(Five)
Kimble was dreaming. He was feeling a most pleasant kind of love, one that didn't come with raised fists or savage tearing claws. He saw such lovely red eyes looking down on him with pure adoration and undying passion. A voice spoke to him in Siskan with a teasing Cajun lilt that made him shiver with joy. It tickled him and made him cry out with an aching sense of loss. He saw a white haired woman, a pilot who held him and gave him such wonderful blue power that didn't come with a price or make him so high he didn't know where or who he was. He saw a tall, slender, doe eyed man who looked at him with brotherly love and touched him oh, so gently. Kimble whimpered and curled up, grieving. He saw their bodies smashed and broken in a burning ruin of a stadium.
A voice whispered to him, one achingly familiar. "Time ta wakes up, Kimble. Ya gots work ta do. Been sleepin' too long, baby doll. If ya really wants that angel, ya gots ta earn it. Time ta go to work fer real. Wake up."
Father! Lakotashay wailed, her grief sharp and loud.
Kimble came awake with a gasp and found himself curled up on the bench, tangled in a blanket and drenched in a plasma fevered gel sweat. He was still quite high from Mary's plasma and he found it hard to move. The message had revived him early, he should still be lost in a stupor. Such a stupid dream, silly to think Sheyman had been there, speaking to him. He heard the sound of his Master on the phone again, co-ordinating the mules as they readied for launch. He loved the sound of his Master's voice and let it drift in and swirl around his head like a caress from the inside.
"Launch in twenty," Creed growled into the headset he had on.
Kimble rolled over, kicking off the blanket, and looked at his owner with blurred vision and contented eyes. The sound of that command was so familiar. Didn't he used to say that very thing so long ago? Kimble blinked as that thing was nagging at him again. Davis' voice came in, and he felt a shock of adrenalin when he heard his words.
"I've got a confirmation on our visitors. Wolverine, Gambit and Rogue are up behind the stage, near Gate Two. They've got some kind of cloaking devices on, but Carl was able to detect them from their body heat signatures."
"Wolverine, how very nice. We'll see how his healing factor holds up when he's a burning charcoal briquette in about twenty minutes or so." Even with his memories restored, Creed could care less what happened to his half brother. "Just in case, don't wait fer me. Launch on time, no matter what."
Creed had tossed out that last statement with a plan in mind. He would wait five more minutes then he would get Mary rolling and they would bail on out of here. Jael would have his demolished stadium and he would be dust in the wind again, his precious Siskan and his lovely Mary alongside him. He wasn't about to wait for Jael to come looking for him.
Kimble's mind was reeling. Tell me you ain't gonna sit still fer this! Zander said, speaking inside but letting Kimble feel his desire for battle. We gots ta do sumpthin' ta stop it!
Remy loves me, Kimble replied, his brain still struggling. But the Master. I cain't—!
How kin ya still defend that sick fuck after what he just did? Didn't ya see how hurt Mary wuz? If he done it that once, he'll do it again! He'll just keep usin' us ta hurt her! The guy ain't worth it! Besides, ya said you wuzn't ever gonna let nuthin' happin' ta Remy. We gots ta go!
Kimble was hopelessly torn. I don't know whats ta do!
We help Remy an' come back an' take our licks if that's whatcha still want, Zander answered, opting for compromise.
Kimble accepted it. Help me!
Zander cackled with joy. No problem.
"I'm sure they're not alone, sir," Davis continued.
"Doesn't matter. Whoever's there will be so much toast. All the better fer us."
Creed clicked off the phone just before Kimble slammed into him, smashing his head into the large computer screen in front of him. There was a sickening crunch as Creed's skull smashed and cracked from the impact. Too late, Zander had come out on the command to defend those the Lover once considered to be his friends. Creed reeled back as blood gushed from his gaping head wound, but Zander had already flown to the back of the truck, wasting precious time as he tried to figure out how to open the locked door.
Creed struggled to comprehend what had just happened to him. The injury was already healing thanks to his mutation, but he was dazed. Why had Kimble done that?
"Hey!" Creed growled savagely. "What the fuck!"
The pilot turned to face him, his hands fisted and glowing orange with an eery power that gave Creed a little pause. This was a little too much like how Kimble had been right before Seamus got blown to bits, not a good sign. The only thing missing was the sword.
The pilot swayed unsteadily at the back of the truck. Kimble's eyes were still half open and not really focused. He was still high from the plasma, but he had a job to do now. "I won't letcha hurts them," he threatened his Master in Zander's low growl.
Creed swallowed, praying that wasn't who he thought it was. "Who're ya talkin' about?"
"Remy, Seth, an' my Fallen. I won't let ya hurt thems. Don't try ta follow me or I'll kills ya," Zander ordered.
