Memories
Angelkiller
Disclaimer: What do you think?
If you want to use Tora, or any of my other characters, PM me.
There was a figure in the centre of the room, tied to an X-shaped metal crucifix, head hanging down. As they watched, a laser was fired, hitting right into the stomach. The head rose, the teeth clenched and bared with pain yet no sound passed her lips. Etana swore in Hebrew, vanished and there were suddenly a few brief screams from behind the mirrored wall opposite. The laser was switched off and Etana's voice spoke over the speakers.
"The room is now under my control. For the sake of all that's holy, cut her down!"
Logan was there first, claws ripping through the bands holding Tora in place. The bloodied, naked woman felling forwards, allowing Logan to catch her. He moved her head back slowly and almost dropped her. Her eyes, half-open, were blank and lifeless. The eyes of someone who had known hope and had it totally shattered; who had fought and been defeated; had never loved or laughed or been cared for. He glanced over at Rachel and Wanda, who nodded. Then he looked back at her.
"We don't blame you. When we make you remember, know this is a rescue mission, not us arresting you. We pushed you too far."
The eyes registered no hint of comprehension or even having listened. Then the two women touched Tora's head. Red light and blue flames flared and Tora's eyes widened. Logan let her collapse into him then jerked his head from Storm to Tora. The black cloak was wrapped around Tora and then she looked up properly and her mouth dropped open.
"E- Eva…?"
They stared at each other for a long moment then they were hugging and laughing and crying. Eva rested her hands on Tora's shoulder and raised an eyebrow.
"I have two sets of memories, Xii. In one, I die. In the other, I live. Care to explain?"
Tora shook her head.
"It involves quantum. Don't ask."
Then Etana was beside them, a group of men and woman cowering beside her. Logan raised a hand but Etana shook her head.
"Get her out. Fix the door. I'll follow."
"Tan…?"
Her eyes were icy-cold.
"I'll leave them untied. But I'm removing all safety parameters. If they can get out, good for them. If not, then let's see how well they heal."
No one spoke up in the defence of the quivering people. Instead they walked out as Etana turned her gaze on them, eyes so cold they made ice look warm.
Tora was staring at Kurt and then she slowly reached a hand out, as if certain he would vanish the moment she touched him. He smiled gently and grasped her hand, squeezing it tight.
"It's me. I promise."
Her mouth opened but she was interrupted before she could say anything as Etana appeared next to the small group as the screams started, her face stoically expressionless and her eyes not displaying one iota of remorse. Then her face softened as she wrapped an arm around Tora.
"Eva's safe. Safe, alive and well."
"Of course I am, I'm right here."
Etana smiled.
"Eva, the Eva I refer to is five years old and Tora's daughter."
Eva stopped dead.
"Really? You… You actually named your daughter…after me?"
Etana laughed.
"Eva Etana Logan. Looks like her mother. Daddy's girl through and through. Thinks a cosh is acceptable to carry to a dinner table."
No one asked how Etana knew that. Eva had a look of dawning comprehension slip across her face.
"Wait. I think I get this. Xii was both here and she was also rescued and had a kid. I'm alive and also dead. It's like two timelines have become one and they're both true but human minds can't cope with both so we only have one set of memories."
Tora groaned. Eva glanced over.
"So what does Xii have? How can she cope with that?"
"Because I'm not human. Not really. Not anymore."
"Hold it right there."
Tora stiffened then glanced at Kurt.
"Take everyone you can and get out."
He nodded and grabbed Wanda's hand, who grabbed Rachel's, who grabbed Storm and they vanished. And Tora turned, still leaning on Logan.
"Hello… Professor…"
He was small, and the word that kept leaping up and down in Logan's mind, desparate to describe him was "mousy". His lab coat was open, revealing food stains and a crumpled shirt; his beard was thin and wispy and his glasses magnified his eyes to give the impression of an owl.
