Mutant Generation Force
Issue #36 – What's Behind Xavier's Door
Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters
Cerebra
"So they've been here the whole time?" Sunspot asked as he stared at the group assembled in front of the great mutant detecting devise.
"According to what little the Cuckoos had picked up on," Wolfsbane said as she tried to keep up with what was going on.
Rahne couldn't believe how there's never a dull moment around the place. No sooner had they survived the attack from the Modifier on the Morlocks then Sam and the others go off to find a missing mutant and Dani and a handful of students get abducted by the Neo. Dani and the kids return safely and they find out that the missing mutants, Sage and Bishop have been detected here at the mansion. Dani had spent the last hour with the Cuckoos in here trying to find them while she and the rest of the staff searched the mansion and grounds and neither could find a trace of the two mutants anywhere. Dani wasn't sure what to do until Prodigy came up with an idea that might push them to the limit but it just might do the trick.
First they gathered all the psi and tek related mutants so they could add and amplify the Cuckoos and Cerebra's abilities. Dani, Xi'an and the three Cuckoos stood anchor between Cerebra and the rest of the mutants while Prodigy gave out the plan and instructions. Among the other students were Preview, Blindfold, Shield and Shove Jean Grey's nephew and niece, Wiz Kid, Xi'an's brother and sister, M, and Hellion. They then added a few other mutants to add to their power. Synch and Network to help with connecting everyone together, Grid, like Network would help with detection, Hub for teleportational purposes and to reach other planes and aspects they added Trance, Aura and Wicked. Lastly, they had Boost whose main job was to give them all the added power they needed. Rahne could feel and see the amount of power in the room as they began their search.
"Are we getting anything?" Dani asked as she felt the strain in the room.
"Yes and no. Even with Grid, we are getting small glimpses but it vanishes before we can truly see it. It's as if there is another mind working hard to keep us out," the Cuckoos said in unison.
"We need to push harder," Dani said when she suddenly felt a weird mental heat.
"I feel it too," Xi'an said as they all turned and gasped in shock.
A weird energy was flowing around Joey and Gailyn Bailey. Just like their once living aunt, a fiery image of a burning Phoenix hovered over each of them. Unlike Jean, theirs were smaller and seemed weaker, but not by much since they were trying to work together. Dani didn't know if she should be in awe or scared that the Phoenix appeared to be back times two. Dani moved towards the two young students when power burst from their eyes and they both let out a bird-like scream. At that same moment, someone else not of their group, screamed out in pain. The Cuckoos called out in victory as a portal revealing a doorway appeared. Instantly, the Baileys turned to face Hub and with a burst of energy pushed her to unleash her powers and ignite a mass teleport. Dani held her breath as everything went red then white.
"Sorry father, I tried but I couldn't keep them all out," a voice said as Dani got her vision back.
Dani saw that she was standing in a totally different room with the Cuckoos, Hub, the Baileys, Xi'an, Psiblock, Sunspot and Wolfsbane. She had felt something trying to hold them back but it looked like a few of them made it through. She wasn't sure where she was but it was a narrow corridor that lead to another door that was open with a bright light coming from it and a figure standing in the entry way. Dani could tell that is was a man in his late teens or early twenties. It was hard to tell with his completely bald head but Dani figured he couldn't be all that much younger than she was. He had weird black markings by his eyes and small wing-like feathers that stretched under his arms. Dani thought he held the characteristics of the Shi'ar. The young man moved towards them.
"Father will not be happy at all that you are in here," the man said to them all.
"You can quit trying to enter our minds, it's not going to work against us," the Cuckoos said as they glanced towards Xi'an's little sister who was blocking the stranger's powers from altering their memories.
"Oh man, he will not be pleased, no he won't," the young man said as he paced nervously.
"Who are you and who's your father?" Dani asked as she had already guessed based on the boys facial features.
"Well, Dani, I am Lilandro and Charles Xavier is my father," Lilandro said as he saw all their mouths drop open.
"Lilandro?" Xi'an whispered to Dani as the codename that was given to them to use when needing financial help started to make some sense.
"If you are Charles' son, then why are you here, wherever here is?" Sunspot asked.
"I don't know if I should be talking to you," Lilandro said as he continued to pace.
"Its okay, Lilandro. We are trusted friends and students of Charles. You can talk to us," Dani said as she looked at the frightened boy.
