June 10, 2006: And here is Part Two of Chapter Five. :)

Please see previous disclaimers for details regarding this story, though I will repeat…

… that I have taken a few liberties with the Marvel Universe - not unlike Marvel ;) - but that it should still be recognizable. I do not own these characters - except for the ones I created for the story - and make no monies from writing about them. This is just for fun, folks. :)

This has not been Betaed so any errors are my own darned fault.

Words bracketed by '/' are in another language.

Lots of kids in this chapter. You'll probably recognize some of them. Please don't worry about keeping track, though. It'll make your head hurt. It hurt my head while I wrote this story…;)

My continued thanks to those who read and those who review. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

Enjoy!

Smashing Through the Looking Glass

Chapter Five: Part Two

Waiting for Harvey

The 'Getting to Know You' is going smoothly and everyone seems to be having fun. I admit I'm not paying a great deal of attention. My mind is somewhat… preoccupied. I automatically make mental notes as we progress through the groups, gathering snippets of stuff that I can think about later. Insects haven't compromised our dessert, as far as we can tell, anyway. I eat an Oreo cookie, without separating it, and try to relax. It's a beautiful night. The stars are out, the night is clear and the lights give the garden a wonderful feeling. It's still warm enough that I don't need to change out of my swimsuit. Maybe when we get ready for the bonfire, which has been announced as the activity to follow the glorious destruction of the piñata. I can't wait for the s'mores, but I don't dwell on it.

I'm being careful what I wish for now.

I haven't told anyone yet, about Jean and what happened with Sam and Bobby. I think the Professor suspects I'm somehow involved 'cause he was there for the possession or whatever it was in his study. Being a telepath, the alarm bells probably went off in that sector, too. I'm surprised Liz didn't catch anything but then it was very specific to certain individuals. I feel like such a freak right now. Ironic, really, when you think that to some people, I was already a freak.

Freak. Mutant. Aberration. Deviation from humanity.

Here, KittyKittyKitty…

The game continues.

"Karina likes cats and listening to Simon and Garfunkel." Xi'an sounds like she doesn't know Simon and Garfunkel from Abbott and Costello, but she's committed it to memory long enough for her report. "Her favourite colour is green."

"Julie likes nature and her favourite subject is biology." Karina can only be heard because Ms. Munroe encourages her to speak louder. "Julie's favourite colour is red."

"Xi'an is from Vietnam and she likes biology, too." Ms. Munroe beams. "Red is also her favourite colour." Julie giggles and smiles at Xi'an. Cool those two have something in common.

"Ms. Munroe loves plants and has her own garden on the roof." Julie sounds in awe of this fact. I know she sometimes helps Ms. Munroe water her babies. "Her favourite colour is blue."

No doubting what the consistent question with that group was. My favourite colour is blue, too, I think, absently aware that another group is doing their thing. I catch the highlights.

Alison clears her throat. "Sarah likes fantasy novels and anime. She wants to be a doctor."

"Alison's favourite singer is Amy Lee of Evanescence." Sarah grins and winks at her friend. "Someday, she'll be a famous singer, too."

"Russell is from London, England." Wanda savours the words. She's obviously pleased to be introducing him, as it were, to everyone else. "He likes skateboarding and listening to rock 'n' roll."

"Wanda is into Egyptology and reincarnation." I have no idea what the key questions were for this group. Russell doesn't seem to mind the lack of continuity. He doesn't look self-conscious, either, which is a neat trick when you're standing in front of people you've only just met in your swim trunks. "She wants me to tell you that you should close your windows tonight and put a bell beside your bed. She also reminds you to not point at the moon." He's grinning, taking it all in stride.

The fact that Wanda frequently tells us not to point at the moon will become evident after just a few days at Xavier's. I quickly run her warnings through my head, having gleaned enough of her magic stuff to take some note. Okay, pointing at the moon is bad luck. Closing our windows is to keep out any bad influences that use air as their medium. The sound of bells keeps away bad spirits. It's all bad. Sharing a room with her is something I don't really miss all that much.

I still have the brass bell she gave me for Christmas beside my bed, though.

Interesting that neither of us actually celebrate Christmas. Doesn't stop us from participating in the Secret Santa gift giving.

On and on it goes, fairly quickly 'cause I think some of us really want to beat the shit out of the piñata.

Jamie wishes he had a brother. That's precious, considering his mutant ability to duplicate himself. Amara has never left her home before going to England and coming here. She didn't like the flight over very much. Angie's full name is 'Angelina', but it's too long to say all the time and she loves chocolate and coffee. I smile. We'll get along fine. Keisha likes roller coasters and playing darts. Interesting.

