Abe Fuyumi (Shadow)'s Story

Charles Felt caught up in feelings of despair and sorry. He let his son down. He let his students and family down. The faces of each one of them flashed in his overwhelmed mind. He placed his face in his hands and wept. He then felt the gentle embrace of one that he could only be Mia. She was one of a sweet heart and she knew how to make one feel better, she didn’t have to say a word. Charles began to feel centered once again. He placed his hand over Mia’s and said, “Thank you Mia. I needed that.”, softly to her.

Fuyumi felt horrible. She thought back to earlier in the day when Vincent, Vila, and her were formulating their plan of action. They were to protect the students. But once they found out that the students weren’t the actual target she should have switched modes. She wished she had not have allowed the steady flow of things to sweep her into quick brash decisions. She racked her brain for ways to help make this right. Then it hit her, Cerebro. Fuyumi sprinted over to the professor who was crouched on the ground next to Mia, Erik and Pietro who all stood. “Professor you must use Cerebro! I’m sure you’ll get a location on where Vincent is if you search for him that way.” Fuyumi sounded flustered. She was usually very calm in disposition but today’s events proved to be a bit much for even her.

Charles looked up with a sense of hope. He was so grief stricken that he had forgotten all about Cerebro. Charles replied, “Yes… Fuyumi you’re right! I must go to Cerebro immediately. Erik will you see to the students? I also received another communication from Hideki in the danger room just now. It seems they managed to subdue a rather dangerous mutant who’s abilities seem to mirror Logan’s. I can trust only you to safely handle someone of that caliber Erik.” Charles said swiftly.

Erik stopped him before he could continue. “Charles, it’s alright. I’ll handle things here. Please find our son, I know you will. We need your calm disposition more than ever right now. Vincent will be fine and you will find him. Don’t you worry.” Erik gave Charles a gentle smile and helped him to his feet. Charles nodded in response and headed off to the danger room swiftly.

Erik then levitated off of the ground high enough for all to see him. He then spoke calm and authoritatively to the group outside the mansion. “Listen well everyone. I know today’s incident was indeed difficult. Today we were attacked by people who are afraid, afraid of you for your strength, afraid of you for what you have been blessed with. Fear stems from misunderstanding. They don’t understand us and thus out of fear they tried to harm and destroy us. But we mustn’t harden our hearts and close our minds off to the mission we all believe in. Vincent, my son…, has been taken from us. However, we WILL find him. We won’t let Weapon-X claim a member of our family, as X-men, and as a Mutant family! Charles is using Cerebro to locate Vincent now. The best thing for us to do is to be strong, be proud, and carry onward believing that our future will be better than our pasts! You all have made me very proud today. Charles is proud of you. You stood up for each other and fought hard not to kill even though they tried to kill us. I know how hard it is to come from a place of killing humans without a thought, to protecting those very humans that would rather see me dead. It’s difficult to love someone who hates you. But love suffers long for its cause and so shall we until our desired end is met, harmony. Rest now, tend to your wounds, continue to support one another. Know that all is well.” With that, Erik lowered himself down to the ground and headed into the mansion.

Fuyumi felt relieved after Erik’s speech. He was so charismatic and a natural leader. Fuyumi noticed some of the other’s dispositions improving slightly. However one person’s disposition showed they needed a little tending to. Fuyumi calmly walked over to Ryan and sat down beside him. She placed a hand on Ryan’s shoulder. “Ryan, don’t you worry. You were so brave today. I’m sure Adria will greatly appreciate saving her. Vincent looked proud to see you all work so well together in the middle of danger. You did what was best for the team and I know for sure he’d be proud of that. I believe that for myself as well. I wish I could have stayed by his side, but there were others that needed me too. I believe he’ll return to us, in one piece.” Fuyumi then gave Ryan a gentle hug. She liked Ryan for his gentleness and strong spirit. He took things so seriously and tried his best. She was very much the same way when she was younger.
Kyle stood next to Scott who looked as upset about today’s event’s as he did. He noticed Scott’s face cringe when he heard that Vincent was taken. Scott was definitely silently dealing with a great deal of anger and disappointment. Kyle looked on as Jonathan tried to console Memory, who seemed to be breaking down. Jonathan was most likely hurting heavily as well, but he needed to be strong for Memory and he was doing a very good job. Kyle wondered how his best friend was doing. Hideki was there when Vincent was captured. Kyle was sure Hideki wasn’t in the best head space. Kyle wasn’t in the best head space. He felt kind of useless. He wished he had been more helpful than he was. He wasn’t exactly sure of what would happen to Vincent but he prayed silently to on the spot that Vincent would be okay.

Kyle didn’t cry or look angry. He simply stood silently next to Scott and watched everyone else. He did however look disappointed. Kyle was a very interesting individual. He was very personable and quite the people person. However he had a very existent lonely side to him. He developed that way of being during the time when he couldn’t control his absorption abilities thus he couldn’t touch anyone. This problem had persisted for nearly two and a half years before he was able to be helped. He was used to being the charming guy you could see but never really get close to. Even now that people could get close to him, it was hard for him to take down those inner barriers that he placed up long ago. Vincent was a good friend to Kyle. Kyle could only imagine how hard Philip was taking the situation. Kyle thought to himself, “Whe the professor locates Vincent, I’ll fly as far as I need to so that I can meet up with him and make sure he gets home safely. I promise.”

Hideki plopped down on the floor of the danger room. He was tired and upset. He was relieved that X-23 had finally been subdued but Vincent was gone. He felt terrible having to tell the Professor that he failed to help his son. As much as Hideki beat himself up on the inside he tried to keep a slightly upbeat disposition on the outside. He never liked to look down and sad if he could help it. “Today was not a very good day…” He commented.

Philip looked on at the pile of rock and vines X-23 was constricted in. He stood looking on as if he were in a trance. His breathing was broken and winded. His eyes began to tear at the thought of his lover being snatched away from him and he couldn’t protect him. He began to weep heavily and didn’t wipe away a single tear. “Why… why… wasn’t I strong enough? I couldn’t save him… what kind of boyfriend am I?” Philip criticized himself.

