WITCHE: Evolution

by Sokai

[WITCH/X-Men: Evolution X'Over, sort of] A group of young women discover one by one that each possess extraordinary, and radically unique superpowers. While they gradually learn to better harness these tremendous gifts, however, a yet to be detected evil vies to make the ultimate power his own. . . .

10. Chapter Nine Part One

W.I.T.C.H.E.: Evolution

By: Sokai

Disclaimer: I, Sokai, do not claim ownership to the workings of W.I.T.C.H. - I leave that honor up to Elisabetta Gnone. Nor do I own Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's X-Men series franchise (even though this story isn't even really related to the series, at least not super super directly, anyway. Just don't want to hear law suit claims LoL). However, I can and DO claim to own this story and its inspired ideas FROM both series.

Note: First chapter/literary piece in general of 2019, neat. =) (Happy New Year, by the way, everyone. LoL)

This particular chapter goes out to FantasticFire, a new reader to this particular tale of mine, and has been absolutely phenomenal, as well as integral toward my personal motivation to continue on (as my free time is tragically limited, but also due to previously feeling a tad discouraged by the seeming lack of interest this one initially had).

And then suddenly, as a result of FantasticFire's massive influx of reviews, other people have also been flocking to this story around the same time. LoL

Be it word of mouth or mere coincidence (as I strongly suspect, myself), I am thoroughly humbled and honored that those reading appear to truly be enjoying this story, as much as I have been writing it, all the same.

Now, if you'll excuse my mushy ramblings, please do enjoy the newest chapter, My Lovelies!

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This chapter was created/written in January 2019, then completed in March 2019.

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Chapter Nine (Part One)

During the direct aftermath of the disaster which had transpired at what was now formerly the Bayville Lakeview Amphitheater, although Himerish had been able to successfully alter the minds en masse of anyone even remotely associated, there were things which even he could not have possessed direct control over, such as the massive news coverage which had subsequently followed.

Despite his continued, general distaste concerning exerting his will over others, Himerish and, indeed, his entire faculty were all feeling quite relieved that he had stepped in within such a manner the previous evening, especially considering the absolute firestorm which was already unfolding within the media, thanks to the event having directly involved a pretty well known celebrity, as well.

Her own mind having been successfully muted, the only thing the traditionally bold and charismatic Karmilla could seem to independently recall during her noticeably far more subdued appearance, as well as interview (the first of many, there would be no doubt), was: "One second, I'm on stage and performing, like always . . . and then suddenly there was a loud popping noise, a-and the stage lights above me were coming down! And t-then . . . I suppose, I was presumably knocked out by one of them in the process, because the only thing I can clearly remember beyond that was coming to on the field, where I guess I was maybe dragged to safety onto by an unknown savior . . . b-before the fire which had apparently broken out onto the stage could have consumed me! To the individual who rescued me, I'm eternally in your debt, am absolutely thankful to be alive, and that I'd also made it out of there with nothing more than a few scrapes and a sprained ankle. . . ."

Although merely her premiere statement toward the near tragic event, it nonetheless appeared to bode rather well for the city, as perhaps the famous singer, as well as her general management would so far not be attempting to pursue potential lawsuits geared toward any possible negligence for not having taken further precautions to ensure absolutely everything had been up to code prior to last night's rock concert.

Miraculous, to be sure; however, this overall event would unavoidably place the otherwise thankfully undermined Bayville within the spotlight for quite some time, good or bad . . . which was why Himerish had felt it absolutely necessary to call forth an emergency assembly with his student body following the conclusion of breakfast the very next morning. . . .

If they were to possess any chance of walking away from the overall disturbance relatively unscathed as a city – Moreover, unscathed and continually undetected as being mutants, then it was vital that everyone remained united and well informed going forward.

This, and Himerish, as his primary concern at present, merely wished for the opportunity to look upon the many faces of his students for himself, in order to be further reassured that each and every one of them was safe. . . .

A mandatory head count had already been implemented immediately upon arriving back to the mansion, particularly for any straggling students which he and some of his fellow faculty had ventured out to personally claim the previous evening - His dear Elyon frightfully included.

And although all one hundred sixty-three had thankfully been accounted for by then, it was still better to err on the side caution once more today, as Himerish silently scanned the growing crowd before him and quickly began tallying his students up all over again.

Moreover, it was an even greater blessing that those who had been there during the initial chaos did not appear to have sustained any substantial injuries, if at all, including the select few who had bravely remained behind in order to help direct fellow concertgoers to safety.

In fact, the only students whom Himerish was readily aware would be absent from that morning's assembly, as a result of regrettably having been admitted to the school's infirmary the previous night, were Irma and Elyon, both of whom had garnered a considerable amount of trauma as a price for their apparent heroism. . . .

. . . . Admittedly, Elyon had needed quite a bit of coaxing to remain within the infirmary under general observation overnight as, truth be told, she had been more so exhausted rather than anything else once she and her fellow housemates had been collected and transported back home.

By comparison, it certainly had been Irma to have suffered so greatly, to be sure, and the poor girl's positively battered and disheveled appearance had nearly broken Himerish's heart upon initial sight.

Having witnessed this only served within making Himerish feel that much more guilt ridden, and honestly a bit as though he had failed somewhere along the way within his general mission to bring about peace and unity amongst humanity as a whole, if he could have allowed for even one of his students to have befallen to such a fate.

Not even within any of their Danger Room training sequences had any of Himerish's pupils walked away from them with anything more than the usual few scrapes, or perhaps the strong need to periodically ice a few limbs for the next few days.

Plus, it had always been an added boon that the school was equipped with a fully stocked and up to date personal infirmary, coupled with a few members of faculty whom were always at the ready and were trained to heal, be it medically or quite literally.

Perhaps the lack of major activity within recent times had made Himerish's overall vigilance rather lax over time . . . making last evening's chain of events quite the wake up call, as a result.

And maybe . . . it was regrettably at last time for him to officially implement the course of action which had so long ago been weightlessly suggested amongst his most trusted colleagues, yet he had always hoped would never be needed. . . .

After all, to do so would mean to call upon his students within a manner he never had before, yet after last night's bedlam, could he honestly say with confidence that it would be a fair thing to do?

Certainly ironic, to be sure, given his overall feelings.

Still . . . would it be fair not to?

As the last remainder of his student body trickled into the vast auditorium, a distinct shift from lingering sleepiness to alert wariness immediately began to blanket onto Himerish's assemblage, a note which only further reminded him just how much the lot of them truly did look to him for guidance, and how much they had each come to depend upon him as their one constant of reassurance.

If there was ever a moment to prove to them that he still deserved to be their faithful headmaster, it was now . . . whether or not he, himself, would always believe the same.

". . . . Good morning to you all, yet again. My thanks in meeting with me – With your other instructors, alongside myself, that is," Himerish regrettably stumbled out verbally, not off to the reinforced beginning of what he'd hoped would be the calming address his pupils were clearly seeking. ". . . . I can only imagine that getting to sleep at all last night might have been quite the challenge for a lot of you, especially those who had attended Karmilla's concert prior . . . to the very unforeseen calamity. This is obviously the primary reasoning behind this morning's assembly, so that I may hopefully allay any possessing concerns you might have regarding the matter. . . ."

All at once did a good many of Himerish's students suddenly speak up, evidently forgetting their otherwise consistent school etiquette, as he'd then unintentionally opened up the floor a tad too prematurely.

Himerish let out a soft exhale of understanding all the same, gently rubbing at his right temple from where he continued to stand from behind the tall wooden podium which had been erected within the middle of the large stage, before then looking on either side of himself toward his patiently seated faculty.

As capable as he generally was and strove to remain, it was always lovely to know that he still possessed comrades who stood behind him within support, even admittedly whenever he would habitually attempt to take on the world's woes all on his own. . . .

Himerish slowly returned the warm smile of unanimous support being bestowed onto him, before a rising Kadma appeared to center herself on her way toward the podium to evidently speak on his behalf.

Allowing the kind simper to fade away and be entirely replaced by the far more familiar cool, and collected facial expression she'd habitually possess otherwise, she began.

"Students . . . Students, please. Please, calm yourselves as best you can, or else we might never get through what is meant to be an informative assembly," she stated calmly into the microphone before her, her strong, naturally authoritative voice reverberating throughout the large auditorium and admittedly already returning order amongst the young populace as it so often would.

Despite this, however, out of their ongoing, mutual respect toward one another, Kadma paused a moment before continuing, as she instead gave Himerish a singular glance where he now stood at her side in order to decipher whether or not he would wish for the room back, now that their students had thankfully settled back down.

And as much as he admittedly would have preferred she continued carrying on a bit longer, at least long enough for him to conclude gathering his thoughts as best he could, Himerish gave his old friend one final smile before lightly resting an appreciative hand upon her right shoulder.

