Disclaimer: I do not own X-Men Evolution, Utena, or Harry Potter

Without further ado, I present to you, May Queen and the Runaway Prince Complete

They toss Ginger into the back of the alley. Still disoriented, she can vaguely make out the sound of their laughter, and the sound of something being unzipped. She can't use her powers. She doesn't know what to focus on. Then, the laughter stops when a fourth voice joins in. They act surprised themselves, but their gasps of surprise turn to cries of pain when all three of them are electrocuted by blue lightning. She doesn't know if the screaming is coming from her or from the three. She starts to slowly gain back her clarity. The other three have now fled the alley, and the fourth has just said an obscene cuss towards them. The fourth then turns towards Ginger

Boy:
-right?

Ginger:
Wha-?

Boy:
-you alright?

Ginger:
I, I can't…

Boy:
I said are you alright?

Ginger is now able to see clearly. The fourth boy, the one who has saved her, has clear blue eyes, and such weird looking hair. The front is made up of orange spikes, but the back is blonde and cut short. He has a kind smile. Ginger, unsure of what to do, starts crying and falls into his arms

Ginger crying :
Thank you.

(This is…so familiar…like I know him. But now…I want to hold on and never let go)

Boy:
Come on. Get up. Are you able to walk?

Ginger:
Y-yeah.

Ginger shakily starts to stand. The boy takes off his jacket and wraps it around her

Ginger:
Just help me to my car.

Boy:
You're in no condition to drive. Where do you live?

Ginger:
Please, you don't have to.

Boy:
You were just attacked and almost gang raped. Letting someone in your state behind the wheel of a car is like lighting dynamite.

(He's stubborn. Thank God)

Ginger leads the boy to her convertible

Boy:
Is this your car?

Ginger:
Yes.

Boy:
Did they take anything from you? Your keys? Wallet? Cell phone?

Ginger:
No. They just…pounced on me.

Boy:
Give me the keys. I'll drive.

Ginger unlocks the car and gets into the passenger seat. She unlocks the door to the driver's seat and motions the boy to get in. After doing so, he starts the engine

Boy:
Where do you live?

Ginger:
Right now? The Sister Grimhilde school.

Boy:
Alright then.

Ginger:
Do you know where that is?

Boy:
Yeah.

Ginger:
Can I trust you won't drive off?

Boy:
Little late for asking about trust, don't you think?

(He didn't drive off, he drove me directly to the school. He helped me out and led me to the Nurse's Office. Principal Stonewall threw a fit when she found out what happened. She was already running ragged making sure I wasn't expelled. She contacted the police, and she demanded that they track down the boys who did it, despite me being a "freak". As it turns out, Betty really wasn't feeling well after what Veronica did to her. She tried calling me, but apparently my cell phone battery had died. I need to recharge that thing as soon as possible. Betty, as well as Anya, Rachel, and the other girls were at my side when the heard what happened. And the boy. The boy never left me for a minute. I feel like I'm in a bad soap opera, with predictable twists and bad acting, except this is real)

Meanwhile, at the park

Ms. H is currently conversing with the Girl whom Ginger saved the other day. Ms. H is no longer wearing the trench coat, but is instead wearing a gray one-piece suit with rings of red, orange, and white around the sleeves, ankles, and collar, along with a mask matching the design

Ms. H:
She's vulnerable now. When are you going to…

Girl:
She may be vulnerable, but we have to wait. She needs to be completely shocked.

Ms. H:
So she doesn't suspect that…

Girl:
No, at least not fully. All she feels is something she lost, long ago.

Ms. H:
And what about the other girl? The brat?

Girl:
That will wait until tomorrow night.

Ms. H:
That's when I step in to give her my helping hand.

Girl:
Yes. The people in this world who think they have everything under their control are always more malleable when the veil is removed from their eyes.

Ms. H:
You think you know everything.

Girl:
No. I just know what I'm told.

Ms. H:
She thinks her life has been turned into a soap opera. Wait till she finds out what real drama is like.

Girl:
You're so cruel, Hypnotia.

Saturday

The SKU News Room

E-Ko:
I've got a big scoop! A girl was beaten up and almost gang raped early last evening by a group of three boys.

F-Ko:
The boys in question are Thomas February, Harold Floyd, and Dick Knight. All three are seventeen year-old seniors on the varsity football team at Bayville High. They were arrested in a bar near where the crime took place a few hours after the assault took place. The girl in question was one Ginger Anderson, sixteen, who has just started attending the nearby Sister Grimhilde Academy for Girls, also in Bayville.

