The New Mutants

By: Joey

Disclaimer: Sorry, I don't own these characters, Marvel Comics and I believe KidsWB! (or at least they do for the Evo version) does, and I'm only using the character for entertainment only, no harm meant.

Chapter 5

"Convergence"

Previously: The team encounters the Demon Bear as it attempts to attack Dani Moonstar, only for it to be scared off at the first manifestation of the girl's powers. Later, we find out it's origin, that it is the combined essences of a demon and Dani's parents. Together, the team is able to assist Dani in it's slaying, setting her parents souls to rest. Later, she joins the team, using the codename of Mirage.

******

In a desolate section of the Arizona desert, the ground rumbles as a man-made storm roars across it's cracked Earth. The word has been passed through the channels. A gathering will take place in Burning River Canyon.

A celebration that will not be classified, quantified, or commercialized. A rave that will attract only those intrepid enough to brave a hostile and unforgiving climate.

A convocation that will bring together the fringes of twenty-first century culture in a raucous celebration. A festival that will unite a motley collection of freaks and geeks, deadheads and gearheads, techno-pagans and tattooed prodigies.

And, oh yes, seven individuals whose unique D.N.A. has given them superhuman abilities, the members of a team of mutants following their own path, unofficially calling themselves The New Mutants: Sam Guthrie, the human Cannonball. Rahne Sinclair, a.k.a. Wolfsbane. Amara Aquilla, code-named Magma. Roberto Da Costa, the hot-tempered Sunspot. James Proudstar, or Warpath. Doug Ramsey, called Cypher. And the team's newest addition, Dani Moonstar, the Mirage.

******

James parked the van, and stepped outside, looking at the sign. "Welcome to the Towering Inferno shindig and hullabaloo," he read aloud. "I've never seen anything like this before."

Rahne sniffed the air and looked worried. "Spendin' a weekend in the desert with a bunch of lunatics is not me idea of a good time." She said.

Roberto hopped out of the back of the van and grinned, "Chill out, Rahne," He said, "don't you think we deserve to cut loose and have a little fun?"

Dani just shook her head, following Sam out. "I'm just getting some really weird vibes here." She said, looking around.

Sam gave a smile. "Weird vibes Dani? Ah can't imagine why," He said, " We're only surrounded by enough crazy people to fill a small town."

Roberto let out a whoop and replied, "Yeah but that's the fun of it Sam! Everyone here is free to express themselves however they want! No restraints whatsoever! I mean I don't think we even need to hide the fact that we're mutants! You think anyone would even notice? Let alone care?"

Doug, meanwhile, was busy staring at the huge tower that had been erected. "So that's it," he said, to no one in particular. "The Towering Inferno. Every year a team of artists, craftsmen, and general loonies build a huge tower out of wood, metal, and neon. Once it's finished it signals the start of the festival. Obviously since it's up, the festival has begun. And, at the end of the third night, the tower gets blown to smithereens in a huge pyrotechnic extravaganza that lights up the desert...or that's what the website said anyway."

Rahne rolled her eyes. "Typical. Boys will make up any excuse to blow somethin' up." She said.

"Well, anyway," Doug said, "I'm going back to the van to get the tents. Anyone want to help me?"

Rahne nodded her head, "I'll help you Doug, all this psychotic revelry is giving me a headache."

The two then walked back to the van to grab the supplies, while the rest of the team went off to explore the festival.

Nearby, a group of youths in a similar age group also split up, following them.

******

At the campgrounds, Doug and Rahne had finally finished setting up the tent.

"I hate this place Dougie, It's as if the whole world's gone stark ravin' insane." Rahne said, pacing a bit.

"Uh-huh."

"I know everybody thinks me a little uptight, and that's just because of me upbringing, but is it too much to ask for little restraint-" her eyes bulged as she saw something she probably shouldn't. "Oh me GOD! Do you see that!"

"Uh-huh"

"Dougie, those people weren't wearing a stitch o' clothin'!" Rahne said, pointed in the direction the people had went.

"Uh-huh."

"Oh, yuir not even listen' to me y'lug." she said, annoyed.

"Did you say something Rahne?" Doug said, looking up from his laptop.

"You're a million miles way." she said as she crossed her arms and turned around.