"Thank you for that, Professor Starlighter," he then openly expressed his ongoing gratitude, carefully moving back in front of the podium as Kadma quietly nodded within response before returning to her seat. Taking a deep breath, Himerish returned his full attention back onto his awaiting students and began anew. "Now, then. . . . Last night, I know, without a doubt, must have been truly terrifying for a good majority of you, whether or not you'd attended the concert, as I'd said. To be anywhere, to live anywhere where the safety you've come to expect, even take for granted as a result to suddenly be disturbed so jarringly is an event not easily washed away, by any means. . . . And so, as such, please do be aware that all of you are more than welcome to come see me, or Professor Chacon at any time if you feel the need to talk about what's happened. . . .

"Until then . . . as for what had actually happened, as I am sure you are all quite itching to fully comprehend, it is as you've probably by now already heard on the news: The unexpected earthquake we'd experienced earlier within the week had evidently triggered a tremendous amount of faulty electrical and gas lines, which clearly had not been checked in time before the concert. . . . Thankfully, of course, no one had perished or was seriously injured during the aftermath. However . . . I am afraid that I still owe all of you a profound apology, all the same, as . . . as all of this falls on I, and I, alone as your headmaster to ensure your safety. And clearly, as of last night, I have wholeheartedly failed. . . ."

Himerish had every intention of pressing forward with his self administered tongue lashing, were it not for the sudden, verbal objections bombarding him from all sides, both from students and faculty alike.

He would truly find himself far more touched by the open act of continued loyalty, had he not also felt utterly flabbergasted, instead . . . especially upon witnessing that it appeared that this time Kadma hadn't any intention to assist him once more.

Instead, she remained seated, a firm scowl now etched upon her face as she, too, openly voiced her disapproval alongside the masses.

Allowing a few more moments for the honestly organized anarchy to continue, Himerish raised one hand into the air and faintly smiled toward the sea of faces before him as he breathed into the microphone, "I . . . I thank you all for your . . . rather touching display. Truly. However, the fact of the matter is that I'd made a promise to each and every one of your parents and guardians that you would be protected here while underneath my tutelage. . . . And while that before had never really not been the case, having something so sudden and so close to the institute will not be something your families will be able to turn a blind eye toward," he finished, a bit ominously, sensing that the otherwise obvious implication within his words were not yet completely ringing true for everyone within the pack auditorium.

Thankful for this, Himerish then took the next few moments of relative 'peace' to hurriedly progress the school assembly even further.

"Now . . . come Monday, I am quite certain that a lot of your fellow students at 'Bayville High School' will undoubtedly be talking about the incident as well, and perhaps might even ask you directly if you might have learned anything new. But, please, again, rest assured that it is as I've already informed you and thus, feel free to repeat the very same. . . . Until then, however, I am afraid that in light of all of this, as well as to keep within the spirit of safety, I am hereby sequestering all students solely to campus grounds for the entirety of this weekend. . . ."

Himerish couldn't help but heave a deep sigh of relief just then, admittedly unable to prevent himself from beginning to chuckle as well while listening to his once wholly nonplussed students apparently forget all about that, as majority of the auditorium positively erupted into a multitude of groans of obvious protest.

"W-What? But I have a date with Nick later tonight!"

"But we were gonna go see that new comedy which was just released in theaters on Wednesday!"

In spite of the prior evening's unexpected pandemonium, in addition to the lingering uncertainty of its ultimate aftermath, it was truly uplifting to Himerish to both see and hear how easily his students could fall back in line and simply be teenagers.

It certainly helped further renew the admittedly wavering resolution toward his overall competence as their headmaster.

"Now, now, let's settle down, please, everyone. While I am truly sorry for any . . . inconvenience this has obviously placed upon a lot of your impending plans, it is better that we be absolutely safe than sorry. As it is, I am quite certain there shall be lingering commotion ongoing for the next several days, as the authorities continue gathering as much information and evidence as they can about the accident, while the local news outlets all do the same," Himerish explained, his previous smile weakening as he drew everyone's attention back onto the serious matter at hand. "In the meantime, I am rather confident you all could find some way to entertain yourselves for the next two days, yes? After all, this is, as our more seasoned residents are well aware by now, a 'decked out mansion,' as you say! . . . . Ahem . . . y-yes, well, then! Before you are all dismissed, there is one more note to add, and that is we will be instituting an additional Danger Room training session starting next week! And before anyone might object, as I'm fairly certain you will, this is being done as a direct result of last night's incident, so that we can make doubly sure that all of you will be able to protect yourselves in case of another event which we . . . that I . . . cannot. . . ."

Feeling once more that both his students and peers were about to gear themselves up for yet another chorus of mutual dissent, Himerish promptly shrugged off his admittedly uncontrollable, and uncharacteristic self-doubt in time to quickly state with a genuine simper, "Now, you are all dismissed! And . . . again, everyone . . . thank you. . . ."

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"W-Wait a second . . . 'Additional Danger Room training session?' What the heck's he talking about you guys? 'Danger Room?' Are you serious?" Taranee regrettably listened to Will inquire openly within understandable confusion, as well as mounting apprehension toward the admittedly ominous sounding name.

They, alongside Cornelia and Hay Lin, were now each beginning to file out of the still pretty packed auditorium, waiting patiently within their slowly emptying aisle within the center of the room, while at the same time their fellow housemates began to carry on within their own assorted conversations upon the conclusion of Professor Kandrakar's emergency assembly.

While this hadn't been her first unanimous gathering since her enrollment to the institute a month ago, it was thankfully the first (and hopefully only) one which carried such serious overtones attached, however understandably so.

The previous evening truly had been a harrowing one, and as Professor Kandrakar had previously stated, with the exception of Irma, everyone else who had remained behind at the Bayville Lakeview Amphitheater really was fortunate to have made it out of there in one piece.

And although she honestly was presently beginning to feel rather nervous to be attending double the undoubtedly harder Danger Room sessions from now until whenever, Taranee wasn't certain she could blame her schoolmaster's obvious want to further ensure their safety.

. . . . It was simply unfortunate that he'd apparently forgotten that a new student had just been freshly enrolled, and thus presently hadn't the foggiest what any of that meant just yet . . . until now, that is.

"O-Ooh, that's right . . . you never learned about the 'Danger Room' yet, have you, Will? I'd been meaning to tell you about it ahead of time . . . you know, when you'd eventually start training with the rest of us so you wouldn't be so completely shell shocked when the time came, but I-I guess . . . surprise?" Taranee feebly began to explain, flashing a sympathetic, crooked smile toward the now scowling Will standing next to her, as an antsy Hay Lin continued to lead the way out of the aisle as swiftly as she could.

Clearly, she was plenty anxious to leave the vicinity right away so that she could most likely head straight down to the infirmary in order to properly check in on her absent best friend, as well as Elyon.

Cornelia, who was directly behind her, then said as much as she suddenly spoke up, having previously been rather reflective during the entirety of their school assembly.

". . . . Don't worry, Hay Lin. W-Well . . . try not to worry, anyway. I'm sure Irma's probably slept off the worst of it by now, and will be ready to return to the masses in no time," she attempted to reassure the shorter girl as best she could, although her own mind and mounting concern was hypocritically just as frantic toward Elyon's own recovery, as her fellow blonde had also been forced to spend the previous evening within the infirmary.

True, it had been done more so as a precaution, and a good deal of protesting had initially been done on her part as she continued to insist that she was 'just fine,' but Cornelia honestly wouldn't feel relaxed until she finally saw Elyon again with her own eyes and personally made absolute certain she was all right.

Pausing a moment, her mind somehow allowing her to recall the other previously mentioned topic, Cornelia carefully turned her head in order to lock eyes with a continually flustered and perplexed looking Will as she explained, as best she could, "And Will, um . . . well, basically, the 'Danger Room' is literally a room down in the basement area near the infirmary, where we students go to train ourselves in various ways where our powers are concerned. . . . Normally, The Professor doesn't involve the newer students or even inform them about it because, well, obviously, they're new. You're new. It's so you can have a better chance to grow accustomed to living here in general, without having to also worry about something like that, you know? B-But I guess . . . after last night's chaos, maybe he felt that it wouldn't be prudent of him to keep you in the dark about it for much longer. . . ."

"R-Right, what Cornelia said. That's why I never told you about it – Why we never told you about it yet. . . . But, don't worry, because each exercise is tailored toward the specific proficiency of each student, so once you start your own training next week it'll honestly be like a cakewalk!" Taranee tried her best to verbally disarm the barrage of protesting she had a strong feeling was heading their way.

Sure enough, as all four girls at last approached the opened, double doors to the auditorium, Will sharply sucked her teeth within dismissal before letting loose.

"'Cakewa –!' Taranee, there's this place called a freaking 'Danger Room' lurking within the bowels of this school – A school I've only just been enrolled to and spent a mere week within – and you think referring to its impending . . . 'exercises' as a 'cakewalk' will somehow make me forget that? Why not just call it the 'You-Might-Die-But-Maybe-Not-If-You're-Lucky Room' to make it even more on the nose?" she hissed within heated rambling, although she playfully shoved against Taranee's back, all the same, in order to assure her that there weren't any honest hard feelings for her having understandably kept mum about it.

