Uneasy Alliances Pt. 2

I woke up to the hazy fog that the early morning brings and rubbed my eyes to try in vain to dispel sleep from my eyes. Truth be I wasn't at all a morning person I considered it the worst part of the day, the groggy lazy feeling you got as you regain consciousness was the extremely agitating. As my contempt for mornings was revisited my thoughts also returned to something my mother would often say when I complained about such matters.

"You should consider yourself lucky, someone in this world didn't wake up today." She would say reminding me to count my blessings

I always inwardly scoffed at these minor lectures but now they seemed far more practical. I shook my head for the dual purpose of ridding myself of anymore sleep and clearing my mind of the sober memories that had crept inside.

I looked around the room I was currently staying in it wasn't one of many student rooms, but the guest at my aunt's house, the mother of Keenan. I had been graciously offered to stay as long as I need, well I and my guest that is. I looked at the floor at the still sleeping mass on a futon, David had decided to accompany on my "vacation" after some convincing by me.

The memory was still fresh in my mind having occurred only one day ago.

Flashback

"I've decided to stay." I informed Ms. Moonstar

I expected her expression to be one of surprise or at least irritation at my show of bravado, but she remained as calm as ever.

"Why?" she asked simply

"Back there during our little skirmish, I…realized something." I looked around to see my teammates anxiously awaiting my explanation, "I'm angry and I know the reason why."

She raised her eyebrow, "We have people at the school that can help you with that." She said

I shook my head in argument, "No, no telepathy, I want to solve this the old fashioned way."

The Native American looked to her compatriot and the two seemed to share a silent conversation of which I had no way of following. She then turned back to me, "The Xavier Institute has always been about choice and that isn't going to change now, but I'm curious what exactly do you plan on doing?"

I had known what I was going to say, but when the time came I felt my true intentions would've been unacceptable. "I'm going to find the man who killed my family." I answered stoically

Danielle processed this for a moment and I hoped she would not decipher my hidden meaning with her concentration. Eventually, she seemed to have gotten the answer she wanted.

"Okay then, I give you permission to stay, take as much time as you need. Our doors are always open for you." She said

"Thank you…oh and David is coming with me too." I said grabbing the boy by his arm with a smile

"Wha…" he said looking me in the eyes. I gave a pleading look which I hoped would dampen his protests.

"Fine." He said as I let him go

Flashback End

David's shoulders raised and fell in a rhymtic pattern, it was still early in the morning so I saw no reason to wake him besides I was due for some alone time. I got out of the bed and went to borrow some of Keenan's shorts; he had plenty he wouldn't mind.

As I headed towards the door downstairs I spotted a bulge in my pants pocket. It was no mystery to me what was causing this bulge. I reached inside and pulled out the red and charcoal canister that once contained Kick. The recollection or rather the feeling of power I had when I used the substance was still brand new in my mind. I felt unstoppable and that my strength would never go away, until I was shot which sent me crashing back to the real world.

I subconsciously rubbed the area where I'd been hit; the wound had now completely healed just like the first time I had been shot in the shoulder.

David's groan and shuffling brought my eyes back to him as I returned to the present. I closed my hand over the bottle and directed microwaves of intense heat to my palm. Soon the container melted away into an unrecognizable puddle of jet black soup. It quickly hardened allowing me to drop the remains into a nearby garbage can.

I then walked out the door silently to take my morning jog around the block.

Outside I started to run in a random direction which I was should would soon become familiar. Not too long into my exercise I attained a comfortable pace and began to let my thoughts drift to the reason I decided to stay here.

The man who had killed my family was in New York, more specifically the Bronx area and I was going to bring him to justice. The only problem was I had no idea how I was going to actually accomplish this, at first I thought of contacting Spider-man but ran into the same problem presented by my initial goal. I began to run faster as I grew a little more frustrated from my own lack of foresight.

I ran for at least another mile, before something out of the corner of my eye distracted me. I stopped moving and continued jogging in place as I turned to inspect. Two shady characters were in an alley and exhibited defensive body language as if they were hiding something. One then brought his hand to his mouth and inhaled sharply.

