Fading Flame
:As Elithiel joins the team in 2007 Magneto and his cronies are on the move. Elithiel comes in with four other new mutants.
He, Spyke, Nightcrawler, Kitty, and Angel come in to make up the youngest junction of the X-Men force, with Angel being the eldest. Training has now become stringent and classes are shorter. Can these young teenagers overcome their own emotions,
the threat of a mutant cure, and a very powerful, war-mongering mutant?
The Meeting: Chapter One
Cyclops moved towards the Institutes auditorium just as Professor Xavier began his speech. He pushed open the highly polished doors silently and moves swiftly to find a seat alone in the front. Wolverine followed him with his eyes. Cyclops was like this ever since they had lost Jean. Part of him tried to feel for him while the other was telling him how ridiculous it was for him to be this way. He sighed and returned his attention back to the professor.
"…So in light of current events, I would like it if we concentrated on our combat training. Knowledge is power, yes, but no one said that had to come from a book," he said in a loud smooth voice. A few students chuckled at his last remark. He pressed on.
"Now, as for your teachers in the simulation rooms, Monday through Thursday, regular training courses are held for students with Scott, Logan, Ororo, or Hank teaching you. Now many of you may be wondering 'what about the rest of the week?' Well those days are left for the training of our infamously named X-MEN, who are proud to welcome five new members to our team. They were former students here who have shown outstanding achievements not only in school but in the field as well. They are Elithiel Elithian alias Fira, Evan Daniels alias Spyke, Kitty Pride alias Shadowcat, Bobby Drake alias Iceman, Anna Marie alias Rogue, Kurt Wagner alias Nightcrawler, and Warren Worthington III alias Archangel or simply Angel," he said as these students, accompanied by the X-MEN team walked onto the stage to loud applause. When the applause died down the professor took the mike again.
"Well now that the new system has been introduced I believe now if you take a look at your schedules you will see you will see that they are significantly changed. You are now dismissed to your respective classes at this time. You have 10 minuets before school begins," he said as the mass of students below him headed out their different exits. He turned back to the other eleven people behind him smiling.
"Well, it seems time is not on our sides. While the other students are in their class I would like for you all to down with Logan and Storm to the lower levels for a little field training. Use your discretion for the level Logan. I think they'll be able to handle it," the professor said to them all.
"What about those of us who aren't teaching?" Hank asked.
"You will be. The students still need their normal teachers now don't they? You all have your tasks. Off you go," he said after shaking hands with the new recruits except for Elithiel. They all moved off.
At the elevator they bade Scott and Hank farewell as they descended to the lower levels. Once inside the elevator and the doors had closed Logan growled lowly at the newbie's.
"So are you going to introduce yourselves or what? I don't think you can perform very well in a battle if you don't know each other," he said impatiently, making them all jump.
Elithiel looked around the elevator and caught someone's eye. He blinked before extending his hand to the other boy.
"I'm Elithiel, but they call me Fira. I'm from San Juan. Nice to meet you," he said as the other boy took the hand.
"I'm Evan….but they call me Spyke. I'm from O Side California. Uhm…nice to meet you too," he said taking the hand and smiling. Soon everyone in the elevator had begun their own different conversations and as they walked out into the lower levels they were chatting animated. Elithiel was with Kitty and Evan and Kurt with William, Anna, and Bobby. They followed the two teachers as they led the way in through the silver hallways. Logan began to wish he hadn't encouraged them to talk just as they walked up on the large circular metal doors, which marked the entrance into the sim rooms.
They walked into the doors and stepped inside. They were in a rectangular room with a large glass window over-looking an empty white room below them. In the center of the room was a panel which was big enough to allow at least four people on it at a time. Logan and Storm walked over to a long panel which extending from one side of the room to the other which ran just underneath the glass window. They began immediately to press buttons and many different colored lights appeared on the control panel.
By now the conversations had stopped except for Elithiel and Evan who seemed to click ever since the elevator.
"Oh yeah? San Juan, Puerto Rico right?" Evan asked excitedly.
"Oh yes. I've lived there for six years, but I too lived in Oceanside. I moved there when I was seven. I liked it there….but I have to say the view wasn't quite as good as PR," he said in his slight Latin accent. Evan gave an 'ah' of incredulity.
"No way! I don't think I've ever actually met someone from Puerto Rico before. Nice! Do you speak Spanish then?" he asked. Storm cleared her throat loudly.
"Now if my dear kind sweet nephew would be so kind as to join us we can begin. Evan flushed and looked up to her.
"Yes, Auntie O," he said quickly. Elithiel stared from Evan to Storm with his mouth open slightly. Evan shook his head to let him know that he would tell him later.
"Now, as you know this is in fact the simulation room. Make no mistake simulation, is no more no less what we will experience in here. The "Danger Room" as we call it is completely safe, except maybe for the slight pinch you experience if you are transferred back here," she said.
"Er…transferred?" Kitty asked a bit hesitantly.
"As in you're killed in there. Don't worry…it's not real. But there are a few rules. When we head in here, I don't want any heroics. We work as a team. Try to communicate as best you can out there. We need to be aware of our surroundings at all times, and most importantly of all we must know that the enemy will not wait for us. Weather we are ready or not the will attack. You must be able to work under pressure and danger. Now….for the rest…you'll have to learn on your own. The first four…step onto the platform in the center of the room please," she said motioning for those closest to step onto it.
Elithiel looked down to see that he was already standing on it. Just his luck. Evan, Bobby, and Kurt joined him on the platform.
"You four will be down there for about five minuets alone while the transfer machine reloads so that we can send the other three after you. Try to stay low till then. Good luck," she said and with that the platform beneath them trembled and began to lower. Elithiel felt his heart beat a rapid crescendo against his chest as the room slipped from view and they were now in a pitch black.