Disclaimer: I do not own X-Men: Evolution.
This is my first X-men fic that I've ever written, or even thought of writing. Given I haven't watched the series nearly enough, nor do I own any of the comics, I really hope that this story works. If you don't like it, too bad, I'm sure someone else did this before me, and many will probably do this after me, you can't stop us all.
~*~ mindscape
*~* dreamscape
The Mutant
Chapter 1
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*
Scott Summers casually walked through the Xavier Institute, trying to remember where the new bathrooms were. Since the entire building was rebuilt after the explosion, some of the rooms were moved around, since new ones were added. He wandered into the main lobby, just in time to see the front door opening, and the professor leading in a young man who looked to be about his age, and was a good foot taller. His hair was green, falling to around shoulder length, pulled into a ponytail at the base of his neck. Piercing green eyes roved over the room, taking it in. A large, black cloak was draped around his shoulder, trailing on the floor.
"Ah, Scott, I'd like you to meet the newest member of the institute," Professor Xavier said gesturing to the boy next to him, "Nate Sindel."
"Hey," Scott said walking down the stairs extending his hand.
"I hope you'll excuse me if I don't shake your hand," Nate said keeping his hands inside the cloak he wore.
"Sure," he then turned to the professor. "Uh, Professor, could you."
"Down the hall third door on the left," he said pointing to which hall he spoke of.
"Thanks," and he took off running.
"Now, Nate, let me show you to your room," he started wheeling down the hall opposite the one Scott just ran down. "You can meet the rest of the students tomorrow."
"Thank you for this Professor," Nate said as he started following him.
"Don't mention it, and please, don't be afraid to let them see what's under the cloak."
"I'm not afraid, and I never have been, there are just too many scars. The claws don't help matters either."
They reached the door, which opened on its own revealing one of the larger rooms. Nate stepped in and found his bags to already be on the bed. His eyes roamed over the rooms, resting on the stand in the corner.
"Thank you for retrieving my shotels," he said walking into the room and over to the two large swords (which look like the shotels used by Gundam Sandrock Custom in Endless Waltz).
"It was no trouble, but I must ask you not to show them to the younger students."
"You have my word," he picked up one of the swords and held it up to light.
"I have no doubts you will do as I have asked."
The professor left and the door shut itself when he did. Nate turned away from the door and undid the clasps of the cloak. It fell to the floor around his feet, revealing him to be wearing a loose, dark green tank top, tucked into a pair of black, baggy pants. Crisscrossing all over the exposed parts of him were deep scars, that seemed to cover almost his entire body. His arms were slightly longer than a normal person's were, and the forearm was covered by spiky scales, and his hand had only three fingers, though they were more like flexible claws (picture something like Raziel's hands from Soul Reaver 2: Legacy of Kain). He stood on three, clawed toes, that somewhat resembled the feet of a T-Rex. Protruding from the end of his spine, and out through the seat of his pants, was a long, long dragon's tail, with the same sharp scales as his arms, which ended in a bony spade.
Reaching up, he carefully removed the shirt, not wanting to shred it with his claws, and tossed it onto a chair in the corner. He looked at himself in the mirror, at the scars covering his chest, where they stopped upon reaching the wide, ventral scales of his abdomen, and how they continued on the other side. A strange feeling came over him, like he was being watched, but, then again, he always had that feeling.
Yawning he turned off the light and dropped onto the bed, feeling at peace for the first time in a long time. Turning onto his side, his tail fell off the side of the bed, and coiled beneath it. One of his hands rested under his head, the claws being held at bay by the scales covering his scalp. It felt strange to him to be sleeping inside, since for the past four years he had been outside.
*****
The next morning found most of the other students at the breakfast table. Many of them were asking the professor about the new arrival from last night.
"So, um, Professor, what's his mutant ability?" Kitty asked while breaking into a pancake.
"He's able to place a dampening field over any specific mutant's X-gene, and cancel out its effect," he explained to a few confused faces.
"So, he can stop someone's powers from working?" Scott said.
