CHAPTER 8:

TRUST

—

STORM'S POV

"Sendin' Emma was an odd move."

I glance from my phone and find Rogue sitting next to me on the bench. Her legs are crossed as she gazes into the dark park. A smile spreads; I'm relieved she's still alive. Xavier never shared the specifics of the secret mission he assigned to Rogue and Gambit, and I didn't press for details. I'm just grateful they made it back in one piece.

"Logan and I had much catching up to do, and we trust Emma." I remind her.

From the corner of my eye, Rogue smirked, "Yah wanted to talk?"

"Rachel Summers isn't dead."

Rogue remained silent. She took a sip from her coffee cup, letting the steam waft into her nostrils. She must know that Rachel was still alive. I can't help but wonder how long she'd known and why she hadn't given me a heads-up.

"Government agencies all over the country are actively seekin' out mutants to exploit for the nation's benefit. They are turnin' 'em into soldiers, usin' individuals like Rachel to track down other mutants and adversaries of the state. Once they served their purpose," she paused, then shrugged, "Well, yah know what happens when yah ain' useful no more."

We sat silently for a little while until she gathered the strength to inquire about her children. I can sense the weight of their mission – keeping her and Gambit apart from their children is causing them immense guilt. She realizes they might resent them when the truth comes out, and their children learn that they haven't been deceased all this time. Despite this, they continue to fight for their children and others.

"Both are passing their academics, but Rebecca is struggling to hone her strength, and Oliver is having difficulty working with your sister." I smile, "I don't blame him. Lyla is hard–"

"Wait, Lyla is an X-Man? Ah haven't seen her since Victor kidnapped her and kept her to himself. Raven stopped searchin'."

I blinked; she was unaware. Raven had made me promise to locate and safeguard Leo and Lyla no matter what. After she passed away, I was determined to fulfill her pledge.

"I wonder what she's like."

"A pain in the ass," I mutter with a shake of my head.

Rogue shuffled beside me, then added, "Oh, one more thing. There's a new drug circulating out there, specifically dangerous for mutants. It's called Legacy." Without saying goodbye, she darted into the sky and didn't look back. I wished Remy had joined us this time, but he's likely busy taking valuables from some wealthy guy's place.

After five minutes to gather myself, I reluctantly get up from the refreshing bench and head toward the main street. As I walk halfway to the car, I feel my phone vibrating in my jeans pocket. With a resigned sigh, I answer it, expecting some urgent situation. "Hey, you need to rush back here, stat; Jason and a few other students are dying." Logan's gruff voice said from the other end of the line.

I sigh if it's not one thing…

ROSALIE'S POV

The last time I called Lyla during a crisis was long ago. Old habits are hard to break.

The evening was going well. Becca and I finally kissed, as did Robbi and Jason, which surprised me. Luna even dared to talk to a guy from the local high school and got his number. Meanwhile, Sydney and Aura were off in a corner, playing beer bong, when things took a turn for the worse.

Jason suddenly cried in the living room, where we had cleared space for dancing. He doubled over, clutching his stomach, sweat pouring down his forehead and neck. Without hesitation, I grabbed my phone and called the only person I knew who had dealt with situations like this more than once.

River had her brother's head on her lap, looking concerned. I reminded her of Lyla's instructions: tilt his head to clear his airway and take him outside for fresh air to prevent overheating. These were the exact steps Lyla had given my best friend Lily the first night I met her, the night I partied too hard and fell head over heels for her despite Yvonne's warning.

"Robbi, Lukas, get him outside."

Swiftly, Robbi supported Jason outside, shoving the unhelpful teenagers behind and crowding them. As I watched, my mind raced with thoughts about what drugs Jason may have taken and their effects. Sydney threw me out of my thoughts when she dropped to her knees, holding her head in pain, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her usually vibrant eyes grew pale. It was clear that whatever they had taken was affecting their powers.

Luna and the River instinctively helped Sydney outside, and I hoped Lyla would arrive soon. I signaled to Aura and Becca to accompany me outside, and as the party host and homeowner pushed through the crowd, his annoying voice grated on my nerves.

Regan Matthews.

"What the fuck is going on?"

I let out a tired sigh, and Aura chose to escape. Good for her.

I'm not sure how Lukas knows Regan Matthews, but I do know that he's the son of Duncan Matthews, the starting quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers. They are currently away playing against the Texans in Houston. Interestingly, Duncan used to be an adversary of the X-Men. Can you believe that Jean Grey, the Phoenix incarnate, was involved with someone like Duncan Matthews? We all make mistakes when we're young.

I see Regan is like his father.

An arrogant football jock.

