Disclaimers on chapter 1
The Bigger Picture
Stokes County Maximum Security Prison, like its name suggests, is a maximum security prison for dangerous and America's most wanted criminals this side of the US. A lone police cruiser drove up towards its main gate and, after verifying who was in it, drove through when the gate opened.
Making his way through the building, the officer that just arrived only stopped to input the appropriate pass codes and ID registration gates that were built to prevent anyone other than the required personnel from entering further into the compound towards its most dangerous of inmates.
Upon reaching his destination, the officer found himself in a room that contained a large cylinder like prism in its centre. Pressing a few buttons on the control panel, the large cylinder rose up from the ground to reveal a man shackled to the floor in some sort of coma in a large vat of supposedly sleep inducing green liquid. The man inside was a towering seven feet tall and looked as if he could wrestle several bears at once judging by his muscular build. Another press of several buttons and the green liquid started to funnel out of the tank.
"Wake up Cain" Mystique said as she morphed back into her true form. "It's time you had a long overdue reunion with your brother, Charles Xavier"
At the sound of his brother's name, Cain Marko opened his eyes and looked down at the blue woman standing outside his containment tank.
"Cellular paralysis bio-fluid, amazing" She muttered as she watched the remains the green liquid drain out of the tank. "It actually stopped the unstoppable"
Cain pretended that he did not hear what she said about something stopping him. He is the unstoppable Juggernaut, apply named due to the fact that once he started moving there was nothing that could stop him; asides a psychokinetic attack from a high levelled telepath such as Professor Xavier.
"It'll take a few moments before you can move" She continued as she pressed the buttons to open his cell and release him from his shackles. "Then, I'll sneak you out of this horrible prison where, now who was it that locked you in here again?"
She paused for a moment, pretending to think before continuing with her scripted speech to provoke him. "Oh, that's right, your brother Charles Xavier"
The features of Juggernaut's face formed a scowl as the woman's words reminded him of his defeat at the hands of his brother. If it were not for him, then the whole world would probably be shaking in their boots at the mere mention of Juggernaut by now.
"Sore subject?" Mystique asked as she made her way to one of the walls of the cell inwardly smiling at how well the plan was going so far.
"Who...are you?" Juggernaut asked slowly still coming round from the effects of the paralyzing water he had been submerged in for god knows how long.
"A deal-maker" Mystique lied as she opened a locker and took out a large dome shaped helmet. "I arrange your early release and you deliver to me one item in your brother's possession; his mutant detection system known as Cerebro"
"And...My brother?" Juggernaut asked as he watched the woman walk over to him and fit his helmet into its proper place and snap on the connection buckles.
"I leave his fate in your capable hands" Mystique replied evilly as she finished with the last buckle and stood in front of him. "You are after all the Unstoppable Juggernaut"
The next thing she knew, she was sent flying as Juggernaut brushed her aside sending her to the far side of the room.
"No one takes Juggernaut anywhere" He said as he walked towards the nearest wall. And no one gets in my way"
"Charming" Mystique said sarcastically from where she lay on the floor watching the man go through the wall as if it were nothing more than paper.
#~*~#
"Remind me again why I'm doing this?" Stefan asked no one in particular of his team.
"We're doing this, because after all that's happened we could all enjoy a little down time at the mall" Kitty replied as she walked at the head of the group with Jean.
The whole X-teen gang was currently plundering the mall. So far it was mostly Kitty and Jean doing the buying which was mostly a few new tops or a pair of shoes or two whilst the rest of the team just followed them although Kurt and Evan bought something for themselves as well whilst Rogue and Scott just window shopped.
"That I gathered. This..." Stefan raised his arms each one holding at least two bags each. "...is what I need reminding of"
"It's your punishment for being reckless and for risking your brother's life" She replied as if it were obvious as she walked off with the others following in her wake and Stefan could have sworn there was a slight edge to her words.
"Yeah, Kit's punishment for him for getting her crush injured" Evan whispered to Scott and Rogue as they watched the spectacle unfolding before them.
