Fic Phoenix Invictus Book One: Child of Light (1/9)

[ken_ichijouji]

Title: Phoenix Invictus Book One: Child of Light
Series: Star Trek AOS crossover with X-Men: The Animated Series
Rating: R/NC-17 for epilogue
Content: graphic depiction of injury including radiation poisoning, explicit sexual content in epilogue, major character death with a twist, minor character deaths throughout
Words: 46,953
Betas: maypirate, tresa_cho
Artist: enkanowen here
Mixer: ivycross here
Banner: avictoriangirl
Summary: The Enterprise has successfully completed the first year of its five year mission, but not all is going according to plan. When a race called the Shi'ar attempt to make contact with the Federation to preserve an artifact called the M'Kraan Crystal, and when Bones becomes the host for a mysterious force known only as "Phoenix," the crew of the Enterprise get sucked into a battle that could have devastating consequences for the entire galaxy.
Notes: At the end of the Epilogue



Leonard was seven the first time he set foot onto a shuttle.

It was just him and his Momma, as they were headed to the Grand Canyon on a family vacation. Daddy would be joining them in a day; one of the horses was sick, and he wanted to make sure she was okay before taking off for a week.

He stared out the window at the shuttle with a curious expression.

He was nervous, but not unafraid, and he was also mostly excited. A real shuttle trip for the first time! Momma said he was finally grown up enough for it, and Daddy trusted him to be the man of the house on this leg of the trip.

Leonard held his Momma’s hand tightly as he saw the door open. One of the flight crew stepped out, making sure the stairs were in place for the passengers. Another member of the crew said something into a communicator to one of the other attendants that Leonard couldn’t see. He stood on his tiptoes to try and check out what was happening.

“It’s just about time,” Momma said as she squeezed his hand.

“Do we get to go on the shuttle first?” he asked, still not able to take his eyes off the craft. A thrill of excitement began to take him over as he watched the flight attendants talk to each other.

“We do, Len,” Momma said. “We’re sitting towards the front of the shuttle, in what they call business class, so we get to go on first.”

“Business class sounds fancy,” Len told his Momma as they made their way to the front of the crowd of passengers.

“It has its perks.” She handed over a special small PADD to the flight attendant.

“McCoy, Annabelle, and Leonard,” he said with a smile to them each in turn. “Right this way.” He turned and gestured to the long walkway that led out to the shuttle stairs. Leonard looked up at his Momma with a curious expression.

Momma gave him a nudge. “Go on, now. I’m right behind you.” She let go of his hand, then, and Leonard turned bravely forward. Excitement won out as he began to run down the ramp as fast as his short legs could carry him. A pair of flight attendants greeted him at the end with a smile.

“Hey there, sweetie,” one of them said as she knelt down to meet him at eye level. “What’s your name?”

“Leonard,” he said boldly. “My Momma’s with me too.” He glanced to the doorway; sure enough, she was right there smiling at him.

“Well, now that she’s here, we can help you find your seats.” She took a moment to smile up at his Momma. “Maybe before we take off you can go up front and see the pilots.”

“Can I really?” He looked back to Momma with awe on his face. She quickly ruffled his hair.

“I don’t see why not.”

“Oh, boy!” Leonard turned and began to run towards the cockpit, his Momma laughing behind him. He thought he heard her say something to the flight attendants before she called him back to her. He stopped where he stood and looked at her curiously.

“They’ll tell you when, baby.”

Leonard felt his cheeks flush in embarrassment. “Oh.” He walked dejectedly back to his Momma, and once more she ruffled his hair.

“It happens all the time,” the other flight attendant said with a wave of her hand.

“We’re in the second row, Len, and you have the window seat.” Still blushing, Leonard walked with as much dignity as he could muster to the row in question. “On the right.”

He slid all the way across the one seat into his; his legs weren’t quite long enough to reach the ground, and they dangled slowly above the floor. He pulled open the window shade and stared out at the tarmac below. Momma put her purse in the overhead compartment before sitting down next to him.

“It’s a three hour flight,” she said as she took her seat next to him. She pulled her long hair (the same shade as his) into a low ponytail. “They’ll give us snacks and things to drink.”

Too busy watching the crew below, Leonard could only nod his head a few times. After a minute, the friendly flight attendant from before came back to them.

