Twenty-Five: Love don't leave me
"I just keep practicing saying goodbye to you"-Bleach Manga Tagline
"I'm going to take these broken wings and learn to fly"-Savage Garden Gunning down Romance
"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see"-Mark Twain
Three Years Later
Nicole had grown in the past three years. In those years of hard training had made her a force to be reckoned with. She had mellowed out a bit but the younger students know not to press her buttons.
When she left Grey Havens to Xavier's School for the Gifted it became a slight culture shock. Nicole didn't realize the amount of change that had to happen when she was gone. Yet her three older siblings told her that she changed a lot since she's been gone.
First off, she didn't realize how salty and the sweet food was. Or how chemically they tasted. When she had a hamburger and a shake she couldn't finish it. Box or prepared food made her sick. Before she was at Middle Earth she had them all the time with no issue. Now she can't even stand the taste or the smell.
Nicole didn't realize how good her life was. Like having an actual factory-made mattress instead of a down or straw mattress. Though the one thing she does prefer having is down pillows.
Now she was with Ruth with the new recruits. And poor Ruth's psoriasis was back with a vengeance. The patches appear on her Glasgow Grin which gave her more frightened look. It didn't ease well with the newer recruits.
Ruth, with her predatory bird looks, had a temper that didn't go away. It was worse when someone had a death wish. Most of the new recruits were informed on how she will end their lives. Almost all heeded the warning.
Nicole got her glaive ready for battle. She won't use her full strength on these students. Similar how Eun-Kyung did for her when she started training.
"Listen up chickadees," Ruth's amber eyes narrowed into slits. "We'll be working on teamwork since it means life or death for the majority of you."
Both Nicole and Ruth knew that there's always one who had a death wish. Or just plain stupid and doesn't know how to keep their big fat mouths shut. Or both. One of them was a young teenager who was raised in a sexist WASP environment.
"Oh, what can you cunts do?" he spoke up. "The nigg…"
~Elsewhere on the mansion grounds~
Professor Xavier and Jean greeted the two elves that appeared with an interdimensional mutant. He knows why they're here and was expecting them soon.
Xavier was pleased to find out that both worlds were in synch when it comes to time. A year there was a year there. Of course, he forgot that time can fly when one isn't expecting it.
"Welcome," Xavier greeted. "I'm Professor Charles Xavier and this is my pupil Jean Grey."
There stood Círdan and Tirithion with the intention to pick up their beloved mutants. Both for similar and different reasons. For the former, it was to take back a good companion and the latter to take back a love interest.
Everything here is alien to the elves. From the building to Xavier's wheelchair and even the feel of all. It didn't sit well with them. Yet they study their surroundings with great curiosity. This place is home to both Eun-Kyung and Nicole. They must observe everything.
"My name is Círdan and this is Tirithion," he said. "I hope you know why we're here."
"Yes, we're informed when they came back three years ago. We will escort you to them," Xavier told them. "If you will Nicole is in the back with Ruth with some new students."
The tour, as it were, was nondescript and rather boring. There were a few things that caught their interest like the whole lighting thing. And so many different looking people. Every single person at the mansion saves one was a mutant. Some mutants were obvious, like having bones growing out one's skin or having wings and such.
They finally reached to the back lawn with a well-tended garden. There were two granite statues of Xavier and Jean Grey. A very tired but pleased mutant wasn't too far off. The poor lad was drench in sweat and was on the verge of passing out.
"Professor," he smiled. "I made this in honor of you and…."
A young white teen boy smacks hard on the statue of Jean. A voice yelled to apologies quickly. Yet the boy didn't have time to do since Nicole jumped with electrical enhanced condition and armor. Before her punched landed the young mutant moved out of the way. The punch landed on the granite statue of Jean Grey. The statue crumbled and the boy went white as a sheet.
"I'm feeling like this is a forewarning of some kind," Jean said.
"I get that all the time," a young woman showed up.
The raven-haired girl had two twin scars on the side of her face. They go up from the corners of her mouth to her ears with slivery plaque branching off of them. The elves also noted she had a predatory bird feel about her.
"Maybe you should stop her before she serious harm the student," Xavier pointed out.
"And ruin my entertainment for the week," Ruth said. "I think not. He needs to learn to dodge."
