Mutants in Gunsmoke
Chapter 3: Captivity
By claudius
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The New Mutants (created by Chris Claremont and Bob McLeod), Magneto (by Stan Lee and Jack Kriby), Luna (by John Byrne), and Psylocke (by Alan Moore and Alan Davis) are all owned by Marvel Comics. Tenchi Masaki (created by Masaki Kajishima and Yosuke Kuroda) is owned by AIC. Ericks, Lina, Kite, and Legato (created by Yasuhiro Nightow) are owned by Yasuhiro Nightow/ Shonen Gaho-sha, Tokuma Shoten, JVC.
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Sam Guthrie (Cannonball) Amara Aquilla (Magma)
Dani Moonstar (Mirage) Illyana Rasputin (Magik)
Rahne Sinclair (Wolfsbane) Doug Ramsey (Cypher)
Roberto Da Costa (Sunspot) Tenchi Masaki (Light-Ken)
Shan Coy Manh (Karma) Betsy Braddock (Psylocke)
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The touch of cotton is always a soft comfort. The touch of cotton smeared with iodine is a sticky comfort. However, comfort could only apply if the wet cotton touched skin that was undamaged. Unfortunately for Ericks, it was the opposite; his scratched cheeks made sure that any relief the iodine-damp cotton could give was entirely vacant.
"Aie!" the patient screamed to the medical attention given to him. His gritted teeth made his cry almost sound like squeaks.
"Oh, it doesn't hurt that much!" said the doctor applying the treatment. His name Dr. Rosh, this medical practitioner gave no ease with his words.
"If ya ask me," said Dani Moonstar, looking on. "The punishment fits the crime!"
"You're so cruel," Ericks whined like a pathetic child.
The doctor attempted to open the shirt. With a great reflex, Ericks' left hand instantly put its grasp upon the physician's hand with the grip of a vise. "Please, doctor," Ericks grinned. "Can we do this in private?"
Having witnessed that scene, Dani certainly could take a hint. "Fine, fine," she made her compliance, leaving the room with suspicion. Outside the room awaited Shan, sitting at a bench with her prodigy. Luna seemed pretty content about her situation. At least one of us was, thought Dani.
"How is Ericks?" asked Shan.
"The guy's just actin' too sorry f'r himself." Dani joined her friend at the bench. "The doctor said he got a few scratches. He's payin' for the bill, though." The young woman leaned herself all the way back, attempting to gain a few moments of peace. "The guy's a puzzle. He's capable of climbin' a mountain, following me, Brightwind, Tenchi, and Warlock, athletic enough to make a getaway, but he acts like he never did such a thing."
"And his resemblance to Sam is also extraordinary," added Shan.
This brought memories into Dani's mind: the fear-image that Ericks loathed also made a passing resemblance to the team's country boy. Always perceptive, Dani attempted to make sense of it all. Was this coincidence? Nope. More confusion? Yep. Something that will probably include the New Mutants?
Dani began to rub her forehead with a martyr's expression. "I gotta tell ya, Shan. Maybe I should've given ya back the role o' leader after Asgard."
Shan hardly brightened at the prospect. "You have done a superior job than I could ever handle, Dani."
A moment of silence later, Dani sarcastically pleaded. "More! I need some patronizing."
Shan smiled knowingly. Her attentions went back to Luna. "Yes, Luna!" she shook the babe with a calm hand, speaking with an excited voice. "Dani is a good leader!"
"Don't spoil the kid," Dani advised, her face contrasting with the child's cheerfulness. "We pretty much lost her grandfather."
"No trace as yet?" said Shan, putting Luna to her knee.
"Nope," Dani sounded her negative answer. She opened her sleeve, revealing the mini-Cerebro on her wrist. "I've programmed the finder to detect Magneto and Psylocke," she made her check. "Haven't gotten any beeps yet."
"Do you think they might be on a different world?" Shan gave a concerned question.
The possibility made Dani sigh. "Geez, I hope not! That would really screw us big time." As if they weren't screwed enough, Dani pondered about their present situation. She and the team were lost in a world with nothing to rely on but Illyana's reckless teleportation. It was a world that could be mankind's future residence, and a grim one at that. Though she had priorities, Dani couldn't help thinking about the present position that their descendants might be end up (that is, if her descendants survived; she had seen not a single Native American since they arrived, nor any Mutants either). Leave it to the white man to destroy the Earth, thought Dani with a dour smirk. On the other hand, she was probably as much to blame, liking all those forest-clearing malls.
"Are you worried about Tenchi?" Shan acknowledged.
"Well, it hasn't affected his work with us. He was a big help helpin' me hide Brightwind," Dani could find some relief in that fact. "Still, it's a gip that he got stuck here with us. It was an accident that he got included with us in that Locke mess."
Shan stiffened in remembering the experience of that situation. "I can agree. Tenchi was thrown in this situation without his consent."
