Chapter Four: Fight with the X-men
It was evening and the sun was setting. Serena sat in her bedroom next to the window. As she watched the sunset she had a strange feeling in her stomach. Its kind of when you find it difficult to breathe and your heart is pounding. Nervousness? Anxiety? Why did she feel these things?
"Uh Serena?" she looked over to see Todd leaning against the doorframe. "You doin alright?"
"Yeah Todd, I was just thinking."
"Do you want me to leave?" he pointed behind him.
"No, you can stay. Pull up a seat." She pointed at her bed.
He hopped onto her bed and sat down. "So whatcha lookin' at?"
"I was just watching the sunset."
"Yeah its pretty cool how it makes all those colors in the sky.
Serena stared out into the sunset as she recited this verse:
As the sun sets fire to the sky
The day will slowly die The earth bids farewell to the light
As it welcomes forth the night
Todd stared at her. He had never really liked poetry before. In fact he couldn't stand it. But when she had recited that verse, he had actually felt something from it. Though he wasn't quite sure what it was, he knew it wasn't the usual vomiting feeling he got.
"Where did you get that from?" he asked. "Actually I just made it up." She said looking a little embarrassed.
"Really?"
"Yeah, just a burst of thought."
"It was pretty good."
"Thanks."
After that there came awkward silence. Todd was never really good at small talk. He looked for something to keep the conversation going. He spotted her long dark hair. "Your hair looks really nice yo."
"Thanks. If there's one thing I'm proud of, it's my hair."
Todd reached for her hair but pulled back. "Oh uh, can I?"
"Sure. Go right ahead."
He pulled his fingers through her hair. It was incredibly soft. It felt like brushing your hand on silk. "Wow, it's wicked soft!"
"Yeah."
"I know for a fact that some girls would kill to have hair like this."
"Well, your hair isn't that bad either." She smiled at him playfully. "In fact I think it looks great on you."
"Hey thanks." Todd said brushing his hand through his own hair. "So what other stuff are you into?"
"Dreams." She said in a misty voice.
"Dreams?" he said confused. How come?"
"Because dreams are the key to your inner self, revealing your heart's desires and fears. Most people forsake them, thinking there just some nightly entertainment. But in the night you can go anywhere and do anything. Your dream is the world you want to live in. You can do things you could never imagine doing in real life, shattering the barrier of reality." She looked at Todd.
He didn't really know what to say to this burst of emotion. "So uh, what do you dream about?"
"Me?" She looked longingly outside. "I usually dream that I'm breaking into some huge fortress. Either that or escaping one." Smile smiled to herself. "Once or twice I dreamt about running from the cops."
"So that's what you want? Adventure and excitement?"
"Yeah. That would be great." She sighed. "I just hope I can pull this off. I mean," she looked at Todd sadly, "I just feel like I've missed out on so much. I keep thinking, 'would my life be different if I had stayed in one place all my life? Would I have more or less? Would I have been happier?' I want to stop. I don't want to feel like this anymore. What if I keep feeling this?"
"Serena," Todd started, then he sighed. "Well, in the end it all boils down to two simple choices. Either you do or you don't. You'd think with all the problems in this world, there'd be more answers, but there isn't." he shook his head. "It's not fair."
They looked at each other with understanding of the other. Todd broke a smile, "But I promise I'll always be there to help you. But no matter what I say, the decision will still be yours to make."
Serena smiled at him. "Thanks todd."
"Uh, excuse me," Pietro was standing in the doorway, "I hate to interrupt but you guys need to get ready."
Serena's eyes filled with determination and she nodded. Pietro left them. Todd looked at Serena and smiled.
"Well come on sweetheart!" he said grabbing her hand.
"Huh?" she said surprised. He looked at her with a spark in his eyes.
"Time to make your dreams come true!"
(At the mansion)
Cerebro: BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
Xavier was looking at the screen. "Hmmm. It appears we'll be meeting our young friend sooner than we thought." He wheeled himself downstairs to the kitchen where Scott and Jean were. "Scott, Jean, you're needed."
"What's up Professor?" Scott asked.
"The Brotherhood is at a jewelry store in the southern region of town."