". . . . Annnd this right here is why Ora – The Professor has made it a school policy not to mention the 'Danger Room' to brand new students. But, on the positive, at least you know you'll be ready for anything you'll experience next week, Will, what with the way you totally saved my life, of all things with your amazing gift last night," the quartet simultaneously looked to their right in time to witness a shy smiling Elyon patiently leaning against a nearby wall, as she was clearly waiting for them to emerge from the emptying auditorium.

Cornelia was the first to break their formation, nearly bowling Hay Lin and several other passing students completely over as she made a swift beeline toward her best friend and, forgetting herself for a moment, immediately seized her within an honest bear hug.

"E-Elyon! You're awake! You're okay! B-But what are you doing out of the infirmary? Shouldn't you still be resting, like Irma?" she gushed within emotion, feeling utterly relieved, yet bothered to see her friend up and about so soon.

She thought that, at the very least, Elyon would have stayed put until the afternoon . . . or perhaps early evening, if Cornelia had had her way, anyhow.

Apparently sensing her train of thought, Elyon let out a labored giggle, hugging her former roommate back as she replied, "S-Sorry to disappoint you, Cornelia, b-but . . . but Doctor Besnik checked me out right after breakfast. Said that beyond taking it easy the rest of the weekend, and maybe replenishing my electrolyte levels a bit, I'm no worse for wear! Like I said, it's really all thanks to Will that I'm even standing here in one piece, or am still here at all, honestly. . . ."

She'd been doing her best to downplay it up until that moment, as directly focusing on it would only make Elyon's words that more real, but it really was because of Will's swift thinking, selfless bravery, and well timed power advancement that Cornelia was currently able to hold her beloved friend at all.

She honestly didn't think she'd ever be able to find the right words, or the best way which perfectly encapsulated her eternal gratitude . . . but she knew that, from that moment on, she'd never stop trying, nor never not view Will as an utmost, and trustworthy companion, through and through. . . .

Cornelia released Elyon in time to watch what seemed like Will's entire blood supply completely rush straight to her face within sheer embarrassment, before she quickly shook her equally crimson colored head back and forth within renewed protestation.

"A-Aw, come on, Elyon! I-It's like I already said last night, it wasn't really anything! I-I mean, obviously, yes, it was, it was your life, I get it. B-But, I mean, before I got there to help, that Julian kid also did his part to protect you from harm like you said, right? S-So maybe we should find him to share within this ongoing praise a bit, yeah?" Will lightly groaned within ongoing abashment, slightly tucking her head down in order to shield her reddened face away from her new companions as best that she could. She then cleared her throat before quickly asking, "A-Anyway, how's Irma doing? Was she still asleep when you were being discharged, or no?"

"Y-Yeah, was she? I was about to head down there to check in," Hay Lin, who'd been understandably silent up until that moment, at last spoke up, her normally cheerful face presently contorted into one of grave concern for her greatest friend's recovery.

Elyon moved away from Cornelia in order to quickly envelop a now stunned Will within yet another hug of appreciation, just as she'd done last night prior to having been admitted into the infirmary.

She then carefully reached out with one hand to gently squeeze Hay Lin's left forearm.

"While I do plan to thank Julian again for all his help once I find him later, I'm never not going to be absolutely grateful for both you, or your gifts, Will. Face it: You now officially have a permanent fan," Elyon lightly teased as she continued holding onto an initially stiff, now awkwardly squirming Will against her, before turning her head and full attention toward Hay Lin. "And that's why I was late to . . . an apparent assembly, right? I wanted to hang back a bit with her, but Irma was still asleep straight up until I was discharged, Hay Lin. But, before you worry some more, I will say that she looked much, much better, already. A lot better than she had last night when she was first brought in, remember? Thanks to Professor Starlighter's healing, plus Doctors Chacon, Besnik and Yong all looking after her 'round the clock, now, I'm sure that she'll be up and about in no time at all!"

"Ohh, thank God! Thank you, Elyon!" Hay Lin squealed within utter relief, bringing herself in closer and effectively prolonging the embrace Elyon was just about to release a now completely mortified Will from, especially now that she suddenly found herself unexpectedly wedged in between both girls with no means of escape. "You guys don't know how hard it was for me last night! Forget about sleep for real, because I was just worrying myself sick over Irma's well being!W-Well, I mean, you do know, since I already mentioned it during breakfast, but still! And then, couple that with my grandma's having fretted about my own safety, and it was just a really trying night, overall! Still . . . knowing that she's apparently out of the woods and is resting peacefully helps put me at peace, finally, and . . . maybe long enough so that I could go talk about something with The Professor before I forget. . . ."

Cornelia raised an eyebrow within honest intrigue at this.

"Oh, yeah? And what's that, Hay Lin?" she asked innocently, both she and Taranee moving closer to the remaining trio as the last trickle of fellow students exited the now vacant auditorium and passed, the majority knee-deep within their own conversations.

Pausing a moment, a light frown uncommonly marring her face as she gently released both Elyon, as well as a still blushing Will, Hay Lin took a deep breath as she motioned for her friends to instead follow her further down the partially busied hall.

"N-No . . . not here, you guys," she breathed mysteriously, before leading the way down the hall, back toward the main foyer and straight past the entrance doors, where Hay Lin then abruptly stopped at the bottom of the mansion's front staircase.

Taking another moment to see that there didn't appear to be anyone else within earshot of them, Hay Lin was relieved to observe that those who'd also ventured outside on that partially cloudy morning had already spread themselves out sporadically about the vast, lush field, as was thankfully quite the common occurrence.

Still, she waited another minute longer for good measure, before then finally attempting to fully explain her curious behavior.

"Okay, I think we're good, now. . . . I didn't want to say anything while we were still inside and around any of the others, so's they don't get scared or nervous, but . . . I don't honestly think that last night's accident happened just because of 'faulty gas and electrical lines,' as The Professor said," she started with another, deeply sobering facial expression, causing her companions before her to also grow rather pensive as she continued. "No, really. . . . I mean, sure, maybe some of that might have been the case or whatever, I don't know, but . . . what I do know is that right before everything went down, Irma said that she saw a really strange ball of . . . of bluish green light flying straight into those stage lights. A-And, me! I also saw something pretty out there, too! Remember, Elyon? We told you about it last night telepathically, right before we each set about trying to contain the damage!"

"Y-Yeah, I do remember that, Hay Lin, but . . . what are you saying, though? I mean, what does that mean if you were both right in what you saw?" Elyon asked within mounting concern and perplexity, her mind unavoidably replaying the terrifying events of the previous evening, at the same time that the remaining girls' all drew an understandable blank regarding that particular matter.

"Wait, hold on. What did happen last night? I was wondering about it myself, even with The Professor's explanation, and it really can't have been as 'simple' as all that as you'd said, Hay Lin. . . . Moreover, I don't really believe that my powers had been that profound the day I'd accidentally triggered that earthquake that they'd extended all the way to the amphitheater," Cornelia quietly remarked at Elyon's side, arms folded across her chest and facial expression every bit as serious as her tone.

Despite this, Elyon couldn't help but smile mildly and shake her head within disagreement as she kindly stated, "Not true at all, Cornelia. We both know how far you've come, and how much your mutant abilities have grown throughout the years. Especially your more 'basic' of talents. So while I agree that, this time, at least, they probably hadn't extended that far away from 'Bayville High' that day, you still shouldn't sell yourself short. . . ."

Both Will and Taranee faintly grinned at this, although Will admittedly did so more toward Cornelia's increasingly blushing face, feeling a tad relieved that her own previously unwanted attention appeared to be successfully off of her.

Still, it did warm her heart all the more to see that perhaps it really hadn't made a mistake within slowly beginning to open up toward this new group of actual companions, especially Elyon, the one who had been the initializing catalyst in the first place. . . .

Pausing a moment, Taranee politely cleared her throat before turning her attention onto both Hay Lin and Elyon and asked, "So . . . what did you two see, at the risk of being redundant? Or . . . not see, o-or . . . right, sorry. I'm not making any sense, am I?"

Hay Lin shook her head and flashed the clearly paranoid girl a reassuring smile, before it just as swiftly melted away into a worried pout.

"No, you're good, Taranee . . . it's just . . . kinda hard to explain. W-Well, okay, maybe not so much as 'hard,' as it is 'It-can't-be-what-I'm-now-thinking-it-could-have-been-can-it?'" she started, lightly beginning to wring her hands together within increasing concern, but exhaled gruffly before fully recounting the events of last night, precisely as she had recalled them.

Cornelia was the first to speak up, her previous bashfulness over Elyon's encouraging words apparently well behind her as she slowly began to piece together an open hypothesis, one which was unknowingly quite similar to that of the increasingly troubled Aerokinetic teenager's.

