BACK TO SCHOOL

CHAPTER 17: WHEN THINGS GO WRONG

It was late at night as the X-Van was parked outside of the Spears building. Inside of it were Logan as well as Sarah Logan AKA X-23 and Kai Fujitaka also known as Shadow. Logan was in his black uniform as were the others. Kai wore instead of his X-Man uniform wore his old Ninja clothing. X23 was in her old uniform that she wore before joining the X-Men.

Logan didn't like sending just them in but in all honestly they had planned this out. 'I still can't believe Chuck is stepping up to the plate with this.' He thought to himself as the two teens in the back got ready. Charles had pretty much hit a wall on his end so he was left with one other option.

Kitty hadn't been able to hack into the more sensitive information since most of it had to be in secure locations or weren't connected to the net in closed off systems. But there was a way around that as Kitty had told them that the only way to get access to those files was to somehow get a direct link to those closed off systems.

Xavier then had Forge come up with a few wireless transmitters as Hank, Kitty, Vince and Forge were in the computer room waiting to get into those systems and find any data that would prove what Spears was up too. Plus any and all information on the toxin to help prevent this thing from happening again was also a top priority.

They had to be careful though even though the X-Men were technically a vigilante team so far Xavier had tired to keep them out of the public eye as much as possible especially when mutants were exposed but now it seemed that they would have to take more proactive measures for the future. Apocalypse had taught them that much that they would have to get involved on a more global scale at times.

So now the plan called for Shadow and X23 to do what they did best. They were the only ones with the training to get this done just right, the plan called for them to infiltrate the place at night when most of the staff was gone and only a few workers and security were there. Logan looked back at the two of them, they weren't in anything that would give them away as X-Men even Sarah had on the full mask to hide her face.

"Okay you two know the plan?"

"Yes we went through it enough times," X23 said a little irritated this was what she trained for, Kai just nodded his head.

Logan nodded his head to the two of them, "Good well get going you two." With that Kai enveloped them into shadows and they melted away into them. Logan just sat back if the worst happened he would go in there and hopefully bail them out.

Little did anyone know that they weren't the only ones as on the roof two figures flew and landed onto the top of the building, one was a tall statuesque young woman with long raven hair and deeply tanned skin in her red and black combat suit with a young brown haired boy. "Damn that was cool M," Morph told her.

The two members of X-Force were there to infiltrate the place, M with her abilities could get to the roof silently and with her powers could easily get through the place with her telepathy to warn her. Also Morph was there to take the form of anyone including Spears himself to get around.

"I just hope our backup is ready," M said to him and she looked at the lock on the door leading inside. Across the building both Siryn and Wonder Man waited to back them up but at the moment Monet was going through her tool belt for her lock picks. 'The things you learn while working for the government.'

By this time thanks to the floor plan that they managed to get Shadow had teleported himself and Sarah into the main computer room. "Okay now what?" Shadow asked, he was wearing a camera with a communicator that Forge whipped up for this. Kitty and the others were looking through it as he slowly turned around the room.

"Okay stop I like think that's the one, third from the left," Kitty's voice said from the communicator.

Both of them went to the large computer bank and then tried to get behind it, it was a tight fit and it took a few minutes to find the right port to place one of the devices for a remote uplink. "Okay…Looks like the link is up and running," Hank said through it, "We have Vince looking through all the data now since he can look through it the fastest."

"Got it, we'll move to the next area," X23 said as the two made their way through the halls. Kai could have teleported but it wasn't far and teleportation took energy that he might need. The two of them made their way through the dark corridors avoiding cameras and security guards with pretty much ease. This was their element after all and both had trained to enter places a lot harder then this.

In another part of the complex the same thing was happening a security guard was walking the halls but then he stopped dead surprised to see Mr. Spears and someone that looked like a secretary following him. "Mr. Spears what are you doing in this part of the building at this late an hour sir?"

"Just looking through things down here with my secretary my good man," Spears grinned.

"Sir?"