Logan walked over to Philip and placed a hand on Philip’s shoulder. “Look kid, the guys we were facing were nothing easy to overcome. They aren’t just strong but as tricky as they come. There was no way we could have planned for this. You did what you could. This doesn’t mean you can’t protect who you love or that he ain’t comin’ back. We’ll get him and we’ll make Trask pay big time for this I swear.” Logan knew that Trask was to blame for all of this. It fit his M.O. perfectly. Philip seemed to take well to Logan’s encouragement and slowed in his weeping. Logan then turned to Vila, “Thanks Vila. You did an excellent job at keeping little miss assassin under wraps.” Vila didn’t say anything, but nodded as she left out of the danger room. Logan knew that Vila was taking this as hard as Charles, Erik, and Philip did.

Erik shortly afterward entered the danger room. His face was stern looking. He walked over to Hideki and helped him to his feet. “Thank you, all of you for helping my son as best you could. I do not take that lightly.” Erik the turned to Philip. “Philip my boy, I know… I know… but continue to be strong enough to believe that Vincent will be fine. Charles is looking for him right now with Cerebro. A mutant of Vincent’s strength will not be hard to spot with Cerebro.”

Erik then looked at the pile of stone and vines that held X-23 captive. He scowled at the pile angrily. With a wave of the hand he brushed the heavy stones aside using his power and levitated X-23 in the air. She was just like Logan indeed, with an Adamantium coated skeleton. X-23 was stuck in one position, as if she were standing at attention with floating in the air. “When will Trask learn that coating things in such an alloy is simply a heavy handicap? I’ll bring her to the holding cell myself. You all should tend to your wounds and get rest as best you can. Things from this point forward will not be easy.” With that Erik turned and walked out of the danger room taking X-23 with him.

He brought her to the confinement cell that was actually tested to be able to hold a mutant even as strong as Logan and stronger. He hurled the assassin into the cell using his power. He had very little remorse for the deadly mutant. Erik knew a stone cold killer when he saw one. He grew up suppressed and threatened by them every day in his youth. He said only one thing to X-23 before leaving her in the containment area alone and secure. “You, young one, are very fortunate that I am a changed man. Charles’ rubbing off on me has saved your miserable life more than you know… the old me would have ripped your bones apart and beat the remains with them but I have learned to suppress such uncontrolled and vicious urges. Do know that I can smell your bones miles away. So if you did manage to escape, you won’t be getting far before you feel your head begin to snap from your body. Just a bit of encouragement for you to be a good girl and behave.” Erik’s tone was composed but very serious. He meant every word and could more than back it all up.

Erik left the holding area and met with Charles. The room that contained Cerebro was enormous. The large spherical room had one extended platform from the room’s entrance. At the end of the platform sat Charles at the station that carried the helmet that the user would use to operate the machine. Only telepaths could operate Cerebro and not just any telepath could effectively use it the way Charles or Vincent could. It amplifies the telepathic strengths of the user. Erik slowly approached Charles. “How’s the search. Have you found him?” Erik asked, sounding like a worried parent whose child hasn’t returned home after curfew.

Charles was about to reply that he had not yet located Vincent but he, just then, picked up on Vincent. “I’ve just located him Erik!! He was miles away in an underground base. He and several others have escaped it seems and the base has been destroyed. But something puzzles me and concerns me. It appears that I am sensing double signatures on Vincent’s X-gene. There is another present with him that shares Vincent’s reading. This is much different than clones like the young lady in captivity right now. She has a different signature than Logan. But it is as if there is two of our son.” Charles explained. He had communicated with Vincent and instructed him that he would be sending Scott in the blackbird to go pick him and his companions up soon. They would be back at the mansion in a couple of days.

Charles then proceeded to inform everyone else telepathically that Vincent was alright. “Everyone there is good news. I have located Vincent and he is alright it seems. I will have Scott and Logan fly to his location to pick him and his companions up. Rest easy and thank you all for your bravery and strength today. To all of our guests please make yourselves at home. I will have repairs initiated as soon as possible. I will aim to keep you all posted on the status of things.” With that Charles ended his telepathic communication with the others.

The next day had arrived and things were busy at the mansion. Repairs were underway and everyone was given the day off from all meetings and classes. They were encouraged to take it easy. Scott, Logan, and Philip set out to pick up Vincent. The trip would take a little while. They weren’t aware that David, Sabertooth, Agent Six, as well as Cain were the extra people that would be accompanying them back to the mansion. They were in for a deadly reunion…

After a long time, Ryan was finally feeling a little better. People were moving around and starting to get stuff done. Professor Fuyumi had suggested the use of Cerebro to find Vincent. It was brilliant, anyone with an X gene as powerful as Vincent's would stick out like a sore thumb.Ryan had finally, for the most part, regained his composure. He'd stopped sobbing but everytime he tried to talk nothing happened. His voice was sealed away, unable to come out. At tht moment, Ryan noticed Professor Fuyumi approaching him. Fuyumi calmly walked over to Ryan and sat down beside him. She placed a hand on Ryan’s shoulder. “Ryan, don’t you worry. You were so brave today. I’m sure Adria will greatly appreciate saving her. Vincent looked proud to see you all work so well together in the middle of danger. You did what was best for the team and I know for sure he’d be proud of that. I believe that for myself as well. I wish I could have stayed by his side, but there were others that needed me too. I believe he’ll return to us, in one piece.”

Fuyumi then gave Ryan a gentle hug. Ryan closed his eyes and he hugged Professor Fuyumi back, but not as hard as he could or else he would have crushed her. He almost started crying again. Luckily his tear ducts were pretty dried up, so he managed to keep it together. It was exactly what he needed. Someone to tell him everything was going to be ok and that he did the best that he could. To hug him like... like his mom used to. That nothing was his fault and they were gonna get Vincent back. It was perfect. Ryan managed to whisper, "Thank you, Professor." As they broke apart, Ryan stood up, offering his hand to the professor to help her up. He did so with the palm of his hand, so she wouldn't cut herself on his claws. As she got up, Ryan said, "Thank you so much for your kind words and for the hug. Must not be so nice to hug someone who's scaly. I still appreciate it though."

Charles then proceeded to inform everyone telepathically that Vincent was alright. “Everyone there is good news. I have located Vincent and he is alright it seems. I will have Scott and Logan fly to his location to pick him and his companions up. Rest easy and thank you all for your bravery and strength today. To all of our guests please make yourselves at home. I will have repairs initiated as soon as possible. I will aim to keep you all posted on the status of things.” With that Charles ended his telepathic communication with the others.

