Author's Note: I have no excuses.
This is set in first person (or rather, first people), throughout the days and weeks after the defeat of Apocalypse at the hands of our favorite mutants. I'm going to try to keep this completely in character, which means couples and relationships are what has been shown.
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To What Awaits Us
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27 September, 2005
Rahne Sinclaire
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It's raining outside. Again. Sometimes I think that the only thing it ever does on Muir Island is rain. Heck, I wouldn't be suprised; after all it's not like New York here, is it? Such beautiful weather they must be having right now. A sharp, cold chill to the air this time of day, but by noon it would be sweltering, even if winter comes in early.
My being here right now would be a little easier, if it were like that.
But it's not, is it, Rahne? Stop hanging on it. Hanging on it won't get you anywhere, especially not back to Bayville.
But Goddess, I wish Moira had enough for a plane ticket, so I could get back to my friends, back to where I belong right now. The people here are nice enough, and Moira has been a gift to me, but… It's not the same.
Argh, I shouldn't think like that! She was the one who rescued me away from 'Reverend' Craig. She was the one who saved me from the mobs at Ullapool, the ones who called me a demon. The ones who tried to burn me and skin me and send me back to Hell.
Okay, so maybe I should just stop thinking altogether. No matter what I do, I always get wound up, something's always there to poke at my mind and annoy me until I can put it to sleep at 3 a.m.
I wonder what Roberto would say if he could see me now? I wonder what he'd say if he learned that I'd been hunted down by the people from the tiny Scottish village I used to love. Being my Roberto, he probably wouldn't say a whole lot.
Man, things had changed so much since March…
I started at the sound of my door being thrown open. I hate the rain, dampening my senses the way it does.
That Irish girl, Theresa, stood before me- utterly soaked through. I could only smile at the string of curses that erupted from her. Amazing how someone who looks so harmless can have such a loud mouth.
I'm sure she would get along great with Jubilee.
The scowl on her face made me smother the smile.
"Moira said she wants ye tae' come see her." she huffed, ringing her soaking wet clothes out on my floor.
Yep, really well.
"Okay, just gimme a few minutes." She rolled her eyes dramatically, but grinned.
"Whatever," she sighed, turning back to the door, "Just hurry up, yeah? It's urgent."
She'd only been here for a week, but she knew well enough. With Moira MacTaggert, leader of the Muir Island Research Centre, everything is urgent. She shook out the mass of curly hair and headed out into the storm again, more curses spilling forth.
Man, her Uncle must have been one really loose parent.
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Rain makes senses bad. Dull. Can barely smell the wind like this. Pelting down on me, rain gets fur matted and tangled, not nice. No, not nice at all.
Other Rahne doesn't like rain either. Says its bad and it makes us go crazy. I think the Other Rahne is right.
I followed the path of the Girl who had been in my space, the scent wasn't strong but I could still catch it. Rain makes me funny, and I can't find my way sometimes, that's why it's good to find smells you know.
Scent of the Uncle is nearby. Strange, it's strong with something.
Fear? Anxiety? Anger?
Bad rain. Even though it's strong, I can't discern it. But I know something is definitely wrong with the Uncle. Yes, very wrong…
Uncle is somewhere nearby, and I think the Girl is there also.
Scent in the air, just barely, the scent of pain and an explicit fear I'd only ever smelt once, when the Big House was blowing up with the Pack inside.
I ran to it, I didn't want the People to fight and hurt.
I stopped with my paws sliding into the ground, bringing up the sweet, muddy earth all around me. I was beside one of the wood-rooms by the Cliff, Uncle was there, and so was the Girl. Uncle, who was a lot bigger than the Girl, was holding onto one of the arms hard. I can tell, because the Girl's face looks strange and not like normal, cheeks messy with the Wet.
"I don't want tae go with ye' anymore, Uncle. I want ta' stay here." Girl said, voice which is usually loud and annoying had dropped down low. The Hurt must be deep. The Uncle pulled Girl to the side, where the plane was
"Ye' got no choice, Theresa. I'm ye're guardian and I don't like this Moira, or this place. She's puttin' bad ideas in yer head, girl. We're going." Uncle yanked again and Girl trailed behind hopelessly.
"Stop it…"
I could feel the anger in me. How could Uncle do this to the Girl? I thought Uncle cared for the Girl…
Uncle pushed the Girl roughly into the plane and I ran forward again. Had to help the Girl, had to help Girl now before she feels the Hurt. Uncle turned and stared at me, anger rising to match mine. The Girl was inside the plane, pushing Uncle's hands away, trying to keep safe. Good, Girl was smart.
Uncle kicked at me, and a huge boot came quick, but I dodged it easily, and growled. I intimidated Uncle, just a little. My lips curled back to show my fangs and again I smelt the fear pulse around me, my chance.
I lunged at Uncle and clamped my teeth around the boot in front of me. They sunk down, deeper, past the leather and into flesh. Uncle let out a small cry and thrashed the leg around, but I held on, because I had to help the Girl- who had hands over ears and watched us fearfully.
With a roar, Uncle reached around and grabbed a cane that was lying on the front seat of the plane. With one great heave, Uncle pulled the foot right out of the boot, and hit me quick on the head with the cane. It was hot, burning, and Uncle hit hard. I scampered out of the way
"Ye' should have stayed out of this, little wolf. It would'a been a lot safer, but I'm sure Moira will make ye' into a nice rug." Uncle held up the cane and pointed it at me. I thank the rain for making the ground so slippery; I sped along and out of the way of the great red light that leapt out. The heat rose up from it, and it scorched the grass where I had been.