“The pilots are ready for you now, sweetie,” she said with a grin. Leonard almost jumped out of his seat, but he remembered how embarrassed he was just a few minutes ago. He slowly stood up and edged past Momma. The flight attendant gestured for him to walk ahead of her, so he turned and made his way to the cockpit. A woman and a man sat in the pilot and co-pilot’s chairs respectively, and they smiled at him when he entered.

“Why hello there,” the pilot said with a grin. “I’m Captain Godin, and this is my First Officer Dunckel.”

“I’m Leonard McCoy,” he said. He hoped he sounded as grown up as he felt, being allowed in the cockpit and all.

“Nice to meet you, Leonard,” Captain Godin said. “You’re not here for small talk, though, you’re here to learn about the shuttle.”

Leonard took a long look around the cockpit. The panels in front of the Captain and First Officer were covered with important looking buttons and displays, sort of like the PADD he kept his schoolbooks on. There were joysticks, too, which he guessed were for the steering, like in Daddy’s car.

“What do these do,” he asked as he pointed to a display. First Officer Dunckel smiled at him.

“That displays our navigation systems.”

“What’s that?”

“It tells us where we’re going, so we can make sure the shuttle doesn’t hit anything,” Dunckel explained. “It keeps us safe.”

Leonard nodded. “So we’d be unsafe without it?”

“Less safe,” the Captain clarified as she put a set of earphones around her neck. “We keep in contact via radio with people called air traffic controllers. They tell us when we’re coming up on things like mountains or even other crafts. They’re good at giving us early warnings about those things. There hasn’t been a crash like that in seventeen years.”

Exhaling a sigh of relief, Leonard nodded again. His Daddy had promised them they’d be safe flying, but he couldn’t help but be a little scared since it was his first time. Hearing the Captain say there hadn’t been a crash in seventeen years (which was forever) was a good thing to hear. Safety assured, Leonard could focus on his other questions.

“What kind of gas does it use?” Leonard looked up at the top of the cockpit, where more buttons and displays were situated. There was so much to look at and see; he wanted to take in it all.

“It’s a compressed propellant made up of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen.” Captain Godin checked something on one of her screens. “Much cleaner than the old gasoline airplanes used, and more sustainable. There’s talk of switching over to nuclear power in not just Starfleet crafts, but in civilian ones like these, but I don’t think it’s necessary. It’s safe; again, there hasn’t been a crash in seventeen years.”

Leonard nodded again.

Dunckel glanced at Leonard from where he sat. “Thinking about becoming a pilot?”

“I’m going to be a doctor,” Leonard said proudly, “But I’ve never flown before today, this is my first time. All this stuff is really cool.”

“It is pretty cool, if I say so myself,” Dunckel replied. “Well, here, just in case you change your mind, or even if you don’t…” He pulled out a gold pin; it was a triangle-shaped emblem of a bird in flight. “You’ve earned your wings today, Leonard.”

“Wow,” was all he could say as the First Officer pinned it to his shirt. “Thanks!”

“You’re welcome, Leonard,” Captain Godin said with a smile. “Now we have important things to do before takeoff, so you better go take your seat, okay?”

“I sure will!” With that Leonard turned, beaming, and headed back to his seat with his Momma. He strutted down the aisle like a peacock until he reached the second row, then scooted past his mother.

“Momma look what they gave me,” he said as he showed her the emblem on his chest. She smiled down at him as she fondly stroked his hair.

“I guess we’ll have to break it to your father that you aren’t going to be a doctor after all,” she said in a tone that Leonard knew meant she was teasing him. He screwed up his face in thought.

“Can’t I be both?”

She made a face that matched his as she, too, went deep into thought. “I don’t see why not. You can fly in your spare time, like Uncle Johnny does.”

A flight attendant, a different one from before, came up to them. “Care for something to drink before we take off?”

“Just water for me, thanks, and Len, would you like your go-to?”

Leonard was still admiring his pin with a big smile. “Sure, Momma.”

“Cranberry juice for him, then.” The attendant smiled, and he made his way back to the service area to get their drinks. Leonard’s mother began to buckle him into the seatbelt. She was just finished tightening it as the man brought their drinks to them. She lowered her tray and sat them down on it with a grateful smile. His Momma handed him his juice with a grin. He took it and immediately took a big drink.

“Sip it, don’t gulp,” she said like always. Leonard rolled his eyes a little, but he did slow his drinking some.

“Momma, I’m seven.”

