Chapter six. Thank you all for reviewing. The story is a lot easier to write now I must admit. I ain't that close to bringing in all the characters. Don't know how much longer I'll keep writing stuff at the beginning I just like to start off the chapters with a conversation with …uh myself. It's only scary when I start doing little voices for my conversations so I'm safe.
A dragons wings: Hopefully the name thing is cleared up however there may have been one instance that passed my sight, if so forgive me.
X01 (again lazy): Glad you liked it there buddy. This chapter was done at the same time as 5 but I had to make sure it was okay by someone's standards.
Nasakea: Hint hint? Why whatever do you mean? Don't worry most of your characters should be introduced by chapter 8. So it'll be an interesting chapter to try out.
Blix: Thanks for reviewing. Every time I go to read yours the fanfiction is always with the servers overloaded crap. I'm glad you think Zack is funny cause someone thinks he's a jerk, same someone who thinks Bailey is. I also wanted a character to not be all dark and "my lifes crap so lets fight" like alot of characters out there. I better stop before I make more enemies.
Disclaimer: Don't own Marvel's stuff, or WB's X-men: Evolution.
Chapter 6
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The Draft Part 1
New York – The Dome early morningRoughly 5:30 am the sun was close to rising soon, Griffin Riley continued to pound at the punching bags. He hadn't been able to sleep since the shockwave two days ago, he did however sleep through the day previous and today had woken up at 4:00 a.m., though very early he felt fully charged.
With a final punch from his hands the punching bag was sent across the room into a pile of punching bags. "Computer another one please." Griffin says as he wipes the sweat from his brow.
The computer's voice rings through the speaker "Knockout's limit reached. You are done." Replies the voice. "Hit the showers!" says a male voice like that of a basketball coach.
Griffin cursed silently. "Damn Chance." Griffin groaned. "Had to give the computer some personality." Griffin takes a deep breathe and decides to go take a shower and re hydrate. With a final look back to make sure another punching bag doesn't drop he steps into the elevator as it appears inside the dome.
As the elevator takes its occupant to the floor its programmed to the computer inside the Dome training room, a punching bag hangs in the air. "Just kidding!" The computer says though no one is around to hear it.
Griffin walks down the hall to his apartment and finds Jack standing outside the door. As Griffin approaches he looks to the man who had taken him in. "What's up Jack?" Griffin asks as he unlocks his door.
Jack startles from his sleep. "Sorry it's early even for me to be up." Jack says then turns to face the younger mutant. "Before you ask, I'm here to ask of your assistance for a mission."
Griffin looks at Jack strangely. "Uh…I'm part of the team I don't see why you have to ask." Griffin replies.
"Yes I know all that. This time it will just be you and Zack."
"Okay…and?" Griffin asks still not finding any real reason in asking him away from everyone and not in the planning room.
"There is a mutant in need of our help. Seems she's being recruited in a way and I want you and Zack to give her a shot. I've made all the arrangements just be outside in an hour to be taken to the airstrip."
"Okay will do. Just one thing why don't you and the others go it sounds pretty routine?" Griffin asks.
Jack nods. "I'm having Hawk take a few of the others on a recruiting mission too. However for the other one we may need more people. Jessica, and I that's assuming Katie goes with the others, will be going over business. There's much to be taken care of since she was last here." Jack finished and was on his way to the elevator when he realized he forgot one thing. "Oh Griff, consider this a covert operation. Try and blend in as best you can. The girl may be agitated."
"Do I need to wake Zack this time?"
"No don't worry we installed his alarm system already. It'll be taken care of." At that the elevator doors closed on Jack and he made his way down.
Griffin nodded and quickly made his way into his apartment and quickly showered and downed a water bottle, brining an extra for the wait.
The sun shone brightly on New Yorkwithout a cloud in the sky increasing the magnitude of the sun. The sun's light shined through the windows of the Mutant Apartments. Each room though had the curtains pulled over the window except one apartment on the 6th floor.
The suns light was in full glory over the sleeping body of the shape-shifting mutant, Zack. The sun's light had finally waked him up, his eyes blinking a few times. Each time there was a shape in the left side of his eye then the shape began to take a form and the teenage mutant quickly looked to see a blonde haired girl wearing a bikini top and a pair of ripped jean shorts.
