ACT 1: EAGLE CLAWS

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Kitty opened her eyes and found herself surrounded by a dense forest. Von gestured her to follow with a white gloved hand, his yellow eyes glimmering in the darkness, one hand holding the same cylinder device, only glowing now, to lead the way. With a laden heart, she followed the little man as tears rolled down her cheeks. She sniffed, wiping tears away with her hands.

Von stopped in his tracks and gazed at her with a pitiful expression. He pressed his hands together and stared at the ground.

"You're friend was unwise," he mentioned, fidgeting with his trench coat, clearly unsure of what to say to a crying woman.

"He's not my friend," Kitty blurted, eyes narrowing at her new companion.

She sat on a large rock nearby, pinching the bridge of her nose to prevent an imminent headache. She did not understand why she would waste precious tears on a mutant that persistently tried to kill the X-Men in the past. However, Pietro had returned to her when she was alone in this foreign world and she couldn't let the Triangle Organisation eliminate him. She needed him to be alive since he was the being she could connect to at this moment. Despite his selfish and arrogant demeanour, Pietro proved that he had a genuine side to him. Perhaps he wanted to distract Duce and the other cronies so that she had time to escape?

Von sat cross legged before her, shaking his head in sympathy.

"Listen," he started, eyes focusing on her bust rather than her face, "There's no point getting upset over this. Your friend is probably dead now so you must stay strong."

Kitty gasped, biting her bottom lip. She raised a hand, ready to smack Von across the face but decided it was not worth it. It was clear that this man understood little about social etiquette.

Von, sensing her sudden hostility, stood up nervously and asked her to continue following him. She complied. She had no idea how Von managed to zap her to this foreign place. After all, this was the twenty-sixth century. Modern technology must have advanced rapidly during the five hundred year gap.

"Where are we going anyway?" Kitty asked, curious to know more about her current time.

"To the Eagle Claws hideout," Von answered. He suddenly stopped in his tracks, hand clutching his cylindrical torch, voice now trembling, "You're not part of the Red Insurgents, are you?"

"What's that?" she cocked her head to the side, sensing the fear in that emanated from the little man. The latter sighed in relief and continued walking.

"You see, the Red Insurgents are not too fond of us for meddling with their affairs. Ace told the press that he won't spare any Eagle Claws, regardless of the fact that we are also mutants," the white clad man resumed his explanation, now pushing through large, stocky plants.

Kitty phased through the giant plants without any effort while Von struggled with every push due to his short height.

"So you're a mutant too?"

"Oh, have you not noticed, my dear?" Von faced her again, yellow irises meeting deep blue, "I'm sorry I have not mentioned before. My powers are to do with organic master. If you ever require a bigger bust …I will be happy to assist you."

He ended his sentence with the infamous wide grin that triggers shivers down Kitty's spine.

"Like, I'll pass," she muttered, waving a hand in the air to dismiss his offer.

Von's grin flipped upside down and he appeared indisputably upset at her denial. He resumed walking. They encountered more giant plants along the way. When Kitty heard the sound of roaring water, he blindfolded her and told her to wait, taking the opportunity to pinch the side of her waist. She grimaced, swearing to herself that she'd pounce on the little man once he removed the blindfold.

At that point, Von held her hand. She tripped a few times over their now rocky path (and sometimes because she couldn't keep up with Von's pattering stride). A deep sound of moving rocks followed, screeching against Kitty's ears due to the heavy friction. A gust of cold wind blew her front bangs out of place.

She sensed her vision elongate once again and she reckoned they were teleporting to a new place. Her body was light, her feet ended up on cold metal. Her limbs shivered in the new frigid room. As she crossed her arms to encourage warmth, she heard heavy, confident footsteps enter the room.

"What is this, Doctor Bunny?" a new voice resounded, clear, deep with a note of authority and soft accent.

"Vulcan, this young woman was almost attacked by the Triangle Organisation," Von started and he explained how he watched Kitty and Pietro use their specific mutant powers in the café and how a spy from the Triangle Organisation alerted Duce Jager Craen that instant. He pleaded how Kitty would be worthy of joining the Eagle Claws.

"Oh really?" the deep voice enquired with a hint of sarcasm.