"Man, that's good." I heard him say before giving what was in his hand to his friend

This other man did the same motion as is buddy and let out a relaxed sigh as he brought down his hand. Staring now I realized what was happening as I crossed the street.

The men sensed my presence when I stepped on the same pavement as them and turned to me with suspicious eyes.

"What you want man?" said the one with a hood

"Yeah, we ain't got no beef with you kid." Added the other who also had on a hood with his lower face covered

I monitored the two, the one on the right was of moderate build and stood taller than his friend, but his friend had a more dominant aura about him and I figured he was the leader of the two. Directing my gaze to the one with the mask I said, "No, you don't have anything against me, but you have something I'm interested in."

The man narrowed his eyes before grabbing me by the collar of my shirt revealing a scaly green hand ending in claws. "Listen, boy, I don't know what you mean, but you should get out of here, before bad things happen. Ya dig?"

Being this close to his face I noticed his eyes were yellow and slit like a reptile's. This man was obviously a mutant and that probably went the same for his relatively normal looking friend.

"Listen, I just want to know where you got that bottle." I said

The man took his free hand and lowered his covering to reveal a green face with a row of sharp teeth and no nose save for two lines where it would've been. He brought his face closer to me to speak, "What bottle? There ain't a bottle over here, what are you a cop or something?"

He said the last part looking at his friend who produced a pocket knife, "Cause we don't like cops." He said

I recognized that I may have gotten myself into a bit of trouble on my first day back home, but I wasn't going to panic, I knew how to handle these types. They were bullies and with every bully they would back down once they encountered a bigger, badder, and more dangerous threat.

"Look, I'm no cop but I am a…" I stopped as I blew the two back further into the alleyway. Before they could recover from off the ground I directed my gravitational energies downward to flatten them against the pavement.

"Aaaaah…man, what the fuck are you doing?" asked the lizard man as he scratched at the ground leaving claw marks

"I just want to know about the bottle. What can you tell me?" I asked politely

"Fuck you!" said the other mutant

I took his insult at face value and increased the pressure I placed on the two. They yelled audibly as it bore down on them. I had to be careful I didn't want to break any bones or anything I just needed information.

"Shut up, you damn fool. This cat means business." Said the leader

He looked up at me as best he could from his position, "Alright, what do you wanna to know? Cool cat?"

I released the weight off their backs and allowed them to rise to their feet. The reptilian man briefly dust himself off as he began to speak, "This stuff is Kick a'ight. It comes from the Metropolian, the hot new club downtown."

I crossed my arms in front of my chest and leaned back a little showing that I didn't believe him, "Never heard of it."

"Well, you mustta been unda a rock for a split second, kid. Guy by the name of Joseph Capelli runs the joint. People say he opened it to get the vote of the people 'round the Bronx, but every slickback and night lifer knows he uses it to smuggle out drugs. For human an' mutant." He elaborated

I nodded my head as his story now seemed legitimate, "Alright, thank you for your time gentlemen, but what's your name, I may need you again?"

"I ain't too keen on lettin' just anybody in on my info, kid." He informed standing tall

However a threatening look from me and a well placed shock aimed at his feet changed his mind.

"Aight, aight. The name's Dice this here is nobody." He said pointing his thumb at his friend "We were once hired muscle for The Cap." He said

I quirked my eyebrow at the name showing I didn't understand. The man shook his head at my gesture, "That's the street name of Joseph Capelli. Jesus, kid, you ain't too street smart are ya?"

"I'm a fast learner." I countered as I walked away but before completely leaving the alley I turned back to him, "Stay in the area, I don't want to travel far to look for you."

I returned to Keenan's house to the smell of bacon, eggs, and pancakes being cooked by my aunt.

"What's up cuzo?" greeted Keenan

David instead sent a nod my way on account of his mouth being stuffed with cake at the moment. I felt a wave of wistfulness flow over me as I was reminded of the family dinners my mother, brother, and I would have in mornings not to different than this one.