E-Ko:
What could bring boys of their age to do such a thing?

F-Ko:
We now go over to A-Ko, who has just received information pertaining to the attack. A-Ko?

A-Ko:
Thank you, F-Ko. My sources tell me that all three boys failed a drug test that was administered at police headquarters. Further investigation led to the discovery of various performance enhancing pills and steroids in the homes of all three boys, as well as in their lockers at Bayville High and in the Boys Locker Room. Their parents were shocked to say the least, although B-Ko and our cameragirl are suing for mental scarring for what transpired when we tried to interview the father and mother of Thomas February.

E-Ko:
Let's go to the tape.

F-Ko takes out a videotape and places it in a VCR

F-Ko:
Here, we, go!

The screen cuts to B-Ko, followed by the cameragirl, walking up to the home of the Februarys. B-Ko knocks on the door, and is answered by Mr. February, Tommy's father. He is a burly man in his early fifties, with brown hair now turning gray at the temples. He's also in his robe

B-Ko footage :
Hello, sir. I'm with SKU News on Channel Seven. I was wondering if you could tell us about your-

Mr. February begins to scream obscene curses towards B-Ko and the cameragirl and starts to run after the two. The cameragirl drops the camera, and the footage now shows the…backside of Mr. February before it goes to static

F-Ko:
Were we even allowed to show that part on air?

E-Ko:
It's not like it was anything that bad.

F-Ko:
You say that now…

E-Ko:
So, A-Ko, was this attack merely the result of what some may call "'roid rage"?

A-Ko:
It would appear so, as each of the three boys had trouble recalling the events of the attack, despite the fact that there were three witnesses. On a side note, the boys have refused to reveal who had been supplying them with the mentioned performance enhancers.

E-Ko:
Did they give a statement?

A-Ko:
Just one. It was, well, it was…

E-Ko:
Yes…?

A-Ko whispers it into E-Ko's ear, who immediately falls out of her seat

A-Ko:
Sorry. Anyway, who were the witnesses to this crime F-Ko?

F-Ko:
Just three, like I've said. The first is an elderly woman had been passing by at the time. A Ms. Dorothy Kirby, age 73. She had been walking down the street when she was run down by the three as they were making their escape. She's currently in the hospital with a broken tibia. The second was a school teacher on vacation, one Ms. Bess Weiss, age 39. She couldn't be pressed for comment, but did tell us that she saw the three skulking around at a nearby park where the victim had spent some time, indicating that this was pre-meditated.

A-Ko:
And the third?

F-Ko:
This is where it gets interesting. The third was a teenage boy who prevented the three from doing any more damage then they already did. He even had the compassion of driving the girl back to her school and making sure she got medical attention.

A-Ko:
What a prince!

F-Ko:
Yes, if only I could meet someone like that.

A-Ko:
What was the boy's name?

F-Ko:
Oh, it's-

C-Ko:
Extra! Extra! Extra!

F-Ko is handed a memo by off-screen C-Ko. F-Ko reads it over

F-Ko:
Are you sure? This really doesn't-

C-Ko off-screen :
Just read it!

F-Ko:
Okay! Geez, attitude much? In a unrelated story, late last night a meteor had crash-landed near a R&D lab belonging to Hammer Industries. Can we get a picture of the crater?

A picture of a smoking crater flashes on screen

F-Ko:
The crater it was found in is estimated to be about 50 miles wide and a 25 miles deep. The meteor was deemed property of Hammer Industries by it's founder and CEO, Justin Hammer, who stated that it's "contents and origins would be further examined for the betterment of mankind". Hammer himself could not be paused for comment.

A-Ko:
…what was THAT about? What did that have to do with Ginger Anderson's attack.

F-Ko:
I have no idea. C-Ko, what relevance did that have to our current story?

Below the screen, the words "Paid For By Hammer Industries" quickly passes by

F-Ko:
What was that?! "Paid for by Hammer Industries"?!

C-Ko:
Well they paid a lot.

F-Ko:
I thought we agreed this wasn't about the money!

C-Ko:
No, you agreed. I never said anything of the sort.

F-Ko:
How could you sell out like that?!

A-Ko:
Uh, girls?

C-Ko:
When the check has more zeroes then I can count, that's how!

F-Ko:
Oh, you mean past one?

A-Ko:
Girls?

C-Ko:
Ha! At least my skirt size is made up of one number!

