Chapter Seven
"How often do we have to fly?" Laura asked, nervously looking out the window at the ground speeding by below.
"Yourself and Savanna won't be flying much until you're older. Jubilee only flies when the B Team is needed, however, Bobby and Jean fly quite a lot."
Laura gave one more nervous look out the window before looking away and putting her headphones on.
Her parents had taken the news of her being a mutant pretty well considering the circumstances, and they had been delighted to hear that she had the chance to learn how to control her abilities and had let her go with the Professor with only slight second thoughts. However, one person still didn't know about her leaving.
All attention except Laura's went to the front of the jet when the main communicator gave a loud squawk.
"Institute to BlackBird, come in BlackBird." Scott's voice came over the COM.
"This is Jean, what's up Cyclops?"
"There's a problem over in California, apparently a young mutant went crazy around noon their time and injured six people. He's being held for questioning at the 75th precinct in San Fran." Scott informed. "Do you want to take care of it, or do you want me to gather a team and take Velocity over there?"
"We'll handle it Scott. The BlackBird is faster than Velocity."
"Right. Cyclops out."
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
~*~
"You four stay discreet." The Professor said to the teens as he and Jean led the way into the precinct.
"Yes Professor." They mumbled.
"May I help you?" The receptionist asked when the group made it up to her desk.
"We were hoping to talk to the mutant that was brought in earlier." The Professor said with a smile.
The receptionist's eyes glazed over, as if she were drugged and she flashed them a large smile. "Of course, right back there. It's the seventh cell on the right."
The six made their way through the door that led to the cells. As they opened the door, a tortured scream filled their ears.
Water was running across the floor, freezing and melting alternately, multi- coloured mini fireworks were erupting at the end of the hall, and objects were flying up and down the long hall.
Xavier turned to the four teens behind him. "You four head back to the jet, don't move from there until Jean or I contact you."
"Yes sir." The teens mumbled and headed back down the hall and through the door.
Quietly Xavier and Jean made their way down to the cell, the screaming intensified.
"Professor." Jean began. "Is he telepathic?"
"No, I don't believe he is." The Professor answered thoughtfully. "Mark. Mark, can you hear me?" The boy just screamed louder.
"This is not working." Xavier said with a soft sigh. A look of concentration passed over his featured and the boy fell silent, slumping to the floor.
//Mark, can you hear me?"// Xavier asked.
//Wh.who are you? Am I dead? Oh god! I'm too young to die!//
//Mark! Calm down. You're not dead. My name is Charles Xavier, I am a telepath. I am speaking to you in your mind.//
//.Oh. I feel stupid now.// The teen muttered.
Xavier let a mental chuckle flow through the kink. "Now Mark, I am here to help you. I need you to tell me what happened this afternoon when your powers manifested.//
//I was on the boardwalk with my friends trying to master a move. I was getting really frustrated and I felt something snap, if that makes any sense. The next thing I know I was levitating in the air, sand was flying all over the place and fires were springing up everywhere. I left, roller blading as fast as I could. after I managed to get back on the ground. I got about a mile and a half away and the fires stopped, but I kept doing other things. By the time I had gone about 4 or 5 miles the cops were onto me. Things were flying all over the place, every piece of grass or flower I touched died, and ever so often I would go invisible.//
//Thank you Mark, now stay asleep until I wake you.//
//Okay.//
"Jean, go out to the waiting room, you will see a copper haired woman and a brown haired man sitting together. These are Marks parents; make the offer about the school. It is imperative for Mark's and everyone else's safety that he returns with us."
"Yes Professor." Jean said with a nod and walked away.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
~*~
Logan, Ororo, Scott, Kitty, Peter, Rogue and Hank were in the hangar when the now seven returned.
Logan, Hank and the Professor took Mark down to the Danger Room, which had built in shielding while the others helped with the luggage.
Savanna and Laura dropped Laura's luggage in the middle of the bedroom floor, and collapsed onto their beds in a tired heap.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
~*~
"Get a move on!" Kitty yelled up the foyer stairs. Her yell was answered by pounding feet, followed soon after by the younger half of the school running down the stairs.
"Where are we going anyways?" Amara asked, her nose stuck up in the air as always.