Doug stood, an apologetic look in his eyes. "I'm sorry Rahne, I was sort of absorbed...and not just because of the computer either. Ever since the Demon Bear fight I've been feeling more and more useless. I mean, look at the power you all have, you all can do amazing things, but all I do is translate languages." He said, rather dejectedly.

Rahne put her arms on his shoulders. "Dougie, you shouldn't worry about such things. It doesn't matter what powers you have, yuir still one of strongest and bravest boys I know." She said.

He lowered his head, and said "Thanks Rahne...I guess I'm afraid that at some point my lack of physical powers could cost someone, because if I couldn't protect them."

Rahne could only sigh, and she wrapped her arms around him in a hug.

******

Meanwhile, Sam, James, and Dani had split up from Amara and Roberto to go checkout the killer robot display, so the two South American mutants had decided to check out the performance artists. After seeing a some fire jugglers, Roberto got an idea. He stepped out onto the stage and grabbed a mic.

"Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, cats and dogs of all ages! Tonight, for one time only, you can witness the pyrotechnic wizardry of the Fabulous Amara!" he said, and the dragged her on stage.

"The Fabulous Amara?" she muttered to herself, "I am SO going to get you for this Roberto. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but one day."

The crowd yelled out some words of encouragement, so Amara stepped up to the mic.

"Senors y senoritas, your attention por favor!" she said, and once the crowd died down she spoke again, " Deep in the heart of the amazon, I met an Indian shaman who knew the secret language of fire...and before he died, he taught me how to master the living flame!"

She then put her hands together and, after saying some "magic words" made a small fire in the cup of her hands. "Behold!" she cried out, as the crowd gasped in amazement.

Someone in crowd asked, "How'd you do that? Industrial Light and magic?"

"I can't reveal our tricks of the trade." Amara said sweetly, giving him a gentle smile. While Roberto threw in, "Yeah, if we told you we'd have to kill you!"

With that they took their bows and left the crowd to the other acts and made their way to the dance section.

******

Meanwhile, another group was reuniting, to share information and plan a strategy.

"Well, looks like Frost's Mutivax machine was right on the money." Said the blonde girl code named Roulette. She turned to the boy next to her, a recent recruit named Jetstream. "You ready to earn your keep big boy?" she asked, with a taunting smile.

The dark-skinned boy only had a scowl in return. "You are to call me Jetstream while in the field of combat, Roulette." He said, "So, what is our plan of attack?"

Roulette shrugged. "Beats me. We can't really make a plan until Empath gets back anyway." She said.

The purple haired girl known called Catseye perked up, the tail that was part of her human form swishing about. " Catseye smell Empathperson. He with fireboy and firegirl in dance area." She said in simplistic speech.

Jetstream rolled his eyes. " I should have known. Empath never takes his responsibilities seriously," he said. "We will just have to proceed without him. I will not have my first mission botched due to his ego and laziness."

Roulette stifled a yawn. "Whatever Haroun." she said, purposely using the boys real name to anger him. " We wouldn't want to disappoint Ms. Frost now would we? Especially after that nice gift she gave you."

Jetstream only growled in response, causing her to smile. She so liked to toy around with people, it was just so much fun.

"At any rate," she continued, " Catseye, you go after the Wolf girl, even with the computer geek you shouldn't have too much trouble. Tarot, Jetstream, you two can handle the hick and that new girl, right? Good. I'll take care of Proudstar. Empath will just have to take care of himself."

The others nodded their heads in agreement and started to make they're way to their designated targets.

Oh, and one more thing, " Roulette said, "Tarot, if something goes wrong, you what to do, right?"

The dark-haired girl nodded. "Wee. I know. They shall not know what hit them." She said, her eyes going up to the tower.

******

Nearby, Roberto and Amara are caught in the rhythmic undertow of sound created by four synchronized (and bottom heavy) car stereos.

"I haven't let go like this since the Carnivale in San Paulo!" Roberto said, completely exultant as he tore off his shirt.

"Shake it, don't break it, Roberto." Amara, said, giving him a flirty grin.

The music pushes them together, awakening an attraction.

"Amara..."

Stripping them of inhibition.

"Roberto..."

Igniting a desire in a single, passionate kiss. Slowly, they broke apart.

"Wow...did we just do that?" Roberto asked, a little shocked.

Um, I'm not sure but..." Amara replied, pretty stunned herself. "why don't we try it again?

