The Second Annual Mutant Prom

A few weeks passed since the attack of the Shadow King. True to Emma's word, no mention of Astrid's death was in the papers and no questions were asked when the coroner came to take the body away. Life soon returned to relative normalcy and the students found themselves immersed in schoolwork, Danger Room activities and a brief moment of downtime. Not to mention the occasional moments of Misfit insanity.

It was then Xavier decided to reward his students for all their hard work and perseverance of what they had gone through in the year by allowing the students to hold a formal dance. Even the Misfits were invited and the students were all excited.

The X-Girls were getting their dresses fitted in one of the classrooms the day before the dance. "I can't believe Cover Girl was able to order these dresses for us!" Kitty squealed. "They are so cute!" She held hers up. It was a light pink with sequins.

"This is gonna a great prom!" Danielle agreed as she tried on her blue dress.

"I just hope it ends better than our first prom," Rogue moaned.

"Yeah with all those explosions back at the Pit," Tabitha said. She looked at Kitty. "And I don't just mean when the fake volcano blew up."

"Speaking of which, how is it going?" Jean asked. "I mean did you tell Lance you're having second thoughts?"

"Not exactly…" Kitty sighed.

"Oh boy…" Amara groaned. "Here we go again."

"I'm making the best of it with Lance," Kitty admitted. "You know he really is doing a lot better especially since they put him on the new medication."

"Medication?" Rogue asked.

"So he doesn't see the Coyote," Kitty explained. "Well not as often as he used to."

"So what you're telling us is that he's slightly less psychotic than normal? Some improvement!" Danielle groaned.

"Kitty…" Amara sighed.

"Look I'm with Lance, and all I can do is go with it and hope I'm not making a huge mistake," Kitty said. "I mean it's not like I don't care about him. Which I do. I mean Lance has a lot of good qualities."

"Name three," Rogue challenged.

"Oh this I gotta hear," Amara folded her arms.

"Well he's handsome and he loves me…" Kitty began.

"Notice the first thing she said was his looks," Rogue snorted.

"Just what is that supposed to mean?" Kitty glared at her. "What? You think I'm shallow or something?"

"You said it, not me," Rogue pointed out. She was finishing putting on a green dress.

"Come on Rogue," Kitty said. "Spill it."

"All right if you wanna know my opinion here it is," Rogue folded her arms. "I think you're in love with Colossus but are attracted to Avalanche."

"Isn't that the same thing?" Rina asked.

"Not exactly," Kitty told her. She looked at Rogue. "And who asked for your opinion anyway?"

"This is why I never want to write an advice column," Rogue rolled her eyes.

"Never mind her," Tabitha waved. "We all know what a lost cause she is. But whoo! Girl you look hot! Where did you get that dress?"

"Yeah and isn't it a little…" Amara gulped when she noticed the dress had no sleeves. "Revealing?"

"Oh…" Rogue blushed. "Uh you see you know that technology that can dampen my powers? Trinity put it in this thing. For the dance."

"So you can touch Remy?" Paige squealed. "That is so cool!"

"Okay maybe I'm still attracted to Peter," Kitty was in a daze. "Maybe I do love him. Or do I? Maybe if he hadn't given up I would have chosen him over Lance?"

"Well since he did that's kind of a moot point don't you think?" Rogue grumbled.

The girls were all so busy with their dresses that none of them noticed that Peter had stopped outside the hall and had heard every word they had spoken.

It was then Peter realized something. "I made a huge mistake…Giving Kitty up? What was I thinking?"

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"What were you thinking coming here?" Logan snapped.

"What? Can't a father come see his son and chaperone his dance?" Burke asked. He was in Xavier's study with Xavier, Kurt and Logan.

"You haven't shown up in ages," Logan snorted. "Why now?"

"It's not his fault," Kurt defended his father. "Matt's just been busy."

"Yeah I can guess exactly what he's been busy with," Logan snorted.