"Yes, for all conventional purposes, you would be human," they heard a voice from the door. All of them turned and saw Nate standing there, the cloak wrapped around his shoulders effectively hid his body. "That means that I would be a very effective weapon, if I chose to help you."
"Nate, please, join us," Professor Xavier said waving to the seat next to Kurt.
"No, thank you, I wanted to go for a quick run and have a look around," he said turning to head for the lobby.
"Wait, what do you mean, 'if you chose to help,' if you're here, that means you're an X-man," Scott said getting up.
"I came here of my own free will, and will leave of it as well, if I so choose," he said as the cloak betrayed him and moved to one side, allowing one of his arms to be revealed. "If you ask for my help, I will gladly give it, not by an order. Now, if you don't mind, I will take my leave of you."
He turned again, dropping the robe completely, many audible gasps followed at sight of his back; the scars, the scales, the tail. Though it was nothing new to them see such a thing, they really couldn't help it. The door closed behind him, and they were left alone again.
"He can make us appear to be human?" Rogue asked looking at her hands.
"Seems that way," Kurt said reaching for the sausages. "Jean, little help."
"Sure thing."
*****
Nate stepped out of the building, and looked around the grounds before him. This place seemed so lush, and full of life, a paradise compared to where he had come from. He casually let himself fall to all fours, his long arms easily keeping his upper body level. His tail whipped around casually, always careful to keep it from hitting anything it might break. Flexing his legs, he prepared to sprint, when the door opened behind him. Unable to stop his tail, it struck the person there, sending them a good ten feet.
"Oh shit," he got up and ran over to them. "Rogue?"
"Ow, watch where ya swing that thang," she said pulling herself to a sitting position.
"Sorry," he apologized while helping her to her feet. "Did you want something?"
"You said you were going for a run, figured ah'd join you," she held her side.
"If you think you can keep up," he smirked waiting for her to regain her composure. "There's something else, isn't there?"
"No, ah was just wonderin' if you could null my powers just for today," she said looking at her hand again. "Ah want to be able to touch someone."
"Oh," he said.
"Hey, it's not what you think," she said quickly.
"Of course."
"Well, is it working?"
"Yes, take off your gloves and try it," he held out his hand.
She removed her right glove and tentatively reached towards the claw. He finger lightly touched the tip, and nothing happened. What she did notice was that another scale formed on his arm. Quickly she pulled her finger away.
"You have twenty-four hours, use them however you want," he said and turned, falling to all fours again and taking off into the forest.
"Thanks," she whispered.
"Rogue, come on, we're gonna be late for school," Kitty yelled from inside.
"Coming."
*****
Nate ran easily through the woods, dodging around trees, over logs and rocks. He found it easy because these woods were not as thick as the ones he was used to. After about an hour he figured it had been enough and stopped, lunging up onto a boulder.
"Why?" he asked while looking down at the new scale. "Why do you keep appearing? What is your purpose?"
'You know, the professor might be able to answer that,' his mind said while examining the scale.
"I'm sure that it wouldn't do that if I could just null my own powers, but I can't," he answered back.
'But you have the ultimate mutation, no mutant can attack you with their powers."
"But for every mutant I nullify, another scale forms. I can't help but think that there's something in me that wants out."
'There is, but you must suppress it,' a different voice said.
"What? Who's there?" his head reeled around, looking for anyone that might have followed him. The tips of his fingers becoming sharp points, instead of the dull tips they had been. "Well?"
'You know who this is.'
"Professor, but how?" he asked still looking for any sign of someone else.
'Come back to the Institute, and I'll help you find your answer.'
Nate didn't answer, he just leapt from the rock and ran back through the woods, emerging in the yard a few seconds later. The door opened for him and he walked into the empty house. Since all the others were on their way to school right now. Only a few others were in at the moment, one of them was Ororo, the other Logan, Professor X, the last being Jamie Madrox, who had the flu (every time he sneezes he multiplies, hehe). That was it.
He found the Professor in the library, where books of all kinds lined the shelves. Professor X was sitting in front of the fire, a book open on his lap. It looked as though he was concentrating on what was in the book very hard, but Nate felt that his mind was elsewhere.
"Thank you for coming," he said without turning.