"But I think he'll make it," Dani felt sure of that. "He has the backbone." The leader than looked around for a familiar face. "By the way, where's Rahne?"
"Like everyone else," Shan answered. "Exploring our new environment. Didn't she tell you?"
"No," Dani let the word out with a moan. "She hasn't told me. She hasn't told me a lot these days."
Shan was sympathetic to the plight of her red-haired friend. "Don't be so hard. Rahne is going through a phase. I can't blame her. When I was transformed into a disgusting glutton by Farouk, nothing would please me more than to be alone and just die."
"Yeah, but you wanted to be left alone," Dani responded to those words. "In Rahne's case, the problem is she's acting too social. I'm afraid that if she don't deal with her problem in a normal way, she'll maybe go crazy."
Dani's ear felt a buzz of static, then a voice in that chaotic sound. Looking around and assured to see no one, Dani touched the transceiver on her ear. She heard Sam's voice and message. The tone of his message made her furious. "Those dopes!"
"What is the matter?" said Shan moved closer with a whispered voice.
"Our boys is what's the matter," Dani rubbed her face as if it was in pain. "Looks like Roberto displayed his power in public."
Shan's eyes hardened. "I thought mon ami wasn't supposed to until we made our decision."
Dani's face showed her agreement. "Actually, I was hoping to postpone that debate by splitting up." She rose from her seat with a whisper. "I think it's a bad idea to let people know who we really are. Leave it to Bobby to do something this reckless. Worse, Sam got himself set up into a gunfight with some guy named Vash the Stampede."
===
"Did that hurt you?"
Dr. Rosh's question was based on how Ericks tensed up in his examination. The physician's words were not of surprise. Examining with consent, he understood the body this patient had.
Despite the scars, Ericks gave a pleasant smile. "No, it's nothing. Just a reflex." his face brightened with warm conviction. However, once the doctor resumed his check, the unattended face shifted into a tight grimace of fear. The earring on his right lobe was the cause. It had tuned to a special transmission- Dani's frequency. He heard every sound good and clear. Then Sam mentioned that title, seemingly with no display of recognition. That was what hit him. No matter where he went, the shadow of Vash the Stampede still hovered upon him.
The doctor returned to his patient. Ericks restored his mask of bliss. "Despite some new scratches," the physician made his prognosis, "you appear remarkably in good shape. You must be one lucky person to survive everything your body has undergone."
"Whew!" Ericks brightly spoke, hiding his true thoughts. "That's a relief!"
Assured, the physician went to the door. "I'll tell your friends about your condition."
Ericks couldn't resist a protest. "Uh…could you tell them in the other room? I don't think they know what I really look like without clothes on."
The doctor nodded in what he thought was modesty, so he left the room. Ericks' forced smile felt more real in regard to the doctor's trust. It brought a heavy weight upon his next actions. He charged to the door, making a kneeling posture. He discreetly opened the door to a crack normal people would be unable to use.
===
"Might I speak with you two?" Dr. Rosh asked Dani and Shan, who by now had concluded their conversation.
"Sure, doc," Dani took the precedence of the news. "How's Ericks?"
"Well, considering his circumstances," Rosh's words were serious, "He will live." Dani knew the circumstances, remembering the robot arm.
"By the way, doc?" Dani asked for the information she needed. "D'you know who's this Vash the Stampede?"
The doctor hardened his expression, proving to Dani that things could only get worse. "Better you didn't know him," he answered warily. "He's a dangerous murderer and pariah."
Shan cradled Luna with a protective embrace. Sam's association with this fiend could mean an association with them as well. Why must she and her friends be always involved in danger? It made the Vietnamese Mutant wonder about her possible role in this; was she the cause?
The doctor's words were explanatory and to the point. "He's known as the Humanoid Typhoon. He's earned a dangerous credit for rendering two of the major cities of Gunsmoke into rubble. It's also believed that he carved a hole on the fifth moon."
"Fifth moon?" Dani slurred in the puzzled mention of that. She then told the doctor to continue, calling her words a slight mumble.
Undaunted by this, Dr. Rosh continued. "He's designated as mankind's first Act of God."
Dani interlocked her arms. "Sounds like my headmaster."
"It's not a joking matter!" said the doctor. He failed to note Dani's expression that she was totally straight about it. Only Ericks, from his voyeur spot, saw that distinction. He abandoned this move, then and there.
"I will see how Ericks is doing," said Shan. She opened the door. She called out, "Sacre Bleu!" Hearing the cry, Dani entered the room herself, followed by the physician. They all saw that the room was now empty. Only a few dollar bills on the bed gave any indication that someone had been there. The window was open.
