unheard in the howling wind...