* DISCLAIMER * This is a non-profit work of fan-fiction involving characters created and owned by Marvel Comics Group. * WRITTEN BY * Samy Merchi * ARCHIVED AT * http://mash.yok.utu.fi/~samerc/fanfic/index.html * CONTINUITY * This story takes place on page 16 of NEW MUTANTS #19, between panels 2 and 3. Some of the dialogue is from the issue in question. * MATURE CONTENT * This story includes: No especial mature content * DEDICATED TO * Alkona Maret Alstorkoveich A woman who holds a very special place in my heart and who is to me as Danielle is to Roberto in this story, in more ways than one. * STARRING * Roberto "SUNSPOT" Da Costa in ***************** * PEN AND SWORD * ***************** *** Da-dum, da-dum, da-dum, da-dum, da-dum. As you lie broken bloody on the snow My heart did beat the rhythm of the drum. I could but stare at where the blood would go, As if it could be seeping to a groove, The crimson staining of the darkened white, Your life was leaving and I couldn't move, Nor stop the lethal fleeing of the light That I could see you grasp within your eye But falter, ever weaker by the time -- You fight but even those who fight do die, And I am powerless to fight this crime. Your every pump brought closer you to death. I feared I'd see the last cloud of your breath. The helpless wrenching of my heart torn out, I knew I couldn't do what should be done Before my tears would turn into a drought. Forevermore exist without a sun. So cold and barren did my chest then feel: No motion beating, trembling in my breast, But silence, while preparing with its heel To crush me, use the hardest cruelest jest. A shining disk appeared from golden glow, I felt so weak and useless like a pawn In Heaven's plan to be my hated foe -- No cue was given for my vaunted brawn. I watched as you were took away from me, I didn't know when next I would you see... When later I am waiting for the news, And fiercely loathing cold and sterile halls, I feel my temper, my ignited fuse, My anger, it could tear down marble walls. For I have lost before too someone dear, But she was shot, her body I had held. No bullet took you, but your direst fear, Nor hold you can I, even though you're felled. A cursed wall that stands between us, wide, It might as well an ocean be to me -- The healers won't let me in by your side... A fighter am I, that is what I in you see! Now fight for me! And take my strength and heart! Be certain in that we will never part! "Roberto?" "Hunh?" He blinked and looked up, the pen accidentally falling out of his fingers and onto the floor with a clatter that sounded frighteningly loud in the ears of the two teenagers as it echoed thru the hall outside the operating room. "Uh -- yes, what is it, Illyana?" She let her eyes linger for a moment on the notepad he clutched in his fingers, knuckles white. "Whatcha writing?" she asked off-handedly, raising her eyes from the notepad to his chocolate eyes. "Nothing", he answered quickly, standing up from the chair and glancing nervously towards the double doors leading to the operating room. "Just...uh, working on...homework. For the...poetry course." "We don't have a poetry course", she commented with dry amusement. "Not this year", he answered as he stuffed the notepad into the pocket of his pants. "There is one on next year's curriculum -- though I am not surprised you are not aware of this." He paused briefly, and then shrugged, walking over to the double doors and looking thru them silently a moment before saying quietly, "I am merely taking some courses from next year in advance." "Oh." She lifted her eyebrow briefly, and pouted just a little bit, as everyone was always showing her up in academic progress and making her the slacker of the class. "Hmp. Whatever." She leaned a shoulder against a wall and watched the Brazilian ponderingly. "Anyways, I was thinking, if the bear shows up here, we'll probably be needing everything we have to defeat it..." "I will tear it apart with my bare hands", he said, glancing at her over his shoulder with a slight glare that reflected the burning within his soul. "I can't help Dani in the operating room, but if the monster dares show itself here, I shall grant it no mercy --" "Yeah yeah, just listen, okay?" she interrupted him, biting her nail thoughtfully for a moment. "If it shows up, we're going to need every one of us fighting, and not distracted by having to protect the operating room -- I could cast some wards around the OR that would prevent the bear from reaching it, but that might catch the bear's attention, and it'd leave me weak afterwards..." "I see", he said, and considered the words for a long moment. He could feel his heart rate increasing slightly, and he didn't know if it was because of his worry over Danielle in the surgery, or the potentially approaching battle, or something else. Then, he nodded and said, "Do it. If you protect Dani, I shall do no less for you." "Deal", she smiled, and took a deep breath. "All right, give me a few seconds to remember the right spell..." He nodded and turned back towards the doors, placing a hand against the window on the door as he peered thru it with a pained expression. (( LIVE, menina! I could not bear to lose you -- as I did my beloved JULIANA. )) She spread her arms and started glowing slightly. "Clear away from the door, Roberto. I'm casting the wards --"