A Home That Far

A Home That Far
Chapter 14 Lost to a Beast

"What do you mean she's gone?" Storm asked. Storm had been working with Alex and Bob, removing snow and repairing smaller structures of the village that would be their home one day. When she learned that Forge's repair crew were near, she traveled to their camp to bring Jean and the others to the village to help in the rebuilding.

"Just that, Storm," Scott answered, trying once more to start the small flying vehicle he found in the cargo section. "She took off with a group of Avions last night, that human hot on her heels. Then Logan let it slip this morning about Kale's condition. If I don't find her soon..."

"Oh Scott, will you stop! Kale has found someone to make her happy..."

"A Human! NO WAY! I wont allow it!"

"You have no say in the matter!"

"YES I DO!!! If she is to remain in this community, she'll abide by the rules I lay down!"

"And does that go for the rest of us too!? If I or Logan were to be courted by humans, would you disown us as well?"

"I wouldn't have too," he said, the engine starting at last. As he straddled the tiny sled, he kd thd the release leaver that held the door. "The two of you know better!"

"You arrogant..." She chased after him as he flew the craft out of the ship, taking off into the snowy sky. "...I hope she bites you!!!"

"Storm?" Jean called, charging from the cargo access door, to see Scott sailing off in the distance, not too gracefully either. "How did he get it started?"

"I don't know. But he's heading north, going after Kale."

"Well he'll have an a tim time finding her. She's south west of here."

"I'd better go then. Warn her, and Duncan. You and the professor try and get through to Scott. He's getting more and more out of hand every day."

"I agree. This is more than paranoia over humans. There has to be something medically wrong with him."

"How will you find that out?"

"Hank has agreed to put him in a medical coma, till we find or build the equipment necessary to examine him properly."

"We'll have to catch him first."

"I'm hoping Kale can help us. Can you ask her?"

"I'll do what I can. But I thought you were also against her and Duncan?"

"I know. I thought it was too soon...we barely know these people."

"So you too threaten to abandon her?"

"I thought...it would help her see what is important. Her people, and not her hormones."

ems ems to me, that it backfired."

"Just find her. Bring her back."

"I can't promise, but I'll try." The winds picked up, and the white haired weather witch rose on the gusts. "You just hope she's in a mood to talk."

It was several hours before Storm saw any signs of life on the ground, aside from the occasional small animal looking for food. She found tracks, huge ones, and lots of them. All along the upper edge of a canyon, on both sides, she found large cmarkmarks, both deep in the snow, and scaled on solid rocks. On one side, she found faint imprints of human footprints, half covered in the lightly falling flakes. But as she descended into the canyon below, she saw it was another story.

Stained in the snow, and along the cliff wall, were massive pools and splashes of blood. In the snowy ground, there were faded footprints, of more than two humans, and there were more claw marks, scattered and overlapping. She surmised that it ha be be a fight.

"She's alive," called a familiar voice. Storm looked up to see Logan, using his Antamantium claws to scale down the cliff. "If you're worried that these creatures hurt Kale or the others, don't be. They're alive."

"You sure about that?" she asked, gliding up on her created wind, scooping Logan off the cliff face and continuing higher.

"I'm sure. Transformed or otherwise, Kale's blood has a distinctive smell. My nose never lies. That blood isn't hers."

"So where is she?"

"Not fare. About a mile in that direction I'd say. But you may want to wait a while."

"You can smell THAT?"

"Sorry. One of the drawback of having a supersensitive nose."

"Well we'll have to get to her. Scott is looking for her. We don't have much time."

"Where is he?"

"North. But it wont be long before he realizes that he's gone in the wrong direction."

"Terrific." He watched the tiny camp as it came into view. Four of the men were putting together another tent, across from the first one already erected. The entire campground was covered in a soft fur like carpet, with a huge metal dish affair for the fire pit. "Good morning gentlemen," Logan greeted, as Storm sed thd them on the ground. "I don't suppose you guys know where Kale is right now?" Asked more for Storm's benefit, and for courtesy than for his own knowledge. He already knew where she was, whom she was with, and just what they were doing. The thing that made him curious was that he couldn't hear her. When last he helped her with this phase of her life, she screamed loud enough to pop his eardrum. What was Duncan's secret to keep her so quiet?