"Jaqueris come sit down. It's Keenan's first day out of the hospital with you here, so we're going to enjoy this." Said my aunt

"Yes, Auntie King." I said taking a seat beside Keenan

She brings a plate for me to indulge in complete with the entire American breakfast classic. I was about to dive in before she halted me, "Wait, young man can you stop eating for just a moment," she said talking to David. He swallowed hard before uttering "Sorry".

"Good, now hold hands, we're about to pray." She instructed

I inwardly rolled my eyes at this development, I never liked the feast prayer, it was so unnecessary to me, but I complied and took David and Keenan's hand into my own.

"Lord, thank you for the blessings you have bestowed upon us in our lives. Thank you for delivering my son back to me safe and sound" I cringed at this statement "and for protecting Jaqueris during the disaster last month. Oh and we also thank you for delivering a new guest to our table for breakfast this fine morning. Amen." She said

"Amen." The three of us repeated

We all then began to eat our delicious smelling food like a makeshift family of some short. It wasn't long before casual conversation started up again.

"So, man, what's that school you go to like? You know having a mutant as a headmaster must be a little different, huh?" Keenan asked

I glanced at David out of the corner of my eye at this question, "Professor X, he's cool, a smart man kinda reminds me of MLK, but you know…bald and white." I joked

I earned chuckles from those sitting at the table from this, "But seriously it's a great school and I don't have to worry about my…gift." I said gift with hesitation as I wasn't completely sure my mutation could be classified as such

Keenan put on an excited look at the mention of my powers, "Oh that reminds me, you never actually showed me what you can do? Why not give me a little demo to spice up this mediocre breakfast?" he said earning a light slap on the back of the head from his mother

I smirked at this before trying to act in accordance with Keenan's request. I spotted my aunt's coffee mug sitting at the table and pointed my hand at it. I sent a streak of microwaves at the coffee and after a few seconds the contents began to boil and bubble noticeably.

"Ok, cool, what else can you do?" he asked

I then pointed at the currently silent microwave. It immediately cut on and began to move as if something had been placed inside. Not stopping there I also flickered the light on and off as my aunt looked at the light switch which was in the off position. I then placed my hand on the table and eyed my orange juice which was by Keenan.

I attracted it to my hand using my gravitational power causing it to slide across the table into my hand. I looked at Keenan who had a wide grin on his face, but was apparently at a loss for words, "That's not even half of what I can do." I bragged

"Man, that's sick. You two are the luckiest S.O.B's on the planet." He raved before looking a David. His mother gave him a stern look when he alluded to a swear causing Keenan to clamp his mouth shut comically.

He turned to David now, "So, what's your talent man? Lasers come out of your eyes, claws from your knuckles; maybe you can walk through walls or somethin I don't know."

David and I looked at one another at the non deliberate accuracy of Keenan's guesses pertaining to some of our teachers. David finished his meal and wiped his mouth clean with a napkin, "I think it's best if I show you. You got a basketball?"

Moments later the three of us were at the park dressed in athletic attire. We were distinguished by our individual short colors; I was in red, David blue, and Keenan yellow.

"Well, don't we all look colorful? Hey I just realized something why is it that white people once called us blacks colored if we stayed black throughout our entire lives, but they were the ones that changed colors?" said Keenan

"I don't understand." Said David and I tilted my head to show I was also confused

"You know, when they're born they're pink, When they grow up they're white, When they're sick, they're green, When they go in the sun they turn red, When they're cold they turn blue, And when they die they turn purple. I mean come on and you call me colored?" he explained

I listened to his logic and soon began to snicker from the truth in it and David did the same. I really did miss my cousin's unique sense of humor, it brought a refreshing change to my normally serious demeanor.

"Well, what did you want to show me?" asked Keenan referring to David

David dribbled the basketball between his legs, "Well, I figured it'd be easier to show you my mutation than tell you. I can acquire the knowledge of those around me." He said as he did some dazzling tricks with the ball that I would find difficult

Keenan looked at me with a surprised look before saying, "Alright, let's play 21, every man for himself. Only call is a foul, but you have to speak up for yourself."

