Author's Notes: Last chapter. My gosh! It's a little lengthy. Hope that's okay. :P
Disclaimer: Ultimate Spider-Man is not mine. Nor are any of its characters. That's Marvel's job. Any Original Characters and art you note, however, are all me. No. I'm not making money. Don't rub it in.
Chapter 30 - Animus
Danny glanced at the long brace wrapped snugly around Sam's wrist. "You awake?"
"Huh?" Sam's dark green eyes blinked slowly from the bed then fell on his blonde friend. "Y—yeah, of course," he answered, hoarse. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"You've been starring into space for the last minute."
"Oh. Well. That's morphine. My new BFF." The Hispanic flashed a smile, though it looked silly with the amount of drugs saturating his blood. Sam seemed oblivious of it, so Danny shook his head lightly, also with a smile.
"Be wary of how often you push that button, friend; your body's been denied a great amount of nutrition recently and the saline—"
Lifting a hand taped to said saline line, Sam scoffed. "I already heard this spiel from SHIELD nurses days ago. Speaking of which, shouldn't you be in a bed?"
"It's been nearly a week since I woke. Walking is good for me."
"But didn't that poison, like…rip your mind apart or something? Even if it's just across the room, I'm sure the nurses will complain. They do that."
"All was made right in my mind by Zeelan and Doctor Strange." Perhaps the Zen master spoke a little forcibly with the dark memories clouding his mind like a biting coat of ice over his skin. Still, his smile grew at his startled friend as he forced the thoughts away. "Our concern recently has been on you and the others that returned from Collier's lab."
A grim smile pulled the corner's of Sam's chapped lips downwards. "Yeah, the others. How long was I out for again?"
Danny knew just what was being asked. "When I last spoke with you, it was two days ago. Your body is terribly fatigued."
"What's happened since?"
"Well," started Danny in an analytical tone, "Peter has been discharged…he's at home now, probably attempting to keep up with the SHIELD explanation Aunt May was given. Luke's been in and out of consciousness. The Lionfish venom from Collier's mutation hit him hard, regardless of the cut's size. But he's stabilized. And Ava's still on bed rest thanks to her broken ribs."
"Bet she isn't happy—"Sam blinked his glazed eyes—"about that."
"She uses the time for homework that she's fallen behind on."
"Ah…still thinking about school…"
"Sam?" Danny leaned forward in his seat, resting an elbow against the side of Sam's hospital bed. The Hispanic's gaze focused on his feet beneath the white blankets, but there was no recognition across his tanned features. "Sam?"
"What about the refugees?" asked Sam, sudden and soft—as if he were out of line to even question them.
"You mean the ones who kidnapped you?" When his friend's dark eyes glanced at him, Danny swore he noted a tinge of regret and offence.
"Yes," the hoarse-voiced teen answered.
"They're all variable," the blonde replied with a slight grimace.
Without any acknowledgment of Danny's dislike for the group, Sam turned his eyes towards the ceiling, staring blankly. "Is that so?"
A long moment of silence passed between them. Busy nurses and various cries of medical machinery hummed behind the drawn curtain around Sam's bed; however, no matter how close any one neared, Danny couldn't focus on the outside noise.
"What's up with you, Sam?" he asked, a bit perturbed.
"I…I'm sorry…Danny." Weak, filled with emotion—the Hispanic's tone sounded so foreign that the Zen master straightened in surprise.
"What for?"
"I should've listened to you. I should've…understood sooner."
Their talk before they met Trent and Minerva. Suddenly, it filled Danny's brain with memories and he quickly pinpointed the line he had used.
"Maybe if I did that instead of pushing K—Kevin, then I could've convinced him to reason more," added Sam, miserable like the heavy Chi around him. "But…I didn't. I just pushed like I normally do. And that beat away what little hope I found in his eyes."
"You"—Danny was careful with his words—"could tell that much about him?"
As if shamed, the tanned teen lolled his head away from his friend so only part of his bruised nose could be seen. "Y—yeah. I know I was being stubborn by not wanting to work with him. Really, I was focusing on…on not breaking. On not betraying you guys. Uh, SHIELD. I—I—"
"It's okay, Sam," Danny said kindly. His hand rested on Sam's forearm in comfort and that drew the Hispanic's pained eyes his way. The unadulterated mix of emotions behind them tightened the blonde's chest like a clamp. He picked out fear, uncertainty, determination, and shame before Sam averted his gaze with a long sigh.
