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Post by Christine MacTaggart on Sept 13, 2004 20:20:29 GMT -4
Christine walked into the Danger Room – or the equivalent to it on Muir Island, and glanced about. It wasn’t like the Danger Room back at Xavier’s but it would do for now – or at least until she could find out where the hell Brian hid the controls for the “Danger Room” in the lighthouse. She ran a hand through her dark hair, and sighed.
"Well, I will say this - no Brian from alternate parallel universe to put me through my paces," she muttered quietly. She reached up and tied her hair into a ponytail. She rolled her shoulders and started to stretch, working kinks out of her body before she put herself through any training sims.
Her light blue tee-shirt had an image of Excaliber on it and the words "Excaliber Dimensional Tour" and all the stops she and the other Excaliber members hit during their journey before she decided to return to her home dimension - this one, or so she kept believing.
She rolled her shoulders again, getting newer kinks out of them before starting her training. While she was with the Excaliber team, she did start some training in the martial arts. She found that her karate training was just the thing to get her center back - she felt out of place in this universe and needed to focus on something to get the feeling to go bye-bye.
All the things he said All the things he said Running through my head Running through my head Running through my head All the things he said All the things he said Running through my head Running through my head All the things he said. This is not enough ...
I'm in serious s--t, I feel totally like lost If I'm asking for help it's only because Being with you, has opened my eyes Could I ever believe such a perfect surprise?
I keep asking myself, wondering how I keep closing my eyes but I can't block you out Wanna fly to a place where it's just you and me Nobody else so we can be free Nobody else so we can be free
All the things he said All the things he said Running through my head Running through my head Running through my head All the things he said All the things he said Running through my head Running through my head All the things he said This is not enough Ya soshla s uma, ma This is not enough!
All the things he said All the things he said All the things he said All the things he said All the things he said All the things he said All the things he said
And I'm all mixed up, feeling cornered and rushed They say it's my fault but I want him so much Wanna fly him away where the sun and rain Come in over my face, wash away all the shame When they stop and stare - don't worry me ‘Cause I'm feeling for him what he's feeling for me I can try to pretend, I can try to forget But it's driving me mad, going out of my head
All the things he said All the things he said Running through my head Running through my head Running through my head All the things he said All the things he said Running through my head Running through my head All the things he said This is not enough Ya soshla s uma, ma This is not enough
All the things he said All the things he said All the things he said All the things he said All the things he said All the things he said All the things he said
All the things he said, he said All the things he said All the things he said
Mother looking at me Tell me what do you see? Yes, I've lost my mind
Daddy looking at me Will I ever be free? Have I crossed the line?
All the things he said All the things he said Running through my head Running through my head Running through my head All the things he said All the things he said Running through my head Running through my head All the things he said This is not enough Ya soshla s uma, ma This is not enough.......
All the things he said...........
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Post by Christine MacTaggart on Sept 13, 2004 20:21:46 GMT -4
The music blasted through the speakers. Christine gracefully flew through her katas and moves while listening to the music. Tears streaked down her cheeks as memories danced in her mind.
Kurt grinned as Chris swam away from him, shouting "You can't catch me!" He chuckled heartily, and ported into her line of swimming, causing her to run into him. Grinning wider still with his usual jocular personality shining through, Kurt grabbed Chris's wrist lightly. "Caught you!" he shouted and teleported away from her to the other side of the pool, just after splashing her again.
She hit the punching bag harder then she wanted to and continued to punch it, wanting to vent her pain on it.
"Don't go." He whispered quietly, and then stopping when he came to the realization that someone was actually right next to him. Panic fled through his body at first, as the thought of capture came to him, but he dismissed that. When he heard a soft voice begin to sing to him, he smiled and relaxed again. It was Chris.
Her knuckles started to bleed from the force of her punches on the bag, but she paid little heed to the blood or the pain that accompanied the blood.
"If we stay here any longer, zere may be talk." He explained with a twinkle in his eye. Nightcrawler had a way of hiding his emotions when he needed to, that was how he had always kept it unknown how much it hurt him to look different from his friends. Reaching out a hand to help Chris up, there was a tiny glimpse of something else in his yellowish eyes as he let his walls down a bit, but it vanished almost before it occurred, and the happy Kurt, wild and a little mischievous was back in his rightful place.
Her punches continued to grow in strength, each stronger then last. Her blue eyes slowly turned gold and flames danced on her exposed skin.
Kurt smiled at her and kissed her on the forehead before leaving turning off the light by her bed. "I vill always find you." He said.
The flames grew brighter and the mark of the Phoenix glowed around her left eye. Blood continued to seep out of her shattered skin around her knuckles.
"I'd..." she paused for a moment, trying to find the words for what she was about to ask him. "I'd like to establish a permanent rapport... a psychic bond between us... a part of me in your head, a part of you in mine. I know what I'm asking is a lot... Total intimacy... total sharing... total... trust." She paused a moment and looked at him. "I'll understand if you say no...."