===
Lina was really in a frustrated state that was natural for a child her age. Where the hell was Ericks? The girl thought this question at every turn. The big lug said he was going to the lavatory, and that was but an hour ago. It was moments like this that tried the patience of this girl's emotions. Clenching her hands, the teenager was furious that she had to worry and wait for that jerk. After getting two rooms at the hotel (which could have been difficult if the clerk wasn't a friend of her grandmother), the girl wanted to enjoy herself. She wanted to meet her friend Joni, the reason she made this trip in the first place. But no, she had to look after her older 'brother', who was getting into some stupid mischief after another (and what's worse, leaving her out of it!).
Some yells and screams were now erupting from the position she was walking through. There was this rumor that Vash the Stampede was going to duel with this scrawny, blond kid. There was also talk about this dark-skinned dude who transformed into this shadow monster. That was interesting for Lina. It was the regard to those two persons, more than the mention of that legendary outlaw (which Lina could care less) that caught her attention. Were they talking about those kids who rescued Ericks and her from that gang? Lina had wanted to see them again, one of the many things she would have done if Ericks hadn't now decided to fly the coop. It was clear in the girl's mind to just forget that jerk for that moment; she was going to find Sam and those kids.
As she moved, Lina saw more people than necessary. The rumors had started a crowd before the girl, forcing her to push forward among the many. Such forceful actions could only result in opposition, for Lina was soon shoved backwards. Hitting the dirt, the girl sorely promised retribution. "What's the big idea, you creep?"
"Who are you callin' a creep?!" screamed the opposition. As Lina looked up, she saw a kid about her age and height. He was dressed in overalls though his cap showed he belonged to a sand steamer. It reminded Lina that the mammoth vehicle had just arrived in the town. After having enough of that thought, Lina devoted all to the kid. "You," her mouth venomous, "Creep!"
The boy also reached an angry pique that matched the girl's. He realized that it was a girl who was speaking to him. The jeans, shirt, and tomboy features gave reasons for a mistake. "Go away, girl," he waved his hand. "I think y'r mom's callin' ya!"
That got Lina' attention, veins popped on her forehead with slit eyes. The mention of her dead mother, by this jerk of all people, really caused her blood to flow. "That's funny! I think y'r dad's callin' ya!"
Surprisingly, the boy reacted strongly to the remark made to his dad. "Why ya spoiled brat! How dare ya say that about my dad!"
"Look who's talkin'!" Lina cried out with her outburst. "My mom's been dead for years!"
"So's mine!" yelled the kid, acting as if this remark would top the girl's tale. He suddenly realized that this wasn't the type of information to be used so lightly in a trivial quarrel. Lina shared this realization as well; the two kids went silent, both feeling angry for each other's insults on the parents they lost.
However, both felt a need to at least apologize (if nothing else). Lina and the boy just looked away from each other, their words making the only contact. "I'm sorry," they simultaneously spoke.
They looked at each other with a surprising glare. It was an awkward feeling between the two. After all, how can one feel for a person who both insulted and apologized to you, considering if the feelings were mutual?
"I'm really sorry for sayin' that," Lina made the next response, hoping for some forgiveness, or even a response.
"Me too," the boy requited the feeling. "Looks like we started this off badly." He begrudgingly took out his hand. "My name's Kite."
"Lina," she nervously replied, clutching the friendly hand. She felt the rough scratches of the boy's hand, verifying his profession. "Are ya…an engineer?"
"Sorta," Kite replied. His thumb was directed to where the vehicle was. "I know everythin' 'bout the vessel, so the captain keeps me as an advisor."
"An' y'r here coz the sand steamer is?" she felt the need to ask more questions.
Kite felt obliged. "Uh…yeah," he started to feel flustered. "Won't be stayin' here long. Just 'till tomorrow."
"Oh," Lina was dumfounded. "Well, I'm stayin' here for a few days."
Already, the feeling of awkwardness was making its influence on the two. Kite tried to find another thing to say. "Wherever the steamer goes, I go."
"So are ya workin' right now?"
Taking off his cap, Kite rubbed his head. "Nah. I'm on a break." He began to look around at the crowd. "Didja hear anything 'bout this Vash the Stampede?"
Lina sadly shook her head. "Don't know the fella." Kite's disappointed face showed the girl that he did. "D'ya know him?" she asked.
At first Kite didn't know what to say. The news that he had previously worked as a spy and thief to Brilliant Dynamite Neon before bumping into a goody-two-shoes said to be Vash the Stampede wasn't the best thing he could tell this girl. He just answered with a nod.
"Wow," Lina was astonished. "Did he hurt ya or anythin'?"
"No," Kite tightly replied. "An' I don't want ya sayin' any bad stuff 'bout him." Thinking this girl was now a nuisance, despite feelings to the contrary, Kite simply walked away. Lina remained at her spot until the boy was in a distance. Then she started to follow him. Ericks and those people were going to have to wait.
