Hi all, sorry it took so long to post. A series of incedents (like my internet being down, my car having a flat, and my cell phone lost) caused loads of trouble for me to do anything, let alone post a new chapter. But no worries, the next one is being written. Other than that…. Idk.
Oh yeah, I'd like to thank my reviewers, Nercia Genisis, Amarathine, Phoenix Princess555, JennMel (btw, strangely good??? Huh?), darthdrew1704, ladykind, and rogan444. I'm really happy that I got tons of reviews, yet am puzzled: how do I always have more alerts than reviews at all times?!!!
Well enjoy the story!
Part II: Life in America
Chapter 4 – Alec's Letter
A nice woman, the one Professor Xavier had mentioned a while back, finally visited the Mansion in mid-January. She was a kind, gentle old woman named Martha who talked to each of them separately about their feelings and health.
Alec was surprised to find himself spilling his whole life story to the grandmotherly woman, but she was warmhearted and compassionate and he cried his heart out over a box of Kleenex. Afterwards, Alec felt as if a great weight had been lifted off his shoulders and he was now free as a bird. The kind lady then offered to heal his near-sighted eyes and the scar on his face, and he joyfully agreed.
"There you are, child. No more need for these glasses." Martha smiled magnanimously, and then put her hand over his scar. Her brow knit in concentration as Alec felt the skin on his forehead seamlessly merge.
"That's odd," She mumbled, moving her hands away.
"Huh? What's odd?" Alec ran up to the mirror, looking at his now spectacle-less, scar-less face. "I can't believe it's all gone!" He whooped in appreciation.
"Martha, you called me?" The Professor wheeled in.
"Yes Charles," She responded pleasantly. "I just healed young Alec's scar here, but something felt off."
"What?" Alec yelped. "But I'm okay, right?"
"Perfectly fine, darling," She smiled at him. "But while the skin has healed over his scar, I'm sure the scar somehow remains." She looked a little vexed. "I suggest you monitor that, for safety's sake."
"Well, you're all done Alec!" Martha smiled at him and offered him a lollipop, which Alec readily accepted. Alec skipped out of the room, a silly smile plastered onto his face.
Martha's grandmotherly demeanor changed to a more serious one as she turned to the Professor. "I've done a lot to help the boy, but he has had a more rocky past than expected. I trust that you know his early formative years were spent with mutant haters?"
"Yes, we recognized that," The Professor agreed.
"What you might not know then, is that Alec also went through a terrible trauma around the age of one. He only vaguely remembers it, but it lingers with him. And I think it's somehow connected with that scar of his."
Xavier looked contemplative. "Hmm. No, I wasn't aware of his earlier trauma. Please add all your observations to his record, including your hypothesis about the trauma and his scar. This is all very curious."
"Indeed." Martha replied. "It would not go amiss if you repressed some memories of his earlier life for his well-being."
"I'll take that into consideration. But for now, Anna is on her way here," Both mutants looked as if they were surgeons preparing for a incredibly intricate surgery. "If you feel even the slightest pain from her, please stop me."
"Of course Charles," She said, disquieted. "I'm just as afraid of turning her into a vegetable as you are."
. The nice lady Martha left a week after she came. After Anna had her talk with Martha, she was really sleepy and didn't wake up for three days. This put the whole house in a tizzy, and Professor Xavier and Martha personally watched over her for all three days.
Alec, Jean and Scott came by to see her on the third day and brought flowers and a few toys for when she woke up. She looked completely fine to Alec, other than she was sleeping. "Come on, wake up sleepy-head," Alec called, slightly shaking her.
"Alec, please leave Anna be," The Professor admonished.
"But she's justsleeping" Alec groaned. "When will lazy bones get up?"
"M'not lazy," Anna's sleep-laced voice muttered. Instantly, the room erupted.
Dr. McCoy was the first to respond, grabbing his stethoscope and coaxing her into full wakefulness. "Anna dear, do you hear me?"
