Chapter 1: The crew's recruitment
Rain poured over the landscape that had a crater that covered a decent range of what used to be a church with a single teenager laying on the right side of his face on the ground. Professor and Storm waited in the X-jet while Wolverine and Rogue made their way toward the boy. The closer they got, the more they could see how frail the teenager looked seeing he was only wearing torn pants. Although his pants were torn, everything else about him was fine aside from the many scars on his body. The teen boy had a frail body build as well as multiple scars on his form, yet he had no other present or current wounds present. He had tanned skin with short black hair that swayed to the rain hitting his face.
"What happened here?" Rogue asked looking around while Wolverine snarled at the unconscious boy.
"I don't know but no point in asking things we don't know about. if anyone would know it would be the Professor. He'll know what happened," Wolverine said looking at the young boy before turning his attention to the unconscious teenager as he picked him up and placed him over his right shoulder. "Come on."
"...K... Kenraw...did...it," The teenager mumbled making Rouge tilt her head in confusion.
"Who's Kenraw?" Rouge asked looking at Logan with a raised brow.
"I don't know kid now come on. Stop dillydallying," Wolverine snarled while looking over his shoulder at Rouge.
"Fine. Whatever," Rouge complained as the two started to walk back to the X-jet where Professor Xavier and Storm waited.
"I sense a great power from this boy," Professor Xavier spoke while place his left hand over the boy's head and closed his eyes.
As he entered the boy's mind, he could hear multiple voices shouting at one another at what to do before it became deadly silent. Soon enough a large figure appeared in front of Professor Xavier standing at a towering eleven feet tall while its eyes looked down at him.
'None will wake the one who slumbers. Fear the broken...but flee from the Awoken. Now, LEAVE!' The figure screamed before Xavier removed his hand from the boy's head panting lightly while his eyes shot open.
"Professor?" Storm asked blinking her eyes.
"He's a mutant...one with multiple personalities with powers of their own. From what I heard...there are six of them... with one still deep in slumber..." Professor Xavier said closing his eyes and placing his hand on the side of his head. "I must rest for now...that took more out of me then I expected."
"A mutant with multiple personalities?" Storm asked looking at the unconscious boy.
"For now, let us take him back to the mansion where we can treat him better. We can ask him after he is well enough," Professor Xavier said as Storm nodded her head.
"I will take him to rest in the X-Jet sickbay for now," Storm spoke as she took the boy in her arms and made her way to the center of the plane while Rouge blinked her eyes at the boy's unconscious face.
-Xavier's Mansion: 2 days later-
The boy opened his eyes slowly and tried to sit up but groaned in pain causing him to fall flat on the bed wearing a new pair of clothes fit with comfortable jean pants and a white t-shirt. As his eyes opened completely, he found himself in a large white room almost like a lab causing fear to start to build up in his mind. Jean soon came in looking around before turning to see he was awake causing her to gently smile.
"You're finally awake. How are you feeling?" She asked in a soft tone while moving over to place her hand on his forehead to feel for any sickness.
"W-Where am I?" He said looking up at her with a soft blush.
"You're safe. What's your name?" Jean asked tilting her head slightly.
"...Gideon," He introduced softly while his eyes mellowed out a little with the fear fading away ever so slightly but still lingering.
"Gideon. It's nice to meet you. My name is Jean Grey," She said taking her hand off his forehead while turning to look at the monitor.
"...w-where am I?" Gideon asked keeping his eyes on her.
"You are at Xavier's Institute for Higher Learning. A place where you can learn to master your mutant powers," Jean answered.
"Mutant...powers?" Gideon stuttered in a confused tone.
"I can handle it from here Jean," Xavier said as he entered the room causing Gideon to look toward the Professor.
"Who...are you?" Gideon asked as his fear began to grow once more.
"There is no need to fear. My name is Professor Xavier. I am a mutant like you. All I want to do is help you," The Professor announced causing Gideon to ease once more.
"W-Why am... I here?" Gideon asked in a frightened tone in which Jean placed her hand on his shoulder to steady him as well as calm him down.
"We want to help you learn and master your mutant powers?" Xavier said placing his hands together with a smile.
"Powers?" Gideon repeated as he looked at Jean than back at Xavier. "I don't...have any...powers."
