Disclaimer: The X-Men aren't mine they're Marvel's. This chapter is filled with OCs, most of which were created by reviewers. Jaller's name comes from a Bionicle character, but although his powers and armor are similar his personality is not. Bionicle is a product of LEGO.
Author's note: You guys rock!
Who would've thought I'd make it to 21 chapters. I never thought I would. I would like to thank all of those readers who've stuck around this long with the story: Thanks for putting up with leaves of absense, short chapters, long chapters, and a storyline that weaves its way where ever it wants. It's because of you I'm still writing for D-Factor, and I'm especially thankful for those reviewers who motivate me to try to meet my one week deadlines. It's been nearly 8 months since D-Factor started and I can't say enought times how much my readers mean to me.
Read. Review. Enjoy. (and stick around)
"Where is she?"
Zendi stood in front of Jaller, feet planted, stubbornly keeping her mouth shut.
The new official leader of the Haven was very tall, towering a foot over Zendi. He wore red plated armor on his, upper arms, and legs, with a gold colored chest plate. It served good protection, though it was light-weight. Underneath he wore a dark red full-body suit. His yellow-green eyes peered out from behind a red helmet that left his mouth looking like it was in a permanent smile. It was bumpy on the top and there were dents around his eyes. His gear made him look like Jaller, the Toa Ignika of fire. Bionicle was a reoccurring theme for his team's code names and uniforms.
Jaller laughed. "Come on… Whisper, where is she?" He looked beyond where Zendi stood to Xander, who was sitting up on the couch.
Xander stood, brushing off his shoulders and looking down his nose at Jaller. "I can honestly say I don't know, even if I did, I wouldn't tell the likes of you."
Digger cleared his throat from behind Jaller, making a slashing motion across his neck, signaling for Xander to be quiet.
Jaller glanced back at Digger and shrugged. He obviously thought nothing of him. "Now, I know you know where Clay is." He looked over the mutants in the room. Zendi was standing her ground, feet set a little ways apart like she was ready to spring at him. Xander sat on the couch, steadily holding his gaze. Ash stood next to her younger brother Nico, dwarfed and staring blankly at him. Jaller knew better though, she was paying special attention to every word that came out of his mouth.
Digger drummed his metal hand against his leg. They were only able to delay Jaller for about a half an hour, and he'd been standing in the common room for another half an hour. If Clay didn't show up soon…
As if she'd heard his thoughts call him, a portal opened a few yards to the right of Zendi. The squad came tumbling out, with Clay and Portal being the last two. Portal saw Jaller in the room and froze, her portal closing unexpectedly with a pop.
"Kitsune, Portal, get Cloak to the medical bay ASAP, hopefully Jed—" Clay started. She halted midsentence when her eyes met Jaller's.
"Jaller." Clay said, her tone icy. "Can I help you?"
"Actually, you can. I have a few things to ask you." Jaller said.
"Well that will have to wait, I need to make sure Cloak has his injuries seen to." She turned and nodded at Sionnach, who started toward the door.
Jaller held out his arm and stopped him. "Not so fast, your squad and you need to stay in here until I get a few questions answered."
Everyone cried out.
Clay was the only one who kept her cool, well and Ash, who stood quietly but seemed on edge and balled her fists.
"Why?"
The elected leader shrugged. "Orders."
Clay rolled her eyes. "You and I both know that's bull shit, but if you insist." She looked straight at Digger. Jaller was paying too close attention to Clay and her squad to pay any mind to Digger as he left. Clay pointed to the couch. "Set Cloak down and take his shirt off, we'll see what damage there is that we can fix without a healer."
"I… uh don't feel comfortable doing that." Sionnach muttered, his cheeks flaming.
"You don't have to remove his shirt, and we've been over this, I—" She looked at Jaller. "Never mind, just do it."
Sionnach laid Cloak down and stepped back. Portal and Ash ran over, removing his cloak. Zendi tossed a small knife to Portal who caught it with ease and slashed open the Spaniard's shirt. Clay didn't take her eyes off Jaller, though she was insanely worried about Enrique.
Ash studied Cloak's wounds coolly. He was badly bruised around his ribs; the skin was marbling purple, black and blue. It was probable that a rib or two was broken as well. His eyelids fluttered like he was struggling to come into consciousness, and his breathing was ragged.
Ash's jaw was clenched, the muscles working hard. She bit her lip and glared past Jaller to the wall behind him. "We can't do much, he needs to see someone who can heal him."
"I thought you were a healer?" Jaller said, impassively.
"Her powers are limited, Jal-luh." Clay growled. "Now what do you want to ask me, we haven't much time."
