Hey y'all. Before anyone get's made at me for the late update, and the shorter than intended chapter, I have a really good reason. The day I was going to update was the day I had to be rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery. Technically I'm still in recovery so I tried to write as best as I could. Let me know what y'all think.

Talise twirled as the delicate fabric spun and fell around her. It was a brown, short cut dress with flattering designs in a light blue stich that somehow complemented her new mutant colors. Everyone joined and made their way down the path and towards the beach party. The sun was setting but from a distance the group could see a glowing light coming from the beach. The party was already in full production as the guest of honor arrived. As they came closer the group of mutants eyes' were filled with a series of strange and new sights. Instead of the standard tiki torches, balls of yellow fire seemed to be suspended in the air without any support. A table was set up with a giant man, with light blue skin and ten very muscular arms, were simultaneously cooking, preparing and plating various foods. Just as he plated the food one of five girls took them to place on the awaiting patrons. From their heads, their hair parted to either side and took the form of giant hands that helped take hold of multiple plates. The girls shared not only the same powers but also similar looks, clearly the food servers were related in some way. But the family carried on their tasks as if it was a common act to use their powers in such a way. The rest of the partygoers were just as unique. There was a wide range of colors and textures, fur feather and scales. A band had set up on a decorative stage for the occasion, a few members looked relatively normal but with striking colored hair or eyes. The drummer however resembled a monstrous green jello mold who's multiple whip like arms where able to play both the drums and keyboard in perfect sync. There was an old man, who from his wrinkled hands created the small glowing balls of fire. From his side, his aged yet timeless love placed a gentle kiss on his cheek before raising her hand and lifting the light to the sky. Everyone had been so drawn in by the sight of the hundreds of mutant partygoers, they hadn't notice that the music had stopped and that they had become the center of attention. Talise became like a deer in the headlights, her face suddenly frozen with stage fright as everyone just stared. Fred gave her a slight nudge from behind, regaining her senses enough to grant the crowd a timid wave. With enough force as a sonic boom the crowd erupted into cheers and applause. The sand around Talise morphed into a posted chair, she soon found herself hoisted into the air and her carrier sailing threw the crowd. The more youthful mutants playfully dipped her chair to make Talise cling tighter and cry out in surprise. The ocean of familiar faces carried her to the center of the party, once she stood in the provided spotlight her chair then dissolved back into sand. A strange pink sparkle began to twinkle beside her, slowly the sparkles began to take form as a giant 20ft cake now stood beside her. Slowly the chorus began to build as the familiar song of Happy Birthday was sung by her family and friends. A massive yellow hand lowered beside her as a mutant giant help lifted her to the top tier. It was a simple white frosted cake with details in her favorite shade of green. Her eyes began to mist as she read the top message which was surrounded by her sixteen candles. 'Welcome Home Talise' 'Happy Birthday'.

The band played as the party returned to full swing. Jean and Scott , Kitty and Lance and surprisingly Rouge and Gambit. The only way the charismatic Cajun was able to get his Goth beauty on the dance floor was apparently threw a bribe from their favorite former froggy friend. Fred, Bobby and most of the other boys were pigging out at the buffet, while Pietro and Kurt tried their hands at flirting with some fellow mutant girls. Talise was lead by her mother, Dante, as he lead her around to make the returned introduction to some of the older members of the community. Talise hated every second of it. She had no problem greeting members of the island, it was the being paraded around and made the center of attention she hated. She never enjoyed being in the spot light, most of the island members knew this and never tried to point her out in the crowd. She was about to shake the hundredth hand of the night when the others began to act strangely. Their eyes drooped to fatigue, not enough to knock them out but enough to put them in a daze. Talise tried to wave her hands and snap her fingers but her Mother failed to respond. She then felt a sudden jerk on her arm as she was lead away from the still stunned group. Her initial instinct was to twist her arm and send her capture flying, a simple trick taught by her father, but the sight of familiar striped hair put her at ease. She was pulled until they reached the edge, where the sand met the trees. Even when their feet stopped moving her hand was still not freed and part of her didn't mind all that much. With an tired look Sebastian looked at his long time friend, straightening a few stray hairs that parted from their quick escape.

"So I see your pheromone powers have improved, glade to see you can do more than make people fall in love or worse.'

'What can I say, when I took up the name Lust it was rightfully so. Just thought you needed a break from them parading you around. Speaking of which glade to see you've got that little problem of yours under control.'

'Shut up, at least I don't send some weird smell that makes people break out into an orgy.'

'Now that would have made an amazing party. Seriously what great rebel leader has stage fright?'

