Never A Dull Moment
"Would ya like something to eat?" Kristy Jo Kyle offered her guests. "We still got some leftovers from breakfast."
"No, that's fine," Ethel Washington declined. "I'm still a little jetlagged."
"Speak for yourself." Her husband, Linus Washington said as he grabbed a handful of sausages. "Air traveling makes me hungry."
"You're always hungry!" Ethel told him.
Ethel and Linus were the Norse gods, Cereph and Loki. They were also Tamarra Cabonarra (Plasma) and Andrea Cabonarra-Storm's (Zakido) maternal grandparents.
"At any rate," Kurt Wagner imputed. "It's good to see you. Tamarra and Andrea will be surprised to see you. I thought you; Tony and Lilliana were spending your vacation in Hawaii?"
"We still are," Ethel explained. "But we figured, since San Francisco is on the way there, we might check on the girls and our great-granddaughter."
"That and our flight was cancelled," Linus added. "Another is not scheduled for another week."
"You say that like it's a bad thing," Angie Rae Dawson said.
"It's not," Linus said. "But when it comes to studying the human condition, California would be the last place to go."
"God Loki, get over it!" Ethel scolded. "We agreed to this and I don't want to hear you complaining now."
"I'm not complaining!"
"Ah, the sweet sounds of petty bickering. It has to be my grandparents."
Loki and Ethel turned around and saw their youngest granddaughter, Tamarra, leaning in the kitchen doorway.
"Ti Ti, baby!" Ethel rushed to Tamarra and gave her a big hug. "Look at you! You gotten so big!"
"Grandma Ethel, it's only been three months since you've seen me."
"Don't mind your grandmother," Loki dismissed. "She's going through 'the change.'" He came over and hugged Tamarra. "How are you?"
"I'm fine. Where's Nana Lilly and Papa Tony?"
Just then, a loud crash startled everyone in the kitchen.
"OH CRAP!" A woman's voice exclaimed.
"Never mind." Tamarra muttered.
Just then a tall, fairly slender woman stumbled into the kitchen with a small flask in her hand.
"I'm so sorry." Lilliana Cabonarra apologized. "I thought that vase was the coat hanger."
"What vase?" Rachel Grey aka Marvel Girl, Cyclops daughter asked.
"I don't know," Lilliana slurred. "I think it was green or something."
"Nana Lilly," Tamarra sighed. "Please don't tell me you broke Colossus' vase?"
"That's his vase?"
"It's been in his family for five generations." Kurt pointed out.
Lilliana smiled sheepishly. "Oops."
"What did you do now, Lilly?" Tony Mereoni said to his wife.
"Nothing!" Lilliana snapped. "Just broke a vase."
"Colossus' family vase," Ethel reminded.
"You don't have to remind me." Lilliana said. She took out a small bottle from her purse and chugged it.
"Nana Lilly," Tamarra asked, coming to her. "What's that?"
"Flavored Water." Lilliana hiccupped. Tamarra took the bottle and examined it.
"This says 'Bourbon'!"
"They had a lot of it at the airport!"
Tamarra was about to say something when she was interrupted by her older sister, Andrea.
"Oh my God!" She exclaimed. "I thought I heard somebody familiar!"
Ethel, Lilliana, Linus, and Tony rushed toward Andrea giving her hugs and kisses all over.
"How are ya, sweetie?" Ethel asked.
"I'm doing great!" Andrea replied.
"Are you getting enough sleep?" Tony asked.
"Yes, Papa Tony."
"So when are we going to see the baby?" Lilliana squealed.
"Kate is with Johnny now," Andrea explained. "Sue and Reed wanted to see her."
Linus shrugged. "Well, let's hope Ben Grimm don't squish her."
"Loki!" Ethel scolded.
"What?!"
"So, what are you guys doing here?" Andrea asked. "I thought you were on your way to Hawaii?"
"We thought we might take a little detour to San Francisco and see our great-grandbaby." Ethel replied.
"Not to mention our flight was canceled." Tony mentioned.
"Please don't." Lilliana said. Then she looked around and asked: "Do you have any Jack Daniels?"
Everyone looked at her like she's completely lost it.
"Vodka?"
"Did you forget that this is a school, Nana Lilly?" Tamarra asked.
