Chapter 9 A First for Everything
Nicole was in deep slumber when she felt her body being yanked back and forward. Her dreamless state began to give way to a dark image and consciousness took her the rest of the journey from her peaceful rest. Pressure lay on her arm and someone's words were being spoken to her. Her eyes peered through her eyelashes and then closed again with all the might she could muster.
"Nicole come on it's an emergency! Let's go!"
A whimper left her lips and she did her best to wave off whoever was shaking her. Her hands were caught and held tightly. Nicole grabbed onto the individual's hand and slowly opened her eyes to see what was the big deal. She stretched her legs before looking in the darkness for her phone to find the time. Seeing it on her dresser, she sat up trying to wipe the sleep from her eyes. "What?"
Chantel was suited up in a yellow and black leather suit uniform. Her yellow leather top stopped at her midsection to reveal her stomach. She had on black tight leather pants that disappeared in her yellow knee high boots. Her top had black lining that outlined where the seams. The 'X' symbol was very visible on her shirt at the top right corner.
"Wake up! We got a mission." Chantel said hastily. "Here get dressed." She handed her a dark bundle with boots on top. "Hurry up too! You need to run to the base for briefing." Chantel left and ran out of the room. Nicole sighed unsure if this was what she wanted. In the dark she could see the package in her hand. She was pleased the Professor had come back and he greatly apologized as wells as had the others do so. She of course did not want to seem bothered so she made sure to talk the incident down and not make a big deal out of it. However, she knew the Professor could see right through it but had the kindness to leave it alone. He even left her the option of even becoming a X-men and instead work with Ororo when they needed to meet with guests and politicians to discuss mutant topics. After about a month she had healed and dedicated her time towards going over situations with the Professor and discussing the best course of action. Her limbs moved and she began slowly crawling out of bed. She had a feeling what this could be about but she didn't think he would send her on the mission. She zipped up her suit and placed her boots on the floor. Nervousness settled inside of her at being on her first real mission with the others and not with the Professor or Ororo. This time she would need to trust the others and vice versa. She wasn't exactly so sure she could do it now after what happened. She laced up her boots and grabbed an elastic band for her hair.
She opened her door and darted down the hall trying to be silent as she didn't want to wake up the other sleeping students. She took the stairs down and soon made it to the Professor's office. She pulled out the hidden code box and put in the code as well as placed her hand on it for recognition. The doors opened revealing another elevator and she quickly got on and made down to the sub layer of the mansion. She could here talking the closer she got to the meeting room. She strolled in seeing everyone was seated or standing around the large table with information on a holographic device.
"So Professor, Mystique was seen where just a few minutes ago?" Scott asked.
"Outside Chinatown in Manhattan. She broke in the home and kidnapped 58 year old world renowned archeologist Mr. Houyuan Lu. Apparently his wife claims that the 'blue woman' was yelling and demanding to know the whereabouts of the amulet known as Ra's Wrath. The very same amulet that was recovered at the excavation site in Egypt years ago. Mr. Lu claimed he didn't know what the lady was talking about saying that he hasn't seen or heard of that in years. She of course didn't take kindly to his words and fled the area with him and her crew." The Professor explained.
"Why would she go after him? He's just an archeologist. He finds it but others buy or receive it to preserve artifacts." Jacob asked as he sat in full battle gear. His black pants seemed loser and baggy on him. Unlike everyone else he didn't have on a shirt so his muscles were there shining under the fluorescent lights.
"He is one of the men that worked on the excavation that Pyro dug up information about in Egypt." The professor said.
"Coincidence, I tink no'.'" Gambit said as he evaluated the information.
"My sentiments exactly!" The Professor showed them a map of the area of the holding house of the Brotherhood. "I picked up his location from Cerebro. He is being held at the docks near the bay. X-men! First and foremost is the safety of Mr. Lu. Protect him without any tragedies."
"And I'm assuming he doesn't speak English." Nicole asked as everyone turned around to see her standing near the entrance leaning on the door with a serious gaze.
Everyone just looked at her. Some were not expecting her to show up especially, because of the whole ordeal earlier. They thought that she would be against it seeing as she didn't really say anything about it anymore. The Professor nodded and smiled. "And this is why you are needed on this mission, Nicole."
