Chapter 19

Dark Beauty

At Bayville high

It was Friday. The day before the weekend, the one day most students are most tempted to cut class.

The X-men had arrived at school a little earlier than usual so they decided to hang out outside until class started.

The idea of Dean being a son of Zeus was still fresh in their minds, mostly of it being too weird to believe. Even though they all possessed some extraordinary power that made them unique, they never expected something or someone like this to be living with them.

While they were outside Dean told his teammates about his brief stay at camp Half-blood.

"Satyrs?" Evan asked.

"Yes, I saw them" Dean said.

"Half men half goat people?" Scott asked.

"Yes! I'm telling you I saw them walking and talking" Dean said.

"I think we need to send you to the loony bin" Kitty said laughing.

Kitty was really annoying sometimes, "Whatever, Jean you believe me, right?"

Jean looked awkward, "Um…I guess"

"Really? You too?" Dean said.

"I believe you Dean" Rogue said standing out from the rest of them.

"At least one of you does. I finally found a place where there are others like me" Dean said feeling excited.

Rogue saw the joy on his face and started to worry, "Does that mean you're going to leave?"

"No, I'm not gonna leave you guys, but I still want to spend time there. So I decided to go on weekends" Dean said.

"You'll be missing our weekend sessions" Scott pointed out.

"I'm sure I'll find ways to make up for them. Anyways I'm gonna go inside. I need to leave something in my locker before class" Dean said as he left the group.

"So, I hope you guys didn't make any plans for spring break because it's going to be filled with lots of danger room sessions" Scott said happily.

"C'mon man, can you stop focusing on the terrible part of the vacation?" Kurt pleaded.

"Yeah Scott, what is it with you and like doing all that extra work?" Kitty said.

"I don't know why you guys have a problem, it'll be good for the team to get some extra practice in. We can't be wasting our time doing nothing at the beach" Scott said

"Well I don't know what your plans are man, but I'm definitely going to the beach to waste my time" Evan said.

"I think maybe I'll go too, I'm starting to look like a vampire or somethin" Rogue is referring to her pale white skin, "I hate having to cover up all the time"

"We can't be wasting our time with that kind of stuff, you never know when the Brotherhood can go off causing trouble" Scott said.

"You got that one right Summers" A voice in the background said.

They all looked to find Lance and the Brotherhood approaching them, but with two new people they have never seen before, "We're more trouble than you can handle" Lance said with a grin.

"Keep dreaming Alvers, we can handle you any day" Scott said glaring at him even though nobody can tell behind his glasses.

"Maybe before when you had us out numbered, but know we've evened the odds" Lance said referring to the two new members of his team.

"Yeah yo, they can—"Lance slapped the back of Toad's head to shut him up before he revealed anything to the X-men.

"Let's not tell them everything just yet. For now just remember to watch your back, see ya later geeks" Lance said as he purposely pushed through Scott to piss him off some more.

The rest follow Lance's lead into the school.

"You think maybe we should tell the Professor about this?" Scott asked Jean.

"We should definitely mention it to him, he'll be interested" Jean said.

Eileen walked down the hall with Mystique in a student disguise.

"There" Mystique pointed him out.

Eileen spotted Dean by his locker, "Him?" she asked curiously.

"Yes, he's the one" Mystique said.

"He's kinda hot" Eileen said admiring his body, "What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to use your good looks" Mystique moved a couple of her blonde hair strands back, "To change his mind about what team he's on" Mystique said.

"What's so special about him?" Eileen wondered, she wouldn't be doing this for anybody.

"He's different than us. He's proven to be a troublesome enemy without using any special powers. I suspect he's hiding his true power" Mystique said.

Eileen pondered on that for a moment, "So he's like the alpha. Their best right?"

"If what I suspect is true, he definitely is. Now go" Mystique said leaving.

It usually would only take Dean a few seconds to get what he needed from his locker but today his mind was elsewhere. Elsewhere being camp Half-blood. He couldn't wait to go, learn more about his heritage and start training with Chiron.

A soft voice interrupted Dean's train of thought, "Hey there stud"

'Stud?' Dean thought. He looked to his side and saw an unfamiliar face.

It was a beautiful young blonde haired girl with purple eyes wearing a leather jacket with a purple tank top underneath showing off her voluptuous breasts. The lower part of her body had skin tight black spandex and black boots. To basically sum it all up, that was one sexy girl.

