Disclaimer…yeah…I don't own the Evo Universe…if I did I would be a rich woman…and would make Remy clones for myself, Ishy and Star of Chaos…mmmm…and they'd wear nothing but black leather…and….*drool* where was I? oh yeah…don't sue.
Key
Blah – narrative
Blah – telepathic speech and memories
Blah – thoughts
Guilt and Innocence
One
Dark clouds rolled in over upstate New York bringing with them sheets of rain, liberally sprinkled with hail-it was possibly the most severe of the storms to lash the area in the last month-despite the meteorologist's insistence that the sun should be shinning brightly. He could not have known that Mother Nature herself was grieving the loss of one of her children. But then he was only human and the only people aware of the senseless deaths of the Morlocks under the streets of New York City were mutants-much like the one causing the current torrential downpour. It seemed everyone felt the tears Ororo Monroe shed for her slain nephew.
It was unclear to the other residents of the Xavier Institute for Gifted children whether or not she also cried for the loss of mutantkind's innocence. Once the Marauders had stepped into the Alley so few had left with their lives intact-even those that had survived been irrevocably changed.
Warren Kenneth Worthington the third was one of those left broken in the wake of the tragedy-the tall, blonde all-American multimillionaire had lost the one thing that made him different. They had been his gift and curse for the better part of a decade yet now that his wings were gone, that he was confined to the ground he found himself wishing that he hadn't dreamed of being normal for so many years.
The muscles in his back screamed to take flight but Warren remained in his chair staring out the window watching the younger students of the Institute chase each other across the manicured lawn. Tears ran freely from his eyes as he lifted his eyes to the bright blue sky that had once been his home.
Too late Warren had realized he didn't want to be just 'normal'. He wanted to be the beautiful Angel once more. Once he had thought to sell his soul to be rid of the wings that set him apart from the rest of humanity-that made him a freak in a world of freaks. A wave of self pity washed over Warren as he realized that he would now sell his soul to have them back-what was a winged mutant without his wings?
"I need to speak to everyone in the common room," Professor Xavier's mental voice interrupted Warren's brooding, summoning the residents of the mansion.
Rising unsteadily to his feet it took Warren several seconds to balance his body without the heavy wings on his back-one of the many adjustments he had been busy making to his day to day life. Focusing on keeping himself upright Warren didn't notice just how full the common room was until he entered, if Hank McCoy hadn't risen and offered Warren his seat the millionaire would have been stuck standing while the Professor made his grand announcement.
Xavier watched Warren sit down and waited for everyone to settle themselves before clearing his throat. This was the second time Charles Xavier was forced to make a difficult occurrence known to his children-his X-Men. Without thinking Charles' thoughts drifted back a year and a half to the day he had announced Rogue's defection to Magneto's Acolytes. How far we have come to return to the same place, the telepath sighed aware of the curiosity the younger students were barely bridling and the barely restrained disinterest of the adults.
It was now or never. Taking a deep breath Xavier began, "I have just received word from Cyclops on Muir Island apparently Malice attacked the complex with several of Sinister's mercenaries."
"You should have sent me with them Chuck," Logan was the first to speak snapping to attention immediately.
Xavier smiled at the ancient warrior, "Fortunately, they were able to repel the attack without your considerable skill Logan. But not without casualties."
The room went dead silent as the X-Men waited to hear who amongst them had been the next to die at Malice's hand. Outside lighting began to rage as Ororo Monroe clenched her fists in fury, "Who has she killed now Charles? How many more before we stop her…"
"No one," Xavier frowned knowing he hadn't worded things correctly, "During the fight Malice lost control and Cypher retook her body."
A sigh of relief washed through the room; those who hadn't seen Cypher's transformation into Malice first hand relaxed-after all she had been a quiet addition to the Institute. Warren frowned, he remembered Cypher well from the time he had spent with her but those happy memories were replaced by the image of a blood soaked villainess laughing at his pain.
