X-Men: Alpha

Episode II

X-Men At Last

Part One

"Damn Knicks. Win one will ya!" Bernie tossed his remote aside. He was going to lose money on the Knicks. Again.

His Brooklyn apartment was pretty small but it was all he could afford. He hoped to get a bigger place when he came into some money. If he didn't bet it all first.

There was a knock at his door. Cursing the Knicks one more time, he got up and answered it.

"James?"

Cynder stood outside his door. Water dripped from his clothes.

"What happened to you, man? Is it raining?"

"It was. In a very small area." He stepped passed Bernie and into the apartment. He walked to the window and looked down on the street. "Have anything knew for me?"

Bernie locked his door and nervously ran his hand through his hair. "Uh, no. No I don't. Listen man, I'm not sure I wanna do this anymore."

Cynder looked over his shoulder. "I'm sorry?"

"Geez, James, the last two guys I directed you to ended up dead! I don't think I wanna be your bird dog if your gonna go around killing everyone!"

Beckett turned from the window to face his ally. "This isn't some minimum wage burger job, Bernie. You can't just quit. We are fighting for our people."

"Well, I'm not so sure that's what's going on here."

Bernie recognized a spark in Cynder's eyes that made him regret his words.

"Are you doubting my motives?"

"No, man, no." Bernie's voice quivered with fear. "I just don't see how this is doing us any good."

"Would you rather I started a petition? Or perhaps make one of those stupid ribbon bumper stickers they seem to have for every damn thing?"

"Look, James, I'm 100 behind you taking a stand for us. That's why I started helping you to begin with. But you've been going a little psycho lately."

"Psycho?"

"Torching a whole bar with some dude inside. That's something a psycho would do."

Cynder suddenly lunged forward and grabbed Bernie by the shirt. "That 'man' was scum! He didn't deserve to live!"

Seeing the look of horror on his friend's face, James regained control. He released Bernie and turned back to the window.

"I'm sorry, Bernie. Perhaps I have been behaving rather erratically. If you truly wish to stop, I won't press the issue. But do one last thing for me."

Bernie smoothed out his shirt front and took a deep breath. "Sure."

"I need to know everything you can tell me about a mutant named Ororo Munroe."

"Friend?"

"Something like that."

Bernie sat down in his chair and closed his eyes. "You know the drill. I need as much information as you can give me."

"She's about 5'10", African, long white hair, warm brown eyes, originally from Egypt, participates in illegal street races, controls the weather, enjoys..."

"Ok, ok. That's plenty."

Bernie sat quiet and still for several minutes. Yet, while his body was docile, his mind raced. He heard and saw things taking place miles away. No locked door or sealed vault could protect secrets from becoming his own.

"Got her."

"Well?"

"She seems to be in the company of several other mutants. They've gathered to discuss something important. I can't tell what and I don't dare focus on them too much more."

"Why not?"

"Telepaths; two of them. One is not such a threat, but the other; wow."

"Could you find out more about them given some time?"

"Of course, as long as they stay away from that telepath."

"Excellent. Meet me in Central Park tomorrow after school."

Bernie grinned and shook his head.

"Is there a problem?"

"Nah, man. It's just I sometimes forget how young you are. You carry yourself like your much older."

Cynder simply smirked and made for the door.

"We sometimes have to grow up sooner than we'd like to."

-X-

"...and we both took off before the police arrived." Storm finished bringing the team up to speed as they gathered in the professor's study. "It was strange. He seemed perfectly calm one minute and was flinging fireballs the next. His eyes were disturbingly intense."

"It sounds like Mr. Beckett is a pyrokinetic."

"What's that, Professor?" asked Kitty.

"Not all psychics can read minds like Jean and myself. Some possess other mental abilities. Pyrokinesis is the ability to create fire with a mere thought. It is not natural fire, however. A pyrokinetic can even make it so that the fire will not burn certain things. Themselves, for example."

"That sounds like a dangerous talent."

"In more ways than one, Peter. Pyrokinesis, like all psychic abilities, must be used with a certain measure of control. If someone like Mr. Beckett were to use a psychic power in abundance without the proper training, the effects to their psyche could be disastrous."

"So yer sayin' the more he burns stuff, the crazier he gets?" Rogue toys with the Newton's Cradle on the professor's desk.

"Something like that."

"So what are we going to do about him, sir?" Cyclops asked.

"You aren't going to do anything."

"What?!"

