Chapter 17- Brazil

Brazil – Kurt, Jacob, Nicole, and Jean

"It's zzzzo hot! Who decided d'we come here?" Kurt shouted as he wiped his forehead from the sweat that was pouring down his face. He looked at his watch that the professor gave him to see that his image projector was charged at full capacity.

"Yeah! Man this bites!" Jacob said as he pushed past another bystander.

The group made their way in Brazil trying to find the charter bus that ran from the city of Sao Paulo to small village somewhere in no-man's land. They sat at the resting stop of a small bench to wait for their transportation. The Professor would not let them fly the jet to the "secret location" of the man's home for fear of having an unwanted party trailing them. Not to mention the jet would stir up confusion with the locals and possibly cause more combative trouble. So now they sat trying to create shade with their hands and using anything as a personal fan to cool themselves. Their clothes and hair stuck to their skin and were damp. The heat felt stifling like a hot blanket being held around them. The sun beamed down enticing bugs and other people loving insects to dine on their flesh.

Nicole sat on her book bag and shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand. Her face was red and she didn't feel too good. Shaking the feeling off and blaming it on the heat she looked around waiting for the bus. Another bug flew by and tried to drink the nice healthy portions of sweat and blood from her arms. Nicole swatted herself causing a loud noise to echo amongst the crowd. "This is so disgusting!" Nicole said a loud as she stood and paced in front of the stop for the bus.

"Where are we going again?" Jacob asked.

Jean sighed as she tied her hair in a high ponytail on her head. Its red locks shined among the group catching the attention of a few natives. "For the last time! I will tell you when we get there!"

Nicole understood as she looked around. Jean was trying hard not to disclose any information because Mystique was a shape shifter so she could try to disguise herself to get information from the crew. Finally a crackling sound approached as a small raggedy filthy powder blue bus came crawling up the hills of the terrain coughing out pollution and kicking up the dirt from the small pathway that it rode on. The team coughed as the bus pulled up in front of them and opened its doors. They looked up to see a bald fat sweaty tan man in a dirty holey wife beater sit back and give them questioning gazes. His blue dirty jeans stuck to his calves like an extra skin. His black mustache was the only thing on him that looked groomed as he looked out to his left window and yelled some Portuguese lingo out of his mouth. Jean sighed heavily as she pushed past the group and loaded the bus by putting in her fare and finding a seat. The group followed and took seating in different areas inside of the bus. Nicole got on last to allow this family and their tribe of children on the bus first before she got on.

When she loaded she paid her due and made her way to the back of the bus to sit down near a window behind Jacob and Kurt. She looked up to see the bus getting crowded. A lady with her chickens were sitting across from her with feathers flying everywhere as they clucked and tried to escape their entrapment. Children were running up the aisle trying to find seats and men sat down coming from the port with their straw hats on talking about politics, their work day, and where they could go to get more work opportunities. The bus was filled will loud chatter and Jean was lucky to get a seat by herself. The bus made a noise as it began coming to life. It closed its doors and started to drive off making God awful noises. As the bus drove the chit-chat began to die down as some people fell asleep or simply quieted down to save energy as the humidity began to get to them. She saw one fan in the front that wasn't doing too much since it was aimed at the driver and the ribbons attached seamed to get more from it then he did.

Nicole got out her water bottle and looked around getting an idea. She looked at her water and blew on it causing the water to slightly freeze. She poured some water on the floor and focused on moving it towards the front of the bus. She made the water slither up the side of the bus near the fan and she focused on expanding the water particles. She moved it quickly in front of the fan where it turned into a nice cold mist and sprayed everyone on the bus with a gentle cool breeze and gave relief to their skin. Everyone on the bus practically sighed and the children smiled as they settled on their parents and siblings trying to capture the mist. The old lady on her side was very relieved as she smiled and leaned her head back on the bus. Nicole smiled and laughed to herself as she got ready to do it again. Kurt and Jacob stood up on their knees and turned to look at Nicole pull out more water.

"Sweet!" Kurt exclaimed as he watched her.

"Can you do more on this side? Wolves aren't made for this environment." Jacob said as he rubbed his hands through his long slick hair. "I want to cut this stuff now. It's too hot."

Nicole nodded as she got ready to do it again when their brains received a loud transmission. Knock it off guys. We are on a mission so don't blow this.

