The New Mutants

By: Joey

Disclaimer: Sorry, I don't own these characters, Marvel Comics and I believe KidsWB! (or at least they do for the Evo version) does

Chapter 4

"Demon Bear-Part 2"

Previously: The team arrives in Sundance Colorado for a bit of a break, but ends up investigating some rather grisly murders. Along the way, Sam and James meet Dani Moonstar, the granddaughter of the local Cheyenne tribes shaman, who's been having disturbing nightmare visions. Later in the night, Dani attempts to go visit the team for help when she's confronted by the Demon Bear itself.

*****

It was the demon from her nightmares, she couldn't believe it, a huge bear, it's fur seemingly blacker than the blackest pitch, it's teeth and claws looked like sharpened blades. Dani Moonstar was afraid for her life, as the bear made it's way closer to her. She tried to run, but her legs failed her and she stumbled back, falling to the ground. The bear raised a claw, and Dani closed her eyes, fearing the end.

But it never came. She opened her eyes and saw that she was being carried by the large boy she had met earlier. James was his name, if she remembered correctly. "Thank you..." she said, still drained from the experience.

"No problem, Dani, it's a good thing we headed out to find you when we did," he said, setting her down. "Now just stay back, we'll take care of things." He then ran back to the others, who were busy fighting the bear.

******

Back in the battle, the team was attempting to hold it's own, but something odd was happening, whenever they managed to attack the bear with a powerful blow, it would seemingly heal the injury.

"Madre di Dios! This thing just won't go down, and I'm running low on solar power!" Roberto said, and after watching the bear get back up unscathed from a powerful blow he had given it.

Amara shot several flames at the bear, consuming it entirely, however the flames quickly died down, leaving no sign of injury. "This isn't working!" She yelled out, before the bear swatted her right into Roberto with a ferocious backhand, knocking them both out.

"Amara! Roberto!" Rahne cried out, she was in her werewolf form at the moment, since she figured she'd be too vulnerable as a full wolf. She leapt at the bear, tearing into it's throat with her claws, however no matter how much damage she inflicted upon it, it seemed to heal, the blood quickly drying up. It seemed to finally have enough of Rahne and tossed her away. She hit the ground hard, and groaned, completely spent, and reverted to her human form.

"Damn! Looks like it's just us, Sam! Doug's gone of ahead to warn Black Eagle." James said, clenching his fists.

"James, Ah I got an idea, Ah call it the fast ball special." Sam said, sizing the bear up as it lumbered towards them. "Ah want you ta toss me."

James raised an eyebrow, "You want me to WHAT?" he said, confused.

"I want ya ta throw me." Sam said, gritting his teeth," See, with you're increased power will send me flying real fast, and when I blast in midair, that'll give things an even bigger boost. If we're lucky, it'll take him out."

"All right man, hope this works." James said, picking up Sam and giving him as hard a throw as he could.

Sam flew through he air, and then activated his blast powers, going even faster than before. "All right demon, let's see how y'all like this!" he yelled out as he delivered a rocket assisted punch to the beasts skull, staggering it. He then made a sharp turn to retain his speed and flew at the bear again. This time he wasn't as lucky as the bear swatted him away, sending him flying into a nearby sign.

"SAM!" James yelled and rushed at the bear, trying to inflict as much damage to it as he could. He hot it with everything he had, but the bear just kept taking, before backhanding him into another sign.

Slowly, the bear lumbered back to the petrified Dani, who had been watching the battle from afar. She saw as it got closer and closer, and finally cried out, closing her eyes. She noticed that the bear had stopped, as she couldn't hear any footsteps. She opened her eyes, and saw the bear, frozen, seemingly in fear. What she saw surprised her. It looked like another version of her, but in the garb of a warrior, and brandishing a spear.

The bear roared, and slowly faded away, the fog lifting, as Dani watched, mesmerized.

******

Dani had managed to gently wake the others, and the five of them made their way back to Dani's home, where Doug and Black Eagle waited for them. Once everyone had been checked on by the shaman, he cleared his throat, to get everyone's attention.

"I am proud of you all, not many can say that they survived a battle with the Demon Bear." he said, giving them all a warm smile.

"But honored elder, we didn't exactly achieve any sort of victory, more like a delay, I mean, if it hadn't been for Dani...." James said, flexing his arm, checking to see if anything was broken.

Dani nodded her head and chimed in, "Yes grandfather, how did I cast such an incantation? I have never heard of such a spell." she said, extremely curious.

"Because it is not a spell my granddaughter, you are mutant....in fact, I believe I can tell what you're powers may be," Black Eagle said, putting his hand her shoulder for support. "you can make someone's greatest fears come to life, I believe that with training, you may even be able to create desires as well."

"This is...surprising.....but...why would the Demon Bear fear me?" Dani asked, still confused.

Sam walked up next to Dani. "That's right sir, Ah mean, does it fear shamanistic blood?"

Black Eagle was silent for a few moments. He had not wanted to tell Dani the truth...but he saw no other choice. "Yes....it does fear shamanistic blood, that is why it kills those who have it. But, Dani is special...for you see, only she can slay the beast...for you see...it is her parents."

Silence surrounded everyone for several moments, before Dani finally spoke. "But...how? My parents were killed! By the demon itself! They were the first victims!" she said, tears in her eyes.

Her grandfather sighed. "It is a long story my child....but you deserve to hear it."

