You Really Can't Go Home Again
"Geeze I thought Stryker was hard enough to deal with yesterday," Bobby whispered to Kitty.
"Tell me about it," Kitty whispered back. "So much for this taking my mind off my problems."
"Mom, Dad I am a mutant," Doug said to his parents in their living room. "Xavier's is the best place fore me now." It was the following day and Xavier, Kitty, Bobby, Ororo and Nick Fury were there at Doug's parents' house.
"This is unbelievable what you've told me," Mr. Ramsey shook his head.
"That's why I've come here," Fury said. "To back up what Xavier is saying."
"Yeah it's not every day that the head of a secret spy agency visits your house and tells you your son is a mutant," Kitty said. "I mean it's really not that bad."
"Young lady you are the last person I want to hear from right now," Mr. Ramsey glared at Kitty.
"It was hard enough hearing about your uncle," Mrs. Ramsey sniffed into her tissue. "Having an affair with…But this…This can't be happening."
"I'm afraid it's true Mom," Doug said. "I'm a mutant."
"But you can't be a mutant! You're normal!" She pleaded. "You're not like these people here!"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Bobby took offense.
"Not now Bobby," Ororo warned.
"Your mother's right!" Mr. Ramsey said. "You don't have any real powers! Since when is being smart mean you're a mutant? It's insane!"
"Douglas' mutation is a bit more complicated than that," Xavier said.
"And on top of this you're telling me that the school we sent him to is really run by a group of powerful mutants that want to take over the world? That's insane!" Mr. Ramsey said. "Well mutant or not Douglas you are staying home! That's final!"
"Mr. Ramsey as I have explained eight times before that is not an option," Fury told him. "Especially with the people from his old school after him. Not to mention any government agency that would use your son's gifts for their own uses."
"Are you saying my son's life is in danger?" Mr. Ramsey shouted.
"I'm afraid so," Xavier told him.
"This is all a hoax," Mr. Ramsey shook his head. "Who would seriously want to hurt my son?"
"I didn't want to show you these," Fury sighed as he took out some pictures. "But I think you'd better see them."
"What the hell are these?" Mr. Ramsey asked. "It looks like it was taken in a war zone?"
"That was the Massachusetts Academy after it was attacked by Purists," Doug said softly. "A lot of people were killed. And I was nearly one of them."
"What?" The color drained from Mrs. Ramsey's face.
"I didn't want to tell you," Doug said. "It was a bad attack. They took us by surprise. I got hurt but I'm okay now."
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'RE OKAY NOW?" Mr. Ramsey shot up.
"The X-Men and Misfits helped save your son's life," Ororo explained.
"Well forgive me if I'm not exactly grateful right now!" Mr. Ramsey snapped. "Especially after the mess you people made yesterday with that Stryker nut!"
"We didn't have a choice!" Kitty shot back. "He wants to kill all mutants! Including your son!"
"Unfortunately I helped him with his last plan," Doug admitted. "Indirectly but…"
"Explain this Douglas," Mr. Ramsey glared at him.
"You know that device Stryker made to wipe out all mutants at Madison Square Garden?" Doug said. "Well the Hellfire Club has a prototype very similar to it. Only it was intended to be a weapon of last resort and it was to be used on humans instead."
"It was used on humans in the Purist attack on the Academy," Fury said. "And your son helped build it."
"You mean you worked on that…that thing?" Mr. Ramsey asked. "That thing Stryker used in New York that caused all this trouble?"
"I'm afraid so," Doug admitted. "But I had no idea something like this would happen! I swear! All I did was some of the coding. They said it was only to be used for something as a last resort."
"My God," Mr. Ramsey was shocked. "It's like finding out your son's in the Mafia!"
"It's not Doug's fault," Kitty defended. "He got caught up with the wrong people."
"Understatement of the year," Fury said. His beeper went off. "Oh great. Excuse me." He moved off to the side to read the message. "I have to go. Some kind of emergency back at base. Good thing I brought my own ride here."
"Oh good so we can at least get one helicopter off our lawn!" Mr. Ramsey snapped.
"Look I know this is a shock for you people, but face the facts, your son is a wanted mutant," Fury said as he left. "We brought him back here to explain the situation to you and get his things. The safest place for him is the Xavier Institute. Think about it." He left.
"This is unbelievable!" Mr. Ramsey snapped. He flinched as he heard the helicopter leave outside. "Oh great! There goes my lawn! You know the neighbors must be loving this! And you know that battle-ax Mrs. McClowsky is going to nag to everyone in town! Biggest gossip I ever knew!"
"Mr. Ramsey with all due respect," Xavier said calmly. "I think your son has bigger problems than what the neighbors are saying about you."
"You know I always thought you were too good to be true," Mr. Ramsey turned on Kitty. "You were a little too nice and well behaved, being an A student and everything. I see it now. That was your cover!"
"David please," Mrs. Ramsey sighed to her husband. "Blaming her isn't going to solve anything."
