Chpt 7- Destruction, Decisions, and Gifts
"Okay, we need some salt, chalk, and a stake or spear of some sort... Why, thank you Evan! Oh, sorry-Spyke."
Meos held the spear outstetched in hand as she telepathically lifted Colleen up and onto it. She floated the chains to her. She then bound her mother to the stake; in doing so, this could not only ensure that she wouldn't escape, it also represented that Meos was now in control; she could now operate her magic around Colleen.
"That's done..." She said, mostly to herself. "Now we need the salt and chalk... Someone needs to take the salt out of my hands immediately as soon as it appears. No, Mira- this is not a job for a fellow witch."
"I'll do it," Jean volunteered.
"Thank you, Jean." Jean stood before her as she conjured the container of salt. It dropped into her hands as Meos backed away with a jolt.
After a moment, she rose to her feet again. "Now..." she coughed awkardly. "Jean, pour the salt over Colleen. Yes, I meant what I said, I'm sure. Go ahead," Meos gestured as Jean telepathically sprinkled the salt over Colleen's limp head.
"Now, the chalk." Meos conjured the chalk and drew a circle around Colleen's feet.
"What is the purpose of all this?" Rogue asked.
"The salt ensures that none of her essense escapes. Wouldn't want any chance of her escaping, no matter what form. The chalk ensures that none of her ashes blow away."
"Ashes?!"
"Yes. You'll see."
Rogue paled for a moment, but soon recovered.
Meos turned to Storm and Cyclops, who were watching with awe. "Cyclops, Storm, I need your assistance. Mira, 'Rantha, come here." She quickly told them what she needed them to do.
"Alright... got it," Cyclops said.
"Rogue, listen to my instructions carefully," Meos ordered. "Hold out your arms like this and close your eyes. Let the powers go, slowly and carefully. Not alot! Save some for yourself. Don't give any to me, Mira, or 'Rantha. We will provide our own source of magic."
A dark blue light emitted from Rogue's hands.
"Now, each one of you, reach out, and accept the power."
One by one the light transferred from Rogue to the others. Shadowcat then gently placed Katherine back in the bag, made sure there was room enough to breathe, and slung it over her shoulder.
"Don't want you getting lost," she muttered.
"Everyone crowd around the circle."
They all took their places nervously, and with care. Meos faced Colleen's front. Shadowcat stood to her right, and Mir stood on the other side of the cat of the shadows. Rogue was after that, with Spyke, Storm, and Wolverine continuing the circle, with Cyclops and Jean to Mara's left. Mara in turn stood next to Nightcrawler, who completed the circle, standing at Meos's left.
"At the count of three, we all blast her with everything we've got. Focus and makesure you're hitting her correctly; don't miss! Just... imagine her gone. Not existing. Understand? Don't be afraid; trust in your power, and yourselves."
They all nodded. Even Nightcrawler was serious.
"At the count of three." Meos took a deep breath. "One, two" a pause, "... three!"
The power was amazing! The blue light surged through their hands, crackling as it hit the unconcious witch bound to the pole before them with a jolt.
The blue power went on for a while. No visable damage could be seen, as far as the group knew. Then, a change. Storm stopped the light from her hands and caused wind to rapidly flow around Colleen. Miracle halted the light coming from her and soon replaced it with jets of water. The crackling light burnt out from Meos's hands. She bit her lip with concentration as dark black beams escaped from her. The air crackled with energy and nothingness. Cyclops, running out of power, lowered his sunglasses quickly and aimed at Colleen, setting her afire. Amarantha's light frizzled away as dark brown dirt, and little bits of green grass, flew from her hands to Colleen.
The others continued with their light, and soon Colleen was dry, soaking wet, half eaten by what seemed to be a black hole of some sort, aflame, and muddy. She stirred, and with a start her cold blue iceberg eyes opened wide. She looked around, taking the scene in.
"No!" she cried out. "You can't do this to me! I swear, Maia, I will get you! You and my grandchildren! I will get you and yours... After all that I've done for you-" she left off, screaming. She struggled to free herself from the bonds.
"No," Meos said calmly. It was in French, but the others could understand. She pushed the beams stronger into the circle. "No, the tables have turned. You cannot operate your magic in my presence; you will leave me and my family in peace. You are not my mother; I disown you. I finally banish you to your Eternal Hell; you will never torture, nor harm, another living being, as long as the name Meoskite is in blood!"
With a scream, Colleen dissolved, along with the spike and chains. Everyone stopped their powers with relief, and Mir and Mara stared at their hands with wonder.
The pile of white and dark ashes never left the circle, and the salt soaked up the black vapors trying to escape. Meos caught her breath.
"I, Maia Meoskite, swear by my body, soul, and spirit. By the five elements of wind, water, void, fire, and earth, I sign my name in blood. May the Meoskite clan's magic reign forever without the torturing presence of Colleen Meoskite or any of her like again. Amen," she said in English.
Meos conjured a needle and pricked her finger. She squeezed two drops onto the pile of ashes. She then passed the needle to Miracle. She took it, understanding.
"I, Miracle Meoskite, swear by my body, soul, and spirit. By the five elements of wind, water, void, fire, and earth, I sign my name in blood," she said cautiously. "May the Meoskite clan's magic reign forever without the torturing presence of Colleen Meoskite or any of her like again. Amen."
Miracle pricked her finger and forced two drops to fall on the ash pile. She then passed the needle to Amarantha. She took it with wide eyes. She looked at Meos, who nodded.
"I, Amarantha Owen Meoskite," she said, choking on the tears, "swear by my body, soul, and spirit. By the five elements of wind, water, void, fire, and earth, I sign my name in blood. May the Meoskite clan's magic reign forever without the torturing presence of Colleen Meoskite or any of her like again. Amen." Mara pricked herself with a flinch and allowed two beads of blood to drop onto the ashes.
The ashes disappeared.
Meos closed her eyes as her necklace broke. The casement shattered, glass flying everywhere. A brilliant light radiated from a central point right above Meos's chest. Meos sighed happily as it entered her. For a moment the light spread through her, and she glowed with the soft pale light. She had her soul back. She was complete. She was whole.
