Misfitverse: The Korvac Saga
Disclaimer: "Derek! Get up, will ya? You look like the poster boy for birth control!" - Rodney Dangerfield as Thornton Melon, Back to School
Chapter 32: Training Break!
The Planet Klattu
"Go, Vizh, go!" Roberto da Costa whooped as he flew through the air, blasting a couple round metal drones. Haroun al-Rashid, formerly Jetstream and now the new Vision, streaked past him, towards another group of drones.
"Ahh, they will be adequate." The cyborg Moroccan nodded. The drones sprouted laser cannons and started firing bursts of energy like a machine gun. Using his new thruster implants in his legs, Haroun weaved and dodged them at speeds that astounded him. Amazing! The mutant thought. My aerial movements are smoother, faster, and more precise than my old cybernetics ever allowed! He decided to use a new ability his implants granted him. To the human eye, the young mutant seemed to become translucent, like a ghost. In actuality, he had reduced his density to near-zero, allowing him to pass through several drones. The drones he passed through shorted out and fell to the ground, useless husks.
"Cool!" Roberto grinned, giving a thumbs up. He then dodged a drone that tried to charge him.
"I suggest you focus." Haroun advised as he became tangible again. His eyes glowed a bright red.
ZZZAK!
The former Jetstream's released two powerful red beams of laser light. The lasers slammed into two drones, causing them to explode.
"Damn!" Roberto couldn't help but gape. "Where'd you get the eye beams, man?" Haroun smiled and pointed at his eyes.
"Special lenses over my eyes. Remarkable technology."
"I gotta admit, those new tricks of yours sound pretty cool, man." Ray whistled in admiration as he dodged a drone that was trying to ram into him. The young mutant then blasted it with a bolt of lightning. "Yeah! Who's the man?" Since the battle with Ultra-Max on Klattu and Jetstream's upgrade into the new Vision, Sam had decided to take a break. He had decided the Lost Mutants should stay on Klattu for a while to relax and get their bearings. Also, he figured Haroun would want to take some time to recover from his experiences. Even in the 31st Century, one needed to rest and recharge every so often. He also had another motive: He wanted the Lost Mutants to learn to fight as a team, considering the role that was meant for them in this time period. And since they were on Klattu, Mainframe could help with the training process.
It appears like you three are more interested in conversing than training at the moment. Mainframe noted with some amusement. Perhaps you would like to take a break?
"Yeah, sure." Ray admitted, rubbing the back of his neck as the drones flew away. "That would be nice." Haroun landed on the ground, gathering with the other two Lost Mutants.
"I do think we will make quite a team." Haroun admitted.
"Yeah, we sure do." Ray nodded. Roberto provided his own nod in agreement. He then looked at Haroun.
"Hey, can I ask you something?" The Brazilian mutant asked the Moroccan cyborg. A confused Haroun nodded in response. "Didn't getting that stuff put in hurt?"
"Yeah, I can imagine it must've hurt like hell." Ray added with a wince.
"Are you talking about the first time I've had the cybernetics put in or now?" Haroun wondered.
"Both times." Ray and Roberto answered in unison.
I cannot account for the first time Mr. al-Rashid's cybernetics were put in, but I can assure you that Haroun was not in any pain when he was upgraded. Mainframe explained. The cyborg mutant nodded in confirmation.
"I cannot remember the Hellfire Club putting in my original cybernetics." Haroun added. "I do remember I was in a lot of pain before, due to the injuries I gave myself when I used my powers. After my original modifications were put in, I was no longer in pain. I do not believe that I was in pain during their being put in. I probably was under anesthesia."
"I'm surprised those Hellfire Club bastards actually let you go under during that." Ray scowled. Haroun nodded.
"It surprises me as well. It also surprises me that during my time in the Hellions, I was the recipient of a form of brainwashing."
"Trust me, pal. If you ever were with the X-Men for as long as me and the Sun Maiden have..." Ray smirked, jerking his thumb at Roberto. "...nothing will surprise you."
"Yeah, like that time...wait, what did you call me?" The Brazilian mutant growled at the ex-Morlock.
"You heard me, Sun Maiden!" Ray mocked. "Or are you deaf as well as dumb?"
"I'm going to kick your head in, you little-!" Roberto moved to punch Ray, but Haroun quickly moved to keep the two former New Mutants separate.
"Come on, little man! Come on!" Ray whooped, starting to bounce on his feet like a boxer, tossing practice punches in the air.