'And who said I'm a rebel leader?'

'Um the entire island of people who follow you.'

'Ugh I wish they wouldn't, let Artemis and Sofia take the reigns.'

'What do yah mean?'

'You haven't picked up on it yet? Dude it's only been like ten years. They're gonna make the announcement tonight, there's gonna be a wedding on the island very soon.'

'WHAT!'

'Oh come on Sebastian they've been dating for years, even back when we were in Hell's Birth. Who else could be a better match for your little sister?'

'It's not that.'

'Then what because she's young? Come on you're parents were the same age plus technically we don't have an age restriction on the island.'

'It's not that either. It's just that, well, if they get married that would make us family. Meaning I couldn't see you..'

Talise gave a quizzical look towards her old friend. The young man had gain a reputation on the island for being a heartbreaker and maintain a 'cool' demeanor over the years. The one who never sweated, the one who never lost his cool, the one with all the right moves was now kicking lose rocks and acting as nervous as a cat at a dog show.

'What are you talking about, it's common for brothers and sisters from the bride or groom to date or even get married. The only thing making us family would be our siblings, there's nothing written over what the rest of the family could do. But why would that even matter, why would you be interested in seeing me? Don't you have like fifty girlfriends on the island?

Sebastian's face changed from awkward to intense in a matter of seconds, his confidence restored he stepped closer to his friend.

'You know as well as I do that I could never love one of those girls. Half the time I don't even know if they like me or if it's my powers.'

'But why not, they'd make a better girlfriend than me. And besides..'

'No One Could Ever Be Better Than You! Seriously Talise do you have no idea who you are?'

Out of instinct Talise placed a hand over a faint scar on her bare arm, the noise from the party got louder as she turned away. Her face was of shame, as if she was unworthy to even hear the sounds of others happiness.

'All I am is damaged goods. Sebastian if you even knew half the things I did…to what other did to me'

'I know plenty! Talise I was there when they pulled you away at night, I was there to hold you when you came back and cried threw the night, I was the one who helped clean the blood off you when you lost it, I was the one who stayed and listened when you couldn't take it anymore. I was the one who talked you off the cliff when things got to bad, if everything in your past was meant to turn me away you're wrong! T look at me, when are you going to wake up and see how amazing you truly are. You've been through every kind of abuse and torture, you've been beaten on, experimented on and even raped. But yet you still wake up every day. Do you know how many people, not even women could do that? How many could even get past that enough to walk do the street every day?! I know you T, the real you. Not the one you have to act like every day.'

She couldn't believe what she was hearing, for all her years she had to act. She had to act like the perfect daughter for her father, act like the perfect rebel for the other mutants, act like the perfect fool for the batch of young ones she needed to protect. Sebastian was so worked up his eyes had turned to slits and his hair was now on end, a common trait shared by his father and possibly his younger brother.

'You think you know me, you only know the past me. Tell me Sebastian, do you know what my powers are now? Do you know that every night all I can dream about is one day killing every wretched human that ever hurt us? I don't mean committing some genocide, I mean tracking down those doctors, those guards and that warden and killing them. I have dreams of boiling them in acid, of having them fucked over by a giant beast until they're split in two, of taking a dull knife and carving out every organ until finally I find the mercy to let them die IS THAT THE PERSON YOU KNOW SO WELL! I accept my role as being broken, it means I know I can't be put back together, so why try too. If there is a Hell I know I already have a seat on the council there, right next to Hitler and the rest. I'm plenty old enough now to figure out what I want to do with my life, and all I want to do is kill. Why? Because the second I kill the Warden is the second I know she can never hurt anyone else I care about. If you're looking for someone to love then head back down to the beach and find someone there. I'm nothing like the kind you're looking for.'

Talise looked at her shocked friend. Her message was strong and unexpected, but this was who she was. She would never be as cruel as to let someone dream of her in another way, only to have their image destroyed. She calmly flattened her dress as she made her way back to the beach. A strong jerk twisted her on the spot till her lips were met with the warm embrace of another. Sebastian held her head in place with his hand, as she slowly let go and gave in to the kiss. All they could hear were the waves crashing and the gulls crying above, nothing else mattered for that one moment. Slowly he pulled away as Talise quickly inhaled for more air. Sebastian chuckled as he looked down.

'You really are inexperienced in relationships. Guess this means I'll just have to teach you to kiss properly.'

Sebastian puckered and moved for a second kiss, before he felt a cool hand cover his mouth. Taking the hint he reared back, taking her small hand away and kissing the back.