"Nothing, Matthews, we were just leaving." I take Rebecca's hand and make our way to the door. He follows and grabs onto my wrist, stopping me.

Rebecca's expression tightened as she reacted to his harsh touch. Her hand found its way to the green letterman jacket he was wearing. With a swift motion, she lifted him, causing his feet to dangle just an inch above the ground.

"Becca, babes, he's not worth it. Please set him down."

She didn't.

"I shoulda known you were mutants!" he yelled, trying to break free, but Rebecca's strength didn't match him. "Your friends are gonna die; you know that mutie?!"

My eyes narrow, "What did you do?"

His sinister smile widened. Regan admitted to offering a party drug to everyone, but I declined due to my secretive past. This drug induces a euphoric experience for ordinary people while dangerously amplifying mutant abilities. Overdosing can lead to addiction or even death. He increased the dosage to identify which of his guests were mutants.

"If your friends die by the time the MRD arrives, then we will celebrate two fewer muties on earth." Some of the teens behind us hollered in agreement.

I felt bile rising in my throat, but I managed to keep my composure. However, Rebecca couldn't contain her anger. She tightened her grip on Regan's jacket and threw him head-first through the window next to the front door. I shook my head with a sigh and walked outside with her. "You need to control your temper," I said.

Making it outside, the bile returned.

Lyla stood in front of the cars in the driveway, arms crossed. Her expression was unreadable, as usual. She gave me a piercing look with her striking gold eyes. My sister was beside her, casually leaning on one hip, her calm blue eyes flicking between me and Becca, holding my hand, and then Aura, standing behind us. Skylar was sitting on the hood of a car, smoking a cigarette with a smirk on her face.

Stephanie crouched near the shattered window, checking Regan's pulse to ensure he's still breathing.

"Where's Jason and Sydney?"

Lukas and Robbi go back to the mansion with someone to discuss what's happening with Sydney and Jason. River and Luna are also missing, probably with them. Aura moved out of our way in case Lyla decided to get physical with us. It wouldn't be the first time.

"Where's Jason and Sydney?" Rebecca asked.

"Headed back to the mansion with Ruby and Micha. Elixir is on standby for their return." Malakai soothed our worry.

I step forward and head to one of their vehicles. "Sweet, let's go."

Lyla nor Malakai moved.

Stephanie carefully carried Regan to the front steps, his head resting in his hands, blood pooling from his ears.

"Dude." Skylar snorted from behind Lyla's tall form, "You're so fucked."

Can always count on her to turn a sour situation worse.

"You didn't hear what he said!" Rebecca dropped her hand from mine to move toward Lyla. Her eyes slid over her momentarily, then back to me, saying nothing.

"So, we're supposed to throw people out the window because of their words?" Stephanie suggested with a snort. She responded immediately, asking Skyar if she wanted a ride. Sky flicked her cigarette to the ground and followed.

"Get in the car. Now." Lyla's words were clear and precise. She was not in the mood to argue in front of all these people.

Aura stepped forward, informal, when approaching my cousin and Lyla, "Lyla…dude…"

I wince.

"Come on," Aura persisted. You weren't here. You don't know what that jerk is—" She fell silent as Lyla's anger turned toward her, a clear intent to harm evident in her expression.

Mali whistled, "I don't think you want her to tell you again."

Makes sense. Mali directed us to Lyla's sleek, new car. We all piled into the back, with me sitting on Rebecca's lap and Aura taking the door seat. Neither Lyla nor Mali joined us. Instead, I noticed Lyla walking back from the front of the house, approaching Regan, and exchanging words before he hurried inside.

I averted my gaze as River flashed a smile from the passenger side. "What a night, huh? Sydney and Jason will be fine. The drugs didn't cause any permanent damage, but they're going to regret it in the morning."

I'm glad to hear that Jason and Syd are doing well. However, our team won't be in good shape tomorrow morning. Even though I'm currently the team leader, it's clear that Lyla will step into that role as soon as we start training on Monday morning.

"River, cousin, I suggest you get out of that seat. Lyla is not in the mood to deal with any of us right now."

She snorted, "You worry too much. She didn't say anything to me when she adn the others arrived."

I shook my head. If River wants to find out the hard way, then by all means, let her.

Gentleman-like as always, Lyla opened the passenger door for Mali to sit when River smiled and waved. "Uhhh…hi. Get in the back."

Mali reached over River and undid her seatbelt. I know her sweet smile; I have seen it all my life. "Why don't you do that? Or do you want to stay up here with an unstable Serial?"

River nodded and crawled on Aura's lap.

Lyla snorted at Mali, helping her in, "Unstable? Really?"

"Yes. I wasn't sure if you were going to string him up or wait to see if the MRD comes after us."

