A Martin Mystery & X-Men Evolution Story

Gecko

Chapter 2

Decision

~Torrington Academy-7:05 AM-Diana's Room~

After making a startling discovery last night Diana couldn't fall asleep. There was so much on her mind that she couldn't find the sleep her body required. For hours she stayed wide awake. Trying to gather her thoughts, figure out what she should do. What could she do? She knew she should tell M.O.M., Martian, Billy, and Java about her current situation but would they be willing to help? Ever since the Octavia incident Diana's relationship with everyone hadn't been the same. Sure things were back to normal but Billy and Java seemed distant from her, M.O.M. didn't talk to her as much as before and Martian's so-called practical joke proved that things couldn't be the same.

After much time thinking by two am Diana finally crawled into bed. Hoping sleep would fall over her. In the morning she would decide what to do about her sudden transformation. Time moved slow. Seconds turned to minutes but the minutes wouldn't change to hours. Not with all the tossing and turning Diana was doing in bed. Getting in a comfortable position was one thing but getting to sleep was a different issue. No matter how hard she tried Diana could not fall asleep. Stress to the brain wouldn't settle for Diana to shut her brain off. On top of that there was the other issue of school. How was she suppose to go to her classes looking the way she looked? Can't just walk out of her room and blend with the crowd. Cutting her classes wasn't something she'd normally do nor was playing hooky but it would have to be done. In a way she was sick and scared.

She finally fell asleep by four am. Only to be rudely awaken by her alarm clock three hours later. That annoying bringing sound made Diana cover her head with a pillow to block out the sound. Not that it was stopping the sound. The clock continued to ring until her tail grabbed and threw the clock against the wall shutting it off. When the room went silent Diana popped her head out to see what became of the clock. It was still in one piece just turned off. Hopefully there was no damage to it but at least it stopped ringing. Getting out of bed Diana made her way to the bathroom. A splash of cold water was sure to wake her up. That cold wave of liquid splashing against her skin felt good. Forgetting for a moment her situation till she looked in the mirror to see her reflection. Despite this she was still the same Diana on the inside. Even if she was stuck as a mutant there had to be a positive light in the negative darkness. If she were to confront the others about this issue how would she word it?

Part of her knew that her friends cared about her. She may have done something stupid but she helped fix the problem. Didn't mean her friends could ever hate her for what she did. Billy and Java were great friends but another part of her felt they were being pulled away from her. That's how it was feeling with M.O.M. lately. In her case Diana was still frustrated with the evaluation M.O.M. delivered. It didn't seem fair how only her flaws were pointed out. What about all the good she did saving the world those couple times? Were her efforts worthless? She put her life out on the line multiple times but did M.O.M. bring them up during her evaluation? No, she was casted aside while Martin got all the glory for his successful accomplishments. Never mind all the times he screwed up. Never mind all the times her foolishly put the Earth in jeopardy because he didn't think twice before jumping in the shark pool. Why M.O.M. failed to bring those up during Martin's evaluation was beyond Diana's understanding.

And then there was Martin. You would think after all the times he filled her with rage and forgave him he could do the same for her; but no, instead he goes humiliating her in front of everyone in school. He had no right doing that. That idiot was an unforgivable jackass who did not deserve any forgiveness what-so-ever from Diana. He crossed the line when he sent those paint filled balloons down upon her like a hoard of insects. What was his problem? Did he hate her so much to go through pulling off a stunt like that? He must hate her that much. He went through with it then laughed at her as though she were some comic clown. He cared nothing for her feelings as any brother should to his sister.

The more she thought about it the more Diana realized she couldn't tell any of them about this unexpected change in her body. If she couldn't tell them how was she going to face the public? Hiding her newly green skin was easy compared to hiding her tail. It was too big to cover up and hide. Not like she could make it disappear on cue whenever she wanted to. How was she going to handle this situation? Who could she turn to for help? Just then, exiting the bathroom Diana heard her computer beep. She had just received an email from someone. Going up to her computer Diana sat down and clicked on the link bringing up the email. The email was from someone named Charles Xavier, inviting her to come for a tour of his school in New York, this weekend. Now how was that going to happen when Diana couldn't even leave her bedroom?

