Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of X-Men Evolution, they
belong to Marvel and Kids WB; this story is making me no money.
Prologue: Several months have passed since the incident at Asteroid M. The X-Men returned to the institute and lived like they always had, except one of their members, Carol Danvers lay in a coma in result of her encounter with the mutant known only as Rogue. Rogue has been brought to the Institute in hopes for a second chance at life with the strong support of both her brother Kurt, and Professor Xavier as well as Logan, but still faces suspicion from the other students, especially Jean Grey. Scott Summers has comes to terms with the issues he had and was able to reassert himself in a leadership role, but the situation with his brother among other demons still have to be dealt with. Besides keeping an eye on Rogue, Jean Grey is more and more having a difficulty with her ever-growing powers and struggles to keep them controlled. Bobby Drake and Kitty Pryde continue to get closer as they're relationship blooms, but there is still much they have to discover about each other. Dani Moonstar is gaining better control over her powers everyday and that remains her goal still. Storm continues to be a teacher at the Institute and someone for the students to talk to who is closer to they're age. Both Mystique and Magneto have not been seen since Asteroid M, but the Brotherhood returned to they're Bayville house and waited. Sabretooth comes and goes thus can not be relied on for guidance, and the blind seer Destiny left mysteriously soon after they had returned. This has left Emma Frost and Lance Alvers vying for power, each trying to find a way to out do the other and show they are worthy to be in charge. What awaits the X-Men is yet to be seen as both young new mutants emerge and enemies new and old hover on the horizon.
On a foggy night in a rural community a girl with red hair runs as fast as she can. She climbs a fence and runs across another field till she sees a barn and runs behind it to catch her breath. She looks back and sees in the distance a mob of people carrying torches. "Oh my god, they just keep coming" the girl panted. She had a Scottish accent. "Aye need to be getting out of here," she said to herself. She closed her eyes and concentrated then slowly changed into a wolf and began to run some more.
The mob ran near the barn and stopped. In the lead was a man dressed in black wearing a black brimmed hat. He looked down at the ground. "There be her foot prints" he said. "Follow them over to the barn lads" he said. The mob nodded and followed him.
"Reverend the tracks end here" another man said.
"Maybe lad, but if yee see there be wolf tracks now, the werewolf changed her form, I told yee she be sent by the devil" the reverend told them. "Now have yee shotguns ready for the hunt" he said. "This way she can't of gotten far" he explained.
"Over there, I see her on yonder hill" one of the men pointed over to the hill. The wolf immediately began to run into the forest.
"After her" the reverend yelled as a shot fired.
The wolf continued to run; she was terrified about what might happen to her. She ran straight into the woods till she reached the rocky side of a tall hill. She tried to climb up it but couldn't this way. She transformed again back into her normal self just as the Reverend's mob arrived. "Do not hurt me" she cried.
"Nay lass yee be in league with the devil, yee must die" the Reverend said as he snatched a rifle from one of the other men and aimed at her.
"Please don't" the girl cried and closed her eyes in fear, when suddenly she heard a strange noise, some sort of metal cling. Out from atop the hill above came a figure that leaped down to the ground. His metal claw sliced through the Reverend's rifle.
"So you like to pick on little girls huh, well why don't you try playing with me" the man said as he glared at all the men. Two men aimed their guns and the man charged at them again, slicing their guns and punching them both out. "Anyone else" he asked. The mob shook with terror and ran, leaving the Reverend alone.
"Cowards, the lords work must be done" he yelled in anger at them.
The man with the claws looked him in right in the face and bumped him making him trip to the ground. "Leave, now!!" he growled. The reverend shook with fright and scampered away. The man turned around and looked at the girl. "Rahne Sinclair" he asked.
"Yes" the girl managed to get out, still scared. "Who... are you?" she asked.
"The names Logan, your mother Dr. Moira sent me to find you" he said as he helped her up. "Don't be scared, I'm taking you to a place where you'll never have to be scared again" he said.
Rahne managed a smile. "Thank yee lad" she said. "For everything." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning in Bayville New York the students of Charles Xavier had for the most part gathered into his office for a meeting, all but Rogue. Scott was standing as usual, Kurt was perched over by the windowsill, Bobby was sitting in an arm chair and Kitty was leaning on him while sitting on the arm, Dani hung out in another chair looking impatient, and Jean leaned against the Professor's desk. "So... does anyone know what the Professor wants" Bobby asked breaking the silence.
Scott shrugged. "I'm not exactly sure, but I think it might have to do with the new students that are coming today."
"It would make sense, since he wanted everyone here" Jean agreed eyeing Kurt.
Kurt frowned at her. "Not this again Jean" he scoffed. "I vill not have you taking shots at my sister. I know you do not like her, and that is exactly vhy she von't come. Since none of you make her feel welcome."
"Well considering what happened with her and Carol it's kind of strange" Dani said. "I mean Carol is our friend and now she's lying in a coma."
"But it's not Rogue's fault, she was tricked and manipulated, come on Scott you know how that feels" he said.
Scott sighed. "I have to admit, it's hard to resist when Magneto is pulling your strings," he agreed.
"It's still no excuse," Jean said. "Why don't you go tell Carol that" she said.
Kurt fumed and teleported over to Jean and glared at each other.
"Will you two chill out" Bobby frowned and put a little ice pillar between them. "I mean really we get it already, Kurt wants to protect his sister, Jean is loyal to Carol, great great whatever."
"Yeah like it's been getting old having to go through this at every team function for the last 4 months" Kitty agreed.
Dani feigned a look of shock. "Wow news flash Bobby and Kitty agree on yet another thing" she said.
Kitty stuck her tongue out at Dani. "Oh your just jealous" she said as she wrapped her arms around Bobby.
Dani glared at her and was about to say something when Scott spoke up. "All of you stop acting like children and get a hold of yourselves. We have new students coming and we need set an example" he told them. The others nodded and quieted down just as the Professor walked in with Storm.
"Good morning to you all and thank you for coming" The professor said as he wheeled up behind his desk. "Now I have gathered you all here to tell you about some new mutants that are coming to the institute today" he explained. "The first is the son of a colleague of mine, his name is James Maddrox and he has the power to make duplicates of himself, he still learning to control his power and is very young, only 12 years old so I want you all to be extra watchful for him. The other boy comes from a rich Brazilian family, his name is Roberto DeCosta and his powers involved solar powered superstrength and agility, he has great potential but he is arrogant, he is 15. Finally from Scotland, Logan is bringing us Rahne Sinclair, she has the ability to change into a wolf or a werewolf, and she is 14" he said. "Actually I think they all should be arriving soon, in fact Logan has already returned" he said. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Out in the main foyer Logan was showing Rahne around. "This is the main part of the mansion" he said as he led her up the stairs.
"It is so big" she exclaimed. "Where are we going now" she asked after they went upstairs. They went down a long hallway till Logan stopped at a door and opened it.
"This is your room" he said as he set her things down. It was a relatively big room with a few beds.
"All this be mine" Rahne asked in amazement. "Mine room at Dr. Moira's home was maybe a 1/5 the size."
"Well it's all yours, at least till you get a few more classmates" Logan smiled. "Anyway get settled I have to go see the Professor" he explained and left the girl to admire her new surroundings.
He walked down to Xavier's office and joined the meeting. "Well Charles, mission accomplished" Logan said. "Now what did you want to see me about."
"Yes I was just getting to that" Charles said. "You see over the last few days and weeks I have detected more mutants and now I think it is time we send you out on a few recruitment missions" he said. "I have divided you up each assignments" he said. "Dani I am sending you to Kentucky to investigate a family known as the Guthries. They have at least one mutant child and possibly more" he explained and handed her a plane ticket.
Dani nodded. "Yes sir I won't let you down," she said and got up to leave.
"I'm sure you won't. Now Logan, I have recently detected a small band of mutants that have been traveling from city to city every few months, I fear they have caught themselves up into crime or something of that sort, but they have seemed to settle in Los Angeles as of late. I'm sure you can at least track them from there, so I want you to take Bobby and Kitty and try to straighten these kids out."
"Okay Charles, come on you two we have work to do" Logan said and yanked Bobby by the collar. Kitty giggled then followed after them.
"Now Storm, I have a rather unique assignment for you. I wish for you to go to the small-secluded community of Nova Roma in the Amazon. It is known by very few and has been cut off from the rest of society so is trapped in the past, and still follows the traditions of Ancient Rome. Young girls powers have emerged and she is in danger from their superstitions and traditions unless we can get her out of there."
