The New Exiles
By The Uncanny R-Man And Agent-G
Shout Outs-Episodic: Things will get better and worse in upcoming chapters. And I hear ya on all fronts, DBZ is great and yeah that pissed me off with TJ too. Keep in mind that this TJ is found in the Uncanny New Mutants in the Uncanny Universe written by The Uncanny R-Man, so please read up on that so you know what's going on.
Ruby631: Sorry for that but you got to admit it got your attention. Glad you liked the April/Dare and August bits. Wow, sounds intense I look forward to reading it.
Gypsy: I'm glad you like the story, I got other plans for Thunderbird though.
Booyah: Yeah I came up with the name and it wasn't until Jak 3 came out that it must have been where the name came from. I might do one with them, I'm not sure but I might try sometime.
Red Witch: Yep she's up next, happy holidays to you too.
The Complex-
The team's mood had somewhat improved after their battle with the Darksider, the fact that everybody seemed to find comfort in the arms of others didn't hurt any.
Most of the team were sitting in the rec room, just chilling out. Seeing that Guardian was still recovering from his brush with the Dark Circle, the team wasn't being sent out on any missions and several of them were out on dates. Dare and April were visiting Dare's reality (1) while Jono and Erotica were over at her apartment.
Blink was snuggled up to Vince on the sofa and had her head lain on his shoulder while Vince had his arm around her waist. August had her head lain on Kurt's knee while she sat on the floor in-between his legs. Rahne was sitting on Morph's lap while the shape shifter idly played with her hair. James was sitting in a comfy chair while Heather was positioned on the arm.
"Have any of you guys got any idea what's up with Guardian?" Morph asked.
"What, apart form almost being killed by one of those Dark Circle guys?" August replied.
"It just seems that he's locked himself in the med bay with T-Bird again." Morph said.
"Perhaps he's tryin' tae revive yuir friend again." Rahne replied.
"I agree with Morph." Vince added. "Guardian's never been in the med bay for this long either."
"I only wish he'd ask for help." Heather piped up. "I know that putting souls and stuff back into bodies isn't my area of expertise but I feel kinda useless just sitting here."
"I think we'd better go talk to Guardian." Blink added. "You never know, he might need or help."
The other Exiles gave their assent and followed Blink to the med bay.
The med bay-Just as the Exiles reached the med bay, the doors swished open and Guardian strode out with a purposeful expression on his face.
"Morph, Blink, I have a mission for you." Guardian said as he saw the team approach. "I need you to bring Nocturne here."
"Does this have anything to do with the fact that you've locked yourself in the med bay with only a holographic doctor for company?" Morph asked.
Guardian's face stayed serious as he answered Morph. "I have exhausted all other methods or reuniting Thunderbird's soul with his body and now it is time to bring in some outside help."
"Let me guess.' Heather said. 'You want TJ to possess him, right?"
"Yes, I do." Guardian replied. "There is a fair chance that once Nocturne possesses Thunderbird's body, we will be able to get a trace on his soul or it might be drawn back to it."
"Not that I'm ungrateful or anything." August said. "But why only Morph and Blink?"
"Because they are the people that have known Nocturne for the longest." Guardian replied. "It was not meant to undermine your usefulness, I merely thought that it would cause Nocturne less pain if Morph and Blink broke the news to her."
"Well, I guess that means that we've got an appointment with a teleporter." Morph said. "Let's go grab us a fuzzy chick!"
Reality 616.5 (aka, the URM-Verse)-It was a quiet morning in the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning. So quiet in fact that most of the faculty members were still in bed. Two faculty members that weren't asleep however were Talia Josephine Wagner and Rachel Grey, the former Exile Nocturne and the X-Woman Marvel Girl.
Rachel laced her arms around TJ's waist as the fuzzy blue woman fried some eggs for breakfast.
"Rachel, do you mind?" TJ asked as she playfully swatted at her girlfriend with her spatula. "As much as I'd like a nice grope, I'm busy with these eggs."
"Aww, but I want smoochies." Rachel pouted as she nibbled on TJ's ear. "And those eggs aren't helping either, looking like miniature boobs and all…"
"You really have no shame, you know that?" TJ replied. "What if a student walked in and saw us making out?"
Rachel just muttered under her breath and grabbed a carton of juice form the fridge. "You're enough to make a girl go heterosexual." Rachel pouted.
"Don't tell me I have to fight somebody for your honour." TJ replied. "Cuz as much fun as that would be, I'm not big on the butch."
"Hey, don't make any exceptions on our account." Morph added.
TJ spun around with a yelp and goggled at he former teammates.
"Clarice, Morph!" TJ gasped. "You guys almost gave me a heart attack!"
