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.

Class Dismissed

Rehersal Jitters

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I. Kyuukai
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Kyuukai sat in the room with Emma Frost, Jean Grey, and Professor Xavier. This would be the moment that her power would be repressed. She was eager for this, especially with all the people here. She didn't want her power going out of control on any of them. She was glad to hear Emma say, "Now, Kyuukai, let me tell you what you are about to experience."

She looked at Emma and said, "Alright, it might help my nerves." The whole day, her nerves had been on edge. She didn't know what this would do, or how it would appear, but she needed it solved.

She then heard Emma say, "When we all go to the Astral Plane, you will see all of us normal, however Professor Xavier, Jean, and myself will have a noticable Aura surrounding us." Kyuukai started to wonder how those representations would appear. She tried not to let her mind wander, but it did. She decided to close her eyes, so she wouldn't focus on Emma.

As she did that, she heard Jean say, "What you will also see there, Kyuukai, is a representation of you powers. Your powers will have a manifestation on the Astral Plane, and they might even affect you. What ever you do, don't allow it to succeed. If you do, it might change you."

Kyuukai now had a better appreciation for what some mutant could do on the Astral Plane. She wondered how mutants could travel on that plane so well. She tried to relax herself, so she wouldn't be overwhelmed when they got to the Astral Plane. She then heard Professor Xavier say, "Alright, here we go."

She blinked, and just like that, she was on the Astral Plane. Standing in front of her was Emma, Jean, and Professor Xavier, but there was another figure there. She heard the figure say, "What do you want? Are you all here for some fun?" It sounded like her, only when she and Godiva were alone. She then saw the figure face her, and she realized it was her powers, except the power personified looked like her, but dressed as a harem girl.

She then noticed that Professoer Xavier had started to change into an armored figure, and a fire was froming around Jean. She also noticed that Emma's attire was getting more and more revealing. She then noticed that her own outfit was starting to change into that of the image in front of her. It was scaring her. She didn't know what was happening, and she shouted, "What's happening to me?" She had a feeling that whatever it was, wasn't good at all.

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II. Jean
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Jean saw what was happening even before Kyuukai shouted. Somehow, by bringing her to the Astral Plane, they magnified Kyuukai's power to a dangerous level. It was bring out their own darker selves, and in turn, her power was taking on it's darker form. What was worse was that the darker form was starting to take over Kyuukai. It took some of her best will power, but she stopped her own transformation and focus her abitily on Kyuukai's power. Instantly, a chain appeared around the representation of Kyuukai's power, as it said, "What is this?"

As she focused on the binding, she felt the transformation start to reverse. She looked at the others and said, "We need to bind her fast. It's the only way to reverse the change."

She then heard Emma say, "I understand. We don't need Charles having another experience that releases Onslaught again." Soon, Jean saw another chain appear on the figure, and the transformation reversed some more.

Soon, a third chain appear, and she heard Professor Xavier say, "Perhaps doing this on the Astral Plane was a mistake. We only strengthed her power by bring her here, and we see what that caused." She had to agree with that thought. She also noticed that the chain figured had stopped struggling and was actually motionless. That was the thing they all had waited for. It was the sign that Kyuukai's powers were now surpressed.

With a blink of her eyes, they were back in the room they had started in. Jean could tell by the looks around the room, that the ordeal was intense. It took a lot of will power to repress their dark halves. She was so focused on recovery that she almost didn't hear the fast shuffle of movement outside the room. When she did hear the movement, she glanced over in time to see a flash of red hair. She knew who had been near the door. It was Yvette. She looked over and said, "Do you think Yvette detected what happened?"

She then heard Charles say, "If she did, it would not have been as severe as we felt. I think she was checking on us. With her psionics the way they are, she's impossible to keep track of. I've been trying to locate her, but it seems she's keeping an eye on us. She must be aware that we want to speak with her about the strange occurance last night."

Jean was surprised by this. She looked over and asked, "What occurance are you referring to, because I didn't notice anything, except for a sudden jolt." She figured it had something to do with Yvette in some way, but she wasn't totally sure. It might even explain Monet's headaches, but she wanted to wait before mentioning them.

She was surprised when Emma said, "Apparently, Charles had an unusual encounter on the Astral Plane. It appears the entity he encountered was Grimore, Rich and Yvette's cat. It is something we want to ask them about. I think Yvette is expecting it and trying to prolong our inquiry." Now she knew why, and maybe before the day was out, she should mention Monet's headaches. However, this mystery was taking high priorty.