===
When a rumor is born, the pace it takes to reach the populace is always swift. The gossip about the dark man and the duel with Vash the Stampede was no different. Be it resident or visitor, politician or citizen, rich man or poor, their learning of this information was confirmed. That is not to say the accuracy of the story remained constant. By the way it traveled, the rumor shifted and turned. At one point, it was that the dark man was going to fight Vash the Stampede. At another the story was now that the boy whose skin became darkness was actually Vash the Stampede himself.
To Sam, Tenchi, and Roberto, that translation did not fit them well. Moments after they left the saloon, the three mutants noted an alienating influence from the city people. People looked at them, some with interest, but mostly in wariness. Despite this, the crowd around them remained large and faithful to their attention. But it was an estranged sort of faithfulness, like how a crowd would gather around a convicted murderer; they wanted to see them, but that didn't necessarily mean they liked them.
Sam and Roberto were expecting such attention. They were well aware about the anti-mutant hysteria back home. They thought they could be strong enough to withstand the hostility. But nothing they had learned could ready them for the response they were causing.
And Tenchi was no better. For two years he had an idea of what people would think about him and his alien family. Yet his own preparations proved as futile as his friends. He didn't like people hating him just because he existed. He remembered stories about how his grandfather was hated in Jurai for being half-blood. He had to fix things. Tenchi broke away from the two. "Hey, it's all right," he beamed his best friendly face to all witnesses. "There's nothing to be afraid of. I'm a regular person like you."
"As regular as having a grandfather from outer space?" Roberto remarked. Sam hushed him.
Not hearing this, Tenchi spotted a child walking over to him. Breathing in relief, the young man held out his hand in friendship. The child just stood there, staring at this gesture as if it was a strange weapon. Slowly but surely, intimacy seemed to cast its glow; the child was going to accept Tenchi's offer. But a woman grabbed the child away. "Don't you dare touch my girl!" the mother snapped in a mixture of fear and anger.
Tenchi paused at this repulsion. "What did I do?" he cried to the departing mother.
He felt Sam's hand on his shoulder. "Best t' let things lie," his deep voice sounded with a sore word. "Let's go."
Tenchi felt hesitant about this. Are they just going to do nothing and let these people hate them? He looked at Roberto and Sam's faces; they too shared his resentment. Why did they want to let something like this go?
"Hold it you three!" shouted a voice. Tenchi recognized the man who it belonged to. The tin star on his vest wasn't a nice sign of promise.
===
Doug always wondered what it was like to be Spider-Man. It wasn't just the strength, agility, or the witty repartee that hero possessed that interested this Mutant linguist. There was the ability to walk on walls. It looked so weird but so cool. Unfortunately, Cypher's own abilities went beyond that skill. Even now, scaling the giant light bulb that hovered over the city, Doug didn't have that power. It was Warlock who was doing that honor, his/its arms spread out like the arms of a spider. Doug was just along for the ride. Well, maybe not that. He and Locke were the Team Supreme; what they did together was regarded as one unit. They were ordered by the chief to learn more about this planet's habitat. In that case, nothing in the planet could be more promising in this search than the giant light bulb.
The scaling was the final question in this plan. Before, Doug had asked several people about the meaning for the bulb. The informers, who looked at the boy as if he was an idiot, revealed that the thing was a plant, a giant power source. Everything that made living necessary on this desert planet- food, materials, and energy- came from this plant. Wishing to learn more, Doug had Warlock carry the two of them upon the giant machine for a closer look. They picked a direction where no one could possibly see them.
To make the effort, Warlock transformed into a gurney for his/its selfsoulfriend to be attached in. At each corner of this gurney were four long legs that stuck to the bulb's surface.
It was a quick climb, not at all uninteresting. The view of the city below was a little overwhelming, but it mattered little to Doug. Climbing this strange plant in a strange new world stimulated the excited nature within the boy, the nature that made him a New Mutant. True, this location gave a sad indication that the world he and his friends came from (or in Locke's case, presently living at) was gone. But Doug was too caught up in the excitement to give this much thought.
"CONFIRMATION:- is- SELFSOULFRIENDDOUG- secure- IN- anomaly-POSITION?"
"A-Okay, pal," Doug said. "With you, I'm as safe as can be."
"SELF- embodies- SECURE- reaction- TO- said- REMARK."
The respect appeared to be strong, and Doug wanted to remove any doubt. "Um, Locke? You've probably noticed that I've been spending some time with Tenchi and…Betsy," the boy's word paused at the latter's name. "Are you having any problem with that?"
A small head of Warlock formed from the gurney, meeting the boy's face. "EMOTIONS- of- SUSPICIONS- toward- SELF'S- perceived- STRENGTH- of- INTIMACY- renders- A- contradiction- TO- self," the Techno-being admitted. "QUERY: is- SELF'S- association- WITH- selfsoulfrienddoug- WANING- in- INTIMACY?"