"Mhm, Dr. McCoy," She made a big yawn as the other children were corraled into the hallway.
"Can you sit up for me, dear? That's a girl. Now, what do you remember?"
"That Alec called me 'lazy bones'." Another gaping yawn. She rubbed the sand out fo her eyes. "I am not!" The adults shared a relieved smile.
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The rest of Alec's winter passed by with the speed of a hurricane right into spring. All the children seemed much happier since Martha visited, and Scott and Jean even seemed to be a little more friendly to Anna. Alec's heart did a funny twinge as he thought about Anna, and how much more bright and playful she'd become since the day she woke up. She was still worried about hurting people, but no longer sought solitude all the time. And the two of them had become much closer friends, spending nearly every waking moment together in one or another little escapade. All four children continued their counseling with Professor Xavier, and life was good.
Summer rolled in without so much as a blip of discomfort, and the kids had great fun hanging out at the pool with their school friends and going to summer camp. They continued practicing martial arts, and Anna and Jean joined the boys in their practice in the danger room. Anna threw a mean punch, as Jean found out on their first sparring match. Jean was still literally and figuratively sore about it, especially as both Scott and Alec joked about the incedent.
Time flew by and July was almost over, leaving Alec brimming with excitement. Tomorrow would be his birthday, and having spent almost two years with his adoptive family he knew there'd be a big celebration.
Alec woke up on July 31 to a squealing girl jumping on his bed. "Happeee birthday tooooo yooouuu, happeee birthdayyy tooo-"
"Anna!" Alec growled playfully, hitting her with his pillow .
"Hey!!!" Anna grabbed another pillow and started bludgeoning back, eventually sending them both sprawling onto the carpeted floor in laughter.
"Anna, you were supposed to wait for us!" Jean cried, finding Alec and Anna giggling madly on the floor.
"Oh well," Scott said carelessly and he jumped on his adoptive brother and started giving him the famed 'birthday noogies'.
"Gerroffame!" Alec squirmed as Scott counted, "…ten, eleven, and one for good luck!" Alec squeezed out of the older boy's hold and started attacking with a pillow.
"Augh! Jean, protect me from that monster!" Scott laughed as he was chased around the room.
"Sorry Scott, it's Alec's birthday. He can do whatever he wants!" Both girls tittered as the boys rampaged through the house waking everyone else up. What did it matter that it was five thirty in the morning on a Saturday?
The older mutants came down a half hour later looking like they had risen from the dead. " Good morning children, and happy birthday Alec." The professor blearily greeted, clinging to a mug of coffee. He was the last of the Professors to make it downstairs, seeing as dressing was more of a challenge. Ororo had already started an extra-strong brew of coffee, and was currently cooking a special birthday breakfast for Alec in the kitchen. Logan was muttering darkly about children and hyperactiveness to himself as he took a deep gulp of his 'specially made' coffee. Specially made as in spiked with rum. Hank on the other hand was vainly trying to stay awake, having spent most of last night staying up reading a particularly interesting medical journal.
"Is it present time yet, Professor?"Alec asked excitedly.
"Hr- um, no. Not yet, Alec. We'll leave that for your party later today." Evidently the Professor was having trouble staying awake as well.
"Oh pretty please, pretty please could I just have one for now?" Alec wheedled.
"I can give my gift to Alec," Scott volunteered.
"Let him have the present," Wolverine growled stormily. It didn't sound like a suggestion.
"Yes, go on Scott, go on," The Professor distantly answered. Alec whooped for joy as Scott ambled up the stairs to get the present.
"What did you get me Anna?" Alec said, grinning.
"None of your business yet!" She retorted.
"But you said I could know on my birthday! It's my birthday!" Alec had been haggling all the kids about his presents for the last few days.
" Well, I didn't say when on your birthday," She smiled wickedly and stuck out her tongue.
"What did you get me Jean?" Alec asked, turning to the other side.
" A Transformer. You seem to like them a lot." Anna looked scandalized while Alec did a little victory dance.