She stood and said, "I'm going to ask Ororo to take Kyuukai to see Godiva, when Godiva gets back. Also, may I suggest that we wait until Rich gets back to ask about Grimore. He will be the best one to ask." She watched as the others nodded in agreement, and she went to get Ororo. She just hoped Rich would return soon.

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III. Darrett
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Darrett stood in front of the alter as they rehersed for his wedding tomorrow. He was a bit nervous. He wanted everything to go right tomorrow. The only bad thing was that some of the people for the rehersal weren't present. First of all, Emma wasn't there, who was standing in for Clarice's mother. Second of all, Rich wasn't there, who was his best man. At least Sean, Yvette, Daria and Everett were all there. He was thankful that Rogue and Bishop were filling in for the missing people. It allowed them to be ready for tomorrow, but still not everyone would be ready. He knew Rich would be in touch with Yvette, and Emma was a telepath, but it would help if they were there in person. Deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was going to happen. He had had too many days important to him ruined. He was afraid that this was going to be another one. He was so deep in thought on the topic that Bishop surprised him when he said, "What is troubling you, Darrett?"

He just realized then that the rehearsal had stopped. He looked around and said, "I'm sorry. My mind is not totally with it. I'm just worried about something." He then realized that everyone was staring at him. He had ruined the rehearsal just by being lost in thought.

He then heard the minister say, "Maybe we will have better luck with the real thing. We don't have much time to rehearse anymore. I shall see you all again in the morning." He then knew rehearsal was over. The minister wouldn't be back until the morning, for the actual service. Now all he had to do was hope this feeling of dread passed.

He felt a hand on his shoulder, and he turned to see Clarice looking at him as she said, "Darrett, what's wrong? What is bothering you?"

He looked around to see that some people had moved off to have conversations, but both Clarice and Bishop were right by him. He lowered his head and said, "All my life, when something big in my life was about to happen, something disastrous happened. I'm just hoping the same doesn't happen here."

Clarice smiled at him and said, "Darrett, nothing that terrible could happen to us. Look at the timeline I came from. Look at the timeline you came from. We didn't have good lives there. Here, those nightmares can't happen. We are going to be safe." He wanted to believe that, more than anything else in the world.

It was then he heard Bishop say, "Maybe I should talk with both of you." He was surprised by the tone of Bishop's voice. It only made his feeling feel worse. Now he really hoped Clarice was right.

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IV. Clarice
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Clarice was a bit surprised when Bishop said those words. He looked like he was dead serious about something, and something about that worried her. She had seen Bishop in her timeline, and knew he was almost always serious. She looked up at Bishop and said, "What's wrong, Bishop?"

She watched as Bishop looked at both her and Darrett and said, "I'm sorry to tell you this, but I feel I have to. I know you like to think that your timelines won't happen, but there is still a chance the timelines can happen. With the fact that alternate timelines exist, nothing can prevent your timelines from happening. If you both could prevent your timelines from happening, you wouldn't exist. This is something I've learned, I thought you should know it as well."

She felt scared at that thought. Apocalypse still being able to take over in this world was not a pleasant thought. She didn't even want to think Darrett's timeline was still possible. She saw how Rich had died in her timeline, and she saw how good a fighter he was there. She looked at Darrett as he said, "You knew about the events causing the Emplate war. How did it start?"

Clarice saw Bishop lower his head and then finally said, "They arrived through a portal. It was a man and a woman. That's all I can tell you. I'm not sure where the invasion began, but it did start with two, who were the ones who began it all."

She almost shuddered when she heard those words. It was as if the event was going to happen. She knew Emplate was still out there. She knew that Elane was pregnant. The big issue was when would he strike. She hoped that Emplate would wait to attack the school until the wedding was over, and the school was vacated. It would be his final loss. Deep down, in her heart, she knew they would defeat Emplate, but part of her was scared to face him. She then heard Bishop say, "I'm sorry to have mentioned this now. I know it's been bothering me, but it's no reason for me to ruin your special day. I do know that you two will be happy together."

That lifted her spirits. She looked at Bishop and said, "Thank you. I'm also glad you are attending the wedding." She smiled and then turned with Darrett to see Yvette heading out. She looked at Darrett and said, "Any clue why she's heading out. She came in just as we were ready to start rehearsal."

