X-Men Evolution is a trademarked product from Marvel, all the characters are owned by Marvel and not me. This is a work of fiction based off of said series. I make no money off this, yadda yadda yah. This is my first X-Men Evolution, or even X-Men related fic I've written. Be gentle.
"Angry Situation" - by Val Shrum (kiyonekatz at yahoo dot com)
Chapter 7
**********************************************************************
'Russian mutant cosmonaut experiment: Success. That's what it said. It had detailed notes and information about the whole thing. The name on it? Rasputin. I keep stumbling across important things. But I'm not involved. I've done my job... everything is over with. So why is it everything about this keeps eating away at me? Cause I got involved. I still feel involved. Maybe I want to BE involved. Is that so bad? To comprimise my position in society to potentially do the right thing... being the wrong thing.'
Kitty strolled down the mall corridor, idly browsing the window display of a fashionable girls store. She stepped up to the window, gazing in, lost in the sea of thoughts that were a million miles from where she was now. She took a sip form her frozen drink, turning to leave as she abruptly ran into someone.
"Aaah! Sorry! I didn't see you there!" Kitty apologized with a quick bow.
"It's quite fine, little one. I was hoping I'd run into you."
"Literally." She said, then looked up to identify the person.
Piotr Rasputin. He wore plain clothes, today. A blank white teeshirt with a pair of blue pants. He wore a long dark overcoat to cover his frame. It somewhat gave him an illusion of hiding even though he wasn't.
"...Peter..." She paused, closing her eyes. "What are you doing here? This is my home! We had a deal." She put a hand on her hip to glare back at the russian boy.
He shook his head, "I'm not here to cause trouble. Please, lower your voice. I just want to talk."
"To talk? Ooohboy." She rolled her eyes, "But I'm not here to talk. I'm here to shop."
"... oh?" He looked stunned. "Can I accompany you, then? I do wish to talk, no matter the circumstance."
"Then follow me." She made a b-line to a large and fashionable outlet store. She casually wandered over to a rack, filtering through clothes. Piotr looked vaguely uncomfortable, but stood by her.
"Y'know, clothes are very therapudic." She glanced at the older boy, "I mean, there's symbolism all over the place. When a girl cuts their hair, it means they've gone through a emotional loss or a drastic change in their life. Clothes, I feel, are like the minor form of it. Some people dress up for others, some people dress up for themselves, and sometimes people just dress up because there is no other choice. What is it for you, Piotr?"
"Pardon me? I don't understand..."
"Your clothes. Like, what you wear. Your signature. Your impression. Your UNIFORM. Is it because you're doing it for yourself, for what you believe in, or are you doing it because you have no other choice?"
"Katya, your fashion metaphore puts me in a position of double meaning." He glanced at the rack, "I like the feeling of a new day, but it's always your most comfortable clothes that you spend the most time in. I don't mean anything more or less than face value. I'd rather be comfortable. I'm a simple kind of man. And although I know what beauty is, I do not feel I need to make myself into something I'm not with a label." He pulled out a blue short sleeved shirt with a baseball jersey like design and a v-neck. "This would look nice on you."
"Hmmm." She looked over the shirt, then checked out the price. "It is nice." She continued to the next rack, "I like changes, but only when they're good. I'd rather stay an optimist than join the land of cynical people in this world. Did you know that there's an insanely high percentage of people who flat out hate their job? Like, why are they there if they hate it? Doesn't make sense to me."
"Not all things in this world make perfect sense." Piotr helped move things along on the rack while Kitty continued her search, "People don't like uncertainty. Sometimes it can be rejection, sometimes it's just the idea of the future being out of your hands... you stick with what you know, and even if it may not be the best for you - you do it because it's familiar."
"What about if you're not sure what you're doing is the right thing anymore? Following blindly doesn't seem like a safe health risk either." She found herself a nice pair of baggy pants with neat silver and black designs. "It's not like you always have to follow people blindly."
"You're right." He smiled. "Sometimes it's not people. Sometimes it's following your heart, or following a dream. It's only what is most important to you. Everything else... that's where free will comes into play." He tapped the clothing rail. "Everyone has a story."
"And what's yours?" She continued to look, moving further back into the store. Kitty would occasionally get agreeing or disagreeing nods from Piotr as she chose a few items. "I mean... if you don't mind me asking, that is."
