Rise or Fall

by Heiress Mellie

First Class: Charles and Erik have accepted their roles as guardians and headmasters over the young mutants but there is still work to be done for the greater than typical family. This is a familial and discipline, including spanking, centered fiction.

294. Chapter 294 Company of Great Men

Chapter Two Hundred Ninety-Four

Author's Word: Hi, fam! Nice to talk to you guys without centuries passing. I was heavily stressed the last few weeks for different reasons, but it's less hectic now. I hope you guys can say the same. Please enjoy and review!

The rear grounds of the Alexandria Hotel proved vibrantly opulent enough to quite fairly compete with Central Park. As soon as they arrived, the multitude of teenage girls reacted with visible awe and giddiness. Several round tables decorated with pale pink cloths and vases of flowers had been setup. Close to the sitting area, a custom stage stood out for them to enjoy a fashion show while they ate. Angel appreciated the lunch consisting of grilled chicken, fettuccini alfredo, green salads with pick of dressings, and other items that would not lead to stains.

At a table close to the stage, Samantha wore a white shin-length dress with peonies printed over it and sunhat that matched. It went with her mother's dress, except Adrienne's came in black. Angel had on a lengthy black skirt and ruby red top. A long honey yellow turtleneck style dress with brown waist belt adorned Cordelia. As if wrapped in a canvas, Brenda's satin skirt showed a tranquil village at sunset. Her purple V-neck shirt and gold hoop earrings made the plethora of colors pop even more explosively. The mutant girls shared their table with Carmen and two of her and Samantha's gym classmates, Tara and Whitney.

When the final model finished off the summer previews, the event organizer took to the stage. On black six-inch stiletto heels, Adrienne proceeded down the center. Her thick scarlet curls fluttered with her every step, appearing the image of exquisitely stylish flames. Reaching the microphone, the sun swept across her face, giving a mesmerizing effect to her already vivacious blue eyes.

"I hope you ladies enjoyed that sneak peak of June. Now, it is time to prep." Adrienne began detailing the directions. "You have exactly twenty minutes to touch up hair and makeup. The photographers will be summoning you in alphabetical order. Do not keep them waiting. Same procedure for those of you interviewing for an internship. I'll be calling you one by one into our reserved meeting room inside. Have your school progress reports ready, do not be tardy, do not waste my time or yours- mostly mine- coming in there with less than your head high and your best foot forward. This is not a tea party you signed up for. Should you be considered for callbacks, do not kid yourselves into believing the hard part is behind you. As of this moment, young ladies, you are in Beauty Boot Camp and I'm your Drill Sergeant. Now," Adrienne clapped her hands twice, "go, do, perfect."

As the numerous girls bounded from their seats, Brenda pulled on Samantha's arm and declared, "I love your mom!"

IIIIIII

Hardly a few seconds after he loaded the syringe did the father and son make their way into the lab. Cody rode on Logan's back as he recalled his day while his father spun or bounced with him periodically. The Veteran deposited the boy onto the exam table. With Cody on his back, Logan seized the opportunity to tickle his belly. Cody wiggled about, having difficulty fighting him off through his laughter.

Hank watched them happily and used a few fingers to stroke Cody's hair. "How did the week go, Cody? Any problems with your claws?"

Cody thought and recalled, "I used 'em in training a couple times and they didn't hurt so bad. I do the rejoice thinking Charles showed me for when I'm on the playground to keep 'em from pokin' a guy's eye out."

"Great, great," Hank said approvingly. "You're still taking two servings of milk with every meal, right? Lunch included?"

"I was," Cody answered, "but lately I've been hittin' the hard stuff. Apple juice, soda…"

Logan applied a small pinch to his son's ankle. "Cat…"

"Just kiddin'." Cody looked at Hank. "Yeah, two every time, even at school. You can ask Scott."

"That won't be necessary. Just stay still for me." Hank reached for the syringe.

"Hey," Logan tapped Cody's cheek to get his brown eyes on him, "that little Heather cutie still makin' googly eyes at you?"

"Yeah but ugh," Cody stuck his tongue out, "she's too much of a priss for me. I like Judy from music class. She says I'm up there with Elvis on guitar."

Hank inhaled briskly to keep from snorting. "Alright, Cody. You're good to go."

Seeing the Tigger band-aid on his arm, Cody sat up ecstatically. "Yes, free for a week!" He looked to the resident physician. "Hank, since you're always pokin' at me, anyway, why can't you come up with somethin' that'll make me a real big top cat? Seven feet tall, razor sharp teeth, furry and ferocious all over, that kinda thing."

"Seven feet?" Logan chuckled dryly. "Not in this gene pool, kid. Unless you take after your Grandpa Codiram and he was only around 5'10."

"Be careful wishing for such drastic changes," Hank cautioned. "Don't you know the story of Jekyll and Hyde?"

"Uhhh…" Cody appeared puzzled until he remembered, "Yeah, that's that flick with Lana Turner."

Hank hung his head in exasperation.

IIIIIII

For the evening meal, Frank experienced immense satisfaction in Raven's early day allowing them to create in the kitchen.

In the backyard, Scott moved about the bushes with Kiki, frolicking among the fireflies. Thrilled to be free from the confinement of high heels, Angel and Cordelia sat side by side with their feet soaking in the pool. Becky knelt by the section of the garden Logan authorized for household use, snipping wildflowers for the dining table. Sean's fingers to his guitar strings provided a tranquil melody.

"Those horses are so beautiful," Nate raved. "How long have you been riding?"

Returning from the barn with him, Samantha replied, "Since Grandpa brought me Hazelnut. Joey's let me ride Xander before, though."

"Really? For such a short time, you're a natural horsewoman," Nate praised.

"Thanks," the girl beamed. "When did you start ?"

"At the beginning of time it feels like," he responded in earnest. "One of the few perks of growing up in a rural environment. Something I really adore about Boston and Westchester that I didn't get a lot of in London is this." Nate gazed around the grand yard. "Close to the cities but never far from breathtaking."

"I know," Samantha smiled. "I like where my mother lives in San Francisco, but this is way prettier."

Spotting Sean, Nate said, "Excuse me," and approached the redheaded musician. He stayed quiet until Sean took a break. "Can I drop a dollar in your tin?"

"No charge." Raising his head, Sean removed his circular lensed sunglasses. "For family, anyway." Nate developed a content expression and lowered beside him on the bench. "So, how was the city today?"

Nate stated vivaciously, "Pictures do it no justice. I really liked visiting the community college. Charles and Erik put on a great presentation." He considered something. "It is funny, though. Erik made good points, but Charles spoke with this unbelievable presence and pitch to his voice."

Becky peered over and informed, "Get in trouble and you'll really hear Papa's voice."

"Actually, I did get in trouble," Nate remembered. "On the drive over. But it wasn't your dad's voice that stung."

