New X-Men: Elite 1 – Old Ideas Given New Life Part 1 – "Something Old, Something New"
Washington, DC
Emma Frost's platinum hair blows in the warm wind. Her white Porsche turned onto Wisconsin Avenue leaving the Georgetown Preparatory Day School Headmaster's office with the records of her next potential student. The sports car sped along the thoroughfare from Bethesda into Washington, D.C. proper. She made a few turns until she was in the posh neighborhood of Georgetown. She didn't have to look down at the map or the documents to know she had arrived at the home of Kai-Alexander Silver. He was the youngest of a very powerful family whose lineage travel back to the courts of Africa and Europe. The Silver clan also had a deep secret. The wealth and power that the Afro-European family had garnered over the last two hundred years had in part been due to the strong psychic and mystical powers that the majority of the family possessed. That was the reason she was paying a visit to young Mr. Silver. He had the potential to be the greatest that family had seen in terms of power, in fact he might be one of the greatest psions to have lived. These facts did not intimidate nor impress Emma. Her own family history in fact mirrored Kai-Alexander's in many ways. She pulled on the handbrake to secure her car in the inclined driveway leading up to the stately house.
Kai-Alexander Silver finished his last letter and slipped it into one of his trademark crisp silver envelopes. He affixed his seal to the back of the letter and paused a moment on the friends he'd be leaving at Georgetown Prep. But, the counterpoint entered into his mind, in regards to his natural talents as a mutant, what could he learn there. It was after all a school for humans. His family had been dealing with the humans for centuries, inserting themselves into the courts of many royal families. He'd been raised to think that most humans were nothing more than pawns to be used to further the clan's goals. Although it may have been an ideal way to escape the rampant prejudice of colonizing Europeans and post-colonial Americans, the time had come to change the family's outlook. They had used their "gifts" to avoid racial persecution but were now proponents of genetic bias. Like many in his position he wasn't willing to give up his lifestyle over ideology. The notion of a peaceful co-existence between humanity and its cousin mutant kind was interesting indeed. Because his mother had served as one of the chairs of the Strategic Hazard Intelligence Enforcement and Logistics Defense, Kai had closely followed the exploits of the mutant outlaws or heroes, depending on opinion, known as the X-Men. He'd been fascinated with them. Their lives were fast-paced and dangerous a far cry from his predetermined life at board meetings as the heir of the Silver Conglomerate. His paradoxical thoughts were interrupted when he sensed another mind barely grazing the surface of his mental defenses was quickly approaching. He smiled a little at Emma Frost attempt to probe his mind. She was crafty and clever. He liked that in a woman. Kai got up from his imported mahogany desk with his letters in hand. His butler and caretaker, Emil was waiting just outside the door as usual.
"Mr. Silver, you have an appointment with an Emma Frost in a matter of minutes." Emil said with years of practiced restraint that is oft satirized in movies featuring butlers.
"I'm aware of my appointment, Emil. I sense Ms. Frost's approach. I'll see her in the den. And deposit these for me, promptly. That will be all." Kai said handing the older man the letters. Emil smiled at the response. While he'd practically raised the boy, he lived for the exchanges of pomp and circumstance. It reminded him of his days at the Silver family Manor. Kai smiled a little sharing in Emil's reverie.
Emma frowned at her failed scan. The young man had exceptional psychic defense. Emma gathered her purse and attaché case from the passenger seat of the car and walked towards the house. The house and the grounds surrounding it were perfectly manicured. The glass pool house could be partially seen from behind the Tudor style house. Emma pressed the doorbell and was greeted by an elderly Frenchman. The man simply gestured for her to follow. As she followed who she assumed was the butler, she looked about the house. The house was styled with classic European furnishings. The study she'd passed on right was similar to her own, a French study mimicking that of the Sun King. Curious choice for a teenaged boy, Emma thought as she raised an eyebrow, noting the strong psychic imprint of the room. She turned to see that the man was at the top of a half flight of stairs. He cleared his throat. Emma rolled her eyes and followed the man's gaze. There in another antique lined room sat Kai-Alexander Silver.
"You'll have to forgive Emil. He can be a tad too formal. Would care for a drink or something, Ms. Frost?" Kai motioned for Emma to have a seat. Emma accepted the offer and Emil went over to the bar and poured Emma a glass of port. Upon giving Emma the snifter, he took leave of the two mutants.