Piotr paused, then let a small laugh escape. "Katya, you can't outright ask for a story. Not in a clothing department store. Stories come from the heart -- better to be told over long talks and a more personal setting. This will not do." He gestured around.
"You just don't wanna tell me." She shrugged, "I can deal." She moved over to another section of the store.
"It's not that I don't want to tell you." He followed, now stumbling to find the words he wanted to speak, "It's that I'm... unsure. Forgive me, Katya. I don't know."
Kitty nodded, strangely understanding to what he had said. She gathered her items and went to the counter to pay for the clothes. Piotr stopped her, laying down a credit card and signed for the purchase. They exited the store.
"... I've been meaning to ask... what happened, that day?" She frowned, "I totally failed you guys, didn't I?"
"No! Not at all! In fact, you were very brave. I am not sure if I'd have the courage to do what you had done. Even at your age, you prove to me that you are a noble and loyal person. To your friends and to your cause. I admire your drive and wish..." He sighed, "I wish I could have stopped you from getting hurt."
"Peter, you know perfectly well that wasn't your fault. Who knew they'd open fire? Who knew how much of an idiot I'd be and not phase in time? I'm trained to take care of myself, and I wound up in an alley bleeding to death for my stupid mistake."
"Nyet. That is not what happened."
Kitty and Piotr walked out of the mall, stepping out to sit on one of the benches. "Then what did happen?" Kitty asked.
Piotr leaned forward and clasped his hands. He turned to look at Kitty, "I am not sure. Your eyes wouldn't open... I couldn't stop the bleeding... I was in a panic." His eyebrows turned downward, giving him a look of a confused boy. He was about to cry, "We outran any pursuing parties... and your responses came less and less."
She placed a hand over her sore side. She gulped, "Go on."
"Back where we started. The house... it was not enough. I was not enough. I bandaged your wound. I had trouble keeping you there. You kept... falling through my hands. I ordered for Magneto to bring quick transport. To get you to somewhere safe. You would not live through another motorcycle ride... you probably would not live through the night."
"We were dropped off near a hospital. I carried you into the emergency ward... I had said I found you in the alley. Your skin had grown pale and I..."
Kitty held up her free hand, "Okay, stop. Just... stop. Is that why you're being nice to me? Because I died? Don't do me any favors, kay." She stood up and started to walk away.
Piotr stood and followed after her, still holding the bag of clothes he had purchased, "No, Katya! I did this because I wanted to. Wait, please."
"No, Peter. I don't believe you." She waved, "I'm gonna go. I died. I DIED while working for YOUR cause. Are you happy? We can thank modern medicine and pure luck that I'm still here right now... but I died not even knowing why I was doing something. That's... like... the worst reason to do anything, y'know?" She turned back toward Piotr. "I'm so mad I don't even know what to do!" She raised her fists, punching into the larger boys' chest.
He stepped back and grabbed onto her hands to stop the assault. "It was not my suggestion to use you! Magneto, he..." He struggled to find the words. "A test! I could not leave it on my conscious to let you go alone... or die."
Kitty was furious, "Why! Why me!? Why couldn't you just leave me alone!" She stopped struggling against Piotr. Her eyes were filled with unshed tears. He couldn't meet them, only stared at the ground to the side.
"I had to tell you the truth. I'm sorry, Katya." He let go of one of her hands, and gently touched her reddened cheek. He looked like he was about to say something else when a faint rumbling echoed in the near empty mall parking lot. Kitty pulled back from Piotr and looked around sharply.
"What're you doing to her?!" Asked a surley, somewhat unkept looking teenage boy with dark brown hair.
"Lance!" She shrieked, losing her balance from the ground shaking. She stumbled and fell abruptly into the asphault. "Stop! Please!"
Piotr triggered his own mutant ability, transforming to organic steel. He crouched, just barely keeping his balance as well. Kitty crawled a few feet before regaining her wind. She half ran, half phased across about twenty feet before she jumped to elbow Lance in the gut. He didn't expect her to do that. He had stumbled back and the ground stopped it's earthquake.
"Like, what are you trying to do, kill me?!"
"That's one of Magneto's men! He was threatening you! Those guys are up to no good and you know it, Kitty-Kat." Lance explained from his downed position. "He's dangerous."
"You're dangerous!" She looked like she was about to cry. Kitty put a hand in front of her eyes, "Just.. just leave me alone. Lance... this is so stupid."