"But, hang on, Hay Lin. . . . If what both you and Irma saw – That weird ball of light, a-and those flying spikes – right before everything completely fell apart really was the case, then . . . then that would mean that it was quite possibly the work of another mutant. . . ." she quietly declared, the previous frown already upon her face deepening further, at the same time that both Will and Taranee let out gasps of alarm.

"W-Wait, what? I thought you said that mutants . . . u-us, or w-we are here to learn how to control and understand our abilities, not go around unleashing flipping mayhem upon hundreds of innocent bystanders?" Will queried within furthered dismay, as the possible revelation that there were other mutants presently out there in the world who would wish to use their gifts within a harmful manner was understandably too much for her mind to fully wrap around, especially only one week into her newfound journey of discovery . . . even if it was admittedly a tad naive to believe that 'all' mutants thought or felt as she did, and simply wished to gain stability over otherwise potentially lethal abilities.

Elyon, her own face now beginning to mirror Cornelia's continually grievous expression, heavily sighed at this and nodded toward Will as she replied, "Well, no . . . I-I mean, yes, Will. That is, of course that is the ultimate goal Professor Kandrakar and the rest of his faculty all wish for us here to continue striving for. B-But . . . that still unfortunately can't account for anyone who isn't enrolled here, or might have a difference in opinion regarding how we as mutants should live our lives among non-mutants. . . ."

Snippets of her conversation with Professor Lin during her premiere arrival to the institute immediately flashed within Will's mind upon hearing this, and she slowly nodded within loosely stitched together comprehension.

". . . . M-Maybe, yeah. Well, I mean that maybe I kinda get your explanation, Elyon, because Professor Lin sort of told me the same during my first day here. Something about how she – All the professors, like you also just said – want to reinforce the ideals of 'peace and harmony,' basically, so that upon the day the existence of mutants is made known to the whole world we won't be . . . you know. Greeted b-by . . . pitchforks and torches, or something," she finished with a slight shiver, her stomach somehow knotting up even more than it was already, although she did blessedly manage to keep her Electrokinetic abilities under control.

If there was one good thing to have come out of the past twenty-four hours, it was most definitely that she really did appear to be making great strides regarding her continually developing abilities, if she so far would no longer 'Flare Up' during any time her nerves would be positively shot.

. . . . Not to mention that I did manage to trigger a completely new trick, altogether last night, as well, Will mused, at long last allowing herself a moment to privately congratulate herself for the literally lifesaving accomplishment she'd achieved last evening, before then promptly pushing the overall stressful events back into recesses of her mind once more.

"S-See? That's why I didn't want to say anything around anyone else! The last thing any of us needs after such a crazy thing as last night is to hear that it was maybe started in the first place by one of us! Especially if it turns out that Irma and I really were just seeing things, somehow!" Hay Lin cried out within exasperation, throwing her arms up into the air within dramatic effect before Cornelia quickly moved toward her and pulled them back down, aggressively shushing her.

"Shhh! Hay Lin, calm down, will you? You carrying on like that, and raising your voice is gonna draw attention toward us, and then we will have an outright panic on our hands!" the blonde hastily chastened, before then gently releasing Hay Lin's thin, bare forearms and backing away from her.

First taking a moment to discreetly gaze about their nearby surroundings in order to see that their fellow housemates were still thankfully lounging about, and rather obliviously, at that, Cornelia then pressed on.

"Anyway . . . at the risk of sounding like a broken record, are you positive that that is what you saw, though? I mean . . . the spikes certainly sound like it could have possibly been caused by another mutant, but that light? Maybe . . . hopefully it was just Irma seeing a delayed special effect coming from the concert, instead. . . ."

At this, Hay Lin vigorously shook her head and frowned deeply, her long and neatly braided hair whipping back and forth as she did so.

"No way! I trust what Irma said that she saw, Cornelia, and you should too! And besides! Even if it had been special effects, it wouldn't excuse what I saw, and what you just agreed could have been some random mutant choosing to lay waste to Karmilla's stage like that!" she countered within defense of her absent best friend, causing silence to then collectively fall upon the quintet a bit unexpectedly within the following moments, as each girl struggled to further comprehend what all of this could potentially mean.

Perhaps it was both Cornelia and Elyon's minds in particular which were presently racing the most intensely, now with all sorts of newfound theories upon the rather unsettling matter.

If someone with mutant abilities really had been the one behind last evening's disaster, then why?

Why, or rather, how could they possibly derive apparent pleasure out of having come so close to killing hundreds of innocent individuals, both mutant and non-mutant alike?

And, moreover, why now, all of a sudden?

As far as either blonde had been aware, Bayville had always been a pretty peaceful, and otherwise uneventful city up until recently, and thankfully so.

Had it always been that way, and last night was simply an unfortunate, hopefully one time occurrence?

Or, had other instances taken place in the past, maybe before either of them had even been born, and Professor Kandrakar had simply declined informing them as a means of protection, much in the way that it was not let on to new students that the Danger Room existed?

He could alter the minds of many at once, after all, and the institute, itself, had been around for many decades, now.

So . . . who really knew what might have carried on within their city before either girl had officially come into the picture . . . or, even perhaps what might potentially be carrying on right at that moment?

Whatever the case, Cornelia and Elyon knew that none of them would ever get any answers simply standing around as they were and woefully continuing to mentally stumble over themselves . . . though the now undeniable complacency of their general existence up until that point did admittedly give the pair pause. . . .

Appearing to be on the same page as the other, Elyon immediately caught Cornelia's pointed stare, clearly within agreement to share these newfound developments with The Professor at some point before the weekend was over.

She was about to then openly express her agreement, making a conscious effort to follow Doctor Besnik's orders and not utilize any of her mutant abilities in order to give both them, as well as herself a proper rest when all five girls' minds were suddenly infiltrated by the very man in question. . . .

Elyon . . . Cornelia . . . Hay Lin . . . Taranee . . . and Will, would you all meet me down in the infirmary right now, please? There is something I'd very much like to discuss, Professor Kandrakar's familiar voice gently echoed telepathically within each girl's head, causing Hay Lin, Will and Taranee to jump up within utter surprise, although Taranee's, and especially Will's was perhaps different to Hay Lin's own reasoning.

"W-What the – !" Will squealed, her body regrettably, although only momentarily crackling with white hot electricity, causing her to then let out a frustrated groan upon realizing this. "Well, so much for the pretty good streak of maintaining control! Y-You guys all right, though? No singes? A-Although . . . I guess we'd all definitely know for sure by now, right?"

Hay Lin was already rushing back inside, wasting no time as she completely bypassed using her legs altogether, and instead literally flew toward the marble staircase of the mansion's front entrance as she hastily replied, "Y-Yes, Will, we would, but we're all okay! But I-Irma might not be if The Professor wants us to meet him in the infirmary, of all places! C'mon, you guys!"

---

"I'm sure the others will be fine hearing your call, Professor . . . but knowing Hay Lin, as I do, she might think that something's happened to m -"

"- I-I'm here, Professor Kandrakar! We're here! Did something happen to – ! I-Irma! Oh, my gosh, you're awake! Thank God!"

Although the honest 'coma' she'd fallen straight under last night, coupled by the incredible attentiveness of her doctors' efforts (be it mutant related, or medically) had truly done wonders, Irma soon discovered that she now found it a bit difficult to manage a few things . . . such as laugh, for instance.

It honestly felt as though her insides were being simultaneously set on fire, and steamrolled the longer she continued the amused giggle she was presently expressing upon witnessing the raven haired girl in question whiz into the previously peaceful infirmary a moment later.

In fact, Irma's entire body felt like it had been wrung out far too many times like a drenched towel, and now she was just a jumbled mess, as a result . . . especially her left leg, or shin, rather.

God, did it really hurt like a mother after that damned lamppost had fallen on top of it!

Still, it apparently could have somehow been worse than it ultimately turned out as, according to Doctor Chacon earlier that morning:

"Although you have a traverse fracture along the tibial shaft, thanks to Professor Starlighter, we've dramatically cut down the overall duration it would have normally taken for it to heal. This is absolutely great news for you, as these types of injuries usually take anywhere between three to six months to fully mend, sometimes longer with even potential surgery involved, depending upon the patient, of course.

"But in your case, you should hopefully be back at one-hundred percent within two to four weeks, max – Maybe cut down to one, even, if I give the 'O.K.' for Professor Starlighter or another professor to use their healing gifts on you again . . . but I'd honestly prefer that your body take over from here and allow your injury to finish healing naturally. And in the meantime, we'll just place your shin within a splint to help accommodate any continued, expected swelling, as well as to also prevent excessive mobilization. . . ."

As much as she generally trusted any recommendations or diagnoses from Doctor Chacon in particular, Irma highly doubted she'd be able to follow through with the older woman's instruction, as Irma was already very much hitting the wall with her newfound predicament.

On the one hand, she'd now be presumably exempt from any future Danger Room training exercises, despite feeling personally pleased with all of her recent accomplishments, power wise.

Her unfortunate injury also most definitely meant that she would be excused from her gym class back at Bayville High, which was always a plus.

