*sarcastically* Yes, I own X-Men Evolution. It's true. You can worship me now. Ha. Ha. Ha ha.

I apologize for the shortness of my last chapter or two....this one I will make a supreme effort to lengthen. Now, sit back and enjoy the latest chapter....complete with quote! I'm getting full of myself.



No fault, none to blame...
That doesn't mean I don't desire to
Point the finger, blame the other!
Watch the temple tumble over...

--Tool, Schism



Critical Mass

by Dark Matter

Chapter 5: First Impressions Are A Bitch


And...and that's how it ended, finished Judas, his voice strained from trying to control his tears. He'd thought the wounds had healed, but talking about the death of his life still hurt. Sabretooth's dark stare didn't help, either.
Magneto, meanwhile, seemed to have genuine pity for Judas...as if he somehow knew what Judas was going through. As Judas finished, he nodded.

he said kindly. I know that what you are going through is one of the most painful things a human can experience. I've experienced such myself...
but all the same, I need you to show me your powers.

Worthington nodded. Any particular order?

Lensherr shook his head. In any order you feel comfortable with.

Judas primed his limbs...and thought of the time-warp...then leapt.
Time slowed about him,as if he was the only thing moving, building momentum. Deciding to try something new, he swung his leg out in a kick. It was a slow, graceful movement...but an unfortunate one for the vase Judas had not noted his close proximity to. It shattered...and time sped up.

Erik's eyebrows were quite arched. He couldn't quite believe what he'd seen. The boy's abilities were neither common nor lacking in power....indeed, they were like something out of an action movie.
Except that they were real, not a special effect....
Judas grinned apologetically.Sorry about the vase.
Magnus chuckled. It's only Ming.

----------------------------------------------

Nightcrawler felt he was going to go insane. Between Logan's stone-cold glare,
Storm's angry disappointment, and the Professor's searching look, he didn't know what to do or say. For once,he was very glad Xavier could read minds...it saved him from having to spill out the whole sordid truth in front of the only adults who trusted him.

Of course, now Xavier was practically spilling Kurt's guts out for himself and eating them with a spoon. So there went any trust the Prof. had in him.

I'm very disappointed, Kurt, Xavier said with a small sigh. I thought you were more mature than this. The German sighed miserably. I'm....I'm really zorry, Profezzor...
Xavier shook his head. I know, Kurt. But that doesn't mean I'm going to let this go unpunished.
Logan stepped forward. Which means, Elf, that as long as you are suspended, you will be doing exactly what we do. You're gonna clean the Blackbird inside and out. Then you're going to wax it. After that, you'll wash the X-Van. Then you'll clean up the kitchen. Next, Dr. McCoy's lab. And after that, you can clean the Danger Room.
Zen am I done? said Kurt with a sigh.
Logan grunted. Don't you wish. Then you report to Ororo.
Kurt groaned. It would be a very long six weeks...

----------------------------------------------
Mr. Worthington?
Warren Worthington III looked up from the park bench where he sat. Yes, that's me. What can I do for you?
The tall man heading the group opened his jacket, flashing a badge and I.D.
cypherCom security. Company G-men. His father's company...or at least, the one he worked for.
You were sent for me, weren't you? said Warren. My father?
The security man shook his head. No, sir. We were sent by Mr. Nur. He wishes to speak with you.

Mr. Nur?!?!?
Take me to him, said Warren. He knew it didn't matter... that he'd just be treated better if he went willingly. You didn't refuse an invitation from Mr. Nur.

Not unless you liked being dead.

