Only in the world of fan fiction can a fusion like this would exist!
STORY RATED T/ PG-13: Contents of this story contains mild to strong fantasy and sci-fi violence, coarse language, drug and alcohol use, sexual innuendo, partial nudity and extreme comic mischief.
DISCLAIMER STATEMENT: I, Captain 'Rod' Vulcan, is not the creator nor the owner of the world renown anime, Mai-HiME. The same disclaim goes for the X-men, The Avengers, and many other of Marvel's legendary creations. This is merely a piece of imagination made real for the author and readers to enjoy.
MAI-HiME
DESCENDANTS OF THE ATOM
PROLOGUE
"Oh my God... She's the daughter of the devil."
She was in the middle of it all. She was the spectacle of today's game. In the mist of a high school soccer game, the hundreds of fans on both the home and guests portions of the field looked on in awe. A majority of them were looking on in horror. The once lively field now looked as thought it was a target of a bombing site. Why me? Why does it have to happen now?
"She's one of them." Says a frightened schoolteacher.
"That girl's a demon child." An old man uttered with a raspy voice.
"A freak walks among us." A teammate told her rivals on the opposing team.
"Boy, I like my women hot, but oh boy, not that hot." A high school athlete commented.
"Freak!" Someone tossed a soda can towards the misunderstood girl.
No! Please don't call me that! She mentally pleaded. I didn't ask for this! She gazed down the field. A furious trail of flames lead to the now charred goal. The goalie was fortunate enough to avoid the great ball of fire and she was now kneeling on the ground, crying. Fear and contempt was now on the expressions of many people on the field.
"Mai..." A first year teammate was staring at the ginger haired girl whom was standing forlornly in the small crater that she created. "You... you're a mutant?"
Mai wanted to scream. She desperately wanted to wake up from this nightmare. Instead she faced her teammate and bowed apologetically. "Arika, I'm so sorry."
"To hell with your kind!" An arrogant visitors' fan shouted. "Freaks like you shouldn't even be allowed to exist!" With that, over half the spectators started chunking trash and discarded food at her.
"No! Stop it!" Mai cried, shielding herself from the onslaught of junk. Suddenly, with a shriek of frustration, Mai half consciously spawned a swirling vortex of flame around her, guarding her from the precipitation of filth.
"Look, she's retaliating!"
"She's going to kill us all! Run for your lives!"
After the cries of hypocrisy, the crowd dispersed in total chaos.
"Noooo! ARGH!" Mai screamed in provocation and her hands ignited in a blaze all of a sudden. She closed her tear streaming eyes tight and began running herself. After a moment, she jumped from the ground and now she was soaring through the sky, away from the soccer field.
Amidst the chaos, two girls were watching Mai's soaring form in awe and admiration.
"Can you believe it, Chie!? Mai-chan's a fire goddess!" Aoi exclaimed. Aoi is a seventeen year old brunette with a baby's face and deep blue eyes, which hinted multi-heritage. She is one of Mai's closest friends and she was a bit on the inquisitive side. "That's got to be so cool!"
"Oh yea," Chie was taking snap photos with her cellular phone. "The entire school-- no, the entire city is going to be talking about this!" Chie is a senior in high school, eighteen years of age. She is also a close friend of Mai's and the gossip queen of the entire campus. She may be tomboyish but she was shapely. It's kind of hard to tell when she is wearing the school uniform that she was. The short dark hair, slanted hazels, and naturally tanned skin of hers only enhanced her feminine appeal. And those fact makes one want to question if she really is a tomboy.
"Wow, Mai-chan's pretty lucky," Aoi chirped.
"That's where you're wrong, Aoi. That girl's not lucky, she's blessed." Chie stated.
Aoi couldn't help but to agree with the older girl. "Um hmm!"
DESCENDANTS OF THE ATOM
News of the latest mutant discovery reached Professor Xavier Institute for Higher Learning within minutes after the incident on the other side of the world. Cerebro, Charles' creation and notification system confirmed the whereabouts of the latest mutants. It was nearly midnight in New York and the good professor and a few of his disciples were now eager to know who they are. Whether these people were newfound mutants or mutants that discovered their gift some times ago, Cerebro established them.
"Ah... two of them..." Charles stated solemnly. "One of them is able to conjure and manipulate fire and the other posses advance physical ability and able to wield the element of electricity."
Remy Lebeau, better known as Gambit, sat back in his seat and propped his legs on Cerebro. He was lazily shuffling a deck of cards in his hands. "Sounds interesting enough, mon ami."