Cordelia looked over in concern. "What happened, Nate?"

"Oh, nothing really," he played coy. "I only got a little overly excited to see everything and… came close to falling out of the window with the car in motion."

With a shake of her head, Angel commented, "Boy, we need a playpen for you."

Frowning, Sean asked, "Did Erik give it to you?"

"It was only a pop." Nate winced in full recollection. "Though, with the way it felt- are his hands made of steel also?"

"Yes," Cordelia answered, waving her ankles in the water.

"You got off easy," Sean told Nate. "Uncle Erik must have a visitors pass in effect. Did Charles get mad?"

"He gave me a warning. He seemed more worried than anything." Nate then brought up, "But you should have heard him during the lecture. He paused completely out of nowhere to rake some chit-chatters across the coals. One mouthed off and Charles reduced his extra credit points. I thought for sure they'd all catch six-of-the-best."

"Only because he didn't have his yardstick on him," Sean half-joked.

Angel stated, "Literally, don't think about playing around in school. Not with the Professor."

"I was on the phone late with my old boyfriend," Cordelia recollected, "and I was so out of my head the next morning, I actually fell asleep right at the beginning of class. Charles took my phone privileges and made me go to bed at eight every night for a week."

Becky mentioned, "I've had to do lines for having telepathic conversations. Don't get me started on what happens if I use my powers at the school we go to now."

Kiki's hand latched to his, Scott neared them to share, "I remember when I got the bright idea to try to do my history homework for Kayla during his class because I wanted to watch the late movie the night before. I figured he would just think I was taking notes or something." Scott put on a grim face. "Took him two minutes to catch me. My hide paid for that one and I had to spend the rest of the day in my room with extra assignments."

"I hate when he calls me Mr. Cassidy." Sean groaned at the thought. "That automatically means death sentence. And he knows my work. If it looks like I'm slipping a little, Charles will yank me to the side."

Hearing all of them, a fascinated Nate reacted with, "It's no wonder he's a legend. Charles could probably make Oxford and Harvard professors drown in their own tears."

With a soft smile, Sean said, "He is a legend, but for way more than making the grade. We've all had to face a lot dealing with our mutations. Charles refuses to let us settle for the idea that we're lesser and have no reason to try. He doesn't push us beyond what we're capable of doing, but he won't accept pitiful effort, either."

Nate nodded in understanding. "I get that. Suppose Erik is pretty tough, too, eh?"

Carrying over her basket of flowers, Becky responded, "Not really with school."

"Yeah," Scott seconded, hoisting Kiki to situate her on his shoulders. "Erik gives out a lot of second chances when we mess up there."

Kiki removed Scott's Jaguars cap to wear on her own head, not caring about the oversize of it.

Cordelia brought up fondly, "He was so sweet when I didn't get into my first-choice college. If one path doesn't work, pick another."

At that, Nate commented, "That's very big of him, being a headmaster and all."

"Erik goes military with our mutant training," Angel said. "But hey, the way I see it, if we don't get this control down, the ones hiding behind guns ready to throw us into a van will do a lot worse than tough love."

The others nodded and murmured their agreement.

"I can't wrap my head around that concept," Nate vexed. "Those government officials. What happened to all I've read about? Due process, your very Constitution?"

Sean put a hand to the younger boy's shoulder and spoke gloomily. "I've wrestled with those questions late into the night. I'd still be contained myself if not for Charles, Erik, and the team."

Nate faced him with enlarged eyes. "They did that to you? Cor mentioned that some of you had, but… how did you survive that?"

Sean formed a wry smile. "I'm not a survivor. I messed up and it almost cost me my powers and a lot more. Not sure why God still wants me here, but I'll keep going until I get a clue."

"Care to carpool?" Nate came back with. "I think we're on similar journeys."

Sean used his thumb to rub his cheek and nose, receiving a smile from the younger blue-eyed boy.

Broadcasting across the communicators, Raven declared, "If you mooks want to get fed, scrub until I'm not ashamed to look at you. By the way, the table won't set itself."

The task at hand hitting her at that, Becky hastened her pace to get to the dining room. Samantha picked up speed to assist her.

As the rest headed inside also, Angel accepted Kiki from Scott to get the little girl clean and into a dress. Nate followed Scott into the bathroom reserved for the teenage boys. They shared the double sink to wash their faces and hands. Nate watched with impression at how Scott blindly wiped off his glasses.

"Clothes are such a huge hassle." Scott slipped the frames back on. "It's always school clothes or ROTC uniform, come home and change into sweats for baseball practice, come back from practice and dump the sweaty stuff for play stuff, then it's dinner clothes and finally, pajamas."

"Yes, I know," Nate laughed, drying off with his face towel. "Boston or Louth, we're all expected to look like royals at the sacred supper table. My mum and host dad could easily be the best of friends. Which ROTC branch are you in?"

"Air Force like my dad was," Scott gladly replied. "I'm going to be a pilot like him, too."

Intrigue developed right away in Nate. "Was he in the second world war?" At Scott's nod, Nate told him, "My grandfather served in the first when he was fourteen."

Believing his ears deceivers, Scott echoed incredulously, "Fourteen?"

"Low manpower to say the least. I think the youngest soldiers were twelve."

Still taking that in, Scott surmised, "He must have a ton of neat stories."

"And he keeps them all to himself," Nate said austerely. "Before she passed, Grandmother told me she never thought they'd marry because of his nightmares. He was afraid of what he might do."

"I get that," Scott replied solemnly. "What they had to go through was horrible enough, but they were kids, too." He hung up his face towel. "We better hurry into our good clothes."

Nate left his towel on the silver bar as well. Both brunettes had to perform an impromptu dance to get by Sean as the redhead shimmied in like a tall, stout belly dancer.

II

Plates arranged and flowers centered, the nicely groomed mansion dwellers began filing into the dining room. Raven stilled when a large hand clamped over her eyes. With a coy grin, she veered to exchange a kiss with her husband. Kiki went to Hank and Raven picked up Trav to carry and fulfilled his kiss request with a cheek smooch. Cody leaned comfortably against his mother, sharing the events of recess to her. Cordelia conversed with the other girls and formed a smile when Emma took the time to play in her hair on the blonde's way to her own chair. Adrienne and Samantha went with matching styles again of knee-length black skirts and buttoned vests over the former's burgundy blouse and the latter's raspberry one.

Brian paused the Headmasters' conversation with petitions of, "Da, Uncree." Both men looked at him in his highchair, holding onto Dickon while pointing out the bear's mouth importantly.

Charles guessed, "Is Dickon hungry?"

Smiling at the frustrated yet ever adorable face her baby made, Emma explained, "I believe he wants to know why Dickon isn't talking like the little robot Nate showed him earlier."

Becky glanced over with a raised eyebrow. "Brian, don't be silly. You know Dickon only talks when grownups aren't around."