Creed was blasted by a jealousy white hot and burning. Kimble was supposed to be his. He would tolerate no other competitors. "Get yer ass back on that bench! I order you!" he blurted out, blood flying from his mouth. His head was one huge agony, but the bone was almost healed and itching like mad.
Zander responded by sending out a huge telekinetic burst at the rear door, ripping off the back of the truck and toppling Creed down on his ass. The Punisher had no time to argue with Creed, he had to warn Remy and get him out of the stadium. He had to get to a phone! Now liberated, he flew unsteadily out in a street filled with traffic, trying to gain some altitude.
Zander swerved in panic when he saw all the vehicles but next screamed as an oncoming truck struck his dangling legs, sending hot slivers of pain up from his feet. The impact had torn him badly, actually ripping both feet from his ankles. Zander tumbled in mid-air and howled with an agonized sob from the pain. Grey fluid gushed from him in a torrent, the injury a serious one. He thought for sure he was going to bleed out but watched in numb horror as the grey and orange gel that poured free from his ankles next formed into ropes and balled up under him, recreating his feet as white lumpy ruins. Lumpy ruins that were covered in ugly, dark bruises. The fact that Mary had charged him so high before saved his life. All of this took only seconds but it felt like hours, the agony was so great.
Let me takes the pain! 'Shay shouted at him. She yanked on him for control but Zander wouldn't give it to her. Not just yet.
You cain't fights! This ain't done yet, not by a long shot!
Creed grabbed a headset radio and pounced from the back of the van. Kimble was still close so he snatched at him as he sank down to shoulder height after being hit by the truck. He had been just as startled by the miraculous repair as Zander had been, but he was glad for it. He was upset about Kimble's attack but only wanted to get him back into the van where he could beat some sense into him. He wasn't worried that Kimble might die, he was counting on Mary to be there to fix him. He didn't understand why Kimble was acting this way, but wasn't about to let him go. It had to be that stupid plasma shit making him crazy.
Zander yanked away from his Master's grasp and heard a soft purring sound as Creed's claws ripped through his shirt, shredding one side of it. The Punisher strained and flew as hard as his pain would allow. He was fast, but was losing height. Bullets whizzed by him as Creed raised his gun and began firing.
Sabretooth was an exceptional talent, he could run and shoot with remarkable accuracy. He wasn't aiming to kill, he wanted to take Kimble down easy. He wouldn't hurt his lover, not like that. Too much had passed between them. At the same time he was screaming into the headset, demanding that Mary follow him. Of course she wasn't answering, she was no longer there. Creed's rage increased as he began to run out of bullets, the pilot was still moving and not slowing down in spite of being injured.
Zander was barely able to deflect the shots fired at him with a weak shield. The pain was making it hard for him to concentrate and he had lost a lot of power from the repair, such as it was. Some of the bullets ripped through his shirt and hit him, but had no real speed from the shield. They only bruised him without breaking his skin. People screamed and dodged out of the way. Zander had no time for this. He had to get away. Had to get to a phone.
He swerved down an alley in an attempt to lose Creed. It was a wasted effort, Sabretooth was a hunter by trade and by nature. Victor tossed his empty gun, caught up with Kimble easily enough and snatched at the Siskan again. He caught his prey, once more snagging the soft leather of his shirt. He used the garment to slam his disobedient servant into the bricks of the building.
This's familiar, Zander thought wryly as his back collided painfully with the wall, bruising the fragile structures of his wings. He saw a flashback of Logan's face and his rage strengthened his will. The Punisher snarled in frustration and used his power to shove Creed back. It became a battle of wills as they pushed against each other.
"Where're ya goin', Kim? Huh? Quit this shit an' come back with me!" Sabretooth howled in his fury. He was still amazed this was happening at all. He had figured Kimble was tamed and completely under submission.
"Lemmie go! I won't let you kill them, I cain't!" Kimble blurted out, popping out for a moment. It wouldn't last. The pain in his feet was horrible.
"What'd those X-guys ever do fer you anyways, huh? Did they ever love you like I do!" Creed blurted out without thinking. He was stunned by his own words. He had never told anyone he loved them.
The Lover trembled, recognizing Creed's words for what they were. He cried out in frustration and pain. "Tells me ya won' kill Remy an I'll go back with you!" he wailed as the tears ran down his face. "Please!"
"I can't stop it, it's too late," Creed lied. He didn't like what he was hearing here. He didn't want Kimble's loyalty shared with anyone, especially not with Gambit. Not that loser thief.
The Lover saw his lie and Creed knew he had made a terrible mistake.
"Fuck you!" the Punisher snarled, regaining control as a surge of furious hatred for the Master swelled up inside the Lover. The Punisher would continue on his rescue mission. He wouldn't fail. He gave up on shoving Creed back, realizing it wasn't going to work. He bowed his head and became intangible, using up more precious power.