F-Ko:
Well what about Ginger Anderson? She almost get's raped and that doesn't count as much your pay, does it?!

C-Ko:
Oh, yeah?!

F-Ko:
Yeah!

C-Ko:
OH YEAH?!

F-Ko:
YEAH!

A-Ko:
GIRLS!!!!!!!!

C-Ko have just jumped into F-Ko's arms and both have backed into a corner

A-Ko:
We're out of time.

F-Ko:
Oh. Well then, join us again tonight for the six o'clock news and then again for the eight o'clock news. Until then, this has been F-Ko.

C-Ko:
C-Ko!

A-Ko:
And A-Ko! Here at SKU News on Channel Seven, bringing you…

A-Ko, C-Ko, and F-Ko:
The Eight AM News!

A-Ko:
Say, F-Ko, you never did tell us that boy's name.

C-Ko:
Yeah, what is it?

F-Ko:
Oh, it's-

The screen turns to static

Sister Grimhilde School, Infirmary

Nurse Milligan:
Oh! You're awake.

Ginger Half-Asleep :
What time is it?

Nurse Milligan:
It's noon, Saturday. How are you feeling?

Ginger:
Groggy. Tired.

Nurse Milligan:
Are you feeling any pain? Anywhere at all?

Ginger Fully Awake :
I have a headache if that counts for anything. Wait, where's the boy?

Nurse Milligan:
He left a little while ago, dear. But he did tell me to give you this when you wake up.

Nurse Milligan hands Ginger a slip of paper. It has a phone number and an address written on it, along with a message "Ask for Berzerker"

Ginger:
Berzerker?

Nurse Milligan:
Sounds to me like that boy reads too many comic books. But he was so sweet. He absolutely refused to leave your side while you were sleeping.

Ginger:
He spent the entire night?

Nurse Milligan:
Now, Miss Anderson, the police will be wanting to ask some questions, about the boys who attacked you.

Ginger:
Did they catch the boys who attacked me?

Nurse Milligan:
As a matter of fact, yes. It turns out it was some boys from the public high school. On drugs, they say. Pity, really.

Ginger:
They don't need to do a rape kit, do they?

Nurse Milligan:
Oh not at all. Your clothes were intake when you were brought in, so were your underwear-

Ginger:
I was undressed?

Nurse Milligan:
Privately. I had to inspect for cuts and bruises along that area, but there were no injuries I could find. Did they…?

Ginger:
They didn't have a chance. Do I need to go to the hospital?

Nurse Milligan:
No. You haven't been injured that severely. You're a very lucky girl, Miss Anderson. It was a miracle that boy came along when he did.

Ginger:
I'd…like to talk to him.

Nurse Milligan:
Of course. But before you do, maybe you'd like to call your parents? Your mother and father sounded so frantic over the phone.

Ginger:
They both called?

Nurse Milligan:
Oh yes, several times. While you were asleep. Principal Stonewall was having such a hard time trying to calm your mother down on the phone, and she was looking pretty hectic as it was. Your father did, however, want to tell you he would be coming to see you on Monday and apologized in advance because of the delay.

Ginger:
Thank you. Could I have the phone?

Ring. Ring. Ring.

Voice on Phone:
Hello?

Ginger:
Hello? Is Berzerker there?

Voice on Phone:
Hold on.

Over the phone, Ginger can hear the girl on the other end calling for someone, then the phone exchange hands

Berzerker On Phone :
Hello?

Ginger:
Is this Berzerker? I got your message.

Berzerker On Phone :
Oh! How are you feeling?

Ginger:
Alright, thank you for asking…listen, I wanted to ask if I could talk to you later.

Berzerker On Phone :
You want me to come to the school? You feeling up to it?

Ginger:
Yeah. Could you meet me at the front of the school around 4:00?

Berzerker On Phone :
Sure.

Ginger:
Oh and, thank you for getting my car back for me.

Berzerker On Phone :
Actually I crashed it into a tree.

Ginger:
What?!

Berzerker On Phone :
…just kidding.

A Little While Later

Ginger:
Is he here yet?

Nurse Milligan:
I'll go check.

Outside the school gates a jeep, being driven by Berzerker pulls up. In the passenger seat is the Brazilian mutant Amara Aquila, a.k.a. Magma

Berzerker:
You didn't have to come with me, Amara.

Amara:
Don't be silly. I want to meet the girl whose life you saved.

Berzerker:
Well maybe you should wait in the nurses office.

