Dark Dawn

Chapter six: First Day on a brand new planet

Disclaimer: I do not own X-Men or any other related material. It belongs to Marvel and Fox. I do not make any money on this.

The day after Scott's return was if possible even stranger than the day before. As he walked around the mansion on his own, Scott soon realized that they had moved on.

He had been replaced.

So much had happened. Scott found himself staring at his own grave, when his thoughts were interrupted by a young woman with short blonde hair; Alison Blaire.

"You're Scott right?" she asked, a bit uneasy.

"Yes, I'm Scott" he answered, still staring at the grave.

"Kinda surreal, huh? Your own grave…?" she said, as she sat down beside him. "Wanna talk about it?"

"Do you?" Scott asked, sensing she was more curious than concerned.

She smiled nervously and tried to put her short hair behind her ear, failing, which caused her to become frustrated.

"Well, I… when we – the new teachers – asked Ororo what happened to you, she said you had died some months ago. Well now I guess it's more like a half year…"

Had he really been gone for so long?

"… and now you're suddenly back. I mean, even in this screwed up world, that's a little weird, don't you think?" she finished.

"Yeah, I do." Scott said simply.

"So…?"

"So, what? I have already said a dozen times: I have no idea how this is possible. Yet it is. Can't you see that? I'm right here! I'm alive! Flesh and blood!"

"Yes, I can see that. I'm sorry, I was just… trying to understand." She said, moving a tad away from Scott.

"What's your name?" Scott sighed.

"Alison Blaire. I teach music here." She answered, now more confident.

"You do? How did that happen?" Scott asked, glad the conversation moved away from him.

"Well, they were looking for new teachers, but they didn't say for which subjects, so I applied, and got the job." Alison smiled.

"I'm glad." Scott said "The kids could use a bit of music. How are your classes going?"

"We're analyzing music and lyrics, looking at some recent music history and you know occasionally playing something that resembles music."

"Sounds good"

"Not really!" she laughed "But at least most of them are trying."

Alison and Scott sat there for a while until a gust of wind gave Scott goose bumps.

"I'm going inside. It's getting cold out here." Scott said, and stood up and started walking towards the school. Alison did the same.

"So, how can it be you're wearing sunglasses on a cloudy day in November?" she asked him.

"I can't control my powers. The glasses keep them in check." Scott answered for the umpteenth time.

"How annoying!"

"Yeah, it is. For a while, when I was at Alkali Lake, I didn't have my powers. My body absorbs energy from the sun and transforms it to this energy blast, so since I had been isolated for long and hadn't seen the sun, there was no power." Scott recalled.

"That must have been odd"

"It was. Try to imagine seeing everything in a red shade for several years, and the suddenly you're seeing colors again." Scott said, and thought back to the first thing he initially saw in full color: Jean.

"At first it was so beautiful, I almost cried." Scott said. That probably had a lot to do with the fact that it was his presumed dead fiancée he had seen too. "But then you almost miss it. We mutants spend so much time complaining about being freaks, and being cursed, that we sometimes forget that – well not in all cases – but in most, the mutation is a gift. Only now do I fully understand why Charles called the school Xavier's school for gifted youngsters. "

Alison had been quiet for some time now, listening to Scott's musings. He really had needed to talk to somebody, even if he wouldn't admit it.

"I'm sorry. I'm rambling about all sorts of weird things. You probably have something better to do." Scott said, suddenly realizing how many personal things he had just told this stranger.

"It's alright. I like listening to you. So basically you missed seeing red, right?" Alison joked. "I have a class in five minutes so I better bounce, but I'm around if you need to ramble some more."

Alison opened the garden door, and went inside. Scott settled down on a bench on the terrace.

X

It wasn't that Logan was angry that Scott had returned. It was just too suspicious. Too good to be true. At least that was what he told himself. In fact Logan had never hated Scott. He had thought him a dick and wanted to beat the crap out of him, yes, but never hated. Scott had not been worthy as Logan's enemy. Besides Jean had loved Scott, so he couldn't have been a total idiot.

Actually the biggest reason Logan and Scott never got along (besides the fact that the loved the same woman), was that they were too alike, even though neither of them would ever admit that. Scott had been just as suspicious about Logan, when he had met him the first time. Scott was just as much a loner as Logan was, but Logan never knew that. Logan never knew much of how Scott really was, because they never talked, besides the usual banter, so when Scott died…

Even though Logan hated to admit it, he was relieved. He was sad on behalf of the others in the mansion, but never felt any grief or sorrow himself. Not like when Charles was killed. He had been devastated when Charles died, and now it annoyed him that it was Scott and not Charles, who had come back from the dead.

He pondered whether his place in the mansion would be taken by Scott. After all Scott had been team leader and shop-teacher before he died. Logan didn't like sitting apathetically in his room, so he decided to tackle the issue head-on. He went to look for Ororo, and figure out what to do. But Ororo was neither in her office or her room, which was rather odd, since it was after school.