******

Twenty-one years ago, William Lonestar met Peg Moonstar. They fell in love almost immediately, and were married very quickly. They were a match made in heaven, but not everyone was happy about their marriage. I should have realized it earlier, but a man by the name of Andrew Running Deer, who had been a prime suitor of Peg's, was consumed with jealousy, and cast a curse on the both of them. He invoked the ancient Demon Bear, and that shortly after the birth of their child, the two of them would become the new vessel for the demon. Three years later, Dani, you were born, and then the murders began to occur. After the first murder, William and Peg awoke in bed with blood all around them. They had no idea what was happening. It happened again a few days later, and after the third murder, and they disappeared, I knew my suspicions were correct. the next time the bear showed itself, it came for me. I had forged a spear of silver, enchanting it, making it the only thing capable of piercing the flesh of the demon.....however my resolve failed me, I could not bring myself to harm my daughter and her husband. Instead, I cast spell to drive them away. However I did not have the strength to make it a permanent spell. I was surprised it last this long. But now, I am old, but I am the only one capable of defeating the Demon Bear. I cannot ask Dani to fight her own parents.

******

Black Eagle finished his story and sat back. The others were silent. He then stood up. "Please, all of you, stay here for the night as our guests," he said, "I am going to retire to quarters. I am very tired, and I need to think about tomorrow night.".

The others nodded their heads in agreement, and headed towards the spare bedrooms.

******

Sam turned towards the clock. It was one AM and he couldn't sleep. he stood up, and carefully walked out onto the catwalk. He surprised to see Dani there too.

"Excuse me? Dani? Y'all ok?" he asked, a little tentatively.

She turned around, a little shocked, but she nodded her head. "Yes...I'm ok, it's just...a lot of information to take in. Being a mutant...my parents being cursed...what may be my fate to ...kill them." She said.

Sam nodded his head and gently put his hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, things may be tough, but everything will work out," he said, "we'll make sure of it."

Dani smiled and hugged him. "Thank you Sam, I needed that." she said, before heading back to her room. Sam smiled before heading back to bed himself.

******

The next day came and went, filled with the others preparing for the fight with the Demon Bear. Black Eagle found the spear, and sat it down next to some wards.

Doug looked at the inscriptions on it. "Yes, it definitely looks like a formidable weapon. Those runes are mystical in original, specified for demon slaying, correct?" he asked.

The shaman nodded his head, looking impressed. "Yes, how did you know that?"

"It's my mutant ability, "Doug said, " I can read, speak, and understand any language."

Black Eagle took a sip of the tea he had brought with him, and nodded. "Truly an interesting power you have, my son. It may not be as physical as James's, for example, but it is powerful in it's own right." he said, smiling. He suddenly felt tired, very tired. His eyes became heavy, and realized, just before going to sleep, why he was in such a condition. *Dani....* he thought, before sleep overtook him.

Doug picked up the spear, walked back to the others, turning around for s second to whisper an apology to the old man.

*******

It was now nine PM, and the others had assembled, Dani clutching the spear, incredibly tense. Soon a fog began to appear, thundering steps could be heard, and with a feral roar, the Demon Bear showed itself. But this time they were prepared.

Doug pulled a rope, sending several boxes down on top of the bear, slowing it down, Amara then ignited them, the bear walked through the inferno, roaring in pain, even though it's wounds healed. Then James and Roberto rushed it from behind, causing it to lose balance, allowing Rahen to pounce on top of it, clawing its face and throat before jumping off.

The bear, by now extremely angry, rushed through the others, knocking them back and thrusting it's right paw out, claws extended, aimed right at Dani.

But it only tore into dirt, as the Dani was but an illusion, created by the real one, who was flying right at, being carried by Sam.

"Mother...father..." she said, "I RELEASE YOU!" as the both of them slammed into the bear, the spear driving into it's flesh, blood pouring out of the wound. The bear cried out in pain, and oddly, release as well, when it fell to the ground. It began to disintegrate, as the two souls it had been inhabiting were finally released, and the demon slain.

The others stood behind Dani, as she knelt down, whispering a prayer to wish her parents peace in the afterlife.

******

The next day, the others were loaded up in the van, they had solved the murders, and brought some peace to the people of the community. They were currently parked out in front of Black Eagle's house. The shaman and Dani had come to see them off.

"Thank you again, for all of your help," The elder said. "you are welcome here anytime."

"Thank you sir, " Sam said. "we were glad to help."

James nodded in agreement, "It was an honor, elder. I hope our paths cross again someday." he said.

With that the two boys headed back to the van (which had gotten a new paint job and tune up, from the grateful townspeople), James got into the driver's seat, and started the car, as Sam climbed in from the back.

Dani quickly turned to her grandfather. "I'm sorry, but I have to go with them. I know they can help me develop my power, and I owe them so much." she said.

Black Eagle smiled. "I understand, granddaughter. Go on. I knew one day you would leave to explore things outside of here." he said, and she ran off to the van.

"Call me Mirage, "she said, after explaining things, and taking a seat next to Sam.

The van then drove off into the sunset, a new member part of the team, as Black Eagle watched them go.

"Good journey, to all of you." he said.

End of fourth chapter.

Author's notes: Well that does it for the Demon Bear storyline. Hope you all enjoyed it. So, for now, the permanent team will be Sam "Cannonball" Guthrie, Roberto "Sunspot" Da Costa, Amara "Magma" Aquilla, Rahne "Wolfsbane" Sinclair, Doug "Cypher" Ramsey, James "Warpath" Proudstar, and Dani "Mirage" Moonstar. By the way, anyone catch some of the comic references I've put in so far? I know Towenden spotted Trish Tilby. Oh, and those hippies from the end of chapter 1 and the beginning of chapter 2? They won't be around again unless you all _really_ want them to show up again. As always, C&C is greatly appreciated!

Next chapter: The team tries to finally take a break at the "Towering Inferno" festival, but things won't be quite as calming as they'd hoped it would be, as the Hellions return, and they're looking for a rematch!