"Glad to have you." Ororo stated with a smile. She was thrilled to see Nicole in the room with them as a possible new addition. She felt as if Nicole was just another extension to the X-men family and would like her part of the team. What was even more thrilling was the look on Remy's face. She watched his glowing eyes examine Nicole in her new attire.
"Bout time." Logan stated pulling out a chair next to him offering her a seat.
Remy sat back and looked at the mistress of teasing herself. Nicole stood in an almost full black leather body suit. He watched her walk around the table to take the offered seat provided. The top was heart shaped with long tight sleeves. He traced the outside following as it dipped between the forbidden valley. His eyes traveled downwards as he saw how the material stuck to her figure but smoothed it out at the same time. The top connected to the lower portion which ended at her knees. Her calves were muscular and toned. She had on a pair of leather black boots that had the cuff folded showing the inner red lining. Her hands were covered with black gloves that cut off at the wrist and showed the tips of her fingers. Her hair was pulled up high in a long loose curly ponytail. A few stray strands had escaped and know adorned her face. The X symbol sat on her belt in the front.
Ororo sat and watched completely tuning out the Professor as he spoke. She looked at Remy watching as a twitch on his mouth curved up into a small grin. She then turned her gaze to look around the room at everyone. She saw how she wasn't the only one to notice Remy's reaction. Two others seemed to take interest as well. Jean seemed to be silently communicating with Rogue who looked completely disgusted at Remy's behavior.
Rogue on the inside was annoyed and aggravated that she was feeling such a way. She saw how Remy looked at Nicole like she was his favorite meal which was traditional, authentic Louisiana Gumbo. She watched as he looked at her out the corner of his ruby eyes. She was over the Cajun and shouldn't be feeling such a way. Nicole and herself had made great strides to at least get their rocky friendship in order since her apology from being to excessive in the Danger Room. She admitted she went too far but, it was so freeing to just release tension she had built up. To have someone who could take her attacks and dish out her own without whining was a trophy. She had no ill intentions to harm her despite what everyone thought. Nicole was tough and she really did like her. But, something struck a chord inside of her at seeing everyone's admiration and Remy's smoldering eyes sharing a silent glance with Nicole. Even Logan was treating her like one of the guy's clearly impressed with the way she handled things instead of running off to tell the Professor. She didn't get much time to dwell on it since she heard the Professor give out specific orders to everyone.
"You are to get him out of there. Try not to engage in a fight. I will contact the authorities." The Professor stated nodding and looking to Cyclops.
"Gambit I want you to scout the area first to make sure no traps of any kind are made around the perimeter. I also would like you to use your expertise to find out a quick entry and exit route so that Mr. Lu can be evacuated safely without injury. Jacob, Rogue, and Wolverine, I want you to distract anyone around the area that seems to be a threat. Knowing Mystique she will have backup with her. Jean I want you to locate the room Mr. Lu is in and pilot the X jet. I want it ready and in the air the minute Lu steps foot on the pad. Storm, provide cover for the time while in flight and the minute you find Mr. Lu. Psyfire and Nicole I want you to take the path quickest to Mr. Lu. Get him and get out immediately."
"Agreed!" They all stated and everyone got up to leave.
"Nicole," The Professor cut in. "Mr. Lu maybe upset so try to reason with him and explain what is happening. You must stay by his side at all times understood."
"Okay, Professor." Nicole responded.
"Get going Xmen. The sooner we get him back to safety the better."
The whole group got up and hastily made their way to the X jet. Each member was caught up in their own thoughts on how to secure their job on the mission or personal matters. They all boarded the Jet and prepared to lift. Chantel sat down next to Jacob in her seat whereas Nicole just looked around for an empty spot. She decided to sit down near the back where the window was. She took her seat quickly and buckled her seatbelt. She looked up to see everyone's sitting arrangements. Scott and Jean sat in the front near the controls. Storm was sitting next to Gambit in the front. Rogue sat next to Logan, who sat cross from Chantel and Jacob. Everyone else was seated and now they were ready for takeoff.
"Prepare for launch people." Jean said as she switched on some knobs and pulled back the flight controls. Soon the jet was backing up out of parking and the engine roared to life. The entire craft shook being woken up and the jets firing up to take off. She pulled it out on the run way carefully as if slowly moved and began picking up speed. "Dismounting in 5…4…3…2…1." The jets rocket boosters roared with power as they steadily started to go toward the entrance and rise.
