2

"Iceman, what are you doing!"

The teenager who called himself Iceman was transformed into what can only be described as living ice. He was sliding on a long bridge of ice he had made using powers that evolution had given him, moving across the perimeter of a large room filled with circular buzz saws, laser cannons, crushing walls, robotic enemies and countless other death traps. He was making his way to save a girl from one such trap. The girl, who not only hadn't spoken to him in two days but also could walk through walls and other objects like they were thin air, hadn't notice a new robot entering the room from behind her. He was doing this all at 6:30 in the morning before a long day of high school classes. He of course, was doing what to him was perfectly normal.

Three laser cannons homed in on him and fired at once, shattering the ice slide and sending him flying into the nearby wall with a sickening thud. He fell part of the way to the ground, hitting the lower, angled section of the wall and rolling the rest of the way, coming to rest in a heap on the floor. He groggily tried to stand, getting to his knees at best before a rocket exploded above him sending him back to the ground.

"I think that's enough for this morning," came Logan's voice over the loudspeaker. "Not bad until the snowman here wiped out. Hit the showers and get to school."

Bobby slowly pulled himself off the ground with the help of the wall. He was going to be hurting all day and most of tomorrow from a fall like that, even in his ice form. He shifted back to flesh and blood, rubbing his head as he did so. He felt a hand on his arm and opened his eyes to see Kitty in front of him, brushing her still long bangs out of her eyes. She pulled his hand away and looked at his head, then made him follow her finger with his eyes. "You seem okay, no concussion, just shook up. Stop trying to save me Icee, I'm a big girl you know. The others need your help too."

"What? I didn't, I mean..." but she had walked away.

She was replaced in his vision with Cyclops, who pushed him against the wall. "What the hell was that Drake? Your job was to wait until Kitty disabled the defenses, and then we, as in the whole team together, move in."

"Look, I saw she was in trouble and—"

"She was phased the whole time. You've got a hero complex that's dangerous to all of us. You need to stop showboating and start acting as part of the team."

"Fine, I got it," Bobby said, dodging around Scott and heading out of the Danger Room.

"Little harsh on him, aren't ya?" came Rogue's drawl from behind Scott. He turned around and saw her collecting the throwing disks she kept in a pouch on her hip.

"He messed up, he needs to fix it now rather than out there in the field."

"Ah know, an' Ah know he's going to. But ya didn't have ta lay it on him with so much Logan in ya voice."

"What?"

"Come on Scott, if ya had claws you woulda had him pinned to the wall with 'em. He's barely standing after that blast he took and now he's got you shoving him around. Ah know you have it in for him after that punch you took."

"I do not have it in for him. I just think it might have been a mistake to let him on the team after the attitude he pulled on Saturday. He might be good in a fight most of the time, but he's got a temper and no control over his maturity. He's reckless because he wants to show off to the rest of us, like that stunt he tried to use to rescue Kitty."

"Are you blind behind that visor? He wasn't doing it to impress no one. He saw her and danger and jumped in. Those two are crushing so bad on each other even Ah find it funny. And as far as you not having it in for him, ya haven't even talked to him about Saturday."

"He talked to the Professor. He's on the team. He hasn't brought it up, so neither will I. What's there to talk about?"

"Ah dunno, how about tha fact that he probably feels like he's been used and manipulated by you, which is exactly why Ah told you it was a stupid idea in the first place. And let's not forget that he knocked your lights out afterwards. He probably doesn't trust you and Ah don't blame him. It's going to hang over the team until you two patch things up."

"That's something he needs to work out—"

"It's something ya both need to work out! Gawd, how does Jean put up with you? Ya don't have to be the strong, rigid leader all the time Scott, you're just a kid for Gawd's sake. Ya can show emotion and talk to him and then maybe ya'll both swallow your Gawd damn manly pride an' say you're sorry! Ya think you're right and that's not going to change but ya owe to him to at least explain why. As your teammate and as your friend Scott, Ah'm telling you that you're have to talk to him. Now, Ah smell like Logan after it rains, so Ah'm going to try and get cleaned up for school."

She picked up the last of the throwing disks and headed towards the door, leaving Scott standing alone in the Danger Room.

-------------

Scott wasn't the only one being talked to at the time. In the girl's locker room Jean was once again inquiry about Kitty's crush.

"You were pretty cold to Bobby out there."

"He was pretty cold to me on Saturday."

"He's tried to apologize, you keep avoiding him."

"And he hasn't learned yet that he hurt me."

"So what are you going to do, just not talk to him until he leaves you until he comes professing his love to you?"

"No! I'm going to ignore him until he leaves me alone. I don't want anything to do with Bobby Drake or any silly little girl crushes I may have had on him."

"May?"

"May!"

"All right. Probably for the best anyways," Jean said, reaching into her locker for some jewelry. "Wouldn't want you to get hurt."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, he was pretty close to Jubilee before she left and they still talk all the time. I hear he's going to spend some of his winter vacation out in California with her."

