Skyler was on his way to Central Park. But to get there he promised himself to get to know the neighborhood a little better. He picked the way that got him directly to the park, but it wasn’t the prettiest, but decided it was worth exploring and poking around in. The gargoyle walked along the roofs of warehouses, apartments, and hole in the wall joints. He glided over the rather small gaps between each building. The sun was low in the sky and cast a scarlet glow across the skyscrapers and moving cars. Lyrical hums caught the attention of his ears and leapt from the roof top to the dumpsters down below and finally onto the ground. His landing was soft, bending his knees and catching himself on all fours. The gargoyle strode down a little further and came to a window in a brick wall and peeked inside a jazz club. He tail swayed momentarily in entertainment, watching the blurred figures inside the smoky glass. New York was definitely gritty, but he liked its robust and stingy character. He continued on but the alley came to a dead end. There were walls on all sides, and above him were clothes lines. His ears fell knowing this meant he had to back track, take one of the main streets or worse, fly. He hadn’t grown used to turning heads still, but humans seemed to manage. He turned around animalistic eyes focused on their journey ahead. His pace grew even, perhaps slower to listen to the remnants of jazz that played softly through the maze as his braid swung from side to side like a pendulum.

The sun was beginning to set and to Meld's eyes that meant it was time for her to leave the safety of Sanctuary's walls and enter the city at large. She did this most nights, dividing her time between the designing of her latest flesh meld, in this case her tail which, if she was any judge, was coming along very nicely, and wandering the city streets. More often than not her nocturnal meanderings ended uneventfully, achieving only a furthering of her knowledge of the ins and outs of the city and giving her an opportunity to practice her balance and roofhopping skills although some nights ended in glorious battle and violence which meant, nearly always, the spilling of the blood of her enemies. Rarely did she deliberately kill the humans that got in her way and decided to pick a fight with her, although there had been a time when that was her first inclination. Her change in attitude was, perhaps, influence by the vile mutant Nexus, who had so inconsiderately decided to invade her mind and change it as he would, but she preferred to think that her change in attitude was due mostly to logic and common sense. A message sent to a dead man could only go so far, while a message sent to one still living went all the farther. And so, instead of killing her assailants in the middle of the street, she had taken to carving evidence of their anti-mutant hatred right there for all to see upon their faces. Slowly her carved human victims were beginning to multiply and slowly, perhaps, she was beginning to gain a reputation.

This night began like so many others however it ended very differently. Not long into her wanderings, choosing to go in a different direction than usual, Meld came across someone who was quite obviously a mutant, even more obviously than she herself was. She peered down at him from her present perch upon a nearby rooftop, particularly impressed by the great set of wings he possessed, a trait which she committed to memory for further consideration. Wings might be something very useful, though she wasn't sure she'd ever be able to truly fly given the weight of metal within her body. Given her current crafting of her own tail, the tail of the stranger, as well, held a certain fascination. For a minute she watched him, then finally decided that it was only right that she introduced herself. She jumped from the three story building onto the ground in front of him, her metal feet absorbing most of the impact. "Greetings fellow mutant," she said with what she hoped was a welcoming smile. "Its always a pleasure to encounter one of my own kind in unexpected circumstances."

Skyler continued his visual attention heightening when the music finally faded. As night began to fall amongst the puffing chimneys and crooning pigeons, the air seemed to tense. The sun had finally disappeared but its light remained in puddles like blood. The atmosphere was still, as if waiting for someone’s arrival. The distant sounds of honking horns and growling vents distracted his hearing, and clouded his mind from the foot steps. The gargoyle gave his head a shake, wondering why such usual ambience was setting him off. Was it instincts perhaps? He wouldn’t rely entirely on it, the feeling either saved you or got you killed. His suspicions caused him to feel eager to get to where he was going, or even head back to the Academy. Something wasn’t right.