'You really think you can use that old trick on me? The Old Yeller, get out of here and leave me be routine? Like I said I know you T, i know you do dream of killing but I also know of what you dream after. How when all those who would hurt us are gone you dream of just settling down and watching our families grow. You want a world where Sam can grow up and never worry about some BlackHawk swopping down and taking him back to a place like HB. You have this big mission, that I can admire and respect. and no matter how long it takes I will be waiting here for you to come back. And one day you will be my girl.'

'Oh and what if I find someone else?'

Sebastian placed a protective arm over her shoulders as he lead her back to the party.

'Like I said you'll be mine. I'm a selfish guy, I'm not willing to share my happiness with others.'

Talise returned to the party, no one questioned why she was gone for the last twenty minutes. Kitty and Jean each took her by a hand as the three began to dance. From the crowd Talise saw her brother and Sofia walk hand in hand to their parents she couldn't hear what was said but judging from the cheers and hugs, it seemed she would soon have to hunt for a wedding present. The night went on without any issues. People ate, drank and were merry, there was even an interesting eating contest between some of the islanders and Fred, the poor fools had no idea what they were getting into. It was a few hours before dawn when everyone decided to turn in. Talise needed help bringing all her presents home, apparently the islanders had been preparing every year for the past three, waiting for her arrival. Needless to say she would be writing thank you cards for the next month. All the mutants headed back to the hotel like building, each giving an exhausted parting and turned into their rooms for the night. It was the first time in many years, or for some the first in their life, that they were able to party with people like them. The poor teens were not used to the freedom and easily over indulged, everyone in the village would be sound asleep for the next day. Talise gave a final greeting before entering her room. She stood with her back to the door for a few minutes, listening for the others to close their own. The hallway was quiet now, as everyone had either fallen asleep or were at least locked in for the night. Talise quickly changed into a simple pair of light jeans, a black tank top, a dark green hoodie, with black boots and a novelty baseball hat. She opened her window as a gush of cold sea air filled her room as well as her lungs. Beside her bed she slung a black backpack over her shoulder as she leapt into the night.

The soles of her shoes were quiet as she scaled the walls to her building. With her powers it didn't take long to make it to the other side, she found her targeted room. The island was a trusting place, no one locked their doors or windows. It was pitifully easy for her to sneak into the room of her resting friend, and place the protected Spear of Longinus into a special caring tube. She placed the blanket higher on Alex's form before a loud snore startled her. Due to the limited rooms, a few had to share. One of her young mutant friends was pared with Alex to share the space in his own bed. Talise took delicate steps near the sleeping form, brushing a few light strands of hair from his face. Before she knew what she was doing, she found her lips lightly pressed to his. Before he could stir awake, Talise remembered her task and made her escape from the window she entered. She made sure to leave no sign she had trespassed. Talise made her way, leaping from roof to roof before she made her way to the beach. The water rippled as bubbles erupted. A giant blue sea creature emerged, nuzzling the familiar female. Talise gave a few affectionate strokes before climbing onto his head. The creature then returned to the water as it quickly made it's way across the sea, it's rider holding securely to her stolen bounty.

When the teams of mutants awoke the next morning, most around 2 in the afternoon, they were shocked to find one of their friends missing.

'Like what do you mean she's gone! Shouldn't we like go after her or something?'

'No need half-pint. My girl knows how to handle herself, not to mention with that spear thing gone it's easy to tell where she's gone to. If she stays a wall for more than a week I'll go get her.'

'Wait this like normal?'

'Oh yah.'

Dante, Artemis and Logan replied in unison before returning to their late lunch. The others just gave questionable glances, there was still so much about Talise that they didn't know about.

'The real question is who will be here when she gets back. Now y'all are on break from school so it's not a matter of getting back at any time.'

'Waiting for her, who's leaving?'

'V'ell I am.'

Kurt gave a small, yet confident reply as everyone turned their attention to him.

'Z'he note Talise gave me, It v'as from my father. He has invited me to meet him at his home, says he v'ants to see me and explain v'hat happened.'

'You're taking the abandoned by daddy thing well.'

'Mystique is my mother, I can understand why he could never find me after she hid me. Logan said I can take the BlackBird to go see him, and if anyone else wanted they could come too.'

'You don't think that would make things more awkward?'

'I could use the support. Please Rogue?'

Kurt didn't have to wait for an answer as his Goth styled sister placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

'Well if my lady is going then that means I'll have to.'

'Since when am I your lady Cajun?'

'Since last night when I swept you off your feet.'

'Yah an' crashed me right into the giant birthday cake!'

'Well at least the night had a sweet impression.'

