Fic: Full Circle (Animal!Clan) (4/4)

[goldarrow]

Title: Full Circle – Part 4 of 4
Author: goldarrow
Word Count: 3,044 of 12,120
Characters/Pairing: Stephen/Nick, Lester, Lyle*, Abby, Blade*, Becker, Lorraine, Ryan, Team {*OCs}; Lyle, Blade and the rest of the SF team belong to fredbassett, who kindly lends them out.
Rating: 15
Disclaimer: Anyone and anything recognisable as from Primeval belongs to Impossible Pictures. I mean no harm, I make no profit except satisfaction. I promise to return everyone in pristine condition once I’m done with them.

A/N1: The original series Animal!Clan AU, beginning with Frequently a Fool, was set approximately a year after Helen's disappearance.
A/N2: This takes place after the cage room, which Stephen survived.
Previous Parts: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

 

Full Circle - Part 4

Once the room was clear and the Leopard had entered with a nod to Lester, signalling that the outer battle was done, Lester removed his Panther mask, signalling to his people to unmask themselves as well. In moments, Niall, Abby, Lyle, Finn, Amy, Charles, and Becker showed their faces to their Canine counterparts.

At the Timber Wolf's signal and removal of her mask to show the face of Jenny Lewis, the Fennec Fox and the Gray Fox unmasked to reveal they were Jess and Caroline.

The Canines moved around the room, unmasking the Ursines as well. The Grizzly Bear – an old but fit man – and the Brown Bear – a young blonde – he didn't know, but the Black Bear – Duncan – and even the Sun Bear – Tom, Connor's old friend – were faces he recognised.

Dear lord. Cutter was completely overwhelmed by this point. Everyone he knew at the ARC, everyone he'd even seen at some point was here. And some he didn't know, but was somehow sure he would be sure to meet sometime in the future.

He sat down hard, staring around in complete shock, almost unable to take it all in. He'd accepted the sight of Lester, Lyle, Abby and the rest from before, but seeing all of these new – some known in person, some not – faces was hitting him harder than he had ever thought possible. Abby came close, clasping his shoulder in concern as he held Stephen.

"What is it?" she asked softly, glancing at Stephen. "Your friend is still on his quest. But you look as if you've seen a ghost. Or an entire assemblage of ghosts."

"I think I have," Cutter muttered. "You people, I didn't know who you were back then. But now – in my world – I know almost every one of you. Some are my friends; some my co-workers; some, sadly, are my enemies."

She blinked in surprise but didn't say anything, simply squeezing his shoulder. In that way, she was definitely like his Abby, who always seemed to know when to say something, and when to stay just quiet and just be there.

Lester strode over to him as the Feline and Canine clan members removed the Ursines from the room.

"What will happen to them?" Cutter asked, nodded at the departing Ursines, not really sure he wanted to know, but trying to fill in a little time before the questions he knew were coming started.

"Those who are dead will be returned to their Clan," Lester replied absently, reaching out to hold Stephen's wrist. "Those who are alive will be sent to our Stone House as captives for trade at some point."

Cutter nodded, suddenly remembering what Lester had said before about the prisoner exchanges that would occur at various times. It was another way for him to ignore the actual faces of all the people who were still in the room.

Then he forgot about all of that, the situation becoming nothing but a distraction when Stephen gasped and his eyes opened wide as he sat up straight. He glanced quickly around the room before his eyes rolled up in his head and he slid out of the chair in a dead faint.

Cursing as he caught Stephen, Cutter glared at Lester. "What has happened?"

Lester patted his shoulder in what Cutter angrily considered to be a condescending manner. "Worry not, Cutter. Stephen has just made his way out of the Valley of Pain. He needs rest now. Niall, please take them back to their room. We'll clean up and I'll come in to see you this evening."

Seeing Cutter's rebellious expression, he sighed in a manner that made Cutter wince, it was so exactly like his own Lester's. "I assure you, by surviving and regaining consciousness for even such a short moment, Stephen has come through the trial well. Once he is rested, he will be fine. His heart is still strong."

Holding Stephen closer, Cutter nodded. "I hope you're right. But, thank you, whether it worked or not. I know this was hard for you to do."

