Wolf: Someone challenged me to write this, so here it is! Project Shadow!
Scott: Aren't you working on a digimon story? Why are you working on this one? It doesn't make sense, wolf.
Kitty: If someone offers Wolf a challenge to write a story, she'll put all other stories on hold until she meets the challenge.
Wolf: You got that right! If I get a challenge from a friend on something, I'll drop everything I'm doing and go for the challenge! I don't know why, but it's what I like to do.
Kurt: I hope you get through vith zis one, Wolf. I don't like to be ignored.
Wolf: I'll try my best, Kurt! Just keep Logan off my back, and we'll get through this as quickly and painlessly as possible. But you have to do something for me in return.
Kurt: raises fuzzy brow at Wolf Vat iz zat?
Wolf: grins and whispers in Kurt's ear
Kurt: 0oO Vhy do I have to do that?
Wolf: That's the deal. Take it or leave it.
Kurt: Gulps and stands in front of the readers Zuh Paper Volf does NOT own Wolverine and Ze X-Men. She just owns Allyce and whatever ozer characters that may end up in the story that shouldn't be zere.
Wolf: Pats Kurt on the head Good boy, now on with the story!
Chapter One: Zero Tolerance Part One
I hate feeling like this!
There's got to be a better way!
Tell me it's to use my heart,
and not my eyes!
Is there something more,
than what I've been handed?
Will I ever get to see the ending to my story?
December 1st 1:15 pm New York...
A young lady roughly around the age of 19 sat inside her room with her laptop in front of her. She stood to be about 5'5'', with skin that was as pale as the moon ans would've been considered flawless had not for the strange marking that shot down the side of her left temple. It looked as though it would pass as a strange birthmark of some kind. She had violet purple hair that was braided down her back, and ended to her waist. Her eyes were duel-colored with one as red as blood and the other as gray as a tombstone.
She was typing away at her computer; working on her figure-skating routine. The girl was a professional figure-skater and she was just about to leave for her competition. She was only going through her routine before she actually went on to the rink. Needless to say that this girl was really dedicated to the dazzling sport.
A few moments passed by, and she began to get ready to leave when a small gray kitten with brown markings came up and sat inside her army bag; preventing her human from putting anything else in the bag.
The girl sighed and placed her short program dress aside, and went over to her kitten. "You know you can't go, Rage." She said in a gentle tone, as she picked the kitten. The kitten freed itself from the girl's grasp, and climbed up her shoulder, and rested there. "You're so crazy." The girl began to carefully proceed to get ready for her big competition with the little kitten in tow.
It wasn't long until a woman in my mid-forties came into her room. The woman smiled at the sight of the little kitten resting on the girl's shoulder while she walked about her room; gathering up her things to take with her to the competition.
"Aren't you ready yet, Allyce?" The woman asked in a disbelieving tone.
The girl-or Allyce pulled the cords of the army bag, and pulled the kitten off her shoulder. "I just finished putting the last of the things I need in my bag." She whispered quietly; placing the kitten on her bed, and picking up the army bag.
The woman had nodded a formal nod to Allyce, as she moved out into the hall; waiting for the girl to come out.
It wasn't long until the two had arrived at the rink and signed in with the judges. Allyce looked over at the other girls, and shivered at all the looks she was getting from them: All held in contempt. The woman had guided the girl to the locker rooms where she could change and put her things into a locker.
Allyce stepped into the stalls to change into her costume, and felt a rush of emotions fall over her like a tidal wave. She grabbed her head tightly in her hands, as she gritted her teeth in pain; willing the pain away.
"I can't believe that Allyce has the guts to actually show her face in the Regional this year." A girl said in a snotty tone, as she began applying her make up in the mirror. "She won't even stand a chance without her little cheering section."
Allyce gasped and listened in on the conversation. Another girl decided to add her own comment. "She won't even stand a chance against our routines!" She added with a nasty sneer; following the other girl's example.
