The sun was rising, a bad sign for the crew of now five. Their
whole night seemed to be consisting of traveling. It was around six thirty
in the morning when the group reached the boarders of Mexico. Scott had
landed the plane near a small town known as La Feria. It was about seven
miles from the boarder, though it seemed shorter, for there was nothing to
see but dust and a small gas station.
The group began to exit the plane, when gently Drucila pulled Jeremy to her side. She seemed to hide behind the cover of a shadow in the plane. She seemed almost shy to talk about her, what she considered, disability. "I can't go." Jeremy looked confused at her remark. He turned to look at Scott, who was waiting on the two. He looked back at Drucila, her aggressive and angry appearance seemed to have left her reveling an almost innocent face. Scott motioned at Jeremy to come on and leave. "I'm sorry, will you be alright?" she asked him. Scott heard her comment and shouted back in a mocking, yet playful tone "Oh, I don't know, we may be lost without you!" he laughed. She grinned at him, not madly not sarcastically, just grinned. Jeremy noticed the grin, be began to think to himself "Maybe there's hope for them after all". He left her side, and closed the doorway. After she was sure none of them were anywhere near the jet, she raced around the jet, as if panicking to find a place to hide herself from the sunlight. She found a small closet-like area, and quickly jumped in, and soon fell asleep.
Scott, Jeremy, Dominic, and Epiphany all walked into the desert- like country unnoticed. Exactly how Scott wanted. Many towns people where hurrying about, selling, and interacting with the tourists. A woman was walking rather vastly, with two bags of groceries on each hip, and her kids at her side. The woman began to scold her child, when she tripped over a stump on the sidewalk. She fell down in front of Jeremy, whom's heart almost left him in surprise. He knelt down the help her pick up her things. "Are you ok? I'm sorry, I must not have been looking." The woman looked at him oddly, Jeremy thought she didn't understand him. He gave her, her things back and continued on his way. As they walked off, the woman stood there watching him leave her view. Epiphany leaned to his ear. "She's still watching us. Do you think she knows we are, what we are?" Jeremy smiled and answered "No, no. She's never had anyone care for her. She's grateful." Epiphany didn't know how he knew this, but she suddenly felt compassion for the woman. "Huh, sometimes I forget I'm not the only one feels pain." Jeremy glanced her way, he smiled, and rapped his arm around her shoulder, and the rushed up to catch the others.
The gang came to the town square. In the middle were a building, with covered windows, and a traditional style Spaniard rooftop. It was a site neither Epiphany, nor Dominic had ever seen. They stood in amazement for a moment then, proceeded on their way. The main entrance had a sign that said "La Hacienda". They entered in, and walked up to the desk. Scott leaned forward to the clerk and asked him in a manly tone "I'm looking for a girl named Blaze? Do you know where I can find her?" The clerk's eyes widened, he got up and pointed to a door in the back of the room. Scott looked at her, as if saying, "Are you kidding?" He walked to the door, with the others at his side. He looked at Jeremy, "Can you tell me if she's down there?" Dominic and Epiphany stepped closer; they had not yet seen Jeremy's gifts and were both curious. Jeremy stepped up to the old rusty door. He placed his hand on the knob, and serge of feeling came over him. His eyes closed tight, and he let out a gasp. He felt fire in his fingertips, and anger in his heart. He let go just as the anger began to consume him. He looked up and said, "Yes". Scott patted him on the back then opened the door and entered. Dominic followed, but Epiphany remained looking at Jeremy. Jeremy could sense her pity for him. He looked at her and smiled "Its not that bad. Didn't hurt. I have felt worse". She looked at him and squinted her eyes at him. "What did you feel when you met me?" The question was one that Jeremy never liked answering; especially considering the "worse" he was talking about was hers. He walked away from her and through the door. Epiphany, unsatisfied, followed.