She was smirking while saying that and watching the scene. However, it was over when the boy finally apologizes for calling her the n-word and a chimp. Nicole stopped with her glaive pointed to the boy's face. He realized that he just come close to greeting the Angel of Death.
"Ah," Ruth click her tongue. "You ruin the fun boy."
The boy had soiled himself. He wasn't about to test fate with Ruth by calling what she was, a Jew despite that Ruth was now agnostic after getting her powers. He didn't want to test his fate again with someone who can straight up murder him without a second thought.
Tirithion was impressed and in awe on how much Nicole changed for the better. She had a nice athletic build with a light touch of feminine curves. Her face had thin out a bit with better complexion and glow. Now he was more smitten towards her than before.
Nicole looked over and saw the two elves standing next to the Professor and Jean Grey. Seeing Tirtihion again after these years made her happy. A part of her wanted to run up and hug him and it won.
"Tirith," Nicole smiled. "It's so good to see you."
Tirithion returned the hug. He never images Nicole would hug him and don't want to argue. In fact, he was quite happy that she wanted to hug him.
"It's good to see you too," he responded.
Jean Grey went to the new students and informed them that they would be trained by somebody named Logan. The looks on their faces told Círdan that they rather deal with Nicole and Ruth and not Logan.
"Where is Lady Yi?" Círdan changed the subject.
"Eun-Kyung is in the library due to Nicole and Ruth's spat. I can take you there to see her."
"If you don't mind I want to show Tirith around," Nicole said.
Círdan and Xavier agreed. It would be a good idea to let Nicole and Tirithion reconnect with each other. Xavier took Lord Círdan to the library to meet up with Eun-Kyung.
"You seem calmer," Tirithion said. "More focus."
"What the hell do you mean?" Nicole asked.
"Well you don't seem all that tense or agitated," Tirithion pointed out. "Like you found peace with yourself."
He took note that Nicole seemed to found something. She was confident about it too. Tirithion thought it might be being here for the past three years helped. In a way, he loved the more confident Nicole than the boastful Nicole.
"You think so?"
"Of course, he thinks so ya idiot," Ruth was about to go inside the house.
"Shut it bird brain."
Ruth just clicked her tongue as she went in. She knew that this man was taking her away. One less Delacroix to deal with.
Nicole led Tirithion inside of the mansion. They chatted on what happened in the past few years since she left Middle-Earth. It was refreshing to talk to Nicole again. Tirithion remembers on why he fell in love with her.
~Meanwhile~
"How's Lady Yi and her sister?" Círdan wanted to know.
"They are fine," Xavier answered. "We finally remove her sister's psyche safely and without a problem. And a year ago Eun-Kyung's aunt asked her to adopt her grandmother's family name of Choi."
"What do you mean?"
"Since she was formally disowned by her Grandmother Han and most of her father's family," Xavier seemed to sadden by this. "Her aunt had asked her if she was willing to do this. So now she's Eun-Kyung Choi."
Círdan hated this. He still can't understand why a family would disown a child simply because they were born different. Or that they have no choice in something like becoming a mutant.
"What about her father?"
"He regrets a lot," Xavier told him. "From what Eun-Kyung told me is that he wished he would have done things differently. He did seek forgiveness from her for not being a better father. And to my knowledge, Eun-Kyung and her mother haven't spoken since she was twelve."
They finally reached to the library.
"She's in here," Xavier told him. "After all these years she still hides away from arguments."
The library was huge was an understatement. Yet Xavier seemed to know where Eun-Kyung was hiding out. They were closing into Danielle and a pile of books.
"Tine has done it again," Danielle stated.
"Done what again?" Eun-Kyung's voice rang behind the books.
"He built himself the Iron Throne out of Legos and took a picture of himself sitting on it in front of the Westboro Baptist Church," Danielle was highly unamused with it.
"I thought he was cross-dressing himself as Harriet Tubman and freeing people from camps in North Korea."
Danielle didn't move her eyes from her book. Her brother, Constantine, has always been the weird one. Yet she took note of the newcomers. Danielle realizes that Lord Círdan was standing next to Professor Xavier. It took her by surprise that time comes to let go of her sister and a good friend.
~In the dining room~
Tirithion was surprised to see Ruth turn into her raptor form. He watched her as she pushed a bowl of cereal off of a table. The young boy from before was "trying" to stop her from destroying his meal. He failed as the bowl hit the floor.