Amara:
That worried I might say the wrong thing? I didn't realize the lovable Mr. Berzerker started caring what other people thought. Could it be he's turning into a-

Amara stops short when Berzerker's hands start to charge up

Berzerker:
Anything else.

Amara nervous :
Nothing, nothing.

In the Infirmary

Ginger:
You came.

Berzerker:
Glad you're feeling better.

Ginger:
Thanks. Could you leave us alone for a minute, Nurse Milligan.

Nurse Milligan:
Of course.

The Nurse exit's the infirmary into the hall, where Amara has her ear to the wall

Nurse Milligan:
And just what do you think you're doing?

Amara:
Uh, I, was just-

Nurse Milligan:
Move over.

Nurse Milligan puts her ear to the wall next to Amara

Berzerker:
So, you wanted to talk?

Ginger:
Yes. Please, sit down.

Berzerker takes a seat next to Ginger's bed

(Why does he seem so familiar to me? It's something I can't place my finger on, but…)

Berzerker:
So…anything on your mind?

Ginger:
Yes. I wanted to say thank you.

Berzerker:
You already did last night.

Ginger:
No. I wanted to do it to your face, not half-conscious, not over the phone, right here.

Berzerker:
Well, it's no big deal. Anyone with a half a brain would've done the same thing.

Ginger:
You remind me of someone. A boy I used to know, I'm sure of it.

Berzerker:
A boy?

Ginger:
You have the same eyes. Oh God listen to me, I'm going on like some old lady at the supermarket.

Berzerker:
It's alright. Please, go on.

Amara:
This is the first I've ever heard Ray acting so prince-like. Wait till the others hear.

Nurse Milligan:
Are you really going to embarrass that sweet boy?

Amara:
This coming from the 60-something eavesdropping on an assault victim.

Nurse Milligan:
How dare you! I'll have you know I am a 50-something.

Amara:
Shh! I can't hear what they're saying.

Ginger:
I can hear you out there!

Amara & Nurse Milligan:
Eep!

Ginger:
Anyway, a few years ago, I used to be in love with a boy in my neighborhood. His parents, or should I say his father, fought a lot, so he'd hang around my mom's house until his dad calmed down. He used to protect from the neighborhood bullies who'd bother me or my friends. I'd help him out with his homework and I'd keep him out of trouble with the older boys by knocking some sense into his thick skull. This one time, this kid who lived up the block started teasing this dog, and when he tried to stop it we both got bit. I had to get nine stitches on my leg. It's clichéd, I know, but I really liked him, and he felt the same way. When I was thirteen, he told me that he loved me, and then we started going out, but…

Berzerker:
But?

Amara:
But?

Ginger:
Well, one morning I found out he ran away from home. His mom had been visiting her parents when it happened, and all his dad told me was that he had no son.

Berzerker:
Guy sounds like a real winner. So what happened after that?

Ginger:
I called the police, there was a big search party, and the investigation went on for at least six months until the police labeled him as another of America's homeless. His mom was never the same after that, and she got sick. His dad acted like nothing ever happened. I started to think that what happened was my fault, that maybe he ran away because I didn't help him, and then I started to resent him.

Ginger begins to clutch the sheets of the bed

Ginger:
Despite everything he meant to me, that sense of abandonment I had stayed. It got worse after I was forced to move back in with my dad and Doreen. So I became a different person. I stopped caring what others thought of me and stopped thinking about boys altogether. You should've seen the look on my stepmother's face when I learned I was a mutant. I'm pretty sure she had an aneurysm since she couldn't scream.

Berzerker:
She can't scream?

Ginger:
Botox.

Berzerker laughing :
Ah. Well, you shouldn't let what one boy did to you back then mess up your life. So he ran out, so what? You deserve someone better then that.

Ginger:
You're very sweet to say that, Berzerker. I just realized, you never told me your real name.

Berzerker:
It's Ray. Ray Crisp.

(What?!)

Ginger falls out of the bed, her eyes wide with shock

Ray:
What is it? Something wrong?

(How? How, damn it?!)

Ginger:
Do you still have it?

Ray:
Have what?

Ginger:
That scar on your left arm.

Ray:
How'd you know I have a scar on my arm?

Ginger:
Because, Ray, we both got our stitches at the same time after Mr. Sanbourn's dog bit us.

Amara:
What is going on?

Ray has an equal look of shock on his face, but Ginger's face now has a look of unparalleled anger

Ray:
No…you couldn't be…not her.