Diana didn't pay the email much mind considering her current situation at the moment. At this rate she would have to tell the others what happened. Wouldn't be able to keep this a secret forever. Much less stay in her bedroom and keep missing her classes. As if on cue there was a knock on her door. In a state of panic Diana called out, "Just a minute!" to whoever was behind the door. Quickly getting under the blanket on her bed Diana covered her body in order to hide herself from her visitor. As soon as she was covered she allowed the visitor to enter her room, but they never came inside. The door remained closed much to Diana's surprise but she was relieved none-the-less. Still if whoever was outside wasn't here to come into her bedroom what was the point of making themselves known knocking on the door? Curious and a tad nervous opening the door Diana wanted to know if her mysterious visitor left anything outside for her. Quietly she moved to the front door. Reaching out to the doorknob she slowly turned and opened the door just enough to peek outside and look around. On the floor in front of the door laid a small wrapped package. Making sure no one was outside Diana opened the door some more. Using her tail to reach out, grab and bring in the package before closing the door.

Someone had left her a gift but who and why? This could be another one of Martin's tricks but would he really play another dirty trick on her? One way to find out. Soon as she closed and locked the door (safety precaution) Diana removed the lid revealing the gift inside was...

"A watch?" She said to herself once she saw the gift. "Okay there's no way Martin would buy me something this nice. He can hardly save his monthly allowance without wasting it on CD's and comic books. Not to mention this watch is way too nice for his taste."

She wasn't kidding. The features of the watch were perfect for a female to wear. The colors were gorgeous with purple trimming around the circular part of the watch and the bands. Her favorite color. Taking out the watch a small note revealed itself. Perhaps the note could give her answers to who left the watch? Taking a seat on her bed with the box put down besides her, Diana read the note.

The note read...

Dear Diana,

I come as a friend who wishes to offer a hand of friendship to you. Any struggles you are facing you do not have to go at them alone. You are most likely thinking 'What is this person talking about?' and I will answer that and any other questions you may have. I would like to offer you a place at The Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters. I know what has happened to you and I know you are scared. Here at the institute you will feel accepted among others who also share a similar outing as you. This watch can help hide yourself with a push of a button. You will be able to g around as your normal self without anyone being the wiser. Simply push the button on the right side of the watch once you put it on and you will see what I mean. I hope you accept my invitation to join my school where you will have a home and learn to control your unique gift. I will await a reply by email.

Signed,

Charles Xavier

As soon as Diana finished reading the note she was caught off guard. How did this man know of her sudden transformation or how she needed help hiding her newly developed parts? Had he been spying on her? Was someone spying on her then reporting to this guy? A little creeped out she looks at the watch. As nice as it looked how could it possibly help hide her appearance? What did it say in the note? Put it on then push a button? What was this a Si-Fi movie scene? Like a watch could do anything other than tell time. Well compared to Apple watches that do far more than tell time. Suppose it couldn't hurt to try it out. Not that it was going to do anything but why not try it for kicks?

Taking the watch out of the small box Diana strapped it on her left wrist then pushed the button on the right side. Within moments something happened to her. She noticed that her hands no longer looked green. Going into the bathroom she took notice of her reflection. She looked like her old self again. Even her tail disappeared. Diana was more then impressed to look like her old self again even if it was only because of the watch. Pushing the button again Diana reverted back to her mutant form. That confirmed the watch had some sort of power to camouflage. So long as she wore the watch. Least she could go out as she pleased, but this was something she couldn't let anyone find out about, especially Martian. Perhaps this Xavier guy had some idea to what he was talking about? Even if it was a tad creepy how he knew what had happened to her.

A knock interrupted her thoughts. Quickly Diana pushed the button activating the watch once again. Couldn't give anything away. Answering the door Diana found it to only be Jenny. That was a relief.

"Morning Diana, sorry if I woke you." Jenny began. "Just watched to check that you were feeling better after yesterday. You were acting a little off and you seemed uncomfortable."

"Oh yesterday, sorry I just wasn't feeling up to talking about what happened." Answered Diana.