"Uh…who are you?" Zack asked a little afraid of someone he had never seen before getting into his room.
The blonde girl smiled. "I am Sally." She answered with a bow.
"Yeah that's great and all but I want to know why you're in here or how you got in here."
"I am the A.I. of the hotel. I was just recently allowed control of your room." Sally answered with a smile.
"A.I. huh?"
"Yes Artificial Intelligence."
"I know what it means! But I didn't think you'd have a body and no I don't want to know why."
"You have precisely forty minutes to get downstairs for the taxi to arrive."
"What forty minutes? But it's…" Zack looked at the alarm clock on his nightstand and groaned. "Too early."
"Your presence is required on a mission. You and Griffin Riley are to be outside the café in forty minutes."
Zack got out of bed and scratched his bare chest and mentally kicked himself for not wearing a shirt. He walked into the bathroom and walked to the toilet before realizing he left the door open. "So where we going?" He asked.
"I'm afraid I do not know. It is not my place to know such things." Sally replied from her spot right next to Zack.
Zack gave afrightened yelpfrom finding her so close and quickly turned around. "God don't you knock?"
"Knock? I cannot do that. I am just a hologram." Sally answered resulting in a groan from the mutant in front of her. "I suggest you shower now, you don't know when you'll have a chance to do it again on your mission."
"Stop calling it that." Zack opened the shower door to find no dials and a large showerhead hanging from the ceiling. "That's interesting."
"Water temperature?" asked a robotic voice.
"The shower is voice activated." Sally informed him.
Zack took off his clothes forgetting about the hologram and stepped inside. "Uh…warm water." The showerhead above him poured warm water onto his naked body.
"What music would you like?" The computer voice asked.
"Ask Chance later and he will tell you how you can play music. For now you can choose from radio stations or the music from the library."
"Just some rock to wake me up please." Zack replied. This is really starting to piss me off. Zack thought as he heard this 'Sally' tell him that the shampoo too was voice activated.
Griffin checked his watch for the third time since he came down to the café ten minutes ago. He was waiting on both the cab and Zack, one more so then the other. He spun his coffee mug around the table again, they only had 10 minutes before the hour was up and if Zack weren't here in time he'd leave without him.
The elevator doors opened and out came a running Zack. He came to a stop at Griffin's table and quickly took a seat at the table. "Sorry I'm late. I had one of the worst showers ever. Remind me to talk to Chance about Sally."
Griffin didn't reply just sipped his coffee. Zack's lips continued to move; however the trained boxer couldn't hear over the sound of his headphones. They were playing Paint it Black and he just couldn't resist finishing the song. After which he pulled out the headphones. "Sorry did you say something?"
"No. Nothing about your mom or what you do in your spare time." Answered Zack.
The taxicab pulled up to the curb and the cabbie honked the horn. The two teenagers dressed in "civilian" clothing got into the back of the taxi and the car drove off to its destination without a word being said to the driver.
The car ride to the private airstrip was quiet, except the ball of phlegm the driver had been working on. As the taxi cut off the engine and got out, Griffin followed motioning for Zack to follow him. The two mutants followed the driver to a small private jet in a hangar and the driver pulled down the ramp and got into the drivers seat.
"Wait our driver is the pilot?" The door to the jet closed behind the shape shifter as he followed Griffin to the seats of the plane.
"Buckle up, the pilot isn't an expert and take-off or landing." The jet began to ascend bumpily and sloppily sending Zack into his chair. Griffin watched out of the corner of his eyes and picked up a magazine to read. "Told you."
The plane ride too was quiet and uneventful. Zack shifted in his seat trying to sleep. Why did they have to get him up so early anyway? "Man why did we have to leave so early?" Zack griped.
"Don't you know anything about time zones?"
"No!" Zack replied matter-of-factly. "Where we headed anyway?"
"Australia." Griffin answered continuing to read the magazine.
