Chapter 25: It's all fun and games until…
Devin and Gavin were inside the garage of the Institute and were currently working on Gavin's car, which was in need of a periodic tune up.
"So let me get this straight, again, the accident that killed dad was actually a hired hit that was ordered by Shingin Yashida and made to look like an accident to kill mom, but got dad killed instead?" Gavin asked as he was inside the hood of the car. Devin handed him the tools he needed as he answered. "And it was all because they were working with HYDRA?"
"Precisely. And it's what led to our grandparents resenting her for getting him caught up in it in the first place." Devin nodded.
"This is why I never really cared to get along with those two." The pseudo vampire said as he finished up working on his car.
Just then, there was a buzz from the Garage's intercom that was connected to the front gate. "Hello? Is this the Xavier Institute?" A woman's voice asked.
"Yeah, who's asking?" Gavin answered.
"I'm here to speak to professor Xavier about one of his students, may I come in?" She explained.
"Alright, can I get a name please?" The boy Questioned.
"It's Mariko, Mariko Yashida." Was the voice's reply.
The boy's looked at each other with wide eyes. "Uh, sure, just gimme a second." Gavin said as he hung up.
"What are we going to do?" Devin asked.
"How the hell should I know? I don't know how to handle situations like these." His brother stated in slight panic as he started pacing.
"Well we'll definitely need to get the professor, at least." Devin said as calmly as he could.
"Well yeah, but he doesn't know how to handle the Yakuza." The pseudo vampire fired back.
"Well then why don't-" The metal user said before he stopped mid sentence. "Wait, didn't Logan say he's practically a citizen of Japan?"
"Yeah, why?" Gavin asked.
"Maybe he can help." The boy shrugged.
Gavin sighed as he put his hands in his pockets. "Yeah... Maybe, I'll go ask." He then went to the kitchen where Logan and Chelsea were cooking lunch for the Institute, mainly because it was the blonde Dragoness's turn to cook and she wasn't really up to doing it alone.
"Hey Logan?" Gavin said to the man.
"What is it, vamp?" Logan asked back.
"We have a problem." The boy told him.
The older man cocked an eyebrow, surprised that a student would be coming to him out of all people for help. "Did ya damage your car more than it already was?"
"No."
"Well don't just sit there, spit it out Smokey."
"There's a woman from the Yakuza here, asking about Devin. We-we don't know how to handle this. For all we know it could be the start of an ambush."
Logan let out his claws with a grunt. "Ya get her name?"
"Yeah. She said she's Mariko Yashida."
Logan's eyes widened. "What?!"
"Logan, what's the issue?" Chelsea asked, a concerned look on her face as she tossed a huge stack of steaks to the side. "Ya know, besides a gang member possibly trying to ambush us."
"Nothing it's- damn it!" Logan growled as he began walking to the door. "Chels just go get Charles."
"Hell no! If someone's got you this riled up, I'm coming to back you up." The dragoness snapped back.
"Wait so you know this Mariko chick?" Gavin asked.
"We have a history together, yeah." The man nodded.
"What kind of a history?" Chelsea questioned as they went to find Xavier.
"It's a long story." Logan told her.
Luckily for them, Devin had already informed Xavier of the situation, and the telepath, who wanted to settle this peacefully, decided to let the woman in.
Mariko walked into the Institute a minute later, and upon seeing Logan, she stopped in her tracks, her eyes oddly wide. But managed to still speak properly despite the momentary shock.
"Logan-san, It's... been awhile hasn't it?" She asked in surprise.
"So it has, Mariko, see you haven't changed much." Logan nodded.
Chelsea leaned in close to Gavin's ear, noting her friend's attitude. "What got up his ass?"
"Beats me." The boy whispered back.
"I've tried to continue and reflect my family's prestige," Mariko said. "Which, as you know, is quite important to them."
"I'd go as far as to say more important than anything," Logan said gruffly, his brows knitting into a frown.
"Ms. Yashida, what is your business here? I heard you were inquiring about one of my students." Charles interjected.
The Japanese woman nodded. "Please, if we may speak alone-"
"I'm not sure if we'd be comfortable leaving our headmaster with a gang member." Chelsea growled stepping forward.
"Chelsea. Please, there is no need to be hostile." Charles said calmly. "Ms. Yashida, please follow me to my office."
