Mutants in Gunsmoke
Chapter 4: Escape
By Claudius
I don't own the copyrights to most of these characters.
Dani (Mirage), Shan (Karma), Sam (Cannonball), Roberto (Sunspot), Doug (Cypher), Illyana (Magik), Tenchi (Light-Ken), Betsy (Psylocke), Amara (Magma), Rahne (Wolfsbane).
With a deep breath, Dani Moonstar went back to the Sheriff's office. She was on her own this time. Shan had wandered off to feed Luna. Rahne was missing (no thanks to herself, thought Dani), Amara and Illyana were who-knows-where, and Warlock and Doug stayed outside. The last one on that list really stressed reluctance about coming with Dani, and it didn't take much for her to know why: the Sheriff had already associated her with Sam, Bobby and Tenchi. That meant she, and anyone else with her, would be under the suspicion of being considered as strange as them.
That was a problem. Not that Dani herself was wary of being publicly known as a mutant. Would she be chicken about anyone knowing she was a Native American? It was true that the reception of a 'redskin' was safer (if in a very small way) than being a 'mutie.' But discretion of her true self was not a personality trait. No, the real danger to this would be Doug's fear having a bad effect on his job.
Nevertheless, Doug had a point about discretion, since the lack of it got Bobby and gang in trouble. Despite the true culprit, Sam was also guilty in Dani's eyes. As deputy leader, the dope should have known better than to get Bobby and himself in fights and jail. Only Tenchi was innocent in her eyes. The poor kid sure didn't expect this on his vacation! It seemed that being with the New Mutants was a one-way ticket for disaster. Tom and Sharon paid big, being turned into Native Americans by the Demon Bear, and having their emotions screwed up by that jerk Empath. While Pat…
Dani changed her thoughts away from that sensitive one. She thought about the greater priority. In her hand was the warning from Vash the Stampede. From what Dani had heard, this guy didn't need the New Mutants to make a mess. She had no choice but to get more information about this new enemy. It came with being the chief.
So for this reason, Dani entered the office. Like everything else in this city, it looked like a building from one of those stupid western movies. In the main room, the head honcho was at his desk. Unlike his stereotype, he was not relaxing on the job, instead looking over some papers. It was the cowboy in the corner nearby that was doing that tradition.
Noting her entrance, the sheriff put down his papers. "Back so soon?"
A moment's thought of acceptance later, Dani gave her best poker face. "Yeah I'm back."
"Did ya get the bail?"
"Not yet," Dani ignored that problem. "I really came for this." She dropped the crumbled note to the table. "It was attached to a rock that hit my truck window." Dani did well in speaking 'truck' with a stoic face.
With a quick read, the Sheriff made little reaction to the complications. "Looks like another Vash impostor."
Dani repeated this claim to herself. "Are ya sure?"
But the Sheriff's stern face showed no lie. "A lot of towns and cities have their own Vashes, as if it was a title of respect, or a way to get attention. This guy's been hanging around awhile. But the descriptions on 'im don't match the original. Besides, whenever Vash made his crime, he never gave any warning 'bout it."
Enriched by the info, Dani wanted more. "So do you have a picture of the real one?"
The Sheriff's face complied. Stretching with the sound of cracks upon his middle-aged body, he walked over to a cabinet. He took out a folder, planting it before Dani's side of the desk. She quickly opened the file, giving efficient eyes to the photo inside. Her pupils throbbed. With the expectation of seeing a psychotic killer, or maybe a resemblance to Magneto, Dani was in for some disappointment. The guy had a really pleasant face with a nice guy expression. Nothing creepy about it. Vash's head was real slender, topped with long blond hair that crept all the way to the top. There was a beauty spot beneath his right eye. Except for that and the length of hair, it was a picture of Sam. And yet, it looked more like someone else.
Her eyes hit the money description on the side of the photo. "Sixty billion dollars?"
"No longer enforced," the sheriff gave explanation. "Seems the Humanoid Typhoon is too natural a force to be given a warrant. Sorta like putting a bounty on a storm."
"I guess so." Dani calmly replied despite her intense study. Neither the resemblance to Sam, nor the expensive reward was the priority in this analysis. This picture required a study with her powers. "Can I take this picture with me?"
"Nope," the Sheriff shook his head.
Taking that refusal in stride, Dani went to risk. Her mind concentrated hard on the picture. To no one's eyes but her own, the image went through an amazing transformation. The hair that stood on end grew longer, drooping to the neck. Whiskers studded the smooth jaw. For the finishing touch, shades were added around Vash's eyes.
This satisfaction was enough. Relaxing her hold disintegrated the new additions from the photo. Dani returned the folder, the image of its content engraved in her memory. "Thanks a bunch. I'll get that bail money soon," Dani smiled. She was on her way out when she met the deputy again. He looked at her in a strange way.
"So," the deputy's words cut with a smug voice. "Ya friendly with those kids?"
Knowing the complications of association, as well as the possible interest this deputy had, Dani was nonchalant in her expression. "Yes." She then walked out, carrying this scene with her. The pessimism that was now rampant in her took special attention to it.
Taking that answer, the deputy got out of his chair and walked to the front of his superior's desk. "You let that girl get away?"
"It's a free country, Jerod," the Sheriff's interests were not a duplicate to the deputy's.
"But don't ya think we should keep an eye on her?"
"An' why should we?" was the Sheriff's calm answer.
Jerod now turned to the Sherrif's side. "You heard what those kids did!" the deputy pushed his case. "An' she wants t' set 'em free. How do we know she ain't like 'em?"
The revelations failed to break the sheriff's calm manner, though his eyes showed he was pondering the situation seriously. "I don't make conclusions 'til I get proof."
"But think of what's goin' on!" The deputy pressed his case, going into a performance that was better off in the theatre. "All of a sudden we have these kids flyin' an' transformin' into monsters! An' some furry animal appeared near here! Ever think they might have somethin' t' do wit Vash?"
The Sheriff's grim eyes now faced the deputy, lacking understanding. "You really think that?" he angrily replied. "That girl really didn't seem t' know him."
"But one o' the boys we have here looks a lot like Vash."
"Don't mean a thing. He looks too young to be the Humanoid Typhoon. Don't go runnin' t' conclusions, Jerod!"
Seeing his case getting no acceptance sent Jerod into a retreating moan. But the sheriff no longer left things alone. "I have a responsibility t' this place." He exclaimed with a pointed finger. "So do you, if ya care t' remember. I will not have ya do somethin' ya can't fix later!"
Sulking like a child, the deputy had no acceptance that his plans would lead to danger. "I'm gonna see the mayor 'bout this. I know those kids are dangerous, as much a threat as the Humanoid Typhoon."
"Ya don't know that for sure."
The deputy turned with a snap. "Then I'll get it." He quickly walked out of the room. The bad effect he gave left his boss brooding on this deputy's interest. From what the Sheriff had heard, Deputy Jerod Hilkop had a fascination on the bizarre. Living a normal childhood that Jerod said was humdrum, the stale boredom made moments of unusual abnormality an experience. As the sheriff realized from the year of employment, Jerod's becoming a deputy had less to do with administration than a desire to encounter bizarre people. Unfortunately, the last two years showed little to fulfill his desires. This lack became a greater frustration, what with those outside rumors of Vash the Stampede.