Lance stood up and extended his arms toward Kitty. She flinched and pushed him back away from her. "Leave. Me. Alone."
"... I was just protecting you." He interrupted.
"I don't need to be protected! I don't need anything!" Kitty pointed into the opposite direction. She stood her ground. Lance bowed his head and left the scene as he was told.
Kitty's legs buckled. She kneeled down where she was and her hand went straight to her side. "No, not again." She murmured. Her other hand reached into her pocket, pulling out a phone.
"Katya!" Piotr transformed back to normal and rushed over to kneel next to Kitty. He put a hand on her shoulder for reassurance.
"...Sam? It's Kitty. Can I talk to Scott or Jean or someone? I don't care."
Piotr pulled his overcoat off and put it over her shoulders.
She brought the jacket close to herself, "Yeah, Jean? I'm in the south parking lot of Bayville Mall. I think I'm hurt... pretty bad. Someone has to come get me, I don't think I can walk it. What? No. No. Maybe. No. I'll tell you when you get here. I'll be on the benches. No, I'm not lying. It's NOT because I shopped too much. Stop giving me a hard time! Put Scott on then. I'm not going to apologize for earlier! It's my own business what I want to talk about in front of everyone." Kitty whimpered in annoyance, "Jeeaaaaaaaaaan, cut it out!" Piotr grabbed the phone, "Hey! Peter! Give that back!"
"Your friend is out here with a VERY SERIOUS injury! I suggest you come and get her before you cannot find her ever again, da? No, that is not a threat. It's incentive. She will also have a guest--" Piotr rambled until Kitty snatched the phone back from him.
"Give that back! Hey, Jean? Jean? Yeah, south parking lot. Hurry, I'm getting sleepy... and I'm really cold. M'kay, bye." She hung up the cell phone, then let out a laugh. "Oh man, I wish I could have seen the look on Jean's face when you started talking to her."
He blinked, "... it isn't a game. You really are hurt. I had to make her understand.. I had to.."
Kitty put a finger over Piotr's lips, "Shush Peter. It's okay. I understand. I'm even a little flattered." She closed her eyes. "Just hold me, okay? Make sure I stay warm. Wake me up when they get here."
Piotr nodded. "... I can do that."
***
"Angry Situation" - by Val Shrum (kiyonekatz at yahoo dot com)
Chapter 7
**********************************************************************
'Russian mutant cosmonaut experiment: Success. That's what it said. It had detailed notes and information about the whole thing. The name on it? Rasputin. I keep stumbling across important things. But I'm not involved. I've done my job... everything is over with. So why is it everything about this keeps eating away at me? Cause I got involved. I still feel involved. Maybe I want to BE involved. Is that so bad? To comprimise my position in society to potentially do the right thing... being the wrong thing.'
Kitty strolled down the mall corridor, idly browsing the window display of a fashionable girls store. She stepped up to the window, gazing in, lost in the sea of thoughts that were a million miles from where she was now. She took a sip form her frozen drink, turning to leave as she abruptly ran into someone.
"Aaah! Sorry! I didn't see you there!" Kitty apologized with a quick bow.
"It's quite fine, little one. I was hoping I'd run into you."
"Literally." She said, then looked up to identify the person.
Piotr Rasputin. He wore plain clothes, today. A blank white teeshirt with a pair of blue pants. He wore a long dark overcoat to cover his frame. It somewhat gave him an illusion of hiding even though he wasn't.
"...Peter..." She paused, closing her eyes. "What are you doing here? This is my home! We had a deal." She put a hand on her hip to glare back at the russian boy.
He shook his head, "I'm not here to cause trouble. Please, lower your voice. I just want to talk."
"To talk? Ooohboy." She rolled her eyes, "But I'm not here to talk. I'm here to shop."
"... oh?" He looked stunned. "Can I accompany you, then? I do wish to talk, no matter the circumstance."
"Then follow me." She made a b-line to a large and fashionable outlet store. She casually wandered over to a rack, filtering through clothes. Piotr looked vaguely uncomfortable, but stood by her.
"Y'know, clothes are very therapudic." She glanced at the older boy, "I mean, there's symbolism all over the place. When a girl cuts their hair, it means they've gone through a emotional loss or a drastic change in their life. Clothes, I feel, are like the minor form of it. Some people dress up for others, some people dress up for themselves, and sometimes people just dress up because there is no other choice. What is it for you, Piotr?"