"Are you sure? You were in a hurry to get rid of Java, Billy, and myself yesterday. Not to mention you looked like you were in a great deal of pain." Jenny pointed out.

"Oh that uh I was but it was just a headache. Nothing to worry about, honest." Said Diana coming up with an excuse. "I assure you I am feeling much better. I just want to try forgetting about yesterday's incident. By the way, are people still talking about it?"

"Well..." Jenny was starting to talk but couldn't find the right words. She couldn't even look Diana in my eyes which confirmed the answer to the question. "I'm sorry Diana, the guys and I tried to clear things up. We even went to Principle Pebbleton and told him what happened. Trust me Martin is in serious trouble. He's got detention everyday after school plus he's got to clean the cafeteria all by himself this morning."

"I guess there's some justice in the system after all but that doesn't change what Martin did or how I' am a laughing stock on the entire campus." Jenny could hear the disappointment in Diana's voice. She hated seeing her best friend like this.

"I'm really sorry Di. Believe me if I had just seen what Martin was doing earlier I could have stopped him."

"Its alright Jenny its not your fault. Martin and I well...we got into this argument that I thought was solved but clearly it wasn't. I'll talk to him about it when I feel like it. Anyway give me a few minutes to change before we head to class."

"Yeah sure I'll be out here if you need me."

Having finished her conversation Diana closed the door sighing in relief. The watch worked perfectly. Jenny never saw through it or suspected anything. Too bad the watch couldn't take her back in time. Nothing could change what happened yesterday. Hopefully not everyone in school was laughing at her.

Getting dressed and her books for the day Diana joined Jenny on their walk to their first class. Along the way the pair walked past any students standing around talking, opening their lockers, and walking past them; and all the while Diana could feel their eyes on her. Like darts aiming right for the middle target on the board. It wasn't just the eyes that made her uncomfortable, she could hear voices, talking. It was bad enough to be starred at but the talk behind her back was crossing the line. Oh how Diana wanted to turn to everyone and yell at them to keep their traps shut. Course she didn't do that. She didn't want to bother saying anything she would regret. All she could do was keep quiet and continue walking too class with Jenny; although Jenny noticed how upset and uncomfortable Diana was she didn't say anything. Diana did not look in the mood to talk. The pair continued to walk down the hallway. Ignoring everyone around them.

It was going fine until Martin popped out of nowhere looking exhausted. Carrying in his hands a mop and a bucket filled with cleaning supplies. His clothes were covered with paint spots depending on how he cleaned the paint off the cafeteria floor and walls. While making his way too the supply closet to get more fresh supplies he bumped into Diana and Jenny. At first no one spoke. It was nothing but dead silence. Then Martin and Diana locked eyes with each other and all Hell broke loose.

"Well, well look who finally crawled out of her shame corner." Martin taunted. "Didn't think you would show your face after the paint job you got yesterday."

"Leave her alone Martin. You've done enough to Diana." Jenny jumped in sticking up for her friend. "I don't know what's going on between you two but that prank you pulled yesterday wasn't funny. Diana could have gotten hurt because of that stupid paint bomb."

"Come on it was just a joke and Diana's fine to me. Besides its not like it wasn't funny." Martin said in defense.

Diana said nothing. She had nothing to say to her idiot step-brother. Getting to class was her top priority. Along with hiding her face from everyone's eyes. Not that it would make a difference to her.

"Hey Di why aren't you speaking? Did you lose your voice when the paint rained down on you or do you have nothing to say?" Oh how Martin taunted her. Against her better judgement, Diana spoke to Martin.

"There's nothing to discuss. I've got nothing to say to you Martin." She simply said but she wasn't done, not yet. She looked Martin straight in the eyes when she spoke. "But I will say that you not only humiliated me but you did it in front of everyone on campus. You made a fool out of me and for what? Your own enjoyment because of something I did?"

"What you did was betray my trust and partnership. I was just as humiliated when you acted like some big shot. How do you think I felt when you humiliated me hmm? Hmm?!" Martin wasn't letting go of the past. He kept a hold on what Diana had done to him when she switched sides working against him. "I think what I did makes us even."