"NYC." Kitty answered, spinning the keys to one of the mansion vehicles around her finger. "The Professor wanted you guys out of the house so Mark can come above ground. Kurt, Ororo, Peter and I were voluntold to go along to watch you guys." She explained as they made their way down the front steps to where the vehicles were waiting.
"Do they not trust us?" Nikolai asked.
"No." Everyone answered.
"Bobby and Jubilee are coming with us. Of course they don't trust us." Sam added.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
~*~
"It's too crowded here." Laura stated, wrinkling her nose in dissatisfaction as she, Marcos and Tabitha made their way down the crowded streets of New York City. "Everyone is in such a hurry. I prefer it back at the mansion."
"We don't come into the city often, usually we just hang around Bayville, but every once in a while we take a trip down here. I like crowded places though, so I like it when we're down here."
"I'm sure you do Tabitha." A new voice commented.
Tabitha looked back carefully, her fists clenched, ready to form her charges if needed. "Mystique." She greeted with a slight nod of her head.
Mystique smirked and shifted back into her normal form.
Laura gasped, looking wide- eyed at the woman. "You're a shape shifter!" She exclaimed, her shields crashing in her surprise, and her form shifting to that of Mystiques.
Mystique raised her eyebrow slightly. "As are you I see." She said. "Perhaps you would be better off where you would fully be able to utilize your power."
"Mystique." Tabitha warned, her hands glowing brightly.
"Who better to teach a shape shifter than a shape shifter?" Mystique pointed out logically.
"Laura, don't. This chick is bad news. She does nothing but cause trouble." Tabitha warned.
"I.I'll think about it." Laura said simply before turning and walking away.
"Laura! Wait up!" Marcos yelled, chasing after her.
Tabitha cast a final glare at Mystique before turning and following after the younger teens.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
~*~
"Hey! Get back here!" Was all Peter heard before a tiny form ran into his leg.
"Help!" The girl squeaked.
Peter looked to where the girl had run fro, to see a large group yelling and shaking their fists at the girl.
Quickly, as if she weighed nothing at all, he lifted the girl up and put her on his back. "Stay there." He whispered. "And stay quiet."
"What's going on Pete?" Kitty asked moving to stand net to him.
"They think I robbed a bank because I am a mutant." The girl whispered frightendly.
"Move aside son." One of the men in the mob ordered.
"What did this child do to receive such treatment?" Peter asked.
"That Mutie broke into a back and almost shout a buncha people!" Another man yelled.
"Are you sure that she was the one who did it? Or are you just accusing her because she is a mutant?" Peter questioned.
"Who cares!" The man yelled.
"If she has broken the law, then let the proper authorities.[1]"
"Human law is for human beings! Now back off fella, or you'll get the same we're going to give to her!"
"Hey mister." Kitty piped up. "Who defines what's human?"
"It's obvious girl. Just open your eyes." The man replied.
"That simple huh?" She asked. "Well a whole chunk of my family was murdered because the Nazis said that it was just as 'obvious' that Jews weren't human, and not so long ago in this country people felt the same way about blacks. Some still do. Is that right?!"
"She scared my kids!" The man argued.
"You scare me!" Kitty countered. "Does that give me the right to beat your brains out?! You want to prove how big and tough you are? Beat up on me!" She challenged. "Come one, what are you waiting for? You're bigger than me, and I'm just a girl! Hey- maybe I'm a mutie too!" She yelled, Peter's hand holding her shoulder tightly. "Ever think of that? Maybe we all are. Maybe the big guy can turn into steel and his kid sister is a demon sorceress and I can walk through walls. Maybe, when you're done, you can hang our heads on your walls as trophies, or better yet, take out scalps like they did in the west. That'll really be something to be proud of!" She ranted.
"You shouldn't talk so to your elders, young lady." A woman in the mob stated icily.
"I don't." Kitty said just as coldly. "To those I respect. [1]" That said, Kitty threw Peter's hand off her shoulder and stalked away.
"Katya!" Peter called after her, not trusting to but the girl's back to the mob, he scooped her up and held her like he had held Illyana so many times before.
Kitty finally stopped walking two blocks away, but she was still fuming.
"What's your name?" She asked the girl in Peter's arms. The girl was tiny and looked no older than nine.
