Memories Chapter 115: Life for Death, a x-men fanfic

Memories

Life for Death

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She blinked back the tears as she placed the white gold ring with the sapphire, diamond and ruby into the envelope and sealed it down. The room was odd now. Half was cluttered with mechanical devices in various stages of disassembly, the other half was impossibly clean, all the belongings stuffed into the bag. Marie sighed, picked it up and walked out of the room. Outside, Logan leant against the wall.

"Look Marie, if you want to stay…"

"How can I stay with him Logan? This is against everything I fought for."

"You know, when I first saw him with you I couldn't believe my eyes. He had a reputation then and I told him if he hurt you, he'd suffer."

"Thanks for looking after me Uncle Logan."

"Yeah. Look, if you want me to-"

"No. Clean break. I can't stay. The EDI is crying out for doctors with a history in hero training."

"You're the best you know. Everyone knows Dr Circen, the Avengers doctor since the beginning. You're as much a fixture as Jarvis. Whoever has you are the real Avengers."

She smiled softly.

"I know you're giving up a lot for me with this. What if they catch you?"

"I'm Wolverine. I'll have an excuse."

"Or you could just tell them the truth."

"What, that I rescued you from Weapon X when you were two and I've been looking after you ever since?"

"Well you have. Every birthday you'd turn up with a present from somewhere exotic, every Christmas a package would come in the post. Come on Uncle Logan, we all know how dull my life would be without you."

He smiled back and they walked out to a car. Marie frowned.

"You stole an X-Man car? Brilliant, we're sure to be pulled over now."

He shrugged.

"It'll get you to the Canadian border. And if we're pulled over, I'll just lie. Can you imagine the field-day the press would have if I was found in a car with Tony Stark's fiancée?"

"Ex-fiancée."

"Sorry. I know you're mad Marie, but just-"

"Bill Foster is dead Logan! And Tony as good as killed him!"

She snarled.

"I wasn't even that close to Tony. All he knew about was the healing. I didn't want to tell him about the claws or the senses. He…he'd want to know everything, would start running tests to see my capabilities. It's better we split before things got worse."

"Just keep telling yourself that. Then maybe you'll be able to live with it."

And at that she began to cry, harsh, gulping tears.

"Logan… I…I don't know what to do… He…He did something… terrible… but… but…"

"You still love him."

She nodded mutely and he pressed a hand to her arm.

"Go. Then come back when he's realised what he's done. And how special you are."

She smiled weakly and he pressed down on the pedal, speeding their way to the Canadian border and a flight home.

xXx

The man looked at her.

"Are you certain that if we take this down, all the robots will stop?"

She nodded sharply. It had been five years since she'd found him in the sea, five years since she'd dived in and dragged him up the beach and through the forest to her cave, five years since she had melted the ice with her fire and warmed the man inside to life with her own body heat. And then she'd told him. About the Black Angel who appeared after World War Two and told the world of the mutants and tried to explain it all to them. And for five years, it had looked like it would work out. The Black Angel began to plan forming a worldwide mutant support group for children whose powers were destructive or self-harming. And then she disappeared, was killed some said, was kidnapped and used for experiments said others. And three months later the U.S. passed the Mutant Control Act, resulting in any mutants being regarded as 'dangerous' were culled. This had soon changed to 'kill all mutants' and compulsory blood tests at birth. Even other powered people suffered. The Human Torch was reduced to scrap, Namor and the Atlantians were wiped out with a francium bomb right to the heart of Atlantis, a group of four astronauts landed and had gained powers and were taken for 'debriefing'. Their bodies were found a week later. And in the heart of it all was Weapon X. A team of people who decided for the safety of all mutants, some should be turned into weapons to defeat the Sentinels and their mysterious leader, the Shadow Sentinel.

She had been the ultimate weapon, the one designed to destroy them all. Ξ. The Greek letter used as a name and descriptive, the letter burnt into her back. She had been the best. The strongest, the one destined to lead the Pack. An extinct pack. The Sentinels had come and destroyed them all. Sabretooth had died first, followed by Feral. Only Wolverine, the alpha male had lasted for any long and he was soon brought down. For some reason the Sentinel had almost hesitated before blasting him. She had escaped and survived. And now she was back to destroy the Shadow Sentinel, the First Sentinel. The Master Mold. Creeping past, Xi glanced at the relic of a bygone age. Captain America followed, his shield gripped tight in his hand.

"I still can't believe they kidnapped a mutant and released a virus into his system to turn him into the Master Mold. Apparently he's still conscious of everything he's doing but is unable to stop it."

Xi shrugged.

"This is my world Captain. Everything is harsh."

They moved softly until they reached the main room. And froze. A figure stood in the centre of the room, a metal figure wired up into a huge computer. The figure was female and oddly, the face was still organic. The eyes were closed and the hair was shorn short. Cap froze.

"Shadow…"

The eyes snapped open, revealing gleaming silver.

"Organic Designation: Captain America. Designate: Super-Soldier. Designate: Threat. Solution: Terminate."

"Shadow!"