"Even? Even?! You call pulling a truck load of paint filled balloons on top of me even?! What the hell is wrong with you?! What you did doesn't make us even! It only makes me want to clobber you until your in traction at the hospital!" Now Diana was mad.

Everyone who was in the hallway or coming down the hallway stopped to watch the commotion going on. Diana didn't care. She had been holding her anger since yesterday. Now she was releasing it out on the very person who caused it, Martin Mystery.

"Look I don't know what else you want from me. I have been constantly apologizing for my mistake and you have yet to forgive me." Diana told Martin.

"Mistake? You call turning your back on the Ce-uh our part-time job and working for the enemy a mistake? Not to mention you out foxed me with your fancy gadgets and moves. Since when do you have slick moves?" Martin argued.

"Are you kidding me?! What about all the times you made huge mistakes that nearly cost us our lives along with our friends?! You've made several mistakes even after I told you it wasn't a good idea but do you listen to me? Do you learn from your stupidity? No! You don't learn and you don't listen! So who has to save your butt and clean up your mess? Me, that's who!" Diana had held in so much of her feelings for every one of Martin's acts of stupidity that now she was letting her feelings take over as she gave martin a piece of her mind. "I could write a full report on all your dumb mistakes and you have the nerve to call me out on that huge mistake I made?"

The pair knew what they were talking about but that didn't mean anyone else had to know. What I mean is they were talking about past missions for the Center without letting the details slip to their classmates. The Center wasn't a secret agency for nothing. As far as their classmates could tell the siblings were having a huge fight over something that happened between them.

(To tell who is talking I will use italic for Diana and bold for Martin)

"Well at least I didn't help create a monstrosity!" Martian cried out.

"I didn't know what was happening until it was too late! I had no idea what I did was wrong!" Diana argued back. "You think I would really help people like them on purpose? Martin Mystery you should know me better by now."

"Hey I don't have to listen to this. I could just walk away."

"So why don't you? Why don't you just walk away and watch everything unfold like usual."

"And what kind of nonsense are you talking about now?"

"I'm talking about you always using me as bait for your stupid so-called schemes whenever we're out on our uh after school jobs."

"Hey my plans are not dumb Di."

"Says the guy who never puts himself on the line."

"Well somebody has to come up with the plans. Not like you could do any better."

"I beg to differ and by the way perhaps if you use your brain once in a while I wouldn't have to help clean up your messes most of the time."

"You've got some nerve talking to me like that Di."

"Would the two of you please stop fighting already?" Jenny chimed in trying to break up the sibling quarrel before someone did something they would regret. Sadly neither Martin nor Diana would listen. The anger these two were releasing at one another was getting worse.

"You just never appreciated my abilities to get the job done!"

"You never once shown any appreciation for the things I've done!"

"You never bothered saying 'good job Martin' when I got a better evaluation then you."

(Crowd goes 'Ooooh~!' to that)

"Well you never bothered giving me support or comfort when I got my evaluation. All you did was laugh and mock me. That's all you ever do!"

(Crowd goes 'Ooooh~! to that)

"Oh yeah?! Well...Well...Uh well at least I never took off in a boat and laugh at my friends because I had the upper hand in something I never thought you'd be good at."

"Excuse me?! Are you telling me you never thought I'd prove myself to be a worthy opponent or teammate?!"

"Uh yeah pretty much."

"I can't believe you would think so poorly of me."

"Oh come on Di did you really think I considered you a valid teammate or a partner? You clearly don't deserve it after your little fiasco phase a month ago."

"Martin I'm not going to keep apologizing for my mistake. I screwed up I get it. The additional reminders I do not need!"

Everyone who was watching remained quiet. Clearly whatever was going on had upset both Martin and Diana but in different ways. It probably wasn't a great idea to listen to the conversation but with all the drama going on how could anyone walk away now?

"Listen to me Martin, I'm sorry. I know what I did was wrong and if I had known what was going on in the beginning I never would have agreed to do the things I did. It wasn't fair to you or Java or Billy or anyone. I was angry and I wanted to get back at you. I wanted to hurt you because I felt it was the only way to get you to understand how I was feeling, but in the end karma hit me in the worst way possible. I just want us to make amends. Could we please just stop fighting and start over? I don't say it often but I want my brother back."