Meos let out a sigh of relief and opened her eyes as the light dulled to nothing viewable. "I'm whole again... We did it... we destroyed her. It's final, it worked! I'm free... we're free!" Meos laughed with tears threatening her cheeks. "Girls... I can finally be a real mother to you."
The girls didn't say anything; it wasn't needed. They rushed over to their mother and buried themselves in each other, all three. The dam opened up and flooded and the threesome started to cry, letting every burden of pain and suffering empty from their souls, everything they had endured over the long years of separation. They cried over their hurt over the many things they had forgotten, the things they had remembered, the things they will never know. And they cried over things that shall be.
"Uhh, I hate to interrupt the sentimental moment here..." Wolverine placed a strong hand on Meos's delicate shoulder, "but I think we should leave." He looked at the passageway which led to the Professor.
Meos sniffed and smiled up at Wolverine, still holding her girls close. "You're right..." Then, to her daughers, "Come, girls. Let's go home."
"Home..." Mara muttered. "'My people? Who are they?.... I went into the land where I was born, Where men spoke my language... I was a stranger there. 'My people,' my soul cried. 'Who are my people?' '" (AN: Sheesh, that was confusing... a person quoting a poem that has speech in it as well... oh well you make the most of it.)
"'Last night in the rain I met an old man, Who spoke a langauge I did not speak...'" Mir placed a comforting hand on her sister's shoulder. "'With apologetic smile he offered me The shelter of his patched umbrella.'"
"'I met his eyes... and then I knew...'" Meos finished the poem. She shrugged. "It's not the whole poem, but I suppose it's meaning will suffice for now. 'Rantha, when we get out of here, we all will have a little chat."
"Yes, ma'am." Mara lowered her eyes as she followed everyone out.
"How could you forget all you've taught us, Mara?" Mir whispered to her sister. Amarantha quickly followed her sister's glance to find that her eyes landed on Rogue and Shadowcat, with Katherine still in the bag slung over her shoulder.
"Cyclops? Could you take care of the setting for us?" Meos asked, pulling him over to the side.
Cyclops nodded, then put his visor on full power. He then started firing randomly. Soon the place was blazing with flames. Cyclops turned to go, seeing that the fire had enough fuel. Only Meos stood in the doorway, the fire softly illuminating her body, making her seem more mystical than usual.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
A few days later found it to be Christmas Eve. By then everyone had gotten over the shock and after-effects of the battle, although Kitty still won't let Katherine out of her sight, not even during meals, or training (not that anyone minded), and Rogue still hadn't gotten her earrings back- not that she remembered. They all were in good spirits, even Logan. It had started to lightly snow again, and the fresh snowflakes left a crisp blanket on the ground.
The Prof had suggested a Secret Santa program for gift-buying, instead of everyone spending money on everyone and turning up broke. Somehow, they all had who they wanted. There were no contradictions or problems. It was quite easy, actually.
Christmas Eve dinner was a feast. Kurt went through the usual process of exclaiming about the food and hanging from the chandelier- Logan swore it would break by lunch the next day- and the room was filled with sweet aromas and holiday music.
"We still haven't made snow mutants," Mara grumbled to herself as she looked out the dining hall window at the lightly falling snow.
Meos had left after she found that Mara and Mir were settled in. She hadn't even kept her promise of the "chat" that was supposed to take place when they had gotten "home." This left Mara in a fairly grumpy mood, despite the holiday spirit and cheer.
"Oh, Mara, cheer up. She'll come back, don't worry. For now, let's enjoy Christmas- with snow, no less! We can make snow mutants tomorrow, you know that. After dinner we're exchanging presents! Remember?" Mir tried half heartedly to smile, but it was no use. She tried to act differently, but deep down, she was just as miserable as her sister.
"I was looking foreward to a Christmas with Mom, not just snow."
"Come on, Mara. This isn't fair. YOU'RE supposed to be the optomistic one, not me."
"If she had planned on leaving, then why did she say what she did afterwards? '...I can finally be a real mother to you.'" This struck a thought in Mara's head; she paled. "Mir... what if she's in trouble?"
"Oh, darlings, you should know by now, the Wonderous Maia Meoskite will never get into trouble again! For the evil queen has been destroyed, and the princess is free!" Meos laughed as she stood behind her daughters and lowered her hood. On her shoulders were Tobias and Minuit- Toodles had been given to Moonstone for the Christmas holidays, Meos knew her friend wouldn't mind... much. (She just didn't think a hyper chimp would be welcomed terrorizing the premises.) Behind her stood a smiling PL and Selene. Princess Luna and Kassandra Selenite.
Mara gasped and turned around. Mir joined her as she hugged their mother tight.
"You girls really didn't think I'd leave you again, did you?"
"We didn't know what to think... Merry Christmas Mom!"
"Yeah, we missed you so much! Merry Christmas Mom!"
Mara looked up at Meos with a loving grin. "You have no idea how many times I've wanted to say that."
"Girls, don't be rude and not say hello to your aunts," PL teased. Mir and Mara giggled and hugged their PL and Selene hello.
"Meos! Glad you and your guests could join us. Please, have a seat, help yourself, and make yourself at home." The Prof smiled.
"Home..." Meos whispered, then glanced at her two girls they made room for her in between them, with Selene across from Mir and PL across from Mara.
"'Rantha..." Meos said as she sat, "How do you define home?"
Mara looked around the room, at all her friends, smiling and talking and laughing.
"Home is where the heart is," she said softly. *I remember, now...*
Meos grinned. "And you, Mira... how do you define home?"
"Home is where the heart is," Mir said boldly.
"And where are your hearts, girls?"
Mir and Mara glanced at each other, then around the room. Everyone they loved... all of their family was in that room. Where else could their hearts be?
"Our hearts are here, Mom." Mara said.
"Besides being located beneath the sternum bone in between your ribs, and above the lungs," Mir added.
"Mir! I'm, like, trying to eat here! Please, no medical gore!" Kitty complained.
"Sorry," Mir giggled. "Won't happen again."
Meos smiled. "Is that what you're interested in? The medical field?"
Mir nodded with enthusiasm.
"What about you, 'Rantha?"