----------------------------------------------
The final bell rang, and Todd propelled himself out of 6th period like a bat out of hell, hopping as best as he could. As he'd suspected, the other three were already there...sans Tabitha, who'd probably had to go to the bathroom.
You guys always get out ahead a me, yo, Tolensky complained. Pietro smirked.That's cause you're just a littlebittyfreshmanandwe'resomuchbetterthanyou, he practically sang.
Toad shook his head. I have no clue what you just said, but I'm bout ta slap you for it anyway.
said Quicksilver, raising an eyebrow.
I ain't playin' with you, Quickie. I will bitchslap you back into jail, Todd declared. Pietro cocked his head to the side. We'd love to see that. Wouldn't we love to see that, Lance?
Avalanche groaned. Any destruction of school property is squarely on you two's heads, got it?
Pietro's only answer was a laugh and a gust of wind as he went flying forward at a good 60 miles an hour.
Hey, no fair, yo! Todd cried out, and leapt after Maximoff's rapidly retreating form. Not looking where he was going, the amphibian boy crashed headlong into the form of a young girl, about his age. Books went flying as the two both landed on the floor. Toad was quickly up, blushing.
Ah geeze, I'm sorry... he apologized.
Nae, tis all raight. A' shouldae been lookin' where a' was goin, came Rahne's sweet Scottish lilt. Tolensky's eyes widened.

The two stared at each other for a split second before both broke eye contact, Wolfsbane with a nervous giggle and the Toad with a deeper blush.
Lemme get those for ya, yo, said Todd quickly, and began picking up the assorted books.
Nae, tis all right, said Rahne, quickly picking them up as well. As they reached her binder, their hands collided. Once more they looked up, blue eyes into green.
It was Tolensky who broke the silence. You...you have really nice eyes....
Sinclair blushed. Thankee...but a' laeke yours. Green's alwaeys been mae favorite color.
Todd blushed again.
Pietro's words trailed off and a huge smirk of barely controlled laughter appeared on his face. Toad looked up sharply, then back to Rahne, who coughed and looked at her watch. A' should be goaen'...see ye tomorrae, Todd? She smiled, and Tolensky felt his heart melt all over again. Ummm...y-yeah, yo, he stammered.

The Scottish girl walked off as Pietro collapsed with giggles.
Todd glared. Shut UP, yo.
Pietro's only answer was to shriek with laughter. Luckily, Wolfsbane was out of hearing range. Todd blushed deep red.
Fred thumped his smaller friend on the back. You handled that pretty good, Todd-man. Hell, keep that up and the ladies'll flock to ya...
The Toad replied to this with a nasty ball of sticky saliva.

----------------------------------------------

Judas snapped out of his vision with a shudder, and felt Magneto's hand on his shoulder. What did you see? the elder mutant asked, in a low tone.
A car...big, black Jeep. A boy with long, dark hair was driving it. There was a very large boy...a blonde girl...a boy who looked like a frog...and someone who looked like you. Only younger, with swept-back bangs, finished Judas. Lensherr nodded. That'll be the other members of the Brotherhood. What were they doing?
Pulling up. Here, I think, said Worthington. Erik smiled. They should be back from school shortly, yes. Which reminds me...
He stood, and a grim look was in his eyes. Now, my boy, comes the choice. So far, you have heard about my organization, the Brotherhood of Mutants. In return, you have demonstrated capabilities that qualify you as a member of the new humanity...Homo sapiens superior. This means, Judas, that you can no longer walk about, heedless of your role. You cannot afford to. People will look down on you...they will fear you...they will hate you. And they will kill you. It has been demonstrated throughout history...mankind fears what--

...they don't understand, finished Judas. Erik stood stunned, then grinned. I accept your proposal, Mr. Lensherr, said Judas.If only because I have seen how cruel even children can be. He extended his hand.

Magneto shook it warmly. Welcome to the Brotherhood, Judas.