(That earned a hearty 'Awww' from the crowd)

Diana meant every word. She wanted to put the past behind and start over with Martin. Have things go back to the way they use to be before the whole evaluation, Octavia, ultimate creature incident. Surely Martin would listen. He may be a doofus but he had a heart. He was sure to accept Diana's apology then the pair could move on.

Or so Diana thought.

Martin's expression did soften up a little after Diana's apology but after a few seconds the expression went back too anger. Clearly he wasn't going to be pulled into a sob story that easily.

"Sorry Di but I'm not going to fall for a lame excuse like that." Martin replied. "Its going to take a lot more than that to make me forgive you."

Diana was silent for a moment but then she spoke up.

"What if I needed your help with something? Something that can't be explained that happened recently and I can't do it alone? Would you help me then or walk away like a jerk?"

"Well that would depend on the situation but I'm sure someone as smart as you could handle it. After all you managed to handle kicking my ass by yourself." Martin was making a snotty remark. Clearly he didn't believe a word Diana said.

"Martin I'm serious, I need your help." Diana tried pleading with Martin but he wouldn't listen. Diana wanted to tell him what had happened to her. Even show him the watch and what it was doing for her but not here. Not when there were so many people watching. She had to convince Martin to come too her room so she could tell him everything.

"Look I can't explain it here but if you could just come back too my room w-" Martin stopped her there.

"Zip it Di, I'm done listening to your so-called excuses."

"Its not an excuse Martin. Could you put aside your pride and just listen to me?"

"I told you I'm not listening to you."

"You don't understand look something happened to me the other day after your prank and..."

As Diana tried to explain what she could to Martin without giving away too much information his patience was wearing thin. He didn't want to listen to Diana's excuses. Hell, he didn't want to listen to her period. But clearly Diana wasn't going to stop until she got his attention. Now a normal person would control their anger but Martin took it a step too far and did something Jenny had predicted but didn't. Before he even knew what he was doing Martin raised his hand and slapped Diana right across her face.

The crowd was brought to shock. Nobody saw that coming. Who would have thought Martin Mystery would get so frustrated that he'd hit a girl? His own sister for that matter. By the time he knew what he was doing the damage had been done. Diana's head was facing the direction of the slap impact away from Martin; but everyone who could see her face noticed the hot tears building up in her eyes.

"Diana...I-I didn't..." Martin tried to explain himself but Diana took off in the opposite direction for her room. Once again she had been publicly humiliated by Martin.

As soon as Diana was out of view everyone who had been watching gave Martin a look of disappointment. Pulling a joke was one thing but hitting his own sister, that was crossing the line and he knew it.

"Well I hope your proud of yourself Martin Mystery." Began Jenny. "You just had to let that big ego of yours shove aside Diana's apology and make a fool out of her again. Now I don't know what's going on or what happened between the two of you but you had better go apologize for being an asshole to Diana."

"Hey I don't have to apologize for anything. Diana got what she deserved. Now if you don't mind I have a cafeteria to finish cleaning." Martin said before walking off as if nothing had happened.

Meanwhile, Diana had just ran back into her room. Slamming the door shut as she fell to the floor and cried. Her cheek still stung from the slap Martin gave her. It was clear to Diana now that he did not care about her. He wouldn't even listen when she tried explaining her situation. Looking at her left wrist that had the watch she had received made her think. Maybe it was a good idea to take up that offer from Charles Xavier? He seemed to be willing to help unlike Martin; although, was it wise to put faith in a complete stranger?

He may be a stranger but he clearly wanted to help Diana. Why would he reach out to her if this was a trick? Why would he give her a watch that could hide her monstrous form? If this wasn't someone willing to help another then there was nothing more to say. Diana knew what she had to do. She wiped the tears in her eyes, got up to walk over to her desk, get on the computer, pull up the emails, and write a reply to Xavier. She was going to take his offer and transfer schools. Hopefully seeking the help she needed to get this mutation under control, leaving behind her old life that would officially be no more.

There you have it another chapter finished.

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