Everyone leaned back and prepared for the lift as the plane began to rise off the strip into the air. Soon it appeared from the side of a waterfall and they were airborne. Everyone loosened up after the jet was situated in the air avoiding the air traffic. Everyone stayed silent and still until they were well in the air and calm.
Scott turned his chair around to face the others. He looked back at Nicole who was sitting by herself and looking out the window forlornly. He saw the empty seat next to her and an idea crossed him. He unbuckled his seat belt and he went back to join her. His walk to the back did not go unnoticed.
"Hey kiddo! You ready?" Scott asked as he saw her look back at him.
"I think. I'm just a little nervous is all." She tried to explain.
"Don't be. I've seen what you can do and you have nothing to worry about. I'm glad you came with us despite the whole fiasco before. I know I keep saying sorry but as a Captain, I should have called it."
She held up her hand and smiled. "I told you, I forgive all of you. It took awhile for me to get here but I'm honestly over it. As long as you all have my back out there tonight then that's what matters. But, I won't be going in the Danger Room anytime soon." She said laughing.
Scott laughed with her. "What?! I was thinking of asking the Professor to make you head trainer and control monitor if the Danger Room."
Nicole rolled her eyes and turned her body towards him. "I wouldn't mind that at all. When we get back I'm going to get some rules made and post them outside the room."
"Yeah, and it will be called Nicole's Danger Room in your honor." He said as she hit him in the arm playfully. Her grin slowly disappeared however before she asked a serious question.
"What's it gonna be like?" She asked. "On this mission?"
Scott looked to her and looked forward not really seeing anyone trying to find words. "There isn't exactly a description to what we do. You just feel it and do what you have to do to save lives and protect your teammates. He looked ahead to see some of the members looking back at them wandering what was going on. "Well anyway just don't sweat it and do the right thing. Protect before fighting and always look at the variables. I believe you will do just great Nic-…" He stopped something just dawned on him.
"What is it?" Nicole asked concerned.
Scott smiled and looked down at her. "The Professor didn't give you a name yet."
"A name?" She asked looking curiously until it dawned on her what he was referring to. She laughed hoping he was joking and she shook her head. "Nope. I'm fine with Nicole. I don't want a name."
"How about Nature?"
"That's lame!" Jacob yelled. Nicole laughed as Scott sneered.
"Hey stay out of people's conversation would you!" Scott spoke loud enough for Jacob to hear.
He held up his hand and defense before making a heart tossed in Scott's direction. Scott rolled his eyes. "Well I'll leave that to the Professor then."
The Jet slowed down and it began to lower. Scott nodded and moved back to the front seat to help Jean. "Look alive people. I'm going to land away from the area so that we don't get caught. Everyone buckle up. We are now descending." Jean commanded.
The plane lowered slowly behind a small forest. They all prepared for the landing and held on until it was safe. Once the plane was landed they each mentally prepared themselves before they stepped off the aircraft. Everyone unbuckled themselves and moved quickly out of the plane onto the wet soil. The night air was warm and they heard the sounds of pelicans and the waves hitting the docks. The scent of sea salt and fish cloaked the air.
"Come on X-men! We have some walking to do." Scott commanded as he and Logan moved through the trees closer to the area.
Soon everyone was in tow walking toward the docks. The moonlight shined brightly through the trees of the night illuminating the dirt path. They all hid behind trees and foliage when they came up close to their destination. The lights shining on the platform revealed a few silhouettes but it the crates and bags stacked made it a bit difficult to see completely. There were a few busted boats clearly out of commission for a long time indicating the dock may have been abandoned.
"Wolverine, can you sense how many of them we have to worry about?" Scott asked.
Wolverine sniffed the air and replied, "Roughly four maybe five. The Brotherhood it smells like."
'Skint'
His claws came out after smelling the threat. "Sabertooth." He said menacingly.
They all still peaked from behind their waiting area. "Ok X-men! Gambit you're up." Scott said.
Gambit twirled his steel baton and took off. He jumped up in a tree and grabbed a back branch which launched him over to a giant crate to catch his landing high above everyone. They watched as he went forward jumping high above everything and disappeared on the rooftop.
