Proteus

It was an unusually nice day for mid-August. It wasn't hot at all and a cool breeze ran over the hilltop where Bobby Drake and Kitty Pryde sat. It was approaching sunset and Kitty laid propped up against Bobby's chest while he sipped his can of soda.

"So" Kitty said with the clear purpose of discussing some kind of earth-shattering issue.

"So?" Bobby replied, slightly amused by her tone.

Kitty turned to face him, "We need to talk."

Bobby replied with a small grin that was masking his concern, "I didn't do it." He rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

Kitty frowned at him and said, "You're right."

Bobby looked confused, "Isn't that a good thing?"

"No."

"Oh."

"So what are you doing over winter break this year?" Kitty asked.

"Um...I'm not sure" Bobby replied slightly shocked at the direction the conversation had taken, "Was I not just in the middle of getting in trouble."

Kitty nodded, "Oh, you are. I'm going home for Hanukkah this year and my parents want you to come too. I know that you won't be able to go to Christmas at your house, or stay here, but I want you to come."

The smile left Bobby's face as the image came into his head of himself, chained to a chair, with an older male version of Kitty pacing in front of him. Bobby struggled against his restrains but the man held a knife to his neck demanding answers to his questions. "Why do they want me to come."

"They want to meet you silly. We've been dating for more than three months now and I've met your parents when they came over with Jean's."

Bobby smiled nervously, "Um...I don't know...my parents want me to go snowboarding with them...you know how my dad and I don't get along, but I want to be with my mom for Christmas."

Kitty looked at him angrily, "You just said you had no plans! I really want you to meet them."

Bobby held his hands up defensively and pulled her into a hug, "You're right, I should meet them. You and me for Hanukkah, no place I'd rather be." Kitty smiled and hugged him back until a snigger came from around the corner.

Bobby immediately let go and bellowed, "MADROX!" Kitty sighed and said, "Danger Room , end program." The hilltop suddenly faded into the steel encased Danger Room and the two teens were sitting in the middle. Bobby stood up and iced a pillar up to the observation deck where Jamie "Multiple" Madrox was standing with a look of fear newly formed on his face. Bobby charged into the room and began to chase Jamie on an iceslide through the Mansion. He finally cornered him in the kitchen where Sam and Ray were sitting and lifted him up by the scruff of his standard X-man training uniform and held him eye level.

"Listen squirt, I've had just about enough of you always-"

"ROBERT LOUIS DRAKE! You put him down right now!" Bobby turned to see Jean looking at him with contempt, hands on her hips. Bobby shuddered slightly at how his best friend's face looked very similar to his mothers, not to mention the way she addressed him.

Bobby still hadn't let go of Jamie, "But Jeannie he–":

"I don't care" Jean interrupted, "let go, now!"

Sam and Ray laughed as Bobby dropped Jamie on the ground causing four more to come into existence. The Jamies ran away swearing while Bobby spoke to Jean, "I can't take this. Every time I'm alone with Kitty the one man army is spying on us. I can't go anywhere without a firework exploding under my ass thanks to Jubilee. I never get any sleep because these idiots" he jerked a thumb at Sam and Ray who glared indignantly, "can't control their powers for shit. Every time Spyke or Magma sneezes I'm either ducking to avoid being shish-kabobbed or flame broiled. And Longshot is just plain annoying."

"Well if you took that and rolled it into two people, you'd pretty much have you and Kurt. Maybe you'll start appreciating why we have to follow you around all the time!" Jean retorted.

Bobby had no reply for this. Jean took this pause to turn to Ray and Sam, "Logan wants you all downstairs, Danger Room."

Sam and Ray groaned and began to run downstairs. After they left Bobby laughed and turned to Jean, "You realize that if I don't kill them, Logan will AND he'll make them suffer first."

Jean rolled her eyes but knew there was some level of truth in Bobby's words. Logan was not happy about the less-than-respectful of the New Mutants, apart from Cannonball, but believed one polite kid couldn't save the rest of them. Even Ororo and Henry were having their patience tested by the kids and Jean knew it was a matter of time before the New Mutants were locked in the Danger Room and allowed to fight to the death.