Dean closed his locker, "Hey, I haven't seen you around at all"

"Well that's because I'm new" Eileen said full of lust in her eyes. She was leaning on the locker next to his perking her chest out.

"Yeah I definitely would have noticed someone like you before" Dean said eyeing her carefully.

Eileen leaned in closer to him. She ran her finger down his shirt feeling what's inside, "You'll definitely be seeing me around, see you later" she said swaying her hips while she walked away.

Dean watched the mysterious girl walk away, 'That ass looks like trouble'

Dean was sitting with Jean as she explained what happened earlier.

"They got two new people?" Dean asked.

Jean took a second to check if Taryn was still getting lunch, "That's exactly what I'm saying"

Dean looked uninterested, "I don't know Jean, sounds a little farfetched to me"

"That's not fair, what you're saying sounds crazy and goes against Christianity" Jean said feeling bad.

"Considering there's no other way to explain what I am or what I can do? Or how I got my gauntlets? I'm surprised Rogue is the only one to believe me" Dean said feeling disappointed.

"I'm sure in the future they'll be more proof to change my mind. But for now, let's focus on the Brotherhood" Jean said.

Dean shook his head, "Jean I think you're giving them too much credit. We don't even know what they can do yet. They could have ridiculous abilities for all we know"

"Or they can have really destructive powers that can be a major threat" Jean said in a serious tone.

Dean leaned back on his chair and put his feet on the table, "Sheesh, they add two more guys to their team and you panic like it's the end of the world"

Jean raised an eyebrow at Dean's assumption that the recruits were both male, "Well actually one of them was a girl"

Dean shrugged, "So they went coed, big deal"

"Well the guy is sitting with them over there" Jean said pointing to where the Brotherhood was sitting.

Dean looked over there and spotted who Jean is talking about.

Pyro was playing with his zippo lighter.

"He doesn't look that tough" Dean said judging by his appearance.

Pyro noticed Dean looking over and their eyes met.

Neither of them broke their stare.

Pyro opened his lighter and willed the flame to turn into a middle finger while no one was looking.

And just as that happened somebody came over to his table and leaned on it, "Whatcha lookin at stud?"

Dean turned around and saw Eileen bending over at an exact 90 degree angle and was leaning on the table facing him. Her bending over really highlighted her rear from the back and showed off her cleavage in the front.

'Definitely looking for attention' Dean thought doing his best to resist to stare.

Jean looked skeptical about this girl's sudden appearance.

"Nothing really, just noticed another new guy" Dean said looking over to Pyro trying to get the attention away from him.

Eileen looked over to where her teammates were sitting and grinned, "Tell you what" she ran her finger down his chest, "Why don't you ditch the goodie good girl here, and come hang out with me and my friends" she stopped her finger right above his crotch, "Oh and by the way, my name is Eileen" she kissed him on the cheek leaving purple lipstick on it.

Jean instantly made a sour face and crossed her arms, "So who's your friend?" she asked with a jealous tone.

"I just met her today" Dean said trying not to sound too attached.

Jean put aside her jealousy to focus on the matter at hand, "She and that other guy over there are the two new kids I was telling you about"

Dean looked back at Eileen and spotted her with the rest of the Brotherhood.

'Why are bad girls attracted to me?' Dean thought.

Shield Helicarrier Holding cell

Sitting in the dark room was a man that has lived a very long time. Even though he's older than most people, which would give him a definite experience advantage, he still managed to be embarrassed by a kid and of course Wolverine.

The large hairy man goes by the name of Sabretooth. His original name was Victor Creed but that was a long time ago. Now he's nothing but an animal looking for a purpose to live. The runt is always fun to track down but he needs something else, if only he knew his prayers were about to be answered.

If he were in a regular prison it would be easy to escape but the cell was made of titanium and on top of that they put this collar around his neck that cancelled out his powers.

There was a rumble all over the room and suddenly the door to his cell is ripped off its hinges.

A man in red armor floated in, "I see the humans have finally been able to capture you"

Sabretooth rose from his bunk, "I know who you are, what do you want?" he asked sternly as if he could harm the man.

"Service. I could make use of your talents" Magneto said.

"Why should I join you?" Sabretooth asked.

"I can free you. From SHIELD and from those who put that chip in your brain" Magneto said.

