Mutants in Gunsmoke
Chapter 2: Coincidences of chance
By claudius
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I do not own the copyrights to any of these characters. "Tenchi Muyo" (created by Masaki Kajishima and Yosuke Kuroda) owned by AIC. "Trigun" (created by Yasuhiro Nightow) owned by Yasuhiro Nightow/ Shonen Gahosha/ Tokuma Shoten/JVC. "The New Mutants" (created by Chris Claremont and Bob McLeod), Psylocke (created by Alan Moore and Alan Davis), Luna (by John Byrne) and Magneto (created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby) are owned by Marvel Comics.
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Sam Guthrie (Cannonball) Amara Aquilla (Magma)
Dani Moonstar (Mirage) Illyana Rasputin (Magik)
Rahne Sinclair (Wolfsbane) Doug Ramsey (Cypher)
Shan Coy Manh (Karma) Tenchi Masaki (Light-Ken)
Roberto DaCosta (Sunspot) Betsy Braddock (Psylocke)
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The Warlockian truck parked close to the feed bin. The vehicle was to the narrow box's right. At the trough's front, two Tomases had their mouths buried within the container's food contents.
The vehicle's two passengers looked on at the weird animals having their snack. "Y'know what to do Tenchi," Dani made the words in quiet command.
Tenchi's nodded with a determined expression. Dressed in a blazer, he got out of the vehicle rather slowly. He then sat down on the boardwalk, his back leaning upon the bin.
By now, the Tomases were removed from their feed. Tenchi then put the plan into action. Confirming no one at his exposed direction, the boy took out the Tenchi-Ken from his pocket. He held the hilt upside down, the arm that gripped it pressed upon the side of wood. This caused the hilt's focused end to contact with the wooden bin. Concealed flickers of light appeared in this union of two wooden products. Removing the hilt, the gripping hand blocked the hole that was created. Seeing that still no one noticed his deed, Tenchi turned his leg and kicked the tire of his truck. A tiny techno-organic tentacle grew from the tire, slithering snake-like under the wooden boardwalk to the feed bin. A suction cup bloomed from this hose's end, touching the trough's side. In a quick switch, it replaced Tenchi's hand as the hole-plug.
Tenchi quickly got back up, his eyes searching for reassured public ignorance to the amount of feed slowly shrinking from within the box. So far, nothing…
Then a hand dropped on his shoulder. The boy's eyes bulged with teeth greeted. Withdrawing this expression, Tenchi turned his newly reserved face to the owner of the hand. This person was dressed with a hat and a vest, which was adorned with a tin star.
"You're new around here, boy," said the sheriff with a look of discontent. "Let me see your license."
"Sure!" Tenchi lipped a smile, hiding the clenched teeth that squeezed tighter. He glanced at Dani. "Do it!" her mouth pantomimed.
The boy moved his hand into his pocket. He gave a straight performance, hoping Dani knew what she was doing. He then pulled out his empty hand for display. "Heh, heh, guess I misplaced my license, officer."
The sheriff just stared with doubt. "Then what do you call that?" he pointed to the card in Tenchi's hand.
Tenchi saw with amazement this creation. Taking into the acceptance, he handed this slip to the sheriff. The sheriff made his check on the card, then returned it. "Don't park too close to the Tomas trough."
"Okay," Tenchi awkwardly smiled. He broke that expression once he saw the sheriff's back. Looking down, his eyes peered to the discreet shrinkage of Warlock's little hose heading back into the truck. He also quickly got aboard the vehicle.
"Did you do that?" Tenchi asked Dani.
"The guy desired a license," Dani nonchalantly quoted. "My powers fulfilled it."
Tenchi gave a doubt. "What if he was expecting me not to have one?"
Dani had the answer. "Are you kidding? The guy's clearly a 'law and order' type. He wasn't expect anything illegal."
===
Near the city was a small mountain. There was a hollow space within the monolith. That was what Warlock's probing discovered. Away from the public view, Tenchi, Dani, and a miniature Warlock used their hidden creature to fly upon a ledge. Hovering with guidance from Warlock's coordinates, there was found an access to this space- a pit.
The two riders made a safe descent to the bottom of the opening; the vastness revealed in this space was a surprise to behold. The lighting of it was a mixture of brightness enshrouded by shade, further surrounded by darkness.
Dani gave a firm check of the conditions to this pit. If this cavern was to be Brightwind's hideaway, nothing in it would be harmful (never mind the fact that that her steed was an Asgardian breed, and therefore invulnerable to any danger in a mortal's perspective). In assistance, Tenchi brandished the Tenchi-Ken, using its glowing blade to cast light. Warlock also helped, transformed into a bird that flew around this small party. "CHIRP- chirp!" he/it spoke to capture the best conviction of the animal's sounds (it never occurred to the alien that mimicking the sounds instead of the words would be more convincing). "FINAL- evaluation- CHIRP!- chirp!- AREA- safely- DESIGNATED. Chirp- CHIRP- recognizable- LIFEGLOWS- within- FACILITY- nil."
Safely grounded, Dani carried out her bulging suede boots, full of feed. It was Tenchi who found the right spot for its containment- a round boulder. A curved side-ways swipe with the Tenchi-Ken removed a chunk from the solid stone. The Chief then proceeded to empty the food over what was left of the rock, which was shaped like a smooth crater.
"Hope this food's good enough for you, boy," Dani called to her steed. "'We'll be back for more."
Sensing that separation was the obvious successive act, Brightwind refused the inevitable. His master's leaving steps forced the horse to jump to her, turning his long mane to brush Dani's back. The girl felt tickled to respond. Turning around, she quickly touched the pet's cheeks, her face one of the most gentle. "Don't worry, boy," she cooed with hand-brushes upon Brightwind's mane, "I'll be back, soon."
Still as adamant as ever, the horse refused to keep its ground. Dani raised her voice in anger to this insolence. "Brightwind, please!" The horse stilled at angering his mistress. The creature understood Dani's wish, moving away like a sad puppy.