Thus, the incident at the saloon was nothing short of a godsend for Jerod. He resented the town marshal being the one responsible for apprehending the kids, an action that wouldn't have happened except for the fact that Jerod did not learn of the incident until the apprehending had occurred. Now he was taking every advantage to the situation his role as deputy could get. That may be a sign of trouble, the Sheriff thought with fear. It was true that Jerod was a law-abiding citizen, definitely against power abuse. But, this city never dealt with any strange folk before. Things could change.
The buildings facing the prison had a new addition. Attached to the water spout on the wall was a smaller pipe. The end of this addition was bent, focused on the prison. The other end was a block away, situated at the opposite side of the building. It descended upon Doug Ramsey, whose eyes were presently connected to it like binoculars. Holding a spread newspaper in a reading gesture covered this organic paraphernalia from the public.
Doug was content at this position. From here, he could see Dani come out of the office without any trouble.
"QUERY," asked the telescope. "Should- SELF- inform- DANILEADERFRIEND- about- PLANT- being?"
"Don't worry buddy," Doug whispered. "We'll tell her." Despite the calm demeanor, Doug cringed on the word 'buddy.' He didn't like using Warlock like this. Come to think of it, he had done a lot of crummy things he didn't like, such as refusing to accompany Dani to the Sheriff's office. He knew the reason, and it was not good. But here he was, feeling okay about spying on the office at such a long distance that allowed his secret to be protected. No way anyone would think of him being associated with Dani in the case her mutant identity was public like Bobby, Sam, and Tenchi! No doubt about it, the boy thought. He must have the word shame all over his face.
But it was for a good reason. He sure hoped so. The mind that was Doug's repeated the positive motives behind his discretion. This included the danger of being with Dani might lead to someone connecting him with Sam, Bobby, and Tenchi. From what Doug was hearing now, the people here weren't too happy about what happened an hour ago. Bobby paid big time for letting his secret be revealed. Why should he follow suit and get in trouble himself? He didn't have super strength or swordsmanship abilities or flying invulnerable. Why should he give himself some trouble?
But the reasons failed to balance his guilt. On the whole, Doug could think of a few unflattering names for himself. He shouldn't have made such a big deal about refusing to go with Dani, since she more than anyone understood what he was going through. And Betsy probably didn't. What would she think of him right now? Doug knew he couldn't cover his reservations from her telepathy. The thought of what Betsy may think of him- a very negative conclusion- brought an even worrisome aspect to an already worrisome problem.
Doug drowned the problem with other thoughts about this planet. In the power plant that he and Warlock studied, there was a living being inside it. Warlock gave some more information about this creature projecting high amounts of power, and this signature energy was focused around the city. These living beings were being used as batteries for this city. Very Matrixish. But that fascinating discovery carried a dark lining. Wasn't that some sort of slavery? Doug knew enough of that. His neck could still feel that yoke from Asgard, and the bruises that came with it. What else resided in this planet of old cowboy movies? That Vash the Stampede outlaw, for one. All this spelled adventure for Doug. These things were definitely enough to forget…
And then his worries resurfaced again. The good attitude dropped with the remembrance of his problem. The luster of the town and the ethical issue about these plants were not bright enough to hide the darkness of his present behavior.
While thinking this, Doug's eyes veered through the telescope pointing to the door of the sheriff's office. From the dark opening, a figure appeared. The movements of her body and the enlightened expression on her face would give no clue to the public, but to Doug these gestures gave him a perfect description of her present mood. The enlightened turns on her brow, the fear that sagged it, and the meditative gaze from her eyes were sure evidence. Dani had found out something. Something big.
Inside the building that Doug and Warlock spied and that Dani just left, their incarcerated comrades were busy brooding about their fate. At least, that was Roberto's stance. Sam and Tenchi found alternatives beside a tough attitude, though it couldn't make them ignore their problem.
"Look at the bright side," Sam attempted to calm his friend's usual behavior. "This keeps us from meetin' that Vash guy."
Roberto's glare showed the failure of that positive reason. "Dolt," he gave his disapproval. "You should have left him to me." But a groan later, Roberto's smirk grew into a smile. He gave an intentionally weak swing to Sam's face, his heavy eyes now showing pride in counting this boy as a dear friend.
Tenchi witnessed all this with silence. He really didn't feel like pouting or yelling at Roberto for getting him into this mess. His initiation into becoming a member of the New Mutants meant danger, even though it gave no predictions of danger at this level: kidnapping by some assassin, accidentally getting teleported to this distant time and planet, or being arrested with probably half the city wanting their heads. Then again, he didn't ask to have his grandfather be some outer space prince, or have a bunch of beautiful but very unusual alien girls living at his house either. If he could take the latter with little anxiety, then he must accept the responsibilities of being a New Mutant. In both cases, that still meant trouble had a way of finding them. Couldn't there be a time where they looked for trouble for a change?
No such luck on that idea, and a certain item would make it worse. That was the Tenchi-ken. It was a fortunate advantage that, when the sheriff asked the three to hand over any weapons or valuables in their possession, the objects were handed into a tray and not to a hand. But it was only a matter of time before someone in the building touched that hilt. That would cause a commotion.
Tenchi resorted to prayer. This stance got his teammates' attention. "What are ya prayin' about?" Sam asked.
"For Magneto and Betsy," Tenchi's voice explained, without changing his movements.
"You're better off praying we get out of this prison," Roberto walked across the cage, his mood restored to a sour one. "So Sam, when are you going to make contact with Dani again?"
No answer could be made, with the deputy making his appearance. "What're ya three whisperin' 'bout?"
"None of your business," Roberto was on defense.
"It's nothin'," Sam gave a warmer reply.
Tenchi went to the bars, beaming a smile. "So any chance we can get out soon?
His mouth chewing with tobacco, Jerod spit some fluid to the cage (giving Tenchi a face of distaste). "Nope. Not what we got planned f'r the three o' ya."
"We have our rights as prisoners," said Sam.
"Better shut y'r mouth," the deputy smugly spoke. "I can send ya t' prison for the rest of y'r life. How 'bout a thousand years?"
The three New Mutants came close to the bars at this threat. "Are we gonna live that long?" said Sam in disbelief.
"But we didn't do anything!" cried Tenchi in a less content mood. "Nobody was hurt at the saloon. Why should we be condemned like criminals?"
"I heard many strange people like you kids," the deputy showed no joke. "All evil, all workin' for Vash the Stampede. Come t' think of it, what is y'r connection with Vash?"
"None," Roberto turned away in full disdain to Jerod's questioning, and the person himself.
"I don't believe ya." The deputy spoke back. However, his eye fell to Sam. "Y'know, ya kinda look like Vash."
Sam's face went into surprise. This Vash wasn't the only one who had a face like his. Suddenly, Sam's mind had found a puzzle that was now complete, with a very interesting pattern.
Roberto made no effort to make a similar conclusion. He was too busy seething with rage over the deputy's comment. "And what does that supposed to mean!"
"Sam's a great kid!" Tenchi also shouted on Sam's behalf. "He wouldn't be working for this Vash the Stampede, whatever he is."
"In fact, ah'm supposed t' be dueling with 'im soon." Sam finally gave his defense.
"Yes, in my place!" Roberto admitted his responsibility.
