Sensational Spider-X

Chapter 26: Gathering Storm

Norman Osborn had been a busy man lately, not only was there the running of his company but he was also dealing with issues with his 'partner' Wilson Fisk. Already the facility where they had placed the machine stolen from Magneto was up and fully running. They had to adjust for the power of the device as well as Dr. Essex making adjustments to it. Everything was ready to go with that, but they still lacked a test subject.

The device could be used to turn humans into something more, giving them powers that no normal human could ever obtain. But Fisk wanted it to be used to enhance mutants already and that took time. Essex claimed that the machine could now do both and Norman hoped the man was correct. There was just something about the man that made him feel like he couldn't trust him. Well Norman needed him at any rate for that side project. He wasn't sure what exactly was going on, only that the genetic samples taken from the brief time they had those students of Xavier's was involved.

It also seemed that the Kingpin had a small grudge against that group, Normal wasn't sure why but it wasn't too big, if it was they would all normally be dead by this point. It was most likely that they had inadvertently got in the way of Fisk's less than legal side of his businesses. They had all been preparing for the current project.

Norman was told (not asked since the Kingpin never asked anything of anyone) that Norman should meet him for a very special meeting today. So here he was, in Fisk tower going up the elevator for a meeting that he had no idea of why he had to be here in person. Didn't Fisk realize that he had a lot of work to take care of? Plus it wasn't like he could walk into that facility and work there first hand, not with Doctor Octavius there.

That was something that he still didn't like, the man's accident had obviously unhinged him. Plus Octavius had sworn to get even with Norman Osborn for his accident and having those metal limbs fused to his body. If that man had any idea that he was in fact still working for Norman, well it wouldn't end well for everyone involved.

But Fisk insisted that the man could be controlled as long as he thought that he was going to get the help he desired for revenge. Normal wasn't so sure and was already planning on dealing with him as soon as Octavius was no longer useful. Maybe after this project they wouldn't need him anymore Fisk had mentioned that he was looking for new investors. What type of investors that would throw in with this kind of project with men such as themselves had to be the kind that wouldn't even blink at what they were getting into.

Eventually he arrived at the top offices, the place was lavish as usual, marble floors that looked to be polished every day. The walls all decorated in the latest tastes, he went to great lengths to show off how important, rich and current he was. Norman wasn't sure but he suspected that the public history behind the man wasn't true this said to Norman that this was a man who had nothing and had gained everything and wanted to show the world he wasn't that person anymore. Of course that was all guess work, he wasn't suicidal enough to try and dig into the man's past. Others most likely have tried and when they dug too deep ending up digging their own graves.

He walked in to the secretary that let him in immediately, that was a small favour at least he wasn't being made to wait. He hated being called and then having that done to him, he did it himself to establish dominance before a meeting, to show who was in charge.

He walked into the large office and saw two women sitting there already. Both were attractive and both were like night and day. There was a blonde all dressed in a white female business suit that was cut to show off her figure in all the right ways without seemingly to be slutty. She was poised and held an air of superiority about her. The other with raven hair and a matching dress sat like a queen.

Normal could feel their eyes on him and knew he was being judged, normally he would be irked by that but there was something hidden behind those icy blue eyes and cold dark ones. He had a feeling that he should just get this over as soon as possible.

"Ah Norman, allow me to introduce two members of a very special organization that are going to be partners in our little program." Wilson told him sitting back in that massive and reinforced chair. "This is Emma Frost and Miss Selene."

He nodded to them both as he saw that there was no other chair, he was supposed to stand before them, yet another power play. "I see, I take it you want an update?"

"Among other things, please explain in greater detail to refresh our minds, as Miss Selene here was recently brought in." The Kingpin explained.

Norman took a breath before getting into it. "Basically we acquired technology that was being used to turn normal humans into super powered ones. The device scans the DNA of whoever is inside of it and with the help of special and very rare crystals which have unique properties. The DNA is bombarded with a type of unknown energy that can literally rewrite the DNA."