"Thora Holstein." The girl answered and Kitty finally noticed her thick German accent.
"You said you were a mutant, what can you do?" Kitty asked as Peter set the girl on the ground.
"I make shadows listen to me."
"Can you show us, little on?" Peter asked.
Thora nodded and held up a hand. A second later, she seemed to be encased by shadows.
Kitty looked at Peter and he gave a slight nod in return.
"Thora, where do you live?" Kitty asked.
Thora flinched at the question. "On the street." She whispered, looking at her feet.
"Come back with us Thora. Live at the Institute, it's a haven for mutants. You'll have a roof over your head, a bed and food." She offered, extending her hand to the German girl.
Thora took her hand immediately and grinned up at the pair.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
~*~
"Remy, can you show Thora to her room, she's in with Savanna and the other girls. Pete and me have to go talk to the Professor about her. I don't care what he says, she's staying." Kitty said as she walked in the front door.
"Hello t you too, Kitty." Remy greeted.
"Hey Cajun." Kitty said with a grin. "So you think you could do that favour for me?"
"Anyt'ing for a pretty lady."
"Thanks. Thora, this is Remy, don't let him charm you, k? Well I gotta go, talk to you guys later."
"Ich bin, also dumm, wußte ich, daß ich nicht diesem zugestimmt haben sollte. Gottfluch es, bin ich gerechtes Gehen, hurt wieder zu erhalten. Diese Leute werden vermutlich mich als Experiment verwenden.[2]" Thora muttered as she followed Remy farther into the house. "Jetzt jetzt. Das ist nicht nett. [3]" A deep voice stated from the shadows. Thora blinked a couple times staring at the person in front of her. "You're blue! You're German! You're fuzzy! You're CUTE!" Thora yelled and jumped on Kurt. Remy took one look at the surprised expression on Kurt's face and almost wet himself laughing.
[1] = Between the two ones is a quote from one of the comics, I don't know which, but it's not mine, so I take no responsibility for it. [2] = I am so stupid. I know I shouldn't have agreed to this. God damn it, I'm just going to get hurt again. These people are probably going to use me as an experiment. [3] = Now, now. That isn't nice.
R/R
"How often do we have to fly?" Laura asked, nervously looking out the window at the ground speeding by below.
"Yourself and Savanna won't be flying much until you're older. Jubilee only flies when the B Team is needed, however, Bobby and Jean fly quite a lot."
Laura gave one more nervous look out the window before looking away and putting her headphones on.
Her parents had taken the news of her being a mutant pretty well considering the circumstances, and they had been delighted to hear that she had the chance to learn how to control her abilities and had let her go with the Professor with only slight second thoughts. However, one person still didn't know about her leaving.
All attention except Laura's went to the front of the jet when the main communicator gave a loud squawk.
"Institute to BlackBird, come in BlackBird." Scott's voice came over the COM.
"This is Jean, what's up Cyclops?"
"There's a problem over in California, apparently a young mutant went crazy around noon their time and injured six people. He's being held for questioning at the 75th precinct in San Fran." Scott informed. "Do you want to take care of it, or do you want me to gather a team and take Velocity over there?"
"We'll handle it Scott. The BlackBird is faster than Velocity."
"Right. Cyclops out."
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
~*~
"You four stay discreet." The Professor said to the teens as he and Jean led the way into the precinct.
"Yes Professor." They mumbled.
"May I help you?" The receptionist asked when the group made it up to her desk.
"We were hoping to talk to the mutant that was brought in earlier." The Professor said with a smile.
The receptionist's eyes glazed over, as if she were drugged and she flashed them a large smile. "Of course, right back there. It's the seventh cell on the right."
The six made their way through the door that led to the cells. As they opened the door, a tortured scream filled their ears.
Water was running across the floor, freezing and melting alternately, multi- coloured mini fireworks were erupting at the end of the hall, and objects were flying up and down the long hall.
Xavier turned to the four teens behind him. "You four head back to the jet, don't move from there until Jean or I contact you."
"Yes sir." The teens mumbled and headed back down the hall and through the door.
Quietly Xavier and Jean made their way down to the cell, the screaming intensified.
"Professor." Jean began. "Is he telepathic?"
"No, I don't believe he is." The Professor answered thoughtfully. "Mark. Mark, can you hear me?" The boy just screamed louder.
