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The Summit goes off without any problems. Everyone is busy doing their jobs. Asa notices Rogue avoiding Gambit. About the middle of the week Asa has some time and knocks on Rogue's door, she has been spending a lot of time alone. Asa- "anybody home?" Rogue - "Yes, please come in." Asa find her sitting up in Bed with a box of tissue he sits down beside her. Asa -"How you doing?" Rogue - "Oh Asa I just don't know. I thought I could handle breaking up with Remmy, but I just cannot shake the feeling that I am never going to find anyone." Asa -"Oh Rogue, I am sorry. Is there anything I can do for you?" Rogue embarces him putting her head on his shoulder.' Asa -" I am here for you Rogue." She weeps bitter tears for a long while, til she falls asleep. Storm comes in as he tucks her in. Storm - "Is she alright?" Asa -" I do not know, will you be around for a bit, I do not think she should be alone Storm -"I will be here when she wakes. The professor wants to see you. Asa -" Ok.....sigh"
Later in the professor's room. Asa walks in to find Logan and the professor. Asa-"Yes Professor?" Professor -"Ah Asa, things seem to be going very well so far, but I want you to go and check on Marrow?" Logan -"Is something wrong? ' Professor -"No, she has checked in, but I would feel better if someone looked in on her." Asa - "You got it." Professor - "Logan please give him directions and a communcation device." Logan -"You got it" Asa listens to the directions then heads out at once.
Marrow did not know what to expect when she returned. She do not like what she found. There were more mutants than ever in the tunnels. She found wondering mutants starving and quite hopeless. Young children dirty and undernourished. it was bad when she was young, but it seemed just a little worse now shefound Callisto sick on a home made bed. She tried to care for her but they had no medicial supplies. Little food and no clean water. Others were sick as well. She saw a young girl over the body of her mother trying desperately to wake her up, she would not move. marrow was about to lose it. Suddenly a familar form poped in to veiw.
Asa saw a young mutant girl with yellow skin and orange hair over the body of a Mutant woman with Green scales for skin and Long dark hair, both were dirty and looked as if they had not eatten in days. Asa knelt down beside them. The yellow girl instantly Leaned over her mother to protect her. Yellow girl -"No leave mommy alone!!!!!" Asa -"Shhhhhh calm down little one I am here to help." he gently lifted the mutant woman into his arms. Mutant woman woke up and graped his hands -"Please help my little girl...please......." her eyes were full of tears and deperation , she passed out. Yellow girl - "Mommy, mommy.." Asa gently laid her down usiong his jacket for a pillow. He stood up and found hundreds of empty stares. Marrow appears behind him -"you see up worlder even your God has left us to our fate." Asa turned around and saw tears flowing from Marrow' eyes. Asa was at a loss, the yellow girl tugged at his pants leg -"Can you help my mommy, I will do anything..please mister..please." Asa weeped. Asa - (Oh God what can I d....wait a minute..wait a minute) As if inspired by heaven Asa went into action. He called Hank to bring himself and a couple X-men. He made one more call.
An hour later Pastor Micha Jones and his wife of 30 years Betsy were waiting at a cornor. Micha was 65 and Betsy was 59, hoever years of healthy living made them look much younger.
They were street minsters and had a call from an old friend. Behind them were a couple of trucks. These trucks had food,water, clothing, medical supplies, and a variety of other things. More was on the way. Betsy _ "Dear did Asa say to meet him here." Micha - "Yes dearest he did." Asa pops out of an alley and noticies the older black couple and the group from various churches they brought with them. Asa had joined with thier ministry which bought supplies for those in need around the city. There was always need, but supplies were piling up faster then they could give them out, much faster in the past few weeks, very unusual. Asa -"Micha , Betsy how are you doing.?" Betsy - "fine asa, what is up?" Asa told them and the fifty others assembled, mostly college students. Micha-"Are you sure it is safe.?" As he asked a 2cars pulled up out came Hank , Jean, Rogue, Kitty, Gambit, she-hulk, Rahne Logan soon arrived on his bike. Some assembled found things a little unsettling. Joe (29yrs) - 'Let me get this straight you want us to trust a bunch of mutants and go down under ground to face God knows what?!?" Gambit made an angry glare at him. Trish -(20year old) - "mr. Steel I have heard bad things about the mutants the live under the city." Jenny -(18 yrs old) -" honest I do not see why we should risk our lives?" Gambit -"Fine, Gambit say we do not need you."