When Brian kept patting the bear's mouth, Alex deduced, "I don't think he's buying it."

Raven put forth, "Charles, talk for Dickon."

With a bit of a moan, Charles insisted, "Love, you know I'm terrible at toy impressions."

"Yes, he is," Becky confirmed instantly.

Sending his niece a mild look, Charles passed the bear to his brother. "Go on, Uncle Erik. You're the one with the universal tongue."

Gripping Dickon by the torso, Erik moved around to kneel near his nephew's highchair. "Hello, little Lab Mouse," using his fingers to flap Dickon's arms, he spoke in a gravelly yet regal pitch, "It is I, your good mate, Dickon. Sometimes I don't feel very much like talking, but never fear because I am always steadfast at your side. After Mummy and Daddy tuck you in and say good night, I'm right there. And should any nasties try to do you harm, I will disembowel them!"

Charles' head sunk into his hands in dismay. "Dear God, why?"

Alex, Leon, and Frank broke into snickers with the other young ones soon joining them.

Brian only blinked at first then clapped his hands giddily.

Adrienne shook her head. "That child was pre-destined for this family."

Joey brought up, "Why would Dickon call him Lab Mouse?"

Erik came back with, "Because… eat your dinner," and returned to his seat.

Victor gestured at Dickon. "What's with this fancy upstart?"

"Yeah," supported Logan. "I thought we did the disembowelin' around here."

Entering on suddenly cautious feet, Nate stopped and asked, "Is that the penalty for arriving late to the table?"

Cordelia reminded, "You're not at Daddy's, remember?"

"What kept you, darling?" Emma asked.

"I'm sorry, but I had to fish this," he held up the book in his possession, "out from beneath my bed. I was convinced my room swallowed it whole. Joey," Nate squatted by him, "remember who we were talking about yesterday?" He presented him with the hardback. "We picked it up in Manhattan today."

Clutching it as if making contact with an ancient artifact, Joey could not stop staring at the cover. "Archibald Motley… Nate," never losing his grip on the book, he threw his arms around the older boy, "thank you, thank you!"

Nate smiled and squeezed him back. "Not a problem." He went to claim his chair near Cordelia.

"Motley? Joey," Angel rushed around to him, "let me see that."

Hank wanted to know, "As in Archibald Motley Junior? The—"

"Jazz modernist," Joey affirmed.

Angel said, "I did a report on him for AP History."

"And he's got stripes," Cody interjected with a self-satisfied countenance.

"Him and those stripes got into the Art Institute of Chicago," Angel informed. "We're talking about 1918."

Joey flipped to the vibrant illustrations. "Just look at his colors." His tone carried awe. "They're so warm and bright."

Sean questioned, "When did you start liking exaggerated styles? You give Picasso grief."

Joey peered up to inform him, "Picasso wasn't an artist. All he did was smash broken puzzle pieces together and call it a picture."

Angel added, "And Motley's style isn't exaggerated. It's detailed. It's not just pale or dark people with him. He does all kinds of skin tones and body types."

Kayla commented, "His work is quite striking. Very bold."

"I still can't believe he went to school in Chicago," Joey returned to the first page. "When I was in Illinois, all the folks who lived anywhere near the city were so stuck-up."

Raven tapped her foot to prevent herself from laughing at the way Hank's jaw dropped.

Alex asserted, "Give it a couple years, Joe. That Motley guy will be reading about you."

Joey turned to the older blonde with a wide smile.

"Son, set it aside until you're finished eating," Charles requested. "We'll read some at bedtime."

"Yes, Daddy," Joey complied, managing to close the book for the time being.

"I got it, baby." Angel placed the hardback on the wall shelf behind her and reclaimed her seat.

Looking at Nate, Scott asked, "So, what's the verdict on New York so far?"

Nate replied cheerily, "Still hard to believe I'm here. Though I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that there are colleges where guys and girls attend classes together."

Sean asked somewhat teasingly, "Do you have a steady lady?"

"Oh, no." Nate gave off an amused shake of his head. "I'm only fifteen."

Almost every pair of eyes landed on him with various degrees of incredulity.

With a salutatory raise of his glass, Hank proclaimed, "To Harvard's future summa cum laude."

IIIIIII

Staying in pace with the older Acolyte teen, the redhead urged, "Look, all I'm saying is—"

Mutated feet as rapid as ever, Brenda slid from her room, getting in front of them. "Are my cheeks even?"

Exchanging a look with Fabian, Collin asked in a puzzled tone, "Does one side tilt or something?"

"No, goof." Brenda pointed out the pink substance on either side of her face. "Cordy's sister gave all the girls these really jazzy giftsets and I'm wild for this makeup. But, ugh, rouge is a nightmare to even out. How's it look?"

Fabian wanted to know, "Real opinion?" When she nodded, he said, "Scrub it off. I'll power the hose."

Brenda's hands went to her hips. "You know, for a big-time senior, you confuse the word "opinion" with "order" way too often." She returned to her quarters.

"And back to my life." Collin followed Fabian into the latter's bedroom. "How many times has Cordelia's dad let you stay over? He has to like you."

Sitting on the side of his bed, Fabian stated, "Like has a multifaceted meaning when dealing with the family Frost."

"Whatever the case, just tell me what I'm in for meeting them."

"Fine, take note." Fabian started with, "Chris Frost likes the subtle nitpick technique. His own adolescent blunders range from threats of expulsion from prep school to marriage and quickie divorce. That's not even touching on the alcoholism. He will make it his mission to ensure you're not a similar delinquent."

"Hm," Collin considered. "Makes sense."

"Winston Frost," the Spaniard went on, "while friendly in terms of mutation is not one to support mutant terrorism. It's plain to see why."

"What does that mean?" Collin wondered in confusion.

Fabian sighed through his nostrils. "Irrelevant. Listen, make sure you're dressed halfway decently and relax your nerves. If Samantha is so eager to introduce you, you must be of some small significance to her. And if Adrienne Frost hasn't had your body dropped off in Death Valley, I'm sure you can handle any Frosts that come your way."

"Hope so. Family being so important to Sam and all. Well, thanks." Collin stuck his hands in the pockets of his jeans and turned to go.

"Coll." When the Irish boy looked back, Fabian told him, "Samantha isn't the only one of worth in your relationship. Your family has certain expectations as well. Now, go finish your homework."

Stilling for several seconds, Collin eventually bobbed his head appreciatively. On his way to his room, thoughts beyond the upcoming meet and greet crept into his mind.

IIIIIII

Positioned on a cushy floor mat, Kiki and Brian watched with shining, gleeful eyes over the setup taking place before them. Attempting to create buildings of a city or at least landmarks of some sort, Sean and Maya removed the couch and loveseat cushions. Becky came in with her fashion dolls and their car. Trav made flying side effects while waving the Superman action figure in the air. Cordelia pushed aside smaller furniture pieces to provide enough floor space. Cody knelt by his bucket of green army men, sorting through the different poses on the figures. Finished studying the terms for one of his upcoming tests, Alex joined them in the living room. He lowered to sit near Brian and Kiki. All of them wore their pajamas or lounging evening clothes.