"This is not working." Xavier said with a soft sigh. A look of concentration passed over his featured and the boy fell silent, slumping to the floor.
//Mark, can you hear me?"// Xavier asked.
//Wh.who are you? Am I dead? Oh god! I'm too young to die!//
//Mark! Calm down. You're not dead. My name is Charles Xavier, I am a telepath. I am speaking to you in your mind.//
//.Oh. I feel stupid now.// The teen muttered.
Xavier let a mental chuckle flow through the kink. "Now Mark, I am here to help you. I need you to tell me what happened this afternoon when your powers manifested.//
//I was on the boardwalk with my friends trying to master a move. I was getting really frustrated and I felt something snap, if that makes any sense. The next thing I know I was levitating in the air, sand was flying all over the place and fires were springing up everywhere. I left, roller blading as fast as I could. after I managed to get back on the ground. I got about a mile and a half away and the fires stopped, but I kept doing other things. By the time I had gone about 4 or 5 miles the cops were onto me. Things were flying all over the place, every piece of grass or flower I touched died, and ever so often I would go invisible.//
//Thank you Mark, now stay asleep until I wake you.//
//Okay.//
"Jean, go out to the waiting room, you will see a copper haired woman and a brown haired man sitting together. These are Marks parents; make the offer about the school. It is imperative for Mark's and everyone else's safety that he returns with us."
"Yes Professor." Jean said with a nod and walked away.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
~*~
Logan, Ororo, Scott, Kitty, Peter, Rogue and Hank were in the hangar when the now seven returned.
Logan, Hank and the Professor took Mark down to the Danger Room, which had built in shielding while the others helped with the luggage.
Savanna and Laura dropped Laura's luggage in the middle of the bedroom floor, and collapsed onto their beds in a tired heap.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
~*~
"Get a move on!" Kitty yelled up the foyer stairs. Her yell was answered by pounding feet, followed soon after by the younger half of the school running down the stairs.
"Where are we going anyways?" Amara asked, her nose stuck up in the air as always.
"NYC." Kitty answered, spinning the keys to one of the mansion vehicles around her finger. "The Professor wanted you guys out of the house so Mark can come above ground. Kurt, Ororo, Peter and I were voluntold to go along to watch you guys." She explained as they made their way down the front steps to where the vehicles were waiting.
"Do they not trust us?" Nikolai asked.
"No." Everyone answered.
"Bobby and Jubilee are coming with us. Of course they don't trust us." Sam added.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
~*~
"It's too crowded here." Laura stated, wrinkling her nose in dissatisfaction as she, Marcos and Tabitha made their way down the crowded streets of New York City. "Everyone is in such a hurry. I prefer it back at the mansion."
"We don't come into the city often, usually we just hang around Bayville, but every once in a while we take a trip down here. I like crowded places though, so I like it when we're down here."
"I'm sure you do Tabitha." A new voice commented.
Tabitha looked back carefully, her fists clenched, ready to form her charges if needed. "Mystique." She greeted with a slight nod of her head.
Mystique smirked and shifted back into her normal form.
Laura gasped, looking wide- eyed at the woman. "You're a shape shifter!" She exclaimed, her shields crashing in her surprise, and her form shifting to that of Mystiques.
Mystique raised her eyebrow slightly. "As are you I see." She said. "Perhaps you would be better off where you would fully be able to utilize your power."
"Mystique." Tabitha warned, her hands glowing brightly.
"Who better to teach a shape shifter than a shape shifter?" Mystique pointed out logically.
"Laura, don't. This chick is bad news. She does nothing but cause trouble." Tabitha warned.
"I.I'll think about it." Laura said simply before turning and walking away.
"Laura! Wait up!" Marcos yelled, chasing after her.
Tabitha cast a final glare at Mystique before turning and following after the younger teens.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
~*~
"Hey! Get back here!" Was all Peter heard before a tiny form ran into his leg.
"Help!" The girl squeaked.
Peter looked to where the girl had run fro, to see a large group yelling and shaking their fists at the girl.
Quickly, as if she weighed nothing at all, he lifted the girl up and put her on his back. "Stay there." He whispered. "And stay quiet."
