I'm back..."from outer space! I just walked in to find you here with that sad look upon your face!" Woah...really sorry there...I have no idea what came over me...but now, for the rights:
I don't own X-Men: Evolution and that's final! (sob)
##
Ch. 4: Follow Like a Shadow
##
"Goooooooodmorning, Bayville! It's a beautiful Monday morning this late November, with temperatures soaring above eighty today! This is B-V 697, and here's your host-"
Blam.
Sighing happily, Kaia rolled over onto her other side, her back facing the smoldering ruin of the alarm clock. She smiled as she closed her eyes again.
This is why I hate alarm clocks...and Mondays.
"Kaia!"
She snapped full awake with a start, leaping nearly out of her bed. Jean glared at her from her bed, her tangled, red hair only adding humor to her frowning face. Kaia bit back a laugh.
"What?" she retorted, trying in vain not to grin.
"Jeez, do you hafta blow up the alarm clock? It's bad enough I have a roommate, but, Go-od! Why the alarm clock?! Just turn it off, damn it, the normal way!" Jean snapped back.
Laughing, Kaia lay back on her pillow and rolled over again. "Just get another one, stupid, or don't have one at all."
"We have to go to school, remember?" Jean replied, getting up.
"You can go. I'm not," Kaia replied.
"Oh, get up," Jean hissed. Kaia was about to reply, when she felt herself suddenly lifted into the air by invisible hands. Crying out, she turned to see Jean, her brows furrowed in concentration, lifting her hand in the air, a faint grin on her lips.
"H-hey! Put me down, bitch!" Kaia yelled, twisting around in the air.
"If you say so," Jean said with a laugh, expertly dropping the girl on the floor. "Now get ready for school."
"Bitch, you'll pay for that," Kaia muttered, rubbing at her back.
##
"Mm...morning," Kitty managed to moan out as she sat down to the already-packed breakfast table. "Pass the cereal and stuff, would'ja, Scott?"
As Scott shoved the necessary food towards Kitty, Rogue and Kaia entered in, giggling excitedly.
Since when does Rogue even giggle?
It was a thought on everyone's mind as they glanced up in shock.
"And this is what all the High School hype is? People who act like morons?" Kaia asked, nearly choking on laughter.
"Yup, that's basically it," Rogue answered as she placed a piece of bread in the toaster. "Anyone seen the peanut butter?"
"Here, you can chuck it into Kaia's face for me, Rogue," Jean said curtly as she placed the peanut butter in Rogue's hands using her powers.
"What's yer problem now, Miss Perfect?" Rogue hissed, narrowing her eyes.
"Kaia blew up the damn alarm clock this morning," Jean whined.
"Get a new one," Rogue muttered, rolling her eyes. As she prepared her toast, Kaia grabbed a piece of bread, twirled it in her hands, and munched it absent-mindedly. "Come on, Kaia. It looks like Jean's not gonna take us to school..."
"Damn straight, I'm not!"
"Let's take the bus, then," Kaia said as she left the kitchen. Sighing, Rogue followed.
##
"Honestly, Miss Perfect overreacts all the damn time," Rogue cried as she kicked a pebble along the sidewalk absent-mindedly. "She's so perfect it makes me wanna vomit half the time."
"Feh...but you're not her roommate, now are you?" Kaia answered glumly. "She took so long putting on that stupid make-up this morning..."
Kaia stopped and looked around quickly.
"What's wrong?" Rogue asked, turning to face her.
"Did...did you hear that?" Kaia asked as she glanced quickly towards the bushes.
"Hear what? I didn't hear anything," Rogue answered, shrugging and continuing on. "Hurry up, or we're gonna miss the bus."
With a final look towards the bushes, Kaia followed.
##
"High School...man, I thought I had avoided this crap shoot for good," Kaia groaned as she stepped off the bus. "I've blown through so many orphanages and shelters and crap, I think I've got enough education, thank you very much."