"No doubt trying to earn a couple bucks." Scott frowned.
"We're on it Professor." Jean said. She thought. Spike, Rogue, Kitty, Kurt! We've got a mission. In a couple of minutes the four were downstairs and suited up.
"Like, this better be important. I've got like this huge essay to finish." Kitty complained.
"I'm missing my favorite show." Rogue said disgruntled.
"The Brotherhood's at it again." Jean told them.
"Man, those guys never quit!" Kurt exclaimed.
"But we need to be careful." Scott said seriously. "The Brotherhood has a new member. There's no telling what powers she has."
"So?" Rogue said unconcerned. "The Brotherhood are still losers."
"Still, we should be careful." Jean said.
"X-Men, lets go!"
It's night. The Brotherhood was creeping quietly down an alleyway. Across the street was the jewelry store. Serena had her hair tied back to keep it from getting in the way. Pietro looked around.
"Okay, I'll disable the security systems and you guys get the stuff."
"What do I do?" Serena asked. Tabitha looked at her and smiled faintly.
"You can be the lookout."
"Okay guys, lets move." Pietro zipped out of sight while the others went across the street. Serena sighed and leaned against the alleyway wall.
"So much for action." She said disappointed. She looked over and saw some people across the street enter the jewelry store. But they didn't look like her teammates. "Uh oh."
(inside)
Lance looked around at all the display cases. "Oh I think we've hit the jackpot."
"I think not." Said a voice from behind. It was Scott and the other X-Men. DUN DUN DUN!
"Aw man!" Todd whined. "You'd think they'd learn to mind their own business!"
"You losers need to find yourself a job." Rogue said.
"Back off!" Fred said.
"What you're doing is wrong!" Jean exclaimed.
Pietro zipped into sight. "What youw duwing is wong." He mocked her.
"Knock it off Pietro!" Evan glared.
"Make me!" Pietro taunted.
"Like when are you guys going to grow up?" Kitty asked.
"Maybe we don't want to Kit Kat." Tabitha replied. She spotted Kurt. "Hey Blue Boy!"
"Uh hi." He said uncomfortably.
"This is your last warning." Scott warned.
"Warning for what?" They all turned to see Serena standing in the doorway.
Kurt tried to talk, "Look Serena, this is all a big mis-" But she didn't get to hear the rest, because at that moment, Lance cut him off.
"Alright, you want a fight? You got it!" He stomped on the floor sending a shockwave.
"I'll take Alvers." Scott said.
"Quicksilver's mine!"
"Nightcrawler, you take Toad."
"No problem!"
"I'd better take Boom Boom!" Jean said.
"Blubber boy is mine!" Rogue said. Kitty and Serena are the only ones left.
Kitty folds her arms. "Oh right, so I'm stuck with the newbie."
Serena's surprise quickly melted into anger. "The name's Aqua!" she blasted water out of her hands that sent Shadowcat against the wall.
It was insane. Nightcrawler was teleporting out of the way of Toad's tongue breaking glass cases. Boom Boom was throwing bombs at Jean who was protecting herself with a shield. Quicksilver was running circles around Spyke who was desperately trying to shoot him but kept missing, thus destroying the display cases. Rogue kept trying to dodge the stuff Blob was throwing at her. Cyclops had his hands full with Avalanche.
"Time to rock and roll Summers!"
"I don't think so!" Scott said.
He sent an optic blast right into Lance's chest knocking him backwards. Pietro was zipping in and out of sight.
"Try and hit me! Come on hit me! You can't hit me can you?"
Evan was trying to hit Pietro but was having no success. Pietro kicked Evan in the side sending him into a shelf. Kitty was phasing through all of Serena's water blasts. Jean tried talking to Tabitha.
"Why are you even with these guys?"
Tabitha smirked. "Two words! No rules!"
"Stand still!" Fred shouted throwing another bookcase at Rogue.
"Yeah right!" she said ducking out of the way.
Todd was trying to hit Kurt with his tongue. Kurt got tired of teleporting out of the way. He ducked out of the way as Todd shot out his tongue.