It was a dark long stairway leading down to another door. The closer and closer they got to the door, the louder and louder the thumping of music playing got. It wasn't long before they realized they were entering a rave. They opened the iron black door and entered the party scene. It was completely dark except for the green and blue laser beams stretching across the arena. The sound of loud rock music filled their ears. They watched as the sounds of "Bullet with Butterfly Wings" by Smashing Pumpkins, took over the heart and soul of the ravers. Scott looked back at the group before saying, "Spilt up, if you find her, find one of us. Remember she may be too powerful for us to take on single handedly." He felt like he was screaming at them, but they heard him and each took off in a different direction. The young ravers danced fiercely and romantically. This was their drug. Epiphany walked along the left wall, were a bar and tables were placed at. The bar was filled, she managed to squeeze between a boy in all black and piecings all over his face, and an older man dressed in a biker like ensembles. She leaned over the bar to try her best to talk to the bar tender. "Do you know where I can find Blaze?" The bar tender, barely noticing her, shook his head no. She felt disappointed and started to look around. The biker had heard her question; he pulled her arm to him and said roughly "I know where you can find her". Epiphany pulled her arm away from him then exclaimed demandingly "Show me."
The two left the party through a back door, that lead to an ally way. The biker stopped suddenly after walking ahead of her. She looked around then looked at him "So, where is she?" He turned around sharply and gave her a mysterious look "There is no Blaze" her eyes widened "she's a myth. But I am real. And so are my riders." Many other bikers crowded behind and to the side of her. She looked at all of them then back at the biker. "You tricked me. That wasn't to friendly." He motioned at his men. One of them began to approach her. She turned to meet him, and her eyes went into a completely black covered form. The man was surprised and began to back off. She walked towards him, but he backed off. Then the men who where behind her charged at her. She leapt into the air and hovered there for several seconds. Enough to show them she was able to levitate. She moved a distance behind them, placing them all into her view. "You messed with the wrong woman." She began to fly, at a great speed, at them. The bikers ran for their lives. She grabbed one by the back of the neck and lifted him into the air, then dropped him into a dumpster. One by one she had wiped out each of the tricky bikers. When she was done she lowered back to the ground. Her eyes went back to their normal color and state. She turned around to walk forward, but stopped suddenly. A woman appeared in front of her way. She looked at her, with almost no expression on her face before saying "Hola".
The others had looked all over the rave, before meeting back at the bar. Scott looked exasted. It had been almost 24 hours of none stop mission work for him, and it was catching up with him. "Did you have any luck?" he asked the guys. "Nope" exclaimed Dominic, which was Jeremy's answer as well. They looked at each other before realizing they were missing a member. "Hey, where's scary depressing chick?" asked Dominic. Scott looked at Jeremy. He looked up at him and thought a moment. "She's outside" he paused "She found her."
The two women stood staring at each other. Epiphany knew it was Blaze, she didn't know wither to be on guard or treat her like a friend. Blaze stood with her arms crossed awaiting a response from the unknown mutant to her. "Are you Blaze? My name is" she paused and decided not to reveal her real name "The Banshee." Blaze uncrossed her arms and rolled her eyes. "Bored now." She sharply extended her arm and exposed her palm. A massive ball of fire charged at Epiphany. She stood in shock, not knowing how to react, and really not have the time too. Suddenly Drucila dropped from the sky, in front of Epiphany and blocked the fire attack on her. She dropped to the ground, badly burned. "DRUCILA!" screamed Epiphany, she dropped at her side. "Go find Scott and the others. Tell them where your at, hurry!" she barely could speak the words. Epiphany raced off. Blaze walked around Drucila's fallen body. She knelt at her side and began to examine her. "Ooh, doesn't look good babe." She gripped her fist around Drucila's neck and lifted her off the ground, and held her up against a wall. Drucila was weak, but not helpless. She wanted to attack back, but she knew that wasn't how they were going to get Blaze to come with them. She spoke softly to her "We aren't here to hurt you, we have come to recruit you. Xavier wants you to come to his school." She gripped harder around her neck and spoke harshly "I know he wants me, too. But why should I. I don't need you, I don't need him, and I certainly don't need the X- men." Drucila stretched to speak "How do you know about the X-men?" "Your not the only group to try to recruit me." She was referring to the Brotherhood, no doubt. Her eyes fixed on Drucila's and they began to, literally, leak fire. She could feel the burn of her vision.
