Note: This is primarily an X-Men: Evolution story because of the possibilities for insertion. At some point I may bring in themes or ideas from the other X-Men universes (i.e. The movies and the comics). My character is mine and mine alone, but if you want to borrow, just ask. I don't mean to offend Anyone by using the name Azrael, it's just the only one that seemed to fit right.
Distribution: If you want it, ask. Otherwise, don't.
'aaa' thoughts, introspective, etc.
-aaa- telepathy (Jean and Xavier talking in someone else's head)
To Fly on Metal Wings Chapter 2Rochester, New York
Halfway through senior year
It was official, Greg was bored. Very bored, in fact. Classes weren't all that challenging; he had decided to take it easy this year, just the core classes to get his Regents degree, and some stuff that interested him, things that could get him into a program for political science in college, he'd even have a head start on everybody too. Eileen was overdoing it as usual and taking four advanced placement classes, as opposed to Greg's two, and Scott's one. There had been a massive effort on the part of the school to get students to send out their college applications early, and the three friends had done so. Eileen was accepted to four out of the five places she applied to, the only school that didn't accept her was William and Mary. Scott and Greg had both been accepted to the schools they had applied to as well. Scott to Monroe Community College, and Greg to the University at Buffalo. There was one thing that bothered Greg though; a law had passed on the state level about entrance to the State University of New York system. SUNY now had the right to screen entrants for being mutants or not. Not that Greg was worried about not passing muster, he was homo sapien after all, not homo superior as the more radical mutant groups had started to refer to themselves. It just wasn't right, discriminatory practices against someone else just because of their genetic makeup. But he had sent in his blood sample with the application along with everyone else entering the SUNY system, they were expecting the results delivered to the school for hand out today.
"All students expecting blood test results please report to the auditorium for information now please, all students expecting blood test results please report to the auditorium for information now."
"Well that's me guys" Greg said as he rose from the lunch table. "See you after I've confirmed that I'm not a carrier of unfashionable DNA like the state thinks I am."
"Yeah, don't keep us in suspense here Greg." Called Scott.
"Hurry up or your seat'll get cold." Said Eileen.
"Well we can't have that! These chairs are absolutely frigid in the winter! See you in a few." Greg responded.
Greg ran up the stairs to the first floor to the auditorium, it was directly over the cafeteria, with the library a floor above that. There wasn't much of a line to get in, so he took a seat and waited. The principal walked in followed by a man in an expensive looking black suit. The man got up on stage, and introduced himself as the President of the SUNY program. He then proceeded into a long speech about the importance of educating the youth of America, and the hope for the future that each of the students there represented. Greg tuned him out and hoped that he could just get his results back so he could get back to lunch, he had a test next period and wanted to review, it was for one of the teachers he actually liked as a person, not just on the academic relationship of student to teacher. The speech finished and Greg started paying attention again as the President of SUNY started talking about results for the tests. He mentioned a few people he wanted to talk to afterwards, Greg was one of them. 'What in the heck does he want to talk to me about? I know I got the grades to get in, I know I'm accepted, I already got the letter from the school, I'm not the smartest person going there, that'd be Susan Obermeyer, what could he possibly want to talk to me about?' Greg stayed in his seat with two other people as the rest of the students filed out. The President of SUNY spoke again.
"Gentlemen, you have been selected to stay after because of discrepancies on your records, now can we trust the three of you not to reveal what is spoken of in this room?"
There were three affirmative answers tinged with slight annoyance, no doubt about having to fill out still more paperwork, and curiosity.
"Now, two of you have blood work that shows that you have latent genetic markers, and we would like to offer you this opportunity to withdraw from the schools you have applied to without a highly publicized event occurring."
Greg jumped up in outrage "Excuse me Sir, but are you insinuating that two of the three people here drop out of school because they're mutants?"
The President returned "Yes Mr. Lever, that is exactly what I'm insinuating as you put it."
"The last time I checked you were allowed to check to see if people were mutants before accepting them, but the law made no mention of barring someone from registration because of that!" Greg said, getting even more agitated at the man who was obstructing justice in front of his very face 'And these are the people who are supposed to be teaching me how to form a healthy, well-rounded lifestyle.' Greg thought sardonically.
"Sit Down Mr. Lever!" Greg's principle screamed at him.
"Yes, thank you Mr. Battaglia, as I was saying, two of you posess genetic markers that indicate that you are mutants, the third possesses the latent markers that indicate an unawakened mutant." The President continued. "Therefore I am here to inform you that you have been banned from entering the SUNY system and your information has been given to the government, should any of you ever present a danger to the sanctity of the State of New York you shall find yourselves under arrest, good day gentlemen."
The man walked out of the auditorium like it was the filthiest place he'd ever been, and that he wouldn't be eager for a return visit, ever. Greg collected his folder and left, deep in thought. 'Well, I could be a mutant, when did this happen? Should I even look at the results? I've been barred from COLLEGE? What in the hell do I do now! When his friends caught up with him for class he was still thinking, and as such he didn't notice Eileen taking the unopened folder from him and examining the results. She quickly pulled the three of them to the side and said in an ultra calm voice that scared both Scott and Greg:
"Greg, when exactly were you planning on informing us that you have the latent markers for being as mutant?"
"Say what?" Said Scott. "He's not mutant, none of us are, what are you talking about?"
"Eileen, I didn't know, really. The President of SUNY just kicked me and two others out of the system because of it. What do I do now?" Asked Greg.
"He did what? They can't do that, it's illegal!" Said Eileen
"Yeah, well he did it anyway." Said Greg in a dead tone of voice.
"You said that there were two others in the auditorium with you?" Asked Scott. "What happened to them?"
Then the school began to shake, glass shattered, walls cracked and broke, and plaster fell from the ceiling.
"What was that?" Asked Greg.
"Sounded like an earthquake." Said Scott.
"We don't get earthquakes here." Said Eileen. "Except for that one time."
They all ran outside to see the rest of the student body doing the same. And then out of the dust swirling around the school that had ceased shaking emerged two figures. One in an odd looking spandex costume primarily in a dark blue with red flanks and grey lines up the pant legs and an odd looking visor/helmet thing on his head, he looked about their age. The second was floating in a set of red armor with purple accents and a dome shaped helmet, with a purple, billowing cloak completing the look to make him look like someone you just didn't want to mess with.
And there you have it, chapter two is written after a Veeeery long wait. I apologize for the time it took to get this out of my head and onto the page, but my plot bunny ran out of carrots about two seconds after I posted chapter one. The two reviewers who I know actually read this get all the credit for getting me thinking about it again. So therefore kudos to both MentalTsunami and BNightwalker123. Once again, comments, Questions, constructive criticism are all acceptable, flames will be used to give tribute to The Great Cthulhu, Highest of the Great Old Ones, as a side note, Hecatomb anyone?