Attention: Generation X and their villians, as well as any other mutant mentioned in this story, is property of Marvel Comics. The character Richard Cale is named after family relations. Any other reference to anything copywrighted is a chance happening.

Iron X

Regroup With New Allies

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I. Darrett
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Darrett stood in the room, looking at the guy in front of him. He had come to a little while ago. Now, he was acting like he was some Hollywood hot shot. Clarice was standing next to him, looking at the guy and said, "Who does he think he is?"

He watched as the man stared at him and Clarice, calmly and cooly. Finally after several minutes he spoke up, "Hey Junior." he said, "get me a pack of cigarettes and a cold beer will you? I've got one hell of a hangover to get rid of."

Darrett just looked at him and said, "How about you tell me who you are first?" He didn't like this guys attitude at all, plus the fact that he tried to fight Yvette didn't set well with him either. Months ago, he wouldn't have cared, but now, it was different.

Clarice then said, "Besides, if Darrett hadn't stopped you, we might have had to treat you for lacerations." He knew what Clarice was hinting at. Yvette could have used her ability and cut this guy royally, and with Jubilee missing, that was not a good idea.

He glared at Clarice with a cold cocky arrogance, "Don't try mind games with me sister, believe me you're not even in my league." he said with a smirk.

Darrett looked at the guy and said, "Listen pal, if you think we are playing games, I'll give you a game." At that point a jellyfish like creature appeared in the room. The thing just hovered in front of the man and he said, "Very simple. You tick me off, it gets angry. When it get's angry, you pay."

"Okay, jelly fish now? Am I hopped up or what?" Darrett watched as the guy paused for a second to give a glare at him, "Okay, Junior, I'll bite. What the hell is that supposed to do?" That was it. This guy seemed to have no respect for the situation, or what was capable of happening.

He heard the door open and saw Rich come in, with Grimore at his heels. Rich just looked at him and said, "Send it back, Darrett." It was obvious by Rich's tone that he had over stepped his bounds.

Darrett sent it back and said, "Rich, I was just trying to..." He saw the glare Rich gave him. That was not a good sign. He then said, "Sorry to over react."

Rich just nodded and said, "Listen, Henry was a chance right now. The Metroid was way out of line. Now, I need to speak with Kevin for a bit. He may help us. As for now, wait outside. I'll let Clarice stay here just in case." He nodded. He knew that Rich was right. He was taking chances and now they needed very little to go wrong. At least he now knew the guys name, as he left the room.

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II. Kevin
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Sequel sat back his head still ringing, feeling as though it was stuffed with cotten. he needed something to take his mind off the stinging in his head, and he damn sure wasn't going to get it. He didn't expect it though. These people saw him as a threat... to be honest Sequel liked that, fear brought respect he'd always thought, and no one yet had seemed to comfortable with him being there. Nonchalantly, Sequel looked up at this new face that entered the room, "Hey man," he said casually, "there's just one thing I've got to know?"

The new guy looked at him and say, "I'll make you a deal, tell me what I need to know, I'll tell you."

Sequel leaned back "Alright man, what do you need to know."

The new guy nodded and said, "Okay, Kevin. What do you know about who is is behind this?"

Kevin grinned, "Ah, so your looking for him too. He noticed a gaze that said go on. "he's the devil, my friend." He went on shifting to a more comfortable position, "Aka Eric Chailotte, Douglas Coulhane, Anthony Culig, Robert DiSalle, Glenn Dolbeare, Roger Florentine, Bruce Heltemes, David Hunnel, Jean Leveque, Thomas Martinette, Christopher Namms, Steve Radell, Mark Remley, Vincent Renuad, Pierre Rodarte, Michael Stormes, you get the idea, he uses a lot of names, but you'll know him best by the name Canon." Kevin stretched his neck and continued, "and he works for a lot of different governments, or rather he runs a lot of different governments." Kevin looked straight at Rich, "I've been gunning for him as long as I can remember, I've taken down some of his stongholds and a few of his lackeys, but never the man himself." Kevin went silent for a moment as a solomn look came over his face. "And if he had some reason to go after your friend, than God help her cause believe me, I can tell you first hand, she's going to need it."