"You said you could help me," Nate said walking in on all fours then jumping on the couch. "I want to know, what is this inside me, why do new scales form whenever I null someone, why can't I stop it?"
"I can't promise to answer all your questions, but I will answer the ones that I am able to."
"That's all I ask, any answers would be welcome."
"Good, stay there."
He closed the book, which Nate saw to be on dragons, and placed it back on the shelf. Then he came over and reached out, placing his hands on Nate's temples. His eyes closed in concentration, brow furrowed, and teeth gritted.
~*~
The Professor stood in the middle of a forest, surrounded on all sides by wildlife. Deer grazed, birds chirped and flitted. Off in the distance he saw a structure, a castle to be exact. The whole thing seemed to be a scene from some medieval picture. He jerked slightly when there was a thunderous roar that echoed over the landscape.
A large shadow passed over him, and its owner landed in front of him, a massive green dragon. Spiked scales covered its body, two large wings extended from its back, horns sprouted from its head (think of Shendu's head from Jackie Chan Adventures). Blades and other sharp protrusions stuck out from its flanks and shoulders. Along the spine were bony spikes that raked back, all the way down the vertebrae, ending at the spade at the end of its tail.
It snarled at him, glowing green eyes looked the human up and down. Then it lunged at him.
~*~
Professor Xavier removed his hands from Nate's head, moving back. Nate slowly opened his eyes, looking at the slightly shaken man before him.
"You're similar to another man I've helped, but you're somewhat different."
"How?"
"Your power to nullify mutant powers is keeping the transformation in check. But when you let down your guard to cancel a mutant's power, some of the other gene gets through, thus another scale. You were born with two X-genes, one is a metamorph, the other is its failsafe," the Professor explained settling into his chair more. "Come with me, I'll show you the rest of the house."
"Alright," Nate said getting up and following the older man out the door.
He followed him around the mansion, memorizing where things were, i.e. the bathroom, kitchen and gym. While in the gym he met Logan, and they spoke for a moment, only a moment.
"And here is the greenhouse," Professor X said as they entered the glass building. Inside was Storm, watering the plants. "Ororo, I don't believe you've met our newest member. Nate Sindel, this is Ororo Monroe, better known as Storm."
"Hello," he said holding out his hand, which she shook.
"Glad to have you with us," she said.
*****
One week later, and Nate was finally completely comfortable with his new home. He had become fast friends with Kurt and Beast, both of them having somewhat similar mutations to his, though Kurt's was artificial. One person he wanted to meet above all others was one he read about in Xavier's files. The one called Wolfsbane, or Rahne (I hope that's right) Sinclair. But she had left after the first institute blew up. He felt that speaking to someone who could control their transformation would help him greatly.
*****
Later that day Nate was lying down in the field he had been in a week earlier, finding it the only peaceful place. Many of the others had been here far longer than he had, so it was easier for them to move out of the other's way. But so many of them had been asking him to make them normal for just a day, like he had done to Rogue, who had respectfully not asked him after that day. He looked at his arms, five new scales each in only a week. That's more than he had grown in the past year.
"I can't handle it anymore, sooner or later, it's going to get out," he said looking up at the clouds.
"I used to say things like that," a voice said from the trees.
"Who's there?" he brought his legs to his chest and then kicked out, landing on his feet.
In the trees was what appeared to be a blue ape of some kind.
"They call me, Beast," he said leaping from the tree to the ground. "So you're the new recruit the Professor was telling me about."
"Yes," Nate nodded shaking Beast's hand.
"Nate Sindel, huh, I knew a Sindel once, brilliant man," Beast said taking a step back. "Matt Sindel was his name."
"My father, he's dead," Nate looked away.
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that."
"No, it's alright, he died when I was young, before this," he held up his hand. "How did you get through it?"
"Well, to tell you the truth, it's still a little fuzzy. I remember hearing Shakespeare, but beyond that, it's a complete blank. Come on, it's almost supper time."
"Kay."
*****
The next day was Saturday, which meant training. The usual crew were in one of the rooms deep in the basement, while others were in a different room. Nate was alone in one room, a seemingly blank and uninteresting room. He looked over a few simulation names before finding on that sounded interesting, X-run29 was its name.