She put her hood quickly over her head and shouldered her backpack.
"How many schools have you gone through?" Rogue asked with a glance towards Bayville High.
"Um...I lost count after about 11 or so," Kaia answered with a shrug as she made her way up the steps. "So, what am I supposed to do now? See the principal or something stupid?"
"Down the hall to your left...I've got to get to class now, so I'll be seeing you at lunch outside by the big tree, okay?"
Rogue tore off down the hallway as the bell rang, leaving Kaia alone in the corridor. This is stupid, Kaia thought as she followed Rogue's directions. Why do I even bother with school anyway?
##
"What are you here for, honey? In trouble or something?" the lady at the desk asked, looking up from her magazine.
"No, I'm here to register and stuff...from Professor Xavier's orders," Kaia replied, crossing her arms.
A look of fear came over the plump little woman. She pushed her chair slowly back, her eyes wide. "You're...from Xavier's Institute? Um...go right in."
With an odd look at the woman, Kaia continued on through the Principal's office door, closing it quietly behind her.
A brown-haired man with glasses sat looking out the window, a brooding look in his eyes. As the door closed, he started, and turned towards the girl. "Oh! How may I help you?"
"Um...I'm here to register or whatever," Kaia answered. "I'm...I'm Kaia, sir."
"Kaia? Pleased to meet you...I'm Edward Kelly, the Principal of Bayville High," the man replied with a smile.
I already know you're the principal, idiot.
"Okay, then. What do I do? Professor Xavier said I needed to register and stuff," Kaia answered with a shrug.
"What...what did you say?" Kelly asked tentatively.
"Professor Xavier sent me here," Kaia answered testily. What's his problem?
"Another mutant, is it? When will it ever end?!" Kelly mused, slamming his palm down on his desk.
Kaia flinched angrily. Just another mutant, is it?
"Well? Can I register or not?" Kaia snapped, biting her lip.
"Fine...fine. I'll get sued if I don't, most likely. I'll have Jane print you out a schedule. But, listen up, kid, because I'm only saying this once," Kelly hissed, leaning forward on the table. "Any...funny business from you, and I'll make sure you get sent to the Institute for the Insane, got it?"
"Psh...like I haven't heard that before," Kaia answered with a shrug as she left. Crazy wacko.
##
"Kaia! Hey, over here!" Rogue yelled, waving her arms.
"This school is for morons," Kaia grumbled as she set her food tray down on the table. Stretching, she sat down on top of the table and brought her feet on top of the seat. "It's so stupid."
"Yeah, I know, but only three more hours to go," Rogue answered glumly.
"Wanna ditch?" Kaia whispered, glancing sidelong at Rogue.
"Huh? Now? We'll get caught, and Xavier'll get pissed off," Rogue answered as she tossed the remainder of her apple at the tree.
"Does Xavier wipe your nose, too? Come on, let's get the hell out of here, Rogue," Kaia pleaded, leaning forward. "Pretty please? We're already taking the bus home anyway. Come on, we'll just say we felt sick and hid in the bathroom the whole time or something. Please?"
"Alright, alright! We'll do it your way then. How do we get out?"
"Easy. Jump the fence behind you, that's what."
##
Rogue was laughing hysterically as she ran to catch up with Kaia. "I should've thought of this a long time ago!" she laughed.
"I told you, didn't I?" Kaia answered with a grin.
"Let's sneak into the movie theatre," Rogue answered with a smile. "I know a good way in without paying. I do it all the time."
As the girls crossed the street, something moved quickly from the tree, landed expertly on the ground, and then moved quickly off, following the girls like a shadow.
##
His cell phone ring startled him as he sat bolt upright from his chair. Damn...I've been working too hard.
"This better be good," he growled into the phone.
"Deathstrike, I've got them in my sight," a scratchy, monotone voice answered. "Shall I capture them?"
"Are they alone?"
"Yes...they've left the school without authorization and are now moving through an alleyway."
