Memories
Binding Ties
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If you want to use Tora, or any of my other characters, PM me.
Wanda pulled angrily at the tightly-bound cable ties and then closed her eyes. She couldn't use her powers but maybe, just maybe…
Hello? Can you hear me? Are you there?
Something soft and warm and bright flooded her mind, bathing everything in red light.
I am always here.
Can… Can you help? They're… They're going to kill Tora… Dragon…
She felt rage; ancient, bitter rage swell.
How dare they threaten my sibling! How DARE they!
And Wanda felt all her power return to her and more and the ties snapped and she leapt up, waving a hand to release Cap, who slid down the wall rather disgracefully and groaned. But Wanda ignored him as she picked up the comm.
"This is the Scarlet Witch. Transmitting to all frequencies. This is a warning. The reality-jumpers are hostile. I repeat, the reality-jumpers are hostile. X-Men, prepare for a full-frontal assault. I repeat, prepare for attack. Dragon is the target. Dragon is the target. Respond… Please, respond…"
And then cold, quiet laughter.
"You really think we wouldn't divert your calls? Sweetie, you've lost your touch."
And Wanda flung the comm. across the room in anger, smashing it against the wall. Tora was in danger and she needed to warn her! And then maybe, just maybe, she could repay the debts she owed…
"She really wasn't the most stable, was she?"
"Considering the stuff she went through, she was perhaps the most stable of all of us. Strictly speaking, she only had one major blip."
"Blip? You seriously call almost wiping out the mutant race a blip?"
"No worse than committing genocide in an entire star system or almost destroying a whole country, Phoenix."
The warning alarms started sounding and the students hurried to the shelters. Tora slid the headdress on and suddenly felt someone touch her shoulder. She started and turned to see Storm.
"We… We sent out a small call. Don't tell Logan. He'll… Well, anyway, Scott, Emma and Erik were happy to come. They're in hiding in the grounds."
Tora smiled weakly and suddenly 'Ro hugged her, smelling the same constant smell of sandalwood and jasmine perfume she had always used.
"We would die for you."
Tora pulled away, her eyes suddenly serious.
"No. You do not die for me and you certainly don't kill for me. Storm… I am not worth fighting for. But the others are. And if I can stop any of the others dying… Then so be it. But do not die for me. I am not worth your life."
Storm raised an eyebrow gracefully.
"You are worth at least a thousand times that. Look at you. You carry pain for dying children. You offer your life for the lives of others. You never raise a voice in anger to your children. You are so strong for having suffered so much. But we are not fighting because of that. We will fight for you –and yes, die for you if that is what we have to do- we fight for you because you are our friend."
And she gently wiped the tears away from Tora's face.
"Goddess bless you."
And Tora smiled weakly.
"Thank you, 'Roro. To old friends."
Storm smiled sadly.
"And those not here today."
Tora nodded softly.
"Those not here today…"
The names went unspoken. They did not need to be said, because they were always on their minds. Jean. Sean. Kurt.
And Tora was fussing with the bindings around her arms and smiling softly, Storm stilled her fumbling fingers, unwrapping the silver bindings and slowly wrapping them tightly around Tora's wrists and lower arms before tucking them in and tidying everything up, then handing over the gloves for Tora to put on. Tora smiled weakly.
"Forgot to say I like the new look."
Storm ran her hand over her head.
"I…I just thought…maybe I wanted to…look different, if that makes sense?"
Tora nodded.
"You think I don't know what change can represent?"
And she hurried away, not allowing Storm to ask whether she meant the change from Tigress to Dragon or the change from the old costume to this newer, more aggressive look. And what else could she say?
And she finished getting ready, somehow knowing deep down that something huge was going to happen –that someone wasn't going to get out unscathed from today.
"Oooh. Ro was good at guessing this sort of stuff!"
"Dear, it was as plain as plain can be."
Dr Pym shone the lights into both of Jeanne's eyes.
"How are you?"
"I…I don't feel any different…"
"Don't worry. The operation went perfectly. I had to say, it never occurred to me to use Pym Particles in microsurgery, but it's sheer genius."
Jeanne touched her head.
"So… I won't forget anything?"
"As long as you keep backups of everything, you should be fine."
"Am I officially a cyborg now?"
"Well, we don't count Tora as one, so I'd say no."
And Jeanne smiled slightly as she realised what these microchips could do for her. Then the beeping started and Dr Pym was talking on his small communicator and then he was swearing and he pointed at Jeanne.
"You stay right there! Okay! Listen, Tony, I'm getting there as fast as possible!"
And he sprinted out and Finesse lay back, wondering exactly what 'Code 79' was.
"Code 79?"
"Tora has gone over. All Avengers Assemble."
Tora stopped. Curt… No.
"Curt, all students should be in their safety rooms."
He turned.
"No. Maman, I'm not…"
"Safety room. Now."
"The other Eva…"
"Has been on her own since she was thirteen and came here specifically to warn us. I am not her mother or her teacher so I cannot order her to stay but I can certainly keep you out of trouble."
"You're not doing that to me!"
Tora paused for a moment.
"No. I'm not. I've got something important for you to see."
He followed her into the sublevels. She pointed to a door and through it he could see…something. A weapon, maybe? A bike…? No. Freaking. Way.
Dad had promised though, hadn't he? One of his old bikes, upgraded by Uncle Peter to be able to drive along walls and ceilings. But now? He thought he wasn't supposed to get it until his birthday. But hey, emergency!
He darted in and pulled off the dustsheet. Gleaming silver and black metal shone in the dim light. Curt ran his hands over the handlebars and then heard the click of the door. He turned swiftly and saw Maman's face pressed up against the glass, her eyes closed.
"Maman! Let me out!"
She slowly shook her head.
"I have to protect you. I'm sorry. I love you."
Curt hammered his hands on the door, knowing that it was pointless. The entire sub-levels were either vibranium or adamantium reinforced. He was strong, but not that strong. Maman had turned and started walking down the hall. Curt slammed the door once again.
"I hate you! I HATE YOU!"
And Maman stopped and turned round to face him.
"I love you. I'm sorry."
And she turned and left, leaving him hammering on the door.
"Oh, and that came back to haunt him, didn't it."
"Talk about guilt."