"As if I'm not punished enough" Stefan muttered loud enough for them all to hear. "Banned from driving anything until my bike gets repaired next week, clean all the vehicles and X-jet at least once every three days for a month and I'm still trying to figure out how you managed to convince Logan to let me off our Danger Room sessions for today let alone all of us. Not to mention I'm still recovering from yesterday morning let alone yesterday afternoon"
"Yer ah man ain't yah Snake-fer-Brains? Just baht thah bullet 'n bear with it" Rogue said as she playfully hit him on the shoulder making him groan in pain.
"More like a shotgun shell than a bullet" Stefan said through gritted teeth.
#~*~#
Logan was bored. The place was too quiet without all the kids going about doing who knows what and he actually preferred it that way. Not that he would ever admit it. He was supposed to be putting them through a new simulation now but Half-pint had managed to get them all out of it. He was starting to think he was going soft. That or Half-pint had somehow managed to worm her way into his heart.
"Cerebro locating any new mutant sigs yet?" Logan asked when he saw the Professor in the lounge sipping tea in the lounge.
"You must be very bored to be asking me that Logan" The Professor mused as he put down his cup. "I would have thought, with the students away, you would be creating new ways to take them to their limits in the Danger Room"
Logan grunted as he sat down across from the Professor. "Hmpf, I prefer waiting until I see how they fair against the ones I've already thought up"
A sudden beeping sound from the desk intermitted the silence indicating that Cerebro had found a new mutant.
"Well, well. It looks like you get your wish after all Logan" The Professor said as he piloted his wheelchair to a nearby wall whilst Logan followed.
The wall opened up to reveal a hidden elevator that led down to the lower levels of the mansion where Cerebro, the Danger Room and X-jet among other things not ment to be shown to the public eye were located. When the Professor and Logan entered the Cerebro chamber, the computer came to life.
[Discovery, enhanced mutant signature]It said in a hollow female voice. [Identity confirmed and matched to archive file]
"Archive file?" The Professor repeated sounding surprised. "Who would-?"
[Name, Cain Marko] Cerebro said as a picture of the man suddenly visualised on the monitor rendering the Professor speechless. [Residents, Stokes County Maximum Security Prison. Current location, in transit east Bayville outskirts]
"No!" Xavier exclaimed when he saw the position displayed on the map, a blinking red dot approaching the Bayville mall.
"Who's Cain Marko?" Logan asked.
"My half brother" Xavier explained as he continued to stare at the monitor in shock. "Somehow he's managed to escape. But that...that's impossible"
"What's an enhanced mutant signature?" Logan asked as he watched the Professor move away from the console and back the way they came. "What's his power for that matter?"
"He possessed an X-gene at birth but was dormant most of his life" The Professor explained as they got into the lift. "Through mysticism, it awoke and he became invulnerable; a human juggernaut"
"And he's near the kids" Logan added. "Want me to-?"
"No" The Professor said sternly. "We'll wait until they call for help. They will have to learn that you and Storm won't always be there to help them"
Logan sighed heavily before looking at the Professor with a serious look. "You'll have to tell them the truth sooner or later Charles. They'll catch on eventually"
"I know" The Professor said looking down at his knees with a resigned look on his face. "If they succeed in stopping Cain, I'll tell them"
"That's once they defeat your brother and return you mean" Logan corrected. "They may be kids but compared to what I put them through your brother will be easy"
The Professor managed a small smile as he looked up at his old friend. "If I did not know any better Logan, I'd say you thought of them as your own pack so to say"
"Just don't tell them that or I'll be forced to prove you wrong" Logan retorted as he walked towards the garage.
#~*~#
"So, how are you enjoying the Olympic mall-athon so far Kurt?" Kitty asked before tucking into her veggie burger. The teens were currently enjoying a quick snack in the food court before tackling the rest of the mall.
"Olympic mall-a-what?" Evan asked after finishing his carton of milk.
"It's what Kurt thinks a shopping spree is for us women" Kitty explained getting a few laughs from the rest of them.
"Good comparison" Scott agreed earning him a playful shove from Jean. "Hey it's true!"
"As if you boys aren't shopaholics" She said before quickly stealing one of his fries. "I've seen you Stefan talk about vehicles as much as us girls talk about fashion"
"I'd rather be a car junkie than a fashion junkie any day" Evan declared as his hand slowly made his way towards Stefan's untouched milk carton.