Roberto smiled, "I'll second that motion." He said, and the two kissed again.

"Well, isn't that cute." a voice interrupted.

The two broke away from their kiss. "What the? Wait, You're that Empath kid from Massachusetts!" Roberto said, angrily.

Empath smiled. "Correct! Give that boy a cigar! Seriously now, that was quite the display you had there you two, maybe you need a room?"

"Just shut up!" Amara growled, "That is business between Roberto and myself!"

"Oh really? You think so eh?" Empath said with a taunting smile. " You see, my powers allow me to manipulate people emotions, and do with them as I wish. Who's to say I didn't have a helping hand?"

"You bastard!" Roberto said, adding a Spanish curse for good measure. "People aren't you're playthings!"

"Oh, but they are." the Spanish boy replied. "Just watch." his eyes then began to glow purple, and suddenly the crowd started to become very hostile towards the two former X-men.

"Roberto, what do we do? We can't hurt them! They're innocents!" Amara said, dodging a punch from a nearby girl."

Roberto had to shove a few guys into each other to protect himself. "I don't know Amara...this is bad. Very bad!"

******

Meanwhile, James Proudstar wasn't doing any better. The three of them had been enjoying themselves watching the robot deathmatches, when the festivities had been rudely interrupted by the three of the Hellions, his ex-schoolmates. Jennifer, who called herself Roulette had used one of the black luck discs on him, resulting in such bad luck and that she was actually holding her own in their fight. Of course her excellent martial arts skills and the fact that she had used a red luck disc to increase her own good luck had helped her out too.

"You're pretty good hotstuff," Roulette said, flirtingly, "Too bad you didn't come over to our side, I could have made things real worthwhile."

James parried a blow, but was unsuccessful in landing a counter attack. "Yeah, well I'd rather be with friends than some floozy!" he shot back, hoping to distract her.

The two continued their duel, as more fighting surrounded them. Dani was having a very hard time with Tarot's card demons. She had already taken down a psychotic jester when Tarot had drawn the Fool Card, and was currently trying to dodge several swords after the Sword card had been drawn, and Sam was currently engaged in an air duel with the newest Hellion, who had surprised them when he started flying with what seemed to be mechanical engines in his legs, neither of the fliers was giving an inch in their aerial dogfight.

******

"Dougie, I'm worried. " Rahne said, " The others should have been back by now."

Doug looked up from his laptop ad said "Yeah, you're right." He then stood and looked out through the crowd. "Well, I don't see them coming back. Do you think we should go look for them?"

Rahne sighed and nodded her head. "Yes, I'd like that. I guess we can try the carnival section first, and then." She then cut herself short and sniffed the air.

Doug looked worried. "What's the matter Rahne?" He asked, his fists clenched, and he tried to keep on his toes and be as aware as he could.

Rahne growled and shoved Doug out of the way just as Catseye pounced, knocking her to the ground.

"Hello computerboy! Catseye not meet you in a while." She said, smiling before morphing into her werepanther form. However, before she could attack Doug, Rahne, in her full Wolf form, tackled her, and morphed again into her werewolf form to give her more leverage, and the two tore into each other, slashing, cutting, and biting.

"Yuir can't just do things like that!" Rahne growled out once she was able to get some breathing room. "Don't ye have any qualms? There are innocent people about!"

"Catseye not care furgirl. People not care about Catseye so Catseye not care about people." her opponent replied before jumping to attack once again.

Rahne had been caught off guard by the sudden attack, and she fought back the best she could, however Catseye had the advantage and she was capitalizing on it, using her claws to slice into Rahne, who cried out in pain.

"Get off of her!" Doug yelled out, he had managed to grab a stray 2x4 and ran and swung hard onto Catseye's back.

"Aaaah!" She cried out, the shock forcing her to turn into what she considered her "natural" form. That of a small violet cat. Seeing Rahne get back up, and the fire in her eyes, Catseye quickly realized the trouble she was in and scampered off.

Doug tossed the piece of wood away and checked on Rahne, who morphed back to her human form.

"Rahne, you're hurt!" he said checking her cuts. "You should be ok, the cuts aren't too deep." He said, and helped her into the tent.

"Thank ye Dougie." Rahne said as she laid down on the bed. "But I'm worried about the others now. Catseye can't be by herself."