"No, no, no!" Doug laughed with assured loyalty. "You're my pal! I'd never wanna lose you! I was just a little worried that you might feel jealous of Tenchi or Betsy."
"QUERY: why- SHOULD- self- BE- jealous- OF- tenchifriend- AND- Betsyfriend? ARE- not- THEY- selffriends?"
"Of course they are," Doug shook his head with a smile. Looking around, he realized that the two of them were on the very top of this plant. "So, Locke. What's your analysis?"
Warlock's eyes saw things more differently than his friend. His/its perspective looked through layers and layers of this giant bulb to see the auras and glows of distinction. "NEXUS- immediately- DISCOVERED." Then a small vibration came from the techno-being's head, quaking larger with an effective explosion of panic. "ALARM- alarm- ALARM!" he/it declared in different tones. "SELF- scopes- DISCOVERY- of- DISTINCTIVE- lifeglow."
Startled, Doug looked for a sharing of perspective. Warlock formed a giant pair of binoculars for his/its selfsoulfriend to look into. Seeing things through this perspective was always exciting for Doug; Warlock's perspective was so much more rich than his own. It was like Doug had a permanent set of beer goggles, hiding the real splendor and beauty of existence from his boring view. Sometimes he wished he were a techno-being like Warlock. Well, sometimes.
Looking all the way down to the center of the plant, Doug understood his friend's view, sharing his friend's shock. The lifeglow indeed belonged to a sentient being. It looked like an angel.
===
Unlike their male comrades, Amara and Illyana made a lesser impression through the town. However, the degree of interest they felt was just as high as the others. Perhaps it was more exciting for Amara. Having lived in a place immune to the progress of world history, she had little knowledge on how the real world came to be. Only some moving pictures on the television gave her clues (except those movies that portrayed Rome as some tyrannical despot, like that whitewash travesty SPARTACUS). However, this city was a better simulation than any film or play.
"You know, Illyana?" Amara spoke with exploring eyes. "I have not yet bore witness to a single gun-fight here."
"I don't think Doug meant that they happened twenty-four seven," Illyana assured.
Darting off the boardwalk, Amara continued. "Still, it would not be a dull one to witness. It reminds me of the gladiator fights from Nova Roma."
"Sure," Illyana joked. "Okay, sword-wielding gladiator! Draw!" Her hands pantomimed the guns. "Bang! Bang! Bang!" She subsequently faked a fall, leaning on a wooden pillar.
Amara puckered her lips. "You know I didn't mean it like that."
"Yup," Illyana smugly defended her view. "But it's funny anyway."
"Are you like the others, Illyana?" Amara asked, with no guilt in her words. "Do you feel revulsion by the fact that I accept violence?"
"Well, I accept it." Illyana gave support. "But don't forget I have a dark soul. I'm supposed to like that shit."
Amara looked to her comrade. "So, am I to be considered evil to think such things are morally right?"
The sentence gave strong reactions from Illyana. "You're not evil, Amara!" she was almost shouting. "You've just had the luck of living in a place that justifies it. I wish I were in your place though. Compared to where I grew up, any place would be heaven."
"It wasn't so heavenly," said Amara. "I had to live in hiding from an evil sorceress, forced to deny everything I was and am so I wouldn't be exposed."
"Yeah right!" Illyana snapped. "As I said, anyplace besides mine was okay. I'd rather go into hiding than…" stopping herself, Illyana walking away in silence.
Amara decided to take the blatant evidence and be sensitive. She and Illyana were in some ways alike. That intimacy brought out a different question from the Nova Roman. "How's Tenchi?"
Illyana paused. "Okay," her reply was to the quick. "What 'bout it?"
"You are no fool, Illyana," Amara was not decieved. "I've seen how you two have reacted to each other. You keep on pushing him aside when you actually wish to reveal your feelings."
Illyana refused to look back. "And what are my feelings? Haven't you been constantly brushing Sam aside?"
Amara paused before the words. "The difference is the nature of our relationship. You and Tenchi share something more than my friendship with Sam can never be."
"And how do you know it is something more? Illyana had every excuse to reply, but the crowd they walked into diverted her attention. The two girls instantly heard words about several freaks, looking like normal boys, being taken to jail. Amara and Illyana instantly looked at each other, both hoping this news was unfounded. "You don't think…" asked Amara.
Illyana gave evidence. "If it's Roberto…"
"Yes." Amara solemnly beat her comrade to the truthful realization.
===
Tenchi never realized that he would get himself into this situation. Sure, he expected it of Ryoko or Mihoshi, but the boy never believed he would play such an active role. Not surprisingly, his thoughts brought some longing. He then remembered the present; Tenchi had wanted to help Sam and Roberto, as was his role as a member. Things didn't go the way he expected. He certainly should've gone with Doug and Warlock, or even Amara and Illyana, or Dani or Shan.