"Only a few questions." Jaller said, smiling. "One: I see you've taken on a new mutant, why didn't you follow the rules and bring him to the arena?"
Clay glanced at Cloak, her face growing pale. She tore off her mask and threw it down. "The arena? I didn't have to bring Sionnach there, I brought him in, and he expressed desire to be on my squad."
"Maybe someone else would have liked to have him." Jaller said, taking a step forward. "The rule is that all new mutants are brought to the arena where different crew leaders have the opportunity to take them on. You did not follow that rule. That's hypocritical y'know?"
"That's not quite how the rule worked last I checked. New mutants can choose whose team to be on, and the team that brings them in has first call. There would have been no need for someone to challenge me for him."
Most of the squad was following the conversation, but it had Sionnach confused. He scrunched his eyebrows together and looked at Clay. "What the hell are you guys talking about?"
Clay turned back for a second to answer. "I'll explain it to you later… for now…" She glared at Jaller. "If you have a problem with what I've done—"
Jaller held up his hands in surrender. "Oh, no, no… this works for me… more reason for you not to be in charge if you can't follow the rules you helped come up with."
Knife and Fenris came up behind Clay and stood behind her, they were basically her second-in-commands and ready to have her back if need be. The wolf-dog stood up and resumed human form to avoid too much attention from Jaller, who seemed to always be suspicious when one of Clay's team used their powers in his presence.
The gray-skinned mutant clenched and unclenched her fists, sighing. "Okay, what else?"
"Your squad has taken several unauthorized excursions, why?"
Clay tilted her head to the side. Jaller was investigating her squad. This was not going to fly. "All excursions my team has made have been authorized."
Jaller frowned. "Just because you're father is—"
"This has nothing to do with my father, just so you know Jaller." Clay said, pointing her finger at him. "We have made lives at school, and sometimes that means we have to stay out longer or go back in."
"The trip you just took was not authorized, Dune." Jaller leaned in close to Clay's face. "I received no word of warning or authorization from Dusk." He paused and stepped back. "Speaking of which… Dusk wants to talk to you."
Clay gulped. When people said "Dusk wants to talk to you", instead of "Darth" or "your father", she knew she was in trouble. Darth didn't use his code name much, and when he did it meant he meant business. And worse yet, he set Jaller after her. She was in deep trouble.
"Is that it then?" Clay asked, her voice oddly small.
Zendi looked confused at Clay, she rarely sounded like that… like there was a lump in her throat. Not even when they talked about her family, the few times that occurred, did she ever sound small and scared. Even when someone was hurt she was more angry and worried, and willing to do everything and or anything to see them okay, than scared.
Rena noticed the change too, her animal instincts telling her something was very wrong. That and Jaller just said Dusk wanted to talk to her, she knew from experience that wasn't good.
"No, you've been charge with insubordination." He actually looked please with himself, though most of his face was hidden. Jaller held up his hands like it wasn't his fault. "You're requested to submit your authority as squad leader to someone else, and as consequence you and your team are required to serve border patrol."
"What?" Clay yelled. "You know damn well I've only done things in favor of the Haven."
"You went on an unauthorized mission just now. Don't say you didn't, because we all know you did. And look what it got you…" He pointed at Cloak sprawled out on the couch surrounded by the rest of the squad minus Zendi and Rena. "You can't properly take care of your team when you're worried about your own agenda."
"My squad is all I have, I would never—"
"But you did, Dune." Jaller said, pleased with himself. "Just look at Cloak, none of this—"
"He'd be fine if you'd just let us leave!" Clay snarled, her hand going to her sword; but the sword wasn't there. She looked down startled to see the clasp on the unstrap had been undone and the sword and its sheath were gone. She whirled around. Zendi stood with a look on her face that said she was doing this for her own good and the sword in her hands. Zendi shrugged.
"You can't just stick him Clay." She whispered.
Clay relaxed her shoulders and took a deep breath. She turned her burning eyes to Jaller.
"I will not give away my leadership, I'm plenty qualified and I don't think anyone here has a problem with it." She said matter-of-factly. "We'll do border patrol if that satisfies you, but be careful Jaller. You're makin' enemies you don't want." Clay glanced back at her squad. "Now, get out… I need to see to my squad."
Jaller narrowed his eyes and backed out, keeping an eye on Clay, who returned his gaze. As he opened the solid metal door, Digger and another mutant ran in. Jaller paid them no mind and left.
Clay sighed and looked at Zendi. "Thanks Zen… What would I do without you?"
