Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by Melinda Metz, various publishers and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Forgotten
Summary: This story is about one day, in Michael's life, in which several things events will happen. A day that he thinks no-one remembers. It will be a long time before he can forget. A day that will be a long time before anyone could forget. Michael & Isabel centered Fic, Tess & Alex friendship.
As he tuned everyone out, Michael focused all of his power on keeping his shield up. He felt himself draw power from an unknown source as his world started to flip. Angry red flames flicker in front of his hands as thick black smoke started to slowly choke him. A familiar feeling quickly made its way into his senses as a movie quote flashed thought his mind. 'Fear is the mind killer. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.'(1)"Brace for impact!" Alex screamed from behind him as Michael pushed more power into the shield. As he lifted his other hand, Michael felt his alien side spring to life as the Jeep crashed into the ground with a residing thud.
"How are we still alive?" Alex questioned as he coughed loudly against the lingering black smoke. With an air of unreality, he gently placed his palms against the ground above his head. "How's Michael holding up?" he asked urgently.
"He's… he's fine," Isabel declared but her eyes betrayed her fear. Both of her hands were lacked onto Michael's arm. "We're all going to be just fine."
"We need to get out of here before it blows," Tess stressed as she used her powers to blast off her seatbelt. She reached over and proceeded to blast Alex's seatbelt also. He sled down to the ground. "I'm caught on something. Alex, can you make it out?"
He scrambled out of the side window. When out side the smoking Jeep he took his first real breath of fresh air, before turning right around and maneuvering his torso into the open window.
"Isabel, come on," Alex instructed as he reached for her.
"No! I won't leave Michael," Isabel shrieked as she saw Tess still struggling behind her. "Get Tess out first."
"I'm still stuck!" Tess coughed.
"Isabel, go!" Michael roared. "When Izzy's out, Tess your next."
"Come on Isabel," Alex encouraged when he saw that she was extremely reluctant to leave Michael behind. "The faster you get out, the faster Michael does."
"Don't you dare leave me! You promised, Michael," Isabel hissed as him as tears streaked down her face.
"I'll be right out, Izzy. I swear," Michael reassured her as he saw Isabel slowly let him go. He saw Alex reach for her hand as she whispered softly, "Go on. I'll be right there." He felt the additional power fade away as he struggled to keep the shield intact. He turned and saw Alex drag Isabel out of the Jeep before he dived back in. 'For a human, he's certainly has stamina.'
"Come on Tess, it's your turn," Alex screeched.
"I'm stuck! Get Michael out!" Tess sobbed as she started to choke on the black smoke. Michael saw Tess force Alex away from her by using her powers. "I'll continue to work getting loose."
"How bad is it?" Michael demands as his force-field started to wear thin in places. He was unprepared for Alex to craw though his window and start to pull on him. "Alex! How bad?"
"I can't see her legs. Tess is still hanging upside down even through her seatbelt is off," Alex answered as he wrenched Michael out of the burning Jeep. Once Michael was sitting out of Jeep, the force-field quickly evaporated into nothing. 'Christ! Tess!' He could hear her chocking on the black smoke as he shoved Alex behind him. Dashing into the open slot Michael latched onto one of Tess's hands.
"Michael get out. Only one of us has to die today," Tess ordered as she attempted to pull her hand out of his tight grasp.
"That's not acceptable. No one is dieing today!" Michael hissed as he lifted his hand, offering up a silent prayer his blasted the viewable part of the Jeep in front of Tess. Within seconds she was slowly making her way towards him until she stopped. He saw the frantic look in her eyes, before he tighten his grip on her. "Alex! Pull us out!"
Michael felt Alex grip his ankles only to drop his feet altogether. "Alex?"
"Make sure you have a good grip on Tess!" Alex bellowed seconds before he felt his whole body being lifted up by an unknown power source. 'Jesus, Izzy, do you even know what you're doing?' Pain momentary blinded him as he was wrenched out of the Jeep.
"Michael?" Isabel whispered as she cradled his head. "Please tell me that you're alright. Michael?"