The boy looked at the small cell he shared with Roberto. Sam was in the jail facing them. Tenchi had never been to jail before. The idea of him ever going behind bars was a scary feeling. It made him question on what crime he has committed. What did he do wrong? Looking at his inmates, Tenchi wondered if they shared any chance of a parallel apprehension. Roberto leaned against the wall, staring grumpily at his new home. Sam looked sad, but there was nothing of weakness in the way he sat. This analysis gave Tenchi some morale.
"Tenchi," Sam's long head pressed against the bars. "Ah'm sorry f'r getting ya into this." It was indeed his choice that they all allow themselves to be arrested. Running away would have made things worse (though Roberto thought otherwise).
Getting to his closest position, Tenchi showed no remorse in helping. "Though being here is definitely not my idea of a good time. I'm not sorry for helping you. Now, I'm sorry for being with you two when it happened, but not in helping you."
"Spare me the nobility, prince," Roberto made his views known. "I could have handled all those oafs. You two shouldn't have included yourselves. I would have handled that Vash the Stampede on my own."
"In your dreams," Tenchi joked at the true cause of this predicament.
A glare came from Roberto's eyes. "Do you have a problem, hombre?"
Tenchi did not back down, not to this person at least. "Haven't you caused enough?" he argued.
Roberto laughed this off with a trivializing treatment. Swinging his arms wide, he was ready to make the boy flinch with a fake punch…until he saw Dani entering the hall.
The morale started to break when the group leader made her appearance. Seeing friends in jail is a sad thing for anyone. Seeing supposed friends who have ended up in the slammer through their own stupid faults calls for anger. Unfortunately for Sam and company, Dani's sullen looks of reprimand showed clearly that she belonged to the latter.
"Oh, Dani!" Tenchi feigned a cheerful face. "Fancy seeing you here!" He and Sam proceeded to laugh. Turning her head at both sides, Dani's continued facedown made the two throw a few chuckles. The laughter grew forced and fewer as the moment passed. Only Roberto kept his straight face, smugly proud of his actions.
"So, Dani!" Sam attempted to prolong the positive atmosphere. "We got ourselves 'n quite a jam!"
"Yeah!" Tenchi smiled his best support.
It didn't work. Dani breathed really hard. This succeeded in relieving the two teenagers of their forcibly happy features. "Okay, we're really 'n a jam," Sam repeated his remark, this time with seriousness.
"Yeah…" Tenchi responded in the same tone. Changing the point, he asked about Ericks.
"He vanished," Dani's answer was made. All three cellmates responded.
"Gone?" said Sam, remembering what Tenchi had told him.
"What?" said Tenchi.
"Where did he go?" asked Roberto.
"Wished I knew," Dani answered Roberto's question. It was he she needed word with. Roberto's smug face remained strong however. "I imagine you're going to argue with me about my actions?" he spoke in that cool, suave manner that could turn hearts. Dani's own emotions felt the twist. This guy had charm. Her vocal response was different though. "Don't try that on me, kiddo. To quote Ricky, you got some explaining to do!"
"Some people were looking for trouble. I satisfied them."
"Wished you didn't decide to include us into this, Roberto," Tenchi complained.
"I didn't see you waving the olive branch, hombre," The Brazilian responded. "You actually kicked some butt."
"But Tenchi didn't have a major power boost." Dani pointed out.
"I was careful." Roberto defended himself.
"Not careful enough," Dani touched the jail bars. "You weren't supposed to…" she grew cautious. "You know what…"
"Sam said it was my choice."
"Now don't go putting me into this," Sam protested. "Ah also said that we should wait until Dani, Tenchi, and Warlock came back until we decided."
"A decision you delayed." Roberto talked back.
"What are you saying?" Tenchi felt a reason for questioning. "I didn't hear anything about this decision."
"Sorry 'bout that," Sam apologized.
Tenchi didn't take that as an excuse. "Since I'm supposed to be on the team, couldn't you guys have told me about it?"
"Well, we can't tell ya 'bout it now," Sam whispered close to Tenchi. He then went back to Dani. "What happened to Ericks? Is he okay?"
I'll tell ya once we get outta this place." Dani said. "If I c'n get ya outta here." She made a correction.
The question encouraged the Brazilian to grab the bars. "No problem with that." He started to grin. "We could escape now!" his hands tightly wound themselves upon the metal bars. Transforming into Sunspot would break them instantly.
Dani's cold face convinced him not to. She then removed herself from the bars, heading for the sheriff staying inside the ward. "Excuse me, mister." She spoke politely. "But I'm sure this was all a big mixup," she giggled in hopes to prove her case. "Can ya see it in your heart t' let my friends off easy?"
The sheriff looked at the young woman, touching his chin to consider things. "Well…" he responded nicely, "seein' that your friends are all kids. I'll let them off easily."