Rogue doesn't mention Rahne's fear of water when their group presents.

"Rahne is from Scotland and likes t' read and go on long walks," she says instead.

Now it's our turn. We aren't the last group, but Sam's is the only one left once we're done. I decide to stand up first and get it over with.

"Jack is from Glastonbury, England," I say. "His favourite book is 'The Iliad'. His family has lived in a sixteenth century stone manse for generations. He's lost a lot of marbles on the slanted floors." I sit down.

Jack stands up, looking simultaneously innocent and yummy in his Speedos.

"Kitty is from Deerfield, Illinois," he begins. "She likes Tolkein but her favourite book is 'Through the Looking Glass' by Lewis Carroll. Her father decorated their lawn with gnomes." There is some laughter as he sits. Hey, if I can tell folks he's lost his marbles, he can mention the gnome population.

"Jubilation Lee is from Beverly Hills, California." Logan sounds amused. Jubilee doesn't use her full name often. "Her favourite book is 'The Bourne Supremacy'. She likes to go to the movies." I guess that's one way to sum up her understanding of the Trojan War.

"Logan is from Canada. His favourite book is 'Moby Dick. He doesn't think Matt Damon is a good actor." Logan chuckles.

None of us mention the ice cream.

Sam's group goes next. I know these people well, so it zips by: Sam's from Kentucky and likes ZZ Top; Dani is a native North American of the Cheyenne Nation and likes horses; Peter and Dave are both artists, but use different mediums. Peter is from Siberia and misses his family, especially his sister. Dave's family moved from their Toronto, Ontario apartment and left no forwarding address.

I can't help but wonder what the caterers make of all this. No mutant abilities mentioned, or anything, just a bunch of 'gifted youngsters' having a party. What gets back to the gossip circles in Salem Center? Don't get me wrong. These ladies have been super and the Professor has used them before, but you'd have to be dead not to be at least a little curious about this place. I don't blame them. I'll have to ask Stevie if she's heard anything when I go for my dance class on Tuesday.

"Alright, everybody, that was great! Now, Ah'd like ya'll to gather round the oak tree and we'll see who wants to take a turn at the piñata!"

Sam would've made a super town crier.

Dr. McCoy and Mr. Wagner did an excellent job of securing the poor piñata from one of the lower, strong limbs of the garden's largest oak tree. Even shorter folk like me have a chance to hit it. The tree is a favourite spot for reading and students and teachers alike often vie for a position under it. Thankfully, the trunk is huge and four people can sit, embraced by the roots, and have complete privacy. Most of us gather around, though a few return to the tables under the porch, looking for another Nanaimo square or whatever, or return to activities they were doing before the group event. I gaze up at our target. It isn't Magneto or any other member of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, but that's okay. We'll save the Mannequinov Family anyway.

"So." Sam tests the weight of the staff we're using as a weapon and looks appraisingly at the crowd. "How do ya'll think we should determine who gets a first go?"

"We're gonna be blind-folded, right?"

"Right, Dave. And no -" He glances a the caterers "- funny stuff." No powers. No big surprise. No problem.

"How long do we get?" Pietro would ask that question.

"Each person gets one minute to try t' hit the piñata. The person with the most hits - and the person who finally breaks it, of course - is the winner. They gotta share the prize, though."

"What's inside?"

Sam smiles at Alison's curiosity. "Ya'll have t' find out."

Alison sighs. Nice try, kiddo. It's usually candy, but with this crowd, who knows what was chosen for the prize?

"Let one of the new kids go first," says Wanda, her eyes flicking to Russell.

"Okay. Fine by me. Nice, gesture, Wanda." Sam regards the students in question who are in the circle - and who will probably have serious jetlag tomorrow - and wonders how to fairly choose.

"Ladies first," Roberto says firmly and Jack and Russell nod in agreement.

"It's only right," Jack begins.

"They had to put up with us on the 'plane," Russell finishes. I wonder if they're going to do this tag-speaking thing a lot.

The four new girls look at one another. Amara isn't in the crowd, but over by the beverage table, talking to Ms. Munroe. Siryn and Frankie and Iz are in the pool. Ray, Blink and Harley went back to the scrambler and Liz is sitting daintily on a lawn chair, watching them show off. Peter, bless 'im, is keeping watch as they pretend to be members of the Cirque de Soleil. The event that triggered the den mother in me triggered something in him, too. Logan and Dr. McCoy are near the buffet having a chat, along with Mr. Wagner, who is also having another Heineken. Professor Xavier is speaking with the caterers, who look like they might be packing up soon. Of the X-Men, only Mr. Summers is with us at the piñata, and he's not participating.

