Howdy. This story takes place in my AU, same timeline as X-Man is Australian for Mutant. It begins right in between Chap. 29 & Chap.30; Wolverine checked on the Brotherhood in NYC on a Friday night, this story begins on the Monday before. Get it? I hope so.
It's the 'second season' to X-Man is Australian for Mutant. The title needed to change, as the story is changing tone a bit in the future chapters. Chapter 31 will be it for that storyline. This new title will be my 'main' story. I hope ya dig it. THANKS! to everyone who reviewed & enjoyed my 'first season'. Those messages scattered throughout my inbox can make a morning go by easy… (thanks).
Okay, well, THANKS! …please enjoy Chapter One of:
Peace Between Humans & Mutants: Priceless…
Chapter 1 – Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes…
The Institute, lunchtime, Monday
Logan waited on the bench outside the library. Ororo taught Clarice and Scout general courses in the morning, sometimes the afternoon, until the two girls were ready for school, or for whichever path they should take.
Two mutant girls came walking out of the library.
"Hello Logan, my brother. What is up?" Scout asked.
"Nuttin' much, Scout, just waitin' on Ms. Munroe." smiled Logan.
"She teaches us in the morning. We are stopping now to eat lunch. Are you hungry? You could partake of a lunch with us." said Scout.
'I gotta hide her CD's of Hank explaining social customs…she's startin' to sound like'm…' mused Logan, a smile twitching.
"I'm going to make omelets," smiled Clarice, "I don't know how to cook much more. Papp- uh,Mr. O'Bryanson showed me how."
"Sounds good, girls, but I need to see Ororo." replied Logan. "Oh, and any classes you were goin' to have before three, are cancelled."
"Why?" Scout asked, looking disappointed. "I like classes with Ms. Munroe."
"…ah, no reason, just a break…" Logan stammered, "Hey, Forge & Mally will be here soon, maybe you girls could hang around wit them." he said, trying to change the topic.
"No, they'll be working…we see them at lunch, but Dr. McCoy keeps them busy in the afternoon." voiced Clarice.
"You are changing the subject, Logan. Why?" Scout innocently asked. Sometimes she quickly picked out speech pattern discrepancies without trying.
"Because, my dear, your brother has to take me out to lunch and he does not want to admit it…" Ororo said, joining them from inside the library. She wore a contrary smile on her pretty face, eyes looking at Logan.
Logan just shut his eyes tight. "Nice 'Ro, now it will be all over the Institute tonight. By tomorrow, you'll be having my three-headed love child…" he moaned.
"Why don't you want to take Ms. Munroe to lunch, Mr. Logan?" Clarice asked.
"Yes, and why will your offspring have three heads?" Scout wondered.
"ARGrrr! I do want to take 'Ro to lunch, and my kids will not have three – sheesh, forget it…" he spat, getting flustered, "…just go have yer lunch. Go on, get outta here!" he grumbled.
"Logan, I think you would feel less hostile after a hug." Scout said, nodding. "Would you like for me to go get Dr. McCoy? His hugs seem to work best for me; maybe they also will help you feel better."
Logan just stood, took a laughing Ororo's hand, and stalked off towards the motor pool, leaving a confused Scout and a giggling Clarice behind.
"What did I say?" Scout mused, "Dr. McCoy is a good hug provider…"
Meanwhile…Forge came flying in the front door of the Institute…literally. Mally came hopping after him.
"I'll get you back, Forgie, yer gonna regret that, you butt-head!" cried Mally, vaulting over to Forge. He proceeded to jump on Forge, and the two wrestled around on the floor.
"Gentlemen?" a lofty voice inquired.
The duo stopped fighting, sitting up clumsily.
"Oh, hiya Professor. How are ya today?" Mally asked, sheepish grin in place.
"Fine, Mallory. Why are you boys fighting?" smiled Xavier.
