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.

342. Chapter 342 Movie Madness Part 2

Rise or Fall

Chapter 342: Movie Madness Part 2

Chapters to Check: 311, 339, 340, and 341

NOTE: Apparently, the site was dealing with a bit of a glitch on Halloween and some of you still haven't had a chance to access 341. I re-posted it just now, so go check it out. I swear, the site would bug out on an Anniversary Chapter (grr)! Anyway, seeing as it is Election Day *ducks lightning and thunderclap* I'm off to earn my right to complain. Tis the American way. So, without further ado, please enjoy and review Part 2!

When Emma, Edna, and the fledgling McCoys returned from the grocery store, the Headmasters helped carry things in. Afterwards, Trav opted to accompany a pensive Erik on a walk around the grounds. Kiki helped Edna store the perishable goods while the wedded telepaths re-stocked the pantry.

Adding the various pasta noodles to their designated shelves, Charles informed, Cordy called while you were out. She and Fabian made it to Boston fine, barring whatever sugar-fueled hyperactivity she and Nate are sure to get into before day's end.

Good. Across from him, Emma stacked condiments. I was worried about Joey, but I'm glad he has his artwork to distract from the gaping golden hole.

Seems he's developing his mother's coping mechanisms, Charles noted. Is throwing yourself into caring for the house working, by the way?

Emma responded, it's a bittersweet thing. Reconnecting with her these last couple of years did me a world of good, but Cordy's far removed from the girl she was when she first came here. She really is a success story for us.

As are Sean, Maya, and Angel. It still doesn't make it completely easy to watch them re-join the world.

Or silence our fear for them in that regard.

Charles sardonically remarked, could this day get anymore chipper?

Speaking of, Emma transitioned, doth my psychic sister-in-law sensory deceive me or is all not well with Erik?

Our civil discussion with Hank over Alana escalated rather quickly into a civil war, Charles detailed. He feels undermined because we didn't contact him about Tommy.

Emma reasoned, and he can be two places in simultaneous fashion how?

My point exactly, the male telepath seconded. As usual, he directed the bulk of his fury at Erik. This time he threw his complicated dynamic with Alana in his face. He couldn't have been more adolescent during that tirade. I very nearly took him in hand.

Emma absorbed the intel before responding. Remember what Victor told us when he was sick. That disease unleashed the childlike side of Hank in all its glory. It's something he might actually keep more caged than his beast. None of us should take these mood swings to heart. They're likely residual side effects of his continued recovery.

Yes, you're right, Charles agreed. I try to keep in mind that he's a full-grown man and our acclaimed colleague now, but it bothers me the way he bottles these things up.

We hold each other accountable, but we have to respect the fact that we're all adults here, Emma emphasized. Pushing will only lead to pushback. We just have to be there for him; all of them.

No trace of an argument to be found there, Charles paused to turn and show his diligent listener his gratitude by pressing his lips to hers.

II

Sitting cross-legged on her firstborn's bed, Kayla worked her needle and thread to replace two broken buttons on one of the energetic boy's shirts. Next to her, Tommy quietly read excerpts from the Temple-acquired book on martyrs.

Kayla put forth, "Hopefully, the heat dries the paint fumes in your room sometime this century."

Eyes staying on his current page, Tommy replied, "Yeah, but it's okay. Bunking with Cody's not bad."

"You two just try to keep the lights-out gabbing to a minimum on his academy nights." A knowing Kayla briefly caused a flash of timid guilt from the child's nonetheless endearing face.

With the announcement of, "Latest load, Black Irish," Logan entered and deposited a long cardboard container across the foot of the bed.

Promptly lowering his book to crawl over to it, Tommy's excitement elevated upon seeing the return address. "Grandma and Grandpa." Tearing one end open, he raised the box to pour out its contents. He unwrapped the green paper binding it and found a lengthy dark wooden implement that appeared aged but durable. "Ah, cool, a club!"