We all nodded and began to play. Throughout the game I was grateful that it was the early morning and the three of us were the only ones out because to see a former All-American and college bound basketball player be dismantled by an unknown would have been embarrassing. David systematically destroyed any defense we tried to play against him, it didn't even matter if we double teamed him he'd still find his way to the bucket.

After having our proverbial butts handed to us again and again we decided to take a break against a fence. We were all sweating and trying to catch our breath.

"Okay, no one is to ever and I mean ever talk about this to anyone else outside of the three of us." Said Keenan

"Agreed." I said

We both then looked at David to ensure he complied with this truce, "What? It doesn't count by the time I get a certain distance away from you two I'll be as sorry as ever. But until then I'm officially the best in the country." He said laughing

Both I and Keenan joined in until our laughter echoed off the walls of the surrounding buildings. We then sat in silence allowing me to think on my course of action concerning Capelli. I would need help in taking on someone like him but I wasn't so sure on involving Keenan, with David at least I knew he could defend himself.

"Listen guys, I have a confession to make." I said aloud

They both looked at me in anticipation, "David you remember when I said I was staying here to find the man who killed my parents?"

David nodded yes, "Wait, you know who did it?" said Keenan in disbelief

"Yeah, I do. But I lied when I said I was going to bring him to justice. I mean I am but not the metal bar kind of justice." I revealed

Keenan stayed silent with a receptive look on his face, but David seemed opposed to the idea. "So why'd you bring me along? I'm sorry but killing isn't something I'm sure I'm okay with." He informed me

I expected him to react this way after all from what I could tell David had never been forced to consider ending another person's life. He had never been so angry that he would give anything to find the person that wronged him and literally rip his throat out, but that was exactly why he was needed.

"I know you're not and that's why I asked you to come with me. Look when the time comes and I'm face to face with Capelli I want someone there whose going to be sure I don't go too far and do something I might regret later." I clarified

We all stayed soundless each waiting for the other to say anything. "Well, you know I'm in. We've been together since we were little kids laughing at each other's wee-wee's."

"I remember the wee-wee laughing." I added

David stood up at this moment, "I don't know about any of that, but you can count me in."

"Is this the part where we all put our hands in the middle and raise 'em real high in a show of brotherhood and camaraderie?" joked Keenan

David and I exchanged glances with us both probably thinking the same thing, "No." we said in unison

"Good, there's a fine line between perfectly manly partnerships and borderline queers." He added

"I hope you have a plan to go along with this escapade of yours." Chimed in David

I smiled knowingly at his question.

The night sky was featureless due to the blazing lights of New York City. This was one of the few things he disliked about the huge metropolis; you could never sit back and enjoy a star lit night. This would be difficult anyway because he was currently riding in his custom limousine.

"And your popular vote in the Bronx borough is at its normal apex, but Manhattan seems to have dipped slightly." Said a man wearing cross bifocals

Joseph listened with a bored expression he really abhorred the technical talk of these political types. The man was his adviser for his campaign and was just doing his job by telling him the direction his platform was headed in, but that didn't make it interesting.

"Toro, what's the word from Barry about this week's income?" Joseph asked the shaded man

The man in glasses seemed offended at being ignored but he knew better than to speak up about it lest he be reminded of his place. The rather large man reached into his coat pocket to pull out a pamphlet.

He opened it and said, "It's at its normal rate, as of now, and should continue that way once we pick up the take tonight from him. But boss if I can say, we can't trust Barry I think we need to find a new employee."

Joseph considered this for a moment; Toro was his trusted bodyguard and good friend so when he said something Joseph listened. Barry was your typical run of the mill peddler, he would squeal if squeezed hard enough, but he didn't due the fact that he knew the consequences for snitching would be dire.

