Memories
Sacrifice
Disclaimer: Shouldn't you know by now?
Tora stood at the window in Charles' office, concentrating on the light in her mind. She had thought the Song was a parasite, something to be forced out. Now she wasn't fighting it, she could properly see it. Strong, beautiful. Something that didn't need an avatar but wanted one out of a need to feel emotions. She hadn't even tried to push into the rolling waves of power. Why should she? She was willing to give Dragon emotions. Maybe even willing to give it limited control of her body. But use the power she didn't want, the almost infinite power that came with all cosmic entities? No. She would only use the gifts given to her by evolution and human meddling. The sea was going to remain untouched for the rest of her life. However long that might be.
"What was wrong with Tora Jean?"
Tora turned to look at the other X-Men.
"Nothing is wrong. I'm fine. It was just a minor problem."
"MINOR! Tora, you almost died!"
"And the crisis is over. No one need ever mention it again."
She saw Jean frown.
"Look, I just had a minor psychic crisis. I'm fine now. And Jean, I'm fine. No residue left."
"Residue of what?"
Tora turned to see Scott.
"Of the battle that took place."
"What were you fighting?"
Tora froze. She still had extreme trouble lying and she knew if she refused to say then Scott would force it out of her. She was saved by a slight beeping from Charles' desk. A hologram of Lilandra shimmered into the air.
"Charles, I'm so sorry."
"What…?"
"Our scientists detected the presence of the Dragon Song on Earth. And it was taking an avatar. The same reading as when Phoenix became Phoenix. The council…Charles, the council overruled me. They're going to declare war!"
"What!"
"The Dragon Song has never taken an avatar. That both Phoenix and Dragon are on the same world… That means that something terrible is going to happen. And to stop it, the council seems to think that the…the destruction of Earth is the only solution."
"If the Shi'ar attack the Dragon Song Empress, the K'Meer will wipe you out."
The hologram turned.
"Prince Xixswalstar. What are you doing on Earth?"
"Taking a holiday."
"With the X-Men?"
"They are very interesting. But make war on the Dragon Song and you make war on the Holy Empire of the K'Meer. We serve the Dragon Song, if you remember."
"Lilandra, what do you mean about the Dragon…Song taking an avatar?"
"Prince Xixswalstar would be a better teller of that tale. I imagine he has heard tales of the Dragon Song since he was spawned."
Xixy nodded.
"My people revere the Dragon about all else. When the world was young, we were attacked. Our gods were helpless. Our world was breaking apart. And then it came. Like an angel. Is that the right definition? The Dragon Song healed our world and sent our attackers fleeing. The legend says the Dragon Song roared to the sky and the hoards fell like leaves although I think that could be poetic license. It left, but not before leaving a single ice-scale behind, our most sacred artefact that crowns the head of the Most High Imperiax Himself. We send the first-born son of the Emperor to serve the Dragon. That's why I am heir to the throne while my brother is High Priest."
The Lilandra hologram nodded.
"Legends tell that the Dragon Song is more peaceful than the Phoenix Force, although there have been reports of armies being destroyed by it, normally when libraries are threatened."
"Libraries?"
"The Phoenix represents thought and the life that is yet to come. Dragon is knowledge and the life that has gone. Tied together. You cannot have one without the other and both are incredibly powerful."
"But Lilandra, no telepathic spikes have registered. Not a single one on Earth."
"You have to know what to look for. And Cerebo only detects mutants correct?"
"Yes but…"
"The Dragon is crafty. Other names for it include the Serpent…"
"Only by the Skrulls! They hate it because it defeated their attack on Sabar."
"Which you decimated three standard time units later."
"Beside the point."
"Tora, are you feeling alright?"
For Tora had gone a washed-out white colour.
"Darlin' are ya alright? Is it one of yer others?"
"No. Not one of the others."
"Tora sugah, what's wrong?"
"Nothing Rogue. I…I just think I need to get some fresh air."
She turned and walked out the room, seeing Jean's slight frown become even deeper. Sabar. She'd never even heard of it but suddenly memories came rushing to her. A peaceful world, with delicate spindly cities build between the beautiful rock spires. Destroyed? How?
"STOP IT!"