"No kiddin'." Logan lifted the instrument by its middle for closer observation. "This here's a genuine shillelagh."

Tommy recalled, "Like in leprechaun stories?"

"Yep. We short guys have all the aces up our sleeves." With that, the canine mutant let it drop towards the bed.

Catching it before it hit the mattress, Tommy grinned and attempted to twirl it like a baton.

Kayla cleared her throat pointedly. "Take your new toy outside, please. Before anymore walls need re-plastering."

Sharing an impish gleam with Logan, the two males took off from the room.

II

Already situated on the bean bag chair in the office area of the Hovel, Leon raised his head at the arrival of the, clearly, discontent oldest member of IQ.

"What is it?"

At Leon's voice carrying such an obvious level of concern too atypical for him, Hank brightened his expression as best he could. "It's nothing. Just a small Headmaster-induced headache."

Leon nodded understandingly as the scientist sat near his beanbag chair on the couch. Toweling off from some bench-pressing, Alex walked in next, followed by Raven a minute later.

"Did I miss anything?" The blue woman joined her husband on the couch.

Hank told her, "Nothing worth mentioning presently." He then looked between the two younger instructors. "What's this all about, guys?"

Leaning against the edge of his desk, Alex sent Leon a nudging glance.

Silent but obvious meaning comprehended, the long-haired male answered, "Trav."

Inner radar instantly activated, Raven wanted to know, "What happened?"

"He's fine," Leon swiftly reassured. "But I've been talking to him, trying to get us back on track post-madness."

"Good," Hank approved. "He's steadily coming around, Lee. Just keep working at it."

"Right," Leon agreed, "I have. That's why we're here. Like I said, we talked and I have to tell you guys, he still has his heart set on testing for those upper level classes."

An unsurprised Raven remarked, "I swear, he will not stop until the name Travis McCoy is numbered among the synonyms for resilient."

"Yes, but when did that become a bad thing?" Hank pointed out.

Raven automatically came back with, "When we found out he was throwing up whatever food he managed to keep down the last time he worked himself up over this?"

"It's different now," Leon emphasized. "None of us could have predicted that one. It still floors me. But now that we're actually aware, we can better help him reach his goals without harming his health."

Hank then reminded his wife, "You know this was not a closed subject, Raven. We cannot let this anxiety cripple him."

"Is this about him or you?" Raven questioned skeptically, turning to Leon next. "Or you? I don't mean to be harsh, but you do want back into Trav's good graces."

An unbothered Leon countered, "But I'd never risk his well-being over it."

"Neither would I," asserted Hank. "And I don't appreciate the implication. You think I haven't wrestled with my own guilt over this? Wondering if I pressured him too much?"

"And now, a word from the dunce cap," Alex chimed in, receiving the attention of the other three. "I hear what all of you are saying, but Rae, I'm leaning towards these guys."

Raven exhaled dryly. "So, what, you testosterone titans think I'm just being a hysterical mother?"

Before the other two could refute, an unmoved Alex came back with, "If that's the case, I'm right there with you, twin. My insides still don't completely sit right with Joey taking on this sword training thing, but he deserves the chance to better himself. So does Trav."

"I want the best for him, but his wounds are a lot easier to hide than Joey's," Raven brought up. "What if he slips under our radar again?"

"We know what we're dealing with now," Hank urged. "We'll make sure he isn't left to his own devices; completely re-work his study habits. And I'll monitor his nutrition closer."

"Apparently, he and I both need monitoring." Leon then appeared to ponder. "Maybe we can share a tether chain."

"Don't give Dad and Emma any ideas," Alex half-joked.

Raven leaned back against the cushions with a drawn-out caw of exasperation. "Fine, he can take the placement tests, but the second he feels too bogged down…"

"We'll wait for the next school year," Hank promised.

Some traces of misgiving left in her yellow eyes, Raven pronounced, "Deal."