"You know, you should really try sticking to catching bugs!" Then he grabbed Todd's tongue and pulled on it, bringing Todd to his knees.
"Ah- Augh!" He cried out. Serena saw this and her eyes flashed.
"Let go of him!" She sent a water blast at Kurt who let go of Todd's tongue instantly as he flew across the room.
However Serena had focused too much power in her blast. Water shot out of her hands uncontrollably, blasting everyone in the room including Kitty and Jean who had let their guards down. Finally she stopped she fell to her knees a little tired out. Everyone in the room (except Blob of course) had been knocked over by the water blast.
Todd rubbed his jaw. "Ahh... thanks Aqua."
"Heh, no problem." She said breathing heavily. Police sirens rang out in the night.
"Whoops gotta go!" Pietro zipped out of the jewelry store.
The X-men started getting up but Lance sent a tremor that brought them back to the floor.
"Why don't you guys stay grounded for a while?"
Scott tried getting up but got his foot stuck in a huge crack made by Lance's earthquake. He fell over on his face. The rest of the Brotherhood ran.
"We better go sweetheart!" Todd said and he hopped after the others.
Serena looked back at the X-men but followed him. Lance was the last one to exit. He ran up to Scott and kicked him hard in the side. Scott groaned as he held his ribs.
"You don't know how long I've been wanting to do that Summers!" he ran out of the store yelling back to them. "See you X-geeks later!"
Jean kneeled next to Scott and tried to help him up. "Scott! Scott we have to go!"
Kurt joined her in helping Scott up. "Come on Cyke man!"
Scott struggled against the pain and hosted himself up with the help of Jean and Kurt. The police cars parked outside the store.
"There's no way we're gonna get out in time." Rogue exclaimed.
"Not unless..." Kitty looked at Kurt. "Kurt you have to teleport us outta here!"
"I don't know. I've never teleported this many people before." Police officers were getting out of their cars.
"Now would be a good time to try!"
"Alright. Everybody hold on!" Kurt had to focus before teleporting them onto the roof.
"Whoa..." Kurt looked a little dazed. "I'm not doing that again in the near future." The police were searching inside the building.
"Whew, that was like, too close for comfort." Scott was being held up by Jean. She put his arm around her neck.
"Come on guys." Scott said tired.
"We better go."
They walked off. Kurt stood at the edge of the rooftop looking down at the alleyway. Before he walked off, he could've sworn he saw someone staring up at him from the alleyway.
(Back at the brotherhood house)
"Whoo hoo! Yes!" yelled Pietro as they ran down the street.
"Alright! We won yo!"
"What do you mean?" asked Tabitha in disbelief. "I didn't even get the earrings I wanted."
"Who cares man!? We beat the X-men!" Lance punched the air. "I don't know about you guys but I got a real kick out of it."
"We actually did it!" Fred said.
Serena was walking with them but she wasn't celebrating. Todd noticed this.
"What's wrong Serena? Didn't you have fun?"
"I don't know." She said guiltily. "It just felt kind of wrong. What we were doing I mean."
"Aw come on!" Pietro said looking at her.
"You can't tell me that you didn't have at least a little fun."
"Well..."
Tabitha put a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry kid, you'll get used to it." She squeezed water out of her shirt. "But next time try to keep control on the water works."
"Heh heh. Sorry about that." Serena said looking embarrassed.
"Aw, don't sweat it yo!" Todd said. "Great use of your powers. Especially when the Blue Squirrel had a hold of my tongue."
"That must really hurt." Serena said.
"It does yo! Every time I'm in a fight people are grabbing my tongue trying to rip it out of my mouth!"
"Aw, you poor baby." She said sympathetically.
Lance, Tabitha, Fred, and Pietro were sniggering. Todd glared at them. They got to the Brotherhood house. Lance headed up to his bedroom.
"Well I think we'd better turn in." Lance yawned. "I've had enough excitement for one day."
"Yeah," Tabitha agreed with him. "Night guys!"
"Goodnight." Fred said.
Serena and Todd walked up the stairs. Serena stretched herself out. "Mmmm, night Todd." She walked down the hall to her room and closed the door.
"Night." Todd said. He went into his room. He jumped into bed and fell asleep.
