Cipher's Elegy
By Cypher
Chapter Nine: Morning After
Logan growled. Sure, he cut Douglas some slack because of his powers, and he did allow the blond to cut certain training sessions in order to practice martial arts or mental training with Chuck, but he was not going to let him get away with cutting sparring today. I don't care if he did have a dance last night. That's no excuse. The others are there and he's not. He's going to be running laps for an hour, the little... He shoved open the door to Douglas and Kurt's room. "Alright, blonde, time to-"
Something was wrong. Douglas' bed was there, yes. It looked practically unslept in, but it was there. A certain fuzzy blue elf was there, his right hand holding a brush inches above his tail and his yellow eyes wide. Logan cursed, and made a mental note to apologize to Kurt later. He knew how much the kid was self-conscious about his looks, and how he practically begged to be left alone when he was grooming. Above that, though, a certain blond was conspicuously absent. Where the hell did he go to? His stuff was still there, so he knew he hadn't run off, but still, this was unsettling. Douglas had a set routine and almost never deviated from it. Maybe he thought today we were training in the danger room?
A small ahem from Kurt reminded him he was intruding in what the blue mutant considered as part of his sanitary routine. "Sorry. You know where blonde is?"
"Nein. He was working on homework when I fell asleep."
Logan frowned and nodded. "Sorry." He left the room and shut the door. So the elf doesn't know. Well, that leaves just one more person to check with. He headed for the girl's dorms, specifically, Kitty's room. Before he got far, though, a certain scent caught his nose. Of course, with just over a half dozen male teenagers running around, the adolescent smell he had pick up on could've belonged to anyone. However, this scent held a bit of musk in the background, the same musk that tainted books. Gotcha. Following it, he found himself before the library door. What's he doing in here? Twisting the knob, he opened the door and stared at the mess before him.
Books...a ruined atlas....that's definitely his work, but what the hell was he doing? He walked over to table and put his hands on his waist, looking at the strewn about papers. His eyes finally focused on the makeshift map, and the heavily marked epicenter. There were notes near it, but they were written in, well, an older language Logan couldn't identify. Can't the kid at least write in English every once in a while? Sighing, he turned around to leave. A bit of blond caught his eye and he focused his attention by the door. He fell asleep in here? Geeze. He went over and shook the teenager none too gently. "Hey. Wake up."
Douglas grunted and rolled over, turning his back to his teacher. Logan heard a few phrases muttered, but again in languages he didn't understand. The meaning, however, was fairly clear. Tell me to...that's five demerits right there! This time he gripped the mutant's shoulder. "Time to get up."
The arm he was holding lashed out and nailed him right in the jaw, sending the older mutant back a couple steps. When did he get so strong? Rubbing his jaw, though knowing no real damage had happened, he growled.
~Logan, let him be.~
~Chuck, don't-~
~Evan was up around three to use the bathroom and heard him up in the library. He probably needs the sleep.~
~Then he should've gone to sleep with everyone else.~
~Logan...~
~I'm not giving him a free ride because it was his first dance or because he's a genius or anything. He needs training more than anyone else here.~
~It's Saturday, Logan. The X-Men have the day off, mainly because most of them did attend the dance. Give him the same treatment you've given them.~
Logan growled, but knew he wasn't going to win this argument. ~Fine. But get to the library. He's found something, and you should check it out before he wakes up.~ Glancing over Douglas' sleeping form one last time, he stomped out of the room towards the training grounds, where the other New Mutants were working out. They're just going to be thrilled with this favoritism.
~*()*~
Douglas blinked when he felt something warm against his back. Stupid quilt. I thought I threw that off the bed. He paused. He hadn't fallen asleep in his room. Now that his mind was starting to wake up, he remembered that he had fallen asleep in the library, without any blanket whatsoever. The only reason my back should be warm is if the sun was hitting it in the late...morning...oh shit. He forced his blue eyes open and found himself face to face with the back of a leather couch. The sun hits the library about nine...I had training at seven...crap. Logan's so gonna kill me. Groaning, he pushed himself up.
"Good morning, Douglas."