On his way back down to the main floor, he heard her voice in –

Scott's room!

That's just typical! Logan thought to himself, and decided not to disturb them, but his plan did not go that well, because Ororo opened the door just as he passed by.

"Logan!" she said smiling "How are you? It was just telling Scott about how well you have handled his classes."

Logan grunted and walked on, and the second he had done it, he regretted. He could see through the corner of his eye that Ororo was hurt by his cold attitude, but it was too late to turn around, so he kept walking.

X

"What's wrong with him?" Scott asked his friend, who was standing in the door.

"I'm not sure" she said, and closed the door. "Logan can be a little moody at times"

"A little?" Scott asked.

"Stop it! He's been through a lot!" Ororo said.

"Well, that's the same excuse people used to use for me." Scott said.

"Because it was true" Ororo said.

"Yes… but I think it's something different wrong with Logan this time…" Scott had a vague idea of what might be wrong, but hoped Ororo would prove him wrong. He didn't want to be enemies with Logan again. It was just not healthy.

"It might…" Ororo said, knowing what the problem was, but didn't want to say it.

"So am I going to take over my classes or…?" Scott said to change the subject, if only slightly.

"I don't know, really. Do you want to?" Ororo asked.

"Well, yes, but you are the headmaster or –mistress" Scott said, hoping he didn't sound resentful. He pushed his feelings aside, and concentrated on Ororo.

Ororo looked nervously around, and said: "Scott- I… You need to understand that I was never trying to take your place-"

"It's alright, 'Ro. I know you only did what you found best at the time. And there is no one better qualified for the task than you." Scott said, and thought 'Except me', but hated it.

"Thanks" Ororo said, while looking out the window. "Think about what you are going to do about the classes, and I will be at my office, alright?"

"Sure" Scott said, and Ororo hugged him.

"Words can't explain how glad I am to have you back" Ororo said to his shoulder. She let go of him and left the room.

X

Remy was waiting for Marie when she came out from the math class. He was hiding behind a corner, when she walked by with Bobby next to her. They were holding hands. A fact Remy pretended he didn't see. Remy walked quickly by and slipped a note into her pocket so gracefully she didn't even notice it until she was sitting in the library. She reached into her pocket to find her pen, when the small note was the first thing she grabbed. Puzzled Marie opened the note:

Make each day count.

Meet me by the garage at 4 pm

Marie looked around. She was alone in the room. She looked at her watch. 3:15. She wondered who the note might be from. It couldn't be Bobby; he wasn't the mysterious type and if he wanted to ask her out he would have asked earlier, when they were together. Was this a joke, a prank? Or was somebody really asking her out? Who could possibly like her…? She had a vague idea who it might be, but did not dare complete the thought.

She went upstairs to her room, while trying to decide whether she was going to go. She finally decided that she was to curious, and one night out couldn't hurt. Now what to wear???

Marie manage to shower and get dressed up by 4 pm. She did not consider her self as a doll, but she liked feeling pretty. Her biggest problem was that she had no idea where she was going.

A couple of minutes past 4, Marie arrived at the garage.

"You're late" said a too familiar Cajun voice.

"I am never late. Everyone else is simply early." Marie retorted, her suspicions true.

"De Princess Diaries 2, you could do better" Remy said.

Marie struggled not to laugh at the fact that he had not only seen the movie, but he recognized the quote.

"Speaking of movie quotes: 'Make each day count'?"

"It's Titanic, you know. It's a classic! And it's your favorite movie" Remy winked.

"Wha- How did you know that?" Marie was shocked.

"Secret! Let's jus' say Remy know what de femmes like" he said.

"P-lease"

"You don' believe me?"

"I never said that! So where are we going?"

"Secret"

Marie rolled her eyes.

"Come wit me" Remy said and attempted to take her hand.

"You know I got a boyfriend, right?"

Remy nodded.

"And I love him."

"Okay"

"Good, let's go" Marie said, but did not accept his hand.

Remy led her to 'his' motorcycle.

"That's Scott's motorcycle!" Marie protested.

"Non, why do everybody keep saying dat?" Remy said.

"Because it is?"

"Non, I found it. It's mine!"

"That's just juvenile!" Marie crossed her arms and looked away.

"Will it 'elp if I say Scott doesn' mind?"

"No, but I would help if I knew Scott didn't mind"

"Why do women have to be so complicated?" Remy muttered under his breath.

"Please jus' come with me. I know Scott doesn' mind, okay" Remy pleaded.

Marie finally gave in, and got on the motorcycle. Remy placed himself in front, and drove. Suddenly he pulled over and killed the engine.

"What's wrong?" Marie asked. Thoughts of assault and rape going through her mind.

"Get up!" Remy said.

"Why? What's wrong?" Marie said.

"You need a 'elmet" Remy said.

"Oh…" Marie said sheepishly, and got up. "Don't you need a helmet?" she asked, when she only saw him finding one helmet in his side bag.

"Non, if my 'ead get smashed: no difference" Remy joked. "No really, it seems Scott only 'as one 'elmet. Guess 'is wife didn' like Harleys."