Warren came down the hall and fell into step with the others, "What's up?"

"Usual. Bobby tried to kill Jamie because he ruined his chances of scoring in the Danger Room."

Warren laughed, "These kids are beginning to get annoying."

Bobby nodded and looked up as if recalling a distant memory, "I miss it when it was just the eight of us, even before Rogue and Pete came."

Jean laughed, "Bobby, that was three weeks ago."

Bobby groaned, "It feels like longer."

A giggle was heard behind the group and they turned around to see Amara who was smiling at Bobby and waved. He gave her a confused nod before Jean said, "Logan called a session for all of you, you better go."

Amara gave Bobby one last wink before running off. Jean turned to the other two, "Does she have a death wish?"

Bobby shrugged but Warren grinned, "Fire and Ice...very nice."

"Do YOU have a death wish?" Bobby asked.

"Come on...she's cute." Warren said.

Bobby shook his head, "Not as cute as Kitty."

"Awww." Jean said as she ruffled his hair. "That takes away from you trying to kill Jamie."

Warren cut across her, "You do however have a method of making Kitty jealous should the opportunity occur."

Jean turned to him, "You're just like a fountain of bad advice today aren't you."

Warren nodded.

At that moment, Xavier wheeled out of his office and stopped the three, "Be in uniform, in the War Room, immediately."

A few minutes later, the X-men had all assembled in the War Room. Rogue looked around, "Ah've nevah been in here before. What's this room do."

"It's basically our briefing room, but only for major threats. If it's a fairly minor mission, we'll be assembled somewhere else," Cyclops answered.

"Yes" Xavier nodded, "and this is most definitely an emergency. I just received this transmission from Muir Island. I was briefly in contact with them before this. They are a small island off the coast of Scotland and the head of the genetics projects there is Moira MacTaggert, an old college friend of mine. I have been in correspondence because I would like her fiancee, Sean Cassidy to come teach here."

Xavier pressed a button and a face came up on the screen, it was a red-headed woman with bright green eyes and glasses. She spoke with a Scottish accent. "Charles, I've spoken to Sean about yuir offer, and he seems t'be considerin' it, but I have more important things to discuss. Kevin's holding chamber has been malfunctioning lately. Sean and I have been doin' our best t'keep him inside, but I fear we won't last long. I-bzzzt-to let you-bzzzt-in case–bzzt-Men could come and—bzzt-it." The picture shorted out and it was gone.

"Who is Kevin, Charles?" Storm asked.

"Kevin is the wayward son of Moira. After her first husband walked out on their family Kevin became bitter and closed off and I believe his anguish activated his dormant X-Gene. Because his power is the result of extreme emotion it often has no limits. He essentially has the same powers as Mastermind, but instead of the illusions being false, Kevin can cause his mental pictures to become realities. He can also posses other beings which is how I believe he escaped from his chamber."

"Do you think he'll try and hurt Moira and Sean?" Jean asked.

Xavier shook his head, "No. He harbors no ill will toward those who have helped him. He recognizes that Moira made huge sacrifices for him and Sean has spent fortunes on him. The Cassidy fortune even rivals young Mr. Worthington's. However, I doubt Kevin will show any mercy to those he meets on the street, least of all, should he encounter him, his father Joseph. Make no mistakes, we are going to fight Kevin, not attempt to contain him, and he is very dangerous."

Kurt pumped his fist vigorously, "Bring it on Herr Professor. Ve are ready!" The other young X-men nodded in agreement.

Xavier smiled at the enthusiasm, "Thank you. However, I will not be risking you all on this mission. I will be going and should something happen I will need some of you here to protect the students. Henry, Ororo, Warren, and Rogue, you will be staying here to watch the New Mutants."

"What?! That sucks Professor! I wanna be out there!" Warren shouted.

"No. You are especially necessary to stay in case the need for evacuation arrives for you alone have accommodations for the rest of the team."