Asa - "Please please. my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, God has called us to spread the good newws to all people. Sometimes before you can do that you have to meet their needs. Down there young kids are straving in a dark hole with no hope. People are bitter, scared, and lonley. They most likely will not greet you with open arms. Those of us who have been in the Jones Ministry have seen a lot on these cruel streets, people die everyday, sometimes way too young. The same is going on down there, and at the moment to a much higher degree. I know it is hard, we fight against the pimps and pornokings, and all the other predators on the streets and we seem like we are not getting any where. And to take on another task such as this seems foolish. If you go I cannot 100 percent guantee your safety, me and my freinds here will do all we can to protect you. But we are Christian, we go to the dark places to shine the light, the light of Christ that was first shown to us. Please my Christian brothers and sisters, this mutant brother of yours is asking."
The assembled fifty just looked at each other, many were still afraid but decieded to go. Micha - "Ok Asa this is you show take the lead." Asa -"Ok, we have more people and trucks coming, Hank, Logan, She-hulk, and gambit takethe first group down with supplies. Keep them safe, everyone grab a flashlight, bring some lighting. Marrow is already down there she should have a better idea of the total situation. Jean contact the Professor and tell him the situation. Stay up here and help keep things organized. Kitty. Rogue, and Rahne will form a sceond group. It should not take too many trips. "
Suddenly A buch of police cars and a few swat teams appear. Asa - "Officers nice to see who we could use your help." After some of the officers see the what is down below they Agree.
Yellow girl is frighten to see so many strangers coming. But her mind is put at easy when a blue furry doctor come to help her mommy. Callisto gets out of bed and takes in the sence for a couple of hours and this is what she sees. Humans bringing food, blankets, and medical supplies. Police stand guard along the passage ways and hold lights. She sees a familar blue fured mutant set up a makeshift medical center. She wathces other bring bed frames, air mattresses, regular mattesses. A yellow eyed mutant and a larged powerfull looking green skinned female carrying some heating units and power generators. She notices bathing and clenaing supplies. A makeshift kicthen with oven and freezors is set up. The mutants in the tunels are stunned.
Marrow cannot believe her eyes- ", maybe there is a....sniff" Gambit looks down at the yellowskined girl as she looks up at him with a tired face. Yellow girl -"Will my mommy be alright? Gambit -"Ummm Gambit do not know, but Hank good doctor, he will help Mommy." Yellow girl hugs him by the leg -"Thank-you mister." " the pleasure is Gambit's little one.
the next day Micha -"you will not believe this Asa, but I have just called around and the support and volunteers to help out down here are pouring in, not just from the city but around the country. " Asa - "Mich this is Callisto, she is a leader down here." Mich- "A pleasure to meet you." Callisto -"I amm honored.' Asa - "Callisto I would ask that you keep safe all those that come down here to help out." Callisto - "If they come in friendship they will not be harmed, if anyone tries they will answer to me." Micha and Asa -(God help them)
A little later. Hank -"You have doen a noble thing Asa." Asa - "Hank don't give me the praise thank all these people that are here to help those in need, despite their fears." Jean -"Asa the professor wants us to return to the summit, he wants you Logan, gambit to stay while he is sending Colossus and the Thing, and of course Hank is staying hile some volunteer nurses and doctors come to help, Marrow can stay as well." Asa -"Ok Jean." Jean - "Asa I just want to say..." Asa "Thanks Jean, we could not have kept things in line without you." Jean smiles-"thankyou." Asa goes and thanks all those about to leave. He greets each one before they head back. Asa -"Thanks Kitty, you really improved those power generator,." Kitty hugs him - "Asa I have not felt this good in a long time." Asa - "me too"
Later up on the surface Asa and Micha have chat. Micha - "You know Asa I am still not sure about this, but our ministry to mutants in the Church over all is kind of lacking." Asa -"Micha I consider you a father in the faith. It is important that this not just be a one night thing. They need the basics now. But they will need things like education, job training, and so much more. And because they are mutants it will be that much harder, calling for a lot of patience. And Micha, I know government agencies will want to help, and that is good, but we need to maintian a presence in the tunnels and mutants all over the city. It will be danerous, there are some very bad mutants out there among other things, including anti- mutnat groups in and out of the church, but we have to do it." Micha "I know, you ever thought about becoming a full time minister?" Asa -"Yes.. But I have made a commitment to something else right now."