Maybe the rain isn't so bad.
I heard the satisfied snort of Uncle, and again he turned after me. But I have to get the Girl out, so I ran at Uncle again. I jumped when I was a few lengths away and put my paws against the big chest in front of me, hurling myself forward. Uncle lost his footing thanks to my weight, and fell back onto the ground. I wanted to lunge at Uncle again, to sink my teeth into the angry head below me, but I heard the Girl scream. Uncle took the chance and used the cane to push me back. Uncle was stronger than me, so big, and held me to the ground, the cane hard against my neck. I thrashed, legs kicking and snapped my jaw hopelessly. I'm defeated.
Uncle's lips curled and the gleamy-white of teeth smiled at me. Behind us, the Girl screamed again, louder this time. I can feel the Hurt inside me. Uncle can't feel it, but soon will. Girl's scream keeps getting louder and louder. It won't stop.
The Uncle's cane is hot again, hot against my neck, and it's burning the fur there.
But the Girl is hysteric, and I think my head is going to burst. Won't stop, just won't stop, Girl won't stop. If only Girl would stop now, I can feel bad, cold hands pulling my mind away…
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Voices.
"I think she's waking up now..."
"Yes. I can feel her regaining consciousness."
"Will she be okay? I didn't mean tae… I dinna' know I was a mutant."
"Its okay, Ms. Rourke, she'll be alright. Rahne is a strong girl; she'll heal in no time at all."
I forced my eyes open with all the will I had, and all I could see was the whitewashed, clinical ceiling of the Muir Island Medical Lab. Instantly, a face came into view, a year or so younger than mine. Tears wet her cheeks, and she smiled at me. "I thought I'd killed ye'. I dinna' mean tae hurt you like that, but Uncle looked like he was really gonna hurt ye'…" Her face was the picture of absolute relief. Female hands pulled her back. I turned and met eyes with my Saviour. It's amazing how an experience like this can really make you appreciate things.
"Thomas was a bad egg, Rahne. He had a lot of goods stashed in the plane. Thousands of dollars worth. Thank god ye' saw what was happening…" Moira said softly. Theresa sighed and put her head in her hands. "While he was unconscious, I took the time to call the Police. He'll be locked away for a while now…"
"I'm sorry I dinna' tell ye', but…" Her voice cracked again, the strong girl I've come to know crumbling before my eyes. I tried to reach out to her, comfort her, but my hand wouldn't move.
"I'm afraid you won't be able to move for a while, Ms. Sinclair." Another familiar voice offered. I hadn't heard that voice in a while…
Professor?!
I tried to turn my head again, but it seemed I didn't have the strength. Right on queue, his stooped form wheeled into my view. He smiled sadly at me, and I felt my heart leap.
Why was he here? Were there any others? He put his warm hand over mine, and I saw Moira lean on the side of his chair, in a very easy manner. She smiled brightly, lighting up the small, leaky room.
"This was why I called you, Rahne. You can go back."
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I am so very sorry for the delay in this Chapter. I started writing it out the day I posted the last chapter, but I guess I just got lazy…
Now, anyway, I guess I have to address a few things to do with this chapter.
-Rahne, along with Jubilee, went back to their respective homes in March (Mainstream, Season 03, Episode 03). Because the first publicized case of mutants was of the X-Men, I think its safe to say that it would be shown Worldwide. Because it became known that the X-Men were from the Xavier Institute, it's also logical that the students attending would be revealed as well.
-When Rahne did go back, I figured she would go back to Reverend Craig. Why? Because if she had already been with Moira, I don't honestly think that she would make her return.
-At this point in time, I'll say that Rahne has been at Muir Island for around two months. Because she would be at least a little shaken by what had happened in Ullapool (mobs, torches, the usual demon-hunting stuff), it stands to reason that she wouldn't share a whole lot with Moira, or anyone else at Muir Island. So let's say it's been about a week and a half since she had a nice, long talk with Moira, okay? Of course Moira and Xavier are old buds, so it explains why she got him to come and get her. I guess he could of just sent a plane ticket, but I wanted it this way, so :P
-When Rahne eventually did get to Muir Island, who's to say it would already be a fully working facility? I've never seen an Evolution Fic that had the Research Centre on shaky ground. You have to start somewhere.
-I'm only guessing here, but I think that Rahne would morph back to her human form when she falls unconscious.
-Now, Theresa Rourke/Siryn. Yes, that was the emergence of her powers (basically, she shoots out sonic waves from her mouth). And the nefarious 'Uncle', was of course Black Tom Cassidy, who can channel heat blasts with wood. Neither Theresa, nor Xavier, nor Moira have encountered Sean Cassidy/Banshee (her father) at any time beforehand. Most of Theresa's history is the same as the 616/Marvel-verse Theresa. If you don't know what that is, and care to know, I suggest you go to www.marveldirectory.com and look it up. For a quick note: Theresa never really wanted to be a criminal, but Black Tom basically forced her into it, and that's why she isn't showing much remorse at his imprisonment.
-I honestly have no idea if animals recognize different genders in humans, but I'll just guess they don't…
-And yes, I do believe in Rahne/Roberto. So sue me ^_^.
But I guess the question on everyone's mind right now is; will Rahne go back to the Institute? Maybe. It seems as if she's found her place at Muir Island, doesn't it?
And I apologise also for the horrible slaughter of everyone's accents. I probably shouldn't have attempted those at all…
Oh, and I also apologise if you find this chapter crappy. It's my first take at an action-esque sequence in first-person-animal. It was difficult. Very difficult.