“I know, I know, you’re seven going on thirty.” She sat back and ran her fingers through her hair. “One day, you’ll be sad that I’m not fussing over you anymore.”

“I can’t wait to grow up,” he said as he finished off his juice. “Then I’ll be a doctor and a pilot. I’ll be able to do whatever I want.”

“There’s more to growing up than that, baby, but there’s no need for you to see that before it’s time.”

At this, the flight attendants came around and took their cups from them to put into a recycler, and as Momma put her tray back the way it was, Leonard perked up in his chair a little. The doors were being sealed shut. It was time to go!

Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking. We’d like to welcome you on board Delta Flight 101, with service from Atlanta to Phoenix today. Flight duration is around two and a half hours, and we’re expecting a smooth flight. Currently in Phoenix, the winds are southeast at ten kilometers per hour, and the temperature is 29 degrees Celsius. We’ll get back to en route just as soon as we have more information. Once again, welcome aboard. There was a pause. Flight attendants, cross-check for take off.

The flight attendants did something Leonard couldn’t see over the chair in front of him. Cross-check complete, came out over the intercom. He turned his attention back out the window to watch the shuttle take off. The shuttle was wheeling backwards slowly out of the gate. Leonard continued to watch taxiing with rapt attention.

The engines clicked on, and the shuttle shuddered from the weight. Leonard was ahead of the wings where he sat, and he looked out as the shuttle began to push off from the ground.

This was it.

They were flying!

The ground began to push further away from the shuttle, bit by bit. The ascent was slow, though, and cautious. Leonard watched the ground fade away bit by bit with a huge grin.

There was a low clutching noise, almost like a tear. Leonard blinked and looked at his Momma, who was staring up at the ceiling with a frown.

This is Captain Godin speaking. We’ll be up in the air in a moment, we’re just having some difficulty with the…

This was when the first explosion went off.

The ship lurched forward, rocking with the force of the blast. Momma looked scared now, and Leonard felt afraid too. He reached out and grabbed his Momma’s hand as tight as he could.

They had barely taken off. The pilots could just land them and they’d all get off the shuttle. They were going to be okay.

Right?

Another explosion rocked the shuttle, causing Leonard to start shaking. Fear and dread began to wash over him, but most of all there was one powerful feeling, like he was never going to see his Daddy again. He clutched his Momma with both hands as best he could without taking off his seatbelt. She reached out and wrapped her arms around him.

“It’ll be all right, baby,” she said as she looked at him with unshed tears in her eyes. “They’ll put us back on the ground, and we’ll evacuate. It’ll be all right.”

Somehow, Leonard got the feeling that Momma was saying this more for her sake than for his.

People were screaming around them, he noticed. One member of the flight crew had gotten out of his seat to head to the cockpit as smoke and flames burst into the ship from the ceiling. The shuttle began to shake and tilt forwards, as if it was being brought haphazardly down. People were trying to open the emergency doors frantically to dive off the ship; they wouldn’t budge, however, because the shuttle was in the air.

More flames poured in from above. Momma unbuckled Leonard’s seatbelt, then unbuckled her own. “Get on the floor with me, Len, and we’ll crawl to the exit so when it’s time we can get out of here!”

Leonard did as his Momma asked, even though he was still shaking. He had to try to be brave, though, for her sake. Other passengers had the same idea as they did, and were crawling as they coughed from the smoke rapidly filling the craft.

The ship lurched suddenly forward and then stopped abruptly with a loud noise. It had been brought down, but badly, and had crashed into something at the airport. At the same moment, another explosion rocked the ship, sending Leonard, his Momma, and several other people hurtling to the front of the ship. Momma reached out and grabbed him, tucking him into her chest just barely before she slammed head first into the bulkhead.

Her arms slackened around him, but didn’t let go. Leonard couldn’t tell if she was breathing. “Momma?”

She didn’t answer or move. She didn’t even open her eyes, and her head was at an odd angle.

A flight attendant was frantically trying to open the door, but nothing was happening.

“This exit must be jammed,” she said, as the passengers nearby all began to panic. “We’ll have to try the emergency exit in the middle of the ship.”

“Momma,” Leonard said as tears fell down his face. “C’mon, Momma, we gotta go!”

Momma didn’t move.

The flames filled the ship now. It looked like there was no way off, which didn’t matter because Leonard wasn’t leaving without his Momma. The screams continued to ring in his ears as he reached out and shook her shoulders. “Momma, please,” he begged through his tears. “Please, wake up!”

