DISCAIMER: I do not own the X-men or the Brotherhood, so don't sue me. You'll only get about 50 cents anyway.
Also, please don't use my characters (I think you'll know which one's are mine) without my permission. Thank you and please R&R!
It was late at night, and we had just landed the day before in the docks of America. I had gone a few hours earlier to say good-bye to Andre, and was getting ready to sneak off of the ship and make my way into this new land. Ai Carumba was I nervous! But I couldn't worry about that now. I put my cloak in my bag, and called Pajaro to my shoulder. I picked up my bag and pulled it over my other shoulder. I looked around, thinking that I might have forgot something. Seeing that I had everything packed, I changed my skin, and quickly climbed the stairs, listening for sounds of movement on board. There was total silence. I might just get away from this without any trouble, I thought. I ran quickly to the railing and climbed over. I dug my fingernails into the cracks between the wood, and climbed slowly down the slick sides of the ship. By the time I reached the ropes where the ship was tied in, I was covered with salt water. It's a good thing I didn't put my cloak on before I left. I would be really cold now.
"How are you doing, Pajaro?" I asked the bird. He whistled and bobbed his head. I took that as an ok. I slid down the rope holding the ship to the dock, and stood up quickly with no trouble of slipping, despite the fact that my shoes were soaked.
It was a warm night, and only a scattering of stars could be seen. I looked towards the east to the tiny sliver of moon peeking through the cloudy sky. I looked for a restaurant I could change my clothes in. I found the perfect one across the street from the docks. It was a McDonalds, and all kinds of people came in there. I walked quickly to the restaurant, and made a beeline straight to the bathrooms. I picked the cleanest stall and put my hand up to Pajaro's chest, and made him stand on the stall's door. I pulled on a new shirt and jeans, and pulled the cloak on over it. I pulled up the hood, covering my face and let my skin turn back to normal. I allowed Pajaro to fly back to my shoulder. Okay, let's get out of here and find somewhere to sleep. I thought.
I left the restaurant, avoiding the strange looks everyone gave me. I ran away from the restaurant, hoping no one would be curious enough to follow me. I searched for an abandoned house or comfy corner, but didn't find one in this part of the city. I didn't want to go into the main part of town, but it looked like I had to. I started to walk down the street, when I noticed the farther I went into the town, the weirder everyone began to look. Most shops were decorated with purple, gold, and green streamers. Most were selling odd masks. Some were horribly grotesque, with bulging eyes and missing teeth. Some were beautiful, shining with glitter and others were plain, boring masks. Some covered your whole face, some only half, some only around the eyes were covered. I thought about buying one, but decided that I could put fifteen dollars to better use. I saw a man sitting on an old park bench. I walked up and asked him " Hey senor! Why are all of the shops decorated?"
He gave me a funny look that clearly said 'what planet are you from'. "They're getting ready for Mardi Gras of course. You're in New Orleans, chere." I looked up at the thousands of streamers lining every doorway, and I guess my hood slipped back a little, because I heard him say "Nice mask chere! Very realistic." I mumbled 'thank you', and walked as fast as I could around the corner. I pulled my hood back up all the way, and started searching again for a place to stay during the night. I finally found a deserted bench in an overgrown, weedy part of a park near the middle of town. The only signs that anyone had been near here was some old shoe prints in the dry mud. I allowed Pajaro to search for food. While he was gone, I sat and thought over what the gentleman had said. A mask, huh? Maybe I won't have to waste as much energy as I thought by wearing my skin. I smiled, thinking how crazy I am to stay in this town, and to go around without my hood on! It felt like heaven to be myself out in the open. I felt Pajaro's claws digging in my shoulder, and turned around to tell him goodnight. I drifted to sleep that night, for the first time anticipating the day ahead.
I woke the next morning to the unwelcome sound of trumpets blaring. People were shouting and cheering, making as much noise as they could. I felt like shouting 'Shut Up!' but suddenly remembered where I was, and what day it was. I jumped to my feet, waking Pajaro as rudely as I had been waken. He peeped in protest, but was awake so he flew off to find food. I was impatient for him to return, because I wanted to get some breakfast and check out the excitement. He returned quickly carrying a small lump of bread in his beak.