Warren huffed but sat back down. Xavier turned to the others, "Cyclops, Jean, Iceman, Shadowcat, Nightcrawler, Colossus, and Wolverine will be coming with me to Muir Island. It is imperative that we depart immediately." The two groups left Xavier's office with Warren still looking upset, but his anger subsided when the New Mutants passed by and he turned to Bobby and licked his lips over Amara's head and mouthed, "fire and ice." Bobby rolled his eyes but when he looked at Kitty she was staring directly in front of her, apparently she had caught what Warren said.

Bobby nudged her and smiled, "You know he's an idiot right?"

She squeezed his hand, "So are you."

Bobby smiled slightly but seemed confused as to whether this was a compliment or not. Hank gathered around his group as the others walked away. "Okay my friends, we are doing a fairly basic training session for the New Recruits. We're taking over for Logan today, his class was put on hold for our meeting but he has informed me that each of the younger students has had one individual Danger Room session, and today was to be there first as a group."

Rogue groaned, "So we get eight jumped up kids in the same room and we're gonna let them use their powers?"

Hank smiled slightly, "Precisely."

"That sounds like a bad idea." Warren chimed in.

"Too bad." Storm said, "Let's go."

Hours later, the X-Jet touched down on the rainy Muir Island. The X-men quickly got off the jet and walked towards a small square building. As they walked the group looked around at the dreary scenery.

"This place sucks," Iceman observed.

Nightcrawler nodded in agreement, "Germany is much better."

"As is Russia." Colossus said.

"Aye but you'll never have similar excitement in one of those places." The X-men looked ahead and saw a dirty blonde man with a yellow and black stripped costume.

"Who are you?" Bobby asked bluntly. Scott sent him a disdainful look as he stretched a hand out to the man.

"Sean Cassidy?" Cyclops asked.

"Aye."

Bobby looked Cassidy up and down and asked, "So what do they call you? Bumblebee?"

"You must be Iceman." Bobby looked away from Sean to a woman who was approaching, Moira MacTaggert.

"Yeah...how did you know."

"Charles has told us all about you." She looked around the group, "If I'm not mistaken we also have Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Shadowcat, Cyclops, Colossus, and Jean Grey correct?"

Kitty nodded, "Right!"

Suddenly, the wind began rushing around them, the X-men prepared for battle, but each of them suddenly became encased inside of a white cube, and to each of them, an identical young man appeared. He had long brown hair, earrings, and spoke in a rough deep voice.

Cyclops ripped off his visor but his box refused to go down. The boy spoke to him, "Scott Summers, the leader, the boy scout. He leads them all into trouble, but can never get them out of it. He truly believes Jean Grey loves him, but has yet to realize she is only with him because he never gets too close."

Nightcrawler collapsed on the ground shaking when he appeared to him, "Kurt Wagner, the freak who no one loves. His friends are disgusted by his appearance, he will NEVER be accepted."

Jean sat and listened as the boy listened to him, "Jean Grey, the center. She's an interesting one, she is loved, respected, and fearless. But no one but me knows the power inside of you do they Jean? No one knows how you burn to use it."

He appeared to Colossus next, "Peter Rasputin, the pacifist. Does he truly think that they trust him, that they believe he was truly a spy for Magneto and not another casualty of Xavier's kind heart? Even Xavier believes that the day will come where he will turn his back. When that day comes, the cripple will show no mercy."

Next came Shadowcat, "Katherine Pryde, the brains. She is a placeholder for the one she truly loves, someone who is willing enough to perform for him, and smart enough to do his work for him. Has she seen the way he looks at the young Brazilian girl?"

Next was Bobby, "Robert Drake, the waste. So satisfied being mediocre, but self assured enough to belief that he isn't. He is laughed at behind his back for his stupidity, his own father doesn't love him, how can this young girl who he barely knows?"

Finally came Logan who sunk to his knees. The boy considered Logan for a minute before snarling the word, "ANIMAL!" This seemed powerful enough to cause Wolverine to fall to the ground shaking.

Just as soon as it started, it had ended. The X-men were all back completely shaken. Jean reached out to Scott who didn't look back at her, Kurt looked mutinously around at the others, Peter stared at the ground quietly while Kitty tried to get Iceman's attention. She tried to walk over to him, but Bobby was standing over Logan trying to pull him up from the ground.