"It's not okay," he replied like an abashed child. "I should've tried to understand sooner. Before Thera."
"Thera?" Danny arched one of his thick brows.
A light shade of pink may have crossed the Hispanic's profile, but the florescent lights and flushed look that settled in Sam made it hard to determine. "She's part of Kevin's group," he explained stiffly. "She's the reason I…I lasted as long as I did."
"She helped you?"
Sam nodded, also stiff. "Is she up at—"
"Miss Moore! How many times must you be told?"
"You said I could see him in a few days, Nurse Joy. It's been a few days. I want to see him, so let me through!"
Alongside his teammate, Danny craned his neck as the metallic scrape of iron hooks slipped over a steel rod. Pulled aside, the curtain revealed a slender figure of red-orange hair and scales that Danny had passed once or twice in his travels around the Medical Ward. Usually, she slept like the dead. But awake, she was animated. Her bright eyes widened when they met Sam's face. Then, she drew her webbed-hands to herself sheepishly, smiling awkwardly.
"Oh," she said in a sweet voice laced with her North Dakota accent, "y—you're awake?"
"Thera," Sam whispered.
"I'm sorry, Mister Alexander," a full-figured brunette interjected. She wore gray and black scrubs with the SHIELD insignia over her right breast and attempted to reign in Thera, who twisted towards her.
"It's fine, nurse," Sam replied as Danny eyed stitched folds of skin down the nape of Thera's neck. The mutant must've sensed his eyes because she sent him a quick yet pointed look over her scaly shoulder.
"Oh, just let me visit for a bit, Ma'am," Thera pleaded.
The older woman shook her head. "The damage to your spine—"
"Was extensive; I know," added Thera, indignant. "But I'm still walking."
"Doesn't mean you should be."
"Please!"
The nurse paused under the younger female's earnest accent. For a moment, her mouth opened, but just as quickly, it clamped shut. She gave a loud sigh while closing her eyes; her sign of resignation. Thera whirled at the consent after a bright smile and approached Sam's bed in seconds. Before the nurse drew the curtain back into place, she sent Danny a look. He countered it with a weak smile and she simply shook her head as if it were no use reasoning with teenagers. She was probably right.
"Oh, I'm so glad you're alright, Sam," Thera said softly from the side. Danny faced her to find she had already stumbled—maybe due to her weakened spine or emotion. Her thin arms encased Sam's waist as she buried her face into his bare chest and her form trembled slightly.
Taken aback, Sam froze at her contact. It took a shake of his head before he collected himself enough to place a hand on her shoulder blade. His eyes, once distant, blinked into focus and landed on Thera's back along the edge of his bed. She wore loose shorts beneath her hospital gown, but no top, which left the full length of her spine exposed between the ties.
"I—I was worried Collier had—" The mutant cut herself off when Sam's eyes hardened as they studied the bubbly texture where something vital must have once grown.
"So she did take your fins," noted Sam, solemn.
Thera twitched, avoiding eye contact with the Hispanic. "Yeah…"
"Will they ever—"
"Oh, I don't know. So far, it seems to be permanent like"—her expression soured—"like my fish state…"
Sam remained quiet for a while, with Thera at his side. They both looked deep in thought over something and Danny watched them with intrigue before he found Sam's gaze.
"Hey, Danny, can I…talk to Thera? Alone."
It seemed like a strange request. Yet what reason did he have to deny it? Obviously, the two had shared something in their time together. While Danny didn't understand it now, maybe he would later. So, with a warm smile and nod, Danny stood from his seat, slipped to the other side of the curtain, and only briefly glanced back at the duo that finally met one another's eyes.
'Interesting,' the Zen master thought while closing the curtain. 'Sam seems very humbled recently. I wonder if she played any part…'
Danny took a step forward. For a moment, his eyes found his own bed across the long room. He didn't feel like lying back down, so he gathered strength into his muscles with a determined inhale and eased his way down the line of full beds in the Medical Ward.