Now the deputy's glare was on him (which was a mistake since the target was Roberto). "You're not the type of person t' bring a good defense, seein' how y'r in here with him."
"Not for long!" Roberto was ready to release his energies. Molecules began to rise from his body, and both Tenchi and Sam knew this. The latter ran straight for the bars. "Ah'm not Vash the Stampede," Sam frantically cried, his behavior centering the deputy's eyes on only him. "Ah swear t' God ah ain't."
No longer in attention, Tenchi moved closer to Roberto with whispers. "Don't make our situation worse."
Roberto abandoned his stand, his twisted anger in conflict with his strong restraint (for the moment). His action brought Tenchi relief, with surprise. This wouldn't have worked on Ryoko!
"We'll see 'bout that," said the deputy. "Right now, ya stay here. I'm gonna get some doctors. There gonna put ya through a coupl'a tests."
Tenchi jerked his head at the deputy, his eyes piercing him. "Oh no!" he exploded. As much a spark this deputy's plans hit his friends, for Tenchi it was an inferno. "Not again," he cried, making him a figure of peculiar interest to Sam and Roberto, their faces taking a confused expression. Both looked upon Tenchi, than shared glances at each other, wondering what the blazes this kid meant.
Jerod's glare grew satisfying, his grin arching greater. He looked like a kid in a toy store, minus a torturous intent. "We'll see 'bout that. I'll be back with the doctors. Don't wanna miss this." He walked away in a steady and swift step.
Back to being alone again, Sam was the first to speak. "Um Tenchi?"
"We have no time for that," cried Roberto. "If we're examined, they will spot our mutant blood."
Sam waved his hand in realization. "Ah know that, Bobby. But we can't make this situation worse."
"Think again," Tenchi's despair lowered him to the ground. "Our situation doesn't need to get worse. We're associated with that Vash the Stampede character. And now we're going to be guinea pigs."
"Well, its not the first time we've been associated with a world terrorist." Roberto's humor was as superficial as his restrained demeanor.
Sam couldn't respond. So far, he was goofing up as a leader. Dani would have avoided this problem easily. His head grew heavier.
"So you don't know?" Illyana impatiently repeated what she figured.
"I'm afraid not," said the old woman.
"Guessed as much," Illyana slurred her disappointment. Such dour emotions, a part of her life, were especially strong here. She quickly shrugged the old woman. This left Amara the job of exchanging gratitude. "I thank you for your help."
"Thanks for nothing," Illyana added to Amara once she joined her. So far they had zilch information about the jail's whereabouts. As soon as they heard about the boys' incarceration (a scene that had Illyana making a big reaction, nearly throttling the hapless announcer for directions), the two female mutants made the jail their destination. As Amara suggested, getting to the prison would obviously mean meeting up with the rest of the gang, since the only alternative that would keep Dani from there would be her death.
Unfortunately, there was one problem: they were lost. Ways of remedying this problem weren't working.
"Why not use your teleportation abilities?" asked Amara.
"Still on the fritz," Illyana responded with a sulk. "And what really bites is that I can't test it right now. Suppose I 'port back to Limbo without the rest of you, and I can't get back?"
"Reasonable," Amara sighed.
Walking further, their thoughts about the comrades' problem came to mind. "I bet you that Bobby had something to do with this," Illyana couldn't resist the accusation. How dare he get Tenchi mixed up in this!
"Be wary, Illyana," Amara was defensive. "You are not so cold-headed either."
Illyana smirked. "Words from the walking volcano, eh?"
Amara stopped her steps, her eyes emitting a wish for rue on Illyana. "That was insulting."
"Calm down, Amara." Illyana waved her palms for discretion. "I don't want to get into any trouble I can't get myself out of."
"Coward." Amara's tone was not insulting.
"Can't help it," said Illyana. "The demon part of me is really stressing self-preservation. And that's a big deal since most of my powers are either magic-dependent or totally shot like my porting. I have to rely on my own fists from these creeps."
"Hello, milady!" said a slick voice.
"As I was saying," Illyana caught the inviting remark. With a turn, she and Amara spotted a man leaning upon a wall. He was handsome, smartly dressed, at least in a nineteenth-century point of view, thought Illyana. For Amara, it was another variation of the pants-coat-bowtie-dressings that the outside world recognizes as respectable. Try as she might, Amara couldn't seriously imagine her countrymen in similar dress. Thinking of her father in such garb made her lips curl.
Fortunately, Amara's inability to keep a straight face was not exploited. This handsome man's attention was directly on Illyana. Any chance of envy was short-lived, however. Despite the handsome appearance, a sense of trust was missing from this man. His style was like an adult Roberto, but he lacked her friend's favorable traits. Perhaps Amara read this too far, but this man was disturbing. He looked like an owner, ready to conquer his property, inanimate or not. But Amara kept still. Illyana was hardly a naïve girl to such situations. In many ways, she was more adult than she.
On her own, Illyana knew that she had this man's attention. She saw his eyes of interest fell on her, giving her sensations of excitement, intensity, and discomfort.
"Hello, good lady," he bowed with a removal of his hat. There was an artificial side to his manner. "My name is Clarent Gorvel."
Illyana rejected any manners in her response. "None of your business."
"May I know your residence in this dear city?" the undaunted grinned with charm.
"None, at the moment," Illyana kept her guard.
Pleasure filled Clarent's face. "Then may I give you lodgings?"
"That won't be necessary," Illyana attempted to pass away from the man. He saw his cane block her path. Illyana found the irate factor within her growing. Should have known Clarent was the type who didn't take any form of 'No' for an answer.
"Kindly remove your cane," she asked.
The man laughed at her rejection, failing to take it seriously. "My, you are a feisty one. And pretty too."
Pretty. Illyana's nerves skyrocketed. Such compliments were not new to this beautiful girl, nor were they rejected. However, there were certain people who shouldn't say such affectionate remarks. Illyana knew of one such person in that category. Clarent Gorvel was kind of like him.
"I'm warning you," Her words morphed to a threat. "Leave me alone."
But Clarent Gorvel never respected any woman's wishes. He feared none of them. Not the line of girls he forced his carnal pleasures upon, nor the ones he impregnated and abandoned, nor the ones he seduced and sent into slavery. This girl would be no exception to his designs. His gentlemanly nature descending in levels, he went for a grab to her arm. "Milady, my intentions are not to be taken lightly."
"Mine neither," Illyana's stoic manners were abandoned. "Let go of me!" she shrieked, freeing her arm as if Clarent's hand was holy. Amara felt ready to assist and attack this swine, but Illyana looked sure in solving this problem on her own.
"And what are you going to do?" Clarent's smile foretold no fear. This left him off guard to Illyana's foot into his face. The kick sent him to the ground wincing.
Illyana wiped the blood from her boot. There was no expression of victory. Just relief. She then ran away. Amara followed with a complimentary smile. "Not so wary about getting into battle, eh?"
"Hey, just 'coz my magicks don't work here doesn't mean I can't still kick ass. By the way, why couldn't you just fry the bastard?"
"I'm not always a walking volcano," Amara smiled.