"If you want to live long enough to drive your own car, retract your hand" Stefan growled. How he could know if Evan was trying to steal his milk was a mystery as he was leaning against his chair with his head hanging over the top making him see the world almost upside down.
Evan quickly retracted his hand actually looking scared causing the rest of them to laugh. Kurt however was not laughing; instead he had his eyes closed as if thinking of something. When Kitty noticed her best friend was keeping quiet as if asleep she made to nudge him awake before his words stopped her.
"Can anyvon else hear a thumping sound?" He asked quietly.
When the rest of them quietened down and properly listened they too could hear a thumping sound as if someone had very heavy footsteps. And by the sound of them they were coming closer.
"Man, what's making that sound?" Evan asked out loud.
"Someone similar to Logan's dear friend Sabertooth in red spandex, heavy boots and one heck of a weird hat" Stefan said as he pointed behind himself.
He had not moved from his position so he had a clear view of a window showing the outside world, albeit upside down, where the man he just described just walked passed. Quickly heading outside, the teens were just in time to see the man flip a car blocking his way as if it were nothing making it land several feet away on its roof.
"Whoa" Kitty uttered not believing what she just saw.
~X-men~ The Professor's voice sounded in their heads making them all jump.
'Professor!' Scott called back. 'We've got-'
~I know, I'm already logged into Cerebro and using it to broadcast a mind wave over everyone in the vicinity making them oblivious to what's happening~ The Professor explained. ~I'm afraid that you'll have to deal with Juggernaut~
Exclamations were heard from the whole team at the Professor's words.
~But Professor~ Jean called back. ~Can't you stop him with your powers?~
~I'm afraid not~ The Professor said sounding regretful. ~His helmet prevents me from entering his mind and subduing him~
"Then we'll just have to do it the hard way" Scott said. "Kurt, Stefan!"
"On it!" Stefan said before Kurt teleported the two of them in front of juggernauts path.
"Move it squirts!" Juggernaut said in a low tone without stopping forcing the two brothers to quickly step out of his way.
"Vhat's ze hurry big guy" Kurt asked as he suddenly appeared upside down in front of Juggernauts face causing him to stop in surprise. "Did ze circus leave vizout you?"
Juggernaut growled before trying to grab the furless monkey. Kurt flipped off of the giant's helmet and stuck his tongue out at him when he landed. Infuriated, Juggernaut swung his massive fist at him. Seeing his chance Stefan quickly moved in and caught the blow in his hands. The next moment his eyes widened before he was suddenly sent flying landing in a water fountain twenty feet away. Kurt was so stunned by what just happened that he did not teleport away before Juggernaut grabbed him and threw him into the same fountain Stefan was in.
Despite the surprise, Stefan rose unsteadily to his feet before pushing his hair out of his eyes so he could see before staring at the behemoth that somehow broke through his distortion strike.
"Are you one of my brother's team of peacekeepers?" Juggernaut asked from where he was before walking off. "If so then you're hardly worth the effort"
'Brother? Peacekeeper?' Stefan thought to himself as he leaned against the side of the fountain wall whilst Kurt quickly clambered over it before shaking like a dog to get rid of the excess. 'Is he talking about the Professor and the X-men?'
"Are you two okay?" He heard Jean ask when the rest of the team reached their position.
"Wet and wunderbar" He replied sarcastically as he pulled himself out of the fountain.
"Whit in tarnation happened?" Rogue asked.
"No idea" Stefan admitted. "Best I can think of, he lives up to his namesake making his power near infinite. And no matter how hard I try, I can't distort infinite"
"Then, how are we gonna stop him?" Evan asked.
"Telepathy!" Kitty suddenly exclaimed as she finally put the pieces together. "He wears the helmet because, whilst his brawn is well beyond average, his brain must be weak"
"So whit yer sayin is, we pop his hood then strahk thah brain?" Rogue asked starting to catch on getting an enthusiastic nod from the girl.
"Und just how are ve going to do ze hood popping vizout getting a head bopping?" Kurt asked curiously causing Kitty and Evan to involuntarily laugh at his choice of words.