Just as she was about to melt her eyes, she felt a sharp pain. "AUGH!" she let go of Drucila, and swung around to see Scott, Jeremy, Dominic, and Epiphany in front of her. "Mother fu." Scott cut her off "Now none of that". He closed his visor so not to hit her again. "Oh I see, gang up on her and force her to come." Jeremy looked at with the friendliest look she had ever seen. "No we aren't going to force you. It is your choice." She laughed, and looked behind her, expecting to see Drucila, but she was not there. She left through the air, and fled to the jet. Blaze looked at the others. She suddenly felt panicky. "Don't be afraid. We aren't here to harm you. You have been called, chosen, to fight along side noble and honorable mutants. You are a very special girl, but you are hurting, aren't you?" Jeremy began to talk to Blaze, trying to make her feel less understood. She walked close to him, practically nose to nose "What do you know about hurt. You don't know me." She seemed calmed but still on guard. Jeremy pulled up his sleeve, exposing slashing marks, and scars. Blaze glanced at them, as well as Dominic and Epiphany. Scott turned his head, he had seen these scars before, and cared not to seem them again. Blaze looked back up at him. "You would be surprised at what I know." Blaze had given into Jeremy's remark. "Ok. Lets go see this Xavier. Lets see if he's what you say he is." He nodded and stepped aside to let her through. Scott led her to the way back to the jet, Dominic followed. As Jeremy passed by Epiphany found it hard to look up at him. He noticed it, and gently grabbed her chin to make her eyes met his. "We all have our demons." She walked ahead of him to catch up. Jeremy stopped a moment to collect himself. He felt a tear leave his face, and wiped it off.
Drucila let the door down letting the others enter. She saw Blaze approach, when she was inside Blaze could see that all the burn marks were gone. It looked like Drucila had never even left the jet. She frowned then took a seat behind Scott. The six left La Feria, and headed home. Once they were in the air, Scott let out a sigh of tiredness. Drucila noticed it, and began to talk to him. "Want me to take over for a while?" He looked up at the window and retorted as if out of crankiness "Don't want to burden her majesty." She looked away from him and sat quietly. He waited for a smart comment but never received it. Then he felt guilty. "I'm sorry, it's just. I'm just very tired." "Its ok." She didn't even look up at him when she said this. Scott leaned towards her chair, and put his hand on her arm then repeats himself once he saw he had her full attention "I mean it, I am sorry". She smiled at him and nodded.
It wasn't until the evening before they reached the school. Each new member was placed in a room, and wasn't long before they were all asleep. Drucila sat in her window and looked out among the schoolyard. She looked down at her hand. She was holding a book "Blood and Gold". She smiled, and opened it, and began to read it. She read all night, in peace and contemptment. This was her new home, and it began to feel like it.
The group began to exit the plane, when gently Drucila pulled Jeremy to her side. She seemed to hide behind the cover of a shadow in the plane. She seemed almost shy to talk about her, what she considered, disability. "I can't go." Jeremy looked confused at her remark. He turned to look at Scott, who was waiting on the two. He looked back at Drucila, her aggressive and angry appearance seemed to have left her reveling an almost innocent face. Scott motioned at Jeremy to come on and leave. "I'm sorry, will you be alright?" she asked him. Scott heard her comment and shouted back in a mocking, yet playful tone "Oh, I don't know, we may be lost without you!" he laughed. She grinned at him, not madly not sarcastically, just grinned. Jeremy noticed the grin, be began to think to himself "Maybe there's hope for them after all". He left her side, and closed the doorway. After she was sure none of them were anywhere near the jet, she raced around the jet, as if panicking to find a place to hide herself from the sunlight. She found a small closet-like area, and quickly jumped in, and soon fell asleep.
Scott, Jeremy, Dominic, and Epiphany all walked into the desert- like country unnoticed. Exactly how Scott wanted. Many towns people where hurrying about, selling, and interacting with the tourists. A woman was walking rather vastly, with two bags of groceries on each hip, and her kids at her side. The woman began to scold her child, when she tripped over a stump on the sidewalk. She fell down in front of Jeremy, whom's heart almost left him in surprise. He knelt down the help her pick up her things. "Are you ok? I'm sorry, I must not have been looking." The woman looked at him oddly, Jeremy thought she didn't understand him. He gave her, her things back and continued on his way. As they walked off, the woman stood there watching him leave her view. Epiphany leaned to his ear. "She's still watching us. Do you think she knows we are, what we are?" Jeremy smiled and answered "No, no. She's never had anyone care for her. She's grateful." Epiphany didn't know how he knew this, but she suddenly felt compassion for the woman. "Huh, sometimes I forget I'm not the only one feels pain." Jeremy glanced her way, he smiled, and rapped his arm around her shoulder, and the rushed up to catch the others.