"Pardon me? I don't understand..."
"Your clothes. Like, what you wear. Your signature. Your impression. Your UNIFORM. Is it because you're doing it for yourself, for what you believe in, or are you doing it because you have no other choice?"
"Katya, your fashion metaphore puts me in a position of double meaning." He glanced at the rack, "I like the feeling of a new day, but it's always your most comfortable clothes that you spend the most time in. I don't mean anything more or less than face value. I'd rather be comfortable. I'm a simple kind of man. And although I know what beauty is, I do not feel I need to make myself into something I'm not with a label." He pulled out a blue short sleeved shirt with a baseball jersey like design and a v-neck. "This would look nice on you."
"Hmmm." She looked over the shirt, then checked out the price. "It is nice." She continued to the next rack, "I like changes, but only when they're good. I'd rather stay an optimist than join the land of cynical people in this world. Did you know that there's an insanely high percentage of people who flat out hate their job? Like, why are they there if they hate it? Doesn't make sense to me."
"Not all things in this world make perfect sense." Piotr helped move things along on the rack while Kitty continued her search, "People don't like uncertainty. Sometimes it can be rejection, sometimes it's just the idea of the future being out of your hands... you stick with what you know, and even if it may not be the best for you - you do it because it's familiar."
"What about if you're not sure what you're doing is the right thing anymore? Following blindly doesn't seem like a safe health risk either." She found herself a nice pair of baggy pants with neat silver and black designs. "It's not like you always have to follow people blindly."
"You're right." He smiled. "Sometimes it's not people. Sometimes it's following your heart, or following a dream. It's only what is most important to you. Everything else... that's where free will comes into play." He tapped the clothing rail. "Everyone has a story."
"And what's yours?" She continued to look, moving further back into the store. Kitty would occasionally get agreeing or disagreeing nods from Piotr as she chose a few items. "I mean... if you don't mind me asking, that is."
Piotr paused, then let a small laugh escape. "Katya, you can't outright ask for a story. Not in a clothing department store. Stories come from the heart -- better to be told over long talks and a more personal setting. This will not do." He gestured around.
"You just don't wanna tell me." She shrugged, "I can deal." She moved over to another section of the store.
"It's not that I don't want to tell you." He followed, now stumbling to find the words he wanted to speak, "It's that I'm... unsure. Forgive me, Katya. I don't know."
Kitty nodded, strangely understanding to what he had said. She gathered her items and went to the counter to pay for the clothes. Piotr stopped her, laying down a credit card and signed for the purchase. They exited the store.
"... I've been meaning to ask... what happened, that day?" She frowned, "I totally failed you guys, didn't I?"
"No! Not at all! In fact, you were very brave. I am not sure if I'd have the courage to do what you had done. Even at your age, you prove to me that you are a noble and loyal person. To your friends and to your cause. I admire your drive and wish..." He sighed, "I wish I could have stopped you from getting hurt."
"Peter, you know perfectly well that wasn't your fault. Who knew they'd open fire? Who knew how much of an idiot I'd be and not phase in time? I'm trained to take care of myself, and I wound up in an alley bleeding to death for my stupid mistake."
"Nyet. That is not what happened."
Kitty and Piotr walked out of the mall, stepping out to sit on one of the benches. "Then what did happen?" Kitty asked.
Piotr leaned forward and clasped his hands. He turned to look at Kitty, "I am not sure. Your eyes wouldn't open... I couldn't stop the bleeding... I was in a panic." His eyebrows turned downward, giving him a look of a confused boy. He was about to cry, "We outran any pursuing parties... and your responses came less and less."
She placed a hand over her sore side. She gulped, "Go on."
"Back where we started. The house... it was not enough. I was not enough. I bandaged your wound. I had trouble keeping you there. You kept... falling through my hands. I ordered for Magneto to bring quick transport. To get you to somewhere safe. You would not live through another motorcycle ride... you probably would not live through the night."
"We were dropped off near a hospital. I carried you into the emergency ward... I had said I found you in the alley. Your skin had grown pale and I..."
Kitty held up her free hand, "Okay, stop. Just... stop. Is that why you're being nice to me? Because I died? Don't do me any favors, kay." She stood up and started to walk away.