"The lady Kale, and Duncan, are unavailable. And I'll shoot anyone who tries to disturb them."

"Lord Stratos, we're not here to stop her, we're here to warn her..."

"That you'll desert her if she chooses a happy life? Well if you do, the Avion people will stand at her side. She's happy, let her alone."

"S"
"
"

"Wait Logan. It isn't that at all. Scott is out there looking for you. If he finds you..."

"Not IF, Storm, he's found us already! Everybody down!!!"

The tiny sled dove from the sky, the near blond man madly steering the vehicle to keep control of it. The ties on the already coted ted tent flew open, and in the swirling snow Logan was sure he saw a nude Duncan, trying to grab the flaps. "Someone grab that fool!" Stratos yelled. One of his soldiers tried to fly close to him, but the force of the wind brought up by the overpowered thrusters, forced him back, tumbling head over heels in the air.

Storm threw her powers into the air, catching the young man and guiding him safely to the sled. The mad knocked Scott clear, sending him crashing into the lover's tent. Skillfully, the Avion man steered the sled to the ground, and headed back to the camp.

"WHERE IS SHE!?" Scott yelled, thrashing through the remains of the tent. "You bastard! WHERE IS SHE!?" He took a swing at the figure in the tent, connecting with what he believed was a chin. The figure landed with a thud inside, before he was tackled off the remains of the structure, and held at bay by the Avion soldiers.

"Scott you fool!" Storm called, forming a rain cloud over his head and making it poor over him. "Cool off!"

"She's here! Isn't she!" he spat. "That ass, he won't touch her!"

"What makes you think she'll listen to you!"

"She's my subordinate! SHE HAS NO CHOICE!"

"You idiot!!" The group turned to see Duncan struggle out of the remains of the tent, barely in his pants. "Do you have any idea what you've done!?"

"You prick. What have you done with Kale!"

"She's hurt! You hit her! Do you even think any more!"

"If anyone has hurt her, it was you!!!"

"Is she all right?" Storm asked, sending a blast of cold air at the blond man, anything to try and calm him down.

"She's got a cut lip, but I think she'll be ok."

"Duncan!" The master turned to the sound of his name, but looked to where the Avion was pointing.

From the tent Kale fought her way free, wearing only a blue shirt, but something wasn't right. She seemed to calm, too controlled. A state she seemed unable to master in the condition she was in. Suddenly she fell, her haggard breathing heard clear across the campsite. Duncan tried to go to her, but Logand hid him back. "Everyone," the man said calmly, "stay back. She's pissed, and she isn't going to play favorites."

"What is she doing?" Duncan asked.

"Focusing," Logan replied. "She did it once before, but only after a fight. She changed into a tiger, nearly tore the face off several people. Peter had to fight her to a stand still before she'd calm down enough to change back."

"She'll change into a tigThenThen what?"

"Stay out of her way."
t itt it wasn't a tiger that emerged from her small elegant form. Splitting the synthetic fibbers of her shirt, a pair of wings spread out, her body grew larger, and tusks grew from her cheeks, she was taking the form of the white dragon she'd been that morning. An angry roar spread over the campsite, and the white dragon's red eyes focused on the blond man in the distance.

"Oh no!" Storm gasped.

"What?" Duncan demanded.

"Her eyes! They're not green!"

"What difference does that make!?"

"A big difference!" Logan explained, pulling him and the soldiers farthack.ack. "If her eyes are green, than Kale still has control over the beast she's become."

"If the eyes aren't green, than Kale is lost," Storm continued. "She's suppressed somewhere inside. All that you see now is the dragon. Instinct, drive, behavior, its all dragon. None of it is Kale."

"Tearna! Get the concussion grenade!" Stratos ordered, and the young man dove behind the nearly completed tent, his movements concealed from view.

"WHAT!"

"Its all right Logan. The concussion grenades are designed to bring down a dragon alive."

"No one make any sudden moves," Stratos warned, as the large white creature took a step forward, knocking over the fire pit. The fire set off the carpeting, spreading quickly to the not yet completed tent. The Avions took to the air, pulling Scott and Logan with them. Stpullpulled Duncan into the envelope of her winds, and sailed off over the dragon's head. Tearna barely getting away with the grenade launcher, as the fire completely consumed the tent.

