[Disclaimer:] I only own my characters, not any of Marvel's X-Men. But I can dream.
"speaking"
'telepathic conversation' or a thought
Isa is pronounced as E'saa ( like the letter E, Saab but no b)
If you don't know the other language, email me for translation. I'll add it next time.
Chapter 1: Refusal
The sun shined brightly on Bayville, New York in Westchester county. On the outskirts of Bayville lay a large mansion with steel fences completely surrounding it. On the front of the cast iron gates hung a simple sign, Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. Pansies and Alyssum flowers gently outlined the walkway to the main doors. Through the broad oak doors and into the decorative foyer, students ran after one another enjoying the lazy days of summer. Yet, below the foyer lies another section of the school which goes unnoticed by all visitors.
Beneath the grand staircase of the mansion runs a long hallway encased in silver walls and steel floors. Numerous levels lay below the initial entrance of the school, each leading to a unique training facility. In one of the many rooms, lies a massive spherical metal chamber slightly smaller than a football field. Outside the chamber's thick steel doors stood an agitated, ill-tempered man. Just under six feet and about the size of a small professional wrestler, the man known as Wolverine paced in front of Cerebro's exit muttering about the 'damn kids'. Suddenly the huge doors hummed to life, separating like the Red Sea. Turning his head to the sound of a motorized wheelchair, Wolverine looked at the chair's owner.
"You called Chuck?" growled the impatient man. Professor Charles Xavier smiled at his friend. "Logan, Cerebro has detected a mutant off of Route 287 in New Jersey. I could not find this mutant in the database but according to its mutant signature, it seems to be a teenager. I would like for you to bring Scott along in case the parents have any questions."
"You want me to bring Scooter along?"
"Yes. He has been here the longest and would the be the best person to...persuade the mutant."
Looking at his watch, Logan silently wished that he was still in bed and that Storm could take his place. He already had his fill of the rugrats today and it was only 10am.
'I heard that Logan.'
Logan heard the professor's voice resound in his head. 'Think of it this way,' thought Charles, 'at least you'll get out of the mansion and the only rugrat you have to watch is Scott.' Smirking at Logan the professor added, 'Storm left early to visit her sister in New York and Hank left yesterday to help Dr. Taggert on her research. You're the only one left. Besides, how hard could it be?'
Narrowing his eyes to the bald man in front of him, Logan replied, "All right Chuck. I'll give ya that. It ain't like anyone has refused you yet. You still owe me though." Logan pivoted on his heel and stalked down the corridor in search for Scott. Chuckling, the professor thought to himself, 'Well, this should prove to be interesting.'
***************************************
Off one of the many exits of Route 287 is a quiet New Jersey town which had already forgotten the events that had passes just a few days before. The once tan house with white shudders is now a mix of charcoal gray and soot. Interestingly, the house did not seem to be badly burned. It had lost its roof but the rest of the house including windows, doors, and porch still remained intact. Next to the building stood a confused fire marshal and an equally frustrated home owner. Maria Santos stood at 5'5 in her patented 'battle stance': feet apart, arms crossed, equipped with her right foot tapping impatiently on the concrete of the sidewalk. In front her, the short bearded fire marshal looked at her in disbelief.
"I just don't understand. After 25 years in this business, never in my life have I ever seen a fire that big and yet only the roof burned. It's impossible!"
Sighing rather loudly Maria shook her head and replied, "I don't understand either. But it seems that only a few places were burned. Most of the rooms are intact except for the kitchen and the master bedroom."
"It doesn't add up. It doesn't make sense!" shouted the fire marshal. Looking at the house then back at the woman before him, the fire marshal composed himself before saying, "I'm sorry for your loss. James was a good man."
Maria lowered her eyes to the ground and in quiet yet distant voice answered, "Yes, he was. Now all we can do is move on."
"You still plan on moving down to Florida?"