Victor was still shoving and his momentum pushed him through Zander's now vaporous body. He reeled first from the shocking cold of Kimble's inner core passing through him, but was next assaulted by a bright flash of thoughts - My feets hurt so bad! The Master don't really love me! If he did, he would do this fer me! He wouldn't kill my Remy, my Fallen, my brother! My feets hurt so bad! I hates him! I hates him fer lyin' ta me! My feets hurt! They's hurtin' me so bad! I hates him! I hates the Master! He used a belt on me after he beat me already! After I said I wuz sorry! After I said I loved him! It hurt so bad just like my feets hurt so bad! It hurts! It hurts so bad!
Creed hit the brick wall painfully, shivering and still grasping Kimble's ripped up shirt. He howled in bewildered rage, not understanding what had just happened. He swerved and slashed out with his claws, his confusion making him reckless.
Zander was tired, but managed to keep himself far enough away from Sabertooth's deadly hands. He flew up high, helping himself aloft by using a series of fire escapes to heave himself up.
Sabretooth gave chase and followed him quickly. It was sinking in what had happened. He'd had a blast of Kimble's poor tortured thoughts. His toy was freaking out. All he had to do was get him back to the truck. If he could do that, everything would be fine. The pilot was slowing down, making it easier.
The Punisher was tired. It was all he could do to stay in control. He didn't think Kimble or 'Shay could finish this so he would just have to keep moving and bite back the pain. He knew he wasn't going to make it up to the top so he gave up and dropped down, using his meager power to line up with Creed who was just below him. He caught the bigger man by the throat and tore him away from the fire escape. He used as much strength and telekinesis as he could muster to throw Creed into the brick wall of the next building.
Creed howled in rage and disappointment as he slammed into the wall. He couldn't fly so he fell quickly, reaching out with his hands to the nearest fire escape, but he was too far away. Victor fell all five stories to the alley below, smashing his head on a dumpster there with a sickening thud. He landed in a broken heap, but Kimble knew his reprieve was only temporary. Creed's healing factor would have him on his feet soon enough, his Master's quick recovery in the control truck had been proof of that.
Zander dropped down to the alley, exhausted, and grabbed Kimble's leather shirt and pants in a daze. He dressed awkwardly, doing his best not to topple over. He was in a lot of pain and not too steady. He put the shirt on, tucking his wings under it as much as possible, and started to stagger back out onto the sidewalk.
The collar! Gots ta have the collar! Kimble insisted, some part of him not wanting to admit his ownership from Creed was over.
"Ya don't needs it, Kim. Not no more," Zander said, his voice tired and sad.
Please! I wants it!
Zander didn't argue. He picked up the collar and fumbled with it, locking it in place around their neck. He was in so much pain now, he couldn't think so well anymore.
I'll takes yer pain, Lakotashay offered.
Zander nodded and finally let her have control. He fell back into the circle of light. Kimble was balled up in his chains, sobbing now that Zander had done as he had asked. He had been betrayed by the Master and wanted only to cry out his misery.
Lakotashay loved pain, but this agony was very real. She couldn't put the full weight of the body down and make it look right so she hovered just above the ground, trying to act naturally. She fussed with her hair, smoothing it out and trying to cover the lump of their wings. She briskly made her way down two city blocks before she saw a payphone and ran for it. They had no time.
Nots the phone! Kimble howled now in turmoil, reviving some at the thought of it. He felt ghostly pains from the savage whipping course right through him and he trembled violently and sobbed, blubbering in his chains.
Zander shivered as he felt the infant pilot child shift inside the circle of light. This new one had been roused from the Lover's agony and sense of impending doom. He peeked out from under his blanket and cried, We done a bad thing! Cain't use no phone. 'S bad! 'Gainst the rules!
"We gots ta do this, whoever you are. I kin do it. It'll be okay," 'Shay said to him, being very brave. The child made her nervous, he was an unknown entity with a surprisingly loud voice. He was growing stronger.
'Shay grabbed at the phone and punched in Gambit's cell phone number. There was a whine and a tinny voice demanded money. She scowled in anger, she didn't have any. Quickly now she scanned the instructions on how to use this miserable device, all the while trying to tune out the loud complaints from both Kimble and the new guy. Both were clambering loudly in protest of her doing this task. She was unafraid, perhaps they would get another lovely beating out of it if the Master caught them.
'Shay needed money. She was clever enough to figure out the box in front of them and Zander was all too willing to let her use the power to work the lock on the change bin at the bottom. The shiny metal door fell open and a sea of tiny coins spilled out at her poor, bruised feet. She grabbed at them and dumped them into the slot, dialing quickly.