Another mutant, Logan, came in. Ruth was already transformed back into human form and was standing next to Nicole.
"Stop being a klutz," Ruth toyed with the boy.
Logan already knew it was Ruth's fault but didn't let on. Ruth was known to push other people that weren't Eun-Kyung or Mirthie. And it didn't matter what he does or say since she would do it again.
"Ruth," Logan looked at her. "We need you on this mission."
"Oh, fuck it," Ruth snorted.
Ruth slapped the back of the boy's head as she walked by.
"Did this happen to you?"
Nicole shrugged, "not really."
That didn't really tell him anything.
"While I did backtalk and curse," Nicole went on. "I was able to stand my ground. Though I did butt heads with a lot of teachers because of it."
Tirithion was pleased to hear this. Yet he feared she bit off more than she could chew.
"So, you were able to take care of yourself."
"Not only did I stood my ground and didn't take any shit," Nicole grinned. "I would protect those who deserve it much like how my sisters and Eun-Kyung did to me when I started out."
"What about your older brother?"
"He's often gone doing stupid shit," Nicole sighed with a smile. "I did join in once in a while."
Tirithion wasn't surprised that Nicole was able to stand on her own. She was always strong but not always aware of it. A trait he found endearing in Nicole.
"Well someone needs to clean this up," Vivian came in noticing the mess on the floor.
"I clean it up," the boy said. He didn't want any more trouble.
"Come on," Nicole said. "We still have a lot to do."
"You also have a lot of packing to do," Vivian smiled. "Of course, I'll be more than happy to help you."
"Fuck no!"
"Oh, come on," Vivian pouted. "It'll be fun."
"I said no! I rather have Tirithion help me."
In a flash, Nicole warped her arm around Tirithion's waist and picked up him. He was surprised by her physical strength.
"I can walk Niké," Tirithion chuckled nervously.
"Then we could all pack together," Vivian smiled ear to ear.
~Back in the library~
"Dad wasn't pleased that she didn't have super strength or something similar," Danielle told him over tea. "Yet he was pleased when he discovered that we were all mutants. Mama always had a feeling so it wasn't a shock to her. She was very pleased we're with Professor Xavier."
"What about your father Lady Yi… Choi," Círdan isn't used to her new name yet.
"My father was more or less indifferent on the matter," Eun-Kyung told him. "To him, I'm still his daughter regardless of my mutation. Though we haven't been in contact a lot recently. He's still trying to be a better father to my half-siblings."
This information put Círdan at ease. He was happy that Eun-Kyung's father wasn't like her mother.
"Will your half-siblings ever come to this place?" he asked.
Eun-Kyung paused. Part of her wished they won't become mutants but she knew there is a good chance that they might come.
"I don't know."
~With Ruth~
Ruth walked in her old neighbor looking for a mutant which didn't take long. The young mutant walking by himself when she greeting him. With that part done she had gained another problem. The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants.
With her being separated from the others and facing the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants by herself. She knew she wasn't going to win outright but she could delay long enough for the others to come.
It was great that the young mutant was in awe of her and willing to follow her orders. He mentioned that he believes in humanity if he proves himself to them. She thought it was a load of crap but told him to hide until further notice. Thankfully he listened and didn't argue to help her.
Ruth transformed into her Utahraptor form and start to sizing up her opponents. She saw the Blob but the others' names escape her. It is part of her practice to know whose name she cares about or can kill her with ease. The Blob is the latter.
This won't end well for her. She could tell that the mutants here can do massive harm to her. But she's on a mission and won't back down from a fight. Thankfully they didn't attack all at once which would be more favorable for them. Or maybe they were trying to wear her out. It is very clear that she had several health issues and tiring her out won't be hard for them.
Yet she dodged and parry each attack while calling for help. Ruth knew this was a double-edged sword but she had little choice in the matter. It was stupid for the team to not bring a telepath like Eun-Kyung or Jean on this mission.
The Blob was her next opponent. Ruth knew that he wouldn't be harmed unless she attacks the mouth, eyes or nose. That's if she can outmaneuver him and if that slim toad doesn't intervene.
This was easier said than done. The Blob was quite nimble despite his bulk. Yet it can mean she is slowing down. Fatigued, Ruth nearly misses a hit but was sucker punch in the ribs. A few wet coughs and a shack of her head. She glared and screamed for help again.