"Oh, I dunno..." Mara said quietly. "I'm not like Mira; I don't like science and math. I actually like history and langauge arts." She looked surprised at herself, as if she was just realizing it then.
"It seems as if you girls have your whole future planned," Meos said. Selene looked up and glared at Meos.
Meos sighed as she noticed. "Don't worry, I'm getting to it..." she reassured her friend.
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Mir asked.
"Girls, I've been doing a lot of thinking lately, besides buying presents," Mir and Mara looked at each other, "and I've come to a conclusion."
Meos took a deep breath. "I at first had been torn on teaching you more magic. If I didn't, you'd have no advantage when fighting. If I did, Colleen would be attracted to the new source of magic, and then realize that you were her grandchildren, and the nightmares would come true..." Meos shuddered at the thought of what that would mean. "Anyway, girls, now the danger has passed. You are now free to use your magic in ways you couldn't think could be real. You are not mutants- you are witches." Casually everyone stopped their conversations to listen in. Meos glanced around nervously and licked her chapped lips. "You also have magic talents, the result of being born in Xanth. That in itself is not a mutation. The reason why you can use your magic talents in Mundania is simply because the magic inside you, the same magic you use as a witch, supports your talents. Now, I'm not promising anything, nor letting anyone down with the question I'm about to ask you both. I'm not forcing you to do anything, and I'm not pressuring you either. Whatever your decision, I'll accept it. I'm just simply asking a question: Would you girls like to come with me and let me teach you magic?"
Mara gasped and looked at Mir, who had paled.
"I don't need an answer right away. If you do decide to, I'll let you finish the school year before you leave. If you don't, I'll still come to visit you. Now, I don't want this to turn into a civil war- the final decision has to be unaminous. I've already informed the Professor about this- through e-mail!- and he supports whatever choice you make. We trust that you'll have faith in whatever path you choose. We're sure you'll think it through carefully." Meos smiled at her daughters. "Now, I'm sure- Min!" Min jumped off her shoulder and leaped across the table to Kitty, who had Katherine sitting in her lap. "Katherine!" Kitty exclaimed as Katherine jumped up to meet with the new cat in the house.
"Miaow?" Min asked.
"Miaow?" asked Katherine.
"Miaow!" The two cats cried out together. Then they jumped off of the table and went to the windowsill, where they sat and watched the snowflakes gently fall.
"Minuit Chatte! We are guests-"
"Katherine! Oh, Prof, I'm sorry-"
The Prof chuckled. "Don't worry about it, Kitty, Meos. It's a one-time thing. They're always welcome- they're part of the family. Besides, they seem to be getting along quite well."
"Well..." Meos paused. "We'll see."
The sisters stared dumbfoundedly at their mother. PL winced, and Selene gave Meos a mental slap.
All the conversations returned to normal after that. But Miracle and Amarantha couldn't get their mother's offer out of their heads...
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Presents!" Kurt cried out. Everyone laughed.
The group had moved to the main living room to rest awhile. There was a giant tree decorated with garland and lights and ornaments. There was an angel AND a star gracing the top, and the presents under it, so of course it wasn't long before someone suggested they desperately wanted to be opened.
"Alright, Kurt. We'll open our presents." The Prof glanced at Meos, who smirked. "But first, I think our guest wants to say something."
"Thank you, Professor." Meos turned to the group.
"I bet no one has forgotten our little adventure the other day." Meos smiled. "I suppose it's nothing like your regular fights and battles." She took a deep breath. "Nothing can repay what you all have done for me and my family. I'm not sure if you understand, but you've done us a great service, and for that I am in your debt."
"I say nothing can repay what you've done for me, but that doesn't mean I can't try! Therefore, in payment for your wonderful gift, I'm giving you all something special," she smiled.
Meos closed her eyes and twirled around. The magic swirled about her, as well as her cloak, and as she stopped, nine black cloaks with hoods, just like hers, appeared in a neat pile before her.
Meos smiled at everyone's reactions. "I believe I got all the sizes right..."
They each examined their cloaks carefully. Jean's had an auburn trim. Scott's had a forest brown, and Logan's had black mixed with silver. Kurt had blue, and Storm had a crystalline white. Rogue had brown with white mixed in, Kitty had a dark brown with silver, and Evan had a bright yellow. All their names were embroidered with a special silver that sparkled, even without light.
The Prof reached down and picked up the last in the pile. On the top left were the words Professor Charles Xavier. He smiled and lovingly folded the cloak with care. "Also, if you should ever need to wear them with your X-Men uniforms, just wish the names to change, and they'll change so that they fit." Meos smiled warmly. "I hope this'll do."
"Meos... this is beyond any form of repayment..."
"You've already deserved it, Charles." Then she turned to her daughters. "Here, girls... this is from us; me, Aunt PL, and Auntie Selene."
"Meos..." Selene scowled mockingly. The others laughed.
Meos smiled as she gave Mir and Mara two fairly big boxes. The girls had received two paperback box sets of The Magic of Xanth series. Topping it all off were bookends- a purple flower for Mara, and shooting stars for Mir. The girls were amazed as they read through the summaries for the books. It was all about Xanth!
"Now, there's alot of sequels coming out, so I suggest you frequently check your mail- we'll send you the new ones!" PL smiled.
Meos sighed, fighting the tears. "Well, if that's all, I'd better get going-"
"Wait!"
"Mom, you weren't going to leave without YOUR presents, were you?"
Meos laughed. "Oh dear, I guess I forgot."
Miracle and Amarantha rushed out of the room. Meos laughed as she heard the sound of footsteps getting softer and softer, then louder and louder as her daughters returned.
"Merry Christmas, Mom!" The girls shouted together as they handed the wrapped box to their mother.
"Oh, girls..." Meos choked as she unwrapped the paper slowly. She opened the box and gasped.
"Oh..." Meos lifted out a silver charm bracelet, with three charms on it already. One was a small purple flower, and another was made up of several stars. The final one was a goddess sitting at the base of a tree, smiling at a butterfly perched on her finger, surrounded by flowers and tall grass.
The girls then gave their Aunt PL and Selene their presents. PL laughed as she received a nylon/spandex black shirt with her initials on the front and her full name on the back in silver rhinestones. Selene got a cute jewelery box in the shape of a piano, and when it opened, it played Für Elise by Beethoven.