"Where did you get that from?" I asked him. He ignored me and continued to eat as if I wasn't here. How rude. I started to pack up the blanket that I had gotten out the night before, and set out to the streets with my hood down, enjoying the breeze that blew my hair. I could smell the strange smells that people were cooking up, and before I knew it, I was caught up in the madness! Someone had grabbed my hand and was spinning me in circles. I nearly lost my balance when they let go. I heard someone shouting in my ear, "Nice costume! Did you do it yourself?" I turned to see who was talking to me, and saw the greenest eyes ever. They belonged to a boy about my age, covered with paint and streamers. His black hair was in dreadlocks that hung down to his chin. He was staring at me, expecting an answer. "Yeah. You could say it's a natural talent of mine!" I yelled back. "Cool" he shouted, grinning. Without warning, someone slammed into me, and I was knocked out of the crowd, in to one of the various stores that lined the street. Ow! That hurt! I thought, rubbing my shoulder. I hoped whoever it was got scratched by my scales. I looked to see what sort of shop it was, and saw that they were selling sweet bread. My stomach reminded me that I hadn't eaten at all today. I went up to the counter and ordered.
"Hey, can I get some of that stuff…Yeah that." I said, pointing out a small roll covered with a sugar glaze.
"Sure. Hey nice costume. Who made it for you?" the girl behind the counter asked.
"Oh, this old thing? It's a…natural talent of mine"
She stared at me, her hands moving with a mind of their own. "Wow! You made that?"
"Yeah." I said, playing along. Might as well not make too much of a fuss over it.
She glanced up at my shoulder, and noticed for the first time that my bird wasn't fake. "Aww…. Cute bird!"
"Thanks!" I said as she handed me my roll. I walked to one of the tables in the corner and watched people come and go.
10 minutes later, I was licking the sugar off of my fingers. I had feed small crumbs to Pajaro and he ate them like he was starved. I picked up my stuff, and went outside. Most of the crowd had moved further along, up the street. I turned and went the other way, thinking that I had had enough excitement for today. I headed towards the road that I thought lead out of New Orleans. After an hour or so, I figured that I had gone the wrong way, and tried to turn around, because I had ended up in the darker side of the town. After a few minutes of walking along the same road back into the city, I had a feeling that I was being followed. I held my hand up to Pajaro's chest, and lifted him into the air. He took the hint, and flew off. I started to walk faster, quickly turning around. I vaguely saw a bulky shape out of the corner of my eye, and it didn't look human. I knew that whatever it was probably wasn't going to ask for directions, so I broke out into an all out run, and hoped that I was nearing shops soon. I ran for what seemed like hours. My lungs were aching, my legs starting to cramp. I had a stitch in my side, but I ran on. I could hear this creature's feet pounding against the pavement. Having this, thing, chase me defiantly put some extra energy into my system! I saw the docks and immediately turned towards them. The ship I had come here on was still docked, and I prayed that someone was still on it.
"Help!" I screamed. I turned around to face the monster that was chasing me, and gasped at what I saw. He was huge! Muscles bulged from his body. He was hairy, and wore a large fur coat. He had sharp claws, which showed while he was bent over double, gasping for breath. He had huge teeth, that showed so well while he was panting. I screamed for help again. Nothing moved but his heaving chest and mine. I started to edge away from him, hoping that I could get away. "Don't…. Move." he gasped out. I froze, paralyzed with fear.
He stood up straight, showing me his full height. This guy was about 7 feet tall!
I looked around, hoping to find something to defend myself with, but I found nothing. I wish I had packed that crowbar now! I stared at him, never taking my eyes off. I had always heard that you should never take your eyes off of your enemy. And I certainly wasn't going to let this…this…animal get the best of me!
"I know what you are," he growled, "and you won't get away from me. I'm like you…. In a way. I also am part of the new breed of humans. A mutant. But I've conquered my powers. You have yet to discover them. I am Sabertooth, and you are my prey. I am stronger, and more powerful than you are. I could squash you in a second. But I prefer to play with my prey first."