However, on the other hand, this was probably going to place a major damper onto Irma's social life, as she was pretty confident that her professors would 'strongly recommend' that she return straight home upon the conclusion of each school day. . . .

Still, if that turned out the be the case (and she was quite sure that it would be), there was always social media . . . and assuming that she didn't find out that Andrew Hornby really had lamely ditched her last night (after also first finding out that he'd made it away from the amphitheater in one piece, of course), Irma supposed that she'd survive. . . .

First things first, though: Convincing her best friend to calm down.

"Y-Yes, Hay Hay, I'm – Ow! O-Ohh, God, does it really ache to laugh like t-this! But, yes, again, I'm a-awake, and am just fine! Well . . . not 'fine,' o-obviously, but – Ohhh – but I ain't dead, so there's that," Irma attempted to jest in between continued chuckling and moans of lingering pain as she delicately reciprocated a continually emotional Hay Lin's regrettably much stronger embrace. "N-Now if you could just maybe . . . loosen that steel grip of yours – Oooh, oooh – I might be . . . be even better!"

"O-Oh! Sorry, Irma, sorry!" Hay Lin squeaked sheepishly, immediately jumping back and away from her injured friend at her place upon one of the series of identical, ivory colored beds housed within the habitually pristine infirmary, before then exhaling sharply within obvious relief. "I-I'm just . . . phew! I'm just so glad to see that she's okay – And conscious now, Professor Kandrakar! When you summoned all of us, and here, to boot, my mind was just freaking out!"

Professor Kandrakar, who had carefully risen from the beige hospital chair placed on one side of Irma's bed the moment his students had collectively entered the previously lulled infirmary, gently smiled and shook his head within vague dismissal.

"It is quite understanding, Hay Lin, so no worries at all. I'd already imagined that my requesting you girls meet with me here would have given rise to a bit of alarm. And for that, I do apologize," he began politely before further clarifying, "but I'd wanted Irma to also be present for when I congratulate all of you, as well as tell you personally how proud I am for the utmost selflessness and courage you'd each displayed during last night's incredibly daunting events.

"As informed to me by both Elyon, as well as Cornelia upon returning to the mansion, there had always been an opportunity for any one of you to seek refuge alongside many of your fellow concertgoers at the time; however, you instead chose to remain, and do your best to isolate the situation. You'd used your powers both discreetly, as well as responsibly as best you could, and of that – Of it all - I could not be more pleased. Thank you. . . ."

Blinking within admitted confusion, Cornelia gently cleared her now curiously tickling throat before asking, ". . . . O-Oh, so then . . . you're not upset that we'd honestly disobeyed you, Professor Kandrakar? That is to say . . . I know that Elyon and I had debriefed you as much as we could last night about everything which had happened, but . . . bottom line, now that the dust has sort of settled, we did put ourselves directly at risk, and potentially could have exposed ourselves as mutants well before you'd wish for us to. I-I mean, look at Irma: Her staying behind to help did directly put her at risk. . . ."

Elyon gazed upon her increasingly pale looking best friend standing at her side with sympathetic eyes within that moment.

She understood all too well just how conflicted Cornelia truly must have felt to have not only consciously chosen to remain within that throng of peril when majority of their housemates had admittedly made the much smarter decision to escape, but to have also openly flaunted her mutant abilities . . . even with the prior knowledge that Oracle most probably would have ultimately protected them during its aftermath, as he indeed had.

Never wanting to disappoint or let their schoolmaster and mutual mentor down within any sort of way was one of Cornelia's biggest fears, after all.

Regardless, coming to help the way that she had really hadn't surprised Elyon within the slightest in spite of this knowledge, much as it evidently hadn't for Oracle, either, and Elyon was truly thankful that her parental guardian was now taking the moment to freely express his gratitude.

Because then it would hopefully help assuage some of the obvious guilt Cornelia was presently feeling about the overall situation. . . .

Apparently on similar wavelengths as his ward, Professor Kandrakar let out a soft chuckle, surprising Cornelia even further as he responded, "True, Cornelia, I personally do not believe that non-mutants are quite ready to learn that there are those with special gifts presently walking among them . . . which is why I'd . . . 'intervened' as I had in order to ensure that those who'd still lingered about around the destroyed amphitheater could no longer recall possibly seeing each of you in action. . . . Still, if there is one thing that this tragedy has awakened me to, it is that perhaps I truly have been far too negligent where those who do not also believe within the peaceful co-existence of mutants and non-mutants is concerned, after all. I'd . . . wholeheartedly meant what I'd stated during this morning's assembly, how truly sorry I am for having let you students down in terms of keeping you all safe. . . ."

As had been the case within auditorium, once more did Cornelia, Hay Lin, and even Taranee shake their heads within disagreement vigorously, while Irma and Elyon, both of whom had naturally been absent during that particular gathering, simultaneously gasped before Irma hastily remarked, "N-Nuh uh! E-Er, well, 'scuse me for speaking out of turn like this, Professor, but if I could be pretty frank right now? No. Dice. I mean, I know that you'll probably counter and point out as Cornelia had about how I'm all injured now because I literally was unsafe for like, forty-something minutes or whatever, b-but . . . ugh! I'm sorry . . . my mind's still kind of foggy from the leftover meds of last night, sorry again. . . ."

"U-Ummm . . . I think what Irma's point to all of that, Professor, was to simply let you know that a lot of us have been living here for years, now, and nothing like last night has ever even come close to happening before – At least, not on such a grand scale or anything, anyway," Elyon quickly took over for the momentarily tongue-tied brunette with a slowly growing smile of reassurance being shared between their headmaster and herself. "You've taught us so many things, trained us – W-Well, at least Cornelia and I, especially - within so many ways. We've come such a long way! A-And . . . because of you, you've given us the strength and confidence to do what we did last night, putting others before ourselves and using our gifts toward something good. So . . . please. Never apologize for continuing to be a wonderful headmaster. . . ."

Despite still feeling rather uncertain over what may or may not be possibly going on behind the scenes at present, she couldn't help herself.

Elyon meant every word, and firmly believed within Oracle's ongoing commitment of ultimately doing right by his students, in order to ensure a bright future for them all. . . .

Suddenly feeling as though she were about to cry at any moment, Elyon promptly crouched down and began pretending to tie the admittedly loose laces of her pink colored sneakers.

Professor Kandrakar, meanwhile, had taken the rare opportunity to allow his own, presently ongoing vulnerability to surface openly a bit further, as he then blindly retrieved the white kerchief folded neatly within the front pocket of his gray suit in order to quickly dab at the corners of both of his eyes, before delicately replacing the piece of cloth.

". . . . Hmm . . . 'Come such a long way,' indeed. . . . Hearing this, hearing you say this has truly calmed my heart quite a bit, and renewed my . . . admittedly wavering commitment to my next bit of news. That is, the ultimate reason for which I have gathered you all like this," he stated warmly, trailing off and waiting a moment for Elyon to finish 'retying' her shoelaces and stand back up before continuing. "I'd already discussed this with some of your other professors, and I'll further confess that I am relieved to have received their support within this potential endeavor. . . . All the same, the decision will ultimately fall upon each of you to make, which is why I'd asked for the room to be cleared prior to your arrival, so that none of you would feel pressured in any way to say 'yes' simply because there was a teacher present. . . ."

At this, Will, who had been mindfully silent up until that point, couldn't help but awkwardly raise her hand, successfully drawing her headmaster's attention as she asked, ". . . . Wait, then . . . should I honestly be here for this? I-I know that you did . . . 'c-call' on me to come down here, as well, but . . . I don't know. I just sorta feel like whatever's going on here right now is something better left to those who've actually been here longer than just a few days. . . . A-After all, I did just learn that there's a training facility somewhere down here called the 'Danger Room,' and that I'm expected to willingly go inside it. . . ."

"Y-Yeah, um . . . I guess you kind of forgot that we just got a new student this week, at the same time as this whole thing happened, and you had to call for an emergency assembly, Professor," Cornelia quietly pointed out with a faint, apologetic smile, before reaching up to gently massage at her throat at the same time that she'd attempted to clear her throat once more. "O-Or, at least, it's certainly bad luck, anyway, rather than you'd 'forgotten,' sorry. . . ."

"'Bad luck,' indeed, Cornelia," Professor Kandrakar softly chuckled, before pressing onward. "Still! From out of the ashes of tragedy blooms endurance, and from endurance, growth. It may have only been your premiere week at our institute, Will, but already you have taken on far more than any new student before you within recent times! You have evolved so much from the frightened, confused young woman I'd had the pleasure of meeting just a few weeks ago, during a far less pleasurable circumstance. You're already morphing into the strong, capable individual I had initially sensed you could one day become . . . and given how admittedly tricky your particular mutant abilities tend to be where safely controlling, as well as utilizing them as you now know are concerned, I firmly believe that you are destined for greatness. And, most importantly, you'd managed to harness your gifts within the nick of time in order to protect not only Mister Keller, but my Elyon, as well. There will never be enough words within all of Creation to express my esteemed gratitude toward that, Will. . . ."