The alley began to widen, making him feel the least bit better knowing he was almost at the end of his detour. His ears perked at the sound of barking, eyes flicking to a door step where a German Sheppard dog barked. Unfazed he grinned at the chained animal and approached it kneeling down and spoke in a high soft voice. “Hey there buddy,” he said, and instantly the dog became submissive and licked at his hocks, and sniffed his hands. The once threatening canine rolled over on his back asking for a belly rub. “You’re very cute, yes you are,” he said stroking the dog behind the ears and down its back. He folded his legs sitting down, and continued to pet and praise the dog, feeling very much relaxed. He laughed as the animal licked his face, and wiped the slobber from his mouth and cheek with the back of his hand. The side door opened next to the garage and out came a person with a food bowl in hand, and screamed in shock as soon as the claws, wings, and tail came into view. The dish dropped with a clatter, the kibble spilling out, and that’s when he noticed the woman hadn’t taken a single look at his face.

The door slammed and commotion could be heard inside the living complex. Skyler sighed and picked up the kibble and handed the bowl to the dog, which gratefully began to lap up the food. He realized the dog and himself had something in common. Anyone else that walked down the street would have veered away from “buddy”. They were so quick to judge…The whole illusion of being free from skeptics and fear by being at the X-men academy seemed to break right then and there. Just because he was with others like him, didn’t make the humans see things any differently. Still, he wanted to give the human race a chance. He would only do the same if he were like them? Right?

The male left the dog to his dinner, and continued down the alley now able see the end, brightly marked by the beginning of an intersection. Sound seemed to travel faster than light when titanium feet clashed with the asphalt. Startled silly, he leapt back. Wings slightly spread and claws out stretched, tail lashing. He felt his shoulders relax when he saw that it was just a person. Skyler looked the woman over, light reflected off her in various places. “Er hello there, no need to be so formal,” he said clearing his throat that had been unused for some time. “You really nailed the unexpected part…I was just on my way from the X-men mansion to Central Park. I got kinda turned around. You from there, right?” he announced proudly, while he spoke he noted the heavy plates on her arm, her hands were completely metallic and her feet looked more lethal then four inch high heels. It was something he had definitely not seen before. Skyler quickly moved his gaze back to her eyes, and even something about her orbs seemed…off. “I’m Skyler,” he said hesitantly holding out his hand. The little alarms in his head were blaring again, but ignored it. He tried not to assume like that woman had, knowing how it felt to be on the receiving end. “What's your name iffen you don’t mind me askin’?”

((Edited out miskates. 9/3 ))

"A pleasure to meet you Skyler, I'm Meld." She extended a hand to be shaken. Meld often retreated into formality when meeting people she had never spoken to before. She couldn't help it, really, socializing wasn't really her strong suite and formality was a defense, something that allowed her to interact in a more or less comfortable manner. She smiled, trying to give off a friendly, casual impression and knowing that, despite best efforts, she was probably failing miserably as she normally did. Sometimes it seemed that Aura and Predator were the only to people to really understand her, not to mention the only ones that were able to see past her rather unique exterior.

"The X-men Mansion hmm?" Meld tried not to smirk although she knew her voice held a hint of a sardonic undertone. "I've been to the Mansion before and could certainly help get you back there but I wouldn't say that I'm 'from' there exactly." She let out an amused chuckle. The thought of being from the mansion was really quite entertaining, she was fairly certain that few, if any, of its residents would approve of much of what she stood for or much of what she did in support of her convictions. But she doubted that Skyler would get the joke, at least not unless he had seen the news recently. And even then, he probably wouldn't get the joke. Or find it very funny. People that new of her murderous history tended to find her terrifying or disgusting more than anything, even though she had never murdered a fellow mutant and wouldn't even harm one except in self defense.

"I'm actually from Sanctuary. Its another shelter for mutants, in many ways much like the Mansion and in other ways not so much." She shrugged her shoulders and pointed in the general direction of Sanctuary, not quite sure how much information to give. "Its actually not to far from here. I gather your new to the city?"

“Likewise, Meld,” said Skyler his earthy eyes met the inhabitable hands—claws of the girl. He took just more than a few uneasy moments to shake her hand, as if debating. The flesh of his palms, skin, veins and everything touched the cold crisp surface of the metallic hand. It felt unnatural, none the less he believed the hand shake to be a sign of friendship. He slid his hand away letting it drop at his side, still feeling the cooler remnants on his finger tips. Just then white light passed from something above lit up her eyes. He blinked when one seemed bionic. What was she? As curious as he was he did not say anything in hopes that her mutation would be revealed later. Had someone done this to her? Or did she do this to herself? He was dying to know.

