Disclaimer: The X-Men aren't mine, they're Marvels. The OCs, well you know the deal. Check my profile for full props. Thanks guys!
Author's note: MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Or if you don't celebrate Christmas, Happy Solstice! In case you're still in the dark, the world did not end. It is safe to emerge from your bunkers.
I said this would be up on the 26th, and here it is. Tada! Actually met a deadline.
A little shorter than the last one, but this chapter is a bit of a bridge. (and no, not a wimpy one like Chapter 4)
Read. Enjoy. Review... whoops.
*Enjoy. Read. Review. Eat cookies.
"Our primary concern at this time is reconstruction." Darth announced, his voice carrying throughout the arena. He now stood in the very center of the floor, the worst of Jaller's team now gone. The lights above were damaged, and flickered, casting huge shadows across the stone benches. Nick's voice was now calming, full of strength so needed. Every muscle in his body tensed and relaxed as he took a deep breath and went on.
"Everyone is to go back to their team areas. If anyone is injured bring them to the infirmary. Any mutant with healing abilities, or personal regeneration, or any power that could help, are to also report to the infirmary. I will be moving throughout the building so if you need me use the communicators. I understand that some of you will want team reassignments… and I will assess those situations when I soonest can. If it is dire find me, or find another team to temporarily bunk with. For now I want the rest of you to clean up your team areas."
"I realize now just how out of control I let this get. As of now I am assuming the full leadership role. We will not hold contest for another peer-leader until, if ever, I deem it okay." He spun slowly around as to look every mutant in the eye. "Clay Dune will not be resuming her former role as peer-leader. Perhaps this was what some of you hoped for, but I will tell you now that it's not going to happen."
There was a shifting of eyes and in the rows to where Clay sat in between Cloak and Fenris (in her wolf-dog form).
The hackles along Fenris' back raised, her ears flattened into her skull, and her lip curled up as she turned her head to dismiss some of the looks. Many were looking accusingly at Clay like she had messed it all up for them. Rena barked gruffly to silence the whispers.
Enrique looked down at his hands as Rena barked. He was shaken by what he had let himself do, what he had almost done, to Fusion. To add to that the news of the death of Heather had struck his heart. Memories of battling alongside her sprung to his mind and he shut his eyes quickly to shut them out.
What had happened to them in the last few hours?
Clay did her best to meet the stares defiantly, but her best was not very good. Her eyes were dim and every part of her ached. She had kept her eyes closed through most of her father's speech. But now they were snapped open, keenly gazing around. Best to put on a show, when her mind was too weak to fight or argue.
Dusk drew their attention back. "I want a tally of the broken, needing repair, and needing replacement items." He turned a few times until he found Digger. "Ah, Digger. Assess the kitchen, see what we need as far as food and supplies, as well as what equipment is needed either for purchase or repair. I trust this can be done?"
The dark-skinned teen nodded, standing and placing his metal fist across his chest. "Yes sir."
"I have nothing more for you at this time. Move out!" Darth shouted.
Amidst the rustling of rising mutants, Clay turned to Enrique, putting a limp hand on his shoulder to stay him. "Wait for the others to leave… And then we'll follow…" She whispered, her voice hoarse.
"Clay…?" Enrique questioned.
The girl shook her head, closing her eyes weakly.
Cloak's heart dropped. He glanced across to Fenris, who wore a similarly worried look in her multi-colored eyes. There was more than just a physical hurt to her, they could both tell. But they stayed silent.
The arena was empting moderately, every entrance in and out was being used as the mutants filtered away.
A slight hissing above them caused Rena and Enrique to look up. Seth stood a few rows above them, hopping down with lanky, fluid strides, followed by a red-skinned mutant with horns.
"Ssspadess…" Seth said, turning to the mutant beside him. "Meet Clay Dune, Cloak, and Fenrissss… properly of courssse."
Cloak glanced at Fenris, and then stood, looking up at the mutant on the row behind. He extended his hand. "Nice to meet you Spades… when we are not fighting each other."
Ty nodded solemnly, taking the Spaniard's hand and shaking it. Enrique grimaced at the heat, but hid his pain. The new mutant raised an eyebrow when he saw the white-haired boy flinch, and in realizing why quickly withdrew his hand. He flung his hood up suddenly.