Lyla didn't respond. Once Mali was safely in the car, she shut the door and moved to the driver's side.

Taking this bold opportunity, I lean close to my cousin's seat. "Since when are you two friends? Are you on the same page?"

"Since you decided to scare the shit out of us. We will talk more about this at home. Hopefully, before Mr. Summers tells Storm what happened here tonight."

Shit.

I forgot about Mr. Summers.

I am royally fucked. And come Monday morning, I will not be the leader of the New Mutants.

Back at the mansion, I again find myself standing with Lyla in Ororo Munroe's office. This time, we weren't offered a seat. Principal Frost, her wife, Mr. Summers, our leadership instructor, and the headmistress, Storm, were all present.

Lyla didn't get the chance to lash out at me. Mr. Summers was in the garage, waiting for us, with exhaustion evident in his eyes. Despite not sleeping for days since his niece's arrival, he found the strength to be there. Josh is such a narc. When I see him, I'm gonna kill him.

Speaking of Lyla, she's standing beside me looking bored, her hands buried in her baggy brown pants.

"Should we go first, or are we waiting on someone?"

Ororo steepled her fingers together, taking long breaths to control her emotions.

"Are you always this disrespectful?" Mr. Summers snapped.

"Only when I've been standing here for 5 minutes can I be in bed sleeping."

He stalked forward, wanting to teach Creed a lesson. Unlike me, she did not cower from his movement.

"I–"

I was about to confess when Lyla interrupted me. She mentioned taking some of the guys out because they felt cramped and wanted to explore the town. Sadly, Jason and Pierce ended up taking some laced drugs.

"Drugs that nearly killed my son!" Mr. Summers roared.

"But did he? Josh did a great job in repairing the trauma." Lyla pointed out.

Ororo rubbed her temples, "Rosie, are you harmed?"

I couldn't find the words, so I just shook my head.

"Great, go to bed."

I look up at Lyla, but she avoids meeting my gaze. I never imagined I would let her down, but today is that day.

"Now. please." Mrs. Braddock demanded.

I quickly exited the office and joined Rebecca and River outside instead of heading straight to my room. They were just as eager as I was to discover what would happen. I also wanted to thank Lyla for taking the blame for me. She didn't have to do that. She still shielded me despite knowing how much I resent her because of Yvonne. I'm determined to thank her and plead for forgiveness as if I were that same girl a few years ago, needing her approval.

Mrs. Munroe asks, "What do you know about Legacy?"

"It's a party drug to enhance the party's experience."

Mrs. Frost's uptight voice asked, "Do you know who created it?"

They're asking because Lyla specializes in understanding and investing in underground markets. They believe she might have information about the sources of these drugs that promote hatred towards mutants. I fear they may not be pleased with the answer.

"Yeah. Uriel and me."

Well, shit, I did not see that coming.

STORM'S POV

"This just isn't working," Alex muttered as he ran a hand through his greasy hair. For days, he had been holed up in the med bay, keeping a constant vigil over Rachel. Personal grooming had fallen by the wayside; he had yet to bother to shave, shower, or even wash his hair. The exhaustion was beginning to wear him down, and his angry blue eyes bore into Lyla, who seemed completely unruffled by his outburst. "Your pet project has gone on long enough, Ororo." His wild gaze fell on me as I studied the room behind my desk.

"Alex, please," I say softly.

"No! She's not hindering, not helping!"

I rise to my feet, fixing my gaze on him, emphasizing, "Alex, we're here to help her, not the other way around."

Alex's brooding eyes met Lyla's, but she didn't deem him important enough to look back.

Emma perched on the edge of my desk, wearing a pensive expression as she carefully polished her white nails.

"If she needs our assistance," Alex gestured sternly towards Lyla, "she's not inclined to accept it."

"I'm sure the drugs created by Uriel and Lyla weren't intended to kill mutants." Betsy tried to soothe Alex's hysterics. But he did not budge.

"Are we going to trust a murderer and a pimp?"

Emma heard enough. Her eyes flicked over Alex, demanding he "sleep."

As he tumbled backward, the couch cushioned his fall. He breathed slowly, his chest rising and falling. Hurt by the accusations, Lyla shook her head and said, "I'm not a pimp. I never force my workers to do anything they're uncomfortable with."

Betsy snapped her fingers, "Lyla, focus. The drugs."

"Yeah," she casually waved her hand, "You'd have better luck asking Uriel. He's the chemist who came up with the idea I sold. But we haven't messed with that stuff since I've been in jail, and Uriel's been here."

I glanced at Emma and Betsy before dismissing Lyla, but before she left, I spoke up. "You need to let Rosie fail as a leader, or she'll never learn."