IIIIIII

Done assisting Samantha with makeup application, Adrienne crossed over to the older girl's bedroom. Both in silk kimonos to shield their outfits, Angel sat at her vanity while the redhead added a crimson flower clip to the back of her head to better restrain the loose portion of her hair.

"You've been quiet today," Adrienne noted, finger combing the strands a little.

Recapping her lipstick, Angel disclosed, "I've got Ben on the brain."

"Ah. Have you two spoken recently?"

"For a few minutes before we had to start getting ready." Angel shuffled through her gloss assortment and picked clear to coat her cherry lips.

Adrienne passed her a Kleenex. "Your sister hasn't been tying up the line from you and Scott, has she?"

"How do you expect her to get through the day without knowing what flavor of toothpaste Collin picked?" Angel quipped, using the tissue to dab any excess from the corners of her mouth. "No, it just seems like we're both always running out the door for one thing or another."

"This is no typical summer," Adrienne pointed out. "Even ordinary high school graduates have a difficult time balancing everything involved in college prep. It's all the harder with you and Ben already being so career-oriented."

Angel somberly put forth, "Nothing stays the same forever, right?"

"The important parts may take interludes, even to devastating degrees," the older woman stated, "but they also have an uncanny way of course correcting themselves."

II

By the second-floor staircase, Victor periodically smoothed the cuffs of his sleeves and monitored stray strands that attempted to escape his impeccably neat ponytail. He redirected his gaze at one of the youth's doors flying open. Leonine grace enabling her feet to scamper in stacked heel pumps, Samantha hastened towards him.

"Daddy," hands extended and cupping her choice of neckwear, she explained importantly, "my nails are still drying."

Lips quirking fondly, Victor took it and gestured for her to turn. Managing to keep polish out of her wavy strands, Samantha held her hair up as she did so.

Clasping the cat's eye in place for her, "There ya go, baby," Victor guided her over to the oval-shaped mirror on the nearby wall. "Just look at yourself."

The girl wore a peach swing dress with silver spaghetti straps and lining. The headband in her hair matched the color.

With a wide grin, Samantha glanced away from her reflection and tugged on his right lapel. "I love this."

In a gold tiger-striped dinner jacket with a black shirt and pants, Victor replied, "Yeah, not too shabby. Think Uncle Wolves'll be jealous?"

"Just plain green," Samantha affirmed puckishly.

The feline mutants then turned to see two members of their party emerge. Angel had on a knee-length halter dress in deep red, accented with sequence around the neckline. She accessorized with black bangles and open-toed heels. Adrienne's ensemble consisted of a black off-the-shoulder dress with lace sleeves and stilettos. A ruby spider pendant hung from her neck, complimented by web-shaped earrings.

With a squeeze to Angel's wrist, Victor commented, "You're a livin' dream, Angel eyes." Succeeding in causing a grin on the young model's face, he turned to Adrienne next. "Pleased to step into your parlor, black widow." He raised her hand to kiss the back of it.

"Flattery will not shield you from spontaneous bursts of venom," she warned coyly.

"Good thing I heal real fast."

Raving with her sister over their individual outfits, Samantha detected commotion outside and hurried into her room.

After taking a glimpse out of her window, she quickly returned to inform, "The limo's here, Mama."

At that, Victor bellowed, "Let's get a move on, Shades! Cut out all that primpin' like you're Trick."

The aforementioned teen's door opened and his voice sounded with, "I've been ready. Some of us don't need a fortnight."

With an eyeroll, Angel countered, "Some of us don't have to worry about shaving more than our faces."

"Like Scott knows the first thing about shaving," remarked Samantha.

"Real funny." Scott strolled towards them nonchalantly. "Hm, at least you chicks made all that waiting worth the while."

"Thanks," Angel raised an eyebrow, "now, what happened to you?"

Scott frowned, "What's that supposed to mean?"

At the boy's attire of a white shirt and khakis, Adrienne wanted to know, "Is there something wrong with your new suit? It was altered to your exact measurements."

"Nothing's wrong with it," Scott replied simply, sticking his hands into his pockets. "I just want to wear this."