They were peaking when they felt a powerful gust of wind, leaves, and mist past their position. It went by so fast that they didn't even get time to really acknowledge the abnormality in it before Rogue was hit back into a tree.
"Well hey guys, sorry I wasn't here earlier to greet you. Where are my manners?" The boy said in a quick matter as he raised his hands in the air.
"Grrrrr. Quicksilver." Jacob said as he crouched ready to pounce.
"That's my name don't where it out!" He said in a cocky tone and in a flash he was standing right behind them. "What's the matter? Can't keep up?" He asked as he moved again.
"Quicksilver! I see we have company!" A boy said who was dressed in a brown clothing looking a bit dirty and in need of a bar of soap. "Let's rock!" He said as his eyes rolled in the back of his head and the ground started to shake.
Everyone scattered and began fighting and running forming a different pattern to confuse their opponents. The sound of people fighting could be heard all around Nicole as she ran as fast as her legs could carry her towards the warehouse. Nicole was going into the air when a large hand grabbed her ankles and put her in a death hold around her middle. She looked up to see the same fat man from the Danger Room session. She found the simulation didn't exactly do his justice as he held onto her and began crushing her.
"Hey cutie! You won't be able to escape the Blobs hold." He said as he squeezed.
She just gritted her teeth and tried to kick him but it's like his fat absorbed her blows. Her hands grew hot and fire combusted from her palms. However, a red flash from underneath the blobs legs caught her attention and she cringed watching the playing care glow. It exploded underneath them and his body went backwards and hers went forward. She flipped and landed on her feet like an agile cat as Gambit came jumping from the crates above her and landing to her side.
"You welcome!" He said in a cocky tone. She looked for Psyfire but didn't see her. "Cher! Take t' da air, it's the quickest an' safest route. There iz a broken window in da warehouse where he is located. It says C3 on the side."
Nicole just nodded and ran to go look for Psyfire who was up ahead dealing with her own issues. She was going hand to hand with a loud slender female with short blonde hair who announced that she was "Boom Boom". Psyfire's hands came up to punch the woman and send her back only to have the woman counter attack and block. They fought until they moved close to the edges of the water on the docks. Both of them began throwing their powers at each other while dodging and drawing out the match. She finally saw a window of opportunity and side kicked Boom Boom off the dock into the water causing a huge splash.
She went to gain her footing when she felt the ground shake and she turned to see Avalanche shaking the earth underneath her. This caused the wooden dock to crumble and she almost fell in after Boom Boom. Jacob jumped in fully transformed and got to her before she fell between the wooden cracks of the dock. He sat her down to his side and took on Avalanche head on. Psyfire watched them scrap for a bit before she saw Nicole running towards the Warehouse and flying upwards. Psyfire focused her mind and called to Jean.
'Jean! Where is our captive?'
'Psyfire go to the third building on you right. He's in the empty warehouse with Mystique. Hurry!'
Psyfire snapped out of her conversation with Jean and flew in Nicole's direction. They saw Wolverine duking it out with Sabertooth below them and their battle looked nasty. The Blob now was fighting Scott who was getting the best of him since he lacked agility and couldn't keep up with the slender man. Storm and Rogue seem to have their hands busy with some gothic chick. She looked down right creepy dressed in all black. But something wasn't right. When they made it to the top of the warehouse Psyfire and Nicole felt someone grab their shoulders. They turned and got slung right on the opposite side from each other. Both of their bodies landed on the roof and slid a bit. Psyfire looked up at the same time to see Quicksilver smirking at them.
"Sorry ladies but you must have a pass to get in." He said in his annoying tone. Psyfire held her hand out and focused on his body. Quicksilver tried to run and do more damage but found it really difficult. His feet were moving but he wasn't going anywhere. He looked up at Psyfire with wide eyes.
"What the…?" He asked as he tried to move again.
Nicole saw the look on his face as if he was struggling. She jumped up and punched the roof and the hard cement came up around Quicksilvers legs and encased them.
"Hey, hey! No fair!" He said as he tried to get out.
Psyfire let go of the mental lock and got up. They walked over to him and Nicole kicked the ground causing more cement to rise and encasing his upper body in cement so he really couldn't move.