Ginger:
Hello, Ray. It's me, Ginger Walker. I'd say I'm surprised you didn't recognize me, but I didn't recognize you, considering how much you've changed, especially that hair of yours. I knew there was something familiar about your eyes. To clear anything up, I was also forced to take my father's last name when I moved in with him. And now I have something that I've been meaning to say to you for the last three years.

Ginger gets up and slaps Ray in the face

Ginger:
You son of a bitch!

Ray begins to rub the red mark on his cheek

Ginger:
What gave you the right to just disappear like that?! Do you have any idea what you running away did to your mom?! She spent the last three years in a hospital bed in Vermont! What it did to me, worrying every night if you were even alive?! I almost went crazy wondering where you went!

Ray:
And just what the hell do you know?! I ran away because my father threw me out of the house when my powers manifested! He beat me within an inch of my life that night!

Ginger:
Then why didn't you just come to me? You knew mom and I were willing to give you a place to stay if your dad ever pulled a stunt like that. Why didn't you call the police?

Ray:
Like that worked so well the last time!

Ginger:
And just what have you been doing since you left, Ray? Why didn't you try to get back in touch with me or your mom?

Ray:
I don't have to explain myself to you or anyone else!

Ginger:
You owe me that Ray. I at least have the right to know where you've been living. You broke my heart, and I never forgave you.

Ray remains silent

Ginger:
Then just get out of my sight.

Ray:
But-

Ginger:
I said get out!

Ray hesitates at first, then walks out of the room with a scowl on his face. Amara, as well as Nurse Milligan, have their ears to the wall. When Ray exits, both Amara and the Nurse look concerned

Amara:
What was that about?

Ray:
Let's just go.

Amara:
But Ray…

Ray:
Now.

In the room, Ginger falls to her knees and stares listlessly at the ceiling. And somewhere, someone has just watched the little soap opera through a pair of opera glasses. In her hands is a Rose Crest

Girl:
She's ready.

Over in another dormitory, Veronica has started destroying her room. Books and clothes lay all over the floor, posters have been ripped from the wall, and a hanging mirror lay in pieces all over a dresser. She now has a designer dress in her hands which she is trying to rip up

Veronica:
That bitch! That attention-grabbing bitch!

Once she discovers she can't do it, she falls to her knees and starts to cry when Hypnotia enters the room

Hypnotia:
Poor little Veronica.

Veronica:
Wh-who are you?

Hypnotia:
The answer to your prayers.

Sunset

Over at Ginger's dormitory, she is lying on her bed and looking up at the darkness, contemplating what she has learned, when there is a knock at the door

Ginger:
Who is it?

Girl:
It's me, BLEEEEEP.

Ginger:
It's open.

The Girl enters the room

Girl:
Why is it so dark in here?

Ginger:
No reason. Hey, I've been wondering where you went after that accident.

Girl:
I've been around.

Ginger:
Oh.

Girl:
Is it okay if I turn on a light in here. Staring in the dark is bad for your eyes.

Ginger:
Knock yourself out.

The Girl flips on a light switch

Girl:
That's much better. Where are your roommates?

Ginger:
They went to visit their parents for the weekend like most of the other girls.

Girl:
Why didn't you go?

Ginger:
Mine are away on business. Why didn't you go?

Girl:
I don't have any parents to speak of, and my brother is another continent away.

Ginger:
I'm sorry. Don't you get lonely?

Girl:
I like the time to myself. The peace is a nice comfort compared to the hectic student life. Anyway, I heard about what happened. I wanted to say I'm sorry.

Ginger:
Thanks. I've been getting that a lot today, but those boys really didn't do much.

Girl:
I mean about meeting your ex-boyfriend.

Ginger:
What? How did you hear about that?

Girl:
I hear and see a lot around here. I'm very observant.

Ginger:
Well, thank you anyway.

Girl:
You don't have to pretend.

Ginger:
What?

Girl:
It's been eating you up inside, hasn't it?

Ginger:
You have no idea.

Girl:
No, I too know what it means to suddenly find the man you were once in love with after so long. But that isn't what's really bothering you, is it?

(How does she know all this? Oh what do I care anymore)

Ginger:
No.

Girl:
Then what is it? You can tell me.

Ginger:
He completely forgot about me. We meant so much to each other, and now he acts like I never existed.

Girl:
And you were just starting to forget about him.

Ginger:
No. I…I never did forget about him. He taught me to be a better person, and I used that, despite the fact that it hurt to think about him. But I rarely did. And now…

Girl:
And now…?