"Shadow, they are completely alone? Are you sure?" Deathstrike pressed, leaning forward in his chair.
"Yes, sir. I can take them right now if you wish," Shadow answered.
"Are they showing any signs, Shadow?"
"About they're program?"
"Yes."
"No, sir, they are not. I believe those things aren't working properly, save one system," Shadow answered.
"Not the chips, Shadow. You know what I mean," Deathstrike answered.
"They have no clue, sir. I believe the microchips' system is working. The two subjects are acting like any other teen," Shadow replied. "Nothing unusual."
"Excellent...they still have no clue about themselves, then. Those chips really are working. Alright, Shadow."
A cold smile pulled at Deathstrike's lips.
"Yes, sir?" Shadow answered.
"Hunt them down. Bring them alive."
##
"I dunno what movie we should see," Rogue was saying.
"We could just look around in there and then decide," Kaia answered.
"Sure, why not?"
Rogue turned to her to smile, when she cried out, placing her hand on the back of her neck.
"Hey, what's wrong? Rogue?"
Rogue wasn't listening as she sank to her knees, her eyes rolling to the back of her head.
"Rogue! Rogue! Hey, this isn't funny!" Kaia yelled, kneeling down next to her as Rogue collapsed on the ground. "Wake up! Rogue, wake up!"
As Kaia's hand reached up to cradle the neck of the unconscious girl, she felt something sharp against her hand. Grasping her fingers around it, she drew it out.
A dart?
"Oh, man. Come on, Rogue! I'm gonna get you some help, okay? You just stay with me," Kaia said quickly, her voice shaking. Carefully, she stood up, picking the girl up and trying to balance Rogue against her. "Jeez, you're heavy! I'm just gonna go back to the Institute, okay? Don't worry, we're gonna get out of here."
"I'm afraid you're not going anywhere," a monotone voice said. A figure appeared from out of the shadows. The figure was a black-haired man dressed in a complete black suit. His red eyes bore into Kaia's.
She shrank back, trembling. "G-get away, asshole! Go on, if you know what's good for you! I'm one ass-kicking mutant!"
Hand shaking, she put her palm in front of her, quickly forming a ball of energy. She made to fire, when the man morphed into a shadow and disappeared.
"What...where...where did'ja go?" Kaia whispered frantically as her ball of energy disappeared from her hand.
"Right here, Methye," the voice whispered.
"Who-"
A quick, sharp, painful jab at the back of her neck startled her. She felt her body go numb and dimly heard Rogue slip from her arm and crash into the ground. Kaia swayed, feeling nauseous.
Then the world went black, and Kaia fell forward onto the ground.
Shadow wiped his hands on his shirt and quickly disposed of the two darts from the girls. Never leave evidence. Licking his lips in satisfaction, he drew out his cell phone again and dialed the usual number.
"Did you get them?" Deathstrike's voice sounded from the phone.
"Yes, sir. I'll be on my way immediately, sir," Shadow answered.
"You didn't harm them, did you? They're very important to the Project."
Though he knew Deathstrike couldn't see him, Shadow shook his head. "No, sir, just knocked out. They'll be unconscious for three hours or so. It'll give me more than enough time to get back."
"Good. Very good, Shadow. Remember, no evidence left behind, and make sure not to touch the girl with the white streaks in her hair...she has absorbing skin, remember?"
"Oh, the side-effect...I remember, sir. Not to worry. I'll be back in about two hours or so," Shadow answered.
"Make sure you're not seen. I hope you parked somewhere close," Deathstrike answered before he hung up.
Sighing, Shadow placed the phone in his jacket pocket and bent down to pick the second girl up. As he slung her over his shoulder, grunting a little with the effort, he picked up the other girl using his gloved hand and held her under his arm. Thank God for genetic enhancement, or I would never be able to pick both these girls up. Sighing, he moved off into the shadows, quickly blending in with them.