It was evening and the sun was setting. Serena sat in her bedroom next to the window. As she watched the sunset she had a strange feeling in her stomach. Its kind of when you find it difficult to breathe and your heart is pounding. Nervousness? Anxiety? Why did she feel these things?
"Uh Serena?" she looked over to see Todd leaning against the doorframe. "You doin alright?"
"Yeah Todd, I was just thinking."
"Do you want me to leave?" he pointed behind him.
"No, you can stay. Pull up a seat." She pointed at her bed.
He hopped onto her bed and sat down. "So whatcha lookin' at?"
"I was just watching the sunset."
"Yeah its pretty cool how it makes all those colors in the sky.
Serena stared out into the sunset as she recited this verse:
As the sun sets fire to the sky
The day will slowly die The earth bids farewell to the light
As it welcomes forth the night
Todd stared at her. He had never really liked poetry before. In fact he couldn't stand it. But when she had recited that verse, he had actually felt something from it. Though he wasn't quite sure what it was, he knew it wasn't the usual vomiting feeling he got.
"Where did you get that from?" he asked. "Actually I just made it up." She said looking a little embarrassed.
"Really?"
"Yeah, just a burst of thought."
"It was pretty good."
"Thanks."
After that there came awkward silence. Todd was never really good at small talk. He looked for something to keep the conversation going. He spotted her long dark hair. "Your hair looks really nice yo."
"Thanks. If there's one thing I'm proud of, it's my hair."
Todd reached for her hair but pulled back. "Oh uh, can I?"
"Sure. Go right ahead."
He pulled his fingers through her hair. It was incredibly soft. It felt like brushing your hand on silk. "Wow, it's wicked soft!"
"Yeah."
"I know for a fact that some girls would kill to have hair like this."
"Well, your hair isn't that bad either." She smiled at him playfully. "In fact I think it looks great on you."
"Hey thanks." Todd said brushing his hand through his own hair. "So what other stuff are you into?"
"Dreams." She said in a misty voice.
"Dreams?" he said confused. How come?"
"Because dreams are the key to your inner self, revealing your heart's desires and fears. Most people forsake them, thinking there just some nightly entertainment. But in the night you can go anywhere and do anything. Your dream is the world you want to live in. You can do things you could never imagine doing in real life, shattering the barrier of reality." She looked at Todd.
He didn't really know what to say to this burst of emotion. "So uh, what do you dream about?"
"Me?" She looked longingly outside. "I usually dream that I'm breaking into some huge fortress. Either that or escaping one." Smile smiled to herself. "Once or twice I dreamt about running from the cops."
"So that's what you want? Adventure and excitement?"
"Yeah. That would be great." She sighed. "I just hope I can pull this off. I mean," she looked at Todd sadly, "I just feel like I've missed out on so much. I keep thinking, 'would my life be different if I had stayed in one place all my life? Would I have more or less? Would I have been happier?' I want to stop. I don't want to feel like this anymore. What if I keep feeling this?"
"Serena," Todd started, then he sighed. "Well, in the end it all boils down to two simple choices. Either you do or you don't. You'd think with all the problems in this world, there'd be more answers, but there isn't." he shook his head. "It's not fair."
They looked at each other with understanding of the other. Todd broke a smile, "But I promise I'll always be there to help you. But no matter what I say, the decision will still be yours to make."
Serena smiled at him. "Thanks todd."
"Uh, excuse me," Pietro was standing in the doorway, "I hate to interrupt but you guys need to get ready."
Serena's eyes filled with determination and she nodded. Pietro left them. Todd looked at Serena and smiled.
"Well come on sweetheart!" he said grabbing her hand.
"Huh?" she said surprised. He looked at her with a spark in his eyes.
"Time to make your dreams come true!"
(At the mansion)
Cerebro: BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
Xavier was looking at the screen. "Hmmm. It appears we'll be meeting our young friend sooner than we thought." He wheeled himself downstairs to the kitchen where Scott and Jean were. "Scott, Jean, you're needed."
"What's up Professor?" Scott asked.
"The Brotherhood is at a jewelry store in the southern region of town."