The woman stepped up, "Just accept what he said and move on and then forget all about this." She told him and he got a blank look on his face as he nodded and walked on. Her imaged was just a telepathic overlap as M used her telepathy to wipe his mind.

"Hey you didn't have to go all Jedi mind trick on him I could have handled it M," Said Morph still looking like Spears.

"Doubtful, that was the only thing you could come up with?" Monet asked him as they walked on.

"Hey I thought it was good," He said slightly annoyed, Monet just rolled her eyes as they walked on and continued their mission. Spears' office was pretty close now and they could find what they needed there plus their intelligence said that Spears was seen leaving the building so it should be empty.

Too bad it was wrong, Spears had been getting paranoid that day so when he went into that limo he had Deadpool use his person teleporter to get him out of there, he had been in his office and he wasn't doing so well. His coat was thrown over a chair and his shirt was unbuttoned from the top few buttons and was drinking for two reasons.

First was the calm his nerves the second was to hopefully drown out that lunatic Deadpool. Said mercenary was sitting on a couch watching late night TV. "Oh yeah shake it baby!" Deadpool shouted out watching and editor's cut of Showgirls. "God I love this movie, it's defiantly a classic in my view that's for sure."

Spears just took another shot of bourbon at that point he really was thinking that mutants after his hide would be more preferable to this. He decided to get some work done at least and went to log into the private section of his network. Only the strange thing was no one should have been on the network at this time and there was an unknown person logged in.

This was a bit strange and so he tried to access the user account but all he got was an error message. He continued on and tried to see where in the building this was but after five minutes it was apparent that there was no active terminals with users logged in that could access it. It didn't make sense given that the only way to get into these files then would be to…

"Deadpool we got someone hacking into the computers!" He shouted out startling the red and black clad figure.

"Oh man come on, the pool sex scene is up next can't this wait?"

Spears glared at the man, "The only way this person is getting access is through a data link to my computers, someone is in the building now go and find them!"

The man sighed picking up his guns, "Fine I got the DVD anyway."

In another of the main computer banks there weren't connected to the net the two people of Xavier's were just finishing up when X23 caught a scent, "Someone is coming." Shadow turned off the lights and they hide themselves in the shadows. On the other side Morph and M were trying to gain access to the computer room they were going to access and place a device of their own.

By the time they by passed the security lock M felt something wrong with her telepathy, "Morph look out!" She said but it was too late two figures in black came out of nowhere in the room attacking Morph. Monet lunched herself into the fight taking a smaller looking one. She was stronger then most people so she was confident that she could easily subdue the smaller one, but the figure was more quick and agile then she had thought.

One moment she thought she had the person the next she was flipped into a computer bank breaking the large machine piece. Morph was doing his best against the ninja like guy, "Hey pal come on here do we really have to do this."

"For your actions Spears you should be punished." The ninja said to him and Morph forgot who he looked like. When the ninja attacked Morph jumped out of the way and turned into Shatterstar complete with weapons the only problem was he may look like his buddy but he sure as hell didn't have his skill or powers.

It was too dark to really see but X23's hood had night vision lenses and it was only now that their smell got through her mask. "Wait a minute…Aren't you those X-Force guys?"

"What? Who are you people?" Monet demanded of them seeing as how X-Force was still classified.

"We're from Xavier's, Shadow hold it!" X23 said to Kai as he stopped fighting with Morph. "What are you doing here?"

"What about you guys? We're from the government you're just vigilantes!" Monet said at them.

"Hey! We had to do something you were the ones getting sick!" The younger girl shot back at her.

"You know as much as I enjoy watching you chicks fight this is getting dull," They all turned to see Deadpool with a weapon pointed at them, "But blowing the snot out you all is a lot more fun!"

"Get down!" Shadow yelled as Deadpool launched a grenade into the room. Morph was lucky, Shadow turned into his shadow form to take the force but M had to take most of the damage her uniform trashed but her invulnerability saved her, X23 however wasn't as lucky. She was hurt but she would live and heal fast.