$%$%$
Dun, dun, dun! Okay, please review! I'm worried this might be turning into crap or something...
I don't own X-Men: Evolution and that's final! (sob)
##
Ch. 4: Follow Like a Shadow
##
"Goooooooodmorning, Bayville! It's a beautiful Monday morning this late November, with temperatures soaring above eighty today! This is B-V 697, and here's your host-"
Blam.
Sighing happily, Kaia rolled over onto her other side, her back facing the smoldering ruin of the alarm clock. She smiled as she closed her eyes again.
This is why I hate alarm clocks...and Mondays.
"Kaia!"
She snapped full awake with a start, leaping nearly out of her bed. Jean glared at her from her bed, her tangled, red hair only adding humor to her frowning face. Kaia bit back a laugh.
"What?" she retorted, trying in vain not to grin.
"Jeez, do you hafta blow up the alarm clock? It's bad enough I have a roommate, but, Go-od! Why the alarm clock?! Just turn it off, damn it, the normal way!" Jean snapped back.
Laughing, Kaia lay back on her pillow and rolled over again. "Just get another one, stupid, or don't have one at all."
"We have to go to school, remember?" Jean replied, getting up.
"You can go. I'm not," Kaia replied.
"Oh, get up," Jean hissed. Kaia was about to reply, when she felt herself suddenly lifted into the air by invisible hands. Crying out, she turned to see Jean, her brows furrowed in concentration, lifting her hand in the air, a faint grin on her lips.
"H-hey! Put me down, bitch!" Kaia yelled, twisting around in the air.
"If you say so," Jean said with a laugh, expertly dropping the girl on the floor. "Now get ready for school."
"Bitch, you'll pay for that," Kaia muttered, rubbing at her back.
##
"Mm...morning," Kitty managed to moan out as she sat down to the already-packed breakfast table. "Pass the cereal and stuff, would'ja, Scott?"
As Scott shoved the necessary food towards Kitty, Rogue and Kaia entered in, giggling excitedly.
Since when does Rogue even giggle?
It was a thought on everyone's mind as they glanced up in shock.
"And this is what all the High School hype is? People who act like morons?" Kaia asked, nearly choking on laughter.
"Yup, that's basically it," Rogue answered as she placed a piece of bread in the toaster. "Anyone seen the peanut butter?"
"Here, you can chuck it into Kaia's face for me, Rogue," Jean said curtly as she placed the peanut butter in Rogue's hands using her powers.
"What's yer problem now, Miss Perfect?" Rogue hissed, narrowing her eyes.
"Kaia blew up the damn alarm clock this morning," Jean whined.
"Get a new one," Rogue muttered, rolling her eyes. As she prepared her toast, Kaia grabbed a piece of bread, twirled it in her hands, and munched it absent-mindedly. "Come on, Kaia. It looks like Jean's not gonna take us to school..."
"Damn straight, I'm not!"
"Let's take the bus, then," Kaia said as she left the kitchen. Sighing, Rogue followed.
##
"Honestly, Miss Perfect overreacts all the damn time," Rogue cried as she kicked a pebble along the sidewalk absent-mindedly. "She's so perfect it makes me wanna vomit half the time."
"Feh...but you're not her roommate, now are you?" Kaia answered glumly. "She took so long putting on that stupid make-up this morning..."
Kaia stopped and looked around quickly.
"What's wrong?" Rogue asked, turning to face her.
"Did...did you hear that?" Kaia asked as she glanced quickly towards the bushes.
"Hear what? I didn't hear anything," Rogue answered, shrugging and continuing on. "Hurry up, or we're gonna miss the bus."
With a final look towards the bushes, Kaia followed.
##
"High School...man, I thought I had avoided this crap shoot for good," Kaia groaned as she stepped off the bus. "I've blown through so many orphanages and shelters and crap, I think I've got enough education, thank you very much."
She put her hood quickly over her head and shouldered her backpack.