Betsy was busy tucking in some mutant children in bed. It was the first time for many to be not sleeping on the ground or in trash. There were Mutants and humans that still did not know what to make of the other, yet there were others that got along just fine. A mutant mother and father were tucking in their child for the first time with a clean blanket. Besty knew there would be a rough time ahead and a lot of disappointment, but for now hope was taking seed. Marrow was tucking in Mary (Yellow Skinned girl), the litte girl was clutching a small purple teddy bear. Mary-"What will happen tommorrow?" Marrow - "I do not know, but you should get some sleep." Mary - "I can't teddy and me are worried about mommy." Suddenly Gambit appears. Gambit -"Good news little one, mommy will be ok!" Mary -"Really, can I see her." Gambit - "She is slepping and needs her rest, but Gambit know she would love to see you when she wakes, so why don't you sleep so you can be ready." Mary reaches up and hugs Gambit -"Ok, Good night mister, good night Sarah."
She falls asleep as soon as her head reaches the pillow. Marrow has never seen Gambit teary eyed.
For the rest of the week The X-men and Excaliubar take turns guarding the summit and taking turns in the tunnels helping out. A small communtiy of tent are springing up. The generators are suppling heat and power, while the kitchen is fixing three meals a day. No one in the tunnels can remember when they have not beeen hungry for a long period of time. Living conditions are improving. Mutants and superheros like Spider-man, the Avengers, and others from aroung the area are volunteering their time to help and protect. The situation is not front page news but word is spreading.
the summit concludes. Nothing major is decied, but it has open the door for more disscussion. The Professor is pleased, he did not expect much, but this was something. A step a few months ago he could not have imagined. Funny, there were protests from FOH and the like, but little else. And the Professor was pleased about what was happening in the tunnels. It was sad that even he could forget those less fortunate, but this was the type of thing that made one feel good. When he visited the tunnels he had a nice little chat with Jenny and her daughter Mary. Jenny was still weak but in good spirits, Mary was a full of energy. He watched some college students form some Christian clubs on their various campuses organizing some games for the young children. He saw young children considered the lowest of Mutant kind laughing and playing. He did not even mind having a ball or two bounce off his head.
With the Summit over the Professor and Moria decied to have their teams stay an extra few days to relax and help in the tunnels. It is evening She-hulk, Gambit, Marrow, Thing, Moria, plus Reed and Sue Richards are in the tunnels. Reed- "Ben this is wonderful, I am almost ashamed not to have tried to do anything sooner." Ben -"Don't beat yourself up , we did not know what was going on down here, granted we did not look too hard either." Sue, Betsy, and Gambit were playing with some of the children. Marrow could not believe what Gambit was doing. She-hulk was helping moving things with the aid of Sipder-man. She-hulk -"Thanks for helping out web-head" Spidey - "My pleasure, you know things have been very rough form me these past few months, The love of my life disappears, I start to fall for someone else (the Black cat) she has issues (old boy friend), I am just angry at so many things, things I have no control. But this, this makes you look at people who actually have it worse than you. And they actual thank me, and I have done so little in the past few days." She-hulk -"Web Slinger these people have been ignored and been outcasts their entire life, that fact that your here and trying to means something." Spider-man - "So who is this Asa guy, and what kind of code name is Moose?" She-hulk giggles -"One that feels he does not need a fancy, cool, codename to prove himself." Spider-man goes over to Marrow -" Nice to see you again Marrow." Marrow - "Ummmm, nice to see you spider-man, please excuse me, I do not want to be rude, but I have got a lot on my mind, I am not up for chatting." Spider-Man "(Wow, she is actucally being polite)....No Problem, hope things clear-up soon, catch you later" Marrow - "Good-bye." Marrow walks off lost is so many thoughts. Callisto has noticed a change in her former student. She taught her how to fight, but could not teacher to control her inner demons, not that she always knew how either.
That night a dark figure was hopping from roof top to roof top. The figure stopped on top of one building overlooking Times Square and waited. This one was looking for something. Suddenly the figure hears a soft purring sound. The figure looks down to see a pregant cat rubbing up against the figure's leg. The leg belonged to none other than the Felicia Hardy, the Blackcat. She stood there with the body of a goddess and a troubled mind.