Didn’t his mum and dad tell him not to talk to strangers? Especially the ones that had blades on their arm and were half metal? Unconsciously he may have been abusing the fact that he was stronger now and had the ability to escape danger in an instant. “Yeah! I really like the place, the other students are really nice and welcoming. I also admire how they encourage us to coexist with people better. It’s a fascinating campus,” the gargoyle drabbled on. When he finished he felt like he had proved whatever that tone of voice had been mocking, but didn’t think much about it otherwise.

“The Sanctuary?...The counselors didn’t mention anything about it. What’s different about the place?” he inquiered, tilting his head to one side, wondering what he hadn’t been informed about. “Heh, yeah, I’m the new kid on the block. I flew in from Seattle,” he stated matter-a-factly. “But I’m not really lost I can always find my way from bird’s eye view. I thought I’d really get to know the place if I walked around in it. So I suppose your just er…on an afternoon stroll?” he asked. In the distance Skyler heard sirens and saw fuzzy red blue and white lights. He assumed it was just another car chase, or stolen purse.

Meld noted Skyler's hesitation in shaking her hand and was silently disappointed by it though not entirely surprised. She was used to hesitation, used to people being uncomfortable about touching her shining, lethal, metal hands. Even those that really should know better than to judge, those like Skyler who had a rather visible mutation of his own, often had issues with her own unique mutation. She smirked at his hesitation, slightly amused. "They can't hurt you unless I choose them to do so," she said sardonically, though without any real malice.

Meld considered how exactly to answer the question about the differences between Sanctuary and The Mansion without frightening the gargoyle mutant off. She viewed all mutants as potential recriutes, or at least potential sympathizers. She was well aware that many did not have the mentality to actively fight for the mutant cause, but the more they had on their side, at least in spirit, the better of The Order would be. Not that she would mention its name, of course, but it wouldn't hurt to poke around and see where his true loyalties and beliefs lie. "Sanctuary is more or a place to help mutants who have gotten in trouble with humans, often due to human prejudice. Many of us are...more willing to stand up for what we believe in, more willing to fight for the rights we deserve to have." She gave Skyler a careful and unveiled look, up and down. "And I can't help but believe that you must have had experience with discrimination due to your mutant heritage yourself."

Hearing the sirens in the distance, Meld did not tense in the slightest. She knew that she hadn't done anything this night, hadn't had time even if she did intend on it and the police would be stupid to go after her anyway. In her time in the city she had added a good number of cops to her death toll although they seemed to dense to realize that they would continue to die if they continued to come after her. "I often walk the city in the evening and night," Meld answered.

Skyler’s ivy colored eyes flicked directly into Meld’s eyes. The female was indeed a people person. She picked up his reluctance right away. Her words stung him true, but yet he was strangely enlightened. The gargoyle slightly tilted his head. He couldn’t shake that the girl was the least bit ominous, despite she had some sort of understanding of the world he had yet to the learn. The world was over populated with perspectives, and was only familiar with what had been presented around him; only hearing and telling himself what he wanted to know. He was intrigued by what he did not know. “I-I’m sorry. You’re right, I should have known better,” he blurted out, in apology, hoping that Meld did not take offense to his unwanted gesture.

The gargoyle folded his wings and crossed his arms listening closely to the metal mutant. Her voice seemed restricted from going down a certain road. She wasn’t being too specific, getting a rather broad idea of what this group of mutants Meld spoke of. “So what’s this band of mutants called? How do you guys get through to the public?” he asked a little suspicious what she meant by “fighting for rights”. He was about to ask what kind of rights did they want? But he was afraid to ask too many questions, he put it upon himself to find out on his own as he lived on in the big apple. Small towns were a lot different in terms of how people behaved and the amount of privacy. He was starting to think whoever she was talking about was a group of radicals. Skyler was caught off guard when she mentioned his own conflicts with human kind.
“Oh nothing serious. Just making friends was hard is all. I mean, who wants to hang around the freakazoid lizard guy? I don’t blame them,” he laughed, shrugging his bare shoulders. All that mattered was that he had friends like him now.

