A Martin Mystery & X-Men Evolution Story
Gecko
Chapter 6
New Home and Friends
~Traveling Time to the Manor~
The trip to the mansion was simple as any trip would be during travel. As soon as they had left Torrington it was off to the airport where they would fly to New York then drive the rest of the way. All the while Diana had many questions for the Professor who was happy to oblige with answering anything on her mind. Where to begin was the real question. What should she ask? How should she word it? What were the main topics she wished to have answered first? In a way this was similar to a job interview. If an interview happened to involve being a mutant and going to a location where other mutants resigned. Yeah this was definitely similar to an interview, not. Diana would have to think about the questions but she did not want to take long thinking about them. Though the ride would take a while Diana wanted to discuss what was on her mind with the Professor; and he knew Diana was trying her best but there was no need to overthink. To save Diana the trouble the Professor cut in using his telepathic telepathy.
He understood that this was overwhelming for her. Discovering new abilities, new powers, it can leave a person confused, scared, helpless. It is never easy for new comers of the X gene. That is why the Professor built the Institute. A place where young mutants could feel safe and learn to obtain control over their impressive powers. The Professor understood how difficult it was to be a mutant. To be different. To feel like an outcast from other people. He created the Institute in the hopes of helping mutants build their confidence; control their gifts as he called them. After all, no one should have to go through anything alone, and that was why he had extended a hand out to Diana.
Now Diana was still wrapping her head over everything that had happened the last forty-eight hours. This wasn't something she was accustomed to but then again her life wasn't what one would call normal. What she had gone through should not have been a surprise compared to what Martin, Java, Billy, and herself were use to doing most of the time. Mutations shouldn't have been any different and yet here she was. Exception of such a thing, she could not begin to wrap her mind around it. Going to a school for mutants. Who knew what that would be like or who she would meet and what they would be like. Should she hide her true appearance less she be mocked? Luckily, the Professor could ease her worries.
He began with an explanation of the school's history and why he built it. Diana listened carefully, taking in every word he said. Being the good student she was Diana took an interest in everything the Professor told her. She did not interrupt him, cut him off when he spoke, nor did she speak until the Professor finished speaking himself. Once he was done speaking the Professor allowed Diana to ask any questions she might have. The pair talked the whole way to the manor. How could they not? Diana had so many questions she had to know the answers to before their arrival. She had to be prepared for anything that could happen once she stepped in the manor. The Professor assured her there was nothing to worry about. Diana would be welcomed with open arms. The students who resided at the manor were good people who will be excited when they see a new student arrive. Hearing this calmed a small amount of Diana's nerves though she could not help but still feel a slight wave of nerves.
As the vehicle came to a stop Diana noticed a large gate blocking the way. Arora spoke up saying the gate was a safety precaution and the way in was with the use of a remote control. With just the push of a button the gates opened. Allowing the vehicle passage down the long driveway that led to the manor. As the manor came into view Diana noticed just how glorious it was. Almost hard to believe this was a school. It looked like something a millionaire would live in. If the outside looked this lovely the inside was sure to be just as lovely. Now the nerves were disappearing, Diana felt more comfortable with meeting everyone. Perhaps this wasn't going to be such a bad thing after all. As soon as the vehicle came to a complete stop Diana and Auroa and Charles stepped out, grabbed Diana's things from the trunk then headed inside the manor.
Inside was just as magnificent as it was outside. Spacious, warm cozy home feeling vibes, well furnished, and it felt just like home. Living in a place like this made Diana smile with pride. She was sure to feel at home here. Question now is how would the others who lived here feel about her presence? The Professor explained to her during the drive that the other students were exactly like her but different in their own unique way(s). There was nothing to worry about. Everybody would welcome her to the manor as they would anyone else. Here at the Xavier Institute nobody had anything to be ashamed of. It was reassuring to hear that but would they hold true was the real question. Which would be answered sooner than expected as someone was coming into the front entrance. A boy around Diana's age with blue hair came walking into the room eating an banana. One look at Diana and he flashed a big smile with some piece of banana on his teeth. Diana was a tad grossed out by the banana pieces but gave a smile and wave back at him out of politeness.
"Hey dere you new here?" The boy asked. Diana could tell the boy was German based on his accent. She gave him a smile and a nod before speaking.
"That's right, my name is Diana."
"I'm Kurt, nice to have a new face at the mansion."
"Ah Kurt I'm glad your here. Diana is our new student who just arrived. I was about to show her around but since you are here perhaps you'd like to do that."
"Sure Professor I won't mind. What do you say Diana?"
"Why not, lead the way Kurt."
The pair walks off down the hallway Kurt came. Leaving Aurora and Charles behind.
"Do you think Diana will be comfortable here Professor? She may not show it but I think she may be nervous being here." Said Aurora.
"Perhaps..." Began the Professor. "But I believe with time she will adjust to her new surroundings and open up to everyone. She is stronger then you think Aurora. Miss. Lombard is capable of taking care of herself. She will adjust to her new surroundings and accept herself for who she is."