The next day had arrived and things were busy at the mansion. Repairs were underway and everyone was given the day off from all meetings and classes. They were encouraged to take it easy. So Ryan did. He woke up early and took a walk around the campus. He helped out a little bit with moving heavy things and opening some stuff, but for the most part, he relaxed. He felt perfectly fine, his body healed very quickly, it always did. Wounds on his body weren't what was vexing him. It was Vincent, and the rest of his friends. They must have felt so terrible. Ryan had no idea how to console them, so he did the only thing he knew how to do at a time like this. He walked down to the basement where the art room was. As he walked in the door, the art teacher looked up, and started to put himself together. He must have been in the middle of something, "Please don't bother yourself with me. I know where all the supplies and things are, I come here a lot actually. I'm just feeling like painting." Ryan said with a smile. He'd taken great care to grind the scales all over his body down extra this morning so he could have as much freedom of motion as he needed to paint. It would be tricky, like it always was, but hopefully, with the foresight to grind most of his scales off this morning, it would come a little easier.

Ryan prepped his canvas and grabbed his five colored tubes marked white, blue, red, yellow, and black. He set himself up in a corner, facing the door, so his work wouldn't be seen by anyone in the room. It would be embarrassing if someone looked at whatever horrid monstrosity he made with his clumsy hands. Still, Ryan got started. He mixed some basic colors together to give himself a full spectrum of paint to work with and got to painting. He'd wanted to portray what he really felt like at the moment, so he'd started with mostly blues and blacks and grays. He'd started with the sky, like he always did, forming big angry rain clouds that pelted his canvas with rain. Next was the sea. It was turbulent and tempestuous. Obviously it wasn't in a good mood because it was rampaging like an angry rhinoceros. However, there was a single opening in the rampaging waves. A small spot where the sea was calm. It was far away, but it must have been a good place to be because the sky was clear there. A metaphorical oasis in the middle of such harsh environs. Finally, Ryan filled in the space between with the horizon, clouded and bleak. There was no hope there. Just an almost empty space that was only filled with the rage and sadness of the sea and sky around it. Next, Ryan began the last component of his painting. It was a boat. A small sloop whose sails were stowed and was in danger of tipping. It was headed for that calm spot with as much speed and urgency it could muster. Ryan tried to convey as much desperation in that sloop as he could. The lines were lashing about, some of them hadn't been battened down and were whipping about as the storm tossed the ship. The sails were beginning to come undone from their bindings, and the mast was ever so slightly bent out of shape from the force of the wind and the rain. Ryan didn't make any people on the boat, but he figured there were a few on board, maybe one of them was below decks attempting to prepare something warm for the sailors who were about to go out and battle the storm. Maybe yet another was in his bed, holding a bible and praying that this wouldn't be the end for him. Finally, he managed to make a dark, humanoid shape over the boat's wheel. Perhaps he was the captain, steering the ship to clearer waters, or perhaps he was some mutinous villain, set on sinking what little hope the ship had. Either way, Ryan had spent a very long time in the art room. As he finished, Ryan sat a while, lost in thought at the painting he had created. It was better than his previous attempts at art, which made him feel good. The scale grinding had definitely helped. He had wanted to making something inspiring and hopeful. This dark thing in front of him felt more like the blues than a march. Shaking off his uncertainties about the piece, Ryan started to clean up. He'd made a mess and felt it was time to get out of the poor art teacher's hair. He'd been here long enough.

“Everyone there is good news. I have located Vincent and he is alright it seems. I will have Scott and Logan fly to his location to pick him and his companions up. Rest easy and thank you all for your bravery and strength today. To all of our guests please make yourselves at home. I will have repairs initiated as soon as possible. I will aim to keep you all posted on the status of things.” With that Charles ended his telepathic communication with the others.

'He's safe. He's coming back. We didn't fail.' Thantos looked to Ryan and saw him being comforted by Professor Fuyumi. 'He'll be ok. He doesn't need me right now. I wouldn't be any help anyway.' Thantos went to retrieve his fallen coins. As he went to grab some off of the ground he whinces at the pain that explodes in his arm. 'Oh, yeah I got shot. He begins burning Pewter to cancel out the pain. Burning Iron he pulls the coins into his hand and tosses them into his pouch. He turns to walk into the mansion going to the infirmary. Once he got there he falls into one of the bed and extinguishes the Pewter letting himself feel the burning pain of the bullet in his shoulder. After a while he passes out and sleeps.

His sleep isn't restful or relaxing. He dreamed of his parents and the kidnappers. He felt the desolation of abandonment the fear of being alone. He woke with a start in the middle of the night. He was coated in a cold sweat. His shoulder was bandaged and arm in a sling. The pain had decreased in his time asleep. He lied awake staring at the ceiling for a few hours thinking about the dream, his past. He started to panic. Hyperventilating he jumps out of the bed and runs outside. He gasps the cool night air calming himself. He looked into the sky and saw a skyscraper a few blocks away. He ran putting distance between himself and the mansion the pain in his arm flaring as he ran. Reaching the base of the skyscraper he flares Steel pushing himself to the top of the building. He stood on the top of the spire surrounded by darkness. Tears were streaming down his face. He was scared and alone. He spent the rest of the night atop the building. In the morning he returned to the mansion. He sat atop the mansion alone thinking.

Cara Black


“You have to stay in bed Cara, elsewise your head could get worse and your arm certainly won’t heal!” The nurse berated at Cara, it was the third time she had attempted to get up and evidently the nurse was losing her patience.

“I’m fine though! My arm will heal, even if I don’t stay here and what’s the worst that could happen with all the repairs going on, I’m not likely to fall without anyone around me.” Cara answered back, almost pleading. If nothing else so she could at least go for a cigarette.

“It is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to head trauma.” Once she was satisfied that Cara was back in bed the nurse turned to leave. “Now please don’t try to run away again.” She added before walking back to her duties.

Cara rolled her eyes, waiting until she was sure the nurse couldn’t see her anymore before pulling herself into her shadow and off the side of the bed to where her clothes were neatly folded up. Pulling her t-shirt carefully over her head so as to avoid knocking her tender wound, she picked up her boots and coat, ducking her head around the corner to check that the nurse hadn’t been alerted to her movements. Tip-toeing towards the door, Cara pulled herself into a shadow to make the last stretch to the door.

She walked aimlessly through the mansion, eventually deciding she was far enough away that the nurse would never find her she sparked up one of her cigarettes giving a sigh of relief as she did so, it was amazing the kind of serenity a cigarette can bring.