"I would like for Logan-san to join us." She quipped.
"Mariko you don't-" The feral man tried to respond.
"I may need a translator." She smiled at him. "And I'd prefer an adult to one of these students.
Gavin hissed at that, his fangs flashing. "Watch it." He hissed angrily.
Xavier gave him a stern glare before he, Logan and Mariko went to his office. As they got situated, Xavier spoke. "Now, as you were saying?"
Mariko then spoke in Japanese this time, she found speaking in English to be rather difficult and tiresome, so Logan translated.
"Apparently Devin went on a one man espionage mission to figure out who had ordered the hit on his parents, found them, and then followed their info to Shingin Yashida, her father... and let's just say that their meeting didn't end peacefully, or cleanly." The man explained.
Xavier's eyes widened in surprise. "Are you saying Devin killed your father?"
Mariko shook her head and spoke again. "No, but he did put him in the hospital and turned him over to the police, he's now in a maximum security prison under several life sentences, no possibility of parole, and he is in danger of the death penalty." Logan translated.
The telepath nodded. "So I assume you're here to collect Devin for him to face the consequences of his actions?" He asked her.
Mariko nodded. And Logan then voiced her thoughts. "Seems like it, Chuck." He told the man.
Xavier sighed. "As much as I wish I could help Miss Yashida, Devin is still a minor and is currently under my custody as his legal guardian. I can't just let you take him to face what very well could be a lynch mob because you feel as though he has wronged you." Mariko gave him a shocked look and then started yelling at him in Japanese.
"Yeah I'm not telling him what you said Mariko, so cool it, I can very easily have you thrown out." Logan snapped.
"That said, I do not condone his behavior, so if you wish to compromise by overseeing a punishment I can give him, within reason, then we certainly do that." Xavier told the woman.
Mariko sighed and then mumbled under her breath. "She says that'll be enough." Logan clarified.
"Good." The telepath nodded.
A little while later, Mariko was alone Logan outside the Institute doors, about to leave. "Why did you gang up on me? I thought we were on good terms?" She snapped at him.
"We are Mariko, but I'm still in charge of protecting these kids, you threaten them or the others, all bets are off." The man told her.
The woman sighed in defeat. "Loyal to a fault to those you care about, I suppose that's one thing I can never hate about you." She then stepped closer. "But must you be so harsh to your old flame, your old fiancé?"
"EX-fiancé, and yeah, honestly I think you need to learn a thing or two about how things work in the world." Logan corrected.
Mariko sighed as she simply leaned up and pecked him on the cheek. "I suppose you're right, well, until next time Logan-san."
The scraggly mutant sighed as he walked back into the Institute with his hands in his pockets, but before he could even get near his intended destination of the garage for a drink, he was slammed to the wall by two scaly and feminine arms.
Logan looked at his assailant and saw the face of Chelsea, her emerald green eyes narrowed and draconic and her teeth bared into fangs. She was pissed.
"Alright, Wolvie, you have exactly three seconds to explain what the fuck was going on with you and that Yakuza hoe out there just now before I shove a steel rod through your mouth and out your ass and barbecue it!" The woman snapped at him.
"Woah, woah, easy dragon breath." He put his hands up in defense.
"Don't tell me to go easy!" She snarled. "From where I'm standing I saw you getting a little too friendly with that bitch who came after one of our students!"
Logan snarled back at her trying to push her scaly forearm off. "Chelsea it was nothing."
"No, it wasn't. Your heart rate is up and you got one hell of a blush going across your face. And blushing isn't something the Wolverine does!" The dragoness cocked a teasing eyebrow at him. "Besides smooching you, what else did she do? Run off with your balls and dignity?!"
"What the hell has gotten into you?!" He exclaimed, throwing her off.
"You seemed a little too comfortable with someone, for who all we know, wanted to kill Devin." The dragoness gripped him by the shirt with both fists, still baring her fangs. "We are here to protect these kids and the next thing I know I see you practically making out with a Japanese bitch threatening one of us!"
He growled gripping her wrists. "Mariko wouldn't go as far as to kill a kid!"
"Yeah, I don't think so given your translation back there, buddy."
He raised an eyebrow at her, pulling her back. "You were eavesdropping?!"
The blond rolled her eyes. "I had my suspicions, get over it."