Noticing the way Becky secured Skipper between Ken and Barbie, Alex wanted to know, "Why is Ken driving a pink sports car?"

Becky replied matter-of-factly, "He bought it for her birthday in her favorite color. And Barbie can't drive right now because she's helping Skipper review a speech for school."

Alex shook his head. "Ask a question…"

"Here, Scott." Nate returned with the Bat-Plane. "You're going to love these modifications."

"This is really cool, Nate," Scott accepted the controller, "but if I fly this thing inside, Charles will skin us both."

Nate promised, "Slow speed and it won't go higher than four feet."

Maya looked over to further reassure with, "It's okay, Scott. If it gets out of hand, I'll use my powers to keep anything from getting broken."

Scott nodded. "Okay, great."

Cody turned to Joey to ask, "Aren't you gonna play, buddy?"

Currently sharing an armchair with Angel as they read through the first chapter about Motley, Joey replied, "Not right now," without darting eyes away from the current page.

Frank arrived in the doorway, putting his fists on his hips. "Trav, what have I said about messing with my things without asking?"

Startled and brown eyes wounded, Trav insisted, "But I didn't mess with anything of yours, Frankie."

The city native pointed. "Then what do you call that?"

Seeing he meant the Superman, Scott reminded, "That's the one you gave him, dingus. Remember?"

"Oh." Frank shook his head as if to clear it. "Sorry, Trav."

"Frank-O, come play," Sean encouraged. "You can be the army guys."

"Not in the mood," Frank declined. "Besides, I'm meeting Lee in the gym."

"Frankie." Trav went to tug on his shirt before he could head off.

"Go have fun, little guy." Frank messed his hair. "I'll see you before you go to sleep."

Trav said, "I want to stay in your room."

Frank gave off a small genuine smile. "Cool. I'll see you in a little while."

Trav watched him walk then went back to the others.

With setup complete, they divided up roles for the toys. Becky wanted to voice her doll trio. To no one's shock, Scott claimed Batman to Trav's Superman. Sean went with the Joker and Riddler. Maya and Cordelia helped Cody make the plastic army figures animate. Nate's part came in the form of Captain Circuit. Powering the controller, Nate went around to the side of the couch to crouch and project his voice for the X-Tots.

"Hello again, Brian," the robot acknowledged cordially. "And might I ask your name, pretty lady?"

"I'm Kiki McCoy," the little girl told him proudly. "What's your name, cute robot?"

"You're much too kind," said Captain Circuit bashfully. "I'm new to your planet- passing through, really- but darn it all, I can't seem to find what I need to fix my ship."

"Oh no," Kiki vexed.

"Don't worry. Heaven or highway, I will find a solution," Captain Circuit vowed.

Becky rolled out her car and spoke for Ken first. "Honey, which way to that new mall?"

Barbie reminded, "I told you to turn left back there."

"No, it's right up ahead," interjected Skipper.

"Actually, it's right here." Joker encroached on them. "And I don't mean the food court."

"Eeeee!" shrieked Skipper. "Ken, who is that?"

"That Clown Prince of Crime," Ken seethed. "The Joker!"

Barbie remarked, "He's a clown alright. What bargain bin did you find those awful clothes in?"

Riddler popped up. "I'll ask the confounded questions around here."

"Riddler and Joker." Superman flew overhead. "A little far from Gotham City, hm?"

"The Blue Boy Scout!" the villains reacted.

"Ha! Not even you can stop us, Supey," boasted Joker. "You see, we did do some shopping and we thought this might come in handy."

Sean rolled out a green marble.

"No!" Superman wailed, plopping from the sky. "Anything but kryptonite!"

"Superman," Skipper cried out.

"Barbie," Ken detached from the car, "get Skipper out of here."

Riddler blocked the female dolls. "No one's going anywhere without solving my riddle."

Ken started over. "You get away from them."

"Don't be a hero, Kenny boy," advised Joker. "You see, we have this whole neighborhood wired with explosives. In ten minutes, it's all kaboom if you fail to answer the riddle."

Maya telekinetically marched a few army men forward. "Hurry, troops! We have to evacuate the citizenry!"

"Let's move, move, m—" Cody ceased the chant when he noticed the absent eyes of one member of their militia. "Cordy?" He poked her shoulder.

Blinking, Cordelia appeared to return from her own faraway place. "What?"

Becky looked over with concern.

Sean quipped, "You awake over there or do you just want to wait for the bomb to blow?"

Nate intervened with, "Maybe we shouldn't do a bomb scare. It could frighten Brian and Kiki."

Alex kept an arm around the entertained small ones. "I think they're good. Kiki, anyway."

Peering up, Joey giggled at the way his baby brother looked at Alex.

"No, no." Cordelia pushed loose hairs behind her ears and gathered a few of her army men. "I was just spacing, sorry. Let's keep going."

Maya and Cody worked with her to have the tiny figures continue evacuation.

Going along with Cordelia, Nate put Captain Circuit into action. "My word." The robot marched Superman's way. "What is the meaning of this?" He nudged the marble away.

Trav lifted Superman. "Thank you so much, um…?"

"Captain Circuit, at your service. I'm new to your planet."

"Who invited that bucket of bolts?" the Joker sneered.

Barbie said haughtily, "His fashion choices are better than yours, you big creep."

Alex dipped his head with a deep snicker, making Kiki and Brian laugh as well.

"And what's this riddle, anyway?" Ken wanted to know.

The Riddler didn't make a sound at first. "Er…"

Cordelia scoffed at Sean. "Really? You don't have a riddle?"

"I'm thinking," the redhead shot back. Eventually, he came up with, "What's black, white, and red all over?"

Cody glanced down in cringing sympathy. "You've got to be kiddin'."

Even Maya remarked, "Really, honey?"

Raising the Riddler, Sean demanded, "Less analyzing, more answering."

"I'll tell you what's black, white, and read all over." Scott sent his figure soaring through in the Bat-Plane. "Tomorrow's news headline when you and that sadistic clown are under lock and key."

"Ohhhh, at last the Bat graces us with his presence," said Joker dryly.

"Yeah," seconded Superman as Trav had him kick at the Bat-Plane, "where have you been, Bats? These are your bad guys."

"Catwoman and I were busy, okay?" Batman defended.

Sean punched the floor to prevent endless laughter and Alex resisted chiding his brother when the younger kids proved unaffected by the comment. Becky eyed them, wondered about the looks on their faces, but decided not to remotely probe.

"We have to find the bomb!" Superman urged. "I'll use my X-Ray vision."

"No need, mate," said Captain Circuit. "I can hone in with my sensors and defuse it remotely."