The explosion pretty much busted up the computer room as the place filled up with smoke and broken bits all over the place. Deadpool looked into the smoking area, "Damn I love a good explosion now I just got to wait for the smoke to clear and then finish what's left. That was a bit too easy, maybe next time I'll just use the pistols it's so much more fun to shot them in the kneecaps."

"You talk too much you know that," Monet said as she flew out of the smoke to punch him in the chest. Deadpool flew through the air and through a door into a large meeting room. The Merc hacked and coughed a bit as he tried to get up.

"Oh goodie play time," He looked up at the young woman, "Well a little on the young side but damn girl those real?" M didn't know weather to be repulsed or just get the creeps from this guy. "Well looks like you busted up one of my ribs at least girlie."

"I can fit that by giving you a few more," Monet threatened as she came closer only to have the mercenary pull out a SMG and fire at her. M covered her face on instinct but they just bounced off her skin harmlessly.

"Nice baby, here's a present for ya!" Deadpool tossed a grenade at her she only saw it as it blew up in front of her sending her through a wall. By now the other three were entering the room. Morph went to Monet's side while the two students of Xavier's decided it was their turn.

"Hey I'm the only one who wears the full body suits in this place you two," He said to them since they were in full bodysuits like he was so he threw a few more grenades as he took cover. The two of them saw this and jumped back through the door as more explosions happened. "Come and get me kiddies!" He said as he jumped into the new hole in the ground.

"How is she?" Shadow asked Morph but he say M getting up with a pretty pissed off look on her face. "Okay never mind then." He jumped down the hole as X23 followed him wordlessly.

Monet did the same as she wanted to pound that maniac's face in. Morph just sighed to himself and called on Wonder Man and Siryn, "Guys…I think we're going to need some backup."

In the level below them they ended up in a sea of cubicles there were multiple places where he could be hiding. "Can you smell him?" Shadow asked Sarah but all the gun smoke and explosions were messing with her sense of smell.

"Forget this I'll find him," Monet said reaching out with her mind she sensed him and decided to pry a look into that mind of his. The next thing they knew she was screaming and on the ground as Shadow went to the young woman.

"What happened?"

"Oh god…he really is insane…" Monet moaned out she had only been in his mind a few moments and it was unbearable for her. The images that flooded her mind were just too intense.

"Ya got that right sister! I'm a grade A nut job!" He yelled out at her but that was enough for Sarah to get a lock on his position and roared out jumping on top the small cubicles and leaping to where he was. Deadpool jumped out to the side firing and X23 did her best to dodge the shots this man was good and it was time to see who was better.

She unleashed her claws and cut up his guns, "Whoa there…metal claws…Hey you any relations to a certain burly Canadian aren't you? Cause you fight like him, move like him," he dodge an attack and punched her in the face, "But you don't get the metal skeleton that's for sure."

Sarah roared as she again leaped at him and tackled him to the ground, he gripped both wrists as both blades were close to his face, "Oh wait…I know you know. You're Logan's 'Mini Me' are you? Ha! A little Logan in pink that's just priceless!"

He then flipped her off of him and jumped up and dodged a katana to his body, "Oh goodie the ninja boy is here. Come on little grasshopper let me see what you got!"

Shadow tried to attack his foe but he was fast and he was good, too good in fact. When he brought the blade in an arc to attack the man with just the flats of his hands caught the blade. Then Deadpool kicked him in the stomach and took the blade from him. "Oh nice and pointy just the way I like them." He examined the weapon.

He was about to get ready when a high piercing scream was heard it was so bad everyone there had to cover their ears as this wail only got stronger. It was so strong that the glass shattered in all the windows on that area of the building. When it stopped they all saw a red headed young woman and a largely build young man with shades.

"Now what's seems to be the problem here?" Siryn said in her Irish voice.

"Oh Irish red heads, ya know I love those," Deadpool smirked at her behind his mask but then looked to see both that Monet had recovered but Morph was with them now. "Oh some on this is hardly fair…But then again since when do I care about fair?"