BlackCat - "Oh hello there kitty how are you?" She picks up the cat and strokes it's head. She was hoping to run into A certian swinging hero. As she sit there she could not help but reflect. She had lived in wealth all her life. And she had finally found her father, things get a bit confused from there. She was forced to take chemical mix that was the same formula that gave birth to Captian America. This formula gave her inhanced flexes, sences, and a cut and toned super strong body. She could change form from her usual blone petite frame to a rock hard goddess of the night with white hair. For a time she joined Spider-man in his fight against crime they were becoming close. Then an old flame returns with a terrible curse, so she joins him and a half breed vampire to free her love from it. But she just could not stay with them either. She was finding that she did enjoy a bit of the night, she could now see why her father contiued in his life of a thief for so long. The dangers and excite were grand , and sometimes the reward even grander. She had wanted to be a hero like spidey, but hero more time that not are only rec onized after they are gone. While they live they seem to fight a never ending battle with little reward. BlackCat put down the expecting mother. Blackcat - "Well i do not think he would want to see me anyway, still I should visit mother." Suddenly the building shook then stopped during the shake BlackCat had her foot fall through the floor. But she was alright, but the more she struggled the more the rest of the floor started to give way. BlackCat - "Hardy let's stay still till we can think of a way to get out of this, mabye some swinging prince charming wil come to my rescue.....or not." The floor caved in and before she could use her agility a peice of lead pipe hit her in the head. After thar everything was foggy, she was wondering around in a daze, one side of the building had fallen off and she was heading for total air and a 14 story drop.
Asa Had been flying around the city taking it in. He too had a lot on his mind. As he was going over Times Square the whole city started to shake. It shook for a few seconds then quit. Asa- "What is going on...(Earth quake maybe?)" Asa notices that some of the sournding buildings took damage. He was going to fly around to see if anyone needed help, everything seemed alright, people were wondering around a bit curious to just what happened. Asa then notice a figure about to walk right off a building down into the streets, it was a woman and she looked disorenited. She fell off, Asa used his supper speed to try and catch her.
Blackcat could feel herself falling Blackcat-"I guess this is it" Suddenly she found herself in being carried in a pair of strong arms and on the ground. BlackCat-"Spidey...?" She asked still a little groggy. Asa - (Spider-man? And they call Gambit a ladies man.)...ummm no they call me Moose." BlackCat jumped out of his grasped and tried to stand, she would have to settle for leaning against a street light. She looked up and found a very muscle bound man in a bluish uniform she could swear she had seen on the news before on a guy that shot energy beams from his eyes, only this guy was bigger, no vissor , had a gotee and were a red bandana. He also had somesort of device with an "X" symbol on it and his eyes were glowing a bluish color. BlackCat -"Ok Mister, what is going on, who are you?" Asa - "Ha, HA, Ah Me I am the guy that saved you from a nasty fall, Are you ok"' BlackCat -"Oh...I..I cannot stand up..(must have gotten hit harder than I thought." She slides down the pole to a seat position. Suddenly their attention is turned to some animal cries. Looking up they both look up to see the pregnant cat hanging on the side of the building about to fall. BlackCat- "Oh no she is going to....." Before she can complete her sentence Asa goes into action. She does not know if it is the bump on her head but all she can see is a fast moving blur. Suddnely the cat is in her lap, a little frighten but seeming comfortable in her lap. BlackCat passes out. Asa- "Now this is an interesting sight...I wonder what made the ground shake?"
BlackCat woke up from and found her self in a bed with a Blue furry mutant taking her temperture. Hank _"Ahhhh, my dear you are a wake." BlackCat - "Where Iam?" Hank - "Well That is a bit of a story." She findsout that she is underneath the city and some sort of missionary work is going on, Hank tries to fill her in the best he can. She walks around and notices how bad things are. But she is almosted comforted to see people, normal people along with mutants and heros trying to help out. She is tapped on the shoulder and turns to see the one that saved her. Asa - "Hello there I see you up and about, and only after a couple fo hours." BlackCat smiles - "So "Moose" do you have a real name you can share?" Asa- "The name is Asa, and your name is?" BlackCat - "They call me the BlackCat." She puts her arms around his neck and kisses him. BlackCat -"Thanks for saving me." Asa blushing alittle -"Ummmm...your welcome." BlackCat -"Do you happen to know where my furry friend is, and I do mean the cat not the doctor." Asa -"In the kitchen with some of the chilren." She give him a sudective look _"Thanks big guy...catch you later." Asa-"Gulp...ummm see you later." Gambit walks up. Gambit- "Ummm remind Gambit to save her sometime, maybe in Paris." Asa eys roll -"Sure Gambit, I will remember." Gambit -"Asa my friend did you cause the ground to shake like dat earlier?" Asa -"Nope." Gambit - "Gambit afraid of that, telvision and radio not working, only able to pick up a few local stations." Asa -"I am going to go back and see the professor, keep a line open I do not like this either. Asa looked at his watch.....11:45pm.
Next chapter - A New Dragon.