Skyler was going to zing her with a question now, he had been wanting to ask all along. Maybe this would tell him why she was a radical. There was no polite way to word it. “So you call yourself Meld…who did that to you?” he asked nodding towards her arm bulky with titanium.

The sirens ended with a last whining coda. Skyler spotted the flashing light reflected in Meld’s bionic eye, watching the pupil shrink as the iris shrunk like a camera lens. The gargoyle whipped around as three police cars screeched forward blocked their way out of the alley. Night turned to day again as a quivering search light burned over them. Skyler shielded his eyes, squinting at the men that burst from their vehicles guns drawn and in position. The mutant tensed hearing the barrels being loaded, eyes wide with terror. What had he done? Did that damned old lady call the police? Unfortunately the deputy had caught Meld in the same net as Skyler and he had to fish her out without getting his men slaughtered again.
“Get down on the ground boy!! Get down on the ground now!!” someone hollered.
“I didn’t do anythi—”
A warning gun shot was fired, sending Skyler hurtling to the ground. His blood was racing through his veins. More directions were ordered.
“Aris Callin step away to the wall, and face the wall…now,” said the deputy, his voice holding a new cautious tone. He wanted to deal with this having Meld out of the way. The cops and suspects were all waiting in silence to see how the killer was going to react, all this was new to the gargoyle. Would that woman have made such a commotion if he had been human? All this over petting someone’s dog?

"There really is no need to apologize," Meld assured him, though secretly she was pleased to hear him do so. It meant that he had some manner of caring and that he regretted how he reacted and if he could feel such things then there was hope for him. And perhaps for others as well but that remained to be seen.

Then Skyler had to ask about the mutants at Sanctuary and what she meant about fighting for mutant rights and she couldn't help but smile, just a little. It was something she felt very strongly about and something she felt more than deserved being shared with another. Who knew, perhaps her words could even sway him to help in the battle? She had to be careful, however, how exactly she phrased things so as to not frighten him away

"We don't so much have a name." Or at least not a name she was willing to mention to a complete stranger. "Each of us choose to fight in our own way and we group together for convenience, protection and any other of numerous reasons. Some of us are quite close, actually, almost like family." Aura being like the sister she had lost and Predator being like the brother she had never had. "As for how and why we fight, the why should be self evident to one such as yourself." She cringed at his self-recrimination and the fact he considered himself to be a freak. "We fight for all mutants, but especially for mutants like you and I; those that can't fit into normal human society. You should not have to think of yourself as a freak." Her words were strong, laced with conviction. "You are not a freak, you are a mutant and should be proud of what you are and what you can do. You should not have to stand for humans who refuse to accept you for what you are. They should respect you and maybe fear you a little, but not discriminate against you and not segregate you from them. As for how we fight," she shrugged her shoulders. "We fight in any way we can. Each of us have our own unique talents." She kept that part deliberately vague.

Meld chuckled at the suggestion that anyone other than herself had been responsible for her titanium limbs and was about to explain how exactly her mutation worked when the cops showed up. She growled, low and threatening, as the officer demanded she step to the wall. They really didn't know her very well at all if they expected her to obey, did they? It was interesting to note, however, that some clever copper had somehow managed to dig up her name. Her father's work, most likely, after her recent trip home. Probably his way of gaining some revenge against his "sub-human" mutant daughter.

The warning shot was fired and instead of jumping to the ground Meld held her shield in front of her face, her mind going into battle mode. Emotion drained from her as did everything else not to do directly with the battle to come, her survival and the defense of the mutant with her. "Fight if you can, otherwise stay out of my way," Meld demanded of Skyler. Not waiting to see if he would obey her or not, Meld charged the nearest cop, careful to keep her shield protectively in front of her and her eyes squarely on the gun the cop was holding. She prepared to evicerate the cop as soon as she reached him.

Skyler was taken by Meld’s firey yet inspiring tone. He was new to this scrabble between human and mutants having lived pretty isolated in his earlier life. At this early point in time, the boy’s mind was very bendable, being molded by his fellow mutants around him, all with their own perspective on things. His outlook received by others was not very vast yet, so what ever reached his ears that sounded like a reasonable argument, was probably indeed a good idea. The gargoyle sometimes even foolishly acted upon it. Until Skyler had gotten a broader view of this world, only then could he sculpt his own insight to the world.

