Regina: I've done it again. Another chapter to one of my X-Men: Evolution stories. Sorry it took me so long to do this. I have managed to complete both Trial by Fire (my other Amyro fic) and Role Reversal (the fic where the X-Men and company all meet themselves from another dimension, but the catch is that they're of the opposite gender. Hilarity ensued), and have begun the sequel to Role Reversal, called Rome Reversal. I have also remembered that I have to write another chapter (or more) for Beauty and the Beast. I almost forgot that I have a wedding to plan! Aren't I forgetful?
Anyway, next chapter for In the Dreaming. Please review, visit my Amyro shrine, Burning Souls, I own nothing, yada yada yada.
In The Dreaming
Chapter Three: Trapped
"What the-"
That was the responce Logan made when every one of the Institute's students who currently attended Bayville High burst through the front doors of the Institute.
Then he saw Amara, carried in by Scott.
"What happened?!" he demanded, running to the unconscious girl.
"We don't know!" replied Kitty. "She won't wake up!"
"What?!"
"She just - collapsed!"
"What do you mean?!" asked Logan, taking Amara's limp form from Scott.
"One minute she was fine and talking, and then she just fell over," replied Tabitha. "And she hasn't woken up," she added, the concern in her voice growing with each word.
"One of you go get the Prof." ordered Logan.
"On it!" replied Kurt instantly, and before anyone could say anything, he teleported, disappearing in a puff of smoke.
"Now what?"
"Let's get her to the infirmary," ordered Logan without hesitation. "Hank and Chuck will know what to do." He began walking away in the direction of the infirmary, the students following in his wake.
X X X
"Something's not right."
"What do you mean?" John's voice asks.
"I just get this feeling," Amara replies. "I mean, I hardly know you."
John's laughter floats through the air. "But that didn't stop you."
Amara cannot help but smile. "No, it didn't."
John grasps her hand. "Come, my love. Let's dance!"
Amara does not refuse
X X X
Hank stood up suddenly when Logan, an unconscious Amara in his arms, and the crowd of students came crashing into the infirmary.
"What happened?" he asked, his glasses askew.
"We were hoping you might be able to tell us," replied Logan.
"What happened?" Hank asked again, wanting a clearer answer.
"She just collapsed at school," replied Tabitha.
"Is this because of her sleeping problem?" said Hank.
Kitty shrugged her shoulders. "We thought she was getting better."
"She was all right during class," added Tabitha. "But then this happened!".
"Put her on the bed," Hank ordered. Logan did so. "Does Professor Xavier know about this?"
"The elf went to get him," replied Logan.
"Good." Straightening his glasses, Hank began to examine Amara. It was a very brief examination, as Hank had barely looked at her when he said, "There seems to be nothing wrong with her, except she's fast asleep."
"What is wrong here?" asked a voice. Everyone turned around to see that Xavier had arrived, Ororo and Kurt at his side.
"It's Amara, Professor," replied Scott. "Something's happened."
"Indeed," replied Xavier, showing no sign of panic.
"She just collapsed at school, for no reason!"
"There is always a reason for things like this, Tabitha," Xavier replied, still sounding calm. "We just need to find out what has caused this."
"It's her illness, Professor," explained Kitty. "She's been so tired, and now she just can't take it."
Hank looked thoughtful. "That could be a possible explanation. What do you think, Professor?"
"We cannot discard any possibility," replied Xavier. "What do you think it is, Hank?"
"There seems to be nothing wrong, physically, at least. But that's what concerns me even more. It may not be a physical problem, but a mental or maybe even psychological issue. And you have more experience with that."
"Then what do we do?" asked Jean.
"I don't think there is anything we can do. Yet."
X X X
Amara is oblivious to the concern of her friends.
All she knows is the warmth and love that John gives her, and that is all she cares about.
He is all she needs, and she is all he needs in return.
She closes her eyes when she feels his hand lightly brush her cheek, almost as if he is in awe of her, and unsure whether she is real.