Ohhh, my God, it's happening again! Please, someone just kill me right now, Elyon unavoidably mentally tuned in in time to listen to Will bemoan silently from behind her, even though she was already quite able to feel the poor redhead's blatant discomfort practically radiating from off of her like a space heater.

She couldn't say that she could readily blame her - At least, not within that particular moment, as Elyon, too, was honestly beginning to wish the very same thing, being forced to stay put while her schoolmaster and legal guardian openly gushed over their strong bond.

"A-Ah, y-yes! I'd already thanked Will for saving me – Several times, actually. S-So, you know . . . we're good, Professor!" Elyon stammered hastily as her remaining companions couldn't help but begin to softly giggle at the display. "N-Now! Back to what you were originally saying, then?"

"Hm, hm . . . yes, well . . . as I was saying, indeed, Elyon, after hearing about how well you'd all worked together, especially underneath such distress, it is my hope that you will say 'yes' to my proposal of implementing a . . . sort of . . . 'task force,' if you will, within our city," Professor carried on as 'instructed' by his pupil, the former smile upon his face quickly waning as he did so. "You see . . . truth be known – And only to you six, do you understand? This is something which only a select few of the faculty have actually been privy to, themselves, and as I understandably do not wish to alarm anyone, I must insist that all which will be said here will remain confidential. . . . Now, then . . . even before last night's incident, I'd recently been sensing a bit of . . . odd stirrings, as it were, as though further, unknown events are possibly upon the horizon. . . .

"Obviously, of course, I do not mean to reveal this in order to frighten any of you, effectively reiterating my previous feeling of failing to keep you all protected; however, I tell you this now as a means to keep you informed, to keep you prepared for anything going forward, especially if you do agree to do this. . . ."

Although all six of them were now positively on the edge of their proverbial seats, Taranee, somehow, managed to find her voice first among them as she asked, with understandable worry, "B-But . . . what are we agreeing to, Professor Kandrakar?"

Taranee felt goosebumps rising all across her arms and legs as her instructor unexpectedly directly locked eyes with her just then, giving her an incredibly critical look as he at last revealed, ". . . . I would like for you all to officially become my 'X-Men,' the premiere group amongst my extraordinary students - Of what will hopefully become many more within the future - who will use their mutant gifts toward protecting those who would need it . . . and, particularly . . . to defend against others who would choose to do harm with their own special abilities, instead. . . .

"These events truly have become quite revelatory . . . and forgive the unknown intrusion, but if what I'd momentarily gleaned from both yours, as well as Elyon's minds last night, Irma . . . then perhaps the true culprit of the entire incident may very well be a fellow mutant, indeed. . . ."

Professor Kandrakar allowed for the blatantly heavy implications to sink in for his students a moment, each girl seeming to appreciate the opportunity, as not a one of them attempted to speak up . . . in particular neither Irma nor Elyon, both now understandably feeling a tad bothered by the mental invasion of privacy which their headmaster did otherwise regularly attempt never to breach.

Pausing for a few more beats, the initial dubiety over his monumental request slowly beginning to return, Professor Kandrakar nonetheless carried on as he then gently added, ". . . . Do please take note that none of what I am asking of you has to be decided today, tomorrow, or even within the coming week. I completely understand the grave responsibility I have now placed squarely upon your shoulders – Especially for you both, Will and Taranee, being the most recently enrolled. However . . . I still do truly believe that you would each be able to see this through . . . for however long would be necessary. . . ."

". . . . So, then . . . we'd basically be superheroes now, right? Like, officially? And . . . this would mean that we'd have full sanction to use our abilities as however the situation would see fit from now on, like . . . in the event that we see something suspicious, of course, yes?" Irma suddenly piped up, lightly rubbing at her temples as her mind honestly did its damnedest to continue piecing together what was actually happening, at the same time that she was clearly becoming quite possibly the first to jump on board with undertaking the newfound position.

Cornelia couldn't helped but mimic the brunette's physical action, vigorously rubbing against her own head, although more so within mounting frustration toward the display, in spite of already having had the strong feeling that the recent developments would ultimately affect Irma this way.

If there was one thing Cornelia did know about her, it was that Irma had been looking for the honest opportunity to full on show her professors what she could do with her mutant abilities, without restraint or potential consequences . . . although Cornelia was still at least fairly certain that there probably would be, just like always, even within the face of such a tremendous, new change.

Professor Kandrakar softly chuckled at this, successfully snapping Cornelia from out of her previous reverie, as she then watched him ever so gently pat his hand against Irma's right arm at his continued place by her side.

". . . . While I, myself, hadn't honestly thought of it within such a way, Irma, I suppose that, yes . . . you could say that you lot would be 'superheroes' if you chose to take on this added responsibility. However, as for the 'full sanction,' that will certainly remain to be seen, as it would obviously defeat the purpose of doing this anonymously if you would instead openly rescue a family from a raging flood, for example," he remarked with a slight nod, before curiously moving away from Irma's bed and apparently began heading for the sealed door of the infirmary. "Now . . . I think that, for now, this should be a good note to end this on, as I'm sure that I've granted you far more than you were expecting to process within last evening's aftermath. Again, do understand that this isn't the one and only time we might discuss this, as one or all of you are more than welcome to come and see me within my office to express any concerns or further questions you might have. . . . Until then, please, take a moment to perhaps talk about it amongst yourselves before ultimately deciding if this is something you feel that you could do, all right? Otherwise, do try to relax and enjoy your day, as you've certainly earned it. . . ."

None of them attempted to stop their headmaster from calmly exiting the infirmary during the following seconds, as every last one of them, Irma included, were still far too befuddled by what had just transpired.

". . . . Thaaat . . . was definitely not how I expected this meeting to go," Hay Lin was the first to murmur what she was quite positive to be the general consensus among them, pausing a moment before moving back over to Irma's bed and sitting down within Professor Kandrakar's former seat.

Taranee couldn't help but tut softly as she, too, ventured closer toward the injured brunette's hospital bed and slowly nodded.

"I-I can safely say that I personally didn't expect any of what occurred last night to happen, let alone what just did, Hay Lin . . . o-or that we'd evidently be 'rewarded' in such a way, or at all, honestly," she concurred, shakily taking a seat upon the side of the empty bed next to Irma's, with a nauseated looking Will following suit soon after. "I'm not fully sure that I even understand any of it yet, either. I mean . . . are we meant to act as some sort of . . . o-of neighborhood watch organization? And that now our professors are all right with this, somehow?"

"Mmm . . . more like some sort of 'vigilante club,' instead, Taranee, pretty much, yeah," Irma tiredly corrected with a partially stifled yawn, before reaching toward her bedside table in order to take a quick sip of the small cup of orange juice apparently leftover from her breakfast.

Cornelia rolled her eyes at this, gently stamping one foot against the gray colored tiles within furthered frustration (as well as regrettably steady confusion) and stated, in between sudden coughing, "I-I'm pretty . . . pretty sure that would go . . . go against every single one of . . . The Prof . . . Professor's teachings if we really did take the law into our hands, Irma, just like he'd already explained. So no, I'm thinking Taranee had it right the first time. . . . That being said . . . it still doesn't answer hardly any of our questions. . . ."

"Yes, such as . . . what did he mean when he said that he'd been 'sensing some odd stirrings' lately? Was he always going to eventually come up with this idea, this . . . 'X-Men' group he wants us to be, even if the accident at 'Bayville Lakeview Amphitheater' never happened, then?" Elyon chimed in as she flashed her best friend a look of concern before voicing her own thoughts about the matter.

It also began to make her wonder once again just how much she still didn't really know about The Oracle, after all . . . especially not now, and of how much he more than likely really did have to go through on a daily basis as headmaster - As her parental guardian, just to continue keeping her secure.

Keeping everyone secure.

After all, as a fellow Telepath, it already could be tricky enough just to keep the basic thoughts and occurrences of every day life at bay if she wasn't too careful, nor as focused she was regularly; as such, she could only just imagine about whatever it was which Professor Kandrakar could have been mentally picking up in all that time, in addition to the horrid effects it might have been privately having upon him. . . .

And as someone who was meant to be 'an all powerful mutant,' Elyon admittedly felt quite disgusted with herself that she'd never once noticed, herself, nor sensed any distress he might have been going through, at the very least.

Hell, that she'd never before sensed any underlining trouble which might have been brewing within their city, even now.

Great going, Elyon, she mentally rebuked herself, a light frown forming upon her face a moment, right before her swirling emotions absolutely then took over for what she verbally stated next.

". . . . I'm going to do it," she spoke within such an eerily calm voice, in spite of her heart presently racing a mile a second and her palms positively sweaty and prickling with mounting anxiety.

"Wait, what?" was all the remaining five girls could initially manage, facial expressions showcasing utter disbelief before Cornelia vigorously shook her head and offered up a swift rebuttal.