After pressing the button to start it, a holographic projection covered the room. He was standing on one of many platforms that covered the entire room now. Below him was a very convincing projection of a lake of fire. In front of him on the platform was his objective, or his opponent, whichever. Before him was The Blob, standing there, ready to fight. Nate had to remind himself that this was a hologram, but the computer would simulate everything about him, the only thing missing was his charming personality.
He swung his tail around and snapped at the massive teen in front of him, causing him to flinch. In that split second he ran up and elbowed him in the gut, with the blade that now stuck out from his elbow (the product of nullifying another student). That assault sent The Blob over the edge of the platform and into the flames below. With that done he leapt to the next platform with ease, to face the next enemy.
Avalanche stood there, in his costume (which I think could have been much better). As soon as Nate landed the platform began to shake, and once again he used his long tail to smack the enemy from a distance. Breaking the hologram's concentration, he ran up and slashed with his claws and impacted the helmet it wore. The hologram tried to punch him, but it was blocked. Nate then wrapped his hand around the hologram's face, and lifted him off the ground, throwing him off as well.
"Time elapsed, twelve seconds," the computer chimed.
Nate didn't pay it any mind, he just jumped to the next platform, and quickly had to dodge an large wad of slime. Toad crouched on the other side of this platform, and was already getting ready to launch another slime bomb. Nate got down onto all fours and pushed off with all his limbs, propelling himself forward to ram Toad off the platform.
"Time elapsed, eighteen seconds."
He jumped to the next one and found it slightly larger than the others. At the other end was Quicksilver, who quickly began running around and around the reptilian metamorph. Nate figured this was the perfect time to use his ability. So what if another scale formed, he had to get through this fast. The speed demon began to slow down when Nate concentrated on him. He was now easy pray for Nate's tail to trip him over the edge.
"Time elapsed, twenty-two seconds."
There was only one platform left, the last opponent and he would be through with this. He knew he had requested to train alone, but now he was regretting it. This was too easy for him, maybe he should have asked Logan to suggest a hard one. Upon reaching the top platform, he saw a woman wearing a black outfit of some kind, and her blue skin reminded him of Kurt's.
Mystique took no time in changing into a replica of him, and lunging. He was on all fours again and dodged to the left, seeing the proxy follow him in a fluid motion. Something the Professor had told him before he came to this room floated into his mind. Mystique's body may change, but that doesn't giver her the mutant's abilities or strength,
"Hah!" he yelled whipping at her with his tail, and catching her left forearm. The spade on the end turned upward, and rammed itself into her chest.
Holographic blood spilled onto the platform, as her body shrank back to normal.
"Time elapsed, twenty-eight seconds. New record established."
"New record?"
"Affirmative, old record was thirty-four seconds, established by Wolverine. Old record beaten by six seconds, enter name for new record."
"Sindel," he said hoping it was loud enough.
"New record of twenty-eight seconds, established by Sindel, now recorded."
With that being said, the room changed from the platforms, back to what it had been. Nate saw that he was not actually standing on a raised platform, he was on the floor. The holographic image shifted the distance between the objects to make it appear that he was moving upward. So when he leapt to another platform, he was actually just moving straight over, not up.
"Cool," he said and opened the door.
As soon as he was in the hallway, he had to press up against the wall as a torrent of children ran by him. All of them were laughing and talking about their first time training, it almost made him want to caution them. But hey, he didn't know what they were capable of, so he found it better not to say anything.
He left the lower levels through an elevator he found, stepping out into the hallway adjacent to the lobby. There was a car pulled up in front, he could see it through the windows, that meant there were visitors, possibly new recruits.
"Hm, wonder what's going on here," he looked closely at the car, focusing in on its passengers, but it was empty. "They must be inside already."
TBC
Well, that concludes the first chapter, I hope you like it. This is, as I said, my first X-men fic, and I am not a big follower of the comic book. I do watch the show whenever I get the chance, so I guess that makes up for it. If it doesn't, then I have failed. Again, I hope you like it so far, and please review. All reviews accepted.