"Confronting Mr. Beckett will only bring about a violent response. You will go about your school day and avoid contact with him as much as humanly possible."

"But, sir..."

"That is final, Scott."

Cyclops reluctantly nodded.

"Good. I will keep any eye on Mr. Beckett using Cerebro. If he stirs up more trouble, I will alert the proper authorities. Now, its late and you all have class tomorrow. Good night, everyone."

As the group filtered out, Cyclops lingered for a moment.

"Did you have something to add, Scott?"

He thought of a million things he wanted to add, but none of them came out.

"No, sir. Good night."

"Good night, Scott."

-X-

Storm nervously tapped her pen on her desk.

World History began in mere minutes. She would have to face James.

She hoped that he would miss class.

"What would I say to him?"She thought. "What would he say to me?"

Consumed with thought, Storm didn't notice that the desk next to her's was now occupied.

"Hello, Ororo. Nice to see you."

Storm slowly turned her head to face the man that not twelve hours ago was attempting to burn an apartment building to the ground.

A smile was on his face and his eyes were calm. He regarded her as if nothing had happened the night before.

"Hi." she finally returned.

He simply nodded and then faced their teacher as class began.

Storm wasn't sure what they covered that day. She wasn't paying attention.

James had to have noticed her glancing at him every few seconds. Yet, he never showed it.

The class seemed to go on forever. When it finally ended, Storm dashed for the door. However, the second she stepped out into the hall, she froze.

She looked back into the room. James was having a few words with the teacher. He spoke respectfully and continued to wear a smile.

His current state reminded her of last night. Before the fire. The long walk, the pleasant conversation, the kiss that almost was.

She knew what the professor had said, but she couldn't just walk away. He needed help.

When James stepped out of the classroom, Ororo stood in front of him.

"We need to talk." She said.

"As you wish."

The two stepped to the side of the hallway and made sure there was no one in earshot. Nonetheless, they kept their voices down.

"Look, James, I know what happened to you last night."

James seemed genuinely confused. "I'm not sure I know what you're talking about."

"You don't remember losing your cool and trying to burn down a building with people inside?"

"Of course I do, but what is it that happened to me?"

"Your power is a psychic ability called pyrokinesis. Your not properly trained to use it, so it's affecting your mind and making you flip out."

James smiled and slowly shook his head. "And where, pre tell, are you receiving this information? The internet? Television?"

"I got it from a man who can help you, James. Just like he helped me and several others."

James' face suddenly got very serious. "I don't need help, Ororo. Everything I have done was in sound mind. I will not stand idly by while our people are crushed under foot."

"What you're doing isn't going to solve anything. It's only going to make things worse."

"As I said before, time will tell. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a class."

As James turned to leave, Storm grabbed his arm. "James, please. Let me help you. I...I care about you."

James' face softened as he took her hand in both of his. "I care about you as well. Which is why I must ask you again not to get in my way."

He released her hand and walked away.

This time, Storm simply watched him go.

-X-

Scott Summers absently tossed a few things into his locker.

He couldn't stop thinking about last night and the professor's decision. This kind of situation was exactly why the X-Men were formed.

And yet, Professor Xavier refused to allow them to take action.

"Hey."

Cyclops nearly jumped at the sound of Rogue's voice. He slowly turned around to face her.

"Hey."

"Ya look like yer deep in thought."

"I am...was."

"Wouldn't be about a certain red headed psychic, would it?"

"No."

"Class? You got a test er somethin'?"

"No."

"Well out with it! I'm tryin' to be nice, dammit!" Rogue's voice rose considerably.

"Ok, geez. Take it easy. I was thinking about this whole Beckett situation and how we should be doing something about it."

"Oh." Her voice returned to normal. "Like what?"

"Like using the skills we've been honing for years on end. I'm tired of the same Danger Room sessions and the same exercises. I've worked my ass off for five years and now the time has come where that hard work should be paying off. Instead, I'm just supposed to keep training and keep my mouth shut."

Rogue leaned against the row of lockers. "Well, if it makes ya feel any better, I broke that swinging ball thing that he keeps on his desk."

Scott let out a quick laugh. "Not really, but thanks for the effort."

Rogue smiled. "Don't mention it."

"Wow."

"What?"

"Oh, nothing. It's just...you should really try and smile more often. You look a lot prettier when you smile."

Rogue slightly turned her head to keep him from seeing her blush. "I do not."

"Yea, you really do."

"Well, I..."

"Scott!"

The two turned to see Jean heading their way.