It was then that police sirens started to be heard and Monet heard Fury himself in her communications, "X-Force the mission is scrubbed get the hell out of there before the police see you or worst the press."

M gritted her teeth she wanted to make this lunatic pay for making a fool of her but she had to follow orders. She wordlessly grabbed Morph and flew off out the window pissed off, only Wonder Man and Siryn didn't want to leave either and stayed behind at the moment.

"Well looks like the party is over, see ya!" Deadpool vanished as he hit his teleportation device. Only then did the last two members of X-Force leave.

Kai took back his Katana and took hold of X23, "Logan-san will NOT like this at all." He said and she had to agree with that her dad was going to be pissed that things got so messed up. Kai took them into the shadows just as security guards entered the work area that looked like a war zone.

-Back at the Mansion-

It was all over and the mood in the mansion wasn't good at all. So far Logan had just got back from a meeting with Fury who was extremely pissed off at the X-Men getting in the way of one of his operations. Then Logan countered with how he should have warned him about SHIELD's own operation. It pretty much had gone back and forth and both men only came away angry and frustrated.

In the living room many of the mutants were gathered around the TV watching the News and it wasn't very good either. On it was a man from the local NY news, "Reports are coming in on the recent attacks on company owned by Guy Spears. This building behind me at this company head quarters was the site of an attack. Sources aren't sure but mutants have been suspected this video that we found shows the attackers."

"Oh great," Scott moaned knowing what was going to happened, "How much would you like to bet that this will be edited?"

On the footage it showed only X23 and Shadow fighting but there was no sign of either Deadpool, of the X-Force members. "What the hell…I thought at least the X-Force guys would be on this as well." Bobby said at the screen.

"I bet Fury pulled some strings," Jean said looking at the edited footage. "Although I bet he isn't happy he had to."

"I'm just glad that they couldn't be identified," Alex said as he watched on, "I mean can you imagine the backlash against this place if the public knew just who those two were?"

That was something they didn't want to think about as it then went back to the reporter again, "This was just one of many different attacks against Spears, several factories were also attacked during the night and witnesses have stated that mutants were also involved."

"What? You mean more attacks but who did that?" Amanda looked at the other who were just as surprised as she was.

"Oh no…" Scott suddenly thought of the Morlocks and how their sentiment would be. It wasn't the first time this would have happened either with them. "I just got the feeling this all went as bad as it could get."

The scene then cut to the studio as Trish Tilby was now sitting behind her news desk, "Also this reporter has just learned that these attacks were not random violence. It's apparent that Spears was illegally creating a toxin to use against mutants. Federal and Government agencies are already looking into this."

There was some stunned silence for a moment, "What the hell…We didn't get anything from there did we Kitty?" Scott looked at the young woman sitting on the ground.

"No we didn't all the damage shut down all the power to the building we didn't get anything." Kitty said surprised as Trish went on and showed files and evidence of the crimes Spears did.

"But zhen…How…I mean did X-Force get it?" Kurt who was sitting with Amanda asked unsure about any of this.

"I doubt it," Kitty said thinking about it, "If the power was out there is like no way they could get anything as well."

"Then how did she get that stuff?" Alex asked confused about all of this he was also a little bumped considering it was pretty much impossible to get in touch with Lorna. Even Wanda had asked him if he had any luck and he guessed she was having trouble as well. At least the e-mails were working but she couldn't talk much about what was going on in the last e-mail.

"Well this should help us out then shouldn't it?" Sam asked Scott hoping that the oldest student and leader of the X-Men would know any answers. "Ah mean this means that means Spears will get in trouble right?"

Scott thought about it, it wasn't good that mutants were attacking Spears but now with what Spears was doing out in the open he sure hoped so.