This is my first X-men fic that I've ever written, or even thought of writing. Given I haven't watched the series nearly enough, nor do I own any of the comics, I really hope that this story works. If you don't like it, too bad, I'm sure someone else did this before me, and many will probably do this after me, you can't stop us all.
~*~ mindscape
*~* dreamscape
The Mutant
Chapter 1
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*
Scott Summers casually walked through the Xavier Institute, trying to remember where the new bathrooms were. Since the entire building was rebuilt after the explosion, some of the rooms were moved around, since new ones were added. He wandered into the main lobby, just in time to see the front door opening, and the professor leading in a young man who looked to be about his age, and was a good foot taller. His hair was green, falling to around shoulder length, pulled into a ponytail at the base of his neck. Piercing green eyes roved over the room, taking it in. A large, black cloak was draped around his shoulder, trailing on the floor.
"Ah, Scott, I'd like you to meet the newest member of the institute," Professor Xavier said gesturing to the boy next to him, "Nate Sindel."
"Hey," Scott said walking down the stairs extending his hand.
"I hope you'll excuse me if I don't shake your hand," Nate said keeping his hands inside the cloak he wore.
"Sure," he then turned to the professor. "Uh, Professor, could you."
"Down the hall third door on the left," he said pointing to which hall he spoke of.
"Thanks," and he took off running.
"Now, Nate, let me show you to your room," he started wheeling down the hall opposite the one Scott just ran down. "You can meet the rest of the students tomorrow."
"Thank you for this Professor," Nate said as he started following him.
"Don't mention it, and please, don't be afraid to let them see what's under the cloak."
"I'm not afraid, and I never have been, there are just too many scars. The claws don't help matters either."
They reached the door, which opened on its own revealing one of the larger rooms. Nate stepped in and found his bags to already be on the bed. His eyes roamed over the rooms, resting on the stand in the corner.
"Thank you for retrieving my shotels," he said walking into the room and over to the two large swords (which look like the shotels used by Gundam Sandrock Custom in Endless Waltz).
"It was no trouble, but I must ask you not to show them to the younger students."
"You have my word," he picked up one of the swords and held it up to light.
"I have no doubts you will do as I have asked."
The professor left and the door shut itself when he did. Nate turned away from the door and undid the clasps of the cloak. It fell to the floor around his feet, revealing him to be wearing a loose, dark green tank top, tucked into a pair of black, baggy pants. Crisscrossing all over the exposed parts of him were deep scars, that seemed to cover almost his entire body. His arms were slightly longer than a normal person's were, and the forearm was covered by spiky scales, and his hand had only three fingers, though they were more like flexible claws (picture something like Raziel's hands from Soul Reaver 2: Legacy of Kain). He stood on three, clawed toes, that somewhat resembled the feet of a T-Rex. Protruding from the end of his spine, and out through the seat of his pants, was a long, long dragon's tail, with the same sharp scales as his arms, which ended in a bony spade.
Reaching up, he carefully removed the shirt, not wanting to shred it with his claws, and tossed it onto a chair in the corner. He looked at himself in the mirror, at the scars covering his chest, where they stopped upon reaching the wide, ventral scales of his abdomen, and how they continued on the other side. A strange feeling came over him, like he was being watched, but, then again, he always had that feeling.
Yawning he turned off the light and dropped onto the bed, feeling at peace for the first time in a long time. Turning onto his side, his tail fell off the side of the bed, and coiled beneath it. One of his hands rested under his head, the claws being held at bay by the scales covering his scalp. It felt strange to him to be sleeping inside, since for the past four years he had been outside.
*****
The next morning found most of the other students at the breakfast table. Many of them were asking the professor about the new arrival from last night.
"So, um, Professor, what's his mutant ability?" Kitty asked while breaking into a pancake.
"He's able to place a dampening field over any specific mutant's X-gene, and cancel out its effect," he explained to a few confused faces.
"So, he can stop someone's powers from working?" Scott said.
"Yes, for all conventional purposes, you would be human," they heard a voice from the door. All of them turned and saw Nate standing there, the cloak wrapped around his shoulders effectively hid his body. "That means that I would be a very effective weapon, if I chose to help you."