"Gambit, remove your limbs off Cerebro," Charles commanded the Cajun and resumed Cerebro's observation. "Both are female... from the Far East..."
Gambit immediately perked up. "Now we're talking! More soft-legs!"
Wolverine found himself grinning. "Easy there, R. Kelly."
A recent X-Man, a young raven haired girl, snorted at Logan's jibe.
Gambit glared at the young woman. "Oh, you find that funny, FrostByte?"
"No worries, they're legal, Gambit." Charles humored.
"Rogue is going to be pissed." Logan muttered.
"Professor, what part of the Far East are they from?" The young mutant named FrostByte wondered, curious. She was born and raised there.
"Hmm..." A knowing smile soon invaded the old man's face. "They're both from Japan, in fact, one of them is a junior at the school you've graduated from."
"Ha! Konnichiwa bishoujo dimes," Gambit said in butchered Japanese-English mishmash. He yelped in surprise when his deck of cards were suddenly frozen. "Hey!"
"Stop that. Your Japanese is horrible." FrostByte reprimanded with a smirk.
The ever gruff Canadian mutant was chuckling admirably at FrostByte. "Watch it, Gumbo. The kid's got quite a temper. Kinda reminds me of someone I know."
"Whatever..." Gambit rose from his chair, said a French cuss and exited the room.
"I'm going to have to give the school's headmaster a call." Professor X announced. At the mention of the said person, FrostByte cringed both physically and mentally. Charles could tell. "I'm sorry if I just so happen to bring up bad memories, FrostByte."
The dark haired girl gasped in shock. She had forgotten that the old man can read thoughts. "I accept you apology, Professor."
"If anyone need me, I'll be at the nearest bar, getting drunk." Logan announced as he left.
"Philosophical as always, that Logan." Said Charles.
DESCENDANTS OF THE ATOM
"Mai..." there was a knock on her room door. "Can I come in, sweety?"
"If you can make me feel a little better, why not," Mai replied. She didn't have time for crying over something that predetermined.
"Oh, I never knew that you were such a defeatist, baby." Mai's mother, Miyuki Tokiha cooed as she entered her daughter's room. One glance at the two of them and it is immediately clear that they were related. Mai was nearly a carbon copy of her mother, right down to the ginger colored hair, violet eyes, and buxom body. The only difference was the fact that Miyuki's hair was longer and she was taller and thinner than her daughter. "It happened again, huh?"
Mai was shuffling through a photo album, particularly looking at her past photos of sporting events. "It was horrible, mama. I exploded in flames right in the middle of a big game."
Miyuki sat on the bed besides Mai. "So it happened at a most inopportune time, eh?"
Mai nodded. "Yep, it did. I hate... being this way." She was surprised when her mother started chuckling. "Mama?"
"Girl, you have to forgive me for laughing." Miyuki brought her left hand over her lips. "People can be so strange. We have such a nasty history of being disdainful towards each other just because of our differences, even if they are slim to none."
Mai tilted her head. "Mama?"
"It's jealousy really. That's all it is." Miyuki continued. "I mean-- look at you, you can fly. You can soar the skies as free as a bird! I know a lot of people who would kill for a chance to fly like that."
Mai discovered herself giggling. "Mom, you're making me blush!"
"Don't curse your fate, Mai. You've been given a gift." Miyuki encouraged. "I know it's kind of weird of how people can turn their back on you without a moment's thought but that's a part of life. That's just the way it is, whether you're normal or not."
Mai nodded, her mother still seems to be proud that her daughter was superhuman. Even if Miyuki was the only person in the entire world that cared and was supportive towards her uncanny abilities, that fact filled her with enormous confidence and pride. Moments ago, she was thinking how she should continue her education now that her power was public knowledge but her mother saved her from despair. She didn't have to be miserable for the rest of her life because of her newfound power. "Thank you for the vote of confidence, mama." Mai grinned, but her accolade was sincere. "I see now that I don't have to face this alone."
Miyuki patted Mai's shoulder and spoke in a gruff voice, "You know I'll always got cha back."
"You've been watching a lot of American movies again, haven't you?" Mai laughed.
Miyuki does another impersonation, "That's what's up."
The mother and daughter duo laughed heartily for a long moment. After their mirth subsided, Mai gazed out the window towards the evening skies. "It's getting late," Mai said. "Maybe I should go and take a flight. Better yet," A mischievous grin crossed her features. "I can eavesdrop on Takumi and Akira's walk in the city park."