"Chels, you were one of the ones to be apprehensive about Devin joining after his stint in Japan. Why are ya trying to defend the runt now?" He narrowed his eyes at her. "If I didn't know any better I'd say this wasn't even about the kid and about that lil peck back there."
"Well, you definitely don't kiss Sabertooth hello whenever that harry ball sack drops by." She said with a testing glare.
"Ya want an explanation for that?! Fine!" The feral mutant growled, yanking Chelsea into the garage with him and pushing her against the workbench while placing his hands on either side of her. "Yeah, Mariko and I have history."
"What kind of history?" The blond sneered through her teeth.
"Romantic history." Was Logan's reply.
"So does that mean if any of your exes come in threatening a member of this family they get let go with a kiss goodbye?" Chelsea growled. "I mean she was gorgeous so at least you choose beautiful and deadly."
"Don't talk about her like that." The man warned.
"So what? Was it a dine and dash scenario or do you know this bitch well enough to defend her?!" The blonde snapped.
"For fuck's sake Chelse- We were engaged!" Logan yelled at her leaning it a bit closer than he meant to.
There was an awkward pause. Chelsea looked at him in shock, biting her lip as if to keep from continuing more insults. "Damn... never took you for the marriage type."
"I wasn't- I'm not. While I was in Japan I was doing working with her family-"
"The family that killed the Shirakumo twin's father?"
Logan paused, taking a breath trying to control his anger. "Yes. That one." He growled through gritted teeth. "Her and I met. We took a liking to each other. Her father approved of me more than most of his own men or heirs to other successful families. It was practically an arranged marriage."
The dragoness folded her arms watching her companion as he stepped back, hands in his pockets. "So what happened?"
"Things didn't work out." He sighed.
"No shit, really?!" She remarked sarcastically. "I thought maybe this was an undercover booty call."
"We mutually agreed to call the wedding off. We weren't right for each other, and there were... Other complications."
The blond scoffed. "I'll agree that you are not right for each other. She's way too elegant and refined for you. It's a straight-up beauty and the beast scenario with you two."
"The other reason was because of one of my enemies, Lady Deathstrike and her clan. She's a real mean piece of work who wants to see me suffer and then die..." He then sighed as he remembered what happened. "Mariko nearly died of a deadly poison because of me, she was just barely able to pull through when I was able to find a cure. So I wasn't going to put her through that again."
"Oh..." this explanation made the Dragoness feel almost guilty. "Now I wish I hadn't said a damn thing." But then she got angry again. "Well if it was mutual why did she kiss you?!"
"We were close, Chels, stuff like that doesn't just disappear overnight." The man said simply.
Chelsea was about to retort but didn't, as if she understood what he meant, a flash of one of her friends coming across her mind. "Boy do I know how that feels..."
"Oh yeah?" Logan Questioned, his voice obviously not even trying to hide his skepticism.
"I had this friend in HYDRA named Marcus, he was an Italian that could manipulate sound waves, and he was also a drug addict. Dope, heroine, straight up nicotine, he did it all." She told him with a sad expression as she let out a heavy sigh. "Both of us were always constantly thrown into solitary confinement and we got really close when we started talking to each other through our cells... we even started to become a little more than friends, but nothing ever became of it, we just could never see each other as more than siblings."
"You say that like you think he's dead, you and Bast never talk about him." Logan mentioned.
That's when the dam broke, Chelsea then felt her legs buckle as she fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face. "He is, or at least that's what we assumed... he's gone Logan, the one person who knew me better than anyone else is gone, and I was too weak to stop it!" She then started to cry, which caught Wolverine completely off guard, but he decided to just sit beside her and (albeit rather awkwardly) hug her in an effort to comfort her.
"Chels, Chels look at me." Logan said as he forced her to look at him. "He's not the only one, I know you better than anyone else can hope to, remember?" She nodded as he then brought her closer. "And I promise, I'm not going anywhere."
"That's what they all say..." She said under her breath.
"I'm not like most people." The man told her firmly.
As the two separated Chelsea managed to wipe her eyes and looked at him. "Yeah yeah." She smiled. "So, any other women in your life I should know about?"
"Why do you wanna know? Are you jealous or something?" Logan smirked.
"Maybe, maybe not, guess you'll never know." She smirked back, leaning in closer. Which caused Logan to chuckle.