"How did he know what drink I wanted? I could have meant coffee." Emma said sipping the smooth beverage letting the flavor linger on her tongue.
"I, and therefore Emil, am always prepared for guests. I trust you'll enjoy this vintage. But this visit is not social is it? We do have the matter of finalizing my matriculation to the Institute."
"Yes, that is why I've come. It is an excellent choice in liquors for a child of your age." Emma said fishing for answers to the apparent question of why a young man of his age was living virtually alone.
"Child? Curious choice of words, Emma weren't you about my age when you struck out on your own? Building Frost Enterprises and a few years later rising to power in the Club…" Kai said recounting a short history of Emma's life. Emma didn't bulk at his impudence; she merely was determined to try another approach.
"I see you've done your homework, Mr. Silver and since your family is even more adept at hiding its past than I am I shall require you to lower defenses so that I may get a glimpse into your past. I assure you that information will be used only to ensure the safety of our students."
"Before we begin, I want to warn you that. Information regarding my family's trade secrets and the like will remain protected from your probe."
Emma nodded closing her eyes extending her power out into the young man's psyche. She gathered images of his past, his motivations, and ambitions. She was tempted to test the barriers he told her were in place, but her time spent under the influence of Sean Cassidy had helped her curb those urges. Not truly satisfied with all that she could learn about the young man in front of her, she conceded to the fact that she knew he wouldn't be a danger to the other students.
"Well, Mr. Silver you have had exceptional training in your powers. And I'm happy to offer you the chance to continue your tutelage at Xavier's."
"Of course, I gladly except the invite. You will have my initial deposit, in a week."
"Excellent. I shall see you in a month in Salem Center." Emma said as she stood, Kai followed suit shaking her hand.
"I'm looking forward to see all of what you have to offer." Kai said with a sly smile. Emma thought that there was a trace of innuendo in that last comment. And as she turned to leave to she said over her shoulder, "The question, child, is can you handle what I have to offer?"
Toledo, OH
St. Stephen's was deserted in less than five minutes after the final bell had rung signaling the end of the school year. Ian Sorensen was glad to see the year come to an end. He longed for the coming weeks of freedom and relaxation. His smile faded when he heard the cell phone chirping inside of his S.U.V. He quickly opened the door and sat down pressing the "Ok" button to answer: "Hello, mother."
"I just wanted to remind you not to dally, you have your very costly lesson this afternoon." Ian's mother responded with a tone, which was a mixture of condescension and impatience.
"Mother, I wasn't 'dallying.' I was saying good-bye to my friends. Most of whom I won't see again since you want me to transfer to St. John's."
"St. John's is known for producing world class champions. I won't have you jeopardizing your chances for a professional tennis career. And need I remind you that your little incident the other day was trouble enough. I have to go. Don't be late." The phone went silent but the sting of her words lasted. Ian thought, no "Good Luck," no "I love you." His mother only cared about was his potential tennis career the one she could have had if her parents hadn't forced her to give up her tennis dreams. And the 'incident' as she referred to it was the most amazing thing that had ever happened to him in his life. He'd been in the kitchen; his stepfather was out in the yard working on his car and smoking. Ian saw that he'd absent-mindedly left his cigarette dangerously close to some oil. He rushed out to warn him but it was to late the trickling oil caught fire and erupted into flame, taking the car along with it. He'd succeed in pushing Craig out of the way, but he got the brunt of the blast. Instead of being burned he somehow had absorbed the heat into his body. Then stranger still, when he got off the ground the charred car was covered with a glaze of ice. Craig insisted that he should go to the hospital but he was fine, in fact he felt better than he'd ever felt. Of course, until his mother, a doctor at the hospital checked him out and concluded that the only way he could have done what he'd done was that he was a mutant. It was crazy. Ian had thought mutants only existed in big cities like New York or LA. But here he was a mutant.
Ian parked his Explorer in the parking lot of the Crane Crest Tennis Club. He got his gear out the backseat and looked around for the first time. His S.U.V. was the only vehicle on the lot. Maybe, the club was closed today and Coach McGee had forgotten to reschedule. He walked into the club to find it strangely deserted. Though the hall was lit with halogen lamps the light in them was curiously diminished. Walking across the indoor courts to Coach McGee's office Ian thought he heard something creeping up behind him. But when he turned all he saw was own shadow. However what he didn't notice before he turned back towards the Coach's offices that his shadow didn't mirror his actions.