A bitter feeling ripped through her heart, as Allyce looked down at her feet in confusion. She wasn't feeling bitter towards the girls; she had no reason to. Why was she feeling that way? She peered through the space between the stall door, and saw the spiteful looks on the two girls' faces, as they put on their make up. Were they the ones feeling jealous of her? Why was Allyce feeling jealous? Was she feeling what they were feeling? How is that even possible? Questions such has these swam madly through Allyce's mind, as she sat down at the toilet; trying to comprehend what was going on.
After the girls made a few more nasty comments about Allyce, they left the locker room; leaving Allyce to her thoughts. Forcing the thoughts back into her mind, she quickly finished getting ready for the competition. She left the stall, and looked at herself in the mirror; making sure everything was in its rightful place.
She wore a flowing gray dress with sleeves that flared out at the ends. The dress was completed with a faded pink bow that tied around the waste and had two long tails flowing behind her. Her hair was done up in a tight bun with a diamond tiara placed elegantly on the crown of her head. She had a lovely antique locket hanging from her neck with a single dark red gemstone in the middle. Her make up was done to bring out her natural beauty.
She made her way towards the lockers to place her things in her locker. She sat down on the bench, and began to put her white skates on; placing her metallic pink covers on the blades. She made her way to the lobby; doing her best to ignore the headache that was forming from the left side of her head.
The woman from before had just found Allyce walking out of the locker room with her head hung low. The woman smiled faintly at the girl, and guided her towards the rink.
"Are you ready for this, Allyce?" The woman asked in a worried tone, "You've been acting really differently lately."
Allyce smiled weakly at the woman sitting beside her. "It's just a headache, mom. It's nothing to worry about." She replied in a gentle tone; getting up from her seat, and made her way to the rink. She stopped at the entrance gate, and took off her blade guards, and made her way out into the ice. "It will go away if I don't think about it."
After a few moments of practicing with the other figure-skaters, the announcers had told them that the competition was about to begin. On her way towards the exit, a skater brushed past Allyce; sending her falling on the ice. Allyce smirked and got back up, and made her way towards the exit...
As Allyce was getting ready for competition, Nightcrawler, or better known to his peers as, Kurt, was having a competition of his own. Kitty had begged him to join her and Bobby in another one of their Danger Room sessions. He had always agreed to join them whenever the chance had prevented itself. They all had been fairing quite nicely, and had even worked together in taking out an annoying blaster. Of course, Kitty would get caught in a trap and make the other laugh at her struggling.
Beast and Emma were in the Battle Room; looking for any signs of mutants nearby. As far as they know, no one has used their powers as of late. Emma was just about to unhook herself from Cerebros when she caught the presence of someone using their powers. She concentrated on the person to pin-point his or her location.
"It's a girl." Emma said in a flat tone; looking forward as though the girl were right in front of her. "She's 19 years old."
Beast placed an urgent hand on the chair Emma was sitting in. "What's her name?" He asked in a grim tone, "Where is she?"
Emma sighed and pulled the head piece off her head, and looked up at Beast with tired eyes. "Her name is Allyce L'Orange. She's here in New York."
Beast looked down at the woman, and watched her get up from the chair. "We should let the others know and decide what we're going to do."
The two had arrived at the over view in the Danger Room. Logan was over seeing the progress that the trio were making. He stood at the window; yelling into the microphone. He stopped when he noticed Beast and Emma entering the room.
"We found a new mutant." Beast announced in a pleased tone; giving Logan a toothy smile.
Logan looked over at Beast for a moment, and turned his eyes towards the woman dressed in white. "What are we looking at here, Frost?" He asked in a tired tone; looking back at the trio in the Danger Room.
"Her name is Allyce L'Orange. She's here in New York." Beast declared in a polite tone. "It's such a beautiful name, I think."
Emma ignored Beast's comment about Allyce's name, and looked over at Logan with concerned eyes. "She is an empath, and her power are also beginning to grow." She told the buffed up man in front of her. "I also picked up on another power that she possesses. But I fear she won't last the night if the MRD find her."
Logan raised a brow at the woman and folded his arms over his chest. "What kind of power are we looking at here? Another you?" He joked with a smirk playing across his lips.
Emma glared at Logan with hated eyes. "She has the power to manipulate paper at will. They're trying to surface as we speak. I also piked up that she is being put under a lot of pressure. In other words, if we don't find her soon, the MRD will."