Superman responded, "Huh?"

Batman groaned. "He means he can keep it from blowing without touching it, you dolt."

"Oh!" Trav then had Superman realize, "No, it's too dangerous!"

"It's a risk I'm willing to take!" Captain Circuit marched on.

"You handle these two, Batman," directed Superman. "I'm going to help this family."

When Ken loaded back into the car, Becky helped Trav lift it with Superman to make it look like he flew them to safety.

"Thank you, Superman." Barbie kissed his cheek.

"Yuck- I mean, no problem, ma'am." Superman 'flew' to help Batman combat the sinister action figures.

"Ow, ow!" Sean made the Riddler cringe while Scott forced Batman to kick him. "Okay, I give, I give."

"Good. Now, as for the Clown Prince of Crime…"

Sean picked up Joker again. "Do your worst, Batsy!"

"I got it, Batman." Pressing the button made into Superman's back, Trav activated his glowing laser eyes effect.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" reacted Batman. "Did you… you just… you killed him!"

"Of course I did," Superman said as if it should have been obvious. "He was going to kill all those citizens. Besides, all your bad guys escape, anyway."

"But we don't kill!" Batman insisted. "That's not how we do things!"

Superman corrected, "That's not how you do things!"

"Tell him, Supes!" Alex cheered.

"What did I miss?" Captain Circuit walked back over.

Batman informed, "Superman killed the Joker."

"Ohhh." Captain Circuit then moved onto, "The bomb's diffused and everyone is safe and sound."

"Terrific," reacted Superman. "Hey, since you're new on Earth, let's go to Metropolis and I'll show you around."

Captain Circuit became ecstatic. "Would you really?"

"Sure! I know what it's like to be the new alien in town. We can stop by my parents' farm for my mom's apple pie. And maybe my dad and I can help you fix your spaceship."

"You're too kind," Captain Circuit accepted.

"Hey!" Gripping Batman tightly, Scott made him hop up and down in anger. "We're not done here! What about the Joker?"

Superman went chest to chest with him. "They're your villains so you clean up this mess. After that, you're gonna give a million dollars to Barbie and all the citizens. You got that, Bat?"

"Fine then!" Batman huffed.

"Yay!" Kiki and Brian clapped when Captain Circuit and Superman headed off together.

Scott immediately turned to Trav. "I can't believe you killed the Joker! He's the Joker!"

"Eh," Trav shrugged. "He's not very funny."

"Serves him right," said Cody.

"Serves who right?" Raven inquired, walking in with Emma.

"The Joker," Maya clarified.

Scott explained, "Trav killed him."

"Hm, well, I'm sure he started it." Raven knelt to her children's level. "Alright, you guys, it's about time for…"

Knowing a certain B word would be next, Trav groaned, "Mommy…"

"No, Mommy," Kiki also protested. "No bedtime."

"Yes bedtime," Raven countered. "Right now, let's go."

"Come along, darling." As soon as Emma lifted Brian, he began screeching.

Kiki laid on her back, summoning up tears. Trav simply sat in grumpy place.

Raven crossed her arms with an expression her pair knew well. "Kyra, Travis, I am not having this tonight. I'm going to count to five and you better be up." Her presently hazel eyes darkened. "4…" Both McCoy children sprang to their feet and Raven smiled tightly. "That's better." She picked up Kiki and held onto Trav's hand.

Nate offered Brian his pinky to squeeze and said, "Seems I always make him miserable when we're together."

"No, joyful is what you bring out in him." Emma kissed her crying son's head. "He's not the best at settling down from playtime."

"Bri," Joey petitioned, unsettled by his distress.

"Here, baby." Angel handed him the book. "I need to check on Sam, anyway." Her sister currently afflicted by the infamous sneak thieves known as cramps.

"We better clean up before the Professor sees our war zone," Maya advised.

"I'll do it," Nate volunteered. "You ladies go on, Cor. It was my game, anyway."

"Hey, I ain't a louse," claimed Cody.

"Yeah," Scott agreed. "We'll help, Nate. Go ahead, girls."

Maya held Cody to her before getting up and Cordelia went to kiss Nate's cheek. Becky collected her Barbie items and took her leave with the older girls. Brian soothing a bit, Emma waited on her Treasure.

Joey embraced the taller blonde. "Night, Al."

Alex thumped him on the stomach twice. "Try not to stay up with that book. At least, not all night."

"Got it." Joey turned to wind arms around their visitor's middle. "Night, Uncle Nate."

Nate smiled and dipped to better return the gesture. "Good night, Joey. See you in the morning."

Sean raised an eyebrow. "So, just going to walk on by me, huh?"

Joey looked over at him with a puzzled expression. "You still live here?"

"Joey," Emma admonished mildly.

Scott and Cody sniggered.

"Oh, is that how it is?" Sean crossed his arms in displeasure. "No more cool forts with hidden tunnels for you."

Blue eyes set to adorable, Joey walked over to rub his cheek against the redhead's neck. Sean placed one arm around him and used his free hand to pat his bottom twice. Joey then latched onto Emma's hand to take Brian up to his nursery.

"I'm gone, bubs." Cody grabbed his bucket by the handle after he finished gathering his army men. "You know the twins are lost without me."

"That kid," Alex remarked while Sean shook his head in humor.

Nate said good night next and Scott started to leave after him until Alex moved to block his path.

"Not so fast." The young instructor gave him a knowing look. "Busy with Catwoman?"

Scott tried to bite back a smirk. "Hey, that was Batman, not me."

"Uh huh." Sean inched over to yank him down.

Before Scott could protest, he found himself locked by Sean's grasp as his ribs fell prey to Alex's tickling fingers. Despite all X-Men and ROTC training within him, Scott gave into giggling along with a few kicks.

IIIIIII

Upon completing the recitation of the document he knew practically by heart at that point, the Professor frowned deeply at the last page. "I cannot believe the nights of sleep I lost over this. The words of a novice."

His mesmerized audience of one promptly countered, "Are you serious? It only sounds amateur out of the mouths of senior profs. None of them can do your thesis justice the way you can."

"Coming from a lad so advanced?" Charles sat with him on the bed. "Your kudos is most appreciated."

Nate took the thesis from him to peer through. "I cannot begin to understand your power, Charles." He quickly clarified, "And I don't mean as a mutant. You have this amazing ability to command attention, respect, obedience, but you don't overcomplicate enough to leave those new to the subject frazzled. I see why Cor thinks so highly of you."

"And of you, Nate," Charles said in turn. "Because so do I. In such a short time, we have all greatly enjoyed having you with us."

"None more so than Frank Tolbert, I'm sure. I'll awaken tomorrow to a welcome mat outside my door- right next to the bag of flaming dog waste."

Chuckling a little, Charles became somber. "Envy of other boys has always plagued our Frank. He's grown from it, especially this last year, but it still troubles him at times. Believe me, it hasn't a thing to do with you."