Meanwhile, their wounded victim looked back at them, his nose a wreck of bruise and blood. His surprise and shock were not good things to his behavior. That stupid, stupid bitch, the staggered assailant growled. No woman would live to treat him like that. A future desire grew within him, a desire to inflict harsh consequences. He knew the right people. Those bitches were heading toward them soon.
Amara and Illyana's priority of what was toward them left no attention to who was behind them. Even before their situation with the creep, another girl was following them. With her was a boy. His decision to follow was different to the girl. Kite was getting tired of this wild goose chase. What was so important about these two girls? He really couldn't believe that garbage from Lina on what these girls could do. They defeated the Demon Reign gang? Kite had his own share of dumb stories, and none was worse than that. Of course, his frustration with this pursuit shriveled before the chief problem. What was he doing with this girl? There wasn't anything special about her. He should be back on the Sand steamer, the engineering of the vehicle the one thing that kept him fed and close to his father's ship. Such responsibilities, however, did not let him abandon this nitwit girl. Why, he didn't know. "I don't really have time for this!"
Lina said nothing at first. Her eyes were focused on the girls. "C'mon slowpoke!"
"Are you listening to me!?" Kite growled in whisper, only to see his reply get hushed by Lina. That stupid girl!
As it turned out, these two kids were being followed themselves. Ericks had made a promise to Grandma to look after Lina on this trip. Faithful to her wishes, he couldn't help but sigh at the lengths he had to go for this. That girl was so hard to keep up, especially in a crowded area like this! Lina was always getting into trouble, and he was always getting her out of it, with himself getting into the trouble instead! He was lucky if his hair didn't turn white at the stunts she pulled.
But his golden locks wouldn't turn white. If there were going to be any change, than it would be a blacker color. Ericks touched his long hair. His hands couldn't feel the color distortion hidden under the great hirsute company that bloomed from his head. But it was there, underneath his locks. Was it the sign of his end? Did he have it also?
Ericks changed thoughts. Right now Lina was going into that narrow alley. The people who crossed his path constantly proved a threat to his visual contact with her, but he was sure about not losing her. Ericks was able to notice the kid with her. That could be trouble for him.
A series of cries broke out to Ericks sensitive ear. In another block came a crowded flurry of sounds. Ericks couldn't help but steer toward that direction.
Lina looked back to hear that commotion, but she ignored it. It was these girls that had her attention. She would prove to Kite that they could so some amazing stuff. This wish really mattered a lot to her.
So far, their discretion was working. Lina saw the two girls lose themselves around a corner. Carefully did she and Kite lean upon their side of the wall, with Lina slowly moving her head beyond the edge.
Her face met Illyana's, staring at her.
"Hi!"
Lina backed away, reacting to the failure of her stealth. Kite remained nonchalant.
"Didn't think we wouldn't know about you, eh?" Illyana was ready for attack.
Lina's response was hostility. "I don't have to apologize to you!"
"If you wanted to be with us," said Amara. "You could have done better than to spy on us."
"We weren't spying on you!" Lina's defensiveness led to lying, an act that Kite couldn't help criticizing through his teeth.
"Then what were you doing?" Illyana snapped her mouth. "Making out with your boyfriend?"
Her question lead to some strong reactions. It was like an anathema to the two children, who went into great lengths to disprove it. "What makes you think he's my boyfriend!" Lina's red cheeks were not anger.
So too were Kite's cheeks. "Yeah, why should I be with a crazy girl like her?"
Now, did the red symbolize anger to Lina. "Who ya calling crazy, idiot?!"
Kite too. "Idiot? Why you…"
Illyana sighed at the sudden proof of these kids' relationship. Denial was always good evidence. She did the same thing to Tenchi. "Whatever. Just stay outta our way."
"Wait, Illyana," Amara stopped her. "These children could be of help." She then went directly to Kite. "I wonder if you can assist us."
But Kite was too busy name-calling with Lina. The two kids were deaf to Amara.
"Do you know the city prison?" Amara continued speaking against the noise. Still did her words fail to come through to Lina and Kite. The most civil of this company, Amara tried again. Then she became the least civil. "Stop bickering!" she roared. The ground where she sat quivered softly to the kids, who quickly got her attention. Amara asked again.
"H-How should I know?" said Kite.
"Satisfied?" said Illyana.
Amara turned away at this failure. "You're right Illyana, we should be on our way."
"Wait, take us with you," Lina invited herself.
"Why should we do that?"
This left Lina with only one option. She went all out with the waterworks. "B-because I can't find Ericks."
Kite didn't believe a single word, but he couldn't help getting into the act. "Please don't get us in trouble!" He sagged his face in total despair, which for a kid his age was hypnotically powerful. "I'm an orphan. My parents were murdered by my wicked uncle who liked little boys more than he should."
Displeasure washed Illyana's face. These kids were slick. Time to let loose the fire! She fell to her knees, throwing angelic eyes over her evil ones. "When I was little, I was kidnapped by a devil sorcerer from another planet. He liked little girls more than he should, and made me his chief apprentice." With her sad face, she threw a finger at Amara. "And my friend here lost her mother to a wicked witch and she was almost sacrificed herself by the same wicked witch. We both met at school, but then some god killed us and he brought us back and we were all sick and sad and we had to go to another school where that same old wicked witch lived with a younger but no different wicked witch." She sniffed. "So please, don't follow us!"
Kite and Lina dropped the 'poor child' act in amazement to Illyana's sob story. She was good at this game! Nothing Kite knew could top that whopper!
Stopping that drunken gunfighter wasn't an easy job. But fortunately no one was hurt. The fact that no one saw Ericks stop the drunk was also a good thing. No one must recognize him. It was already bad enough that those kids had made a scene showing what had to be inhuman abilities. The worst would be if the real Vash the Stampede was in the city, and not some impostor.
But this success took time. Ericks was forced to catch up to Lina and Kite. Unseen by public eye, he made a superhuman leap to the roof of a building. At the edge, he again made optical contact with Lina.
Then came another scream. An opened block neabry revealed a wild Tomas.
Ericks could only sigh.
Much to Illyana's resentment, she and Amara were now babysitters. Lina and Kite were attached to them like glue. Amara was nonchalant about this responsibility. Illyana wasn't. She didn't like being a babysitter, watching over some immature brats (even though some of her fellow comrades fit those definitions). But there was probably a more serious reason she had problems with kids younger than her. She resented them for having a childhood. They still had some innocence left. Lucky brats.
Strangely, for someone who stalked these girls, Lina felt awkward being so close to them. Their differences in physique were so noticeable. These two girls were so pretty in face and body. Added to it was the glow of their blond hair. And their breasts: they looked so large and full. Not like her own chest, still as flat as a board. Amara and Illyana were so far above her, Lina critiqued in despair. She may never look as good- ever.
Stop thinking about that, Lina cried to herself. Get to the real point. Show Kite. "So, can you show Kite and me some of your powers?"
Illyana froze at Lina's rather loud question. Her head came to Lina's with such speed that it might collide. She hushed the girl with a finger. Then she broke into a smile and glinted it at any who passed by. The cover of innocence somehow successful, Illyana put a hand on Lina's back. She dragged the kid to an empty alley, the farther the safer. Amara attempted to stop Illyana's behavior, which is why she headed her and Lina off at the alley's opening.