"Oh, thank you girls!" Selene hugged her "nieces."
"Now, I'll come back next week for your decision. Till then, my darlings, joyeux Noël!" Meos kissed them goodbye and expressed her thanks again to the others. Then, she, with Min and Toby on her shoulders, disappeared, as well as Selene and PL, without a trace.
"Vow." Kurt blinked, amazed. "Okay, now ve can give our gifts! Here, Kitty..." Kurt handed her a small box. "Zis is for you."
She took it warily. "This isn't gonna be, like, a dead rat with a clock in it's stomach, right?"
A blank look. "I KNEW I vas forgetting something..."
"Kurt Wanger!"
Kurt laughed. "Just kidding, Katzchen."
Kitty glared and opened her present. "Ohh!" Kitty exclaimed as she lifted out a purple collar with a bell and lisence, and a nametag that said "Katherine" and the Institute's phone number.
"Oh, like, thank you Kurt!" Kitty wrapped her arms around his neck in a hug. "Now, if she, like, gets lost again, someone can find her and, like, return her! Thank you! Oh, this one's for you."
She handed him a small box. He looked at her and grinned, then tore apart the wrapping paper.
"Oh, vow..." He lifted up a gold chain link bracelet with his nameplate. "Thank you, Kitty..." He shyly kissed her on the cheek. Kitty blushed.
Jean had given Scott black sunglasses with fire imprints on the lenses. They dangled from a metallic chain, so he could hang them from the review mirror of his car. He, in turn, had given her a necklace with a diamond pendant. Spyke had given his aunt a gemstone bracelet, while Storm had given him an authentic African tribal mask. ("It'll go great with the posters on my ceiling!") ("Gee, I wonder how they got there... *cough cough* POWERS!")
Since Rogue gave Logan a new coyboy hat, he gave her new gloves. The leather material of the gloves was covered with rhinestones and sequins and crystals. Not that Rogue would be the next Michael Jackson (see... he gave her TWO gloves. ^_^)
"Mir..."
"Mara?"
The sisters shoved their presents at each other. They looked at each other slyly, then unwrapped the boxes carefully and lifted the lid. Each of them held in their hand a gold chain necklace with a big heart locket. The front was purple with glitter scattered over the front, and Mara's had her first and middle name, and Mir had her full first name, both engraved in cursive. The back was solid yellow gold. The sisters looked at each other.
"If you did, I swear-" Mir warned.
"Open it!" Mara urged.
The sisters shook their heads as they opened the hearts. Inside were pictures of everyone at the Institute combined with pictures of their mother, aunt, and "auntie." In the frames opposite of the pictures were the words "Home is where the Heart is," engraved in graceful cursive.
Both jaws dropped.
"Miracle!"
"Amarantha!"
"You found out, didn't you! Kitty told you, she must've!"
"No! I didn't, Kitty didn't tell me anything! But I'm gonna kill Rogue, she must've slipped the word-"
"I swear, I didn't know at all! Nobody told me or anything like that!" The girls looked at each other, mouths open wide. Then they started to laugh.
"I guess we know each other too well!" Mara explained.
"This perfect?"
"Maybe it was something else..."
"Yeah! Maybe we're developing powers like Jean, only like identical twins!" Mara squealed with delight.
"You really mean it?" Mir asked.
"Maybe. Who knows?"
Suddenly, Logan clapped his hands for attention, as the two sisters put the necklaces on each other.
The others continued talking.
"Ahem!" he coughed.
No one payed attention.
"May I have everyone's attention please?" The Prof asked kindly.
Everyone stopped.
"Thank you," the Prof smiled. Logan looked at him with a suspicious look, then took the floor.
"Err... thanks, Charles... Anyway, it looks like everyone has their presents."
Nobody said a word. Logan cleared his throat.
"AHEM! I said, 'It looks like, everyone has their presents!'" He stressed, glaring at Kurt.
"Ohh!" Kurt exclaimed. He then BAMFed away. Logan rolled his eyes as he returned, gift box in hand, which he then handed to Logan. The others smiled.
"... Here." Logan shoved the present into the Prof's hands. Rogue raised an eyebrow, while Kitty covered the wince that appeared on her face with her hands. Jean shook her head and looked at Storm, who sighed.
"Well, he DID say he wasn't good at these things..." she muttered.
"Professor..." Jean said. "You've done so much for us. When we realized that you hadn't put your name into the Secret Santa pile- Don't worry, we didn't say who we had!- we pooled our money together and bought you something from all of us. It is Christmas, after all, Professor!" Jean smiled, cutting off the Prof's protests.
The Prof shook his head, giving up. He opened the present with a smirk on his face. The smirk then grew into a genuine smile as he realized what the present was.
"Thank you, everyone." He said quietly. He held the picture frame with his hands and gazed at the picture lovingly. It was a collage of everyone at the Institute, including Katherine. ^_^ Some were posing, like Jean and Scott, while others, like Logan and Kurt (and, of course, Katherine) were candid shots.
The Professor shook his head. "I'll treasure it always." Everyone smiled.
"That reminds me..." he wheeled to a box on a nearby table. "I have all your presents right here..."
"But, Professor-"
"Trust me, they'll come in handy."
The Professor opened the box to reveal small computer chips (hey, we're talking the size of pencil erasers here).
"Prof? What's all this about?" Mir picked up a chip and examined it closely.
"There are two for each of you. You place them on the inside of your ear, like so..." he demonstrated. "And you automatically hear English, no matter what language was originally spoken. And they won't hurt your ears- you can leave them in all the time, even if they get wet."
"Vow!" Kurt exclaimed. "Does it vork for accents too?" he asked hopefully.
The Prof laughed. "Sorry, no. English is English, no matter what accent."
"Oh, Kurt, your accent isn't that bad! It's, like, cute, actually..." Kitty blushed.
"Oh, I vasn't talking about MY accent... I vas talking about Rogue's!"
WHACK!
"Oww..."
Rogue pursed her lips and looked at Kurt out of the corner of her eye. The others laughed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*joyeux noël* Merry Christmas (actually, joyeux = happy but this IS France here! No offense to les français... I'm one myself.)