Along the way, he passed Luke's bed. The curtain was closed around the powerhouse's area, too, which meant he was either sleeping or didn't want much company. It made sense. Luke's impervious skin meant when he did get injured, the effect weighed on him more than any normal human. Danny had spoken with him a few times since Monday, but he could clearly tell all Luke wanted was rest.
'Best I leave him alone today. Besides, there's someone else I want to visit.'
The blonde left the ward entirely. In the hall, he felt very much like a child sneaking out of their room for a late night snack. His eyes darted left and right, searching for any signs of Fury or Coulson. There were none. So—breath baited—he carefully worked his way to the next room, opening the sliding door by scanning his hand on a digital access pad. He slipped into the quiet area with great stealth and turned as the door hissed closed behind him.
Now he stood in the Tricarrier's Critical Care Ward. Members in great danger spent their time here. Danny had stayed in it recently. So did Sam. And Luke. And Peter. But they were all released to the Medical Ward within twenty-four hours, unlike a few unlucky souls from Collier's labs. Before, there had been a prior prisoner called Reality Hacks that riled up the area with his temper. But with him transferred to a private room, only the soft beats of heart monitors sounded. Too many of them for Danny's liking.
Frowning, the Martial Arts master swayed before reaching his goal near the center line of beds on the west side. The ward was shorter in length than the Medical Ward, thankfully, and Danny quickly pulled up a seat to rest his body on. Then, a sense of awkwardness settled in as his gaze found the weathered face of pale man beneath a plush comforter.
'I wish to speak with him again,' Danny thought, clenching his hands together in his lap. 'It isn't right to wake him, yet…'
"So, you came back," the man said through raspy words. His thin, shriveled lips twitched in the midst of his white beard and he laughed a little.
"Sir?" Danny's eyes softened when the man coughed.
"Daniel…Rand."
"You remember my name? When you seemed so…"
"Do you remember mine?"
The blonde blinked with mild confusion. "Yes. Emmet Weir, father of Zeelan and"—he hesitated—"Kevin."
"Good. Then you can call me Emmet. Or E."
"E? Is that a…family thing?"
Slowly, the smile grew on Emmet's face, though his eyes remained closed. "It's something"—he took a breath—"I started with the kids when they"—he hicked—"were babies."
"I see. Would it be out of the realm of possibilities if I called you Mister Weir?"
"I hate formalities."
Somehow, that didn't surprise Danny and he flashed a kind smile. "Then I would prefer Emmet."
"Thanks," Emmet whispered. "I take it…you want to talk about…my children?"
"Yes," answered the blonde wryly. "I don't mean to disturb your rest, but—have you spoken with Fury?"
Emmet remained quiet for a long time. He didn't flinch. His breath and heart monitor were soft. But then his eyes fluttered open and landed on Daniel with a look in his black irises that the blonde knew well through Z.
"Yes," he answered, forthright.
"You've spoken with Z, too."
The older man nodded the confirmation of Danny's gut feeling. "Oh, a bit," he said with a wave of pain crossing his expression. "She's still upset, though. That K left."
"You don't seem surprised," noted Danny, brows knit close.
"Oh, no, I'm not." The man drew his gaze to the ceiling with a look of utter acceptance on his flush face—as if everything about Kevin was a law of life, like gravity or motion. "He would never hear of it, but he and his mother, Sandra, are very much the same. They're both head-strong and once their mind is set, there is no changing it. Relentless in their goals, they are hard to stop. Like bulldozers…He probably sees prison as a parallel to what Sandra"—the man stopped, scoffing sadly—"I'm real sorry for all the trouble my son has brought."
"And I'm sorry he has lost his path." Danny replied in such sincerity that Emmet's eyes glistened. "It must be hard…as a father."
"Yeah, it is," Emmet managed. "And a husband. I failed them both." The Chi around the man darkened, threatening to crush him under its weight.
Danny could feel its tug in his chest and straightened his posture, forcing a grim smile. "You haven't failed completely. Zeelan…Zeelan is strong. I can tell your raising of her helped in that."
"Z." The father spoke his daughter's nickname tenderly. "She gained strength on her own; I just…handed her tools. I believe meeting you is when she finally put those tools into practice."