"Well, their grandmother is down there. My sister-in-law and niece flew up to help us pack. Everyone from the church has been very helpful but now there isn't anything up here for us anymore."
Glancing up at the sky, the fire marshal took a deep breath then, promptly coughed. The ground was still charred and the scent of burned wood filled the air. Looking at Maria, the marshal scratched his head.
"We are all praying for you. If you need help, just call." Maria only nodded in agreement. Taking one last look at the remains of the house, he shook his head and muttered to himself while walking to his car, "I just don't get it."
After watching the fire marshal leave, Maria walked toward her torched home. She and her family had been moving things out of the house and onto the lawn, separating their things and packing them for the move to Florida. Stopping, Maria looked the house that she had called home. It was the only home she knew. The one she used to feel safe in. In wonderment, she recalled the last few years there and questioned herself. 'How could this be my life? What did I do to deserve this?' Hearing a commotion coming from the living room, Maria went inside.
"Nick, would you take your hockey sticks outside already?! I keep stepping on them every time I come down the stairs." This voice belongs to the loyal but extremely tired Aunt Celeste who had flown up from Florida to help Maria pack. The house itself was in complete shambles. Boxes filled to the top with candles, picture frames, cds, books, pots, video games, and everything from any and every infomercial covered the floor of the small house. Stomping down the stairs with 3 boxes of her own things, an eighteen year old girl stepped over the jumbled mess of junk and headed her way outside.
Isabella Santos had just graduated high school 4 days before. Dropping her stuff on the ground, Isabella looked at the junk covered lawn in front of her. In a fit of frustration, she grabbed her hair and forced it into a messy bun. She is a relative plain looking girl. Her long ash brown hair had highlighted stands that for some reason were blonde only at the ends. Freckles covered most of her nose which now stood out in her tan. Isabella naturally had an olive complexion from both of her parents who came from Puerto Rico. Her ears stick out much like an elf's and even have a pointy tip. The only thing interesting are her eyes which are green like a forest's treetops on a sunny day and even had tiny golden areas in the irises. Being a plain girl wasn't bad though. Most times, people ignored her unless they knew who she was. She had a slightly athletic build. Her arms and stomach were toned but she had the dreaded Hispanic thighs and butt that wouldn't shrink no matter how hard she tried. Hearing a car coming down the street, Isabella turned to face the noise.
The small Hyundai stopped in front of the Santos home and out popped a short curly brown haired girl Isabella's age. Hannah smiled at her best friend and teased, "I always knew you were trouble. Now look what you did!"
"Ha Ha. Very funny." Rolling her eyes, Isabella took a step forward and whacked her friend on the head. "Did you come to help or to make fun of me all day?"
"To make fun of you," Hannah nodded. "So are you guys really moving?"
"If we get all this packed, we should be moving in a few days. But that depends."
"On what?"
"If Nick ever finishes packing his room. I never thought he had so much crap. It's unbelievable."
"Nick is the resident packrat. For the 13 years that I've know you, I don't think he has ever thrown anything away."
"Yea. I'll probably find the Holy Grail under his bed," joked Isabella. As they turned to face the house, Hannah paused and stared at Isabella. Looking at her friend with concern, Isabella asked her "What? Do I have something on my face?" Not answering her, Hannah kept staring. "If you keep looking at me like that your face will freeze."
In a soft tone Hannah asked "Isa, what really happened that night?"
"I told you. The kitchen caught on fire. Then so did everything else."
"Did....did you..."
Staring at her friend in disbelief, Isa whispered in a harsh voice "Did I what? Did I start it? Is that what you're asking me?"
"No. I know you didn't do that."
"Then what? You've obviously got something on your mind. So spill it."
"I have to ask. I'm sorry but...did you try to control it? I'll believe whatever you say. You know that. I don't care that you are...different."
"Gee thanks. That makes me feel sooo much better."
"Don't get sarcastic with me. I just want an answer."
Looking at Hannah, then at the charred remains of the house, Isabella took a deep breath. Lowering her eyes she quietly answered. "I...I...I tried. It was just too big."