"No, I did not forget! But I know you adults smuggle alcohol in the premises. Don't lie. I'm a telepath, I can sense it."
"You can sense anything that involves alcohol." Linus remarked.
"Logan keeps a 6-pack of beer in his room." Rachel said.
Kurt nudged her arm, hard. "Ow!"
"That's alright," Lilliana assured. "I was gonna check his room anyway."
"No, you are not!" Tony admonished. "We are going to unpack and you are going to go to take a nap. Now!"
"Such a killjoy. Argh!" Lilliana held her head in pain. Tony came over to her concerned.
"Lilly, are you all right?" He asked.
"I think so. I just sensed someone coming, that's all."
"Probably Wade." Angie Rae said. "You know he always sneaks in the Manor to see Lara."
"Since when?" Kristy Jo asked.
"He's been doing it for about a year." Rachel imputed.
"It's not Deadpool." Lilliana explained. "I would've dismissed my headache by now. It's someone else. Someone…who's no longer welcome here."
Before Kristy Jo could ask who it was, a loud explosion rocked the room. The back door flew open and JT Wagner (Nightshadow), Cessily Kincaid (Mercury), and Dmitri Marx (Steel) are sent flying in the kitchen. Rachel used her telekinesis to land Dmitri and Cess to the ground while JT teleported before he crashed and landed on Tamarra.
"JT!" She exclaimed. "Are you okay?"
"No, I'm not okay!" JT said. "I just got thrown through the freaking kitchen door!"
"By who?"
"By me."
Everyone turned to see Seth Dass (Network) standing in front of the broken doorway, smiling evilly. Seth was a former member of the Young Untouchable X-Men. He was killed while trying to rescue his friends. Then he was revived by his father, Rishi Dass (Eclipse) and Mister Sinister. Now he's a Marauder and the Young Untouchable X-Men's feared enemy. And what's worse, Seth was Midge's ex-boyfriend and first love.
"I told you I hiccup sensed something bad." Lilliana said.
"Your telepathy wouldn't sense anything if you were three years sober." Seth sneered.
"Seth, what in the Sam Hill are you doing here?" Kristy Jo Kyle asked, angrily.
"What do you think I'm here for?" Seth replied. "To see Midge."
"Midge is not here!" Angie Rae retorted. "And even if she was, we wouldn't let you see her."
"That isn't for you to decide."
"And what makes you think Midge would want to see you after what you did to Chase?" Tamarra asked.
"I didn't come here for a goddamn lecture, Zaphira!" Seth shouted. "I just came here for Midge!"
"Sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Dass," Ethel answered. "But you ain't seeing anybody."
"Now, why don't you go back home, son?" Linus added.
"Why don't you shove it, Loki?!" Seth retorted.
"Why don't you go, Dass?" Dmitri asked.
"And we can put you out the easy way," Rachel added, powering up. "or the hard way."
"I ain't afraid of you, Phoenix." Furious at the sound of the name, Rachel powered up her telepathy.
"Call me that name one more time," She threatened angrily. "I'll kill you myself you son of a…"
"Go ahead, kill me." Seth ventured, smiling cynically. "I got a weapon strong enough to drain your powers and everybody else in this room."
Seth suddenly felt the cool feel of metal claws on the back his neck.
"I bet it ain't strong enough to drain my powers, sweetheart."
Seth smiled. "You're good, Laura," He said. "But you're not Wolverine."
Laura Kinney (X-23) retracted her claws and slammed Seth to the refrigerator. "Why don't you make it easier for all of us and get out?" She whispered angrily.
"Not without talking to Midge."
"Midge doesn't want to talk to you!" Kristy Jo shouted.
"Yes, I do."
Everyone turned to see Midge standing in the kitchen doorway, with tears in her eyes. Obviously, she heard the conversation.
"Midge, how long have you've been standing here?" Kurt asked.
"Long enough." Midge answered. To Seth, she greeted: "Hi, Seth."
"Hello, Midge." He greeted back, his demeanor changed. "Mind if we talk? Alone?"
"You ain't talking to my sister alone, ya psycho!" Kristy Jo said.
"Whatever you got to say to Midge," Angie Rae added. "You can say it to us."
"No guys, it's okay." Midge assured everyone. "I can handle Seth."
"Are you sure?" Tamarra asked.