"Nate, please, join us," Professor Xavier said waving to the seat next to Kurt.
"No, thank you, I wanted to go for a quick run and have a look around," he said turning to head for the lobby.
"Wait, what do you mean, 'if you chose to help,' if you're here, that means you're an X-man," Scott said getting up.
"I came here of my own free will, and will leave of it as well, if I so choose," he said as the cloak betrayed him and moved to one side, allowing one of his arms to be revealed. "If you ask for my help, I will gladly give it, not by an order. Now, if you don't mind, I will take my leave of you."
He turned again, dropping the robe completely, many audible gasps followed at sight of his back; the scars, the scales, the tail. Though it was nothing new to them see such a thing, they really couldn't help it. The door closed behind him, and they were left alone again.
"He can make us appear to be human?" Rogue asked looking at her hands.
"Seems that way," Kurt said reaching for the sausages. "Jean, little help."
"Sure thing."
*****
Nate stepped out of the building, and looked around the grounds before him. This place seemed so lush, and full of life, a paradise compared to where he had come from. He casually let himself fall to all fours, his long arms easily keeping his upper body level. His tail whipped around casually, always careful to keep it from hitting anything it might break. Flexing his legs, he prepared to sprint, when the door opened behind him. Unable to stop his tail, it struck the person there, sending them a good ten feet.
"Oh shit," he got up and ran over to them. "Rogue?"
"Ow, watch where ya swing that thang," she said pulling herself to a sitting position.
"Sorry," he apologized while helping her to her feet. "Did you want something?"
"You said you were going for a run, figured ah'd join you," she held her side.
"If you think you can keep up," he smirked waiting for her to regain her composure. "There's something else, isn't there?"
"No, ah was just wonderin' if you could null my powers just for today," she said looking at her hand again. "Ah want to be able to touch someone."
"Oh," he said.
"Hey, it's not what you think," she said quickly.
"Of course."
"Well, is it working?"
"Yes, take off your gloves and try it," he held out his hand.
She removed her right glove and tentatively reached towards the claw. He finger lightly touched the tip, and nothing happened. What she did notice was that another scale formed on his arm. Quickly she pulled her finger away.
"You have twenty-four hours, use them however you want," he said and turned, falling to all fours again and taking off into the forest.
"Thanks," she whispered.
"Rogue, come on, we're gonna be late for school," Kitty yelled from inside.
"Coming."
*****
Nate ran easily through the woods, dodging around trees, over logs and rocks. He found it easy because these woods were not as thick as the ones he was used to. After about an hour he figured it had been enough and stopped, lunging up onto a boulder.
"Why?" he asked while looking down at the new scale. "Why do you keep appearing? What is your purpose?"
'You know, the professor might be able to answer that,' his mind said while examining the scale.
"I'm sure that it wouldn't do that if I could just null my own powers, but I can't," he answered back.
'But you have the ultimate mutation, no mutant can attack you with their powers."
"But for every mutant I nullify, another scale forms. I can't help but think that there's something in me that wants out."
'There is, but you must suppress it,' a different voice said.
"What? Who's there?" his head reeled around, looking for anyone that might have followed him. The tips of his fingers becoming sharp points, instead of the dull tips they had been. "Well?"
'You know who this is.'
"Professor, but how?" he asked still looking for any sign of someone else.
'Come back to the Institute, and I'll help you find your answer.'
Nate didn't answer, he just leapt from the rock and ran back through the woods, emerging in the yard a few seconds later. The door opened for him and he walked into the empty house. Since all the others were on their way to school right now. Only a few others were in at the moment, one of them was Ororo, the other Logan, Professor X, the last being Jamie Madrox, who had the flu (every time he sneezes he multiplies, hehe). That was it.
He found the Professor in the library, where books of all kinds lined the shelves. Professor X was sitting in front of the fire, a book open on his lap. It looked as though he was concentrating on what was in the book very hard, but Nate felt that his mind was elsewhere.
"Thank you for coming," he said without turning.