"It's bad enough your father dragged my brother down into a den of perversion," Mr. Ramsey snarled at her. "Now you've got your claws into Douglas!"
"Now wait just a damn minute here…" Kitty snapped.
"You can't blame Kitty for what happened with her dad and Uncle Donald!" Doug shouted. "And she had nothing to do with me being a mutant!"
"And she certainly didn't send Doug to that Academy," Mrs. Ramsey added. "David please try and calm down."
"You this reminds me of some of the stunts you pulled when you were little," Mr. Ramsey shouted at Kitty. "This is the car in the pool all over again!"
"I was only four!" Kitty told him. "I didn't mean to back it up into it!"
"You mean you did that to them too?" Bobby asked.
"Bobby not now..." Kitty winced.
"Ever since then whenever Douglas has been in any sort of trouble you were the one behind it!" Mr. Ramsey shouted. "The time you got lost on a field trip, the fight with the kid down the street when you were six…Well now you've topped yourself! You are still a bad influence on my son!"
"And she still hasn't improved her driving," Bobby said.
"Not now Bobby," Xavier said. "Mr. Ramsey I understand how upset you are…"
"Upset? Upset? This is just shock I'm experiencing! Let me get my lawyers on the phone and you'll see just how upset I am!" Mr. Ramsey shouted.
"The fact remains that Doug is a mutant and all of you were manipulated by the Hellfire Club," Xavier decided to press on. "What needs to be discussed is what's best for Douglas."
"Oh I know what's best for my son Xavier," Mr. Ramsey shouted. "It's to be home with us so we can take care of him. I will not make the same mistake twice and send him of to live with a group of insane freaks!"
"Wait just a minute!" Kitty said. "Mutants are not freaks!"
"Maybe not but you people sure as hell are!" Mr. Ramsey shouted. "I saw a lot of your stunts on TV! I read the newspapers! Every time something goes wrong or some maniac starts some world domination or murder spree, boom! There you are! I watched that circus of a trial on TV. I saw what you did yesterday!" He pointed to Kitty. "You nearly killed that man. Okay so he tried to kill you first but still…No, there is no way in hell that I am allowing my son to associate with you maniacs! You cause nothing but trouble no matter where you go!"
"THAT IS A LIE!" Kitty shouted, stomping her foot. "WE DO NOT!"
Just then two flaming spikes crashed through the window, barely missing Mr. Ramsey. They imbedded into the couch, which quickly caught fire. "WHAT THE HELL…?" Mr. Ramsey shouted.
Two more spikes crashed through and hit the wall and ignited instantly. "Oh great…" Bobby groaned. "If that's who I think it is…" He used his ice powers to contain one small fire but more spikes were coming in. "HIT THE DECK!" He shoved Doug down.
"Kitty! Get Doug and his parents outside to safety!" Xavier ordered.
"We're getting you out too!" Doug grabbed the handlebars of Xavier's wheelchair. "Out the back way!"
"Iceman and I will handle the Hellions up front," Ororo shouted.
"Who?" Mrs. Ramsey screamed as her house caught on fire.
"The people who are trying to kill your son," Bobby said as he iced up. "You know his former friends?"
"Come on!" Kitty grabbed the Ramsey's arms and phased them through the wall to outside. Then she went back for Doug and the Professor. "We should be safe now."
"Wrong again," Monet was waiting for them in the back with Tarot and Catseye.
"It's time to come back home Dougie," Tarot said.
"I'm not going back with you!" Doug shouted. "I'll never be a Hellion again!"
Meanwhile Bobby had just iced up Beef and Bevatron. A well placed gust of wind and bolt of lightning had knocked down Roulette and Jetstream. "Oh this is just way too…" Bobby shouted with pride before a few fire spikes started melting out Beef and Bevatron. "Easy?"
"Fire melts ice in case you forgot," Evan said, sending out more spikes directly at him.
"Whoa!" Bobby barely dodged them. Bevatron and Beef broke through the ice. "Oh great!"
"Leave him to me!" Ororo flew towards Evan shooting out gusts of wind.
Evan merely increased the spikes on his feet, so that they held him firmly to the ground. "That trick won't work on me Storm!" He shouted. "But I know a good one!"
He sent several fire spikes straight past her. "You missed," Ororo growled.
"Wasn't aiming for you," He pointed behind her. To Ororo's horror the Ramsey's house was in flames.
"Not bad Spyke!" Bevatron laughed. "Maybe you'll burn down the neighborhood?"
"What are you gonna do Storm?" Evan shouted. "You can't fight me and put out that fire at the same time! Or help your friends."
Realization came to Ororo. "It's a trap!"
"If I were you I'd put that fire out before it spreads," Evan grinned. "Doug's a lost cause by now anyway."
Ororo sent out a blast of electricity towards Evan, but he merely increased his bone mass around him, absorbing most of the shock. "Doesn't hurt me too much anymore Auntie O," Evan shouted to her. "I've learned how to use my powers to their full potential! Which is more than I can say for the others!"