Backed by remorse, Dani returned her warm face, giving the steed a kind look that showed no hard feelings. Sighing about the abandonment, she swallowed her distress and walked back to the shining light exposed by the hole from above. Tenchi was already under that solar shower.
"How do we get back up?" said Tenchi.
"RESCUE- transportation- SELF- will- INITIATE," the Warlockian bird resolved that question. Inflating to humanoid form, the alien's head elongated all the way to the top. Before Tenchi and Dani's eyes, the distancing pod stretched all the way through the hole. Then the head scattered into four prongs, each end moving beyond their view from below.
Down to their level, the rest of Warlock's body transformed into a body-sized elevator. Dani and Tenchi looked at each other, took it in stride, and boarded the transportation.
This box elevated them to the top. The platform then made a bridge, of which the two New Mutants walked over. Once the passengers were off, it took seconds for Warlock to restore him/itself for a reunion.
"Thanks, 'Locke," said Tenchi.
Outside, Dani took a look at the city before her. Sighing again, she gave her complaint. "One problem done, now the real trouble begins."
"Aren't you being too negative about this?" asked Tenchi. As a result, he got a Dani Moonstar ultra-serious face, which quickly converted his views.
"Okay," Tenchi broke off with the optimism. "We're stuck in another planet, probably in another time, our only hope has powers too unpredictable and presently drained, Magneto and Betsy are who-knows-where, we have eleven mouths to feed, and its in some city out of a John Wayne picture…it sucks!" Tenchi spoke this with a cheery sarcasm. It made Dani smile.
Tenchi was pleased at this. Dani should smile more often. His gaze also looked at what was around him. He extended it upon the deserted area overlooking the city. No plants or vegetation was found around here. For a farmer like Tenchi, the barren wasteland was an anathema to him. All this sand, heat, and parched horizons were all depressing. Didn't anything grow here? In remembering the contrasts, a reminder materialized; there was no one taking care of Peter's crops! Tenchi knew that Peter was probably still in the Morlock caverns watching over his injured comrades. This led to another possibility; except for a certain dragon, the School for Gifted Youngsters had no one presiding in the residence. Suppose somebody finds out about their absence- someone unaware of the School's secrets, like his father? That matter was forcibly ignored. Tenchi resigned himself to the fact that it couldn't be help. Finding the headmaster and getting back home were the important issues.
===
The black-haired girl: Named Dani. Definitely authoritative by the way she directs everyone. Must be the leader.
The black-haired boy with a ponytail: Named Tenchi. Gentle, but determined to exhibit force. Seemed to possess a firm stance to bear the trouble without malice.
The horse: Named Brightwind. A very strange being that no previous info could do justice in accurately describing. It was a fierce creature, but calm to his master.
The shape-shifter: Named Warlock. Weirder than the horse, with no info about its species. Maybe an alien? Very loyal to his friends.
Ericks deduced all this from his spying. He kept this secret vigil on a ledge above them. This group's decision to split up forced his attention to the small party. The second party, though larger and equally suspicious, was stationary. It was these four and their departure from the city that was truly worth his surveillance. Where they a messenger party?
He saw the group leave the pit, moving into the rocks. Since that blocked his focus, Ericks had to follow them, moving to ledge to ledge. Soon they will be under his eye again. Since the horse was missing, it was logical that the animal was under that pit. He wondered about the pit's other necessities. A headquarters perhaps?
In his conclusions so far, these kids have not contacted any outside force. They were merely hiding their animal. It confirmed to Ericks that the kids were playing a game of discretion. Finding the real reasons behind it would solve everything. In his ideas, there was the good chance of the fact that like him, these strangers were trying to hide their special abilities. However, that led to a more dangerous theory: were they agents from him?
One could consider this suspicion to be paranoid for anyone save Ericks. Unfortunately, it was Ericks who was the spy. He had every cause to uphold his reasons and fears. It had been a year since Augusta blew up. A year since the Fifth Moon received its huge crater. Ericks quickly clenched his real hand; the memory would always make him do that reflex whenever his mind recalled it. That angel arm of his leveled the entire city. Such power…such devastation.
He would never use it again. However, Ericks had realized that his own wishes didn't promise peace; they could be manipulated by others. Others who wanted him to use that power again. Precautions thus had to be made. That was why he wasn't calling himself Vash anymore. The former outlaw and bounty hunter became a hermit. The friends he met were shunned. The appearance he had made for himself was forever removed. It was better no one knew of what happened to the Humanoid Typhoon. They were better off for it. He didn't deserve anyone.
However, that meant being alone, and Ericks hated being alone. It was probably that reason why he let a girl named Lina take him to her home. Under the care of this child and her grandmother, a changed man came forth. Gone was Vash the Stampede. In his place was Ericks. The only similarity between the two was their reverence for life. Everything else had to be different. Vash's enemies were looking for Vash, not Ericks. It had to be that way.
However, these kids' appearance endangered his peace. Were these children the opponents whose coming he feared for a year? Ericks wanted to accept that resolution, and yet, every fiber of his soul wanted these strangers to be victims of coincidence. That the strange powers they had, that the resemblance the boy Sam shared with him, and the reasons they crossed his path were all just that. Ericks wasn't sure how he could handle things if there was no coincidence.
Instinctively, Ericks quickly removed himself from that rock. There was trouble in the form of Tenchi. This boy had landed upon Ericks' previous spot, the end of a high dive. Throwing his sword up in end, he leapt off the rock to follow his blond voyeur. Legs erect, Tenchi slid down with an arm pointing in front, with the other pointing a sword in back.
Now being chased, Ericks collided with the rocky hill, rolling himself purposely. Grabbing a rock, he swung it straight for the kid. The idea was to knock the kid unconscious. However, the idea failed when Tenchi skillfully dodged the rock.