"You said you could help me," Nate said walking in on all fours then jumping on the couch. "I want to know, what is this inside me, why do new scales form whenever I null someone, why can't I stop it?"
"I can't promise to answer all your questions, but I will answer the ones that I am able to."
"That's all I ask, any answers would be welcome."
"Good, stay there."
He closed the book, which Nate saw to be on dragons, and placed it back on the shelf. Then he came over and reached out, placing his hands on Nate's temples. His eyes closed in concentration, brow furrowed, and teeth gritted.
~*~
The Professor stood in the middle of a forest, surrounded on all sides by wildlife. Deer grazed, birds chirped and flitted. Off in the distance he saw a structure, a castle to be exact. The whole thing seemed to be a scene from some medieval picture. He jerked slightly when there was a thunderous roar that echoed over the landscape.
A large shadow passed over him, and its owner landed in front of him, a massive green dragon. Spiked scales covered its body, two large wings extended from its back, horns sprouted from its head (think of Shendu's head from Jackie Chan Adventures). Blades and other sharp protrusions stuck out from its flanks and shoulders. Along the spine were bony spikes that raked back, all the way down the vertebrae, ending at the spade at the end of its tail.
It snarled at him, glowing green eyes looked the human up and down. Then it lunged at him.
~*~
Professor Xavier removed his hands from Nate's head, moving back. Nate slowly opened his eyes, looking at the slightly shaken man before him.
"You're similar to another man I've helped, but you're somewhat different."
"How?"
"Your power to nullify mutant powers is keeping the transformation in check. But when you let down your guard to cancel a mutant's power, some of the other gene gets through, thus another scale. You were born with two X-genes, one is a metamorph, the other is its failsafe," the Professor explained settling into his chair more. "Come with me, I'll show you the rest of the house."
"Alright," Nate said getting up and following the older man out the door.
He followed him around the mansion, memorizing where things were, i.e. the bathroom, kitchen and gym. While in the gym he met Logan, and they spoke for a moment, only a moment.
"And here is the greenhouse," Professor X said as they entered the glass building. Inside was Storm, watering the plants. "Ororo, I don't believe you've met our newest member. Nate Sindel, this is Ororo Monroe, better known as Storm."
"Hello," he said holding out his hand, which she shook.
"Glad to have you with us," she said.
*****
One week later, and Nate was finally completely comfortable with his new home. He had become fast friends with Kurt and Beast, both of them having somewhat similar mutations to his, though Kurt's was artificial. One person he wanted to meet above all others was one he read about in Xavier's files. The one called Wolfsbane, or Rahne (I hope that's right) Sinclair. But she had left after the first institute blew up. He felt that speaking to someone who could control their transformation would help him greatly.
*****
Later that day Nate was lying down in the field he had been in a week earlier, finding it the only peaceful place. Many of the others had been here far longer than he had, so it was easier for them to move out of the other's way. But so many of them had been asking him to make them normal for just a day, like he had done to Rogue, who had respectfully not asked him after that day. He looked at his arms, five new scales each in only a week. That's more than he had grown in the past year.
"I can't handle it anymore, sooner or later, it's going to get out," he said looking up at the clouds.
"I used to say things like that," a voice said from the trees.
"Who's there?" he brought his legs to his chest and then kicked out, landing on his feet.
In the trees was what appeared to be a blue ape of some kind.
"They call me, Beast," he said leaping from the tree to the ground. "So you're the new recruit the Professor was telling me about."
"Yes," Nate nodded shaking Beast's hand.
"Nate Sindel, huh, I knew a Sindel once, brilliant man," Beast said taking a step back. "Matt Sindel was his name."
"My father, he's dead," Nate looked away.
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that."
"No, it's alright, he died when I was young, before this," he held up his hand. "How did you get through it?"
"Well, to tell you the truth, it's still a little fuzzy. I remember hearing Shakespeare, but beyond that, it's a complete blank. Come on, it's almost supper time."
"Kay."
*****
The next day was Saturday, which meant training. The usual crew were in one of the rooms deep in the basement, while others were in a different room. Nate was alone in one room, a seemingly blank and uninteresting room. He looked over a few simulation names before finding on that sounded interesting, X-run29 was its name.