Piotr stood and followed after her, still holding the bag of clothes he had purchased, "No, Katya! I did this because I wanted to. Wait, please."
"No, Peter. I don't believe you." She waved, "I'm gonna go. I died. I DIED while working for YOUR cause. Are you happy? We can thank modern medicine and pure luck that I'm still here right now... but I died not even knowing why I was doing something. That's... like... the worst reason to do anything, y'know?" She turned back toward Piotr. "I'm so mad I don't even know what to do!" She raised her fists, punching into the larger boys' chest.
He stepped back and grabbed onto her hands to stop the assault. "It was not my suggestion to use you! Magneto, he..." He struggled to find the words. "A test! I could not leave it on my conscious to let you go alone... or die."
Kitty was furious, "Why! Why me!? Why couldn't you just leave me alone!" She stopped struggling against Piotr. Her eyes were filled with unshed tears. He couldn't meet them, only stared at the ground to the side.
"I had to tell you the truth. I'm sorry, Katya." He let go of one of her hands, and gently touched her reddened cheek. He looked like he was about to say something else when a faint rumbling echoed in the near empty mall parking lot. Kitty pulled back from Piotr and looked around sharply.
"What're you doing to her?!" Asked a surley, somewhat unkept looking teenage boy with dark brown hair.
"Lance!" She shrieked, losing her balance from the ground shaking. She stumbled and fell abruptly into the asphault. "Stop! Please!"
Piotr triggered his own mutant ability, transforming to organic steel. He crouched, just barely keeping his balance as well. Kitty crawled a few feet before regaining her wind. She half ran, half phased across about twenty feet before she jumped to elbow Lance in the gut. He didn't expect her to do that. He had stumbled back and the ground stopped it's earthquake.
"Like, what are you trying to do, kill me?!"
"That's one of Magneto's men! He was threatening you! Those guys are up to no good and you know it, Kitty-Kat." Lance explained from his downed position. "He's dangerous."
"You're dangerous!" She looked like she was about to cry. Kitty put a hand in front of her eyes, "Just.. just leave me alone. Lance... this is so stupid."
Lance stood up and extended his arms toward Kitty. She flinched and pushed him back away from her. "Leave. Me. Alone."
"... I was just protecting you." He interrupted.
"I don't need to be protected! I don't need anything!" Kitty pointed into the opposite direction. She stood her ground. Lance bowed his head and left the scene as he was told.
Kitty's legs buckled. She kneeled down where she was and her hand went straight to her side. "No, not again." She murmured. Her other hand reached into her pocket, pulling out a phone.
"Katya!" Piotr transformed back to normal and rushed over to kneel next to Kitty. He put a hand on her shoulder for reassurance.
"...Sam? It's Kitty. Can I talk to Scott or Jean or someone? I don't care."
Piotr pulled his overcoat off and put it over her shoulders.
She brought the jacket close to herself, "Yeah, Jean? I'm in the south parking lot of Bayville Mall. I think I'm hurt... pretty bad. Someone has to come get me, I don't think I can walk it. What? No. No. Maybe. No. I'll tell you when you get here. I'll be on the benches. No, I'm not lying. It's NOT because I shopped too much. Stop giving me a hard time! Put Scott on then. I'm not going to apologize for earlier! It's my own business what I want to talk about in front of everyone." Kitty whimpered in annoyance, "Jeeaaaaaaaaaan, cut it out!" Piotr grabbed the phone, "Hey! Peter! Give that back!"
"Your friend is out here with a VERY SERIOUS injury! I suggest you come and get her before you cannot find her ever again, da? No, that is not a threat. It's incentive. She will also have a guest--" Piotr rambled until Kitty snatched the phone back from him.
"Give that back! Hey, Jean? Jean? Yeah, south parking lot. Hurry, I'm getting sleepy... and I'm really cold. M'kay, bye." She hung up the cell phone, then let out a laugh. "Oh man, I wish I could have seen the look on Jean's face when you started talking to her."
He blinked, "... it isn't a game. You really are hurt. I had to make her understand.. I had to.."
Kitty put a finger over Piotr's lips, "Shush Peter. It's okay. I understand. I'm even a little flattered." She closed her eyes. "Just hold me, okay? Make sure I stay warm. Wake me up when they get here."
Piotr nodded. "... I can do that."
***