A small inclination of Lester's head was the only response as the Feline leader turned to his Canine counterpart – Cutter was still flabbergasted at the sight of Jenny as the Canine leader, for the love of god – and they walked from the room side-by-side.

With the Ocelot's – Niall's – assistance, Cutter got Stephen to his feet and between the two of them they braced him as he stumbled to their room and they laid him gently on the back bed.

"I'll be outside, call if you need me," Niall said, bright green eyes still glittering with leftover battle magick. "Rest. You're safe now."

Cutter took him at his word, and went out like a light the moment his head hit the pillow.

He slept for about three hours, and woke feeling refreshed – and very hungry. The refreshed surprised him a bit, but the hungry could be easily explained by the scent of the stew that had been left on the table, and not long before if the steam rising from the bowls was any indication.

Hesitating a bit, he rose and considered whether to wake Stephen or simply let him sleep out what must be a pretty severe case of exhaustion. He ended up not having to decide when Stephen woke and sat up quickly, staring around the room, his cobalt eyes a little fuzzy, but his expression a lot more confident.

"How are you feeling?" Cutter asked cautiously.

Stephen looked over at him, gaze sharpening. "Better. Much better." His nose twitched, and without any ado he and Cutter moved side by side to the table.

"I still remember," he said with a slight shudder as he dipped his spoon into the bowl of stew. "But, it doesn't hurt like it did." He shrugged with one shoulder, starting to eat quickly enough that Cutter was a bit concerned that he would choke.

He didn't. He looked over at Cutter with a slight smile on his face as he finished the meal. "Thank you, Nick," he said quietly. "I know it was a hard decision for you, but I appreciate it. I – I wouldn't have survived the memories as they were."

Relaxing for the first time since his own memories had returned to him, Cutter blew out a breath of relief. "You have no idea how much that means to me," he admitted. "I was afraid I was being selfish by bringing you back here, but the Panther really seems to know his business."

Stephen's nod of agreement was cut off by the slightly sardonic voice in the doorway.

"I'm glad you approve," Lester said, sauntering into the room.

Cutter wondered if his friend the Lion had given the Panther energy like he had at the Avian Stone House last time. But it didn't really matter, because Lester was speaking again, looking straight at Stephen.

"I know, from the little I saw of your memories as I joined them, that you were injured very badly this second time. I can also see how difficult it is for you to move smoothly and freely." After a quick glance over at Cutter, he looked back at Stephen. "If you would like me to, I can heal your injuries, just as I did last time."

Stephen sat up, jaw dropping a little. "You can do that? Even after this long? And the scarring as well?"

Lester nodded. "I can. Not today; I need more rest. But if you agree to it, I can heal you in the morning."

"Yes, please," Stephen said, slightly shakily. "I would really appreciate it."

"Then it shall be." With a quick nod at each of them, Lester turned and left the room.

With mutual unspoken agreement, Stephen and Cutter went straight back to bed. Stephen seemed to fall asleep immediately, but Cutter had to run through the day in his mind before he could relax. Seeing so many of the people he'd known over the last few years showing up here, in this place, had really thrown him for a loop. It needed processing, so he reckoned he could take a few minutes to do so. However, in the middle of his ruminations, he fell asleep.

In the morning, they woke easily, stretching in the comfortable beds. Cutter glanced at Stephen, to see his friend finally relaxed, though wincing a bit as his scars pulled. All they could do now was hope that the Panther could heal Stephen like he did the last time, even though the wounds were months older than his original ones had been.

Again, they were delivered a small meal, just some spiced eggs and tea this time. Cutter nodded at the Caracal – he thought her true name was Amy – and she returned the nod with a slight smile, leaving them alone to rise and eat.

Once they were done and had washed up a bit, the Panther entered, with the ubiquitous Lion at his shoulder.

"Stephen, I believe you remember what happened last time," the Panther said quietly.

Stephen took a deep breath and nodded. "I do." He pulled one of the chairs away from the table. "Do you need me unclothed?"

The Panther nodded, eyes gleaming behind the mask. "Yes, just as we did before."

Stephen removed his clothes, this time not bothered by his nakedness as he sat in the chair.