"Kale! Stop! PLEASE!!" Duncan yelled. The white dragon's fire flew into the air, splitting the forces, sending Scott crashing into the snow. Before the dragon could fire again, Scott turned, and released a blast from his visor. The dragon cried in pain, as the beam sliced through the delicate ubellbelly. "NO!!!" Duncan yelled. Scott ran for the cover of some rocks, but it wasn't enough. The dragon turned quickly, its tail crashing through the stone, sending the blond flying against the rocks.

Scott's head struck hard and he landed, lifeless in the snow, blood pouring from the wound. The dragon charged over, sniffing at the body on the ground. Then it roared loudly over the land, and leapt into the air, disappearing in the swirling snow.

"KALE!!!!"

"Duncan, we'll find her! Don't worry, we'll find her!" Stratos assured. "Come on, you've got to get dressed. Storm, how is he?"

"Alive. Barely. He needs medical attention."

"Can he be moved?"

"I wouldn't risk it."

"Fine," Duncan stated.

"I'll head back to the ship. I'll bring it and Hank McCoy here. Stratos, do you know how to fly a type three cruiser?"

"Well yes, but..."

"Good. You and your men will follow Kale. Keep an eye on her. When I get back, I'll come to you. You'll take my place as second pilot."

"But..."

"NO BUTS! You and your men can track dragons better, and you can steer her away from any villages. I have some things I nee get get from the cruiser anyway. I shouldn't be long."

"Alright, but be careful when you come to meet us. If we have to engage the dragon, she's not going to be happy."

"Where will she go?" Logan asked.

"Someplace warm," Stratos answered, gathering his supplies. "Dragons are cold blooded. They need heat to survive. There's steam vents to the south of here, but then again, she may follow the dragon's instincts to go south all together."

"Don't let that happen! If she gets in with the dragons, we may never get her back."

"Leave it to us Man-at-Arms. We'll keep her to the north. Just get going!"

When Duncan arrived back at the cruiser he wasn't in the best of moods. He ordered Forge out of his way many times. Sent the Eternian assistants to the weapons locfor for several components to a weapon, and worked with fine tools on his own armour, before ordering the second pilot into position, and launching the craft, heading back to the Avion camp.

"What the hell is going on here?" Jean asked, having to levitate to get into the ship.

"Sit down and shut up!" Duncan ordered. "ETA?"

"Twenty minutes sir," answered the pilot, then he turned his attention to a monitor to his right. "Sir? Avion flyer approaching aft."

"Open the cargo doors. Let him in."

"Cargo doors open. Flyer aboard."

"Close the doors, and pick up speed."

"Yes sir." The Avion soldier sailed over the rail from the lower decks, and rushed into the pilothouse.

"Report?" Duncan asked.

"She's over the Evergreen Forest. Heading straight for King Karnaves' city."

"Did you inform him of the situation?"

"Yes sir. His soldiers are at the ready. They've erected a net. They'll bring her down."

"Unharmed I hope."

"Not sure sir."

"Alter course!"

"Course laid in, ETA, three minutes."

"Why so short a time?" Jean asked.

"We can save time by cutting over the Lake of Azra. King Karnaves' city isn't that far from the far shore. As it is now, we'd be going around."

"Inform Lord Stratos that he'll be taking my place sooner than expected. Mrs. Summers, Inform your Doc. McCoy that your husband is going to need his help."

"What happened?"

"Dragon attack. He'll live. But he's loosing a lot of blood."

"How big is the dragon?" the pilot asked.

"Not too big. About the size of a three year old."

"That's big."

"Not when you compare her to the one that we saw earlier today." Stated the soldier, holding out a picture. The pilot's eyes went wide. "Yeah, now fly."

All along the forest edge, several small human like furry people leapt from tree to tree, sending quiet messages back to their leader. So far their quarry was still far in the distance, rather difficult to see as its color blended in with the white flakes in the air.