Rogue batted her eyes as Gambit leaned closer, just enough for Rogue to smash her plate of eggs and pancakes in his face. Rogue left to pack, with applause from all the female mutants following. Logan returned to his coffee as the youths decided who wanted to stay or take a different trip with the Elf. A slight nagging echoed in his head. He worried, for the first time in three years, for his daughter. There were still more than enough people who wanted her dead, and he still didn't know what her powers were. Would she be a danger to other or to herself.

Talise landed near the coast, sending her ride away before he could be spotted. It was easy to make her way from the beach to a path that would bring her from the forest to the town she needed. She secured her package over her shoulder with her bag and place her cap more over her eyes before setting off. The path was easy enough, a stated pattern to follow with trees and other plants lining the edges. There were no other people, no animals, no sounds. She had made it a mile or so before she stopped in the middle of the road. She motioned as if she was going to scratch her head before she reveled a small knife hidden above her ear. With a swift motion the threw the knife to a large tree to her right, a second later a large man fell dead, a small knife protruding from his throat. The others knew their cover was blown as they emerged from the various trees and plant life they used for coverage. There was easily forty or so men surrounding her, each dressed in black uniforms with a red HB embroidered on their shoulder patch. The group parted enough for a single figure to walk closer to her, his face scared from previous battles. He tossed the lit cigarette from his lips before grinding it into the earth with his boot. Talise never lifted her head as the man stood at attention.

'Talise Tolensky. Been hunting you for awhile girl.'

'And now you found me. Good for you.'

'Oh very good, yah see our employer would pay a pretty penny to us for bringing you in. And rest assure we will, the only question is how you want to go along. Now I've got 40 men here ready…..'

The leader stood mean steps from the young mutant, his finger extended and his face in mid speech. It was like he was frozen in place, the others waited for some response or order to move. A sickening slick sound was heard, as the leader's head slowly slid off his body and tumbled to the grown. His body soon fell to the ground, blood gushing from his neck as it created a puddle that stopped near the mutant's feat. The men opened fire at the young girl as she jumped to the sky, all the men could do was try to run or shoot but deep down they knew they were about to die.

Logan watched as the young ones piled into Artemis' boat as he took them back to the jet.. Forge would take control of the craft while Kurt set off to met his father. Joining him would be Rogue, Gambit, Storm, Kitty, and Lance. Leaving only himself, Beast, Pietro, Fred, Bobby, Jean and Scott on the island. The older ones wanted to learn more of the island and the different powers on his, no doubt Pietro just wanted to stay for the girls and Fred for the food. In the end he only had to keep an eye on three teens instead of eleven. Dante and Artemis were busy with the bride to be and her family, they young ones wanted a quick wedding that would happen in no less than a week. Logan watched as the boat began to vanish in the protective shield, wondering if his daughter would make it in time for all the festivities.

Talise inhaled deeply on the lose cigarette. She hated every second, the bitter taste filling her senses as she exhaled the harsh smoke. She needed the bitter reminder, it was the only thing she felt. She felt nothing when she landed, nothing when she broke several necks nor when a few cried out in pleas of mercy. Talise removed the small cigarette butt from her lips as she carelessly looked towards the pile of corpses that lined the small Italian path. Eyes frozen with fear looked back to her, even in death pleading for some act of kindness. She walked to the closest man, at least the remaining torso for his bottom half was lodged somewhere with the other bodies. Talise took hold of the shining flash from his pocket and took a deep gulp. The familiar taste of aged potatoes filled her senses, after she drank she slowly pored the remaining liquid over the shredded body and moved on to the rest. Without much concern she hoisted her bag and returned to her travels. With as little care as she gave in the fight, the young mutant flick the remaining cigarette to the pile behind her. She never looked back, even when she felt the rising heat and knew that behind her flames dance over the newly found dead. She felt a sudden streak of ice pass her back where the large staff was stationed, perhaps a divine presence was scolding her for her harsh actions. Talise's golden eyes looked to the sky as she continued to walk, the gods could scream all they wanted, she had abounded them years ago just as the world had done to her. And even if there was indeed a hell in time after life, she knew that she would already be heading, what else did she have to lose.

And there we have it. I tried to add some depth to Talise, she's not the perfect god-sent that many see her as. She's a 16 year old girl, she's insecure and troubled from her past. I thought it funny that she actually has crippling stage fright, steaming all the way to her childhood. She is able to stand up to 'leader mode' mostly because she's too scared of the fight to worry about people looking at her. She's definitely a mama bear, mess with one of her 'cubs' and she'll rip you apart. If you don't then she's cool.

I've got the other part coming soon, unless my recovery takes precedent. But I'll keep you guys updated.