Meanwhile, Viola has already made her way to find Synapse and Neocount. Some time later, after what seems like hours of driving on Gambits bike. (which mind you, she intends to keep in perfect condition, she has to bring it back to Remy, maybe he'll be really generous) Keep dreaming she thinks as she speeds around the next turn. Its around this time that it starts to rain. With the rain getting heavier, its getting increasingly difficult to navigate. Especially since shes not entirely sure where shes going. Making the next blind turn at top speed, she doesnt see the head lights to the car in front of her until its too late. As they come upon eachother, she sees Neocount and Synapse in the seats. Both Viola and Syanpse slam on their brakes, a wasted effort of course, since the road has become very slippery. The bike out of control, comes to a stop when it rams into a tree, throwing her from the bike into a nearby murky lake. The jeep, wasnt successful either, also sliding directly into the lake itself. Between the heavy rain and the dark night, its hard to tell which is up and which is down in the water. Neocount managed to find his way to the top, swimming to the surface, and to the shore. Synapse also makes it to the top. When he sees that Viola is not yet to the surface, he starts to panic, with images of the first time he used his powers come to his head. Except his powers dont work on Viola, no one can get into her mind. That means there is still hope. Viola under the water, cant find her way to the surface, cant tell up from down in the dark water. Her wings, stuffed into her cut out schoolbag, have soaked up water, and begin to get heavy, and is starting to weigh her down. With the weight weighing her down, she tries to swim up. Aside from the heavy wings, she can no longer hold her breathe, shes run out of air. Viola tries to use her powers, tries to make an energy bolt, hoping that Neo or Synapse could see the light and find her. But there is no light or sound to absorb, or not enough to make a bright enough orb. But wait! She hears something, she can see a dark image in the water. Knowing she might drown if her plan doesnt work. Viola uses all her remaining air to scream, then absorbing the sound to make an energy bolt. It works. Synapse can see the light. Swimming to her, he takes grabs her by the waist and pulls her up to the surface, and to the shore. The three pant heavily as Viola spits out a mouthful of the murky water. She then leans on and hugs Synapse for the help.
Viola: *Pant* Im so glad I found you guys. Too bad *pant* it had to be like this!
Synapse: Why are you here? Why did you follow us?
Viola: The school..its Emma. Shes sending a search party after you. She said you stole money and jewelry, as well as the jeep. I came to warn you. I think she has something dark in mind for the students too. I should have stayed behind and helped, I should be there for Destiny, but you needed my help too. She might be after me too. We cant go back, at least not now!
Neocount: There was money and jewelry in the jeep?!
The three turn around, and look to the lake, the jeep has sunk, and there is nothing left to see.
Viola: WAS money in the jeep. Oh no! Remys bike!
Viola gets up and finds the tree that the bike slammed against. She picks it up, and sees its in good condition.
Viola: Oh thank god..
Synapse: Whats so special about the bike?
Viola: Besides the fact that its transportation. Its REMYS transportation. A god among men. I intend on taking it back to him...
Neocount: You women. Whats so great about Remy. I mean he gets all the chicks.
Synapse: All the ones he CANT touch anyway...
Viola: Fine joke all you want. But this is our only mode of transportation now. You THANK the bike, you respect the bike....
Neocount: Theres only room for two on there. Sorry Syn, I guess you stay behind. Just kidding.
Viola: Just sit on whatever space there is left Syn, and fly, you know how to fly. So that takes care of that. We can make it. Let me join you on your journey, youre not the only ones who want to learn about your pasts. I need to know who I am. Besides, if you say no, you both have to walk, as I turn around with the bike and go home.....
Synapse: Shes got a point you know.
Viola: Good, so get on the bike, fly with the bike..whatever.
Neocount: We have to find shelter, this rain is too much. We are drenched.
Synapse: What before or after we took a swim in the lake?
Neocount: Why do you always have to have a smart mouth when I say something?
The Viola gets on the bike, as neocount sits behind her...Synapse basically, skitches a ride with the motorcyle, and flies behind it.
Neo: Why are you driving? I feel like such a wuss with the woman behind the wheel.
Viola: Do you men always have to feel so macho?
