Memories
Escher Mind
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If you want to use Tora, or any of my other characters, PM me.
This isn't what it looks like.
Dark Dragon was standing between them and Tora. Emma could see Logan working out the odds.
Get her!
And Emma shot forwards, hitting deep into Dark Dragon's body.
You do not understand…
Yeah right!
Claws slammed into flesh and Dark Dragon screamed as Emma tugged the chains out of the crystal wall then Tora barrelled herself into Dark Dragon's chest.
You loved keeping me like that didn't you?
And claws tore so deep the dark woman lay still and Tora straightened up, holding out her still bound hands. Logan stepped forward.
Please Logan. Please…
The claws sliced through the metal cuffs and a wild, manic expression slid across her face.
My friends. So lucky to have you. Sorry but I have to kill you. But 'cos I like you I'll be quick.
And she slammed into them, claws cutting through flesh that wasn't and laughing all the while.
Tora's head snapped up.
Kurt, where exactly did the others go?
Subconscious. Why?
Tora, Marie and Jeanne all exchanged terrified looks.
What?
Do you think she's loose?
Almost certainly.
Who is loose?
Me!
Tora shot off, followed by Dragon and Jeanne. Marie sighed and grabbed Poison and Nightcrawler's hands.
We'd better keep up.
They shot down corridors that moved and shifted to allow them to run faster, the floor somehow moving at the same time, the twisting corridors straightening out so Marie could lead them faster and faster through the galleries and then they reached a balcony (how, they could swear they hadn't gone up any stairs) and Marie leapt, pulling them both over with her. Before they had time to scream, they hit another corridor coming up to meet them and charged along that, Marie tugging them faster and faster, the semi-translucent walls distorting, suggesting there were other rooms behind them. Snatches of voices, emotions washed over them.
"Logan, not now…" Irritation infused with fondness, no bite meant in the words.
The heady smell of musk, mixed with cigar smoke and beer, all there for her nose to sample…
Pure, wild, unrestrained ecstasy, rushing through every fibre of her being…
Fire burning her flesh as she screamed, the brand on her chest already healing but still burning, burning…
Rare steak, beer, tobacco gently mingling with the always present coffee and mint to create a delicate infusion that made his mouth taste so perfect…
But these sensations barely registered as they ran faster and faster down the hall. Marie seemed different, more assertive.
Right, left, open walls, leap.
Now the images, sounds, smells and emotions were muted, felt only for the briefest instant.
WOULD SOMEONE CARE TO EXPLAIN WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?
Marie didn't stop running, just started spouting out her answer.
Some…idiot has…let…Her loose…and poor old…DD…was battered…
DD?
Dark Dragon. She's great.
Kurt slid to a halt.
Dark Dragon? As in the World Destroyer?
Marie shrugged.
I think she feels quite guilty about it. At any rate, she looks guilty. She doesn't talk much.
She grabbed their hands and dragged them faster down the corridor. Curt blinked.
What's the big fuss with Dark Dragon anyway? I'm more afraid about Her, whoever Her is."
Kurt froze.
Who is Her?
Marie tensed up.
Her. The one we all fear. We agreed to create DD to keep Her guarded. When DD gets out, you know it's better than the alternative.
You do know you look about two. How do you know words like alternative?
The toddler shrugged.
I'm Marie.
Which seemed to be enough of an answer to her so Curt decided not to question it. Then the wall in front of them melted away and they were in a dark room, a body in burgundy stretched out across the floor, silver blood pooling around her. Logan was leaning over Emma who looked as if a wild animal had savaged her. And crouched in a corner was Tora, staring straight into the eyes of…Tora? Dragon and Jeanne flanked the standing woman. A slight raising of the finger and Jeanne leapt over the burgundy woman. Dark Dragon.
Wake up DD. Please.
Tora was staring at the crouched woman.
Leave us.
What?
Marie, see if you can find Xii. Dragon, get Logan, Emma, Kurt and Curt out. Jeanne, see if you can lever DD somewhere she'll be able to get better.
Dragon nodded in understanding, then leant over Emma's tattered body (was it a body? They were in the mind after all) and breathed. Silver mist clouded over her and Emma sat up shivering.
What…What happened?
We need to leave.
Kurt was vaguely aware that something was happening to Jeanne then did a double-take as a creature close to Hank in appearance only orange, plus a thick mane of black fur walked past, Dark Dragon slumped over her shoulder. She gave him a slight grin.
Yeah, this is what I normally look like.
Jeanne?
The one and only. You two better scat. Tora's about to do her alpha thing which really doesn't ask for people to be around.
And Dragon enfolded them in the wings and the ceiling parted and they flew through Tora's mind, her wild, chaotic mind that ultimately was ordered neatly and yet seemed to have no true pattern to it. Confusing, misleading, contradictory, insane and wild. Calming, beautiful, graceful and somehow perfect in its chaos. In other words, Tora.
And Tora stood in front of The Beast and smiled a dark and dangerous smile.
What is your freedom worth to you?
"Oh boy, she didn't actually…"
"She did."