A group of students looked at her worriedly then tried to work out what they were supposed to stop doing. In a daze Tora walked to the lift, called it and headed down to the hanger. She frowned. The Blackbird wasn't ready for space flight yet. Wait… She walked over to the rock-like ship and pressed her hand to the control panel. Xixy had been giving her lessons and included her on the isomorphic controls list. She concentrated and let the quiet engines start up before sounding the klaxon to clear the basketball court. She finished setting up the ship then closed the door. She flicked on the message.
"Get me in touch with Majestrix Lilandra Neramani."
"The Empress of the Shi'ar Empire?"
"How many Lilandra Nermani's who happen to be Majestrix?"
"One."
"Well what do you think?"
"Linking with her flagship right now."
The hologram flashed up, revealing a frowning Lilandra as Tora piloted the ship up and out of the basketball court.
"Prince- Tora?"
"Lilandra, tell your men there is no need to attack Earth. Dragon is coming to them. At the Blue Area of the Moon."
She saw the look of Lilandra's face.
"I thought you didn't… ah…"
Tora glared at the hologram, daring Lilandra to voice her unspoken comment.
"Just tell them it's coming. And there will be no fight."
"Tora…?"
"Don't say anything Lilandra. Please."
Lilandra frowned and terminated the message before she made any promises. Tora sighed then programmed the computer to go to the Blue Area of the Moon then set it up so it would go back when she landed. Then she recorded a few messages onto the log. Mainly just explaining what she had done and why. A message for Jamie for when he was older. She closed her eyes and concentrated on what was to come. Every time she faced death she always felt so peaceful. But the peace wasn't coming this time. All it was were images of Jamie crying. Then Etana standing with her finger pressed on Tora's chest.
"I didn't die just so you could do this stupid stunt."
Tora shook her head and checked with the other Tora to see if Etana actually had said that only to find Cap kissing Etana then blushing so badly his ears looked like they were on fire. That was the straw that broke the camel's back. Tora burst into quiet, angry tears in the tiny cabin. It should be the Etana she knew, properly knew, that should be laughing at the look on Logan's face. So full of life and vive. Then the irritating computer told her it was T-minus 3 minutes and autopilot was being switched off. Tora pressed her hands to the control panel. The ship landed and Tora shuddered. She reached over to the mask and slipped it on. Then she impressed on the computer the importance of returning home straight away. She stepped out. And a roar hurt her ears. The entire Imperial Guard, amassed and preparing to fight. Then they stopped. They hadn't expected a single, unarmed woman who walked quietly towards the leader.
"You are the Dragon?"
"Yes."
"Are you here to fight?"
"I am here to die."
She spoke softly but the ripple of noise told her everyone had heard. Gladiator frowned.
"You are an X-Man. Where are your friends?"
"Back home."
"They let you come alone?"
"They don't even know I'm here."
Gladiator frowned.
"Why…?"
"Better me than the world. Just two requests. One for not fighting you. The other my last request."
He nodded.
"Ask, and if it is in my power, I shall do as you say."
"Don't attack Earth. Let Phoenix live."
Gladiator made an impatient motion.
"You are the uncertainty. Phoenix, whilst a threat, will not be engaged unless she attacks a Shi'ar vessel or one of our allies. Your other request?"
"I…I don't want to stay here. Take me...my…just take me home."
He frowned.
"My men will be attacked."
"You don't have to appear to them. Just…let them know it's me."
She didn't bother to say anything else. Just bent her head and whispered a quiet prayer under her breath. She and Kurt had a tradition of praying whilst on the way to missions. She wished he were there beside her, even if it was just for the company. The tear rolled off the ruined side of her face before she could stop it.
"Just do it."
She heard the sound of weapons being prepared. Even her healing factor couldn't withstand a hundred different fatal injuries, all made with different weapons. She heard the instructions being shouted in Shi'ar. Basic language training kicked in.
"Take aim…"
She wished she hadn't translated. It made it all the worse. She could easily die in battle and accepted that. But dying alone, not even on Earth, with not a person beside her felt…terrible. She closed her eyes.
"Fire!"
Death winced.
"Ouch?"
"Yes. Ouch. Only…"
"Yes. Only…"
A.N. Now I'm going to be evil and not update until I get three reviews. I live for them people!