"What's wrong, Jean?"

"I need to talk to you about something."

"You got it." The two started down the hall together. Still walking away, Scott looks back. "Hey, I'll catch you later, Rogue."

Rogue just watched them leave, her smile fading away. "Yea...whatever. It's not like we were talkin' or anything." She said quietly.

She couldn't blame him really. Jean was prettier than her, smarter than her, more talented than her, not to mention...

Rogue looked down at her gloved hands.

...he could touch her.

As a tear welled up in her eye, Rogue chose an alternative to sorrow. The alternative she always chose.

Anger. Anger at her.

The fact that a great guy like Scott was head over heels for Jean and she didn't even seem to notice, made Rogue hate her even more.

She was so used to everyone fawning over her that one more person doing so was beneath her notice.

"If some guy were interested in me, I would damn sure notice it." she muttered.

"Hello, Rogue. You look lovely this afternoon." Peter stepped beside her.

"Whatever."

-X-

"Look at that. That right there." Jean and Scott stopped several feet from a lunch table where Duncan spoke with a attractive young woman.

Scott just looked and shrugged. "What am I looking at?"

"Duncan. He's over there chatting up that girl."

"Yeah, that does appear to be what he's doing. The only question now is why I should care."

"That's exactly what he did with me on Monday. What if he wasn't interested in me at all?! What if he was just flirting?! What if..."

Scott put his hand on Jean's shoulder. "Jean, calm down. Listen, if that guy isn't interested in you, then he's clinically insane and you're better off."

"Aww. That's sweet." She placed her hand on his. "I guess you've got a point. It's just irritating. I've only been going to this school for a few days, but I've learned that Duncan is the alpha male around here. It was kind of stroke to my ego that he would want to go out with me."

"Guys like that are all flash, Jean. You should find someone with more substance."

"Well, sure, but it's not like guys like that are just hanging around."

Scott adjusted his ruby quartz glasses. "You'd be surprised."

"Hey, Jean."

Duncan had apparently finished with his conversation and had approached without either of them noticing.

Jean looked uninterested and crossed her arms. "Hey, Duncan. This is Scott."

Scott offered his hand, but Duncan only nodded to him.

"I was thinking you and I should go out after school."

"Really!? Sure!"

Scott jerked his head around to face her. "What?!"

"Cool. Meet me out front. We'll take my car."

As Duncan walks away, Jean notices Scott looking at her.

"What?"

"Nothing. Nothing at all." He says as he turns and walks away.

-X-

Peter waited outside the school as students poured out. He scanned the crowd but couldn't find who he sought.

"Looking for anyone in particular?" Bobby stepped beside him.

"Not really."

"You sure your not keeping an eye out for a certain bitchy southern belle?"

"No...no of course not."

Bobby let out a heavy sigh. "Between you and S-Man I think I'm gonna go nuts. At least Cyke is into somebody worthwhile."

"What exactly makes Rogue so unworthy of pursuit? Hypothetically."

"Hypothetically, huh? Well, her hotness is undeniable, but even if she wasn't a bitch-on-wheels, which she is, you couldn't even touch her without getting zapped. You should set your sights on somebody a little more, how should I say, accommodating."

Peter looked down at his friend and smirked. "Well as I recall I was very interested in someone else, but then she chose this loud mouth jerk who didn't deserve her."

"Loud mouth jerk? Ouch, man, ouch."

Peter laughed. "I am only kidding, Robert. I have put whatever resentment I had toward you behind me. You and Kitty make a good couple."

"It never would have worked out with you two anyway. Your more than a foot taller than her. Besides..."

"Robert." Bobby noticed Peter suddenly lock his eyes onto someone in the crowd. "That's him."

"Who?"

"Beckett. Right there in the coat and the sunglasses."

Iceman scanned the crowd and found the young man that Colossus described. He walked across the grounds with a purpose. Bobby took a few steps toward him then turned back to his ally.

"Lets tail him."

"What? We can't do that. The professor clearly said..."

"He said we couldn't confront him. We're just gonna follow him for a while and see where he's going."

Colossus' eyes never left Beckett as he considered Bobby's words. "I suppose there is no harm in that."

"Right on. Lets do it."

The two took pace behind Beckett and departed the school grounds.

-X-

Bernie was waiting at the agreed upon meeting place as Cynder approached. They had chosen one of the more secluded areas of Central Park.

When Bernie jumped off the bench he was seated on, James knew that something was wrong.

"What is it?"