"You do. You just don't know how to control them," Xavier said causing Gideon to shake his head slowly.
"No...I... I don't..." Gideon said fearing the worst now.
'Calm yourself, Gideon,' Xavier said through telepathically.
This surprised Gideon as he looked around in confusion and growing ever more frightened.
'Do I get to come out and play now?' A sinister voice called out causing everyone to fall silent and look around the room while Gideon's eyes closed as if falling unconscious. 'Last time Kenraw came out and killed all those poor people….so quick…so painless...so boring,'
'Who is this?' Xavier asked looking at Gideon.
'I am one of many Professor...Xavier,' The voice answered in a mocking tone followed by a burst of laughter. '...but I...am called Karas,'
'You are one of the voices I heard within Gideon's head,' Xavier commented with narrowed eyes.
'Yes. All his negative emotions manifested into personalities that have a mind of their own. Oh, the fun we can have,' Karas cheered as Gideon's body began to shift and change from a frail body into a lean build as well as his hair growing to the back of his neck.
"What are you?" Storm asked growing defensive along with Jean who backed away.
'Telling is so boring. It would be more fun...to show you,' Karas said as Gideon's eyes opened revealing them to be pitch-black and a long grin growing over his lips.
'Not while I am here,' Xavier said focusing on Gideon's mind and putting not only Karas to sleep but any others who were trying to break out.
'Lock us up...as much as you like...we will escape...in all due time,' Karas warned as he started to laugh again only for it to slowly start to fade away like a sound down a deep tunnel before silence came to the room.
"That was him?" Jean asked in a surprised tone.
"One of seven," Xavier answered with a sigh. "Luckily this time the blowback was not as powerful as before. Unfortunately, that will not be the last time we see this...Karas."
"What would you want us to do Professor?" Jean asked looking at Xavier while Storm walked over to the sleeping Gideon.
"For now, all we can do is wait. Maybe take him to a more comfortable place. From the way he reacted, this is not the first time he has seen a lab...and his previous experience...has scarred him," Xavier said with a sad tone.
"...do you know who the other six are?" Storm asked looking at Xavier now.
"No. I ran into something that was able to force me out of Gideon's mind," Xavier said closing his eyes and sighing. "I do not know what it is but although I can tell he is a mutant...part of him...is not,"
"What do you mean part of him is not mutant?" Storm asked confused.
"I do not know. This is the first for me," Xavier said sighing before looking at Jean. "Have Scott take our young friend Gideon to a room. One that is not occupied at the moment please Jean."
"Sure," Jean said looking at Xavier before turning her gaze to Gideon which she used her telekinesis to lightly carry him off the bed and hover behind her while leaving the room.
"Are you sure it is safe for him to be here Professor?" Storm asked watching as Gideon hovered out of the room.
"I do not know Storm but...we must try," Xavier answered with cautious eyes.
-Room-
Gideon's eyes slowly opened to find himself in a comfortable bed as well as in a normal room. Blinking his eyes, he sat up with his right hand moving to his gut groaning in slight pain. His eyes looked down and looked at all the scars he had collected over the years of living in the church. A soft whimper escaped his lips before he heard someone knocking on the door.
"Hello? Are you up?" Scott asked from the other side causing Gideon to grab the blanket and pull it up to his lower face to stare at the door. "I'm coming in."
Scott soon entered wearing casual clothes which allowed Gideon to loosen up a little but still held the blanket tightly in his grasp.
"Sorry if I woke you. The Professor sent me to check on you. He felt that you were up so...yeah," Scott said bringing his right hand to rub the back of his head. "How're you feeling?"
"...who...are you?" Gideon asked.
"Names Scott Summers. It's nice to meet you..." Scott paused while bringing his hand forward in a means to shake Gideon's.
Gideon looked at Scott then at his hand before stretching his hand out to shake his slowly.
"...Gideon...Johnson..." He introduced himself before Scott smiled and nodded his head.
"It's nice to meet you, Gideon Johnson. Wanna join us for some breakfast?" Scott asked as he took his hand back and slipped it into his pockets.
"Us?" Gideon asked tilting his head slightly.
"Yeah. There are others like us and if you want, I can show you around," Scott said with a shrug. "Usually Jean or Storm would show you around but it seems you are not too...well open to them. Uhm, mind if I ask why?"