"Yes, but you are angry at him and desperately trying to uncover my father's secrets," Lilandro said as Dani stared at the boy who definitely had inherited his father's gifts.
"What secrets? You and Sam keeping things from us?" Sunspot asked.
"There's the kettle talking. I'm sure you were upfront about what Emma had wanted you, Rouge, Sage and Bishop to search for here," Lilandro laughed.
"What secrets? What are you up to Roberto?" Rahne asked with a growl.
"Emma was looking for my father's secret room and Roberto is a plant put here by her and the Hellfire club to find it. Rouge, Sage and Bishop agreed to help but their intents were to find it to keep it from Emma and double cross her. He was the only on ready to betray you all," Lilandro said.
"He's lying," Sunspot shouted.
"No he's not," the Cuckoos said as they stared at Roberto and then over to Dani.
"That's enough. We'll deal with you later. Lilandro, I want to know what is going on here and what is so important about this room," Dani said as she stared at the man.
"I was born of the Shi'ar. My mother is Lilandra, their ruler. I never knew who my father was and I guess because of my genetic makeup who I was remained a secret to all Shi'ar. Then one day I started to develop mental powers that I couldn't control when I hit thirteen of your Earth years. My mother knew I couldn't be kept secret no longer and told me of my Earth father and contacted him.
"He was shocked that Lilandra had kept me from him. My father soon agreed to bring me back to Earth and train me and help keep me secret from the Shi'ar. As we left, I felt my father do something to my mother. I believe he erased me from her memories and I could tell he did it for my own good. He brought me back here to this room he created that uses Shi'ar technology to hide on a different plane.
"Here he raised me and trained me in my powers and told me to keep myself hidden for my safety from his many enemies. So here I sat helping my father and protecting his secrets," Lilandro said.
"What kind of father keeps his son locked away in a room isolated from people for years?" Joey Bailey asked with genuine concern and sadness.
"Actually, I don't mind. My father gave me everything I ever needed as long as I kept this place hidden and helped handle all his financials and investments," Lilandro said with true pride.
"You do know your father has gone missing?" Dani asked looked at the young man.
"Yes, he and a bunch of X-Men headed into space. They vanished somewhere. I know he's alive out there somewhere. If he had died I would have felt it," Lilandro said.
"So you pretty much know everything about us?" Sunspot asked uneasily.
"Yeah, better than, what do you call it, oh yea, television," Lilandro smiled.
"Creepy," Hub whispered.
"Don't worry, I don't invade people's minds or mess with them like my father does. I truly believe in using my gifts for good," Lilandro said.
"Then how do you know about Emma and the others?" Xi'an asked as she gave Roberto a look.
"I only use my powers when defending this place here. When Sage, Bishop and the others tried to get in I used my powers to protect this place. When Sage and Bishop made it in, between my powers and their talking, I gathered all that I told you from them," Lilandro said.
"So, they are here?" Dani asked urgently.
"Yes, I've been holding them in my father's room. No one has ever come here before so I decided to keep them here till father came home," Lilandro said.
"Take us to them, please. You can trust me. Look into my mind if you need to," Dani said as she smiled.
"I, okay, but dad may not like it," Lilandro said as he led them all down the corridor and into the room at the other end.
"Who knows where dad is or if he's coming back, right?" Hub chuckled as Rahne elbowed her.
They entered the room and Dani couldn't believe what she was seeing. It looked like a mini apartment with high-tech upgrades. Off to the one side was a huge wall with dozens of monitors that allowed them to watch everything from anywhere around the world to about every inch of the mansion. Dani glanced over and lying on a bed was Bishop and Sage, out cold. Dani and Xi'an moved quickly near them and checked for pulses. They both sighed in relief as they got clear strong pulses. At least her worst fears were put aside.
"Don't worry. I didn't hurt them. They are only sleeping," Lilandro said nervously.
"Can you wake them?" Dani asked.
"Yes, but do you think it is wise to do that before you leave?" Lilandro asked with concern in his voice.
"I think he's right. They might not be so forgiving and if what he says about their and Emma's motives it might be best," Xi'an said to Dani.
"I don't believe this. According to these files, Xavier not only has loads of money, but he's financed, backed or had a hand in all kinds of things and groups," Sunspot said as he typed away.
"Oh, you shouldn't be doing that," Lilandro said growing very concerned and serious.
"Roberto, step away from that, we promised him he could trust us," Dani said with irritation towards the man.
