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Post by Fate on May 24, 2010 10:34:41 GMT -4
Now that they knew at least roughly where they were headed, it was clear that their commandeered truck wasn't getting them there.
Unfortunately, that meant going back toward the capitol.
Back into the lion's den.
It was quickly decided that they would split into teams, with one team focused on obtaining a vehicle, the other on gathering provisions.
Remy, Victor and Noriko left the others at the city gates. Their aim was to find a way into SHIELD headquarters and find something they could fly in pursuit. Noriko knew her way around the base. Victor was the only pilot.
The others, Princess Katherine and the human Kurt Wagner, led by Creed's assistant - Tatiana - took their truck into the city to get food and supplies. It had been Tatiana's profession, after all...she knew plenty about what they would need and where to get it.
It was dark by the time they made the city gates. The city glowed an unearthly orange from the devastation near Magneto's castle.
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Post by Fate on May 24, 2010 12:30:57 GMT -4
Creed had resources and warehouses in several places throughout the city. They could have easily found what they needed in one of those and gone on.
It would have been smarter. It would have been easier.
But the jagged skyline and thick black smoke, the angry red tinge on everything above and below the castle...
It was an irresistable pull to each of them.
Together they agreed to go and take a look.
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Post by Fate on May 24, 2010 13:54:14 GMT -4
They drove slowly. The closer they got to the palace the more and more shocking was the landscape around them.
The Genetic Research Center was in ruins and flames. This surprised none of them.
That the castle and the buildings around it were also destroyed surprised all of them. Fire and destruction was everywhere.
Here and there were scattered bodies. Unrecognizable.
The further they drove, the more nervous Tatiana became.
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Post by Fate on May 24, 2010 21:38:28 GMT -4
It wasn't that the others weren't nervous. They were and for a lot of reasons. But Princess Katherine and Kurt Wagner had each other.
Tatiana's "other" was in that mess somewhere.
At least she desperately hoped so.
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Post by Fate on May 25, 2010 21:10:10 GMT -4
Oddly, Katherine felt disconnected. She was concerned, even terrified, about what she saw...
Her childhood home was in ruins and in flames.
Her "father's" tower had collapsed downward. That was probably his doing, she thought. But the castle?
That looked more like the wicked stepsisters.
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Post by Fate on May 25, 2010 21:22:05 GMT -4
The level of destruction...the utter chaos...it worsened as they continued to move slowly onward.
It almost had to be Wanda's doing, Katherine thought. She'd seen her sister throw some wicked tantrums. But what would make her lose control like this?
The flames in all of the surrounding buildings were intensely hot.
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Post by Fate on May 25, 2010 22:46:35 GMT -4
"Hold on", said Katherine. She fumbled to open her door.
"No...!", replied Tatiana, who was looking further down the complex at the roaring flames from Douglas's workplace. She was driving and she had no intention of stopping.
"Yes", Katherine commanded. She didn't bother with the door but phased through it and out onto the street. She ran toward the ruins.
Tatiana did as she was told.
Kurt followed Katherine as soon as he could get his door open.
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Post by Fate on May 26, 2010 9:11:07 GMT -4
Nearer the smoke and the heat and the flames, it was harder to see. Katherine forced herself forward. Kurt followed protectively.
Near the edge of one pile of rubble there was a sparkle. Katherine drove on toward it.
It was a ring - a very large ring - just as she'd expected.
The hand that wore it was still inside it, its flesh seared away.
It was Wanda.
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Post by Fate on May 26, 2010 9:14:12 GMT -4
Katherine felt none of the pain that she had when she had learned what happened to her true parents. It wasn't as if she and her sisters had ever really gotten along.
She felt bad. She didn't feel as bad as she thought maybe she should.
She looked around at the destruction of her childhood. Of who she had been.
It became apparent there were other bodies in the ruins.
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Post by Fate on May 26, 2010 10:35:48 GMT -4
"Who could have done this?", she asked aloud. She didn't expect Kurt to answer.
"Amara!", he said suddenly. He started running.
A tall and slender naked girl stumbled out of the smoke and walked aimlessly through the rubble. Kurt scrambled after her, finding a remnant of torn tablecloth and pulling it free. By the time he drew it around the girl's shoulders Katherine had caught up to them.
They both spoke to her at once with kindness and concern. She stared blankly, but allowed them to slow her to a stop.
"She's in shock", Katherine said as she put her arm around Amara's shoulder. Gently and with soothing words, Katherine got her to kneel. With the three of them gathered close, the princess patiently tried to get the servant girl to speak.
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Post by Fate on May 26, 2010 21:54:49 GMT -4
Amara did nothing more than look at them vacantly. They decided it would be best to finish their mission and then figure out what to do with her.
"They" did not mean Tatiana. She was growing more and more impatient as they coaxed their overwhelmed charge into the truck with them.
Tati kept her agitation to herself.
Once they were back in the vehicle Katherine worked to make Amara's makeshift cover into something a little more dignified. The improvised white garment ended up most resembling a toga.
Tatiana let out a breath through her teeth as they finally got back underway.
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