He was so wrapped up in his nightmares Warren almost didn't hear Xavier's next words, "There however was an accident and Cypher's neural cortex implant was destroyed-she is in a deep coma. The team is bringing her back here for medical attention."
"Why?" a woman's voice called from the throng-Callisto, the former leader of the Morlocks stood frowning-only a quirk of fate had kept her from the Alley that blood soaked day.
The Professor's eyebrows drew together, "It has always been my belief that all mutants in need would be welcome in my home. As yourself and the Morlocks have come here to heal-so shall Cypher."
"You would welcome a murderer with open arms?" Callisto sneered her one eye blazing with anger, "Is anyone even sure that Malice is banished from the girl's mind-it could be a trick."
"She'd slaughter us in our beds!" one Morlock spoke up cowering behind his leader in fear, "I saw her take Sypke's eye like it was nothing to her…"
Emboldened by the first outburst a young female Morlock with green scales stood, "She took our fear and fed it back to us…the ones she killed…it was with her bare hands…"
"Enough!" Logan bellowed causing the few Morlocks who spoke up to loose their nerve, "Either way this has got us between a rock and a hard place…if we don't take her in and it really is Cypher-if the technology in her body got into the wrong hands…" he broke off with a shudder, "If it is a trap of Malice's then we'd best keep a close watch on her to prevent her from getting loose again."
Clearing his throat Henry McCoy weighed in, "I never got to study any of Cypher's implants because of her natural dislike of testing-but if what Logan and the Professor have said about them is true-I cannot see a malfunction like this leaving room for either Asli or Malice."
"Why is that?" Warren spoke before he could stop himself and burned red as the attention of the room volleyed towards him.
The large blue mutant shrugged, "The neural cortex implant was to speed up and enhance Asli's memory and brain capacity-if it has been destroyed it is likely that she is brain dead. Cecilia and I would have to examine her closely but…"
"It would be doubtful the girl would emerge from her vegetative state…" The statuesque Dr. Reyes finished McCoy's thought for him, "If she did I would say she would be severely brain damaged."
The room stood still as if holding its breath; there was a lot of information to digest. Xavier could feel a pall of emotion descend on the crowd-fear, pity, satisfaction; sadness-he was lost in the swirl of thought when the calm voice of Ororo Monroe broke through, "Then perhaps it would be a mercy to allow nature to take her course."
"You would just let her die?" Dr. Reyes eyebrows shot up as she turned on the weather witch.
Ororo kept her hands tightly fisted in her lap as the storm outside raged-a clue at the inner turmoil she felt, "If that is the will of the Goddess, yes. Eventually she will have to pay for her crimes-not only the ones her body committed without her knowledge. We don't even know how many times she has killed-Magneto…her own father even. It maybe for the best that we allow things…"
"No." Logan's voice was subdued, "Asli isn't the only one here to make a few mistakes…she's exactly what they made her to be-cunning, fast and ruthless. The kid did the best she could considering."
Callisto snorted ignoring the sad look Xavier was giving her, "So we should feel sorry for her because bad things happened in her life? Look around you-the Morlocks have suffered above ground and been driven from their lives and you expect us to pity this girl because she was someone's science project? Excuse me if I care more about the innocent children she killed or maimed."
"It wasn't just anyone," For the first time Kurt Wagner spoke from the small corner he had made himself near Logan-still healing from his injuries he had stayed behind when the other X-Men had traveled to England. He didn't know why but Callisto's outright refusal to help Asli felt wrong to Kurt; despite everything the hacker had been someone Rogue trusted implicitly. She had been one of his sister's greatest friends and some one Logan respected-a rare feat for people as distrusting as the two loners could be. Slowly, Kurt realized all eyes were on him as they waited for him to finish speaking; "The man who experimented on Asli and the others was her father. He killed three of his 'experiments' before she took out his life support system in self defence. I was there."
In the face of Kurt's endorsement some of the animosity faded from the room. Xavier looked to Callisto who still stood ramrod straight her arms crossed. A look of discuss passed over her scarred face, "I can't stop you Xavier, if you want to bring the viper to your heart that's your choice-but I won't risk the lives of my people on your gamble."