"Wha..?" Twisting to see who was, Douglas lost his balance and fell off the couch, directly onto a book someone other than him had neglected to put away. "AGH! OW! Goddamnit!" He growled and pulled the book out. 'First Aid for Dummies.' Someone has a cruel sense of humor.
"Douglas, please."
Douglas shook his head and looked towards the voice, his face turning red when he realized it belonged to none other than the headmaster, Professor Xavier himself. "Sorry, sir."
"There's no need for the sir, Douglas. I just want you to watch your language." Xavier was seated in his wheelchair looking over the books and map the younger mutant had placed out the night before. "Would you like to explain this me? As well as why you're sleeping on the couch and why you tore up one of my atlas'?"
Douglas sheepishly got up and took the seat he had occupied last night, his face still brightly colored. "Well, um, I figured it'd be a pain to keep flipping the pages to try and figure everything out, and I really didn't want to work with a condensed world map, so I figured I'd, um, buy you a new Atlas if you really...needed one."
Xavier folded his hands together and nodded. "And the couch?"
Douglas glanced back to his previous location, then rested his arms on the table, careful not to disturb anything. "I...got tired and fell asleep, I guess. I meant to only rest my eyes for a few minutes, I swear."
Xavier chuckled at that. Many a time he had sworn he'd only take a short nap and wound up falling asleep. Guess he was really worn out. "And all of this?" He waved his hand over the table.
Douglas' embarrassment faded somewhat, now confident enough to tell someone the truth. "You see, I've been trying to figure out this Exodus mystery. At first I thought it was some biblical allusion, but the further I explored it, the more it seemed to be some undiscovered God that influenced not one or two, but three cultures in a major way, and who knows how many others in subtle ways. Now, I don't really have a clear understanding," Douglas stood and picked up one book, an Egyptian one, and pointed to a symbol, "but I think this symbol is a sign of the end of the world, the apocalypse. He's a God that has an association with the end of the world."
Xavier tensed at Douglas' mentioning of apocalypse. It was a name few mutants knew, but those that did feared it. But he seems to believe it's just an association with the actual meaning of the word. He took the book from Douglas' hands, tuning the mutant out a minute and examining the symbols he had pointed to. I think I'll scan and send these to a friend of mine. Double check that it is indeed nothing more than the literal meaning of the word.
Douglas continued talking, oblivious to the fact that the Professor had stopped listening for a minute. "And here in this Celtic text, it alludes to a temple that Exodus is from. And this Arabic text, referring to Exodus as more of a warlord than a God, indicates that those who looked upon the temple would see Armageddon at times. Well, actually, it says apocalypse, which is curious, since it's rare that two completely alien texts would use the same term. Unless, of course, the Egyptian myth somehow came into contact to an Arab Warlord who took the name and discovered the temple..." Douglas set the book he was holding down and rubbed his chin. "If that's the case, then maybe the temple has been ransacked, but-"
"Douglas, please slow down." Xavier rubbed his forehead. At this moment, he was sure that if he could scan the teen's mind, he'd be overwhelmed with the amount of information and exuberance emanating from within it. "What has this got to do with the map?"
"Ah, well," Douglas picked up the French book, "this author, one Eobar Barrington, is the sole author outside of the normal sources," he nodded to the other books on the table, "that mentions Exodus in any way, and in fact talks about the temple." Douglas set the book down and pointed to the one mark on the Atlas located within French borders. "That's the only strange place that talks about Exodus. From the fifth century in the Arab country, to the twelfth century in France. There's no mention of him whatsoever between those times, though Barrington mentions someone by the name of Bennet du Paris that I still have to research, and I believe might have been the real one to discover the Temple of Exodus, but for some reason failed to record his finding."
"That's all very interesting, Douglas, but the map?"
"I'm getting to that, just hold up."
Xavier raised an eyebrow. Normally Douglas would never have been so bold towards him. This must be what Kitty talks about, when he really gets talking about something.