"How did you—"

"I can sense the metal in your head. What will it be? Rot in here for who knows how long or join me and gain the power to beat your rival?" Magneto asked.

Sabretooth didn't like following others, but he knew Magneto would be a powerful ally and he struck a hard bargain, "I'll take my chances with you"

"Good" Magneto used his magnetism to rip off the collar restraining his powers, "But not yet, for now you may go wherever you please. When the time is right I will call upon you" The man in red armor left him in the cell all alone, with no titanium door to keep him confined.

Sabretooth walked out into the hallway and just as he did an alarm went off giving away his position. He looked around but no sign of the man in red armor but a big wide hole that probably lead to outside.

Sabretooth heard SHIELD soldiers approaching. He decided to make a quick escape and jump out of the hole. He did and he immediately regretted it for he never realized just how high the Helicarrier was traveling.

He was so high up that all he could see was clouds.

'This is gonna hurt' Sabretooth thought.

Back at the Institute

Dean passed by Logan who was on his way out.

"Hey Logan where you going?" Dean asked.

"Bike needs some work, going in the garage" Logan said walking out.

Dean watched him leave and waited until he was out of sight. Then he ran full speed upstairs.

He knocked into Kurt and Evan and passed by them so fast that it made them spin in circles.

"Whoa" Evan said.

"What's the hurry?" Kurt asked.

"The mystery of Logan's room awaits!" Dean shouted around the corner.

Evan and Kurt looked at each other in horror.

"Oh no, is he…" Evan said.

Kurt nodded, "Yup"

They were silent for a few seconds before they ran after Dean, "Wait up we want to see it too!" Evan shouted.

Dean stood in front of Logan's door, glaring at it, 'I need to know what's in there' he thought. He went to open the door but it was locked.

"That's too bad" Kurt said catching up with him along with Evan.

"You give up too easily" Dean knocked into the door with his shoulder forcing it open.

The three of them walked in.

Surprisingly Logan's room looked…normal.

"You know I always thought he'd be hiding something" Evan said.

"Logan are you here?" Ororo said from outside.

"Shit it's aunty O, hide" Evan whispered.

Kurt instinctively grabbed Evan and teleported.

Dean saw a closet large enough to fit him so he hid inside there.

Ororo entered Logan's room, "Logan?" she looked around for him, "How strange, I could have sworn I heard someone" she left and closed the door.

Dean exhaled, 'That was close' he opened the closet door and walked out. When he turned around he noticed something.

In the closet was a full set of Samurai armor and a sword hanging next to it.

'I wanna touch it' Dean grabbed the katana. A true samurai warrior's weapon, now why would Logan have something like this?

Dean didn't care at the moment. He drew the sword from its sheath and the sunlight reflected from its shiny surface making it seem red. Wait no…the blade was red.

"That is cool" Dean admired the blade.

"You just couldn't help yourself, could you?" Logan said behind him.

Dean froze, 'Fuck!' he turned around.

"Let's hear it bub, what's your excuse" Logan said with his arms crossed.

Dean thought about it, "Yeah I got nothing, this thing is too cool"

Logan took it from him.

"Since when are you a samurai?" Dean asked.

Logan placed the katana back in the closet, "I've been through my fair share of adventures, but that was a long time ago"

"And that blade, it's red. I never heard of red steel before" Dean said.

"That's the Muramasa blade, probably the only thing I know of that can kill me" Logan said.

"Why do you have it?" Dean asked.

"Look I'm willing to forget about this if you stop asking questions" Logan said.

Dean sighed, "Fine. Can we go try using my power again?"

"Nothing happened last time" Logan said.

"Doesn't mean I won't stop trying" Dean said.

Dean's attempts at bringing out his inner power have been countless and unsuccessful. Nothing he tried worked or even got a reaction.

"Alright. Bring out the lightning take—" Logan paused, "What number is this?"

"Screw you" Dean said getting aggravated.

Logan laughed.

The Professor entered the observation room.

"Chuck, you're just in time to watch the fun" Logan said.

Charles watched as Dean made another attempt.

Dean tried to make himself angry and flexed his muscles.

"Been doing the same thing over and over. It still cracks me up" Logan said.

Dean stopped and relaxed his body, 'What am I doing wrong?!'

Logan sighed, "He ain't gettin it"

"Perhaps he needs guidance" Charles stared at him in disappointment.

"Hey I'm a physical teacher, anything beyond that is your department" Logan said putting his feet up.