"Me?" A slight heat rushed over Danny's face, yet he forced it down by concentrating on his words. "I only gave her tools as well."
"And prompted her to use them."
"You think?"
"I can tell. She seems more…sure of herself. Confident. Ever since she was little, it seemed she had no direction. It's like"—his lips twitched into a grin—"this little girl stood at a fork in the road and stayed there because she couldn't decide. Because she was scared of picking the wrong one."
"And you believe she's decided now?"
"I know she has; she told me as much."
"She did?" The topic was growing quite confusing and at Emmet's knowing smile, the blonde contorted his face slightly. "Well, what did she choose?"
Zeelan studied her reflection. Usually, she wasn't the sort to stand before a mirror. Yet it seemed all she did recently was reflect on herself. There were many things to blame for that, and she could only offer a small sigh as her eyes met her own—wide and filled with a weight that turned her limbs into lead.
They traveled down her freckled body, to a purple one-piece that clung like a second skin over her toned form. Rich in color, it ended as shorts along her upper thighs and fingerless gloves at the hands. Everything in between was covered like armor, though the material felt soft, and down the sides—from beneath the armpit to the short's hem—a secondary color of pastel teal served as pop decal work.
It led her eyes to her knee-high boots, which matched the suit's primary shade. They were guarded by gold-painted knee protectors. The pads were meant to accentuate both the metallic lotus symbol over her chest as well as the Tonatiuh Ichcati Belt draped across her hips. Nothing could match the belt's grandeur, though. Or its mouth.
'It's been awfully quiet since I woke,' Z thought. She watched how the artificial light of the room danced off its opal stones. 'Then again, we did use a lot of power against Hannigan and Collier. I wonder if we'll ever use that much power again.'
It felt strange, the energy. Sort of addicting and its effect left her lightheaded, as if she were tipsy on wine. A little unsettling, perhaps. But Zeelan couldn't deny the excitement of battle or longing to know more of the belt's spirit. She frowned at the silence in her mind and poked the belt as if she could rouse it from slumber.
"Has the belt offended you in some way?"
Zeelan jumped at Danny's smooth voice behind. In an instant, her body whirled to meet the blonde then grew rigid as he studied her outfit. Yes, she noted his eyes lingered a moment on her legs and chest. She would rather not think much about it, though, and brushed off the heat in her face with a flick of wild hair as she straightened.
"It's rude to barge into a lady's room without knocking," she said, attempting and failing to sound scornful.
"I did knock," the Zen master replied easily. He stepped forward, limping a tad, until he neared a simple dresser by the door.
"I didn't hear anything."
"And your silence is why I entered; I wanted to ensure all was right." He flashed a kind smile behind his chin-length blonde hair. It was torturous how it kept oxygen from Z's lungs and she forced a shake of her head so the air could return.
"W—why are you here?" she questioned a bit forcibly. "You should still be in the Medical Ward, resting."
"We've hardly talked since your return Monday, and all you can do is scold me?" The words were meant for indignant offence. Yet spoken by Daniel they were more of a tease. His smile reigned strong across his fair features as he found a spot on Zeelan's bed and it drew her towards him, as if under a spell. Yeah, it felt more unnerving than her personable belt.
"If Fury finds you—"
"He can't keep me down forever. Besides, we must speak."
The mutant stopped two strides from the bed. "Oh?"
Danny nodded. "I met with your father not long ago."
"Papa?" Saying his name, the relief that lingered in Z over his survival neared overwhelming. And her knees weakened slightly as she licked her lips. "Wh—what for?"
"I just…wish to know him."
"That seems strange."
He knew that, right? That's why he sent another charming smile and chuckled. "Perhaps to most outside K'un-Lun it is. But I find elder adults are an indispensable wealth of knowledge."
"Well," Zeelan forced her vision on the carpet below her boots, "that makes sense…what knowledge were you looking for, exactly?"
"The kind involving you."
Such forthright behavior jerked the mutant's head upwards in surprise. That damn heat returned—much to her displeasure—and her mouth opened for reply. No sound emerged, though, so Danny added,
"He said you accepted Fury's offer."
"Well, it does come with this nice room on the Tricarrier for a time," Z said with a weak laugh.