"The results are a bit random, it seems because each set of DNA is unique so is what happens to that person. Recently we've also been modifying it so that for mutants, it can enhance their abilities giving them even more power."

Selene raised an eyebrow, she had been told the basics about it but the man seemed very sure of himself. "Indeed, has this been tested yet?"

"No," Wilson stated before Norman could. "But that's one of the reasons I've asked you here. I know the reasons behind why your 'organization' is interesting in something like this, so I doubt that there would be any volunteers from your side. But I have plans to get someone that we could use. I wanted your opinion on the matter."

He passed a file folder to the women as they looked it over.

"Xavier's," Emma Frost said looking at the pictures. "That's fine but why do you need us?"

"I wanted to make sure that it was alright to use them for the testing. I wasn't sure where you had your fingers into and didn't want to take one of your pet projects by mistake." The Kingpin told her folding his hands together.

"You see Xavier will most likely be interested in gaining help from those that can help mould the political climate. If you're group was involved that would help pull him in. In fact I was going to invite Xavier and his prize students. Then I can have some of my people stage and attack and capture one of them. After that we can all watch the results first hand. It's then that you'll see what I can bring to your group."

Emma and Selene looked at each other in a silent communication was going on between them. Emma turned to face the Kingpin. "Very well, the others are getting a bit anxious to see where this could lead and it's good that things are moving along quickly now."

"I think this will be fun," Selene smiled a deadly little smile. "I think I'll want to watch the show myself. Do you mind if I attend the party? I'll want to see the subjects in person plus Xavier and his students have been getting a lot of attention. It would be best to see firsthand what they are like as I think one day they could be enemies."

Emma sighed, "I suppose I should attend as well, you are right that those youths could be problems one day. Plus I want to see firsthand what they are capable off when surprised. Shaw will want reports on them started up and this could be a good chance for that as well."

"Interesting," The Kingpin said leaning back. "Not even truly enemies and yet you're planning for future battles."

"Do you disagree with that?" Selene asked.

"Not at all," Wilson smiled, "I'm a man that can appreciate that. Norman, I think it's time to begin the next phase."

Norman nodded his head in understanding, "I'll see to the arrangements with that team we gathered."

-Xavier's Two Days Later-

Charles Xavier had been in his study going over the usual mail not that long ago. Paper work was one of the things he dealt with all the time personally. Sometimes he did wonder about getting someone to help out, at first he didn't because of the unique nature of his home that he couldn't have sought out a personal aid. Now that mutants were exposed to the world he doubted that someone might answer.

It posed no matter to him, after all, he was used to it and it gave him time to reflect. It was amazing the amount of money teenagers could use up. There were the monthly expenses, also he gave them all a monthly budget they could use. Given that some of them had no homes to go to, no family to help support them it was the least he could do. Even those that did, he still gave them the money for shopping if only so that their own families wouldn't have to worry.

Plus the expenses for the mansion and things like the X-Jet, Danger Room and other things like that were expensive. The jet especially, it wasn't easy retrofitting a military vehicle like he had, let alone getting a blackbird. Although the parts were starting to run out, he would have to look into a new jet in a few years time. But what broke him out of the usual paperwork was a letter from Fisk Industries.

Xavier paused as he remembered that was the company of Wilson Fisk, an industrialist and was known to work for many different charities. Intrigued he opened it as he read the contents. Apparently it was an invitation for himself and a few others to attend a function in New York. He had to admit that some nice exposure to the right people could help with mutant rights. Already there was a lot of political questions and turmoil being thrown around ever since mutants exposed themselves to the world.

He had been meaning to try and get some good PR not to mention make some contacts with a few people that could help with any political connections. By the look of the invitations he was even encouraged to invite his most promising students. Although it was a bit odd, with everything that had been going on this could be something that his students might enjoy. A night out at something like this could be a good experience.