Kurt got up from his sitting position and looked at Christine. "Look at us. Just look at us. Vat have we become? Ve've let zis beat down on us until ve are little more zan wounded spirits..." He sighed and nodded. "Ve need every possible thing zat can make us stronger. Yes...lets create uh...uh...permanent rapport."
The bag was threatening to fly off its rope and land on the ground. It took everything in Christine’s power to keep from sinking to her knees and weeping. She’d finish this training first – then would allow the tears to fall.
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Post by Christine MacTaggart on Sept 13, 2004 20:22:36 GMT -4
All the things he said All the things he said Running through my head Running through my head Running through my head All the things he said All the things he said Running through my head Running through my head All the things he said. This is not enough ...
I'm in serious s--t, I feel totally like lost If I'm asking for help it's only because Being with you, has opened my eyes Could I ever believe such a perfect surprise?
I keep asking myself, wondering how I keep closing my eyes but I can't block you out Wanna fly to a place where it's just you and me Nobody else so we can be free Nobody else so we can be free
All the things he said All the things he said Running through my head Running through my head Running through my head All the things he said All the things he said Running through my head Running through my head All the things he said This is not enough Ya soshla s uma, ma This is not enough!
All the things he said All the things he said All the things he said All the things he said All the things he said All the things he said All the things he said
And I'm all mixed up, feeling cornered and rushed They say it's my fault but I want him so much Wanna fly him away where the sun and rain Come in over my face, wash away all the shame When they stop and stare - don't worry me ‘Cause I'm feeling for him what he's feeling for me I can try to pretend, I can try to forget But it's driving me mad, going out of my head
All the things he said All the things he said Running through my head Running through my head Running through my head All the things he said All the things he said Running through my head Running through my head All the things he said This is not enough Ya soshla s uma, ma This is not enough
All the things he said All the things he said All the things he said All the things he said All the things he said All the things he said All the things he said
All the things he said, he said All the things he said All the things he said
Mother looking at me Tell me what do you see? Yes, I've lost my mind
Daddy looking at me Will I ever be free? Have I crossed the line?
All the things he said All the things he said Running through my head Running through my head Running through my head All the things he said All the things he said Running through my head Running through my head All the things he said This is not enough Ya soshla s uma, ma This is not enough.......
All the things he said...........
Christine cursed the fact that she put the song on repeat as the song started repeating itself, doing nothing to help her already aching heart.
Wrapping his arms tightly around her waist, and burying his face in her hair, he completely missed the fear and uncertainty in her eyes. “Zey told me you vere dead, but I knew it vasn’t true!” he cried.
She clung close to him, burying her face in his shoulder. "Hold me," she whispered, her voice quivering softly. "Don't let me go." She trembled as he held her, fearing this was another illusion - another dream - for when she woke that he would vanish and she would be lost once more without her "prince".
Holding her closely, Kurt felt hot tears welling up in his eyes. So many doubts and questions were nagging at the back of his mind, but he tried to ignore them.
“I’ll never let you go again,” he replied, smoothing her hair with one hand.
Tears continued to spill down her cheeks as more and more scenes of her and Kurt echoed through her mind. The flames that had been forming earlier continued their dance on her fair skin.
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Post by Christine MacTaggart on Sept 13, 2004 20:23:57 GMT -4
He simply walked forward towards the door, continuing to hold Chris in his shaking arms. His mind was completely blank. It was as if everything had been completely erased from his memory, and now he was just an empty shell carrying the mangled body of the woman he loved...
She could still feel the ghostly presence of his arms carrying her from the Blackbird after the mission to save Xavier. It was something she treasured, one of the few times they were touching each other.
Whatever the best was...he didn't know. Maybe she was going to die...and maybe he would die with her. Maybe this was just some strange dream and pretty soon he would wake up to her singing...no. This was not a dream, he could be sure of that by the warm blood that oozed from Chris's body and over his hands. It was real, and he had to deal with it. He loved her, and if she died...well then he would just die to and that was that.
She could remember his thoughts, his feelings as she lay there limply in his arms after using all of her energy to "show off" her newly formed bond with Phoenix. It made her heart weep to know how much angst she put him through by loving her.
He didn't even understand his own reasoning. But somehow he knew it was late for him to say what he had been keeping bottle up inside. "Chris I..." He said softly, tears forming in his eyes. "I... I love you Christine MacTaggert."
A faint smile crossed her lips and her eyes struggled to open. 'Not dead.. merely... worn out,' she whispered quietly in his mind. 'I love you, too, Kurt Wagner. Remember that - always.'
"I love you, too, Kurt Wagner. Remember that... always," she whispered softly.