Rich looked at him and said, "So you think Canon might be behind my teammate's disappearence. Why her, Kevin, or is it me he's targeting?"

"The hell should I know, I don't know you people. If you got something he wants he's gonna take it. if he thinks you're in the way he'll mow you down."

Rich quietly said, "So that's the piece"

Kevin raised an Eyebrow, "Piece"

Rich looked at him and said, "I believe your foe has been tracking me for some reason since I got to Japan, Kevin. And I may need your help"

Kevin Shrugged, "Sure, it'll kill some time."

He watched as Rich asked him, "Do you have any questions?

"Yeah, one." Kevin said sitting forward, a look of utter seriousness on his face, "Can I get a fuckin' beer? I've got a hangover that could bring down a sasquatch."

Rich looked him in the eye and said, "If you have a hangover, I'll have someone fetch you some coffee. Black. I don't allow alcohol on company premises."

Kevin grumbled, "This has been a hell of a day, I get my brains scrambled by a steel chair, I'm forced to go sober, not to mention that lame attept to scare me with a frggin jellyfish."

Rich looked at him and frowned. "Consider yourself a tough guy. Someone everyone should be scared off?"

Kevin shook his head. "It ain't the fear I'm looking for pal just the respect." he paused for a second and then added, "but I'm still a badass, and as far as you should be concerned, the one and only showstopper."

Rich looked at him and said, "So, what you are saying is that anyone in his right mind would be wise to be afraid of you."

Sequel glared back at Rich, "What I'm saying is anyone in his right mind would be wise to respect me. I don't stand for disrespect."

Rich glared back at him, with a stern look in his eyes. "And you expect respect for being a badass that comes back from the dead. Is that the case, Mr. Dallas?"

Kevin just grinned, but his left eyebrow raised, "And who the hell told you about that?"

Kevin watch as Rich raised his hand, just to eye level and said, "Because Kevin, you told me back at the studio, after you went unconscious."

Kevin Shook his head, "Sorry Rich, Wrong answer, you want to go into the bonus round where the scores can really change?" Kevin sniffed, "I don't talk in my sleep, I know that. Don't jerk me around."

Rich said, "Did I say you said it verbally, Kevin. You see, I'm a mutant who can mimic other mutants, and in the process, their personalities and some of their memories. If I hold an ability for too long it becomes permanent." With those words, he watched as Rich's hand became a claw.

Kevin's face maintained it's stone cold fasaud, but deep inside he felt surprise. Somehow Kevin didn't expect he'd be up against another mutant, he was even more surprised to be up against a mutant that could read his mind when most others couldn't. Kevin didn't like suprises, but he could run with them. Kevin looked at Rich and chuckled, "I kinda like the idea of me not being the one and only 'deadman'. Put ere there, 'Brother'."

Instead of a handshake, Kevin was stunned to get push back down into the chair. Rich's eyes had turned into a pure brown color as he said, "As far as I know, you are the only 'deadman'. I've felt your powers, and I hate them. If you think you get respect from me because of that alone, you are mistaken. You'll have my respect if you help me rescue my friend and find out why this fellow is targeting me. I can tell you what you earned from me this day. You have earned my pity, because your power gives you eternal torment. You never get to die, and you will never find peace. And one day, you well return to life only to die in an instant. Then what will you do. And before you tell me of a dream, let me give you a few words. These were said by Kira in 'The Dark Crystal'. 'Prophets don't know everything.' Now, once we find my friend, we will find your foe. You help us, we will help you."

Kevin shifted in his chair, "Alright, but I'll need a gun." Kevin gave Rich an evil look, "the psycho you're looking for made me a sure on shot, and I was rejected. Just think of who he's kept on his payroll, hell, just... just try to imagine the pumped up freaks you'll be going up against."