The neighbor was already lit and people looked out of the windows. Most have watched since the moment Ruth's first cry for help. Some have called the police but none showed up since they didn't want to deal with fighting mutants. Others watched in horror as the one-sided fight continued.
A few more punches and cracked or broken bones later, Ruth knew she wasn't going to make it. Ruth didn't let the Blob know about it. She literally danced around him in pain and screaming at him. He took this as mocking and it enraged him to no end.
To Ruth's horror, a small boy wandered into the fight. The small boy simply wanted to have a closer look at the fight. It was worse since the Blob had missed a hit on her and the momentum of his weight made him now on a conclusion course to the boy.
Ruth acted on pure instinct and ran at full speed at the Blob. She leaped and latched onto the Blob's arm. Using her own weight and momentum she made sure the direction of the hit change so it won't land on the boy.
Ruth did use the opportunity to use her killing claw to strike at the Blob's face. However, the Blob grab and crushed her foot and tried to pull her off of his arm. She locked herself onto his arm and won't let go. She violating shook her body in hopes to do some if any, damage on the Blob despite it being hopeless.
The Blob had no choice but to slam Ruth several times to get her off of his arm. Ruth fell off dizzy and with more broken bones. She coughed up blood and might have a concussion as well. Trying to stand up caused her fall over and nearly made her vomit. Pain gripped and seized her as she tried to find her ground.
The young boy came up to her to get a closer look. This was nothing like on T.V shows he watched with his dad or mom. Ruth looked at the boy and wonder how stupid he must be to get this close. By all means, he should be running for his life.
Ruth looked over at Blob who was approaching them. The boy was now fearful upon realizing this was real life and was now in danger. The only thing that could protect him was laying on the ground broken. Ruth made a few more desperate calls for her team. The Blob grabbed her mouth shut and crushed her jaw. He then grabbed her throat crushing it as well.
Ruth entered into fight or flight and damn it all she will die fighting. She used any functioning limb to cause any non-existing damage to the Blob. However, he slammed her to the ground for the final time but he got hit by a red beam.
The rest of the X-Men appeared too late. The Brotherhood looked at their situation and it wasn't in their favor. Ruth had already done her fair share of weakening them to where they can't stand a fight with a fresh backup. Even the Blob realize the situation was dire and backed off.
The young mutant ran up and apologizing that he didn't help since Ruth ordered him to hide. Cyclops didn't argue since he now needed to get the boy and the team out of the area ASAP. Colossus gently picked up Ruth and carried her to the jet.
Her breathing became labored and confusing clouded her mind and judgment. Ruth hissed at anything that came close to her. Even the young mutant she saved earlier got hissed at.
"Don't mess with her," Logan said. "It won't be long."
"Long for what?"
~Back at the X-Mansion~
Círdan followed Eun-Kyung and Danielle to the medical wing. They were informed of what had happened and Eun-Kyung was needed. The poor elf lord didn't know what was going and wanted to know the situation.
"What's wrong Lady Choi?"
"Ruth chewed more than she can swallow," Danielle answered. "But she saved two lives at a cost."
They walked some ways a bit before reaching a room. Hank McCoy opened the door from the other side. He simply shook his head and proceeded to leave.
The smell of blood assaulted Círdan's nose as he entered the room with Eun-Kyung. Ruth's broken body laid on a bed. The white sheets heavily stained with her blood. He could hear her labored breathing growing weaker by the second.
Eun-Kyung reached to her friend and hold her fore-claw. She showed no fear as she stroked Ruth's feathered head. Ruth seemed to calm down a bit.
"Hold no regrets," Eun-Kyung told her. "You saved your half-brother."
A pageant paused.
"I made a promise I'll never leave your side," she told her.
Eun-Kyung's hand stop at the base of Ruth's head. The beeping of the heart monitor went flat-line. Ruth closed her eyes for the last time.
"You're a good friend Eun-Kyung. Not many would do a mercy kill for a dying friend," Danielle entered the room. "Pack up. You'll be leaving within the hour."
Círdan saw how broken Ruth's body was. He knew why she did it. The body was too broken and healing would be a hopeless cause. Now he followed her to her private room to help pack.
"You will keep practicing saying goodbye Eun-Kyung," Danielle pointed out. "When you leave you will get Ruth's last gift."
TBC
A/N: I had to kill someone since I spared Raphael. It was either her or Mirthie. Please R&R