Chapter 5

"The X - Men? Were they not the ones who found me?"

"Yeah, that's right. I mean, you're kinda a mutant, I guess. I mean, your gene structure is sure changed now and all. And you have powers that you need to learn to control. Seems to me like you'd fit right in."

Spock doubted he was ever going to 'fit in' anywhere. Still. It was a nice thought if unrealistic.

"Hello Spock." Mr Fantastic walked into the room. "I believe I have something to help with your powers until you get them fully under control." He placed a cube on a table, and it expanded, opening into a metallic suit. "I can program your natural strength into the suit, and then the suit will provide adequate resistance to any force above your norm. It'll be awkward, but unless you actively fight the suit it should work. I understand your flight won't go off accidentally, and that band on your wrist nullifies your telepathy."

Spock was unpleasantly reminded of Vulcan, where all his abnormalities were eradicated, where he was supposed to be just as normal, just as Vulcan as anyone else.

"Of course this is all just temporary until you can learn to control your powers. Oh, and I have another piece of good news. Lightspeed left before she could hear it. Your intelligence was highly boosted." Spock's eyebrow raised.

"From what I gather you had a very high intellect already, but now… if you want I think I look forward to seeing you in my labs."

Spock's eyes widened. He had seen some of Mr Fantastic's technology, the level of advancement… "You believe I am intelligent enough too…"

"I should think your intelligence is still growing. I can predict where it'll stabilize, and it'll stabilize high. I'd love to have you. Though… I can't promise I'll be any more sociable."

"That is quite alright." Spock was beaming inside, this was incredible! This world… he didn't deserve any of this, not Julie, not this fantastic opportunity… this was… beyond anything he'd ever imagined. He nearly slapped himself mentally. He couldn't lose focus! Yes he had powers. This made him nothing more than a greater freak than before. He was still worthless. Still a freak. Nothing had changed.

"I'll go contact Xavier, he's in charge of the X - Men, and ask him about you."

"Very well." Spock agreed. Mr Fantastic pressed a button on the suit and it folded into a cube. He stretched a finger over to a button on the wall and Spock's restraints released. Mr Fantastic then tossed the cube at Spock, striking on his chest. The cube suddenly expanded and enveloped Spock, perfectly forming itself around Spock's body. Spock walked around experimentally, picked up a few objects and squeezed them. He nodded in approval.

"Your apparatus seems to be functioning admirably."

"Thank you." Mr Fantastic grinned. "Well, I need to contact Xavier. I'll be seeing you around."

He left, and Spock stared after him in a state of shock. Julie walked over. "Pixie? Are you… are you okay?"

"I appear to be vastly improved."

"But you're not the same anymore. You aren't who you used to be. You're something different now, and that can be hard to deal with. I've been through it. Let me help."

"I do not require help. I am a Vulcan. I shall accept this turn of events and proceed logically. I am a Vulcan. I can do nothing else."

"Well. We'll see how things turn out. Come on. Let's try out your new suit."

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"Spock I have good news!" Mr Fantastic had just returned from the institute, and he was grinning. His news wasn't hard to guess. "They're letting you in. You can go whenever you want."

"I find that to be highly unlikely, the chances that I would be able to"

"Spock. When do you want to go?"

Spock glanced up and wished his heart wasn't beating so hard. "I suppose now would be acceptable. Will the X - Men be able to assist me with my newfound abilities."

"Spock that's what the X - Men do." Julie smiled reassuringly. "All the X - Men have one power or another, and the institute is just that. A school. They learn more than math and science, they're trained to use their powers."

"To become superheroes?"

"Some of them choose to. Some just learn how to safely harness their powers and then try to live normally in the world."

"I see. Is there pressure to become heroes?"

"I'm told not, but I don't know. I've visited the institute some times. Power Pack even gave a training session to some of the kids. But I haven't stayed there long enough to know."

"Very well. I am prepared to depart."

"Alright…" Mr Fantastic's sentence was cut short by the alarm blaring through the Baxter Building.

"Spock I need the Fantasticar. Lightspeed, can you fly him over?"

"Yes sir."

"Do it, I have to go!" Mr Fantastic ran out of the room, ready to save the world from whatever now imperilled it.

Julie turned to Spock. "Since you don't have your telepathy anymore is it okay if I touch you? On the armour and just around the arms to carry you?"

"It is fine."

"All right. We're going to move fast. But I make a protective shield around me when I move. Only protects you, me, and my surroundings from my speed though. Get hit and you'll still bleed, so don't get any ideas about using me as a force field."

"I will not. It is fortunate that you have this charastic. The destruction you might cause traveling at such speeds…"

"Yeah, I know. Come on; we don't know how long it'll be safe here."

Spock nodded. "Very well then. I believe there is a window down the hall…"

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"Professor Xavier, this is Spock. Are you ready to take him?"