"Okay, we need some salt, chalk, and a stake or spear of some sort... Why, thank you Evan! Oh, sorry-Spyke."
Meos held the spear outstetched in hand as she telepathically lifted Colleen up and onto it. She floated the chains to her. She then bound her mother to the stake; in doing so, this could not only ensure that she wouldn't escape, it also represented that Meos was now in control; she could now operate her magic around Colleen.
"That's done..." She said, mostly to herself. "Now we need the salt and chalk... Someone needs to take the salt out of my hands immediately as soon as it appears. No, Mira- this is not a job for a fellow witch."
"I'll do it," Jean volunteered.
"Thank you, Jean." Jean stood before her as she conjured the container of salt. It dropped into her hands as Meos backed away with a jolt.
After a moment, she rose to her feet again. "Now..." she coughed awkardly. "Jean, pour the salt over Colleen. Yes, I meant what I said, I'm sure. Go ahead," Meos gestured as Jean telepathically sprinkled the salt over Colleen's limp head.
"Now, the chalk." Meos conjured the chalk and drew a circle around Colleen's feet.
"What is the purpose of all this?" Rogue asked.
"The salt ensures that none of her essense escapes. Wouldn't want any chance of her escaping, no matter what form. The chalk ensures that none of her ashes blow away."
"Ashes?!"
"Yes. You'll see."
Rogue paled for a moment, but soon recovered.
Meos turned to Storm and Cyclops, who were watching with awe. "Cyclops, Storm, I need your assistance. Mira, 'Rantha, come here." She quickly told them what she needed them to do.
"Alright... got it," Cyclops said.
"Rogue, listen to my instructions carefully," Meos ordered. "Hold out your arms like this and close your eyes. Let the powers go, slowly and carefully. Not alot! Save some for yourself. Don't give any to me, Mira, or 'Rantha. We will provide our own source of magic."
A dark blue light emitted from Rogue's hands.
"Now, each one of you, reach out, and accept the power."
One by one the light transferred from Rogue to the others. Shadowcat then gently placed Katherine back in the bag, made sure there was room enough to breathe, and slung it over her shoulder.
"Don't want you getting lost," she muttered.
"Everyone crowd around the circle."
They all took their places nervously, and with care. Meos faced Colleen's front. Shadowcat stood to her right, and Mir stood on the other side of the cat of the shadows. Rogue was after that, with Spyke, Storm, and Wolverine continuing the circle, with Cyclops and Jean to Mara's left. Mara in turn stood next to Nightcrawler, who completed the circle, standing at Meos's left.
"At the count of three, we all blast her with everything we've got. Focus and makesure you're hitting her correctly; don't miss! Just... imagine her gone. Not existing. Understand? Don't be afraid; trust in your power, and yourselves."
They all nodded. Even Nightcrawler was serious.
"At the count of three." Meos took a deep breath. "One, two" a pause, "... three!"
The power was amazing! The blue light surged through their hands, crackling as it hit the unconcious witch bound to the pole before them with a jolt.
The blue power went on for a while. No visable damage could be seen, as far as the group knew. Then, a change. Storm stopped the light from her hands and caused wind to rapidly flow around Colleen. Miracle halted the light coming from her and soon replaced it with jets of water. The crackling light burnt out from Meos's hands. She bit her lip with concentration as dark black beams escaped from her. The air crackled with energy and nothingness. Cyclops, running out of power, lowered his sunglasses quickly and aimed at Colleen, setting her afire. Amarantha's light frizzled away as dark brown dirt, and little bits of green grass, flew from her hands to Colleen.
The others continued with their light, and soon Colleen was dry, soaking wet, half eaten by what seemed to be a black hole of some sort, aflame, and muddy. She stirred, and with a start her cold blue iceberg eyes opened wide. She looked around, taking the scene in.
"No!" she cried out. "You can't do this to me! I swear, Maia, I will get you! You and my grandchildren! I will get you and yours... After all that I've done for you-" she left off, screaming. She struggled to free herself from the bonds.
"No," Meos said calmly. It was in French, but the others could understand. She pushed the beams stronger into the circle. "No, the tables have turned. You cannot operate your magic in my presence; you will leave me and my family in peace. You are not my mother; I disown you. I finally banish you to your Eternal Hell; you will never torture, nor harm, another living being, as long as the name Meoskite is in blood!"
With a scream, Colleen dissolved, along with the spike and chains. Everyone stopped their powers with relief, and Mir and Mara stared at their hands with wonder.
The pile of white and dark ashes never left the circle, and the salt soaked up the black vapors trying to escape. Meos caught her breath.
"I, Maia Meoskite, swear by my body, soul, and spirit. By the five elements of wind, water, void, fire, and earth, I sign my name in blood. May the Meoskite clan's magic reign forever without the torturing presence of Colleen Meoskite or any of her like again. Amen," she said in English.
Meos conjured a needle and pricked her finger. She squeezed two drops onto the pile of ashes. She then passed the needle to Miracle. She took it, understanding.
"I, Miracle Meoskite, swear by my body, soul, and spirit. By the five elements of wind, water, void, fire, and earth, I sign my name in blood," she said cautiously. "May the Meoskite clan's magic reign forever without the torturing presence of Colleen Meoskite or any of her like again. Amen."
Miracle pricked her finger and forced two drops to fall on the ash pile. She then passed the needle to Amarantha. She took it with wide eyes. She looked at Meos, who nodded.
"I, Amarantha Owen Meoskite," she said, choking on the tears, "swear by my body, soul, and spirit. By the five elements of wind, water, void, fire, and earth, I sign my name in blood. May the Meoskite clan's magic reign forever without the torturing presence of Colleen Meoskite or any of her like again. Amen." Mara pricked herself with a flinch and allowed two beads of blood to drop onto the ashes.
The ashes disappeared.
Meos closed her eyes as her necklace broke. The casement shattered, glass flying everywhere. A brilliant light radiated from a central point right above Meos's chest. Meos sighed happily as it entered her. For a moment the light spread through her, and she glowed with the soft pale light. She had her soul back. She was complete. She was whole.