She leaned up against one of the nearby walls relishing in the feeling of her first cigarette in several hours, when she thought she heard something like tears. Listening carefully she followed the sound that was just at the edge of hearing, as she grew nearer to the noise she could tell that it was a pillow cry, the kind of sound only makeable when someone buries their head in their pillow and just cries out the hurt.

She followed the sound back to the room of its origin, looking up and down the corridor to get her bearings she eventually worked out whose it was. She knocked, “Memory? Are you ok?”





Mutt Ant

Mutt was sat outside his van, relaxing with a cold beer after a long day of updating his website. He sat back and looked into the dark night sky his radio playing quietly away to itself as he flicked through his anorak of mutants all in all it was turning into a good evening.

He looked up from his anorak to take a sip from his beer, taking a subconscious gaze at the radio only now really listening to it.

“It has been confirmed that there was an attack on the Xavier instate today and it is believed to be of anti-mutant terrorist groups, though none have come forward. In other news…”

Mutt spat his beer across the slow burning fire in front of him almost extinguishing it. “Oh shit!” He quickly collected his things together, pouring the almost full bottle of beer on the fire to extinguish it and quickly climbing back into his van, heading off as fast as he could though with the distance between them he wouldn’t arrive until the next day.

He’d seen a lot of anti-mutant fighting in his life but very few on the scale of the attack at the mansion, he surveyed the damage from his van as he approached the opening in the wall where the gates had once stood.

Since he’d had interaction with the Xavier institute before he had known the grounds well as well as the mutants who lived there and had little trouble navigating his way to a clear spot to park. Once his heavily modified and pro-mutant stickered van was parked up he ran out hurriedly. “Fuyumi! Is everyone ok?!”

Mia

Mia unwrapped her arms from around Charles, giving his hand a squeeze before turning her attention to the battered group that stood before her. She didn't understand how someone could do this. No. That was a lie. She did understand why someone could do this. Being on the side the Anti-Mutants hate, she lost the love of her life, and her unborn child. There was many reasons, but Mia couldn't wrap her head around at how bad it looked.

Fuyumi was right. If anyone could find Vincent, it was Cerebro and Charles. Erik's speech did ring true. Fear does stem from misunderstanding and the unknown. Things people can't control they fear.

"Who did this?" She asked, to no one in particular. It was an open question, one that a blue haired girl answered. "I can't be certain, but there were a few mutants as well with the pack. Sabertooth was one of them."

"The Weapon X Program.. that's not good.." She mumbled under her breath. Mia heard of the Weapon X Program from the X-Men, and even had encounters with them when they attacked the mansion before. With not being very combative, and having only had a few classes on self defense and Sai work, she'd be lucky to keep her ground for a few seconds before running. She tried to avoid fighting whenever necessary, but knew there was times when you couldn't. With Weapon X involved, it only made matters worse.

“Everyone there is good news. I have located Vincent and he is alright it seems. I will have Scott and Logan fly to his location to pick him and his companions up. Rest easy and thank you all for your bravery and strength today. To all of our guests please make yourselves at home. I will have repairs initiated as soon as possible. I will aim to keep you all posted on the status of things.”

Taking a breath of relief at the message she, and the others received from Charles, knowing that things would be alright.
The next morning Mia had woken early. Well, she didn't sleep much, and was up relatively early from that fact. She had gone to her restaurant, in the middle of the night to sift through paperwork, and make sure the inventory was well stocked. There was a few things she had to order, but overall, her General Manager Daniel had kept it in good shape.

Being an owner had it's quirks. You could come in anytime you wanted, make your own hours, and leave everything in the hands of your General Manager and those below. One of the greatest downfalls of being the owner was you could get a call at four in the morning from alarms going off because someone shattered the window, or tried to break in. But Mia couldn't ask for anything more. She loved it, and would even help the kitchen on nights that were so busy, she knew no matter how good the staff was, that they would need help.

Stacking the papers neatly on the desk, she looked at her watch, the time reading 9am. She had been here for five hours already, and she ran her hands down her face, feeling the effects of not getting much sleep. Another hour then I will be done, and I'll head back to the mansion after.. I want to be there when he gets back..

Adria

She watched Mia approach, completely forgetting that a lone Human lived in the Mansion. She never gave it much thought since she left two weeks ago, but now she was back. It would have been better if she didn't come back, Adria thought. She would have to play nice, but the very thought of it made her want to vomit.

"Who did this?" Mia asked, to no one in particular. "I can't be certain, but there were a few mutants as well with the pack. Sabertooth was one of them."Adria answered. Just then she heard Charles's report.

“Everyone there is good news. I have located Vincent and he is alright it seems. I will have Scott and Logan fly to his location to pick him and his companions up. Rest easy and thank you all for your bravery and strength today. To all of our guests please make yourselves at home. I will have repairs initiated as soon as possible. I will aim to keep you all posted on the status of things.”

This will be interesting.. I wonder what happened to him at Trask's hands... she thought to herself.

Adria had taken herself back to the infirmary, where the nurse who was caring for her earlier gave her a nice long lecture of staying put when injured. Adria only half listened, being unusually tired. She was out like a light after the lecture, and had woken up feeling more tired than she was when she went to sleep. Bandages wrapped around her waist, and one on her upper left arm from the cuts. No stitches and no broken bones was always good. She was up and about now, with the permission from the nurse.

Adria had heard from the others that Ryan had brought her to the infirmary during the middle of the fight, after she had been sedated. She thought it would be proper to at least thank him the next time she saw him.

Sedated..what an embarrassment..She thought. She should have been prepared for that. Prepared for anything. But she was having too much fun getting rid of the soldiers. Permanently. It was a wonderful feeling to know you had power, and even more wonderful to know with that power, you can decide their fate.. the humans. Those who look down on others for being different..who take pleasure in other peoples pain.. who lie through their teeth..always out for personal gain.. They were all the same. They got what was coming to them.

Kyle and Hideki

Kyle happened to be looming about the mansion in a blah sort of mood. There were many people about the mansion pretending not to be bothered and others that didn’t even attempt to pretend. Kyle usually went about the mansion stalking the cute guys and laughing at how he made them feel uncomfortable when he flirted with them playfully. However today was much different. He was in a mood of solitude and desired to be mostly an observer of others. He walked past the Art room. There were a few people there including Jonathan, Ace and Ryan. Jonathan caught his eye. Kyle leaned against the door of the art room quietly so that no one would notice him. Ryan and Jonathan were talking a little.