The sound got some happy reactions from the gang, who displayed their glee by pressing against the bars closest to Dani. The young woman looked back at them with a smile, sticking her thumb as a sign of success.
"But…" the warden continued to Dani, who knew full well that the addition of 'but' to any positive reply was never a good precursor. "You still have to pay bail…at a low price."
Dani kept her smile, never mind that the rest of her face was stripped of all happy feeling. "Well," she squeaked that word with apprehension. "What's the bail?"
The sheriff set an impossible request. "A hundred dollars."
Dani giggled some more, trying hard not lose her temper. In a very forced voice, she informed him that "'Fraid that money is a little tight right now. Any chance you can lower it some more?"
===
When the leader of the New Mutants walked out of the building, her spirits couldn't be any lower. Her face could clearly resemble one of those cigar-store Indians she would revile as racist and stereotypical. Oh, but this place was pretty much a stereotypical place of a movie western, Dani scowled to herself, like the one Miss Locke had placed her in at Murderworld. Though there were no robotic gunslingers this time, Dani's present frame of mind would consider an appearance not much of a surprise. Why her?
She sat down on the steps. "Oh, dear spirit of my ancestors," she spoke to the sky. "Haven't I suffered enough?"
With a mental twitch, Dani saw the answer when a wolf climbed up the steps before her. Rahne! The shock sent her into a rapport of psychic words. What the hell are ya doing?
Doing what Bobby has done. The wolf's canine eyes locked with her friend's.
Not ya too? We haven't decided on that decision yet.
Well, relax! There's na' harm 'n this. I transformed secretly. Calm yuirself.
Furtop. Haven't ya considered the possibility that there might not be any wolves on this planet?
The wolf's face was full of confusion. Don't yell at me! She psi-spoke in an attempt to save face. I can do what I want!
Dani pressed on more. Stop actin' like a child!
The wolf growled. Its teeth opened wide with drooling saliva.
You don't scare me.
"What's that?!" One bystander made notice of this furry creature on the steps.
"I dunno!" said another. "Is it some sort of cat?"
Dani looked up, hearing those words through the sensitive hearing her wolf-friend possessed. Her eyes showed a gathering was forming before the stairs of this station. She was able to spot Shan in the group. The wolf also looked around, about ready to move.
Stay where ya are, furtop! Dani's thoughts threw its command. Somebody'll shoot you if you give any teeth to 'em! But the wolf did not listen; the fears and anger this crowd radiated were too well detected by the animal's sensitive senses. It increased her own fears to a paranoid state. Some mad thoughts were being made. They wanted to hurt her for being different, just like those kids who killed Larry just because he was different. Wolfsbane's mouth started to open, brandishing its sharp teeth. A small growl sounded from this gape. This furry sight was a horrifying one to the witnesses; they had never seen an animal like this before.
Some started to play hero.
"Stay back!" Dani shouted. "I c'n handle this." To those in the group below her, credit was given to her courage. To hold her own against this beast was indeed a sign of bravery. They were unaware of the intimacy these two shared, or the war of minds.
NO! Dani's mind pulsed a scream.
The wolf's eyes rolled over to the source. Ye have na' right t'…
I have every right! Dani's loud thoughts were not meek or compromising. As leader, and as friend, I have the right!
Shan also made an impression by standing in front of the crowd with Luna in her arms. None of the public knew about the Vietnamese mutant's reassured faith that her furry friend would never think to harm her or the child. She did, however, share in their fear of what Wolfsbane might do. Turning around, her eyes fell on the public. They appeared like a mob, ready to act. She could see the defensiveness grow. One man revealed his gun.
Instantly, Karma formed a psionic link between her mind and the would-be assailant. The power of her mind overwhelmed the man's control of his own self. He remained as still as a statue. This would keep her friend safe, unless someone else thought the need to get aggressive.
Meanwhile, a different rapport occurred with Dani and Wolfsbane. Go away now, she ordered her wolfen friend. Hide and transform. Though no words were made, the very anger of Dani's wish made them unnecessary.
Wolfsbane growled, but it was a roar of grievance, not action. I thought ye were my friend...
Formerly resolute, Dani found those words and the cold accusing eyes that came with them almost shattering to her own strength. The wolf galloped off the stairs, moving to her left in quick speed. The crowd followed, but with little success. They failed to notice Dani's own move to get her friend's attention (Except for Shan, only one other person remained, standing transfixed as a statue. Once he regained his thoughts and movement, he looked dumbfounded at how beast and the townspeople around him vanished).
Shan walked up the stairs, blocking her friend's path. Her voice was for Dani alone. "She needs to sort this out alone."
Remembering her earlier advice, the Native American's legs grew heavy. Nevertheless, she felt reluctance. The weight of her person sank to a sitting position upon the stairs. "Some best friend I am," she quietly told Shan. "I pressed rank on her to go away."