Rich just smiled and said, "With Darrett, he can get us an army. Besides, he hired the ninjas, and I think they maybe causing him a few problems. Plus, from what I could gather from the big guy, he's the only 'pumped up freak' here in Japan. As for a gun, I don't want someone getting shot by mistake. If you need a gun, you get a stun gun. I don't want anyone dead."

"I have a pair of modified pistols, they only fire riot bullets... no death's but my own."

He watched Rich nod as he said, "Alright, when we find our teammate, we go. You have to follow my orders. And if you feel the need to kill Canon, surpress it until I find out why. Understood?"

"I'm not one for following orders... however," Kevin paused for a second, "I'll give you my word to let you find out what you need to know before Canon draws his final breath... that good?"

Rich just nodded and said, "Good. Now I need to check on the search. Maybe I can repay you and Balam for the help somehow." Rich turned and left the room, and Kevin noticed the cat following him out the room.

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III. Grimore
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Grimore followed Rich out of the room, and could tell his master was bothered by the fellow named Kevin. As they headed from the room, Grimore looked at Rich and said, "Something bothering you about this lad, sir?"

Rich just continued walking and said, "It is his attitude. He's ready to do anything to stop this Canon fellow, and I'd appreciate the help, but I'm not sure if it's the kind of help we need."

Grimore continued to follow Rich, puzzled by the new name, although he had heard it mentioned by Kevin. "Who exactly is this Canon fellow?" It was the most important question that he had at the moment.

Grimore was surprised and the responce to his question. A female voice said, "No one knows entirely who or what Canon is, but from all I have seen and all Kevin has told me he is a very very dangerous man."

This startled him, and he could tell Rich was startled as well. Soon, he heard Rich say, "Imbalamque, can I ask who you were just talking to?" Grimore was hoping the strange girl wasn't talking to him, but he had a feeling she was, due to the cat ears he saw on her.

She just casually lifted her arm and pointed to him and said, "Him." Grimore was more stunned than anything else, but he had to know.

He looked at her and said, "Then can you tell us two things." He sat and twitched his tail and said, "One, what do you know about this Canon fellow, and two, how can you speak with me?" He was sure to find this an enlightening converstation.

Before she could begin, he heard Rich say, "And do you have another name we can call you?" He had to admit, with her name, it would be difficult to say that all the time.

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IV. Balam
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Balam's left ear twitched, "I was raised in the rainforest," she said to the cat, "among the animals, I know how to speak to them," she turned her head to Rich, "and sometimes find it hard to understand when you humans cannot." She cocked her head, "As for my name, few human's have been able to pronounce my real name, my first Human name was Ixbalamque, but now most people call me Christina."

She watched as Rich looked at her and said, "Well, in my defense, Christina, only Yvette and I are able to understand Grimore, but that is more along the lines of magic. That's why we were taken back by you speaking with Grimore. Now, what do you know about Canon?

She looked at Rich and said, "Canon is someone I don't know much about, He has more names than Kevin and I are aware of, and he's been around much longer than anyone I know of. He has a lot of powerful people working for him, and he seems to have the power to talk anybody into doing about anything." Balam paused for a second, "I'm afraid of what might happen if Kevin does meet up with him again, I don't think even he understands What Canon can do."

She noticed that Grimore was surprised when Rich asked something she wasn't sure how he knew about it. "Christina, I think we stumbled on him earlier, but when we did a psi-scan, something that came up was the number 7. Why?"

"Asylum 7," Balam replied, "it's the organization Canon runs... designed to make powerful mutants stronger." Balam paused again, "Kevin was a test subject there." She looked between Rich and Grimore, "Now what's a psi-scan?"

She could see that the news of Asylum 7 had shaken up Richard, and Grimore said, "A psi-scan is a way telepaths use to check the area. Yvette probably did the psi-scan and relayed the info to Richard. Yvette might not have been noticed since her psi abilities are a bit different than most mutants. Do you know any of Canon's names, that we may be able to find him?"