Danny's face grew stern, darkening. "You would never be persuaded by a room."
Figures. He knew that much about her by now. And perhaps more. None of the others on his team questioned that her room was anything except temporary quarters until her father was ready for regular hospital admission. Yet Danny found a means to gain the truth—without confronting her beforehand since, honestly, she would play it off the best she could without proof. He must've known that as well…
"Zeelan, why did you agree?"
"Oh, don't get me wrong; I still dislike SHIELD," started Z, gaze locked on the carpet. "I find them a nosy bunch. And they gave my brother all the wrong pushes. However, I do admit they did one thing right."
"And what is that?"
It was like defying gravity, but the mutant drew her gaze up, meeting Danny's curious green eyes with a light smile. "They started your team." Relief, praise, amiability—all these were melted into Z's whisper. Maybe they were the reason for the fluctuations of pink and yellow in the blonde's aura. Or maybe it was something else entirely—something that roused a strange glint in his expression. "In my mind, SHIELD is a carbon copy of Fury," she added, less kindly. "But you all stood out. You're part of SHIELD, yet you aren't SHIELD. I…I want to be a part of that. I want…"
"Is that really what you want though?" asked Danny in the most pressing voice Z had ever heard from him. "Do you feel that is your path, to be a SHIELD agent?"
"No"—Z answered sharp and quick—"Not a SHIELD agent."
"Then what? You can return to civilian life now. You have no reason to feel pressured into making any other decision."
The mutant shook her head. "Just how can I return to a normal life after all this? After the kidnappings, the Uprising, the hunting, the hiding, the fighting—the idea of normalcy doesn't settle well with me anymore. Like it's a trap I'm willingly walking into. SHIELD can claim they're protecting us, but I'd rather ensure the job is getting done, personally."
"So, you've made up your mind then." Danny said this with a tinge of sorrow that complimented the pulse of black through the brown and green around him.
"I'm well-aware that it's dangerous. Papa had his protests, but I explained my reasons. This…this feels right. Helping people feels right. I"—pausing, Zeelan steeled her stance, despite the wavering emotion in her tone—"I've never felt like I had a real purpose before. I didn't know what I was meant for or what I would do with my life. As sad as it is to say, the Uprising is what led me to the answer."
"Trails can beget revelations."
"That's the truth in this case. Comforting Thera, Trent, and Mini. Striving for their safety. That's where I've never felt more needed. I admit it wasn't a constant belief, and I hated my powers. Even so…"
"You have joined for the same reason the rest of us joined then." The undeniable happiness of his words bled through his warm expression and aura like a small fire. Z willed her eyes to advert, except they wouldn't. She was left to suffer another blush that she prayed he either ignored or didn't notice as he continued. "We all desire a growth in character and skill—some more so than others. SHIELD has offered us that opportunity and now we strive for the day we will keep par with the Avengers."
"Keeping par with them isn't in my interest; I only desire others' safety, especially my family's."
Danny's warmth died a fraction under the mutant's mild glare. "I see. Like your father suspects, you plan on keeping your brother from SHIELD."
"I won't be sabotaging or anything. But if they do find him…I—I want to talk to him."
"Z, your brother—"
"Is a stubborn ass with issues like my horrid mother, I know!" She didn't mean for any rise in her voice; it just happened, like her clenched fists and tightness in her chest. "He's still my brother, though. I love him. He just needs help, he just—has to find himself again."
"That could be a long journey."
"I've endured what felt like longer ones." The mutant flashed what she thought was a smile. It was grim, however, and lasted only a moment.
"He'll still be arrested for his crime against Sam."
"I know. Sometimes that's part of journey, right?" The smile that was once grim turned genuine.
It ignited the warmth in Danny again, causing him to chuckle softly. "If you feel this is your calling, Z, then I'm glad you have found purpose."
"Oh, well, you helped a lot with it, D," replied Zeelan offhandedly. She froze when the blonde cocked his head.
"'D'?"
"S—sorry," she said with a cringe, "it's a—"
"Family thing. I know." Danny's smile grew and the yellow in his aura glowed brighter. "I don't mind the nickname."
In response, Z gave a nervous chuckle. It didn't help her nausea at all. 'Oh, God, what is wrong with me?' she thought, avoiding eye contact.