"The rest of the women I've been with were either one night stands or they're already dead." The man sighed. "One that comes to mind is Rose, a girl I dated back in Canada a long time ago. And Shinzen, a woman I was actually married to at one point during the 70s, at least until she died from an accident. She and I had a kid, his name is Daken. We've got a rocky relationship."
"Yikes." The woman winced.
"Yeah, family and I don't really mix." He said with a shrug.
"That makes two of us." Chelsea said , bringing her legs close to her chest. "My biological family and I never mixed well. My parents saw us as accessories to their picture perfect family. My brothers and I were never close. Then I had my mutant family... and you know how that ended. I mean I'm glad that Bast, Kai and I are back together, but, still..."
"You got another family here now though." He nudged her. "And so far, it seems to be going okay for you."
"Don't jinx it Wolvie." She warmed with a small smile. "I'm surprised you didn't try to bring your boy here."
"Yeah well, as I said, we aren't on good terms."
"Has that stopped you from wanting kids in the future?"
He shrugged. "I have my kids here. So many of the girls are like daughters to me. Kitty, Rogue, Jubilee, even Red. I couldn't ask for a better set up where I get the thrill of raising teenage girls then can bail at any point."
"Ah, true asshole dad move." She joked, nudging him.
"You have met me before, right?" Logan shot back with a smirk.
"That's why I said it." Chelsea smirked back as they were finally able to talk normally now, and they did, for a good long while.
(The next night)
-Stokes County maximum security prison-
A security guard was reading a book and listening to music while ignoring what was appearing on the monitors until a loud alarm cut through his music and made him fall out of his chair with a startled yelp.
"Hello!" The man yelped as he turned around, as soon as he saw what was going on, he grabbed his radio. "Hey we gotta problem down here!"
Security guards scrambled to Juggernaut's cell as the warden of the prison arrived there himself.
"What's happening?" The warden asked firmly.
"Containment unit's failing, sir." One of the Doctors there said.
"Have you tried the manual override?" Questioned the CO.
"Negative sir, we're all shut out. Whatever's happening is causing a major malfunction." The Doctor replied.
"What are we gonna do sir?" The guard asked.
"The only thing we can do." Said the warden, while looking at Juggernaut. "We make a call."
(Meanwhile)
-Xavier Institute, a few minutes later-
Everyone was starting to wake up in the middle of the really early morning and came out to the hall where Xavier was waiting for them. Well… Everyone except Gavin, who was still sleeping.
"I apologize for waking you all up this hour, but this is urgent." He began when everyone had arrived.
"What's happening, Professor?" Scott asked.
"I just received a call from Sgt. Stone a few minutes ago." The man said.
"Stone? You mean from the penitentiary?" Devin asked. "You cannot be serious."
"I wish that was the case. My brother's containment unit has begun to fail, and they need my help to fix the problem. I'll be gone for a few days. And With Ororo in Africa, and Chelsea and Bast in Arizona with Logan. I'll need someone to keep an eye on things, so Scott and Jean, you two are in charge." He explained. "And when you get the chance, inform Gavin. I'm not surprised he slept through this." He added.
"I'll do it. He has a habit of turning his hearing aids off when he doesn't want to hear something." Devin said as he yawned before turning and going back to his room.
"Very well, then. I'll see you all when I get back." The aged telepath said as he rolled into the elevator behind him.
"... Alright, since we're all up, who's up for some Danger Room drills?" Scott asked enthusiastically. Everyone just groaned and started walking away from him.
"Don't let that power go to your head, 'Professor S'." Jean told him as she walked away.
Scott just smiled in response, already letting it go to his head.
Later that day, Devin had just finished telling Gavin about what the professor said and the pseudo vampire was a little less than pleased.
"This. Is. Bullshit!" Gavin snapped as he slammed his locker door and winced at the loud noise while Devin handed him back his hearing aids.
"Here." He said with a sigh. His brother took his hearing aids and put them back where they belong. Once he had an appropriate volume established, Gavin turned back to his brother.
"So not only is the Prof out of the house, we have to listen to the red haired guilt tripping goodie two shoes, and a guy with a giant ass flagpole perpetually shoved up his ass?!" Gavin snapped as the two walked down the halls.
"Believe me, I am not happy about this arrangement either." Devin sighed. Just then the boys suddenly bumped into a very familiar trio of girls.