Xavier would have to make some arrangements but he would have to call them into his office to see any of them would even wanted to go to this event.

Meanwhile in another part of the mansion two young people were having their own conversation as they wondered one of the large halls.

"No." Peter said again.

"But why?" Spyder whined as he followed him.

"I said no," Peter sighed as she had been bugging him for the past fifteen minutes about this idea of hers.

"But with these new powers I can go out with you now!" She said excitedly as she made a few phantom punches in front of her. "I could be Spider-Girl or something, I just need a cool costume and I could be your sidekick."

"Spyder I said that I don't want you out there with me like that," Peter told her seriously. He knew the pressure he felt to be Spider-Man but also the danger of it and how those that cared about him felt when he went out there alone. He wasn't going to put some fourteen year old out there with guys with guns. Being a mutant was dangerous enough for her as it was.

"Why not?" She asked him crossing her arms and pouting slightly.

Peter stopped and turned to face her, "Remember what happened with the whole Sirens thing?"

"Well...that's different, I'm stronger now and I got new powers. I'm faster, stronger and I can even bite people with my venom teeth, see?" She pulled her mouth wide with her fingers to show off her teeth.

"Yeah, I remember. Jamie been back to see Hank again?"

She scowled at him, "That was an accident!"

"Exactly my point, you still don't know what you can fully do since the change. Do you know just how fast you are or how strong? You don't have a spider sense like I do that lets me get out of the way of most dangers either. Plus I've been in lots of fights so I've got some experience." He placed his hands on her shoulders. "Look it's not like I don't appreciate the thought, I do. But maybe you should focus more on learning more about your powers and what you can and can't do."

"Trust me there is plenty of time for you to learn your powers better," Peter also hoped that by then she would have rethought about her plans. Honestly he really didn't want to worry about her constantly while he was out as Spider-Man. Plus it wasn't like Xavier would be too keen on the idea not to mention aunt May either.

Spyder grumbled but he did make sense, although she really didn't want to admit it at all to him.

"Look I-" Peter paused as he jerked his head to the side. "Man...I hate it when he suddenly does that sometimes."

"What?" she asked him narrowing her eyes.

"Professor X just called in his usual way, you didn't hear it? Well anyway looks like he wants to see me in the office." Peter shrugged.

Spyder levelled a look at him.

"What? I'm serious." Peter's spider sense didn't warn him fast enough before her foot connected with his shin. He gave a small yelp as he jumped back from her kick.

"If you're going to make up excuses use a better one than that!" She walked off in a huff.

"But I wasn't lying," Peter muttered to himself rubbing his shin. She really could kick a lot harder now, he was doing to have to make sure he was far enough away when she got angry in the future. So Peter limped his way to Xavier's office hoping this wouldn't take long, he planned to make a trip to the kitchen to get an ice pack out of the freezer for his shin before a nasty bruise formed.

When he got in he already saw all the adults as well as everyone on the X-Men team. He wasn't sure what was going on, the room wasn't tense or anything the only thing he could feel was a sense of confusion. Apparently no one else knew what was going on either and he was the last to arrive too. Boy did he hate being the last to arrive.

"Finally showed up I see." Logan commented.

'Oh yeah I hate being late,' Peter inwardly groaned.

"Alright now that everyone is here I wanted to run something by you all." Xavier pulled out the invitation and placed it onto his desk. "It seems that we've been invited to go to a public function in New York. This is a very high class social event that we've been invited to it would seem."

"What do you mean 'we', I thought you were?" Logan asked him.

Xavier nodded his head, "Yes but I was also asked to bring alone a certain number of students. Apparently Mr. Fisk wanted to meet some of my students as well as myself at this event."

"It seems a bit out of the blue, but then again out of all the known mutants we are the most public face," Hank mused out loud to the room. "It's not like many other mutants have come forward or even those that are known, are not exactly the most friendly."