Adrienne emphasized, "I got you the new one for a reason. My design clients provided all of our outfits especially for tonight."

Scott refuted, "Well, Emma bought this one especially for me. Last I checked, I'm not one of your models. I can actually dress myself."

Amidst the stunned countenances that resulted from that, Angel retorted, "Little boy, do not think I'm scared to get some blood on this dress."

"Come on, Ang," Scott said dismissively. "You know I didn't mean y—"

"Ladies," Victor interjected, "don't forget to grab your shawls. We'll meet you in the car."

Patience suspended by a very narrow thread, Adrienne guided the girls along.

Once only the impertinent X-Boy and himself remained in the hall, Victor determined, "I'll be generous- for God only knows what reason- and give you ten minutes."

"Ten minutes for what?"

"Ten minutes," Victor moved to tower over him, "to get in that room, put your new suit on, fix that ornery face, curb that attitude, and get your scrawny behind in that limousine." When the child's lips parted with a clear argument ready, the elder added a growl to his already firm tone. "Do or die, you're goin'. The only part that's up to you is whether or not you want the ride over to be comfy. You already got plenty comin' to ya when we get back, but if you're anything but the perfect gentleman durin' this thing, don't think I'll hesitate to embarrass you."

Resolution sufficiently deflated, Scott kept his tongue at bay as he turned to comply.

IIIIIII

At the conclusion of the evening service, the congregation dispersed. Becky and Alana paired up for the ladies room while Erik went to speak with a few of his neighbors turned clients. Making his way through the large gathering, Tommy located the youngest Braunstein inside the children's room.

"Hey, Rachel," the girl in question looked over from stacking boardgames, "I wanted to get this back to you." He handed over the copy of Foxe's Book of Martyrs. "I finally finished."

"Oh, thanks. I almost forgot you had it." She hugged the hardback to her chest. "Did you like it?"

Tommy nodded. "Some of those stories were insane, though. I got some really great notes out of it, though."

"Good." Rachel then surmised, "I guess this means you're going back to Virginia soon, huh?"

The blue-eyed book shook his head. "Nope. I'm staying to study at the Xavier Institute like Sean."

"Really? Cool. It's funny, though."

"What?"

Rachel explained, "You have the same mom and dad, but you and Sean don't seem much like brothers."

Tommy snickered. "Wait until the rest of this town figures clues into that."

"Tom," the youngsters darted their eyes over to an incoming Erik, "all set?" The Poland native dipped his head cordially. "Miss Braunstein."

"Mr. Lehnsherr," she returned.

Heading out with the man, Tommy waved over his shoulder. "See you later, Rachel."

With a countenance of roguish intrigue, the girl carried the book over to its correct shelf.

IIIIIII

A properly attired Scott took a window spot with Samantha and Angel lined beside him. With an arm across her shoulders, Victor sat in a pair of side seats with Adrienne. Scott received a mood booster at Samantha indicating the complimentary soda and candy the limo offered, though the adults warned against filling up. Lacking any desire for food, Scott gladly sipped a chilled ginger ale.

They soon arrived at the Castro Theatre. Though the turnout did not bring in the numbers of a Hollywood venue, the crowd and flashing lights appeared quite daunting. Removing a pair of dark shades from his inner jacket pocket, Victor slipped them on. He stepped out of the vehicle first and extended a hand to his girlfriend. With photographers instantly clamoring for the Adrienne Frost, Victor helped Angel and Samantha out next. Easily detecting Scott's steadily building waves of anxiety, the older male reached for him.

Once out of the limo, Victor maintained a hand on his shoulder. Scott immensely appreciated the strong but alleviating contact. With Samantha and Angel so used to such paparazzi swarms, most of the pictures consisted of the female trio. When certain shots did include Victor and Scott- mainly to showcase their clothes- they both avoided direct eye contact as best they could. They let the outfits speak for themselves by sporting twin apathetic gazes. After he managed to get Scott inside, Victor used a tall potted plant to give them temporary cover. Squinting as old images of raging mobs flashed through his head, Scott took several deep breaths. Facing him, Victor applied gentle squeezes and pats to his shoulders. After the stressful surge subsided, Scott opened his eyes again and gave the elder a feeble but appreciative smile.