"Elyon, you can't be serious! I know that this was a request directly from The Professor and all, but you don't have to feel obligated to say yes just because you'd feel worried about letting him down," she ironically stated what both blondes were well aware was essentially the pot calling the kettle black. "Besides, you've already too much on your plate right now as a newly appointed 'Junior Professor,' not to mention that you are the future headmistress of this school. I'm sure that you'll want to keep setting a good example for the rest of us by just politely declining. . . ."

"What? Cornelia, how is it any different to your own situation, then? You've also become a 'J.P.' right along with me, with as much newfound responsibilities which come along with it!" Cornelia watched Elyon understandably fire back with a deepening glower before heatedly continuing. "'Not to mention,' to copy you, that you, too, are every bit as afraid of disappointing The Professor, so you're still on par with me about all of this! A-And – ! . . . . And, even if I – We didn't have all those other things to do, I can't just very well stand idly by if it turns out there really is something going on out there in the city . . . especially if it's being done by another mutant! Not after last night . . . not now. . . ."

". . . . Like a married couple, those two," Cornelia's now curiously pale face effortlessly regained some color once more as she could regrettably hear what Irma clearly thought to be a humorous, as well as barely audible whisper . . . causing Cornelia to swiftly back down from the previously ongoing debate, and instead turn to glare absolute daggers toward her injured new roommate.

"W-What? . . . . O-Oh, shit! Sorry," the brunette began within initial befuddlement upon locking eyes with a rather affronted looking Cornelia from across the room, before then apologizing within the most curious tone . . . one which admittedly made Cornelia not only now wonder after a few things, but certainly made her feel incredibly uncomfortable to remain within that infirmary for much longer.

Regrettably for her, however, there was far too much for all of them to still discuss. . . .

"Look . . . why don't we all just go around the room and take a vote about this? Who's in for doing this, and who isn't? To . . . be perfectly honest, I personally don't really think you two should even get to vote, Will and Taranee, a-and I only say this because you're both still pretty new to your powers," Hay Lin confessed with a tiny, encouraging smile as she obviously realized the slightly discourteous statement. "I mean, if there really is some shady stuff going on behind the scenes, you might not be able to handle it. . . ."

"I absolutely think that all of this is freaking insane, yet you're really making me want to say 'yes' after hearing you say that, Hay Lin," Will suddenly spoke up within blatant offense, her previously unsettled nerves temporarily taking a backseat to the admittedly militant streak she'd occasionally possess . . . especially whenever it concerned being told what she was, or wasn't capable of.

Doubting herself off and on was generally her own personal, usually private job, one she hoped to grow out of as she got older.

She didn't need, nor appreciate other people doing it for her, whether or not there was an actual basis to it.

Appearing to sense the growing tension rising between them, Hay Lin quickly apologized and grinned sheepishly as she further explained, "N-No, I'm sorry, Will! Really! I'm not trying to sound like I don't believe in you, or you, Taranee! I only meant that the rest of us literally have years of experience and training underneath our belts, and -"

"- If you'll pardon the interruption, Hay Lin, while I truly do understand where you are coming from, I think I have to agree with Will on this one. That is, while we're obviously unavoidably far less experienced than you, I'd say that both she and I managed to handle ourselves pretty well last night, all the same," Taranee politely interjected, the overall manners and code of conduct she'd been raised with never leaving her, even in spite of the obvious look of disfavor she was presently flashing toward the now positively overcome Aerokinetic from behind her eyeglasses.

Suddenly, Irma, despite her now swiftly returning fatigue, quickly puckered up her lips together and let out an incredibly sharp whistle, causing her surrounding companions to collectively gasp within fright.

"Great! Glad to have your undivided attention! Now, then, before we all continue to argue back and forth and quite possibly tear each other to shreds – And before I pass out again, because this was clearly way too much excitement for me to handle in one go – I say that we should all do this . . . united, as the team The Prof clearly wants us to be," she started with a broad smirk upon observing each girl's startled demeanor, before promptly growing serious. "I mean it, you guys. Thoroughly beating a dead horse here by now, again, but . . . just lookit what we each managed to do last night! We stopped that amphitheater – That massive amphitheater, mind you – from completely exploding, and pancaking every last concertgoer who was there! And none of us were physically together or had any visual cues from one another on what to do next, yet we still managed to be so completely coordinated as a what? That's right: a team!

"And I mean, come on, here! You do bring up a very valid point, Hay, that Taranee and Will don't have a lot of training – None, in Will's case, sorry – yet look how bad ass they each were, anyhow! Talk about being superheroes, huh? Just slap their faces on a couple of comic book issues going forward and we'll call it a day! And besides, what they don't know, they can and will learn, via the other professors as they've already been doing while, duh, the rest each of us can chip in to fill in the gaps! . . . . And Cornelia, Elyon also has a point. The Prof's one wise, kinda-old-but-not-really dude, you know? And for as long as I've known him, anyway, he's never done anything by half measures, especially if he wasn't entirely sure about whatever may come next. So . . . if he's asking this of us, all of us, clearly he really does believe that we can handle it. And quite frankly, after all that he's done for us . . . for me? I'm definitely ready and willing to share the burden of responsibility and help him look after our city, making sure that it stays in one piece. . . ."

". . . . You just really like the idea of being referred to as a 'superhero,' yourself, don't you?" Hay Lin couldn't help but tease, playfully tapping at her best friend's good leg.

"And there's that, too, yeah," Irma proudly grinned with an enthusiastic nod, before gently flexing both of her biceps for good measure.

Allowing the giggles of both girls to die down, Will dramatically sighed before then rising to her feet.

". . . . Ohhh, man, I can't believe I'm saying this, and I'll probably change my mind several times throughout this day alone, but . . . count me in, as well," she practically choked on her own words, giving a slight wince and squeezing her eyes shut, before then reopening them in time to look around the room and continued. "Well, I mean . . . I still think that it's pretty bonkers, but . . . now Irma has a point, just like both me and Taranee were previously trying to say beforehand, too. If we, if I could . . . save a life, rather than take it via my special powers, all while somehow keeping a relatively cool head, then . . . whatever Professor Kandrakar wants us to do going forward, I can probably manage. Probably. . . ."

Taranee, too, mimicked her newest friend's actions by standing, as well, and smiled approvingly as she shyly rested a hand upon Will's shoulder.

"Then . . . I'm in, as well, for pretty much all the reasons both you – And you, Irma, have said. Besides which . . . I am nothing if not hardworking, and once I commit to something I generally do my best to see it through, so . . . if The Professor believes I could be of some help, then I will," she remarked, allowing her brown eyes to settle onto a still smiling Hay Lin and shared within the sentiment, so that it was well understood that there weren't any hard feelings between them.

Despite this, however, Hay Lin paused for a moment before clearing her throat in order to case her own vote.

". . . . Mmm . . . I mean, I still sort of feel like none of us should get involved . . . but the more I think on it, all that's honestly more so my grandma's – And my parents' - overly protective nature toward me kicking in, than it is me personally doubting if we truly could tackle this," she clarified as she made a point to look between Taranee and Will so that they fully understood where she was coming from, before pressing on. "But . . . I'll do it, too! I mean, at least I won't be alone in this, and while I'll still be pretty worried about all of us each time we head out there and . . . I don't know, 'scope out the town' or whatever, I know that we'll have each other's back! Plus? If this really does make us superheroes, then you know I'm so totally gonna ask The Professor if I could be the one to design our costumes! Oooh, now that part is gonna be so awesome!"

"Annnd there it is, I was waiting for that realization to kick in," Irma teased with a wink, evidently knowing that her best friend would immediately volunteer her artistic services toward whatever getup they might inevitably end up wearing, although the thought admittedly had her feeling quite intrigued, as well.

Lightly shaking her head with a smile of her own, Elyon felt it falter a bit as she hesitantly looked toward the continually silent blonde standing next to her.

She absolutely hated it whenever the two of them were at odds, however rare it thankfully was nowadays.

Not only was Elyon never a big fan of general confrontation, but it only served to remind her of the earlier days of her budding relationship with Cornelia, and how pretty much everything between them inevitably turned into some idiotic debate over who was the more capable mutant.

It wasn't even a 'debate,' really, but simply more of just Cornelia's family's overall viewpoints and upbringing still rearing its unpleasant head back then.

Thank goodness those days were far behind them . . . even if it meant that now, instead, there might possibly be other mutants out there who might finally be turning that already bellicose ideology into action, and that now Elyon would actually have to do something more about it beyond politely laughing it off, or making the excuse that she had to be somewhere else. . . .

Cornelia . . . please. . . . I . . . don't want to have to do this without you, but . . . I will, and I'm going to even if you vote no, she couldn't stop herself from stating telepathically to the now startled girl at her side.