I stared at him. Like him? I'm nothing like him! He is nothing but an animale! I can't beat him. Not by overpowering him, but by using intelligence, I just might win. Hairy here can't boast that he's smarter than I am. Plus, I think I'm more agile. I started to circle, hoping he would follow my lead. He stood stalk still. He still blocked the path to the city. Maybe he's smarter than I give him credit for… I stopped circling, seeing that it only brought me closer to him. "I smell fear!" he whispered, and then he lunged for me. I saw a quick movement coming from the direction of the ship out of the corner of my eyes.
Before I could understand what had happened, Sabertooth was on the ground, and Andre was in front of me, protecting me from the monster.
"Andre! Are you insane?! He'll kill you!" I whispered to the old man's back.
He just grunted at me, and stared at the angry body of my attacker.
"Bad move old man!" Sabertooth growled, and lunged at Andre. I ran to get out of the way, and Andre leaped nimbly out of the way. Sabertooth nearly fell off the dock into the water, but caught his balance at the last moment. If it hadn't been such a life-threatening situation, I would have laughed at Sabertooth. He looked at Andre as if he was a little kid who had lost his favorite toy to an older kid. Sabertooth started walking slowly towards Andre, making Andre start to back up. I watched the two of them in amazement, wondering how Andre seemed to be winning this fight. But I had spoken too soon. Andre stumbled over some rope. Sabertooth took advantage of Andre's moment of weakness, and pounced on him, grabbing him by the throat. Sabertooth picked Andre up a foot off the ground, trying to strangle him.
Before I could think, I had jumped onto Sabertooth's back, and was biting him as hard as I could on the shoulder. I tasted blood, and he screamed. He threw Andre down and reached for me. He tore me off of his back, and threw me onto the ground. I cried out in pain as the air was knocked out of me.
I looked up, and saw Sabertooth's foot land on my chest, and push as hard as he could, trying to crush me. I screamed, and my vision started to blur. I vaguely saw a shape throw himself into Sabertooth's side, knocking him off of me. I took a deep breath, and started to cough. My vision started to return to normal, and I sat up. I got to my feet, and looked for Sabertooth. He and Andre were throwing punches that never made it to each others body. I saw Sabertooth stumble, and one of Andre's punches finally connected with Sabertooth's face. He landed on his back, seemingly unconscious. I ran over to Andre's side, and looked him over.
"You don't seem to be hurt…" I said, finding only some minor cuts and bruises.
"Yes, I fine. You okay, kid." He asked "Yeah. Just fine." I said smiling.
I finally realized that I hadn't shifted back to my human skin.
"You're…. You're not afraid of me?" I asked nervously, backing away from him.
"No child. All that matters show on inside. You is good person, and even old man like me can see dat." He answered.
I smiled and hugged him. After I let him go, he walked over to Sabertooth's unconscious body.
"He is a great bear of man, eh?" Andre said after a minute of silence. "Yeah. And I hope I never have to deal with him ever again." I replied.
Andre turned around and headed back towards the ship. "You doing okay in dis big city?"
" Yes. I'm off to a pretty good start, so far." I said, following him.
We stared at the big ship that had been my freedom, the one that carried me to America. The one that had given me a new life. I owed a lot to that ship.
I began to get lost in my gracious thoughts, when I heard a quick movement from behind.
I turned and watched in horror as Sabertooth came up behind Andre and stabbed him in the back. Time seemed to slow down after that, and I screamed as Andre's limp body fell to the floor.
"Show's you for getting in the way of my business, old man." Sabertooth growled. "I'll be seeing you later, demon."
I watched him run away and go around the corner in a flash. I kneeled down and put a shaking hand to Andre's cooling check. Unwanted tears slowly ran down my cheek. The only person that had ever really cared about me was gone, forever.
Sabertooth's promise rang in my ears as I cradled Andre's head. I'll be seeing you later demon…I'll be seeing you later demon….
Oh yes. I'll be seeing you again. Only next time, you will pay for what I've lost….
So…what'cha thimk? R&R please!!!