"Everything okay over here?" A distracted Scott had not noticed Adrienne's presence along with the girls.

"Yeah," nodded Victor, "we're good. The camera just doesn't love us half as much as it does you dolls."

Samantha gripped Scott's arm and touched his back until he stood to his full height again. When the ushers began directing the attendees, Adrienne led their group, Scott walked between Angel and Samantha, and Victor monitored their surroundings from behind. Once shown their seats in the massive red and gold theater room, everyone received an option card for a main course, two sides, a dessert, and beverages. Appetite still not up to par, Scott found the selection interesting. Remembering how Frank raved about the prime rib at one of Sean's shows, Scott went with that. Each seat came with a folding tray, complete with beverage holder. Adrienne had champaign while Victor and the teenagers picked cokes.

As the food arrived and the movie finally began, Scott found himself enjoying the experience more and more by the minute. Unfortunately, with that enjoyment, guilt regarding Adrienne and trepidation about Victor also trickled in. The young Cyclops inwardly kicked himself, wondering what phantasm had taken control of his body- specifically, his mouth- earlier. Still, he managed to finish most of his meal and made a point of staying as clean as possible.

During the return ride in the limo, besides thanking Adrienne profusely, Scott attempted to reflect the excitement oozing out of Angel and Samantha. Victor remaining quiet for the majority of the trip did not escape the boy's notice.

However, once they reached the house and took the front door that brought them directly to the second floor, Victor's direction of, "Go shower," did startle him a bit.

A melancholy Scott complied, removing his blazer as he journeyed to his bedroom. After carefully re-hanging the clothes on their hangers with no thread out of place, he grudgingly climbed into his shower. While aware of the ill-effects of a moistened backend that would occur shortly, part of Scott wanted to linger under the rush of water, though he dared not. Finally turning off the faucet, he toweled off as best he could and hastened into the security of his Dark Knight pajamas. His hair did not have time to dry before he heard the dreaded knock.

"Co—" Blushing slightly, Scott cleared the squeak out of his voice. "Come in." Also changed into night attire, Victor entered and promptly closed the door after himself. "Vic—"

"Uh-uh," the Veteran cut in sharply. "You ain't want to open your mouth earlier before stickin' your foot in it, so you can wait a little bit longer to speak your peace." Scott bobbed his head obediently. "Boy, you stepped so far over your limit, you couldn't get credit at the Bank of Joe Blow. I hope you got a kick out of tonight because you sure ain't deserve it. But I wasn't about to let you spoil this whole thing for Dri and the girls. You were there front and center when Joey mouthed off to Emma at the dinner table a while back and you're older. I don't care how whacked out your teeny hormones are, you know better than to disrespect any of the ladies like that. You want to act like a moody little ankle-biter with me, fine, I'll stick ya in a corner. You want to pull that crap with Dri? Not on your life. Do you hear me?"

Scott uttered, "Yes, sir."

Taking a seat on the side of the bed, Victor gestured for him. "Over here, now."

Scott did not delay in carrying out the command. Crawling over, he stretched across the waiting lap. When he felt his pajama bottoms and underwear lowering, the thirteen-year-old could only hope to not regurgitate his dinner.

"Geez!" howled from him at the first smack to his vulnerable behind. "Ah, holy—" He yelped at the pain building so much faster than usual, causing him to squirm without realizing it.

Two swats to each of his thighs and the gruff order of, "You better stay put," nipped that in the bud straightaway.

With movement not remotely an option and having no desire to scream and alert the girls to his current state, Scott clutched two handfuls of bedding in his fists. He only spared one hand when his crying built-up got so great, he had to remove his shades. He kept his eyes tightly shut, though his tears seeped through regardless.