Kitty knew the man was eyeing her up and down. The man, Vulcan, made a snide remark at how skinny she was, deeming her unfit of working with the Eagle Claws. He ordered Von to remove her blindfold.

Kitty's eyes slowly adjusted to the white light. A new figure was standing opposite her with a nervous Von shivering at his side. He was quite tall, about six foot four in height and appeared to be in his late thirties. His dark, curly hair was a contrast to Von's smooth white hair. He scrutinised her with his almond shaped dark eyes, well endowed with an angular face and thin lips; a fuzzy stubble enveloped his cheeks. His muscular arms were wrapped behind his back, his neat black shirt and trousers once again contrasted Von's filthy white suit.

"I am Vulcan, leader of the Eagle Claws. What is your name, Miss?" Vulcan asked; a perfectly arched brow raised high, his bronze skin almost gleaming in the white light of the room.

"Kathryn," Kitty choked, taking in the appearance of the salient being before her.

Her senses were way below the standards of Jean and Mr. Logan but she almost smelt the raw power vibrating from this man.

"And you were in a café with your friend?"

She remembered Pietro getting savagely beaten up by Duce.

"We need to save him, please!" she implored as her final images of Pietro flashed through her mind.

Vulcan sighed heavily and crossed his arms over his sturdy chest. "I understand that you fear for him," he said in his soft accent, "But whom so ever the Triangle Organisation arrests, they are rarely released, let alone without any emotional or physical scars."

Kitty's heart shattered as if someone had thrown a stone against her chest. Was this really the end of Pietro Maximoff?

"However, you made it here alive thanks to Dr. Bunny and we are more than welcome to provide asylum for you in the time being. Trust me, once you have been spotted by the Triangle Organisation, they will ensure all their motives to locate you and eliminate you."

Vulcan's casual speech of death rolled easily across the room as clouds do in the sky. Kitty trembled on the chair she was sitting in. She wished to back in the Xavier Institute. She wanted to be back in her room and clutching onto her stuffed dragon. She wanted to hear the snores of her friend Rogue. She wanted this to be nothing more than a ready.

However, Von's gloved hand on her shoulder pulled her back to reality. Her breathing escaped erratically. Tears clouded her vision.

The twenty-sixth century was no place for mutants.

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Vulcan agreed to let Kitty seek sanctuary within the Eagle Claws headquarters. He told her he was grateful if she could gain some weight and consider joining them. As for rescuing Pietro, he did not bring up the subject again.

"Dr. Bunny, you wouldn't mind escorting Kathryn to Kieko Matstunami and Ashlen McCloud's room?" Vulcan turned towards Von, who jumped in delight.

"Actually, is it okay if you could, like, lead the way instead?" Kitty blurted hastily.

She had enough of the pervert doctor guiding her for the night. She was tired, confused and distraught. All she wanted was a bed and a pillow to sleep and dream her worries away. Von's grin disappeared and he sadly glanced at her with puppy eyes.

"Yes, that is okay. Actually, Dr. Bunny, I received a call from Skinwalker not too long ago. He was injured during his encounter against Lee Key Bun. I could clearly understand from his voice that he is in great pain though he was trying to hide that fact. It would be best if you check his injuries and possibly aid him."

"Affirmative," Von sighed, his shoulders sagging.

Vulcan gazed at Kitty with a half smile, which was the first kindness he showed since they first talked. He gestured towards the door with an extended muscular arm.

"Shall we?"

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There were two girls in the large ensuite room. One side was messy, littered with cat food, posters of cats, soft toys that looked like cats and a messy bed where a bob-tailed Bengal cat slept. The other side of the room was a lot neater with a stack of music CD's , desk full of dusty books and unattended homework. A platinum haired girl occupied the bed with a large pair of headphones. Both sides of the room contained a large wardrobe each.

"Hello, what's your name? I'm Kieko but you can call me Kiki!" the older girl asked Kitty with outstanding enthusiasm as she ran around Kitty in circles, flailing her arms up and down.

Kiki was a short girl, barely higher than five feet. She appeared to be Kitty's age. She had an unusually spiky, unruly hairstyle where her bangs struck twelve inches high, making her appear taller than her natural height. Her hair was a mixture of black, pink and purple, the back tied back into a ponytail. Her clothing reminded Kitty of Rogue. Kiki wore a gothic, lace red dress complete with platform boots. Chains embellished the front pocket. The dress fit her pear shaped body like a second glove.