Risty, Kitty and Roxy had just bumped into the two of them. And Devin had just unintentionally collided with the pink haired adrenaline junky by accident, though the girl was able to avoid falling into the other girls thanks to her 'Scorpion sense'.
"Hey Kitty, Risty. Who's your new friend?" Gavin asked, since he'd never met Roxy in person yet till now.
"Oh, that's right. You've never met. Gavin, this is Roxy Styles. Word of forewarning: She has bad eyesight." Devin introduced and warned his brother.
"Huh, whaddya know. A girl with bad eyesight meeting a guy with bad hearing. If that ain't a joke in the making…" Gavin chuckled as he held out his hand to Roxy. "Anyway, nice to meet you."
"Yeah. Nice to know I'm not the only one who suffers from certain problems." The grey skinned girl replied with a smile as she managed to shake Gavin's hand.
"Well now that that's done, Kitty, you know any good parties happening now?" Risty asked the intangible girl.
"No. The party grapevine is pretty much empty right now." Kitty replied with a sigh.
"Ya know what girls, I think we should have our own party. Ideally at someone's place that doesn't have any adults around?" Roxy said to both Devin and Kitty while leaning the back of her head on the former's chest to look up at him. "You wouldn't know anything about a place like that, would you Devin?"
"Don't look at me." The boy said as he looked away nervously. He didn't know why, but something about this girl made him feel extremely nervous.
"Actually I think I may know a place…" Kitty piped up.
Later on, Rogue, Kitty, Kurt, Evan and the Twins were all talking about the plan Kitty had to have a party while everyone was away.
"Alright! While the professor's away." Evan smiled.
"The kids can play!" Kurt smiled as he danced before high fiving the blonde.
"And play it loud!" Kitty cheered as she bumped her locker closed with her hips.
"Um, reality check, guys: Scott and Jean." Rogue stated, causing them to slump in defeat.
"Yeah, but I think I got a plan on how we can get rid of King and Queen buzzkill." Gavin said as he hung upside down from one of the lockers while reading a copy of People magazine.
"This isn't going to end well…" Devin sighed, knowing where this was going.
"What's the plan?" Kitty inquired. Gavin closed his magazine and got down from the lockers before grinning at them.
"You see, it goes like this…" He started as he filled them in on his plan.
(Elsewhere)
Jean was currently hiding behind the bulletin board in the student union, spying on Scott and his sometime fling Terran.
The girl was currently trying to get the boy to take off his shades, but went he wouldn't, she left in a huff and Scott walked behind the bulletin board, causing Jean to become startled.
"Jean, what are you doing here?" He asked.
"Nothing! I was just-I wasn't spying on you." The redhead snapped.
"... You're jealous, aren't you?" The shaded teen noted.
"I-of all the nerve. I am sure Scott Summers! Urh!" Jean growled as she stormed off. As she rounded the corner though…
"You women are so predictable." Devin said while he leaned against a wall and cleaned his nails with his favorite butterfly knife. The red haired telepath whirled around in surprise, again, and faced him.
"When did you even get there?!" She yelped.
"That's none of your business." The boy said. "You know, you should really make a move soon before another girl snatches him."
"What?" Jean asked.
"With Scott. You're playing the long game, like Gavin is with Rogue, and it's not going to work. I'm not trying to be critical, I'm just trying to save you from the same suffering." Devin told her as he twirled and put away his knife.
"That's not what's going on, Devin." She stated firmly.
The Japanese metal user just shrugged as he put his hands in his pockets. "Fine, keep denying it, you'll find out that I'm right eventually." The boy said as he melted himself into the wall and disappeared.
The redhead looked at where he was before sighing in aggravation and just decided to proceed with her day.
(Later that day)
-Stokes County Maximum Security Prison-
Xavier was currently sitting in front of Juggernaut's containment unit and had his tools ready to fix the system, an entire squad of armed guards standing behind him.
"Are you sure this is a good idea? We're taking a big risk of him breaking out here." The warden questioned with a concerned look.
"It's the only thing that makes sense." Xavier said.
"And what about the twenty second reboot time?" The man asked.
"His paralysis shouldn't wear off that quickly. Still, I'll be as careful as I can." The telepath said.
"Alright, let's get started then." The warden nodded as they began the aforementioned process.
Xavier got to work quickly, but unfortunately he was just barely able to fix everything when his brother was about to bust out of his containment unit.