"Yes sir, I'll try my best but how will I be able to get them to give her up" she asked.
"I'm sure your experience as a tribal goddess will come in handy" Xavier smiled.
Storm smiled and nodded. "I'll do my best Charles" she said and got up to leave.
Scott looked around and noticed that only he, Kurt and Jean remained. "Professor what about the rest of us" he asked.
"Actually I want to keep you and Jean here just in case the others run into trouble, and to help the new students settle in" he explained. "Actually I sense a taxi driving up right now."
Jean nodded. "Of course sir, come on Scott" she said and practically had to pull him out of the room.
"And me" Kurt asked.
"Kurt I have a special project for you" Xavier said as he took a holowatch out of his desk. "There is a boy named Artie, only 9 years old, whose mutation has left him in a similar situation to you. I want you to go to Atlanta to pick him up, since I'm sure you can best relate to him."
Kurt nodded. "I see sir" he said taking the watch. "He will be here as soon as I can get him" Kurt said then ported out. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Outside, just as the Professor had said, a taxi pulls up to the front gate, after explaining who it was the gate opened. The taxi pulled up to the main entrance and out of the back came two boys, one was short with brown hair and blue eyes and the other was a tall tan looking boy with black hair.
"Wow check out that mansion" the younger boy said enthusiastically. "I've never lived in a mansion before, it's so big, I don't think I've ever seen one this big, well except maybe that one time, but I don't know this one sure is a biggy. "Have you ever seen one, well of course you have your rich and..." the boy began to say but the older boy clapped his hand on his mouth.
"Jeez kid you've been talking non stop since I met you at the airport" the older boy frowned. He looked at the mansion unimpressed. "Ehh it's okay I mean I've seen better" he said when something caught his eye. Out of the front door appeared Jean and Scott. Roberto rushed over and took Jean's hand kissing it. "Hello beautiful, I am Roberto Decosta, what's your name" he asked.
Jean rolled her eyes. "So your Roberto, I'm Jean Grey, and this is Scott Summers, we are students here" she explained. "And you must be Jamie" she smiled at the younger boy.
"Yes ma'am" Jamie nodded. "You have a real big house here," he said as the taxi driver removed their luggage.
Scott paid the driver who then got in his cab and left. "Well okay boys, we better show you your rooms" Scott told them.
"Okay" Jamie said as he started to carry his heavy luggage.
"You need help there kid" Scott asked.
"No I've got it" Jamie said then clapped his hands together, two other identical boys appeared out of no where and picked up his luggage.
"Oh if you aren't the cutest little thing" Jean smiled as they got in.
"You think he's cute, why don't you look over here" Roberto winked as he picked up his stuff all by himself, showing off his muscles. "Though this isn't all my things, father will be flying the rest in later in the week."
"Oh really well that's great" Jean said feigning interest. "Anyway the rooms are upstairs, Jamie why don't you follow me" she said ushering the boy in the other direction.
Roberto frowned at being shot down then shrugged to himself as he watched Jean lead Jamie away. He turned to Scott. "So I guess you'll be showing me my room" he asked.
Scott nodded. "Yeah follow me" he said.
"So are all the girls as hot as her."
Scott rose an eyebrow and shrugged. "There are other girls but they are too young for me, just like Jean is to old for you kid, so I'd quit while I was ahead."
Roberto caught on and lifted up his hands. "Oh sorry man I didn't know, but other girls huh how many."
Scott opened the door to Roberto's room. "Well this is it, and there are 4 other girls, you might try with the new one, but one is in a relationship, another will give you nightmares and the third well she's not exactly a people person" he said. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As Scott was talking just down the hall out of a dark room, the girl known as Rogue emerged. She realized Kurt wasn't around or he would of come looking for her earlier and she could here Jean down the hall talking to some little boy who was jumping on his new bed. "Oh right the new students" she muttered to herself. She decided it would be best if she didn't bump into Ms. Perfect right now.
She decided to take a walk down to the balcony. After walking down the various corridors she finally got there and just sat down in one of the chairs and looked out at the lake sighing. She had been here for 4 miserable months, but of course no matter where she was she was going to be miserable, after draining Carol, it might as well be with family. Kurt had been great but with Jean giving the death glare and the mistrust she got from the others it was hard to feel at home. She just wished she just could forget it all, but whats done was done and now she had to live with it, but it was so hard, especially since she felt so alone.
Suddenly she heard someone behind her. "Whose there" she asked.
"Oh sorry didn't not mean to interrupt lass" the Scottish girl named Rahne said.
"It's okay" Rogue sighed and looked back at the water.
"Sorry if I be prying lass but is there something be troubling yee" Rahne asked. "Oh and me apologies I be Rahne Sinclair, I'm new here" she offered her hand.
Rogue nodded. "Oh I'm Rogue, and I would shake your hand but bad things happen when I touch people" she mumbled. "Look I appreciate the concern but your better off not hanging around me, I'm nothing but trouble, just ask anyone here save my brother" she sighed.
Rahne shrugged. "Well I be sorry yee feel that way but if it's all the same to yee I think I'll just stick around here. Yee know I know what it feels like to be called bad luck. Me own town folk turned against me and call me the devil's daughter just cause they learn I can turn into a wolf. If it hadn't of been for this man named Logan, I wouldn't be alive today" she said.
Rogue shrugged. "Yeah Logan is a good person, he's nice to me usually. I'm sorry you were treated so badly."
"Thank yee and I'm sorry for who ever treated you bad" Rahne smiled at her.
For the first time in a while Rogue smiled. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Toward the end of the day Dani Moonstar found herself riding in the back of a pickup truck in the middle of Kentucky. When she had gotten to the airport in Louisville and asked for a lift to Cumberland, the only ride she could get to the far out rural community was from a pig farmer, who only had room in the back. But suddenly the truck stopped.
"Okay darlin this is the Guthrie house" the farmer yelled from the front.
Dani nodded and slowly tip toed through the various pigs and hopped out. "Thanks for the ride" Dani said and waved to the farmer before he drove away. She took a look at this old shack of a house that seemed to be falling apart. There were small children playing in front with some dogs and cats. "I hope this is the place" Dani muttered to herself as she approached the gate. "Excuse me little girl, can you tell me where your Mommy is" Dani asked.
"I'm not a little girl I'm seven and my names Elisabeth, that there is my brother Lewis, and Jebediah and my sister Joelle, who are you anyway and why you want my mama."
"Oh my names Dani Moonstar" Dani said trying to sound friendly. "I need to talk to your mother and maybe some of your siblings about something" she explained.
"What something" Elisabeth asked but then out of the house a much older girl appeared, she looked to be about 13 or 14.
"Elisabeth who are you talking to" the girl asked with annoyance in her voice as she stormed over. "You know your not suppose to talk to strangers, now move along" she said pushing the girl aside.
"It's not her fault, I asked her a question" Dani said softly.
"It doesn't matter, you're a stranger. So what's your business here" the girl asked. "And don't say your just passing through, in a place like this you'd have to want to here to get here, this is nowhere."
"Oh I'm Dani Moonstar and I'm here to talk to your parents about a school for the gifted" she explained.
"And your looking here" the girl asked. "Look Dani, the names Paige" she said. "And well how'd you find yourself here anyway and what you mean gifted, like smart."
"Well not just smart, but you know unique, special talents stuff like that, and let's just say my headmaster has a unique way of finding talent."
"Oh really you mean if you found someone fitting that description you'd take them to this school of yours" she asked.
"Yes I would, well only if they wanted to come" Dani explained.
"Well alright, Mama always wanted us to get educated, unless it cost too much, so I'll take you to her" Paige said and opened the gate for Dani. "So do you know which of us your interested in, there are seven of us."
"Thank you" Dani said. "Seven wow that is a lot and truth is this might sound weird but my head master just sent me here he didn't specify but it would be one of the older ones" she explained as they walked over to the house.
Paige face brightened. "The older ones, really, well I'm the third oldest, just behind my brothers Sam and Joshua but we're hardly a year apart each" she explained. "Mama should be in here with the real young ones, we lost Pa a few years ago in the coal mines."
"I'm sorry about your father" Dani said softly. "My father died a while back as well."
"Yeah its sad think about but we make do, Mama works hard and all, and Sam works in the coalmines" she said as they entered the house and headed to the kitchen. There in was Mrs. Guthrie a middle-aged woman who was sitting down in a chair, seemingly getting her first break all day. "Mama this is Dani Moonstar, she represents a school and she thinks some of us might be able to go there.