"What's going on Pete?" Kitty asked moving to stand net to him.
"They think I robbed a bank because I am a mutant." The girl whispered frightendly.
"Move aside son." One of the men in the mob ordered.
"What did this child do to receive such treatment?" Peter asked.
"That Mutie broke into a back and almost shout a buncha people!" Another man yelled.
"Are you sure that she was the one who did it? Or are you just accusing her because she is a mutant?" Peter questioned.
"Who cares!" The man yelled.
"If she has broken the law, then let the proper authorities.[1]"
"Human law is for human beings! Now back off fella, or you'll get the same we're going to give to her!"
"Hey mister." Kitty piped up. "Who defines what's human?"
"It's obvious girl. Just open your eyes." The man replied.
"That simple huh?" She asked. "Well a whole chunk of my family was murdered because the Nazis said that it was just as 'obvious' that Jews weren't human, and not so long ago in this country people felt the same way about blacks. Some still do. Is that right?!"
"She scared my kids!" The man argued.
"You scare me!" Kitty countered. "Does that give me the right to beat your brains out?! You want to prove how big and tough you are? Beat up on me!" She challenged. "Come one, what are you waiting for? You're bigger than me, and I'm just a girl! Hey- maybe I'm a mutie too!" She yelled, Peter's hand holding her shoulder tightly. "Ever think of that? Maybe we all are. Maybe the big guy can turn into steel and his kid sister is a demon sorceress and I can walk through walls. Maybe, when you're done, you can hang our heads on your walls as trophies, or better yet, take out scalps like they did in the west. That'll really be something to be proud of!" She ranted.
"You shouldn't talk so to your elders, young lady." A woman in the mob stated icily.
"I don't." Kitty said just as coldly. "To those I respect. [1]" That said, Kitty threw Peter's hand off her shoulder and stalked away.
"Katya!" Peter called after her, not trusting to but the girl's back to the mob, he scooped her up and held her like he had held Illyana so many times before.
Kitty finally stopped walking two blocks away, but she was still fuming.
"What's your name?" She asked the girl in Peter's arms. The girl was tiny and looked no older than nine.
"Thora Holstein." The girl answered and Kitty finally noticed her thick German accent.
"You said you were a mutant, what can you do?" Kitty asked as Peter set the girl on the ground.
"I make shadows listen to me."
"Can you show us, little on?" Peter asked.
Thora nodded and held up a hand. A second later, she seemed to be encased by shadows.
Kitty looked at Peter and he gave a slight nod in return.
"Thora, where do you live?" Kitty asked.
Thora flinched at the question. "On the street." She whispered, looking at her feet.
"Come back with us Thora. Live at the Institute, it's a haven for mutants. You'll have a roof over your head, a bed and food." She offered, extending her hand to the German girl.
Thora took her hand immediately and grinned up at the pair.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
~*~
"Remy, can you show Thora to her room, she's in with Savanna and the other girls. Pete and me have to go talk to the Professor about her. I don't care what he says, she's staying." Kitty said as she walked in the front door.
"Hello t you too, Kitty." Remy greeted.
"Hey Cajun." Kitty said with a grin. "So you think you could do that favour for me?"
"Anyt'ing for a pretty lady."
"Thanks. Thora, this is Remy, don't let him charm you, k? Well I gotta go, talk to you guys later."
"Ich bin, also dumm, wußte ich, daß ich nicht diesem zugestimmt haben sollte. Gottfluch es, bin ich gerechtes Gehen, hurt wieder zu erhalten. Diese Leute werden vermutlich mich als Experiment verwenden.[2]" Thora muttered as she followed Remy farther into the house. "Jetzt jetzt. Das ist nicht nett. [3]" A deep voice stated from the shadows. Thora blinked a couple times staring at the person in front of her. "You're blue! You're German! You're fuzzy! You're CUTE!" Thora yelled and jumped on Kurt. Remy took one look at the surprised expression on Kurt's face and almost wet himself laughing.
[1] = Between the two ones is a quote from one of the comics, I don't know which, but it's not mine, so I take no responsibility for it. [2] = I am so stupid. I know I shouldn't have agreed to this. God damn it, I'm just going to get hurt again. These people are probably going to use me as an experiment. [3] = Now, now. That isn't nice.
R/R