"Come here!" Roberto tried to reach past Haroun to get his hands on his old Institute nemesis.
"I am curious." A puzzled Haroun couldn't help but ask as he tried to hold Roberto back. "What started this feud?"
"Those two have been feuding for so long, I don't quite remember why myself." Sam admitted as he entered the room. Standing alongside him was Douglas Ramsey, once Cypher of the X-Men. He then looked at Haroun. "How are the new implants, Haroun?"
"They are amazing." Haroun admitted, looking at his hands. "They look and feel just like true organic limbs."
"Not to mention those additional powers those new parts gave you." Doug whistled in admiration. "The powers of the first Vision combined with your own? You definitely will be the powerhouse of this little team."
Actually, the first Vision was an extradimensional law enforcement officer named Aarkus, active on Earth mainly during the early 20th and 21st Centuries, particularly the years of the conflict once known as World War II. Mainframe corrected. He had the powers of teleportation, flight, and cryokinesis. 1
"Didn't know there was a Vision around in that time." Ray mumbled to himself.
"You should've paid more attention during superhero history class." Sam quipped with a smirk.
I suggested that since this enemy that the Lost Mutants is prophecized to face is extremely powerful, the cause would be benefited by upgrades that not only allowed Haroun to use his own powers safely, but also use my own powers in addition to his. Haroun's eye lenses now can emit powerful lasers, giving him a long range attack. His new ability to control density will allow him to become intangible, or very dense. Of course, being a cyborg, his natural abilities including his senses, strength, speed, and reflexes, are greater than a human's. Mainframe explained.
"Damn, dude! You are a regular one-man army!" Ray laughed.
"I am not as formidable as you think, Raymond." Haroun warned. "An old saying is, 'no matter how good you are, there is always someone better'."
"Geez, someone's an optimist."
"Speaking of powering up..." Doug reminded Sam. "I could use something myself. If I'm one of the Lost Mutants meant to fight this enemy, then I'm going to need something more than just the ability to translate things." The former X-Man thought about it.
"You know, I think I may have something that you might like..." The immortal mutant grinned.
Elsewhere on Klattu
"I can't do this."
"You can do it, Jennifer." Marie-Ange Colbert encouraged with a smile. "We are right here to support you."
"No way, man!" Jennifer Stavros shook her head rapidly, making her blonde hair wave comically about. "I'm not doing it!"
"It's alright, Jennifer." Jocasta tried to reassure the Atlantic City native. The two, alongside Danielle, Amara, and Marie, were standing in a room that could project holograms. Jennifer was standing in front of a projection of a corner table. Standing on the table was a single unlit candle. "This therapy will only help you."
"Yeah, Jennifer." Danielle added. "The flame isn't real. This'll help you conquer that fear of fire you got."
"This isn't going to work." Amara whispered with a scowl, shaking her head.
"Then why are you here?" Danielle whispered back, a frown crossing her face.
"Why are you?" Amara shot back.
"Moral support." The Cheyenne girl shrugged her shoulders. "What makes you so sure this won't work?"
"You really think that fake flames can help her overcome her phobia?" Amara frowned. "It's not the same as real fire."
"You got any ideas?" Danielle smirked at the Nova Roman.
"...I am curious to see if Nova Roma is still around in this century." Amara tried to change the subject.
"Are you ready, Jennifer?" Jocasta asked.
"Uhm..." Jennifer mumbled nervously. "Uh...The flame will be small, right?"
"Yes."
"...alright." The blonde nodded. "Let's do this."
"I'll bet she runs away screaming." Amara grinned, remembering Jennifer's reaction to her fiery form. Danielle shot the Nova Roman a scowl, and then smacked her upside the head.
"Amara, do us a favor and do not open your mouth for the next several hours." Danielle grumbled. Amara pouted. Marie couldn't help but giggle.
"Madame Moonstar, you certainly have taken charge of this little group, haven't you?"
"Somebody has to." Dani sighed. Jennifer closed her eyes and took a breath.
"Mainframe, light the candle!" Jocasta ordered. With a bleep noise, the candle lit, a small holographic flame burning. She opened her eyes slowly, and looked at the flame. The blonde ex-Hellion began to pant in fear.
"It's alright, blondie..." Danielle reassured. "It's not real..." Jennifer's mind began to flash back to the day of the Massacre at Xavier's. She saw the madly grinning face of Trevor Fitzroy, the green-haired man viewing her not as an ally, but just another opportunity to shed blood. She saw the barrel of his flamethrower, the flames erupting at her. She heard her own scream, the last sound she made in the 21st Century, felt the flames cooking her flesh and body. Jennifer shook her head and gritted her teeth.