"He does keep in contact with me," Kurt told Logan. "He e-mails me all the time. I told him about the dance. He's a secret agent for crying out loud. He probably has to save the world every day or something."

"Well every other day, but you get the picture," Burke shrugged.

"He has a very important job he needs to do," Kurt said. "I understand why he hasn't been around."

"That's going to change between us, I promise," Burke told him putting his hand on his shoulder. "Kurt I know I haven't been much of a father to you…"

"You got that right," Logan folded his arms.

"But I want to spend more time with you," Burke continued. "Starting now. We really should get to know each other better. Now why don't you go get ready for that dance of yours? Maybe later we can catch up over a spot of lunch?"

"Okay, see you later," Kurt nodded and left the room.

"Burke I don't need my telepathic abilities to know that Kurt isn't the real reason you have decided to appear here," Xavier frowned. "What are you hiding?"

"I didn't want to say anything in front of the boy, but there's another reason why I'm here," Burke told them. "You remember Forge's Middleverse machine?"

"How could we ever forget that?" Logan groaned.

"I'm afraid to tell you that we've received word that some unscrupulous characters are after it," Burke said. "We think it might be the Hellfire Club but we're not sure. There are a number of suspects."

"How did you learn of it?" Xavier asked.

"There are files on the Xavier Institute and everything that goes on in it that take up entire rooms!" Burke looked at him. "How could we not know anything about it? Besides the Misfits blabbed about it last year."

"Figures," Logan grunted. "Why do they want it?"

"Who knows? Maybe to find another crystal like they did in Italy?" Burke shrugged. "The thing is I've been assigned to guard it. Specifically to make sure a certain Ex-Black Queen doesn't try to get her hands on it first."

"You saying Selene might try and break in here?" Xavier raised an eyebrow.

"It's likely," Burke said. "I've had dealings with her before. It's…Classified. Not a woman to take lightly."

"Indeed," Xavier nodded.

"She'll probably try to strike when the dance is in session," Burke said. "If I could find out about it, most likely she knows about it too."

"Should we cancel the dance?" Logan asked.

"The students have been under such pressure and have worked too hard for this night," Xavier sighed.

"I have a better idea," Burke said. "Continue with the dance but give the students the head's up that someone from outside might try and break in. We can hide the machine somewhere safe. Somewhere where no one will expect to look for it."

"Like where?" Logan asked.

"Oh…I might be able to think of something," Burke grinned.

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The following night was the night the Institute held the dance. "Can't believe we're all getting so dressed up," Lance grumbled as he fidgeted with his tie. "But if this impresses Kitty..."

"Are you really gonna go through with this?" Todd asked. He was dressed up as well.

"Hey if you can get to be 'engaged to be engaged' with Althea," Lance pointed out. "So can me and Kitty. This will bring Kitty and I closer together. You'll see."

"Lance, I think you're making a big mistake," Todd shook his head. "But if this is what you really want…"

"It is," Lance interrupted. "Now come on." They met up with the other Misfits and they teleported to the dance.

"So the dance is in this Danger Room thing?" Shane asked as he looked around. "The place you told me about with all the explosions and the robots and stuff that could kill you?" The room had been transformed into a giant ballroom.

"Yeah but they've been shut down for the night," Fred told him. Lina was on his arm wearing a gorgeous green dress. "Shall we dance?"

"Love to," Lina grinned at him. "But can we get some food first?"

"I thought you'd never ask," Fred grinned.

"There's a couple made for each other," Shane remarked. He saw Jubilee move towards him. "Speaking of which…"

"So did they let of out of the stockade or did you make a break for it?" Jubilee glared at him. "You know it's bad enough that you ran from me, I mean even with the cops on your tail. But not to even call or e-mail me afterwards? What were you planning on just showing up and pretending you joined the Misfits out of the goodness of your heart?"

"Something like that…Wait, you knew?" Shane was surprised. "You knew this whole time?"