"It's nothing I'm not used to," Nate replied solemnly. "I've been at the top of my class for as long as I can remember. Guys have always given me grief about it. One of the reasons I wanted to bypass high school altogether."

"I can understand that." Charles laid a hand over one of the boy's. "Be it childhood or adulthood, most friends are going to be quite empty and fleeting. Even at Oxford, it wasn't my devoted academic side that interested many. They wanted the bloke who led drinking games in the taverns."

Nate's eyes filled astonished concern. "You, Charles?"

"Not my finest hours," the man admitted. "If I didn't have Raven, I may have been lost. Not only my sister, but she's been my truest friend since she came into my family."

"I understand that," Nate sympathized.

"You see, Nate, popularity really is nothing more than a frivolous game," Charles told him. "Real friends are a rarity indeed. Once in a while, you'll cross paths with someone like Erik. Someone who will be a miserably grating presence on your existence, ensuring your health, safety and respectability precede any enjoyment you get out of life."

Nate wore a knowing smile. "You adore him."

"Like the air I breathe."

Nate considered something else. "Charles, your powers… it isn't merely clairvoyance or inklings? You can really read minds?"

"Yes, I can," the Professor confirmed. "You needn't worry, however. Unless it involves your immediate safety, I prefer talking to you, not prying."

"No, no, it isn't that." Nate then requested, "Would you read mine? Please?"

Surprise more than evident in his eyes, Charles emphasized, "Do you really want me to?" The boy quietly moved Charles' hand to press the palm to the side of his own face. "Alright. Relax for me, please."

Nate closed his eyes and held onto the man's wrist.

Entering the youthful and formerly unknown psyche, Charles made his way in smoothly. He maintained a delicate presence, not wanting to jar the adolescent mind. The telepath winced a little when he experienced stinging in his chest that started off subtly but only grew. He found himself staring at a dashboard and his heart leapt as they just missed an oncoming truck.

Both English males released gasps.

"… Charles?" Nate stared into his face. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No. Nate, no," Charles brought him into a hug, leaving a hand at his back. "Emma and I were in a car accident before we were married. It left me in a wheelchair for some time."

"Cor told me about that. I'm sorry, Charles."

The man shook his head and rubbed the boy's back. "Don't be, not at all. Please, tell me what happened to you."

Nate nestled against his shirt as he recalled, "I was eight. Dad picked me up from school. We were talking about a science fair I was competing in that weekend. Then, out of nowhere, he couldn't hold onto the wheel. I had to grab it before we plowed into anyone. The police were behind us. They thought Dad had been drinking, but he hadn't had a sip since dinner the night before. Mum met us at the hospital. We found out Dad had motor neuron disease."

"Lou Gehrig's," Charles understood.

Nate nodded. "Most men get it at fifty. Dad was only thirty-three. The doctors thought this gave him a chance at a longer life expectancy… He was gone a few weeks after my tenth birthday."

Charles rested his cheek in the teen's hair. "I am so sorry you had to go through that."

"Go through what?" Nate moved his head back enough to look up at him. "Not being able to walk, feed myself, speak coherently? That was all my dad. My mum and grandfather do their best. I've seen kids in worse states. Cordy told me about Joey." A dark glint passed through Charles' eyes. "I have all these great men in my life now. My host dad, Chris, Doc Ock, even Fabian. I've gotten scholarships to the two greatest schools on the planet. I'm a pauper brought to live in a palace. I don't get to complain, Charles."

With another squeeze, Charles gently laid him back. "You are a remarkable young man. A pauper," he dismissed. "Nothing of the sort." He tucked the linens in around the boy. "You've earned all that you have."

"Thank you." Despite the glow the words gave him, Nate's countenance remained saddened. "But what about Cordy? She went to bed to her mother alive and awoke to her gone. Her sisters were completely scattered. I know she isn't a Prom Queen or bride-to-be, but Cordy is special, too."

"She is," Charles immediately agreed. "And we will make sure she knows it. I also want to make something else perfectly clear." Charles pinned him with a firm look. "That list of men in your life? It would be in your best interest to add me to it."

"Yes, sir," Nate grinned.

"Good lad. Now, give this to me." With some light whimpering, he pried the thesis from Nate's clutches. "You may look through it again tomorrow. I get the feeling I'm already going to have one little boy up with the written word tonight, no thanks to you."

Nate quipped, "I am a horrid influence."

"Residual effects of Oxford." Charles kissed him at his hairline. "Good night, Nate. And thank you."

"For what?" the boy wondered.

This. I don't often receive invitation. Standing, Charles switched the light off and gave the youth one more gaze before departing.

In astonishment over the telepathic echo in his head, Nate shut his eyes with a smile in place.

IIIIIII

Unsure what caused him to stir, the small boy sat up and peered around the dark room. The hour and finding himself alone made for a frightened reaction.

"Frankie, Frankie!"

"Shhhh." Hurrying back in, Frank closed the partly open door. "Calm down, little guy. Big guys have to go potty once in a while, too." He got under the covers and reeled Trav back into his arms. "Go to sleep. I'm here now."

Trav stroked Frank's bicep. "How come you didn't play with us?"

Frank sighed softly. "I was in a crummy mood. You make a better Superman than I do, anyway."

Satisfied at that, Trav settled in the older boy's hold.

II

After the pain medication provided relief from the monthly nuisance of menstruation and eased her daughter into sleep, Adrienne left a soft kiss on Samantha's forehead. She gave one more glance to the also slumbering Angel and slipped out of the room silently. The redhead spotted Emma leaving their youngest sister's quarters.

"How is she?" Adrienne approached.

Looking at her, Emma reported, "No nightmares at least."

"Smallest of favors. For once," Adrienne turned to Cordelia's door, "just once I hoped she was too tomboy to care about the intricate details of the Senior Prom."

Emma raised pointedly, "Such as having no mother to agonize over those details?"

"What are we to say, Em?" Adrienne faced her again. "Sorry we had Mommy and she didn't? That'd be really rich coming from you."

Not offended by the cutting words, Emma admitted, "I know. Prom was yet another meaningless event for me. But all that's happening around here... Angel's excitement, Maya's wedding- she's being reminded of all that Mother will miss."

"Like seeing her children's first steps, hearing their first words, watching them grow?" Adrienne crossed her arms. "I didn't get any of that with Sam. I couldn't pull Angel from her terrors sooner. I'll never experience that with any child. Yet I go on. You, Chris, Cordy? Constantly reveling in self-pity, letting it fuel your poor decisions."

"You're right." The agreement from the blonde created a genuine dumbfounded expression on Adrienne. "But we're not allowed to be those people anymore. If Cordy is moving back home for school, Chris must be making a real effort. But we're the remaining female members of this family. We have a responsibility to her."