"No..." She mumbled. Jocasta looked worried.
Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. The silver nanotech woman thought to herself.
"It's not real...it's not real..." Jennifer kept whispering to herself. "It's not real...it won't hurt me..." It was a tough fight for the young blonde. Every cell in her body was screaming at her to flee from the holographic flame.
"Mon Dieu, she looks so uncomfortable." Marie-Ange frowned in concern.
"Yeah, she does." Danielle sighed. Jennifer panted and shook, trying not to run. She knew she had to conquer this. If she was going to be in any shape to face this enemy, she had to overcome this.
"I can do this...It's not real..." Jennifer panted. "It's not...not...shut it off. Just shut it off!" She waved her hand. "I can't do it anymore!"
"Mainframe, shut it off." Jocasta asked, and the candle flame went out. She smiled at Jennifer. "You managed to withstand being within the presence of that flame for about a minute. That's progress."
"Have to admit, she took it longer than I thought." Amara blinked, making Dani and Marie look at each other in surprise.
"It...wasn't easy." Jennifer sighed, shaking her head. "All I kept seeing was Fitzroy's flamethrower blasting me. It wouldn't leave my head."
"Maybe we can get her a shrink to help." Danielle suggested. "Are there still shrinks in the 31st Century?" Jocasta nodded.
"Yes, there are. I think we may have to get one to help us out here." Jocasta blushed. "I'll go retrieve Sam. He'll know where to look." Jocasta left the room, leaving the Lost Mutants to themselves.
"When it comes to your display, Roulette, I haven't seen anyone act that anxious since that time after that Danger Room session with Amira." Amara admitted. 2
"What are you talking about?" Marie blinked curiously. "I know that Amira joined you after that disaster with the Omega Hellions, but this is news to me." Wait a minute! If our minds were altered by the Hellfire Club, then were the Omegas' minds altered as well? Marie found herself asking. Were the Omegas not their real selves either?
"Well, you see, we went through a Danger Room session with Amira, and well..." Dani rubbed the back of her head shamefully. "We were reluctant to use the showers when she was there."
"Lemme guess." Jennifer smirked, crossing her arms. "You guys feared that she'd, let's just say, forget the concept of personal space, right?" Dani and Amara blushed in embarrassment. "Weren't you guys supposed to be fighting against that kind of thing?"
"It's stupid, I know, but..." Danielle tried to explain.
"Personally, If I were you guys, I'd be more worried about that psychopath trying to slit my throat than making a pass." Jennifer frowned, crossing her arms. She then smiled and shrugged. "Even if she did try to make a pass, I wouldn't be bothered, because unlike you X-Guys, I'm comfortable with myself. I'd just simply tell her I was flattered, but she's not my type. Unlike her, I don't see anything with a Y chromosome as a mortal enemy."
"Of course it wouldn't bother you." Amara rolled her eyes.
"What?" Jennifer blinked. "It's not my fault you X-Guys are uncomfortable with yourselves."
"I do have to agree with Jennifer." Marie admitted. "I do not understand why you two are so bothered by this."
"Well..." Dani rubbed the back of her head nervously, trying to find an answer. Luckily for the Cheyenne mutant, Jocasta walked into the room, smiling cheerfully.
"Hello, girls!"
"Saved by the robot." Danielle sighed under her breath.
"The boys told Sam and he told me that Ember McLain visited you."
"Yes, she did." Marie remembered. "She told us to meet her in a place called Haven."
"From what we heard, it's the land where the mutants now all live." Jennifer added. Jocasta nodded.
"Yes. If Ember says you should be there, then you should be there." She smiled. "Guess what? The Lost Mutants are going to Haven!"
Well, well, well! Looks like things are going to get a little more interesting! What insanity will happen next? How will our heroes be received on Haven? What will happen when the Lost Mutants and the Royal Guard meet? Will I stop asking stupid questions? Find out in the next chapter! Suggestions needed badly!
1 - Created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, the same team behind Captain America, Aarkus/The Golden Age Vision first appeared in Marvel Mystery Comics #13 (November 1940). He has appeared in some latter-day projects involving Marvel's Golden Age heroes, like Roy Thomas's 1970s Invaders series.
2 – Chapter 2 of NebulaBelt's "Misfit Mania".