A long arm grabbed Amara's elbow. This alien limb would have instantly burned, if not for Amara's wish of discretion. She would deal with this lout in her own way. But the pull sent her head too close to a broken spout leaning too far from the wall. The impact broke her senses. She was now in her captor's arms, unconscious.
Illyana also found a large, hairy arm around her neck, with the remainder putting something on her face. She called on teleportation, but that failed. This first instinct rendered her other gifts too late for use. The chloroformed handkerchief shoved to her mouth made sure of that.
Free of Illyana's grip, Lina attacked her captor. She was kicked aside. Kite studied the attackers. They were huge and strong, dressed in leather jackets rolled at the sleeves. The ankles to their jeans-garbed legs were wrapped with fur legwarmers.
Kite knew these people. Lina didn't, so she went charging. "Let them go!"
She got a stomach kick that took all wind from her. She collapsed.
Only a few things could really spark Kite. One was any insult to his father. But the view of Lina on the ground, lying hurt. That was a new one. "Get away you asshole!" he jumped without restraint. He got thrown into the wall. The impact knocked him unconscious as well.
The opposition bothersome but hardly difficult, the Roderick Slave Traffickers looked over their new assets.
"What pretty girls we have here!" One of the attackers smiled lustfully.
"And young," said the other, slapping yokes around their necks. Connected to them were chains that manacled Illyana, and Amara's hands.
"Ya nice ladies here are gonna make a fine price."
"Wait!" said a third man, leaving the shadows. He was their employer. "Leave the long-haired girl to me." Clarent smoked a cigarette, feeling a stimulant to his excited nerves. "When I'm done with her, then you can have her."
One of the traffickers gave a look of possible disagreement. Carlet settled this by leaning a cane-sheathed sword upon the goon's neck. "I don't like damaged goods," he smirked with his ice-cold eyes. "And don't forget I told you about them."
Lessening his hostility, the goon smiled. "That hasn't stopped you from wrecking a few, eh?"
"Do I complain about your work?" Clarent sheathed his sword cane.
"Sure, sure," said the crew-cut blond holding the chains. He yanked it, pulling Amara to him. "This gal at least is going to be good merchandise."
The bald goon sweated over his regained safety. "What about the kids?"
"Leave them alone." Clarent's command was without heart. He was too busy fingering Illyana's cheek, like a man checking furniture.
Restraining the Tomas without anyone seeing him, Ericks attempted to regain his watch on Lina. She was probably now three blocks away.
Then his ears caught a man on top of a building. It didn't look like this position was part of his job. For one moment, Ericks paused. "Why me?" But he had to do what he had to do. This time it was a man committing suicide. And this method was to jump off a building.
Like he usually did in such situations, Ericks thought of the best way to handle it. Most primary of this was the stealth. He quickly got to the rooftop, blocking the door leading to the downstairs. Then he made simple, quiet steps to the suicide-to-be. The only way to stop him would be knocking him out. He really hated doing that, but it was the safest way.
Despite the stealth, the man turned around. Ericks paused and smiled awkwardly, predicting the outcome of his lost incognito existence. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted. But the man was different now, his scared nature replaced by a calm look. He even smiled. He walked to the door, attempting to unblock it. Ericks saw this as a good time to run for it. This he did successfully. In minutes he was back on the ground, his mind now on the weird solution. That man's safety gave little comfort. Someone was controlling him. The meaning of that led to freezing patterns within Ericks. Could it be him? But doubt came; saving lives was not his forte, seeing how little value he regarded it.
At this point, Ericks was suddenly greeted by a black-haired young lady, with a child. She flashed a look at him. "Bonjour Ericks."
"H-Hello, Shan," said Ericks in recognition. The girl knew French, a lost language.
"You ran out on the doctor."
"I don't like doctors that much," Ericks made a weak smile.
"But I see that you don't really need one," Shan smiled. Ericks almost freaked by her expression. Her look, supposed to be friendly, carried a different meaning. The facial movements were identical to the suicide-to-be. At that he felt a wary aura over her.
"Um, if you excuse me, I'm trying to find Lina."
"Can I follow?" said Shan, her words becoming a warning to Ericks. But Ericks knew that he couldn't be afraid of everyone. Like it or not, Shan and her friends did save him and Lina, and whatever intentions she had doing it, it was still a good thing. So he decided to trust her a little. "Sure." They began to walk side by side. But a new anxiety appeared when Ericks' gaze fell at something.
Shan attempted to share Ericks' vision, but failed. How far could he see? "What is it?"
On a rooftop, one of the highest of this city, Wolfsbane sat down with legs bent and arms around them. This animal form allowed her to keep rage much better than her human one. Anger was part of an animal's nature. Wish it could be this way forever, the wolf-girl moped.
Why did Dani do that to her? She wasn't going to harm the crowd, as cruel as they were. But no! Her 'best friend' couldn't trust her, getting Shan to use her own powers on her. That spaleen! That traitor. Why didn't Dani understand? She was strong. Strong. No way was she going back to that weakling form again, a girl who couldn't take life's horrible truths.
Her nose twitched. A swirl of scent flew to her. Even the height of a rooftop couldn't keep the wolf-girl from making that connection. The trace pulled her eyes to the roof side and the ground below. Where normal eyes would find the mass populace, Wolfsbane's form of eyes spotted the heat circles around them all. And there was a familiar circle within that multitude. Amara. It glowed among a host of unrecognizable forms, none of them inviting. This group was also moving very fast. This was beyond belief, the wolf-girl thought with shock and delight. Amara was supposed to be a strong girl, but evidently her own power was no match for these kidnappers.
The wolf-girl was satisfied by this prospect. She bent her knees, instantly snapping them straight. It flew the lupine into the air, landing her upon another building. She repeated the action step again and again. She would show those kidnappers, the aerialist's angry mind fought against her common sense. She would show Dani. She would show them all!
The anger overwhelmed her common sense. Wolfsbane's next leap began a little too far from the next building. Her clawed feet managed to touch the edge. Her weight broke the edge, however. As quick as the wolf-girl's arms were, her descent this time was quicker. Her claws scraped the brick wall without digging. There was nothing to break her fall.
Lina awoke to feel a wet patch on her forehead. She thought it was Grandma. But the figure was too young to be her elder guardian. Awakening to consciousness led to an awakening of pain.
"Be careful," said someone who kept the patch on Lina's forehead. "That is a nasty bump. You're lucky Ericks and me found you two."
"Thanks, Shan," said Ericks, holding Luna in his arms.
Shan gave no wish for a debt. "I have two siblings at home."
Lina's recovery and restoration of mind caused a shift to another person. "Kite! Where is he?"
"Its alright," Shan gave reservation. "Your friend is on the other bench."
Sure enough, the boy was also recovering from his trip into la-la-land. His opening eyes attempted to regain focus. His viewpoint was a tall-slender face with blond hair. "Vash?" he slurred. But the clearer his eyes became, the more the face changed. Long hair now appeared. The shades turned darker. Vash wasn't there anymore. In his place was some yokel.
Ericks turned to Luna. Kite was becoming too accustomed to his face. Fortunately, Shan's conversation with Kite kept his attention away from the possibility of recognition.
"Who hit you?"
Kite rubbed his head, but then he remembered.
Lina outpaced his realization. "Some big guys came. They took your friends!"
"My friends?" Shan grew tense.
"The blondes!"