Elsewhere in the mansion up in her room Ororo was relaxing as her adoptive daughter Clarice was helping out with things while she was recovering. Although Ororo felt much better Clarice was still worried about her and was holding a note pad going over all the things. "Okay I got the garden taken care of and the green house, I had a few help me out with some of the cleaning, and thankfully the cooking. I also want to know what to do with some of the things that are piling up in the laundry. I'm kind of confused about-"

"Clarice please stop," Ororo said gently to her sitting up and taking the young girl's hands. "You don't have to do all of this you know. I am glad that you are trying to help me out but all this is a bit much I don't want you to get too tired for your own life."

"I-I know it's just that well I just wanted to help you," She said a little shyly to the woman looking down, "I mean…You did so much for me and…I just wanted to help you in return."

Ororo smiled and lifted her chin so she could see into her eyes, "Clarice I do appreciate this and it's very sweet of you but you don't have to worry about it. I don't want you overworking yourself dear."

"Okay…It's just that…When you got sick I was so scared…" Blink could feel the tears welling up in her eyes. Ororo was the kindest person in her life and she loved the older woman like a real mother. "I thought I would lose you and I would be alone again."

Ororo saw how much that hurt the young girl and pulled her to her chest, Clarice hugged her tightly almost afraid that if she let go she would lose her. All the pent up fear that she had just kind of came out of her, all her fears of losing her and losing her family again. Ororo held her close rocking the young girl trying to sooth her and help her through.

Ororo knew that Blink had been deeply emotionally scared in her life and losing another family would most likely kill her on the inside. "It's okay child I will never leave you, you will never lose me I promise you."

Storm hated how much fear she must have caused in the young girl that was her daughter. She knew what it was like to lose parents but to lose them twice was unthinkable to her. Clarice didn't want to cry like a little girl but she just couldn't help it. She felt weak and stupid about this but she couldn't stop, Clarice was just happy to have her back. After a few more minutes of crying she pulled away wiping her face away feeling a little embarrassed now.

"Sorry…"

Ororo caressed her cheek, "It's okay Clarice it's good to show your emotions."

"I just feel so stupid just crying like that…" Blink wasn't looking at her again as she now sat next to the dark skinned lady.

Ororo put an arm around her and hugged her gently, "Don't worry about it dear, it's perfectly understandable and I'm sorry too. You must have been so worried about me, but I'm better now."

Clarice leaned into her shoulder feeling much better now, Ororo smiled as she stoked the young girl long pinkish hair. "So then how are things at school? Is that Ryan boy still got your eye?"

"Mom!" Clarice said embarrassed her cheeks flushing a bit.

"What? It's not a crime to have a crush you know, I'm just glad that you are getting more involved in life."

"I know…It's just that…I really like him, he's cute and all and…well it's just that I don't know how he'll take that I'm a mutant. I mean I haven't told him and I'm afraid." She still had nightmares about how her own parents reacted to the fact that she was a mutant she didn't want this to happen again. She was very sensitive about her looks.

"I know it's tough for you to open up but just try small steps, try talking to him and then slowly going from there. If he really gets to know the real you inside then he will like you no matter what," Ororo told her doing her best to be the mother in this relationship. Thankfully she had gone to Vivian for advice now and then. "You are a wonderful person never forget that and anyone would be lucky to have you in their lives."

Blink smiled it was nice to have someone in her life that was so caring, understanding and also made her feel better. "Thanks, but I better go and help with dinner I think Kitty wanted to try and help this time."

"Oh Goddess," Ororo sighed while Blink giggled, sure Kitty had slightly improved but it was still a struggle with her sometimes. Just as Clarice was leaving the room she nearly walked into Logan.

"Oh! Sorry Mr. Logan."

"Where's the fire She-Elf?" Logan asked her seeing the rush she was in.

"Kitty wants to cook."

That was enough for Logan, "Go on and hurry up then."

Blink was off and Logan shook his head this had not been an easy day and having the Half-Pint cook wouldn't make it any better. He loved the girl like a daughter but she was a disaster in the kitchen but he entered into Ororo's room. He had to smile a little seeing her up and around, she was still a little weak but was a strong woman.

"Hey 'Ro how are ya feelin' today?"

The former weather goddess stretched herself, "Much better now, still a little weak and a little sore from being in bed for so long but that will go away. How are things going with you? You look like how I feel."