Skyler was sold to the idea of this mysterious group as soon as the word “family” left the metal mutant’s mouth. It had been the gem he had been searching for since he was in the orphanage. He wanted to feel like he belonged. He was even more so convinced when Meld pointed out his own defeat, referring to himself as a freak. The boy was ashamed, but this pep talk determined him to take that title off himself. She was right, who was he to take their acid and conceal it?

It also seemed that this group took more action to their natural rights than the X-men who just tried to stay out of humankind’s way and do petty favors for them. Skyler’s ears twitched at the chuckle. “Why would you do that to yourself when you could have fit in with the others?...” he asked, trailing off as they were met with the cops.

Skyler watched only a few heartbeats from the pavement, his green eyes flashed as Meld was hurtling towards the cop, who looked pathetic with his toy gun compared the titanium covered mutant. Off the bat, he knew that Meld’s intention was to kill. There was no time to contemplate what to do. The cop was going to die. The media would tell of two mutants involved at the scene. And the narrow minds of the people would instantly point their fingers at both of them. Skyler pushed himself up and launched himself with all the power in his haunches and flung himself at the cop being speedily approached by Meld.

The gargoyle bombarded into the policeman, pushing him safely out of Meld’s wake. At the same instant, a companion cop saw this and thought winged-creature was attacking his fellow policeman, and fired his gun. The bullet ripped through the membrane of one of his wings, and tore the top of his shoulder off. Skyler collapsed on the ground with a screech. He staggered back up, a cement like layer began to creep over his chest incase another shot was fired. His tail lashed, furiously one hand gripping his wounded shoulder. The gargoyle’s eyes reached Meld’s and there was a new understanding, a new hatred that was beginning to seed itself.

He had only tried to help, and almost gotten killed for it in the process. The boy was corrupted, confused. The police had gotten back to their own feet ready to fire again, a helicopter was being flown overhead keeping the battle in the spotlight.

Meld watched the play of emotions across the gargoyle's face and she was pleased. It seemed to her that, perhaps, she was actually getting through to him. Perhaps she was actually doing her small part to show him that he should not be ashamed and, to the contrary, should be proud of what he was. And every mutant that she helped in such a way was one more step along the path of mutant rights and the mutant cause. Meld would have replied to Skyler's other comment when the cops arrived and more pressing things took her attention. Such as survival.

Just as Meld was about to impale the cop with metal claws, Skyler jumped in front of her, knocking the cop and himself to the ground. She spared no time for anger or annoyance, not when their lives were still so clearly in danger. Perhaps at the culmination of the battle there would be time to berate him. Or perhaps not.

Shots rang out before Meld could react, at least on of which struck the Gargoyle. She spared only a moment to glance in his direction, to see if he was still breathing, and in that moment met his eyes and saw something there that she hadn't seen before. She saw the seeds of determination, the seeds of another warrior come to join the mutant battle. Later, when the battle was over, she would be pleased. But just now she had survival and death on her mind, not necessarily in that order.

Meld was aware of the first cop getting to his feet but left him for Skyler to deal with, knowing the gargoyle was still the closest and knowing that there were other more pressing threats to worry about. She heard more sirens in the distance, fast approaching and became aware of a helicopter above. She hoped to be able to kill these to cops and run before backup arrived, but the helicopter was likely to make that difficult.

Meld charged the cop that was still standing, the one who had shot her companion. For a third time shots rang out, this time ricocheting off of her metal shield and before the officer could react further Meld was upon him, tearing out his heart with her shining metal fist. He crumpled to the ground, blood spurting out of his chest and covering Meld's upper half. Gleaming metal was stained blood red and she felt satisfaction at the death of another anti-mutant bigot.