----------------------------------------------

Kitty stood, open-mouthed, watching as Kurt....in an apron....cleaned the Danger Room. Uhm....like, Kurt, what are you doing?
Zerving my zentence, Kurt said glumly. I....made zome rather ill-advized commentz about Mr. Zpangenberg.
Kitty raised her eyebrows. Enough to get you suspended?
said Kurt miserably. And now...I have had to clean ze Blackbird, ze Danger Room, ze X-Van, ze kitchen, Dr. McCoy's laboratory...
Quit spillin' your sob story and finish cleaning that cannon, elf-boy, came Logan's baritone growl.
Kurt gave a mocking salute. Jawohl, mein Führer!
And watch your mouth, or you'll do this another three weeks, Logan added. Kurt paled, and Shadowcat couldn't help but giggle. Poor you, Fuzzy...
Nein...I zhall perzevere, Katzchen. In the meantime, I think you zhould be giving liebchen back her Tool CD before zhe becomes der verärgert Dämon...
Kitty giggled nervously. You're probably right...knowing Rogue.
Y'all know me too well, ah see, drawled Rogue from where she leaned against the wall. CD. Give. Now.
Pryde hastily handed over the prized possession. Rogue carefully placed it back in its case, kissed it, and placed it in her pocket. Kurt raised an eyebrow. I hope you realize zat CDs are inanimate objectz, liebchen, he quipped.
But this one's diff'rent, mah dear br'er Kurt. Lateralus is mah baby, said Rogue with a grin, cuddling the CD to herself. The German shook his head. Liebchen ist unentbehrlich schweine verrückt...
Rogue glared. See, this is why ah take German.
Einfach weil du bist bis über beide Ohren verliebt und du verlangen auf mein ordentlich durchficken, Kurt stated with an impish grin. Rogue grinned. Oh, ah'm sure. You want me, Elf, then take me, she said with an seductive pose.
Kurt's response was to tackle his sister. Rogue shrieked, then began to giggle madly as he tickled her. However, the Southern girl soon launched an attack of her own, and it became all-out war.

Kitty walked away grinning and shaking her head. You guys are, like, so going to the mental institute, both of you...
That may be, Kitty, but I currently require Kurt's presence upstairs, said Ororo's calm, bemused voice. The young girl nodded. I'll, like, just go back and get him,
said Storm. But if he doesn't appear here, you will be helping him after school. She smiled.
Shadowcat's eyes widened and she raced to go get Kurt.
----------------------------------------------

Home, home, homehomehomehomehome.... Pietro sang to himself. Well, not so much to himself as to the collective Brotherhood. Loudly. In a way that got him smacked by Lance. OW!!! Censorship-loving BASTARD!
Lance glared. Some things in this world just NEED to be censored, Pietro, and one of'em's your singing.
Todd nodded. It puts constipated goats to shame, yo.
Fred nudged Todd. What about dying geese?
Todd shook his head. Way beyond them. They ain't even on the chart anymore, thanks to him.
Pietro gave an extremely theatric sniffle. You're...you're saying I'm tone-deaf? I'm HURT!!! HUUUURRRRRT!!!!
You're going to be SMAAAACKED. Cause I don't GIIIIVVVE a SHIIIITTT, Lance replied.
Quicksilver sniffled again. You all hate me, don't you?
Tabitha laughed. Aww, I dun hate ya, Speedy, she said, hugging him.
At least someone appreciates poor me, said Maximoff with a wounded tone.
Avalanche snorted as they pulled up in front of the house. He pulled his key out...only to discover the door was unlocked. OK, that's weird....I know I locked it... said Lance. I think the unthinkable has happened...
Todd leapt up to look in a window. There's someone in the house, yo! Eatin' MY cereal!! he added in outrage.
Pietro glared. Great....some bum got into the house...so...what are we gonna do?

Lance took a deep breath, and snapped immediately into leader mode', as Fred had dubbed it. Pietro usually called it Cyclops mode', which annoyed the hell out of Avalanche.... for obvious reasons. Fred, you take point. Anything happens, you hit him like a steamroller. Toad, Boom-Boom, flank him. Use your powers to scare him off. Pietro, you're the offensive. Hit him, but don't injure him. I'm gonna take defensive....the minute you hit him, it's quake time. Got it?
The members all nodded. Serious looks were on their faces. This was combat...no jokes, no snide commentary. Just fighting.

The bum wouldn't know what hit him.