Charles put two fingers to his left temple and attempted to telepathically contact Dean. Like before he encountered his natural mental blocks but he pushed through them, 'Dean, can you hear me?'

Dean froze, 'Professor? How're you in my head?'

'I said it was difficult to enter your mind, not impossible' Charles said.

Dean sat down and sighed, 'What is it?'

'I was in the observation room watching, I don't think what you're doing is going to work' Charles said.

'Well that makes two of us' Dean thought.

'I can help you unlock your power. If you let me access your memories I can find the answer' Charles thought.

'I'd rather not Professor. I prefer my privacy' Dean thought.

'Dean you need not hide yourself from me, anything I see will stay between—'

'I SAID NO!' Dean thought angrily.

The boy has trust issues, something he needs to resolve on his own.

'Then there's not much I can do' Charles thought.

'Sure there is. You said you helped others understand their powers, there must be a pattern to it' Dean thought.

Charles figured it was better than nothing, 'In my experience, a person's abilities are often connected to their emotions. Whatever you experienced after that phone call, you need to relive it. Somewhere in your memories is the trigger'

Dean stood up, might as well try. In his mind, he returned to the moment after the phone call.

Dean had felt helpless, like he did when Strucker had taken his parents. The thought of Mystique hurting his mother it made him lose it.

Suddenly Dean felt something inside of him, pulsing through his body.

'I got you now!' Dean thought. He focused solely on the thought of his mother.

Small sparks of electricity came out of his body.

Charles and Logan stared in silence.

Dean's body started shaking from his inner rage, 'Need to go...further' he imagined Strucker torturing his mother.

Lightning covered his whole body like an aura, "Aaahhhh!" He yelled with fury. The energy coming out of him was painful, like it was draining his own life force.

"Whoa what's he doing?!" Logan said.

'Dean you must stop!' Charles thought.

Dean listened to him and calmed down. The lightning faded and fatigue suddenly came over him.

Dean dropped to the floor, unconscious.

Dean woke up in the infirmary with the Professor and Logan standing by him.

"What happened?" Dean asked sitting upright.

"It seems like you used too much energy, it drained you" Charles said.

Dean got on his feet. He still felt a little drained but he was ok, "So my lightning, it's connected to my own energy. I need to be smart about how I use it"

"Yes, however I'm sure the more you practice with it the less draining it'll be for your body" Charles said.

"Yeah, so keep practicing kid" Logan said.

"I will, I gotta get going though. My weekend at camp Half-blood starts tomorrow and I gotta go" Dean hurried.

Camp Half-Blood

Dean found Chiron waiting outside the woods with sounds of battle not too far away.

"Hey Chiron, what's going on?" Dean asked.

"Every Friday night we have a capture the flag game" Chiron said.

"You should have told me that sounds really fun" Dean said.

"I'd rather you get up to speed with everything first. That way you don't get left behind" Chiron said.

"I think I could have handled myself" Dean said proudly.

"Perhaps. Be ready to train at sunrise" Chiron said feeling amused.

"You got it" Dean said as he watched the game. There were two teams, red versus blue, "How do you decide the teams?"

"Cabins make alliances, either with the previous cabin winner or the rival cabin" Chiron said.

"Who's usually the winner?" Dean asked.

Chiron sighed, "More often than not, the Ares cabin tends to win. Not all the campers have the fighting spirit, but all the Ares children are gifted with it"

"Figures" Dean said. He watched as a person in red patched armor, holding the blue flag, charged back towards the red side. The person rammed through other people like they were dummies.

"Who's that? He looks pretty strong" Dean said.

The person shouted in triumph as he held the blue flag in the air. The other red team members raised him up on their shoulders.

Chiron chuckled, "That is a she. That's Clarisse, the head counselor of the Ares cabin"

Dean watched as the person took their helmet off. Clarisse was big and tall with long, stringy light brown hair and pig-like brow eyes.

"Is she any good?" Dean asked curiously.

"Given our current roster of campers. From the ones that are here now, she is most likely our most capable fighter" Chiron admitted.

Good, that gives Dean a goal to reach.

Author's note: I'm afraid Eileen won't be succeeding in her mission, the son of Zeus is privy to the ways of snakes. He seems to be getting a handle on his powers, but now he'll start his training with Chiron. Next chapter you'll see how that goes ;)