"Jingle bells, Jingle bells. Jingle all the…" Zack turned in his chair to see a small scowl from Griffin slowing his singing. "Way." Zack reverted to humming the song, this time Griffin unbuckled his seatbelt and jumped to his feet. Zack just looked at him confused blinking a few times.
"Get up. Were going to fight."
"What? Why?"
"Our relationship will be better. No animosity between us."
"Uh…do I have to?"
"I'll kick your ass in the seat if you like."
Zack sighed and stood up. He and Griffin stood in front of the other. The shape shifter sighed once again and the two drew back their fists and hit each other simultaneously, simultaneously they fell onto the floor of the plane.
"Well that I did not see coming." Griffin said with a laugh as he got to his feet and held out his hand for Zack's. The shape shifter used one hand to grab Griff's and the other held his jaw.
Zack glared at the other mutant and tried to say "I hate you!" but it was distorted when it came out for his jaw dangled from his mouth. With a wince in his eyes at the thought Zack popped his jaw back into place, causing tears to form in his eyes. "I hope that was worth it you…ass."
Australia
A black Lincoln pulls in front of a small house in Port Maqurie Australia, the only house for miles. In perfect sync two men step out of the black Lincoln continental dressed in black suits wearing black sunglasses. The two men, one blonde the other black haired, walk up a clearing to the front door of the house.
Twice the blonde man knocks on the door and a woman answers drying her hands off on her apron. She looks at the two men suspiciously. "Yes?" she asks continuing to look back and forth between the two men.
"Good morning man." The blonde man greeted with an American accent as he plastered on a fake smile. "We represent the U.S. Government agency S.H.I.E.L.D. we are here about your daughter ma'am. We know she's a mutant and as part of the newly passed law, you must give us to her." The blonde man's smile faded as his look became grim and serious.
The men were about to open the gate when their Lincoln's windows exploded and glass went everywhere. The two quickly sped off to their car.
The two S.H.I.E.L.D. officers were too occupied with their hurt car they failed to see the figure of a girl run quickly down the road in the opposite direction.
Though Griffin felt the so-called "animosity" between the two had been cured the plane ride was still filled with silence until the rough landing. Now however, the two mutants were in a strange country with no one but themselves.
"At least you can fly." Griffin pointed out with a smile.
The remaining light faded to darkness as rain began to drizzle, and then turn to a downpour. "Oh yeah Australia so wants us here." Zack says as he tilts his head up and takes the water into his mouth. "You know I'm tempted to run naked in this rain…"
Griffin looked down the road and saw a diner not to far in the distance. "Come on let's go." Griffin didn't wait for a response just made his way to the diner.
Zack watched as the older mutant walked away. The shape shifter had turned his head to an umbrella to block his body from the rain but still felt it on his expanded head. Two onlookers walked by staring at him in disbelief. The shape shifter bowed his head slightly. "Howdy." He greeted and shook his head to bring it back to normal size and took off after his teammate.
Zack took in the view of the diner. It was small and dimly lit, which made didn't make it much different from thee night sky outside of the diner. There were a few stools set up against the counter with a small cash register at the end of the counter. There were two booths on his left and one on his right. Each booth had large glass windows with the words Tom's Diner written in gold letters on their surface. The diner was empty and there was a glimmer of fire burning in the kitchen but no one was out working in the diner. There was a figure in the corner, through all the darkness the only thing Zack could see was his blonde hair and the occasional fire that seemed to come from a lighter.
Griffin sat in the only booth that had a light above it. He watched his teammate walk in and look around but he didn't call out. He just looked over the file Jack had given him earlier about the girl they were there to "check" on. Inside his pocket he felt for his phone and felt another one. He pulled out the second phone and set it across from him waiting for the shape shifter to notice him.
Zack finally took a seat across from Griffin and picked up the phone. "Griffin have you been calling any 900 numbers?" Zack asked in a scolding manner. "Cause if you have, you should be sharing the good ones!"
Griffin finally looked up from the file he had been reading over. "It's your satellite phone." Griffin answered as he once again looked over the file again. "Jack gives them to us to keep tabs," Griffin paused to choose his words. "On us." he finished and went back to reading.
