Things Don't Always Go According To Plan
"I appreciate you coming back with us Warren," Xavier told Warren as they boarded the Blackbird.
"Well I never really got the full tour of the Institute," Warren said. "And I really do want to do something worthwhile with my powers. I'm getting kind of tired of living alone."
"You don't have to be alone Warren," Hank said. "That's what the Institute is about. A place for mutants to be themselves without fear of rejection."
"You guys really travel around in this thing?" Jesse looked around.
"On occasion," Hank grinned at him. "Sometimes we use other means."
"Um," Jesse asked Hank hesitantly. "Don't take this the wrong way or anything but is there anybody else like you? I mean, I don't want to be rude or anything when I get there. I just wanna have some warning so that I don't offend anybody or something."
"I understand," Hank nodded. "Actually there is another student that just happens to be blue and furry as well, but he also has three fingers and a tail."
"O-kay," Jesse said nervously. "I think I got that. Anybody else?"
"We have quite a variety of students with different mutations," Xavier explained. "Some of course are more obvious than others. Others have mutations that are difficult or impossible to control without certain precautions."
"Such as…?" Jesse asked.
"One of my older students has eyes that create very powerful optic beams," Xavier told him. "He has to wear special sunglasses in order to contain them. Another student cannot touch anyone's skin directly without absorbing their powers and memories."
"Uh huh," Jesse nodded. "And that's a bad thing?"
"Considering that if she touches you too long you could end up in a coma," Hank shrugged. "Or even kill you. But she's usually pretty careful not to touch anyone."
"Oh…Angel?" Jesse looked at him. "Are you sure about this place?"
"Don't worry kid," Angel said. "This place will help you."
"Well I certainly could use all the help I can get," Jesse sighed.
"It's all right Jesse," Xavier smiled. "In time you'll learn to control your powers. It just takes practice and patience."
"And on occasion a few explosions and obstacles in the Danger Room," Hank chuckled.
"The what now?" Jesse asked.
"Don't worry Jesse," Xavier said. "It's merely a training room that will help harness your abilities. It will help you to learn control."
"Okay, control is good," Jesse gulped nervously again. "Control can be a good thing."
"It will be all right," Xavier smiled. "I know it's a bit overwhelming at first but we'll help you get adjusted. And everyone at the Institute has gone through their own adjustment period. They have learned to cope with their powers and accept being a mutant. And in some ways they are still learning. You'll see. You'll find that in a surprisingly short amount of time you will find out how beneficial your powers can be."
"If you say so," Jesse sighed.
"All right then," Hank started the jet. "Let's head on out shall we? Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to Mutant Airlines. Please make sure your trays are in the upright position and your seat belts are fastened."
"Oh lord…" Beads of sweat started to form on Jesse's head as the Blackbird started to take off.
Suddenly the controls of the Blackbird started to fizzle. "She's freezing up!" Hank gasped as the control panel started to explode. He managed to get out of his seat before he was injured. The Blackbird weaved on the ground and rolled out of control.
"I can't stop it!" Hank shouted.
"Hang on!" Warren shouted. "Jesse!"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGHHHH!" Jesse screamed as panels started to explode.
"We're headed for the cabin!" Warren shouted.
"Jesse! Calm down! It will be all right!" Xavier shouted.
"I…I can't!" Jesse shouted.
"We gotta stop this thing!" Warren shouted.
Hank grunted and grabbed the controls, trying to apply the brake. He tried not to scream as a slight electrical shock went up his arms. He still hung on. He managed to apply the brake but not in time to stop the Blackbird from rolling into the cabin and taking out a wall.
"Is everyone all right?" Xavier asked when the Blackbird stopped.
"Aside from a mild electric shock and burns fine," Hank groaned. "The Blackbird however is another story. The controls are completely destroyed."
"Not to mention the family cabin," Warren groaned. "My parents are going to kill me!"
"Sorry," Jesse apologized. "Did I mention that flying makes me very nervous? I really don't like it."
"Oh dear," Hank blinked. "This could be a problem."