Skyler noted that Meld left the cop he had saved, and let him declare the man’s death sentence. He began walking over to the fallen cop who then had jumped back to their feet. The man had the gun aimed right at his head only and arm’s length away. The gargoyle’s eyes widened, falling perfectly still and ridged. He could see the terror spread across the policeman’s face, the kind of fear that was pre-judged. The pistol was shaking, the trigger trembling against a wobbly finger. Skyler let his expression of anger slowly fall, face impassive. His arms were at his sides, and looked straight at the man, calm. He watched the cop’s reaction. He didn’t seem as scared, but nonetheless the muzzle of the gun was ready to blow his brains out. In-between a heartbeat the gargoyle struck out with his leg with breakneck speed, knocking his opponent onto his back. The gun slid across the pavement. The cop scrabbled up to run, and the mutant pursued in chase. He front flipped and landed squarely with his clawed feet on the adults head, slamming his face into the pavement. He landed on all fours balanced on the head and shoulders, his claws swiping at the skin as he made impact and jumped off. He didn’t know if the man was knocked out cold or dead, he was glad it was a mystery.

The gargoyle hissed, tail lashing as the search light was upon him. His entire world was bathed in blinding white light. He felt faint as he took a look around at the destruction. The police cars were vacant, and their drivers were slain across the alley floor. Then the most terrifying moment was when he saw Meld. The metal monster raised the beating human heart like a trophy into the air. The man was like a dying fountain. Blood everywhere. The smell of blood and gun smoke was overpowering. It stabbed at his mind, and tainted his memory. Shock and confusion was plastered to his face.

Skyler was finished with this scene. He turned around and bolted, prepared to have Meld come with him. He sprinted to the nearest alley way and took a few random turns trying to get ahead of the searchlight. He spied a blind spot, safe from the revealing helicopter lights. He turned into the dark abandoned garage, waiting for Meld to catch up.

He slid down the wall, sitting, face in hands. “Why did I do it!?” he began, voice on the verge of breaking. “They’ll never let me back into the x-men mansion! After all they had done for me…I don’t know…Did I kill him?...” Skyler raised his head, realizing his hands felt crusted, for there was dried blood woven between his fingers and palms. He stood up again, pacing about. “I-I would never…How?....I let my anger get the better of me…” he continued, then he cast an accusing glare at Meld. “If we didn’t have that little talk, I wouldn’t have done it,” he spat, regretting having listened to any word she said. He put his fists to the wall, furious with himself. “Where am I going to go now? They’re going to be after you and me!” he stammered.

As the last traces of the sun left beneath the planet's edge bringing with it a darkness guaranteed to last for several hours, Shade had just finished doning his night attair. The heat of the lights hanging above his head in his room disappeared as the shadow mutant slid on his long, grey cloak. It was replaced with the cool of darkness. With a flick of a switch, the lights were vanquished and Shade instantly disappeared.

A moment later, the shadowy figure was atop the roof of the Sanctuary. It was one of his first nights outside the Sanctuary in monthes, and he would like something to shake of the rust that might have acculated on his fighting style from a month without use.

Sirens! The sqealing sound of the five-o could easily be heard over the murky silence of the rest of the town. The cracking of gun shots soon followed. Shade's half grin spread slightly at the thought. Maybe it was something he should look into.

Moments later, the shady mutant was above the scene. He watched as a metallic female ripped clean through an officer. Nodding slightly at the event, it dawned upon Shade that he had seen her at the Sanctuary. Well now, this would definitely be something that he would have to interfer in. Sounds of a chopper filled the air as a giant spot light flashed over him. Thankfully, the officers inside were too busy chasing the other mutant to notice that another had just appeared.

Skyler should not have been forced to be brought into the world of human hatred and mutant rights with so much violence. It was the one thing Meld fount profoundly and surely for that moment. They could always use more warriors, more fighters for the cause but it brought her great sorrow to know that most were recruited like this. Most came to them ony because humans attacked them out of hatred and ignorance, though they did nothing wrong aside from being mutant. She had chosen this fight but so many didn't have that choice. And, it seemed to her, Skyler was one of the unfortunate ones. He had lost his innocence, directly and violently. Would he ever be able to look at the world the same way again? She thought not.