"Its his doin' Proffessor! He messed with my 'ducer…" Mally grumbled, eyeballing Forge, "…dirty buggar!" He stuck his tongue out.
Forge smiled. "Aw, Mal, it wasn't that bad…"
Mally closed his eyes, grimacing.
"Right, an yer not the one with Pippy Longstocking pig tails sticking out from unda ya helmut the whole ride home from school!" Mally moaned.
The Professor grinned. "Count your blessings, Mallory. I once made a schoolmate believe he had six fingers on both hands for a whole day. That boy never made light of my premature baldness again, I assure you."
Mally and Forge looked at each other, then back to the Professor, and burst out laughing.
"Yes, boys, I'm only human, after all…" said Xavier, smiling.
"Too right, Professor. How 'bout teachin' me some nifty tricks like that?" chortled Mally.
"No Professor, you can't, my life would never be the same!" Forge cried, laughing.
The Professor smirked. "Be that as it may; Mallory, I wonder if I couldn't have a minute of your time?"
"uh-ohhh, Mally, what'd you do this time, you hairy goon?" teased Forge.
Mally stood up, frowning. "What's up Professor? Did I do sumthin'?" he asked.
"Not what you did, Mallory…" said Xavier, "but what you may be able to do. Step into my office please." He wheeled into the office.
"I'm still gonna get ya, robot…" Mally whispered to Forge, stepping into the office and taking a seat.
The Professor closed the office door automatically from a button on his chair.
"It would be nice, Mallory," sighed Xavier, "if, like Ms. Grey, I sometimes had telekinesis to go with my telepathy……How have you been feeling lately Mallory?"
"Fine, I guess. A little sore, sometimes, from Mr. Logan's sessions, but nothin' to bad. Why do ya ask Professor?"
"Mallory, since you and your father came to live with us here at the Institute, I have noticed something… peculiar about your father and yourself. Do you mind…if I take a look…into your mind? Like I did when you first arrived."
"Crikey, ah, no, I guess not. What are ya lookin' for Professor? It's not dangerous or anything, is it?" Mally started to look alarmed.
"No, if it is what I presume, it's not really a danger at all." Xavier paused. "Mally, I'm going to put you into a meditative state…you'll be alert and aware; aware of everything going on around you. Tell me Mallory, have you ever heard of an empath? Or of empathy?"
"Ummm, no, not really. It's somethin' to do with yer feelings ,right?" Mally answered.
"Yes, that's right Mallory. Moreover, empathy has two meanings. The first states a being can identify another being or objects situation, feelings, and motives."
Xavier rolled around to Mally. "The second states the attribution of one's own feelings to an object or being."
"Huh?" Mally skrinched up his nose, whiskers twitching. "Can you say that again in dummy speak for me Professor?"
Xavier smiled. "Let's say a man was happy, and he wanted everyone else to feel happy also. He would simply project his feeling out to others, and they would be happy. Kind of like if I planted a suggestion in your mind, and you followed it…just, not telepathy, not thought; but rather emotion, as in 'em'-pathy."
"Right. Me Pappy would say a guy like that could 'bring the pub up a notch'. Mally agreed.
"Exactly," affirmed the Professor, "or, unchecked; throw fear into all around him. Or anger. Greed. Sadness. Any number of emotions."
Mally paused, thinking. "Right. That would be not too rippa. What's really up, Professor? Please tell me…"
Xavier smiled, controlled. "Mally, I think you may have the power to do what we speak of. But, I have a… feeling, per say, that you can turn it on and off,…and…Mallory; it's not a mutant power. I don't know what it is…if 'it' is."
Mally looked confused.
"May I take a look?" Xavier asked.
"I guess…" Mally intoned, "…but this is an awful lot ta throw at mate on a Monday afternoon, Professor…"
Xavier wheeled behind Mally's head. "I am sorry, Mallory. I believe this is something we need to check into."
The Professor arched his fingers around Mally's head.
"If you say so… I trust you Professor…" Mally said.