"Yeah I can't see the Brotherhood being involved in this," Scott commented honestly.

Evan agreed, "Yeah those guys would most likely cause trouble or worse Magneto can't see that guy ever being invited either."

"Exactly one of the reasons why I think we should go," Xavier spoke up getting everyone's attention. "Public outlook on mutants isn't all that great at the moment. I'm hoping we could improve on the image of mutants with this. There will be plenty of influential people there and it is my hope that we can show them that mutants are just like anyone else. That there is nothing to fear and to show that we are just people all the same."

"That sounds like a good opportunity," Jean thought about what the Professor said. "We can lay the ground work for a lot of positive feedback for mutants."

"So like, we're going to some major party to talk with these people or are we just to show up because I'm not sure how confident I am about all of this." Kitty was a little nervous. This was something major, it wasn't like a high school dance or anything it was a major event. There would be people there that owned whole companies, politicians and who knew what else. There would just be a lot of important people and it made her feel a bit nervous.

"I don't expect it to be totally easy for some of you but I feel that I should give you all a chance." Xavier said gently to them all. "Yes there might be some pressure but I believe that if you only act yourself then you'll do just fine. Just be natural and try to be on your good behaviour and things should work out."

"Well you can count me out," Logan said flat out. "I'm not one for these kinds of things besides someone should stay behind and make sure the other kids don't start getting into trouble here again."

"I might as well stay behind too," May told them. "I'm not one for these fancy affairs and I agree with Logan. There should be some adults left here with only a few of you going, plus with all the children here you'll need at least two people to look after the mansion."

"You sure aunt May?" Peter asked.

"I'm sure, besides I don't like large gatherings with strangers, never did when I was younger and I sure don't now." She told him honestly.

"Well then, the rest is up to the rest of you," Xavier looked over those in attendance.

There was some talking and discussing, some were even asking if they could bring dates. Kitty was hoping Lance would at least want to go with her, Kurt was wondering if he could get Amanda to go. It would certainly be something to show her and given the kind of party her parents might not mind her going to New York for it. But he would have to get in touch with her and she would have to ask her parents of course. But besides that, in the end Ororo and Hank agreed to go, Hank needed a little convincing since he was still a little unsure to go out into the world as he was.

He could go out like Kurt did but in the end he felt that if people were to accept mutants, they had to learn to accept all kinds of mutants and in a way he needed to accept himself. Since they had figured out who were going and who were staying Xavier told them they would have a few days to get ready for it.

"Oh my god we so need to get some good clothing, I mean we can't show up in our usual clothing right?" Kitty asked the group.

"The only good clothing I got was that dance and I think there is still a rip I found in the jacket." Scott mused after the whole dance that hadn't gone all too well.

"You all might want to look into getting something fashionable," Xavier agreed that a good presentation couldn't hurt. "Tell you all what, I'll pay for a new set of clothing as this is a formal affair so I don't expect you all to pay for this as I am asking you all to attend."

"Oh we so have to go out shopping together for something really great," Kitty said now totally excited any worries long forgot at the prospect of getting a new and possibly expensive dress.

"Do we have to?" Rogue sighed.

"Come on it should be fun," Kitty told her friend as she looked at Jean. "Come on Jean we can totally get something great."

"It could be fun," Jean admitted to them plus it would be nice to get a really great dress she could wear for special occasions later on. She did like her yellow dress from the last dance but someone more high end would be nicer to have.

"I guess ve all vill have to," Kurt thought about his own clothing it was okay but he really wanted to make an impression with Amanda if she could go with him.

"Well looks like we all will be a little busy for the next few days," Peter smiled. "But if you all excuse me there's an icepack with my name on it."

"What happened to your leg?" Rogue asked finally seeing him limp slightly.

"Never get someone angry that can really kick hard within kicking distance of you," Peter said cryptically as he went off to the kitchen leaving a confused room behind him as he did.

Next up Chapter 27: Party Crashers