Chapter 7
The pain seemed to start in Nate’s chest and spread to the rest of his body. He peered up from the rocks to see X-treme slowly approaching. “David,” Nate gasped, unable to mask the pain in his voice, “don’t do this. Whatever the Master’s done to you, we’re still brothers!” X-treme laughed and threw the knife straight into Nate’s chest. “Sorry, Nathan, but revenge is sweeter than blood, and I aim to spill plenty of yours before the day is done.” Then he added with an evil grin, “That is, if you have any left to spill.”
X-treme lifted a large rock in his hands and raised it above his head. “I live for revenge. Once I destroy you, it will be complete, and your debt to me will be paid.”
Nate just shook his head. “If killing me is the only thing you have to live for, what then, David? You’ll have no purpose after that. You’ll just be a slave to the Master. Can’t you see he’s using you?” “NO!” X-treme yelled. “You’re lying! The Master has given me purpose! He gave me these powers so I could have my vengance!”
“Think about it, David. I came to Overpower to escape the pain of losing you. Once I buried that pain, I left. The Master didn’t like that, so he sent you to kill me. When I’m gone, you’ll be his to command. He gave you those powers, he can take them away. If you want to keep them, you’ll have to do everything he says.”
“Don’t listen to him!” the Master screamed in anger. “He’s your sworn enemy! Kill him! KILL HIM NOW!” But the seed of doubt had been planted in X-treme’s mind, and the Master’s commands only made him more suspicious. He looked down at Nate’s bruised body, wondering if he might be telling the truth.
Careful not to let herself be seen, Psylocke peered out from the rocks. “Can you see anything?” one of her companions asked. Psylocke shook her head. “We’ll have to get closer. Follow me, and watch your step.” Before the words were out of her mouth, she heard a cry behind her, and a lone figure tumbled past. Psylocke ran after it, followed by her remaining companion. “My sister always was a klutz,” she mumbled. “We’d better catch her before she ruins everything.”
The Master was clearly angry now. His carefully designed plan was gradually falling apart. He was losing control over X-treme, and there was no way he could face the wrath of both boys. He began considering numerous backup plans, dismissing each one just as quickly as he came up with it.
Suddenly, the Master noticed a girl rolling to a stop just in front of the two boys. She wore a long, dark blue cloak. Long, red hair fell onto her shoulders, and her green eyes were filled with fear.
X-treme turned his head and stared at the girl. He had a feeling that he knew her, or at least used to, before his death. The longer he stared at her, the more familiar she seemed. He was still lost in thought when he heard Nate’s voice. “Forgive me, David,” he said, “but it’s the only way to make you remember.”
X-treme cried out in pain as Nate entered his mind. His head felt like it was on fire. He began to see various images before his eyes. It took him a moment to realize that they were memories, his memories before he died.
“Just tell her, bro,” David said, playfully smacking his brother’s arm. A much younger Nate rubbed his arm and replied, “I can’t, David. I just don’t think she feels the same way.” David laughed. “Are you kidding me? The girl’s crazy about you, and you think she doesn’t feel the same as you? More like you’re afraid to tell her how you really feel.”
Nate lowered his head and stared at the ground. “You make it sound so easy.” “It’s never easy, kid. Girls are confusing, even moreso when you feel like this. But it’s best to tell her now, while you can, before she’s out of your life for good. Just think about how things could be if she did feel the same way.” Nate considered this and asked, “But what if she doesn’t?” David grinned and said, “At least you’ll know for sure that way, bro. Now go find Rose and tell her how you feel.”
The memory hit X-treme with the impact of a bomb, and as the lies of the Master were cleared from his mind, this boy was no longer a tool of revenge. He was David Grey, literally back from the dead, aside from a different body. David looked down at his younger brother and asked, “You okay, kid?” Nate nodded. “Then excuse me for a sec. The Master’s about to find out what the penalty is for messing with my mind!” He turned and ran off, followed by the girl that had fallen earlier.
Nate groaned and sat up, wincing as the pain shot through his body. “Don’t try to move; you’re hurt.” His eye widened in amazement as she put her arms around him and slowly helped him up. “Is that really you, Rose?” he asked. She smiled and said, “Yes, Nathan, it’s really me. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” He nodded and leaned against her shoulder. “Let’s get out of here.” “What about David?” she asked. Nate grinned and replied, “He’s busy. Don’t worry, he’ll catch up.”