She heard Darrett say, "I don't know, but I think Rich is soon going to be back. Hopefully, he has some good news." She smiled at that thought. Maybe it was about preparations for where they were going to live. She had always wondered what the Cale home looked like. She had heard her version of Richard speak of the place, but she never got to see it. It was an exciting prospect to her, and she couldn't wait until after the wedding.

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V. Sean
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Sean stood next to Yvette as the rehearsal ended. He could see that Darrett had been lost in thought. He was thankful that Clarice asked him to fill in for her father. He had missed out of one oppurtinity for a wedding. When the minister left, he quietly said to Yvette, "Ye know, I missed out of seeing this with you."

He watched as Yvette turned to him and said, "I'm sorry about that, 'father'." He smiled a bit when he heard her say that. Even though he had adopted her, he still felt good when he heard her call him father. She then said, "When Rich and I headed off to England, we didn't know we'd be married."

He understood that little fact. Their marriage was as much a surprise to them as it was to whole team. He looked out at the others and then said to her, "You know, lass, over all the time here, I've seen everyone form relationships here. You and Rich, Jubilation and Everett, Jonothan and Paige. Look, even Darrett and Clarice are getting married. Everyone here has grown up and is preparing to move on."

He saw Yvette lower her head as she said, "I don't think we'll lose touch. Rich still plans to keep in touch with everyone. Besides, he's offered jobs to all who aren't going with us or with the X-Men. Personally, I think he's trying to keep his family together, so to speak."

Sean thought about that for a moment and realized what Yvette was saying. Ever since the death of Rich's parents, the school had been his only family. Sean sighed and said, "You're right, lass. I sometimes forget how much Rich valued his family. You know lass,..." He turned to see her staring out, like she was talking psioncially. When she appeared to stop, she turned and headed for the door. He quickly said, "Yvette, where are ye going?"

He watched as she faced him and said, "Sorry, Rich will be back soon, and he told me he needed to make a very important phone call. I'll explain later, if I can." He then watched her run out the door. Whatever had happened, it must have been important.

When the door closed, he turned and looked over to see Jubilee and Everett talking. He decided he should talk with them. As he approached the two, he said, "And how are you two doing with all this." He figured that Everett might have a bit more difficulty with the day than anyone else. He hoped the cause was not something bad about to happen.

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VI. Everett
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Everett was almost surprised when he heard Sean approach. When the rehersal ended, he wanted to talk to Jubilee about the whole thing. The fact that he was related to Darrett in an alternate timeline bothered him a lot. He was still trying to piece it all together, and the wedding didn't help it much. He heard Jubilee say to Sean, "I think Ev has a lot on his mind."

He wasn't really surprised when Sean said, "I could see that. Lad, what is on ye mind? What has ye troubled?"

Everett sighed and said, "I'm somewhat bothered about this. Darrett told both me and Daria why he wanted us. In his timeline, we are his parents." He heard Sean gasp at that. It was an expected reaction. He had heard Jubilee gasp the same way when he had told her. He looked at Sean and said, "That's the same way Jubilee reacted. I didn't think I should keep it secret from her."

Sean looked at him and said, "When did the lad decide to reveal this info?" He had a feeling when the information was found out, and who had found it out.

He looked up at Sean and said, "I think I know when the information was found out. It had to happen when we were in Japan. Remember how I said that Clarice and Darrett headed off on their own."

Sean nodded and said, "Which lead to that month long punishment, Aye remember it."

Everett then said, "Well, I remember that Rich and I went to look for them. I synched up with Clarice, and I think he found out because he got Darrett's power." That is when he thought the truth was found out.

Jubilee then said, "I wonder if that's why Rich has been so secretive lately. I mean, after that, he's been speaking with them in private, as well as those phone calls." He had to admit, after that incident in Japan, Rich had made a lot of mysterious calls.

He then said, "Yes, I wonder if we will ever find out why he was making them." He then looked at Jubilee, smiled and said, "Do you want to tell him the good news?" He felt it was time they changed the subject. Maybe some good news would change how things went.

He then heard Sean ask, "And what good news is this?" It was obvious that Sean wanted to see that they had some good news. He wasn't sure how well Sean would take it, but maybe it would help liven the day.