"It's great to see you again TJ." Blink grinned as she gave TJ a big hug.
"Same here." TJ replied as she returned the hug.
"I'm having some of this!" Morph grinned as he joined in on the hug. "What about you Ray, you in on this?" He asked the red headed telepath.
"No thanks." Rachel replied just smiling at the scene. "I'll just cop a feel in the showers."
"Why are you guys here anyway?" TJ asked. "I hope nothing's wrong…"
"Perhaps you'd better take a seat." Blink replied to her old friend with a serious expression on her face TJ did as she was told and pulled up a chair beside Rachel.
"It's about Thunderbird…" Clarice began.
TJ's face fell as soon as she heard the name of her former lover.
"Guardian found his body." Blink continued. "He's in pretty much the same state as he was in the Skrull world. His body's fine, as well as his brain, all that we need to find now is his soul. That's where you come in."
"Guardian wants you to possess him and try and find it." Morph added.
TJ bit her lip as she thought this over. On one hand, she loved Thunderbird and even conceived a child with him but on the other, she now loved Rachel. What if the plan was successful, where would that leave her relationship with Rachel? Then again, trying to bring Thunderbird back would be the right thing to do, no matter what her feelings were.
"Okay, I'll do it." TJ nodded. "As long as it's the right thing to do. But on one condition…"
"Anything." Blink replied.
"I want Rachel to come with me." TJ replied. "I might need someone to boost my powers."
"But sweetie, I know you have history with this guy." Rachel said. "I don't want to barge in on your private stuff."
"If we're going to make a go of this relationship, we're going to have to be open about this." TJ replied honestly and took her hand. She also would need her there for support because this was going to be hard no matter what.
"Okay, I'm in too." Rachel nodded.
Without further ado, Blink tapped the controls of the recall device and teleported them all back to the Complex.
Complex-They ended up in the Teleporter room and both TJ and Rachel's jaws dropped at the huge white room. "What the hell?" Rachel said looking around, TJ nodded in agreement.
"Hey this is nothing wait till you see the rest of this place." Morph said with a smirk. They led them through the large double sliding doors and both women were in awe at the sight of the halls.
"Where are we?" TJ asked Blink looking around the place with wide eyes.
Blink smirked, knowing full well how she reacted when she first saw this place, and she was going to really enjoy this. "This is the Complex our base of operations and our home."
"Base of operations and home?!" This shocked TJ. "You mean you all live here? Permanently?"
"Yep, no more constant moving around, staying in hotels and stuff for us." Blink said to her friend.
"Damn…I wish we worked for him then that little Timebroker bastard." She said darkly. Ever since she learned from them that Timebroker had been using them for not too pretty means she had been angry for an entire day after they left. Being used and after all that they had gone through…all that she had gone through…she just wished she could ring the little creeps neck. She had been taken from her home, did some pretty unsavoury things, force to kill, left her lover behind, lost her child, was tortured in Mojo World…yes, she had suffered greatly under Timebroker.
"Hey guys, welcome back." Heather and other greeted them. She hugged TJ glad to see her. "Nice to see you again."
"You too girlfriend." TJ said happily then notice the handsome man next to her with short dark hair. "Who's this?"
Heather wrapped her arm around his waist. "This is James, my husband." TJ gave a small scream of joy and hugged her friend again, she was so happy that Heather was finally met her husband.
"Kurt!? August!?" Rachel said surprised to see her teammates here.
"Sorry." August told her. "Different August and Kurt."
"Really? Wow…our Kurt and August are together too in our reality."
"Really?" August's eyes lit up at that. "That's great, I guess this means more then one of us worked out huh?"
Kurt smiled at her and took her hand. "Ja, I guess that's right. I like the fact that we are together in more then one reality."
Vince wrapped his arm around Blink's waist also and they shared a small kiss. TJ saw this and looked between the two a small smile forming on her lips. "What's all this then?"
"Oh, um…this is Vincent…my boyfriend." Blink said blushing a little.
"Well I'm glad you found someone." TJ said taking her friend's hand, when she last saw her Blink had been devastated by Cal leaving and she was worried about her. At least now she knew not to worry, and he seemed like a nice enough fellow. He had this serious expression on his face and his eyes were a little hardened then normal but he had this kindness about him also.
Kind of a 'I'll be your friend but piss me off and I'll kick your ass in a bad way' type of vibe to him too, definitely the kind of guy you would want watching your back.
"RAHNE? Is that you!?" Rachel nearly screamed out seeing Rahne Sinclair only in the garments that she only saw on Selene of the Hellfire Club. At least when she was still evil, lately though she had changed. (2) TJ saw this too and seeing her friend dressed like that, was so far a bigger shock then anything else she had seen. She never figured sweet innocent Rahne (even though her current biker-chick look was different) had a dominatrix side to her.
