They traipsed outside to the few cars they had out there, one van and her
car.
Angela followed the grayish van, thinking numbly about Mystique's callousness. As she focused on the road again, she noticed that they were not headed to the Institute, instead, they were going the opposite direction. "Toad, where are we going?"
"To get the others. You didn't think this was all we had, did you?"
"No, of course not."
He studied her for a moment, "Ya know, 'stique didn't mean what she said back there, at least she didn't mean it the way it came out. What she's trying to say is, it's easier to fight for what you believe in, if you don't have any emotions in the way of your goal, savvy?"
"I think so."
"Can you? Shut out your emotions like that? Can you do it?"
She took a deep breath and expelled it slowly, "I'll try."
He rested his arm lightly on her shoulder, "There's a good girl." The van pulled off road and onto a barely visible road, trailing deep into a forest. They stopped at a small cabin and got out.
Mystique approached her, "I can help you shut out the things I warned you about earlier. Do you want me to?"
Angela furrowed her brow, suddenly, for no apparent reason, the images of Logan smirking at her, Xavier looking at her doubtfully, her friends shocked faces as they stared her down, flashed to mind, "I'd like that."
Without another word, Mystique beckoned her to a separate cabin.
Angela followed, "I didn't know that stuff like that could be taught."
"It can't. I can only show you how good it feels to let yourself go and embrace your power that you haven't even scratched the surface on yet."
Over the next few days, Angela had no contact with anyone but Mystique, who counseled her on reaching inside of her hidden depths and letting go, to react out of pure instinct and still not lose the power of rational thought.
Finally, Mystique deemed her ready for a trial run. She led her toward the cabin where everyone else was staying.
Angela studied the changes she had gone through over the past few days and smiled. She could feel the tangible power crackling in her fingertips.
Mystique left her in the main room with her new friends and a few more new faces.
Once again, Toad began the introductions, "This one, with the red eyes, is Remy. The one that's chatting with Wanda over there is Pyro. And, over there, alone in the corner is Mindbender."
He continued talking about their traits and powers, "Pyro, bet you can guess what his power is. Mindbender can erase memories, control minds and stuff like that."
"Interesting. Will I see their powers in action soon?" "Tomorrow, if everything goes according to schedule." Angela nodded, taking in the scene, fingers itching to use her strengthened powers. Her sleep was a restless one, full of nightmares about her twin brother, Troy. When she awakened, she walked out to the main room, noting that the new acquaintances were already up.
Mindbender ignored her, studying the landscape.
Remy nodded, "Morning."
Pyro fiddled with his flamethrower, aiming at a worn tapestry on the wall, "Ya must be the new recruit."
Angela noted his strong Australian accent, "Morning, all." She headed outside to find the guys loading a few items into the van. Angela unhesitatingly shouldered a bag a tossed it in the back. No one seemed surprised to see her. Once again, Angela found them heading back to Bayville. She parked in front of a fast food joint and waited patiently for the others to get out. She followed them inside, and ordered a burger.
Toad nudged her as the doorbells jingled to signal a new customer. He pointed toward the door and she spotted the entire x-team walking in, talking happily amongst themselves.
She regarded them steadily, wondering when they would notice their rival's presence.
Finally, Kurt glanced over his shoulder still laughing.
Then he pushed at Kitty, "What Kurt? I'm about to order!"
He simply pointed speechlessly in their direction.
She peered behind him and tugged at Scott and Jean's shirts. Logan turned around before they did, nose twitching. He spotted them and his eyes narrowed dangerously. His claws slid out of his hands with an ominous sscchhiicckk.
Kitty looked over the group, seemingly deciding whether or not to bolt for the door, then, she saw Angela. Her eyes looked down and she seemed saddened to see her there.
Angela followed the grayish van, thinking numbly about Mystique's callousness. As she focused on the road again, she noticed that they were not headed to the Institute, instead, they were going the opposite direction. "Toad, where are we going?"
"To get the others. You didn't think this was all we had, did you?"
"No, of course not."
He studied her for a moment, "Ya know, 'stique didn't mean what she said back there, at least she didn't mean it the way it came out. What she's trying to say is, it's easier to fight for what you believe in, if you don't have any emotions in the way of your goal, savvy?"
"I think so."
"Can you? Shut out your emotions like that? Can you do it?"
She took a deep breath and expelled it slowly, "I'll try."
He rested his arm lightly on her shoulder, "There's a good girl." The van pulled off road and onto a barely visible road, trailing deep into a forest. They stopped at a small cabin and got out.
Mystique approached her, "I can help you shut out the things I warned you about earlier. Do you want me to?"
Angela furrowed her brow, suddenly, for no apparent reason, the images of Logan smirking at her, Xavier looking at her doubtfully, her friends shocked faces as they stared her down, flashed to mind, "I'd like that."
Without another word, Mystique beckoned her to a separate cabin.
Angela followed, "I didn't know that stuff like that could be taught."
"It can't. I can only show you how good it feels to let yourself go and embrace your power that you haven't even scratched the surface on yet."
Over the next few days, Angela had no contact with anyone but Mystique, who counseled her on reaching inside of her hidden depths and letting go, to react out of pure instinct and still not lose the power of rational thought.
Finally, Mystique deemed her ready for a trial run. She led her toward the cabin where everyone else was staying.
Angela studied the changes she had gone through over the past few days and smiled. She could feel the tangible power crackling in her fingertips.
Mystique left her in the main room with her new friends and a few more new faces.
Once again, Toad began the introductions, "This one, with the red eyes, is Remy. The one that's chatting with Wanda over there is Pyro. And, over there, alone in the corner is Mindbender."
He continued talking about their traits and powers, "Pyro, bet you can guess what his power is. Mindbender can erase memories, control minds and stuff like that."
"Interesting. Will I see their powers in action soon?" "Tomorrow, if everything goes according to schedule." Angela nodded, taking in the scene, fingers itching to use her strengthened powers. Her sleep was a restless one, full of nightmares about her twin brother, Troy. When she awakened, she walked out to the main room, noting that the new acquaintances were already up.
Mindbender ignored her, studying the landscape.
Remy nodded, "Morning."
Pyro fiddled with his flamethrower, aiming at a worn tapestry on the wall, "Ya must be the new recruit."
Angela noted his strong Australian accent, "Morning, all." She headed outside to find the guys loading a few items into the van. Angela unhesitatingly shouldered a bag a tossed it in the back. No one seemed surprised to see her. Once again, Angela found them heading back to Bayville. She parked in front of a fast food joint and waited patiently for the others to get out. She followed them inside, and ordered a burger.
Toad nudged her as the doorbells jingled to signal a new customer. He pointed toward the door and she spotted the entire x-team walking in, talking happily amongst themselves.
She regarded them steadily, wondering when they would notice their rival's presence.
Finally, Kurt glanced over his shoulder still laughing.
Then he pushed at Kitty, "What Kurt? I'm about to order!"
He simply pointed speechlessly in their direction.
She peered behind him and tugged at Scott and Jean's shirts. Logan turned around before they did, nose twitching. He spotted them and his eyes narrowed dangerously. His claws slid out of his hands with an ominous sscchhiicckk.
Kitty looked over the group, seemingly deciding whether or not to bolt for the door, then, she saw Angela. Her eyes looked down and she seemed saddened to see her there.