Vi revs up the bike, and off they go. They cant seem to find any place to stay, The signs in this small town they are passing by, do not seem to be readable, nor does anything appear to be open anyway. Finially, they take shelter under the awning of a farm stand, waiting out the rain. Thinking of something to do to pass the time.
Synapse: Hey Vi, didnt the prof said you could controll your skin to skin contact absorbtion if you concentrated enough?
Viola: Yep. he said my powers arent as extreme as Rogues or something.
Synapse: Well I think its about time you started controlling them.
Viola: I cant practice on someone! I could kill you!
Synapse: I know you can do it. I trust you.
Neocount: He just wants a reason to touch you Vi.
Synapse: Haha, very funny. I feel deeply for Sid. Excuse me for just trying to help a fellow team mate here.
Viola: Well if you really want to sacrifice yourself here...I dont know. I shouldnt..
Synapse: *pulls off Violas glove* Just concentrate, if its not as extreme as Rogue, you should be able to control it. Relax. Now is the best time. Since we are calm, if you can control it at any time, its now.
Viola closes her eyes and relaxes. She concentrates deeply and imagines her powers not working. As shes doing this, Synapse slowly grabs her hand....nothing happens. Viola opens her eyes in surprise.
Viola; I did it! This is so great!
But with those words of excitement concentration is broken, Vi starts to absorb Syn, as she quickly pulls away.
Viola: Im sorry! Are you ok!?
Synapse: *looks a little dazed* Im..fine...got a little too excited there....didnt you...but you did it...
Viola: I did. Thank you. Thank you so much.
The rain is still coming down heavy. So the three stay under the farm stand. After Syn feels better, Viola takes advantage of the powers shes absorbed temporarily from Synapses. She makes Synapse get up, and start dancing in the rain.
Viola: Aw man this is great.
Neocount: Make him sing too...
Synapse: "If you believe in magic...and i hope you do..you'll always have a friend wearing big red shoes..."
Neocount: LOL
Moments later, a pickup pulls up, and almost hits Synapse as he comes to his senses.
Synapse: Hey, no taking advantage of my abilities on myself...
Seconds later, an old couple poke their heads out of the car.
Old Lady: What are you youngus doing out here this late and in the rain? Dont you have any place to go?
Viola: No M'am. We really dont
Old Man: Well you cant stay out here, you'll catch a death of cold. Here, hope into the pickup truck. We'll take you somewhere cozy.
They tree decide what harm could this old couple do, and decide to hop into the truck. Viola, Neocount and Syn load the motorcycle into the pick up truck, then climb in, covering themselves with the plastic tarp in the back, to keep the rain off. Not too long later, the truck comes to a halt. Taking off the tarp, The guys look around, and see a nice cozy looking log cabin. Surrounded by Pine Trees and flower beds. The old couple motions for them to follow them into the cabin. Taking their school and duffel bags, they do so. Once inside the house, the nice old lady gives them towels, and dry clothes, as she takes their clothes, and the clothes out of the duffel bags, to throw into the dryer. As the woman is loading the clothes into the dryer, she notices an emblem on the 'students' bags.
Old woman: Youre students at the Xavier Institute??
The kids didnt know whether the woman was against it or for it. So they did not know how to answer, yes or no....
Old Woman; My Dennis...He was on his way to that school, when he was beaten to death. Beaten by people who just dont understand, who WONT understand. Dennis...all of you. Youre special thats all. Theres nothing wrong with being special.
Neocount: Dennis...Dennis Hogan?
Old Woman; Yes! And by the way, you can call me Marie. How did you know of his name?
Neocount: I saw it in a file at the school. The professor wrote it.
Marie: Such a nice man that professor, he was the one who told me of my poor Dennis*
(*SEE X-MEN PRIME FOR MORE ABOUT DENNIS!*)
The old man (William) places three bowls of soup down in front of the kids.
John: There, that should warm ya right up.
Syn/Vi/Neo: Thank you.
Marie: You kids are an awful long way from NY. Why are you down here?
Neocount: We're on a journey.
Marie: Ooh, how exciting? But shouldnt you have an adult supervise you? I mean youre special but...