"Let's go!" Nicole said running towards the direction given to her by Gambit.
Psyfire nodded and raced after her. They ran to the window and peaked in to see Mystique saying something to the captive. She seemed really pissed as she got in his face and yelled. Both girls listened intently for information as well as observing the room for danger. The room was dark and filled with old crates with piles of dust on them. The windows were covered and some were broken. The large space creaked eerily.
"Where is it?" She yelled in a fury as she grabbed his shirt and tried to jack him out his chair.
The man shook and his face was sweaty and red for stress. "I don't know for the thousandth time. I was there for research of the burial not for monetary gain." He said in a frightened tone.
Mystique growled out of frustration as she threw him back down. His bindings kept him attached to his chair and restricted his moves. She was getting ready to say something before Psyfire's foot connected with the side of her face sending her sideways. Nicole ran to the captive and tried to calm his nerves.
"Wei, ni mei shi ba?" Nicole asked in Mandarin Chinese. (Hey, are you ok?)
"En, wo jue de hai hao." (Yes, I think so.)He said in a hurry.
"Na jiu hao. Wo shi lai bang ni de." (Okay, I'm here to help.)
"Hao." (Okay) Mr. Lu answered as he composed himself. Nicole could tell he felt a little less frightened after realizing that she was no threat and spoke his language. She immediately began to take off his bindings and help him out of the chair.
Nicole helped him stand and she looked over at Psyfire. Mystique and Psyfire where exchanging blows putting distance between the man and mystique much to her relief. Psyfire did a kick stand and Mystique blocked it with an arm guard. Psyfire upper cutted her and Mystique flew back from the impact off balance. Then she turned and pulled out duals and aimed one at Psyfire and the other at Nicole.
"I see the Xmen had to get back up. Well, who knew I would be that much of a threat!" Mystique said as she sized up Nicole.
"You aren't a threat, just a pain in the ass!" Psyfire said as she ran at Mystique. She fired and Psyfire dodged and jumped behind a crate. She landed and covered her head from the shards of debris ricocheting off the crates. Nicole moved Mr. Lu behind her and stomped her foot just in time to put up a rock barrier. She stomped her feet again to put up another one on the side. She pulled Mr. Lu with her and as they ran more rock barriers rose from the ground. They made a run for a metal red carrier that they use to put on trains. They ducked as Mystique let off more rounds of fury. Finally, Mystique ran out of bullets for there was a clicking noise. She threw the weapons to the side and ran at Nicole behind the metal fixture. She jumped and transformed in midair into Jacob in his wolf form. Nicole braced herself not knowing what was going on at all. She was freaked out for a minute because she was looking at a direct copy of her good friend. Mystique almost got her jaws into her arm but she was shot down by a red laser. Mystique landed against a crate and turned back into her original form her arm damaged from the blow. Nicole stepped forward cautiously to see Psyfire standing with her hand in the air glowing red.
"Get him out of here Nicole, Now!" Psyfire commanded as she ran over to Mystique and grabbed her by her head and head butted her. Mystique flew back and Psyfire began to kick her in the chest followed by a fist combo.
Nicole quickly ran to the man and grabbed him under his arms and lifted. They flew up towards the glass where they previously snuck in from. She was able to lift him even though he was heavy for her. She passed Quicksilver who was screaming his head off now begging to be let loose from the rock prison.
"Get me out man!" He yelled she kept flying forward.
They flew around the fight scene so that they didn't attract any visitors. They were almost to the jet when she saw Sabertooth running at the same speed she was flying. So she tried to increase the vertical distance between them by flying higher. He apparently caught on to what she was doing because he started climbing the trees quickly. She looked back to see Wolverine right on his heels. She weaved so that she could ditch him but luckily Wolverine lunged at him and stabbed him in the back with his sharp claws. There was a terrifying roar followed by the distant call of police sirens. Nicole saw the jet up ahead and she landed on the loading pad placing Mr. Lu down gently. They went in to find Jean cutting on the boosters. Nicole walked him over to a empty seat and she motioned for him to sit down and buckle up.
"Nicole, the feds are on the way. Get the team and tell them to move!" Jean said as she began flipping controls and turning on buttons. The engine's boosters flared and slowly the jet began to lift. Nicole quickly flew out and to collect everyone. She flew back to the scene to see everyone still going at each other's throats. She saw Psyfire flying from the warehouse. They met halfway in the sky.