Zack heard the sound of a lighter opening and closing and turned back to the blonde hair he saw earlier. This time the lighter opened and two tiny little fire figures began to move and fight. The blonde haired figure laughed as the fire's shape grew and the fighters became the size of a normal person and began to fight again.
Griffin turned to see the fire and turned back to Zack. "Here." He said handing the folder to Zack. "This is information on the girl we're here for."
The shape shifter took the folder and looked it over. It showed a picture of a light framed girl. Her light brown hair fell just passed her shoulders. The information gave a description of the girl and her powers. Her name was Ceada Mendara, her mother I American, but her father was Australian. Her dead died when another car hit his in a car crash. She lives with her mother now, however the file didn't give an address so the two mutants were out of luck there.
Below her information the file described her powers. Caeda's powers involve the ability to see sound waves and manipulate them to her will, such as create them, change them, soften, move, and destroy them.
Zack finished with the file and gave it back to Griffin who put it inside his jacket. "So she's a screamer." Zack said with a grin. Griffin however remained indifferent to the shape shifter's statement. "Sorry, silence scares me."
The fire from the kitchen went out, followed by the fire figures that had begun to dance instead of fighting. The blonde haired figure stepped into the light revealing a teenage boy, his hair was more orange then blonde like fire, he had a large grin plastered to his face. "Americans?"
"Yes." Answered both teens.
"Then G'day mates. I need a lift to America. Name's St. John Allerdyce but you can call me Pyro."
With a sigh Griffin knew they'd have to take him with them. "We have to take him don't we?" Zack asked in response to Griffin's demeanor.
"Yeah. It's Jack's way. Help all mutants. Even former terrorists."
"Great so it's settled." Said Pyro as he pulled a stool from the counter and took a seat at the table. "I know this great place with some of the best Sheila's in all of Australia."
Before either mutant of Jack's team could respond a black horse ran down the road kicking up dust as it went. Soon after a black Lincoln, without any windows was hot on its trail.
"Well there's something you don't see everyday." Zack stated as he watched the car drive beyond the window.
"Okay Zack it's time we have a horse too." Griffin stated as he stood up and smiled down at the shape shifter.
Zack gave a groan and with his head hung low made his way out of the diner and turned himself into a white horse. He turned his head back to the diner as Griffin stepped out followed by Pyro. "If it wasn't for me you'd be screwed."
"A talking horse!" Pyro exclaimed as he looked at the former human. "Let's burn it!"
"I will kick you in the nuts so hard if you do." The horse replied as it kicked its legs for added effect.
"Fair enough." Replied Pyro as he put his lighter back into his pocket and hopped onto the horse. "Giddy up!"
Zack didn't move and waited for Griffin to get on before running after the black horse being chased by the car. "You know those were guys in that car, didn't like Sheiks girls."
Unbeknownst to the trio a figure sat hunched over on the rooftop of Tom's Diner. He had just killed the work staff of the diner when that punk Pyro showed up. It didn't matter though he killed the staff and now he was going to do his job and get the girl on the horse, dead or alive.
The figure stood up to a very high height, his long hair flowing in the night wind, and let out a fierce growl and jumped off the diner, down to the ground where he took off at immense speeds after the girl, all the while keeping his nose trained on her scent.
Ceada was riding her horse Raven, running from the men after her. First they had forced her to leave home and now they continued to chase her in their car. Thankfully the car was too slow to hit her horse, thanks to letting the air out of two tires before leaving.
She finally made her way to a road devoid of any cars at this time of night. She and Raven had been traveling on the road seemingly losing the car that had been following them. However as she turned back she saw a white horse carrying to people on it trying to catch up to her. Then something happened.
Something leapt from the side and knocked her off her horse. As Ceada got up she looked around but could not see her horse. She was about to search for it when heard a growl and a large man had his hand around her neck in a matter of seconds. The trees began to blow with wind and moonlight lit up the large canines in the man's mouth. His hand tightened around her neck and Ceada began to feel the air not coming to her as easily.
Suddenly the man was tackled by something gray, the moonlight accentuating two horns and glowing red eyes. The thing looked like a cross between a rhinoceros and a human. Ceada fell to the ground as air once again filled her lungs, she quickly rose to her feet and began to run before either creature could come after her, she silently said goodbye to her horse as she ran into the city.