"Trinity told Multiple and he told everybody," Jubilee folded her arms. "I mean getting caught by tripping over a Chihuahua?"

"Well Paris Hilton had no business being in that neighborhood," Shane grumbled.

"It wasn't her dog Shane," Jubilee said.

"It could have been," Shane grumbled. Then he realized someone was standing behind him. He looked up. "Oh no…"

"Oh yes," Logan growled.

"Hello…Sir," Shane gulped. "Fancy seeing you here."

"Let's get a few things straight shall we?" Logan put his face right in front of his. "I'm going to be watching you. You keep your hands to yourself, and you get to keep your hands." He shot out his claws. "Get the point?"

"Yes, sir," Shane squeaked.

"Good, have a nice night," Logan grinned. "It could be your last."

"That's enough Logan," Jubilee grabbed Shane's arm and dragged him away. "Geeze why do guys always have to do this macho territory thing?"

"You don't hate me?" Shane blinked as he was dragged off.

"I'm still ticked off at you but I want to dance," Jubilee told him as she dragged him away.

"Was that really necessary Logan?" Ororo folded her arms.

"Actually it was more fun than necessary," He grinned. "Well someone's gotta watch out for Jubilee."

"What about Rina?" Ororo raised an eyebrow.

"What about Rina?" Logan blinked. Ororo pointed and he turned in the direction. "You gotta be kidding me!"

Rina was smiling and accepting a corsage from the wheelchair bound Larry. Logan was in shock. "Him? Her? Foresight? When did this happen? How did this happen?"

"Both of them have been going to similar therapy sessions," Ororo told him. "You remember, the ones specially designed for those mutants who survived experimentation?"

"I wish I could forget them!" Logan groaned.

"That's the excuse you keep giving when you were supposed to go," Hank pointed out as he walked up to them. "I'm glad Lawrence asked her."

"You knew about this?" Logan glared at him.

"Logan everyone in the group knew about this," Hank looked at him. "I told you that you should go to those meetings."

"This is not happening…" Logan winced.

Rina and Larry came up to them. "Hello Mr. Logan," Larry said respectfully.

"Uh hello…Kids," Logan gulped. "Have…fun…." He waved weakly as they walked by.

"What? No warning?" Hank raised an eyebrow.

"Beast, the kid is in a wheelchair!" Logan snapped. "I can't threaten someone in a wheelchair!"

"You threaten Xavier all the time," Hank pointed out.

"The Professor ain't exactly helpless and you know it," Logan glared at him. "But this…This is…I can't just…Brain damage and a wheelchair? It would be like clubbing a little baby seal. Even if the kid is a Misfit…And a Trask…But he's still…I can't handle this! I need a drink!" He wandered away with a very dazed look on his face.

"Told you," Hank smirked at Ororo. "You and the Professor owe me fifty dollars apiece."

"It was worth it," Ororo grinned.

Low Light walked up to them. He was wearing a nice suit as well. His lack of headgear and goggles revealed his curly blond hair and bright blue eyes. "What's with Wolverine? He looked like he just saw the living dead crawl out of the grave."

"Interesting way of putting it," Hank pointed to Rina and Larry chatting.

"So he finally found out about those two huh?" Low Light chuckled. "Okay how'd he take it?"

"He cracked," Ororo smirked.

"Like the tunnel walls in Boston's Big Dig project during a rainstorm," Hank nodded. "He couldn't even threaten Larry properly."

"I am so glad the kids made me go to those meetings," Low Light chuckled. "Now Shipwreck owes me fifty bucks! Where is he anyway?"

"He's the DJ," Ororo pointed.

"Dance! Dance! Dance!" Shipwreck had his usual sailor's uniform on and a pair of dark shades. "Yowza! Yowza! Yowza!"

"Anything to keep him off the sauce and away from me," Ororo told him.

"It seems like a good turnout," Xavier said as he wheeled up with Margali behind him.

"Margali, you're here too?" Low Light asked.

