A/N: It's been too long, but I'm back.
This chapter takes place during the Forge episode. #7.
Ch 6: Cloudy Crystal
The Charles Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters was situated near a cliff overlooking the sea, near a small forest, and open grass area all nicely locked away behind a fence towards the front of the mansion. Crystal learned that there was a specially designed training room beneath this impressive house called the Danger Room, where the resident students could learn to control their abilities. She learned this from Evan who, in the excitement of her moving into the mansion, told her everything. Crystal could tell he was happy for her, but still had to adjust to the idea that she was a mutant too. Crystal, herself, was still wrapping her head around it.
She was surprised to hear that she would be going to a regular high school. She had thought that all her learning, both mutant and academic, would be taught right there at the mansion. She was sitting in her new room with Evan when he told her. "The Professor says we need to know how to blend in with humans. Something about we're still part of that community or something."
Crystal asked, "But we have to hide our powers?" She shrugged and reasoned, "Well, I guess I don't mind. I'd probably go crazy if I was completely cut off from the world. And it was nice of your Aunt to give me a lesson."
"Yeah, Aunty O's really cool. Don't tell her I said that." Evan said. Crystal rolled her eyes at him. "Just givin' ya a heads ups, Chrys, the one to watch your mouth with is Wolverine. Dude's got a temper on him."
"Worse than yours?" Crystal smiled putting away some her clothes into her new dresser.
Evan wasn't joking though. "Way worse. All about the training. All claws."
Crystal got the hint. "Noted, Evan." Crystal looked around her new room. It was much bigger than her old one. There was even a view! All her old window showed was the next door neighbor's house. Storm (Crystal knew about the code names thing) had told her it was all hers for now, but not to be surprised if she received a roommate later on. Walking over to Evan, Crystal plopped down on the bed next to him. Sighing, she said, "This is just so unreal!"
Evan smiled over at her. Crystal was having fun with this. Which was good, because after yesterday, he never wanted to be on the receiving end of her rage! Storm seemed to be especially happy that there was a student with similar powers to her own. Everyone hoped that would mean an easier progression. Crystal and Evan would also be in the same school again! Crystal got her schedule ahead of time, and they even shared two classes together. All in all, Evan was finally thinking that coming to the Institute was the best thing ever!
It was only around ten, Evan and the rest of the X-men had already gone to school. While Crystal was registered, she wouldn't be going to school until tomorrow. The Professor wanted to be sure that Crystal could control her powers enough. He, Storm and Wolverine would run her through some tests first to see how strong she was and what triggered her powers when she needed them. Out by the cliff, Crystal stood the mansion's faculty. As she stood there in her own 'civilian' clothes, the other three were either dressed in uniform or formal wear.
"Uhhhhh..."Crystal started to ask.
"Uniform ain't optional. But you have to earn it." Wolverine said to her.
Her unasked question answered, Crystal turned her attention to Storm and Professor X. "We just want you to feel comfortable when displaying your powers." The Professor explained, "Ordinarily we would send you through a test run in the Danger room to assess your skills, however, Storm and I believe it would be more beneficial-"
Wolverine cut him off, "Show us what you got and then we'll give ya yer stripes."
Okay, I think I get the dynamic for these two. But what about Evan's aunt? Storm wasn't even phased by Wolverine's impatience. Still looking so composed, she stepped forward and spoke directly to Crystal. "Crystal, if you don't mind, could you tell me how you discovered your powers?"
Crystal thought that this question might come up, so she had her answer already. "It... happened right after you and Evan left, Storm... I went and broke up with Pietro-"
"And how did you feel when that happened?"
What? Well... okay. "Um... really mad. I was sad, confused, I felt betrayed..." This was very uncomfortable for Crystal to talk about. "But... It also felt good... and bad. I mean, I lost Evan and Pietro all at once. I was... upset. But at the same time I felt..." Crystal searched for the right word. "Untethered?" Memories of her meeting with Magneto came to her mind. He had called her breaking free of her friends her evolution. What she had felt that day had been new for sure, but if she had to say Crystal's overall feeling about that time were... "It's like I felt bad for losing something, but it was a long-time-coming sort of thing." She wasn't even sure if her explanation made any sense.
Yet Prof. X didn't seem like he disapproved of her answer. "This may surprise you Crystal, but more often than not a mutant's powers reveal themselves under severe stress or emotional turmoil." Right from the moment Crystal saw Prof. Xavier she felt so at ease. She thought that maybe it was because she was used to being around a wheel-chaired father-figure. It seemed like he didn't even need telepathy to get into her head, the way he talked to everyone, with understanding and respect, made others want to respond the same way back.