"He's doing what!"

Jean just smiled to herself and shook her head slightly. "Oh yeah. I mean, I don't know if anything is going to happen for sure, we don't talk too much, but Amara was telling me all about it. Pretty brave though. I don't know if I could handle a long distance relationship like that."

"He never liked her that way, I don't think. I mean, you saw what happened this morning, he was totally trying to be a—" she stopped herself. "Wait a minute! Stop messing with my head!"

"Kitty, I would never use my powers like that and you know it! I'm hurt you would even think—"

"You don't need powers to mess with someone's head you sadistic, evil she-devil! Stop laughing!"

Jean continued to laugh, "Give it up Kitty, you've got it bad."

"I know! Stop rubbing it in." She sat down with a huff on the bench and running her fingers through her short hair. It still threw her off sometimes how short it was. At least it had grown out some, looking less like Wanda's tomboy cut then it did when she first was forced to cut it. As different as it was from her long hair before and as hard as it was getting used to it, she liked the mid-neck length it was now. Bobby liked it to, came the thought that shattered the distraction she had formed by thinking about her hair. "Ohhh, I don't know what to do. Does he really like me or is he just flirting with me for fun? Do I make the first move, do I wait? Do I even want to date anyone yet?"

"I'm sure you'll figure it out soon enough. And if you ever need help, just ask me and I'll do what I can."

"Thanks Jean." The girls continued there preening for a few more moments when Rogue walked in.

"Gawd Jean, your boy toy is being a real idiot about the crap he's got going on with Bobby. Ah think Ah put him in his place, but ya need to make sure those two talk. Maybe we can get back to normal around here soon."

"I hope so," the redhead answered. "I think we just need to get over this whole thing and move on. We can't have this sort of tension if what the Professor thinks is coming actually happens."

"Ah know," Rogue said, grabbing a towel and heading to the shower area. "Hey Kitty, speaking of tension," came from the shower a few minutes later, "when are ya and Bobby going to start making out already? Getting a little ridiculous, don't ya think?"

"Ew, no thank you Rogue, I'm not into Bobby at all. He's cocky and arrogant and just like Lance, and I do not want a guy like that."

"Whatever, Bobby's one of tha nicest guys in Bayville and you know it. A girl would be lucky with a catch like that."

"If you like him so much why don't you ask him out?"

"Maybe Ah would if he wasn't looking at you all tha time. And, ya know, if Ah could actually touch him without killing him."

"He's looking at me?"

The shower cut off and Rogue came out wrapped up in a towel. She was careful to avoid the other two girls with so much of her skin exposed. "Everyone knows you two are into each other but denying it. It's like Scott and Jean all over again."

"Everyone knows! Jean, I warned you, give me that brain!" Kitty yelled, lunging forward with hand outstretched.

With a flick of her TK Jean sent Kitty into the air, the younger teen's arms flailing. "All right, put me down!"

Rogue just laughed. "Oh course everyone knows. All ya'll do is stare at each other when ya think the other ain't looking. Ah personally hope you two never talk, it's almost as funny as the time he and Kurt put pink dye in Logan's shampoo."

"Whatever. Why should I be taking advice about crushes from the Queen of Hearts?"

"What did ya call me?"

"You heard me," she said, grabbing her school bag from the locker and slamming the door shut. "Hurry up or you'll be late for school, chere."

-------------

"So are you ever going to talk to Scott?"

Bobby grimaced and pressed the palm of his hand against his forehead. He had thought convincing Kurt to teleport him to school this morning was a good idea, but they hadn't even finished walking out of Forge's old lab and already the questions were beginning. All he wanted was to walk to class, and for his stomach to stop being so queasy after the rapid teleport chain Kurt had to go through to make it the distance to school.

"Maybe? I really don't want to think about it, you know?"

"Okay, zat's cool, I understand. But you know it's going totally suck to watch you two fight all zhe time. It'd be a whole lot better if you just worked it out."

"I know man, but he's not exactly the easiest guy to go up and talk to."

"Not as easy as say, Kitty?"

"I've tried to say I'm sorry for the way I blew her off Saturday but she's avoiding me. She hasn't said anything to me except what she said after I wiped out this morning."

"Ja, maybe if you just told her how you vere madly in love vit her she'd talk to you again."

Bobby stopped dead in his tracks. "What? I am not madly in love with Kitty Pryde. I mean, yeah, she's really cute and funny and smart, but I'm not madly in love with her."

"Please mein freund, you have it worse for her then Jamie does."

"Dude, I do not."

"Remember the Danger Room on Saturday? 'Kitty, I've got you!'" he pantomimed, "'Swoon, catch me Bobby!' 'Nevermind the Sentinels, I must stare into your eyes forever!' 'You're cold to the touch!' 'But I burn for you Kitty!' 'I'll never let go Bobby! I'll never let go!'"

Bobby just glared at him until he finished. "You hear that furball, that's the sound of your lunch freezing!"