Logan gave a deep sigh as he ran a hand through his hair, "Honestly? It's a totally screw up, Fury is pissed, Spears being attacked and then having people find out why is really messing things up as well." Ororo closed her eyes knowing what he was talking about, Clarice had filled her in and she just wished Evan and the others hadn't done that. It would only complicate things.

"Come, sit with me will you." She asked him and for a moment he didn't but he walked over and sat down. "I know things aren't too promising now but I have to believe that things will get better Logan."

"Yeah I hope so, at this rate I'm just not sure what will happen." Logan wasn't too sure about the future and there was this silence there between them. He hated those silences like this he had no idea what to say to her so he just said the first thing that came to him, "I'm glad to see you feeling better…"

Ororo had to smile she knew that Logan wasn't the best at letting his emotions out but she knew that he had a good heart in him. She placed her hand gently on his and he looked surprised at her warm and caring face, "I know and thank you Logan."

"Yeah well…With you gone this place wouldn't be the same too."

"Yes and I know you couldn't handle this place without me either," She smirked at him.

"Ya got that right there is no way I'm dealin' with all these kids with just Chuck and Hank. Espeically when the girls come cryin' to me about something. God I can't stand to see that and what the hell do I do about that? I'm just lucky Sarah isn't like that."

Ororo was tempted to laugh at that Logan wasn't very good with personal problems of the kids especially the girls. "Besides…I'd miss ya too…" That surprised her the most that he said that. Logan was a very old and dear friend that meant a lot to her.

"Logan…"

"Anyways I better get goin' and make sure things are settled down." He said quickly trying to get out of the room. But she took his hand before he got up and he looked at her and for a moment they just looked. Then it was his turn to be surprised as she kissed him on the cheek.

"Thank you Logan…For everything."

"No problem," He said softly and got up this time and left her room.

-New York-

In an office building of Shaw Enterprises there was a little meeting going on in the luxury penthouse. In there was the dark haired leader of the Hellfire club Sebastian Shaw as he was in his chair looking at the man across from him. The man was looking through a brief case full of money as he was humming a tune to himself.

"You know Shaw baby you really got class," Deadpool said happily closing the suitcase full of cash. "I mean at this rate I'll be ranking it in with this little Spears thing."

"Yes playing both sides as you are I don't doubt it," He said to the mercenary. "Although isn't that a conflict in your contract with Spears and the FOH?"

"Oh hell no," The Merc with a Mouth said sitting with his feet up on his table which annoyed Shaw a lot. "See professions like me can't go against our contracts it's bad for business. But I was only hired to protect Spears, you just hired me to steal all those files and stuff when he wasn't looking. Thanks by the way for all the codes and stuff that sure saved me blowing up the safe although I'm a little disappointed. I do so love a good explosion."

"Yes, well then can I count on your services in the future then?" Shaw asked him.

"Oh yeah just keep me supplied with these green backs and I'm all yours." Deadpool said happily getting up and taking his money with him. "Oh by the way think maybe next time I can meet Selene again? That is one hot woman there."

"You do know that she's a killer and a sociopath?" Shaw was surprised given that most people kept their distance from the Black Queen.

"Hey so am I, and not like what she can do to me will last anyway. Well anyway toodles chuckles and you know my number just make sure she knows it too." He touched a device on his belt that was his personal teleportation device and vanished.

Shaw was just glad to be rid of the moron, at least now with Spears out in the open things would get more interesting. There were certain things there weren't in the files they found and gave copies to the press. Spears held certain parts of the formula in his mind that Emma didn't get, wasn't her fault she was just looking for information not complex formula.

There was already mounting pressure onto Spears and then he would offer him a helping hand. A lawyer for his defence of course and slowly become the man's friend until he was so entrenched in Shaw's clutches there would be no way out for him.

NEXT UP CHAPTER 18: FUBAR

For those that don't know this military acronym means…well…the polite version is Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition. But there is another F-word you can use.