"Tired Izzy. I'm just tired. Did we get Tess out?" Michael asked as he slowly regained his bearings.
"Yes, she unconscious. But we're all out of the Jeep," Alex answered.
"We were attacked," Michael said as he struggled to sit up. As he examined their surroundings, he noticed that the burning Jeep was in a strange way giving them coverage. "We're vulnerable out in the open, do we have anyway of calling for help?"
"The cell phone is out of range; however we're near the 'pod-chamber.' We can take coverage there," Isabel croaked out as she held up her cell phone.
Taking a good look at her, he instantly noticed a dark brown stain on her pants near her lower abdominal. "Izzy, are you bleeding?" Michael questioned as he continued to look her over for more blood stains.
"It's just a scratch. Max will heal it once we get home," Isabel countered not wanting his undivided attention on her.
"Alright, where is this 'pod-chamber?' I for one don't like just sitting out here like it's open hunting season," Alex whispered as he glanced around him.
"It's about twenty five feet that way and fifteen feet up. If we stick close to the rocks we may get lucky and no-one will see us," Michael answered as he struggled to stand. He needed both Isabel and Alex's help to accomplish that feat. "This is ludicrous. How are we going to get up there?"
"Michael you'll lead us," Alex ordered as he lifted Tess into his arms. "And let's make this fast, people. She might be small but she's no light weight."
"Alex!" Isabel admonished softly. "You're horrible." Quickly and quietly as the group could they made their way to the chamber. At the entrance, Isabel waved her hand gaining them access to the chamber. Alex quickly scampered in with Tess. Michael entered last so that he could seal the door behind him.
"We made it," Alex whispered as he almost dropped Tess to the ground.
"I want the truth Izzy, how's that wound?" Michael asked as he stalked over to her.
"Its worst then I thought," Isabel admitted. She swayed when Michael was in arms distance causing him to help her to the ground. She didn't fight him as he took his time to inspect the wound.
"We really need Max. Is there anyway you can call him?" Alex asked.
"No, Izzy can sometimes dream-walk him, but that takes a picture. Tess can reach out to him, but she's not awake. I get to blow things up," Michael grumbled.
"You do a hell of a lot more then blow things up. We wouldn't even be here if you didn't do what-ever it was that you did," Alex snapped.
"He created a shield. I'm fine, Michael," Isabel reassured him as she placed a hand over her wound.
"You remember you're promise," Michael whispered into her ear.
"Not going anywhere," Isabel huffed before she grimaced at the pain lacing her body.
"What are we going to do now? We have… I presume that we have 'Skins' coming after us," Alex reasoned as he paced the chamber.
"We? We are not going to do anything," Michael hissed as she squared his shoulders. "I'm going to go out there and face them."
"What?" Alex gasped horrified.
"No! Please Michael. I need you to stay here with me," Isabel pleaded.
"What you need is Max," Michael contradicted. "You are bleeding internally. Tess is out for the count. No offense Alex, but you're human and they'll rip you to shreds. Besides, you don't look to hot. That leaves me."
"Michael!" Isabel screamed clearly upset.
"They have a car. We need…. no you need to be healed. Now we're the only ones who can gain access from the outside. So you're safe here," Michael stressed as his mind whispered 'for now.' Using his powers he created a short spare like stick from materials found within the pod chamber. Nodding to Alex, they walked over to the far side of the room.
"If for any odd known reason, they're able to get in, I want you to be able to defend yourself and them," Michael ordered as he placed the stick in Alex's hands.
"What do I do with this?" Alex wondered.
"You stick in their backs, right between the shoulder blades. Pull in back out and they go 'puff.' No more 'Skin.' Don't attack them directly, do it from behind," Michael instructed.
Scrutinizing both the girls, Michael's tightened his jaw. "I'll be back as soon as I can." He strode over to the door, forcing himself not to look back as he exits. 'Alex, I'm trusting you to watch out for them. Don't make me regret it,' Michael thought as he spied Ada. 'It's time to rock and roll.'
TBC !
(1) The Bene Gesserit Littainy against Fear. Pg 19 of Dune. Written by Frank Herbert.