"Good to meet you too." He spoke quickly, casting a few nervous glances around. He was much too aware of the large X shoulder pads he wore.
Almost as if she had read his mind Rena spoke up. "You may want to consider a change in costume."
Spades nodded, fingering the obnoxious shoulder pads.
Clay's eyes fluttered open and she took a shuttering breath. After a quick glance around she spoke. "Let's go back upstairs."
Leo and Benj watched in horror as more and more came into the infirmary. The total was already somewhere around thirty injured mutants. The two brothers stood in one of the far corners out of the way. The bustling inside the narrow room was making the both of them jumpy.
Jed stopped beside them again. "Man, this is crazy."
Leo nodded dumbly. Benj turned to the pale mutant. "How are you holding up?"
Jed shrugged. "I'm tired. More tired than I've been in a looong time." He frowned. "I know it's not your place of concern… you have your own team back with the…" He paused," well you know."
Benj sighed. Now was the time for decisions.
Would they remain? Or would they go?
All of your futures are intertwined with that of the Haven.
The onrush of thoughts whirling through his head made him want to sit down. But instead he faced them, deciding to make a decision right there. Leo had wanted to come to the Haven for a long time… Benj wasn't just going to leave him.
"This is our new home now." Benj said softly, but clearly. "Is there anything we can do to help?"
Jed looked over the two mutants, running a well-skilled eye over them. "You two would be the most help with clean up. Seeing as Clay's crew brought you in, I'll send you up there." He gave them simple directions. "Oh, and Leo?"
The teen turned as he and his brother started walking toward the door. "Uh, yeah… Jed?"
"Forget about Plasma. He does that to nearly everyone who comes in. Everyone."
Leo chuckled. "Wouldn't be the first time."
***BREAK***
Zendi hefted a push broom and walked into her squad's common area. A giddy smile was on her face.
"You know what I love? Sweeping!"
Sionnach looked at her like she had gone insane and arched an eyebrow. He, Xander, and Zendi had just returned from the arena. They were surprised to see Portal already there, and when they realized she was crippled on the ground their curiosity increased. She sat with her head in her hands with her knees brought up. With her ankle wrecked she felt as guilty as Clay for not being out in the fight; but unlike Clay she knew she could not fight it.
Nico also gave Zendi a funny look. He swept his tail slowly along the ground, brushing glass aside. "You're pretty… excited about cleaning…"
Zendi shrugged and tossed the broom in her hands to Sionnach. The teen fumbled to catch the broom, and it clattered to the ground. The girl laughed, and turned to retrieve another. "Come on guys, the faster we go, the faster we get to hear Xander's story!"
Sionnach looked at Xander and cracked a smile. "I do want to hear that one."
Xander sighed. "We better get started then. Bet I can clean faster than you."
"Yer on." The fox-mutant growled, already beginning sweeping.
"Hey! I don't even have a oof—!" A broom flew through the air like a javelin and hit him square in the chest. Xander coughed as he rubbed his ribs and stood.
Zendi stood leaning against the hallway wall of the girl's side with a smirk on her face. Another broom leaned against the wall. "I'll take you both on."
Nico flashed a toothy grin. "I can beat all of you just using my tail."
Portal looked up from her spot along the wall. She watched with amusement as the broom battlers began. It was something simple enough to snap the mutants out of the gloom that was soon to fall again. It was heavy stuff they were dealing with, but one thing that always got the teens' minds off of things like that was competition.
Zendi twirled her broom in her hands and slapped the brush down swiftly. She pushed the broom along the ground, taking glass shards and debris with her. Sionnach already had a pile started and he swept junk from the far side of the room toward it. Zendi smiled mischievously and swept some of his pile away into hers as he was making his way over. He paused momentarily at his pile and looked at it, remembering it had been larger before. He glanced suspiciously up and saw the smirk on Zendi's face. He narrowed his eyes and flicked his tail.
So that's how it's gonna be?
He waited until her back was turned and then he snapped his fingers, conjuring a small bit of flame above his fingertips. With a sly look he shot a thin jet of blue flame at Zendi's pile of glass, melting some of the shards together like an abstract piece of art. He stopped before she whirled back around, innocently going back to work and humming.
