Heroes Fanfic: Confrontations

[jemmalynette]

Title: Confrontations (Chapter 1/?)
Author: Jemma
Rating: To be safe, T (13+)
Disclaimer: Not my show or characters.
Characters: Peter, Nathan, Matt, Mohinder, Sylar, Claire, Future!Peter, Danko, HRG, Mary Campbell, Luke, mentions of Hiro.
Summary: My own interpretation of “Fugitives” after “Trust And Blood”. I started this before Volume Four began but added to it as new episodes showed. It follows Future!Peter in the future Fugitives-verse and the made of Awesome Trio which is Matt, Mohinder and Peter in the present. The three fugitives go on an important mission to find Sylar in an attempt to get Peter’s abilities back while, in the future, Future!Peter struggles with the changes of reality and suddenly finds himself in the same position many of his friends had been put in before they met a cruel fate.

Peter had gotten in to the habit of seeing his future self almost every week, hearing the awful things he had to say about what was to come, why, and when. It had become a routine. The world always needed saving-protecting. For Future Peter it was too late. The worst had already happened and there was no changing it. He needed to go back, warn of the events before they took place. Then maybe there would be some hope for the world.

He heard soft footsteps approach behind him, “What now?” he asked aloud without turning around.

His other self paused and glanced to the ground slightly, “It’s gotten worse,” he said in a low, rough voice.

“Worse?” he turned around and faced his future self. The scar remained painfully across his face. It unnerved Peter that no matter how many times they changed the future, that scar always remained.

“They’re still rounding everybody up, capturing them like criminals and locking them away. Most of us have been caught. I‘ve lost contact with several others. We’re running out of places to hide.”

He blinked. Each time the news always got worse. How could he ever be surprised? He took a moment to absorb the words. So they were still fugitives in their own home. He knew who was behind this. He just didn’t understand why. They were human beings, abilities or not. They didn’t deserve this treatment. The thoughts swam through his mind. He could never let this happen, “What can I do?”

“Stop them,” he said simply.

“How?”

“They want a war, we’ll give them a war,” his stare was cold and angry. Peter could only imagine what had caused him to become so distant from himself. So different. So enraged and discontent. But in a world like this where the horror seemed to jump out at them at any moment, how could he blame himself for becoming so callous?

Present Peter considered this. It seemed the war was already on. But they were fighting a losing battle. Even with their powers they still seemed….powerless. The teleporters couldn’t dodge them, the shape shifters couldn’t fool them and the mind readers couldn’t see (or rather, hear) them coming. No matter what they did, they still lost. They could only run.

“I know what could help,” he spoke up after a few seconds, “At the moment, your powers are limited. You should find Sylar. Absorb all of his powers. Then you’ll have a good advantage over them.”

He looked over at him with uncertainty, “Will that work?”

“It’s worth a try. If you attempt to fight them with only one ability at a time…failure is likely to follow. Trust me, I’ve tried. With only one power at a time, you’re just like the rest. And look what happened to them.”

Peter thought quietly to himself again. Then he nodded. He was right, it was worth a try. Although he hadn’t seen Sylar since the night he killed his father. He had hoped he’d never have to see him again. But if it would help him stop this madness he was willing to do it.

“There’s something else,” Future Peter added solemnly, “Something that will make your choices easier.”

Peter didn’t doubt his words. After all, this was himself he was speaking to. He knew how his mind worked and functioned. He raised his eyes to his curiously and Future Peter took a moment to respond. For the first time during his visits, Present Peter thought he could see genuine pain in his other form, and he wondered whatever had caused him to feel such grief.

“In the future,” he began solemnly, glancing from the floor to his younger self’s confused and unscarred face, “They start executing us. One by one.”

He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. The deceit, the outrage-

“They find Claire,” he quickly added, and his voice seemed less emotionless this time, “They kill her. They find a way to…she couldn‘t heal. I tried to stop it but…”

Peter’s mouth hung open. He couldn’t take this any longer.

“Alright,” he said aloud after what seemed like hours of silent torment, “I’ll stop them.”

His older form nodded. He knew he would do whatever it took to save the girl. He cared for her after all. He cared for her a great deal. He stepped back, ready to return to the future. An understandable hesitance shone in his eyes. Peter could only be thankful that he didn’t have to go back and live in the world he lived in. Where everything had already gone wrong, where plans had failed, where people with abilities were being executed purely because they were ‘special’, and a world where Claire was dead. No, Present Peter had a chance to change all of this. And change it he would. But something else played on his mind, something that probably didn’t compare at that moment, but still, he had to ask.