The flames glowed brightly about her, as if to show the world the extent of the grief that she felt for the loss of part of her heart and soul.
All the things he said All the things he said Running through my head Running through my head Running through my head All the things he said All the things he said Running through my head Running through my head All the things he said. This is not enough ...
I'm in serious s--t, I feel totally like lost If I'm asking for help it's only because Being with you, has opened my eyes Could I ever believe such a perfect surprise?
I keep asking myself, wondering how I keep closing my eyes but I can't block you out Wanna fly to a place where it's just you and me Nobody else so we can be free Nobody else so we can be free
All the things he said All the things he said Running through my head Running through my head Running through my head All the things he said All the things he said Running through my head Running through my head All the things he said This is not enough Ya soshla s uma, ma This is not enough!
All the things he said All the things he said All the things he said All the things he said All the things he said All the things he said All the things he said
And I'm all mixed up, feeling cornered and rushed They say it's my fault but I want him so much Wanna fly him away where the sun and rain Come in over my face, wash away all the shame When they stop and stare - don't worry me ‘Cause I'm feeling for him what he's feeling for me I can try to pretend, I can try to forget But it's driving me mad, going out of my head
All the things he said All the things he said Running through my head Running through my head Running through my head All the things he said All the things he said Running through my head Running through my head All the things he said This is not enough Ya soshla s uma, ma This is not enough
All the things he said All the things he said All the things he said All the things he said All the things he said All the things he said All the things he said
All the things he said, he said All the things he said All the things he said
Mother looking at me Tell me what do you see? Yes, I've lost my mind
Daddy looking at me Will I ever be free? Have I crossed the line?
All the things he said All the things he said Running through my head Running through my head Running through my head All the things he said All the things he said Running through my head Running through my head All the things he said This is not enough Ya soshla s uma, ma This is not enough.......
All the things he said...........
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Post by Christine MacTaggart on Sept 13, 2004 20:25:12 GMT -4
The comm panel in the Blackbird suddenly sputtered to life. The image of Scott was blurred and distorted, the sound was marred by static and sounds of chaos, and a stream of blood oozed from a wound on his scalp.
"kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkristinekkkkkkkkkattakkkkkkkkkSHIELkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk..."
There was an unmistakable POP POP POP POP POP of automatic gunfire, and the image disappeared.
She punched the bag harder as the memory of seeing her beloved older brother, Scott, wounded and being unable to help him snaked to the front. She should have been there to help him – not off rescuing Kyle in Germany. She shook her head irritably, knowing Scott would chastise her for being willing to abandon a mutant because he needed help.
"Out of my head!" she snarled, severing the connection and thrusting them back to their own bodies. She once more grabbed Jason and slammed him against the wall, the flames of Phoenix glowing brightly.
"I want to know how you reached into my mind," she snarled. "You're an illusionist - not a telepath."
Wyngarde looked sick. Sick and afraid. "M-Mindtrap mechanism", he managed to gasp through bloody teeth, "White Queen's design. Allowed me to project illusions directly into your mind -- as well as monitor your thoughts."
"Use a telepath to ensnare a telepath," Christine murmured to herself, a cruel smile on her features. "Ingenious... This device enabled you to tailor your illusions to fit my most private fantasies -- the repressed, dark side of my soul." She reached out and grabbed the device, smashing it in her hand. "You gave me what I secretly wanted -- and used that to destroy me!"
She paused a moment. The dark look on her features deepened and a cruel laugh bubbled forth. "It's only fair that I return the compliment. Through me, you sought power. Very well, then, I grant your wish."
If any of the X-Men were to have stumbled on the scene now, they never would have recognized the woman as Christine, since she wasn't acting like she normally would have.
Mastermind's eyes went wide as he realized what she might mean. In that moment, all his illusions were gone. The false memories, the manipulative imagery...even his own appearance - which now transformed into a thin and cadaverous looking man with unkempt, greasy hair.
"You can't...!", he said with panic in his voice.
It had never occurred to him before that unleashing her powers might ever mean they would be directed at him.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!", he shrieked.
"I'll give you power, Jason Wyngarde," Christine cooed. "Such as no living being has even dreamed of." And with that, she extended the range and scope of his powers, knowing full well that he was not built to handle such power.
She threw her head back and laughed. "Your pathetic attempt to use me has opened my eyes...You had me do evil to gain you power. But thru this body, I felt the thrill of that evil, now I thirst for MORE!" Her eyes grew dark. "Now..." she said, her Phoenix costume changing as she stood there - going from the gentle blue to the vivid crimson, blood crimson, "...time to reveal myself to my old ...friends..."
She placed her hands to her head, holding it as the memories of Dark Phoenix snaked their way through her lowered shields. “No,” she whimpered, forgetting about the flames that were dancing about her lithe form. “No, please, no.”