Marie was saddened by that comment. She took the helmet without a word and the drove on. Finally reaching the center of New York City, Marie started getting very curious and excited.

Remy parked at the Rockefeller Center.

"What are we doing here?" Marie asked, then realized "We're not going- are we going skating?"

"Yup" Remy said, his face cracked in a wide grin. "Come along"

"But it's not Christmas yet"

"So what? All the more reason to skate now. Less people." Remy reasoned.

"Good point." Marie smiled, and Remy thought his knees were going to fail him. He leaned against the motorcycle for support.

"Shall we go?" Marie asked.

Remy took a deep breath and said: "We shall"

Remy was right; though still fairly crowded the ice skating rink was not nearly as crowded as during Christmas.

Remy paid and rented skates and they were ready to go.

Marie was, as most girls from the south, not used to skating. Remy on the other hand showed enormous grace and skill, despite the fact the he was from the south as well.

Suddenly Marie fell down on the ice after a small boy had crashed into her. The boy's mother quickly pulled him up and hurried away without a word. Remy rushed over to Marie.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine!" Marie lied. Her behind hurt, and the chock had almost made her cry.

Remy reached out a hand and helped her up. A tear streaked down her face.

"Chére, what's wrong?" Remy asked.

"Nothing, I was just a bit surprised. I'm okay." She answered.

"Okay, if you say so." Remy said and held her arm while they skated on. They went faster and faster and Marie was laughing.

"Feeling better now?" Remy asked her.

"Much better" Marie smiled back.

Remy stopped them both and took both her arms. As he leaned closer and they embraced in a kiss, Marie remembered how she had seen Bobby and Kitty almost kissing on the fountain. She broke off the kiss.

"Chére?" Remy said, not understanding.

"I'm sorry, but I can't do this!" she said, and skated away as fast as she could. Reaching the exit she almost threw herself on the ground to get her skates off as quickly as she could. Meanwhile Remy had caught up with her.

"What's wrong?" Remy asked.

"You know very well what's wrong!" Marie said, and hurried away to find her own shoes. Remy followed.

"Non, I don't. So can you tell me?" Remy said.

Marie turned so quickly she almost hit him with her shoe. "Bobby is my boyfriend, and I love him, and you have no right to try to kiss me this way!"

She sat down and put her shoes on.

"Where are you going?"

"Home!"

"Then let Remy at least drive you"

"No!" Marie got up and ran away from him as fast as she could. Remy made no attempt to follow her.

X

In the evening Scott found himself once again in front of his own gravestone. Wondering whether it would have been better, if he was just as lifeless as the stone itself.

"Scott!" A distant voice yelled.

Scott ignored the voice as it drew closer and closer.

"Scott" It was right next to him now, and he was pulled out of his trance when Hank grabbed his shoulder.

"Scott, are you alright?" Hank asked.

Scott nodded distantly.

"I have great news." Hank said "I took a closer look at your CAT scan, because I didn't have anything to do while I waited for a result from this new project I'm working on, but never mind. I looked at the CAT scan and I compared it to the one we did when you first came to the school, and I realized something." Hank paused for effect "The scar-tissue that has been impeding you from controlling your powers is gone!"

"What?"

"It's completely gone! I guess when Mr. Sinister recreated you he didn't recreate your scars, since scars are not a part of your DNA. Do you have any other scars or marks that you weren't born with?"

Scott could think of many marks he wasn't born with, but none he wanted to show Hank. But then again, if the scars were gone…

"I… I should have some burns on my back" Scott said and lifted his shirt up so Hank could see his back.

"I don't see any burns" Hank said with amazement. "Fascinating!"

Scott pulled his shirt down again.

"So you are saying I can control my powers?"

"In theory you should, since the scar tissue was the reason-"

"So that's a 'yes'?" Scott said impatiently.

"Yes."

"But at the motel, when my powers came back I couldn't hold them back."

"My guess is that since you haven't been able to hold it back before, you didn't think you could this time either, and therefore you didn't try. Some mutants have to concentrate to turn their power on, others to turn them off."

"So all I gotta do is concentrate?"

"And practice of course. Why don't you try now?"

Scott concentrated. He focused all of his energy on his eyes until he couldn't feel the beams anymore.

"Step back" he said to Hank and Hank did as ordered.

Scott, still concentrating very hard, removed his sun glasses, faced the ground in front of him and opened his eyes. Nothing happened.

Scott looked at Hank, who saw his old friend's eyes for the first time. And Scott saw Hank in blue for the first time.

Scott looked up at the school, his only home.

Hank walked inside again, and left Scott alone to his thoughts.

He looked at the grave again. Gray stone. Scott felt an unfamiliar anger growing inside him. As the anger grew, his concentration weakened and his power beamed fired at the gravestone. It was almost completely destroyed, leaving only a mess of debris.

The chapter title "First Day On A Brand New Planet" is by Jesse James off the record, Mission.

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