"Yeah."
"Talk outside where we can see you." Kristy Jo said. "I still don't trust him."
Midge nodded and she and Seth left outside. Everyone in the kitchen stood silent for a moment.
"On second thought," Linus said. "I think I'm gonna like staying here. It's exciting! A lot of drama!"
"I swear you're insensitive." Ethel murmured.
The USS-Enterprise-E
Geordi La Forge sat in the Captain's chair, giving out orders and figuring out a way to get around this portal.
"Full thrusters, Ensign." He commanded.
"Should I go to Red Alert?" Ensign K'Jai asked.
"Negative. Don't do anything until the Captain arrives."
Data, Beverly, Jean-Luc, Will, Deanna, Cyrus, Aidan, and Wesley arrived at the Bridge just in time to see Geordi giving orders to K'Jai.
Cyrus, Aidan, and Wesley took their respective positions while Data approached Geordi.
"Report, Commander." Data commanded.
"Captain, there is an unknown portal blocking our way to The Hadassah System." Geordi reported.
"What kind of a portal?"
"I don't know. But it was a pinkish-black. And I could've sworn I saw a female in the middle of it."
"On screen, Wesley."
Wesley turned on the main screen and showed a pink and black spiral portal. In the center of it, was a young girl about fifteen or sixteen. To Data, the girl looked like she wasn't from this planet let alone this time period. She also looked like she was struggling at something.
"Counselor, do you perceive anything?"
Aidan Kantar closed her eyes and opened them again. "I don't perceive anything hostile, Captain" She said. "The girl is definitely not from this time period. I'd say she's from the late 20th, early 21st century, give or take."
"Do you think she's causing that portal?" Deanna asked.
"It is impossible to tell," Data replied. "I do not know if it is an actual portal or merely just a window to space."
"Recommend that we go to Red Alert," Cyrus suggested.
"Negative." Data answered.
"Sir, we don't know if this portal is dangerous!" Cyrus said.
"Yet, we do not know of what purpose it serves," Data reasoned. "We must focus on the safety, not only for the crew, but for the 237,000 people on this ship."
"Yes, sir." Cyrus said. "I apologize."
"No apology necessary. You were only voicing your opinion." Data turned to Jean-Luc, as if he was looking for some advice. "Any suggestion from you, Jean-Luc, will be most appreciated."
Jean-Luc smiled. "I welcome it, Captain."
Soon, Data straightened up and commanded his officers: "Wesley, Geordi, Aidan meet me in the observation lounge." To his guests, he said: "Ambassador Picard, Captain Riker, Deanna, will you please accompany me as well? Mr. Vale, you have the Bridge."
Cyrus nodded and proceeded to take the Captain's chair. Everyone else followed Data through the observation lounge.
Xavier Institute.
Tony Santos (Twitch) came rushing through the Manor Patio looking for his girlfriend, Rachel Guthrie (Spartex). She told him, earlier, that she found a breakthrough in her powers. He found Maya McCoy, Megan Gwynn, Theresa Godfrey (Athena), Alani Ryan (Loa), and Destiny Searcy sitting in the Zen Garden. Tony ran up to them, nearly crushing the daisies.
"Geez, Tony!" Destiny exclaimed. "Watch where you're stepping!"
"Sorry." Tony apologized. "Have you seen Rachel?"
"How should we know?" Maya replied.
"Because you're her best friend!"
"I haven't seen her since this morning, Tony."
"I thought she was with you?" Tony said.
"She was," Megan said. "But she said she wanted to try something with her powers. We still haven't gotten our tickets to New Moon, yet."
Tony was about to say something when he saw his best friend, Jai'Quan Reynolds (Ghost) and his girlfriend, Sydney Da Costa, rushing to the Patio.
"Jai! Have you or Sid seen Rachel?"
"Nope." Jai'Quan answered.
"Tony, this isn't a good time right now," Sydney imputed.
"I'm trying to find my girlfriend!"
"I'm trying to listen to Midge's conversation with her ex!"
Maya stood up. "Seth is here?!"
Jai'Quan nodded.
"Uh oh," Megan remarked. "This is bad."
"Ya think?" Theresa pointed out. "If Seth is here, that means he's trying to work on getting Midge back."
"But Midge doesn't want him back," Tony pointed out.