"Excuse me, Mr. Capelli, but you didn't seem to hear me. Your standing in Manhattan is being threatened you should take action to ensure nothing upset your superior position in this race." Urged the aide

The car stopped and the faint sound of booming music could be heard just outside the window. They had arrived at his club.

"I heard you very clearly, Derek, and I intend to rectify that issue very soon, but at the moment I have more pressing matters to attend to. You understand?" he said as the door opened for him

Stepping out he was greeted to the vibrant scene of the young generation of the Bronx. The blue neon sign to his club shined brightly at the entrance as people lined up to get inside. Once he was spotted the people began to clap and cheer at the owner.

He inwardly smiled at their applause but retained an outwardly calm demeanor. He raised his hand as Toro came beside him to escort him to the entrance. He could feel their eyes follow him from his car to the double doors, the bouncer opened if for him as he approached. As these subtle events occurred he remembered why he did what he, why he was running for mayor and why he had become one of New York's strongest gangsters, it was simply the fact that he got respect.

Respect was one the single most important thing to have if you wanted to be anything at all in this world, it had been since man was created and it wasn't going to change anytime soon. So he did what any sensible man would he grabbed his respect and held on to with a vice grip.

Thinking this he suddenly got a paranoid feeling as the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. He stopped at the door and looked towards the skyscrapers and stared at nothing in particular for a while.

"Boss, you okay?" asked Toro

"Yeah…fine." He said before walking inside, it must've been his imagination

I looked down, from atop a rooftop, at the man as he entered the club my eyes narrowing upon spotting him. I was in a sleek black trench coat with matching undershirt, pants, and boots. Keenan said I looked like Terminator Lite, but I ignored him.

They both dressed in clothing that said they were going to a party, but I came for business and I was not going to be distracted.

"Jaqueris, I'm telling you man, you should at least lose the coat. If you go in there and this guy sees you in assassination wardrobe he's gonna haul ass while we get shot." Said Keenan

I looked at him with a serious expression; I wasn't really in the mood for jokes at the moment. "He's right Jaqueris, we need to blend in." said David

Sighing I dropped the coat on the roof.

"All right, now how are we supposed to get inside? I might be mistaken but I think you have to be 18 or older and they're checking for ID's." said David

This was my time to speak, "When you're trying to break inside someplace you never go through the front door."

Keenan smirked at hearing this no doubt I had stirred up memories of our crusade that almost landed me in jail, "Yeah, we learned that the hard way."

I levitated us from the roof being extra careful not to drop one of them as I'd never lifted three people at one time before and it was proving to be a hassle. Finally we landed at the back entrance into the club. David went to open the door only to discover it was locked.

"I could pick it, but I threw away my set years ago." Said Keenan

I walked towards the door and kneeled by the keyhole. Holding up my right hand I placed it on the doorknob and began to transfer heat towards it. Seconds later the door knob melted away allowing me to push the door open.

We stepped inside to the booming music of the place. I saw drinking, suggestive dancing, flashing lights, and more drinking which only helped to confirm that this was New York night life.

"Wuuuuuuuu! Now this is my kind of place." Said Keenan as he began to dance though I could barely hear him over the ambient noise.

"Remember, what we're here for. A guy named Barry runs shipments out for Capelli, we find him we've got our link." I yelled at him which I wasn't sure he heard

"Alright, man I'll keep a lookout." He said before disappearing into the ground dancing

I shook my head at my cousin's behavior, "Make sure he doesn't get into any trouble." I said to David who nodded and followed Keenan

I was now standing by myself trying not to look too out of place which was difficult considering I was. My uncomfortable feeling was suspended when I spotted Capelli and Toro walk across the room. I held myself in check as the anger in me began to rise exponentially.

They stopped in what I knew as the VIP section and talked to a man in a gaudy white suit wearing purple-tinted shades. The man smiled and shook Capelli's hand vigorously with both hands; I noticed that neither the gangster nor his assistant showed him the same courtesy.