"What?" she asks, finally, wondering what he is thinking.
He meets her eyes. "Nothing."
"What?" she repeats, wanting to know. "What are you thinking about?"
He smiles, almost shyly. "The thing I've been thinking about all the time since I first saw it."
Amara returns his smile. "And that thing is?" she asks, even though she knows what he is talking about.
He smiles even wider. "You," he says simply, gently fingering a strand of her long dark hair.
Something flickers through her mind. Unsure of what it is, she follows the elusive thought, finally capturing it. "How did we meet?"
"What does that matter?" asks John, taking her hand.
She removes it from his grasp. She has to know. "How did we get here? How long have I been here?"
John shrugs his shoulders still smiling. "Why should that matter to us? We have everything we need right here. That is what you wanted, right, love?"
"Yes," she begins, but he cuts her off there.
"Then what's wrong? I'm here, you're here, and nothing can separate us. We will be together. Forever."
X X X
"Sorry, girl. I wish I could help you, but. . ."
"Tabitha? Are you still down here?"
Tabitha spun around on the chair she was sitting on next to Amara's bed in the infirmary. She looked at the clock. 10:18. Had the time gone by that fast?
Tabitha had been sitting next to her friend since 4:30, when Hank and Xavier had completed their examination of Amara, and had determined that there was nothing wrong with her. Physically, at least. They had gone off to discuss their theories and conduct research on possible reasons for why Amara was this way.
This meant nothing to Tabitha, of course. All she wanted was her friend to sit up and talk to her, reassure her that it was all over, and that she was all right.
"Go to bed, Tabitha," said Ororo, walking over to Tabitha and the unconscious Amara. "You need to rest."
"I know," replied Tabitha. "But I want to be here. She's my friend."
"I know," said Ororo, placing a gentle hand on Tabitha's shoulder. "But you have to understand, there is nothing you can do for her right now. Tomorrow, when you're rested, you can come back and sit with Amara. Or you can help us try and find out what is wrong with Amara. We need all the help we can get. But you'll be of no use if you cannot stay awake."
Tabitha's eyes moved to Amara lying on the bed, appearing to sleep peacefully. "She couldn't stay awake," she said blandly.
"I know. Just go to bed soon, Tabitha."
"Just a few minutes."
X X X
"John?" asks Amara, her voice tight with emotion - but not like the good things she has been feeling since she found herself in this strange place - "Tell me! I have a right to know!"
"Know what? There is nothing here you need to know."
Her blood runs cold. This is not how it is supposed to be!
"John! What's happened to you?"
"Nothing. I'm not even really here," John replies calmly.
"But then - what about me?" she asks, almost frightened.
"Oh, you're trapped here. This is your own mind, and I've been using it against you this whole time."
"I'm trapped?!" He nods, still smiling. "There is no escape. So don't even bother trying."
"So none of this was real?" she asks, almost pleading.
"It was. For a time. But the real John has gone. And he's the only one who can help you. But the thing is, he thinks this is only a dream."
And with that, 'John' transforms, becoming a blackness that threatens to engulf Amara.
But it pauses before doing so.
"No, I think I'll wait. You may be of some use yet, Amara. Goodbye."
With that, the voice vanishes, leaving Amara alone in the darkness of her own mind, a prisoner for all eternity, a cold echo of her wish to be here with John forever.
But she will not go without a fight. She still is Magma, after all, and has the power of fire with her in this battle.
And like the thing that called itself John, she transforms.
X X X
"Sorry, Amara, but I've got to go. I'll be back in the morning though." Tabitha moved to get up, but hesitated, and gave her friend's hand a reassuring squeeze. "I'll help you."
Suddenly, Amara's lifeless hand grips Tabitha's, as if in fear. Surprised, Tabitha leapt back.
"Amara?!" She reached out to touch Amara, but pulled back at the last minute.
Milliseconds before Amara's body was consumed in fire.