Sensing her friend's discomfort, Hannah apologized again. "No. It's alright. I would be curious too, I suppose. I don't hate you. Just don't ask me that again. I'd rather not relive that night." Nodding at Isabella, Hannah grabbed her arm and pulled her to the house.
"Let's go make your lawn more messy!" On walking into the house, the girls heard a ruckus coming from upstairs.
"But mooom, I can't pack it yet. I have to check my emails and do other stuff. You didn't tell Isa to pack her computer. Why do I have to?" This whining came from the youngest Santos, Nicolas. Nick was thirteen years old and a computer junkie. He spent hours upon hours online either emailing, downloading, uploading, you name it, he's done it.
"No me importa.(It doesn't matter to me.) Pack it. If you won't do it, I will!" Maria looked at her son. He was already at Isabella's height and still growing. Nick attempted to give his mom the puppy dog face. Looking into his hazel eyes, she said "Pack. It. Now."
"All riiiight," he grumbled.
Taking apart his computer, Nick complained to himself. 'I always get in trouble. She never does. Stupid favorite.'
On her way down to what is now left of the kitchen, Maria yelled up the stairs. "I heard that!"
Infuriated, Nick yelled back. "Can't I get any privacy! Coño!" (Shit)
"Then stop projecting. And watch that mouth!" Upon hearing his mother, Nick slammed the door to his room. Walking into the kitchen, Maria collapsed into the nearest chair. "Someone shoot me now."
Celeste, coming up from the basement, smiled at her sister-in-law. "And then miss all the fun? Nah." After handing Maria a cup of leftover coffee, Celeste sat across from her. "It's only 1pm. This is going to take forever."
"Regretting that you flew up?"
Laughing at Maria she said, "Not in a million years." Suddenly they heard a loud "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Niiick. You are SO dead!"
Sadie walked into the kitchen soaking wet. "Look at what you son did to me Titi (Aunt). Can't he control himself?"
"He's your cousin." giggled Maria. Looking at her mom for support, Celeste only said, "Don't look at me."
"Why can't you all be normal? Now I have to go change. Again."
After walking out of the kitchen, Celeste rose out of her seat and made sure the coast was clear. After hearing the 4 other people in other parts of the house, she sat back down.
"Maria, what happened here? And don't tell me a fire because that isn't the entire truth. What's been going on here?"
"We had a fire. That's it"
"Eso es una mentira.(That is a lie.) Tell me the truth. It's not that simple. Look at this place. Only somethings are burned and others aren't? Isn't that un poco extraño?(a little odd) I know James died. But what else happened?"
"No sé. (I don't know) Nick and I went to the store for a few things and when we came home, everything was in flames."
"What about James and Isa?"
"They aren't around. They were still inside."
"Dios mio!" (My God!)
"After about half an hour Isa showed up from the back. Apparently James was killed. She said some of the beams had started falling and hit him in the head. She said he wasn't breathing." Fighting the tears, Maria breathed slowly trying to fight despair.
"Lo siento. (I'm sorry.) But this does not make sense. Maria, in a fire that bad everything should have burned!"
"Yo sé. (I know.) I can't explain it."
"Did Isa...do something?" Celeste felt horrible asking this question knowing that her niece couldn't hurt a fly. Still, times change a person.
"She said she tried to control it. To stop it. But it was too much for her. She's trying to deal with her powers."
"I know. Both of their powers are so strong. I worry about.....Did you hear that?" Hearing a car pull up by house, both women stood up to go see who would be paying the Santos a visit. As the doorbell rang, a stampede of feet hit the stairs. Nick beat Sadie to door after pushing her out the way. As he opened door, he saw the biggest men he had ever seen.
*************************************************
When they approached the house and noticed the family's belongings in boxes on the lawn. Logan knew he had little time to persuade the family. Seeing the boy before them, Scott began his usual 'gifted' speech.