"Lackey." I thought

Soon Capelli made a head motion towards the upper levels of the club that overlooked the ground floor and walked away. I waited for him to extend the stairs before I made my move. This would have to be fast but effective; I didn't want to draw security to my position even though I probably could take them the two guards protecting the man would be enough trouble.

Before I got close enough for the man to see my face, I used my powers to bend all light away from my face, a trick I learned from Dr. McCoy's class, which would make me unrecognizable by anyone that wasn't superhuman.

As I approached I saw the man had two girls in his arms and was kissing one sloppily at the moment. There were various alcohol bottles and glasses spread around the table. Once I was two feet away from the section one of the men stopped me by placing a firm hand on my chest.

"Sorry, boys." I said putting my hands on their chests and sending a surge through their bodies.

They fall down unconscious immediately; the man stops his activities to find his hired help out cold. I sit down with a smile as I wait for his response.

"Get out of here." He says shooing the girls away

He leans up and looks at me, a strange look comes across his face more than likely due to fact that he can't actually see my face.

"Is that some weird mask or have I had too much to drink?" he asks pouring himself a cup

"Barry?" he stiffens at the sound of his own name "I need your assistance."

He takes a gulp from his glass turns his knees towards the crowd, he's really mistrustful now. "Look, man, I'm just trying to have a good time, if you need a fix. I've got a man who handles that."

I shift my jaw from side to side, I never expected this to be easy, and "I want your help though." I lean in close to whisper in his ear "It's about Joseph Capelli."

He stiffens up even more at this and fixes his shirt collar even though there was nothing wrong with it. This showed he was getting more and more nervous.

"Listen, I don't know what you're talkin' about." When he says this a weird tingling feeling vibrates in my head, "Joseph is a good man and he doesn't deal with scum like me, at least not in the way you're thinkin'." Again I get that tingling sensation in my head

"I noticed you said, "Joseph" and not Mr. Capelli. You two work that closely that you're on a first name basis?" I said

He hawks down the remainder of his drink and places it roughly on the table before going to pour more, "What is it you want exactly?"

I place my hand on his shoulder, "I want a fix and you're the only man that can give it to me."

After our little conversation Barry and I made our way to the alley way outside. He had called someone to drive his car around that area before we left. We don't wait a few seconds before silver Mercedes pulls up. A stoutly man jumps out the car and throws the keys to his boss.

"Here you go Barry. I was real careful not the scratch it up even a little." He said

"Thanks, Tony." Barry answered

The man then walks away to the entrance of the club as Barry fiddles through his keys, to open the trunk. When he finally gets the right one he places it inside the key hole.

"How old are you? Even with that weird ass mask, you don't look to be the type that shoots up." He said looking back at me

"I don't shoot up." I say tersely

He seems to understand what I mean as he goes inside his trunk and receive a black and red canister. "Here you go. That'll be 25 bucks."

I take the Kick and stare at it before placing it in my pocket, "Thanks."

I then extend my hand and send a wave of force at Barry that sends him slamming into the wall. He instantly begins to struggle to free himself.

"This is why I never do deals with junkies personally." He says to himself

I find the term offensive, though I don't know exactly why, nonetheless I increase the pressure mainly focusing on his head.

"You're a real help, Barry. Capelli's lucky, but I need some more of your help." I said

Just then the door leading out swings open hitting Barry in the nose. Keenan and David rush out and are dumfounded by the scene before them.

"Aaaah….what do you want man?" Barry says through a pained expression

"You don't have to give me anything to dirty yet, but just tell me where Capelli makes his drugs?" I answer

"Man, uh…he gets his shipments from the Russians, yeah that's it." That characteristic tingling pulsates in my head again and only now do I understand the meaning of it.

"Don't lie to me." I said charging up a bolt in my free hand

I release the pent up energy causing it to destroy a nearby trashcan. Barry screams at the display and I can tell he's going to far more cooperative.

Okay I know that is a horrible way to end the chapter, but come on give me some credit. Wolfdude I hope you don't mind you borrowing your joke for this chapter it just seemed appropriate. So guys please review or else I don't know what I need to work on.