Mrs Guthrie took one look at the travel worn Dani and sprung from her chair. "A visitor, oh my, please take a seat" she said as she ushered Dani down into a chair. "You look as if you've had quite the journey. We don't get many visitors here, but the ones we do, we insist you stay for dinner."
"Thank you Ma'am I don't want to impose" Dani began but Mrs Guthrie shook her head.
"Oh your not dear, you seem like a nice girl, now what is this school you wanted to talk about, I must admit we don't have much money" she said.
"Oh well it's a school for the gifted Ma'am, and my head master would be willing to provide. "You see it's kind of complicated but when I mean gifted I mean very uniquely gifted. Do any of your children have abilities that say average people don't; I mean very special powers even. I know you might think this strange, but I was sent here for that reason."
Mrs. Guthrie was quiet for a minute and looked over at Paige who gave her a nod urging her to speak. "I see and I think I know what your talking about" she said. "Samuel, Joshua come out here right now" she said.
Foot steps could be heard and soon a tall boy with blond hair entered. "You called Mama" Sam asked when he noticed the attractive young girl sitting down. "Oh looks like we have company, hi ahm Sam" he smiled at her.
"Dani" she responded as she looked at him. "Boy he's cute" she thought.
Another boy began to enter but stepped back when he saw Dani. Though she caught a glimpse of him and it looked like he had wings. "Jesus Mom, what are you doing, you know I can't let people see me" he called from the hallway.
"Joshua don't be like that" Paige frowned. "She might be able to help you."
"Yeah right, bet she freaks" he frowned still refusing to enter.
Dani got up and walked out to the hallway and stared at Joshua. He had long brown hair and red wings. "Nice wings" she shrugged. "I know you might think I find that strange but well I have my own little secrets" she explained and proceeded to produce an image out of her mind. "I can project images with my mind" she said.
They all looked in amazement. "Golly" Sam said. "That was amazing, so your saying your gifted."
Dani nodded. "Yes I am, and everyone at my school is to. My headmaster is a telepath who can detect mutant signatures, and he said there were a few here" she said. "Now I can see Joshua is gifted, but you called Sam here for a reason to didn't you" she said.
Sam nodded. "Follow me" he said and led them all to the backyard. "Watch this" he said and smiled again at Dani. He began to run then seemed to rise into the air. His legs seemed to swirl and he flew like a rocket that is until he lost control and hit a tree.
"Don't worry he'll be okay" Paige giggled. "Just a little dizzy though" she said as Sam got up and held his head. He tripped over himself a few times before wandering back over.
"Yeah well that's what ah do, but still need some practice" he said.
"That was amazing" Dani smiled. "And if you want control come to our school, we would love to have you and your brother.
Joshua scoffed at the idea. "Thanks but no thanks, I don't like these things, and besides I'm able to hide them best I can. No offense but this school sounds kind of freakish to me" he said and began to walk away.
"Joshua" his mother frowned then turned to Dani. "I apologize for my son."
"Oh it's alright," Dani said. "It's not for everyone and maybe he'll change his mind. What about you" she asked Sam.
Sam shrugged. "I don't know it sounds tempting but I'll have to think about it, you're just going to have to stick around to find out" he smirked. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Inside the jungles of the Amazon a group of people dressed in ceremonial garb are processing to a mountain cave. They are carrying a bound girl, who struggles to get free. "As your princess I demand you let go of me at once" she demanded.
Most of her captors ignored her, except one. "I am sorry Princess Amara but you must be sacrificed" the man in charge said. "The gods will it."
The reached the cave and toward the center of it lay a fire pit. They pushed her along the way as she resisted. "No please I beg of you" she said.
"We have no choice" he said. "Throw her in" he ordered and they threw the girl down and into the pit. "It is done" he said but the ground began to shake. The lava bubbled and began to rise and out of it appeared a figure in flames. "The girl has emerged" he yelled. "We must stop her, the gods have rejected this sacrifice."
"What's happening to me" Amara moaned then realized she was in flames. "I'm on fire but it doesn't hurt, but oh my head" she said then she fell to the ground and transformed back into herself.
"She is weakened, now is our chance" the lead man said. "Draw your weapons" he said and they responded and began to charge at her when a strong wind blew in. The sky grew darker and rain and lighting appeared.
"You shall not harm that girl" a stern voice said. The men turned and saw outside hovering in air, a woman dressed in black and white, with dazzling white hair. She was Storm of the X-Men.
"What are you" one man asked.
Storm had to think quickly. "I am a goddess of nature, and I tell you it is the gods will for the girl to live."
The headman nodded. "All of you drop your weapons and bow your heads" he said. They all responded.
Storm smiled at her work and calmed the storm. She walked over to the girl and revived her. "Hello young one my name is Ororo and I have come to help you. Will you come with me."
Amara groaned as she awoke and then listened. "But where, Nova Roma is my home."
"I know that but you are gifted, what just happened in the lava pit was the emergence of your abilities, I can take you to a place to teach you to master them."
Amara was confused but realized that this woman might be able to help her and had just saved her life. She took Storms hand and nodded. "Okay I'm coming with you" she said.
They got up and began to leave when the lead man stood in they're way. "Please goddess do not depart we shall have a feast in your honor" he said.
Storm and Amara both looked uneasy about the idea but Storm nodded. "Alright tonight we feast" she said and followed the troops back to the city. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Back at the Institute the X-Men and they're new students were just about to be set down for dinner when an alarm went off. "Stay here" Scott said as he and Jean ran out. They ran out to the yard where they saw the alarm system firing at an intruder who seemed to be faster then the blink of an eye. Slowly they watched the machines get destroyed as they tried to hit him and he knocked them down as he passed by. "Quicksilver" Scott muttered.
"No I don't think so" Jean said as they readied for the intruder who was coming their way. Finally as the last laser blaster was smashed the blur became clear, revealing a black haired young man in his late teens. "Who are you" Jean asked.
The man smiled. "Oh pardon the lack of introduction and the mess but it seems that your gate would not let me in so I had to force my way in" he said with a French accent. "Then all the machines came in" he said. "My name is Jean Paul Beaubier, and I've come to see an old coworker of mine, his name is Logan," he said.
Jean and Scott just looked at each other in confusion. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As the sun sets over the city of Los Angeles an alarm suddenly rings through out the air. Soon sirens can be heard as well. This alarm comes from a closed bank that is being robbed. But these robbers aren't your typical robbers.
"Nice going Jubes" a boy with spiked hair yelled. "Your little firework show set the alarm off and now the cops are coming."
"I didn't mean to Ray, it just kind of fired out" the girl called Jubes responded. She had black hair, was of Asian descent and was wearing a distinct yellow coat.
"Just grab all we can ombres" another boy with a Spanish accent said. "You can stretch my skin and stick it there" he said.
"You have any idea how disgusting that sounds Angelo" Ray retorted.
"Well we don't have much choice, the fireworks ripped the bags" Jubes sighed and began to grab fists full of money and pulled Angelo's grayish skin and stuff the money into it.
"Ooh Jubilee that tickles" Angelo smirked.
"Damn it the cops are here" Ray pointed out to the various police cars that had pulled up and the police running toward the door. "Run" he said as he ran toward the back exit of the bank. Angelo and Jubilee got up to follow but Jubilee tripped.
"Jubilee" Angelo said and stretched his hands to help her causing some money to fall out.
"Forget me, or we'll both get caught" she said as she tried to get up.
Suddenly a figure leaped over her head. "Non petite, do not worry, Skin get her out of here, I will hold them off" the older boy said. He was wearing a trench coat and carrying a metal staff. As the police rushed in, he leaped over they're heads, from his hands emitted two glowing playing cards that exploded above they're heads. His bare hands touch the large glass window in front, which began to glow. "Take care mon ami" he said to the police just as Skin had gotten Jubilee out. He leaped over the cops he had earlier disposed of then ran off into the night.
"After him" one of the cops said as they got up when the window now completely glowed. It exploded sending police ducking for cover.
Back out in one of the ally ways the trench coat wearing boy caught up with Ray, Jubilee, and Skin. "We best be getting out of here before they catch us" he said when two other figures ran up, a blond girl and a black boy with blond hair.
"Thanks Remy" Jubilee groaned.
"Not a problem, but I'm sure the boss non gonna like this" he said. "Tabs, Spyke, did you slow them down."
"No problem" Evan said. "I gave they're tires the old Spyke, they'll have to call for back up."
"Good, now everyone let's go" Remy said as he opened up a manhole cover and they all piled in. Just as they departed three figures appeared on the city street in front of the bank.