"Hello." She purred out and took Morph's arm and nibbled on his ear a little and looked at the two new women. "Oh and in case ye were wonderin' why I'm dressed like this, tis because I'm the Black Queen of the Hellfire Club, but nae worry, I'm not evil."
"No she isn't." Morph said and then grinned at her. "But she's also a very bad girl when she wants to be."
"Ye know it lover."
"Okay…this is weird." TJ said in utter shock staring at this new Rahne. She was contemplating to tell her Rahne about his encounter or not.
"So is this all the Exiles?" Rachel asked them as they made their way through the large hallways.
"Nope." Morph said as they went on. "April and Dare are off together and Jono is out with his girl in Haven City."
"Wait, Jono? As in Chamber?" Rachel asked.
"Oh yeah, and get this." Morph said. "He's got a full mouth now and has a little telepathy too." Rachel just shook her head. This alternate reality stuff was a real trip. They then walked into the large and very advanced looking medical ward.
"Oh you've got to be kidding me!" TJ said seeing the Doc there with a PADD of his own. "Please tell me I'm not seeing the guy from Voyager here."
"He's based off of that Federation program but I made a few improvements." They turned to see Guardian walk out of the next room and he walked up to TJ. "I'm glad that you're here, I know this can't be easy for you."
She nodded her head. "Thanks, but I owe him to try at least."
Guardian nodded and gestured to the door. They all travelled through the small hallway and when TJ saw Thunderbird in the bed she gasped. She had given up hope of ever seeing him again. She remembered how she had cried herself to sleep for nights after they were forced to leave him behind and the hole in her life that only Rachel had filled. She had only loved three people in her life. John's brother in her own reality who was long gone, John Proudstar laying in that bed, and Rachel standing at her side.
She hadn't been sure but looking at him now…she knew…she still loved him, but she also loved Rachel and ever since her friends had told her about this, she had been worried about what would happened if this worked? Could she just leave him after everything they had shared? Could she tell him about how she lost their baby? Could she just leave Rachel? The thing was she didn't know.
She felt a hand on her shoulder and thought it was Rachel or Blink but it was Guardian instead. So far she had a good opinion of this man, he had given her old team a home, taken care of one of their fallen and gave them hope. She had seen they way the others were, they seemed to have a fire in them they never had before like they believed in what they did.
But looking into those brown eyes she saw more then just a man. His eyes were old, almost ancient and there was much pain, and sadness in them. But she also saw a deep understanding, like he could see right into her soul. "I know this is hard, and I'll understand if you can't do this."
"No…I have to…I owe it to him." She told him with a quiet yet strong voice. He nodded and he set up a few poles with strange orbs on them. He explained how they were actually a mixture of science and sorcery, most of it went over her head but she was just only half paying attention, she kept her focus on John's body.
Rachel was watching her lover and knew this was hard for her. A part of her hoped this worked but she was ashamed to admit even just to herself that there was a part that didn't want this to work. She knew that a part of TJ would always love him, but it was the fact that if he woke up she might stay with him that frightened her the most.
"Are you ready?" Guardian asked her and TJ nodded. She placed a hand on Thunderbird's chest and then entered his body.
At first nothing happened then Thunderbird's eyes opened. "TJ?" Guardian asked her.
"Y-yes…it's…hard to move…" The arm rose up then dropped. He quickly looked a the monitors checking to see any changes he saw TJ's brainwaves and a few other things but other functions weren't working. He activated the devices and after a few minutes as TJ tried to move the body more and more Guardian looked grim.
"Are you feeling anything different then you normally would?"
She thought about it. "Yes…it feels…empty, hollow."
Guardian sighed and looked to Rachel. "I might need your help. Please place a hand on the forehead and concentrate with your full abilities, I'll take it from there."
Rachel nodded and did just that. The sign of the Phoenix glowed on her face as she increased the power and Guardian's eyes glowed blue and he placed his own hand on top of hers. For a minute Rachel caught a glimpse of his power and what it was like to be him in that moment. She saw the universe in ways that she couldn't understand, that were beyond her. It was vast and full of wonders, and she felt a great connection to all things.
In short it was amazing and then it was gone. She blinked and she found herself back in the room and Guardian with a sad look on his face. "I've failed." He simply said and sat down, weary from the strain.
TJ heard that and left the body and looked down at the large form in regret and sadness. The room was silent and everyone knew that it might have been a long shot but one by one everyone left the room in silence and left TJ at the bedside alone.
TJ held his hand and shut her eyes as tears started to fall. "I'm sorry." She simply said they were the only words she could say that made any sense. Sorry for failing, for leaving him, for losing their child, for not being there for him…just…sorry. One little word yet it said all that she felt at the moment.