A rush of: (XAVIER / TRUST / WONDER) washed over the Professors physic network as he entered Mally's mind.
'good tidings…' thought the Professor.
'hello professor, is that you…?' wondered Mally.
'yes, mallory, i'm pulling you into a medative state now…' answered the Professor.
'i don't feel anything different professor, where are we?' panicked Mally.
'right here, Mallory, in you. inside your mind…' assured the Professor
Suddenly Mally's perception expanded. It felt like his senses were all on the 'high' setting; sight, sounds, smells, touch, all amped up to near full.
'whoa!… this is incredible, professor! its almost too much…' Mally thought, sensing new things around him. 'i never knew so much was going on around us…'
'yes, everything in motion…this is very close to the way logan's senses are everyday.' replied the Professor.
'crikey, i dunno if i could deal with this all the time…' wondered Mally.
Xavier began. 'mallory, lets begin looking. try this for me: search out, and try to ascertain how i am feeling right now…'
'search out? …what do you mean, professor?' asked Mally.
'just concentrate; try to get a feel for my emotions… just do what comes naturally, Mallory, i cannot tell you how to do it…' Xavier responded.
Mally concentrated, 'searching'. Looking for the Professor. A minute or two passed by.
'...nothing professor. i have no idea how to do this. maybe I can't do it…' Mally thought.
'that's a possibility, mallory. perhaps another route…I want to think of a recent emotion you have had, a strong one…try to make me feel what you felt…' asked Xavier.
Mally thought about it. What emotion had he gone thru recently that he knew was a 'strong' one…?
flashback: nyc, central park
"Ya know what was funny, silly rabbit?" Rahne said to him. "The way Mr. Parker introduced me as your girlfriend to Father Bryson. I mean, is it that noticeable?"
"I don't know..." Mally puzzled. "Maybe it was the adoring way you look at me, dingo." He joked, taking her face in his hands, leaning down to her. "Who's yer daddy?"
Mally wanted to kiss her, badly. But he still wasn't sure…
"Who's ya Mama?" Rahne asked Mally, pulling him down and planting a big kiss on his lips. At first he was surprised, then he kissed her back, pulling her closer.
Mally's senses suddenly changed back to 'normal'. He turned around to look at the Professor. Xavier sat motionless, eyes closed, a broad smile across his face.
"Professor? You in there…? You ok?" Mally asked, tapping the man on his shoulder.
"Yes! Mallory! I feel… great!" Xavier smiled, opening his eyes. "I feel …perfect, actually, like everything is wonderful. I assume you were thinking of a 'good' memory? A 'good' emotion?"
"Yessir, first time I ever – uh, well, when me and Rahne walked in Central Park, the day we went to church with the Parkers." Mally stated.
"Amazing…" breathed the Professor.
"So you 'felt' what I 'felt'? How? How did I do that?" Mally asked, perplexed.
"I… don't know, Mallory. I detected no odd mind waves at all. It didn't seem to originate in you mind even. Curious…" He looked at Mally. "Try it again, Mallory, without me 'in your head', as it were."
Mally nodded. He concentrated, calling up the same memory, the same feelings. Concentrated on the feeling getting over to the Professor.
"I could concentrate better if I wasn't so hungry…" he thought.
After about a minute, Mally opened one eye. "Anything, Professor?"
Xavier sat there with a slight frown on his face. "What should I have felt, Mallory?"
"Same as before…" Mally said "...nothing? Sorry Professor…"
"Mallory… are you… hungry?" the Professor asked.
"Yea, starving, Professor. I havn't have anything to eat since my bowl of Cheerios this morning. Why?
The Professor smiled. He had felt it; it had been much, much weaker, but it had been there. Hunger.
"Let's go get some lunch, Mallory…"
Bayville Downtown, around 1 o'clock
Logan felt ridiculous in the jacket and tie he had 'borrowed' from Hank. But, a bet was a bet, so he was driving to the new French restaurant in town. Ororo sat beside him in the Hummer.