John: Marie, will you leave the poor kids alone with your questions. They aint babies...
Marie: Oh Im just making sure theyre ok. I might know some people who can help you. In fact, I know I know someone who will help you. Are you dears familiar with the Mutant Underground? Sometimes we call it "HAM" as a code name, so no one knows what we are talking about.
Viola: "Ham"?
John: Humans. Aiding. Mutants. This way, they think we are just talking about dinner.
Marie: There are other names for it, plenty of names.
Synapse: Ive heard of them! thats how I was taken to the school! Do you know Clarice??
Marie: Oh there have been so many mutants, I cant remember names sweetie. But we are a part of that organization, and we can help you. You need to go travel 50 miles from here, that is the closest base of operations around here.
Neocount: Closest? That means there are more?
John: Oh yes plenty, There is almost one in every state.
Viola: Really?? I never really heard about it, except from Syn.
Marie: They are very secretive. If those ignorant fools ever found out about us, they might start hurting us humans too! Just because we have a heart, and dont believe that mutants should be treated differently because they are special.
Viola: You are very special too Marie.
Marie: Well, finish up your soup, and get to bed, we have a guest room you can stay in. Your clothes will be dry in the morning. Then we can take a drive to the Underground.
Neocount: Thank you, We are lucky to have run into you....
After the soup, Marie and John hand the kids some extra sleeping bags and pillows, and show them to the guest room. Viola calls shotgun on the bed (and she should get it, shes the girl after all). After watching the children get all tucked into bed, the helpful couple turn off the light and head downstairs.
Viola: So thats what it feels like
Synapse: *looks up from his sleepingbag* What feels like?
Viola: Parents. Someone to take care of you, love you. Make you soup and tuck you in. Ive never felt that before....Well..goodnight....
After several hours of sleep. Neocount is woken up by a pounding at the door downstairs. Opening the door slightly, he peeks through, and sees John and Marie answering the door. To his surprise, the door opens to reveal a police officer!
Police: Sorry to bother you folks this late, but have you seen these two? *holds up a pic of syn and neo.
Marie: Why no. Ive never seen them before in my life..
Police: Are you sure ma'am? Their jeep was found in the lake not too far from here. They are believed to have taken this girl *holds up Violas pic* against her will.
John: We have no idea who these children are. Now if you dont mind, we'd like to get back to sleep...
Police: And whos motorcycle is out there, if ya dont mind me askin..
Marie: ...Why....its...Its my sons motorcycle. My son Dennis. It broke down, so we had to go pick him up..
Police: Is that so? Is your son here now..
Marie: Yes..yes he is, he's asleep.
Police: *barging into the cabin* Well Id like to see that for myself....
The police man starts to walk up the stairs, and Neocount starts to panic. He quickly remembers reading all about Dennis on Cerebros files. Dennis was tested on after his death at the school to learn more about his mutation. His DNA and everything was listed. With Dennis parents being so close, he tries to change his DNA just enough to semi look like Dennis. He then slips out of the door.
Neocount (or Dennis): Is there a problem officer.
The police man look surprised, he really suspected that this couple was holding the mutants here.
Police: Um..no problem at all...Just wanted to um..know if thats your bike out there.
Neocount: Yes it is. Is there a problem with it?
Police: Nope. Um..None that I know of. I should start heading out now...Good night Folks. Sorry to disturb you. Its a good think you really werent hidin any muties up in here. Holding fugitives is a serious crime.
The police man leaves. When the coast is clear, Neo changes back to himself.
Marie: Muties! How can he say that!? That is so horrible. Ill be surprised if hes not charged with police brutality sooner or later. Then again, this world is so messed up, he'd probably slide for it!
John: Calm down Marie..its ok.
Marie: *looks at Neo* you looked like Dennis...you sounded like him, it..it made me so happy to hear his voice again, even if it was just an imitation...Thank you...
Marie and John head back to their rooms, as Neocount does too, and hits the sack for the remainder of the night. In the morning, the three are awoken by the wonderful smell of bacon and eggs...
Marie: Rise and shine! Get a warm meal in your stomach. We have to get you to the Underground!
-posted 8/17/2000 by Viola