Shan stood right up with a curious face. "Who did this?"
"The Roderick Slave Traders," Kite gave the name. "They take young women and sell them into slavery."
The name had different meanings to the oldest members of this group. Ericks' ears pulsed with familiarity of the slave traders. He remembered the pool of blood, and a demon-eyed woman's voice.
Here's the good news…The blood shed here today was not that of innocent townfolk…It's from the Roderick Slave Traders…Think of it as spring cleaning…
Shan too shuddered by the description. It was only a brief repression, for she now brimmed with rage. Her kind features hardened to firm courage. She turned to Luna's new caregiver. "Ericks, give her to me. We have to be leaving."
As the entranced Ericks obediently did as asked, Lina and Kite read Shan's motives. "Take me with you! We want to help."
"What!" Ericks broke from his trance, giving a frightened performance that bordered on exaggeration. "B-But aren't they big mean guys with guns?"
"You coward!" shouted Lina, kicking the older man's leg.
"Ericks is right," Shan took his side. "It is too dangerous for you. But I will not abandon my friends."
"No way!" cried Lina.
"It's too dangerous!"
"And you're going to send a baby to that?" Lina pointed out.
"I'll think of something!" cried Shan in frustration. By the lord, these kids were too much! God help her when Nga and Leong reach their ages. She reconsidered. "How about this?" Shan begrudgingly made a negotiation. "You follow me until I reach my friends. Is that all right?"
Shan got silence, so she heightened her voice. "All right?!"
"S-sure," Lina and Kite made their promises, hiding their crossed fingers.
In a café, Dani told her stuff to Doug and Warlock. Doug reacted to the identity of Ericks with sparkling eyes. "That's awesome."
Dani stared at her friend. "And the idea that we've been with a wanted outlaw who could have killed us at any time makes no difference?"
"Sure it does, Dani," Doug's bore no serious expression in his face. "But are we sure that the real Vash might be a bad guy. You told me that he never killed anybody. That's a very low body count in comparison to the acts of our absent teacher."
"Yeah, I guess it does." Dani exhaled a big breath. She wished she had Doug's optimism, his feeling that this is an adventure that will end happily (at least in most cases). "Too bad that doesn't help us find a way to bail the rest of our male team. We barely have enough money for that. We might have to make some."
"How about Locke an' me entertain the crowds?" said Doug. He found himself the target of the disapproving eye of the chief.
"How do we do that?"
"Locke can be a guitar, and I can fake-play him. Sing a few songs in different languages."
"Sorry, John Denver," Dani's heavy brow was a veto to that idea.
But Doug was full of them. "How about you play a magician, using your powers?"
Dani's gaunt face made him realize that too was definitely a No. "I'm not showing my powers like some poor Shawnee or Cherokee. Selling their pride on a sidewalk. Besides, showing off is what got our friends behind bars." She massaged her forehead. "Geez, I should've been there to off Bobby's idea at birth."
"Hey, it wasn't my idea!" shouted Doug with edginess.
"Did I say it was?" Dani shouted back, noting the nerve she hit. "Am I using tribal torture on you, huh?"
Remorse replaced Doug's reluctance. "No," he sulked.
Dani now expressed her understanding. "Doug, I know ya have a problem 'bout coming out."
"It's not…" Doug shouted, than lessened the sound of his words to a growl. "I'm not afraid of telling my secret." Looking around, he quieted down instantly.
"If ya shout it that way," Dani replied in whisper, "its not gonna stay a secret."
Frustration guarded Doug's resolve. "Look, let's leave that alone. We have Sam, Bobby, and Tenchi to think about."
"An' on top of that, we still don't know what happened to Magneto and Betsy."
"Yeah," Doug's reply was somber. Dani also noticed this. Guess insecurities over powers and identity wasn't the only chip on the shoulder of their favorite translator.
Doug looked to the door. "Anyone see Mama Shan?"
"She's with Luna."
"Hanging around Magneto's grandkid a lot I see."
"Shan already got two kids to look after. It comes naturally with her."
"Wonder if she's using Luna to keep her mind off her siblings?"
"Not a bad guess. Just zip your mouth 'bout it."
While Doug and Dani discussed how to make ends meet, Warlock was examining the surroundings. Of course, he/it had to do this exploration with the appearance of a human. It was unusual. All these different human beings, the techno-organism concluded, all in different forms of outer paraphernalia. Just like selffriends. Self never understood such habits. But then again, self was not an earthling. Self's own logic and humans' logic failed to integrate.
His/its eyes moved left and right like a lantern of a rotating lighthouse, at least as far as normal pupils could go. Very limited, but Warlock knew enough that having his/its eyes hover around his/its head would overload these humans' acceptance of self-ordained normalcy. The best the techno-organic alien could do was rotate his/its head to a limit that was safely designated normal.
From his/its perspective, Warlock's optical vision could still detect the incandescence within these humans- their lifeglow. This vigil lead to an eye pause. Upon his/its direction was a void of the glow, at the table before theirs. However, the sensors within Warlock disagreed with this void. There was a person sitting at that area, lifeglow or not.
"SELFFRIENDS!" Warlock loudly declared, getting hushing noises from Doug and Dani.
"SELF- recognizes- GESTURES- as- SOUND- depression." Warlock concluded, in an equally bombastic sound.
"Locke, don't declare it," Doug advised in whisper. "Do it."
And so Warlock spoke again, in whispered tones. "SELF- detects- ANOMALY- presence."
Both Mutants took their friend's answer at his/its word. "Where?" Dani moved closer.
"BEHIND."
Doug almost turned around to see the identity of this anomaly. But a handgrip from Dani suppressed this innocently reflexive action. "What do you mean by an anomaly?" the leader asked.
"ANOMALY- self- DEFINED- as- DEVIATE- of- LIFEGLOW."
Both Dani and Doug put their minds to this study. Somebody lacking a lifeglow was probably not a living being. So what was it, a robot or something? Dani quickly considered a tactic for further information. Suddenly, her thinking was bombarded by new thoughts.
"Now what's up with you?" asked Doug.
Dani was already in the realization of signals and ideas, none of which came from her brain. "I've got a mindflash from Rahne!" she declared like a happy scientist making a discovery. As usual, her pleased face dropped to its usual downbeat mood. "Looks like Amara's in trouble."
They all rose up and turned to the door. To their advantage, the anomaly was in their direction. It looked like a normal guy, except for the cold stares. Despite the temptation of learning more, Dani pressed forward to the greater priority, pushing her two comrades to the door. The flash of rapport thoughts had just now been cut off. Rahne was deliberately trying to hide her thoughts from her. The Cheyenne felt reason to criminate her friend. What was with that girl! Such accusations died down under Dani's own responsibility for the situation. She had to help Rahne.
"Boy, trouble must have abandonment issues with us," said Doug.
"That ain't funny, Doug." Dani's stares were at empty space. "The team's pretty much in half-power. The teach an' Betsy are missing, Sam, Bobby, and Tenchi are in jail, an' Shan's got her hands full with Luna. Now Amara's a prisoner. It might be a guess that Illyana might be in the same mess."
This enlivened Doug's faith. "Who said we were at half-power?" the boy excitedly declared.
Dani sighed, than made a weak smile. "You're gonna hafta help break Sam an' company out!"