She noticed Logan sliding a finger up in-between the collar of his shirt and his neck, trying to find some space.
'He looks ridiculous in a tie…' Ororo thought, '…uncomfortable too. Poor man…' she tittered to herself.
"What's s'funny?" Logan grunted.
"Oh, just thinking of the girls, earlier in the library." Ororo replied.
"Oh yeah. Right. Funny." Logan growled as he pulled into an empty spot in the municipal parking lot. Ororo grabbed the door handle as he shut off the car.
"Wait." Logan said, grabbing her other arm. He got out, and walked around the front of the truck, stopping at her door.
'He's going to open the door for me…' mused Ororo.
Logan opened the door, then stuck out his hand to help her out of the big truck. Ororo didn't need help, but she took his hand anyway.
"Thank you, Logan…" she said, smiling.
"Sure. You ready to eat?" he mumbled back, fingers back to his neck to stretch his collar again.
Ororo just looked at him.
"What 'Ro? What are ya lookin' at?" Logan wondered, arching an eyebrow.
She reached up to the knot of his tie, and began to undo it.
"Hey! It took me fifteen minutes to tie that…" Logan protested.
"Funny…" she replied, pulling the tie off and undoing the top button on his shirt, "it only took me a minute to take it off." She smirked.
"Why did ya do that? I thought we were goin' to this frenchie place? They won't let me in without one…"
"Logan, you looked… odd in a tie. Uncomfortable also." She smiled.
"They itch." Logan stated. "But rules are rules, right?" he said, throwing the tie back around his neck.
Ororo looked down the main street of downtown Bayville. There was a Japanese steakhouse about a block down.
"Logan, I have changed my mind. Let's do Japanese for lunch, ok?" she asked, grinning.
Logan looked at her, and smiled. "Now yer talkin' 'Ro…" He took off the jacket, and threw it back in the truck. Sticking out his arm, he nodded to Ororo.
"Ready, lady?"
She placed her arm in his, and they began walking to the steakhouse.
"Hey, wait a minute, you don't eat meat 'Ro. Why did you pick a steakhouse?" Logan asked.
"I don't eat land animals, but I do like fish every so often. And, it's a 'japanese' steakhouse, Logan. They will have plenty of veggies to choose from." She answered. "But it was nice of you to think of that."
"Yeah, sure. I didn't want you to be hungry. You won the bet at darts after all."
"That I did Logan… is that the only reason we are going to lunch today?" Ororo asked, a slight edge of wonder in her voice.
Logan smirked, looking at her. "No, I guess it ain't…" he started, "but it is a damn good excuse, eh?"
The Institute, Kitchen, around 2:45
"Fascinating, Xavier. However, not a thing out of the ordinary in Mallory's medical charts. Aside from his mutation, his body and mind are typical for a seventeen year old human male."
Dr. McCoy had been in the kitchen eating with Forge when Mally and the Professor came in the kitchen. A dozen sandwiches later, the four were going over the new discovery.
"He has a good point though…" Forge recollected, "come to think of it, my mood has 'changed' numerous times in your company, Mal. I just never thought about it before. It's pretty cool, actually."
"Yeah, but I don't know how it works. When I tried to send the Professor my 'good feeling' earlier, all I did was make him feel hungry. I don't have any control over it…I don't even know when I'm doing it." complained Mally. "And now, not only am I a mutant, but I'm somthin' else too. You don't think it will go haywire one day, do ya Professor?"
"I don't know… but the evidence says no. There is no way to gauge how long you have been able to do this, Mallory. You've had no problems in the past, so I pray the future will be the same." said Xavier.
"Right. Me too…oh crap!" Mally squeezed his eyes shut, wincing.
"What's wrong young man?" Henry asked, a bit alarmed.