She didn’t move. He couldn’t even tell if she was breathing.

“Please,” he screamed as loud as he could. “Someone please…help…”

It was lost in the screams of the other passengers on the ship, of the other people desperately trying to escape. The flames grew brighter and began to move closer. Leonard was afraid, but he couldn’t leave his Momma alone. He continued to call out for help, even though no one paid him any mind.

The ringing in his ears began to take another form, almost like music. The flames crept closer to him, although they weren’t hot. They were warm, but almost comforting.

Leonard knew what death was. His Great Grandmother had passed the year before, and he attended the funeral. He knew that it was different for each person, but hearing the music made him sure; he and his Momma were going to die.

The music grew louder. It was soothing almost, and gentle. He couldn’t stop crying, but weirdly he felt better. Almost peaceful.

The flames came closer, and Leonard blinked. They almost looked they were a person.

The fire being knelt down in front of him; Leonard looked around, but none of the other passengers noticed or cared. He really was about to die; it was the only explanation for why he was having visions.

You are safe, the…he guessed person…said. It didn’t open its mouth to talk to him. Somehow, Leonard got the feeling it was speaking into his mind. But that was crazy, wasn’t it?

“Am I dying?”

You are safe, the creature repeated. Leonard had stopped crying, his tears drying into tracks on his cheeks. He felt safe, for some reason, safe and warm. The fire wasn’t burning him, somehow, even though as close as he was it should have been.

“Why do I feel like I know you?”

Whether we have met before is of no consequence, but I will say that I do know you, Leonard McCoy. You called for aid. I heard. I came.

“But who are you?” Leonard blinked at the being. “You came to help me? Help me save my Momma!”

There is nothing more I can do for her, the being said in a kind, but sad voice. There is still a chance for you.

Leonard’s eyes once again filled with tears. He began to sob. “Momma…”

There is moisture leaking down your cheeks. Your face is becoming redder, and you are having difficulty breathing. I do not understand what is happening to you, there is no physical cause for these symptoms.

“You just told me my Momma is dead,” Leonard snapped as he wiped the tears from his face. “How’d you expect me to take it?”

I am not familiar with emotions such as these. You have me at a loss, and I do not wish to offend. I only wish to offer assistance.

Leonard shook his head. “I don’t understand. Who are you? Why are you offering to help me?”

Again, you called for help. I came to aid you, but we must act quickly. The being reached out its arms to Leonard, like his Momma did. There is not much time. We must go now if you are to be saved.

Leonard reached out a hand slowly, before pulling it back in. He reached it out a second time. The being took a hold of it and grasped his hand in turn; Leonard flinched instinctively before relaxing. The fire didn’t burn him, instead it felt like laying in the sun on a Spring day.

The being pulled him into its arms and carried him as it walked towards the door that had been jammed moments ago. It did something, and somehow it and Leonard walked right through the door onto the ground below. Leonard looked at the open sky with wonder.

“How did you…how’d we…”

The being did not answer him, but instead continued walking him away from the shuttle. Another loud explosion rung out, and Leonard looked over its shoulder to see that the shuttle was nothing but flaming debris.

The fire brigade was pulling up to the scene, but something told Leonard it was too late for the people on board including his Momma. He started to cry again, weeping into the being’s shoulder.

It sat him down gingerly on the grass a safe distance away from the craft. Leonard continued to cry, more quietly this time.

You are safe. I have done what I could. The being took a few steps away from him.

“Wait,” he said as he ran up to it. “You save me, and you’re just leaving? I don’t understand. Why won’t you stay with me?”

The being looked down at him, and this was when Leonard realized it was in the shape of a man. It looked…familiar, but he couldn’t place where from or why.

You are too young, it said as it reached a hand down to touch his hair. The day will come when you will be ready, but that time is not now. I must depart. It smiled at him. We shall meet again, Leonard McCoy.

Leonard nodded; he wasn’t sure how, but he could tell that it (he?) was telling him the truth. He took a deep breath, but it was hard, and he began to cough. It quickly turned into a fit and he fell to his knees on the ground.

The last thing Leonard saw before he lost consciousness was the being shifting in front of him from a human-shape into that of a large firebird. It reared its head back, giving a loud cry, before it flew off into the sky.

After that, everything went black.

Chapter One