----------------------------------------------

Judas didn't know what had hit him.

One minute, he had been waiting for the members of the Brotherhood to arrive following Magneto's departure. Lensherr had dubbed him Farsight, and given a small slip of paper with his cell number on it if anything happened. He had curled up in the blanket, and was eating Corn Pops while watching cartoons half-interested...

When a blur had come out of nowhere and kneed him in the gut.

As he flew, Judas felt his vision blur, and the premonition take over....in it, he saw a dark-haired boy trigger...an earthquake?!?

Something told Farsight he didn't want to be on the ground when that happened. Concentrating, he felt time turn to molasses again...and, gritting his teeth, tried to roll up so he would land standing. The timewarp let him rotate, back facing the floor...then head...then legs. The timing returned to normal as an earthquake began...and just as quickly, slowed again. Running forward, he leapt, noticing two projectiles miss him by inches, and kicked the dark-haired boy in the chest.

He didn't know who these people were, nor why they were trying to kill him, but he knew there was no chance in hell he was going without a fight. Flipping back, he dodged another of the blur's attacks...and was hit with an explosive projectile.
Judas pulled himself up, bruised and angry. Not my fucking day at ALL, I see...

The blur was coming again...he would have given it a good kick, to return its favor to him.

Had he not recognized it as the white-haired boy from his earlier vision.
He jumped back and held up his hands. Magneto sent me!!! he cried out.

At this, all the Brotherhood members came to an abrupt halt.

----------------------------------------------

Pietro's head was spinning. First, they had found that the was actually a mutant, with the ability to create some kind of time warp.
Now he said Magneto had sent him? This was one weird turn after another.

I'm Judas Worthington, the blonde boy continued. Also called Farsight, I guess.
Todd looked at him suspiciously. And you say Magneto brought you here, yo?
Judas nodded. Yes. He told me....I was a mutant...and that he was the head of an organization that helped such individuals.
Lance nodded. The Brotherhood...
He then proceeded to ask me to join, Farsight said. I accepted, and was given a code name and this phone number. He handed it to Fred, who gave it to Pietro.
The speedster nodded.It's Magneto's cell, all right...I think he's for real.
Judas managed a weak smile. I was hoping to say hi, but...being attacked kinda puts a damper on that.
A new member? said Toad, still obviously not convinced. I don' know, man...
Judas assumed a glare. Might I observe that if I was the shithead you believe me to be, I would have attacked you, rather than the other way around? he said in a dry tone. Todd blushed and grinned sheepishly, realizing he was right. Ya do have a point there, yo.
Lance stepped forward. I'd...like to apologize about that little fiasco. We thought some bum had gotten in, and we were gonna have to lay down the law for him.
Judas shook his head dismissively. It's all right...just one big fuck-up. We can get past that, right? Or have I joined the wrong side? he said with a wry smile.
Pietro chuckled. I like his sense of humor. He stays.
Fred snorted. He may replace you, if he has a better singing voice.
Judas raised his eyebrows. That was you singing? Man, no offense, but that could drive someone to suicide...
Quicksilver grinned widely. Why do you think I do it?
Farsight laughed, and felt a warmth spread through him. These guys aren't so bad....
Tabitha grinned and blushed from the stairs. Hehe...uhm...welcome, and sorry for hitting you with that bomb, there.
It's okay...just a few broken vertebrae...maybe a rib... Judas made a pretense of checking himself, and Tabitha giggled.
Lance wryly grinned. Well, since you've told us who you are, I think we should do the same. He pointed to Todd, who waved from the steps. That's Todd Tolensky, called Toad.
Wassup, yo? said Tolensky with a grin.
Judas crossed his arms and tilted to the side. he said in a long drawl. Todd fell over laughing at this. Aw, SHIT, yo!!!
Lance shook his head. You're gonna be right at home here, I can tell. That's Pietro Maximoff, also called Quicksilver or an Egotistical Prick.
Quicksilver managed to smile broadly and kick Lance in the shin. After much swearing and an attempted punch, Lance regained himself. That's Fred Dukes, also called Blob.
The large boy smiled, and extended a huge hand. Judas took it and firmly shook.
I'm Lance Alvers, named Avalanche...and the crazy girl is Tabitha Smith, called Boom-Boom.
Judas smirked.
I heard that! said Boom-Boom from upstairs.
It's a compliment, Judas replied calmly.
Avalanche chuckled. I guess Magneto already told you this, but...welcome on board. He extended his hand, and Worthington grasped it.
Happy to be here.