"Yes Mrs. Summers." Kurt said sarcastically to Jacob and Nicole. The guys sighed as they turned around in their seats. "Man I swear, she is now the female version of Scott." Jacob muttered as he sat down heavily. "Yah!" Kurt said in his heavy accent. "Take us to your leader!" He practically shouted. Jean turned around and glared at them as the people on the bus looked with confusion. Kurt hurriedly put his hands over his mouth. Jacob rolled to his side in laughter.

'Don't worry Jean.' Nicole called over hoping Jean picked up on her words as she wasn't telepathic. Jean nodded to her and smiled gently. Nicole smiled and did it again anyway but this time she aimed it so hopefully it would spray towards the back. This time she poured the bottle a bit and a heavy wave of cool mist settled on the members of the bus in a matter of seconds. Many people looked out the window to see where the water was coming from. Luckily they passed a small lake so Nicole was cleared from trouble. Without turning, Jacob put up his hands and did thumbs up to Nicole. She leaned up and patted him on his head. She eased back in her seat and did her best to catch some much needed shut eye.

Sometime later…

Nicole woke up to watching the dirt ground pass her vision. She tried to sit up to realize she was being carried. She looked up to see Jacob carrying her with a heated Jean leading the way on some dirt trail that began to get crowded with foliage from the jungles. She felt better but couldn't remember what happened. "Jacob…" she said quietly.

Jacob looked back with eyebrows raised. He stopped to set her down and everyone stopped to look at her. Jacob sighed to steady her. "You got over heated is all and passed out. But Kurt got you some water and we tried to keep you cool. Jean also helped out too. She diagnosed you. I guess you aren't made for this type of heat either Nicole."

Nicole sighed and they all began to walk again. "I guess not, but thanks guys. Thanks Jean." She added. Her eyes took in the jungle they were currently climbing through. The trees and plant life were dense. She looked up and saw the canopy closed around them actually blocking the sun.

"Do make sure you drink the water too before giving it off to people." Jean said smiling. She walked up to Nicole and checked her temperature. "It was pretty nice though."

"Welcome back Jean. We thought you'd gone crazy on us." Kurt said as he slapped Jean on the back.

"Don't push it Kurt. I'm still commander." Jean said with a smile as Kurt removed his hand and they both began talking in their own conversation.

"We tried to contact the others in India to check up on them but, we got no answer. They may be in India walking around so we didn't bother them." Jacob explained.

Nicole pushed a giant leaf out of her way as she hopped over a tree root. "Maybe…Logan would have answered it regardless. You guys are the ears and nose of this team so… I don't know."

"You think Chantel's alright?" Jacob asked softly.

Nicole looked up at the sullen look on his face. Jacob looked as if they were marching off to their doom. Nicole shook her head. "You really have your nose wide open for her don't you?"

"Huh?"

"She's speaking country again…." Kurt butted in.

"You are too weird Nicole." Jacob said as he laughed and walked down a hill like it was nothing.

"Whatever!" Nicole gripped a tree to ease down so she wouldn't fall and skid down the hill. "Anyway, Jacob I'm sure she is fine and you should stop worrying so much."

"What are you talking about?" Jacob asked, his nose twitched from the variety of smells all around him.

Nicole rolled her eyes. "Whatever Jacob."

They pressed on. They began walking further into the jungles, pushing giant leaves and vines out of the way. Jacob was sure to tell them where animals were that would be looking for a meal. A couple of times someone would slip and fall from the climb over tree stumps and as hills within the jungle. Vines and mosquitoes plundered the area especially where tropical fruit and nuts were held. They were all quiet as they trudged along. Kurt would transport them further ahead if he could see the destination. After two hours they had come to a clearing were they saw a nice big house surrounded by plantations of what looked like coffee beans. Nicole looked around and noticed that they were on anEjidosas people continued on performing task on the land. Workers were out cultivating and armed men made rounds around the perimeter checking for intruders or other threats to the area. Women and children were out working and some kids held textbooks reading with a woman as she sat near a fountain behind a black stone gate. As they pressed forward they had captured the attention of the armed men and soon a crew was there to greet them at the entrance. A few men began to speak in Spanish and some scurried off elsewhere.