Meos let out a sigh of relief and opened her eyes as the light dulled to nothing viewable. "I'm whole again... We did it... we destroyed her. It's final, it worked! I'm free... we're free!" Meos laughed with tears threatening her cheeks. "Girls... I can finally be a real mother to you."
The girls didn't say anything; it wasn't needed. They rushed over to their mother and buried themselves in each other, all three. The dam opened up and flooded and the threesome started to cry, letting every burden of pain and suffering empty from their souls, everything they had endured over the long years of separation. They cried over their hurt over the many things they had forgotten, the things they had remembered, the things they will never know. And they cried over things that shall be.
"Uhh, I hate to interrupt the sentimental moment here..." Wolverine placed a strong hand on Meos's delicate shoulder, "but I think we should leave." He looked at the passageway which led to the Professor.
Meos sniffed and smiled up at Wolverine, still holding her girls close. "You're right..." Then, to her daughers, "Come, girls. Let's go home."
"Home..." Mara muttered. "'My people? Who are they?.... I went into the land where I was born, Where men spoke my language... I was a stranger there. 'My people,' my soul cried. 'Who are my people?' '" (AN: Sheesh, that was confusing... a person quoting a poem that has speech in it as well... oh well you make the most of it.)
"'Last night in the rain I met an old man, Who spoke a langauge I did not speak...'" Mir placed a comforting hand on her sister's shoulder. "'With apologetic smile he offered me The shelter of his patched umbrella.'"
"'I met his eyes... and then I knew...'" Meos finished the poem. She shrugged. "It's not the whole poem, but I suppose it's meaning will suffice for now. 'Rantha, when we get out of here, we all will have a little chat."
"Yes, ma'am." Mara lowered her eyes as she followed everyone out.
"How could you forget all you've taught us, Mara?" Mir whispered to her sister. Amarantha quickly followed her sister's glance to find that her eyes landed on Rogue and Shadowcat, with Katherine still in the bag slung over her shoulder.
"Cyclops? Could you take care of the setting for us?" Meos asked, pulling him over to the side.
Cyclops nodded, then put his visor on full power. He then started firing randomly. Soon the place was blazing with flames. Cyclops turned to go, seeing that the fire had enough fuel. Only Meos stood in the doorway, the fire softly illuminating her body, making her seem more mystical than usual.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
A few days later found it to be Christmas Eve. By then everyone had gotten over the shock and after-effects of the battle, although Kitty still won't let Katherine out of her sight, not even during meals, or training (not that anyone minded), and Rogue still hadn't gotten her earrings back- not that she remembered. They all were in good spirits, even Logan. It had started to lightly snow again, and the fresh snowflakes left a crisp blanket on the ground.
The Prof had suggested a Secret Santa program for gift-buying, instead of everyone spending money on everyone and turning up broke. Somehow, they all had who they wanted. There were no contradictions or problems. It was quite easy, actually.
Christmas Eve dinner was a feast. Kurt went through the usual process of exclaiming about the food and hanging from the chandelier- Logan swore it would break by lunch the next day- and the room was filled with sweet aromas and holiday music.
"We still haven't made snow mutants," Mara grumbled to herself as she looked out the dining hall window at the lightly falling snow.
Meos had left after she found that Mara and Mir were settled in. She hadn't even kept her promise of the "chat" that was supposed to take place when they had gotten "home." This left Mara in a fairly grumpy mood, despite the holiday spirit and cheer.
"Oh, Mara, cheer up. She'll come back, don't worry. For now, let's enjoy Christmas- with snow, no less! We can make snow mutants tomorrow, you know that. After dinner we're exchanging presents! Remember?" Mir tried half heartedly to smile, but it was no use. She tried to act differently, but deep down, she was just as miserable as her sister.
"I was looking foreward to a Christmas with Mom, not just snow."
"Come on, Mara. This isn't fair. YOU'RE supposed to be the optomistic one, not me."
"If she had planned on leaving, then why did she say what she did afterwards? '...I can finally be a real mother to you.'" This struck a thought in Mara's head; she paled. "Mir... what if she's in trouble?"
"Oh, darlings, you should know by now, the Wonderous Maia Meoskite will never get into trouble again! For the evil queen has been destroyed, and the princess is free!" Meos laughed as she stood behind her daughters and lowered her hood. On her shoulders were Tobias and Minuit- Toodles had been given to Moonstone for the Christmas holidays, Meos knew her friend wouldn't mind... much. (She just didn't think a hyper chimp would be welcomed terrorizing the premises.) Behind her stood a smiling PL and Selene. Princess Luna and Kassandra Selenite.
Mara gasped and turned around. Mir joined her as she hugged their mother tight.
"You girls really didn't think I'd leave you again, did you?"
"We didn't know what to think... Merry Christmas Mom!"
"Yeah, we missed you so much! Merry Christmas Mom!"
Mara looked up at Meos with a loving grin. "You have no idea how many times I've wanted to say that."
"Girls, don't be rude and not say hello to your aunts," PL teased. Mir and Mara giggled and hugged their PL and Selene hello.
"Meos! Glad you and your guests could join us. Please, have a seat, help yourself, and make yourself at home." The Prof smiled.
"Home..." Meos whispered, then glanced at her two girls they made room for her in between them, with Selene across from Mir and PL across from Mara.
"'Rantha..." Meos said as she sat, "How do you define home?"
Mara looked around the room, at all her friends, smiling and talking and laughing.
"Home is where the heart is," she said softly. *I remember, now...*
Meos grinned. "And you, Mira... how do you define home?"
"Home is where the heart is," Mir said boldly.
"And where are your hearts, girls?"
Mir and Mara glanced at each other, then around the room. Everyone they loved... all of their family was in that room. Where else could their hearts be?
"Our hearts are here, Mom." Mara said.
"Besides being located beneath the sternum bone in between your ribs, and above the lungs," Mir added.
"Mir! I'm, like, trying to eat here! Please, no medical gore!" Kitty complained.
"Sorry," Mir giggled. "Won't happen again."
Meos smiled. "Is that what you're interested in? The medical field?"
Mir nodded with enthusiasm.
"What about you, 'Rantha?"
"Oh, I dunno..." Mara said quietly. "I'm not like Mira; I don't like science and math. I actually like history and langauge arts." She looked surprised at herself, as if she was just realizing it then.