Continuing his downward tumble, Ericks managed to pull himself up to a more standing position. His feet drilled upon the ground like skis. Dust and dirt shivered in the air made by his descent. Ericks saw his pursuer a few meters away. Another pursuer was also seen; the leader named Dani was skimming down his pass. Unlike the two males, it was not her feet but a board that dragged gracefully upon the rocky surface. Ericks knew he had to think of a way out of this mess.
"Stop!" declared Dani.
Ericks ignored her cries, devoting his attention to his escape route. He would rue that mistake; there was a figure before him. This person's blue eyes stared cold with a vengeful cruelty that froze Ericks' soul. He knew this person.
The undoubted appearance touched Ericks' fear, paralyzing his movements; it victimized his balance. His steering front foot stopped at a rock. His other foot went straight passed it, outdistancing the brotherly limb. The limits of his legs' extension forced the rest of his body to crash to the ground. It made him return to the tumbling position which had started this race. His descent then immediately slowed, stopping the race.
Tenchi, getting so close to this new bump, forced a leap over Ericks; maneuvering his body, he braced for the impact. He fell and rolled, stopping his rotation. Fortunately his physical movements saved him from the impact. Unfortunately, his sudden stopping forced his garbed skin to rub with the harsh ground. Luckily, the insulation of his suit protected him from major injury- save for some sores.
Dani and her Warlockian board swerved beside him, giving his/its rider a safer stop. This rider leaped and darted to Ericks. "Tenchi, you alright?" she asked without looking.
"I'll live," Tenchi squealed on the ground.
"Then help me," Dani coldly cried for assistance. Tenchi breathed a sigh at the sudden shift in concern. It was her idea that he use Warlock to springboard him over a peak to get the spy (leading to the chase down the hill). Now she wanted him to get up after nearly making himself black and blue all over. No doubt about it, thought Tenchi, Dani was just like his grandfather. Standing back up with teeth clenched, Tenchi proceeded to the direction, recollecting his hilt, and brushing off the dirt. He looked at the fallen.
He recognized the spy. He got closer to confirm it. "Isn't that Ericks?"
"PRESENCE- offers- RESEMBLANCE- to- SAMFRIEND," Warlock gave his/its confirmation as he/it hovered over the person. "EXTERNAL- attributes- ALSO- shared- BY- ericksfriend."
Dani took the recognition as a good thing; Ericks knew about them, so their identities were still relatively safe. What wasn't good was his rag-tag appearance. Ericks' shirt and pants had several holes in it, while his face carried some dirt and scratches. Fortunately, his breaths showed that he was alive.
Feeling his own aches, Tenchi understood this man's plight. In sympathy, he sat before Ericks' head, lifting his torso to a sitting position. This registered some lively groans.
"At least he's alive," Dani vocally noted. Her leadership abilities covered all the grounds about the guy's condition. What was Ericks doing here? How did he get here? At the moment, however, those facts were trivial compared to what she had done to stop him.
"Was that person another image of yours?" Tenchi asked his question while using his own front body as a support for Ericks' back.
Dani nodded as she brushed the guy's locks off his face. "I thought giving him an image of what he fears most would solve the problem." However, getting this answer brought more questions in her mind. The image-person that Ericks feared also looked like Sam.
After a few coughs, Ericks' eyes opened.
"Looks like we're helping you again," smiled Tenchi. Dani had by now started to unbutton Ericks' shirt. A hand swiftly grabbed it.
"Please!" Ericks snapped with a breath of aching. "I'm rather shy about my body. I'm okay." Releasing the girl's hand, he began to get up.
"Who you tryin' to convince?" Dani strongly complained, noting contradiction in the unstable way the man rose. Tenchi had by now started to lock his arm on Ericks as a human crutch. Ericks slowly leaned to grab his spectacles. His donning them brought the only cool order in an otherwise chaotic appearance. A bent of the leg made him fall, but Tenchi made sure it was an unfinished descent. "It's okay, Ericks," he softly spoke, "I've got you."
Ericks looked into Tenchi's brown eyes. Somehow, he felt convinced of those words.
Dani did not share her comrade's chivalry. Her own words were more accusing. "Why were you following us?"
"Why d' you think that?" By now Ericks was laid upon a Warlockian gurney. He looked up at Dani with lowered shades. This made their eyes lock together. Ericks' blue-green pupils glistened with such clarity and conviction as to represent naïve unawareness. Surely one who saw these eyes would be convinced of the owner's innocence?
Too bad Dani didn't buy the 'puppy eyes' act. "Oh I don't know," she quirked with sarcasm. "You being on a ledge that looked pretty hard to climb? I guess that's unreasonable."
Ericks forcibly chuckled. Boy, was this girl sharp! Reminded him of a certain female duo (and unlike the bigger partner in that duo, Dani knew how smart she really was). "Timeout!" he surrendered. "Okay, I admit spying on you. How could I not with a group like yours?"
Tenchi looped his eyes. Ericks had a point.
As Ericks moved, Dani kept her vigil. Her words threw a different tone, however. "I'm sorry for scarin' you. It's just we're very secretive, an' don't want t' make a scene."
"I hear you." Ericks smiled to both persons. He then noticed the gurney he was lying upon swallow him up and transform into a car, with him in the middle seat! Though his face and mannerisms gave a humbled appearance, his mind and emotions took all of these actions with special (not to mention frightening) insight. He played a cunning game. Though that fall was rough (not to mention painful), it didn't knock him out. Playing possum, he saw and heard all with perfect clarity. It was an experience that had some good and bad conclusions. One was the note of hospitality; although Tenchi was the one who chased him, the boy offered to help carry him. That proved these guys were compassionate.
Dani, however, struck a different note in Ericks' opinion. She was nosy, very nosy. Ericks wondered if she was really convinced of his innocence. Dani's abilities also showed that she could be forceful. As he overheard, it was she who created that illusion of Knives, the realization, she said, of his greatest fear. Ericks found no reason to question that claim. It made him even more wary of this illusion-casting girl. At least Dani was unaware of the image's meaning to him, but it was a sure-fire bet that she eventually would try to find out.