Seeming satisfied, the Panther raised his hands, fingers laced in front of his heart. Cutter remembered the chant and the pattern that his hands made, tracing the outline of Stephen's body over and over, green glow starting to show around his hands. Speaking the words of power in time with his movements, he somehow made the air around himself begin to gleam as it began pulsing like a heartbeat. The shimmering light stretched out to wrap around Stephen, who caught his breath as he was joined with the Panther in a haze of mixed green and red.

Cutter lost sight of them again, just like last time. This time, however, he knew what was happening and was able to watch more objectively as the red faded to pale green and coiled with the darker green strips, though much more quickly this time than he'd remembered from before.

The Panther's chant rose and fell, now coaxing and gentle as the shimmering veil that shrouded him and Stephen gradually faded, breaking into translucent strips and dissolving. The Panther lowered his joined hands, his voice fading into silence as the pulsing slowed and stopped along with his voice. The shards of the veil contracted until they were absorbed back into his body.

He didn't seem to be as exhausted as he had the time before. Cutter reckoned it was because Stephen's injuries weren't as bad. He grabbed the coverlet from the closest bed and wrapped it around Stephen, who was sitting, still and quiet in the chair, breathing slowly and deeply.

"Thanks, Nick." Stephen jumped a bit as the folds covered him. He glanced at Cutter with a smile, then turned it to the Panther. "And thank you. I thought I'd have to live with those scars and constrictions for the rest of my life. I owe you much for this."

"No need." The Panther took the glass that the Lion was holding out. After drinking it down, he seemed to regain his strength. "All I ask is that you find some way to close the portal."

Cutter and Stephen traded glances.

"You have a way?" The Lion stepped forward swiftly.

Cutter smiled. The Lyle in this place was just as quick on the uptake as their own. "We might. We have a device that can close one of the usual kind of portals when it opens. It might work on this one. If it doesn't, we can leave a guard on the portal just to make sure no one uses it."

The Panther nodded slowly. "That should suffice." He turned and strode from the room, leaving the Ocelot to hand Stephen his clothing.

"We'd better go now," he said. "The portal will open again in the morning, so we should be there and ready."

The Lion chimed in with an insouciant grin. "Not to mention that we have to go through the edge of the Avian lands."

Stephen winced at the memory, then gave him an extremely unimpressed look.

The Lion nodded at Stephen's calm response. "You'll do, now. I'm happy for you."

Stephen dressed quickly, and he and Cutter followed the Ocelot and Lion from the room. They were joined outside by the Tiger and the Leopard, who flanked them as guards as they made their way back toward the portal.

"We're about to cross into Avian lands," the Lion said softly. "Clan, attend." The Ocelot, Tiger, and Leopard immediately gave him their full attention. "Sheathe your weapons. We come in peace."

They nodded and complied immediately. Cutter knew that they should be able to use at least some magicks if needed, but remembering the fight against the Ursines, he reckoned they didn't have nearly the power that Lester, the Panther, did.

It didn't matter. They had walked barely a quarter of a mile before an Avian troop stepped out from behind some rhododendrons. The Lion stopped and held his hands out from his sides.

"We're passing to the Portal," he said calmly. He nodded to Cutter and Stephen. "I believe you gave these two free passage to see us."

The Eagle mask turned to face Cutter, and he could see the blue-grey eyes examining him and Stephen.

"I see that your Panther has been able to heal him."

"He has," the Lion said, gesturing for Cutter to let him be the one to talk.

Cutter confined his reaction to a slightly dirty look, but subsided anyway.

Lips twitching a bit, the Eagle nodded. "We will escort you. Please, do me the favour of telling me the story."

The Raven, the Hawk and the Great Horned Owl fell in around them. Cutter didn't mind most of them, but he did keep an eye on the Raven. And he didn't tell Stephen that the man behind the black bird mask was the Stephen of this world. He might tell him once they were back home, but right now, he didn't want to deal with the possible ramifications.

As they walked, the Lion told the entire story to the Eagle and his Clan members, which surprised Cutter immensely. He was still thinking of them as the enemies they'd been eight years ago. They obviously weren't any more.

"So, the Ursines actually attacked openly?" The Hawk sounded surprised.