As he finished, the man sat back while letting out a sigh of relief, before his expression turned to one of grave concern.
"Something wrong?" The warden asked, seeing the look on Xavier's face.
"Yes, there is. This wasn't a malfunction. It was sabotage." The man replied.
(Meanwhile)
Back at the Institute, Kitty and Kurt had just gotten back from stranding Scott and Jean at a spot called Lover's Hill just outside of town and everyone was already starting to arrive for their party.
"I love it when a plan comes together." Gavin said as he sat back on the couch.
Devin, meanwhile, was just pulled into a dance with Roxy, who had apparently needed to sneak out of home to attend the party due to her five overprotective older brothers.
The boy honestly wasn't a good dancer, and with how nervous he seemed to get around the grey skinned girl didn't exactly help matters either.
Risty, meanwhile, was showing one of her friends, a kid everyone called Arcade, around the mansion.
"I've only been here once, but I think this hallway leads to the library." Risty said as she led Arcade along.
"What about that elevator?" The bespectacled boy asked as he pointed at it. Risty thought for a moment before shrugging.
"No idea. Never went to wherever it goes." She replied. "But ya know, it might lead to that computer Rogue told me about."
That tidbit caused Arcade to perk up. "Let's go have a look! I need to see this!" He said excitedly.
As soon as they got down to the lower level, Arcade hacked into the Cerebro room and they were then brought face to face with the X-men's mutant sensing supercomputer.
"Whoa… This is definitely cutting edge." The computer nerd said as he looked around.
"Think you can get it working?" Risty asked.
"If I can get the headpiece to accept me as its primary user…" The boy said as he rewired the headdress and put it on as Cerebro booted up. "And, we're in."
That's when files upon files started to appear, even profiles on the students and their powers, which, luckily, neither of them recognized.
"Whoa, this is a lot of characters!" Arcade said in amazement.
"Yeah. It is." Risty nodded. "Mind making me a copy?" She asked him, her eyes having an evilly mischievous gleam in them.
Arcade just handed her a disc as he activated a program that started up the danger room as the English girl left.
Meanwhile, at the party, Gavin was currently taking a nap on the couch when he heard something odd coming from down stairs, as he slowly woke up he went over to Rogue who was also looking rather concerned.
"Does the Danger Room sound like it's on, or am I crazy?" The boy asked her.
"No, it's on alright." Rogue told him. "We gotta get the others and shut it down."
Gavin nodded as he went to grab the others, then they all changed into their costumes and went down to the Low levels. Once down there, Rogue tried to get in, but couldn't.
"Someone must be messing with Cerebro. You guys go check on it, Devin and I will try and handle the danger room from the inside." Gavin ordered.
"Got it." Kitty nodded as she and the others headed for the Cerebro control room.
Gavin then unsheathed his sword and cut him and Devin a way in. As soon as they were in, they both started to fight for their lives as apparently someone had called in the heavy duty equipment. The pseudo vampire even had to slice three massive circular saws in half to avoid meeting the same fate and catch one of the haves that almost hit Devin, which caused his hand to briefly bleed before healing almost instantly.
"It's all fun and games until someone loses a head…" The boy sighed as he tossed the half of the massive saw to the side.
"No one says it like that. But still, agreed." Devin chimed in with a sigh of his own, with most of the heavy duty stuff mangled, they then moved onto the manual shut off point.
Meanwhile, Kitty led the others to the main control room for Cerebro, but there were dozens of other traps lining the corridors. There were even flamethrowers, of all things. Kurt had teleported Kitty out of dodge while Evan gave them both cover while the bubbly valley girl had to phase through a wall with Rogue.
As soon as they reached the Cerebro room, that's when they saw Arcade messing with it, and he was a few minutes away from causing the Institute's systems to reach Defcon 4.
Sneaking up behind him, Rogue placed an ungloved hand on the back of Arcade's neck and instantly knocked him out while Kitty phased through certain parts of Cerebro to temporarily shut it down for good measure.
(About half an hour later)
Everyone was up in the main foire sitting wherever they could that didn't have something broken on it.
"Whoo! That was a close one! A minute later and Arcade would've made the Institute enter DEFCON 4! Ha ha!" Gavin laughed and sighed in relief as he plopped next to Rogue. Devin just shook his head, he was next to Roxy, who had just informed them that she was too a mutant.