"How many schools have you gone through?" Rogue asked with a glance towards Bayville High.
"Um...I lost count after about 11 or so," Kaia answered with a shrug as she made her way up the steps. "So, what am I supposed to do now? See the principal or something stupid?"
"Down the hall to your left...I've got to get to class now, so I'll be seeing you at lunch outside by the big tree, okay?"
Rogue tore off down the hallway as the bell rang, leaving Kaia alone in the corridor. This is stupid, Kaia thought as she followed Rogue's directions. Why do I even bother with school anyway?
##
"What are you here for, honey? In trouble or something?" the lady at the desk asked, looking up from her magazine.
"No, I'm here to register and stuff...from Professor Xavier's orders," Kaia replied, crossing her arms.
A look of fear came over the plump little woman. She pushed her chair slowly back, her eyes wide. "You're...from Xavier's Institute? Um...go right in."
With an odd look at the woman, Kaia continued on through the Principal's office door, closing it quietly behind her.
A brown-haired man with glasses sat looking out the window, a brooding look in his eyes. As the door closed, he started, and turned towards the girl. "Oh! How may I help you?"
"Um...I'm here to register or whatever," Kaia answered. "I'm...I'm Kaia, sir."
"Kaia? Pleased to meet you...I'm Edward Kelly, the Principal of Bayville High," the man replied with a smile.
I already know you're the principal, idiot.
"Okay, then. What do I do? Professor Xavier said I needed to register and stuff," Kaia answered with a shrug.
"What...what did you say?" Kelly asked tentatively.
"Professor Xavier sent me here," Kaia answered testily. What's his problem?
"Another mutant, is it? When will it ever end?!" Kelly mused, slamming his palm down on his desk.
Kaia flinched angrily. Just another mutant, is it?
"Well? Can I register or not?" Kaia snapped, biting her lip.
"Fine...fine. I'll get sued if I don't, most likely. I'll have Jane print you out a schedule. But, listen up, kid, because I'm only saying this once," Kelly hissed, leaning forward on the table. "Any...funny business from you, and I'll make sure you get sent to the Institute for the Insane, got it?"
"Psh...like I haven't heard that before," Kaia answered with a shrug as she left. Crazy wacko.
##
"Kaia! Hey, over here!" Rogue yelled, waving her arms.
"This school is for morons," Kaia grumbled as she set her food tray down on the table. Stretching, she sat down on top of the table and brought her feet on top of the seat. "It's so stupid."
"Yeah, I know, but only three more hours to go," Rogue answered glumly.
"Wanna ditch?" Kaia whispered, glancing sidelong at Rogue.
"Huh? Now? We'll get caught, and Xavier'll get pissed off," Rogue answered as she tossed the remainder of her apple at the tree.
"Does Xavier wipe your nose, too? Come on, let's get the hell out of here, Rogue," Kaia pleaded, leaning forward. "Pretty please? We're already taking the bus home anyway. Come on, we'll just say we felt sick and hid in the bathroom the whole time or something. Please?"
"Alright, alright! We'll do it your way then. How do we get out?"
"Easy. Jump the fence behind you, that's what."
##
Rogue was laughing hysterically as she ran to catch up with Kaia. "I should've thought of this a long time ago!" she laughed.
"I told you, didn't I?" Kaia answered with a grin.
"Let's sneak into the movie theatre," Rogue answered with a smile. "I know a good way in without paying. I do it all the time."
As the girls crossed the street, something moved quickly from the tree, landed expertly on the ground, and then moved quickly off, following the girls like a shadow.
##
His cell phone ring startled him as he sat bolt upright from his chair. Damn...I've been working too hard.
"This better be good," he growled into the phone.
"Deathstrike, I've got them in my sight," a scratchy, monotone voice answered. "Shall I capture them?"
"Are they alone?"
"Yes...they've left the school without authorization and are now moving through an alleyway."
"Shadow, they are completely alone? Are you sure?" Deathstrike pressed, leaning forward in his chair.