Ginger crying :
And now he's moved on, with a new life. I want to hate him. I want to hate him so much, but I can't! No matter how much I just can't! I want to know where he's been, what's he done, but I can't bring myself to talk to him, to even look at him.

The Girl sits down on the bed next to Ginger, and places her hand on her cheek

Ginger:
I'm sorry, I'm not usually this emotional.

Girl:
It's okay to get emotional, you have the right to. Poor Ginger. You care about him so much, but those memories bring you pain. So…

Ginger:
So…?

Girl:
I guess you have no choice.

The Girl wipes the tears from Ginger's eyes and takes her hand

Girl:
I have something for you. Here…

The Girl takes a Rose Crest ring from her pocket and places it into Ginger's palm

Girl:
My gift, to you. This ring qualifies you as a duelist for the right to the power to revolutionize the world. The power to regain the love you lost so long ago. There are people who will challenge you, evil people. It is your duty to fight them, lest they win this miraculous power and bring ruin. Goodbye…

The Girl heads for the door, but turns her head to Ginger as she leaves

Girl:
Ginger Anderson, age sixteen. The path you must take has been prepared.

The Girl leaves the room. Ginger sits up and looks at the ring in her hand, but all she can do is cry

(Why does she taunt me?)

The Xavier Institute

Ray and Amara are currently arguing with one another in the garage about what to do about Ginger Anderson. Ray's cheek is still bruised from when he was slapped

Amara:
Ray, you have to go back and talk to her.

Ray:
Well I don't know what to say to her, it's been so long.

Amara:
What did she mean when she said you broke her heart.

Ray:
Three years ago, before I came to Xavier's, that girl and I, we were…y'know.

Amara:
In love. I heard.

Ray:
When I ran away I didn't have to guts to face her, so I just left.

Amara:
Well it's no wonder she's mad then! What gave you the right to run out on her?

Ray:
And what exactly gives you the right to psycho-analyze me, Amara? You don't know what kind of a home I had before I came here.

Amara:
If it made you live with the Morlocks it must've been pretty awful.

Ray:
You have no idea. My father was a real bastard, and my mom did whatever she could to stay out of his way.

Amara:
But that is beside the point. She needs closure. When a girl is left scarred like that it can effect her view of the world. Tabby talked to me about her last night.

Ray:
She slapped me, which by the way still hurts.

Amara:
Please, you make the rest of want to do worse things on your good days.

Ray:
And how do I know that she hasn't had plenty of boyfriends since I left? She's probably gone through more boys then even Beast could count.

Amara:
That's cold, Ray, even for you.

Ray:
…yeah, you're right. Still, what do I say? Three years and I didn't even recognize her. I mean it's pretty obvious why she didn't recognize me…

Amara:
Stop making excuses and just go. Or I'll drag you there by your spikes.

Ray:
You wouldn't!

Amara's hands begin to flare up as Ray's hands charge up

Amara:
Wanna try me?

Both charge down

Ray:
God, Amara, you can be a real pain.

Amara:
It's the price I pay for having you for a friend.

Ray:
I'll talk to her tomorrow.

Amara:
Just be sure to do it soon. I'm going to bed. Night.

Ray:
Night.

As Amara leaves the garage, Ray just stands there in the darkness to contemplate what has just occurred. Meanwhile, Amara is greeted by Jean Grey, resident psychic of the Xavier Institute

Jean:
Amara has Ray come back yet?

Amara:
Yeah but he's sulking in the garage.

Jean:
Why?

Amara:
You won't believe this. It turns out that girl he saved was an ex-girlfriend. Can you believe it? She's still mad at him for disappearing.

Jean:
That girl he saved, Tabitha mentioned that she's a mutant, right?

Amara:
Yeah, why? Is the Professor looking to recruit her?

Jean:
Maybe. It's odd, really. Cerebro hasn't detected any new mutants in the area for a while now.

Amara:
Well she just moved here a while ago.

Jean:
But the Professor did a scan this morning and nothing.

Amara:
That's impossible, right? Cerebro's one of the most advanced computers on the planet-

And somewhere, a girl has just gone HA!

Amara:
-and the Professor is like the strongest telepath around, right?

Jean:
That's what makes this so weird.

Amara:
Well if you're going to investigate, maybe you should put it off for a while. That girl has got enough drama going on for one week.