The gang came to the town square. In the middle were a building, with covered windows, and a traditional style Spaniard rooftop. It was a site neither Epiphany, nor Dominic had ever seen. They stood in amazement for a moment then, proceeded on their way. The main entrance had a sign that said "La Hacienda". They entered in, and walked up to the desk. Scott leaned forward to the clerk and asked him in a manly tone "I'm looking for a girl named Blaze? Do you know where I can find her?" The clerk's eyes widened, he got up and pointed to a door in the back of the room. Scott looked at her, as if saying, "Are you kidding?" He walked to the door, with the others at his side. He looked at Jeremy, "Can you tell me if she's down there?" Dominic and Epiphany stepped closer; they had not yet seen Jeremy's gifts and were both curious. Jeremy stepped up to the old rusty door. He placed his hand on the knob, and serge of feeling came over him. His eyes closed tight, and he let out a gasp. He felt fire in his fingertips, and anger in his heart. He let go just as the anger began to consume him. He looked up and said, "Yes". Scott patted him on the back then opened the door and entered. Dominic followed, but Epiphany remained looking at Jeremy. Jeremy could sense her pity for him. He looked at her and smiled "Its not that bad. Didn't hurt. I have felt worse". She looked at him and squinted her eyes at him. "What did you feel when you met me?" The question was one that Jeremy never liked answering; especially considering the "worse" he was talking about was hers. He walked away from her and through the door. Epiphany, unsatisfied, followed.
It was a dark long stairway leading down to another door. The closer and closer they got to the door, the louder and louder the thumping of music playing got. It wasn't long before they realized they were entering a rave. They opened the iron black door and entered the party scene. It was completely dark except for the green and blue laser beams stretching across the arena. The sound of loud rock music filled their ears. They watched as the sounds of "Bullet with Butterfly Wings" by Smashing Pumpkins, took over the heart and soul of the ravers. Scott looked back at the group before saying, "Spilt up, if you find her, find one of us. Remember she may be too powerful for us to take on single handedly." He felt like he was screaming at them, but they heard him and each took off in a different direction. The young ravers danced fiercely and romantically. This was their drug. Epiphany walked along the left wall, were a bar and tables were placed at. The bar was filled, she managed to squeeze between a boy in all black and piecings all over his face, and an older man dressed in a biker like ensembles. She leaned over the bar to try her best to talk to the bar tender. "Do you know where I can find Blaze?" The bar tender, barely noticing her, shook his head no. She felt disappointed and started to look around. The biker had heard her question; he pulled her arm to him and said roughly "I know where you can find her". Epiphany pulled her arm away from him then exclaimed demandingly "Show me."
The two left the party through a back door, that lead to an ally way. The biker stopped suddenly after walking ahead of her. She looked around then looked at him "So, where is she?" He turned around sharply and gave her a mysterious look "There is no Blaze" her eyes widened "she's a myth. But I am real. And so are my riders." Many other bikers crowded behind and to the side of her. She looked at all of them then back at the biker. "You tricked me. That wasn't to friendly." He motioned at his men. One of them began to approach her. She turned to meet him, and her eyes went into a completely black covered form. The man was surprised and began to back off. She walked towards him, but he backed off. Then the men who where behind her charged at her. She leapt into the air and hovered there for several seconds. Enough to show them she was able to levitate. She moved a distance behind them, placing them all into her view. "You messed with the wrong woman." She began to fly, at a great speed, at them. The bikers ran for their lives. She grabbed one by the back of the neck and lifted him into the air, then dropped him into a dumpster. One by one she had wiped out each of the tricky bikers. When she was done she lowered back to the ground. Her eyes went back to their normal color and state. She turned around to walk forward, but stopped suddenly. A woman appeared in front of her way. She looked at her, with almost no expression on her face before saying "Hola".
The others had looked all over the rave, before meeting back at the bar. Scott looked exasted. It had been almost 24 hours of none stop mission work for him, and it was catching up with him. "Did you have any luck?" he asked the guys. "Nope" exclaimed Dominic, which was Jeremy's answer as well. They looked at each other before realizing they were missing a member. "Hey, where's scary depressing chick?" asked Dominic. Scott looked at Jeremy. He looked up at him and thought a moment. "She's outside" he paused "She found her."
