In a State of Grace
By Chyna Rose
Disclaimer: X-Men Evolution belongs to Marvel. Grace belongs to me. In fact, she sits on a shelf looking at me in the impassive stare of a porcelain doll.
I have journeyed through many worlds. I have known warriors, healers, and ordinary men. And where I have gone, I have collected the disheartened and desperate. Those lost souls who would have left their world if not for reaching out to them. Saving them. And they, in turn, had their lives pledged into my service. My name is Grace.
I found him in an alleyway, beaten and crying. A huddled mass of dirty blonde hair and torn clothing. He looked to be about twelve in form and twelve hundred about the eyes. All his features, from those hooded and blackened orbs to the disproportionately long legs belied his tender age of fourteen. How long he had been there before I arrived, I cannot say.
"Who are you? I know you're there. Show yourself!"
You needn't be afraid. I will not harm you.
"If it's money you want, I don't have any. So there's no use trying to get any out of me."
I do not want money.
"Then what *do* you want?"
To help you.
"Yeah right. There's gotta be something else. Ain't nobody that'd help me unless there was something they'd be getting out of it."
To be so young, and yet so jaded.
"I don't want no pity, yo."
I do not pity you. I pity no man or woman. Or beast.
"What about misshapen monsters."
You are no monster Todd. Duncan, the others who hurt you, *they* are the monsters.
"You got *that*… How… How'd you know my name?"
I know everything about you Todd. How you were abandoned by your parents. Abused by those who swore they would take you in and protect you. Used as a go for and a punching bag by your peers. And I know about the knife you were going to use in order to escape.
"Who are you?"
I am your salvation, if you want it. The answer to all your problems and hurts.
"There ain't no such thing as God."
I am not a God, child. I do not claim to be.
"You said that you could help."
That I can. I can take you from this place and the pain that clings to it.
"How?"
Take my hand.
"How do I know there ain't a catch?"
You do not.
"There's gotta be a catch."
You are right. Everything has its price; even salvation.
"So what's the catch?"
First, you must truly want it. I cannot save one who has no wish to be saved. Second, you must let go of regret. If there is but one thing that ties you here, all I can do is wish you luck and move on.
"I regret nothing yo. Ain't nothing here keeping me. After all, it's not like anyone actually cares about a stinking little toad like me."
That is not true. I care about you. I care about what happens to you.
"Anything else?"
Yes. You must trust me not to hurt you. Never lose faith that I will see you through your hardships to come. That I will not let you get hurt despite everything else you experience. All you have to do is take my hand.
"It's so cold. Like ice."
I know. I also know that you will make a fine champion for me.
"Look, I know you probably don't have a name or anything, but is there something I can call you? You know, just in case anyone asks."
Grace.
By Chyna Rose
Disclaimer: X-Men Evolution belongs to Marvel. Grace belongs to me. In fact, she sits on a shelf looking at me in the impassive stare of a porcelain doll.
I have journeyed through many worlds. I have known warriors, healers, and ordinary men. And where I have gone, I have collected the disheartened and desperate. Those lost souls who would have left their world if not for reaching out to them. Saving them. And they, in turn, had their lives pledged into my service. My name is Grace.
I found him in an alleyway, beaten and crying. A huddled mass of dirty blonde hair and torn clothing. He looked to be about twelve in form and twelve hundred about the eyes. All his features, from those hooded and blackened orbs to the disproportionately long legs belied his tender age of fourteen. How long he had been there before I arrived, I cannot say.
"Who are you? I know you're there. Show yourself!"
You needn't be afraid. I will not harm you.
"If it's money you want, I don't have any. So there's no use trying to get any out of me."
I do not want money.
"Then what *do* you want?"
To help you.
"Yeah right. There's gotta be something else. Ain't nobody that'd help me unless there was something they'd be getting out of it."
To be so young, and yet so jaded.
"I don't want no pity, yo."
I do not pity you. I pity no man or woman. Or beast.
"What about misshapen monsters."
You are no monster Todd. Duncan, the others who hurt you, *they* are the monsters.
"You got *that*… How… How'd you know my name?"
I know everything about you Todd. How you were abandoned by your parents. Abused by those who swore they would take you in and protect you. Used as a go for and a punching bag by your peers. And I know about the knife you were going to use in order to escape.
"Who are you?"
I am your salvation, if you want it. The answer to all your problems and hurts.
"There ain't no such thing as God."
I am not a God, child. I do not claim to be.
"You said that you could help."
That I can. I can take you from this place and the pain that clings to it.
"How?"
Take my hand.
"How do I know there ain't a catch?"
You do not.
"There's gotta be a catch."
You are right. Everything has its price; even salvation.
"So what's the catch?"
First, you must truly want it. I cannot save one who has no wish to be saved. Second, you must let go of regret. If there is but one thing that ties you here, all I can do is wish you luck and move on.
"I regret nothing yo. Ain't nothing here keeping me. After all, it's not like anyone actually cares about a stinking little toad like me."
That is not true. I care about you. I care about what happens to you.
"Anything else?"
Yes. You must trust me not to hurt you. Never lose faith that I will see you through your hardships to come. That I will not let you get hurt despite everything else you experience. All you have to do is take my hand.
"It's so cold. Like ice."
I know. I also know that you will make a fine champion for me.
"Look, I know you probably don't have a name or anything, but is there something I can call you? You know, just in case anyone asks."
Grace.