Zendi narrowed her eyes at him and pursed her lips, suspicious of his seemingly sweet character. When she went to brush her trip's shards into her pile she grinned, noticing the melted-together glass. She looked up at Sionnach and put her hands on her hips.
"And what was that supposed to accomplish?"
He looked up, light glinting mischievously off his glasses. He lowered his glasses slightly to she could see his eerie gold eyes. "Well, it'll make it easier when I come back to steal from you."
"Or for me!" Xander chuckled, sweeping past them with the large melted shards from Zendi.
"Hey!"
They went back to work, sweeping the glass shards and rubble up like little whirlwinds, occasionally stealing from each other's piles. Thanks to Zendi's increased speed and the boys' overall enthusiasm to win they were done within fifteen minutes.
Four nearly identical piles of debris lay in the middle of the room, with the mutants standing proud over them.
"Well I think we know who the winner clearly is…" Zendi started.
"Me!" Nico shouted, waving his broom in the air.
"No way dragon-breath." Sionnach grunted, gesturing to his pile. "Mines got inches on yours."
Nico stuck out his tongue at the teen, which caused Sionnach to flinch backwards. The tongue was purple, and forked like a snake's.
"Unngh…" Sionnach groaned, stepping back a few steps. "Freakin' mutant tongues."
Portal rolled her eyes from her spot on the wall. "Leave him alone Fox-face. You aren't really one to talk about appearances."
The boy turned and glared at her, he had gotten very good at glaring though his sunglasses, and she met his gaze with even heat. Secretly Sionnach was glad he had not earned the same look that Pathos did. He annoyed her, but not to the point of hatred. It just happened to be fun to push her buttons.
Xander bent down to his pile and carefully removed the melted glass piece. "You know, I think I'll keep this." The others looked at him with a mix of expressions. He glanced up and saw their faces. "You know… as a reminder not to let this get too bad." He paused, looking down at the glass. It was bent up in places from the heat and in others the separate pieces had pooled together into a smooth surface. "And of course, the day I decided to fling myself down an elevator shaft."
That comment gained laughs.
"Story time?" Nico asked, looking at Zendi.
She shook her head. "Not yet, let's get this placed right outside the door for the big cleaning crews." She turned her head to look at the couch. Blood stains spotted its surface and the cloth was ripped in places from the fight. One of the lights overhead swung slowly from its remaining support wire. "I'll add the couch and the light to the list for replacements. Anyone want to help me lift the couch?"
"I will."
The heads in the room turned to the open doorframe (the metal door still stuck in the wall) to see two new arrivals.
"Leo…" Kitsune growled. He wielded his broom across his chest, ready to spring forward. He leapt over the pile of debris and ran at the feline mutant in front of him.
It wasn't just mistrust that spurred him forward, but a jealousy. He was well aware of Enrique's feelings for the feline mutant, feelings he couldn't get directed at himself.
Leo's amber eyes opened wide as the mutant came at him. Resorting to his combat instincts he ran inside the doorway and slid under Kitsune's broom as he swung it. The fox mutant whirled around quickly and slammed the broom down. Luckily for Leo he had moved the split second before, rolling to the side and jumping up.
"Dude! What's your problem?!" Leo shouted as Sionnach swung the broom at him again, causing the former X-Man to jump back in reaction.
"What—" Swing at his head, "—the—" jab at his stomach, "—hell—" kick at his shoulder, "—are—" head-butt into his chest, causing Leo to fall to the ground, landing on his back, "—you doing here?!" Sionnach grunted.
Leo groaned, rubbing his chest and sitting up. Sionnach had managed to slam his head into the glowing crystal on Leo's chest.
Man he has a thick skull. Leo grumbled to himself.
Sionnach sprang forward and grabbed the front of Leo's shirt, drawing him close. He bared his teeth, his muscles quivering. He was very close to going into his Kitsune shift just to smash the teenager's face in.
Benj at this point ran forward, halting suddenly and taking a stance with his knees bent to either side in a line. With a sweeping motion of his hands he shoved his hands forward like he was pushing something, sending with the motion a wall of air. The air slammed into Sionnach and knocked him free of Leo, tearing the shorter boy's T-shirt collar thanks to the fox's wicked sharp nails. He soon stood over the mutant, turquoise eyes burning.