Los Angeles, CA
The Blackbird streaked through the night sky. Danielle Moonstar had been many things her life, a student, warrior, and now teacher. She looked up from the controls at her companion. A young man named Timothy Nguyen. She noted the irony in the fact the young Vietnamese man had the face of an angel and yet she had just picked him up from a juvenile detention center. She hoped that Professor Xavier was right about this kid. As an empath, Danielle could sense the confusion he most undoubted had about his place in the world. There was as a strong impression of anger the young man had for a system that seemed against him. She turned her attention back to piloting the plane.
Tim was only pretending to be sleeping; he could fell the Cheyenne girl watching him, judging him. Just like everyone else in his life had. His parents thought he was a slacker. His teachers discounted him even though he showed exceptional potential. His hatred for authority fulfilled the destiny his teachers. As they'd surmised, he fell into the gang life. Tim's hobby of hacking made him an asset to the Dragons. While, he broke security codes, his friends could rob the banks blind. His final heist however, changed his life in more ways than he could have imagined. As he shifted in his seat his mind drifted back to two days ago.
Tim cursed as he looked down at laptop. He hadn't cracked the final code. His decoding program had failed. As he unplugged his computer he radioed his partners.
"The decoder is screwed. We got three minutes before the cops get here. We gotta move." Tim warned in Vietnamese.
"Damn it, Recoil, I thought had this man." Tim heard his best friend, Dan remark.
"Sorry, I messed up on the encryption. Yell at me later let's get the hell out of here." Tim answered back. But it was too later. Their other "friends" were speeding away as the cop cars arrived on the scene.
"I can believe this shit, they left us." Dan said as he pulled out a .9mm preparing to fight his way out. Tim tried to reason with him. But it was too late. One of the officers crossing the street saw the light glint off of the silver weapon. And opened fire shattering the glass door of the bank and hitting Dan in the chest. In shock and not hearing the commands to freeze, Tim knelt by his friend instinctively placing his hand over the wound. He felt warm energy coursing through his body working at the wound, but somehow he knew Dan was already gone. Then he saw stars as the butt of an officer's pistol came down on the back of his head.
"Well what do we have here, one of them low-life immigrant gang-bangers, a mutie one at that." Those were the last words Tim heard as he succumbed to darkness.
Tim grimaced as he looked out the window. He had no idea who Charles Xavier was or why he'd chosen him to carry on his dream. Nor did he care. Whoever this man was his connections had gotten him out of jail. What did he have to lose? When Dan had died he'd lost the only real family he'd ever known.
Ian held his stomach when he saw Coach McGee's body. Turning around to run to get help he found himself running smack into a fist. Landing on the floor he saw a woman standing above him with a smirk. He couldn't believe the woman had hit with such force. If what just happened seem impossible the next was improbable. The shadows of the floor swirled around the woman and she smiled a smile that caused his blood to run cold, she stretched out her hand commanding the dark mass to creep towards Ian. Paralyzed by fear he muttered a silently prayer to all the saints that his soul they save. The shadow-born figures began to snip at his skin, like a thousand fire ants biting him all over. He could do nothing but scream.
Robert Drake, the X-Man known as Iceman, was glad to be way from the mansion for a while. It was very different from when he's grown up there. It's halls were filling with teens and Xavier's had gone public. It was almost as alien to him as the new students arriving. Equally as was he glad that the he could go on some of the non-life or death assignments. Bobby pressed a button on the console of his convertible that activated the car's GPS system.
"Computer, locate Crane Crest Tennis Club." Bobby asked and a translucent light projection appeared on the windshield directing him towards the club. He silently thanked Forge for the high tech enhancements to the car.
"Well this should be easy. A basic "meet and greet". 'Hi I'm one of the X-Men, you're a mutant, wanna join up?'" Then as he put the car in park, he heard the bloodcurdling scream that let him know that when it comes to the life of an X-Man, nothing is easy.
Inside:
Ian tried to push past the pain and fear. He had to act. He could fell his body has starting to react to the dark energy surrounding him but he didn't know how. The strain was nearly unbearable. Then just as he felt he would give up he saw another strange sight just behind the shadow woman; it was a man of ice. What the hell was going on?
"Some how lady, I don't think the kid's interested. Back off!" Bobby said as he shot a sheet of ice at the woman, knocking her back.
"The X-Men must be slipping when they send second stringers to protect their young! Leave now Iceman, it will save you the embarrassment of me kicking your ass!" The woman said as she shook the ice from her costume.