"I am well aware. And on that note, I need to meet Victor."

Emma nodded and they started downstairs. Adrienne made a path for Eye Spy and Emma joined her husband and some of the other elder X-Men in the parlor. Roosting on the arm of Erik's chess chair, Raven leaned on him while he read through a paper for one of her classes. On the loveseat across from the Howletts, Hank took time enough away from his current projects and played cards with them. Emma turned down Charles' offer to mix a drink for her, opting to claim his lap space for herself. The Professor lowered his glass of scotch and soda to give her both his arms.

Senses activated, Logan glanced over to find his oldest offspring in the doorway. "We need to start strappin' you to bed or what?"

"Mama." Cody started for her.

Kayla immediately laid down her cards to hold him in her lap. "Did you have a bad dream, CoCo?"

Shaking his head, the boy laid it on her shoulder. Kayla began whispering a story into his ear.

"If those of alleged sound, mind, and body are to discern the sane from its vile counterpart, perhaps the weeding process should start with the self-appointed judges in the white coats." Erik looked from the page before him to his sister. "I see your reputation as zealous class participant is not unfounded."

Raven attempted to read his even face. "So… you agree with me?"

"Yes, but your professor will not," Erik told her. "I know keeping personal opinion out of a fact-based paper is difficult, but you are going to have to scale it back."

Raven folded her arms and countered, "I don't wanna…"

"Then graduate and take on your oppressors. But to do that…" Erik handed her back the paper. "I want to see a proper edit by dinnertime Friday."

"Erik, be reasonable," Charles interjected. "Tomorrow evening is more than enough time."

With a child present, Raven resisted flinging a throw pillow at him, but she sent Charles a familiar enough scowl.

"Self-appointed judges in the white coats," Hank quoted his wife with a slight chuckle.

Cody raised his head a little. "I learned to recognize the thorough and primitive duality of man; I saw that, of the two natures that contended in the field of my consciousness, even if I could rightly be said to be either, it was only because I was radically both."

The room fell silent, except for Charles who instantly recognized, "Robert Louis Stevenson. That was excellent recitation, little kitten. Are you reading Jekyll and Hyde in school?"

"He's lived it," Kayla informed. "His class put on the play when he was in Grade 3."

"I read it before that," Cody piped up again. "My Uncle Vic has one of the original copies."

"Remind me to show you the pictures tomorrow." Kayla stood Cody, but kept hold of his hand as she got to her feet next. "Let's see if you can rest now. Mama will stay with you."

"Kay, Ma." As they went, Cody glanced back briefly to flash a smirk at the resident physician.

Mouth wide open, Hank settled his disgruntled gaze on Logan. The Veteran shuffled through his cards with the Andy Griffith theme whistling off his lips.

IIIIIII

Adorned in radiant red dresses and black tights that went with Adrienne's similar chosen attire, Angel rode into the student parking lot with Samantha in the passenger's seat. Not in a chatty mood himself, Frank remained in back while the sisters spent the ride talking. Sean found a spot for the BMW and made haste to get out and open the door for his fiancé. As soon as she accepted his hand out of the vehicle, Maya gripped his shoulders and reached up to kiss him. With separate colleges on the horizon, they knew all too well that carpooling and between-class-smooches would soon be mere memories. Cordelia cruised in with Nate, blasting the stereo. At the incoming males and one female in the brightest color scheme imaginable, Nate knew introductions would be in order. The exception came in the form of the Spaniard who walked right for him.

"Fab," Nate greeted happily.

Extending a hand, Fabian brought him into a short hug with a thump to his back. "Here to make rotten the Big Apple, hm?"

Nate only laughed. "If you haven't managed it, I don't dare try."

"Very good point." Fabian touched the shoulder of the girl with him. "This is Brenda Howley, my live-in mime."

Brenda bumped him with her hip and offered a smile along with her hand to the newcomer. "Hi. Nate, right?"

"Depending on what you've heard." Nate fully absorbed her attire of seafoam green skirt, unbuttoned light blue sweater, and silk top depicting an array of aquatic life. "Pardon me, but your outfit is dazzling. I'm almost afraid you have a shark hidden in your purse."

Brenda grinned, "Thanks and don't worry. Snappy is totally housebroken."

At Angel summoning him, Nate said, "Excuse me, please," and made his way over to the sisters. At the male with Angel, he quickly recognized, "You're the king. From the fliers."

"Wow, fame precedes me," Ben reacted. "But it's just Ben Braunstein, at least for now." They exchanged a handshake. "It's nice to meet you, Nate and big thanks for the support."

Attached to the side of her redheaded steady, Samantha introduced him with, "This is my boyfriend, Collin Murphy. Collin, this is my Uncle Nate."

Collin replied, "Now that host thing makes sense. Hey, man, how's it—"

"Phenomenal." Bypassing Collin's hand, Nate made a beeline for his motor scooter. "Brakes, body, and what detail. Is it yours?"

"Yep." Collin came over with a proud smile. "Pretty cool, huh?"

"I've seen mopeds racing across London that aren't nearly so impressive," Collin continued to ogle. "Did you customize it yourself?"

"Some of it." Collin patted the seat of his scooter. "Had some help from my buddy at home. He's a real gadget whiz."

"Guys, we better head in," Frank brought up. "Administration's not so lax on non-seniors about tardies."

"Yeah," Sean agreed. "Better go squeeze in all this vast knowledge they have for us until graduation."

Exiting the parking lot, the group started for the main building. Sean, Ben, and Collin walked with arms around their girlfriends. Brenda talked with Frank. Cordelia linked arms with Nate, who stayed tucked between her and Fabian. Almost as soon as they entered, they happened upon another pack parading from the opposite end.

"Just what my stomach needed first thing in the morning," remarked the girl leading the brigade.

"Rita," Angel acknowledged with a taut smile, "really missed you at the party yesterday."

"Wait, she wasn't there?" Cordelia feigned confusion. "No wonder everyone had such a good time."

Rita narrowed eyes at them. "What scam does Mommy Warbucks have in mind for today, Angel? Personalized typewriters and pony rides? You wouldn't be anything if you hadn't wormed your way into the right family."

Maya scoffed. "Like you have any room to talk. You've never gained anything honestly. If your parents were to take away your little safety net, you wouldn't last a day."

"You're just jealous," Mack accused dismissively. "Just because our parents have real jobs and contacts while your mom's only good for cleaning out bedpans."

Maya shook her head in pity. "As pathetic as ever. Get out of our way."

"Go around," Rita countered.

"Better idea," Fabian proposed. "Sean?"

The tall pair stepped forward and forcefully prodded their way through the other assortment. Sean and Mack met eyes for a moment, but Rita's hand on his arm kept the latter at bay. Their fists shaped and ready, Frank and Collin managed to keep them down as they walked by in favor of glaring.

"You shouldn't even be in this school," a blonde girl sneered after Angel.

