And now, a brief comment to the reviewers.
Thank you. (I said it was brief!) Okay, now I thank my reviewers.
tillallareone - Somehow, I just kind of suspected that'd be the kind of thing Gambit would do.
riawolf - Yes, you can use Slash in the story you are writing, and rest assured, I will read it. Just make sure he doesn't die, because I'm doing a follow-up. Oops, shouldn't have said that last part.
Chapter 8: It Takes An Army Of A Few
The next day, the mutants were again hiding out yet again, but they were hiding out over international waters.
"This is stupid! Why are we hiding?" J.T. asked.
"'Cause we don't wanna get our hides blown off," Pyro replied.
"Makes about as much sense as anything else I've heard in the last 72 hours," said J.T.
"We have to do something," said Kitty.
"I though we were," said Kurt.
"I mean something where we get mutant rights," said KItty.
"Oh. Well I don't know what we can do," said Kurt.
"There isn't anything we can do," said Lance.
"Y'mean we're just going to spend the rest of our lives running?" Freddy asked.
"Yeah," Lance replied.
"Man, I can't take this! There's gotta be something," said Todd.
"Sit down, Toad. There's nothing we can do and you know it," said Scott.
"Yeah," said Todd.
Ideas came to the surface, but whatever they thought of, they knew everything they tried would not work. Just then, Jean had an idea.
"Wait, turn on the TV. I think I have it," said Jean.
"This isn't the time for soap operas," said J.T.
"No, but there's always the news," said Jean.
J.T. turned it to a news channel and a man was reporting outside the Capitol building.
"...Today, a historic hearing is about to begin, a hearing on mutant rights," said the reporter.
"All right! Way to go, Jean," Scott exclaimed.
"Now we just need to get up there and present our case," said Jean.
"I'll go along," said J.T.
"As will I," said Professor Xavier.
The Blackbird rocketed off for Washington D.C., the mutants hoping they could put an end to the war on mutants. The Blackbird was at Washington within the hour, and Jean, J.T. and Professor Xavier made their way into the Capitol building. In the meeting, the senators were about to put the matter to a vote. Even the president was at the meeting, as he had already gotten word of J.T.'s actions at Area 51.
"All for the equal rights of mutants..." one man said.
"Hold it! Hold it right there," J.T. shouted.
Everyone turned around and saw Jean, J.T. and Professor Xavier in the doorway.
"What the hell is this? Get these people out of here," said one of the senators.
"Now just a moment. If you're so quick to pass judgement, then you should be quick to see what the defense has to say," said J.T.
"You three are mutants?" another senator asked.
"Yes we are, and we wish to defend all of mutant-kind for our rights," Jean replied.
"Very well, if you're so intent on it," said the vice president.
J.T., Jean and Professor Xavier walked to the center of the room. Back on the Blackbird, everyone was gathered around a television to see what was going on.
"Now then, present your case," said the vice president.
"Very well. Ahem," J.T. started. "Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, what is it you find so frightening about mutants?"
"You are an abomination! Your powers can only hurt and destroy," one man replied.
"Untrue. We mutants are naturally good like any human beings. It is the choices we make that make us good or evil," said J.T. "Now then, one such example is this man right beside me, Professor Charles Xavier. He founded the Xavier Institute..."
"To train mutants to kill mankind, I wager," another man scoffed.
"...to help mutants control their powers so that they can use them to benefit mankind," J.T. continued. "However, it is true that some mutants' powers can only hurt, such as mine. And it was because of my powers that the president himself had me genetically altered to be a weapon of global conquest."
"Liar! The president would never do such a thing," one man shouted.
"Admit it, prez! You had me torn from my birth parents and genetically altered to be a supersoldier who fed on rage and angst! Then you erased my memory and placed me with actors, merely posing as highly abusive parents, to create new limits for my anger! Then when the time was right, you'd trigger me, sending me back into my 'purpose' as your own personal WMD."
"Silence, mutant," the president shouted.
"Admit it! I've beaten you at your own game, smart guy," said J.T.
"Mr. President?" someone asked.
"All right, it's true! I initialized a mutant weapon program to show our power to the world! If we had conquered the world, there would be no more wars and we would all be able to share our resources without border disputes and resource monopoly! Are you happy?" the president shouted.
"No! You separated me from my family, had them killed and genetically altered me to satisfy your despicable plots! How can I ever be happy that the truth is I was created only to be a weapon! How would you feel if your entire existence was reduced to being a killing machine?" J.T. shouted.
The senators started to murmor in agreeance with J.T.'s words.
"Mr. President, based with your actions of corruption and conspiracy to start another war, we hereby exclude you further from this hearing," said the vice president.
"What! You can't..." said the president.
"And we will demand a full examination of your actions in the last thirty years when we're conducting your impeachment trial," said a senator.
"You can't do this to me," the president shouted.
"We can, and we will," said another senator.
The president turned his back and walked out with a snyde look on his face. Just then, a large walked up to and next to the president.
"Your orders, sir?" he asked.
"Destroy any evidence. I don't want this leaking out to the press," the president replied.
"Of course, Mr. President," said the man.