She smiled, "So you saw right past my lie, huh?"

Emma shrugged, "Jason told us everything after Elixir healed him."

Lyla smiled as she glanced down at her green shoes. "Do me a favor and take it easy on them. They're eager to explore. When you confine someone, they'll eventually break free." With a wink, she left my office.

"She's right," Betsy said once the door clicked shut. "These kids are holed up here. We haven't allowed them to leave, and they're seeking it alone."

"And how are we to protect them with these drugs on the streets now?" I slumped in my chair, tired.

"Trust them. Give them small missions like tracking it down." Emma offered. "Of course, nothing we are trained to do but small tasks. Here and there."

"Trust we put the right leaders in charge of these teams." Betsy stepped next to her wife, slipping their hands together. "But we should get some sleep before jumping back into Rachel's messy mind."

I nod and get up from my chair. "Get some rest."

As they waved goodbye and left, I found myself missing Logan.

I wake the following morning at…what time is it?

Blurry-eyed, I looked at my alarm clock on my nightstand. It read 0530. Lyla's loud voice from a megaphone woke me from a sound sleep at 0530. There better be an explanation, or I will strike her down with lightning.

I wrapped my body in a soft blue silk robe before stepping outside into the cool fall air, tossing the covers aside. As I made my way to the back of the mansion, I saw Malakai, Ruby, and Stephanie relaxing in lounge chairs by the beach. They had their toes buried in the sand and were wrapped in cozy blankets to shield themselves from the chilly breeze.

Lyla, dressed in shorts and a sweatshirt, stood in the water shouting through a megaphone. She was closely observing the New Mutants as they sprinted back and forth along the sandy beach in a series of suicides. Meanwhile, Jason halted in the water, doubled over, and began to vomit. Lyla waded to him, took the megaphone from her mouth, and whispered something in his ear. After that, she proceeded to reprimand Rosie.

"Hey, Rosie, one of your teammates is down for the count. What are ya gonna do?"

"What is the meaning of this?"

Malakai smiled at me over her shoulder and greeted me, "Good morning, headmistress." Her greeting caught the other two's attention, who turned around and waved.

"It's not what you think."

I blink, pointing at Lyla. "It looks like Lyla took it upon herself to dish out the consequences of last night's situation." Is it hazing? Is she bullying for making her look bad, or is she being helpful?

"Okay…so maybe it is what it looks like." Stephanie winced.

"You decided to do this at 530 in the morning?" I asked.

"We've all been up since 4," Ruby said. "Lyla wanted the New Mutants to do a punishing run, but we decided they were not ready. So we agreed they should run on the beach instead."

"Yeah, after waking up for her punishment run at 3, Lyla woke them up," Stephanie added.

Logan is no longer here. He's out helping Domino regain her footing in the world. Despite hoping that Lyla would take a break and move past his strict sense of justice, she is here, ensuring that she and the rest of the team are held accountable.

"Do you want them to stop?" Ruby asked, getting up to tell Lyla.

I shake my head, "No. Where are the other teams?"

"Mine and Lyla's finished in the gym at about 5," Malakai said, sipping from her mug of hot coffee.

Ruby sat back down. "Mine are showering after a danger room session. Nothing crazy; Betts was in there with us. And the New X-Men decided to run with Lyal this morning. Now, They're on standby for water."

I turned my gaze toward the impromptu finish line etched in the sand. Noriko and Josh distributed water bottles to the New Mutants while Lyla, clearly dissatisfied, squatted in front of Rosie, shot a fierce look, exchanged a few words, and then strolled over to join me and the other girls.

Stephanie threw her a towel.

"Good mornin', Mrs. Munroe. I hope I wasn' too loud."

"Why?" I ask that a lot in the fast 8 hours.

She casually shrugged and said, "The New Mutants had to pay me back for all the trouble they caused me and my friends last night. Plus, they needed to make up for their own bad decisions. Just because the instructors ain' here doesn't mean we can slack off on our trainin'." She wiped her face with the towel and added, "We've still got work to do."

All excellent points. It looks like we were wrong about Lyla Creed after all.

"Well, classes are canceled for the next week due to the instructors being out on different missions. Continue the good work. Starting on Fridays to Sundays, you are all allowed to leave campus." My eyes narrow. I'm trusting you all to do the right thing. One wrong move, and I'll strip it from you." I sigh. I'll go into more detail later today. Make sure you all get some sort of rest."

I turn back to the mansion, wanting to go back to bed.

Our concerns were unnecessary. Our students have proven to be even more reliable than we thought. Now, we can pursue Emma's idea and allow them to undertake small missions, which will help boost their confidence.