Part of the Askani timeline
"What Was...What Is"
by Jeph Loeb & Ian Churchill
Synopsis:: Nate and Jenskot have arrived in the future, and Nate's still a little overwhelmed at the sight of his future wife alive and well. They have to make their way to an enemy camp, but Nate's still feeling his attraction to Jenskot to really pay attention. Before he can say anything to her though, a hole in the sky opens and Domino falls out in a flash of light. She's astonished to see Nate, and wonders who the lady is. She wants answers, but Aliya wants silence. She's afraid of ambush, and that's exactly what happens. But Nate, Dom and Aliya fight off the attackers and steal their clothes. Dom gets introduced to Aliya, and suddenly everything becomes clear to her. They all manage to sneak into camp, but even though Nate manages to hide them telepathically, Stryfe knows something is wrong. He can find nothing, though, and returns to his tent. He's been torturing a captured rebel named Tetherblood, and holds up a glowing bottle, asking what connection it has to Dayspring. But Tetherblood just spits in his face.
Nate, Dom, and Aliya are travelling through the woods. Dom tries to get Nate to talk about Aliya and his future, but he's not in th emood. They come upon a strange man, Korless, in the woods, but Aliya says it's just another of the Clan Chosen, and they all head into the rebel camp. Everyone notices Nate's resemblance to Dayspring, and they're in awe of him. But Nate's uneasy. Some of the people are unfamiliar, and Aliya tells him Tetherblood has disappeared. Nate knows him well and doesn't believe he's a traitor. Dom spies Blaquesmith and demands answers. He claims not to know her, but she insists he tell her what's happening. Aliya leads Nate to his younger self, who's ill with a fever and fading fast. The proximity of two separate Nates in one place is causing a painful psychic backlash, and when Nate tries to help, Daysping thinks it's Stryfe, and attacks. Nate knows the situation is very dangerous, and begins a meditation to try to help. But back in his camp, Stryfe senses something from the glowing bottle he's still holding. He believes that without the botle, Nate will be dead by morning. But the bottle glows brighter...
Blaquesmith tells Domino that the coming battle is very important, but that he has no idea why she is there. Nate is gathering his troops, readying them for battle, when he realizes Domino is missing. At his own camp, Stryfe senses danger nearby. It's Domino, crouched in the bushes, drawing a bead on him, when Nate appears and blocks her gun. He tells her this isn't the way to win, and she asks him why not? Maybe she's here to kill the man he can't, and give him a second chance with Aliya. They hear the sounds of Jenskot attacking Stryfe's men, and sneak into the camp. They find a badly wounded Tetherblood, and the glowing bottle. It's the Professor, or its essence, and as they exchange greetings, Korless appears and reveals HE'S the traitor. Jenskot and the rebels are still fighting Stryfe's men when he catches sight of her. He admires her a bit, convinced she'll switch sides one day. He realizes that he needs to return to camp, and runs. Korless is still there, holding Nate and company at gunpoint. Nate senses Stryfe coming, and gets the Professor to teleport them to safety. When Stryfe appears, he sees only Korless and notices the bottle is missing. He sends Korless off on a new 'assignment.'
Nate and Dom return to the Askani camp with the Professor, and Blaquesmith heals Tetherblood and forges a bond between the Professor and the younger Nate to heal him. Afterwards, Nate wanders off into the camp with Aliya, and he says a touching goodbye. Domino is watching, and sheds a tear. Knowing their work is done, Nate and Dom return to Blaquesmith and get sent back to their own time, sure that the younger Nate is safe and will continue to fight Apocalypse and his forces.
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