psinex@yahoo.com Fires of Tomorrow 14/30 DISCLAIMER: They're all Marvel's, except for Deanna, Danny, Dave, Mel, and the Richards twins, who're mine. Please don't sue. NOTES: Ahem ... I made a mistake. I can't - won't - subject readers to 60 chapters when I can finish this in half the space. (And I've got a hankerin' to get on with the sequel. Which, I hope, will blow people's socks off. Not in public, mind you - flying socks can be hazardous to your health ;) Also, FEEDBACK ! I NEED FEEDBACK !! PLEASE !!! I sincerly want to thank everyone who has written, and I'm always looking for more. Pretty please ? (I'm not going away if I don't get any. But more is always appreciated. And I'll even try to write back. Really. I promise.) -------------------------------------------------------- X-Mansion: 4/1/2004: Xavier's Office: 08:00 hrs EST: -------------------------------------------------------- ~Incredible ...~ Xavier, Emma, Jean and Betsy entered the periphery of their patients' "mind," examining the odd connections which had been formed inside the dual consciousness. ~It's as if they've begun to work in concert, shifting control as needed,~ Emma noted, careful not to shatter any memory crystals while the telepaths examined the shifting, eerie mindscape. ~But the genetic shifts are what is so fascinating,~ Xavier noted. ~They each possess the same X-factor, but the introns literally change to manifest the individual psyches' powers when each respective psyche takes over.~ ~And that constant genetic flux is threatening to kill their remaining physical form,~ Jean called nervously. ~This may be a 'fascinating' clinical case, but they're still children whose lives we need to save.~ ~Agreed,~ Betsy replied, examining the heart of the "entity's" collective consciousness. ~But to do so ...~ The four telepaths looked at each other and gave a collective sigh. ~Nicole and Claudette St. Croix must cease to exist individually,~ Xavier sent sadly. -------------------------------------------------------- "Y-you're sure ?" Claudette asked, shivering, as she sat with Xavier in the office moments later. "Claudette, if there was any other way, we'd take it," Xavier sighed. "But your minds have spent too much time in the same body to - kill - one or another of you, even if we were inclined to simply do away with one or the other psyche. Your memories are already irrevocably blended, and your personas are blurring - but not quickly enough to prevent the damage continued genetic fluctuation is doing to your body." "And all this because," Nicole observed bitterly, "because I let Claudette sacrifice her physical form during the fall of Asteroid M ..." (1) "Stop berating yourself," Claudette snapped back. She sighed and looked at Xavier, then asked, "Could I ... may I say goodbye to the others ? Nicky and I agree we need to do this, but ..." "I understand, child," Xavier nodded, squeezing her hand. Claudette nodded gratefully, then stood and left the office. ~This is it ... we're gonna be one person,~ Claudette said to Nicole as they walked the halls. ~I know. I, for one, find it intriguing,~ Nicole replied. ~Imagine - all our powers and intellect, in one form ! Even Monet cannot teleport.~ ~Yeah ... but what about our friends ?~ Claud replied, wiping her eyes. She looked into the living room, and waved sadly at the other Mutants. "What's wrong ?" Leech asked as Claud entered. She shook her head, forcing back tears, until Ray squeezed her shoulder. "Whatever it is, you can tell us," Ray said gently. "'You,'" Claud mumbled, tears rolling down her face. "There's too much mind, and we've got to merge, and - and - I don't wanna lose Leech -" She sobbed, letting Leech hug her, while she poured out her story. The others listened, aghast or sorrowful, until Claudette finished. "That's - you won't be YOU ?" Gail said softly, shaking her head. "That's inhuman !" Naomi yelled. She glanced at Luna and smiled sheepishly, mumbling, "No offense, Luna ..." "None taken," Luna grinned. She quickly frowned and added, "It's really too late ?" "I - I guess," Claudette sniffed. "But -" Her face fell, and she whispered, "Guys - it's too quiet all of a sudden." "Your mindsig - it's - uh-oh," Nate gulped. "Ray, Frank - all us tepes - did Nicky just - ?" "She's GONE !" Ray gasped. "Quick, get the Professor - Nicole's VANISHED !" -------------------------------------------------------- How typical. They were bound to overreact, I suppose. Altruism from a normally cold, arrogant, scientific person is always surprising. I detach myself from Claudette's psyche and summon her teleport power for one last jump. I am unafraid, for my sister will live and, hopefully, be happy. I am sorry, twin - but you have a life ahead of you. And the psi-plane is ever so intriguing ... -------------------------------------------------------- Xavier tried to grasp Nicole's astral form before it vanished into the astral plane, but was left holding gossamer threads. ~CURSES !~ he bellowed, returning to his own form. "She's gone," he moaned, floating in his hoverchair next to the sleeping Claudette on the couch in his office. "Nicky ... ?" Claud asked, sitting up. Leech held her and shook his head, his eyes filling with tears as Claud cried on his shoulder. "She - she's not really dead, though, is she, Professor ?" Claud asked. Xavier looked out the window, then turned back to Claud with a sad little smile. "No, child," Xavier said. "Not so long as you live on. I believe she may live on the astral plane - possibly for eternity." "Then I'll live my life as much as she would've wanted," Claud nodded. She smiled and left with Leech, adding, "Telepathy, teleportation, superstrength, durability and flight - not a bad last will, sis ..." "... but I still got the boyfriend." Leech just blushed an odd green as Claud kissed his cheek, and followed her back to the others ... -------------------------------------------------------- NEXT: A shock to mutantkind - and the war of succession is about to begin on Asteroid M ! -------------------------------------------------------- end _____________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Free instant messaging and more at http://messenger.yahoo.com