"Exactly!" Theresa said.
"You know how protective Kristy Jo, Jason, and Angie Rae are of Midge," Maya said. "They wouldn't let Seth 2 inches near her."
"That's not what I'm seeing." Alani said.
"What are you seeing?" Sydney asked.
"Midge and Seth are at the Gazebo, talking."
Alani, Destiny, Maya, Megan, Jai'Quan, Sydney, Tony, and Theresa came running toward the Gazebo to get a better listen to Seth and Midge's conversation.
"Looks like they're arguing." Destiny pointed out.
Jai'Quan shook his head. "It's a shame," He said. "Sucker's crying like a little…."
"JAI'QUAN!" Maya whispered angrily. "That's my cousin you're talking about!"
"I'm sorry, Maya. But Seth needs to accept the fact that Midge doesn't want him back anymore. He can't just come back from the dead and think everything's gonna come back to normal."
"He's probably suffering from a case of depression." Theresa said.
"Depression doesn't cause a man to kill someone." Tony objected.
"Schizophrenia does." Sydney added.
Just then Selena Mendoza rushed over to the eavesdropping crowd in a rushing panic.
"Destiny! Maya! Megs!" She called out.
"SHH!!!" Maya and Destiny shushed her.
"Don't be shushing me!" Selena told her.
"Will you keep it down?!" Destiny whispered. "We're trying to listen to Midge and Seth's conversation."
"Besides," Maya added. "I thought you were cleaning Ms. Frost and Mr. Beaubier's apartment?"
"Dante and I are finished." Selena explained. "It's about Rachel. She's trying something new with her powers."
"Rachel Guthrie?" Alani asked.
Selena nodded.
"No wonder she forgot to give us our movie tickets," Maya muttered.
"Is it bad?" Tony asked.
"Let's just say there's a big portal in the middle of her room." Selena replied.
Maya sighed and proceeded to head toward Rachel's room. "Destiny, Meagan," She asked. "Are you guys coming?"
"But I want to see Midge and Seth argue!" Megan whined.
"We all know how it's going to end. Now come on!"
"I'm coming with you too, Maya." Tony said.
Maya, Tony, Megan, and Destiny went to see what new experiment Rachel Guthrie aka Spartex was trying with her powers. Meanwhile, Jai'Quan, Sydney, and Alani proceeded to listen to Midge and Seth's conversation. Very intently.
USS Enterprise-Observation Lounge
Captain's Log, Stardate 52746.3: While on the way to the Hadassah System, the Enterprise has been blocked by an odd pink and black portal controlled by a young girl.
Now, tensions are rising as my crew are thinking of ways around this portal.
"We don't know if this portal is dangerous!" Geordi began.
"We don't know where it leads either." Wesley added.
"But we do know that there is a living human being controlling the portal," Aidan argued. "If we shoot phasers at her, we might injure her or worse."
"I agree with Aidan." Deanna said.
"Do you think this girl has cruel intentions, Deanna?" Riker asked.
"I sensed no malice or violent motives in her." Deanna looked at Data and added: "She could be just experimenting with her powers."
"What kind of planet is she from?" Beverly asked.
"I do not know," Data answered. "But if this portal could lead us to her world, I suggest we take it."
"Data, do you think that's wise?" Geordi asked.
"The point of our mission, Geordi, is to seek out new life." Data replied. "Perhaps there are others like her."
"Spoken like a true captain of the Enterprise, Mr. Data." Jean-Luc complemented.
Data smiled. "Thank you, sir." To the crew, he added: "I, however, do not feel comfortable in putting the entire ship in danger."
"We can separate the ship." Wesley suggested.
"NO!!!" Beverly, Data, Deanna, Geordi, Jean-Luc, & Will said at the same time.
"Why not?" Aidan asked.
"That is how the USS Enterprise-D was destroyed," Data explained.
"That and the overheated Warp Drive." Geordi added.
"Why don't we use a shuttlecraft?" Aidan suggested.
"Shuttlecrafts only hold 10 officers roughly." Wesley informed.
"I will lead this away team." Data decided.
"Are you sure that is wise?" Geordi asked.
"Yes. I will take a group of nine to lead this away team." To Jean-Luc, Data asked: "Ambassador Picard, if you would like, you have the Bridge."