"Well..." Crystal knew it wasn't the 'sad' emotions that triggered her powers. She had only started cheering up lately when she finally met Evan and came to join the X-men. "So... I'm not exactly sure how to do this wind thing."
"Porcupine might beg to differ." Wolverine stated. Evan, backed up by Jean and Scott, had told the adults everything about Crystal helping them catch Quicksilver. "Daniels got the bare gist of his powers in less than a week of hard training," Wolverine walked right up to Crystal's with his trademark I-don't-trust-you growl, "and then you come in with only a few day's powers and knock that little speedster on his rear."
Crystal glared back, but it was a defensive kind of glare. Wolverine reminded her of some of her dad's army buddies. Her sweet, tough, rugged uncles taught her to punch, kick and aim. For the first time, Crystal didn't stutter or hesitate. "Cause I was training my own butt of back in New York whenever I could! I feel like I've explained this a hundred times, but this sudden change was all too convenient. Evan was able to hide his powers for two years so he had some control over them from self-teaching, and Piet- Quicksilver, had years of overestimating himself. And my powers are different from theirs. I didn't want to destroy my entire house by accident!"
How dare this man question all her hard work? Crystal was proud of the progress she had made on her own. She knew she needed help. Of course she had limits. But she wanted to prove she was worth everyone's time. She might not have wanted her powers, but they provided her a new chance. Crystal stood with her arms folded, glaring up at Wolverine. Maybe if she had known about the man's reputation she would have backed off, but Crystal had a certain stubbornness that wouldn't let her pride of all her hard work be shaken. She'll do the work, she'll take the chance, and no one can tell her she can't do it.
He didn't smile, but Wolverine silently approved of her response. She was stubborn like Porcupine. Storm came up and stood between the two of them. "There's nothing wrong with that, Crystal. In fact that shows how hard you've worked. You should be proud of how you learned to handle your powers in so short a time." Wolverine rolled his eyes at Ororo's coddling as he went back over to Charles.
Now having Crystal all to herself, Storm spoke face-to-face to the child. "Crystal, your power is strong and can be very dangerous if left unchecked."
"But I can't just shut off my emotions!" Then Crystal asked, "Can I?"
"Of course not." Storm assured her. "Our emotions are part of what makes us human. Likely, your powers responded to your distress and created the wind from your subconscious. My powers are the same. I lose control of my focus and my feelings take over, the result is a great flux in my powers. The results are devastating to say the least." By the tone of her voice, Crystal could tell Storm was recalling some times when she lost control of her powers. If anything, her face showed it was not worth it. Then the woman recovered and said, "So I will be your aid through your training. Aerokinesis 101."
With that Storm took Crystal by the hand and guided her over to the edge of the cliff. Crystal looked down to see the waves below crashing up against the rock. "Am I supposed to jump?" Crystal asked, slightly terrified.
Storm just lightly laughed. "No, I want you to fly." Storm merely kicked off the ground and floated up just a short way away. "Call on the wind to lift you up and over to me. Aerokinesis is the extention of your will. Your powers activate in times when you feel you are in danger and need to defend yourself or others. If you start to fall I can easily catch you. For now just go up."
Crystal couldn't help but stare up at Storm for a moment. She made it look and sound so easy. Storm obviously had been doing tricks with the wind and weather long before the girl before her was even born. Crystal took a deep breath and said, "Okay... I'll try."
Doing what Storm asked, Crystal focused a little. Okay wind, carry me up. The only wind blowing was the one Storm had summoned. Come on, I can feel you there. Just take me off the ground a little! With no results, Crystal's thoughts became more frustrated. You worked last night until you gave me a headache! You've dropped me in the park and torn apart my room but you won't do a simple little request! Get me off the ground!
Crystal growled in frustration. "Urgh! I can't do it!"
Storm came back and lightly landed in front of Crystal. She began by assuring the girl, "It's alright, Crystal. These tests are only for you to learn how your power works. Perhaps you're tired from your adventures last night?"
"No!" Crystal protested, "I feel fine! My powers only quit until I get a serious headache and I have to stop. I don't have a headache and I can't even feel my powers!"
Prof. X had been silently listening to Crystal as she focused before. She had done exactly as Storm told her. "Hold on, Crystal." Prof. X calmly wheeled himself up. "You said that you can 'feel' your powers. Can you tell me what that means?"