"When will you tell the others of your decision?"
To keep control over the quickened beat of her heart, Zeelan padded towards her vanity with ease. "Soon," she answered forthright. "I want to know some more information first."
"Like who your team will be?" And she was called the perceptive one.
"Exactly." The mutant's hand outstretched towards a puddle of purple fabric on the vanity and pulled it towards her as if it were weighed down with its representation. Slowly, her eyes traced the outlines of two orange-tinted lenses above a gentle arch in the mask before she glanced over her shoulder at Daniel. "I've only been told I'll be transferred to a SHIELD base in Charlotte, North Carolina."
That darkened Danny's aura like the dimming of a switch. "I guess it makes sense to spread us out."
"That doesn't mean I won't be seeing you. I'll make sure of that." Always with the mouth and the words. If her ears could feel any hotter, they would be on fire. Part of the mutant thought Danny enjoyed her fumbling like it were a game, but the stronger part of her forced the thought from her head and added, "I mean, I would like to train with you and Doctor Strange more."
"We are the best suited for such," the blonde remarked factually.
"See? Fury has to make time for it, then. Meanwhile, we could, y—you know?" Way to be explanatory, Z. Her shoulders hunched with a sudden nervousness as she stretched the mask in her hands, staring at it intently.
"Hum, I'm not quite sure I do." He said that in all seriousness. Still, it seemed like he did know and wanted to hear it anyway.
"We could exchange numbers and talk," the mutant remarked, awkward.
A gentle laugh drifted across the simple room before Danny said, "I would enjoy that, Z."
The way he said her name sent a jolt through Zeelan's heart. She didn't want to admit it did; now was a terrible time for such things. How could one organ feel so heavy in the first place? She couldn't understand, so, with a slow shake of her head, the mutant filled her mind with new thoughts that didn't steal her breath.
As she slipped the mask over her head, she imagined standing beside a new team—like the one Danny stood beside. Then, she thought of the differences she could make in her own city when she pulled the mask up. Her curly hair bushed out from its open top, yet it covered the top half of her face with firm, airy material.
"Have you decided on an alias yet?" Danny asked from the bed. His eyes peered through the tinted lenses like they were invisible.
Zeelan returned his gaze, collected. "Yes. Call me Animus."
Author's Notes: A prologue is on the way, but this is the end of "Path"! I would like to THANK all the people who REVIEWED - especially D, TheImmortalWeapon, and Happy D for getting me through the end. And Sciencegal and DuckiePray for being BETAs. Now...
I have plans to expand on this cast and universe. Ideas for future books include smaller and big plots, all of which revolve around the two couples whose seeds I planted in "Path". So, my question becomes "Should I continue?"
I really wanted a foundation for my OCs instead of throwing them in willy-nilly or acting like they were always there. I tried my best to keep in line with cannon events. I wrote the aspect of Fury searching for more teams BEFORE he outright told Spider-Man and his crew that they were a rare case in Season 3...Sorry about that. And for any who wanted a Zanny kiss, sorry again. Their relationship is still new and supposed to grow over the next books.
For a general idea, here are my summaries for two mini-books next in line -
Gravitation: 'Sam's making a quick trip to visit his family—the Guardians. He doesn't want Thera along, but when her curiosity gets the best of her, she stows away. Along the trip, she learns a little about the gravitation between Sam and the Guardians. And even a slight pull between one another.'
Vantage: 'Thanks to people like Daniel Rand-K'ai and Doctor Strange, Zeelan has a whole new vantage of life. And just when she thinks her world can't possibly tilt more off kilter, it does. Usually, Danny is the cause.'
Yes, they focus on more romantic natures than "Path". And the next big book would be -
Flight: 'When an anti-mutant terrorist group rises and old nemesis emerge, Danny and Sam are left to deal with not only touchy media and past demons, but new rivals as well. Now, jealousy is a terrible disease. Once coupled with threats against the ones they hold dear, the emotions take flight. And anything in their path is endangered. Hopefully, the collateral doesn't include the ones they wish to save…'
So, are there any who want me to continue? 'Cuz if not, I won't make it a priority. LOL Thanks again, to everyone who read and favorited "Path". Happy reading!