"I'd be delighted, Mr. Data." Jean-Luc replied.
Data stood up and gathered his away team: "Geordi, Aidan, Wesley, Will, and Deanna, if you would join me please." He tapped his combadge. "Lt. Vale, report to Shuttlebay 4, please. And bring Ensign K'Jai with you."
"Sir, we have a problem with the engines," Cyrus responded back.
Data looked at his friends, who looked worried. "Acknowledged. We are on our way. Data out."
"I assume the Shuttlebay plan will have to wait?" Jean-Luc said.
Data smiled. "Yes, Exactly."
Xavier Institute- Midge and Seth
"Why are you here?"
"Why do you think I'm here for?"
Midge sighed and sat down on the bench swing. "Seth, you can't keep coming here." She said. "My sisters want to kill you. Actually, Logan wants to kill you. They just want you gone."
"None of those people understand what I've been through the past two years!" Seth argued.
"What about what I've been through?!" Midge argued. "You were dead! I accepted the fact!"
"But I'm back now."
"That doesn't mean anything! I moved on with my life! I was about to get married! And you killed him!!"
"I did you a favor!"
"You took away my sanity." Midge replied. She stood and stared her estranged ex-boyfriend right in the eye. "Why can't you let me live my life, Seth? I moved on, why can't you?"
"Because I love you, dammit!" Seth shouted. "No other man is good for you." He put his arms around her. "It's time to pick up where we left off."
Midge looked at Seth, long and hard. Her demeanor was beyond nervous and she was petrified. But she said a cool, calm voice: "I'm not going anywhere with you. Our relationship ended when you died. I refuse to go back to the past."
"Come on, Midge." Seth begged. "I've changed. I'm not the same guy."
"I find that highly unlikely. Now let me go."
She struggled to break free but Seth kept his grip on her.
"Seth, let me go!!!"
"Not until you kiss me, first."
"NO!!!!!"
"Yo, Anakin Skywalker!" Wade Wilson called out. "Take your fatal attraction crap somewhere else!"
Seth turned around to see Wade and Lara Worthington standing behind him.
"I'm a little busy here, folks." He said.
"Not anymore," Lara replied. "You overstayed you're welcome, Dass."
Seth released his grasp from Midge and smiled evilly at Lara and Wade. "This isn't over," He told them. "I'll be back."
"And we'll be waiting." Lara replied.
"Hey Seth," Wade asked. "You've seen Revenge of the Sith?" You wanna end up like Hayden Christensen?"
Seth just looked at him. "Think about what I said, Midge." He said. Then he left.
"Are you all right, Midge?" Lara asked, concerned.
"I'm fine," Midge replied. "He didn't hurt me. Did Kristy Jo send you two to check on me?"
"No, we just came from Stark's office," Wade answered. "Then we saw OJ Simpson trying to kill you."
"OJ Simpson?" Lara repeated.
"I'm telling you, baby, OJ did it."
"What's your boyfriend talking about?" Midge asked.
"You don't want to know." Lara told her. "Have you seen Rachel?"
"Summers or Guthrie?" Midge clarified.
"Guthrie. Rachel Guthrie."
"I think she's in her room. Why?"
"Come on, Wade." Lara said to her boyfriend. "We gotta get to her room before she tries something drastic."
They proceeded to run to Rachel's room and Midge followed suit.
"Is Rachel in trouble?" She asked.
"You can say that," Wade replied.
The USS Enterprise-E
"Captain, the portal is too strong for us to handle!" Cyrus exclaimed.
"Commander Crusher, report!" Data called out!"
"Main Engines are offline!" Wesley reported. "Switching to Auxiliary Power."
"Recommend we go to Red Alert, sir." Geordi told Data. "This portal is giving the Enterprise all she got."
"I agree." Data agreed. To Cyrus, he said: "Mr. Vale, go to Red Alert. Now!"
"Aye sir!" Cyrus replied. "RED ALERT!" He called. "ALL HANDS TO BATTLE STATIONS!"
Jean-Luc and Will watched in calm resolve as they saw the Enterprise's former Lieutenant Commander take command of the vessel.
"He's a man," Will said to Jean-Luc.
"Take him for all in all." Jean-Luc finished.
Ramirez to Data
"Go ahead, Doctor." Data responded.