==
The Warlockian car zoomed down the mountains. It was a different vehicle from the one that entered and departed the city; its large truck box no longer existed, having nothing to hide anymore. This new vehicle roughly drove down the trailed hill, emphasizing feelings of tension and fear to its passengers. Dani merely laughed at the thrill. If Tenchi and Ericks shared her thrill, they barely performed it.
"So how d' you know I was following you?" coughed Ericks.
"Oh, not much," Dani gave a loud voice during the loud bump noises. "The suddenly calm atmosphere. The fact that you and Lina were really psyched about us, but still left so abruptly. Warlock telling us where you were."
"Warlock?" Ericks' feigned ignorance with his word. Still, he was surprised when a small head emerged out of the console. Ericks' shades slowly leaned down to the tip of his nose, revealing his stunned eyes.
"ERICKSFRIEND- observed- SELF- before." the tiny head reminded. Ericks liked being called that. He could get to like this child-like person.
"So where's Lina?" asked Dani.
"Back at the city meeting a friend," answered Ericks.
"So who was that guy down the hill?" asked Tenchi.
Ericks pulled the shades erect. "Why ask me?" he casually responded. "Wasn't he with you?" He then changed the subject by casually asking for a stop at the nearest lavatory.
Dani grew more suspicious. Something was up with this guy.
Ericks dropped the act for some questionnaires. He smiled, hopefully emitting some friendly rapport. "Since we've met twice, can I least get to know your full names?"
"Sure," Dani gave her sarcasm. "I'm Pocahontas. The fella beside you is John Smith."
"Pleased to meet you." Ericks blissfully smiled, hiding a suspicious no-nonsense attitude that mirrored his female companion.
==
On a day where two suns projected their heated temperature on all below, the best antidote was something cold.
For the New Mutants, their choice of 'something cold' was Ice Cream!
It was with an unusual luck that this 19th century Western-type town had a modern ice cream shop (although it took a while to find one that wasn't so crowded). Guess the giant light bulb wasn't just an anomaly. Strange or not, the gang welcomed the anachronistic dessert. Nine cups of varied flavors were given to each. Luckily, Luna was old enough to mouth the cold ice by herself, though Karma sat behind her with guidance.
The Mutants gazed comfortably at this image. It must be noted that with the exception of Sam, Shan, and Illyana, all the New Mutants lacked a familial sibling. Luna had appeared to them like the baby sister each one wished they had. Except for Rahne and Illyana (who stated that she liked kids as much as she liked the flu), the gang around the table cooed and mumbled to the adorable way the child gulped her ice cream and squeaked mumbles of pleasure.
In his excitement for food, Roberto briefly let his Sunspot powers take form. His strong grip ended up breaking the cup. Luckily, the Brazilian was able to reinstate himself before anyone noticed.
Once his glass was replaced, the lunching continued to a near finish. Sam had urged that everyone wait for Dani and Tenchi to return, but a multitude of grim faces gave a refusal to postpone their salvation any further. "Guess not," Sam surrendered. He resigned himself to balancing his present experience with his leadership responsibilities. This meant thinking about Ericks while counting what was left of the money. It was weird why that guy just attacked him. Searching for some reasons, Sam realized that maybe the guy's cry 'Knives' had nothing to do with weaponry as originally thought. Could 'Knives' be a name of someone the fella didn't like? A relative who shared both their resemblances?
Sam dropped his questions when he finished counting the money that Doug's shades were sold for. Since the ice cream was about six dollars, adding to it the different specials like a banana split, what remained of their currency was thirty dollars.
With his responsible position, Sam asked the gang about any plans to raise more money.
"I could wash dishes," Shan advised. "But someone has to watch Luna."
Roberto was silent. It was a firm tradition to him that DaCostas do not work on such menial jobs. He gave no word about the situation, though.
Sighing, Sam tucked the rest of the money in his pocket. "Ah'll use the rest of o' money for room an' board. Hope it's enough." His fingers tipped the micro transceiver on his ear. Before leaving, Dani had given him one part of the pair she had for communications. So far, nothing was made. Folding his fingers together, the deputy leader asked Illyana about the state of her teleportation powers.
"No recharge yet in those psychic batteries," Illyana gauntly gulped her ice cream.
While other faces parched at this continued setback, Rahne threw her arms out with a yell. "Och! Lest not be grumpy 'bout this!" With an enthusiastic elevation, she threw her foot on the table, acting like a sailor discovering land. "This can be fun! Let's ha' some!"
This scene had an effect of causing all the restaurant customers to look at the Mutants' table. The residents of that source didn't notice the attention given to them, their own eyes being locked on Rahne. To them, this springing behavior was so different; a square and a circle had a better chance in having similarities.
Nevertheless, Illyana clapped her hands with approval. "You go, girl!"
Sam covered his face. Now seemed a perfect chance for him to lose control of things.
"It appears this strange world influences such peculiar feelings to us all," Amara spoke her observations, honed by experience. "Did we not see it in a movie?"
"Yeah, 'Mara," Doug spoke with an exaggerated Cowboy accent. "It's like every western turkey I've seen. It's a place where one takes the law t' his own hands."
"Interesting," answered Amara. "Do these resolutions include the duel of firearms performed in such films?"
"Yep," Sam gave his truth.
Amara smiled. "Quite a solid way to resolve matters." That gave her fellow Mutants some awkward consideration.
"Anyway," coughed Sam to change the subject. "Just 'cause we're stuck here temporarily, doesn't mean we abide b' their rules."
"Does that mean we abide by our own?" Roberto asked with a smirk. "And keep our powers secret? I recall in Asgard no heeding to that."
A return to that topic was made. "So you're still with the idea that we blow our cover?" asked Illyana.
Getting a pulled nerve, Doug hushed her. "Quiet down, Illyana. You want anybody t' hear?"
"Of course!" Roberto agreed in a normal voice, a contrast to the whispers. He then stared at everybody with sure resolve. "Was it not two days ago that we gave Kitty our consent to reveal our identities? However, when we couldn't send Miss Locke to the police, it was under the notion that we couldn't endanger our identities."