"Women...scare me..." Gideon admitted as he looked down now trembling.
"...why do they scare you?" Scott asked tilting his head slightly.
"They laugh at me...lie to me...hurt...me..." Gideon answered as tears started to form in his eyes before they closed and his form starting to change again.
"Gideon?" Scott asked bringing his hands out of his pockets.
"Gideon is sad," A voice called as Gideon's body began to shrink.
"...who am I talking to then?" Scott asked with a serious tone while bringing his hand up to his red shades while getting into a position to defend himself.
"No need to get defensive Mister Scott. My name is Kenshi," The boy introduced before hopping out of the bed revealing his body.
Gideon's body had shifted into that of a young five-year-old boy with his vanilla skin and average body build. Kenshi's eyes were aqua-colored while his hair was short and pure white. The boy had an aura of peace around him that Scott felt compelled to calm himself and bring his hand to his side. He had no idea who this was, but it was clear he was more open and kinder than the other one he was told about.
"Uhm, it's nice to meet you...Kenshi," Scott said blinking his eyes still cautious of the boy before him. "Would you like to meet everyone else?"
"Yes please," Kenshi said with a bright smile making Scott chuckle nervously as he walked to the door and opened it. "More friends!"
-Mess Hall-
Kenshi walked into the Mess Hall and saw it was completely empty with only Professor Xavier, Jean, and Storm waiting for him. Seeing only a few people here made Kenshi a little disappointed but simply shrugged his shoulders and walked over to the table they waited at. As they grew closer, Jean and Storm looked at Scott waiting for an explanation but only got a shrug from him.
"Hello. My name is Kenshi. It's nice to meet you all," Kenshi spoke bowing his head in respect before standing up straight and smiling.
"It is nice to meet you Kenshi," Xavier said with a soft gentle laugh.
"Please don't be alarmed. I am nothing like the others," Kenshi assured with a smile as he sat down and placed his hands on the table. "Can I have something to eat please?"
"Of course. Jean, can you get our friend here some food," Xavier asked looking over to Jean who nodded her head.
"Oh, can I have a juice box too?" Kenshi asked with puppy dog eyes.
"Of course, Kenshi," Jean replied before walking off to get food for Kenshi.
"So Kenshi...tell us about yourself," Xavier said looking at Kenshi who was swinging his little feet back and forth.
"What do you want to know mister?" Kenshi asked tilting his head slightly.
"Although you have the body of a child you are far from it aren't you?" Xavier asked.
"You're right. I am...as old as Gideon. We all are sixteen years old," Kenshi admitted earning a nod from Professor Xavier.
"...and what can you tell us about the others that reside within Gideon?" Xavier asked.
"Everyone else you mean. Well...you already met Karas...he creeps me out...but he is not the scariest of the six of us who are awake," Kenshi said shivering slightly at the thought of the seventh.
"What do you mean?" Xavier asked blinking his eyes.
"The scariest out of the six of us is The Broken...he's bigger and stronger than ALL of us put together," Kenshi explained while stretching his hands out as if it was a huge fish.
"The Broken...does that mean the one who is sleeping is scarier than him?" Xavier asked making Kenshi nod his head quickly.
"Yeah. We each have our own room in Gideon's head. Mine is sunflowers and rainbows everywhere!" Kenshi started while laughing softly only to fade away as he looked down at the table. "...but The Broken's room is...pitch-black...I wouldn't call it a room but...more of a pit,"
"Rooms? Does that mean the others can enter your room without you knowing?" Storm asked with worry in her eyes.
"Thankfully no. They can see what everyone is doing in their room but nothing else. One time someone tried to enter Kenraw's room and it was as if they ran into an invisible wall. It was funny," Kenshi answered before laughing softly with his eyes closed.
"So, who are the others living within Gideon's head?" Xavier asked with a raised brow.
"Well we all talk when we can but the only one, I talk to is Kenshin. He's a good listener. I can go on and on about something and he never complains, " Kenshi said with a bright smile while looking up at the ceiling but soon let out a loud sigh as he looked at Xavier. "The others are different. Karas likes talking about hurting people slowly while Garuda just wants to eat everything. Of course, theirs Kenraw but all he talks about is himself. I mean...there is the broken but...no one talks to him,"
"Why does no one talk to him?" Scott asked standing behind Kenshi who turned to look at him.