"Yes, Professor." Crystal spoke more evenly as she tried to explain it. "It's kind of hard to describe, but whenever I tried commanding the air back home, it didn't always come to me. It's like... I don't know, like I need to feel a connection before I can do anything. And even then I can only use my powers for a few minutes."
The Professor brought his hand to his chin, thinking this through. "I see." This was very interesting to Charles Xavier. At first he had assumed that Storm and Crystal would be able to work on the child's powers together based on their similarity. They both commanded a force of nature, yet unlike Storm, Crystal could not access it at will. "This brings up quite a bit for us to consider. Perhaps we should run some tests in the Danger Room after all. I'm sorry to say, Crystal, but we may have to delay your entry to Bayville High for a short time..."
From behind the Professor, Wolverine watched as the little girl's face dropped in disappointment. Sheesh, all this pressure over the kid trying to fly on command! Chuck and Storm were being way too pen and paper about this when she had already done it. Wolverine strode right past the Professor and stood right in front of the windrider. The Professor became silent and Storm walked behind to stand with her friend. The way Crystal looked at Wolverine, she was intimidated, but she wasn't backing down. She stood there looking up at him like he was about to insult her. The girl had fire.
"Just do what ya did on that roof." Wolverine said.
Crystal stood still for a moment, nodded once, and then turned back to the cliff. The adults stood behind her, waiting. There was a good wind blowing, Crystal could feel it on her skin. That wasn't the connection she was waiting for. She spread out her hands and opened her palms out to the ocean, like she was catching the breeze in her hand. The wind couldn't be stopped by her hands, it could only be redirected. It could be present in a silence or roaring in chaos. There was no limit to its form or place on Earth.
It was the freest thing in existence.
To take it on, to work with it, Crystal had to feel that same kind of freedom. When she could feel it there Crystal knew she was in control. I know you're there. You're all around here. Lift me up. All of you.
The breeze suddenly picked up. Storm and Wolverine felt the change and the Professor shielded his eyes from the gust. They watched as Crystal's clothes were whipped around by the wind, her hair blowing behind her. Then slowly, she was lifted off the ground. Just an inch at first, and then Crystal shot off like a rocket in to the sky. "Wa-hoo!" Spreading her arms like an eagle Crystal spiraled, flipped and twirled up in the sky! "Yeah!"
Wolverine looked up at her proudly. "Yep. You're welcome, Chuck."
"Fascinating." The Professor said in wonder. "Could it be possible that visually similar mutant abilities have different forms of access?"
Storm looked on with a more serious expression. "That could be one explanation." Storm had to admit that she was a little disappointed that Logan had helped the girl. And it seemed that their powers weren't quite the same after all. Then again, she was still flying. Storm took off to join Crystal leaving the two men on the ground.
Crystal enjoyed her freedom, forgetting about those watching below. "Ha ha! I've never done this before!" Storm looked on as the girl had her fun. She was playing. Storm did find that rather cute. A little elemental just floating up in the clouds like it was her new playground.
Storm gracefully flew up to Crystal, thinking they should get back to the others. Crystal, however, had other ideas. When she saw Storm coming to get her, Crystal took a deep breath and blew. The wind from her mouth blew like a funnel down, around and behind Storm, making the woman's black cape fly up and block off her sight. Crystal giggled as Storm struggled to remove it off her head.
Crystal giggled again as she did a flip in the air and flew off. Finally throwing her cape back behind her, Storm shook her head but smiled in mirth. "So this little imp wants to play? Alright."
Storm took off after Crystal. Storm flew a length higher and slightly behind the blonde so that she would not be seen. Storm moved one hand in front of her, creating her own funnel and sending down. Unaware, Crystal looked down over the sea. She didn't feel the least bit afraid. It felt so good to be up there. There was no hard Earth beneath her feet, there wasn't anything beneath her feet! Crystal's father had asked her why she wasn't terrified when she first took off flying. Crystal's response had been: 'I'm afraid of falling, not flying.' It was true. Crystal was absolutely afraid of nothing up in the air!
That is, until she found herself enveloped by a mysterious wind! "Hey!" Crystal cried out. She couldn't control being spun around!
Storm just smiled as she manipulated the wind to her will. "Crystal, you little delight. But you aren't the master here~." Storm only meant to keep Crystal in the air tunnel for a few seconds, and then release her. Storm was just having a little fun! It had been years since she had actually used her powers for fun. Before Crystal she hadn't even found someone to fly with, let alone ride the wind with.