Maya looked over her shoulder. "Take it up with your parents' contacts."

"Hey, Maya," though she heard Mack's voice, the petite girl simply kept walking, "bet you're excited for your wedding. Your mom gonna contact Jesus so your dad can walk you down the aisle?"

With a near screech in their last step, the entire formation of X-Men, Acolytes, and associates came to a complete stop. They veered around in unison. Before Sean could charge, Maya dropped her messenger bag. Her purposeful path causes enlarged eyeballs from the opposing group that only grew at the rest of the furious bunch acting as reinforcements.

"Guys, no, wait." Brenda managed to get between them, putting a hand on Maya's shoulder. "Don't. I'm serious. You're seniors. They're trying to get you guys kicked out of Prom."

Tension not remotely gone, Maya still admitted, "You're right."

"And a lowly sophomore." Brenda then turned rapidly and sent her tiny fist into the center of Mack's belly.

All present flinched at the impact. Familiar with unexpected gut pain, Frank winced.

Eyes practically red, Rita spat, "You little bi—"

"Shut your face," Brenda retorted before she could finish. "Maya has a dad to walk her down the aisle and you're lucky he's not here or your pansy boyfriend would be bleeding all over this floor.

"That's enough." Members of security approached.

Cordelia rolled her eyes. "Speedy service as ever, gents."

"Get him to the nurse and have him meet us in the principal's office." Another security member gestured for Brenda. "Let's go, come on."

"No way," Angel refused.

Fabian went to stand in front of his housemate. "You're not taking her anywhere."

The guard stepped up to him. "If you want to play chivalry, you can join us."

"Rent-a-cop, you better fu—" Samantha sent arms around Collin before he could finish that statement.

"Forget it, Fabian." Brenda walked out of their group. "I don't care."

"During the nothing that you do all day, you better browse the Want-Ads," Fabian advised the guards. "When my father gets through, you'll need them."

"Get to class," the guard ordered before heading off with Brenda.

Sean took Maya's hands. "Are you okay?"

She nodded absently. "Sure."

Angel moved over to hug her. "I'm so sorry. They were trying to get to me."

Maya held her in turn. "Forget them, okay? We have to help Brenda."

Before they left, Angel requested, "Don't let Fabian kill anyone," to Ben.

While Fabian uttered a long list of Spanish profanities, Nate stayed in place as pieces knitted together in his mind.

IIIIIII

When the student finished the last paragraph in their current book, Kayla said, "Thank you, Cal. Now, thoughts, opinions, anyone?"

"It was sad," many of them chorused.

"Yes, it was," Kayla concurred then reacted to the next raised hand. "Keiko?"

The girl responded, "It kind of made me mad."

Kayla asked casually, "Why is that, honey?"

"When it starts off, Dwight is happy and doing all these things. But as soon as he's in the wheelchair, all he can think about is dying until he finally does. I don't know," Keiko attempted to express. "It seems like they're trying to say if you're crippled or handicapped, you should just kill yourself."

Kayla next questioned, "Do you think that's what the writer was trying to get across?"

Clarence raised his hand and said, "I don't think he was trying to be harsh like that, but I hate that he killed himself. That's the sucker way to me."

Another hand up, Kerri countered, "But he wasn't just crippled. The doctor said it was just going to get worse. Who wants to suffer like that at sixteen?"

"Sixteen is too soon to be giving up," Clarence claimed.

Waiting for Kayla to select him, Ray chimed in with, "I don't think the writer was trying to say anything to be honest. For the whole book, people are trying to talk Dwight out of suicide. Yeah, he finally does it, but that doesn't mean it's some message like "kill the cripples" or anything. I don't see how anybody can call something as stupid as Romeo and Juliet romantic then trash something like this. What, it's cool to take your life for a girl but not for yourself?"

"It is really stupid," Gina realized.

"And Ray raises an excellent point," Kayla put forth. "So many classic works are filled with tragic themes yet hailed as masterpieces. Yet it's books like this or Huckleberry Finn that fall under intense scrutiny. Let's take a closer look."

When Kayla turned to write on the board, Gina leaned in towards Ray to whisper, "I always pretended Romeo and Juliet faked out their parents and ran off together after they saw their bodies."

Ray determined, "Your ending is better. And way less retarded."

IIIIIII

"Franklin Tolbert, report to the office immediately, please."

At the voice on the intercom, his English teacher advised, "You better take your things with you, Frank."

The boy nodded and loaded his books into his bag. Out in the hall, confusion billowed within him to see Collin leaving his classroom as well.

When the two got into closer proximity, Frank asked, "The office call you, too?"

"I guess they're still going off about earlier." Collin fumed somewhat. "They already stuck Brenda in in-school suspension. Talk about brain death. What do they want now?"

"Payback." The British boy strolled their way. "Or maybe that's just me."

"Nate?" Frank raised an eyebrow. "You got us out of class?"

"It would have been sooner, but I had to rig the PA systems individually to avoid suspicion," he explained. "Personally, I don't appreciate that overgrown wank getting off scot-free while Brenda sits in a cell."

Collin grew intrigued. "You got something in mind for him?"

"Oh yes." Nate's eyes glistened with excitement. "But I need help from a real stealth master- you can make yourself invisible, yes?"

With the hall clear, Collin demonstrated by vanishing before them. "Kinda, sorta."

"Brilliant." Nate turned to Frank. "I also require Dr. Hank McCoy's right-hand lab assistant."

No further goading required, Frank wanted to know, "What do you need?"

"We have to make a few stops first," Nate told them. "Office, chem lab, drug store."

Collin and Frank swapped a look at that.

IIIIIII

Sorting through photographs of one another's Prom dresses, the swarm of girls turned the corner. Making it to her locker, Rita continued speaking to them, working the door open without looking. As soon as she turned her head to retrieve her makeup bag, what felt like a slick punch followed by a moisture bomb hit her in the face. Several more shot out, containing watered down red, yellow, and green dyes that launched at the others. Amidst their shrieking, Rita discovered the spheres not to be balloons, but overfilled latex condoms.

She could not comment as she reacted to Mack's outcry next.

The moment his locker door sprang open, whipped cream and bottles of chocolate squirted at him. They quickly coated his face, shirt, and leather jacket. As soon as the spraying ended, something else popped out at him. It came in the form of a rubber air-filled doll in a bikini. His blood boiled over the laughter that seemed to fill the hall.

Positioned around one row of lockers to take in the theatrics, Nate, Collin, and Frank nearly went to their knees in their jest. As soon as the heavy and familiar hand landed on Frank's shoulder, his merriment came to an abrupt end. He slowly peered back into the unreadable countenance of the older X-Man.

Following his friend's eyes, Collin acknowledged rigidly, "Doc McCoy…"

Hank wordlessly summoned them to come with him with two fingers. The boys did so, moving with extreme caution.