"...he hurts us. Something none of us can do. We can yell at each other and even annoy one another but never hurt someone...not in the mind palace," Kenshi said looking down at the ground now.
"...he can't hurt you here Kenshi. It's okay," Xavier said with a reassuring smile which Kenshi took on with a nod.
"Thank you. It's because of you that I wanted to come out Mister Xavier," Kenshi said with a light chuckle.
"Oh, to thank me?" Xavier asked while leaning back on his chair.
"Yes...and to warn you..." Kenshi said with a weak smile.
"Warn me?" Xavier repeated confused.
"You made The Broken...very angry by putting him to sleep but...thanks to you...he cannot leave his room," Kenshi said but faced the table once more. "...for now, that is..."
"What do you mean for now?" Storm asked.
"You already know we each were manifested by Gideon's emotions. All of us can only come out when Gideon displays one of his emotions. Mine is sadness..." Kenshi explained while closing his eyes.
"I remember that. When Gideon started to talk about why he did not like women...he was feeling sad and you appeared," Scott said looking at Xavier.
"...the same goes for when Gideon was growing more and more scared of the medical room. It looked just like a lab...and Karas came out...although it was brief," Storm added looking at Kenshi.
"Karas is fear and Garuda is hunger. Kenshin is guilt and Kenraw is despair. As for The Broken...his emotion is Rage...if Gideon were to ever feel rage...pure absolute rage...he would break from his room and come out. And let me tell you...he is unforgiving," Kenshi warned looking at Xavier.
"What of the seventh? Who is he and what is his room?" Xavier asked making Kenshi blink his eyes.
"I don't know..." Kenshi answered as Jean came back with a tray of food.
"Sorry, it took so long. Had to look for the juice boxes," Jean said placing the food tray in front of Kenshi smiling.
"Thanks miss," Kenshi said looking at his tray of pizza and pudding which he started to dig in.
"Kenshi. What do you mean you do not know who the last one is?" Storm asked making the young boy stop stuffing his face before gulping the food in his throat and laugh nervously.
"Sorry about that. I was kind of hungry...the church Gideon used to live in did not watch over him like anyone else. He was...tormented a lot by everyone," Kenshi said with a sad tone before shaking his head. "I do not know who the last personality is...his room...is past The Broken's,"
"I see. Thank you, Kenshi for the information," Xavier thanked in which Kenshi nodded his head.
"You're welcome Mister Xavier," Kenshi said before going back to eating.
"Out of the five of you, who do we have to watch out for the most?" Storm asked blinking her eyes as Kenshi stopped eating halfway to look up at her than to Professor Xavier.
"Out of the five of us? You mean excluding The Broken and the one who sleeps right?" Kenshi asked as he prepared his juice box with a smile.
"Yes," Storm answered making Kenshi nod his head.
"Probably Kenraw. I mean Garuda can absorb anything but...he has his weaknesses...something Kenraw knows full well about and exploits without hesitation," Kenshi said with a sigh. "As prideful as he is...he is also cautious when it comes to serious fights,"
As Kenshi pointed this out, he finished his drink before sighing in relief and patting his belly.
"Thank you all for taking good care of me and please...watch over Gideon. There is only so much I can do along with Kenshin," Kenshi said as he closed his eyes and reverted back into Gideon.
'You can trust them, Gideon,' Kenshi said to his host as he opened his eyes to find himself sitting in the center of everyone.
Blinking at this, he felt a sense of peace with them before looking at Professor Xavier.
"...I do have powers...don't I?" Gideon asked looking down at the table.
"You do my dear boy...but don't worry. No one will hurt you ever again," Xavier promised with a smile in which Storm looked at him with concern.
"There is still so much for you to see Gideon. May I ask who you would like to show around?" Xavier asked as Gideon looked up and pointed at Scott then Jean.
"These two...please..." Gideon politely asked in which Xavier nodded.
"Of course. Scott and Jean can show you around," Xavier said as he looked to Storm then back at Gideon. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have some paperwork to do,"
Xavier waved his hand to Gideon before Storm took him and left the mess hall leaving the three alone.
"So where should we begin?" Scott asked with a smile while looking at Jean.
"Why not start at the front and work our way in?" Jean suggested causing Gideon to nod his head along with Scott.