At first Crystal was enjoying this too. She knew it was Storm who had her trapped. Her competitive nature, however, wouldn't allow her to stay trapped for long. How nice of Storm to provide the air! Crystal smiled to herself as she brought the air and seemingly cradled it to her chest. She then released it in one giant burst, freeing her! She looked over at Storm who had a look of mixed surprise and amusement. Crystal was feeling pretty proud too.
And then she fell.
"Heeeeeellllllppppp!" Crystal couldn't get her powers to come back, so she called out to Storm.
Immediately acting, Storm dove down after Crystal. Extending her arms out as they both plummeted towards the sea, Storm called out. "Crystal, take my hand! Crystal!"
Crystal's hands were already out in front of her. But she wasn't even trying to reach for Storm. Her arms waved back and forth like she had no control over them. Like she wasn't even awake. That was because, when she saw Storm, flying at her with her hair going in every direction, a jolt ran through Crystal's body. And something like a dream overshadowed her sight.
The sky was dark and should have been filled with stars. Instead Crystal saw flames before her eyes. Flames and a city. A city with people running in panic. Crystal felt scared, absolutely terrified. She knew because the only reason she was moving was someone pulling her arm and making her run forward. Hopefully taking her away from the flames.
The image changed.
The sky was clearer now. No more smoke and flames. Wind was rushing past Crystal's ears as she clung onto something. Another person. "Crystal?" The person she was hanging onto said her name. But the voice echoed so much in crystal head she could just barely tell it was another child. Crystal saw more red, like the flames. Then suddenly, Crystal was falling.
"Crystal!"
The flames reached after her as she fell out of the sky it seemed. She fell. The flames and other child faded from her sight. Darkness followed.
"Crystal!" Storm had just managed to catch up to Crystal and grab her while they were still up high. "Crystal, that was not funny! What were you-? Crystal...?" Crystal hung herself around Storm's shoulders. Storm could hear the girl breathing in and out as if in panic and there was even a slight sobbing sound. "Crystal?" Storm wrapped her arms around the girl comfortingly. Like she had with Evan when he was very small. "What happened? Hold on, I'll take you back to the mansion." Storm flew her back to the cliff where the Professor and wolverine were waiting for them.
A distances away, well out of range for the Professor and Wolverine to tell he was there, Pietro had ditched school to see what his father said was true. Sure enough, he had seen Crystal frolicking through the air with Storm. At first Pietro had felt deeply betrayed when he heard this. She was with the X-men! She was with Evan and his father's greatest enemy/best friend? Yeah, I will never understand that.
But what Pietro had thought when he saw Crystal here was that she somehow looked even more beautiful. Her hair was defying the laws of gravity as it followed the path of her flight. When it hit the sun, her hair almost resembled angel wings. Crystal herself looked like an angel. Pietro heard her laugh; the sweet melodic sound that was so infectious. He couldn't see her face, but he knew she was happy.
And then that witch. Storm, had dropped her! Pietro nearly took off running to catch her before he stopped himself. "Hmph!" Pietro crossed his arms and leaned against the nearest tree. "Why should I care? I don't! Icouldn'tcareless!" Crystal was a traitor. She had chosen Evan over him and then became a mutant for those goody-goody X-men. Pietro thought that Crystal had been a mutant for more than just a few days. Since she had kept Evan a secret so well, she must have also kept her own powers quiet!
For how long though?
By the way she had just used them, she still might be just above an amateur. But how could two active mutants been right under his nose for years and Pietro not know?! Then have the ability to take him down? It wouldn't happen next time, Pietro swore to that. And Crystal... his father had ordered Pietro never to harm her. Hey, he didn't say to stay away from her. Which slightly disturbed the speedster as he ran back to school.
What plans did Magneto have for this elemental belle?
Later at the mansion, Crystal was sent to take a rest in her room. Prof. X and Wolverine had seen her fall, and Crystal was shaking from the images she had seen. "What was that?" Crystal wondered staring up at the ceiling. She had fallen before with her powers (quite recently too) and nothing had happened. Was it because Storm was there? Or maybe it was because Crystal had snuck into the wrong movie and just randomly pulled up these images. She groaned, covering her eyes with her arm. "What am I gonna do?" The images seemed so real, overlapping reality and yet seemed so distant.
What was worse was that Crystal felt she had completely screwed up her powers test. She had actually cried, and Storm had needed to carry her back! While the Professor and Storm had assured her that everything was okay, Crystal couldn't help but feel that she had failed. "If they happen again I'll just block them out!" Crystal declared, sitting up. "I'll just have to explain to the Professor that it never happened before and it won't ever again." Crystal got off her bed and started walking to the Professor's office.