"That they did," the Lion said, shaking his head. "And they got their arses handed to them." Then he paused for a second. "Well, they did once the Canine Clan took a hand."

The Eagle and Hawk stopped dead in the middle of the path. "The Canines helped? Without being asked?" They shared a quick look.

"Yep." The Lion's lips made a popping sound as he said the word. "They showed up just as we were finally starting to turn the tide, but I don't know if we'd've been able to take the Ursines out before they got to Lester, if they hadn't."

"Interesting." The Eagle started walking again. "So, it seems that the Ursines are about to start a run for the Council lead again."

"Sadly, yes," the Lion said soberly. "But, we have their Leader. So Lester should be able to squeeze a number of concessions from them before he gives him back."

"True. As long as the Ursines actually want him back."

"I had heard that the Spectacled Bear was about to make a stab at taking over the Leadership." The Raven spoke for the first time, making Stephen give a start and look closely at him.

Cutter cursed internally, but was distracted by the Lion's laugh of derision. "Are you saying that Ethan really thinks he can beat Gideon? The man's deluded."

The Eagle shrugged. "It's true that he has no chance. Always assuming he plays fair."

"Yeah, you have a point." The Lion stopped as they entered the clearing that held the Portal. He turned to the Eagle.

"We're hoping we can close the Portal permanently." He nodded to Cutter. "Our friends might have a device that can do it, and if not, they'll post guards so it can't be used."

Turning to face Cutter and Stephen, the Eagle examined them closely. Stephen straightened and crossed his arms over his chest, face hardening, but Cutter stepped forward and spoke quietly. "We're not sure we can do it, but we're willing to try. Are you in agreement?"

The Eagle cocked his head to the side in thought, then nodded slowly. "I do agree. This portal has been a bone of contention between the Clans for a very long time. If it's closed, that's one less item to fight over." Stepping back, he stated formally, "The Avian Clan agrees with the plan to close the Portal."

His team echoed the words. "The Avian Clan agrees."

Cutter let go the breath he'd been holding. A quick glance at the Lion showed him nodding slowly in turn. "The Feline Clan accepts the agreement."

His team also echoed. "The Feline Clan accepts."

The Eagle turned to Cutter. "Well met, this time, and our best wishes for a peaceful future for you."

Cutter couldn't help but grin at that. Peaceful wasn't likely for anyone's future at the ARC, but he could appreciate the thought. "My thanks, Eagle, to you and your Clan." He then faced the Lion. "And our deepest thanks to you, Lion, and your Clan for your assistance, and especially to the Panther for his healing. You will always be in our thoughts."

Stephen followed the Clan format by repeating his words. "Our deepest thanks."

Both the Feline and Avian Clan members stepped back as Cutter felt the magnetic pull of an anomaly opening behind him. He took Stephen by the hand and nodded one more time to the Clan members. "Goodbye, and thanks."

The last things he saw when he glanced back as he and Stephen stepped through were the Lion and the Eagle, side by side, raising their hands in farewell.

End

Comments

[telperion-15.livejournal.com]

Great story and great AU! I can't help but hope that the portal won't stay closed, so we see more of the animal clans in the future.

And it's fun seeing who the different animals are underneath the masks ;)

[goldarrow]

*g* I think the next one will be from the Animal Clan POV. I have some vague ideas...

Thanks! I was hoping it wasn't going to be too much of an info-dump on the names.

[knitekat.livejournal.com]

Yay for all being well in the end... but I also hope the portal doesn't remain closed so we get more animal clan in the future.

Also Eek if Ethan gets control of the Ursines.

[goldarrow]

Thanks!

I have a few plans.

*g* Ethan is nuts...

[knitekat.livejournal.com]

*waves pom-poms* and *throws bunny food*

When isn't Ethan?

[fredbassett]

This was great! Fantastic story!

[goldarrow]

I'm so glad you liked it!

Thanks!

[fififolle]

Yay! And bonus healing. Bloody miracle workers. Nice call, Cutter :) I liked Niall's glittering post battle magick eyes :D
Great fic!

[goldarrow]

*g* Thanks!

Yeah, those eyes made even me shiver!

I do have some vague ideas of stories just from the Animal!Clan side of the portal...