"Leave that to me an' Locke!" Doug made a cocky pose, complete with toothy smile and a raised thumb.
"Fine Doug," Dani had a bad feeling about this. "But under my rules. One, get Tenchi's sword. Two, don't break them out. Just pick them up. I'll give them the signal. Two, get Tenchi's sword."
Doug found some disappointment in how his role had been deflated to just being transport. But a rescue was still a rescue.
Warlock shared some reluctance. "QUERY: rahne?"
"I'll find Rahne," she said. "You get Sam and look for Amara. We'll meet somehow. Get going!"
With literal push, Doug and Warlock were on their way. Now it was her turn. Furtop, she remarked to herself, you better not get yourself killed!
Dani thought of getting Brightwind. But as long as the two suns were up, her horse would make a scene. Just then, she heard Shan's voice calling to her. There were other people with her. Lina and some boy…and Ericks.
Dani toughened herself to this confrontation with the man who was secretly Vash the Stampede. "Shan, we've got a problem."
"As well," explained Shan. "Illyana and Amara have been kidnapped."
"That confirms things." Dani's experience over this news failed to dull her concern. "You're going t' help me find Rahne."
"But what about Luna?"
"I'll take care of her!" Ericks' call was almost frantic.
"I bet you would," Dani's reply had dagger-eyes. The reading of it by his own eyes caused the pupils to harden with intensity. Ericks' own breath left him. She knew!
"What do you mean by that?" Lina snappily replied to Dani's words.
Dani now stared at her. Telling this girl would be good. She then looked at Ericks, seeing his perspiration over the advantage she had. But Rahne's life gave no time for the big unmasking scene.
"We saved your life, Ericks and Lina," Dani's word was filled with a projection of rue on her target. "You owe us big time. You take care of Luna. If anythin' happens t' her, you'll answer t' me. If not, then this tyke's grandpa." He eyes grew tenser. "Believe me, you're better off dealin' with me."
Her warning had a huge effect on Ericks. He hid his eyes under the shades. Why did he keep meeting these girls?
To Lina, these were the words of a very bitchy girl. Words that made her own reaction an unpleasant one. Kite analyzed the moment with his own conclusions. "You sure meet a lot of strange people," he said to Lina's earshot.
"C'mon Shan!" Dani shouted in her departure. Luna was now in the protesting Lina's arms. Shan kissed the babe's forehead, and joined Dani in a fast pursuit.
Now there were a man and two kids and a baby. Lina chafed at the unfairness of this deal. "I don't know what to do with this kid!" Her resentment grew as the kid began to cry.
Finding it hard to bear the screams, Kite attempted a rejection. "You think I know?"
Lina now felt really cornered with the responsibility. "Ericks, can you hold him?" But Ericks seemed like he was in his own world right now. Indeed, her friend resembled a statue. As white as one too.
Sam buried his head, sitting lower than his cellmates. Tenchi sat beside him, attempting in some way to share and relieve his problem, despite the fact that he really wanted to blame him for their situation. Roberto, meanwhile, was at the corner of the cell, ruminating with a grim mouth and folded arms. His best friend was in torment over this horrible situation. But some invisible wall appeared to block his way of aid. What could he do? Say that he was the guilty one? The reluctance troubled him. Sometimes being proud meant being a jerk.
Sam's left ear felt a pulse. The micro-transmitter, ignored by the authorities, had a message. His head rising from the darkness, he listened closely to what was transmitted. A name was mentioned. It rammed him like a real cannonball. "Amara's been kidnapped! Illyana too!"
Now it was Tenchi's turn to react. He practically jumped to Sam's side. "Who did it?"
Roberto took the news with equal displeasure. "Now there is no reason we should stay here anymore."
Tenchi nodded agreeably. "So who's going to break us out?"
"Leave that to me, mes brave," Roberto smiled.
"Stop!" Sam attempted order.
Roberto glared at his best friend. "Are you kidding me?"
Sam was now himself again. "We hafta wait for a signal."
Frustration broke any self-control in Roberto. "And when is that?!" he shouted.
The transmitter in Sam's ear then made a noise his ear could only register. "Now!"
The shape of Roberto's grin was the one detectable thing after his body turned black. Muscled fingers grabbed the bars. A lean back was all it took for the wall to crack and break. He then dropped this wall to the floor. This was what Sunspot expected. What he failed to consider was the great amount of dust and debris. It flooded the cage, giving him, Sam, and Tenchi some moments of coughing. So much for the dramatic departure.
Sam now saw that a future in solitary confinement was now in sight. Better to avoid it. He grabbed both Tenchi and Sunspot and called upon his own mutant power. With the roaring sound and a bodily charge, the trio was out of the hole before the dust had settled. Unfortunately, this meant something else, as Tenchi frantically cried out. "The wall!"
Cannonball grunted in the concentration. He began to move upward, only just avoiding impact with the wall. Only just.
"Where to now?" shouted Tenchi. His answer was granted with the spotting of a craft in the sky. A very recognizable one. Arms came out of the 'craft,' grabbing the trio into him/itself. Inside, the three were greeted by Doug. "Enjoy being jailbirds?"
"Quiet you," Roberto marched to the kid. "Didn't see you visiting us. Coward."
"Shaddup, Bobby," Doug sternly replied. "As if you blowing your identity has helped you."
"At least I'm not afraid to tell anyone about who I am," Roberto flung his words like arrows.
"No time for this!" shouted Sam, taking full order. "Let's go after Amara an' Illyana!" His last sentence stressed the first girl's name, an emphasis not lost on everyone there.
"But my sword?" Tenchi pleaded.
A long hand then came to him, carrying his heirloom. "WISH- provided?"
Clasping the sword with devotion, Tenchi gave his first smile since the fight. "Yes it is. Thanks, Locke."
"As you should," added Doug. "Warlock managed to get it out without anyone noticing."
"At least not yet." Roberto made his own addition.
Doug ignored that, for the moment. "Okay, Locke: Initiate cloaking device."
A good distance away from Maurch city, there was a farm. Nearby was the owner. He was putting down his hoe, stopping for a moment's rest. The sun was soon to be gone, and there was still much work to do.
Not helping him was distractions. His four-year old son was before him, stacking some rocks together with curiosity that always resulted in delight. This removed the father's problem with the work. He couldn't help but chuckle. The boy's smile eased his heart.
"Tomas. You run along to your mother now!"
The boy did as was told, scurrying away to the house. He was at the door when heard his father's cry again. "Tomas!"
The child stopped and scurried back to his father. His young mind wondered what his father wanted from him. Could it be a gift? The idea excited him immensely. "Yes, daddy?
His father ran a pitchfork through the child's chest. He then pulled it into the air, taking the impaled child with it. In those precious seconds, the child cried. The screams lessened shortly after. His short life was now over.
And his murderer, the man who fathered him, the man who loved him as life itself, now dropped the pitchfork. He just looked at his actions, his mind going through a hundred different reasons to understand what he had just done.
Near this tragedy was a vehicle. Inside, the traveler thought with emotionless expectation. A scream was heard, the sound making the passenger smile. This father helped in bringing life to that child. But life was pain. It was only natural that the parent should prove that. Pain was the only truth.
He had a companion. It was a giant doll. Its movements were as artificial as its opening mouth, but it had a voice. "They have been located, Legato. Maurch City."