"Aw man, zhat is totally not cool!" Kurt said, quickly pulling off his backpack and looking inside. "All I mean is zhat you and Kitty seem like a perfect match zhese days, vhat vit how you keep flirting. You said it yourself zhat Kitty is an amazing girl. Any guy would be lucky to go out vit her."

"Oh really Kurt," came a voice from behind him. Bobby just grinned at his friend and mouthed "Busted!"

"If Miss Kitty Pryde is so perfect then why are you settling for me?"

"Amanda, I didn't mean, I mean, I vas,"

"Relax Kurt!" she wrapped her arms around him and kissed his cheek. "Hi Bobby. Hopelessly in love with Kitty now?"

"I admit to crushing, why am I suddenly in love with her?"

"We're just teasing you Bobby. If you want some female advice, which you probably desperately need if you're relying on Kurt for relationship advice-"

"Hey, I am not zhat bad!"

"I've had to make the first move honey," she kissed him quickly. "Not that I mind."

"Yeah, vell, you vere terrified."

"Anyways Bobby, just tell her and ask her out. Kurt says she probably likes you so what do you have to lose? Ask her to the dance next week, then you don't have to think of something to do."

"Yeah, maybe. If I can get her to talk to me again."

"I'm sure it vill vork out dude, she's not the type to hold a grudge, ja?"

"Yeah, that's true. Thanks Amanda, maybe I should just go for it. Women. Why does everything have to be so complicated?"

-------------

"This certainly does complicate matters Logan. I had hoped that Scott and Bobby would have at least spoken with one another. Scott especially I had trusted to try and fix this situation. As team leader he must realize it affects the dynamics of the whole team."

"It's too personally for him Charles. I think we both forget that he's only 19. He doesn't always think straight."

"Very true. I suppose we all lose a little bit of our judgment when our pride is injured. Perhaps I will have to take matters into my own hands."

"Sittin' those two down and forcing them to talk probably won't fix anything. You'll get fake answers and we'll be back to where we are."

"I was thinking of something a little more subtle then that old friend. I've just been contacted by Alex's step parents. They feel that the public's response in light of Apocalypse puts their son in danger, and even with the school being a target he will be safer here."

"'Bout time they realized that. You want me to go pick him up?"

"No, I'm sending Ororo with Scott and Bobby. The long flight in the confined space of the Blackbird will hopefully force them to talk out their differences, and Ororo will be there to mediate if necessary."

"Good thinking. She'd handle in much better then I could. But with Alex joining, along with Mirage being here, and Rahne coming back, we're lookin' like we need more teachers again."

"I agree, and I have someone in mind. But that will have to wait for another day. There is another reason you are not going to Hawaii. I need you to go to Canada."

"Something tells me I'm not gunna like this."

-------------

"Homme, it Gambit. I found our package, an' it's wrapped up nice an' tight fo' us. Non, we don't go now, best wait a few mo' days. Don't you worry now, I got it all under control. You just make sure our ride is ready."

-------------

He looked down upon the valley and smiled. History would show this land to be the cradle of the new civilization, he thought. It is from here that a new mankind, birthed from those mutants who would soon come to call this island home, would spread across the Earth and usher in a new golden age. Pulled from the depths of the ocean by his power, he had crafted this it to be a paradise. With the help of the few mutants he had already found, they had created this land to be a haven for all.

He turned to one of those mutants, a young girl of 16 who he had rescued from an angry mob attacking her when they found source of the food she was feeding her fellow homeless with. "You have helped create a truly beautiful place Caroline. You should be proud of yourself and the work you have done."

"Thank you sir."

"There is no need for formality here. I am a member of our Brotherhood just as you are. You are welcomed to call me by my name, Magneto. Have you decided upon the name you will take?"

"Yes," the young girl said, her hand outstretched over a piece of bare ground below her. Grass began to sprout, followed by a large rose bush. "Ceres."

"A very appropriate name given your abilities. I want to thank you again for helping us to populate this island with life. It will help sustain our people in the coming months."

"Thank you for rescuing me and giving me a home. Will this island truly be safe for our kind?"

"As safe as I can make it."

A burst of wind and a blur blew past them, and they were no longer alone. "Dad, Sage says she's got the generator fully up and running again. She wants to know if you want Mastermind to give it another try."

"No Pietro, we've seen that his mind is not tailored for that form of telepathy. I know of another that we must seek out. Then, if we continue to have power, I believe it will be time that the Brotherhood begins seeking new recruits to bring to Avalon."

A/N: Ceres is an OC. I generally dislike the use of OCs, especially in stories based on works like X-Men Evolution where there is such a plethora of unused characters to introduce. As you will see later, I have no problem reinventing those pre-existing characters into ones very different from their Earth-616 counterparts, but introducing OCs is not my style. However, after an half hour searching various sources on the Internet and the comics I have myself, I could find no character that had the plant powers Magneto would need to quickly create flora on a rock pulled from the ocean depths, and so Caroline Ross, mutant name Ceres was born. That being said, you'll probably never see her again.