"Something big, man. I don't know if we should talk about it here."

"Ok. We'll head back to your place."

"We can't. Not at the moment anyway."

"Why not?"

"You're being followed."

James resisted the urge to look behind him. "Police?"

"Worse. Two of those mutants your girlfriend was meeting with."

This time Beckett couldn't help himself.

He looked over his shoulder and immediately recognized the rather large foreign exchange student from his gym class. A shorter individual stood to his side. They were trying to look casual, but as is often the case, they looked anything but.

"Interesting...and she's not my girlfriend."

"Whatever. We can't let them follow us to my apartment."

"Agreed. I'll have a word with them. You head home, I'll meet you there."

"You sure, man? From what I've sensed these guys know what they're doing."

"Well so do I. Head for the apartment."

"Alright. Just try not to make this a big scene."

James didn't hear Bernie last statement. He was already focused on the two mutants that he now walked directly towards.

-X-

"Whose he talking to over there?" Bobby was too busy pretending to drink from a water fountain to look for himself.

"I have no idea. Someone older."

"You think Beckett's working for that guy?"

"Possibly...Uh oh."

Bobby finally looked up from the water fountain to see Cynder walking directly towards them.

"Ok, Pete. Just act natural. I'll do the talking."

Peter just nodded as Beckett came to a stop in front of them.

"Afternoon, gentlemen."

"What's up?"

"I was planning on asking you a similar question. My associate and I couldn't help but notice you paying a little too much attention to our meeting."

"Who us? Nah, man. We're just waiting for some people." Bobby checks his watch. "Their actually running a little..."

"Cut the crap. I know who you are and I know why you're following me. You're friends of Ororo's."

"Who?"

Colossus steps closer to Beckett. "Enough, Robert. Yes, we were following you. It's a decision I already regret. We will go now, but know this. It will only be a matter of time before you pay for your crimes."

As the two turned to leave, Cynder let out a laugh.

Peter froze and slowly turned to face him. "What are a laughing at?"

"You consider what I have done crimes. If that's not worth a laugh I don't know what is."

Colossus' eyes narrowed as he stepped back toward Beckett. "You have killed at least two people and tried to kill dozens more! Do you not even acknowledge this?!"

"Ok, Pete. We're crossing into confrontation territory."

Cynder met Peter's gaze and answered with a smirk. His eyes were now glowing a faint blue. "I not only acknowledge them, I am proud of them!"

Peter's eyes widened in shock. Never had he heard such callous disregard for human life. His fists clinched. Fortunately, he thought clearly enough to realize that if he activated his armor and struck Beckett, he would probably kill him.

So he left his armor off.

He drove his fist into Beckett's face as hard as his natural strength allowed. The mutant was knocked off his feet and landed hard on the ground.

Bobby quickly stepped in between them. "Ok, man. This is a confrontation now!"

Iceman heard a dark voice emerge from behind him. "You bet your ass it is!"

James rose to his feet. His eyes were now burning and his fists were engulfed in bright blue flames. An intense heat wafted over them and Bobby already felt sweat trickling down his forehead.

"Hey, cool down or I will cool you down!" Cynder appeared to ignore him. "Alright, pal. You asked for it."

Iceman lifted an open palm to Beckett. A stream of white surged toward it's target only to melt away into nothing before it reached.

"Yea, well, that worked."

Cynder smirked at Iceman's feeble attempt. With startling quickness, he conjured an fireball and hurled it towards his attacker.

"Look out, Robert!" Peter tossed his teammate to the side and the fireball struck him squarely in the chest.

Beckett watched the fireball strike the Russian and burst into flame and smoke. A grin spread across his face...until the smoke cleared.

The fireball had incinerated most of Peter's shirt and jacket, but his skin was now a shimmering silver. He appeared completely unharmed.

Cynder was so surprised that he failed to react as Colossus lunged forward and grabbed his wrists.

Peter was careful not to crush his bones, however a small, dark corner of himself felt a strange sense of satisfaction to hear the murderer yell out in pain.

"Give up, Beckett. Heat and fire cannot hurt me."

Cynder glared at Colossus. His eyes were now solid blue. "How would you know? You've yet to experience heat and fire!"

Blue flame burst out from Cynder. Bobby had to dive away to avoid being engulfed by the sudden inferno. The heat in the area became so intense that the grass around them was dying. The flames grew and grew, smoke billowed into the sky.

Iceman could only watch the scene. "I don't think we're gonna be alone for too much longer."