"Subject shows signs of recognition of host. Accessing data banks. Accessing…"

"Please Shadow…"

"Is that the Black Angel?"

"Yes… Oh Shadow…"

The huge mass of wires behind the metal body twitched and it became apparent they were metal feathers, then the body stepped off the pedestal.

"Shadow Protocol Initiated."

"Please Shadow…"

Suddenly razor-sharp metal feathers were flung towards them and the shield was only just brought up in time. The figure moved again and a gleaming blade started to form out of her fist.

"Terminate."

"Shadow…"

And a tear sprang up on the woman's face, as the sword was thrusted towards Xi's chest. Again, the shield intercepted the blow but the sword swung round again and slammed back. This back-forth motion of parry-attack-shield continued as the organic face cried softly and silently. Suddenly the sword stopped and the face registered real emotion.

"Do it…"

"Shadow…"

"KILL ME!"

"Shadow…"

And Xi leapt under his arm and impaled the woman through the chest, tearing out circuitry and wires. A slight trickle of blood ran down the woman's face.

"Thank you… Make this…world…a…paradise for…us all…and…for…you…"

And the metal melted away, leaving patchy black fur and numerous cuts from where wires were implanted. Xi stood up.

"I have done what I was trained to do."

Cap shuddered.

"I…I couldn't have killed her…"

"I know. That's why I did it."

"I never knew her real name. She was just Shadow."

"She wanted to die. She wanted peace. And we can respect that. The Sentinels are gone Captain. We can live now."

"I know. Live and love."

And the man whose life she saved held her close to him.

"We can love…"

xXx

She stood in the door and glared. Etana was leaning over the desk, her wings strapped flat to her back and her hands in cuffs behind her back. The three SHIELD agents dragged her upright and Tora saw the inhibiter collar tight around her neck.

"Etana?"

Etana shrugged slightly, as if to say 'what can I do?'

"Hello Tora. Can you cover this class for me? I recall you have a free period."

Anger welled up inside her.

"Let. Her. Go."

"I'm sorry Ma'am. Mrs Rogers has an influence over a number of high-ranking SHIELD officers and is the wife of a known fugitive. We have to take her in for questioning."

"Sir, if I recall correctly, Etana Bat Aleka is exempt for SHIELD protocol on the grounds that she is your Rogue Agent. The one who does the jobs no one else can do. Or wants to do for that matter. She does the unofficial jobs that you all know need doing. As a result, SHIELD does not have any jurisdiction over her."

"But she's not Etana Bat Aleka anymore, is she? She's Etana Rogers and there's nothing in the paperwork about that."

"Tora, seriously, it's no big deal."

"Etana, you're the one who always warns us of them 'disappearing' us."

"It's not disappearing. Dum-Dum will keep you informed."

The men moved to grab her arms and she neatly walked forward, out of the door. Tora hurried after her.

"Etana, you can't just let this happen!"

Etana stopped and turned.

"Listen Tora. Commander Hill has made it quite plain to me, it's the X-Men or Steve. I'll have to sell one of you out. And I won't do that, so she's taking me in right now."

"Etana, what… Why?"

"Look, I'm in a difficult position and everyone knows it. I hate the registration act and my husband is leading the anti-reg forces. However, I also am a member of a team that has sworn neutrality and I'm an unofficial employee of the enforcer of the act. Therefore, I'm torn three ways. Best to have me in custody, especially given my reputation and the amount of favours I'm owed by senior SHIELD staff. Most of whom were junior when I first met them."

"But…"

"Goodbye Tora."

And the SHIELD agents pushed her into the car. The last thing Tora saw was her face, a single tear streaking down it.

xXx

She limped to the stall and started shovelling, knowing the man was watching her. She moved the pile of filthy straw to the pile in one corner and threw water down over the cobbles before placing down more straw and leading the horse back into the stall. The water and food had been changed and now she limped to the corner where the dirty straw lay and shovelled it into the cart. As she did so, the chains around her feet clinked. Finally, Rogers, not Lord Rogers or Lord Steven, just Rogers, spoke.

"You like working here."

She didn't answer.

"Look, I know you understand every word I say. I'm not that stupid, no matter what you think. Would you like me to talk to you in Wildling? I'm not fluent but I suppose I can get my point across."

She didn't answer, merely moved the cart around in a wide sweep, allowing the chain attached to the wall to flick outside and get her out of the main stables and into the courtyard. Other 'Witchkin' hurried about their business, none of them wearing chains. People glanced and the whispers increased.

"…Wildling…"

"….attacked…"

"…dangerous…"

"…killed…"

"…Logan…"

She ignored it all and emptied the cart before going back and leading the next horse out of its stall. Rogers spoke again.

"You aren't a slave you know. We don't believe in slaves here at Aingeal, but if you were free, you'd run. We couldn't get you from the slave market without having you branded, not without questions being asked. You'd run and you'd be caught and they'd see the Darkwing crest on your shoulder and they'd kill you. You know Logan didn't have any orders to buy you. He saw you and he saw that Porter was going to buy you and he saved you. You know what Porter is, don't you? He runs a brothel and there are lots of men who'd love to hurt a Witchkin girl. And you'd have struck out because you're Wildling and wouldn't take any of it and they'd throw you into the arena to die. Oh, and you'd die. They know how to kill Wildlings now."