Kyle whispered to himself, “I didn’t Know Jonathan and Ryan painted.” Kyle’s parents were painters and photographers back in France. They taught him to excel in their crafts as well. He always appreciated a good painting or interesting photo, but he chose to be the center piece of the art by becoming a model. Kyle wanted to say something to the boys but as they approached the door he ducked back against the wall and swiftly flew around the corner. “Where was Memory? She’s almost always with Jonathan. She was taking things rather difficultly yesterday.” Kyle said to himself.

Kyle thought back to earlier that morning. He had asked the Professor if he could be allowed to tag along with Logan, Scott and Philip when they went to rendezvous with Vincent. He had promised himself that he’d help find Vincent in any way that he could. However the professor wouldn’t allow it. “You must take it easy and rest Kyle. Scott, Logan, and Philip can handle this. Besides, there are others here at the mansion that need you more. Hideki could use a good distraction right now.” Kyle remembered the professor’s words and he smiled. He decided to visit Hideki.

Hideki sat in the library slightly depressed. He decided to create a sword of light. Magneto had been coaching him lately with the use of his power and creating light energy objects that were actually tangible. It took so much concentration to do so Hideki decided to stop and try something simpler. He placed his hands together and created a ball of light. That ball of multicolored light swirled and moved about serenely. From the ball flew a butterfly of light that fluttered around creating sparkles where it flew. Hideki felt much better when looking at the delicate creature of light. It was carefree and he felt carefree for a moment. He just wished that he’d feel better after the butterfly was no more too.

Kyle walked into the library, searching from aisle to aisle for Hideki. There he found him, seated at the back of the library at a small table near a window. The sunlight fell peacefully onto Hideki and the surrounding area. The butterfly Hideki created gracefully flittered over to Kyle, once Hideki realized that Kyle was watching him. The butterfly landed on the tip of Kyle’s nose and batted it’s wings a couple of times before flittering off toward the light from the window and fading away into the golden sunshine. “That was pretty nice I see you’ve found your distraction.” Kyle said with a smirk.

The two students stalked for a while and then decided to head downstairs to the common area and watch television. Once they reached the common area the say Stinger. She was seated on the couch, legs crossed, and flipping through channels. She was obviously very bored. Kyle was at first a bit hesitant to sit next to her. She was just yesterday their enemy. She seemed to know Cara, and Kyle thought perhaps if Cara knew about Stinger, she could have possibly known about the attack on the mansion. As Hideki sat down seemingly without a care Kyle stood deep in thought. “Kyle you alright?” Hideki asked.

“Oh, I’m fine. I must have been spacing out.” Kyle replied with a quick smile. Kyle sat down and Stinger began to talk. “So you boys know of any good malls around here? I’m dying to do some spending therapy. Cara’s off getting all medicated, I don’t do manual labor so helping to fix the joint is out of the question and TV has failed me miserably today.” Stinger spoke to the students like she was unaware of the previous day’s circumstances. They were shocked at her whimsical disposition.

Hideki brightened up when he heard the word mall. “Do I ever!” He replied. Kyle rolled his eyes as Stinger and Hideki chattered on about their future shopping expeditions.

Fuyumi Abe

Fuyumi had helped out with a few things around the mansion. There were several things that needed to be taken in and out of rooms that were too large to fit through doors, so Fuyumi phased them through the walls for the professor. She decided to take a break and sit outside for a while. The sky was pretty sunny and the breeze was pleasant and soft. She wondered if Vincent had suffered any while captured. She truly hoped that things would remain peaceful for a while. She then heard a familiar voice approach her, “Fuyumi! Is everyone ok?!”

The voice belonged to Mutt Ant the mutant enthusiast. Fuyumi smiled as the man approached her. “Mutt! It’s been a while! Yes everyone is fine for the most part. Nothing too major on the physical injury side of things but emotionally we’ve been hit pretty hard. Vincent, Professor Xavier and Magneto’s son, was kidnapped by Weapon-X yesterday. They are the ones who attacked the Mansion. The good news is that the professor was able to locate Vincent and he seems okay. Scott, Logan and Philip are headed to go pick him up. I hope you aren’t too bothered by the state the mansion’s in.” Fuyumi replied calmly. Mutt could be a little strange at times but his heart was always the one to speak volumes for his genuine spirit.

Vincent and Cain

Miles away from the destroyed Weapon-X facility, Vincent, Cain, Sabertooth, David, and Agent Six walked seemingly aimlessly along a hot sun. They were on a road that seemingly rarely had traffic. They had walked a long way. Vincent and Cain lead the group walking side by side. Agent Six trailed just a few paces behind them. David and Victor followed up the rear. Victor looked up at the sun and cringed, “You mind telling me why we were allowed to take one of the many vacant Weapon-X vehicles and just drive back to the mansion Hmm?” Victor’s voice clearly showcased his annoyance. He peered at the back of Cain’s head with one eye squinted.

Cain turned around and replied with a calm that only showcased a subliminal hint of his serious anger. “I refuse to use anything that was created to hunt, hurt and kill our kind. We’re better off without Weapon-X’s trinkets.” When they were still at the Weapon-X facility, Victor and David wanted to simply steal a Weapon-X car but Cain wouldn’t let them. Victor knew he couldn’t challenge Cain and decided to take down to the superior mutant.

Vincent added, “Well in Victor’s defense, it would be better for us to hitch a ride or something. It’s pretty hot out here an I’m not quite sure how close the nearest town is. Here’s my plan, I’ll scan the area for a motorist and when they drive by, you all ask for a ride I will get them to stop for us by using my empathic powers. Is that alright?”

David quickly agreed. “That’s a magnificent plan of action. Let’s get to it.”

About five minutes later they caught the attention of a family in a mobile home. They were to travel to upstate New York. Vincent using his empathic abilities had the family decide to help the group. The father of the three member family was a short and simple little Caucasian man with round glasses. His wife was also petit and blonde. She seemed pretty gentle and a Texan. Both parents looked to be in their 30’s. Their son was about six years old and had very light brown hair. He was excited about having the group on board. It gave him something more interesting to look at.

The mother spoke first once the group of mutants got settled in the tiny mobile home. “So where y’all comin’ from?” The woman smiled like a pageant queen, She was very pretty. “We’re traveling from Virginia to our new home in upstate New York. My Husband’s originally from Virginia and I’m from Texas. Y’all seem like a motley bunch!”