"I think I'll pass," a Scottish brogue says shyly. I note Rahne isn't standing near Bobby and wonder if it's a coincidence.

"And me," Angie says. "I'll go later, if it is still alive."

I glance up at the giant burro, swaying slightly in the breeze from a rope. I don't know if Angie will have a second chance. Eyes glint around the circle. Too many off us want to hit something. That should worry me, but right now, I'm one of them. I wonder if anyone else recognizes this undercurrent of violence. I narrow it down to the real enthusiasts.

Rogue. Bobby. Pietro. Wanda. Keisha. Jack. Russell. Roberto. Dani. Sam.

Me.

Alison thinks it's fun, which it should be. The rest seem to agree with her. I can sense it all, those who want to play the game and those who want to vent. I take a deep breath and let it out. I refuse to let it overwhelm me. It's like when I knew Rahne was afraid of the water.

"Keisha?" It's Xi'an. Her voice helps me focus back on the piñata. "Why don't you go first?"

"Thank you," Keisha says in her lilting voice and accepts the offered staff. Dani blindfolds her, and then spins her around three times. Everyone else takes a step back, not wanting to accidentally be a target.

"Your minute starts… now." Sam pushes a button on his wristwatch - which is one of those amazing devices that can do any number of things, even underwater. The face of it glows faintly blue.

Keisha takes a few uncertain steps then starts swinging. She hits it the third time, but only a glancing blow. It's swinging a little so it's hard to hit, and blindfolded I don't know who among us could accurately judge where it would move next.

"Thirty seconds," Sam calls out. Keisha keeps swinging and manages another two hits, one denting the burro's side a little. When her time is up, she stands still until Dani has removed the blindfold. Scattered applause is acknowledged with a smile.

"You choose who's next," Dani tells her.

Let one of the kids who wants some fun have a go, I think. Please?

"Alison, girl, you wanted to know what's inside it." Keisha passes the staff to the excited teen. "Go for it." She takes the blindfold from Dani, tying it snugly over Alison's eyes. "One, two, three," she says as she spins her.

With our encouragement, Alison hits it twice but no damage is done. She blushes at Sam's praise.

"I guess I'll let one of the boys have a try," she says after and shyly passes the staff to Russell. He has to stoop down so she can tie on the blindfold.

"Cheers," he says brightly, and patiently waits for her to spin him.

"One, two three."

The last time I saw someone hit the mark with such deadly accuracy and force I was in the control booth of the Danger Room, watching Mr. Summers and Logan work out. Russell is so casual about it, effortless, that I immediately think he's cheating and using his mutant ability, which must be targeting. And strength. A large dent appears on the same side as where Keisha hit. Good thing the piñata is designed to last long.

Sam looks sharply at Mr. Summers, eyebrows raised, obviously wondering the same thing. Mr. Summers shakes his head: no. Others in the circle see the exchange, no doubt wondering what Russell's mutant ability is if it isn't this. For some reason, Sam turns to look at me next. What would I have to do with it? I shrug and do my best to scrunch up my face in a bewildered expression. Sam continues to look at me, hard. I don't think he's been told anything directly about… well, whatever you might want to call my situation, but he's put a few things together. He'll make a great leader someday. Hec, he's well on his way already.

They grow them smart in Kentucky.

I press my lips together and shake my head 'no', hoping that will reassure him.

He gives me a nod that he understands.

We both turn to watch Russell, slender, boyish, my-height Russell, pummel the crap out of the burro. He stops when his time is up though, and bows graciously to the applause.

"Very kind," he murmurs. "Lots of fun. Ta." He drops to one knee before a startled Dani and holds up the staff. "Your turn, my lady." Embarrassed but pleased, she takes the staff and has to stoop a bit so he can blindfold her. "One, two, three."

Dani has three hits and does some damage to one of the back legs. The crowd cheers. She chooses Wanda, who doesn't hit it at all. Everyone is nice about it, though. A shame, really, when I know she desperately needs to find some release. I think again of her warnings and wonder how much she knows about the approaching evil. Kale is next and he hits it a few times but he isn't serious about it. He gives a goofy smile to the crowd and accepts the slap on the back from Bobby graciously.

Pietro, however, is very serious, and manages to take more swings in one minute than anyone so far, and without using his mutant ability for speed. He makes five hits and expands Dani's damage a bit. Lots of admiration, especially from Rahne, I note. He gives the staff to Sarah, who is secretly sweet on him, and she hits it more times than he does. Whoops all around. The burro is looking decidedly unwell.

That's when I see it: a flash of white. I turn and quickly scan the trees nearby.