"Yes, sir. I can take them right now if you wish," Shadow answered.
"Are they showing any signs, Shadow?"
"About they're program?"
"Yes."
"No, sir, they are not. I believe those things aren't working properly, save one system," Shadow answered.
"Not the chips, Shadow. You know what I mean," Deathstrike answered.
"They have no clue, sir. I believe the microchips' system is working. The two subjects are acting like any other teen," Shadow replied. "Nothing unusual."
"Excellent...they still have no clue about themselves, then. Those chips really are working. Alright, Shadow."
A cold smile pulled at Deathstrike's lips.
"Yes, sir?" Shadow answered.
"Hunt them down. Bring them alive."
##
"I dunno what movie we should see," Rogue was saying.
"We could just look around in there and then decide," Kaia answered.
"Sure, why not?"
Rogue turned to her to smile, when she cried out, placing her hand on the back of her neck.
"Hey, what's wrong? Rogue?"
Rogue wasn't listening as she sank to her knees, her eyes rolling to the back of her head.
"Rogue! Rogue! Hey, this isn't funny!" Kaia yelled, kneeling down next to her as Rogue collapsed on the ground. "Wake up! Rogue, wake up!"
As Kaia's hand reached up to cradle the neck of the unconscious girl, she felt something sharp against her hand. Grasping her fingers around it, she drew it out.
A dart?
"Oh, man. Come on, Rogue! I'm gonna get you some help, okay? You just stay with me," Kaia said quickly, her voice shaking. Carefully, she stood up, picking the girl up and trying to balance Rogue against her. "Jeez, you're heavy! I'm just gonna go back to the Institute, okay? Don't worry, we're gonna get out of here."
"I'm afraid you're not going anywhere," a monotone voice said. A figure appeared from out of the shadows. The figure was a black-haired man dressed in a complete black suit. His red eyes bore into Kaia's.
She shrank back, trembling. "G-get away, asshole! Go on, if you know what's good for you! I'm one ass-kicking mutant!"
Hand shaking, she put her palm in front of her, quickly forming a ball of energy. She made to fire, when the man morphed into a shadow and disappeared.
"What...where...where did'ja go?" Kaia whispered frantically as her ball of energy disappeared from her hand.
"Right here, Methye," the voice whispered.
"Who-"
A quick, sharp, painful jab at the back of her neck startled her. She felt her body go numb and dimly heard Rogue slip from her arm and crash into the ground. Kaia swayed, feeling nauseous.
Then the world went black, and Kaia fell forward onto the ground.
Shadow wiped his hands on his shirt and quickly disposed of the two darts from the girls. Never leave evidence. Licking his lips in satisfaction, he drew out his cell phone again and dialed the usual number.
"Did you get them?" Deathstrike's voice sounded from the phone.
"Yes, sir. I'll be on my way immediately, sir," Shadow answered.
"You didn't harm them, did you? They're very important to the Project."
Though he knew Deathstrike couldn't see him, Shadow shook his head. "No, sir, just knocked out. They'll be unconscious for three hours or so. It'll give me more than enough time to get back."
"Good. Very good, Shadow. Remember, no evidence left behind, and make sure not to touch the girl with the white streaks in her hair...she has absorbing skin, remember?"
"Oh, the side-effect...I remember, sir. Not to worry. I'll be back in about two hours or so," Shadow answered.
"Make sure you're not seen. I hope you parked somewhere close," Deathstrike answered before he hung up.
Sighing, Shadow placed the phone in his jacket pocket and bent down to pick the second girl up. As he slung her over his shoulder, grunting a little with the effort, he picked up the other girl using his gloved hand and held her under his arm. Thank God for genetic enhancement, or I would never be able to pick both these girls up. Sighing, he moved off into the shadows, quickly blending in with them.
$%$%$
Dun, dun, dun! Okay, please review! I'm worried this might be turning into crap or something...