Doug nodded his head as he pulled out the first aid box and started to dress her wounds. "Yeah...but for right now we can't help. You're too hurt."

Rahne sighed. "I know Doug. I just hope the others are ok."

******

Back in the dance area, Roberto and Amara had begun to make some progress, as it was becoming more and more obvious that Empath was overexerting himself, controlling too many people at one time, giving them the advantage they were looking for.

Amra had managed to get through the crowd first, using her powers to lightly give those in her way hotfoots. Finally she quickly grabbed Emptah, holding his arm behind his back in a painful hold.

"Ok, jerk. Release them Now!" she growled into his ear. She was not fond of people who were used. She'd seen it too often in her own royal court back at her home of Nova Roma. She twisted the arm more for emphasis.

"Agh!" Empath cried out. He didn't like being in a position like this. But he felt like he had no choice. the girl was liable to break his arm off. "All right, all right! Fine! I'll calm them off!" his eyes returned to their brown color and slowly the people calmed down. Amara then released him. Empath rubbed his arm gingerly.

Amara crossed her arms. "Now then, I think it's time the authorities had a nice chat with you." She said, walking up to him.

"I don't think so!" Empath replied, his eyes going back to the purplish color that signified that his powers were active. Amara was shocked when Roberto, his powers activated, had grabbed onto her. Empath chuckled, and said "See you later babe. I'm going to take my leave." He blew her a mock kiss and ran off, only releasing his grip on Roberto when he was a safe distance away.

Roberto shook his head and depowered. "Amara? What happened?" he asked, looking thoroughly confused.

Amara sighed. "It was Empath. He took control of you. At least you're back to normal now." She said. "Come on we better go find the others."

******

Sam knew he couldn't keep this up much longer. The kid with the rocket legs was just as fast as he was, if not faster. Then a plan formulated in his head. He flew straight at his opponent and tackled him.

"What are you doing you fool?! Fight me honorably!" Jetstream screamed. His face was livid with rage.

Sam chuckled. "Don't worry fella y'all ain't gonna be in this position much longer!" he said, and angled them both into a nosedive straight towards the ground.

Jetstream was shocked. His opponent was mad! "You're crazy! Let go of me!" he screamed out, his face full of fear. "Please! You've got to-" he was cut off as they crashed into the ground hard. He realized he was fading in and out of consciousness. Out of the corner of his eye he was his opponent, the blonde boy, slowly and shakily stand up. "But...how...." He managed to gasp out, and was conscious long enough for the boy to reply in an almost friendly tone "Simple. Ah'm invulnerable when Ah'm blastin." and then he slipped into unconsciousness.

******

Dani felt the ground rumble from the impact Sam and his opponent generated, she spared a fleeting glance to see if Sam was ok, since she had come to care for the boy during there short journey, and was glad he was ok. She then turned to her opponent, Tarot. The girl was in the process of drawing another card, and Dani knew that this was her one chance.

"What do you fear?" she asked in a strong tone of voice.

"What?" Tarot replied, she was distracted, and then it was too late.

"Gotcha." Dani said. Using her mutant power of drawing out people's greatest fears and bringing them to life.

At first Tarot didn't understand what was going, then suddenly her cards flew out of her hand. "What? What is going on?" she asked, but the cards did not reply, they flew away, she chased after them, but as fast as she ran, the cards were faster. She panicked. The cards were everything. They dictated the future. Her future. Without them.....

Tarot fell to her knees, the cards scattered all around her, and sobbed, her will to fight gone.

*****

It didn't take long for Roulette to realize that she was in deep trouble. She saw Jetstream's defeat, and heard Tarot crying.

"Damn." She hissed. through gritted teeth. To top it all off, her luck discs were wearing off, and she knew that it wouldn't be long before Proudstar's strength and speed got her. So, she did the instinctive thing. She fought dirty, quickly grabbing some dirt and flinging it into James's face. She then quickly ran and grabbed Jetstream and yelled out "Tarot! Pull back! And don't forget the surprise!" and then got the heck out of there, Tarot right after her after having made sure and grabbed all of her cards.

******

Afterwards the team had regrouped in the tent. Rahne was feeling better, though she would need to take things easy for a few days.

"Well, at least that's all over." Dani said, sitting down onto a folding chair. "Maybe now we can do what we came here to do. Relax."