“Wait, how did I…how did you get that scar?” he asked aloud. One of the questions that had always been stuck at the back of his mind but he had been too afraid to ask, “Whenever I see you, whatever happens. You always have that scar.” He twitched slightly, awaiting an answer. Future Peter’s cold expression remained the same but he sighed and shifted his position a little as his past self stared intently at him.

“Some things you can’t change. Perhaps it’s best you don’t know.”

Peter wrinkled his nose, unsatisfied with the answer but agreed with his comment. Perhaps it was best he didn’t know. Perhaps it would scare him out of something he was meant to do. With that, the other Peter vanished in an instant. And he was alone again.

New York City, 2011

Future Peter appeared in an empty ally and sighed to himself. He hoped his other self could stop all of this from happening. They had done it before; they had saved the Cheerleader. They had saved the World. And it was all because they changed the inevitable. They had changed the future. Peter remembered when he had first met Claire. Her smile was perhaps the loveliest he had ever seen. And he took silent delight at being called her hero.

How things change in such a short amount of time. How terrible things get. He never wanted to leave the past whenever he visited. He never wanted to return. But he had to. For now all he could do was hope for the best and keep on running.

He wasn’t even certain why he was back in New York. To say goodbye? That’s what he concluded. After all, this place was his home and he had been through so much here. This was where he discovered his powers and began his seemingly endless journeys to save this world. To save this City from persistent horrors that never seemed to die down for long. Peter was a fool for ever thinking he could be normal again. And strangely enough, he wasn’t sure he wanted to be now. If everyone were normal, who would be able to stop these disasters from happening? Who would be the heroes?

Bah! Heroes! Did they even exist in this world anymore? Or were they strapped up, imprisoned somewhere and pumped full of drugs feeling just as useless as he did? He could only hope his past self could be more successful. It wasn’t too late for him.

He slid his hand along his gelled hair and re-adjusted his leather jacket as he fought off the many memories and thoughts and made his way towards the busy streets. Walking along, he thought it funny. Here he was, surrounded by so many people yet he had never felt so alone. He could sense it. He was the only one left. The only “special” person left alone in the place they had once called their home. But he couldn’t stay long. It wouldn’t be long until they caught him again. He shouldn’t even be here. But he had to say goodbye. Not just to his home, but to her too.

He snuck in quietly, glancing around corners with every step he took. He had to be careful. Luckily, it was mostly his mother that was home. She he could handle. Nathan was a different matter. He still had a soft spot for his brother under the hard exterior he had created for himself. However, he wasn’t about to let that show. Nathan already knew how much he cared for him. But he chose to ignore that. He chose his plans over his own blood. Over his own kind. Well, to Hell with him, thought Peter. He had accepted that they had grown apart, even detested each other. That was the way they were now. And there was nothing he or Nathan could do about that. Not now anyway.

He stepped in to one of the bigger rooms of the mansion; the same room he had been put when he died. He remembered how much Nathan had cared when he thought Peter was dead. And he remembered being told what a mess he had been at the loss of his baby brother. Peter wondered if he would get the same reaction now. He highly doubted it.

He stepped in further and she finally caught his eye. There she was, laid out in front of him. Pale white and lifeless. Her painted lips appeared colourless and dry, even her hair seemed to be less blonde and, instead of curls, it completely hung in lose straight strands over her face and along the arm of the sofa. Her eyes were shut and her lashes created tiny shadows over her cheekbones. She looked like she was sleeping peacefully; that she had only left him for a moment and would wake up any minute and smile at him blissfully.

He stood there for a moment with a deep frown across his face, his eyes glued to her motionless body. That was the only reaction that followed for a few moments at most, a solemn frown and unblinking eyes fixated on her and her alone as he stared vacantly at her. She was so young, she didn’t deserve this. Part of what hurt him the most was that, even with powers, he couldn’t do anything to fix this. He couldn’t save her now. All he could do was go back; go back to when she was alive, to before all of this and try and stop it before it even happened. It got to the point where he couldn’t look at her any longer and he tore his gaze away so fiercely that he couldn’t control the trembling anymore. A single tear rolled down his cheek as his teeth shut tightly together.