"W-What – ? Elyon, you shouldn't be using your powers like that! You need to properly rest up!" Cornelia quietly hissed, clearly about to continue on before abruptly turning her head away to let out a sharp sneeze into her arm. "U-Ugh . . . excuse me. . . . A-Anyway, I -"

"- Man, you don't look so good, Corny. . . . Always room for one more in here if you wanna keep me company and be 'Infirmary Roomies,' too!" Irma interrupted within playful observation, carefully reaching across her bed in order to gently tap at the empty one both Taranee and Will had previously sat down upon.

"N-Nooo, thank you. I plan on . . . enjoying having the dorm room to myself for the next couple of days," Cornelia actually jested in return, rather than reprimand the brunette as their fellow companions were honestly expecting, and which she'd normally do. "But, anyhow, as I was going to say . . . well, kinda, I still think there is woefully a lot we'll obviously need to iron out and discuss some more with The Professor, like he said. . . . But . . . if you're all on board, and that you two will commit to the added, rigorous training Elyon and I most certainly are now going to put you both through as your Junior Professors, Taranee and Will, then . . . I also agree to give this a try. Becoming an 'X-Man,' that is. Besides . . . this is my hometown, and it's been good to me. It's time that I be good to it and . . . protect the people I care about. . . ."

Cornelia was never more thankful in entire her life for one of Hay Lin's patented squeals of excitement as the one she gave a few moments later, as it spared her the initial embarrassment of realizing that not only could she not stop herself from pouring all of her attention quite firmly onto Elyon upon completing her final statement . . . but also that, at least for a moment, it appeared as though the shorter girl had actually taken notice of it.

Or, at least, so it seemed, anyhow, for the instance was over as soon as it started . . . although Cornelia could have sworn that Elyon had bestowed onto her a very similar sort of look. . . .

Had she?

No.

Of course not.

It was Elyon just being Elyon, and letting Cornelia know that she was grateful that they'd be taking on this new challenge together, and wouldn't have to keep fighting about it, that's all.

Besides, once Monday rolled around, Elyon would undoubtedly be scanning the halls for her beloved new crush, Caleb . . . even if, in this one and only case, at least, Cornelia couldn't readily say that she would blame her.

After all, neither girl yet knew how the brunet was doing after, according to Elyon, anyway, the two had been unexpectedly separated within the fleeing crowd last evening.

Regardless, Cornelia already knew it was going to be a long weekend. . . .

"Yes! Ha ha! Okay, so –! I don't wanna leave you or anything, Irma, since I was planning on checking on you before all this, anyway, but I'm gonna just run upstairs really quick to get one of my sketchbooks and -"

"- Breeeathe, Hay Lin, breathe! And then, don't worry about 'leaving me,' since I was actually about to kick you all out so that I could maybe sneak in a few extra winks before the docs come back to poke and prod at me some more," Irma interrupted her overtly enthusiastic, former roommate with a light chuckle, before then playfully waving her left hand toward the door and turned her head away from each girl before her. "Now, away with you! I need my beauty rest – And from the sounds of how 'Serious Business' our dear Cornikins is, of course, already being with this whole thing, I'm gonna need every bit I can get from now on!"

Flashing Irma a deadpanned look, even though the other girl was already carefully turning her upper body to the side away from her and getting comfortable for her nap, Cornelia then sighed within dismissal before leading the way out of the infirmary, letting out another sneeze as she did so.

"Ooh, Cornelia . . . you really don't sound, or look so good, like Irma said. Maybe you should stay put until the doctors come back so that they can examine you," Elyon suggested within obvious concern, reaching out from behind Cornelia in order to seize her arm and stop her from going any farther.

Allowing their remaining trio of friends to pass, waving goodbye to them as Hay Lin was apparently in between rifling off costume ideas, as well as answering Will's previous inquiry of why they'd be referred to as 'X-Men,' of all things, Cornelia quickly shook her head and smiled within appreciation.

"No, I'm all right, Ellie, thanks. . . . It's just probably a tiny cold I'd caught, or something. I mean, I was pretty naked and flying through the air last night, courtesy of the Beaubier Twins," she stated with a light shrug, before her already warm cheeks grew even hotter as she realized her choice of words . . . especially since it now also drew further attention to what she'd been attempting to dodge explaining to the other girl.

Why hadn't she been at the concert, like Elyon originally thought she had?

"Yeah, about that . . . you never did tell me why you were back here, already dressed for bed and such, instead of at the concert with me?" Elyon innocently asked, causing Cornelia to silently curse within regret that she couldn't somehow prolong the inevitable for just a little while longer.

"I-I . . . fine. I didn't want to say anything because it's . . . embarrassing, but . . . I low key had a hopeful date. Sort of. Or, a-at least, I was just going to meet them there and see how the night went, but . . . the plans had completely fallen through," Cornelia struggled over her words as she attempted to sound convincing with her lie, before immediately realizing that it honestly wasn't.

At least, not completely, anyhow.

Nonetheless, Elyon thankfully appeared to fully believe it as her eyes slowly widened within honest surprise, as she then remarked, "A date? O-Oh, wow . . . I didn't even know that you had your eye on anyone like that. . . . My turn to 'thank' you for that, by the way, since you gave me such a hard time about not telling you about Caleb's and my . . . date until just yesterday. A-Anyway! I'm . . . I'm really, really sorry that it didn't work out, though, Cornelia. I wish you'd have come to the concert, anyhow, though! Sure, I'd have been a poor substitution, but I would have totally made sure that you still had a great time!"

"Tch, nooo, I don't think so, Elles. And be a 'third wheel' for you and . . . Caleb? I'm sure that everything was probably heating up quite nicely between you two before . . . well, before everything went up in literal smokes," Cornelia teased before she could stop herself, the queasy weariness she was already feeling from her apparent malady magnifying as a result, as she had just regrettably given her best friend the official go ahead to give her all of the 'gory' details of her very first date. . . .

Surprisingly, however, Elyon didn't appear willing . . . at least, not within that particular moment, as she merely gave her friend a thoughtful smile before carefully taking her hand.

". . . . As much as I am admittedly dying to talk about everything that happened, and to see if I can't somehow get in touch with him, seeing as we never did do the whole exchanging numbers thing . . . I'm putting you to bed, and making you some nice, hot chicken soup," she stated warmly, her smile growing as she watched a curiously squirming Cornelia beginning to verbally protest. "Nuh uh! No fighting me on this! It's either you stay down here with Irma, orrrr you let me tuck you in and look after you. In that way, you'll still be able to enjoy our old dorm room, just like old times. So? Which will it be?"

Feeling both her cold, as well as embarrassment beginning to overwhelm her, Cornelia had no choice but to concede, nodding shyly before responding.

". . . . Lead the way, then, 'Doctor Brown,'" she murmured with a light smile, her stomach doing repeated back flips while her heart felt positively honored that, if only for one moment, Elyon had effectively chosen her over Caleb, her actual crush.

If her head didn't feel as though it was about to plummet down onto the metal flooring beneath them, it now felt so painfully heavy, she probably would have chanced giving the other girl a large hug within unspoken appreciation.

Perhaps.

Still, it may not have been the declaration of love Cornelia used to fantasize about Elyon one day bestowing onto her, but it was something.

And besides, she could remember hearing somewhere once that chicken soup was good for the soul.

- End of Part One

---

(A.N. Just a quick note that Doctors Besnik and Yong are just the last names I'd given to Tibor and Luba, as a little nod toward their character traits. As of this specific moment, I highly doubt I will feature them within a more prominent fashion later on, as I mainly sort of threw them in to further fill out the medical staff roster a bit more. Didn't want it to seem like, or actually be that Cassidy was the only actual doctor living at the mansion, with the occasional healing assist from Kadma, etc.

Anyway, regrettably I had to once again divide up another chapter, as this particular one made it to eighteen pages, and I'd barely skimmed the tip of the planned iceberg. Sighhh... =) Nonetheless, I'm really hoping that you growing 'fan base' toward this story enjoyed its 'beginning' thus far. I also REALLY wanted to get it all out of the way, finally, the whole "Be my X-Men, now, damn it!" proposal, so that I could ALSO finally do the same on the flip side...which-was-also-also-meant-to-be-featured-within-this-part-but-now-wil-have-to-feature-more-prominently-within-the-next-and-that's-okay... Cough... o_O' LoL

I honestly had the chorus part to "Circles" by Soul Coughing playing over and over within my head as I was editing this, because MAINLY, I kept being Tornado Baby distracted...and then the 'perfectionist' in me was getting doubly frustrated and was like, "Noooo! NOOOOO! Everyone! STOP being so freaking redundant, Gotslam it! Let's get to the point!" So...yeah, ended up having to backtrack, swap/remove/etc a bunch of junk before it was something I could hopefully live with...probably not. LoL Probably will go back in the near future and re-re-redo it all, but...meh. Breathe, Ellie...=)

ANYHOW, another not so 'quick' note, sorry, but again, hope you all enjoyed it, and will be patient with me as I hopefully get out the next part a lot sooner than the first! Until then, please leave a review, and when you're done? Go and give "Circles" a listen, if you've never heard it before, OR haven't in a long while.

Either way? Shame on you. Shame on you, indeed... :p )