"Come man, it's ok, get up." Bobby seized Logan's arm firmly but Logan ripped it away.

Wolverine had his head in his hands and was shaking, "Nononono, I'm not, I'm sorry."

"Pull it together Wolverine. It's me, popsicle, shake it off!" Bobby was still struggling to pull Wolverine to his feet.

Cyclops rounded on Moira and Sean who both seemed shaken as well and bellowed, "What the hell was that?!"

"That was Kevin," Xavier rolled out of the X-Jet.

"Oh NOW you decide to show up!" Kurt roared.

Kitty nodded and sniffled, "Where were you when we were having our guts ripped out?!"

"I was inside trying to mount a defense and track Kevin. He was able to break through before I finished. You all need to calm down, Kevin's abilities allow him to make each of your insecurities haunt you." Xavier said calmly.

Bobby turned to Xavier, "What about him?" He jerked a thumb at Wolverine.

Xavier wheeled over to Logan, "He'll need rest, Moira, Sean if we can impose."

"Of course Charles."

Kitty walked over to help Bobby pick up Logan but Bobby quickly said, "I think I can handle this on my own, my mental capacity is strong enough to figure out how to move him."

Kitty put her hands on her hips, "I didn't say that it wasn't."

Bobby sneered back at her, "Well you didn't say that it was." He walked away leaving Kitty looking hurt.

The X-men grouped around inside around Xavier. He spoke softly to them, each seemed to still be feeling the effects of Kevin, especially Bobby who glared at Kitty when she wasn't looking, and shifted from one foot to the other. "As you can tell from whatever experience you just had, Kevin is extremely dangerous. After seeing that we too are powered, I believe that he will stay on Muir Island and wait to attack us. We will be splitting up into groups and going after him. Cyclops, you will be going with–"

"Iceman" Bobby cut in before Xavier could finish.

Professor Xavier rose an eyebrow but did not comment, "Iceman. Jean, you will take Shadowcat, and Nightcrawler and Colossus will be with Sean."

"Vhat about Logan?" Kurt asked.

"Once I can revive him, I will immediately send him out into the field. He appears to have been hit harder than anyone else by Kevin's strike. I will also be tracking him from here to see if I can point you in the right direction. But now, it is time for you all to go."

Each of the groups turned and walked out in separate directions, not speaking to each other. Kitty looked over her shoulder at Bobby's back, but saw that he was staring straight ahead.

As Scott and Bobby began to walk through a nearby wood, Scott was the first to initiate conversation, "So why'd you want to come out here with me and not Kitty?"

Bobby sighed and said, "Well I figure you would probably level with me. Jean still babies me and I doubt Kitty and Kurt tell me the truth the majority of the time."

"What makes you say that."

"I don't know man, I'm probably just over reacting to what that asshole did to our heads. What did he say to you."

Scott stared at the ground. Bobby nodded and answered his own question. "He told me I was a waste, that I was cocky and would never be anything more than I am right now 'cause I think I'm so great. He said that you all think I'm dumb and how could Kitty like me when my own dad doesn't."

Scott let out a low whistle. Bobby turned to him, "Do you think I'm dumb?"

"Dumb? No. I think you're an arrogant asshole...but dumb? No." This answer didn't seem to do much for Bobby so Scott continued, "Look. Do you grind my nerves constantly? Yeah. But you're a good guy, and a good friend, but you have to try a little harder. I think that you have no confidence at all, so you make up for it by being an asshole. I guess that's something we can blame your dad for."

Bobby hung his head, clearly an admitting that Scott was right. Scott continued, "He told me that all I did was lead you guys into trouble and could never get you out of it. He said that Jean only liked me cause I didn't let people in and she could keep me at arms length."

Bobby shook his head, "That's not true. Jean is my best friend. I mean, Kurt and I are really tight, but I've known Jean since I was born and I would do anything for her. We talk about you and Kitty, and she is in love with you. She's afraid that you'll get bored with her...she things that girls like her are a dime a dozen. Y'know...without the powers."

Scott laughed, "Is she serious?"

"Yeah. I guess I'm not the only one who suffers from a lack of confidence."