And speak of the devil. Currently, back at the school, Ginger receives a knock at the door. She's still in the bed, with her face buried in the pillows. The Rose Crest ring is clenched in her fist

Ginger:
Go away.

The knocking persists

Ginger:
I said go away!

The knocking persists still. Realizing they aren't giving up, Ginger goes to the door and answers whoever is behind it

Ginger:
What do you want?

Girl:
Are you Miss Anderson?

Ginger:
Who wants to know?

Girl:
My name is Shiori Takatsuki. I'm a ninth grader.

Ginger:
What can I help you with Shiori?

Shiori:
Veronica Cooper would like to meet you in the gymnasium, right now.

Ginger:
Tell Veronica I'm not in the mood.

Ginger starts to close the door, but Shiori prevents her

Shiori:
Ginger, she really needs to see you. And I mean really.

Ginger:
Well I really don't care!

Shiori:
You aren't getting the message I am trying to tell you. When I say "really", I mean she is going to do something very, very, stupid if you don't show up.

Ginger:
…you aren't going to leave until I go with you, are you?

Shiori nods

Ginger sighing :
Fine. Let's go.

(God what the hell is her problem. As if I wasn't having a bad enough night)

Over at the Gymnasium, Veronica is waiting in the center with Betty Lodge. The Gymnasium is one of the parts of the school that had recently been renovated. Ginger and Shiori enter the gym. Ginger notices that Betty is scared beyond belief

Ginger:
Betty? What is going on?

Shiori:
I brought her like you asked.

Veronica:
Come over here, Shiori.

Ginger:
Veronica what is this? I'm not in the-

Veronica:
Shut up!

Ginger notices that the look on Veronica's face is much colder than she has ever noticed. Betty looks as if she is about to cry. Shiori walks up to Veronica, who then whispers something into her ear and then hands her something. Shiori nods her head and walks back to Ginger. The thing in her hand is a letter, with the same seal as the Rose Crest ring

Shiori:
For you.

Ginger:
This is-

Veronica:
You served your purpose, now go!

Shiori:
Please don't kill me!

Veronica:
Go!

(What the-)

Veronica moves her hands to reveal that she has a gun aimed at Betty's back. Shiori runs out of the gym

Ginger:
Is that real?

Veronica:
Read the letter.

Ginger:
Is that thing real or-

Veronica:
Read. The. Letter.

Ginger notices that Veronica has the same Rose Crest on her hand. Doing as she is told, Ginger opens the envelope and reads the letter

Letter:
Dear Ginger Anderson,

The letter reads the same as the one Ebony Dent received, except there is a special, added rule just for Ginger

Letter:
You shall not use your mutant abilities in a duel.

Signed, End of the World.

Ginger:
"End of the World". Is this a joke, Veronica?

Veronica:
Put the ring on now, or she dies.

(I can get the gun out of her hands if I concentrate long enough)

Ginger tries to will the gun out of Veronica's hands, but nothing. Even though she is not as skilled as she would want to be, applying simple force to metal has something she has always been capable of doing. But no matter how hard she tries, nothing

Ginger:
That gun. Is it-

Veronica:
And don't bother trying to touch me with your powers, or else-

Ginger:
Or else what, you'll kill Betty?

A large boom is heard and the ground starts to shake violently

Veronica:
That was the cafeteria. Now put the ring on and don't try anything stupid or the science lab is next!

Ginger shocked :
What did you do?

Veronica:
I didn't do anything. But the person who gave me this is willing to do a lot worse if you don't duel me.

(Crap. What the hell is going on? Is that Girl responsible?)

Ginger:
Let Betty go and I'll fight you, Veronica.

Veronica:
She's in shock, anyway.

Veronica tosses Betty over to the bleachers

Veronica:
Not like she can run.

Ginger:
Where are our swords?

Veronica:
Look to your right.

Ginger turns her head towards a case of swords, left over from the school's fencing club. On one of them is an orange rose

Veronica:
Put your ring on first.

Ginger:
You're honestly going through with this?

Veronica points the gun at Ginger

Veronica:
Do it.

Ginger:
Fine.

Ginger, hesitantly, takes the ring and puts it on her finger. With that being done, she walks over to the display case and takes out the sword with the rose on it. Veronica has already put her rose on, and has readied herself for battle

(I hope everyone else is alright. May God forgive me if I've started something dangerous)

Ginger pins the rose to her shirt, and readies herself with the sword

Ginger:
Well?

Veronica:
One more thing.

