Marvel Rare Pair Bingo Round 2

Temple in the forest

"Temple in the forest"

Ship: Lorna Dane & Steve Rogers (Friendship).
Word count: 681 words.
Rating: Teen.
Square: N4 "Into the forest".
Summary: There's something strange in the forest.
Warnings/Tags: Enchanted forest, magic
A/N: This is my entry to the​ Marvel Rare Pair Bingo Round 2 2023. Annie MRP-066.

Lorna and Steve were on a joint mission between the Avengers and the mutants. Their objective was to neutralize a threat emerging in a remote forest with difficult access. However, what appeared to be a routine mission turned into a death trap.

While exploring the thick forest, something very unexpected surprises the team. The forest was enchanted; no one had warned them, so they were somehow trapped in the middle of the dense vegetation, with no chance of escape. Time was against them, as the threat they had to face was getting closer and closer, or they weren't sure; they didn't even know exactly what they were facing, and they had lost the rest of the team.

Lorna and Steve looked at each other, not losing their cool despite the situation. They knew they had to find a way out as soon as possible to accomplish their mission and protect those in danger.

Lorna tried to locate something that was metallic or at least had magnetic fields so she could use her powers. With her mind focused and her senses sharpened, she began to pick up the subtle magnetic vibrations emanating from the enchanted forest.

After a few moments of intense searching, Lorna detected a gentle magnetic pulse coming from a particular direction. Instinctively, she and Steve headed in the direction of that signal, hoping to find some clue or way out of the place, as soon as Lorna informed him that she could find a way out.

As they approached, they came upon an ancient stone structure covered in moss and vines. It appeared to be an abandoned temple, whose mysterious magnetic fields seemed to be activated by the magic that permeated the forest. The energy emanating from there was strong enough to inhibit Lorna's powers, but she wasn't going to give up so easily.

Lorna and Steve analyzed the surroundings and found a series of inscriptions on the stones. After several minutes, they managed to decipher part of the ancient message that warned of the dangers hidden within the temple and how to overcome them. However, there was no other way for them to get out of the place.

So cautiously, the duo entered the temple. With every step they took, a magical trap was activated. As they progressed, the challenges became more and more challenging.

In a large central room, they came upon an altar adorned with jewelry and ancient artifacts. The source of the magnetic field was intensifying, making it even more difficult to use Lorna's powers. However, something in her intuition led her to believe that this was the key to unlocking the exit and defeating the threat that awaited them outside.

Guided by her instinct, Lorna began to manipulate the jewels and artifacts, combining her magnetic abilities with the mystical energy they emanated. Gradually, the symbols and inscriptions began to glow and activate, creating a sequence that would release a powerful spell of protection.

At that moment, Lorna and Steve found themselves surrounded by a ferocity of mystical creatures that had been summoned by the magic of the forest, so for a moment they thought they had been mistaken or awakened something else.

Finally, when it seemed that the battle would never end, a flash of light enveloped the creatures, causing them to vanish into thin air. The oppressive magnetic field vanished, once again allowing Lorna to fully utilize her ability.

Exhausted but triumphant, Lorna and Steve exited the temple, meeting up with the rest of their team, who had managed to find their way to them. Together, they analyzed the clues and artifacts they had found in the temple, revealing the true nature of the threat: an ancient being of power that had immersed itself in the dark magic of the enchanted forest.

Having no plan other than their weapons, the team confronted the being, using all their strength and power to neutralize it and put an end to its threat. With the enemy defeated and the enchanted forest freed from its malevolent control, Lorna and Steve were finally able to accomplish their mission.