"Second Stringer! Listen, girlie I was one of the founders of the X-Men." Bobby replied sending another volley at the woman. He hated when the enemy knew how to play on his insecurities. But the woman simply laughed dodging his attack. Then she gave solid form to Iceman's own shadow. Taken by surprise Iceman was hit with a shadow blast of "ice." Encased in the dark crystal Iceman eerily knew now what it was like to be trapped by his own powers. The woman sauntered over and draped her arm over her shadow Iceman.
"Don't be fooled, Oblique is no girl. Oh, and just so you know…I hate it when men talk down to me!" Oblique said as her eyes flared with black light in concert with the dark crystal around Bobby squeezing tighter. Bobby grunted having lost concentration he was back in his human form and he could feel his bones on the verge of breaking.
"Leave him alone!" Ian said struggling to his feet. His voice was shaky with fear, but he could feel the power inside his raging. Oblique stifled a laugh began to gather her power when intense blinding light began to emanate from Ian's body melting away every shadow in the room. Oblique cringed as she felt her powers weakening. She didn't know how but the boy's powers were countering hers. She had to retreat or be destroyed with her shadow constructs. She ran toward the office with the man she'd murdered the last place in the gym containing shadows and vanished into to them. Ian wiped his brow and sighed with relief. He could feel his racing heart, but it couldn't compare to the torrent of thoughts and emotions in his mind. What had just happened? Who were Oblique and Iceman and what did they want with him?
"Thanks for saving me, kid." Bobby said extending his hand to Ian. He shook it, thank returned the thanks the man had after all come to save him.
"Who was that woman?" Ian questioned.
"I don't know, but if you were attacked the others will no doubt be in danger too. Come on, I have to get you somewhere safe."
"Wait, what about the coach? My parents?"
"We'll call the police on the way to your house, I'll need to talk to your parents."
Seoul, South Korea
Mina Sueng concentrated on the lotus petals in the dish before her, that she'd brought in from her garden. She looked over her shoulder again to make sure she'd closed the windows, and looked up to check the vents. All sealed. Closing her eyes again she envisioned the petals swirling in air. Then she felt a sudden draft behind her, cool and calm. She opened her eyes to see the petals were swirling in spinning in a spiral just as she had seen it in her mind's eyes. She looked at the water in the dish and willed it to form a perfect liquid arc. She could feel the forces in her stirring, begging to be freed. Instinctively, she turned to the candles on her dresser and they lit. Mina marveled at what she was seeing she was manifesting control over the three primal forces of nature. However, her excitement got the better of her and she lost control. The petals began to spin faster and faster the formed a small pink cyclone, the water dropped back in to bowl and began to boil and spill out over the rim. The tame flames of her candles became pyres. Screaming and shutting her eyes to the unnatural fury she hoped when she opened them again, the maelstrom would have subsided. Much to her surprise and relief when she did open her eyes the flames of the candles were gone, the water soaking her carpets was now dissipating into vapor, and the swirling winds were now gone as the petals fluttered to the ground. She spun on her heels when her father came rushing through the door.
"Mina, are you all right? I heard you screaming." Mina's father said panting and wiping the sweat from his brow. He looked around the room and ascertained what his daughter had been up to. "You were experimenting with your abilities weren't you? I thought we'd agreed that you'd wait for the proper help."
"No, father you agreed!" Mina blurted out but quickly regretted. "Look Father, these powers are like a genie let lose from a bottle. I can't very well put them back. I'm sorry upset you. I lost concentration for a minute and overreacted."
"Mina, your overreactions can be dangerous! You will wait for the specialists from America to arrive before you go any further. I demand this for your own good." He said finally placing is hand on her shoulder giving it a squeeze, before he left he gave a kiss on the forehead. Mina watched her father close the door behind him, and after she was sure he was out earshot let out a little curse. She hated when he patronized her. She sat on her bed and wondered what the Xavier School would be like. Mina heard the familiar scratching at her door and let her cat, Lulu in. Sitting back on her bed, Lulu jumped into her lap.
"I wonder if you can come with me to America, Lulu." Mina said to the cat whom she imaged was listening to her, but was probably most interested in the belly rub it was getting. Mina heard rumble of the AC and for some reason thought it sounded different. It wasn't really that hot to put on the air. She got up to ask her father about it and felt lightheaded and then she looked up to at the now open vent and noticed the tinted gas spewing from it slots. Then everything faded to black.