"It couldn't hurt to have an extra chaperone," Margali told him. "And it was either this or try to coax my husband out of the bathroom for the rest of the night. The whole werewolf thing still has him freaked."

"You shouldn't worry about Kurt," Ororo told her. "He wouldn't do anything inappropriate with Amanda."

"It's not Kurt I'm worried about," Margali snorted. "It's that no good father of his I'm worried about! Xavier why is he really here?"

"He wants to spend more time with his son," Xavier told her. He and Burke agreed not to tell anyone the specifics of Burke's mission. Margali made a derisive snort. "You don't believe me?"

"It's him I don't believe," Margali corrected. "Let's just say when it comes to child rearing he's more interested in the conception part and doesn't follow through on the rest."

"Oh come on Mrs. Sefton," Hank pointed to Kurt and Burke talking. "See, he and Kurt are getting along famously. I think all these years as a human have changed him. They're bonding. Burke's not planning anything."

Meanwhile across the room…

"Kurt I need your help," Burke told him. "Come with me. The lives of everyone in the Institute may depend on it."

"Really?" Kurt's ears picked up. "It's some kind of secret mission isn't it? That's why you're here."

"Not so loud," Burke warned him. "Something is going on but I can't tell you all the details. Not here. I don't want to alarm the others. Let's go upstairs. There's something we need to do. But let's walk…No teleporting. At least not yet. Don't want to raise any suspicions now do we?"

"Oh sure," Kurt nodded. He was excited that his father was willing to include him. "You really want my help?"

"Of course son," Burke patted him on the back. "Let's just say that I think it's time you learned a little more about the family business."

Meanwhile back on the dance floor the students were all in groups dancing to upbeat songs. Well most of them. "Hey Lance," Angelica walked up with Doug. "Where's Kitty?"

"Dunno," Lance shrugged. "She went to get some punch. You two a couple?"

"No, we were just hanging out," Doug told him. "Getting a dance."

"Great, I wanted to talk to her," Lance sighed. "Not to mention dance."

"Well if it's a dance you want," Bobby walked up to them with Penny. She was wearing a pink dress and mittens on her hands so her claws wouldn't come out. "Here you go!" He gave her to him. "Have fun! Come on guys!" He grabbed Angelica and Doug.

"But…" Lance protested. He looked at Penny who stood there blinking. "Fine, but I get to lead. Penny…Penny…Be careful with the hair there…Ow! Not on my foot! Don't step on my foot!"

"Okay Drake what are you up to?" Angelica asked as Bobby ushered them out of the Danger Room and into the hallway.

"I just saw Kitty take Peter out this way," Bobby told them. "Rumor has it she's gonna dump Lance tonight!"

"What?" Angelica gasped. "Lance is planning on asking her to go steady! A kind of a pre-engagement deal!"

"Oh man this is gonna be a disaster!" Doug groaned.

"Yeah," Bobby nodded. "We gotta watch this!"

"You bet we will!" Angelica growled as they stalked Kitty and Peter.

They found the two of them in the living room. They crept and crouched behind the couch, listening. "I'm glad you wanted to talk to me," Peter sighed.

"Well I really think we need to say stuff to each other," Kitty sighed. "Things we should have said a long time ago."

"I never stopped loving you," Peter told her.

"And I never stopped loving you," Kitty said. "I mean I was hurt when you just gave up on us…"

"How did you expect me to react?" Peter asked. "I mean you and Lance…"

"Aren't doing as well as I thought we would," Kitty admitted. "I mean, I like Lance and we've been through a lot but…We just don't have the same…connection you and I have. Do you know what I mean?"

"So basically you've been staying with Lance because he was…" Peter struggled to find the words.

"Familiar, he's part of my past," Kitty sighed. "And I thought I could change him…No I thought he would get the parts I was looking for that you had."

"What do you see in Avalanche?" Peter asked. "I never understood that."