"Stay close and keep alert. Be careful about what you say." Jean stressed through telekinetic communication as they came to the iron gate. They noticed that they were slowly being surrounded by the armed men. Jean pointed to a few men on the roof top and columns of the building. As they came closer they heard clicks as bullets were loaded and aimed at their beings. Two armed men came forward causing the group to stop in front. They spoke in Spanish to each other and then gave the crew their full attention.

"You are on private property so I hope you have an appointment." One man stated.

Jean stepped forward and held out her hand for them to shake but they just eyed her carefully. "Hi, my name is Jean and this is Kurt, Jacob, and Nicole. We have come on behalf of Mr. Chang and Professor Xavier to discuss important mat-"

"Do you have an appointment?" The other man interrupted.

"I-"

"Do you have an appointment?" The other man bellowed.

"Well not exactly. But this is-".

The guys looked at each other before giving a signal. More men charged their guns and began to aim at their forms. Suddenly a loud shot was heard and echoed in the area causing birds to fly from the canopies around them. The X-men immediately went into combat mode as Jacob ran and took out a few men in his human state. He roundhouse kicked three men and threw one into a tree. He turned around and another one came shooting at the group. With Jacobs quick athletics he avoided the gun shots and threw that man into the coffee plantation knocking him out cold. Jean immediately put up a barrier to stop any onslaught of bullets.

"Be careful! They're Mutants!" One man screamed as he ran back for shelter.

Jean's barrier reflected the bullets and they bounced off hitting one man in the leg. His cries of pain released into the air but they weren't heard. Nicole quickly created a barrier of rock helping jean with the defense.

Kurt looked around for higher ground to get out of the fray. He saw the men shooting up high and he transported on the rooftop. He quickly managed to take the guns from the guards on the building and tossing transporting them far off into the jungle.

Jacob broke the gun from one man and threw him so that he would land in the bushes along the building. The other man tried to fight him off but Jacob punched him to knock him back.

Nicole swept up the dirt using earth and created a giant swirl of dirt that blocked the sight of the remaining gunman. Jean focused on their weapons and began to take them from the men and throw them elsewhere. Jean's eyes grew big and she nodded her head hearing the voice of someone coming.

"Guys stop using your powers!" Jean shouted.

"What?" The X crew shouted as they heard the sound of more guns being loaded.

The crew stopped but were still ready to go fight. The armed men parted and quick footsteps could be heard on the gravel. They were greeted by a man in a blue suit and a white collar that flared out making him look like he was an extra on Saturday Night Fever. His black and grayish hair was combed back with a thick slab of gel as it glistened in the sun. The man stood in front with a very serious manner and he nodded at some crew members that came to join him.

"Come with me. Now." The man stated without a smile or a greeting to them. The crew looked confused. Jean nodded and walked forward out of Nicole's defense barrier. Kurt, Nicole, and Jacob shared a look before following making sure to keep a watch for the men around them. Soon they were let onto the stairs of the house that managed to suffer minor damage. As they walked with armed guards at every angle, they noticed more people was around cleaning and walking in the other direction speaking in their languages. The house was very large and upscale with antique furniture and vases that reminded them of a king's home. Nicole looked up at Jacob seeing him bristle. She touched his arm to get him to calm down but it didn't do much. His nose was working and his eyes were scanning everywhere.

Soon they came into an open room with giant white textured pillars holding up archways. They looked around until they came to a large living room where a man stood in front of an old fireplace giving his back to them. He stood over something moving on the floor wrapped in red cloth.

"I was told that you were looking for me." The man said as he turned around. His long black hair was pulled into a low ponytail and he wore a nice outfit that looked as if he was going on vacation.

"Sir," Jean started but he held his hand up to silence her.

"Alphonzo please." He cut her off. "I knew this day would come that's why I didn't take it." The man said as he looked down at the bundle in a thick Spanish accent.

"Whoa, whoa so you know about da amulet." Kurt asked trying to wrap his mind around the fact that they could have simply made a phone call to get answers. "We were almost shot t' death!" Kurt exclaimed.

"Si. I know and for good reason." Alphonzo said as he snapped his fingers and two more men came and aimed their weapons at the X-men.

"We are not here to hurt you or engage in any other radical actions. We are simply here for information." Jean stated as she tried to negotiate with the man and his armed crew members.