The paradox of those situations made some silence, which pleased Roberto enough to continue. "Maybe we had a reason for secrecy back home, but if we reveal our identities here on this planet, what have we got to lose?"
"Loads," glared Doug.
The Brazilian called his bluff. "Like what?"
Doug opened his mouth with a finger in demonstration, but he found his presumed list of objections were as solid as the air.
"I'm waiting!" Roberto beamed a smug smile. Getting no answer save for a disjointed mumble, he looked at the rest of the group. "I repeat, what do we have to lose? We're stuck in another dimension. If we reveal our identities and become outcasts as a result, there is no way this will rebound to our home world. There, our identities will still be secret. Our friends and families will still be safe. The X-Men will be safe." Roberto then eyed Doug. "And certain people still will be no wiser."
Sam thought the idea had promise. But he was only one person, despite his rank. "So, what d' y'all think?"
"Worth a try," said Amara.
"Do we all reveal them, or can some of us keep our mouths shut?" asked Illyana.
"I ken no qualms," Rahne spoke rather stoically. If she had done this earlier, Larry might still be alive. The memorial made her shy away from the group.
"I'm looking out for Luna's safety," said Shan rather disapprovingly. "I'm afraid I'll pass."
"We're all lookin' out for Luna," said Sam. "But ya don't hafta say anything."
"Can that apply to me?" said Doug.
"Sure, coward." Roberto chose his words.
As usual, these two boys sparked a quarrel that once again forced Sam to play peacemaker. When that was resolved, the deputy leader spoke around. "Let's wait 'till Tenchi, Dani, and 'Locke come back. It's their choices also."
===
Doug walked out of the cafe. He wasn't too happy with what Roberto said. He was no coward, a notion he repeated a couple of times with conviction. He saved Illyana from an alien. He survived being in someone's mind. He rescued the team from Mojo. He barely blinked when Miss Locke almost shot him. What did he care if people knew his secret?
That final question lacked the same verve and vigor that supported the other examples.
Doug leaned sadly upon a post. More and more these days, the boy had found it more difficult to think about that decision of revelation. He liked being a mutant, but mostly everyone he knew might share the same idea. He was afraid of being hated by people, especially those he knew. On the other hand, would being reluctant result in the same thing? Betsy, Rahne, Dani, Tenchi, and Warlock might think he was some coward. It was a double-edged sword.
He wished Warlock were here. If it weren't for this heat, Doug would have followed Tenchi and Warlock. The choice only proved his weakness. He felt naked without his Techno-organic friend. Their relationship removed whatever impotence he felt in being in this group of adventurers. With Warlock he could actually consider himself a real importance in a battle.
Today showed his need. Betsy was missing, and he could do nothing to help. At least she could use her telepathy to find him. That was a lot better than what Doug can do. How far can shouting 'Where are you?' in a million different languages get him?
"Missin' someone?" appeared Rahne's cheerful voice.
"I'm just waitin' for 'Locke to come back. Can'tcha use your rapport with Dani?"
Rahne leaned instantly before Doug, her tone very excited. "Fine," she smartly addressed.
Realizing the implications, Doug stated a change in mind. People were watching. The fact that Rahne didn't appear to care was confusing to Doug. It had been three days since Larry Bodine died, and Rahne was taking everything with too much of a good regard. There was a difference in her, a contrast from the shy and simple girl he knew. And yet the weirdness was also interesting. Sort of like 'a new you.' Doug wished such optimism was contagious.
"Yuir worried 'bout Elizabeth?" said Rahne, moving closer to Doug.
Doug nodded. He didn't want to say how much he missed her. He wasn't really so sure of it himself. Lost in thought, he was surprised by Rahne's finger touching his chin.
Rahne's face drew to that finger. "Do na' worry." Her lips hushed those words with a straight manner. Doug did not follow her actions, his cheeks blushing. He got flustered. He wasn't the only one: Rahne broke up as well. A reaction of embarrassment was about to break forth within her.
Luckily a cry from the background took Doug's attention. Rahne quickly walked away from any view her friends' could see her. Not a moment too soon for her face started crushing over the total idiocy of her actions. She was trying to give her shoulder for Doug to cry on, not flirting with him! That was a mistake with drastic consequences: What if Doug had requited her advances? What would she do then? Quickly, she reinforced herself from this misstep. Holding her emotions inside, she had to try for improvement. She turned around, acting totally above her present misgivings.
None of the other mutants gave notice over Rahne's position. Doug ran to the return of Dani, Tenchi, and Warlock.
Sam led the group, jumping onto the door and sticking his head through the window. Tenchi moved his head back to let his friend through, much to the great dismay of Ericks. He certainly didn't want to see that blond-haired, long-faced doppleganger stare at him with those blue-green eyes and greetings like, "Fancy meetin' ya 'gain."
Tenchi, his head slightly crushed, explained that he and Dani found Ericks injured.
"We're takin' him t' the hospital," Dani announced her ambition.
"If you don't mind," Tenchi made a courtesy after shoving Sam's head back outside. "I'm dropping off."
"I'll take your place," Doug volunteered. He had been busy speaking to the car about what he/it had been doing. The door opened, and the two boys switched their spectator/volunteer positions. Rahne also climbed onto the top of the truck, beaming her smile.
"The rest o' us'll try t' get a place t' stay." Sam gave his instructions.
"Sez you!" Illyana propositioned some rebellion. "I'm gonna check this place out!"
"I agree," Amara was equal to this decision. "This city is like Manhattan; I feel a preference to see whatever lies here."
"How selfish you all are, mon amis!" Shan's voice spoke for her disapproving face. "You act as if Luna doesn't exist!" The child in her arms started to cry almost in premeditation.
Rahne squeezed her hands upon this conflict of interest. "Och! I'll aid ye, Shan." She jumped off the truck and proudly postured herself near the two.