"So looks like we found the right place alright" Bobby said as he looked around. Most of the police were either knocked out or injured and didn't notice the three new comers as they entered the bank.
Logan sniffed around. "You've got that right, smells like 6 of them were involved" he said. "One of them did that" he said pointing to the window. "Another smashed the safe, though it looks like they got rushed and didn't finish the job" he said indicating the dollars scattered on the ground and that most of the money in the safe hadn't been taken.
"Wow that's some serious damage" Kitty said as she took a look at the safe door. Part of the metal appeared melted off. "What kind of powers are these."
"Smells like pyrotechnics" Logan shrugged. "Whatever we're dealing with, these kids are mutants alright" he said.
"So what do we do now" Bobby asked.
"They're going to try this again. Whoever they're working for isn't going to like that they made little profit off this heist" Logan explained. "We're going to the next closest bank and we're going to wait" he said. "Now half-pint get us out of here before the baby blues awake" he said indicating the cops.
"Right" Kitty said grabbing hold of Logan and Bobby and phasing them through one of the walls. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On the other side of town in an abandoned warehouse, the small band of mutant thieves returned.
"Home sweet home" Angelo smirked as he sat down on a couch to relax.
"If that's what you want to call it" Ray frowned and flopped down into a chair.
Remy looked at them. "Ya better chill we be having a lot of explaining when the boss returns" he said.
"I am already here" a voice sneered from a dark room upstairs. "I see that you have failed me this time," he said.
"Well ya see it was an accident and well" Tabitha began to say.
"Silence" the voice sneered. "I know just what happened, and I know who is responsible as well, Jubilee step into my office" he said.
"Okay" Jubilee said as she trembled. She looked back at the others before slowly walking up the stairs and into the dark room. "You wanted to see me" she said.
"Yes, I know what happened today and I'm sorry dear but it is inexcusable, your mistake cost us the entire operation, you know what I must do" the man said from the shadows.
"Please it won't happen again, I won't let you down, don't do it please" she cried as he got up and walked closer to her.
Downstairs they could hear hard whacks and Jubilee's screams for several minutes then it stopped. Angelo and Evan got up to do something but Remy sat them back down. "Let this be an example to all of you not to fail" the boss sneered as Jubilee exited.
She was wrought with cuts and bruises, her hair was messed up, her clothing partially torn and she had tears in her eyes. She was able to make it down the stairs before falling. Tabs and Angelo went over and helped her up. "Why I ought to" Angelo muttered but Remy shook his head.
"Next time she falls leave her" the voice sneered. "You know I do this because I care. I take you in teach you how to survive and protect yourselves thus I demand competence. Now go back out there and make up for earlier" he said. "And that means all of you."
The others were going to mount their objections but Remy shook his head. "You heard the man" he said and got up to leave. The others reluctantly followed, including Jubilee. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Later on that evening across the street from a bank there was a Chinese restaurant where three X-Men sat and waited. "You sure this is the right bank" Bobby asked between bites on an egg roll.
"Yeah or if they'll even try anything tonight" Kitty questioned as she poked at some rice.
Logan nodded. "Just trust me, this is the next closest bank to the one hit earlier, and the way I see it they blew it earlier and they have to hit it to make the evening profitable."
"Well they better hurry up soon, I mean we've been her for like hours" she frowned. "People are going to be suspicious if we don't leave soon, I mean how much food can we possibly eat."
Logan and Bobby just looked at her before they continued eating. "Like never mind" she frowned.
Across the street in a back alley from out of another man hole cover emerged the young band of mutant thieves. Remy was in the lead. "Okay now we are going to do this right" he said then touched a part of the bank wall with his hand. It began to glow. "Back off" he said and they all ducked. "Okay everyone in" he said. An alarm started to go off.
"I'll handle that" Ray smirked and fired an electric blast from his hand hitting the alarm system and shorting it out.
"Hey Gambit I don't think Jubes is up to it" Tabs said as she showed Jubes still groaning from her injuries.
"Yeah okay, you just keep an eye out them petite" Remy said then the others followed after him.
Jubilee groaned. "Yeah right no problem" she groaned. She prayed this mission wouldn't fail.
Once inside Ray lifted up his hands and fired electrical blasts that destroyed the cameras. "They won't be seeing our faces" he smirked.
"Okay so how we gonna open up this safe, whose turn is it" Angelo asked.
"No problem, time for a little Boom Boom" Tabitha smirked as her hands began to glow.
Remy shook his head. "I've got a more finesse way" he assured her. "Spike the door Ev" he said.
Spyke nodded and fired a spike into the door lock. "What you gonna do."
"This" Remy shrugged and bare handed it. "Stand back" he said as it began to glow. It exploded and the door swung open easily. "Now everyone it's time to shop" he said as they all ran in.
"Safe deposit boxes" Tabs smirked. "Everyone let me do my work" she said and she started to form little glowing devices in her hand. She placed each one of them on one of the deposit locks. After a few seconds each popped a minor explosion and the doors easily sprung open. Once in a while they'd blow hard and destroy the contents though. "Oops" she shrugged.
Angelo came in and immediately started stretching through and grabbing everything out of the open boxes and throwing them in a sack. Meanwhile where the money was Remy, Evan and Ray started filling up sacks.
Across the street as they had broken in Logan heard something. "I'll be right back, stay here" he said after hearing a brief alarm.
Bobby looked at Kitty who looked back at him. "So are we going to stay here" he joked.
"As if" she said and the two got up to follow Logan.
Logan raced across the street and realized the scents matched the ones he had gotten before. He clawed open the front door to the bank and charged in. "Oh look customers, sorry the banks closed" he growled at the band of thieves with his claws ready. "Now come quietly and Uncle Wolverine won't have to spank you," he said. "Just put the money back."
"Well you can kiss our ass badger or whatever" Tabitha snapped as she readied a bomb but Remy stopped her.
"Now now, maybe the man be right, now everyone lets just walk over slowly and just give him back the loot" Remy said then smirked. He charged his bag of cash and threw it at Logan who had to dive out of the way as it exploded. "Now let's bolt, before he gets up" he said.
The others nodded and grabbed their loot running out of the hole in the wall.
Bobby and Kitty had followed Logan across the street and were about to enter when they heard a moaning. "What was that?" Bobby asked.
"I don't know but it sounds bad and it seems to be coming from over there" Kitty said as ran to the ally with Bobby following her. "Oh my" Kitty exclaimed as they found the wounded Jubilee.
"We have to help her" Bobby said as he tried to pick her up.
Logan ran back into the ally and began to chase after the band of thieves but Tabitha's bombs, Evan's Spykes, Remy's cards, and Ray's electric blasts slowed him down. They ran down into the street and into a subway station. They were way ahead of him but he could smell them.
"Get on the train" Remy called to the others as he held the door open with his staff.
"What about Jubes" Angelo called.
"You see that, we're in big trouble right now" Ray said referring to Wolverine as he ran by and jumped on the train as it began to move. Tabitha followed after him and so did Spyke. As the train left Angelo looked one more time before stretching and snatching on to it just as it left the station.
Logan snatched at Angelo but just missed him. "Damn it they got away" He frowned and punched a claw into a wall.
"Like Logan we have some bigger problems right now" Kitty said as she and Bobby caught up with him and they showed him the hurt girl. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the city of Georgia Kurt had looked everywhere for the address the Professor had given him, after hours of searching he finally found it. He knocked on the door and a man answered. "May I help you young man" he asked.
"Yes excuse me but I'm here about your son" Kurt said.
The man groaned. "Look I don't know who sent you but my son is absolutely fine, leave him alone I'm handling it" he said and tried to close the door.
"Look sir I know its scary and strange but I can help, I am like him" he said.
"Oh really" the man asked. "Please come in" he told Kurt and let him in. "How are you like my son, he's not exactly normal.
"Vell please don't freak out" Kurt said and turned off his inducer. The man was startled for a second then smiled.
"Maybe you can help my son, maybe you can" he said. "Would you like to see him" he asked.
"Yes that vould be good" Kurt nodded.
"Follow me" the man said and lead Kurt to a room. "Artie you have a visitor" he said as he opened the door.
"Don't be scared come out, I am like you "Kurt said.
A small boy appeared out from the shadows. He had pink skin and large white eyes. Kurt was about to say something when he was knocked out from behind. "I'm sorry young man but you are just what we need" Artie's father said.
Okay that's the first part of Recruitment. Tell me what you think. A lot of people were introduced and some will be new X-recruits. Please Review if you are reading this story so I know there is an interest. I'll have the next part up when I can.