Veronica tosses the gun over at the bleachers, and the sound of alarms and bells, louder then the alarms that went off when the explosion was heard, start. Once Ginger sees Veronica toss the gun, she lunges at her with the sword aimed at her rose, but she misses and nearly trips. She recomposes herself and does a stance. Veronica is grim and cold, and lunges at Ginger, who does a defensive block. The two start swinging their blades at one another

Ginger:
Why are you doing this Veronica?! Is popularity that important to you?!

Veronica:
Don't be stupid! I'm doing this for my own self worth!

Veronica takes a swipe at Ginger's rose, but narrowly misses and lops off a few strands of Ginger's hair

Ginger:
And who told you that killing people would give you self worth?!

Veronica:
Don't preach to me like you know everything!

Ginger is trying her best, but she is afraid of what might happen if she uses her powers. She wonders about the person whom Veronica is working with, if it might be that girl, the mysterious End of the World, or someone else. Or this could all be an elaborate prank Veronica has set up to humiliate Ginger. But she isn't taking the chance. At this moment of self thought, Ginger tries to force Veronica back, but she kicks her down on the ground and knocks her sword out of her hand

Veronica:
It wasn't enough that you stole my spotlight, but you made them realize that I have nothing!

Ginger:
Maybe if you weren't such a bitch people would like you better!

Veronica:
In this world only the strong survive, and if I have to kill you just to prove my superiority and gain their love then fine! One less insect to step on!

Ginger:
Who's been telling you these things Veronica?! Was it that girl? This is high school, not the jungle. Are you even going to see any of these people four years from now?

Veronica:
Don't try to confuse me!

(She's insane)

Veronica lets out a war cry and sends her blade down towards Ginger's chest. Ginger dodges the blade, causing it to come down on the floor and snap in half. Ginger grabs her blade off the floor and cuts off Veronica's rose. The petals scatter. The bells and alarms go off again, signaling the end of the rather insane duel

Ginger:
Veronica…

Veronica stands up and straight, turns around to the bleachers where Betty is still laying in shock, and calmly walks over, dropping the sword. She then bends down and picks up the gun, and puts her finger on the trigger

Ginger:
NO!

Ginger throws herself at Veronica and wrestles for control of the gun, as Betty stares aimlessly into space, and from a dark corner, Shiori is watching as well

Ginger:
Don't be an idiot!

Veronica is trying her hardest, but so is Ginger and in the mad struggle. And in the madness, the gun goes off, wounding Veronica in the shoulder. She lays there on the floor, grasping her shoulder and crying. All Ginger can do is helplessly watch as she bleeds, not believing what is going on when, finally, policemen enter the gym

(What have I got myself into?)

Meanwhile, Shiori is waiting in front of the school gates as police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances start to enter the school to put out the fire. Shiori is talking on a cell phone

Shiori:
Was it necessary to make that girl shoot herself?

Voice on Phone:
Are you having regrets, Shiori? If you are, I-

Shiori:
No. I just…I didn't expect that outcome, that's all. Hypnotia, she is so…

Voice on Phone:
So what?

Shiori:
Nothing.

Shiori examines the Rose Crest on her left hand

Shiori:
Shall I be heading home?

Voice on Phone:
Yes, let Mitsuru take his turn.

Shiori:
Why are trusting such responsibility with that boy? He's a brat.

Voice on Phone:
My reasons.

Shiori:
Oh yes, your mysterious air.

The red convertible pulls up on the curb

Shiori:
My ride is here.

Voice on Phone:
I'll talk to you soon. Goodbye.

Shiori:
Bye.

Shiori hangs up the payphone and walks over to the convertible. The Girl is in the driver's seat, and Hypnotia is in the back. Shiori gets in the front next to the Girl

Hypnotia:
Believe in miracles, and they will now your feelings. Your words, correct? It was a miracle she didn't kill both of them.

Shiori:
You are so cruel.

Hypnotia:
Sticks and stones…

Girl:
Do you know where we are going?

Shiori:
To the End of the World.

To be continued…
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Next time

"Gold Shawson, age fourteen, Gryffindor House. Nicole de Laurette, age fourteen, Slytherin House."

"A Gryffindor and a Slytherin best friends? Crazy!"

"Whenever one of us gets into trouble, we always help the other, right? Right! After all, what are best friends for?"

"The light from our home universe, it's here"

Gold:
Next time on Virtual Star Embryology

"The Frog and the Snake"

Nicole:
The Absolute Destiny Apocalypse