Further away Kitty and Jean were walking through another patch of forest. Kitty was asking Jean questions, but wouldn't let her get a word in to answer them. "This Kevin is completely, like, dumb isn't he? He was saying all this stuff about how Bobby just keeps me as a place holder and has the hots for Magma. Crazy right? And then Bobby goes all berserk when he gets out of his torture session, I can only imagine what was said to him. Do you even believe that thing about Magma?"

Jean sighed, "Kitty, for someone that doesn't care about what happened, you seem to be making an awfully big deal out of it."

Kitty moaned, "You're right. I know that you and Bobby are close, but you WOULD tell me if something was going on with Magma right?"

Jean hesitated and Kitty's eyes widened, "There IS something! Tell me RIGHT now."

Jean sighed again, "It's not a thing. Magma was being flirty with Bobby today, but Bobby didn't try to reciprocate it. Warren made a few fire and ice jokes, and then it was over, no big deal." She groaned when she saw Kitty's face, who apparently thought it was a big deal.

"That stuck up princess is here for three weeks and she's already moving in on guys that are already taken. Is there some kind of Brazilian man stealing custom I don't know about?!"

"Of course not."

"Well when we get back, I'm having a danger room session with that stupid little bi-"

"Kitty." Jean warned.

"No. Bitch. She's a bitch. Gonna kill her."

Jean smiled wryly, "That wouldn't be in the realm of over reacting."

Suddenly, a high pitched scream came out from another area of the forest. Jean hovered up to see what it was and saw a figure clad in black and yellow above the tree tops making the wailing. She looked and saw that Bobby was about a mile away from her, also risen above the forest. Jean lowered herself to the ground where Kitty was clutching her ears, "What IS that?"

"Sean, he must have found something. Let's go."

The two groups converged in the middle of the forest. Scott grabbed Jean's hand to reconcile but Bobby only gave Kitty a small nod. She frowned and rolled her eyes. They finally arrived at where Kurt and Peter where and the noise was almost unbearable. Sean landed and Bobby looked annoyed.

"Y'know...that was kinda frickin' loud."

Sean smiled proudly, "That's why they call me Banshee."

"Banshees are usually women." Kitty said. Bobby began to laugh but quickly stopped.

Sean said, "Banshees are also the most powerful creatures in most forms of mythology. And it's SIRENS that are only women."

Cyclops held up a hand to stop further discussion, "Why did you call us here."

Banshee pointed to a clearing. "Kevin appeared over there and attacked us. He went for Peter, but apparently he can't take metal."

Cyclops nodded, "So Pete is our best line of defense. As long as Peter is armored he can't touch us."

"A problem easy to remedy." The X-men and Sean spun around and there was Kevin, casually leaning against a tree. Colossus quickly armored up and stepped in front of the others.

Kevin laughed, "Please." He snapped his fingers and Colossus's armor was gone. Another snap, and a bolt of red energy caught Colossus in the temple and he went down. Kurt looked around and immediately teleported away.

"Kurt?! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU GOING?" Bobby bellowed.

"Focus Bobby!" Kitty shouted.

"DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO."

Kevin laughed at his handiwork. He snapped again, Jean was down. Next was Sean. Then Scott. Finally Kitty rushed him and she went down. Bobby erupted in icy spikes and stepped towards Kevin.

"Last mistake you'll ever make." Bobby snarled.

Kevin looked calmly at Bobby. "You intrigue me."

"How so?"

"I can see inside of you Robert Drake."

"So you must be pretty jealous."

Kevin ignored this. "I spoke truly when I saw you before. You have power beyond what you can ever imagine. You and this Jean Grey both. All of your other friends are so limited. They will never pass the level that they're at right now."

"Then why aren't you talking to her."

Kevin smiled knowingly, "I can see inside you both. She is often plagued by her power, but you have different demons. You doubt yourself, you wonder if they think you're good enough and you know they don't. I spoke true when I saw you before. Dark times will come for Jean Grey, but not through her own will. Inside of you I see anger, and a desire to prove to the others that you are good enough."

Bobby got right into Kevin's face, "What are you telling me this?!"