"But you're not supposed to tell him what his present is!" Anna cried.
Jean smiled, laughing. "It's his birthday, he gets what he wants."
Wolverine let out what sounded like a small roar."I don't care whose birthday it is, the noise level in this room better drop by half or I might not feel too kindly about you munchkins."
The kids covered their mouths, but couldn't help from bubbling with laughter. "This must be my penance," Logan ground out, head thudding on the table.
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Alec's party was going on in full swing. It was a water balloon/pool party, and he had invited twenty of his school friends.
Anna swam around having great fun showing off her spandex diving suit, flippers and snorkel to some of their school friends, while Alec and Scott lead opposing sides of the watter balloon battle that Mr. McCoy jokingly named 'Waterloo' (most of the kids didn't get the joke). Mr. McCoy himself was of particular interest to the school children.
"So, what are you 'supposed to be, the Hulk?" Said a boy.
"Nah! The Hulk's green, 'member?" Another one responded.
Hank laughed. "No, I'm called the Beast!" He roared and started 'catching' the kids as they ran away hollering in excitement.
Jean was sitting at the pool side with a few of her friends chatting, while Logan guarded the barbecue, flipping burgers and hot dogs. Soon it was time for cake, and a small wet army sat around the outdoor porch table as Alec blew out the candles.
Soon after came present time, and Alec made a veritable mess of boxes and wrapping paper as he charged through his pile of presents. He politely thanked each person as he opened the gifts as the Professor had told him, while Ororo wrote a list of names and presents so he could write thank you cards later.
Alec nearly squeezed Anna to death when he opened her present to find a book all about Great Britain. Although Alec did not have many happy memories of his life in London, he still felt a longing for the place.
Finally the party petered down as their friends were picked up by their parents one by one. Alec dutifully said goodbye to all of them, waving as the last one left.
"Oh Alec, I found this in the mail for you," Ororo handed Alec a letter. Alec sat down of the front stairs and opened it.
Dear Alec Xavier,
I am pleased to inform you that you are a Wizard, and have been accepted by the New York Academy of Magical Arts. Established in 1804, this Academy has been designed to welcome and help magical people of all races, creeds, and gender to develop their special gift.
According to our records, your parents/legal guardians are not registered as witches or wizards, so we understand that there might be some skepticism about the validity of this letter. Enclosed is a packet for you and your parents/legal guardians to peruse and help with your understanding of your new-found gift.
For a tour of the Academy, please send the attatched form via standard mail. A representative will visit shortly afterwards to introduce the student and family to magic, while giving a tour of the Academy.
Sincerely Yours,
Amanda Lin
Deputy Headmistress
There was a form and a list of things for the next few pages, but Alec excitedly flipped past it and grabbed the pamphlet attatched to the letter. It was labeled: You and Your Magical Gift. It had a picture of a boy and a girl holding wands with colored sparks flying from the tips. Alec watched the picture in fascination as the children on the cover twirled around and laughed, their sparks landing on one or the other every so often.
"It's moving!" Alec muttered to himself, astounded.
"What's moving?" Anna asked, wrapped in a towel. She was still in her dripping wet dive suit.
"C'mere, look at this!" Alec exclaimed. Anna came over and sat down by him, her eyes going round as she looked at the picture.
"Alec, what is this?!" Anna exclaimed.
"Here, look at the letter," he answered, giving her the parchment. Anna's eyes flew over the paper.
"You're- awizard?" Anna replied, stunned.
Alec grinned proudly. "Guess I am," He flipped to the next page of the pamphlet, titled: What is Magic?
"Anna, Alec, would you please come inside?" Beast called from the front door.
"Just a second Mr. McCoy! I wanna finish reading my letter!" Alec called back.
"Only a moment moment more, then. Who's the letter from?" Hank walked out, ready to shaperone the children inside.
"Amanda Lin, Deputy Headmistress," Anna recited.
"That's nice-" Hank doubled back. " Who?"