Kurt was showing Diana around the mansion. Acting out as a tour guide Diana found his attempts a tad hilarious. Kurt kept messing up a few times and took a few wrong turns. Not sure if that was just for show or if it happened on accident but it was fun to watch. While being a tour guide Kurt helped himself to asking Diana questions. He was a curious lad who wanted to know all about Diana and what kind of power(s) she had. Diana was a tad nervous. She wasn't sure if she wanted to show Kurt what she was hiding.
She looked at the watch the Professor gave her. Wondering if she would be able to hide her true form from Kurt. He seemed liked a nice guy and Diana would hate to scare him with her mutant lizard form. Although the Professor had assured her that this was a place where everyone could feel welcomed and comfortable with themselves. There was no need to hide herself and yet she was. How was she suppose to open up to people if she couldn't open up herself? How Kurt would judge her was left to be remained until she revealed her true form. Kurt became noticed of Diana's distraction so he spoke p snapping Diana out of her thoughts.
"Hey Diana is something wrong? You look a tad distracted. You want to talk about it?" Said Kurt. "I don't mean to be nosey but if you want to talk about it I'm all ears."
"Thank you Kurt but I am afraid if I told you or even showed you you might freak out." Diana replied covering her watch with her hand. Kurt noticed and got an idea.
"Hey you got the same watch as me." Said Kurt showing off his watch to Diana. "Look we are the same. I do not normally look like this. If I show you my true form will you show me yours?"
Diana thought about it for a few moments before making her decision.
"Alright, show me what you are hiding then maybe I will show you my own." Said Diana.
Kurt smiled then showed Diana his own watch before activating the button revealing his true form. The normal looking boy Diana saw had disappeared. Replaced with a blue furry figure with a pointy tail, three fingers, and two toes. A few minor differences but he still kept most of his physical appearance. This was not what Diana was expecting and yet she felt relieved to know she was not the only one hiding something.
"Now that you have seen what I look like you show me what you are hiding." Said Kurt.
"Alright a deal is a deal." Said Diana pushing the button on her own watch which revealed her true lizard like form. "This is what I look like. I didn't always look like this but...well I do now and I can't change it. Sorry if I look slimy and freaky. "
"Are you kidding? You look amazing in more ways then you know it, and your tail looks like it can accomplish more then my own tail can." Kurt takes hold of his tail to show Diana what he is talking about.
"Hey don't be so hard on yourself. I'm sure your tail is useful." Diana replied trying to cheer up Kurt. "Not all tails are equal but they are all unique in their own way. Go easy on yourself. At least your tail is smaller than mine."
"Yeah but I'll bet your tail is strong and can hold onto things." Kurt told her.
"Well I suppose it can be useful for things." Said Diana admiring her own tail. "Maybe if your really nice I'll show you just what this baby can do."
Kurt smiled indicating he was on board with the idea. Course it could have been he was happy to have Diana opening up to him. Either way he was happy. And once Diana met the others and opened up to them he would be as happy as a clam. There was something about Diana that intrigued Kurt making him want to know more about her. Perhaps it was out of kindness or it could have been more. Who could really say what it was. For the time being Kurt was was just glad to help a new friend out.
Just then, the sound of footsteps and voices could be heard coming behind Kurt. Turning around he could see his friends Rogue and Kitty coming. This was great, now Diana could meet more people without Kurt looking around for them. He flagged Kitty and Rogue down having them come meet Diana. Who was pleased to meet more kind people.
"Hi there I'm Kitty and this is Rogue. Nice to see a new face around here." Said Kitty.
"Thank you it's nice to meet you both." Diana replied. "Kurt was just showing me around."
"Well he is pretty helpful when you need him." Rogue said. "So what kind of powers do you have that brought you here?"
That was when reality checked back in. Diana had nearly forgotten what she was about to do when the girls came over. Kurt had revealed his true form now it was her turn; and yet there were more people now. More eyes would be on her as she unveiled her hidden features. But wait a minute why was she feeling nervous? There was no reason to feel that or anxious or terrified or all the above. Diana was among other mutants like herself. Kurt had just showed her his true form and Kitty and Rogue don't mind. What was the worse that could happen?
"Well...if you really want to know." Diana pushed a button on her watch which soon revealed her true hidden lizard form. At first Diana shut her eyes to avoid seeing the others reactions, but she heard them talking and opened her eyes to see their reactions positive.
Kurt was starring at her in bewilderment.
Rogue was looking at Diana, impressed by her form.
Kitty was cooing at how cute she looked. Diana's form reminded her of these adorable fanart pictures she had seen online.
"Whoa, you almost look a bit like me. Just more human like and with a better tail." Kurt said to Diana.
"Oh Kurt that's not entirely true." Diana told him. "If anything you look better then I do. Besides I may look like a lizard but I do not have any impressive powers."
"Oh don't be so modest. I am sure you have cool powers." Said Kitty. "So what can you do?"
"Well...not a lot really. I mean I can sense and dodge danger, use my tail to grab things, but that's about it. I'm not sure if I can do anything else. Maybe I can but I think I need some help uncovering more of my hidden powers. Assuming I have any."
"Well that's what the Institute is for. To help you learn to control your amazing gifts." Came a new voice from down the hallway. An older looking girl with red hair came into view.