He watched Sean as Jubilee said, "Ev proposed. We are going to get married." He saw that Sean was shocked, but it was a good shock.

He saw Sean smile and say, "You two, that is wonderful news. I hope you plan to share the news soon."

Everett nodded and was about to answer when he heard Rich say, "Everett, Jubilation, Darrett, and Clarice. My office immediatly." He saw the look on Jubilee's face and he knew it was the same as his. Something big required them to be there. He wondered if it was time to find out about what was going on."

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VII. Kyuukai
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Daria looked out the hall door just as Rich and Godiva returned. She had seen Rich head immediately up to his office, the same direction Yvette went a few moments ago. She started to wonder what was up, but then remember why she was waiting for them to get back. She had to speak with Godiva. She turned back to face Mondo and says, "Now's our chance. Let's speak with Godiva."

She saw Mondo nod and say, "Are you sure you want to do this? It will be very hard for her to except the fact, especially since she thinks you are Sean's adopted daughter." She remembered the lie that Rich had told Godiva that story long ago.

She just looked at Mondo and said, "I have to tell her. I can't hide it any longer. I just feel like I need to clear the air, and learn about the man who sent me here. I always knew there was more to him that what he showed."

He nodded and said, "Alright, let's do this together then. Just state first that we want to help at the museum. It looks like she had a very strange day." She had to admit, Godiva looked a bit worse for wear. She wondered what happened at the company.

As they approached Godiva, Daria looked at her and said, "Godiva, can we speak with you for a moment?"

She watched as Godiva turned to face her and said, "Sure, Daria. What's on your mind? Something about my cousin's job offer?" She wondered if Godiva had an idea of what she was going to say or not.

She nodded and said, "Something like that. Mondo and I aren't going to take the job offer. We'd rather help out at your museum."

Daria could see that Godiva was confused, and her next statements only confimred it. "Daria, Mondo, Rich has offered you a good job and a place to live. You can't do much better than that. Why work at my museum?"

She heard Mondo say, "Godiva, I think I might have to explain it after she tells you." She noticed that Godiva gave Mondo an odd look, but she had a feeling what Godiva may be thinking.

Before Godiva could open her mouth, she said, "The reason I want to work at your museum is that I feel a connection to you. You see, the person who sent me to this school was your father, Bastion." She saw Godiva's eyes go wide, and could tell that it looked like Godiva wasn't going to take the news well at all.

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VIII. Mondo
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Mondo could see Godiva was about to scream in anger. He quickly stood in front of her and said, "Godiva, can you give me a moment to explain, and maybe you'll understand why we kept this secret from you for so long."

He saw Godiva blink twice before she finally said, "Alright, but I'll tell you this right now, this had better be good. If it's not the truth, God help the both of you." He didn't like how she said it, but he understood.

He nodded and said, "Alright. This whole story begins shortly after Rich got here. It basically began with Black Tom's attack on the school..." From there, he told the whole tale about Bastion's appearence, Rich's suicide attempt, when Jean & Scott came to the school, and finally Daria's arrival. As the whole tale unfolded, he could see the look in Godiva's eyes changing from anger to sadness. He finished his tale by saying, "That is basically why Daria wants to join you in Easton. She feels a bond to you. It was also the fact that we didn't know how you'd react. As you heard, Rich took it very hard."

He watched as Godiva sat in a nearby chair and said, "That would explain alot. I had a chance to look at the will of our grandfather a few years. I had seen my father's name was taken out of it. I asked my mother a few times, but she said it was because he was dead. I had tried to get a death certificate, but I got a run around. I had a feeling something was odd, but I never wanted to let on. I sort of kept it quiet for my brother, and for Rich." He watched as she lowered her head and just said, "This has been a day. First what happens at the company, and now this." At that, Mondo noticed Jubilee, Everett, Clarice and Darrett running up to Rich's office.

He heard Daria say, "What happened? I noticed Rich ran up to his office as he came in."

His concern grew when Godiva said, "Apparently, someone at the company was running an illegal operation involving stuff from Genosha. When the guy was found out, he lashed out. As we were driving back, Rich mentioned that he was going to inform the person who helped him find the source that the problem was gone. I don't know, but Rich said it had to deal with something in Japan." Mondo now had an idea what was going on. He now wondered how it was going to be handled, and what was going on in Rich's office.