"I'm Kathryn but you can call me Kitty if you want."

"O-M-G! Kitty! Kitty! Kitty! I love that name! It's so cool!" Kiki exclaimed energetically, smiling through her blood red lipstick. She ceased running and grabbing Kitty's hands, wringing them up and down and Kitty couldn't help but giggle at Kiki's silly antics.

"Oh, oh, oh! Let me introduce you to Ash," Kiki said, letting go of Kitty's hands and pointing at the younger, platinum haired girl on the other side of the room.

Ash lifted her magnificent, apathetic, electric blue eyes at them. Her hair was choppy and fell into her eyes. Her heart shaped face complimented her high cheekbones and small, pink lips. She was dressed in light blue pyjamas with electric patterns.

Kiki waved at Ash rapidly with a wide smile. The other girl stared at her for a few moments before rolling her eyes as if she was bored and returned listening to her music. Kiki dropped her hand to her side and pouted petulantly.

"Oh, who cares about her, she's boh-ring!" Kiki huffed, shaking her head side to side, "Oh, oh, come meet my cat Daisuke. He's such a sweetheart!"

She grabbed Kitty's arm before the young woman could utter anything and dragged her towards the sleeping cat on the bed. The cat opened its feline eyes and stared at them. It stretched its limbs wide, yawning before curling back to sleep.

"Hello Daisuke!" Kiki said sweetly, kissing her cat's head, "This is Kitty and she's gonna be staying with us for a bit–Hold it!"

The energetic young woman stopped in her tracks; suddenly silent. Her dark, almond shaped eyes brimmed with deep emotion. She lifted her hands to the sky and mewed softly. Kitty raised an eyebrow, hiding a grin. Even Ash lifted her headphones and watched the comical sight but still wore an indifferent expression.

"Don't laugh!" Kiki cried at the two girls, "It's the cat- god meowing again! The poor thing is stuck in that tower…All alone and only I can hear him!"

The spiky haired girl ran around in circles once again, mewing in crescendo.

"Kiki," Ash attempted to speak in her irksome voice but her roommate was unaware of her appeal.

"Kieko Matstunami!"

The girl ended her jog and glanced at Ash with an attentive smile.

"I think I heard a cat meow in Angelus' room. You better get there fast. You know what he's like when there are cats around," Ash reminded her, obtaining a dramatic intake of breath from Kiki.

"You're right! Let me at that bird man!" Kiki screamed, bungling out of the room with her large platform boots.

Ash let out a sigh of relief and stashed her headphones away. She locked the door after Daisuke followed his partner.

"I apologise about Kiki. That girl knows no limits when it comes to ice-cream," Ash explained.

"It's totally okay. I think she's cute," Kitty giggled, a hand covering her lips.

"Yeah, she just grows on you…Like a fungus, you know? Once she's on you, you can't forget her or tear her off."

Ash offered her bed to the girl, mentioning how late the time was. She lent Kitty a pair of her pyjamas, apologising at how short they were. She prepared a sleeping bag for herself.

Kitty entered the ensuite toilet. The bathroom was large with blue tiles on the walls and white on the floor. It contained both a bath and a shower. Kitty stepped into the shower, the hot rush of water soothed her tired muscles. She took the time to rethink about what happened tonight. She missed the X-Men. She hated to admit it but she even missed Pietro and prayed that he was alright. He was fast. Maybe he outran Duce and his cronies?

She then changed into Ash's pyjamas. The sleeves were slightly short for her but she was grateful. She glanced at the yellow dress that Pietro had stolen for her…For good reasons, of course. She stifled a sob, wanting to save her energy to fall asleep.

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A/N: Sorry for the rather slow chapter but we finally get to meet the leader of the Eagle Claws! Also, I am having so much fun with the OCs. They are all so unique and interesting. If you feel as if I am not doing your OC justice then please point it out. Constructive criticism is welcomed.

Feature OCS:

Von Cartwright, aka, Doctor Bunny by The Big Bad Bunny

Ashlen McCloud, aka, Shockwave, by Ninja Kat is Stalking You

Kieko Matstunami, aka, Felidae by S Ruru