Back under the group of trees Zack changed back to his human form as he stood over the body of the man who nearly killed the girl. He had knocked him hard but he had the feeling the man was going to come back to life and try and kill the young shape shifter.
The body of the man didn't stir it just immediately was on its feet and had Zack on the ground in a matter of seconds as its hands choked the throat of the mutant. "You let the girl get away, you will pay." The large man growled as his hands tightened around his victim's neck.
Griffin and Pyro made their way into the circle of trees and stopped at the sight before them. "Zack! You okay?" Griffin asked as he powered up his hands.
"Just peachy." Zack gasped as he turned his body into stone and pulling the hands of the feral man on top of him off his neck.
"Hey it's Sabretooth!" Said Pyro. "How have you been kitty?" Pyro asked as he opened his lighter.
Victor Creed just growled in reply. He got off the now rock form of Zack and looked at each mutant. "I'll kill the girl, then come back for each of you." Sabretooth then jumped into the trees and began sprinting away after his target.
Zack shook off the rocks as his skin reverted to normal. "Nice friend you got their Pyro." Zack groaned as he rubbed his neck.
"The kitty? We aren't friends mate. We both worked for Mags." Replied Pyro as he continued to open and close his lighter. "So are we going after the Sheila?"
Ceada had made it into the city and began calling out for help and knocking on doors but no one answered. The placed seemed almost empty, though full of cars, lights on, and streetlights, everything a city had except people who cared. She made her way to a large brick building with many doors and leaned against the wall and took a breather to try and get her head on straight.
"Hey." Greeted a voice as she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and saw a brown haired boy smiling down at her. "Are you alright?" he asked as he crouched down.
Ceada was still scared and she heard him call to someone else. Someone else? Oh no he's one of them! No! "You won't take me with you!" She screamed and using her manipulation powers she sent the boy through one of the brick walls and ran in the opposite direction.
Griffin and St. John made their way to Zack who was covered in bricks, in a section of the wall that revealed a classroom. "Zack?" Griffin called out as he and John looked at the pile of bricks.
The shape-shifting mutant lifted his head from the pile of bricks. "Every time. EVERY TIME WE GO ON A MISSION I'M THROWN AT SOMETHING!" He groaned as he stood up and dusted off the dirt from the bricks. "Go chase her I'll be right behind you."
The fire manipulating mutant and force-field creating mutant sped off after Ceada while Zack continued to clean himself. The sounds of footsteps became apparent causing the shape shifter to hide him.
"Now there are more. First its that little brat girl, now the other three?" complained a voice. Two men then came up to a brick wall. Both looked like businessmen with their suits, and sunglasses, only these ones had coiled earpieces attached to their ears.
The brown haired man nodded. "Yeah one of them happens to be one of Magneto's henchman. I hate them mutie bastards."
"Except that one girl, Betsy. Oh I would so do her."
The two men both paused as someone began ordering them through the earpiece. Both men nodded and quickly took off in the direction Caeda had left.
In their wake the brick wall grew large green eyes and blinked once, a mouth soon followed, then ears, and a nose until the only thing left was a hole and the form of Zack. His shape changed into pink spandex, his bottom half turning into a small cyclone he propelled himself into the air towards the direction of the others.
Ceada continued to run down the street until she was in front of an alley. She looked behind her and saw a teenage boy running up to her with orange hair. In front of her a dark haired boy stood, this left only the alley to run down. She was about to when she the other boy was finally behind her.
"You sure can run Sheila." The boy said catching his breath.
She looked at both teens and wondered what they wanted, but that wasn't important enough to stop her from going on the offensive. "What do you want from me?" She asked ready to strike at any moment.
"Easy, easy." The dark haired teen said putting his hands up in defense. "We…I and the kid you sent through a wall back there are here to offer a place to stay. You see we like you are mutants. We live in this apartment building in New York, and our boss wants to offer you a place. No strings attached you just come back with us to the U.S. and that's it, no pressure." He explained.