"But, there's files linking him to the MLF and even the Weapon Plus program," Sunspot said as he felt himself being forced to step back.
"I said, step away from the computer," Lilandro said with a push of his mind. "I don't understand a lot of that stuff but father said it was all part of his goal for mutant and human coexistence," Lilandro said growing softer as he looked at Dani.
"Sometimes you have to build peace by creating something that threatens it," Rahne said as Dani and Xi'an unwillingly nodded in agreement.
"So what other secrets does this place and Xavier holding?" Roberto asked as he was gently moved away form the computer while Lilandro closed a bunch of screens.
"As much as I trust you, I can't betray my father by letting you have access to his stuff here," Lilandro said looking to Dani.
"We would never ask you to, either. So what do you do for fun?" Dani asked with a smile.
"Right now I am working on a project my father calls, the Rise of the Phoenix," Lilandro said and realized he shouldn't have when he saw the look on everyone's face.
"Lilandro, what does your father have you working on?" Dani asked as she caught Lilandro glancing at the Bailey kids.
"When Jean died, very sad, it truly left her for good. As much as Scott believed she would come back, dad knew she wouldn't this time. With the dramatic way Jean died, the Force was being dissolved or whisked away by something or someone. If it wasn't for her daughter Rachel, it would have but she served as an anchor for it.
"Since my father was gone, my job was to monitor and track where it goes. When Rachel and the rest of X-Calibur died, something happened in that magical moment. The Phoenix Force was ripped from her and it was ripped into four pieces and was scattered. I've been working all this time to find where each piece went. Separated like this the Force highly weakened and can only add mild boosts in power, not like it did when Jean had it all," Lilandro explained as he found it easy to talk to Dani.
"So do you know where it went? Is it?" Xi'an began to ask as they glanced at the Bailey kids.
"Yes, you are correct. One piece of the Force went into each of Jean's nephew and niece there. That is what distracted me enough to allow some of you to get in here. A third piece went into Jean's sister Sway before she headed back into space. With her that far gone, it has permanently grounded and weakened the separate pieces," Lilandro said.
"We have another aunt?" Gailyn asked as she and her brother's eyes went wide.
"Yes, a story for another time," Dani said quickly, "what about the fourth?"
"Haven't found it yet," Lilandro said as he saw the disappointment and interest behind Sunspot's eyes.
"Lilandro, I know you are supposed to stay here, but you are welcomed to come back and live at the mansion with us. Will be safe with us, trust me," Dani said as she extended her hand to the human-Shi'ar hybrid.
"I…okay I'll come. I can always come back here and check on things when I need to. Just understand, until my dad gets back I can't let you in here or access to his files," Lilandro said as Dani smiled while he sent the mental command for Sage and Bishop to wake up and then teleported them all back into the mansion.
The Secret Mutants
Family Heritage – Part One
San Diego, California
Mona sat back exhausted. It had been a long time since she used her teleportation powers so much. After finding Daken, now being called Slash, and getting his memories back he was willing to join along with them for now. She could tell he was going through a lot of emotions. He grew up being trained as an assassin and ruthless killer by a man called Romulus who had led him to believe his parents were dead. Now he had his real memories, one of being raised as a thief on the streets and then becoming a part of her Secret Mutants as a savage fighter but not a killer. Now the man had an internal fight going on. One side wanting him to be a heartless killer he was raised to be and the other wanting the life he once had before being implanted into a new life. He chose to keep his nickname of Slash since he was never fond of Wild Child but was now referring to himself as his old birth name of Daken Akihiro. She just hoped of the two, the Daken they all once new would win out.
They had come to California because Daken had a knack for remembering his marks. He especially remembered the address Sam had because this was a very important mark Romulus had sent him on. It seemed that during a business overseas, Jack Connors had stolen something that had belonged to Romulus. Jack had went back home to San Diego thinking he had gotten away with it unnoticed until Slash had showed up, took the item back while killing Jack and setting fire to his office before leaving. They had asked Daken what the item was but Slash did not know or care. He was told by his former master to retrieve the item, kill the man and destroy any traces of anything related to the taking of the item and that is just what he did.. All he remembered was that the item looked like a small piece from a stone or a statue of some sort. When he gave the item back to Romulus he was rewarded and that was the end of it
With the help of Slash, they had come to San Diego, California and stood on top of a hill looking down at the house that matched the address given to Sam. The house belonged to Jack and Sally Connors where almost five years ago Slash had come and put an end to Jack's life. It was clear to them all that the house had been redone and there were no traces that it had been set on fire. Slash knew nothing further about the Connors but the lingering questions is what ties they had to Sam Guthrie. This address was tied to Sam's name in Xavier's files and their last name was the same last name Sam had had in his previous life according to Mona and those that now had their memories back. Could the people that had lived in that house below be his true parents? Sam wished more than anything that he had his memories back too then he would know what to believe.