"This might take longer than I thought," Xavier sighed.
************************************************************************
"Hey guys we're back!" Kitty called out as they entered the mansion.
"It's about time," Bobby sighed. "Hey what's he doing here?" He pointed to Arcade.
"Arcade's come like to help us out," Kitty told him. "This way." She led him to Cerebro.
Ten minutes later, Forge came out of Cerebro. "So how's it going?" Scott asked.
"Very well actually," Forge shrugged. "I think a bit too well."
"What do you mean?" Bobby asked.
"He didn't bother to ask what the problem was," Forge explained. "He just went for Cerebro and…" That's when the lights started to dim.
"That's not good is it?" Bobby asked.
"No it is not," Forge said. The X-Men ran into Cerebro. Arcade was there with Cerebro's helmet on his head. "Arcade what are you doing?"
"Just putting the final adjustments on Cerebro," Arcade said matter of factly. "It took me a long time to bypass all the defense systems over the past few months but it was definitely worth it."
"Wait a minute, you did this?" Forge asked. "You're the one that's been fooling around with Cerebro?"
"I had to," Arcade said. "It was the only way I could get to Cerebro."
"Oh god if this is about you playing some kind of stupid video game…" Rogue growled.
"No, but I'm not surprised you would think that," Arcade said. "Shows how much respect you have for her. To you all that she's nothing more than a tool! Well I know better! I'm probably the only person here who really cares about her!"
"Her?" Rogue looked at him. "You're kidding right?"
"I've never been more serious," Arcade frowned. "I'm sick of how you people have been treating her. Cerebro deserves much better than that! And I'm going to make sure that from now on she's going to get the respect she deserves!"
"Yeah you and what army?" Remy growled.
"Funny you should ask," Arcade grinned. Suddenly dozens of circular drones appeared. "Remember these guys?"
"Hey those are those paintball drones Mystique once used on us in that phony simulation!" Bobby said.
"Exactly. But I made a few modifications to these models," Arcade grinned. "They don't shoot paintballs."
"What do they shoot?" Bobby asked. Immediately the drones started to shoot out little electric orbs. Bobby got zapped. "I'm sorry I asked!" He yelled.
"Now if you'll excuse me, my darling Cerebro and I need some quality time," Arcade grinned.
"Oh yeah well….AAAAAAAAAAAA!" Scott went to zap at the machine but it zapped him first. The X-Men tried to put up an assault but the drones fired rapidly forcing them out of Cerebro.
"Scott what do we do?" Kitty asked.
"We gotta blast these things to kingdom come that's what we do!" Remy snapped.
"Guys we couldn't beat those things the last time and they were only shooting paint!" Amara shouted. "Not to mention there's a ton of them now!"
"What do we do?" Ray asked.
"I think running is a pretty good idea," Bobby gulped. Even more drones appeared in front of them. They barely managed to escape the energy bombs as they were herded outside.
"This is not good," Scott grumbled as he fell on his backside.
"It's getting even worse!" Peter pointed. "Look!" Suddenly the mansion started to lock down the windows and doors with metal plates.
"It's going into Defcon 4!" Rogue shouted.
"We're locked out!" Kitty shouted.
"And you're gonna stay locked out until you learn to be nice to Cerebro!" Arcade's voice blared over the intercom. "Now why don't you think about what you've done and when you're ready to apologize we'll be waiting for you. Until then…"
Suddenly the lasers activated on the front lawn. The X-Men barely had time to get off the lawn and onto the street. "This is so humiliating!" Scott grumbled. "Kicked out of our own mansion!"
"Now I know how the Misfits feel," Peter grumbled.
"Great idea Kitty," Tabitha groaned. "Invite Arcade to help fix Cerebro!"
"How the heck was I supposed to know? This is a disaster! If Logan or the others come back we are in such trouble!" Kitty groaned.
"You got that right," They heard a familiar growl. They turned around and saw Logan standing there with Ororo, Jean, Sam and a girl they didn't know. "Half-Pint, what the hell is going on here?"