The Trouble With Being a Mutant

Chapter 1

Hallway, Outside the Danger Room

Jamie O'Dell looked up, a fierce glare on her face. Today, she would not be made a fool of. Today, she would show everyone why they called her Oracle.

Eshe Banter noticed Jamie's expression and smiled. He knew she was going to try and win the training session. He also knew that her power was nothing compared to his.

She can sense danger, so what, Eshe thought to himself pompously, I can melt any inanimate object by concentrating on it. She's got nothin' on me!

Nightcrawler also saw Jamie's expression.

She vants to vin, eh, he thought with a grin, knowing her, she probably will.

Nightcrawler was absolutely right, she probably would win. Jamie was a pretty docile loner-ish tomboy, but when she was determined, nothing could stand between her and her goal. Unfortunately, her quiet nature kept most people from finding out what a strong and determined person she was. In fact, most people just knew her as "that smart silent girl sitting in the back of the class."

Nightcrawler sighed. It was really such a pity that she didn't let more people in. He was sure they would like her. After all, she was insanely loyal and had a killer sense of humor. Of course, Jamie had her reasons for her self-imposed solitary confinement. According to her, she didn't want any more people to worry about. Apparently she felt she had to protect everyone around her. Then again, Nightcrawler figured that was a side effect of her power. When you know about bad things before they happen, it's only natural to want to protect others from them. Otherwise, the power is kind of pointless.

Eshe's voice shook Nightcrawler from his thoughts.

Eshe is talking, vhat can't be good.

"Hey Oracle!" Eshe said through an evil smirk.

"What do you want, Melt-dork?" Jamie retorted, her voice venom.

Eshe screwed up his face, "It's Meltdown, and I just wanted to tell ya' that you and your stupid sixth sense are going down, cause it's gonna be me holding that trophy over my head!"

"Then I hope it falls on ya'!" Jamie hissed back in her Idahoan accent.

"The only thing that's gonna be falling around here is your pride, farm-girl!"

"You keep this up and somebody might just get hurt." Jamie said, tensing her body.

"Really, did you have to use your lamo power to figure that one out?" Eshe jeered.

"Nope, I knew as soon as you came to the institute." Jamie grinned, raising her fists menacingly.

"What, you going to hit me?" Eshe tried to sound dismissive, but really he was worried. Truth be told, hand-to-hand combat wasn't his strength. The only fights he won were fights that involved powers, and even then they didn't always come out in his favor.

Jamie's grin widened, she could sense Eshe's nervousness behind his macho façade. "Why, you afraid I might hurt that thing you call a face? Don't worry buddy, not much damage I could do there."

Eshe lunged at her, but Jamie easily leapt over him.

"They don't call me the Oracle for nothin' ya' know!"

"Yeah, well they don't call me Meltdown for nothin' either!"

Eshe held out his hand and began to melt the floor under Jamie. Again, Jamie jumped out of the way. She then proceeded to bounce off the wall and slam her feet into Eshe's face.

"Ahhhhhhh!" Eshe screamed, reacting to the pain. "Dou idiot, dou bwroke muy noss!"

"Oops, sorry." Jamie said smugly, not really sorry at all.

"What's going on here!" Scott ran up with the others close behind.

"Dat idiot attad me fur no rethan!" Eshe howled, greatly exaggerating his injury.

Scott looked at Jamie and shook his head, "Jamie..."

Professor X's Office

The Professor looked at Jamie with solemn eyes. He had seen so much promise in the girl when she had first come to the institute, but now, he wasn't so sure.

"I don't understand it Jamie," the Professor began, "You've never been aggressive toward anyone before, angry maybe, but not aggressive. The only exception is Eshe. Why?"

Jamie turned to the Professor. "I'm sorry Professor, it's just that...there's something wrong with that guy. I don't know what, but it's definitely there, and whatever it is, I guarantee you that it won't help the X-men."

Professor Xavier maneuvered his wheelchair closer to Jamie. "I believe you Jamie, but-"

Jamie cut him off. "Yeah, yeah, I know. I have an overactive imagination and a boiling temper, and I need to learn to just cool it an-," Jamie paused suddenly realizing that the Professor had agreed with her. "Wait a second, you believe me?" She stared at Xavier, stunned as he nodded his head. "You seriously believe me that Eshe Banter is a no-good, jerkface with a pure evil mind and a heart to match?"

The Professor smiled and held up his hands. "Let's not go too far Jamie, I believe you that Eshe has some...trouble-making tendencies. I want you to keep an eye on him, and I will do the same. If anything suspicious happens, I'll have a heart-to-heart chat with Mr. Banter. Fair enough?"

Jamie pondered it, then replied, "I suppose so, but can't you just throw Eshe out of the school. I mean, there's enough evidence to have him expelled, right?"

The Professor shook his head. "If we expell Eshe, he will certainly turn out bad. We have to keep trying with him; he's not the only team member that had to be persuaded. As I recall, Rogue was quite difficult to recruit, too."

Jamie grinned sarcastically, "Yeah, but Rogue isn't evil," She paused to think, "At least not anymore."

The Professor clasped his hands and rested his chin on them. "I understand this is hard for you, but we simply cannot rush into action. Eshe has to make his move first."

Jamie nodded silently and trudged toward the door. Noting her sulky manor, the Professor called after her, "Try to stay out of trouble." Glancing over her shoulder, she replied, "I'll try my best sir, but I doubt it will work." She sighed and shrugged her shoulders, "Trouble has a way of finding me."

"Just try." Was the Professor's answer.

As she left the room, Professor X could just hear her mutter to herself, "Don't say I didn't warn you."

Hallway, Outside the Professor's Office

Eshe peeked his head around the corner just in time to catch a glimpse of Jamie trudging out of the Professor's office. Judging by her get-out-of-my-way-before-I-cream-you look, Eshe knew that she hadn't gotten her way. Eshe smiled, his little game hadn't been discovered yet. He watched Jamie leave before he stood up and stretched. He had been stuck there in a crouch for a long time, but it had been worth it. Mystique would be so pleased...