Ever stoic, Shan added a hand to her friend's shoulder. "It was necessary."
"Sure," Dani snapped a sarcastic note. "Y'know, Shan? Most of the time I wish I never even met the New Mutants."
Shan was silent.
===
Above the jail roof, Ericks saw and heard all. For powerful kids, they were doing a good job getting in trouble. First a fight, then a duel, now jail. To his thoughts, the rumor of Vash the Stampede having menaced these boys would have sounded like a joke if the situation weren't already serious. The one good thing he did learn from this mess was that these kids really meant no harm to him. No one was dead yet, and nothing had been revealed that these kids were going to be a huge problem to anyone but themselves. Even that Sam showed little potential of being like…
Ericks took that thought as a sign to move. If there was the need for him to help these kids, he ignored it. It was the kids' problem. Not his own business. Not anymore.
===
Rahne stopped in an alley. She was now in human form, though it did nothing for her present state of emotions. It was best she was in this state, since it meant no detection from that traitorous friend. The hurt within her burned with anger. A garbage can was her victim right now, feeling the force of her booted foot.
She was not unnoticed. At the opening of the alley, an all-too recognizable truck blocked it.
"Hey, Rahne!" screamed the driver.
"Leave me alone!" The girl screamed back, but her words only made Doug more attracted. He got off the car, entering the alley alone. He darted closer to his friend, with a grave face.
"I got some big and bad news."
Rahne failed to respond in face. "Does it have a' thing t' do wit' our gettin' home?"
"Uh, no, but…"
Rahne revealed her wrathful face, "Then what good is it?!" her voice raddled.
Doug jerked back. This new form of Rahne was so different. He could expect feral ferocity from her animal form, but the fact that she was pissed as a human set him up for a surprise. "Rahne, I'm sorry…"
Rahne only moved closer, displaying claws- of the human variety. "What good are you!"
Doug's eyes widened, feeling like he was indeed hit. Not a sound came from his lips. Then his confused face absorbed his 'friend's' mood. "Fine," he shouted. "I take the hint!"
At that point Rahne knew what she had done. It was wrong. She should apologize. But that wouldn't be strong, would it? That realization forced her from moving.
Turning around, Doug threw his hand as the sign of abandonment. "Save it redtop," the boy spoke with repulsion. "I'll go to Dani."
Rahne did nothing. She let the boy walk away. A boy who was always nice to her. A boy who needed encouragement right now. A boy whose vulnerabilities she spitefully reminded. She leaned upon the wall, feeling very cold now.
===
Doug got into the car, his hands pressed on the wheel, though no control was his.
"SELFSOULDOUGCYPHERFRIEND," the car spoke indoors to the passenger. "RAHNE'S- emotional- STATUS- hardly- PREFERENTIAL. Method- OF- treatment- UNCONVENTIONAL."
Doug just stared away with a gaunt expression. "If Rahne wants t' be alone, far be it for me to give her company."
"QUERY:- why- DID- selfsouldougcypherfriend- PRACTICE- actions- PRESENTLY- not- SYNCHRONIZED- with- CHOICE- of- PREFERRED- treatment?"
"Shaddup," Doug groaned. Rahne had hurt him. He didn't think Rahne had it in her.
Warlock didn't understand why he/it had to be silenced because he/it made a theoretical question. His/its memory circuits showed that Rahnefriend's behavior had indeed been quite contradictive to the selffriend he/it knew.
The car found the destination of Dani at the city jail. With orders to remain in form, Doug left the Warlockian truck.
Then Warlock felt an unseen anomaly. It shattered through the glass frame that was part of him/it. No major damages were sustained in the attack, the techno-being reported in his/its filed mind. The projectile was pinpointed to be on the front seat. It was a spear-shaped projectile, the alien analyzed. Attached to the substance was a sheeted substance with writing:
Anyone who sides with those freaks are my enemies.
Vash
===
A three-wheeled vehicle rode through the desert horizons. Behind the driver, there was a coffin-like box bolted upon the back seat. The top was open, giving this keeper a view of the land. This passenger's thoughts were full of fascination on the next place his master's range would target.
The Demon's Reign member who killed himself had given precious stories. This waste of a living being believed he saw Vash the Stampede. That was not so. His mind's eye verified that evidence. But it didn't matter, Legato reasoned. The unusual characters he telepathically saw were an intriguing offer.
As chief disciple to Lord Knives, Legato's position bore him the responsibility to teach new but lesser disciples the true doctrine of pain. His followers would give Vash this doctrine. These new children would be those followers, if they wanted to live.
The classroom for this teaching would be Mauch.
===============================================================
TO BE CONTINUED
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Vows are promises that are supposed to be taken seriously. They show one's devotion to their goal. However, if vows are broken, it shows that one is not so devotional. Can vows and promises be changed? What good are vows if they can be easily broken?
Ericks