"No doubt trying to earn a couple bucks." Scott frowned.
"We're on it Professor." Jean said. She thought. Spike, Rogue, Kitty, Kurt! We've got a mission. In a couple of minutes the four were downstairs and suited up.
"Like, this better be important. I've got like this huge essay to finish." Kitty complained.
"I'm missing my favorite show." Rogue said disgruntled.
"The Brotherhood's at it again." Jean told them.
"Man, those guys never quit!" Kurt exclaimed.
"But we need to be careful." Scott said seriously. "The Brotherhood has a new member. There's no telling what powers she has."
"So?" Rogue said unconcerned. "The Brotherhood are still losers."
"Still, we should be careful." Jean said.
"X-Men, lets go!"
It's night. The Brotherhood was creeping quietly down an alleyway. Across the street was the jewelry store. Serena had her hair tied back to keep it from getting in the way. Pietro looked around.
"Okay, I'll disable the security systems and you guys get the stuff."
"What do I do?" Serena asked. Tabitha looked at her and smiled faintly.
"You can be the lookout."
"Okay guys, lets move." Pietro zipped out of sight while the others went across the street. Serena sighed and leaned against the alleyway wall.
"So much for action." She said disappointed. She looked over and saw some people across the street enter the jewelry store. But they didn't look like her teammates. "Uh oh."
(inside)
Lance looked around at all the display cases. "Oh I think we've hit the jackpot."
"I think not." Said a voice from behind. It was Scott and the other X-Men. DUN DUN DUN!
"Aw man!" Todd whined. "You'd think they'd learn to mind their own business!"
"You losers need to find yourself a job." Rogue said.
"Back off!" Fred said.
"What you're doing is wrong!" Jean exclaimed.
Pietro zipped into sight. "What youw duwing is wong." He mocked her.
"Knock it off Pietro!" Evan glared.
"Make me!" Pietro taunted.
"Like when are you guys going to grow up?" Kitty asked.
"Maybe we don't want to Kit Kat." Tabitha replied. She spotted Kurt. "Hey Blue Boy!"
"Uh hi." He said uncomfortably.
"This is your last warning." Scott warned.
"Warning for what?" They all turned to see Serena standing in the doorway.
Kurt tried to talk, "Look Serena, this is all a big mis-" But she didn't get to hear the rest, because at that moment, Lance cut him off.
"Alright, you want a fight? You got it!" He stomped on the floor sending a shockwave.
"I'll take Alvers." Scott said.
"Quicksilver's mine!"
"Nightcrawler, you take Toad."
"No problem!"
"I'd better take Boom Boom!" Jean said.
"Blubber boy is mine!" Rogue said. Kitty and Serena are the only ones left.
Kitty folds her arms. "Oh right, so I'm stuck with the newbie."
Serena's surprise quickly melted into anger. "The name's Aqua!" she blasted water out of her hands that sent Shadowcat against the wall.
It was insane. Nightcrawler was teleporting out of the way of Toad's tongue breaking glass cases. Boom Boom was throwing bombs at Jean who was protecting herself with a shield. Quicksilver was running circles around Spyke who was desperately trying to shoot him but kept missing, thus destroying the display cases. Rogue kept trying to dodge the stuff Blob was throwing at her. Cyclops had his hands full with Avalanche.
"Time to rock and roll Summers!"
"I don't think so!" Scott said.
He sent an optic blast right into Lance's chest knocking him backwards. Pietro was zipping in and out of sight.
"Try and hit me! Come on hit me! You can't hit me can you?"
Evan was trying to hit Pietro but was having no success. Pietro kicked Evan in the side sending him into a shelf. Kitty was phasing through all of Serena's water blasts. Jean tried talking to Tabitha.
"Why are you even with these guys?"
Tabitha smirked. "Two words! No rules!"
"Stand still!" Fred shouted throwing another bookcase at Rogue.
"Yeah right!" she said ducking out of the way.
Todd was trying to hit Kurt with his tongue. Kurt got tired of teleporting out of the way. He ducked out of the way as Todd shot out his tongue.
"You know, you should really try sticking to catching bugs!" Then he grabbed Todd's tongue and pulled on it, bringing Todd to his knees.