Cain replied first. “We actually just escaped a government facility that was created to, in genocidal manner, wipe out all mutants from existence. We are now trying to make it back to the only safe haven known to mutants the Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr School for Gifted Students.” There was a silence in the RV. Vincent put palm to face and sighed.

The father of the family slowed down the car slightly. He needed to process what he was hearing. “Y-you are mutants?” The man asked nervously.

The son jumped in joy at the thought of them being mutants who were like the comic book characters he was a fan of. “Wow you’re mutants!! That’s awesome!” He dashed from his mother’s lap and jumped toward David who was seated across from her. He hugged onto David and he realized that David had no discernible smell. Something like that didn’t always stick out until you were close to David, and you realized that you usually smell something on others whether good or bad but with David there was and absence of aroma. The boy looked up at David’s face and asked, “You don’t smell like anything Mr. usually somebody smells like something how come you don’t?” The boy asked innocently and curiously.

David smiled and returned the boy’s hug. “You are such a bright boy! That’s right I don’t have a discernible scent. Your parents must be smart too.” David said as he glanced up at the boy’s parents as if to say, ‘Pull something dumb and we will kill you.’

The father pulled over the RV and turned around pleading with the group. “Please don’t harm us. We don’t want trouble.”

Vincent quickly intervened, “Neither do we. We simply want to return home. Would you and your family help us? We’ve gone through a long and tough couple of days. We mean you no harm.” Vincent using him empathic ability calmed the family to a relaxed state. They weren’t nearly as agitated as before.

Cain added, “You assume we are dangerous and want to cause trouble because we have powers. But your fear is horribly misplaced. Humans wield a power far more deadly than any mutant power, prejudice and hatred. Those are weapons that continue to live and to destroy others throughout time, yet humans are so blind to it’s everyday use in persecuting mutant kind.” Cain was very serious and passionate. Vincent could feel his heart and his emotions, both men were one. Vincent understood Cain’s pain because it was his own, however the two chose to handle it differently.

The mother replied nervously, “Well… I never looked at it that way. I’m so sorry for making y’all feel uncomfortable in my mobile home. We learned us a valuable lesson today didn’t we honey! Mutants ain’t all bad like the news portrays them to be. We’ll take you where you wanna go no problem. And when we move into our nice big house upstate, y’all are more than welcome to home over for dinner!” The lady was simple but sweet. Her husband nodded in agreement. Vincent was very glad that the conflict was resolved.

A bit afterwards Vincent received a telepathic communication from Charles. “Vincent, Scott, Logan and Philip are in the BlackBird and nearing your location. They will pick you up.” Charles’ communication was filled with the sound of joy. He was very happy to communicate with his son.

Vincent replied telepathically, “Good to hear your voice dad. I have a view unlikely companions with me… we’ve hitched a ride in an RV. We’ll ask the family to drop us here then.”

Charles replied, “Alright son. I’ll communicate that with Scott. Everyone misses you more than you know.” With that the transmission ended.

The little boy asked, “Um mister, what are you up to?” He noticed Vincent holding his hand up to his head.

Vincent smiled gently, “I’m communicating with my Father telepathically. I’m a telepath, I can communicate with people in their minds as well as move thing with my mind.” Vincent turned to the father and notified him that they could be dropped off at their current location.

The little boy jumped up and down. “Wow sooo cool!!”

Vincent replied, “Yes, it can be but it takes a lot of studying and training to understand my gift. I have to study hard so that I can be wise about using my power. I should never be irresponsible or I could get into trouble. So remember you have to train your mind and study hard too. Promise?” Vincent smiled face to face with the boy.

“Promise!” The little boy replied with a wide smile.

Victor huffed, “Now I want a kid… It’s really time to go.” David chuckled upon hearing Victor’s complaining.

The family dropped the group off and Vincent was sure to get the family’s information so that once day they could meet again. The family drove off and the Blackbrid came into view overhead. The jet lowered down to the ground and opened its door. Philip ran outside of the Blackbird and jumped into Vincent’s arms. “Vincent I’m so sorry… I- I let you down. Are you alright?”

Vincent hugged Philip tightly and closed his eyes. He was so glad to be in the arms of the one he loved so dearly. Cain watched and immediately felt a pang in his heart. He felt an overwhelming love when Philip drew near. He was experiencing Vincent’s emotions. He knew who Vincent knew, he felt how Vincent felt about others. He loved Philip like Vincent loved Philip. It was truly and odd phenomenon. Cain tried to keep himself from blushing and to steady his breathing. Vincent replied, “It’s alright Philip… It’s alright… I find no fault with you or anyone else. It couldn’t have been helped. We must get back.” Vincent was calming.

Philip replied, “Alright love.” Philip looked up and noticed the others. He was shocked to see Sabertooth, David North, Vincent’s very captors. “Wha-what are they doing here?!” Philip shouted.

Just then Logan and Scott stepped out of the black bird to examine the situation. Logan immediately extended his claws. “GET HIM OUTTA HERE!!” He said in a rage and motioned toward Sabertooth.

Victor grinned. “Aww Logan… you’re not happy to see me? What a shame! I’ll be sticking around the X-men for a while. Who knows I might even pick up teaching like you did and turn all soft.” Victor taunted with a huge smile.

Logan replied angrily, “Shut-Up YOU EGG SUCKIN’ PIECE OF GUTTER TRASH!! As long as he’s here I’m gonna be somewhere else!!”

Vincent interjected, “Logan please…”

Cain jumped in before Vincent could add anymore. “Why must we fight our brothers? We should work together not be at each other’s throats.” Cain spoke calmly.

Logan shot Cain a quick angry look, “Who the HELL are you?!”

“My brother, or to put it more accurately, he’s another me.” Vincent replied.

Scott, having heard enough said, “Alright, does the professor know about you wanting to bring them back to the mansion? They are a danger to everyone. Did weapon-x screw with your head or something?”

Cain got in Scott’s face, “They sure tried to screw with his head and everything else but he fought back, together! That how it should be for all mutants fighting together not against one another in distrust. Charles knows about them. If they pull something, I will kill them on the spot.” Cain placed a hand on Agent Six’s shoulder indicating that she wasn’t included in those that he threatened.