As she approached the closed to door, Crystal got ready to knock when she heard the Professor's voice. "...concerning. Crystal had amazing control for being so new a mutant, though when she fell she seemed almost traumatized."
She could hear them from the keyhole. Curious, Crystal listened in. Storm spoke next. "It isn't a fear of heights, I can assure you of that, Charles. But she did tell us how she controls her powers. I would feel comfortable with her going to the school tomorrow and then begin her Danger Room training."
Crystal smiled. It sounded like Storm thought she was ready, and Crystal did understand why the Professor was concerned. She thought now would be a good time to knock and announce her presences when the third voice said, "Ya just gonna stand out there all day, Goldy Locks?"
Wolverine.
Crystal shuddered from the shock of being found out. She nervously laughed as she opened the door. "Sorry, I heard you all talking and didn't want to interrupt." Storm and Prof. X seemed to buy it, Wolverine was a bit harder to read.
"That's quite alright, Crystal." The Professor assured her. "Did you by any chance hear what we were talking about?"
"I heard your voices, but I wasn't listening that closely." She lied.
"Well, then," The Professor said, "would you mind telling us about how you feel about going back to the world tomorrow?"
Crystal thought about it for a second and said, "Um... I guess if there's no real problem with my powers?"
That was when Storm chimed in. "I am a little concerned about earlier." She was referring to Crystal fall back to Earth. If Storm hadn't been there the girl would have had a very damaging fall.
Crystal quickly replied. "Yes! Uh, that... That's never happened before. I think I just went into shock from the height. I don't think that's likely to happen at school, is it? I mean, I don't do a lot of sports or anything that would need me to fall over five feet, right?"
Professor X picked up on her nervousness. He didn't try to pry into her mind, partly because of his ethics and partly because Crystal seemed to trying her best at being open. She wanted to learn how to use her powers and she also wanted to continue leading a normal life. He didn't see any real need to keep her from one either.
"If there is, we can write you a note." Was the Professor's attempt at a joke. Both Wolverine and Storm sent him an odd look. "I will call the school and ask one of the other students to pick up your schedule today. Your books should arrive with the mail."
Everything seemed to be coming together. Crystal clasped her hands together in excitement and went to go walk out.
Then the Professor recalled one last thing. "Oh, and Crystal?"
She paused half-way through the door. "Yes, Professor?"
"While you're here, please treat this place as your home. You're here to learn about your powers, but do not forget there are other aspects of life that are just as important."
When Crystal left the room the three adults were alone again. Wolverine waited until he actually heard Crystal's steps go far enough away before he said. "I don't think we have much to worry about that one. If I didn't see her out with Storm a while age, I'd have thought she was just another kid."
"The trauma has me concerned." Storm told the two men. "Crystal confirms she never had that happen before. But I'm not so sure she was telling us the whole truth."
Charles nodded. "I do agree with you, Storm. But when Crystal first came to us I sensed she was keeping something from us."
This brought up something else Wolverine was suspicious about. "Yeah that's another thing. Kid's powers are brand new to her; even a week's worth a self teachin' couldn't get her this far."
"Crystal has always been a hard worker." Storm was quick to defend Crystal. She was Evan's friend and while Storm couldn't say she knew her on a personal level, she knew enough from Evan. "Even before she found her powers, Evan's told me that once Crystal focuses on a goal there is no throwing her off. Though I worry that may be another form of stubbornness."
Charles calmly smiled at his two friends. "Regardless in either case, I believe Crystal shouldn't be treated any differently than our other students. If these traumatic episodes keep occurring during her training, I'll suggest a few sessions with me."
"Why not do that straight off the bat?" Wolverine argued.
"Because I don't use my powers that way, Logan." Said the Professor, "I will not look into Crystal's mind without her consent. And I should probably inform Jean to do the same." Xavier knew Jean meant well, but might not be able to resist if she was no fully informed. "That way they'll be someone keeping an eye on her, just in case."
Storm and Wolverine seemed to agree that this was the best decision.
As Wolverine left the room, she sniffed the air where Crystal had been. He didn't know how to explain it to either 'Chuck' or Storm, but there was something... odd about that girl's sent. What's more, she almost always acted nervous when she spoke with the X-men. She responded well to adults, and definitely was no push over. But it was like she had to think about what to say to anyone else. Wolverine decided that the best he could do was keep an eye on the kid and wait to see what happened. If anything did, he would do what he does best.