Douglas pointed to the three points of the major spoke growing from the center point in France. "See, these are all the mentions of Exodus, and this point here," he moved his hand back to the mark in France, "and the final mentioning by Barrington. If you trace the extensions of where the Temple is supposed to be and find the epicenter, and then compare them to the French location," he tapped the map where three lines intersected each other, "you find that the Temple of Exodus is in the French Alps, about forty miles from Barrington's mentioning of Exodus."
Xavier nodded, starting to understand why Douglas was so excited. "So you believe that there's an archeological find there?"
"Yes! One that people have been looking for and not been able to find, or maybe they gave up, or maybe because the references are so abstract no one has been able to figure it out." Douglas was grinning again, just as he had the night before. "Don't you see, Professor? I could have actually made an archeological find of the decade! And if...and if a mutant was the one who discovered and uncovered this, maybe, just maybe-"
Xavier held up his hand. "Douglas, while humans may be slowly accepting mutants, claiming an archeological find based on one's research would undoubtedly cast shadows of disbelief and claims of forgery."
Douglas' face fell at that, but he brightened almost instantly. "Well, be that as it may, can I go and check it out? I mean, I DID figure this out, it's only right that I should look for myself, right? Right?"
Xavier sighed. "Douglas, this is a lot to digest."
"But Professor-"
I've never heard him whine before. Xavier shook his head and steepled his hands. "I'll consider it, Douglas. For now, why don't you go and get some brunch, and I'll look over everything once more, just to make sure."
Douglas' shoulders slumped, but he muttered a 'yes' and slunk out of the room.
Xavier moved his chair closer to the door and eyed the map skeptically. If he's right, it could be a great archeological find. If not, he could be made a laughing stock. He rubbed his chin. On the other hand, it could be an educational experience as well, even if they found nothing. But these references to an apocalypse worry me...
Oh yes, Charles Xavier had a lot to consider...
~*()*~
"You're saying you wanna go to this place?"
Douglas nodded enthusiastically, grinning as Kitty finally figured it out. "And I want you to come with me. I mean, who better to be with me when I find the, well, find of the decade, than my girlfriend?"
"What if you don't find anything?"
Kitty, from her position on the couch, glared at Kurt, who did nothing but flip his tail in acknowledgment. "Like, don't say that. Of course something'll be there."
"Maybe a crazy guy looking for a temple that doesn't exist."
"KURT!"
Douglas looked to the ceiling. On one hand, he was hurt by the words, and glad for the fact that Kitty was defending his hope from Kurt's scathing comments. On the other hand, he was pissed and fed up with his roommate's attitude. Why is he trying to crush my dream? It's not like I ever did something like that to him!
Kitty sat up. "Just, like, leave him alone, fuzzy! You're upset because he did something constructive in his spare time rather than lounge about and eat!"
Kurt crossed his arms and snorted. "Is that all you think I do? Well I have news for you, Kitty, I do a lot more than your so-called boyfriend! He can't even be around a girl without going all flustered! He's antisocial, he misses the obvious, and he has the annoying habit of saying vocabulary words in his sleep!"
Douglas blushed at that. He hadn't meant to that one time, and in all honesty it wasn't his fault. He was having a really...intense dream involving Kitty, him, and a bookcase in a library. It was his first X-rated dream, and apparently the reflexive part of his mind that dealt with sex also dealt with his unconscious recall ability. "You promised to never bring that up!"
"You don't need me to, you can do it just fine on your own. Or better yet, with Kitty."
Douglas' mouth dropped open, while Kitty stared at Kurt, finally turning red as she figured out the implication. Struggling to find words in any language, Douglas finally got his voice back when Kurt's face turned upward in a definite smirk. _Why're you being so mean? What have I ever done to you to deserve this?_
_You know exactly what you did._ With that, Kurt hopped over the back of his chair and headed for the front door.
Douglas stared after him, blinking and trying to comprehend what he meant. "I never DID anything!" By the time he yelled that, Kurt had long since made his way to the forested area of the estate. "I never did..."
Kitty, still red, slipped out of sight by phasing through the floor. She wanted to talk with Douglas, but right now she really didn't feel very comfortable doing that. She had learned an intimate detail too soon in their relationship, and it felt a bit...awkward.