Logan sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose with his fingers. "So, that means I'll have to take Kitty with me on this mission?" He asked in a tired tone; closing his eyes at the possible headache that will occur when he tells her about the mission.
Emma shrugged her shoulders, and turned to walk away. "Just hurry along and find Allyce, and it will be over quickly." She said before she reached the door.
"And just where do you think you're goin'?" Logan asked in a mock accusing tone; watching the woman stop just as the door opened with a metallic hiss.
"I've got some arrangements to make for our new guest." She said in a pleasing tone; as she looked over at Logan with a sweet smile. "We can't have a girl sleeping on the couch, can we?"
Logan sighed for the third time, and turned over towards the window to see Nightcrawler laughing at the sight of Kitty getting caught in the tentacles once again because of his antics. He ended the program and pressed the power button on the control panel; activating the loud speaker.
"Sorry to break up training, kids, but we've got a mission." Logan announced; wincing at the cheers he received from the two teens. "Meet me outside the Danger Room in five minutes." And with that, he turned the microphone off, and turned to leave the room with a groan. "I'm gonna regret this."
Beast chuckled at the man beside him, as he joined Logan at the door. "It can't be that bad, Logan." He said in an encouraging tone; giving Logan a playful smile.
"Why do I get knots in my stomach when someone says, "It can't be that bad."?" He asked in a defeated tone; giving Beast a blank stare as they left the room...
Allyce watched as all the people in the stadium enjoyed the performances from all the other skaters; holding the collar of her costume as she waited for her name to be called.
The woman had looked down at Allyce with worry in her eyes. "What's wrong, Allyce? There's no point in lying to me this time." She said in a firm tone; narrowing her eyes at the girl beside her. "Is this about what those other girls said in the changing room?"
Allyce's shoulders tensed for a moment, and looked down at her knees. "I'm sorry. I'm just nervous I guess." She whispered in a quiet tone; not looking the woman in the eye.
"You've never been nervous before." She woman said in a logical tone; not taking her eyes off the girl. "You know what will happen if you don't win."
Allyce nodded her head, and just as she was about to reply, the announcer had called for Allyce to go out on the ice. Allyce stood up and took off the guards for her blades; handing them over towards the woman with a cocky smirk.
"Don't worry about that, mom," she said in a twisted tone; putting her ear plugs in, "I'll do my personal best...I'll make sure of that..."
And with that she made her way towards the ice. She pushed herself out into the ice, and skated towards the center of the rink. She leaned her upper torso to the side; both arms held slightly away from her body with her wrists pointed outwards. She looked almost as though she was an angel passing judgment with her head hung low like it was. Once the music started, Allyce began to stroke the ice; trying to build up the energy to get the routine started.
The music had an up beat to it that made the crowd in the stands keep in their seats. It was a song by "Skye Sweetnam". She was very popular with inspirational music that went more towards her female fans. The song that Allyce was using was called, "Smoke and Mirrors". It was one of her favorite songs by her. She knew it was a risky move to play a song like that, but as long as Allyce could skate to it, it didn't matter what song she chose.
Allyce started out nice and smooth with simple strokes on the inner circle of the ice. She preformed excellent spins that blended in well with her next moves. She would definitely get good marks for artistry. Her movements alone were fluid and rivaled with professional skaters that were older than she was. It had the crowd with her performance, and that was good sign for her.
For someone so young, and naive...
Hard to know what to believe!
Still I thought I tried for a while.
Turning round and giving ups not my style.
On my own, on my own way...
Allyce jumped high into the air, and landed a perfect axle that bled into a lay-back spin. She held her arms out in front and back of her, as she glided on the ice with a smile never leaving her face. Despite what the other skaters thought, the crowd clapped and cheered for her to keep going; causing her smile to grow wider with each stroke of the ice.
Bottled up is where my fears go, my fears go!
I will never show my fear!
They'll tear me up until my tears show, my tears show!
All smoke and mirrors...