The Summit goes off without any problems. Everyone is busy doing their jobs. Asa notices Rogue avoiding Gambit. About the middle of the week Asa has some time and knocks on Rogue's door, she has been spending a lot of time alone. Asa- "anybody home?" Rogue - "Yes, please come in." Asa find her sitting up in Bed with a box of tissue he sits down beside her. Asa -"How you doing?" Rogue - "Oh Asa I just don't know. I thought I could handle breaking up with Remmy, but I just cannot shake the feeling that I am never going to find anyone." Asa -"Oh Rogue, I am sorry. Is there anything I can do for you?" Rogue embarces him putting her head on his shoulder.' Asa -" I am here for you Rogue." She weeps bitter tears for a long while, til she falls asleep. Storm comes in as he tucks her in. Storm - "Is she alright?" Asa -" I do not know, will you be around for a bit, I do not think she should be alone Storm -"I will be here when she wakes. The professor wants to see you. Asa -" Ok.....sigh"
Later in the professor's room. Asa walks in to find Logan and the professor. Asa-"Yes Professor?" Professor -"Ah Asa, things seem to be going very well so far, but I want you to go and check on Marrow?" Logan -"Is something wrong? ' Professor -"No, she has checked in, but I would feel better if someone looked in on her." Asa - "You got it." Professor - "Logan please give him directions and a communcation device." Logan -"You got it" Asa listens to the directions then heads out at once.
Marrow did not know what to expect when she returned. She do not like what she found. There were more mutants than ever in the tunnels. She found wondering mutants starving and quite hopeless. Young children dirty and undernourished. it was bad when she was young, but it seemed just a little worse now shefound Callisto sick on a home made bed. She tried to care for her but they had no medicial supplies. Little food and no clean water. Others were sick as well. She saw a young girl over the body of her mother trying desperately to wake her up, she would not move. marrow was about to lose it. Suddenly a familar form poped in to veiw.
Asa saw a young mutant girl with yellow skin and orange hair over the body of a Mutant woman with Green scales for skin and Long dark hair, both were dirty and looked as if they had not eatten in days. Asa knelt down beside them. The yellow girl instantly Leaned over her mother to protect her. Yellow girl -"No leave mommy alone!!!!!" Asa -"Shhhhhh calm down little one I am here to help." he gently lifted the mutant woman into his arms. Mutant woman woke up and graped his hands -"Please help my little girl...please......." her eyes were full of tears and deperation , she passed out. Yellow girl - "Mommy, mommy.." Asa gently laid her down usiong his jacket for a pillow. He stood up and found hundreds of empty stares. Marrow appears behind him -"you see up worlder even your God has left us to our fate." Asa turned around and saw tears flowing from Marrow' eyes. Asa was at a loss, the yellow girl tugged at his pants leg -"Can you help my mommy, I will do anything..please mister..please." Asa weeped. Asa - (Oh God what can I d....wait a minute..wait a minute) As if inspired by heaven Asa went into action. He called Hank to bring himself and a couple X-men. He made one more call.
An hour later Pastor Micha Jones and his wife of 30 years Betsy were waiting at a cornor. Micha was 65 and Betsy was 59, hoever years of healthy living made them look much younger.
They were street minsters and had a call from an old friend. Behind them were a couple of trucks. These trucks had food,water, clothing, medical supplies, and a variety of other things. More was on the way. Betsy _ "Dear did Asa say to meet him here." Micha - "Yes dearest he did." Asa pops out of an alley and noticies the older black couple and the group from various churches they brought with them. Asa had joined with thier ministry which bought supplies for those in need around the city. There was always need, but supplies were piling up faster then they could give them out, much faster in the past few weeks, very unusual. Asa -"Micha , Betsy how are you doing.?" Betsy - "fine asa, what is up?" Asa told them and the fifty others assembled, mostly college students. Micha-"Are you sure it is safe.?" As he asked a 2cars pulled up out came Hank , Jean, Rogue, Kitty, Gambit, she-hulk, Rahne Logan soon arrived on his bike. Some assembled found things a little unsettling. Joe (29yrs) - 'Let me get this straight you want us to trust a bunch of mutants and go down under ground to face God knows what?!?" Gambit made an angry glare at him. Trish -(20year old) - "mr. Steel I have heard bad things about the mutants the live under the city." Jenny -(18 yrs old) -" honest I do not see why we should risk our lives?" Gambit -"Fine, Gambit say we do not need you."