"Oh hello there, I didn't notice you there." Said Diana.
"That's alright, you must be new here. My name is Jean Grey." Jean introduced herself holding out her hand shaking Diana's hand. "I see you are making yourself at home and opening yourself up."
"O-Oh you mean the whole lizard thing?" Diana said slightly embarrassed. "Yeah I was just showing your friends my uh newly developed form." She wasn't sure how to word it. How does one word a strange transformation like her current form? There are not many words to describe such a thing.
It was still a strange feeling turning into a mutant once again. It wasn't even remotely done. It just happened out of the blue, unexpectedly, taken by surprise. The emotions Diana was feeling were a mix of shock, anger, confusion, and fear. Her mind was wondering all over the place. Her heart was pounding. Nothing made sense and Jean could tell but did not tell Diana this. No reason to startle her anymore then necessary. It was best to take the more settled approach.
"Listen I know this is a lot to take in. Believe me I've been there. We've all been there." Said Jean gesturing to Kitty, Rogue, and Kurt. "We have all been where you are now. You are probably feeling a mix of emotions right now that it can be overwhelming. Waking up one day to find out you have these powers that you can hardly control."
"Well I wouldn't say I can't control my abilities. Don't get me wrong I understand what you're saying but I have been here before. This is not my first rodeo. Can't believe I just said that." Diana shook her head in disbelief.
"Wait, wait hold up this has happened before? As in you were this way but turned back to normal and now you are back to being this way?" Questioned Kitty. "Okay that's kind of...um what's the best way to put it?"
"If you want to say messed up or insane go right ahead." Said Diana answering for Kitty.
"Wait how did this happen?" Rogue asked.
Diana was silent for a moment. Her train of thoughts were running through her mind. She wasn't comfortable with the idea of sharing what had happened. What would they say? What would they think? As if Jean had read her mind her response was this.
"There's no need to be nervous. If you want to share you can but if not we won't push you. Just know that we will not judge you, I promise."
Feeling a tad guilty Diana had this to say.
"Its not that I'm nervous but rather I'm well...ashamed." Diana began her explination. "I have done things that I am not proud of. Things that I thought I was doing for a good reason but turned out to be a lie. I was used and I paid for my crime by becoming this." Diana motioned to her body.
"What happened?" Asked Kitty.
"Kitty we're not going to pressure Diana into talking if she doesn't want to." Jean told her. "I'm sorry Diana, there is no need for you to talk if you don't want to."
Before Diana could say anything a couple more people showed up out of the blue. Two men, both in good shape with a fair share of muscles that showed thanks to the shirts on their bodies. One man appeared older than the other. Wearing a short sleeved coat, scruffy hair with a face that matched. The other one had red hair with a pair of sunglasses that shined red, covering his eyes from view.
"Hmph, so this it the new girl Chuck mentioned." The scruffy looking man said in a voice that matched his features. He took a good long look at Diana before speaking again. "Your a little more green then Chuck described you kid."
Diana let out an embarrassed laugh. Grabbing her tail she looked away embarrassed. "Oh this? Yeah uh bout this its um...uh...*sigh* I have no excuse." Diana was defeated.
"Don't worry Diana, Logan is just joking." Jean reassured her.
"Yeah he likes to call me elf." Said Kurt laughing a little.
"Its nice to meet you Diana, I'm Scott and that's Logan as Jean said." Scott held out his hand for Diana to shake which she did. "Don't mind Logan he's always like that." Logan just gave a huff and looked away.
Neither of them seemed bothered by Diana's sudden appearance. It made Diana feel slightly more comfortable with her appearance around people. Not quite a hundred percent but getting there. Honestly there was no reason to feel insecure. Though she had gone through this unexpected transformation once before never had Diana been in front of so many people while in her lizard form. Perhaps what she was feeling was embarrassment rather then fear?
"Nice to meet the both of you." Said Diana. "It feels good knowing I am accepted by other people. Despite my...appearance. Believe me I didn't always look this way. Honestly I can't explain how this happened." Gestures to her body.
"Listen kid you'll come to see that everybody who lives here isn't exactly normal. Just look at me (shows off his metal claws) not normal." Logan told her.
The sight of the claws were shocking but Diana composed herself and remained calm. Its not like she had never seen freaky stuff before. Course one would think she would be use to such things yet she is one to be easily freaked out by unexpected scenarios. It wasn't a problem since she was capable of standing her ground in any difficult situation, but minor surprises like Logan's claw's well...its a surprise. That's the only way to describe it. Upon seeing Diana's reaction Logan put his claws back in his body.
"Don't worry kid, these claws are meant for fighting baddies and cutting things." He assured her.
"I'll take your word for it." Diana said. "Anyway uh Kurt shall we continue with the tour?"
"Oh right, I still have much more to show you around the manor." Said Kurt. "Come on let's go."
"Nice meeting you guys, I'll see you all later." Said Diana as she left with Kurt.
Not a bad chapter if I say so myself
Don't mean to keep you guys waiting but art takes time
The next chapter I'll try to speed up on but please review and enjoy this one
