Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Marvel characters, but I would like to claim Morgan and Argus. If you ask REAL nicely, I might let you use them. :D
Prologue
A dark figure huddled under the bridge as the rain cascaded down into the river, pressed against a large dog for warmth. The rain pounded down deafeningly on the metal sides of the expansion bridge, blown almost sideways by the fierce winds that battered the city. New York could certainly be hell.
The figure was a young girl in her early teens, dressed in a pair of ragged jeans and a sweatshirt that was far too big. Her long smoky brown hair was let down across her neck for warmth; the wind howled through her bones as her hazel eyes gazed out at the sheets of rain that blurred the lines of the cityscape as they plummeted from the heavens. She scooted closer to the massive gray dog, the son of an Irish wolfhound and a wily stray. He whined quietly as she shivered against him; she was the only person in the world he cared about. She smiled slightly, ruffling his wiry fur. "It'll be alright, Argus, the storm'll be over soon," she murmured into the dog ear, stroking him lovingly with blue tinged fingers.
She yawned widely; it was ever so comfortable in the oversized sweatshirt. Even the cold was beginning to recede. Perhaps it was time to relax and wait for the storm to blow over; there certainly wasn't anything else to do. Rubbing her eyes sleepily, she snuggled up against the massive dog for a good sleep. A sleep she would never wake up from, if someone didn't do something soon.
The curtain of water parted as two people walked under the bridge. A slim, white haired woman peered through the darkness as the winds played gently across her face. She pointed across the darkness for her companion. "There she is," Storm said, stepping across the muddy cement towards the girl, her wide cape billowing behind her as the winds whimpered for her return. Her companion followed her, scratching his face with a long finger. A laser focuser reeked havoc on delicate skin.
"Is she alive?" Cyclopes asked, catching up with Storm. The dog looked up and growled deep in the back of his throat. No human was going to touch his Girl if he had anything to say about it.
"Easy, boy," Storm said gently, reaching out a slim hand for the dog to sniff. A shot of electricity zapped him on the nose, making him leap back with a surprised bark. "Sorry," she said apologetically, rubbing her gloved hand. The great dog whimpered, his short tail firmly between his legs.
"Here, let me try," said Cyclopes, reaching out to the frightened canine. Argus sniffed it warily, then allowed the strange Man Who Smelled of Burning to stroke his head. Storm reached out to do the same, he shrank away. He wasn't quite ready to trust the Lady With Wind in Her Fingers. Storm frowned. "Don't worry, Storm, he'll get used to you in time. Come on, let's her back to Westchester. She's freezing!"
The girl stirred slightly as Cyclopes's fingers brushed her hand. "Well, she's not dead. Yet," he said grimly, rubbing her arms roughly to get the circulation going again.
"Here, let me," Storm said, conjuring the warmth of the sun to heat the girl's shivering body. "Come on, girl, wake up."
The girl stirred again, this time her eyes opening and staring wildly around. "Who…who are you?" she mumbled, her trembling lips struggling to form the words.
"We're friends," Storm said gently. "We aren't going to hurt you."
The girl nodded, murmured "Argus!" then collapsed back into Cyclopes's arms. "Alright, let's get her back to the Professor." He picked her up with a grunt; she was heavier than she looked. The dog barked angrily. Cyclopes raised an eyebrow. "This must be Argus." He sighed. "Well, come on then." The dog yipped happily as they led him back to the car, Storm keeping the rain at bay with a raised hand. He bounded over to the vehicle and proceeded to shake the muddy water from his pelt, splattering the black finish. "Don't…damn!" Cyclopes cried, laying the comatose girl across the back seat. Argus curled up next to her on the floor, knowing by the Man's Tone that he had done something Bad.
Storm laughed as Cyclopes groaned, sitting down in the driver's seat with a plunk. "Logan's gonna kill me. He just had this thing waxed."