Kevin smiled again, "Tactical advantage." he suddenly reached out and grabbed Bobby roughly by the throat. He lifted him off of his feet. "I'm going to take over your body. Your power will become my power. Maybe the day will even come when we can share your mind, and you can let your demons run free." Bobby began to pass out, but Kevin's eyes went wide and before Bobby lost consciousness he saw three points sticking out Kevin's stomach. Kevin let go of Bobby who fell the ground. Kurt quickly let go of Logan and ran to grab Bobby. He smacked Bobby in the face and yelled, "Vake up Bobby!"

Logan growled and shoved his other set of claws inside of Kevin. "Bub, you screwed with the wrong mind."

Kevin howled in pain but was able to dislodge himself from Wolverine. "They send you to fight me? Please. Metal bones aside, your emotions are even less stable then the boy's."

Wolverine took a step towards Kevin, "You're right, I'm just as stable as you are."

"You're quite comical."

Suddenly, Kevin was grabbed from behind. He gasped in pain as he turned to look at who was causing him so much pain. He managed to crane his neck around enough to see Peter Rasputin looking down at him. Kevin moaned as Peter spoke right into his ear, "Who is laughing now comrade?"

"I think that would be us." Wolverine said as he drove his claws into Kevin's chest.

Kevin began to moan and his body went limp as Logan's claws slid up towards his head. His body turned deep red and finally exploded.

Wolverine punched Colossus in the shoulder. "Ya done good Petey."

Colossus nodded, "Thank you Wolverine, though it is not something that I am proud of doing."

Logan shrugged, "You get used to it."

Kurt was supporting Bobby, while Cyclops and Kitty were bringing Sean and Jean back to consciousness.

Moira and Xavier had just arrived in the clearing. Moira looked around, "Where is Kevin?"

Colossus looked at the ground but Bobby replied harshly, "He's dead."

Jean shot him a look but Moira began to quietly sob as Banshee went over to her, "It's okay love. It's ok."

Colossus finally went over to her, "Moira, it was my fault, I am very sorry for my actions."

Moira shook her head, her voice still thick with crying, "No. He would have killed the lot o'ya. I forgive you Colossus."

Xavier looked at his team, "X-men it seems that we are done here. Sean, I was going to ask if you had considered our invitation, but it seems you and Moira have much to deal with here."

Banshee began to answer, but Moira cut him off, "No, Sean will be joining you at your school."

"Moira, I can't leave you, not when you're in this state."

"But the children need y'Sean. If you aren't there for them, they may turn out like Kevin."

Sean nodded and shook Xavier's hand, "I accept yuir offer Charles."

"Thank you. It is time that we returned."

The X-men, now with the newest member of their staff, returned to the Mansion just an hour later. They wandered around calling for the others, but didn't hear anything. Finally Kitty phased down into the sub basement and yelled,

"They're down here."

The others followed her and found Angel, Rogue, Storm and Beast leaning tiredly against a wall. Warren was missing a few feathers, and Beast's fur was singed. Bobby laughed and asked, "What happened to you."

Warren was panting and jerked a thumb inside the danger room. Rogue was able to gasp out, "Them." They looked inside and there was complete chaos.

"I did not know zhat zhe danger room vas breakable." Kurt said.

Xavier grimaced, "It's not."

Sean smiled, "Alright boyos, I guess it's my turn." He calmly stepped into the room and let out a scream. The New Mutants all froze and turned to Sean.

"Hello kids, I'm Sean Cassidy, and I'm your new teacher and if I EVER see you acting like that AGAIN, there will be hell to pay."

Logan laughed, "I like him already."

The New Mutants all looked scarred out of their minds, while the X-men laughed at having found a way to finally control their infestation.

Ehh not my favorite episode...but I wanted to put the seeds of doubt into Bobby. Just some things I wanted to clear up. Bobby and Kitty are not officially broken up as of this episode...but they're pretty damn close. Now I get to make them screw with each other before getting back together. For clarification Colossus is not a traitor, he just didn't think the others trusted him. Next episode will feature another team up...and yes the title is from one of the Sonic video games.