"Thought we might be some help." Benj half-snarled. He took a deep breath, letting his anger out and stepped back from the assaulting mutant. He flicked his long blonde hair from his eyes and turned back to Leo, extending a hand to him.
Leo grasped it and stood. Part of him wanted to run at Sionnach and return the favor… but another part told him he was not up for the task.
The other Haven mutants came up behind Sionnach, Xander bending down to help the downed mutant up, but Sionnach slapped his helpful hand away. Zendi glared at the Dyson boys with a cold stare. She had just watched Leo break Clay emotionally, and was in no mood to trust him so suddenly.
"State what business you have." Zendi's voice was hard, and almost metallic in sound.
Leo glanced up at Benj, attempting to send a thought through to him. It came over a tad fuzzy in strength due to Benj not repairing the empathy link fully.
'Don't… trust.'
Benj shook his head slightly.
'Zendi's gonna kill you for what you said to Claire-Clay.' He corrected too late.
Dread, fear, and anger washed over Benj through the half-formed empathy link. He shivered. If that much emotion came through a damaged link… he couldn't stand his brother like this.
"We wanted to help." Leo grunted, swallowing his emotions. "We couldn't do anything in the infirmary so Jed sent us to help clean up here." His mouth twitched into a sour smile. "And you know how long I've wanted to come to the Haven. I had to see it for myself."
Zendi glanced at her teammates, who were all giving the two Dysons a suspicious glare.
"Are you here… temporarily… or…?"
"We're here to stay." Benj answered.
The Italian's eyes widened. She did not expect the boys to want to stay after what had just happened both to the Haven and between Clay and Leo.
Benj rolled his eyes. "Don't give us that look. We made this decision a long time ago. We didn't just change it because you guys ruined our dance, wrecked Bobby's room, and generally made things chaotic."
"Hey! The dance thing was not our fault!" Zendi argued.
Benj smiled. "Uh huh."
"Whatever, if you guys are here, help out why don't you?"
Leo nodded, walking over to the couch. He shifted with a snarl and hefted the couch with ease. "Where you want this?"
Zendi nodded her head forward and Leo waddled out the door with the couch on his back. She turned back to Benj and basically stared at him for a few moments, to watch what he would do. He met her gaze but said nothing more.
She shrugged and turned to Portal. "Portal, debris."
"On it." Portal replied, waving her arm. A portal opened up under the piles of debris and they slid silently through. The girl took a deep breath as the pain built in her chest and she concentrated on opening a portal that would keep the piles intact. She bit her lip to keep herself from crying out in pain and released the piles from a portal out into the hallway.
Leo returned, brushing off his hands on his shorts.
"Okay then, what now?" He asked, forcing a smile.
"Room assignments." A voice called from the hall.
Leo grimaced. He knew whose voice that was. And he still did not want to see her. Even still, the hoarseness of her tone upset him. He was angry at her, but the best thing he thought he could do for the both of them was just to ignore her. She was in no condition to actually deal with him.
"Clay!" Nico shouted eagerly. "Is Ash back yet?"
Clay limped in, supported unevenly between Cloak and Fenris due to their varying heights. She did her best to give a smile to the boy while she came in, followed by the two tall mutants Seth and Tyler.
"I'm sorry to say she's not. Jed probably has her helping him out." Clay replied carefully.
Nico frowned. "Ash can't heal that many people. Jed wouldn't push her, would he?"
Clay bit her lip. "I don't know, squirt. Everyone's trying to do all they can. She'll be fine. The mutants she helps will consider Ash a hero."
Nico rubbed his foot on the ground, not meeting her eyes. He didn't like it, but he knew she was right.
"Well… uh, Ash might not be helping too much. She was sleeping when we left… her legs were still glowing…" Benj spoke up.
The young mutant's head shot up and he glared accusingly at Benj. "What? Why?"
Benj glanced at Leo nervously. "Well… she healed Leo… who had a metal support beam drop on his lower body…" Nico's eyes grew large in disbelief. She had never healed anything that bad before. "His legs were shattered, and twisted but she fixed that. From what Jed helped me understand Ash was feeling all that pain and it was crippling her very literally. I helped her out by getting her to sleep. She seemed to be in pretty intense pain."