Allyce's movements became more wild and lively, as she jumped into the air, and landed a near perfect lutz jump. She then landed a harsh loop jump that turned into a perfect scratch spin before she went back to calming her movements down. She looked over at her mother, and saw her smile in satisfaction at the girl's performance. She used that to keep her going- hoping with all her heart that she'll be able to see herself in her mother's eyes.
Allyce then turned her attention back to the ice under her feet, and stumbled as she began to feel a mixture of emotions flood into her like they had done in the changing room with those two girls from earlier. She felt excitement and worry; something that she wasn't accustomed to since- the accident. She closed her eyes tightly and stroked the ice a little more to shake off those feelings and push herself through the routine; hoping she won't be bothered until then. She only prayed that would work for her.
Little did Allyce know that the two girls from before were watching her very closely. They saw how Allyce was having slight difficulty staying on focus. They looked over at everyone else in the stadium, and noticed that they didn't notice anything in Allyce's behavior.
"Did you see what I saw?" One of the girls asked the other; looking over at her in disbelief.
The other girl nodded and looked back at Allyce, as she got back on track, and went on through her routine.
"She had better not get a higher score than us or she'll be sorry." She said in a warning tone; as she glared darkly at Allyce; a plan forming in her mind as she watched Allyce.
Just try hard, don't give in.
Keep it up and you'll win.
Don't let them know they get to you.
Put on a brave face, and you'll pull through.
On your own, on your own way.
Allyce's movements became more alive once again, and she picked up her pace and moved more quickly on the ice. She looked as though she were dancing on the ice. It was truly a stunning performance on her part. And from the looks on the judges faces, it looked like she was a shoe-in for making it to the top five. She passed the judged with a beautiful toe jump that made her appear to fly past them; leaving a good impression on them as they watched on in awe at what she was going to do next. This was certainly one of her better performances by far.
Bottled up is where your fears go, your fears go!
You will never show your fear!
They'll tear you up until your tears show, your tears show!
All smoke and mirrors...
Allyce shocked the crowd with an amazing three tripe axles that blended in well with one another. She then broke out into a perfect spread eagle that made her feel as though she were flying over the ice like a ghost in the night. She then began to twirl and spin around on the ice; making her look more like a ghost than when she pulled that spread eagle. She then kicked her foot up into the air, and jumped into the air; executing the most beautiful waltz jump that anyone could ever see. If any of the older skaters had seen her then, they would be very jealous of her talented performance. It made Allyce all the more motivated to know this.
'It's time to pull out all the stops' She thought to herself when she passed by those two girls; giving them a cocky smirk, and moved more towards the center of the rink; getting ready for the grand finale...
This journey of ours never ends.
We will always pretend...
Fighting not to let them win.
And they're falling into our own illusions!
On our own, on our own way...
'This is for you, Ray...' Allyce thought to herself as she preformed a perfect quadruple axle. It was a senior level technique that not many professional skaters could pull off. It definitely got the judges' attention, and they began talking amongst themselves on how they should score Allyce's performance. It was hard and they all had trouble about how they should place her. They were debated either or not to place her in first place, but when she staggered for a split second, they thought differently. She recovered with another beautiful scratch spin that bled into a waltz jump and bled into a sit spin and back up into a lay-back spin. With her costume flowing around her, it made her look like a type of fountain sprouting water with an impressive display of artistry; giving her near perfect markings in that category.
Bottled up is where our fears go, our fears go!
We will never show our fear!
They'll tear us up until our tears show, our tears show!
All smoke and mirrors...
Allyce's routine faded to a stop, and she bend her upper half of her body with her eyes closed. She spread her legs to the front and back of her body to keep perfect balance, and held her left arm down to her right knee, and her right hand extended to high into the air above her head; bowing to her judges. She straightened her body and smiled at them before made her way off the ice.
All the while of Allyce going over towards her mother, the two girls were glared hatefully at her as they waited for the final markings to be posted in the board from the judges. Allyce scored a 5.5 in artistry and stamina. She had a few 4.8s and 4.9s here and there, but all in all, it looked like those girls had some serious competition with their own scores.
"I guess it's all over for us... again." One of the girls said in a defeated tone. "And she doesn't even have a coach. How does she do it?"