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Post by Christine MacTaggart on Sept 13, 2004 20:26:17 GMT -4
Dark Phoenix laughed quietly to herself when she felt the probing mind of Xavier. She sent back an image of pure hatred, pure malice as a warning. The sweet, innocent Christine they knew was no more - or was it?
Tears streaked down her face as she recalled her attack on Charles – something she hated to recall. She had been so out of control – so violent – so evil that she scared herself remembering it.
Dark Phoenix glared and caught one hand that had the claws extended. The flames around her hand blazed to life, burning hot as the sun and just as bright.
"Let's see how your famed healing ability responds to this," she sneered.
Remembering the attack on Logan that she had done did little to help her already distressed mood. Tears continued to pour down her face as she remembered. She turned back to the punching bag and continued to punch. The bag flew off its rope and landed on the ground. Christine slowly sank to her knees and wept. "No more!"
OOC1: Done ::sigh of relief:: 'nother book there LOL OOC2: Tag whoever
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Post by Christine MacTaggart on Sept 17, 2004 6:08:15 GMT -4
Christine wearily stood up, and glanced around the room, trying to recall what just happened. She willed the flames to vanish - which they did, but slowly - something that didn't entirely please her. She bent down and picked up the punching bag and went to reattach it to its cable so she didn't get lectured later for breaking it.
Slowly, ever so slowly, she fell back into her routine, punching the bag - caring little for what it was doing to her hands. At this point - any pain was good pain. Physical pain to mask the mental and emotional pain she was going through.
"Have to be strong, can't show any weakness, can't keep the team together if I'm weak," she repeated quietly to herself as she punched the bag. "Have to be strong, can't show any weakness, can't keep the team together if I'm weak." She kept repeating that to herself, hoping at one point she'd actually start believing it. "Can't let them see me as weak."
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Post by deadgirl on Sept 17, 2004 22:26:56 GMT -4
"You must be Moira's girl." Dead Girl said as she walked into the training room. The girl had obviously run herself out, and yet she was still going. "You'll run yourself to death if you keep that up, and believe me, death's not fun."
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Post by Christine MacTaggart on Sept 17, 2004 22:38:48 GMT -4
Christine's head turned in the direction of the newcomer. If she had been anyone else, she probably would have started screaming and freaking out, but being who she was, she merely shrugged at the appearence. "That, my dear, would be an understatement. Been dead before," she said, shrugging a shoulder.
She paused a moment. "Yeah, I'm Moira's daughter. You are?"
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Post by deadgirl on Sept 17, 2004 22:46:54 GMT -4
"Dead Girl. Yeah, I know, real original name." She said, running a hand through her short hair. "At least you lucked out and came back alive. I just came back."
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Post by Christine MacTaggart on Sept 17, 2004 22:51:55 GMT -4
"Sometimes I question my luck," Christine said, indicating the Phoenix mark on her face that was still there. She sighed quietly and allowed herself a moment of rest. "So, what brought you to Muir?"
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Post by deadgirl on Sept 17, 2004 23:03:17 GMT -4
"Bad luck, mostly." Dead Girl shrugged. "I went out on a cruise ship, when some anti-mutant loonie tossed me overboard. This was where I got washed up." She gave a small laugh when she remembered washing up on the beach. "I scared everyone when I started talking, asking why they were getting a bodybag. Apparently no one's heard of X-Statix around here, and I haven't seen any of my teammates."
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Post by Christine MacTaggart on Sept 17, 2004 23:13:01 GMT -4
"X-Statix," Christine said with a curious look. "Let's see," she said, pulling up a computer screen out of thin air. "X-Men, Uncanny Men, wait, there's Uncanny again, hm.. over there's Excaliber, oh, and there too." She paused, glancing at Dead Girl out of the corner of her eye. "X-Force, X-Factor, Generation X, New X-Men, ah, here we are, X-Statix."
Christine's gaze drifted down the list before her gaze fell on one member. "Mr Sensitive? What does he do? Cry watching chick flicks?"
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Post by deadgirl on Sept 17, 2004 23:33:16 GMT -4
"No, he's not a chick-flick watcher." Dead Girl laughed. "Although, he might not like you for that comment. He changed his code name to Orphan. I like that one a bit better." She barely blinked at the computer screen's appearance. "Do you know where everyone is? Doop, Orphan, Venus, where are they all?"
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Post by Christine MacTaggart on Sept 17, 2004 23:43:42 GMT -4
"Eh, he'll live," Christine said, before settling down to look up the people listed by the living dead girl. "Let's see," she murmured, glancing at names and locations.
She made a rather rude gesture at the computer screen when she came across the file for Doop. "Bite me, you voyueristic booger," she said irritably. "Put it in a language I can read without needing to bug Douglock - if I knew where he was."
She leaned back. "Says that Orphan is off doing something stupid. Macho male then?"
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