Once the jaw of this inorganic servant ended 'his' address, Legato became pleased. He hated it. Pleasure was a vice, a threat to the ideals of pain. So they have been located. More recruits for the glory of agony. The city that they inhabit will be their first test in bringing pain. If only Vash the Stampede was there. Then Legato would surely please his master. He would be granted forgiveness for so wantonly trying to spare Vash pain through the mercy of death.
There shall be no more mercy. They will live. They will feel pain.
The world of Gunsmoke had many cities and towns. Humankind was stuck here, scraping out a living in every city they made. As a result, it would unusual for any of the living centers to be empty of such life. But Magneto and Psylocke found such a place. Their ability of sight allowed them to notice this place, as their psychic abilities did not.
The conclusion that this was a ghost town did not suffice. None of the buildings presented the ravages of disrepair and abandonment. Further evidence contradicted the possibility. Would a ghost town have tables bearing cups half-filled? Would a ghost town have tattered laundry still hanging on the strings?
"This is the umpteenth town we have headed to," Betsy spoke with frustration, "only to find nothing. Where could he…they be?"
Magneto gave no reply, even though he noted Betsy's mistake in words, an error she suddenly covered up with a nonchalant air. Demeanor or not, it was apparent that she was thinking about Doug Ramsey. Magneto was not blind to his students' lives. The vast files that Charles Xavier had left to him proved minuscule compared to his personal experiences with the Mutants. He knew about the special ties the students had with others …even the ones that seemed beyond a students' crush.
If only this knowledge allowed him a clue of their whereabouts, Magneto despaired. That was a power he seriously lacked. His own psychic abilities were strong, but without mechanical help they lacked range. The accompaniment of Charles would have been able to expand his telepathic abilities all over this world, pinpointing the students quickly and accurately. Miss Braddock's power, sadly, was not equal to her predecessor.
Of course, the idea of the New Mutants or his granddaughter not being on this planet at all loomed in his thoughts. Magneto's intelligence brought many scenarios on why this could be. That they were in another place was within Illyana's ability, though Magneto was as yet unable to delve more into that student's powers, or its limitations. An ignorance that had consequences for them.
Since this spot was vacant, the next area should be the next destination. But Magneto found himself unable to move just yet. There was something attractive about this place. It was as if it had its own magnetic pull to the Master of Magnetism.
Such connection was lacking in his telepathic companion. That is not to say Betsy didn't find some value with it. Her manor had villages almost like this, the kind her parents prohibited her from visiting due to class.
Another asset was that it was so quiet. It was a soothing place for her all-too sensitive mind, not the usually busy community where thousands of loud mental voices would ram her mind with the impact of a jackhammer. Although she could take the pain, that did not mean she didn't need to go to a solitary place once and awhile. Places like the School for Gifted Youngsters, Braddock Manor were such places for that.
The nostalgia was brief. Betsy wanted to leave, and that meant contacting Magneto. She was not afraid of this man, or at least didn't show it. That meant something, considering the man's reputation. Magneto was the world's greatest threat, striving for mutant conquest over humanity. He was even tried for crimes against mankind (prosecuted, by all people, by Sir Jason Jaspers!). That fact probably made Magneto the lesser evil in her mind, but it failed to erase his dark past.
"Magneto?"
But her calls to him resulted in no answer. Magneto was now invulnerable to any outside voice. He had never been to this town before, but it was familiar to him. Some chord was struck in the Headmaster's mind. It made him remember a boy who lived in such a place. In a place like this, the boy would hear rumors of nearby towns suddenly becoming empty of people. This was fertile ground for the boy's imagination, giving him amazing reasons for these disappearances. These causes were innocent, dreams of wonder, immune to dark reality.
Magneto felt the knowledge to critique that boy's experience as being so very long ago. But the detail was vivid, despite being memories of a distant past. Magneto lacked such length. His rejuvenation to a younger man had shortened that gap, bringing a glow to the images as if they were brand new.
Sadly, the wounds had also been freshened. The silence of this area left Magneto's ears open to the sounds from his memory. He heard a pounding on a door and its subsequent destruction. Images joined in the sounds. The soldier with the angry face roaring orders of immediate departure to the boy and his family. There followed a long, crowded migration to a field filled with soldiers. Throughout this trip, the boy lacked fear. After all, God was protecting him and his family.
At that field, they came to a stop. The boy was beginning to get confused. What precisely did these soldiers wish for them? God must be working in mysterious ways.
Then came a sound of guns. The child's beliefs went to a different tune. His family, his village, his belief in God, all these fell with the consequences of the soldiers' bullets. And despite the developing magnetic shields that protected him, the boy died, his innocence buried with the corpses. A different person rose from that mass grave of bodies, the same age but older. Any happiness in his survival was brief. Awaiting him was a place called Auschwitz.
"Magneto?" a voice broke into his sensitive thoughts with merciless force.
"What is it?" Magneto threw his head to Betsy. His eyes glared cold, as if ready for a kill. Every body part tensed like a spring ready to break. Whatever Betsy had thought of Magneto beforehand paled to this. But the porcelain doll features of Betsy showed an amazing resilience to the shock. "I merely meant that we should get going."
Magneto failed to answer her words again. He moved swiftly from the woman. She presently did not exist in his view. His one priority was information. What had happened here? That was the question that now filled his thoughts. The ideas of wonder no longer worked. Religion had been gone long in his heart. In its place were more pragmatic beliefs that defined humanity better than a belief in God. Darwin, Nietzche, Wells. Their doctrines told greater truths. Natural selection. The superior species weeding out the undesirables. The strong against the weak. That was what life had taught him. A majority would always turn against anyone considered minor. Mutantkind, in a twisted paradox, was the new 'minority.' He would avenge their persecution by mankind.
But that dream was no longer his life anymore, was it? Magneto was now for Charles' dream for the coexistence between the majority and the minority. He darted through the streets. Someone had to be alive. Even if they were human, the discovery of at least one life was worth this search in Magneto's view. He threw his magnetic powers to detecting. He discovered no one. But the headmaster kept on his search.
His quest ended at the center of the place. There was a huge monument. A word was scribed upon it. Magneto felt the iron from its bloody letters. Knives.
Magneto stared at this piece for a long time. Thoughts of before were changing into new ones.
"So it is the same here," Magneto's lips spoke through a frozen face. Whether miles in time or in space, genocide still was a doctrine. Evidence? He didn't need evidence. This was enough of a testimony.
His fist began to crackle. Electrical currents bowed to the will of his hand. These currents followed his hand as it pointed to the monument. It exploded.
The great sound died off, returning a silence that exposed the footsteps of Betsy. She looked at this scene, her telepathy unable to comprehend the reasons. "What happened?" she asked.
Magneto remained silent. If this was to be the murderer's testament of his actions, then Magneto will leave him like the monument. Debris.
"I fear my students and Luna may be in great danger." No emotion was in his words.
To be continued
Author's note: I am very sorry for the long wait it took for this chapter to come. Hopefully this storyline won't go as long as Kakarrotto.
The italicized quote is from Vol. 2 of the manga Trigun by Yasuhiro Nightow.
NEXT TIME: One should be devoted to friends, even die for them, but should they let others die for them?