Balam shook her head, "Kevin knows more about Canon than I Do, But most of the names he uses sound French, I've heard Kevin refer to him as Renuad, Chailotte, Leveque..."

She noticed Rich almost openned his eyes wide as she said the names, and he said, "Christina, what does Canon look like?"

Balam thought about it for a moment and said, "He's a tall blonde haired man, Well over six feet, and he has red eyes."

She watched as Rich just nodded and said, "He was at the airport when we arrived. Yvette even picked up on the eyes. He must of hired 'The Hand', but why, and was the abduction of Jubilee part of his plan, or just something that went wrong. Grimore, I'm going to find out the progress of the search. Christina, I may need your help in rescuing Jubilee. Kevin agreed to help, but I hope he shows me he doesn't have to fight without thinking." She watched as Rich ran off, and then face Grimore and wondered how this would turn out.

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V. Yvette
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Yvette sat next to Everett as they concentrated on finding Jubilee. Ever since the abduction, she could tell he was upset. She knew he cared alot for Jubilee, and this was going to be a real test for him. She had decided to help him in the search. She still had the link set in her mind, and that might help them find her. As she focused on the link, she heard Everett say, "Anything yet, Yvette?" She could hear some concern in his voice.

She kept her focus and said, "Not yet, but I think I might have found one thing. I think the one spying on us is there. I think he may be the mastermind in this little escapade." She didn't dwell on him for long, but she felt Jubilee was there. Soon enough she felt her 'sister's scared mind. She just said, "Ev, I think I found her."

Soon she focused on Jubilee and said, "Jubilee, are you alright? It's me, Yvette. We are trying to locate you. Do you know where you are?"

She heard her friends voice full of terror as she said, "No Penny. I can't see a thing. I can't ever hear anything. It's like there is nothing around me. I'm scared. Please find me."

Yvette was scared for her 'sister'. What was happening to her was awful, and she didn't want to leave Jubilee alone. She then heard Everett say, "Jubilee, it's me. I'm trying to find you with my aura, once we know where you are, we can find you. Don't worry, I stay with you in mind. I'm sending my Aura out now." She watched as Everett's Aura shot out. Soon, they would know where to go.

She then said, "Jubilee, I'm giving Everett control, he'll lead us to you. Hang in there." She then said to Everett "Let us, know when you know." She stood up and left the room, and walked over to her husband.

He looked at her and said, "Any word?"

She nodded and said, "We found her, but she seems to be in a limbo of sorts. I think it might be some sort of sensory deprivation." She saw him frown and said, "Do we know who's behind this."

She watched as Rich nodded and said quietly, "I think it's the french ambassador. It's one of Canon's aliases. However, it's my nightmare that makes me think he is just a patsy. I think Adrienne is at the root of this."

Yvette felt a slight ping at her mind. She knew it was Everett. She just said, "We have a location. We better hurry."

She watched as Rich nodded and said, "Alright, it's time to roll out." She watched as he put on his fake glasses and said, "Sequel, Balam, get a move on. It's time for Canon to fall. Blink, time to lose the hologram. Penance, prepare to tense up. Synch, show us the way. Darrett, get some Garthim ready. Let's move." As they headed out, she watched as he grabbed his sword.

As they neared the vehicle, she said, "Do you have a plan, Skitz?" She could tell the others were looking at him as well. This wasa dangerous advesary they were going up against, and she could tell that from the psi-scan.

She then heard Skitz say, "Yes I do. Blink, Sequel and I will go after Canon. Synch, you lead the group to rescue Jubilee. That will be you, Penance, Darrett and Balam. Remember, we are dealing with ninja's and an unknown foe to most of us. Darrett, do you have some Garthim ready."

She heard Darrett say, "I do, Skitz, and can I have a codename?" She was surprised by this request. All this time, Darrett never asked for a codename. She watched as Skitz nodded and Darrett said, "Mancer. Sort of fits, don't you think?" Yvette had to admit, it reflected his ability. Now they had to save Jubilee.