"Just a place to live? I don't have to?" She asked still ready to fight if need be. She was so caught up in looking back and forth between the two "harmless" mutants she didn't notice someone landing in the alley.
"Did you convince her yet? I don't really want to be sent into another wall." Ceada looked to see the same boy she had sent into the wall earlier. She continued to look at him prepared to strike if he decided to take revenge.
He quickly threw his hands up. "Please don't do that again. We come in peace." He said as he turned his body into a peace sign. "Did I take it too far?" The giant peace sign asked.
"Good guys?" She asked looking back and forth between all three of them.
The dark haired teen nodded. "Zack and I are, however John over there…were not so sure about."
Ceada looked around at each of them. The one she assumed was John however didn't speak just changed out of his peace sign. "I told ya mates, I need to get back to America. My days of evil are over. Honest!" However the voice came from the one next to her.
"So he's John, he's Zack and you are?" She asked pointing to each individual.
"I'm Griffin." Before any other words could be exchanged a roar stopped all conversations as the familiar form of Sabretooth began charging at the group. Griffin, Zack, and St. John were all pushed away leaving Sabretooth staring down Ceada, causing the girl to become immobile in fear.
Zack quickly got to his feet and was about to jump in and fight the feral mutant but was held back by Griffin. Griffin motioned for Zack to wait. "I have seniority so just do it." Griffin ordered. The two mutants stood and watched the battle unfold.
With another growl Sabretooth was sent backwards-tumbling head over feet. He was on his feet again in a matter of seconds and let out another bloodthirsty roar and again was sent back.
St. John had finally recovered and made his way to the other mutants who stood watching the fight. "The kitty always gets his ass handed to him on a plate." He said with a chuckle.
Sabretooth let out one final roar and quickly charged after Ceada, the girl was caught off guard and didn't have time to attack and just narrowly avoided a swipe from the enraged feral mutant.
The sudden click of guns caused the three male mutants to turn around to see two men in business suits and sunglasses, even in the darkness, pointing a gun at them. "Beg for your lives."
Zack gave a groan "Let's wait here, he says. I have seniority so we wait, he orders." Zack rolled his eyes. Griffin fired up his force fields, Zack disappeared, and St. John lit up his lighter and set a large stream of flame to surround the blonde man in a suit.
Zack in his shrunken form made his way behind the man that wasn't being swarmed in a spinning vortex of fire. His shape changed as he regained his normal stature and quickly hit the gunman over the head, causing the gunmen to lurch forward and fire a bullet before falling to the ground.
Ceada had begun to panic as she continued to dodge the attacks of Sabretooth. Her eyes, now red, grew panicked as she tried to think of a way to stop the madman. She had completely lost control and at the sound of the gunfire she sent the body of Sabretooth flying through the window of one apartment building. Her eyes reverted to normal as she quickly ran toward the others.
The bullet seemed to go in slow motion for Griffin as it came towards him. His life flashed before his eyes and on instinct he put his hands up in front of his face and closed his eyes. He felt something on his hands and opened his eyes to see his hands still covering his face. Zack and St. John both stood staring at him with their jaws open. Griffin looked down to see the bullet from the gun smashed and laying at his feet. His powers had blocked the bullet allowing him to live. He picked up the bullet and slid it in his pants pocket.
"DUDE!" Zack yelled at the sight that just happened. Griffin's boxing glove thingy had stopped the bullet from killing him. Griffin didn't say a word just continued to stare at his force field covered hands.
"It's been a long day." Griffin said with a sigh. "Let's go home." The mutant then began to walk down the road, followed by Pyro, Ceada, and Zack.
"Does anyone know the way back? Cause I could've sworn it was the other way." Zack pointed in the opposite direction. Griffin didn't take it into consideration he just kept walking down the road; he was still trying to contemplate what had just happened. "Guess it was only me. I wonder what the others had to do."
Well that wasn't so bad was it? Next chapter we'll find out what the others are up to. I just need to find a way to start it. So what did you think? Come on be honest, I'm only talking tofour people here anyway. Should I keep Pyro or send him on his way? Readers' choice, I like the guy and I can still write the story just fine either way. Till next time, toodles. Did I just write toodles?