Like Doug, Dani made some concerned thoughts about her Scottish friend. The analysis continued to note Rahne acting so different from her real self. Dani so wanted to help resolve this problem for her friend's sake. Unfortunately, the decision had to wait, a delay as regretful as it was necessary. A leader had to look out for everyone. Making the best of things, Dani made a treaty to please all. "I'll take Shan, Luna, Rahne, and Doug with me. The rest of you do whatever you want; we'll meet back here in an hour."
The others agreed. Roberto had his reasons.
"Oh, by the way," Ericks popped his head out. "If any of you see Lina, tell her where I'm heading!"
With some goodbyes, the remaining team watched as Warlock drove away. Illyana was an exception to this, her attention straight on Tenchi. The fact that the boy decided to not go along with Dani planted some seeds with Illyana's mind. They grew fruitful with advantage. Was this the chance to get close with Tenchi? Some hesitance still appeared within her, but Illyana decided to make her move.
She then saw Roberto attract Tenchi with a shoulder pat. "Want to join Sam and me to find some lodgings?" he said, making Illyana pause.
Much to her chagrin, Tenchi asked if he could eat somewhere along the way. Before a voice of protest could be thought of, Sam and Roberto encouraged the boy to leave with them.
Illyana let them go without a word. The hesitance against her motives went forth like weeds and killed the advantageous plant. It made her plan look stupid. Protesting would probably result in making a fool of herself. Her chance screwed, Illyana accepted it as an omen of future failure. The heeding of Kitty's advice was forcibly ignored in this resolution. Guess she and Tenchi were never meant to be.
"Illyana?" shouted Amara.
Illyana broke from her trance and reacted. "What!?"
"I repeat, shall we be off on our excursion to this city?"
"Sure, sure," the sorceress walked off with a halved interest.
===
The world of Gunsmoke had its share of outlaws. The varieties were large and different. The Cyborgs were one category. These persons used their artificially enhanced skills for the criminal purposes of pleasure and profit. Both civilians and the normal lawmen had a serious problem capturing these fugitives. Not even the increased profits promised in their arrest warrants could guarantee a capture.
One such criminal was Cicero. Both his arms were mechanical limbs of triple- jointed movement. As a result, he could throw knives and daggers with accurate skill. His hollow arms also possessed an arsenal of razor-sharp blades and stars, allowing him sufficient weaponry to last him for quite a while. He was rather successful in his excursions, assembling a gang, and acquiring notoriety as a dangerous criminal. Cicero admired this latter fact. It made him someone to be feared. Maybe someday he could reach the 60 billion dollar reward once given to Vash the Stampede.
High in his egotism, this criminal never saw the day his advantages would prove to be his weaknesses. Today would prove that he was living a lie.
That lie came with the entry of these intruders to his cavernous retreat. They were a man and a woman dressed in purple garb. Now Cicero didn't work solo. He used a number of goons to do his dirty work for him. Killing these intruders was such a case he left to them. The goons obeyed their leader, charging at the twosome with guns flashing out their ammunition upon them. Once their maniacal glee for bloodshed wavered, it was revealed that none of them had made a targeted shot. To their amazement, the bullets just faced the two figures in a mid-air pause, dropping to the ground with sprinkling noise of chink-chink.
Unaware of the action pressed upon him, the man in purple walked closer. He raised his hand. Suddenly, every piece of weaponry the assaulting goons possessed was torn from their hands, finding a connection with the air. Then the girl's eyes flashed with pink light. All the unarmed goons reacted by dropping to the ground.
Cicero had seen enough; he then found to his surprise that both his arms went lifting high like the guns. This level than elevated higher, which brought the man's body to leave the ground as well. "Are ya causing this?" Cicero cried in pain "Stop it, you asshole!" Because it was his arms and not his body that were doing the lifting, his shoulders felt ready to rip apart from the weight.
"We need some answers," said the white-haired man in purple. A floating gun fell to his hand as if it was reacting to an order. It twisted and melted its form, taking on a sphere-shaped disc, with a cross on it. "Have you seen any children bearing this sign?"
"I've seen nothin'," stammered Cicero in his agony. "No kids!"
The man in purple turned to his female partner. "He's telling the truth," the latter spoke with disappointment, flashing her glowing eyes.
Equally discouraged, the man in purple dropped his attention. His floating ability gone, Cicero crashed to the ground. He cringed and cried about the pain of his landing. He saw the duo departing. That was a big mistake in his view. A star-shaped blade dropped from his metal wrist into the palm enjoined to it. With lightning speed he threw it. The spiked projectile thrust toward the man in purple's back, than stopped immediately. It changed directions, straight in return to Cicero's arm. The blade stuck into it. What followed were sparks and twitching from the mechanism. Eventually, this all had to stop. The arm fell limp, no longer moving.
The outlaw's brain also went limp.
===
Committing that last act, Psylocke made sure the man suffered nothing but a headache. That electrical-short from his arms could've killed him, but it seemed Magneto only made sure the damage came from the bionic parts. She topped things by knocking the man out.
Walking outside of the hideout, Psylocke sat at the edge of this ledge. She looked at the giant landscape. It was like those John Ford pictures, full of epic adventures she once partook in her childhood imagination. Now such participation in adventuring needed no such imagination to make it happen. The passing of time did not shrink the degree of her enthusiasm. This was what she wanted in her life.
It was a choice that cost her the man she loved and her own eyes. However, unlike the god Odin, who shared a similar (if lesser) degree in sensory loss, Betsy did not grow wise to the obvious implication that partaking in these adventures had its dreadful costs. She had new eyes to replace her old ones. She hoped to continue these adventures when she joined the School for Gifted Youngsters. It was the one factor that the wary X-Men and New Mutants refused to have her assist in. It took an accident like this to fulfill her wish.
Betsy screened out her mental energies along the horizon, hopeful to find a trace of recognition in the minds she detected. It would have been to her adventurous advantage to just simply walk around the towns, see what people lived there, and ask them questions (with the possibility of danger). Magneto did not consider those tactics. It would be too long and complicated for each time she devoted this plan into work. If his students were in trouble, they could not afford any unnecessary trivialities.