"You think these were your real parents?" Theresa asked as she put her hand on Sam's shoulder.
"I don't know," Sam whispered.
"Sorry I killed your dad, I didn't know. If it's any consolation, from what I remember, they were only your foster parents," Slash said as Sam turned and stared at the man with anger.
"You heartless," Warpath said balling his hand into a fist.
"Stop it, all of you," Leyu, now deciding to go back to her original codename of Fira said coming to Daken's defense.
"I don't condone killing, but that was Daken's old life before he got his memories back and who he really is. He like all of you has had your lives turned upside down by my sister and Charles Xavier. We have to stick together," Mona said as the tension began to dissolve a little bit.
"I guess I really have no idea whether those people down there are my parents or not. All I remember is growing up with my parents and brothers and sisters in Kentucky. I don't know what to believe," Sam said as he realized if it was true he would never get to meet his real dad.
"Mona, is there anything more you can tell us about where Sam came from?" Rouge asked as she was now normal after finally having her fire powers go off and then take Daken's again so she could heal herself before losing those powers again.
"All Charles told me was that he brought him from his foster home. Discovering what we have, Charles could have made that up. They could be his real parents or foster parents, but either way I have to assume Charles had altered their memories and Sam's before bringing him to me. All I know is Sam has some connection to the Connors and there is only one way to find out," Mona said as she motioned to the house below.
"So do we just all march down there and ring the doorbell?" Magma asked with sarcasm.
"No, if anyone is still living there it might scare them and I think it might be best if Slash not go since you know," Demon Child suggested as she continued to glare at how close Slash and Fira were growing in such a short time.
"Sam and I will go for sure since I can teleport us out in a hurry," Mona said as Sam nodded.
"I will go too," Siryn added.
It was decided that Slash would stay behind as would Fira to help keep in line while Demon Child offered to stay behind as well. Because of her blue skin, Rouge thought it best to stay behind as well. Warpath and Magma offered to stay behind to keep an eye on everyone since sending three down to the house would seem less conspicuous and threatening. With that, Sam, Theresa and Mona teleported a safe distance down and then casually walked the rest of the way to the Connor's house. Once they got there, Sam took a deep breath, let out a sigh and nervously rang the door bell. They didn't know if the Connors even still lived there and had no idea what to expect. All Sam knew was by ringing the door bell things were about to change for him.
"Hi, can I help you?" A man with dark black hair and blue eyes in about his twenties asked when he opened the front door.
"Hi, my name is Sam Guthrie and this is Theresa and Mona and I know this might seem odd but we were wondering if some old friends of ours still lived here, the Connors?" Sam asked nervously.
"Well, that would be my parents and you look a bit young to be old friends of theirs. I've never seen you before in my life and the only person I knew named Sam was an imaginary friend I had back in the orphanage," the young man said with a laugh.
"Okay, were not quite friends of your parents, we just knew them and," Mona began to say when the man held up a hand to stop her.
"Let's cut to the chase here. My father was murdered almost five years ago over a business deal and I really don't know all about what he did in his business while I was away at college but I do know most of who he kept company with and you three didn't know my father. I can sense that, but the only reason I haven't' called the cops or slammed this door is because I can sense an innocence about you and Sam here has a strange familiar smell about him so why don't you come clean before I change my mind and slam this door," the man said growing impatient.
"Okay, here it goes. As I said, my name is Sam Guthrie and I have reason to believe that I may have been adopted. Whether this is true or not, I do not know but if it is there is a strong possibility that your parents were either my foster parents at one time or actually my real parents," Sam said as he hated this feeling of shyness and helplessness.
"Well, it seems I was not the only one to come from an orphanage. Sam, name's Steve Connors. Why don't you all come in so we can talk?" Steve asked as he invited the three into his home.
Next: Issue #37 – X-Force – Part One & Secret Mutants: Family Heritage – Part Two