"It seems as if you girls have your whole future planned," Meos said. Selene looked up and glared at Meos.
Meos sighed as she noticed. "Don't worry, I'm getting to it..." she reassured her friend.
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Mir asked.
"Girls, I've been doing a lot of thinking lately, besides buying presents," Mir and Mara looked at each other, "and I've come to a conclusion."
Meos took a deep breath. "I at first had been torn on teaching you more magic. If I didn't, you'd have no advantage when fighting. If I did, Colleen would be attracted to the new source of magic, and then realize that you were her grandchildren, and the nightmares would come true..." Meos shuddered at the thought of what that would mean. "Anyway, girls, now the danger has passed. You are now free to use your magic in ways you couldn't think could be real. You are not mutants- you are witches." Casually everyone stopped their conversations to listen in. Meos glanced around nervously and licked her chapped lips. "You also have magic talents, the result of being born in Xanth. That in itself is not a mutation. The reason why you can use your magic talents in Mundania is simply because the magic inside you, the same magic you use as a witch, supports your talents. Now, I'm not promising anything, nor letting anyone down with the question I'm about to ask you both. I'm not forcing you to do anything, and I'm not pressuring you either. Whatever your decision, I'll accept it. I'm just simply asking a question: Would you girls like to come with me and let me teach you magic?"
Mara gasped and looked at Mir, who had paled.
"I don't need an answer right away. If you do decide to, I'll let you finish the school year before you leave. If you don't, I'll still come to visit you. Now, I don't want this to turn into a civil war- the final decision has to be unaminous. I've already informed the Professor about this- through e-mail!- and he supports whatever choice you make. We trust that you'll have faith in whatever path you choose. We're sure you'll think it through carefully." Meos smiled at her daughters. "Now, I'm sure- Min!" Min jumped off her shoulder and leaped across the table to Kitty, who had Katherine sitting in her lap. "Katherine!" Kitty exclaimed as Katherine jumped up to meet with the new cat in the house.
"Miaow?" Min asked.
"Miaow?" asked Katherine.
"Miaow!" The two cats cried out together. Then they jumped off of the table and went to the windowsill, where they sat and watched the snowflakes gently fall.
"Minuit Chatte! We are guests-"
"Katherine! Oh, Prof, I'm sorry-"
The Prof chuckled. "Don't worry about it, Kitty, Meos. It's a one-time thing. They're always welcome- they're part of the family. Besides, they seem to be getting along quite well."
"Well..." Meos paused. "We'll see."
The sisters stared dumbfoundedly at their mother. PL winced, and Selene gave Meos a mental slap.
All the conversations returned to normal after that. But Miracle and Amarantha couldn't get their mother's offer out of their heads...
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Presents!" Kurt cried out. Everyone laughed.
The group had moved to the main living room to rest awhile. There was a giant tree decorated with garland and lights and ornaments. There was an angel AND a star gracing the top, and the presents under it, so of course it wasn't long before someone suggested they desperately wanted to be opened.
"Alright, Kurt. We'll open our presents." The Prof glanced at Meos, who smirked. "But first, I think our guest wants to say something."
"Thank you, Professor." Meos turned to the group.
"I bet no one has forgotten our little adventure the other day." Meos smiled. "I suppose it's nothing like your regular fights and battles." She took a deep breath. "Nothing can repay what you all have done for me and my family. I'm not sure if you understand, but you've done us a great service, and for that I am in your debt."
"I say nothing can repay what you've done for me, but that doesn't mean I can't try! Therefore, in payment for your wonderful gift, I'm giving you all something special," she smiled.
Meos closed her eyes and twirled around. The magic swirled about her, as well as her cloak, and as she stopped, nine black cloaks with hoods, just like hers, appeared in a neat pile before her.
Meos smiled at everyone's reactions. "I believe I got all the sizes right..."
They each examined their cloaks carefully. Jean's had an auburn trim. Scott's had a forest brown, and Logan's had black mixed with silver. Kurt had blue, and Storm had a crystalline white. Rogue had brown with white mixed in, Kitty had a dark brown with silver, and Evan had a bright yellow. All their names were embroidered with a special silver that sparkled, even without light.
The Prof reached down and picked up the last in the pile. On the top left were the words Professor Charles Xavier. He smiled and lovingly folded the cloak with care. "Also, if you should ever need to wear them with your X-Men uniforms, just wish the names to change, and they'll change so that they fit." Meos smiled warmly. "I hope this'll do."
"Meos... this is beyond any form of repayment..."
"You've already deserved it, Charles." Then she turned to her daughters. "Here, girls... this is from us; me, Aunt PL, and Auntie Selene."
"Meos..." Selene scowled mockingly. The others laughed.
Meos smiled as she gave Mir and Mara two fairly big boxes. The girls had received two paperback box sets of The Magic of Xanth series. Topping it all off were bookends- a purple flower for Mara, and shooting stars for Mir. The girls were amazed as they read through the summaries for the books. It was all about Xanth!
"Now, there's alot of sequels coming out, so I suggest you frequently check your mail- we'll send you the new ones!" PL smiled.
Meos sighed, fighting the tears. "Well, if that's all, I'd better get going-"
"Wait!"
"Mom, you weren't going to leave without YOUR presents, were you?"
Meos laughed. "Oh dear, I guess I forgot."
Miracle and Amarantha rushed out of the room. Meos laughed as she heard the sound of footsteps getting softer and softer, then louder and louder as her daughters returned.
"Merry Christmas, Mom!" The girls shouted together as they handed the wrapped box to their mother.
"Oh, girls..." Meos choked as she unwrapped the paper slowly. She opened the box and gasped.
"Oh..." Meos lifted out a silver charm bracelet, with three charms on it already. One was a small purple flower, and another was made up of several stars. The final one was a goddess sitting at the base of a tree, smiling at a butterfly perched on her finger, surrounded by flowers and tall grass.
The girls then gave their Aunt PL and Selene their presents. PL laughed as she received a nylon/spandex black shirt with her initials on the front and her full name on the back in silver rhinestones. Selene got a cute jewelery box in the shape of a piano, and when it opened, it played Für Elise by Beethoven.