After pressing the button to start it, a holographic projection covered the room. He was standing on one of many platforms that covered the entire room now. Below him was a very convincing projection of a lake of fire. In front of him on the platform was his objective, or his opponent, whichever. Before him was The Blob, standing there, ready to fight. Nate had to remind himself that this was a hologram, but the computer would simulate everything about him, the only thing missing was his charming personality.
He swung his tail around and snapped at the massive teen in front of him, causing him to flinch. In that split second he ran up and elbowed him in the gut, with the blade that now stuck out from his elbow (the product of nullifying another student). That assault sent The Blob over the edge of the platform and into the flames below. With that done he leapt to the next platform with ease, to face the next enemy.
Avalanche stood there, in his costume (which I think could have been much better). As soon as Nate landed the platform began to shake, and once again he used his long tail to smack the enemy from a distance. Breaking the hologram's concentration, he ran up and slashed with his claws and impacted the helmet it wore. The hologram tried to punch him, but it was blocked. Nate then wrapped his hand around the hologram's face, and lifted him off the ground, throwing him off as well.
"Time elapsed, twelve seconds," the computer chimed.
Nate didn't pay it any mind, he just jumped to the next platform, and quickly had to dodge an large wad of slime. Toad crouched on the other side of this platform, and was already getting ready to launch another slime bomb. Nate got down onto all fours and pushed off with all his limbs, propelling himself forward to ram Toad off the platform.
"Time elapsed, eighteen seconds."
He jumped to the next one and found it slightly larger than the others. At the other end was Quicksilver, who quickly began running around and around the reptilian metamorph. Nate figured this was the perfect time to use his ability. So what if another scale formed, he had to get through this fast. The speed demon began to slow down when Nate concentrated on him. He was now easy pray for Nate's tail to trip him over the edge.
"Time elapsed, twenty-two seconds."
There was only one platform left, the last opponent and he would be through with this. He knew he had requested to train alone, but now he was regretting it. This was too easy for him, maybe he should have asked Logan to suggest a hard one. Upon reaching the top platform, he saw a woman wearing a black outfit of some kind, and her blue skin reminded him of Kurt's.
Mystique took no time in changing into a replica of him, and lunging. He was on all fours again and dodged to the left, seeing the proxy follow him in a fluid motion. Something the Professor had told him before he came to this room floated into his mind. Mystique's body may change, but that doesn't giver her the mutant's abilities or strength,
"Hah!" he yelled whipping at her with his tail, and catching her left forearm. The spade on the end turned upward, and rammed itself into her chest.
Holographic blood spilled onto the platform, as her body shrank back to normal.
"Time elapsed, twenty-eight seconds. New record established."
"New record?"
"Affirmative, old record was thirty-four seconds, established by Wolverine. Old record beaten by six seconds, enter name for new record."
"Sindel," he said hoping it was loud enough.
"New record of twenty-eight seconds, established by Sindel, now recorded."
With that being said, the room changed from the platforms, back to what it had been. Nate saw that he was not actually standing on a raised platform, he was on the floor. The holographic image shifted the distance between the objects to make it appear that he was moving upward. So when he leapt to another platform, he was actually just moving straight over, not up.
"Cool," he said and opened the door.
As soon as he was in the hallway, he had to press up against the wall as a torrent of children ran by him. All of them were laughing and talking about their first time training, it almost made him want to caution them. But hey, he didn't know what they were capable of, so he found it better not to say anything.
He left the lower levels through an elevator he found, stepping out into the hallway adjacent to the lobby. There was a car pulled up in front, he could see it through the windows, that meant there were visitors, possibly new recruits.
"Hm, wonder what's going on here," he looked closely at the car, focusing in on its passengers, but it was empty. "They must be inside already."
TBC
Well, that concludes the first chapter, I hope you like it. This is, as I said, my first X-men fic, and I am not a big follower of the comic book. I do watch the show whenever I get the chance, so I guess that makes up for it. If it doesn't, then I have failed. Again, I hope you like it so far, and please review. All reviews accepted.