Crystal had made it back to her room. Cautiously she closed the door. Don't want it to slam. Then she thought of sending an email to her dad, to tell him how she was doing. When Crystal went over to her bed, where her laptop sat recharging, her eye caught a bit of color over by her desk. Crystal automatically turned her head and looked. There, in an elegant, curvy vase was a bouquet of flowers. At the center was a group of begonias, surrounded by a larger circle of white chrysanthemums, and an even larger ring of yellow marquerile.
Any girl would have sighed 'Aww!' and run over to see who they were from. Crystal did not. Because she saw sticking out of the side was a lone iris flower and a single card was tied to its stem. Crystal picked that up first and examined it.
It read: They are watching you. He is watching you.
Crystal's frown shifted to a look of concern as she looked at her beautiful present. As a kind of a passing fancy, Crystal had looked up and learned the language of flowers when she was younger. It was a girly past time to see the pretty flowers around her and make out their secret meaning. These, however, were not friendly of even romantic gifts. The center flower, begonias, meant 'warning'. Hence the note. While the chrysanthemums were a flower of loyalty and faithfulness. And the marquerile was 'I come soon'.
So the message is: Beware where your loyalty lies, I am coming soon.
Very ominous to say the least.
"Boy, these guys..." Crystal knew she would have to watch her step. But who had given her these flowers?
Way later that night, the other X-men had returned home. Crystal had been worried until she ran into Storm. Scott had called and said that Kurt had gone missing. Evan filled her in on the details before everyone left for Duncan Mathew's party.
"A pocket dimension?" Crystal asked in disbelief as they sat on the steps in the foyer. "Evan, c'mon, you can make up a better excuse for being late than that!"
Evan said, "I'm not! And it was a parallel dimension, Crystal."
"Oh, excuse me." Crystal sarcastically replied. "Here I am with the A in science class, and I can't name all the dimensions."
Evan leaned back onto the stairs. "Hey, I'm not looking to be the expert. Besides after what happened today, I'm just fine with my dimension being the only dimension."
"Still, you had a more exciting day than me. I just learned how to fly. But I think I mastered falling."
"You fell?" Evan asked, worried. "What happened?"
Crystal explained briefly. "We were just flying around over the cliff when I lost control. Your aunt caught me in time, but I think the rest of my training will be done in that Room from now on."
Evan looked up at her for a second. He caught the note of disappointment in her voice. He knew that Crystal had a 'thing' about failing. It was the norm that she expected a lot from herself. She did not always succeed, but Crystal always did her best. It was when she felt that she utterly failed that she would ever seem down.
"Sweet!" Evan cheered brightly. "Maybe we can work it so that we're a tag-team. Ya know? I shoot out by biggest, baddest spikes and you can blow them to any target."
Crystal weakly smiled, "Huh, that would actually be a good idea." Thinking about it was quite the visual: Evan shooting out a spike and then Crystal would change the wind to blow it at their target. "Let's just wait until I can hold my powers for a good solid hour, okay?" Even as she said it, Crystal's voice trailed off.
Evan knew it, Crystal was off her game. Now to most people, having the night in with their best friend would be the ideal way to show support. Others would invite them to the big party they were going to. While Evan did consider that option, he came up with a third answer which doubled as an opportunity for him.
"Hey, Crystal, let's go out!"
Crystal smiled and laughed from her nose. Then she did a double-take and asked, "What?"
Evan spoke slower. "Will you, Crystal Philips, go for a night on the town with me?"
Crystal continued to look at him questioningly. The word 'date' didn't cross her mind. The idea just didn't make sense to her. "Aren't you going to that party tonight?"
Evan waved off the idea, "Meh, it's at the house of some freshman-hating football jerk anyway. Besides, you haven't really had a good look around Bayville, have you?"
"Neither have you." Crystal pointed out. "Haven't you only been here, like, a week longer than me?"
Count on Crystal to bring out the details. "Well... Now that you're here: I got someone I can go out and have fun with!"
He pulled that out of his hat. She knew what Evan was doing. Or she thought she knew. A good time out might be the thig to make her feel better in all this. Crystal really hadn't done anything for fun in over a week, and part of her wanting to come here had been to still be around Evan. "Okay!" Crystal cheered pumping a fist in the air. "Crystal and Evan are attacking Bayville tonight!"
The two friends 'attack' however would only last two hours. Ororo dropped them off on the main street telling them she would pick them up around 10. The two of them walked side-by-side trying to pick something to do.
"How about a movie?" Crystal suggested.
"Normally I would say yes. But tht kinda defeats the purpose of us being 'out, ya'know?" Evan said.