Prologue: Several months have passed since the incident at Asteroid M. The X-Men returned to the institute and lived like they always had, except one of their members, Carol Danvers lay in a coma in result of her encounter with the mutant known only as Rogue. Rogue has been brought to the Institute in hopes for a second chance at life with the strong support of both her brother Kurt, and Professor Xavier as well as Logan, but still faces suspicion from the other students, especially Jean Grey. Scott Summers has comes to terms with the issues he had and was able to reassert himself in a leadership role, but the situation with his brother among other demons still have to be dealt with. Besides keeping an eye on Rogue, Jean Grey is more and more having a difficulty with her ever-growing powers and struggles to keep them controlled. Bobby Drake and Kitty Pryde continue to get closer as they're relationship blooms, but there is still much they have to discover about each other. Dani Moonstar is gaining better control over her powers everyday and that remains her goal still. Storm continues to be a teacher at the Institute and someone for the students to talk to who is closer to they're age. Both Mystique and Magneto have not been seen since Asteroid M, but the Brotherhood returned to they're Bayville house and waited. Sabretooth comes and goes thus can not be relied on for guidance, and the blind seer Destiny left mysteriously soon after they had returned. This has left Emma Frost and Lance Alvers vying for power, each trying to find a way to out do the other and show they are worthy to be in charge. What awaits the X-Men is yet to be seen as both young new mutants emerge and enemies new and old hover on the horizon.
On a foggy night in a rural community a girl with red hair runs as fast as she can. She climbs a fence and runs across another field till she sees a barn and runs behind it to catch her breath. She looks back and sees in the distance a mob of people carrying torches. "Oh my god, they just keep coming" the girl panted. She had a Scottish accent. "Aye need to be getting out of here," she said to herself. She closed her eyes and concentrated then slowly changed into a wolf and began to run some more.
The mob ran near the barn and stopped. In the lead was a man dressed in black wearing a black brimmed hat. He looked down at the ground. "There be her foot prints" he said. "Follow them over to the barn lads" he said. The mob nodded and followed him.
"Reverend the tracks end here" another man said.
"Maybe lad, but if yee see there be wolf tracks now, the werewolf changed her form, I told yee she be sent by the devil" the reverend told them. "Now have yee shotguns ready for the hunt" he said. "This way she can't of gotten far" he explained.
"Over there, I see her on yonder hill" one of the men pointed over to the hill. The wolf immediately began to run into the forest.
"After her" the reverend yelled as a shot fired.
The wolf continued to run; she was terrified about what might happen to her. She ran straight into the woods till she reached the rocky side of a tall hill. She tried to climb up it but couldn't this way. She transformed again back into her normal self just as the Reverend's mob arrived. "Do not hurt me" she cried.
"Nay lass yee be in league with the devil, yee must die" the Reverend said as he snatched a rifle from one of the other men and aimed at her.
"Please don't" the girl cried and closed her eyes in fear, when suddenly she heard a strange noise, some sort of metal cling. Out from atop the hill above came a figure that leaped down to the ground. His metal claw sliced through the Reverend's rifle.
"So you like to pick on little girls huh, well why don't you try playing with me" the man said as he glared at all the men. Two men aimed their guns and the man charged at them again, slicing their guns and punching them both out. "Anyone else" he asked. The mob shook with terror and ran, leaving the Reverend alone.
"Cowards, the lords work must be done" he yelled in anger at them.
The man with the claws looked him in right in the face and bumped him making him trip to the ground. "Leave, now!!" he growled. The reverend shook with fright and scampered away. The man turned around and looked at the girl. "Rahne Sinclair" he asked.
"Yes" the girl managed to get out, still scared. "Who... are you?" she asked.
"The names Logan, your mother Dr. Moira sent me to find you" he said as he helped her up. "Don't be scared, I'm taking you to a place where you'll never have to be scared again" he said.
Rahne managed a smile. "Thank yee lad" she said. "For everything." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning in Bayville New York the students of Charles Xavier had for the most part gathered into his office for a meeting, all but Rogue. Scott was standing as usual, Kurt was perched over by the windowsill, Bobby was sitting in an arm chair and Kitty was leaning on him while sitting on the arm, Dani hung out in another chair looking impatient, and Jean leaned against the Professor's desk. "So... does anyone know what the Professor wants" Bobby asked breaking the silence.
Scott shrugged. "I'm not exactly sure, but I think it might have to do with the new students that are coming today."
"It would make sense, since he wanted everyone here" Jean agreed eyeing Kurt.
Kurt frowned at her. "Not this again Jean" he scoffed. "I vill not have you taking shots at my sister. I know you do not like her, and that is exactly vhy she von't come. Since none of you make her feel welcome."
"Well considering what happened with her and Carol it's kind of strange" Dani said. "I mean Carol is our friend and now she's lying in a coma."
"But it's not Rogue's fault, she was tricked and manipulated, come on Scott you know how that feels" he said.
Scott sighed. "I have to admit, it's hard to resist when Magneto is pulling your strings," he agreed.
"It's still no excuse," Jean said. "Why don't you go tell Carol that" she said.
Kurt fumed and teleported over to Jean and glared at each other.
"Will you two chill out" Bobby frowned and put a little ice pillar between them. "I mean really we get it already, Kurt wants to protect his sister, Jean is loyal to Carol, great great whatever."
"Yeah like it's been getting old having to go through this at every team function for the last 4 months" Kitty agreed.
Dani feigned a look of shock. "Wow news flash Bobby and Kitty agree on yet another thing" she said.
Kitty stuck her tongue out at Dani. "Oh your just jealous" she said as she wrapped her arms around Bobby.
Dani glared at her and was about to say something when Scott spoke up. "All of you stop acting like children and get a hold of yourselves. We have new students coming and we need set an example" he told them. The others nodded and quieted down just as the Professor walked in with Storm.
"Good morning to you all and thank you for coming" The professor said as he wheeled up behind his desk. "Now I have gathered you all here to tell you about some new mutants that are coming to the institute today" he explained. "The first is the son of a colleague of mine, his name is James Maddrox and he has the power to make duplicates of himself, he still learning to control his power and is very young, only 12 years old so I want you all to be extra watchful for him. The other boy comes from a rich Brazilian family, his name is Roberto DeCosta and his powers involved solar powered superstrength and agility, he has great potential but he is arrogant, he is 15. Finally from Scotland, Logan is bringing us Rahne Sinclair, she has the ability to change into a wolf or a werewolf, and she is 14" he said. "Actually I think they all should be arriving soon, in fact Logan has already returned" he said. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Out in the main foyer Logan was showing Rahne around. "This is the main part of the mansion" he said as he led her up the stairs.
"It is so big" she exclaimed. "Where are we going now" she asked after they went upstairs. They went down a long hallway till Logan stopped at a door and opened it.
"This is your room" he said as he set her things down. It was a relatively big room with a few beds.
"All this be mine" Rahne asked in amazement. "Mine room at Dr. Moira's home was maybe a 1/5 the size."
"Well it's all yours, at least till you get a few more classmates" Logan smiled. "Anyway get settled I have to go see the Professor" he explained and left the girl to admire her new surroundings.
He walked down to Xavier's office and joined the meeting. "Well Charles, mission accomplished" Logan said. "Now what did you want to see me about."
"Yes I was just getting to that" Charles said. "You see over the last few days and weeks I have detected more mutants and now I think it is time we send you out on a few recruitment missions" he said. "I have divided you up each assignments" he said. "Dani I am sending you to Kentucky to investigate a family known as the Guthries. They have at least one mutant child and possibly more" he explained and handed her a plane ticket.
Dani nodded. "Yes sir I won't let you down," she said and got up to leave.
"I'm sure you won't. Now Logan, I have recently detected a small band of mutants that have been traveling from city to city every few months, I fear they have caught themselves up into crime or something of that sort, but they have seemed to settle in Los Angeles as of late. I'm sure you can at least track them from there, so I want you to take Bobby and Kitty and try to straighten these kids out."
"Okay Charles, come on you two we have work to do" Logan said and yanked Bobby by the collar. Kitty giggled then followed after them.
"Now Storm, I have a rather unique assignment for you. I wish for you to go to the small-secluded community of Nova Roma in the Amazon. It is known by very few and has been cut off from the rest of society so is trapped in the past, and still follows the traditions of Ancient Rome. Young girls powers have emerged and she is in danger from their superstitions and traditions unless we can get her out of there."
"Yes sir, I'll try my best but how will I be able to get them to give her up" she asked.