His breathing intensified and he swiped at his cheeks viciously. He hadn’t cried in a long time. He forgot what it felt like. And he’d rather not remember. He knelt down to her and held her close, breathing her in and wrapping his arms around her, “I’m sorry,” he told her as he tried to swallow down the pain and tears, “I’m sorry I couldn’t save you, Claire.” Absentmindedly, he found his fingers in her mess of hair and they searched towards the back of her neck as if trying to find that spot where something may still be lodged, keeping her from regenerating. But there was nothing. He rested her back down gently with a trembling frown. There was nothing. He couldn’t understand it. How had this happened?

“Peter,” a voice approached from behind him and Peter’s expression grew darker. He slowly stood back up and turned around.

“Looks like you caught me, Nathan,” he growled with a sharp glare.

Nathan stood simply in front of him, dressed as usual in that ugly grey suit; like a respected politician, not a murderer-not a Villain like Peter knew he had turned out to be. His expression was hard to read but there was a hint of surprise there above anything else. He walked further in to the room and stared at his brother in disbelief.

“What are you doing here?” he asked. As if there weren’t more important questions to be asked, Peter thought.

“What are you doing here? Thought you’d be busy with…..other things,” Peter replied darkly as he remained firmly where he was.

The older man sighed as his eyes left Peter’s angry gaze and fell upon the young girl’s body behind him. He ignored the question and frowned, “This was never meant to happen,” he muttered.

“Wasn’t it?” scorned Peter, “I thought it was your intention from the start!”

“She was my daughter!” Nathan snapped with offence.

Peter snickered disdainfully and looked away from Nathan bitterly, “Well, it’s too late now. She’s gone. Just like the rest. Looks like you win.”

“You think I wanted this?” retorted Nathan, “It wasn’t my idea to execute them.”

“But you wanted to get rid of us all, didn’t you? Even me You wanted me gone with the rest of them. Like I was nothing to you. A year ago that bothered me but….” he paused and gave a small, careless shrug, “Not anymore.”

“I gave you a choice,” Nathan replied sternly, supporting his actions as if they had been rash and sensible, “And you chose to fight me. I couldn’t have that.”

“No, of course not,” Peter muttered with sarcasm, “I wouldn’t be surprised if it was your idea to slaughter all those people. People, Nathan. If you had your way they would’ve gotten rid of me months ago. The only reason I’m still alive is because of my ability.”

“Your ability?” Scoffed Nathan, “Pete, the only reason why you‘re still alive is because of me.”

“You?” he asked with a hint of ridicule in his voice.

“I’ve been protecting you all this time. I know where you’ve been hiding all along. I track your every move,” he explained carefully, as if Peter had been foolish not to notice this sooner.

The younger man hesitated before shaking his head and chewing angrily on his tongue, “No,” he muttered darkly, “You weren’t interested in protecting me when you knocked me out cold and sent me away on that plane. You’re lying.”

“Believe what you want,” sighed Nathan, “I wanted to confine you all, not murder you,” he pushed past his younger sibling and knelt down beside his former estranged daughter, “I can’t protect you for much longer. I couldn’t protect her. If you’re going to run, you better do it soon.”

Again, there was another brief silence as Peter considered his brother’s words. He watched as Nathan placed the lose strands of Claire’s hair behind her ears. He wrinkled his nose, unconvinced, “Why would you help me now? After everything? After all of this?”

“That’s simple, Pete,” Nathan replied softly, looking up as his hand left Claire’s pale face, “It’s because you’re my brother. And I love you.”

The words were actually a relief. But it only lasted for a few seconds. This all seemed too familiar and Peter didn’t like it one bit. Then he remembered. Years ago, when he got his powers back shortly after their father had died and the lab had set on fire, he had saved Nathan from being engulfed from the flames. Because you’re my brother and I love you. The words he had answered with when Nathan had demanded why he had done such a thing and saved his life. And how did his brother repay him? Not what I would’ve done. Then nothing for days, weeks, months. Nathan wouldn’t have done the same thing for Peter. Not then, not now. His fingernails stabbed at his palms.

“You’re lying,” he snapped roughly, “You would kill me if you could. Like you killed her!” his voice raised towards the end and so did his fists. He lunged for Nathan furiously and punched him in the face. Nathan’s back hit the wall behind him as his back and cheek radiated with pain.

Peter shook the pain from his fists. After all this time he had used powers to kick his brother’s ass when things got heated. It was nice to finally use his fists again.

“That was a weak punch,” muttered Nathan, “I gather you don’t have Suresh’s power anymore,” he added as he pushed himself off the wall and struggled back to his feet.

“Lucky for you,” he replied, storming over to him and striking him again. He stumbled back instantly, yelling out in pain, “Waited a long time to finally do that.”