"True." Crystal looked around. Some of the stores would be closed in an hour, not that she or Evan had brought much money to make a night of buying things. Crystal then remembered some words of wisdom from her dear father in New York: If you're gonna shop til you drop, better fill up first.' Neither of them had eaten much that night. When Evan and his friends got home way after class was out, Crystal had waited along with the rest of the house and skipped dinner. So the while most of the house was planning to eat at the party, Evan hadn't gotten anything to chow down on since lunch.
"That looks good!" Crystal pointed over to a sandwich and salad bar called Deli-Lisicious.
"Man, Crystal!" Evan groaned. "Why do you always have to pick the healthy food! Can't you just have a burger or hotdog with a soda once in a while?"
"There, my dear Evan, lies the problem of our friendship. I'll never understand why you chug down those chemical drinks, and you'll never understand how good it feels to have your body replenished by nature's bounty."
The fight ended with them going into the sandwich shop. Crystal getting her sandwich with every kind of vegetable with only turkey in between the bread, and Evan going full-on carnivore. The place wasn't all that bad, and by the time they finished their food, the two friends stayed in the store and to talking.
"Wolverine's actually pretty cool, Chys." Evan told her a little about the other residence of the mansion. "Dude's pretty growly most of the time, but he's kinda got this protective-of-my-turf-and-people kinda thing, ya know?"
Crystal looked down at her drink of lemonade as she answered. "I dunno. I got this feeling during my training session that he doesn't quite like me here." Even after her training session. Crystal could feel that she was getting odd looks from Wolverine's direction. She knew he suspected her of something. Those flowers back in her room creeped into her mind. Should I have thrown them away? I didn't because it seemed so wasteful...
"Nah," Evan assured her. "He just needs a little time to get used to having you around."
Crystal laughed awkwardly. "For real? He's not gonna eat me when my back is turned?"
Evan guessed that Crystal was nervous around Wolverine. She would just need time to adjust to him too. Evan went to another student. "You might like Kitty, too. She's got this valley-girl thing, but still pretty nice. Scott and Jean look out for us, a little to much. Kurt's pretty cool too."
Evan didn't notice that Crystal's mind was wandering. She was thinking about a million other things than the people at the mansion. Those visions she had. Where did they come from? Crystal had fallen before, what was so different about this time? What were those things she saw? Did they have something to do with her powers or were just a coincidence? Besides today, there were other things she had to think about...
"...I mean, sure, I know I said a lot about not wanting to be here. But everything just fell together so fast after I came here. I can still be on the basketball team. Oh! And I got this letter from old coach saying how sorry he was about what happened at the school! Some of my old teammates put stuff on it too. They asked if I was coming back but..."
Crystal zoned in and out of reality. She got what she wanted, but now she would have to deliver her end of the deal. Magneto said he wanted intel. But intel on what? The Professor? The students? He promised he meant no harm to either of them. Like Crystal has fully believed that! A man who doesn't show his face obviously has a lot of secrets to hide. I'll just have to hold my ground until I can figure out what's really up with that guy. She figured if someone was coming for a 'report' soon, she could tell them what Prof, X said about the mansion's mission to help mutants. Would that be enough? If it's not then they would have to go into specifics so she would know what to be keeping an eye out for.
Her eyes fell on Evan was giving her more details on people at the mansion. None of it was too extensive since he hadn't been there for very long either. And Evan... Am I going behind his back with this? Too late to change things around, but... Ya know what? I'm going to have fun tonight! The mission could be put on hold. Crystal really did want to have fun tonight.
Evan was still talking, "So then, Kurt said to Kitty, 'Cause you've got fine written all over you.' Cheesy, I know! But then Kitty said, 'You can't afford-"
Crystal interrupted him. "Bowling!"
Evan almost fell out of his chair. "Wait, what?"
"I want to go bowling!" Crystal said, smiling. I saw a place on the way over here, they were advertising a neon lights thing. Let's go!"
Evan and Crystal ended up at the Bayville Bowling Alley Neon Nights event. The alleys were set up with different colored neon lights outside the gutters and down by the pins. Crystal fully threw herself into the game, Evan noted that even when she struck out she would act excited and make silly jokes. "This is the only place where you have to hear a pin drop!" Along with some very bad ones. Evan was having fun too. This was exactly his game, but it had felt like forever since he had played any kind of game with Crystal. Actually, this was the first time ever where it was just the two of them competing...