"I'm sure your experience as a tribal goddess will come in handy" Xavier smiled.
Storm smiled and nodded. "I'll do my best Charles" she said and got up to leave.
Scott looked around and noticed that only he, Kurt and Jean remained. "Professor what about the rest of us" he asked.
"Actually I want to keep you and Jean here just in case the others run into trouble, and to help the new students settle in" he explained. "Actually I sense a taxi driving up right now."
Jean nodded. "Of course sir, come on Scott" she said and practically had to pull him out of the room.
"And me" Kurt asked.
"Kurt I have a special project for you" Xavier said as he took a holowatch out of his desk. "There is a boy named Artie, only 9 years old, whose mutation has left him in a similar situation to you. I want you to go to Atlanta to pick him up, since I'm sure you can best relate to him."
Kurt nodded. "I see sir" he said taking the watch. "He will be here as soon as I can get him" Kurt said then ported out. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Outside, just as the Professor had said, a taxi pulls up to the front gate, after explaining who it was the gate opened. The taxi pulled up to the main entrance and out of the back came two boys, one was short with brown hair and blue eyes and the other was a tall tan looking boy with black hair.
"Wow check out that mansion" the younger boy said enthusiastically. "I've never lived in a mansion before, it's so big, I don't think I've ever seen one this big, well except maybe that one time, but I don't know this one sure is a biggy. "Have you ever seen one, well of course you have your rich and..." the boy began to say but the older boy clapped his hand on his mouth.
"Jeez kid you've been talking non stop since I met you at the airport" the older boy frowned. He looked at the mansion unimpressed. "Ehh it's okay I mean I've seen better" he said when something caught his eye. Out of the front door appeared Jean and Scott. Roberto rushed over and took Jean's hand kissing it. "Hello beautiful, I am Roberto Decosta, what's your name" he asked.
Jean rolled her eyes. "So your Roberto, I'm Jean Grey, and this is Scott Summers, we are students here" she explained. "And you must be Jamie" she smiled at the younger boy.
"Yes ma'am" Jamie nodded. "You have a real big house here," he said as the taxi driver removed their luggage.
Scott paid the driver who then got in his cab and left. "Well okay boys, we better show you your rooms" Scott told them.
"Okay" Jamie said as he started to carry his heavy luggage.
"You need help there kid" Scott asked.
"No I've got it" Jamie said then clapped his hands together, two other identical boys appeared out of no where and picked up his luggage.
"Oh if you aren't the cutest little thing" Jean smiled as they got in.
"You think he's cute, why don't you look over here" Roberto winked as he picked up his stuff all by himself, showing off his muscles. "Though this isn't all my things, father will be flying the rest in later in the week."
"Oh really well that's great" Jean said feigning interest. "Anyway the rooms are upstairs, Jamie why don't you follow me" she said ushering the boy in the other direction.
Roberto frowned at being shot down then shrugged to himself as he watched Jean lead Jamie away. He turned to Scott. "So I guess you'll be showing me my room" he asked.
Scott nodded. "Yeah follow me" he said.
"So are all the girls as hot as her."
Scott rose an eyebrow and shrugged. "There are other girls but they are too young for me, just like Jean is to old for you kid, so I'd quit while I was ahead."
Roberto caught on and lifted up his hands. "Oh sorry man I didn't know, but other girls huh how many."
Scott opened the door to Roberto's room. "Well this is it, and there are 4 other girls, you might try with the new one, but one is in a relationship, another will give you nightmares and the third well she's not exactly a people person" he said. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As Scott was talking just down the hall out of a dark room, the girl known as Rogue emerged. She realized Kurt wasn't around or he would of come looking for her earlier and she could here Jean down the hall talking to some little boy who was jumping on his new bed. "Oh right the new students" she muttered to herself. She decided it would be best if she didn't bump into Ms. Perfect right now.
She decided to take a walk down to the balcony. After walking down the various corridors she finally got there and just sat down in one of the chairs and looked out at the lake sighing. She had been here for 4 miserable months, but of course no matter where she was she was going to be miserable, after draining Carol, it might as well be with family. Kurt had been great but with Jean giving the death glare and the mistrust she got from the others it was hard to feel at home. She just wished she just could forget it all, but whats done was done and now she had to live with it, but it was so hard, especially since she felt so alone.
Suddenly she heard someone behind her. "Whose there" she asked.
"Oh sorry didn't not mean to interrupt lass" the Scottish girl named Rahne said.
"It's okay" Rogue sighed and looked back at the water.
"Sorry if I be prying lass but is there something be troubling yee" Rahne asked. "Oh and me apologies I be Rahne Sinclair, I'm new here" she offered her hand.
Rogue nodded. "Oh I'm Rogue, and I would shake your hand but bad things happen when I touch people" she mumbled. "Look I appreciate the concern but your better off not hanging around me, I'm nothing but trouble, just ask anyone here save my brother" she sighed.
Rahne shrugged. "Well I be sorry yee feel that way but if it's all the same to yee I think I'll just stick around here. Yee know I know what it feels like to be called bad luck. Me own town folk turned against me and call me the devil's daughter just cause they learn I can turn into a wolf. If it hadn't of been for this man named Logan, I wouldn't be alive today" she said.
Rogue shrugged. "Yeah Logan is a good person, he's nice to me usually. I'm sorry you were treated so badly."
"Thank yee and I'm sorry for who ever treated you bad" Rahne smiled at her.
For the first time in a while Rogue smiled. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Toward the end of the day Dani Moonstar found herself riding in the back of a pickup truck in the middle of Kentucky. When she had gotten to the airport in Louisville and asked for a lift to Cumberland, the only ride she could get to the far out rural community was from a pig farmer, who only had room in the back. But suddenly the truck stopped.
"Okay darlin this is the Guthrie house" the farmer yelled from the front.
Dani nodded and slowly tip toed through the various pigs and hopped out. "Thanks for the ride" Dani said and waved to the farmer before he drove away. She took a look at this old shack of a house that seemed to be falling apart. There were small children playing in front with some dogs and cats. "I hope this is the place" Dani muttered to herself as she approached the gate. "Excuse me little girl, can you tell me where your Mommy is" Dani asked.
"I'm not a little girl I'm seven and my names Elisabeth, that there is my brother Lewis, and Jebediah and my sister Joelle, who are you anyway and why you want my mama."
"Oh my names Dani Moonstar" Dani said trying to sound friendly. "I need to talk to your mother and maybe some of your siblings about something" she explained.
"What something" Elisabeth asked but then out of the house a much older girl appeared, she looked to be about 13 or 14.
"Elisabeth who are you talking to" the girl asked with annoyance in her voice as she stormed over. "You know your not suppose to talk to strangers, now move along" she said pushing the girl aside.
"It's not her fault, I asked her a question" Dani said softly.
"It doesn't matter, you're a stranger. So what's your business here" the girl asked. "And don't say your just passing through, in a place like this you'd have to want to here to get here, this is nowhere."
"Oh I'm Dani Moonstar and I'm here to talk to your parents about a school for the gifted" she explained.
"And your looking here" the girl asked. "Look Dani, the names Paige" she said. "And well how'd you find yourself here anyway and what you mean gifted, like smart."
"Well not just smart, but you know unique, special talents stuff like that, and let's just say my headmaster has a unique way of finding talent."
"Oh really you mean if you found someone fitting that description you'd take them to this school of yours" she asked.
"Yes I would, well only if they wanted to come" Dani explained.
"Well alright, Mama always wanted us to get educated, unless it cost too much, so I'll take you to her" Paige said and opened the gate for Dani. "So do you know which of us your interested in, there are seven of us."
"Thank you" Dani said. "Seven wow that is a lot and truth is this might sound weird but my head master just sent me here he didn't specify but it would be one of the older ones" she explained as they walked over to the house.
Paige face brightened. "The older ones, really, well I'm the third oldest, just behind my brothers Sam and Joshua but we're hardly a year apart each" she explained. "Mama should be in here with the real young ones, we lost Pa a few years ago in the coal mines."
"I'm sorry about your father" Dani said softly. "My father died a while back as well."
"Yeah its sad think about but we make do, Mama works hard and all, and Sam works in the coalmines" she said as they entered the house and headed to the kitchen. There in was Mrs. Guthrie a middle-aged woman who was sitting down in a chair, seemingly getting her first break all day. "Mama this is Dani Moonstar, she represents a school and she thinks some of us might be able to go there.