Captain, Sickbay is piling up with casualties; I don't have enough medical staff to treat them. Kylie Ramirez was the youngest Chief Medical Officer at Starfleet at only 22.
There was nothing that this young lady couldn't handle. Except an overwhelming pile of casualties.
"I will send help immediately, Doctor. Data out."
He looked at Beverly, who had a concerned look on her face.
"Doctor Crusher-Picard," Data asked. "Will you please assist Doctor Ramirez in Sickbay?"
"Did she say how many casualties?" Beverly asked.
"I do not know," Data replied. "But I am sure it is grave."
Beverly took a look at Jean-Luc, who nodded at his wife.
"Very well," She said. She turned to Deanna and Aidan. "Deanna, Aidan, I may need your assistance."
The two counselors followed Beverly to Sickbay.
"Captain," K'Jai exclaimed. "Something is generating from the portal."
"On screen." Data said. K'Jai turned on the screen. It was the same pink and black portal with that teenage girl in the middle of it. But now the portal was engaging a pink tractor beam.
And it was dragging the Enterprise.
"Open hailing frequencies, Mr. Vale," Data said.
Cyrus pressed some buttons. "Hailing Frequencies open," He said. As soon as he said that, the tactical controls fizzled and sparked. Cyrus stepped back to avoid any hurt.
Data and Geordi looked at Cyrus. He just shrugged. "Uh…Frequencies offline?" He said.
"Mr. Crusher, report!" Geordi called out.
"We're being dragged inside the portal, sir!" Wesley said. "All main power is offline and Auxiliary power is running out."
"What about shields?" Data asked.
"Our shields are down to 75%" Wesley answered.
"It's enough to protect us from damage." Will said.
"But it's not enough to get us out of here," Geordi added.
"We are not going to reverse course." Data announced. "We are going through the portal."
"What?!" Cyrus exclaimed.
"Captain, that is highly illogical." K'Jai's Vulcan attitude started to show. "The ship will suffer amounts of damage and we'll be stranded in the middle of nowhere!"
"I am aware of the risks, Ensign" Data replied. "And they are duly noted. But if we stay here, we will be defenseless against this portal. That is illogical in itself."
"Understandable, sir." K'Jai answered. "What are your orders?"
"Shields up, Full Power," Data instructed. To the rest of the crew of the Enterprise, he instructed: "Enterprise, this is your Captain speaking. We are going through a very dangerous portal. All hands brace for impact. All families return to your quarters. There will be casualties and I expect few. Data out."
"Shields are up, Captain," Cyrus informed.
"Powers are at full maximum," Wesley added.
"Everyone, brace for impact." Data warned.
Jean-Luc and Will held on to their chairs while Cyrus braced for the rail. Wesley and K'Jai braced on for their ops deck, and Geordi held on to his Commander Chair.
"Ready when you are, Captain." Geordi asked.
Data looked at Geordi, then at Wesley, K'Jai, and Cyrus. Their lives were riding on him. If he failed, it would be on his hands. This is what apprehension felt like. He thought. Data then turned to Jean-Luc and Will. Both of them smiled at him with complete confidence. Data smiled back. Now, more determined than ever, Data sat in the Captain's Chair.
"ENGAGE!" He ordered.
Wesley and K'Jai piloted the Enterprise with full power. And with struggling force, the ship went through this mysterious portal.
Xavier Institute- Rachel Guthrie's Room
Rachel Paige Guthrie came from a long line of Timebrokers and illusionists. Even though she possessed more of her father, Sam Guthrie's (Cannonball) powers, Rachel had a little bit of her mother's powers. Candace Searcy-Guthrie's (Mirage) powers.
Even so, Rachel was always trying something with her powers. And she was always putting herself in harm's way.
"How long she's been like this?" Tony Santos asked.
"Roughly four hours," Selena Mendoza replied.
They were in Rachel's room, along with Maya McCoy, Destiny Searcy, Megan Gwynn, and Dante Lensherr (Black Wizard). Rachel was sitting in the middle of her room, in a deep meditave state. So deep, in fact, that she went into a comatose state. None of her friends could get her back.
"What was she doing?" Destiny asked.
"We don't know," Dante replied. "We went into her room and founder like this."
"She has a pink and black force field around herself." Maya observed. "We need to get her to the Professor."