Karina can't stop laughing to really try very hard. This is fun, this is fun… She hits it anyway and is delighted. Julie is next. She nearly takes out Sam, but when redirected by Russell, hits the burro and it almost breaks.

There it is again. Something white is moving erratically through the trees to my right, roughly heading towards the front of the mansion. It's some sort of animal, I think, but too big to be a raccoon, and they don't usually come in that colour. Damn it. The piñata can wait until I've figured this out.

"Watcha doin'?" It's Jubilee, who has noticed that my focus is elsewhere.

"Waiting for Harvey," I say cryptically.

"What?"

"Waiting for Harvey."

"I heard you, babe, I just don't get it." A cheer goes up as Angie gets her chance after all and makes her mark.

"A giant, white rabbit." I say each word clearly, as if I were addressing someone with a bad cell 'phone connection.

"I thought he was invisible," she jokes.

"So did I." I'm not joking. Something is wrong, I can feel it.

Why can't I have one normal day?

Jamie hopes to be the winner and is very careful with his swings. He hits it a few times and that one side is definitely going to give. I'm looking toward the scrambler now, to see if Peter or any of the others are watching something in the trees. They seem oblivious to anything unusual. If Mr. Summers has noticed my distraction, he isn't saying anything.

There's a tap on my arm. I look down at the staff then up at the person holding it.

"Hey." It's Jamie, frustrated but smiling. "Sam says you haven't had your turn."

"Sure, thanks," I mutter and he blindfolds me.

The garden is a dark, eerie place, full of whispers and titters and creaking branches. The oak is listening and the lines between our world and another are blurred.

"One, two three."

I have no idea where the piñata is. I stand and listen.

"Thirty seconds," Sam calls out.

There. I strike and a cheer goes up in the circle. Lots of tiny things hit me on the head and snarl in my hair with sharp fingers. I tear off the blindfold and pull free a few colourful wrappers: candy. The ground is swamped with it. Ah, tradition…

"Sorry, Jubes," I say, passing the staff back to Sam. "I guess you won't get a chance at it."

"No problem, babe," she says, and winks, hefting her towel full of candy. "The boys might wanna have a chat with you, though." She laughs as she heads for the patio.

I look over at Bobby and Jack, who are watching the others gather the candy. Their faces share an expression of muted sorrow that they didn't even get a swing at it. Mr. Summers is directing eager students, their t-shirts and towels loaded with candy, to a large urn on the patio, where the treasure is being deposited. The happy chatter echoes in the garden.

"Sorry," I say to Jack and Bobby, who shrug and say things like "Don't worry about it" and "We all get to eat the candy, anyway" and so on, but I'm not paying a lot of attention. They drift towards the patio. I note Jack keeps looking over his shoulder at me.

"Kitty?"

I can hear Sam's voice but my mind is drifting as I consider what remains of the burro. One side is completely caved in and two legs have already come free and lie on the ground. It stares at me with an agonized face.

It's still alive.

Shit.

I grab the staff from a startled Sam and take a leap at the burro's head, swinging hard. The head snaps clean off and finally, there is peace. I remain in a crouch where I land, my breathing becoming more even as the wave of pain recedes.

Sam is right beside me, tense, scanning the trees like I was earlier.

"Kitty?" Sam speaks in a low voice.

"Something's wrong," I say, not sure how to explain it or where to begin. "Somewhere, somehow, I could feel that the burro was still alive and desperate to be released." I shake my head and stand. "Only it wasn't the piñata I was sensing. It was something linked to it. Something in the garden - in another garden, like this one - only they, the people there, weren't playing a game. They were hurting something - someone." I sigh and say, "I'm not making much sense, am I?"

Sam stares down at me, quite serious and ready to understand. "Ah think it's been one o' those days, Kitty. You're talkin' about some kinda… parallel universe or alternate dimension, which isn't such a nice place, I gather." His lips tighten. "An' you don't have psychic abilities, but Dr. Grey did, an' ah trusted her implicitly. If you say somethin' ain't right, then it ain't right, an' we have t' fix it."

"You know," I say softly, smiling up at this tall, confident sergeant with a buzz cut, who used to be a tall drink of water with a buzz cut. "It's moments like this that remind me why I like you, Samuel Guthrie."

He smiles, then states, "We should get the Professor."

"Might not be a bad idea."

"Ah'll have ask Dr. McCoy if he can help Dani an' the others set up the bonfire." He frowns slightly. "If you think we should still have one, considerin' what you're pickin' up."

I spin the staff in a manner that isn't mine, and say quietly, "I can taste the s'mores already."