Logan blinked. That was the Professor? Tora's face was expressionless but her muscles were tensed up with horror.
"Now, now, Weapon X-ii. Not one step further. After all, I made you what you are today. I am your Creator and you will obey me."
Logan opened his mouth but Tora hauled herself upright, her eyes flashing.
"No. You are not my creator. You mean less than nothing to me. I have recreated myself and you mean less to me than the stranger I pass on the street. I won't even lower myself to hating you, because hate suggests I bequeath you with at least some emotion. No, I am indifferent. I could not care less if you lived or died. I no longer look in a mirror and see Xii. I see Tora Logan, a self-made woman. I leave here today free of you."
Etana was obviously restraining herself from launching herself at the man and throttling him.
"You think they will ever trust you again? Oh, I've watched, with some confusion and now it all makes sense."
"They may never trust me but at least they don't use me. Goodbye, Professor. I shan't say it's been a pleasure."
She turned and took three steps before he spoke.
"As I created you, it is my right to destroy you."
And then she staggered as the bullet sprayed blood from her chest. The Professor smiled cruelly.
"Your healing halter was most effective for designing weapons. We've managed to synthesise it. Die knowing you gave us the method to kill all those you hold dear. Starting with Weapon X."
The gun was pointed at Logan's chest and he felt his lungs tighten in fear.
"NO!"
She straightened up and as they watched, the bullet wound healed and she turned to face the Professor, her face beautiful and terrible.
"Impossible…"
"Nothing is impossible for me. I have seen worlds rise and fall, and decide the fate of civilizations. I am Water. And Life Renewed. Fear me, for now and forever, I am Dragon. And you DARE attack me!?"
Her eyes were gleaming silver, empty orbs of light as she raised one hand.
"Die."
Waves shot from her clenched fist and coiled around him. He didn't have time to scream before he collapsed to the ground; a withered, ancient body that crumpled to dust as they watched. And Logan was frozen, muttering under his breath "No, not now, not this, please not this…"
She turned to face them and they recoiled. Her face was skeletal then reformed to appear without scars or blemishes. The borrowed black cloak rolled off her shoulders to reveal burgundy and tarnished silver. Her lips twisted up in a cruel smile.
"Run little children. It makes it all the more glorious."
They were paralyzed as she raised one hand and sent a wave right towards them –and silver flames blossomed from Etana's clenched fists, shielding them from Dark Dragon's wrath.
"Run…"
Her voice was strained. Eva took no more telling and sprinted off towards the exit. Cyclops, Wolverine and Cap halted. Etana looked over her shoulder, the strain plain in her eyes, betraying the struggle it was for her to keep this up.
"Run, you blithering idiots!"
And then she ignited in all her angelic glory and Scott grabbed both Logan and Steve's arms and pulled them down the corridor. The last thing Steve saw was Etana drawing a flaming sword and facing the thing Tora had become, just as Tora dissipated the flames Etana had conjured with a casual wave of her hand.
"You will have to do better than that, Little Death."
Etana didn't say anything, merely lunged forward.
"TANA!"
"Steve, we have to get out!"
"NO! NOT WITHOUT TAN!"
"She's made her choice. Now run, unless you want her to die in vain!"
And then something old and young; dark and light; cold and warm flooded Steve's mind. Something so intricately, irredeemably…
"Tana…"
Do not grieve, Discus-Boy. I've had my life.
He saw the terrible caricature of Tora lunge and felt horrific agony. And a final thought pierced his mind.
I will always love you…
Death snorted in derision.
"Soppy sentiment!"
"So it's cute when it's mortals, not so sweet and endearing when it's your own servant?"
"…Yes."
"Dear, that's incredibly hypocritical. What about Wade?"
"Go away."
A.N. I'll just go hide under a rock somewhere... You know, to prevent you lot all hunting me down and killing me for Etana. I would explain why she had to die, but that would just be like pouring oil on a fire, wouldn't it?