Asa - "Please please. my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, God has called us to spread the good newws to all people. Sometimes before you can do that you have to meet their needs. Down there young kids are straving in a dark hole with no hope. People are bitter, scared, and lonley. They most likely will not greet you with open arms. Those of us who have been in the Jones Ministry have seen a lot on these cruel streets, people die everyday, sometimes way too young. The same is going on down there, and at the moment to a much higher degree. I know it is hard, we fight against the pimps and pornokings, and all the other predators on the streets and we seem like we are not getting any where. And to take on another task such as this seems foolish. If you go I cannot 100 percent guantee your safety, me and my freinds here will do all we can to protect you. But we are Christian, we go to the dark places to shine the light, the light of Christ that was first shown to us. Please my Christian brothers and sisters, this mutant brother of yours is asking."
The assembled fifty just looked at each other, many were still afraid but decieded to go. Micha - "Ok Asa this is you show take the lead." Asa -"Ok, we have more people and trucks coming, Hank, Logan, She-hulk, and gambit takethe first group down with supplies. Keep them safe, everyone grab a flashlight, bring some lighting. Marrow is already down there she should have a better idea of the total situation. Jean contact the Professor and tell him the situation. Stay up here and help keep things organized. Kitty. Rogue, and Rahne will form a sceond group. It should not take too many trips. "
Suddenly A buch of police cars and a few swat teams appear. Asa - "Officers nice to see who we could use your help." After some of the officers see the what is down below they Agree.
Yellow girl is frighten to see so many strangers coming. But her mind is put at easy when a blue furry doctor come to help her mommy. Callisto gets out of bed and takes in the sence for a couple of hours and this is what she sees. Humans bringing food, blankets, and medical supplies. Police stand guard along the passage ways and hold lights. She sees a familar blue fured mutant set up a makeshift medical center. She wathces other bring bed frames, air mattresses, regular mattesses. A yellow eyed mutant and a larged powerfull looking green skinned female carrying some heating units and power generators. She notices bathing and clenaing supplies. A makeshift kicthen with oven and freezors is set up. The mutants in the tunels are stunned.
Marrow cannot believe her eyes- ", maybe there is a....sniff" Gambit looks down at the yellowskined girl as she looks up at him with a tired face. Yellow girl -"Will my mommy be alright? Gambit -"Ummm Gambit do not know, but Hank good doctor, he will help Mommy." Yellow girl hugs him by the leg -"Thank-you mister." " the pleasure is Gambit's little one.
the next day Micha -"you will not believe this Asa, but I have just called around and the support and volunteers to help out down here are pouring in, not just from the city but around the country. " Asa - "Mich this is Callisto, she is a leader down here." Mich- "A pleasure to meet you." Callisto -"I amm honored.' Asa - "Callisto I would ask that you keep safe all those that come down here to help out." Callisto - "If they come in friendship they will not be harmed, if anyone tries they will answer to me." Micha and Asa -(God help them)
A little later. Hank -"You have doen a noble thing Asa." Asa - "Hank don't give me the praise thank all these people that are here to help those in need, despite their fears." Jean -"Asa the professor wants us to return to the summit, he wants you Logan, gambit to stay while he is sending Colossus and the Thing, and of course Hank is staying hile some volunteer nurses and doctors come to help, Marrow can stay as well." Asa -"Ok Jean." Jean - "Asa I just want to say..." Asa "Thanks Jean, we could not have kept things in line without you." Jean smiles-"thankyou." Asa goes and thanks all those about to leave. He greets each one before they head back. Asa -"Thanks Kitty, you really improved those power generator,." Kitty hugs him - "Asa I have not felt this good in a long time." Asa - "me too"
Later up on the surface Asa and Micha have chat. Micha - "You know Asa I am still not sure about this, but our ministry to mutants in the Church over all is kind of lacking." Asa -"Micha I consider you a father in the faith. It is important that this not just be a one night thing. They need the basics now. But they will need things like education, job training, and so much more. And because they are mutants it will be that much harder, calling for a lot of patience. And Micha, I know government agencies will want to help, and that is good, but we need to maintian a presence in the tunnels and mutants all over the city. It will be danerous, there are some very bad mutants out there among other things, including anti- mutnat groups in and out of the church, but we have to do it." Micha "I know, you ever thought about becoming a full time minister?" Asa -"Yes.. But I have made a commitment to something else right now."