----------------------------------------------

How was your day, Rahne? said Jamie as he, Rahne, and Amara sat down to do their homework. Of the group, poor Madrox was the only one who still had to deal with middle school...and its FAR stricter rules.
'Twas okay, Rahne said absently. Ms. Wooten got h't in the heaed with a' rubber ball in 3rd...otherwise, twas normal till just aefter a' got out... here the Scottish girl blushed and trailed off. Amara leaned in eagerly. Aaaaand? Don't leave us hnging, Rahne!

A' sortae....crashed intae a boy. Ae boy a' laeke. A' thought hae'd be mad...but he stayed and a-helped mae pick up maen books.
Jamie grinned. Rahne's got a crush!
Sinclair blushed red. Ah, shut yaer big mouth, Jaemie! A' just....think he's...kindae cute.
And the lucky boy is....? Amara queried. Joel? Timothy? Sam?
Nae...'twas...ye promise ye won't laugh? Or say a word?
Cross my heart, said Amara eagerly.
Todd Tolensky, said Rahne, blushing scarlet. Magma's eyes widened. Oh my God...really?
Rahne nodded.
Amara shook her head in disbelief. Oh, wow...
Rahne stayed very red. Well, so? Tisn't your businaess anyways.
Magma shook her head, trying to calm Wolfsbane. No, no...it's just...I've never thought of Todd as your type...quite frankly, as anyone's type.
Wolfsbane looked wistfully out the window.Nae...he's actuallae verae nice. It's just no one's nice to him...'cept thae Brotherhood.
Amara's expression changed. That's kinda sad...
Rahne smiled. An' he's thae one that a-gave Ms. Wooten a bonk with thae rubber ball.
Amara grinned. Okay, now I like him...

----------------------------------------------

Warren Worthington III stood alone in a dark room, waiting for Mr. Nur...
it was painful, really, how long you had to wait.

But then, he supposed it was probably better than risking his wrath.

the deep voice came. The winged boy's hair stood on end, and he unthinkingly wrapped his wings around himself, feeling a sudden chill.
I'm...I'm here, sir.

Nur chuckled. I thought so....welcome, dear child. I have been expecting you.
He paused. Don't bother covering your wings, either.
Panic struck Worthington. He knew...and his father would know...
There is no need to be worried, child, came the rumbling bass voice. I know what you are...I have known for a long time. That is why I brought you here, Warren?

Nur stepped in, and the room lit...revealing a huge, imposing black man in a business suit. His head was completely bald, except for two odd designs, tattoos in blue, on the sides. His skin was very dark, and he was at least seven feet tall......

This was En Sabah Nur. Founder and CEO of cypherCom, Inc. Warren felt almost compelled to bow. Nur returned the Japanese bow, then sat, an odd half-smile playing on his lips.

Tell me, Warren...what do you know about....evolution?

----------------------------------------------

Author's Notes: My God in heaven...this chapter was a doozy. Lemme know what you think of the developing Todd/Rahne couple...and in the next chapter, I promise you some romance between everyone's favorite speedster and one Boom-Boom. Also, tell me your opinions on Farsight...good? mediocre? crappy Gary Stu? Feedback!! I LIVE FOR IT!

In the next chapter...more X-Men moments....more Tabietro (I forget who coined this, but good phrase! ^^;;;) more creepy-ass Apocalypse...and the introduction of Eclipse...