Either way, even if she followed her plan, it would be for naught in all the towns she entered. So far, nothing was discovered. The butterfly effect of her mind's eye did not find any mutants. No Doug. Magneto would then give the implication that he was right. It made Betsy so mad; the headmaster was acting such a sod (perhaps not a surprise there, considering his past). She certainly did not get over an earlier incident, when Magneto pressured her to wear something more travel efficient. She was forced to remove her dress for the aborted show Tenchi's father had invited her to. Magneto then made her a jumpsuit out of ferrous material. Unfortunately, there was no way she could contain her dress for safety; it was now wrinkled with her carrying it.
Magneto showed nothing of sympathy; if he felt it, Psylocke was unable to find out. It must be said that Betsy was not one who decided to read minds without a conscience. Unless it was necessary, she would not make an attempt. However, her sensitive mind could pick up flowing energies of psionic residue that any normal person usually gave out. Magneto, however, possessed no residue. His electromagnetic defenses completely shut his mind or anything telepathic from the woman's mind. As a result, the only way Betsy could understand him was by reading his moves and expressions. This was difficult, for the man rarely smiled, carrying a dour stoic expression. Also, his movements, save for a change in wardrobe (from a body-tight suit with a big 'M' into a more flowing purple suit with white gloves and boots), was also hard to suspect. The only thing she could reason with was the fact that Magneto was worried about his students and his granddaughter.
"Let us continue on," Magneto arrogantly walked to the ledge. Taking hone of the magnetic waves, he flew into the air. With an experience, Psylocke found herself floating into the air by his very command.
===
Along the stone boardwalks edged aside the larger road, three male New Mutants walked and passed the residents. As forewarned, the brightness of their colorful uniforms were dulled by their civilian clothes. Only Tenchi's yellow collar and Sam's black sleeves gave evidence to their uniforms.
Roberto lead the group, swaggering around with his prideful outlook. Tenchi and Sam followed with a more calming stride. Tenchi had wanted to eat something, but Roberto's persuasive claim to see this place left him with little to resist. He too wanted to check out how these people lived in this world. Part of this question was answered by the fact that everyone dressed like they were in some American Western movie. Commenting this to Sam, the other agreed, further revealing that he had a thing for John Wayne pictures. Tenchi admitted liking the actor as a kid.
"Look, my friends!" Roberto halted and pointed. His target was a saloon. The destination made him break into a smug grin, much to the disdain of his comrades.
"Now wait, 'berto," Sam gave warning. "That place ain't for kids like ya."
The prohibition was counterattacked by Roberto's nasal exhalation. "I look big for my age, amigo. Besides, did I ever tell you about what I did at Asgard?"
"'Bout twenty times," Sam stoically retorted, his expression showing the jaded reaction hearing a story twenty times would present. Tenchi's lack of knowledge, however, led to Sam hearing the tale for the twenty-first time. In Asgard, Roberto spent much of his time at taverns, drinking beer, meeting beautiful Asgardian ladies, and wrestled thousands of winos. "In that world, just as it is here," Roberto grinned in the flamboyant way he told the story, "my strength was increased. You can't imagine what fun I had."
"I can just imagine," anxiously said Tenchi, picturing what Ryoko would do in that situation. He wouldn't call it fun though (maybe interesting).
Roberto shook with well-intentioned excitement. "I loved being in Asgard. I had no worries. No one hated us there. I was happy."
"Then why did you leave?" asked Tenchi.
The Brazilian twisted his pleasant face into a bored one. "The reason no longer exists. At the time, I thought staying there was a sign of me running away from my problems. That turned out to be mistake, since I haven't solved any of those problems yet."
Tenchi said nothing. There was the original thought of Roberto being some arrogant jerk, but he was now showing himself to be more responsible and self-aware then he realized.
However, it appeared the former trait still needed work, as Roberto jubilantly ran to the short doors of the saloon and opened them with a kick. A huge banging sound echoed from the action, setting all the inhabitants' attention to the three boys coming in.
Entering the doorway gave them a study of the house. In the middle stood two tables held by gamblers. A long stairway was stemmed at this floor, growing long into two balconies that surrounded the top part of the hall. A long chandelier hung in the middle. At one side of the room was a long bar, almost crowded with customers. These customers used the brewery for their own reasons to enjoy, to forget, or to act foolish.
The three boys just stood there, getting nervous with everyone watching their presence. "Better be cautious, Bobby," Sam whispered. "Your powers are bigger than usual."
Roberto just shrugged his anxiety under his proud face, walking aloof with a march. Tenchi just looked with suspicion. The people in here didn't look too friendly.
Unfortunately, Roberto knew that and wanted it that way. He strutted in with that proud face that held the DaCosta profile. He sat onto the bar, half an arm upon the table. "Bring me some wine."
"Now hold it," Sam ran to his friend's side with a hushing reminder. "You're underage."
"In this world?" Roberto shot a determined look at his friend. "I don't think there's such a law."
"Sam's right, Bobby. This isn't fun," Tenchi gave his own disapproval.
As the Brazilian shrugged his head, his adult bar mates gave their voice. "Oh, let the baby have his bottle!" cried one bloat who definitely used too much of the stuff.
Roberto smirked his way to the speaker. "And who are you to call me a child, drunkard?" The last word was emphasized, having an aggressive effect on the bloat.
Sam jumped into the space between them. "Nothin' sir," he expressed with a squint-eyed innocent face. "My friend's actin' a little too big for his breeches."
Roberto fumed at this betrayed insult.
"He's right!" Tenchi touched shoulders with Sam, sharing his same act of courtesy. "He doesn't mean anything he says. Please don't mind us."
Roberto's shocked eyes turned into glares. His already dark skin darkened further. Particles crackling on him, he stretched his hand on Sam, slightly moving it. Unfortunately, his maximized strength proved far more than he had intended. He threw both Sam and Tenchi into a path that upset a table full of gamblers.