Anna giggled. "I just told you silly. It says Amanda Lin, Deputy-"
"May I see the letter, Alec?" Henry asked. Alec nodded and handed the pamphlet and parchment over. The furry blue man read the papers, his expression going from annoyance, to incredulity, to awe. Anna and Alec distractedly waited for him to finish reading the letters, prattling on about magic and cauldrons and spells "Oh my stars and garters," Dr. McCoy finally breathed, having finished reading it over.
"Isn't it cool? I'm a wizard!" Alec said excitedly, hopping around. "Can I go, please-please-please??"
Beast seemed to have barely heard Alec. "Why don't we show this to Professor Xavier, hm?"
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The whole mansion had gathered in the break room
"Hello everyone," The Professor began, "I'm sorry for having interrupted our plans to go to the movies (a collective groan from the kids). However, something of greater significance has been brought to my attention. Our young friend Alec received a letter this afternoon explaining that he is, in fact, a wizard."
Ororo and Logan shared expressions of skeptical disbelief.
" You're a wizard? Really?" Jean asked Alec. "But my parents told me magic was just make believe!"
"How do they know you're a wizard?" Scott asked, perplexed. " You don't look like a wizard to me, just Alec!"
"Well I am," Alec countered stubbornly.
"There is no mistake. Alec actually is, a wizard." The Professor echoed, a little surprised himself at his words.
"Forgive me Professor," Ororo spoke up, "but how can this be real? I grew up around Shamans and healers; most of them were frauds, and the few who weren't had mutant powers for validity. What makes you think this is real?"
"Trust me Ororo, I would have been just as doubtful as you if not for the letter, and the fact that what it said made sense." The Professor handed the papers over for Logan and Ororo to peruse.
"For the past two years I have been baffled over Alec's powers. His ability was sporadic, inconsistent, continually changing, and completely undetectable. I initially thought the indetectability had something to do with Alec's powers, but this hypothesis was rather weak. Yet now I am sure: Alec is not a mutant at all, but a wizard."
The table broke out into conversation. "Alec, can you teach me some magic?" Anna asked.
"Sure, no problem!" Alec crowed. He scratched his head. "Once I learn it, I guess…"
The Professor quietly coughed for attention. "In light of the fact that Alec is not a mutant, but a wizard, I believe it is in our best interests that we should all visit this 'Academy'." The room buzzed with excitement.
"Wow, we get to see the place too?" Jean asked, stunned.
The Professor smiled. "Indeed. I just sent out a form asking for a tour. I expect they will send a response within a few days-"ding-dong.
Everyone looked towards the front door. "Who the hell got by the security systems?" Wolverine growled.
"Logan,language" Ororo rebuked half-heartedly ; she too was surprised by the mysterious called who had made it to their front door without ringing from the gates. Ding-dong, the doorbell went off again.
"Everyone, on your guard," Beast reminded as they walked over to the foyer.
"Children, stay back," Ororo instructed. The kids scuttled up the staircase, taking shelter behind two greco-style statues. Ding-dong. Ding-dong. Whoever it was was getting impatient.
Hank grabbed the handle and looked at Logan. "On the count of three," Logan nodded, understanding.
"One, two, three!" The door was flung open, and Wolverine sprang out in all his raging glory, claws extended and growling fearsomely.
"AAHHHH!!!!" A thin young man screeched, and jumped away just in time to miss Wolverine's claws. He fumbled with his robe, eyes agog as he watched the burly man turn around.
"Please, please! Don't attack!" Quivering, he pointed a shaking wand at the growling mutant. "How'd I get roped to this job…"
"Wolverine, wait," The Professor called. "Dear sir, are you by any chance a representative for the New York Academy of Magic?"
"What else would I be!" The man spluttered, seeing he was no longer in danger."Didn't you just send a request for a tour of the school?"
The Professor looked startled. "Yes, but only a few minutes ago. The letter surely couldn't have arrived…"
"Muggles," The man groused.