“You do know,” Nathan breathed as Peter slowly walked towards him with a patronisingly fake concern, “If you carry on like this, it will not end well for either of us.”

“What’re you going to do, Nathan? Lock me up? Deem me a threat to the nation? Oh wait…you‘ve done that,” he hissed before grabbing Nathan by his shirt and shoving him violently against the wall. He wanted to throw him across the room. He wanted to hurt him badly like he had hurt him and so many others. He wanted Nathan to pay. But before he could make another move, he heard a shot sound from behind him and then something pierce his skin. He started to lose control of his body and his grip loosened on Nathan. He tried to fight it, he lasted longer than he usually would have. But he wasn’t strong enough. He let go of his brother and tumbled to the floor. Why do you have to make things so hard for yourself, Pete. The last words he heard before his eyes slowly closed shut and he lost consciousness.

~*~

“Do you know what we do to people like you?” sneered a harsh voice from somewhere in front of him.

He shuddered in his seat and felt his breathing pace increase. His breaths were short and fearful. No matter how hard he tried not to be, he was scared. And no amount of resentment or confidence could change that. The years and suffering had shaped him dramatically. But he couldn’t retain what he was feeling. He couldn’t help the feeling that so many of his friends-that Claire-had been put in this very situation. And now they were dead. Perhaps he was afraid he would soon follow down that path. Or maybe it was just the disorientation. He couldn’t see or breathe properly. It wasn’t until the mask was pulled off and he could finally see the man in front of him that he began to feel more angry then afraid. The man facing him had recognisable silver hair and cold glassy eyes. Peter had seen him before. He knew him as ‘The Hunter’ but didn‘t know much more. Despite all the research and the spying, “The Hunter” remained a frightening mystery.

“You can’t do this,” he snarled with enragement. He shook slightly and little bumps formed on his arms and down his back. Thankfully, the orange uniform covered his body so the other man could not see his fear. But he sensed it.

“We already have,” he spat bitterly, “I’m surprised you didn‘t give up sooner. So many of your friends have failed in the past.”

This only made him angrier, “You killed them.” At that moment, the only power he wanted most was Mohinder’s. Perhaps then he’d be able to break out of the shackles and give this guy what he deserved. A good beating. Unfortunately, he still had Hiro’s power. And it was one that had become useful to Peter ever since it was discovered Hiro had his time travelling power back and had been abducted again. Peter had to keep hold of it so he could go back. He always had to go back. It was the only way. He continued, “They never hurt anyone.”

“On the contrary, that’s why they were executed. Sooner or later they attacked us, killed us…they were a threat. And it’s my job to remove that threat. You people are dangerous. Take a look at yourself. You tried to beat your own brother senseless today. If my team hadn’t of gotten there in time, you‘d have probably killed him.”

He sniggered to himself and glanced down to the floor, “I bet you don’t even know he’s one of us.”

“One of you? I’ve been told before. But I highly doubt that, Mr. Petrelli. We‘ve looked in to it and found nothing”

They obviously didn’t look hard enough.

“I’m going to find a way to stop you,” he threatened, “I swear it. You’re not going to get away with this.”

“I’m sure,” the other man replied sarcastically, “And how would you go about doing that?”

He smirked slightly, “Sooner or later, I’m going to get a lot more powers. Not just one, a whole lot. Then I’ll be able to choose between electrifying you with my own hands or throwing you across the room with a simple flick of my finger or maybe knocking you out cold with one simple punch. I haven’t decided yet. Maybe I’ll settle on a decision when I get my powers.”

“So you’ll be untouchable?” asked The Hunter, unmoved by Peter’s threats, “Just like Sylar?”

Peter nodded confidentially.

“Well, it’s just a shame we caught him earlier this month. Granted, it took a couple of years but we got there in the end,” the older man smirked darkly.

Peter’s expression fell, “You caught Sylar?” No. This couldn’t be. Sylar was the one person they could never catch. His abilities were the only thing protecting him from these people.

“Not so untouchable now, is he? It just shows, Mr. Petrelli, you don’t need powers to beat us. You can’t beat us. And the sooner you accept that, the easier all of this will be.”

He was speechless. He was trying to think of other alternatives, hanging on to whatever hope was left lingering in the air. But there was nothing. The Hunter leant closer to him, “Now brace yourself, Peter,” he added bitterly, “You’re in for a rough couple of months.” The hood was pulled back over his eyes and there was nothing more but eternal darkness.
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