Evan figured from the moment Crystal joined the X-men any mentions of a certain ex would be taboo on principle. He didn't want to think about that jerk ever again. Evan didn't want him to be on Crystal's mind either. Yet... Crystal had been so quiet at the start of their date and- Whoa, wait, no! No! This is not a date! Evan reminded himself that he had asked Crystal out tonight to cheer her up after her first day. She was here now, happy too! Happier than he had seen her in a long time. She had been so quiet when it was just the two of them sitting quietly. Now that they were up and doing something to say Crystal was enthused was saying the least. Evan looked at Crystal thoughtfully as she added up their scores so far.
As the two walked back to where they were supposed to meet Storm, Evan started telling Crystal every goofy story he could think of. Still trying to get her to look forward to making new friends, most of what he told was about the X-men. This time Crystal listened. She listened and laughed so hard she had to hold onto Evan's arm as they walked down the street. "So-So then, Aunty O walks into the kitchen and the first thing she says is: 'Maybe I'll send in a hurricane to clean up this mess!'"
Both Crystal and Evan burst out laughing! "Ha ha ha! Wait, did she?" Crystal asked.
Evan assured her. "No, no. But I think it would be a good idea to never have a cooking class with Kitty."
Crystal smiled. For once she felt like she didn't have a care in the world. Evan had always had that effect on her. He could make her laugh, and he was always the one to lighten the mood when it got the tiniest bit dark. "Thanks again for taking me out tonight, Evan." They hadn't really seen that much of Bayville, but they had seen enough of the city for them both to start feeling a little more at home here.
"Yeah... sure." Evan looked away. He and Crystal were hardly ever alone like this. She seemed happy but... Evan finally had to admit that he knew better. Crystal was making herself feel happy. He had known her for years, and had been through enough with her to know when she was faking. Evan decided to ask why. "Hey, Chrys?"
"Yeah?"
Evan knew this could ruin the entire night. But he just couldn't stand not knowing. "Look, I know a lot of stuff has been going down for you. And, I know were friends and that's why I'm trying to get you to like this place. But if you're not... ya know... you need time... after Maximoff..."
Crystal thought she knew where Evan was going with this. "Evan," she got his attention with just her calm voice. "It means a lot to me that you thought to take me out after today." She stopped Evan on an empty bus stop and sat down next to him. "And, yeah, so much stuff that I couldn't even imagine happening just came at me all at once. And Pietro..." Crystal had to admit that with all the drama in her life, it was actually a good way to keep her mind off her break up. True to her word, she did somewhat miss Pietro. "Maybe we'll never talk about him again so I'll just say this: He's become something- someone I don't feel I can trust anymore. And it's not just because of..." Crystal figured that the event of the scapegoating, payback and powers was behind them enough. "Yeah, okay, it has a lot to do with that. But I've known you both for so long and... I can give you the details another time, but the 'parting' was pretty harsh."
Evan was feeling down-hearted. Clearly, Crystal didn't entertain the possibility that all this was a date. So he didn't exactly choose his next words carefully. "So it's gonna be a real downer when you see him at school tomorrow?"
Crystal froze. Her eyes shot wide open and she looked at Evan. "...What?"
The last time Crystal had seen Pietro was behind jail bars. Could Magneto have really gotten him out that quickly and transferred him to their school?!
Evan looked over at Crystal nervously. "Yyyyeess?"
Crystal slammed her hands onto the bench crying out, "Arrgh!" Sending a blast of wind out from her fists that managed to hit the nearby open newspaper stand, sending its contents flying along with the wig of a man behind them. "Well fine! I'm going to go into school tomorrow ready for battle! I've been ready in case that ego-maniac ever hit rock bottom, and tomorrow I'll put every weapon in arsenal to good use. Pietro's bound to cause trouble if we're both in the same school as him, so we'll have to change up our regular hang out areas. I'll take up a sport, I'd read just about every book in our old library anyway, and the mansion has an even bigger one. So I think-"
Evan looked on inwardly laughing at Crystal's warrior mode. No one else must have told her about Maximoff, and, looking at this, it was a good thing no one else did. Crystal was her own force of nature once she got determined. That was one of her best qualities. She never shied away from a real challenge. Now she seemed more like her old self. Evan kept the rest of his thoughts to himself until his aunt came and picked them up.
Okay, today it's not a date. Maybe soon though.
A/N: Okay, that was a lot.
Crystal's true alignment is still up for question, so the poll on my profile will remain up.
I want to respect what happened in the episodes as I write this, so I gave Crystal a little more growing time on this one. Any comic fans catch on to the images in her memory? (Hint: it was Crystal who fell, not...)
Next time: Crystal's going to Bayville High!