Betsy was busy tucking in some mutant children in bed. It was the first time for many to be not sleeping on the ground or in trash. There were Mutants and humans that still did not know what to make of the other, yet there were others that got along just fine. A mutant mother and father were tucking in their child for the first time with a clean blanket. Besty knew there would be a rough time ahead and a lot of disappointment, but for now hope was taking seed. Marrow was tucking in Mary (Yellow Skinned girl), the litte girl was clutching a small purple teddy bear. Mary-"What will happen tommorrow?" Marrow - "I do not know, but you should get some sleep." Mary - "I can't teddy and me are worried about mommy." Suddenly Gambit appears. Gambit -"Good news little one, mommy will be ok!" Mary -"Really, can I see her." Gambit - "She is slepping and needs her rest, but Gambit know she would love to see you when she wakes, so why don't you sleep so you can be ready." Mary reaches up and hugs Gambit -"Ok, Good night mister, good night Sarah."
She falls asleep as soon as her head reaches the pillow. Marrow has never seen Gambit teary eyed.
For the rest of the week The X-men and Excaliubar take turns guarding the summit and taking turns in the tunnels helping out. A small communtiy of tent are springing up. The generators are suppling heat and power, while the kitchen is fixing three meals a day. No one in the tunnels can remember when they have not beeen hungry for a long period of time. Living conditions are improving. Mutants and superheros like Spider-man, the Avengers, and others from aroung the area are volunteering their time to help and protect. The situation is not front page news but word is spreading.
the summit concludes. Nothing major is decied, but it has open the door for more disscussion. The Professor is pleased, he did not expect much, but this was something. A step a few months ago he could not have imagined. Funny, there were protests from FOH and the like, but little else. And the Professor was pleased about what was happening in the tunnels. It was sad that even he could forget those less fortunate, but this was the type of thing that made one feel good. When he visited the tunnels he had a nice little chat with Jenny and her daughter Mary. Jenny was still weak but in good spirits, Mary was a full of energy. He watched some college students form some Christian clubs on their various campuses organizing some games for the young children. He saw young children considered the lowest of Mutant kind laughing and playing. He did not even mind having a ball or two bounce off his head.
With the Summit over the Professor and Moria decied to have their teams stay an extra few days to relax and help in the tunnels. It is evening She-hulk, Gambit, Marrow, Thing, Moria, plus Reed and Sue Richards are in the tunnels. Reed- "Ben this is wonderful, I am almost ashamed not to have tried to do anything sooner." Ben -"Don't beat yourself up , we did not know what was going on down here, granted we did not look too hard either." Sue, Betsy, and Gambit were playing with some of the children. Marrow could not believe what Gambit was doing. She-hulk was helping moving things with the aid of Sipder-man. She-hulk -"Thanks for helping out web-head" Spidey - "My pleasure, you know things have been very rough form me these past few months, The love of my life disappears, I start to fall for someone else (the Black cat) she has issues (old boy friend), I am just angry at so many things, things I have no control. But this, this makes you look at people who actually have it worse than you. And they actual thank me, and I have done so little in the past few days." She-hulk -"Web Slinger these people have been ignored and been outcasts their entire life, that fact that your here and trying to means something." Spider-man - "So who is this Asa guy, and what kind of code name is Moose?" She-hulk giggles -"One that feels he does not need a fancy, cool, codename to prove himself." Spider-man goes over to Marrow -" Nice to see you again Marrow." Marrow - "Ummmm, nice to see you spider-man, please excuse me, I do not want to be rude, but I have got a lot on my mind, I am not up for chatting." Spider-Man "(Wow, she is actucally being polite)....No Problem, hope things clear-up soon, catch you later" Marrow - "Good-bye." Marrow walks off lost is so many thoughts. Callisto has noticed a change in her former student. She taught her how to fight, but could not teacher to control her inner demons, not that she always knew how either.
That night a dark figure was hopping from roof top to roof top. The figure stopped on top of one building overlooking Times Square and waited. This one was looking for something. Suddenly the figure hears a soft purring sound. The figure looks down to see a pregant cat rubbing up against the figure's leg. The leg belonged to none other than the Felicia Hardy, the Blackcat. She stood there with the body of a goddess and a troubled mind.