There was a warm, beautiful smile on Miyuki's face, "I see that you're feeling a little better now." The cordless phone on the wall near her began ringing. "Ah... I'll get it." She grabbed the phone off the receiver. "Tokiha residence, who would you like to speak to? Eh?... Uh-huh... Is that so?... I see..."
In the blink of an eye, Miyuki was right in front of Mai with the phone extended towards her. "It's for you, sweetheart. It's the Headmaster."
Even though it was a strange incident for the Headmaster to contact any students during off hours, Mai's curiosity was piqued. "Ms. Kazahana?"
DESCENDANTS OF THE ATOM
The following morning, mere moments before the school day begins, Mai was on her way towards Ms. Kazahana's office. The Headmaster's office was situated near the elaborate, almost regal, garden. Traveling through it, Mai found herself draw to the beautiful rows of violet and pink hued plants. Camellias, weren't they? Well... she didn't have to be a researcher on plant life to appreciate these majestic foliages. The morning hours were cool, unusual this time of year especially when summer break starts in mere weeks.
She haven't ran into any students, so far so good. If she did, she immediately knew that she had to put up with unreasonable contempt, jealousy, and epithets. An alienated stare towards her probably wouldn't be tolerated by her right about now. The incident from yesterday will be forever etched in the memory of Fuuka academy. Even though Mai wished otherwise, she must accept what she cannot change. How would her closest friends look at her now?
"Hey Mai! Wait up for us!"
"Aren't we here a little early, eh?"
Mai spun around and faced her peers in surprise. They were both wearing small wind jackets over their school uniforms due to the cool air. "Huh? What are you guys doing here?" Mai inquired apprehensively. "The first hour haven't even begun yet."
Aoi clasped her hands together, a cute and friendly gesture. "I saw you heading to school before the sun even rose over the horizon. After that, I gave Chie a call."
"You followed me..." Mai breathed, eyes downcast.
"What's up, girl?" Chie patted Mai's shoulder. "It's still kind of early, you know. You have about an hour and a half to go before school. If it was me, I'll still be in my bed sleeping like a baby."
Mai looked up at the slightly taller girl. "I have a meeting with the Headmaster." Mai replied. "It's important."
Aoi tilted her head in wonder. "Could it be about what happened yesterday at the game?"
Mai grew scared. They were there and they saw it too. "Um... you... can say that."
"What are you so glum about? You were amazing!" Chie recalled, totally surprising Mai. "What you done yesterday was far cooler than any halftime show I've ever seen! I mean, igniting fire and soaring like an eagle-- that's what dreams are made of!"
Mai blushed. "Whoa... you sound like my mother. That's what she said."
"You're not a freak, Mai. You're a goddess!" Aoi encouraged with a burlesque expression. "To hell with all that negativity!"
"With that kind of power, I can make any man do my bidding." Chie remarked, decidedly like a mischievous child. "I will never allow a minuteman to get away without consequences."
Aoi giggled helplessly and Mai only rose a brow. "A little too much info, Chie-chan." Mai muttered.
"Trust me, you would feel the same way." Chie winked. "How most of these hot boys be advertising themselves and unable to back themselves up is definitely something to laugh about. I guess their egos are far more potent than their bodies."
Could the older girl be speaking from experience? "Chie..."
"Hmm... I do wonder what Ms. Kazahana has to speak to you about, Mai?" Aoi wondered, sky-gazing. "She's not going to expel you from school isn't she?"
Mai gasped. "Of course not!" She exclaimed uncertainly. "At least... I don't think so."
"And then there's your boyfriend," Chie followed. "He probably knows about yesterday's phenomena by now."
"Yuuichi Tate is not my boyfriend!" Mai retorted with a massive blush. "Although..." She fiddled her index fingers together nervously. "... I do kind of admire the guy strangely enough. I know that we bicker often and he has those strange ways..."
"Oh, Tate-kun admire you a lot," Chie remarked. "You ever noticed that he hardly looks at your face now?"
Mai crossed her arms over her chest self-consciously. "Well I can't help that. It's all in my genes."
"Well... you can help him lift his face up a little in order to look at you in your face sometimes." Chie countered, giggling, "Save him from being a pervert."
"Honestly, Chie, you are a trip." Mai commented.
"Well we didn't meant to hold you up, Mai," Aoi informed. "I guess the Headmaster is wondering why you're a little late." Concern and hesitation were written on her baby face. She was always cute. She even looks cute when she's sleep deprived. Maybe that last line was a bit of an exaggeration. "I guess, we'll see you later, huh?"
"Yeah, you know I gotta see you at lunch period and see what's up." Chie informed, a smile on her face that told her friend to be confident. "So go up in there and get me something to talk about. And just like our friend Aoi here said, 'To hell with all the negativity!'"