As the two walked under a light, the man was revealed as...Smith! The very same Smith that J.T. decapitated in Area 51! Meanwhile, the hearings continued.
"Anyway, can we please continue wtih the hearings?" the vice president asked.
"Certainly. Anyway, are humans and mutants really so different?" J.T. asked.
"I'm sorry, I don't follow," the vice president replied.
"Humans have been changing physically since the dawn of human time. Think of the primitive humans, such as homo erectus. Do we resemble that in any way at all?" Jean asked.
"Er, well, no," the vice president replied.
"So is it not possible that we, the mutants of the world, are merely the next stage toward the pinnacle of human evolution?" J.T. asked.
"Certainly it is possible, but why is it only happening in a select few?" the vice president asked.
"Even I do not know. The X-Gene is normally recessive, but for some reason it became dominant in only a select few people," said J.T.
"Is there any definitive pattern in who this X-Gene is dominant in?" one senator asked.
"Sadly, there is no definate theme," said Professor Xavier.
"Is there anything else?" one other person asked.
"I have something to say," said J.T. "Humans are nothing more than animals on this planet."
"You dare insult us?" one man shouted.
"No, hold on. As I was saying, like other animals, humans can change to give them an advantage on other animals. Think for a moment, without changing their bodies with guns and armor and such, humans are quite weak. I mean, humans can make themselves stronger, but physical strength has its limits," said J.T.
"Sir, if there is a point, please make it," said one man impatiently.
"Think for a moment about the rest of the animal kingdom. When threatened, the hegehog rolls itself into a little spiked ball, does it not?" J.T. asked.
"Well, yes. It's only natural," said the vice president.
"And the pill bug and chameleon, can they not change their shapes to blend in with their surroundings?" J.T. asked.
"I have witnessed these animals amid transformation, so yes," the vice president replied.
"Based on these facts, is it not possible that humans are finally changing to give themselves a natural advantage over other animals?" J.T. asked.
The senators started to murmor in agreeance, seeing that J.T. had struck an intresting point.
"All right, now we shall put this matter to a vote," said the vice president.
J.T., Jean and Professor Xavier huddled up.
"I gave it my all. If we came up short one vote, it's my fault," said J.T.
"You did your best. Personally, I think it was right on the money," said Jean.
Back on the Blackbird, everyone was clamoring over J.T.'s speech.
"Come on, you heard what he said! There's no way they can vote against equal rights," said Kitty.
"I hope you're right, Kitty. I hope you're right," said Kurt.
"Hey, he just poured his soul out there, so I think our chances are about 50-50," said Scott.
"We get voted against, we're dead meat," said Colossus.
"Dose senatahs vote against mutant rights, den 52 cahds gonna come out," said Gambit.
"Mate, that's the kinda stuff that makes 'em wanna vote 'gainst it," Pyro beamed.
"Ssh! They're making the decision," Magneto exclaimed.
Back in the debates, J.T., Jean and Professor Xavier were sweating bullets as they awaited the senate's decision.
"All those in favor of the Mutant Rights Act, say 'aye'," said the vice president.
"AYE," most of the senators replied.
"All against, say 'nay'," said the vice president.
There was silence.
"The decision is final, there will be equal rights for all mutants," said the vice president.
J.T., Jean and Professor Xavier breathed a sigh of relief. Everyone on the Blackbird was celebrating.
"And also, from this point, any mutant identified will be sent to the Xavier Institue until he or she gains control of his or her powers," said the vice president.
J.T. and Jean looked at Professor Xavier.
"We're going to need a bigger mansion," said Professor Xavier.
"This meeting is adjourned," said the vice president.
Outside the Capitol, Kitty nearly tackled J.T. with excitement as J.T., Jean and Professor Xavier met up with their fellow mutants.
"I can't believe you did it! Way to go, J.T.," Kitty exclaimed.
"No sweat. Now stop hugging me, you're crushing my lungs," said J.T.
"Oops, sorry," said Kitty.
"Gotta admit, I didn't think you could do it," said Wolverine.
"Hey, rule numero uno, never count me out," said J.T.
Everyone boarded the Blackbird, but before J.T. could board, Magneto pulled him aside.
"J.T., I must ask you, why do you hang around Professor Xavier? Come with me, and I can make you immortal," said Magneto.
"No thanks, Magneto. Much as I'd like to live forever, I have my reasons for being with Xavier," said J.T.
"J.T.! Are you coming or what?" Kitty shouted.
"I see what you mean. Love is just as valuable as life. I wish I could have seen that earlier," said Magneto with a smile.
J.T. walked on board and gave Kitty a hug. Then he escorted Kitty to the back.
"J.T.?" Kitty asked.
"Yes?" J.T. replied.
"What was that thing you couldn't tell me at the instiute that night?" Kitty asked.
"Well, it's changed since then. But right now, that thought was that I love you," J.T. replied.
"Well, maybe if I get to know you better, maybe I could repay those feelings," said Kitty.
"Maybe you will. In time," said J.T.
Kitty laid her head on J.T.'s arm and fell asleep. J.T. only smiled.
The End
But Only For Now!