"I just had a thought…" Mally moaned, "what if I was 'projecting' on Rahne…uh, the other night." He looked at the Professor. "What if I've been 'projecting' on her all along? Crikey…"
"No, her interest in you is…real, I am almost positive." The Professor said. "We can't assume that you can even do 'it' for malicious purposes. Like you said, you have no control."
"Yeah… but… yer not completely positive." Mally stated. "Crikey, first I turn into a mutant kanga-man, and sorta 'swear off' girls. Then, I find a pixie who I think likes me for me. Now, the whole thing could be a bunch of crap 'cause of what me noggin can do." Mally frowned, exasperated. "I luvvvv being a teenager!"
"No, son, don't think that way…" Henry said. "You can't control how the young lady feels……" He stopped as soon as he realized what he had said. Mally's frown deepened.
"Mallory, I know you feel…" Henry started again, "and you had nothing to do with it. Until the Professor and I can do some further testing, do not dwell in the pools of negativity; you are always such a positive lad, do not change beforehand, for the results are not in as of yet."
"He's right Mally, besides," Forge grinned, "I think Rahne likes you alright. And she doesn't seem any different since before you came, so do like Doc says. Don't assume the worst."
"Yeah, you guys are right… but it is somethin' I'm gonna have ta talk about with her. It's only fair…"
Xavier watched as the three men at the table talked.
'He doesn't seem to be affecting them now; in fact, Henry and Forge are remaining positive in emotion while Mallory is negative right now…Perhaps I should have a talk with his father soon…I have to get to the bottom of this…'
The Institue, Motor Pool
Logan and Ororo had just pulled into the garage. They had a great lunch at the steak house, talking about the kids, getting to know each other a little better. They had been thru a lot since coming to the Institute, since becoming 'X-Men'. Yet they remained 'acquaintances' and 'co-workers' all that time. This was a new type of friendship.
Currently, Ororo was telling a story. "…so, then he starts leaving these little ice flowers all around in my garden… as if I would not guess which child would be leaving ice flowers!" she laughed.
Logan smiled. "That lil ice cube. He really had a crush on you?
Yes, but really just puppy love. I had told him how beautiful he looks when he took his ice form… he just misunderstood, like boys tend to do at his age. I had a talk with him, and he is 'over it'. Thank the goddess…"
Logan got out of the car, and went to get her door. Once again, he helped her out.
"Thank you Logan…you know that's not really necessary, don't you?" stated Ororo.
"Yeah. I know. Somebody once told me a guy should open the door for a lady. Musta been somebody important to me, cause I still do it." He replied. "You don't mind, do ya?"
"Not at all. But, I do believe gallantry should be rewarded." With that, she reached out and gave him a hug, complete with a little peck on the cheek. "Thank you for lunch Logan. I had a wonderful time." She smiled.
"My pleasure…maybe we could do it again sometime…?" he asked, rather quietly.
"I would like that very much Logan. Another… date would be nice."
Institute, Kurt's Room, Monday evening
There was a knock at Kurt's bedroom door. He turned in his desk chair.
"Ja? Who iz it?" he said absent-mindedly. He was finishing his Algebra 2 homework. He didn't mind math; everything had a place in an equation. And everything always worked to a solution. He just didn't always know the answer.
"Hey mate, am I botherin' you?" Mally stuck his head in the door.
Kurt sighed. "I don't guess so…vhat do you need?"
"Right, well…ah, can I come in?"
Kurt put down his notebook, smiling.
"Come, sit before the wise council of Kurt…" he sing-songed.
Mally smiled, almost obligatorily, stepping in.
"Too right. Kurt, I gotta ask you some questions…I got some news today, and it's makin' me think a lot…"
Kurt sensed the change in tone. "Sure, Mal, vhat's up?"
Mally told him about the events of earlier in the day. Then he posed a question.
"Kurt, you been…I mean… 'around people' longer than I have. Do you ever get used to it?" Mally blurted out.