Roberto lost his cool; that was the wrong way to treat his friends! His thoughts of concern unfortunately stilled him to be a sight for the bartender, the bar mates, and the other inhabitants of the saloon to all beheld.
"What the hell is he?!" cried one person. The question was shared by all. Many of the inhabitants' felt aggressive; their sane minds already inhibited by the liquor, they felt this sign of action trigger a reflex to risk anything for some ill-conceived whim. Their target was the black-skinned boy. Sunspot felt one drunk embracing him. Luckily, this man's hands weren't clasped together, or Sunspot's reactive flexing would have likely torn them off. He was thrown backwards, dropping into consciousness.
Sunspot rotated on his situation. His powers were no longer secret. So what? He was hoping for such a moment. True, he didn't plan on the tavern being the chosen place, all this being accidental. However, he wanted to move his plan before Dani could force a refusal to it. The cat was out of the bag, with nothing to reverse the effects.
Another drunk jumped upon the bar to pounce. Sunspot quickly grabbed the man and dropped him with the slightest throw he could give without injury.
Meanwhile, Sunspot's friends fought against the dizziness brought on by their impact with the table. The sound and fury alerted their full senses to the scene. "Stop it!" Sam cried to his friend. He started to move, but he was pulled back.
"If yer his friend," the antagonized puller said, "Then you'll pay as well."
Tenchi, ever the pacifist, attempted some 'now, now,' words to stop this guy from hurting Sam. He got shoved as a result. This fall convinced Tenchi to resign himself and join in the fun. He reacted like a spring, grabbed Sam's problematic opponent by the arm, and gave him a judo flip in swift action.
Now a real fight commenced. Some attendants decided to fight among themselves, while others reacted to the real causes. They really had no chance in that case. As one thug grabbed him, Tenchi sent a kick that went faster than the opponent. Another charged with a knife; the Japanese boy disarmed him.
Sam found this all resembled a movie. However, his sense of reality far outstretched Bobby's; this was a dangerous place to be. He cried for a stop to this fight, but no one listened (though someone threw a bottle at him). He too decided to follow his friends' actions- though in a normal way. No use of powers for this one.
Sunspot at first enjoyed the minute act of just touching people into falling unconscious. It soon got old, but there was nothing he could do; a mere slap might easily fracture a man's skull. He fought against the excitement within him.
A huge gunshot showered upon the ceiling top. A chandelier dropped and crashed to the floor, upsetting the remaining table. This stopped the fight. With the participants, Sam (alone in his area), Sunspot (standing in the middle), and Tenchi (grappling a drunk) all saw a tall man on the balcony.
This man had a beard of blond hair with a long mane roughed and disordered. The rest of his unkempt appearance either implied a habit of style, or the aftermath of a bawdy afternoon. Either way, it wasn't a friendly one. His long smoking pistol hovered over the fence posts of the balcony. It pointed straight at Sunspot.
"Hold it, kid." The man's hoarse voice growled. "You may be plenty strong, but not indestructible."
Sam checked all the positions for a safety rescue. None was found by the perfection of this man's position and posture. Sam realized that even the surprise act of blasting wouldn't stop the man's promise of making a definite hit. Sunspot couldn't react fast enough to avoid a bullet on his vulnerable body.
The target stood still. His excitement grew from his arrogance; he might be able to take this crook down, he thought. All he needed was to grab something to throw.
"Never killed a kid before," the man contemplated. "First time for everythin'!"
"Ah take full responsibility!" shouted Sam.
The man remained still in his position and target. "Stay outta this. Ya didn't start the fight."
Sam refused to yield. "But he's my best pal! Ah'm also lookin' out for him. Anythin' he's done is really my fault. If ya want t' shoot somebody, shoot me!"
"Don't do this hombre!" Sunspot cried without fear or panic (quite a contrast to Sam).
"How 'bout a duel at sundown!" Sam stuttered at the very idea. Both Tenchi and Sunspot stared at him. The assailant kept his target.
"If we insulted ya, the best thing is f'r ya t' honor yourself," Sam further pleaded. "Right?"
The man kept his trigger finger on Roberto. His body gave no sign of surrendering. It was only his voice that showed agreement.
"Outside this place at seven!"
With that word, the man quickly removed his gun away and jumped into the door behind him. From below, Sunspot grabbed the broken table next to him and thrust it straight for the target. It exploded into splinters, but nowhere near the retreating assailant.
Knocking his opponent out, Tenchi jumped on the bar, and climbed on the pillars to the top of the balcony. Sam used the stairs; he saw Tenchi enter the assailant's escape room first. There followed a female scream, and the boy retreating backwards with a face of scarlet.
"Ah take it he's out?" Sam nervously toned. Tenchi nodded.
The now normal Roberto joined the scene, angry at what has been done. "Are you insane, Sam? I could handle this swine."
"No ya couldn't," Sam counterattacked. "That guy looked like a born marksman. If ya 're lucky, y'r leg or arm would' a' been blown off. It's better this way."
Tenchi didn't answer that.
"Better, my friend?" Roberto's grim face shrunk into worry. "You may have signed your death warrant."
"Truer words were never spoken," called out the bartender. "That man is Vash the Stampede."
=
Far away, there was a house at a lone station. A leather-garbed person charged to this house for aid. He bore tattoos and some obscene accessories upon his suit. This man was part of the scattered Demon Reign.
This man entered the house, hopeful that someone could hear his tale. His anxious panic was such that he yelled it out upon opening the door.
"Somebody help! I've seen demons! They're being led by Vash the Stampede!"
Evidently this man's excitement overwhelmed his common sense, for no one was in the station save for a hunched person trying hard to eat a cup of ice cream with only his mouth. This person looked at the gang member with a cold eye that promised great and lethal punishment.
"And pray…tell me where did this stage happen?" Legato Bluesummers drooled his question.
===============================================================
TO BE CONTINUED
"They say a rose by any other name is still a rose. Maybe that's true, but what if nobody knew what a rose was? To them, would calling it by any other name change its original existence?"
-Ericks