Ororo realized that fighting Evan was pointless now. She then focused on the house creating a huge rainstorm. "Iceman! Go help the Professor!"
"Yeah! Go help your friends!" Bevatron laughed as he and the other Hellions decided to leave. "We'll beat you another day!"
"Oh no you don't!" Bobby shouted as he ran after them.
"Iceman! No!" Ororo shouted. However she had a fire to attend to. She also noticed from her position that the others were confronted by the other Hellions. "It never rains but it pours…"
Doug and Kitty dodged the arrow card that Tarot used but Monet flew down and grabbed Doug. "Forget it Doug! I'm not letting you go this time!"
"Help!" Mrs. Ramsey screamed as Catseye transformed into her giant cat form and stalked her and her husband.
"NO!" Xavier used his mental powers to knock out Tarot. Then he focused on Monet. "Let him go!"
"No way Xavier!" Monet hissed as she fought off the attack. "You can't beat me old man…You…AGGGGH!" She screamed as Xavier increased his psychic assault, breaking her mental defenses.
She dropped Doug who fell to the ground screaming. Fortunately Ororo used her powers over the wind to come to his aid. "Thanks Storm," He panted.
"I never thought I'd say this…" Kitty said as she phased through the ground behind Catseye and grabbed her tail. "Here Kitty, Kitty…" She then phased Catseye's tail into the ground trapping her. "Got ya! Yikes!" She barely managed to get out of the way of her claws.
"Turn back into human form you twit!" Monet shouted as she fought off another round of Xavier's attack. She narrowly missed a bolt of lightning. "YIKES! RETREAT!"
Catseye did revert and grabbed Tarot. "Yeah you would say that…" She grumbled as she ran off.
Meanwhile Bobby was having problems of his own as he ran into a wooded area. "Damn it! I lost 'em! Where'd they go?"
"Hey! Over here!" A teenage girl with punked out black and pink hair waved at him as she ran out of the woods. She had a silver nose stud, five piercings in each ear, a pink short-skirted dress with a black mesh top and combat boots on. "Help! Some mutants are attacking my house! Please! Somebody! Help me!"
"What?" Bobby asked.
"You're a good mutant right?" The girl sobbed. "You have to help me! These horrible people are setting fire to my house!"
"What? One wasn't enough for them?" He ran with her to a clearing. "Where's your house? And where are the mutants?"
"Oops! House is gone! But there's one mutant right here," The girl grinned as her eyes glowed a bright pink. "And there's two behind you!"
"What…?" Bobby turned around and saw Emma Frost and Warpath behind him. Warpath hit him hard and he fell to the ground. Then he felt very strange. He opened his eyes and saw Evan running over to them.
"You idiot!" Evan shouted. "You were supposed to get either Kitty or my Aunt!"
"Well excuuuuuussseeee me!" The girl said. "This was the best I could get! You didn't exactly give me much of a selection!"
"Shut up the both of you! Fine! We'll just have to make do!" Another voice snapped. But it sounded just like…
"Great, he's still awake…" Warpath said. "But not for long…"
Before he could do anything, he fell back into darkness.
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"I can't believe they got away," Kitty grumbled.
"We didn't have a choice to go after them Kitty," Xavier told them. "It was too risky." He looked at the smoldering house behind them. It was completely destroyed.
"MY HOUSE!" Mr. Ramsey screamed. "YOU BURNED DOWN MY HOUSE!"
"Actually the Hellions wrecked the house Dad," Doug said. He heard the sirens coming. "Oh great! Now the cops arrive!"
"Where's Bobby?" Ororo looked around.
"Right here!" Bobby ran up to them. "Sorry, the Hellions gave me the slip."
"Well right now we need to go get Doug to safety," Ororo said. "X-Men, come on."
"WAIT A MINUTE! DOUGLAS!" Mrs. Ramsey shouted. "Where are you going?"
"Mom I have to leave! I've put you both in danger," Doug said. "It's me they want."
"My house…" Mr. Ramsey sobbed.
"I'm sorry," Doug said as he left. "I gotta go!"
"DOUGLAS! COME BACK HERE! WHO'S GOING TO PAY FOR MY HOUSE?" Mr. Ramsey shook his fist. "YOU DAMN MUTANTS! WAIT UNTIL MY LAWYER GETS A HOLD OF YOU!"
Over on a hill the Hellions had regrouped and watched the Velocity fly away. "I can't believe there were only four of them and they still kicked our butts!" Beef grumbled.
"Five if you count Cypher," Evan said.
"I don't," Monet hissed.
"You should have let me be with her team," Warpath said to Evan. "I would have liked a shot at Old Baldy."
"You'll have to wait another day for that," Evan said.
"Well at least we burned Cypher's house down so it wasn't a total loss," Bevatron shrugged.
"Don't worry," Evan told them. "That was only phase one of the plan. Thanks to Switch, phase two is already in motion." He grinned at the unconscious Emma Frost. "Boy is he gonna have a bad wake up call!"
Huh? What did Evan mean by that? Find out next chapter if you haven't figured it out already!