After a moment she felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up at Guardian. He gave here a look of understanding and she stood up and took one last look at his sleeping form and walked over to him and gave him a gentle kiss on his lips. "Goodbye." She whispered to him. She didn't know why but she felt she would never see him again, it was a feeling but at least this time, she got the chance to say it.
He held her close as they walked into the hallway and when they entered the medical room see saw Rachel there and hugged her close. Everyone left the couple a few minutes alone, as TJ just wanted to be held to be comforted. This had been harder then TJ thought it would be and was glad to still have Rachel in her life.
After a moment TJ composed herself and they spent the time talking to Blink and the others catching up on lost times. It was good for TJ to meet her old friends and to make new ones and was glad the Exiles were in good hands. But soon things had to come to a close and they knew the others would be wondering where they were so they had to say their goodbyes in the teleportation room.
TJ hugged them all and especially Blink last. "Take care Clarice, and of the others."
"Don't worry I will."
They stepped onto the pad and Guardian set the controls but stepped up to them. "Do you ladies mind if I go? I want to set something up in your room for you."
TJ and Rachel gave confused looks. "Set up what?"
He only gave a small knowing smile. "Oh, I think you'll like this."
"Well…" TJ looked to Rachel who shrugged. "Alright then." He smiled and stepped onto the pad and soon they appeared back in the kitchen. "Man…this is smoother then how we used to do it."
"I like to take a little pride in my work." He told them. "So…can you show me where I can set things up?"
"Sure this way." Rachel led him off and the trio came across a few students who just ignored the man in black and they went on their way until they came across Kitty and Piotr.
"GUYS!" Kitty cried out running up to them. "What's going on? You two were gone for hours, Scott and the others were going out of their minds when Emma couldn't find you with Cerebro."
"They were a little…out of range." Guardian said with an amused smile.
Kitty looked at him in confusion. "Who are you?"
He bowed. "A friend my lady." He took her hand and kissed the palm. "It is a pleasure to meet you Miss Pryde." She blushed a little and Piotr got a little over protective of his girlfriend stepping forward but Guardian raised up a hand. "Don't worry, I was just giving your lady a compliment and an honoured greeting, you have nothing to fear from me, I know you hold her heart as she does yours."
'Charmer isn't he?' Rachel sent to TJ who gave a small amused snort.
Piotr then looked curiously at Guardian. "Do I…know you? You seem familiar."
He just smiled. "Maybe we have met, I do get around." They continued on to TJ and Rachel's room and it was still in a mess from that morning. He looked around with an amused look on his face and saw a little embarrassment on the two girls. "Well…I have seen worse places."
"That's nice to know." Rachel said.
"Of course I've also seen Hell and battle fields too so take that into account." He told them, he reached in with to his travel pouch and pulled a small capsule with a button on top. He pressed the button and threw it in the centre of the room and in a buff of smoke a large white metallic crate of some kind was now there.
"What the!?" TJ said with an open mouth, Rachel was just as shocked.
He only grinned at them. "Some little technology that I pick up from an alternate reality from a place called Capsule Corp." (3)
He then opened the top and pulled out was looked like a clear glass square with some kind of equipment around it. He placed it onto the wall and it stuck there. "This is a dimensional viewer, with this you can contact the Exiles so can keep in touch. Think of it like a interdimensional phone."
"Cool." Rachel said looking it over and saw a small control panel. They listened as he explained it and set it to only work for TJ and her, but he had one last gift for TJ. Put made the crate go back into its capsule form and put it away and pulled out a recall device and handed it to TJ.
"In case you want to visit or to go home."
"Home?" TJ asked confused with the small device in her hands.
"Yes, I figure you would like to visit your real father and your old friends now and then." He said and smiled as her eyes lit up. TJ had given up ever seeing her home dimension again even through she had a life here it was nice to be able to see her original home again. She hugged Guardian tightly. The entire day was an emotional roller coaster for her full of ups and downs but this was something she had dreamed of for over a year.
"Thank you." TJ said wiping away her tears of joy.
"It's what I do." He said simply and activated his own recall device and vanished.
"Nice guy." Rachel said to her.
She nodded. "Yeah…I'm glad the Exiles have someone like him, and I hope he can help John too."
Rachel hugged her close. "I'm sure of it." TJ smiled and kissed her lover on the lips then hugged her close. At the end of the day this was where she was glad to be.
UP NEXT CHAPTER 24: WEAPON X VS THE EXILES
All under The Uncanny R-Man's account:
(1)- See 'The Adventures of Dare and April' fordetails.
(2)– See 'The Uncanny Couple' for Details
(3) – Dragonball Z reference