"The Professor won't help her." Lara Worthington said.
The kids turned and saw her standing on the edge of the doorway. Her boyfriend, Wade Wilson, and Midge Windrider were also with her.
"Do you know what's wrong with her?" Tony asked.
Lara nodded. "Rachel's trying something with her Timebroker powers," She explained. "She opened a portal somewhere in the Institute."
"Great," Dante moaned. "Now we gotta find a big portal in the middle of the mansion. What else is new?"
Selena looked at her boyfriend. "What's up with you?"
"I just spent two days cleaning up the landfill that is Emma Frost and Northstar's apartment!" Dante complained. "It is spring vacation and I'm bored!"
"You obviously got cabin fever," Megan said.
"This portal is obviously not in Rachel's room," Midge imputed. "So where can it be?"
Lara thought for a moment. Then her grey eyes lit up. "Where was the last time you saw Sparky?"
"She was at the tree house," Destiny said. "She never told us why."
"Everyone," Lara announced. "To the backyard!"
"Holy Conundrums, Batman!" Wade exclaimed. "What are going to do with Sitting Bull over there?!"
"Uh…take her with us," Lara replied. "She's out cold."
"Hello, Rachel!" Dante shouted in Rachel's ear. "Can you hear us?!"
"Dante!" Selena scolded.
"What?! She can't hear us. "
"Come on," Midge said, finally. "That portal may not be opened for long."
The War Room-Kristy Jo Kyle & Bobby Drake
Kristy Jo Kyle sipped her coffee and placed her head in her hands. She was still reeling from the events from four hours ago. Kristy Jo knew that Midge could handle herself. And Midge didn't get that inner strength from her. Kristy Jo's mother, Joan Dawson, promised her to take care of her younger siblings before she died. Sometimes Kristy Jo thought she was too emotionally unstable to take care of them. Or herself for that matter.
"Hey, Kris."
Kristy Jo turned to see her fiancé, Bobby Drake, (Iceman), standing in at the edge of the doorway. He was looking casual with his blue cut-off jeans, and red Superman Graphic Tee. Although, they grew up on different parts of the U.S., Bobby and Kristy Jo felt like they known each other all their lives.
"Hey, Bobby," Kristy Jo greeted. "How did you find me?"
"Kurt told me you were here," Bobby replied. "He also told me about what happened this afternoon."
Kristy Jo smirked. "That was the best drama I've seen all day."
"How's Midge holding up?"
"She wanted to talk to Seth and she seemed alright when I last saw her; so I assumed that psychopath didn't kill her. But then again…"
"What?"
"I saw Lara and Wade coming towards them."
"Oh." Bobby chuckled. "Wade threatened to kill Seth?"
"I'm sure he did to some extent," Kristy Jo sighed. "Ya think I'd be able to handle this."
"Handle what?"
"This. My mama trusted me to take care of Angie Rae, Jason, and Midge. And what did I do? I took crack and heroin." She looked at Bobby. "I didn't want to take care of my younger siblings. What makes you think I can take care these students, let alone my own daughter?"
"Hey, hey. Don't talk like that." Bobby admonished, coming over to her. "You are a strong person, Kristy. You've always showed that. Your mother knew that. Angie Rae, Jason, and Midge know that. Mercedes knows that, Kurt knows that. I know this. And I'm sure Phoebe will grow up to know that her mother's a strong woman."
"Such a charmer," Kristy Jo laughed.
"I aim to please," Bobby smiled.
He leaned forward to kiss her, which lasted a good ten minutes.
It was interrupted by: "Ugh! Get a Room!"
"Shut up, Wade!" Bobby told the immature mercenary.
Kristy Jo saw Rachel Guthrie, unconscious in Wade's arms and panicked.
"What in the Sam Hill happened?!" She exclaimed.
"Don't look at me!" Wade told her. "I didn't knock her out."
"Rachel was experimenting with her powers," Lara told Kristy Jo.
"And she went into a psychic coma." Midge added.
Kristy Jo looked at the comatose Rachel, and then at Bobby, then at Maya, Destiny, Dante, Selena, Tony, and Megan, who all had concerned looks on their faces.
"What did she do?" She asked, finally.
"She created a portal in near the tree house." Maya said.
Kristy Jo twirled a strand of her fire red hair.