"I do not want to know how that would've gone." Evan said as he tried to relax a bit.
"So, this is a school for mutants, huh?" Roxy asked, her rollerblades and helmet currently on the couch next to her. "Seems pretty cool."
"Yeah, it can be pretty cool." Kurt nodded.
"If a bit crowded." Rogue added.
"And loud." Nodded Gavin.
"Not to mention chaotic." Devin chimed in, getting a chorus of 'yeps' from both the X-men and New Mutants.
"But it's definitely a place I'd wanna call home." Kai piped up, who was sitting next to Jamie and Amara.
"Yeah. I mean, look at us. We already call the place home." Amara said with a smile.
As they all finished relaxing, Gavin then got up. "Okay people, listen up! We got exactly one hour to get this place back in working order before Jean and Scott get back. So let's get moving!"
"Right!" Everyone nodded as they got to work in cleaning up the place.
Exactly an hour later Scott and Jean were pulled into the Institute driveway by a tow truck and stormed into the building- expecting to see the scene of a huge party- only to find it in good condition and everyone was just lounging around doing their own thing. And Roxy was still there too.
"Um…" Scott tried to say something, but failed. Jean was faring no better.
Gavin looked up at the two from his People magazine as he sat upside down next to Rogue. "Hey you two, how was your trip to Lover's Hill?" He asked casually.
"It would've been fine if my car hadn't been sabotaged." Scott said irritably.
"Now who could've done that, I wonder?" Devin thought aloud, getting a good chorus of snickers from the others.
"Did you guys throw a party while we were gone and clean it up?" Jean asked sternly.
"Come on, Jean, do you honestly think we could've cleaned up a mess like that in an hour?" Bobby asked the redhead.
Jean tried to retort but gave up in the end upon realizing that they were right on the money. There was no way for them to clean up a mess like that unless they hired Pietro to help them, which was unlikely.
As if on cue, Xavier's car soon pulled into the drive, notifying the students that their teacher was home. Roxy then got up and slung her rollerblades over her shoulder.
"I'll see you guys later." She told them.
"Don't forget to tell your brothers about us, maybe we can get them to let you stay here!" Gavin called as the girl left.
"Who was that?" Jean asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Roxy Styles, another mutant who's living with her brothers." Devin replied.
"Oh." Was all the telepath said.
At that moment Xavier rolled in, and he seemed rather pleased that the Mansion wasn't falling apart after his return.
"Hey prof, how'd everything go?" Rogue asked the man.
"It wasn't a coincidence that drew me away. Someone sabotaged my brother's containment cell." He replied with a grave tone. "Did any of you see anyone suspicious while I was away?"
"Well the only people who were over here today were Risty, who left over an hour ago. And Roxy, who you just saw leave. So I'd say no... Wow, so Steven Tyler is celebrating his daughter's eighteenth birthday by taking her on tour with him, lucky..." Gavin said as he continued to read his magazine.
"Regardless, I feel like this was done deliberately. I only hope nothing bad comes out of it." Xavier mused.
"Yeah, us too." Scott nodded.
"Oh, and by the way, Cerebro shorted out after a power surge hit two hours ago, so ya might wanna have a look at it." Gavin mentioned casually.
"That's not something I wanted to hear." The bald man groaned as he rested his head in his palm.
Meanwhile outside the Institute, a woman clad in a black latex/spandex matching halter bra top, lycra skirt and boots was crouching on one of the Institute's gate pillars. Upon closer inspection it was revealed to be Mystique! Her yellow eyes were now much more cat-like and her skin was a much darker blue. The woman smiled wickedly as she licked her lips, her gaze lingering on Gavin and Rogue before she slipped the same disk Risty had into the pocket of her skirt.
"Good work, Vampyr. Not only did you inadvertently help me get what I needed, but you're still constantly trying to help Rogue better control her powers to try and win her heart…" Mystique then chuckled darkly. "It's so sickeningly sweet, that I cannot wait to see how it ends." With that she leapt from the pillar and instead of her landing on the sidewalk, it was Risty who now stood there.
Risty looked at the Institute as her eyes glowed yellow briefly before she walked off into the darkness of the streets in front of her.
'Don't worry, love, I'll make sure that you'll get what you want. It'll be our little secret…' She thought evilly as she continued to walk into the dark, giggling maliciously the whole way.