"I gotta go see her!" Nico said quickly, starting toward the door. Seth stuck his arm out and turned him around.
"Sssshe'sss resssting. Bessssidesss, I hear we have a tale to hear from Xander." Seth hissed gently, bending down to talk into the boy's furry ear. He turned his yellow eyes to Xander. "Xander?"
The pale teen blinked, and then registered what he was asking. "Oh yeah, uh do we want to do story time now or after the Dysons get their rooms?"
Clay looked around at her squad. She suddenly felt very relaxed, seeing most of her squad safe and sound. "Well it'll just take a sec to get the Dysons settled in." She looked at the two in front of her. "Allow me to explain the rules:
"Girls' hall is on the left, boys' is on the right. You will not venture into the girls' hall unwelcome and if you do you can't blame any of us girls for beating you up. We have five rooms on each side, though some are currently storage. You can share if you like, I understand Leo and Benj, you two shared a room at the Institute?" The pair nodded, again creeped out by Clay's vast knowledge. "I think you'll have to…" She paused, making a mental tally. "… Xander shares on and off with Nico, who also shares a room with his sister when he wants, Seth has his own, though he's gone during the week at his apartment most of the time, Enrique and Sionnach are barred from sharing rooms with anyone, so they also have their own… that leaves one room open… oh…" She blinked away confusion.
"Uh, Clay? Do you want to sit?" Enrique asked softly, seeing her eyes go foggy.
She nodded slightly and her supports led her over to one of the armchairs, where she sat and rubbed her temples. The squad and new arrivals rearranged themselves, some sitting on the couch, others on the floor, and Xander in the other armchair. Knife came up and knelt next to Clay's chair, ready to help her.
When Clay didn't start back up again, Zendi prodded her memory. "Uh, that leaves one room…"
"Right," She said, shaking her head out, "one room. If Leo and Benj would share that'd be great." She looked at Seth. "Seth, I know you like your privacy, but can Tyler share your space?"
Seth nodded, giving a toothless smile. "Leassst I could do when he ssssaved my butt in the arena. 'Ssssidess I'm not alwaysss here sso I'll hardly notissse."
"Great." Clay said, sitting back in the chair. Her eyelids fluttered slightly and she shuddered. "Zen, help me to my room. You'll have to fill me in on what Xander says l-l-later." She stuttered at the end and shook again, her skin shifting shades.
Zendi laid a hand on her arm and pulled her up. "Come on…" She whispered. Clay almost toppled over, but she clutched her friend, and she remained upright. "Don't wait for me to come back…" Zendi said as they made their way to the girls' hallway.
The room got very quiet as Clay's door shut.
Finally Sionnach spoke up. He turned to Xander and gave him a funny look. "Were you aware there was a flight of stairs?"
Xander grew pink in response. "Actually… no."
Sionnach tossed his head back and laughed. "Wouldn't that have been good to know?"
"Hey! I didn't have to throw myself down that elevator shaft after you!" Xander shot back.
"And yet, you did." Sionnach scrunched his eyebrows together and softened his facial features. "And I'm touched." He said mockingly.
"That's it! I'm going to kick your butt!"
"Right now?"
"Right now."
"Here?"
"Yeah, here."
Sionnach stood in a fighting stance.
Xander turned to Nico. "Put in the Brawler game."
"You're jokin'… right?" Sionnach questioned, his arms dropping limply to his sides.
"Nope. I hope your video game skills are as good as your sharp tongue."
"Guys, come on! The story?"
Xander paused. "Fine. So I chased after this guy because the idiot dropped his sword—"
"I WAS BEING CHOKED!"
"Shush. And by the time I got out of the room the lift was already sliding downward. Like any genius, I chose to follow…"
I know I didn't have Xander finish his story, but I thought since you already knew it, you didn't need to hear it again. So things at the Haven are cleaning up. But I know what you guys really want to see. Insane chaos of character conflict.
Admit it. You do.
Well it's coming. Clay and Leo still have unfinished business.
Now a point to make: if you guys got or are thinking of getting that Avengers game for Kinnect... don't play it for a long time nonstop. Cuz it's gonna hurt. Trust me, okay?
Those of you on break, have a good holiday. Just stay safe, have fun, and relax a bit from the school wind-up.