With that she turned and left the room with the Morlocks who could follow trailing behind her.
*******************
In the heart of the Muir Island facility Kitty Pryde was grateful to be retuned to her cell. Curled up on her side the X-Woman cried quietly, how had things gotten so out of hand? She asked herself over and over again as she rocked gently on her narrow bed.
When Pete Wisdom had let her out Kitty had been so full of anger-ready to take Malice on alone if she had to. She watched helpless as any of the others while the two personalities warred for control and when the dust settled Kitty had leaned in to make sure Asli was alright. Really, that was the only motivation she had at the time. Never in Kitty's wildest revenge fantasy did she envision accidentally running any part of her phased body through Asli's. She certainly hadn't meant to short out the implant stuck in the other girl's brain. It really was just a horrible accident.
That had been Kitty's mantra-she didn't want to think that she had grown to hate Piotr's obsessive love for the hacker cloud her judgement enough to leave the girl brain dead. Even more fervently Kitty wished to forget the absolute joy that had flooded Piotr's deep blue eyes when he realized Asli had won the battle for dominance. It wasn't jealousy-no girl would want to see her boyfriend look at another woman that way unless it was a blood relative.
Of course Piotr wasn't Kitty's boyfriend anymore-if she was being honest with herself she would admit he'd never really been her's. But Piotr had made it quite clear while gathering Asli's broken body into his massive arms things were over. Hell, she wasn't even sure she had friends anymore let alone a boyfriend. Kitty closed her eyes tight as tears spilled down her cheeks in memory.
"Asli!" Rogue's voice came out hoarse as she moved forward to catch the hacker's falling body.
Unable
to help herself Kitty looked down at the collapsed form at her feet trying to
figure out just what had happened. Being
closer Piotr reached the two girls before the southern goth
and knelt next to the fallen hacker brushing hair away from her delicate face,
"What did you do?"
"I didn't do anything!" Kitty had to fight to keep herself from shouting at him-she wasn't used to seeing such naked anger on Piotr's gentle face, "I leaned over to see if she was alright and she stood up into my hand…"
"Head first," Rogue's voice seemed tired as she too dropped to the ground.
Kitty started as Pete Wisdom of all people came to her rescue, "So what? It's not like she's 'urt any of the other people she's gone through…I'm still standing."
A shiver jogged down Kitty's spine when Rogue lifted her eyes to look at the British mutant, "You don't have mechanical implants in your body…or your brain."
Silence descended like a shroud as the words set in-Kitty's mutation allowed her to short out electronic devices when she phased through them. Asli's brain had been rattled with implants and chips…A sob of horror caught in Kitty's throat.
Shaking her head Kitty tried to meet Piotr's eyes but the look there was as cold and heartless as it had ever been in Magneto's service, "I didn't…"
He
didn't answer her as he slowly lifted the unconscious girl from the ground;
deliberately turning his back on her to carry Asli to the clinic. Wildly Kitty turned to Rogue, "I didn't
think…"
"That's right Kit," It was the weariest the valley girl could remember hearing the Goth, "You didn't and now Asli's gonna have to pay for that mistake."
The Southerner spun on her heel to follow Piotr and Asli leaving Kitty to stand alone, her shoulders shuddering with sobs. Beside her Kitty could feel Wisdom move closer to offer a little support; he sighed deeply, "Ain't love a bitch?"
The memories faded leaving Kitty alone with nothing but her tears and conscience to comfort herself with.
*******************
"I know you're goin' for the Prince Charming look Shug," Rogue sighed as she entered the tiny hospital room Moria Mctaggart had set up to house Asli until the return trip back to the States. Piotr Rasputin was still sitting next to the bed his large hand lightly holding one of the unconscious girl's tiny, white hand-the position he had remained in for two days straight. "But I don't think red eyes, morning breath and stubble were ever Asli's thing."