She didn't speak, just worked on cleaning out the stall.

"All you have to do is give us proof that you won't run and the chains will be removed. I know you like working with the horses and according to Max, you have basic skills as a farrier. Which means you weren't born Wildling and Tora is just your taken name. Do you want us to try and find your birth family? Or not? All you have to do is open your mouth and talk."

She snarled and hit the metal blade of the shovel onto the stones. Then she swept round and spoke in the Wildling Tongue.

"I don't want your pity or your offers of friendship! I am Tora, the Dark-Runner, Pack-Sister of Cassa! And I don't care for your humans. I am Wildling and Wildlings will inherit the earth! This the Father Wild-King has taught us!"

"Rather pitiful isn't it."

The words were in Wildling and she span round to see Logan leaning on the doorframe.

"You act like you hate us all but you accept our food and our hospitality. By Wildling Law, that makes us Pack."

"You are no Wildling! You accept the humans!"

She noticed Rogers leaving quietly, leaving her alone with the third most powerful person in the household, after the Lady Darkwing and Lord Rogers. Max, the metal worker had a high level of influence but Logan was the most senior freeman, almost a bond-son for the Lady. And Wildling, but he had lost the right for any of the Father Wild-King's promises because of his acceptance of the humans. She snorted with the idea that he would have to make the Mate-Bond with a human or one of the weaker Witchkin. The Father Wild-King's instructions on them were ambiguous. They were kin, but only like dogs to wolves. They were to be treated with kindness but would not have the honour of being Wildling. And now she was alone with a Packless Wildling. Cassa had taught her the dangers of the Packless as opposed to No-Packs. No-Packs were normally either nomads who preferred to hunt alone or young adults striking out on their own to see if they could carve out a pack or join an already functioning one. Packless were those driven from their pack and who were to be shunned by all. And he was standing just out of her reach.

"I know you think I'm worse than dirt but you have to listen."

She didn't answer, merely sent a particularly filthy clod of straw his way. He dodged and caught her arm, ignoring her snarl.

"Etana and Steven are good people who care about all of humanity, Witchkin or not. You act like we're all dirt, but it makes you look bad. Hank's already a full freeman. And he was brought up three months after you."

She spat at him.

"You're just domesticated. You're worse than the humans!"

And suddenly he was pinning her to the wall, ice-blue eyes burning with a glacial fire.

"You. Know. Nothing. I wasn't made Packless for any reason other than my son was stronger than me and my Pack Leader decided my son suited his purpose better."

"Liar! No Pack Leader would chose to throw out a good hunter for politics."

"Yeah, but most Pack leaders don't pretend to be the Father Wild-King."

Her blood went cold. Romulus. The words had reached her Pack of two that the Father Wild-King was walking upon the earth again and all loyal Wildlings must go to him. Cassa had instantly made them run the eight nights until they reached him. And to their horror, they had been separated almost instantly. Cassa had been taken to the female area and Tora had stood in fear as the Pack Leader had stalked towards her. Then he'd laughed and clapped her on the back, asking her about her journey, offering her food. Then he introduced her to his Beta, a handsome young male who had made it quite obvious he was considering her as a potential Mate. She had almost taken him up on it. She couldn't do much better than a healthy, strong young Beta. Then she had realised the lack of females in the Pack and found its terrible secret. In total violation of the Mate-Bond, Romulus had herded the females into a pen for use by all the males. Cassa had been dying but she had given Tora a message. Romulus wanted her healing halter combined with the Beta's pheromone controls. As soon as she had produced a son, she would be culled. In desperation, she had fled, followed by her prospective mate. In her fear she had fallen into a hunter's pit and been sold to the slavers. She stared at Logan, a newfound respect in her eyes.

"You stood up to Romulus?"

"I guess you knew him?"

"He killed my Pack-Sister and tried to make me mate his Beta. A male named Daken."

Logan stiffened and she guessed instantly.

"He's your son, isn't he?"

"Yeah."

Tilting her head, she split her lips in a feral smile. Then offered out a hand to Logan who looked at it, back up at her then blinked.

"Really?"

"Of course."

He snaked out a hand and grasped it before raising his eyebrow at her. She nodded then began.

"Father Wild-King, hear our plea."

"Let the hunt be good."

"Let the land be rich."

"Let the rest be long."

"Let the Pack-Song ring."

"Lead this Pack in their hunt."

"In your eyes, we are sisters and brothers."

"Pack now and forevermore."

They released hands and nodded at each other. Then Logan grinned.

"I doubt you'll need those chains now."

"If Akhiro and Marie Circen bred, would the offspring be the super-ferals that Romulus expected?"

"Three out of eight hundred offspring had the desired powers."

"I hate your cocky 'I know every tiny little statistic' routine Miss Super-Intelligent-Cosmic-Entity."

"You love me really."