The two women stood staring at each other. Epiphany knew it was Blaze, she didn't know wither to be on guard or treat her like a friend. Blaze stood with her arms crossed awaiting a response from the unknown mutant to her. "Are you Blaze? My name is" she paused and decided not to reveal her real name "The Banshee." Blaze uncrossed her arms and rolled her eyes. "Bored now." She sharply extended her arm and exposed her palm. A massive ball of fire charged at Epiphany. She stood in shock, not knowing how to react, and really not have the time too. Suddenly Drucila dropped from the sky, in front of Epiphany and blocked the fire attack on her. She dropped to the ground, badly burned. "DRUCILA!" screamed Epiphany, she dropped at her side. "Go find Scott and the others. Tell them where your at, hurry!" she barely could speak the words. Epiphany raced off. Blaze walked around Drucila's fallen body. She knelt at her side and began to examine her. "Ooh, doesn't look good babe." She gripped her fist around Drucila's neck and lifted her off the ground, and held her up against a wall. Drucila was weak, but not helpless. She wanted to attack back, but she knew that wasn't how they were going to get Blaze to come with them. She spoke softly to her "We aren't here to hurt you, we have come to recruit you. Xavier wants you to come to his school." She gripped harder around her neck and spoke harshly "I know he wants me, too. But why should I. I don't need you, I don't need him, and I certainly don't need the X- men." Drucila stretched to speak "How do you know about the X-men?" "Your not the only group to try to recruit me." She was referring to the Brotherhood, no doubt. Her eyes fixed on Drucila's and they began to, literally, leak fire. She could feel the burn of her vision.
Just as she was about to melt her eyes, she felt a sharp pain. "AUGH!" she let go of Drucila, and swung around to see Scott, Jeremy, Dominic, and Epiphany in front of her. "Mother fu." Scott cut her off "Now none of that". He closed his visor so not to hit her again. "Oh I see, gang up on her and force her to come." Jeremy looked at with the friendliest look she had ever seen. "No we aren't going to force you. It is your choice." She laughed, and looked behind her, expecting to see Drucila, but she was not there. She left through the air, and fled to the jet. Blaze looked at the others. She suddenly felt panicky. "Don't be afraid. We aren't here to harm you. You have been called, chosen, to fight along side noble and honorable mutants. You are a very special girl, but you are hurting, aren't you?" Jeremy began to talk to Blaze, trying to make her feel less understood. She walked close to him, practically nose to nose "What do you know about hurt. You don't know me." She seemed calmed but still on guard. Jeremy pulled up his sleeve, exposing slashing marks, and scars. Blaze glanced at them, as well as Dominic and Epiphany. Scott turned his head, he had seen these scars before, and cared not to seem them again. Blaze looked back up at him. "You would be surprised at what I know." Blaze had given into Jeremy's remark. "Ok. Lets go see this Xavier. Lets see if he's what you say he is." He nodded and stepped aside to let her through. Scott led her to the way back to the jet, Dominic followed. As Jeremy passed by Epiphany found it hard to look up at him. He noticed it, and gently grabbed her chin to make her eyes met his. "We all have our demons." She walked ahead of him to catch up. Jeremy stopped a moment to collect himself. He felt a tear leave his face, and wiped it off.
Drucila let the door down letting the others enter. She saw Blaze approach, when she was inside Blaze could see that all the burn marks were gone. It looked like Drucila had never even left the jet. She frowned then took a seat behind Scott. The six left La Feria, and headed home. Once they were in the air, Scott let out a sigh of tiredness. Drucila noticed it, and began to talk to him. "Want me to take over for a while?" He looked up at the window and retorted as if out of crankiness "Don't want to burden her majesty." She looked away from him and sat quietly. He waited for a smart comment but never received it. Then he felt guilty. "I'm sorry, it's just. I'm just very tired." "Its ok." She didn't even look up at him when she said this. Scott leaned towards her chair, and put his hand on her arm then repeats himself once he saw he had her full attention "I mean it, I am sorry". She smiled at him and nodded.
It wasn't until the evening before they reached the school. Each new member was placed in a room, and wasn't long before they were all asleep. Drucila sat in her window and looked out among the schoolyard. She looked down at her hand. She was holding a book "Blood and Gold". She smiled, and opened it, and began to read it. She read all night, in peace and contemptment. This was her new home, and it began to feel like it.