He used his free hand scratch at the shadow of beard that had bloomed on his cheeks; Piotr hadn't taken the time to look in the mirror since he had carried the limp body of Asli Fraser into the Muir Island Research centre. Her dark hair spread across the white pillow, the curls framing the too pale face-her dark lashes latticing her cheeks; she looked so small and helpless to Piotr. He couldn't remember a time when Asli had looked so vulnerable; the only time that came close was the night at the Brotherhood House when he had watched her sleep in the grips of a nightmare. But even then there had been strength under the fragility-as if she were made of porcelain coating a diamond center. The figure on the bed carried no hint of that unbreakable center and it broke Piotr's heart all over again.
"Shug?" The worried tone of Rogue's voice reminded Piotr that she had been speaking to him before he wandered into his dream world.
A faint blush crossed his cheeks as he lifted his eyes to his friend's undeniably concerned face, "I wouldn't want her to wake up alone. I left her once Rogue…I can not do it again."
Rogue felt her composure crack slightly-she couldn't tell yet what was more heart wrenching; Asli's comatose state or Piotr's devotion. Lifting her lips slightly, Rogue forced herself to smile sadly, "Piotr, you heard Moria-Asli could wake up but it won't be right away…the damage to her brain…if she wakes up it might be too much…"
Piotr's chair scraped the floor as he stood, "Niet, you know her better than anyone…she fought Malice to return to us…there has to be something we can do…"
"There is Shug," Rogue placed one gloved hand on the large man's shoulder and gave him a squeeze; letting all her sympathy shine in her green eyes, "We can hope. Maybe there is a way to fix all the brain damage…maybe Asli will wake up on her own…but that all comes back to hope. Right now-that's all we've got. But you can't live on hope alone…you've got to eat and shower and move on. When we get back to the Institute you have Yana to worry about. You know she wouldn't want you to throw your life away to live on hope alone."
A flash of memory came unbidden to the front of Piotr's mind; Asli sitting on Lance Alvers' bed when they spoke for the very last time. "When you love some one Piotr-you sacrifice everything for them. You became Magneto's slave to save your sister…what would you do to save me? I can't be responsible for that…I can't let you give up everything for me. I refuse to let loving me destroy you."
Tears formed in Piotr's eyes and he lowered his head into his hands-Rogue was right. His shoulders began to shake as the sobs took control of him, once more he had let the only woman he had ever really loved slip right through his fingers. His punishment for not believing in her enough when all she had sought to do was to keep him safe and happy. She had given Piotr his freedom, his sister and his friends-in return he would have given his soul to give her the same happiness. Piotr had failed miserably and every mechanical beat of Asli's heart threatened to break his into a thousand pieces.
Barely keeping her own tears in check Rogue held her friend as he sobbed for all the 'might have beens' that plagued his relationship to the girl on the bed. Sometimes love could be a curse.
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I also don't own the song "1000 Oceans" it's all Tori Amos'…really…I mean that…well maybe also a shout to Star for suggesting it…
1,000 Oceans
Tori Amos
these tears i've cried
i've cried 1000 oceans
and if it seems i'm. floating.
in the darkness
well, i can't believe that i
would kep.
keep you from flying
and i would cry 1000 more if that's
what it takes to sail you home
sail you home sail you home
i'm aware what the rules are
but you know that i will run
you know that i will follow you
over silbury hill through the solar field
you know that i wil follow
you
and if i find you. will you.
still remember
playing at trains
or does this little blue ball
just fade away.
over silbury hill through
the solar field
you know that i will follow you.
i'm aware what the rules are
but you know that i will run
you know that i will follow you
these tears i've cried
i've cried 1000 oceans
and if i'm. floating.
in the darkness
well, i can't believe that i
would kep.
keep you from flying
and i will cry 1000 more if that's
what it takes to sail you home
sail you home sail you home
And to thank those reviewers for "Shame and Resurrection" chapter six…the ever loyal Star of Chaos and Ishandahalf…yay you…maybe you'll be the only ones to get the next chapter of "Wild Horses" ? Am I that evil…possibly…muahahahahaha.