"Hi. I'm Scott and this is Logan. Can we come in?" Hearing light footsteps, Logan sought out the origin of the noise. Raising his eyes, he found himself looking into a pair of green and golden eyes. They were not happy to see him.
After looking at the strangers, Isabella knew she didn't like the one with the visor. The other man was more of a mystery. "What do you want?"
"Look. We only want to talk to ya."
Noticing the look in her daughter's face, Maria walked forward to interrupt Isabella's attack. "What can I do for you? As you can see, we are somewhat busy right now."
Smelling the distrust coming from the lot, Logan tried to warn Scott to tread lightly. Scott didn't listen.
"We're from Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters in Bayville, New York. This school is designed for children who have special abilities. We know that one of your children is a mutant. We..."
"You want to take my children? Are you nuts?"
"Ma'am, we don't want to take your kids. It's a school where they can learn to control their powers. We do know that one of them has a mutant ability. We want to teach them. I am an instructor for the school."
Smelling the scent of new visitors, Bosco the brown laborador retriever ran to the living room from the kitchen. Tentative at first, he went straight to Logan and licked his boot. Bosco smelled Scott and growled. "Bosco. Stop." After getting yelled at by Maria, Bosco went to sit by Isabella. Viewing this display of dominance by Bosco, Logan decided to use another tactic.
"We are mutants but we don't train kids to kill. It's like training school for a dog. You teach dogs to control some behaviors. We teach kids to control their powers. It's that simple."
Isabella rolled her eyes. "I'm so impressed."
Hearing her sarcasm, Logan smirked at Isabella. "Would you like a demonstration?"
In a warning tone, Scott tried to stop him."Logan..."
*Skint* "Cool! I can do stuff too!"
"Nick, stop!" But Isabella's warning was too late. Nick generated a ball of water in his hand and shaped it into a dog that looked very similar to Bosco. Regaining control of the situation was not easy. After yelling at her son, Maria turned to Scott.
"I'm sorry. He doesn't normally act like this."
"Ms...."
"Santos."
"Ms. Santos, it's fine. With the professor's help, he can expand his powers and even control those impulses." Maria's laughter echoed in the room.
"Nick...be serious? What a thought!"
Waves of rage flooded Logan's nose. The familiar scent was coming from the green eyed girl. She was angry. Desperate to keep her family together, Isabella did the one thing she was good at. She fought.
"I saw you on t.v. You were fighting a huge robot. The news casters called you all... the X-men?" Seeing Scott's face turn red, egged her on. "Yea. I definitely saw you." Turning to Logan, she said "You were there too. And they called you Wolf something right?"
"Wolverine."
"Right. Wolverine. So, let me ask you, Wolverine, what makes you X-Men different from other mutant groups because it sounds it you're all gangs. You fight with each other, mutant against mutant. Is that what you to propose to teach my brother?"
"Well, ya see..."
"Professor Xavier, he wants humans and mutants to live in peace, right?"
"Yes..." Scott replied hesitantly. 'I don't a have a good feeling about this,' he thought.
"Isa...compórtate." (Behave yourself.)
Not heeding her mother's warning, Isabella continued. "See here is what I don't get, Wolverine. You fight other mutants who harm humans. You fight for humans. Yet, in the recent news, you are fighting against humans. It seems to me that you're fighting for both sides. This way, whoever wins then ensures YOUR survival but that only keeps you safe. What about the other mutants who don't fight with you?"
"Isa..."
"You all are just mercenaries. You fight for the side that will ensure only your survival."
"MERCENARIES! You think we're mercenaries?!"
"Isabella Santos! That is enough! I'm sorry.."
Scott was beside himself. An eighteen year old girl who doesn't know him just insulted him. Logan didn't know what to do. He wasn't sure if he should be angry for what the girl was insinuating or to laugh at Scott. Scooter's face became a lovely shade of lobster red.