Behind them they could hear the engines of and Eternian cruiser, as it settled in a clearing just outside the city gates. Stratos and Karnaves stood at had, as the passenger access opened, and Duncan emerged, in extra armour. "Do you think that's necessary?" Stratos asked, seeing the man pick up a familiar case, as he left the ship.

"It's a last resort," he said. "If we can't bring her down with the grenades, one way or another, she's coming down."

"But Duncan?"

"Stratos. The cruiser is yours. Get McCoy to your camp, and restrain that idiot. I wont have him interfering again."

"Yes, but..."

"Stratos!" The two locked their gaze for only a moment. It was then Stratos understood. Kale was a dragon, dangerous, and angry. It would only be a matter of time before she attacked, seeking the warmth of fires. "Just go Stratos. I'd rather that if it came to that...I'd rather it was me that did it."

"I understand."

Duncan and Karnaves stood clear, as the cruiser lifted off, the snow swirling on the icy ground in its wake. "Where is she?" Duncan asked.

"Four miles and closing. The cold is starting to affect her."

"Is the trap ready?"

"Yes, but I'm not sure if my men will be able to do this. Dragons are not something my people often tangle with."

"You won't have to bring her down for long. Just keep her distracted. We need to get close enough to use the grenade."

"You sure that one dragon is worth all this? Why not just let it fly south? With any luck, she'll be back next year."

"Your highness, this dragon, isn't your typical beast. We can't let it fly south. It has to come down. Please, help me."
VeryVery well, but I hope you know what you are doing."

"So do I."

The air was freezing, even his moustache had icicles on the ends where his breath left moisture. He couldn't imagine how it was affecting Kale. Suddenly he heard the great beat of dragon wings, and the white creature tumbled from sky, taking several trees with it. It staggered free of the tussled limbs, sending the great trunks like match sticks through the air. It raised its nose to thr onr once more, inhaling the scent on the air.

Duncan gave the signal one more time, and the Avion soldier soared past the beast, carrying a torch. The dragon turned in the direction of the smell of burning wood, and felt the heat left in the air. It took another step from the trees, and one of Karnaves' men leapt out, throwing a loop in the path of the dedingding leg. The rope secure around the limb, the man leapt clear. So far so good. The Avion soared farther into the clearing before finally dropping the torch on a pile of brush. The grasses and twigs lit up the darkening sky, and the dragon roared as it neared the heat.

It was in the light of the fire that Duncan could make out the white beast's face. Thick layers of ice coated the eyes, sealing one, and badly swelling the other. Its mouth had cracks all along the lip line, and small trails of blood were frozen to its chin.

The dragon huddled close to the fire, pulling its wings around itself, pooling more of the warm air against its body. Gingerly it lifted its left legs, trying to ease the pain of its wounded flesh. Duncan's heart ached as he could see the trail of burns along the underside, before the wings came around and obstructed his view. It was going to be more dangerous than he thought. Bringing down a nearly frozen dragon was one thing, bringing down one that was badly wounded was quite another. He signaled to Karnaves, who in turn signaled his people, and the net that would keep the dragon on the ground, began to cover the clearing, the anchors, the dragon's legs selvselves.

Slowly one of the Avions took up a position, with a clear shot at the Dragon's side. The net in place, he took his shot, but the dragon moved.

Perhaps he made a sound, maybe the tugging on the ropes was enough to get her attention, but she moved, out of position, the grenade sailed passed, and detonated on the far side, disrupting trees and shrubs. The dragon roared, and fire flew from its mouth, setting the trees afire. Karnaves' people scurried from the brush, ensuring all were safe, dashing into the forest, far from the flames.

Duncan took the other launcher, and aimed at her side. This was their last chance. If they didn't bring her , he, he would have no choice. Carefully he aimed the weapon, his target, the point where the ribs, and wing and leg came closest. This place on the dragon was the most susceptible to a concussion blast, though still not causing any permanent damage to the dragon. He only hoped that Kale had the same physiology.

The wing rose, the dragon preparing to take flight. Duncan fired, perhaps the hardest thing he had to do. The grenade went off, sending the beast into the flames. Being a dragon, it would barely notice, but if she changed backa hua human she would be killed. But the beast didn't stay down. It rose from the fire, sending a stream of flame into the air, burning the net, and several upper branches of the surrounding forest. Duncan scrambled to the nd, nd, regrouping with Karnaves near the clearing, out of sight of the dragon.