Logan cringed, “Just great… another magneto…”

Charles Xavier

Charles returned to his office after leaving Cerebro. The was a knock on the door. Charles sensed the situation and smiled. A new student was here. He was overjoyed that although the mansion had been attacked and things were not their safest at the mansion, others weren’t afraid to come to seek safety at the X-men mansion. Charles was relieved, “Perhaps I haven’t failed after all.” He said to himself. Charles walked to the door and opened it.

“Hello Annabelle, I’m Charles Xavier. Welcome to the Xavier and Lehnsherr School for Gifted students.”

Charles ushered Annabelle into his office and offered her a seat. “I hope you’ll excuse the state of the mansion, we had an emergency situation yesterday and it took quite a toll on the place. So what brings you to our school?”

Mutt Ant

“Damn those bastards!” Mutt interjected, holding his fist up as he did so. “I’ve been trying to have them shut down for years. Everyone laughs and says it’s a conspiracy like area fifty one or something. I’m glad that everyone is ok though, I’d hate for anything to have happened to anyone.” He smiled at the small Japanese woman. “Why’d they want their son, for ransom or something?” He asked intrigued. “Normally Weapon X just want to either eradicate mutants or turn the public against them.”

“I hope you aren’t too bothered by the state the mansion’s in.”

He shook his head. “Don’t worry; no amount of mess is going to scare me away. I’ve been living in a camper van for like thirty years now.” He looked up again at the gaping holes in the mansions walls. “Is there anything I can do to help? Like I can help you fix things up? Or even get some of the XFC and MAPT to come help?” He offered already taking out his phone.

Professor X

Annabelle said "Thank you," as she smiled to Xavier as she took a seat, seating her bag down beside her.

Charles began, "I hope you’ll excuse the state of the mansion, we had an emergency situation yesterday and it took quite a toll on the place. So what brings you to our school?” He told her and she smiled at him.

"It's okay, I've seen much worse." Annabelle shrugged. “So yeah, I came her searching for some place safe, somewhere to actually call home." She said with a weak smile. She knew all about Xavier and his abilities, she knew he was someone trustworthy but somethings are better left alone and so she put up as best a telepathic block as she could, her lilac eyes starting to glow a bit as she did. "But I also need to be somewhere that would educate me, teach me the best ways to use my abilities and..." She hesitated. "Somewhere I can be myself and not be scared of others." She looked away from Xavier and lifted the sunglasses of her face, revealing her solid lilac eyes, she rubbed her eyelids.

Charles smiled and folded his hands together. “well Annabelle you’ve come to the right place. Here at the Xavier institute we specialize in helping mutants hone their abilities so that they may exercise control and discipline when using their powers. We’d like to make you feel at home here and you are most welcome to stay as long as you’d like. Both Mr. Lehnsherr and my goal is to teach society that mutant and mankind can indeed coexist and live together in peace. However in order to achieve that goal we as mutants must learn to control our abilities as best we can. When we showcase discipline others can easier follow our lead and improve their way of thought as well. May I ask what is the nature of your mutation?

Fuyumi Abe

Mutt responded to the news of the mansion attack and the kidnapping. “Damn those bastards!” Mutt interjected, holding his fist up as he did so. “I’ve been trying to have them shut down for years. Everyone laughs and says it’s a conspiracy like area fifty one or something. I’m glad that everyone is ok though, I’d hate for anything to have happened to anyone.” He smiled at the small Japanese woman. “Why’d they want their son, for ransom or something?” He asked intrigued. “Normally Weapon X just want to either eradicate mutants or turn the public against them.”

“I hope you aren’t too bothered by the state the mansion’s in.”

He shook his head. “Don’t worry; no amount of mess is going to scare me away. I’ve been living in a camper van for like thirty years now.” He looked up again at the gaping holes in the mansions walls. “Is there anything I can do to help? Like I can help you fix things up? Or even get some of the XFC and MAPT to come help?” He offered already taking out his phone.

Fuyumi bowed respectfully to Mutt. She couldn’t shake off the Japanese customs even in America. She was really appreciative of the help he offered. “Thank you so much Mutt! That would be great!” Fuyumi brushed a few strands of hair behind her ear and let out a sigh. “As for Weapon-X… It seems they wanted Vincent because of his skillset. He’s a strong mix of both Professor X’s and Mageto’s powers. His X-gene was apparently so powerful that the professor had to place restraints on Vincent’s powers. I believe Weapon- X planned to used Vincent’s power to their advantage somehow. The professor using Cerebro was thankfully able to locate Vincent and now he should be arriving home soon.” Fuyumi smiled brightly, “Hey Mutt, why don’t you stick around for a while? There are a lot of students that not long ago arrived to the mansion and I think you’d find their abilities interesting to study.”

Hideki, Kyle, Stinger and Frenzy

Frenzy/Joanna felt bad after having attacked the X-men. She had spent that first night settling in at the X-mansion and dodging the untrusting and evil stares directed at her from the mansion’s inhabitants. She knew when Xavier took her in that building trust amongst the people of the school would be a long and difficult task. However since she was sincere in her desire to join the X-men, she felt that the battle for trust was well worth it.

She decided the next day, to help out around the mansion. She was a big help by lifting things and she had some skill in handy work. The construction workers that were present at the mansion were impressed and nervous about how strong Joanna was. One of the construction workers, a real macho guy, decided to flirt with her. “Hey pretty lady. Keep it up and you’d be putting us boys out of a job. How am I supposed to buy you dinner when I’m penniless?” The man chuckled.

Joanna replied, “You’re not supposed to buy me dinner because I would refuse the offer. Also I like to help the boys out around the house so no pay is necessary for my services. But thanks for offering cutie pie.” Joanna gave the man a playful wink and continued to carry a large pile of lumber a few paces away.

Joanna decided it was time for a well-deserved break. She entered the lounge room and sat down next to Wendy/ Stinger who was chatting with Hideki and Kyle. “Hey all. You all could help out just a little bit you know. You do live here…” Joanna said as she looked at Hideki and Kyle. The two boys snickered sheepishly.

Hideki replied innocently, “We have no clue about that kind of stuff. It’s best we not meddle. Besides we’re going to show Wendy here the mall! I plan to have some major shopping therapy today!”

Joanna shook her head and smiled. “I guess I might go with you. I need a normal activity to balance things out.” She said as she stretched some. The four set out for the mall downtown.