"I've got an idea" Scott said before bringing them together in a huddle to outline his plan.
#~*~#
Juggernaut strode forever closer to his brother's location. He could almost taste his vengeance before he heard the sounds of two vehicles approaching from behind. The next moment, Rogue shot by on her scooter with Spyke sitting with his back to her. With a flinging motion of his arms, Spyke fired two projectiles that struck the two buckles on his chest that held his helmet in place releasing them.
Nightcrawler then appeared above juggernaut and somersaulted over his head and unbuckled the two buckles on his back in the process. At that moment his feet suddenly sunk into the ground. Emerging from the ground before him Shadowcat grabbed hold of Nightcrawler's outstretched arm as a red convertible suddenly sped by taking her with it. Skidding to a stop Cyclops fired an optics blast at Juggernaut sending his helmet flying off his head whilst Snake-eyes and Jean got out of the convertible and took several steps towards him.
"You ready?" Jean asked and jumped when Snake-eyes looked at her with his Evil-eye active. "That's creepy, you know?"
"Get used to it" Snake-eyes shrugged before turning his attention onto Juggernaut who had just pulled his feet free from the ground. "Pump the telepathy up to max and don't let up until he drops"
Jean nodded. The next second Juggernaut was assaulted by a powerful telepathy attack as Jean unleashed all she had at him whilst Snake-eyes gave just as powerful with a copy of the Professor's combined with his copy of Jean's for good measure. Juggernaut struggled valiantly against the psi attack before eventually succumbing to the onslaught and collapsing into unconsciousness. Seeing him beat, Snake-eyes and Jean cancelled their attack before collapsing to their knees as the toll of their attack reared its ugly head.
"Ugh, ice-cream headache city central" Stefan moaned quietly clutching his head. Jean muttered her agreement as she leaned against him on the verge of collapsing herself.
~Good work X-men~ They all heard the Professor say in their minds. ~Logan and Ororo are on their way in the X-jet to return Juggernaut to his rightful place~
'Your brother said a couple of things I don't understand Professor Xavier' Stefan mentally said saying the Professor's surname to show how serious he was. 'You going to come clean?'
There was a pregnant pause as the teens waited with baited breath to hear what the Professor would reply with.
~Return to the mansion as soon as you are possible~ The Professor replied. ~I shall explain all then~
#~*~#
"I knew that this day would come no matter what I did to prolong it, so I must first offer you my sincerest apologies" The Professor said as he looked at each of his students who were all gathered in the lounge sitting on chairs sofas or, in Kurt's case, crouching on the fireplace mantle. "Although aiding people whose X-gene have just awakened is one of the X-men's objectives, their true mission is to stop those who wish to use their powers against the human race in general"
"Are you saying we're like, some sort of mutant police force" Kitty asked from her perch beside Kurt on the mantle.
"In a matter of speaking I suppose" The Professor said allowing himself a small chuckle at the girl's metaphor. "I do hope you'll come to forgive me for not telling you the truth when you first arrived and that you will stay with the team"
"Normally, I don't trust people who keep important stuff from me" Stefan said before looking the Professor in the eye and smiling. "But seeing as you've given my brother the freedom he desired and me the chance to focus on my own future, I think I'm gonna stay here a little while more"
"If Brozzer's staying, zen so am I" Kurt said as he teleported onto his brother's shoulders before quickly teleporting up to the chandelier when Stefan yelped in pain when he put pressure on his sore limbs.
"Yah were fahne durin thah fahght yet now yer in pain again?" Rogue said sounding exasperated.
"The wonders of adrenaline" Stefan stated.
Rogue shook her head. "Well, despaht the weird housemates, ahm in"
"Me too!" Kitty piped in.
"I've got too many girls on the school sports teams counting on me to back out now so I'm in" Jean said.
"Much as I'd love to head back to familiar grounds, I'm gonna stick around also" Evan said.
"Looks like you've still got us for a good while yet Professor" Scott said
The Professor smiled. "And for that, I am grateful"
*~#~*
& I'm grateful to all my fans for continuously reading my work
& for a bit of trivia: Which three manga characters powers/abilities are Stefan's powers based on?
Reply with your review if you know
& 'til next time
Watch this space & peace out