"Ah- Augh!" He cried out. Serena saw this and her eyes flashed.
"Let go of him!" She sent a water blast at Kurt who let go of Todd's tongue instantly as he flew across the room.
However Serena had focused too much power in her blast. Water shot out of her hands uncontrollably, blasting everyone in the room including Kitty and Jean who had let their guards down. Finally she stopped she fell to her knees a little tired out. Everyone in the room (except Blob of course) had been knocked over by the water blast.
Todd rubbed his jaw. "Ahh... thanks Aqua."
"Heh, no problem." She said breathing heavily. Police sirens rang out in the night.
"Whoops gotta go!" Pietro zipped out of the jewelry store.
The X-men started getting up but Lance sent a tremor that brought them back to the floor.
"Why don't you guys stay grounded for a while?"
Scott tried getting up but got his foot stuck in a huge crack made by Lance's earthquake. He fell over on his face. The rest of the Brotherhood ran.
"We better go sweetheart!" Todd said and he hopped after the others.
Serena looked back at the X-men but followed him. Lance was the last one to exit. He ran up to Scott and kicked him hard in the side. Scott groaned as he held his ribs.
"You don't know how long I've been wanting to do that Summers!" he ran out of the store yelling back to them. "See you X-geeks later!"
Jean kneeled next to Scott and tried to help him up. "Scott! Scott we have to go!"
Kurt joined her in helping Scott up. "Come on Cyke man!"
Scott struggled against the pain and hosted himself up with the help of Jean and Kurt. The police cars parked outside the store.
"There's no way we're gonna get out in time." Rogue exclaimed.
"Not unless..." Kitty looked at Kurt. "Kurt you have to teleport us outta here!"
"I don't know. I've never teleported this many people before." Police officers were getting out of their cars.
"Now would be a good time to try!"
"Alright. Everybody hold on!" Kurt had to focus before teleporting them onto the roof.
"Whoa..." Kurt looked a little dazed. "I'm not doing that again in the near future." The police were searching inside the building.
"Whew, that was like, too close for comfort." Scott was being held up by Jean. She put his arm around her neck.
"Come on guys." Scott said tired.
"We better go."
They walked off. Kurt stood at the edge of the rooftop looking down at the alleyway. Before he walked off, he could've sworn he saw someone staring up at him from the alleyway.
(Back at the brotherhood house)
"Whoo hoo! Yes!" yelled Pietro as they ran down the street.
"Alright! We won yo!"
"What do you mean?" asked Tabitha in disbelief. "I didn't even get the earrings I wanted."
"Who cares man!? We beat the X-men!" Lance punched the air. "I don't know about you guys but I got a real kick out of it."
"We actually did it!" Fred said.
Serena was walking with them but she wasn't celebrating. Todd noticed this.
"What's wrong Serena? Didn't you have fun?"
"I don't know." She said guiltily. "It just felt kind of wrong. What we were doing I mean."
"Aw come on!" Pietro said looking at her.
"You can't tell me that you didn't have at least a little fun."
"Well..."
Tabitha put a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry kid, you'll get used to it." She squeezed water out of her shirt. "But next time try to keep control on the water works."
"Heh heh. Sorry about that." Serena said looking embarrassed.
"Aw, don't sweat it yo!" Todd said. "Great use of your powers. Especially when the Blue Squirrel had a hold of my tongue."
"That must really hurt." Serena said.
"It does yo! Every time I'm in a fight people are grabbing my tongue trying to rip it out of my mouth!"
"Aw, you poor baby." She said sympathetically.
Lance, Tabitha, Fred, and Pietro were sniggering. Todd glared at them. They got to the Brotherhood house. Lance headed up to his bedroom.
"Well I think we'd better turn in." Lance yawned. "I've had enough excitement for one day."
"Yeah," Tabitha agreed with him. "Night guys!"
"Goodnight." Fred said.
Serena and Todd walked up the stairs. Serena stretched herself out. "Mmmm, night Todd." She walked down the hall to her room and closed the door.
"Night." Todd said. He went into his room. He jumped into bed and fell asleep.