X-men
Talisman woke up suddenly at five in the morning. She peered over to Dani to see her tossing & turning in her sleep. She was having another dream. Because Angelica had gone, there was space in with Dani & Elizabeth thought it best to be near her.
In her dream, all Dani could see was the figure of the Demon Bear coming towards her. It was closer than it had ever been. She was scared. The closer it came, the clearer it's image became. And then finally, it's evil snarling face appeared & she woke up screaming.
"Dani!" Elizabeth screamed worriedly & ran over to her, "What's wrong?" she asked putting her arms around her shoulders.
Dani just stared blankly ahead, whispering "It's here."
In the next room, Xi'an woke when she heard Dani scream. As did Rahne, who shared a mind link with her. They both ran in to the room to find out what was wrong.
"What?" Xi'an said, rushing to Dani's side. Rahne ran in behind her in wolf form & once near Dani, turned back into her human form.
"She had a bad dream" Elizabeth said reassuringly, "Now go back to bed."
The two girls lowered their heads in defeat. Elizabeth was a part- time teacher there, so they could not question or argue with her. They both went back to their rooms.
Dani was still staring blankly ahead as the two girls left.
"Dani?" Elizabeth asked softly, but got no reply. "Dani" she said again, more sternly this time. Still no reply. "Dani!" she yelled as she shook Dani. She got a reply.
"He's dead" Dani stated plainly, still with tears in her eyes.
"Who?" Elizabeth asked, wiping the tears from Dani's cheeks.
"Granddad"
"How do you know?"
"I know. I can feel it." Dani said & then stopped, losing the blank look in her eyes. Then she suddenly jumped up & ran to her wardrobe. "I have to go. I must go to Phoenix. The Bear is there. No way will I let it get my mother!"
Dani ran around the room in a frenzy, packing clothes, writing notes, cleaning up.
"Dani..." Elizabeth started but got interrupted by Dani.
"No. I must do this. You can't talk me out of it." she said with determination in her voice.
"I know Dani" Elizabeth replied "It is your destiny. And I cannot go with you. This is your battle, not mine. But, others can accompany you. Take some friends. I sense they may well be your greatest assets."
---------------------------------------------------------------------
In her room, Xi'an couldn't get back to sleep. One because she was worried about Dani & two, Dani's running around her room was quite noisy. She sat up in her bed & turned on the light. She reached over to her alarm clock & lifted it. She picked up the piece of paper under it & stared at it. It was a phone number. An Australian phone number.
She took in & deep breath & got out of bed & headed towards the telephone downstairs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Meanwhile, Dani was sneaking into Sally's & Rusty's room. Luckily for them, the teachers let them share a room.
"Sally?" she whispered as she tiptoed towards their bed, "Rusty?"
"Hmmm?" Rusty groaned groggily.
"Come on guys. We're goin' on a roadtrip!" she said, still whispering.
"Why?" Sally asked as she rolled over to look at Dani.
"Because, I'm on a mission & I want you guys to help me. Not only that but you guys need a break, especially after all thats happened." she said, raising her voice to it's normal level.
"Sounds good. We'll start packing." Rusty said, "Now, could you leave or turn around. I have no pants on." he continued embarrassed.
Dani walked out the room with a huge smile on her face as she headed to someone else's room.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Xi'an tapped nervously on the table where the phone was placed with her fingernails. The other side finally picked up.
"Hello?" the person on the other end asked.
"Um...Hi. Is Tranh there please?" she asked nervously.
"Sure." the voice said, "May I ask who is speaking?"
"Yeah, my name is Shan. His sister."
The voice on the other end went silent for a few seconds & then exhaled.
"It is so good to hear your voice Shan!" the voice said happily.
"I know. It's good to hear your's as well Tranh!" she said, bouncing up & down.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
"Sam!" Dani screamed into her friends ear.
"What?!" he yelled, jumping out of bed.
"You & Me are going on a roadtrip!" she said with a smile, trying to hide the sadness she was feeling.
"Why? Is something wrong?" Sam asked concerned. Dani smiled back at him with extreme gratitude. She knew she could always rely on Sam to look out for her & to care for her & that is why she knew he had to go with her. Not only that but he also needed a break after all that had happened with Angelica & Roberto, whether he wanted it or not.
"Sorta." she said, still smiling, "I'll tell you on the way."
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Xi'an walked into Doug & Johan's room & flicked the light on.
Both boys groaned out sleepily in disgust.
"What?" Doug whined.
Johan sat up, rubbing his eyes & said "You gave us the morning of Sir!"
"I'm not Wolverine!" Xi'an said with a laugh. "Get up you two!"
Doug sat up in his bed as well.
"Why?" he asked.
"Because, Johan & I are going to Australia. And you, Douglas my dear, are going to get us there." she said confidently.
"Wha...?" Johan exclaimed, shocked, "Why?"
"Because we are going to go meet my brother!" she replied excitably.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Later that morning, Forge, Talisman, Storm, Rahne, Doug & Peter were all standing at Xavier's main building's entrance, waiting for the two groups to leave.
"I spoke to the Professor," Ororo said to Xi'an, holding the girls hand in hers, "He gave you two permission to go. You have to call us as soon as you get to the airport here, the airport there & then finally at your parent's house." Ororo looked at the girl in the eyes & smiled. "Be safe"
"I will Miss Munroe. You as well" she replied & got into the taxi that was taking them to the airport. Once in, she rolled down the window & smiled at Doug.
"Thanks for getting us the tickets Doug!" she yelled out to him, giving him a huge smile.
"No worries!" he said, smiling back, "Maybe you should be thanking Mr Clinton for paying for it!"
The two started laughing & the taxi started to pull away, & drove down the driveway, on it's way to the airport.
Ororo looked at Doug disappointed & pointed at the main door & said "My office now!"
Meanwhile, Dani & Rusty had now finished packing their bags into the boot of the car. They slammed the lid down & turned to the group waiting to watch them leave.
Peter walked up to Rusty & grabbed his hand, giving him a handshake.
"You take care my friend." Peter said, using his other hand to pat Rusty on the shoulder.
"I will. You as well." he said, suddenly hugging Peter. "You've been a good friend" he whispered, "I will see you soon!"
Both men let go & Rusty got in the back of the car to sit with Sally.
"Shame Johan wasn't here to see that!" Dani said to Rahne with a snicker.
"Shame I'm not going with you" Rahne replied bitterly.
Dani looked at her friend hurt.
"Rahne...wolves & bears don't get on too well. I want you to stay here where it is...safe" Dani said, not sure if safe was the best word to describe Xavier's. "Anyways," Dani said continuing, "You have a lot of work to do. You'll be right!"
Rahne nodded & smiled at Dani & then they hugged. They let go of each other & then Dani turned to Elizabeth.
"You can do this Dani. The time has come for you to defeat the enemy & I know you will. Here's an address for some of my friends in Tulsa & what you will need off them. They will help you out." Elizabeth said, trying to hold her tears back & then she hugged Dani.
"Thank you Elizabeth. And you Forge. And to your dad as well. Thanks for all the help." Dani said, also trying not to cry.
"Trust in your skills Dani. We all know you will do this." Forge said, trying to encourage her. "We will see you soon"
Dani nodded & shook Forge's hand & then got into the drivers seat of the car. "A convertible" she thought to herself. She turned the key & it started. The four of them waved as they drove of down the driveway, not knowing what sort of troubles would be ahead of them.