Douglas turned around to face Kitty, and finding her not there, collapsed back onto the couch. Great. I make this huge discovery, and I end up alienating the very people I want to share it with. Rubbing the back of his neck, he wondered what else could go wrong today.
"Suit up, blonde. Tell half-pint to as well. Chuck agreed to let you check out this place in the Alps."
Well, that's great, but now I suddenly don't feel like going. Sighing yet again, he nodded and stood, before realizing something. "How're we gonna get there? I can't fly anything, and neither can Kitty."
"But I can." Logan crossed his arms. "I'll be tagging along to keep you two safe and outta trouble. And don't think this'll be a joyride. When we get back, you're going through the workout of your life for missing this morning." He turned and left the room.
Standing on his own, Douglas resisted the urge to rub his temples and groan. It's better than not going. It's better than not going. Oh Jesus Christ, why me? Deciding to ask Jean or the Professor to contact Kitty, he headed for his room to change. The room Kurt and I share, and he'll probably move me out of while we're gone. At least things can't go any more downhill from here.
~*()*~
"The Alps, you say?" Magneto set his fork down and eyed Gambit. He was just in the middle of dinner when the younger man came in to deliver the news. True, Xavier's students flying out of the state, even out of the country was not uncommon, but there were a few places that Magneto didn't want them going to. This short list included the Alps.
"Oui. Wolverine, Shadowcat, and the new kid took off for it about an hour ago." The Southern mutant flipped a card absently between his fingers. "No idea why, though." He didn't really care, either. He was in the middle of a very sweet poker match with Pyro and Colossus when he got the message. He also lost the hand, and in addition to staking over some of his winnings, he was elected to deliver the news to their leader.
Magneto stood and walked over to a low standing bookcase. He stared at a map, reminiscent to the one Douglas had created earlier. Rather than strange languages and multiple markings in different countries, this one showed a course from Rome to the French Alps, with German notes in the margins. "Perhaps they have discovered what I have."
Gambit caught a glimpse of the map. "What's that?" Anything with treasure might make this interruption worthwhile...
"There is a cache of Cyttorak crystals stored in some hidden caverns there. I had planned to go there once my latest mutant enhancer was completed and gather what was needed, but if the X-Men get there first and clear out the crystals..." Magneto clenched his fists at his side. He had been thwarted one too many times by his old friend and his team of mutants. He couldn't let them take more of the precious gems.
Gambit shrugged. To him, the Cyttorak crystals weren't that valuable, and therefore not very important. "What if they're just going to climb the mountain?"
Magneto turned on his heel and glared at his minion. "Are you a fool? Xavier wouldn't waste such resources for only three members. He knows there's something there."
Gambit held up his hands in surrender. While he was his own man and quite brave, he certainly didn't want to piss off his boss. "So what do we do?"
Glancing at the map once more, Magneto narrowed his eyes. "Find Mastermind. You and he are going to take a little trip to the French Alps..."
~*()*~
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Author's Prattle: Well, this is a short chapter, ne? Much shorter than usual, anyway. Sorry about that, but this just FELT like the right place to end it, and when it feels right...ah well. They're really spilling through my mind. The final chapters should be out...oh, I figure in a couple weeks...though I have a ton of yard work to do...and my room needs cleaning...okay, make that at least a month. But still, the ending, she approaches!
Again, yes I'm changing the histories and myths of the X-verse quite a bit, but in some cases the Evo people did it first. So if you're a Marvel purist, don't kill me. I'm just having fun using the established Marvel myths. Which brings us, of course, to Disclaimers. I don't own X-Men Evolution, Cipher, Temple of Exodus (well...I own the temple, but not the name). They all belong to Marvel. Let's see...oh yeah, Barrington also belongs to Marvel. So do the Cyttorak crystals. I think that's it.
A reminder that ~ indicates telepathy and _ indicates something spoken in German. And no offense to anyone in regards to Douglas' swearing. That's just who he is.
Oh, I believe this would be the peak of Kurt-Douglas tensions, but I'm not sure. Any who, enough of me babbling. Chapter ten should be out...soon. Probably a week. As always, hope you enjoyed reading, and reviews are greatly appreciated.