The three peers laugh, their personal motto never failing them. To them, it was like Hakuna Matata and it always works in raising their buoyancy throughout countless hardships in everyday life. Every since elementary school this motto of theirs' keeps them coming back for more. Because they all know that the true failure in life is giving up and wallowing in despair. They have a good thing going.
"Alright." Mai nodded with an air of valor about her. "I'll catch you two later." She gave them a victory sign and about-faced and entered the Headmaster's building.
She didn't know. That girl just didn't know how much her life was about to change.
The Headmaster was in immediate sight the moment she entered. One look at her and anyone would immediately doubt that she was the chieftain of the campus. Let alone the fact that she didn't even look a day over twelve years of age. Mashiro Kazahana was too cutesy for her own good; standing approximately four feet eleven inches tall and small in stature. She has the most adorable and dramatic dark blue eyes that anyone ever saw. She was smiling pleasantly to her guest behind her desk. A maid, rather tall for a woman, bowed to Mai in welcome.
"Good morning to you, Tokiha Mai." She greeted in a very flowing voice. The voice of hers may have the graceful lilt of a singer's but her tone meant business. "Would you like a cup of tea?"
"Y-yes, thank you Ms. Kazahana." Mai stuttered, feeling a tad alienated inside the Headmaster's quarters. Everything in here felt so... regal to her. The maid pour her a cup for her.
"Do you know why you're here?" The grape haired wonder queried.
You've called my house remember? A thought on the back of Mai's head said. "I think so... You wanted to discuss about what happened yesterday, right?"
"That's right, Tokiha-san." Mashiro nodded. "You see, you've been given a gift-- don't think of it as a curse. It is understandable that people may fear or envy you because of it."
"You know, up until yesterday I used to think I was born with a curse." Mai replied solemnly. "That is until my mother gave me some encouragement."
"Hmm..." The Headmaster's smile grew even brighter. "I used to think the very same thing years ago."
Mai wasn't sure that she heard right just now. "Ms. Kazahana, are you saying that you have strange abilities... like me."
"I know it's alarming but you are not alone." Mashiro reassured. In the blink of an eye, the desk, the maid, and Mai herself were levitating.
"Whoa!" Mai shouted, she nearly fell off her floating chair.
"Wow!" Said the maid, giggling like a kid. "I'll never get tired of this."
The telekinesis ended and they were safely back on the ground. Mai gasped at the Headmaster's decidedly smug expression. "Ms. Kazahana that was amazing!" Mai exclaimed in astonishment. "So you're a mutant as well? How long did you had your powers?"
"I was born with these powers. They've been dormant since then." Mashiro replied, recalling memories. "That is until sixteen years ago when my psychic power awoke for the first time. I was no older than you were, Mai."
"So... that mean what we have is not a disease?" Mai wondered.
"No. I'm afraid not."
"Well... what now?" Mai shrugged, so curious that she was fortunate that she's not a cat. Then again, curiosity been would had killed dozens of people before it gets to that one cat. That's just the way it is sometimes. "Since there's no such thing as a cure for it. How should I learn to control it. I've managed to control my gift of flying but fire manipulation is another thing."
"Than can be arranged," Mashiro went into the desk's drawer and laid an airline ticket before here on the desk. "Say, how would spending the rest of your high school career abroad sounds to you?"
"Huh?" Mai grabbed the ticket and nearly fainted when she read it. "This is a first class trip to America!" She has always dreamed of going there.
"Yes. Someone there can help you immensely... like what he has done for me."
Mai gazed at the Headmaster for a long while. Now it was to her knowledge that her life is about to change. Everything's going to change right on the other side of the world.
PROLOGUE'S END
NEXT TIME:
I can't believe this! Whoever said changes comes suddenly they surely mean it. It looks like I'm going to live in America for a while. I'm so excited that I'm kind of sad. I have to say my farewells to my mom, Takumi, my peers-- Chie and Aoi, and even to that guy, Tate. I come to find out that there are a lot of people in this world are a lot like me and I'm a little relieved to that. As a matter of fact, there's this woman traveling along with me to the very same place in America. I wonder what kind of gift does Akane have? If that weren't enough, it looks like I'm going to be a member of the X-men. There's this woman that goes by the name FrostByte that attended to my school years ago, and there's this blonde from Saitama that calls herself the Golden Amazon. Jeez... I thought that these guys were only a myth.
Oh well, who said my stay over in American is going to be dull? See ya!
A WHOLE NEW WORLD