This is a very ambitious first attempt at a bit of fan-fiction. Any
sort of input would be welcome. I have played a little fast and loose with
the x-men time-line, so please bear with me. This story is directly inspired
by the
Archetype Association, written by James R. Mcbriarty. I have borrowed
William Riley from his story; I hope that I do him justice. I have borrowed
a batch of mutants from the Marvel Universe (any X-men fan will recognize
them). I am not making any money off this so good luck suing. Melanie,
Erick, Larry, Gayle, Anna, and Gabriel are all my own creations. Emeralda's
personality is my own creation, but the character concept comes from a
Squaresoft game. If you like the way they are written, feel free to borrow
them for your own inspiration.
A Note to the Reader:Unchained Hearts has been approved as an alternate reality 'sequel' to The Archetype Association, breaking off from the 'main' timeline of my work just after the end of Movement Two, and taking place approximately five years later. The stories should be considered independent of one another; although I am sure that Mr. Rosnawski and I may play off one another as our respective works progress.
I was very pleased and entertained by Unchained Hearts. I hope you will be, too.
Jim R. McBriarty
He wasn't really surprised when he saw Monet asleep in a chair beside Gabriel. Gabriel was just watching her, with a warm look in his eye.
The kid really likes her, Hank thought to himself with a smile. I sure hope that Monet eventually sees how deeply he cares for her. He tiptoed up to the console and checked the readings on Gabriel.
Gabriel turned and saw the Doctor at the console. He smiled and put his fingers to his lips, and Henry did the same. He tried to get up, and found that he had none of the soreness of the previous night.
He liked the feeling of his new body. He found that he had energy he didn't know was missing. Henry opened the door and motioned him out.
"How are you feeling," he asked him. He was working on getting some readings from Monet. "Why are you doing that," Gabriel asked, peering over Hank's shoulder.
"Well last night, Monet showed some power that we never knew she had. I'd like to see if I can get a reading on some residue while her mind is open."
"I see. But she has been with you for so long. How is it that power that a power could stay hidden from you all?"
"You give us a little too much credit Gabriel. There are so many possibilities in mutations that we might miss something, even with Cerebro. I think that the fact that we missed you should show you that we aren't perfect."
Gabriel watched as Hank worked the controls. A set of diagrams came up, surrounded by some heavy technical jargon. Hank let out a tsk of disappointment as he turned off the console. "Sometimes, it's no fun being a realist. You can wake up Monet now. There is no sign of that hidden power that she showed yesterday."
Gabriel shook his head and tried to walk toward Monet, but he tripped and fell. The doctor was right beside him, but he didn't have to be. Gabriel started to chuckle. It was funny really. He couldn't remember the last time that he had tripped over his own feet. Monet had a big smile on her face when she saw that he was standing on his own.
"It seems as though he is gonna need some time to get use to his new and improved body. The young man has lost much of his co-ordination."
"In other words, don't ask me out dancing for a while."
Gabriel nearly fell on his face twice more on the way to the mess hall. He was taking it pretty well in Monet's opinion. He only smiled and got back up.
He got a second look from everyone as he walked into the mess hall. Melanie whistled and gave him the once over. He had gained a lot of muscle mass and it was obvious to everyone.
"He is going to have to get use to the new muscle mass," Logan said as he watched him go against the sparring dummy again. Gabriel was obviously a lot stronger and a lot quicker then he had been. But about half the time, he couldn't accomplish what he was able to do just days ago.
"When it comes to his strength speed and agility though, he is just a shade below meta-human, and that's what's throwing him off. He's even gained a couple of inches in height and that's throwing him off too."
"He's gonna be pretty impressive if he ever figures out how to put it all together though Jean."
"He needs a vacation."
Everyone looked at Will as if he had suggested radical brain surgery.
"Well, he has been through a lot in the past three weeks," Jean admitted.
"A week alone somewhere might help him get everything working together," said Henry. He began to seriously consider it.
"Do you think that it will be safe for him to be out there by himself?"
"Remember Scott, as long as his power is inactive, he can't be detected by Cerebro. As long as we find some isolated spot for him, he should even safer then he is here. So, where do you suggest that we send him?"
Gabriel was at his computer when the message came through. He was asked to head to the conference room right away.
He was surprised to see that everyone was there, young and old.
"Gabriel, we were wondering how you would feel about taking a week off?"
"Excuse me."
"Well, you have been through a lot in the past little while. We are sending you away for a week to a secluded beach in Australia."
"I assume that I have no choice in the matter."
"You are correct," Will said dryly. "So enjoy yourself. The nearest city is a couple of miles off. So you can be alone, or stay in town, whatever you want. So pack whatever you want to take with you, Gayle is going to zip you there in an hour and a half, whether you are ready or not."
Gabriel was totally packed in less than a half-hour. He found his way to Gayle's room and sighed. He knew that his anger was stupid. He couldn't blame himself for not being able to help out too much, he had just joined. And they were right. When he thought about it, he had been through more in the last three weeks then he had been in three months. And he found that he was looking forward to seeing Australia, it had been a place that he was always interested in.
Gabriel was surprised to find himself teleported right into the place. It was a nicely decorated home, right on the beach.
"I think that I am going to like it here," he thought with a smile.