"Oh, thank you girls!" Selene hugged her "nieces."
"Now, I'll come back next week for your decision. Till then, my darlings, joyeux Noël!" Meos kissed them goodbye and expressed her thanks again to the others. Then, she, with Min and Toby on her shoulders, disappeared, as well as Selene and PL, without a trace.
"Vow." Kurt blinked, amazed. "Okay, now ve can give our gifts! Here, Kitty..." Kurt handed her a small box. "Zis is for you."
She took it warily. "This isn't gonna be, like, a dead rat with a clock in it's stomach, right?"
A blank look. "I KNEW I vas forgetting something..."
"Kurt Wanger!"
Kurt laughed. "Just kidding, Katzchen."
Kitty glared and opened her present. "Ohh!" Kitty exclaimed as she lifted out a purple collar with a bell and lisence, and a nametag that said "Katherine" and the Institute's phone number.
"Oh, like, thank you Kurt!" Kitty wrapped her arms around his neck in a hug. "Now, if she, like, gets lost again, someone can find her and, like, return her! Thank you! Oh, this one's for you."
She handed him a small box. He looked at her and grinned, then tore apart the wrapping paper.
"Oh, vow..." He lifted up a gold chain link bracelet with his nameplate. "Thank you, Kitty..." He shyly kissed her on the cheek. Kitty blushed.
Jean had given Scott black sunglasses with fire imprints on the lenses. They dangled from a metallic chain, so he could hang them from the review mirror of his car. He, in turn, had given her a necklace with a diamond pendant. Spyke had given his aunt a gemstone bracelet, while Storm had given him an authentic African tribal mask. ("It'll go great with the posters on my ceiling!") ("Gee, I wonder how they got there... *cough cough* POWERS!")
Since Rogue gave Logan a new coyboy hat, he gave her new gloves. The leather material of the gloves was covered with rhinestones and sequins and crystals. Not that Rogue would be the next Michael Jackson (see... he gave her TWO gloves. ^_^)
"Mir..."
"Mara?"
The sisters shoved their presents at each other. They looked at each other slyly, then unwrapped the boxes carefully and lifted the lid. Each of them held in their hand a gold chain necklace with a big heart locket. The front was purple with glitter scattered over the front, and Mara's had her first and middle name, and Mir had her full first name, both engraved in cursive. The back was solid yellow gold. The sisters looked at each other.
"If you did, I swear-" Mir warned.
"Open it!" Mara urged.
The sisters shook their heads as they opened the hearts. Inside were pictures of everyone at the Institute combined with pictures of their mother, aunt, and "auntie." In the frames opposite of the pictures were the words "Home is where the Heart is," engraved in graceful cursive.
Both jaws dropped.
"Miracle!"
"Amarantha!"
"You found out, didn't you! Kitty told you, she must've!"
"No! I didn't, Kitty didn't tell me anything! But I'm gonna kill Rogue, she must've slipped the word-"
"I swear, I didn't know at all! Nobody told me or anything like that!" The girls looked at each other, mouths open wide. Then they started to laugh.
"I guess we know each other too well!" Mara explained.
"This perfect?"
"Maybe it was something else..."
"Yeah! Maybe we're developing powers like Jean, only like identical twins!" Mara squealed with delight.
"You really mean it?" Mir asked.
"Maybe. Who knows?"
Suddenly, Logan clapped his hands for attention, as the two sisters put the necklaces on each other.
The others continued talking.
"Ahem!" he coughed.
No one payed attention.
"May I have everyone's attention please?" The Prof asked kindly.
Everyone stopped.
"Thank you," the Prof smiled. Logan looked at him with a suspicious look, then took the floor.
"Err... thanks, Charles... Anyway, it looks like everyone has their presents."
Nobody said a word. Logan cleared his throat.
"AHEM! I said, 'It looks like, everyone has their presents!'" He stressed, glaring at Kurt.
"Ohh!" Kurt exclaimed. He then BAMFed away. Logan rolled his eyes as he returned, gift box in hand, which he then handed to Logan. The others smiled.
"... Here." Logan shoved the present into the Prof's hands. Rogue raised an eyebrow, while Kitty covered the wince that appeared on her face with her hands. Jean shook her head and looked at Storm, who sighed.
"Well, he DID say he wasn't good at these things..." she muttered.
"Professor..." Jean said. "You've done so much for us. When we realized that you hadn't put your name into the Secret Santa pile- Don't worry, we didn't say who we had!- we pooled our money together and bought you something from all of us. It is Christmas, after all, Professor!" Jean smiled, cutting off the Prof's protests.
The Prof shook his head, giving up. He opened the present with a smirk on his face. The smirk then grew into a genuine smile as he realized what the present was.
"Thank you, everyone." He said quietly. He held the picture frame with his hands and gazed at the picture lovingly. It was a collage of everyone at the Institute, including Katherine. ^_^ Some were posing, like Jean and Scott, while others, like Logan and Kurt (and, of course, Katherine) were candid shots.
The Professor shook his head. "I'll treasure it always." Everyone smiled.
"That reminds me..." he wheeled to a box on a nearby table. "I have all your presents right here..."
"But, Professor-"
"Trust me, they'll come in handy."
The Professor opened the box to reveal small computer chips (hey, we're talking the size of pencil erasers here).
"Prof? What's all this about?" Mir picked up a chip and examined it closely.
"There are two for each of you. You place them on the inside of your ear, like so..." he demonstrated. "And you automatically hear English, no matter what language was originally spoken. And they won't hurt your ears- you can leave them in all the time, even if they get wet."
"Vow!" Kurt exclaimed. "Does it vork for accents too?" he asked hopefully.
The Prof laughed. "Sorry, no. English is English, no matter what accent."
"Oh, Kurt, your accent isn't that bad! It's, like, cute, actually..." Kitty blushed.
"Oh, I vasn't talking about MY accent... I vas talking about Rogue's!"
WHACK!
"Oww..."
Rogue pursed her lips and looked at Kurt out of the corner of her eye. The others laughed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*joyeux noël* Merry Christmas (actually, joyeux = happy but this IS France here! No offense to les français... I'm one myself.)