BlackCat - "Oh hello there kitty how are you?" She picks up the cat and strokes it's head. She was hoping to run into A certian swinging hero. As she sit there she could not help but reflect. She had lived in wealth all her life. And she had finally found her father, things get a bit confused from there. She was forced to take chemical mix that was the same formula that gave birth to Captian America. This formula gave her inhanced flexes, sences, and a cut and toned super strong body. She could change form from her usual blone petite frame to a rock hard goddess of the night with white hair. For a time she joined Spider-man in his fight against crime they were becoming close. Then an old flame returns with a terrible curse, so she joins him and a half breed vampire to free her love from it. But she just could not stay with them either. She was finding that she did enjoy a bit of the night, she could now see why her father contiued in his life of a thief for so long. The dangers and excite were grand , and sometimes the reward even grander. She had wanted to be a hero like spidey, but hero more time that not are only rec onized after they are gone. While they live they seem to fight a never ending battle with little reward. BlackCat put down the expecting mother. Blackcat - "Well i do not think he would want to see me anyway, still I should visit mother." Suddenly the building shook then stopped during the shake BlackCat had her foot fall through the floor. But she was alright, but the more she struggled the more the rest of the floor started to give way. BlackCat - "Hardy let's stay still till we can think of a way to get out of this, mabye some swinging prince charming wil come to my rescue.....or not." The floor caved in and before she could use her agility a peice of lead pipe hit her in the head. After thar everything was foggy, she was wondering around in a daze, one side of the building had fallen off and she was heading for total air and a 14 story drop.
Asa Had been flying around the city taking it in. He too had a lot on his mind. As he was going over Times Square the whole city started to shake. It shook for a few seconds then quit. Asa- "What is going on...(Earth quake maybe?)" Asa notices that some of the sournding buildings took damage. He was going to fly around to see if anyone needed help, everything seemed alright, people were wondering around a bit curious to just what happened. Asa then notice a figure about to walk right off a building down into the streets, it was a woman and she looked disorenited. She fell off, Asa used his supper speed to try and catch her.
Blackcat could feel herself falling Blackcat-"I guess this is it" Suddenly she found herself in being carried in a pair of strong arms and on the ground. BlackCat-"Spidey...?" She asked still a little groggy. Asa - (Spider-man? And they call Gambit a ladies man.)...ummm no they call me Moose." BlackCat jumped out of his grasped and tried to stand, she would have to settle for leaning against a street light. She looked up and found a very muscle bound man in a bluish uniform she could swear she had seen on the news before on a guy that shot energy beams from his eyes, only this guy was bigger, no vissor , had a gotee and were a red bandana. He also had somesort of device with an "X" symbol on it and his eyes were glowing a bluish color. BlackCat -"Ok Mister, what is going on, who are you?" Asa - "Ha, HA, Ah Me I am the guy that saved you from a nasty fall, Are you ok"' BlackCat -"Oh...I..I cannot stand up..(must have gotten hit harder than I thought." She slides down the pole to a seat position. Suddenly their attention is turned to some animal cries. Looking up they both look up to see the pregnant cat hanging on the side of the building about to fall. BlackCat- "Oh no she is going to....." Before she can complete her sentence Asa goes into action. She does not know if it is the bump on her head but all she can see is a fast moving blur. Suddnely the cat is in her lap, a little frighten but seeming comfortable in her lap. BlackCat passes out. Asa- "Now this is an interesting sight...I wonder what made the ground shake?"
BlackCat woke up from and found her self in a bed with a Blue furry mutant taking her temperture. Hank _"Ahhhh, my dear you are a wake." BlackCat - "Where Iam?" Hank - "Well That is a bit of a story." She findsout that she is underneath the city and some sort of missionary work is going on, Hank tries to fill her in the best he can. She walks around and notices how bad things are. But she is almosted comforted to see people, normal people along with mutants and heros trying to help out. She is tapped on the shoulder and turns to see the one that saved her. Asa - "Hello there I see you up and about, and only after a couple fo hours." BlackCat smiles - "So "Moose" do you have a real name you can share?" Asa- "The name is Asa, and your name is?" BlackCat - "They call me the BlackCat." She puts her arms around his neck and kisses him. BlackCat -"Thanks for saving me." Asa blushing alittle -"Ummmm...your welcome." BlackCat -"Do you happen to know where my furry friend is, and I do mean the cat not the doctor." Asa -"In the kitchen with some of the chilren." She give him a sudective look _"Thanks big guy...catch you later." Asa-"Gulp...ummm see you later." Gambit walks up. Gambit- "Ummm remind Gambit to save her sometime, maybe in Paris." Asa eys roll -"Sure Gambit, I will remember." Gambit -"Asa my friend did you cause the ground to shake like dat earlier?" Asa -"Nope." Gambit - "Gambit afraid of that, telvision and radio not working, only able to pick up a few local stations." Asa -"I am going to go back and see the professor, keep a line open I do not like this either. Asa looked at his watch.....11:45pm.
Next chapter - A New Dragon.