As the three left, Xavier was left in the mess half lost in thought while Storm crossed her arms under her bust with concern on her mind.
"The Broken..." Xavier whispered while looking at the table.
"Karas worries me, Professor. There is a lot in this world that such a boy would be afraid of," Storm admitted while looking down at Xavier.
"I know Storm...but what concerns me is his warning more than his speech," Xavier said closing his eyes.
"Kenshi?" Storm asked tilting her head.
"No. Karas. He said that 'WE' will escape...not he...meaning if not watched closely...I fear his personalities can manifest a body of their own given time," Xavier said while opening his eyes.
"...if all of them have a body of their own...the world would be in chaos," Storm added.
"Which is why we must help him Storm. There is a reason why they have not made a body of their own and Gideon must be the reason," Xavier explained before sighing and nodding his head. "We must keep a close eye on him,"
-Courtyard-
"And this is the courtyard," Jean said as Rouge and Kitty were out talking to one another.
Rouge looked over and saw Scott before waving over to him with a smile causing Gideon to blink his eyes while tilting his head. Scott smiled and waved back along with Jean before Rouge walked over still smiling before looking at Gideon causing her to stop. The two locked eyes as if staring into one another's souls before she blinked and shook her head so she could bring her focus back to Scott with a question in mind.
"You...were also an outsider..." Gideon whispered while hiding behind Jean now with his hands on her shoulders causing Rogue to look back at Gideon with wide eyes.
"What? No!" Rouge shouted making Gideon jump and shiver making Jean shake her head.
"Rouge. It's you don't have to yell at him. He was just curious," Jean pointed out causing Rouge to groan and look away.
"Fine. Sorry," Rouge replied making Gideon settle down a little.
"...I'm sorry..." Gideon said looking at causing her to look back at him confused.
"What are you sorry for?" Rouge asked with her hands on her hips and her head tilted slightly.
"...being so scared..." Gideon answered in which Rouge sighed before nodding her head.
"You don't have to be sorry. We were all scared when we first came here," Rouge admitted while looking at Gideon smirking.
"...my name is...Gideon Johnson..." He introduced while stretching his hand out to shake hers.
"...I don't think you want to do that?" Rouge said with a smile but eased up. "Names Anna Marie...but people call me Rogue."
"...why can't...can't we shake?" Gideon asked tilting his head confused at the gesture of kindness being pushed aside until someone else took his hand and shook it causing him to look at another girl who was by Rogue.
"My name's Kitty. It's nice to meet you, Gideon. So, you must a new student...uhm what's your power?" Kitty asked with a smile making Gideon look away.
"I... don't know..." Gideon admitted causing Scott and Jean to look at each other before looking at Rogue and Kitty with a smile.
"Seems he's open to you girls. Mind showing him around...maybe help him make more friends?" Scott asked.
"Where are you two going?" Rogue asked looking at Scott with a teasing smile.
"Jean and I are going to go out. We already had plans, but Gideon came up so...can you?" Scott asked rubbing the back of his head.
"Yeah, we'll take care of him," Kitty said with a smile.
"What do you say, Gideon. Wanna hang with us?" Rogue asked turning her attention to the frail boy.
"...okay..." Gideon answered in which he walked in front of the two showing how frail his body really looked.
"Are you sure you should be walking about Gideon? I mean it looks like a gust of wind could blow you away," Kitty asked only for Rogue to shake her head.
"He's walking around now so I don't see why not. Come on Gideon, " Rogue said with a chuckle in which he started to follow Rogue off to the court they were just recently standing in.
"Hey, wait up," Kitty shouted as she followed them.
As the three left, Jean raised a brow and looked at Scott with her hands on her hips.
"Are you sure it's a good idea for them to show Gideon around?" Jean asked.
"I'm sure they can handle showing him around. Besides, what can they do to make him scared? If anything, it would make him happier," Scott said with a confident smile. "Come on. Let's go before they change their mind,"
Jean looked at Gideon seeing a smile on his face in which she sighed before nodding her head and looking at Scott.
"Alright, let's go," Jean said as the two left.
-Forest-
"Where...are we?" Gideon asked looking around at the trees as if it was his first time seeing them. His hands reached out and softly stroked the branches as well as the leaves that were on them.
"Is this your first-time seeing trees?" Kitty joked with a chuckle.