"I know but you see, I had another visit and I refuse to let anyone threaten me or my people." The man stated.

"Who exactly came?" Nicole asked as she looked at the bundle on the floor.

"The Brotherhood" Jacob stated as the hairs on his neck bristled.

Alphonzo bent down to the floor where the bundle was wiggling. He pulled back the red wrapping to reveal someone they weren't expecting. "Is this little punk Nino with you?"

Jean scowled as Toad looked around with wide eyes. He was roped up and his mouth was taped shut. His body was painted blue and he had on the worst red wig ever.

"Toad! You idiot what are you up too?" Kurt asked.

Toad mumbled some things and rolled his fingers as they were stuck to his sides. Alphonzo leaned down and ripped the tape clean off of his mouth. "Ow!" He yelled in pain.

"Well?" Jacob asked crossing his biceps.

"Listen man Mystique left me here. She has gone nuts!" Toad exclaimed.

"You have one minute to start talking." Alphonzo stated rubbing his temples.

"Ok ok ok!" Toad bounced on his side and looked at the X-men. "Mystique didn't like the fact that once again Magneto bypassed her. So she wigged and was talking about getting an amulet to get rid of the man and all that stands in her way of getting what she wanted. She said that if we didn't help her, we are as dead as you guys are."

"To the point!" Nicole interrupted.

"Ok! She told me I was going to stay in Egypt but then she changed her mind. She told me and Flash to come here. Flash painted me blue and I put on a wig to look like Mystique. She said to just run around in this house and steal a vase or something. Then there were guns and flash left me here. I swear that's all I know! Now can you help me out?"

"Oh my god." Jean stated as the news dawned on her.

"We've been set up!" Kurt yelled.

"What? What is going on?" Alphonzo bellowed as he shook Toad by the collar.

"She sent us on a wild goose chase." Nicole stated as she gripped her forehead.

"So that means she is either going to Egypt or India." Jean said out loud.

"What if the others are going on a wild goose chase as well?" Kurt asked.

"We head to Egypt to stop her from performing the ritual. We don't know where she was going but we do know she needs one of those temples."

"Can someone explain to me what is going on?" Alphonzo demanded.

"Long story short, The amulet that you and your team discovered in Egypt maybe part of a conspiracy for a psycho bitch's global domination bent on destroying humans and others that get in her way. We came here to see if you had the amulet. We also was informed that she was on the way here. But she set us up. You don't have the amulet do you?" Nicole stated more then asked.

"No! I knew the story behind that retched artifact. I wanted nothing to do with it." He stated with disgust.

"So where is it?" Jacob asked.

"It's in Egypt of course. In the museum." He stated.

Everyone looked at Nicole with questionable looks and glares. "Nicole you said that it wasn't there." Jean muttered tightly.

Nicole stood there with disbelief. "It wasn't, I swear. We looked everywhere and it was nowhere in sight!" She yelled looking at everyone.

"Of course it's nowhere in sight. Huddad and myself hid it where no one would know where it was." Alphonzo stated.

Everyone turned to look at him in awe.

"So where iz it?" Asked Kurt frantically.

"Inside Queen Isis's tomb where her heart is located. We respect the dead and her valiant act to rid the world of this item so we honored her wishes by keeping her the protector and sealing it with her forever." Alphonzo explained crossing his arms.

"Where is the tomb?" Jean asked.

"Inside the Museum. It's sealed behind glass and a tight alarm system. I remember passing it along the way." Nicole stated.

"Kurt how close can you get us to the Jet?" Jacob asked.

"I can't teleport us der' from dis distance but I can teleport us at different points based on memory." Kurt answered.

"Well we need to get to the jet pronto and tell the others asap!" Nicole stated already pulling out her phone to call the others. Jean herself had moved to the side to reach the minds of their fellow X-Men.

"What do we do with Toad?" Jacob asked.

"Take him with us." Jean stated glaring at the young man. "But keep him wrapped up, I don't want the weasel to escape."

"Good luck nino's." Alphonzo said as he stepped back.

Jacob hauled Toads loud form over his shoulder and gripped Kurt's shoulder. Nicole held Kurt's hand and Jean gripped his other shoulder. Suddenly, in a burst of blue dust they vanished… headed toward's a big problem.