James nodded. "Oh yeah. I agree, I just want to relax and enjoy the rest of this insane festival!" he said, stretching out.

Meanwhile, Roberto and Amara were quietly whispering with each other.

"I'm not going to tell them. YOU tell them." She said.

"I'M not saying anything." He replied.

"We have to tell them something!" she countered back.

"But who's to say that it was us doing it? It could have been Empath." he said.

Amara sighed. " I know I know, but still, we should tell them anyway."

However before they had the chance to make up their minds, Sam peeked out the tent and looked up. just in time to see the tower moving! Soon they could feel a loud crash, which quieted the whole team.

"Hey guys, Ah know this an alternative culture kinda event," He said, "but is that ol' metal fella supposed to be ripping free of it's mooring?" he turned back around. "Uh, guys?"

******

The Hellion's back up plan was simple but effective. Tarot drew the Tower card from her deck, and used it to bring to life the Towering Inferno structure. The tower began to move, infused not only with the sparks of life, but also the primal need to be free. The crowd panicked and ran almost immediately.

"Somebody grab the ropes!"

"Like that's gonna help Jocko!"

"Ah know Ah ken bring it down wit' mah trusty twelve gauge!"

"Run away! Run Away!"

"There's no place like home. There's no place home!"

"Boy did I pick the wrong day to quit psychedelics!"

******

Our young team of heroes watches the mayhem and pandemonium unfold.

"What do we do y'all?" Sam said, "This is one big task!"

"I think I've got a plan." Dani said. "Sam, I want you to fly into it, you should be able to take away a lot of debris that way. Bobby and Jimmy, use your strength to try and slow it down. Rahne, Doug, and myself will try and keep the crown under control and herd them away from the Tower. Amara, I want you to create the biggest fireball you can, and let it have it. Once she launches the fireball, I want you three to get out of their fast, is that understood?"

The others nodded and got to work. James and Roberto ran up and held on, shoving against and planting their feet, slowing the Tower's pace to a crawl. Sam flew up to the tower and collided into it, knocking away large parts of debris. Rahne had morphed into her wolf form and herded the crowd as best she could, while Doug and Dani tried to get people to safety zones. Meanhile, Amara was deep in concentration.

"Ok everyone! Get clear! I'm going to finish this thing once and for all!" she yelled out. She was in her full fire form, and had summoned a huge fireball. "Of course, I've never made a fireball this big before...but a walking erector set calls for unusual solutions!" and with that she let the fireball fly, which detonated on impact, destroying the tower in a huge explosion, lighting up the night like some sort of midnight sun.

The group ran to Amara, who had dropped to her knees, depowered, totally exhausted.

"Y'all ok Amara?" Sam said worriedly.

"Yes...I'm ok Sam...just need some rest." Amara said, and then laid down, and fell asleep. Bobby picked her up.

"Well, it looks like the large debris was destroyed in the explosion, and so far no casualties have been reported, thankfully." Doug said, summarizing what he had heard.

"Good. I just hope the news reporters report this fairly." James said. " Because this is SO going to be on the nightly news."

Sam nodded his head, and said, "Well, This has been some night y'all."

The other nodded in agreement. Those words said it all.

******

And so, as transitory community convened, it disassembled. Leaving little trace that it had happened at all. Our heroes are off on the road again. Fighting for a dream of better coexistence between humans and mutants their own. way.

End of fifth chapter.

Author's notes: Sorry for the delay. I got a bit of writer's block. Hope you all liked the chapter! Major inspiration for this was X-Force #75, an amusing read. And now we're starting to get into the relationships. Rahne and Doug are bonding a bit, and Sam and Dani are developing a friendship, but will it blossom into something? Sore wa hime desu! (Japanese for: That is a secret!) As for Roberto and Amara, things heated up a bit eh? But was it true feelings or Empath's manipulations? I'll be exploring that later on. Same with Doug's feeling's of uselessnes, believe me, I have a big plan for young Mr. Ramsey! Oh, and as for Magik? You're in luck! I decided to include her! We'll be seeing her chapter 7, and the team will also finally get some uniforms too! But as for next chapter....

Next Chapter: We explore the bad guys! What makes the Hellions tick? What are they're motivations and dreams, and what connection does their leader, Emma Frost have with Charles Xavier? Read all about it next chapter!