"Used to it? Ja, you get 'used' to it, but it never stops hurting, I'm afraid." Kurt assumed Mally was referring to their…different look.
"No, not that… I don't worry so much about that side of the coin. It's the flip side." Mally mused. "Are the only people who are ever gonna to accept us be mutants too? And then, only sometimes? And why do the… 'normals' even accept us? I mean, they aren't really any different than regular humans."
Kurt felt a pang in his heart. He knew the feeling Mally described. It was the same feeling that caused him to be a jester to cover insecurities of acceptance. He had felt this since coming to the Institute also. It had happened in his past as well.
"Ja. I know vhat you are saying. I still startle Jubes sometimes, in the hallvays. She tries to hide it, but it iz there." Kurt stated. "But there iz no one to blame. Ve are 'different'. Zhey are not."
Mally sighed. "Yeah, I know… but it's constant… here abouts lately I think about the 'difference' now, almost everyday…ever since…what happened with Rahne. And now this new emotions thingy…"
"…do you vant to talk about…what happened between you two?" Kurt wondered.
"Nah, not really. Don't wanna 'kiss and tell' ya know…" Mally bashfully smiled, "…it's just, well, I know why I find Rahne attractive; she's gorgeous, right, but what does she see in me? Crikey, I got friggin' whiskers Kurt!"
Kurt smiled. "And I have a tail. So? Oh, and by the vay, Katzchen thinks that I am 'cuter' than you, my friend. She told me the other day."
Mally laughed. "I knew Kitty was hittin' the pipe. But what's that got to do with what I'm talkin' about, mate? What if I made Rahne like me?"
"Mally, look at it this way. Katzchen was petrified by me whenshe first got here. Now, she tinks that I am cuter than you!"
Kurt pointed to the dressing mirror in the corner. It's reflection showed the two boys sitting down.
"Ja, LOOK at us!" Kurt reached out and grabbed Mally, pulling him up to stand side by side.
Mally took a look, a real look.
One furry, red, gawky, tall teen, with nappy dreads, giant feet, and gray-red whiskers, almost forming a mustache and goatee. Almost. Weird gray eyes, too.
One furry, blue, skinny teen, with dark indigo hair, weird feet and hands, and yellow-gold eyes. Fangs. And a tail.
Two human boys; nothing human about them.
"I don't get ya, Kurt…" said Mally, "Same old us as always."
"Ja, it is us! The elf-demon and the kanga-man! Red and Blue! And," Kurt exclaimed, "a perfectly beautiful, 'normal' girl like Katzchen tinks one of us is 'cuter' than the other! Don't you get it Mally? Katzchen was frightened of me! Just months ago! Now that she knows who I am, and since she has fallen for my considerable charms,-"
Mally rolled his eyes.
" –and she thinks I am 'cute'! 'Cuter', actually!" he giggled.
Kurt pointed again at the mirror. "Look, we are not 'cute' Mally……or are we?"
Kurt ran his hand thru his hair. "Nothing ve can do about it meine fruend. It's not our decision. And, people change. They may tink one way today, zen change tomorrow. Ve may change tomorrow, the sun may turn green, the sky may fall, but there is nothing you or I can do about it."
Mally looked again to the mirror. Kurt was smiling wide, his tail tip floating behind his shoulder. You could see all of Kurt's teeth, the fangs displayed well. His eyes were glowing.
Mally realized that Kurt's appearance should scare him, but it didn't. It was just Kurt.
Kurt spoke. "Mally, try to have faith in those people that accept us, no questions asked," he stated, "but try to have more faithfor those that can't."
Mally understood what Kurt said. "Yeah. I see. Like the Brotherhood kids; first time they saw me, I had my 'ducer on. I looked 'normal', but they still didn't like me."
"Right! Maybe one day, the Brotherhood vill change their minds about us…" Kurt smiled, "…although I vould not hold your breath."
the endChapter 2 – The Legend of Pappy