“Are you sure you’re okay, Nate?” Psylocke asked once they had reached the minijet. “You lost a lot of blood.” Nate waved her away and said, “Your concern is appreciated, but unnecessary. I’ll be fine, Betsy.” “So says the guy with the stab wounds in his ribcage,” she said, elbowing him in the side. “At least let Rose take a look at you for a few minutes. Meanwhile, where are David and Angel?”
“Right here,” David said, appearing at the minijet’s door with Angel. “Just tying up some loose ends with the Master.” “In other words, he buried him under a ton of rock,” Angel quipped. David shrugged and took a seat in the rear with her. “Call it whatever you want, what’s done is done.” “Then it’s time to head home,” Psylocke said, looking at Nate, “unless anyone has an objection...” Nate shook his head and said, “The mansion’s fine, Betsy...for now.” And with that, the minijet lifted off and soared through the air, towards the rising sun.
Rose slowly opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw were Nate’s blue eyes staring at her. “Nathan, why are you looking at me like that?” “I’m sorry, Rose,” he said, “but I just can’t believe how much you’ve changed since I last saw you. I remember you as a cute little girl, and now you’re a beautiful young woman.” “So you think I’m beautiful?” she asked with a slight smile. Nate blushed bright red and muttered, “Well...yes.”
“Don’t forget, Nathan,” Rose reminded him, “you grew up, too. You’re not the same happy kid with a gleam in his eye that I grew up with.” “It’s funny you should say that,” Nate said staring out the window, “because I wasn’t too happy when you left.” “What do you mean?” Rose asked, her face full of concern.
Nate sighed and looked at her. “I wasn’t just sad they day you left, Rose; I was heartbroken. Ever since the day we met, I had a crush on you. When you left, any hopes of that becoming something more were destroyed.” Rose stared at him and then asked, “Why didn’t you tell me before I left?” “I wanted to, believe me I did, but I was afraid to tell you.” Nate looked quickly looked down, wondering if he was right to tell her all this now.
Rose shook her head and suddenly began to laugh. Nate didn’t see what was so funny. Rose smiled and gave him a big hug. “Nathan, you silly, silly boy. If you had told me then, you would’ve found out that I felt the same way about you.” Nate looked into her eyes and asked, “You did?” Rose nodded and added, “I did and I still do.”
Nate leaned back in his seat, remaining silent for a moment. “Then what’s next for us, Rose?” “Well,” Rose said quietly, lowering her head, “if you haven’t lost the love you had for me, I’d like to be your girlfriend.” Nate stared at her and his eyes got as big as dinner plates. “Are you sure about?”
Rose raised her head and said, “Tell me you don’t love me and I’ll forget I ever mentioned it.” “But I do love you, Rose,” Nate said. “Good,” she said, “then as my boyfriend, you’ll have to get used to a lot of these.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. Nate frowned and said, “No, that’s not going to work for me at all.” Rose narrowed her eyes and asked, “Why not?!” “As my girlfriend, maybe you should learn to get used to these.” He pulled her close and gently kissed her lips, drawing a squeal of surprise out of her.
“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that,” he said with a wide grin on his face. “Won’t Betsy be jealous?” Rose asked with a smirk. Nate shook his head and replied, “Betsy’s my best friend.” “So I’m not your best friend anymore?” she asked. “Pay attention, silly girl, you’ve been promoted to girlfriend.” “What’s the difference?” Rose asked. Nate answered, “The difference is, she won’t be getting any of these.” He embraced Rose and kissed her again.
“She better not be getting any of those,” Rose said, and Nate laughed. “You forget, I’m in love with you, not her. Now get some sleep; it’s a long trip back to the mansion.” Rose laid her head on his shoulder and mumbled sleepily, “I love you, Nathan.” Nate put an arm around her and kissed her forehead. Then he whispered, “I love you, too, Rose, with all my heart.”
The End.
I’m currently working on another story with Nate, Rose, Angel, David, and the X-Men. Plus, I’ve got plans to write another short story that’ll go between them! Sure sounds like a lot, doesn’t it? Well, that’s all for now, thanks for your support and seeya next story! :)