Sensing her mother's anger, Isabella stopped talking. The damage was done. She knew they weren't going anywhere with these two men.
"Gentlemen, I'm sorry but my children are staying with me. Thank you for the offer but we must decline. Nick can already control his powers. He doesn't need any assistance. Thank your time."
Still red, Scott nodded and turned around. Logan gave Maria Xavier's card and left chuckling at himself. After closing the door, her eyes zeroed in on her daughter. She was going to get it.
"Isabella. Cocina. AHORA!" (Kitchen. NOW!) Isabella headed into the kitchen with her mother at her heels.
"What the hell was that? Strangers come into the house to help us out and you go and insult them? Are you crazy?! I did NOT raise you to be like that. Que era eso? (What was that?) I really want to hear this explanation."
"I'm sorry, but you had to admit I had a point."
"There was no point to that tirade. You insulted them so they would leave. Wasn't that your plan?"
"No. I-"
"I know what you did. I'm your mother and I'm telepathic so I know. That does not excuse your behavior."
"I didn't want them to break up the family. We just got it back together."
"Isa, I don't know what I am going to do with you. You're just like your father. You don't think before you speak."
"Thanks."
"Don't talk back to me. Don't you even DARE talk back to me!" Maria threw up her hands in frustration. "You can not throw a tantrum every time something doesn't go your way. I expect that from Nick, not from you."
"Pero mamí-" (But mom-)
"No digas una palabra mas. (Don't say another word.) This conversation is done."
"But-"
"Done!" Maria hugged her daughter. "Honey, I love you but you aren't my favorite person right now. Go pack up the things in the basement. I want to move right after James's funeral."
Isabella walked over to the basement stairs and sadly looked at her mother. Maria was on the verge of tears again for the fifth time that day. Feeling guilty, she slowly descended down the stairs. Halfway down she called out. "What about Dad's things?"
Hearing her question, Maria summoned the little voice she had left to speak. "Pack it up and put his stuff with your things."
"What about James's-"
"Throw it out. All of it"
"Mom...are you..sure?"
"Yes. It goes. All of it goes."
*************************************************
Back in Bayville, Logan and Scott had a long, quiet drive home. Scott was still irritated about what happened while visiting the Santos. As they parked the car in the garage next to Jean's SUV, Scott looked at Logan. "You don't think we're mercenaries, do you?"
"I dunno Scott. I dunno. Maybe we are. Maybe we aren't. We just want a chance like everybody else. Only the strongest survive."
Nodding his head in agreement, Scott dejectedly left the garage in search of Jean. Perhaps she could cheer him. 'If Red can't cheer up Scooter, no one can,' Logan thought to himself. Upon reaching the foyer, Logan heard the familiar sound of Xavier's wheelchair.
"Did you bring the new student, Logan?"
Chuckling to himself, Logan faced the professor. "They put up a fight. The mutant was excited about this place. But his sister...she's about as tough as Rogue. She got claws and nasty bite. I don't think she's a mutant. It seems to be only the boy. But she's got spunk. She called us mercenaries. Seems to believe we're only interested in saving our own hides."
Xavier was puzzled at the news. Sometimes parents don't like the fact their children are mutants. Yet, this is the first time a child insulted one of his team. "My, how curious. Well, there is nothing we can do about that now can we?"
"No. We can't." Logan began making his way to the kitchen to drink a beer. After this day, he needed it. Behind him, the professor called out.
"Logan, Where is the mutant? I'd like to meet him."
Facing the professor with a smile on his face, Logan responded, "Sorry Chuck, The kid ain't here. The mom refused." The look on Charles's face was priceless.
"Refused? They refused? What do you mean they refused?"
"It's alright Chuck. You'll get more kids." Turning on his heel, Logan heeded off into the kitchen leaving Professor Xavier in the foyer alone.
Not noticing that Logan had left, the Professor was going over what he just heard. Realizing that he was by himself, Xavier laughed out loud to himself. "They refused! Well, that's a first!"