"Psyfire, we gotta round up the others. The cops are coming and the Jet is taking off now. "
Psyfire nodded and flew to get help Wolverine. Nicole went to go help Storm and Rogue. She arrived just in time to see Storm blast her with a thunderbolt causing the girl to blast backwards and Rogue ran over to punch her into a tree. Rogue took off her glove and was in front of her in a flash. She touched the girl and snatched her hand away. The girl slumped down to the floor in a heap.
"We got to get out. The cops are coming and the jet is already in the air waiting." Nicole said.
Rogue and Storm nodded. Wolverine was still fighting before Psyfire picked him up like a sack of potatoes.
"What's the big idea?" He growled loudly. "Put me down so I can kill the ugly bastard." He demanded as he wiggled in her hold.
"Sorry friend, not today!" Storm said flying alongside Psyfire as they flew higher toward the jet. Psyfire handed him over to Storm and she flew back down toward the docks to find Jacob.
"Yeah Sugar, you can play with your pin pal later, but we got to jet." Rogue stated right behind them headed towards the jet.
Rogue saw Cyclops running in the forest toward where the Jet was last. She flew out and grabbed him under the arms and flew upwards.
Soon the Brotherhood began to scatter themselves realizing the cops were coming. The sirens became louder in the distance clearly looking for a path on the road to take in their direction.
Psyfire saw Jacob practically mauling Avalanche. He didn't stand a chance against the strength that Jacob possessed. Psyfire almost felt bad for the poor boy. Almost. The problem now was getting him to stop.
"Jacob let's go! Cops are coming" She yelled landing on the ground at a distance.
His ears perked up and went in the direction of her voice. He threw Avalanche with his jaws in the water and ran towards Psyfire. She hopped on his back and she tightened her legs to grip him as best she could and lifted. It was a little slow getting up their but it worked. Soon they made it on the jet.
Nicole saw Remy and sighed flying low to pick him up as well. Her fist grabbed the back of his jacket tightly leaving him to hang awkwardly.
"A romantic moonlight flight through the trees, Chere?" He asked playfully.
Nicole rolled her eyes. "Say another pick up line and I'm gonna drop you." She said as they landed in the doorway of the X jet. They went in and the door was shut tight behind them. Everyone was breathing hard and looked a little dirty but everyone was fine. Gambit sat in his spot earlier and Nicole went to check on Mr. Lu.
"Storm give us some cover so I can get us out of view." Jean commanded as the jet started to pick up speed towards home.
"I'm on it." She said. Her eyes grew misty white and soon they were engulfed in a combination of heavy fog and cloud coverage.
"Everyone here?" Scott asked as he looked around the Jet to see everyone accounted for and their guest being spoken to in the back by Nicole. He couldn't understand what they was being saying since they were both speaking Mandarin Chinese.
"Are there any injuries?" Chantel asked. Everybody just responded that they were ok or grumbled a complaint about how tired they were. Chantel looked back at Nicole watching her pat Mr. Lu's hand soothingly.
Nicole stood up and sat down across from Mr. Lu on the other side. She looked around before noticing someone was missing. "Where is Jacob?"
Chantel laughed a little and had a peach hue on her cheek bones. She looked around and did the Incredible Hulk scene where his shirt ripped off due to his transformation.
At first Nicole didn't understand. She thought about it for a second until it dawned on her. The reason why his pants were so baggy and loose was due to his transformation which meant that he would rip them if he was to transform. Bottom line is Jacob was wondering around butt naked on the ship.
Nicole laughed under her breath and watched Chantel give two thumbs up. Chantel held her heart and pretended to faint in her seat. Jacob came from the small area in the back dressed in the same pair of pants he had on earlier. She looked around to find that everyone just went on about their business talking and sleeping against each other going back into typical normalcy of a mutant at Xavier's Institute.
She looked over at Mr. Lu to find him leaned back with his hands holding a necklace and concentrating apparently in deep meditation. She leaned back in her own seat and decided to close her eyes to get some rest before they made it back to wherever they were going. She leaned over and allowed her mind to slip into slumber feeling successful at completing her first mission.