"Let it go!" Karnaves said. "Several of my people are hurt, one is missing. It is not worth..."

"SHE'S WORTH IT!" Duncan shouted. "Karnaves, she's human. She's the changeling of the people that arrived. She's in trouble. I've got to bring her down."

"By the Elders. I had no idea."

"I know. We were hoping..."

"Never mind. Do you have another charge?"

"No. All I have is this." Duncan pulled his cannon like weapon from the holster across his back.

"You can't be serious! That will kill a dragon!"

"I have no choice!! I can't let her get away. The dragons won't accept a white dragon, I've seen that already. If she gets loose, she may never find her way back to us. Back...to me."

Karnaves looked him over. It was then he realized, just what he meant. "I'll help you."

"We need another net."

"I'll get one. Here. Use this." Karnaves handed him his pistol. "If you can get a clear shot at the spine of the wing, at the major junction half way down, you can keep her on the ground. She wont be able to fly. You keep her on the ground, you still have a chance. Maybe then she'll come to her senses."

"I can only hope." As Karnaves ran into the trees, Duncan lstelstered his weapon, and took aim with the small pistol. As the dragon struggled and chewed on what was left of the net and anchoring ropes, he fired several shots at the wings, badly damaging the joint in themed part of the wing on one side. The dragon howled and pulled its limp wing closer to its body, turning its fire breath in the direction of the attack. Duncan dove behind some snow covered rocks, just as the flames flew over his head. The snow melted, and the branches burned, but he was safe.

Several of Karnaves' people rushed from the far tree line, firing arrows, carrying small ropes, over the beast. Men from the opposite side, grabbed several of the ropes at a time, and began to pull. As the first group kept the dragon's attention, a net was pulled over it. Duncan moved closer, pulling on some of the ropes to secure the net in place.

It wasn't an elegant plan, but it worked. The dragon was contained. Or at least they thought. The tail soared around, sending the soldiers to the rear flying into the trees, seeing the movement, Duncan dove to trounround, the tail just missing him. The dragon then turned its atton ton to the people in front of them, slashing with its massive claws, and trying to bite, or consume some of them, if the net hadn't been in the way. It used its head to flip many of them away, it spun around to try and back out of the net, and came face to face with Duncan.

Duncan had pulled out his cannon, and leveled it with the back of the dragon's neck, before he could pull the trigger, the beast turned, and face to face they stood.

The dragon's thawed red eyes looked at him, blood dripping like tears form the burst blood vessels on the inside of the eye lids. It snarled at him, threatening him with fire. Duncan pulled the primer back on the barrel. "I'm sorry baby," he said, and began to put pressure on the trigger.

The dragon inhaled deeply the scent of the one before it. It smelled like salt, and heat, and something familiar...something it knew. As though a veil had been lifted, the dragon's red eyes, slowly turned green, and the beast began to cough.

Seeing the green in the dragon's eyes return, Duncan let off the trigger. He lowered the weapon as he watched the dragon. It coughed, and swayed, staggering closer to the burning fire, its wing limp, its eyes full of blood, and underbelly red and blistered. "Kale!" he called, and the dragon turned to him. Then, suddenly, it dropped. Perhaps unable to stand due to exposure, or perhaps she'd just had enough. Slowly the dragon shrank in size. The tail absorbed into the body, the wings retreating into the back.

Karnaves watched on with his people as the menace of the white beast they fought, diminish before their eyes, till all that was left, was a girl; a lone human girl, shivering in the cold. Duncan pulled her to him, holding he close to hide her naked body from the others. Karnaves stepped forward and handed him a fur cloak. Quickly he wrapped it around her, carrying her closer to the fire to warm her.

Someone handed him a wet cloth, he wasn't sure who, he didn't really care. He wiped her face free of dirt and blood, and her sad green eyes looked up to him. "Duncan..." she managed to whisper. "I was...lost...so lost...so cold."

"Its alright. It'll be all right now. You're safe. I'm here."

Karnaves ordered a stretcher to be brought, and bandages. But words of reassurance to Duncan were lost, as Kale fainted into his arms.