"All right, let's see it."
They rushed outside to the backyard. And sure enough, near the tree house, was a large pink and black portal reflecting a mirror to space.
"Whoa," Megan and Selena said at the same time.
"That's what Rachel created?" Bobby asked, incredulously.
"Yeah," Lara answered. "Freaky, huh?"
"Can we find a way to close it?" Kristy Jo asked.
"No kidding, Sherlock," Wade sneered. "Whatever brought you to that conclusion?"
"Not now, Wade." Midge scolded him.
"What about Marvel Girl?" Destiny suggested.
"What about me?" Rachel Grey-Summers asked. She looked at the other Rachel in Wade's arms and panicked. "What did you do, Deadpool?!"
"Very nice, Summers!" Wade sneered. "Blame the Merc with the Mouth. So cliché."
"Deadpool didn't do this," Kristy Jo explained. "Spartex put herself in a psychic coma while after she tried to create this portal."
Rachel looked at the portal and sighed. "I keep telling her to stop experimenting with her powers."
"Can you get through to her?" Bobby asked.
"I'll try." Rachel replied. "I can't promise much."
She closed her eyes and placed her hand on Rachel G's temple. Calling upon her Phoenix powers, Rachel S. tapped her telepathy along with her friend's.
The following is the telepathic conversation between Marvel Girl (Rachel Grey-Summers) and Spartex (Rachel Guthrie):
Marvel Girl: Rachel? Rachel, can you hear me?
Spartex: Not a good time, Rach.
Marvel Girl: What are you doing? You're scaring everybody, not to mention me.
Spartex: I found it! A breakthrough in my powers!
Marvel Girl: How can you be sure?
Spartex: Remember my grandmother telling me that my Timebroker powers can take me through different dimensions?
Marvel Girl: Yeah. But that's dimensions, Sparky. And besides, you're not a full Timebroker.
Spartex: I found a way to combine my telepathic powers and my Timebroker powers.
Marvel Girl: Hence the portal.
Spartex: Exactly! And it didn't take me to another dimension. It took me to the future!
Marvel Girl: The future?
Spartex: 24th Century to be exact.
Marvel Girl: Okay, this all sound fascinating, Rachel. But how do you close it?
* * *
"They've been communicating for twenty minutes," Tony sighed.
"I don't mean to sound cruel, Kristy Jo," Wade complained. "But my arms are tired."
"Suck it up!" Kristy Jo told him.
Suddenly Rachel Summers snapped out of her trance.
"Rachel!" Selena exclaimed. "Is Sparky okay?"
"Yeah," Rachel answered breathlessly.
"What did she say?" Lara asked.
"She said…let the portal take its course."
"WHAT?!" Everybody exclaimed.
"Why would she want to do that?!" Megan asked.
"Does that answer your question?" Dante said as he pointed to the portal.
Everyone looked at what he was pointing. Coming towards them, was a starship moving at reckless speed.
"EVERYBODY, GET OUT OF THE WAY!!!!!" Kristy Jo shouted.
Bobby created an igloo for Kristy Jo and Rachel S. Destiny turned herself, Tony and Midge invisible. Lara and Megan flew out of harm's way. Selena sped out of the way, taking Wade and Rachel G. with her and Maya jumped up to the highest tree. Dante, however, stood his ground.
"Dante!" Selena called out from behind the bushes. "Get out of the way!"
"Relax, Lee Lee." Dante told her. "I got this."
Selena looked at Kristy Jo. "He's your cousin." She told her.
"He's your boyfriend." Kristy Jo answered.
Dante raised his hands in the air. As the starship approached him, he swung his hands to the right. The starship crash landed in the Zen Garden and was headed toward the Institute. Dante used all his magnetic powers to hold the starship steady. The ship came to a full stop, two inches from Angie Rae Dawson.
"Dante," Selena said, coming over to him. "Are you all right?"
"That was so cool." Dante said. Then he fainted.
"Never a dull moment at Boatman Manor," Maya remarked.
Angie Rae came over to Kristy Jo, Bobby and Rachel S.
"What happened and why there was a starship trying to crush me?" She asked.
"Long story." Kristy Jo replied.
Rachel Guthrie woke up and found the futuristic starship near the Institute's doors.
"What did I miss?" She asked.