The other girl turned and glared darkly at the other girl; folding her arms over her chest. "I think it's time to show our little Ally Cat just who she's messing with..." She said in a dangerous tone; making the other girl look at her like she was going crazy.
A little while later of waiting for the final placing. An old woman finally arrived and placed the scoring papers up and left with a pleased smile; knowing that at least a few of the skaters would be happy with their placements.
Allyce moved over towards the paper after a few of the girls had moved away, and looked at the paper; searching for her name and praying that it would be good enough for her mother. She smiled weakly when she found her name- second place. It was better than fourth or fifth, and that meant she would moving up to Nationals and hopefully to the Olympics shortly after that.
Allyce's mother came up to her and looked over at the paper, and smiled down at her daughter. "And that's how it's done, huh, Allyce?" She asked in a motherly tone; smiling proudly at the girl in front of her. "Good job, Allyce."
"Well, I guess somebody has to give you praise." The girl from before said with a nasty sneer. "It's not my fault you didn't have what it took to make it!"
"Shut up, pincushion!" Allyce growled in a darkened tone; giving the girl a dangerous glare.
Allyce's mother placed a hand on the girl's shoulder, and pushed her away from the other two girls. "Come on, Allyce, let's get out of that dress and get home." She said in a warning tone; steering her away from the girls.
Allyce was in the stall from before; changing into her street clothes. "What's wrong with me? I never let the competition get to me like that." She thought more about what was going on, and sighed to herself. "I guess I'll never get over this... Man, I need my brother with me..." She said quietly to herself; wishing he was with her right now to tell her everything was alright.
Once Allyce was out of the stalls, she looked over at the mirror, and noticed that the pupils of her eyes were now slitted and glowing red! What was going on? What was happening? Why was it happening to her now? Of all times to have strange things happening to her! It just didn't make any sense! She brought her hands up to her face, and saw that she now had slightly longer, pointed claws on each of her fingers; giving her a demonic cat appearance. She knew her mother wouldn't want anything to do with if she found out about this.
With quick thinking, Allyce pulled out her jacket and winter accessories: hat, gloves, sunglasses. She knew she had a reason for loving the wintery season. She carefully placed her gloves over her hands, and slipped her sunglasses over her eyes; thankful for them being so dark.
Little did she know that the girl from before had slipped into the changing room and saw that Allyce wasn't what she thought she was. For a moment, she thought she was just seeing things, but after she rubbed her eyes and found that nothing had changed, she knew what Allyce L'Orange was now- she was a mutant, and Allyce knew that more than anybody.
The girl glared angrily at the girl, and walked out of the changing room before Allyce knew that she was even there, and went for her cell phone; knowing just how she was going to get Allyce back for showing her up at Regional...
The girl had picked up her phone and hid in the corner of the locker room. She had dialed the MRD to tell them about Allyce. She kept it to herself and would keep it that way until Allyce was taken care of. Then she would spread rumors about while she was gone. That was the plan and that was how she worked. She waited until those who crossed her would leave before she made her vicious moves. Now, all she had to do was wait...
Wolf: I'm doing these first two chapters in parts. I think it'd be easier for everyone if I did my story like that because I'd probably have like-20 pages and that would get boring after awhile. Especially since I'm doing a chapter story.
Beast: In other words, you're just plain lazy with ADHD.
Wolf: Shut up or it's back to the closet with you, fur ball, or I'll have you going bald in the next chapter.
Beast: yelps and runs away
Everyone else: 0oO
Wolf: Now, to my readers, please be patient with me if I take a great period between chapters. I do get to me stories eventually, but please remember that I DO have a life outside of the internet. And there will be times where I DO take long breaks between chapters. They could be merely weeks, or could take as long as months at a time. It just depends on how busy I get. However, it doesn't mean that I don't write my chapters. It's finishing them and posting them that gets very taxing at times.
Kitty: It also helps if she gets help from other writer's out there.
Storm: Not to mention the reviews... they help boost her ego (in a good way) to write her stories, too.
Wolf: So please do me a favor and review! If you all review my stories, then I'll push myself to write more! It's a win-win situation for all of us!
And remember, smile until you stop...
Everyone: Peace out!