"I dunno, sometimes he can be really sweet…" Kitty sighed. "And he was the first other mutant I ever met. He understood everything I was going through. Even if he had no clue how to react to it. And I admit the whole bad boy thing was really exciting. But he has so many problems I'm wondering…"

"Maybe it's time to move on?" Peter asked hopefully.

"Yeah…" Kitty leaned in. Peter leaned in as well for a kiss.

"But Baby I said I was sorry…" Shane followed Jubilee as she burst into the room. "What more do you want?"

"Not to call me Baby for starters!" Jubilee snapped. She saw Kitty and Peter. "Oh…are we interrupting something here?"

"You could say that…" Kitty sighed.

"Doesn't matter," Angelica couldn't take it anymore. "We saw enough anyway!"

"Angelica? Bobby? Doug?" Peter's jaw dropped.

"Busted…" Doug winced.

"You can say that again!" Angelica glared at Kitty. "How could you do this to Lance, Kitty? And Peter! I know you and Lance have your differences but I thought you were better than this. How could you just take Kitty away from him like that?"

"But I didn't…We didn't…I didn't say I would take her back!" Peter shouted.

"What do you mean by that?" Kitty glared at him.

"Look I admit I was weak for a moment but…" Peter admitted.

"But what?" Kitty put her hands on her hips.

"You have to admit Firestar has a point," Peter told her.

"Oh now you decide to take her side!" Bobby groaned. "Pete as you've been whining to anyone who'd listen for months…Just take Kitty! Kitty dump Lance!"

"What do you mean take her?" Jubilee snarled. "Kitty's not an object you know?"

"Oh we all know what she is," Angelica glared at Kitty.

"You wanna fight?" Kitty glared at her.

"You bet I do," Angelica snapped.

"Damn this place has a lot of action around here," Shane whistled. "If you want my advice…"

"We don't!" Kitty and Angelica snapped at him.

"What's that noise?" Peter looked around.

"Don't change the subject!" Angelica snapped.

"No wait," Shane said. "I hear it too. It's coming from down the hallway." He went to check it out.

"Well why not?" Doug sighed as they followed him.

"Are you sure this is the right thing to do?" Kurt asked. He and Burke were hooked together and Kurt was wearing Forge's dimensional portal machine. (From Shadow Dance) "I mean we don't even have breathing masks on."

"Don't worry, I believe the atmosphere isn't as toxic as Xavier believes it would be," Burke told him.

"I still don't know," Kurt said. "I mean I know Forge made some modifications to this thing but I don't know what they are…"

"Don't worry," Burke told him. He heard the sound of voices coming closer. "Kurt we really have to do this now!"

"Okay…" Kurt turned on the device and teleported just as Kitty and company entered the room from one side.

A few seconds later Logan, Margali and Scott ran into the room after they saw a blinding flash. "I thought I saw them enter here," Logan sniffed. "And by the smell of things they teleported away."

"Kurt wasn't just using his powers was he?" Margali asked.

"You don't think he used that dimensional portal did he?" Scott asked.

"Afraid so, smells like they weren't alone either…" Logan grimaced.

Several more X-Men, Misfits and Amanda soon were in the room. "Mom what's going on? What was that light?" Amanda asked.

"I knew it!" Margali whirled on Xavier. "I knew he was going to pull something! He tricked you didn't he? He got you believing some stupid story about your students' safety and you let him have access to one of your machines didn't you?"

"Uh…" Xavier was clearly floored. "I didn't sense…"

"Of course you didn't sense any trickery you idiot!" Margali shouted. "He's been doing this sort of thing for thousands of years! Human form or not his mind has more steel traps than a bear hunting store! He would only let you sense what he wanted you to sense!"

"What did you mean by that?" Amanda asked. "What is going on here?"

"I think we just made a huge mistake…" Hank gulped.

Obviously this is gonna be different than the Comic version of the Draco. But it's still gonna be one wild ride! Next, Kurt finally learns the truth about his heritage and meets some more members of his family.