Not counting the strikes, Victor judged based on the child's reaction and steadily reddening rear. At Scott succumbing to a completely limp, sobbing mess, the older male decided it done. Victor flexed his hand, unable to keep from scowling at the palm with disdain, no matter how necessary the task it had just carried out. He redressed Scott and massaged his heaving back.

"Here," once able to transfer him to the mattress on his stomach, Victor plucked a few Kleenexes for him, "I'll be right back. Don't try to move, okay?"

Scott nodded weakly, hardly able to wipe his face as he wept into the tissues. His inner kicking also resumed.

"Shades?" Victor returned with a glass in tow and helped the youth raise his upper body a little. "Drink up."

Without question, Scott chugged down the cold water.

Leaving the empty glass on the nightstand, Victor collected more tissues and helped to clean the distraught face. Scott stayed still and let him do it as he attempted to get the rest of his shaky form under control. After cleaning the frames as well, Victor got the ruby quartz back into place so he could tentatively open his eyes.

The blonde man then stretched out on the bed to better face him. "Hey."

"Hey," came the whimpering response.

"Heck of crappy way to end the night, huh?" At Scott's sniff and wretched nod, Victor emitted purrs and stroked his hair, now damp from sweat. "Speak your peace, Shades."

"I don't even know what to say," Scott replied earnestly.

"Somethin' got into you, son," Victor knew. "You were lookin' forward to tonight. And we already talked about this attitude issue. You still testin' me out?"

Scott searched for a way to explain it. "I don't know… just…" Victor waited patiently for him to go on. "I saw you and Adrienne fixing breakfast together."

"I gathered that this mornin'," Victor informed.

"Yeah, well, seeing you guys like that- it was kind of… nice."

Victor raised a confused eyebrow. "… Sorry?"

"No, I mean," Scott continued, "it was nice, all homey and stuff. Then, it was weird."

From that, Victor deduced, "Perfect family picture got to you, huh?"

"Yeah, basically. And I'm used to Emma buying my good clothes unless it's a birthday gift or something. Adrienne's been cool, but she's not the one who's been here for me all this time. It's like I had to prove Em is better or something. Sorry," Scott appeared sheepish, "I know she's your lady."

"Doesn't mean I don't know where you're comin' from, Shades," Victor sympathized. "When I was a couple years older than you, only my ma's authority could reign me in every time. Yeah, you have to respect Dri, but you're not expected to choose one Frost sister over the other. We all know Dri can't win there, anyway."

"Still, I want to find a way to make it up to her."

"You will," Victor said assuredly.

Scott then told him, "It's not just that making me crazy. These last couple of nights, I've had some whacked-out dreams. I don't really see anything. It's just this constant rush like I'm walking blindfolded right before I fall. I wake up before I hit the ground, but it's real every time."

Victor sent an arm around him. "You're still shakin' off the last mission. Believe me, I've stayed awake for days on end to get certain nasty pictures out of my head."

"Maybe, but…" Scott looked pensive. "I'm not sure that's totally it."

"You think you're finally rememberin' the crash?"

"Could be," Scott replied uncertainly. "But I don't think it's all past stuff. I can't help worrying that something bad's gonna happen. And soon."

After a short silent spell, Victor nestled in closer to the boy. "A lot's already happened and you're still adjustin' to bein' away from home, let alone on a whole other coast. Your head's a little scrambled right now and playin' tricks on you. Leave all the scary what-ifs to us seasoned mutants. All the nasties have to get through us first, anyway."

Scott smiled softly. "Okay."

"I'll be right back," Victor started to rise, "just gonna look in on the girls."

Watching him head out, Scott petitioned, "Vic," making him glance back, "I'm really sorry about tonight."

To that, Victor reiterated, "Be right back, son."

Stepping into the hall, the leonine mutant stilled in a few seconds of rigid contemplation. Re-animating, he moved along to see about the rest of the household.