Mrs Guthrie took one look at the travel worn Dani and sprung from her chair. "A visitor, oh my, please take a seat" she said as she ushered Dani down into a chair. "You look as if you've had quite the journey. We don't get many visitors here, but the ones we do, we insist you stay for dinner."
"Thank you Ma'am I don't want to impose" Dani began but Mrs Guthrie shook her head.
"Oh your not dear, you seem like a nice girl, now what is this school you wanted to talk about, I must admit we don't have much money" she said.
"Oh well it's a school for the gifted Ma'am, and my head master would be willing to provide. "You see it's kind of complicated but when I mean gifted I mean very uniquely gifted. Do any of your children have abilities that say average people don't; I mean very special powers even. I know you might think this strange, but I was sent here for that reason."
Mrs. Guthrie was quiet for a minute and looked over at Paige who gave her a nod urging her to speak. "I see and I think I know what your talking about" she said. "Samuel, Joshua come out here right now" she said.
Foot steps could be heard and soon a tall boy with blond hair entered. "You called Mama" Sam asked when he noticed the attractive young girl sitting down. "Oh looks like we have company, hi ahm Sam" he smiled at her.
"Dani" she responded as she looked at him. "Boy he's cute" she thought.
Another boy began to enter but stepped back when he saw Dani. Though she caught a glimpse of him and it looked like he had wings. "Jesus Mom, what are you doing, you know I can't let people see me" he called from the hallway.
"Joshua don't be like that" Paige frowned. "She might be able to help you."
"Yeah right, bet she freaks" he frowned still refusing to enter.
Dani got up and walked out to the hallway and stared at Joshua. He had long brown hair and red wings. "Nice wings" she shrugged. "I know you might think I find that strange but well I have my own little secrets" she explained and proceeded to produce an image out of her mind. "I can project images with my mind" she said.
They all looked in amazement. "Golly" Sam said. "That was amazing, so your saying your gifted."
Dani nodded. "Yes I am, and everyone at my school is to. My headmaster is a telepath who can detect mutant signatures, and he said there were a few here" she said. "Now I can see Joshua is gifted, but you called Sam here for a reason to didn't you" she said.
Sam nodded. "Follow me" he said and led them all to the backyard. "Watch this" he said and smiled again at Dani. He began to run then seemed to rise into the air. His legs seemed to swirl and he flew like a rocket that is until he lost control and hit a tree.
"Don't worry he'll be okay" Paige giggled. "Just a little dizzy though" she said as Sam got up and held his head. He tripped over himself a few times before wandering back over.
"Yeah well that's what ah do, but still need some practice" he said.
"That was amazing" Dani smiled. "And if you want control come to our school, we would love to have you and your brother.
Joshua scoffed at the idea. "Thanks but no thanks, I don't like these things, and besides I'm able to hide them best I can. No offense but this school sounds kind of freakish to me" he said and began to walk away.
"Joshua" his mother frowned then turned to Dani. "I apologize for my son."
"Oh it's alright," Dani said. "It's not for everyone and maybe he'll change his mind. What about you" she asked Sam.
Sam shrugged. "I don't know it sounds tempting but I'll have to think about it, you're just going to have to stick around to find out" he smirked. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Inside the jungles of the Amazon a group of people dressed in ceremonial garb are processing to a mountain cave. They are carrying a bound girl, who struggles to get free. "As your princess I demand you let go of me at once" she demanded.
Most of her captors ignored her, except one. "I am sorry Princess Amara but you must be sacrificed" the man in charge said. "The gods will it."
The reached the cave and toward the center of it lay a fire pit. They pushed her along the way as she resisted. "No please I beg of you" she said.
"We have no choice" he said. "Throw her in" he ordered and they threw the girl down and into the pit. "It is done" he said but the ground began to shake. The lava bubbled and began to rise and out of it appeared a figure in flames. "The girl has emerged" he yelled. "We must stop her, the gods have rejected this sacrifice."
"What's happening to me" Amara moaned then realized she was in flames. "I'm on fire but it doesn't hurt, but oh my head" she said then she fell to the ground and transformed back into herself.
"She is weakened, now is our chance" the lead man said. "Draw your weapons" he said and they responded and began to charge at her when a strong wind blew in. The sky grew darker and rain and lighting appeared.
"You shall not harm that girl" a stern voice said. The men turned and saw outside hovering in air, a woman dressed in black and white, with dazzling white hair. She was Storm of the X-Men.
"What are you" one man asked.
Storm had to think quickly. "I am a goddess of nature, and I tell you it is the gods will for the girl to live."
The headman nodded. "All of you drop your weapons and bow your heads" he said. They all responded.
Storm smiled at her work and calmed the storm. She walked over to the girl and revived her. "Hello young one my name is Ororo and I have come to help you. Will you come with me."
Amara groaned as she awoke and then listened. "But where, Nova Roma is my home."
"I know that but you are gifted, what just happened in the lava pit was the emergence of your abilities, I can take you to a place to teach you to master them."
Amara was confused but realized that this woman might be able to help her and had just saved her life. She took Storms hand and nodded. "Okay I'm coming with you" she said.
They got up and began to leave when the lead man stood in they're way. "Please goddess do not depart we shall have a feast in your honor" he said.
Storm and Amara both looked uneasy about the idea but Storm nodded. "Alright tonight we feast" she said and followed the troops back to the city. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Back at the Institute the X-Men and they're new students were just about to be set down for dinner when an alarm went off. "Stay here" Scott said as he and Jean ran out. They ran out to the yard where they saw the alarm system firing at an intruder who seemed to be faster then the blink of an eye. Slowly they watched the machines get destroyed as they tried to hit him and he knocked them down as he passed by. "Quicksilver" Scott muttered.
"No I don't think so" Jean said as they readied for the intruder who was coming their way. Finally as the last laser blaster was smashed the blur became clear, revealing a black haired young man in his late teens. "Who are you" Jean asked.
The man smiled. "Oh pardon the lack of introduction and the mess but it seems that your gate would not let me in so I had to force my way in" he said with a French accent. "Then all the machines came in" he said. "My name is Jean Paul Beaubier, and I've come to see an old coworker of mine, his name is Logan," he said.
Jean and Scott just looked at each other in confusion. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As the sun sets over the city of Los Angeles an alarm suddenly rings through out the air. Soon sirens can be heard as well. This alarm comes from a closed bank that is being robbed. But these robbers aren't your typical robbers.
"Nice going Jubes" a boy with spiked hair yelled. "Your little firework show set the alarm off and now the cops are coming."
"I didn't mean to Ray, it just kind of fired out" the girl called Jubes responded. She had black hair, was of Asian descent and was wearing a distinct yellow coat.
"Just grab all we can ombres" another boy with a Spanish accent said. "You can stretch my skin and stick it there" he said.
"You have any idea how disgusting that sounds Angelo" Ray retorted.
"Well we don't have much choice, the fireworks ripped the bags" Jubes sighed and began to grab fists full of money and pulled Angelo's grayish skin and stuff the money into it.
"Ooh Jubilee that tickles" Angelo smirked.
"Damn it the cops are here" Ray pointed out to the various police cars that had pulled up and the police running toward the door. "Run" he said as he ran toward the back exit of the bank. Angelo and Jubilee got up to follow but Jubilee tripped.
"Jubilee" Angelo said and stretched his hands to help her causing some money to fall out.
"Forget me, or we'll both get caught" she said as she tried to get up.
Suddenly a figure leaped over her head. "Non petite, do not worry, Skin get her out of here, I will hold them off" the older boy said. He was wearing a trench coat and carrying a metal staff. As the police rushed in, he leaped over they're heads, from his hands emitted two glowing playing cards that exploded above they're heads. His bare hands touch the large glass window in front, which began to glow. "Take care mon ami" he said to the police just as Skin had gotten Jubilee out. He leaped over the cops he had earlier disposed of then ran off into the night.
"After him" one of the cops said as they got up when the window now completely glowed. It exploded sending police ducking for cover.
Back out in one of the ally ways the trench coat wearing boy caught up with Ray, Jubilee, and Skin. "We best be getting out of here before they catch us" he said when two other figures ran up, a blond girl and a black boy with blond hair.
"Thanks Remy" Jubilee groaned.
"Not a problem, but I'm sure the boss non gonna like this" he said. "Tabs, Spyke, did you slow them down."
"No problem" Evan said. "I gave they're tires the old Spyke, they'll have to call for back up."
"Good, now everyone let's go" Remy said as he opened up a manhole cover and they all piled in. Just as they departed three figures appeared on the city street in front of the bank.