"...it is..." Gideon answered honestly causing Kitty to fall silent. "I was...locked up...and treated...different...at a young age...I could...shapeshift...but... not for long."
"That's terrible..." Rogue said walking over and placing her hand on his shoulder.
"...it was...scary..." Gideon admitted in which Kitty walked up and gave him a soft hug.
"We'll no one's going to do that to you ever again," Kitty said before releasing Gideon from her hug in which he stood there confused. "That's a hug. Something you do when someone is feeling sad."
"A hug?" Gideon repeated before looking at Rogue as their eyes met once more only for him to wrap his arms around her causing her eyes and Kitty's to widen.
They were expecting him to scream in pain due to Rogues' power, but nothing happened. This confused Rogue as Gideon released her from his hold and back away seeing them both look at him surprised.
"Did...I do...something... wrong?" Gideon asked looking between the two.
"No, it's just...you didn't feel anything?" Rogue asked.
"...am I... supposed to?" Gideon asked looking at Rogue making her blush softly and was about to answer until the sound of bushes cracking was heard.
This caused Rouge and Kitty to look in the direction of the noise to see Sabretooth pounce out of the bushes holding a tree branch which he used to swap Rogue away from him. As Rogue was knocked into the ground, Kitty phased through Sabretooth only for him to turn and hit her with the back of his hand toward another tree knocking her out. With both girl's unconscious, he turned and looked at Gideon who was too focused on Rogue widen-eyed unsure what just happened in front of him.
"Look at what we have here. Fresh meat," Sabretooth said before chuckling but still getting no response from him as he followed his gaze to Rogue.
"Rogue..." Gideon whispered in which Sabretooth smirked.
"Thanks to you I was able to get the jump on them. Last time did not go so well but this time...is different," Sabretooth said while walking up to Gideon.
"It was...my fault..." Gideon said looking at the ground.
"Yes, it was. They were so distracted that they had no time to prepare," Sabretooth spoke as he stood in front of Gideon now before reaching down to grab the top of his head a lift him. "Magneto wants you. Not sure why..."
Sabretooth was cut off as Gideon closed his eyes and his body starting to change. Guilt had filled Gideon's mind as his body began to change before Sabretooth's eyes. Not taking a chance, he threw Gideon's changing body toward Rogue only for his form to stop in midair. Gideon's body was now athletic as well as standing six inches taller with his hair extending down to his lower back and turning silver.
"What the?" Sabretooth asked while snarling at the new body.
Gideon opened his eyes revealing them to be Jade while tilting his head.
"Who are you?" Sabretooth demanded.
"Kenshin..." He answered causing Sabretooth to narrow his eyes and pounce toward Kenshin with a roar.
Before he could even touch Kenshin, he felt his body stop in midair as he swiped at the boy mere inches away.
"You will not harm Gideon...or anyone he cares for," Kenshin whispered.
As Sabretooth continued to shout and roar at Kenshin, he simply raised his right causing older mutant to start floating higher into the sky. Once Sabretooth was higher than the trees, Kenshin floated in front of him still out of arms-length.
"No one...will claim him," Kenshin spoke while narrowing his eyes at Sabretooth before pushing his hand outward launching Sabretooth to the closest coast
As soon as Sabretooth was out of sight, Kenshin slowly floated back down to the ground to find Rouge and Kitty still fast asleep. Sighing to himself, Kenshin swayed his right hand to them silently encasing both of their forms in the air before they were lifted off the ground to float in by his side. Rogue groaned and slowly began to open her eyes to see Kenshin staring at her.
"...watch over Gideon..." Kenshin whispered before Rogue closed her eyes once again as he walked them back to the courtyard and laying them on the ground as his form started to slowly shift back into Gideon. "You have so much to learn...little bird..."
Kenshin closed his eyes as Gideon collapsed to the ground alongside Rogue and Kitty now. Wolverine ran over to them and groaned as he looked at Gideon.
"What happened?" Logan asked narrowing his eyes.
…to be continued.
This was an interesting story I have had my mind on for years actually. With the chapter out I hope it is enjoyable to all of you as it was for me. Got questions go ahead and ask…but be warned that most may not get answered as they might be reserved for future chapters. Please leave a review on how I can better this story…also out of curiosity, who is your favorite persona that has come to light so far?