"Well, you would have killed Jaller…" Zendi chuckled.
Clay smiled and turned to Digger and the new mutant. "Great job, Digger." She gestured over to Enrique. "Jed, I believe you know Cloak, right?"
'Jed' nodded. The mutant was pale with jet black hair. He wore what was probably hospital scrubs, he worked in the medical bay so it wasn't a big surprise. Jed also wore black leather gloves over his hands. His eyes lacked irises.
He came forward and knelt next to Cloak and Ash. "May I have a look?" He asked politely.
Ash nodded and moved over.
Jed took off his gloves and ran his hands over Cloak's chest. A soft white glow was emitted from his eyes and hands. "Let's see, three broken ribs here…" He pointed to a spot on the boy's chest. "The rest is bruising, I'm guessing the ribs are crushing his lungs, so that's why he can't get a full breath."
He shrugged and laid his hands flat on Cloak's chest, pressing down slightly. The glow came again, spreading across Cloak's body.
A few minutes later Jed sighed and stood up. "The ribs are fixed, and the slight bleeding halted. I can't do a ton about the bruises, but they should heal a bit faster." He slipped his gloves back on. "I'm not as good as Ash here, but the only plus is I don't feel the pain. Thank you for letting me help."
Clay lifted an eyebrow and laughed. "Thank us? Thank you, Jed, we owe you and your team."
Digger smiled. "I believe we can work out payment. Whatcha doin' Friday night?"
Zendi elbowed Clay while the rest of the squad laughed. "She isn't doing anything. Looks like you got yourself a date, Clay."
Clay rolled her eyes and turned to walk Jed and Digger out. "Shut yer face Zen." She leaned to whisper into Digger's ear as they left. "I ain't got plans, what do you have in mind?"
Clay took a deep breath. She stood outside of Dusk's office, a room that was attached to his private living area. Her clothing melted and changed until it was just a white T-shirt and jeans, instead of her uniform. With another sigh she knocked.
The door swung open on its own accord. Clay walked in, and wasn't surprised when it slammed shut.
Dusk sat at an ebony desk in a large black office chair. He had his feet resting on the desk, his black boots seeming larger than they really were. He wore light armor that glinted midnight black and purple, and fingerless black gloves. He wore a mask that looked similar to Slade's from Teen Titans, only solid purple and both eyes were visible. Purple eyes glinted back at Clay.
"Uh… hi?" Clay muttered, avoiding his gaze.
Dusk stood up, walked around to the front of his desk, and leaned back. "Claire, what do you think you're doing?"
Clay twitched as he used her real name. "We've been over this I don't—"
"Never mind that." Dusk said hastily. He reached up and removed his mask. It was Nick Darth, Clay's father. "Why didn't you tell me about your vision?"
Clay sighed. The seer abilities she had were shared by Darth/Dusk. The two of them would occasionally see bits of the future, thought the gift wasn't related to either of their X-Genes. Clay thought back to how her grandmother had explained it. When both her and Nick had figured out they had the seer abilities they went to the only other person they knew shared them as well, Grandma Darth.
Clay chuckled now, but it was lucky her grandmother could help them out. They figured their seer abilities were somewhat connected to their Advanced X-Genes. The seer ability itself was genetic, but only became active in those in their family with active X-Genes as well.
It also so happened that when one of them had a vision, the other saw bits and pieces of it as well. If Clay was a betting man, which she wasn't one to bet, nor a man, she would have bet on what parts Darth saw.
"You can't just go off and rescue an X-Man without at least telling me. Did Jaller come after you?" Darth asked.
"Yep. And what we did was worthwhile. We have three new mutants pledged to the Haven, though they ain't ready to come yet." Clay said, her worry melting away a little.
"And Cloak?"
"He's fine, I'm guessing you didn't see that part did you? I always knew he'd be okay, but Jaller was making me nervous. Why'd you send him if you knew he'd just delay me?" Clay was growing bolder now, obviously she wasn't in as big of trouble as she thought.
Darth frowned. "He came to me…"
"What? How'd he know I was leaving?" Clay asked, confused as well.
"I don't know." He rubbed his scar along his eye. "That's not what I wanted to talk to you about though."
Crap. Clay groaned.
"It's the other one… the… the one where the Haven falls."
I know this was kinda short, but at least you finally got to meet the dreaded Jaller. For those who were wondering last chapter were Roberto/Sunspot was: he has the Flu. Now that may not seem important, but it is.
Next chapter will probably be mostly school scenes, soccer practices, and Haven, Brotherhood, and X-Men interactions in those public spaces. What joy! Anything specific you guys want to see?