Her second thought was a vague sense of dismay at being on the news yet again. And just when the pubic was beginning to forget about the blood thirsty metal mutants. She sighed, though the sigh was barely audible, resigned to the fact of people once again fleeing at the very sight of her. It had its uses at times, but mostly it was just tiring. Even more unfortunate that the gargyole, by association, might be lumped in with her and face similar fear. It was very much unfortunate and yet they were both powerless to actually do anything about that fact. It was what it was.

As the spotlight of the helicopter passed over the two of them once again, Meld bolted after Skyler into the alley. The sirens continued in the distance, moving ever closer to thier general location. A simple matter to escape if not for the circling helicoptor. Her usual rooftop escape tactic wouldn't work because of it. Meld ran after him into the abandoned garage. If they were lucky the cops would pass right over it. If they were unlucky there would be more killing this night. Something told her they were not going to be lucky.

Meld felt the intense urge to put a comforting hand on Skyler's shoulder, but in the end she simply couldn't do it. He had finally faced reality, harsh and unforgiving as it was, and there were no words she could speak to lesson that blow. Instead she opted for honesty. "If he's dead its through no fault of yours. He attacked us and should have been ready to face the consequences of that action. It was self defense. The people at the Mansion will realize that, should you choose to go back there. And should you not Sanctuary will accept you within its walls. You are not the first mutant to harm a human and will not be the last. Sometimes its necessary. Sometimes its unavoidable." Though her words were harsh her voice was not without sympathy.

Thunder crackled outside, and thunder sang its war cry. Rain began to fall on the outside pavement. The droplets sparkled and blinked with the shifting search lights. Skyler felt the cold seep into through his skin, perhaps it wasn’t the temperature but the feeling of emptiness beginning to consume him. He breathed outward, a plume of vapor leaving his panting lips and nostrils, mind still rattled. He pulled his clawed hand over the open flesh on his shoulder, teeth clenching. He leaned his head on his elbow against the wall, trying to sort out his storming thoughts, and part the clouds to see a solution to this dilemma. He growled with frustration turning around and began pacing, and stopped in the dim light when he saw a pile of boxes and pulled himself up in his throne of shame to sit.

He gazed at Meld, focusing on the bionic paired eyes through the darkness. He couldn’t clearly see her features that were obscured by radical flashes of light then plunges of darkness. What was she thinking? What cogs and wheels were working right now?

Through the stifled silence the metal mutant spoke up, finally giving his brain something to chew on and dissect. He peered at her through his glittering jade eyes. “I could have put my hands up…I n’er dreamed of killing a person. I didn’t think…it would actually end this way. The stranger prolly had children, family,” he said gulping down a lump in his throat. Skyler well knew what it was like to lose a father and a mother. “I’m afraid to go back to the mansion. Still, they’d be angry with me, or disappointed. I made them a promise to have control and responsibility over my mutation. I would ever be able to face Shinbo after this or the professors…” he said head bowed sorrowfully. “Can I come with you to the Sanctuary for now?...I’ll let the X-men worry about me for a while, or let what they see on TV fade in their minds a little,” he said, tail undulating in a regular rhythm in a meditative way. “I’d still do anything to look like them…” he said frowning at Meld’s incorporated metal plates.

Skyler looked outside into threatening world, unaware of what lurked in time with the shadows. The gargoyle sighed wrapping his wings around himself, he just needed to think about surviving at the moment and what his next move was. “So what now? How do we get out of this mess? Something tells me this isn’t your first time,” he said staring into storm and chaos.

Shade watched as the two fugitives ducked into an open garage before any cops could clearly see where they had gone. The air suddenly turned chilly and rain began to fall as thunder followed lightning across the skies. The cops were now beginning to search many of the surrounding structures for the two missing mutants. However, only one was getting close to the actually hiding place. Teleporting in a shadow behind the unlucky police officer, Shade waited until the man was nearly inside the garage before striking. Hand over month, knife in right lung. It was a move he had done numerous times, a silent and easy kill. Shade followed the body's momentum into the garage before it collasped in a pile of blood and blue clothing. Grabbing a leg, the shadow mutant dragged him in the rest of the way, placing them near the wall before turning to the two mutants inside the garage.

"Looked like you two needed some help. This little bastard was sneaking up on y'all." Shade said unemotionally, giving the body a soft kick with the last statement.