"So looks like we found the right place alright" Bobby said as he looked around. Most of the police were either knocked out or injured and didn't notice the three new comers as they entered the bank.
Logan sniffed around. "You've got that right, smells like 6 of them were involved" he said. "One of them did that" he said pointing to the window. "Another smashed the safe, though it looks like they got rushed and didn't finish the job" he said indicating the dollars scattered on the ground and that most of the money in the safe hadn't been taken.
"Wow that's some serious damage" Kitty said as she took a look at the safe door. Part of the metal appeared melted off. "What kind of powers are these."
"Smells like pyrotechnics" Logan shrugged. "Whatever we're dealing with, these kids are mutants alright" he said.
"So what do we do now" Bobby asked.
"They're going to try this again. Whoever they're working for isn't going to like that they made little profit off this heist" Logan explained. "We're going to the next closest bank and we're going to wait" he said. "Now half-pint get us out of here before the baby blues awake" he said indicating the cops.
"Right" Kitty said grabbing hold of Logan and Bobby and phasing them through one of the walls. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On the other side of town in an abandoned warehouse, the small band of mutant thieves returned.
"Home sweet home" Angelo smirked as he sat down on a couch to relax.
"If that's what you want to call it" Ray frowned and flopped down into a chair.
Remy looked at them. "Ya better chill we be having a lot of explaining when the boss returns" he said.
"I am already here" a voice sneered from a dark room upstairs. "I see that you have failed me this time," he said.
"Well ya see it was an accident and well" Tabitha began to say.
"Silence" the voice sneered. "I know just what happened, and I know who is responsible as well, Jubilee step into my office" he said.
"Okay" Jubilee said as she trembled. She looked back at the others before slowly walking up the stairs and into the dark room. "You wanted to see me" she said.
"Yes, I know what happened today and I'm sorry dear but it is inexcusable, your mistake cost us the entire operation, you know what I must do" the man said from the shadows.
"Please it won't happen again, I won't let you down, don't do it please" she cried as he got up and walked closer to her.
Downstairs they could hear hard whacks and Jubilee's screams for several minutes then it stopped. Angelo and Evan got up to do something but Remy sat them back down. "Let this be an example to all of you not to fail" the boss sneered as Jubilee exited.
She was wrought with cuts and bruises, her hair was messed up, her clothing partially torn and she had tears in her eyes. She was able to make it down the stairs before falling. Tabs and Angelo went over and helped her up. "Why I ought to" Angelo muttered but Remy shook his head.
"Next time she falls leave her" the voice sneered. "You know I do this because I care. I take you in teach you how to survive and protect yourselves thus I demand competence. Now go back out there and make up for earlier" he said. "And that means all of you."
The others were going to mount their objections but Remy shook his head. "You heard the man" he said and got up to leave. The others reluctantly followed, including Jubilee. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Later on that evening across the street from a bank there was a Chinese restaurant where three X-Men sat and waited. "You sure this is the right bank" Bobby asked between bites on an egg roll.
"Yeah or if they'll even try anything tonight" Kitty questioned as she poked at some rice.
Logan nodded. "Just trust me, this is the next closest bank to the one hit earlier, and the way I see it they blew it earlier and they have to hit it to make the evening profitable."
"Well they better hurry up soon, I mean we've been her for like hours" she frowned. "People are going to be suspicious if we don't leave soon, I mean how much food can we possibly eat."
Logan and Bobby just looked at her before they continued eating. "Like never mind" she frowned.
Across the street in a back alley from out of another man hole cover emerged the young band of mutant thieves. Remy was in the lead. "Okay now we are going to do this right" he said then touched a part of the bank wall with his hand. It began to glow. "Back off" he said and they all ducked. "Okay everyone in" he said. An alarm started to go off.
"I'll handle that" Ray smirked and fired an electric blast from his hand hitting the alarm system and shorting it out.
"Hey Gambit I don't think Jubes is up to it" Tabs said as she showed Jubes still groaning from her injuries.
"Yeah okay, you just keep an eye out them petite" Remy said then the others followed after him.
Jubilee groaned. "Yeah right no problem" she groaned. She prayed this mission wouldn't fail.
Once inside Ray lifted up his hands and fired electrical blasts that destroyed the cameras. "They won't be seeing our faces" he smirked.
"Okay so how we gonna open up this safe, whose turn is it" Angelo asked.
"No problem, time for a little Boom Boom" Tabitha smirked as her hands began to glow.
Remy shook his head. "I've got a more finesse way" he assured her. "Spike the door Ev" he said.
Spyke nodded and fired a spike into the door lock. "What you gonna do."
"This" Remy shrugged and bare handed it. "Stand back" he said as it began to glow. It exploded and the door swung open easily. "Now everyone it's time to shop" he said as they all ran in.
"Safe deposit boxes" Tabs smirked. "Everyone let me do my work" she said and she started to form little glowing devices in her hand. She placed each one of them on one of the deposit locks. After a few seconds each popped a minor explosion and the doors easily sprung open. Once in a while they'd blow hard and destroy the contents though. "Oops" she shrugged.
Angelo came in and immediately started stretching through and grabbing everything out of the open boxes and throwing them in a sack. Meanwhile where the money was Remy, Evan and Ray started filling up sacks.
Across the street as they had broken in Logan heard something. "I'll be right back, stay here" he said after hearing a brief alarm.
Bobby looked at Kitty who looked back at him. "So are we going to stay here" he joked.
"As if" she said and the two got up to follow Logan.
Logan raced across the street and realized the scents matched the ones he had gotten before. He clawed open the front door to the bank and charged in. "Oh look customers, sorry the banks closed" he growled at the band of thieves with his claws ready. "Now come quietly and Uncle Wolverine won't have to spank you," he said. "Just put the money back."
"Well you can kiss our ass badger or whatever" Tabitha snapped as she readied a bomb but Remy stopped her.
"Now now, maybe the man be right, now everyone lets just walk over slowly and just give him back the loot" Remy said then smirked. He charged his bag of cash and threw it at Logan who had to dive out of the way as it exploded. "Now let's bolt, before he gets up" he said.
The others nodded and grabbed their loot running out of the hole in the wall.
Bobby and Kitty had followed Logan across the street and were about to enter when they heard a moaning. "What was that?" Bobby asked.
"I don't know but it sounds bad and it seems to be coming from over there" Kitty said as ran to the ally with Bobby following her. "Oh my" Kitty exclaimed as they found the wounded Jubilee.
"We have to help her" Bobby said as he tried to pick her up.
Logan ran back into the ally and began to chase after the band of thieves but Tabitha's bombs, Evan's Spykes, Remy's cards, and Ray's electric blasts slowed him down. They ran down into the street and into a subway station. They were way ahead of him but he could smell them.
"Get on the train" Remy called to the others as he held the door open with his staff.
"What about Jubes" Angelo called.
"You see that, we're in big trouble right now" Ray said referring to Wolverine as he ran by and jumped on the train as it began to move. Tabitha followed after him and so did Spyke. As the train left Angelo looked one more time before stretching and snatching on to it just as it left the station.
Logan snatched at Angelo but just missed him. "Damn it they got away" He frowned and punched a claw into a wall.
"Like Logan we have some bigger problems right now" Kitty said as she and Bobby caught up with him and they showed him the hurt girl. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the city of Georgia Kurt had looked everywhere for the address the Professor had given him, after hours of searching he finally found it. He knocked on the door and a man answered. "May I help you young man" he asked.
"Yes excuse me but I'm here about your son" Kurt said.
The man groaned. "Look I don't know who sent you but my son is absolutely fine, leave him alone I'm handling it" he said and tried to close the door.
"Look sir I know its scary and strange but I can help, I am like him" he said.
"Oh really" the man asked. "Please come in" he told Kurt and let him in. "How are you like my son, he's not exactly normal.
"Vell please don't freak out" Kurt said and turned off his inducer. The man was startled for a second then smiled.
"Maybe you can help my son, maybe you can" he said. "Would you like to see him" he asked.
"Yes that vould be good" Kurt nodded.
"Follow me" the man said and lead Kurt to a room. "Artie you have a visitor" he said as he opened the door.
"Don't be scared come out, I am like you "Kurt said.
A small boy appeared out from the shadows. He had pink skin and large white eyes. Kurt was about to say something when he was knocked out from behind. "I'm sorry young man but you are just what we need" Artie's father said.
Okay that's the first part of Recruitment. Tell me what you think. A lot of people were introduced and some will be new X-recruits. Please Review if you are reading this story so I know there is an interest. I'll have the next part up when I can.