While Wendy and Hideki dragged Joanna and Kyle about Kyle couldn’t help but ponder the oddity of Hideki and him befriending two of the very people that attempted to harm the X-men a day before. It was unusual. Kyle was suspicious at first while the group was still at the mansion but once they began to talk to Joanna and Wendy he realized that they weren’t really all that invested in Weapon-X themselves. They were simply trying to find the best option and fit for them. Xavier’s mission is not one that is very easy to accept and take on. It requires the X-men to be fair to those that weren’t and aren’t fair to them. Kyle was learning this lesson today.

Joanna was very cool and level headed. Wendy was a chatty patty and fashionable. Kyle smiled to himself as he was glad to feel like he could put his weapons down now. Hideki didn’t seem to have a problem with Wendy and Joanna from the beginning. Perhaps it was Hideki’s generally accepting personality they allowed him to forgive so easily.

The group soon decided to take a stroll downtown. The sun was bright and things seemed pretty quiet. The peace was shattered when a large explosion and screams shot across the air space. People ran away in fear. Joanna dropped the shopping bags she carried and dashed in the opposite direction that the civilians ran. She stopped and wipped around to Hideki and Kyle, “You guys coming or not?!” She yelled and then dashed toward the ruckus. Kyle and Hideki looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders and followed after Joanna.

Wendy still stood there looking annoyed. “Really… I was having such a nice day too… FINE!! BUT WHOSE GONNA KEEP OUR BAGS FROM BEING STOLEN!?! Oh… whatever!” Wendy tried to hide the bags under a parked car and then hurried after the others.

The ground rumbled and people screamed, “IT’S A MUTANT!! R-RU-RUN HE’LL CRUSH US!!” a man yelled. Frenzy stood looking at a giant whole in the side of a building’s brick wall. “Well where is this guy?” Frenzy said as Hideki, Kyle, and Stinger caught up.

A husky and arrogant sounding masculine voice billowed out from the hole in the wall. “I’m no MUTANT!!!” the large man’s footsteps shook the earth it was the Juggernaut. He now stood in the sunlight looking down on Stinger, Frenzy, Kyle and Hideki. “WHAT ARE YOU KIDS LOOKING AT?! Wanna start somethin’ or WHAT?” Juggernaut taunted the group of mutants.

The four stared at the large muscular man in awe. He was truly a sight to behold. He wore a large metal helmet that was quite dome shaped. It looked very heavy. Kyle asked, “There’s no way that he’s NOT a mutant…” the others nodded in agreement while their eyes remained fixed on Juggernaut.

The large man replied, “Well, you kiddies gonna let me through to rape and pillage or are you going to try to stop me? I’m waiting…”

Hideki cringed, “I hate this guy’s attitude… he blasted Juggernaut with explosive plasmoid energy that exploded colorfully onto the man’s broad chest. The fireworks exloploded and crackled spectacularly each explosion enough to break through steel. However for some reason the man was seemingly not harmed he simply laughed as if he were being tickled.

“HAHAHAHAHAHEE HAAAAAHAAAAHAA…..!!!! OOOOOooooo Yeah!! That’s the spot boy!! That tickles like something I ain’t felt in a while!! HAHAHA…. What’s this the fourth of July?!” Juggernaut was unphased or rather pleasured by Hideki’s attack which seriously frustrated the young mutant.

“Are bloody serious!?” Hideki shouted. He then decided to take another shot, this time at full power. Instead of aiming for Juggernaut head on he blasted at the ground beneath the large mutant’s feet. The blast was far brighter than before and the concrete was destroyed around juggernaut he was a bit jarred and the ground collapsed in beneath the man. He fell down beneath the ground and shouted. “That ought to fix you Roid rage!” Hideki shouted.

Stinger placed her hands on her hips and smirked. “Nice…. Going there Hideki! You showed him whose the man!” Stinger giggled and turned around to head home however the ground in front of her and now behind the others was broken through and Juggernaut leaped through the opening.

He yelled. “How DARE YOU YOU LITTLE CHERRY BOMB INSECT!!?? Don’t you know who I am?!? I’M THE JUGGERNAUT BITCH!!” [OOC: as cheezy as it is I just had to do it… please forgive me! : D]

Joanna had enough of this guy. She rushed up to him and gave him a good solid gut shot. He fist remained lodged into the man’s extremely sculpted stomach. He stood slightly doubled over. “WHOOOAH!! Now YOU pack Quite and unexpected PUNCH THERE GIRLIE!! HAHA NOW THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT!” Juggernaut laughed in excitement. The blow was able to hurt him a bit but not much. It would take a lot more blows like to topple the Juggernaut. He raised his large hand and backhanded her sending her flying into Hideki and the two went tumbling into a parked car.

“AH…. Bloody hell… That bloke is really mad!” Hideki groaned.

Frenzy began to stand up and help Hideki up slowly. “You were lucky that I was knocked into you over him actually hitting you. That backhand was like being hit by a bullet train…” Frenzy said trying to catch her breath and her eyes remain fixed on Juggernaut. “Let the games begin…” She said to herself.

Stinger electroshocked Juggernaut but it was no good he stood completely un-phased while staring at her with a mocking grin on his face. “How the HELL are we supposed to take this thug down!?” Stinger yelled.

Kyle winked at Stinger, “Like this my friend. Maybe I can steal some of this old boy’s thunder.” Kyle flew at Juggernaut dodging a few punched that juggernaut launched with his large hands. Kyle sucker punched Juggernaut across the helmet and kept hitting him. The man was surprised that the pretty boy was as strong as he was. Juggernaut landed a punch that sent Kyle flying through a brick wall. “I guess you just can’t get close to some men…” Kyle said as he stood up from the rubble.

Juggernaut enjoyed his short tussle with Kyle and wanted more. “Come on baby boy!!! Give me mooore!! HAHAHA…. You and brass knuckle babe over there have got some mean jabs!! HAHAHA” Juggernaut at this point wanted nothing more than to test his strength.

Kyle replied, “Careful what you wish for big boy. You might not be able to handle more from me.” Kyle gave Juggernaut a flirtatious wink. He was confused and realized the boy was flirting with him, something that had not happened to him in quite some time. Juggernaut was embarrassed and his cheeks turned red underneath his helmet. He wasn’t into me at all but psychological warfare was Juggernaut’s weakness.

Frenzy took the opportunity to dash up to Juggernaut an d launch a volley of steel hard punches. She gave one solid punch that knocked him down on his back. Kyle flew over to Juggernaut and sat on his chest. “See I knew I could get you on your back!” Kyle taunted.

Juggernaut shouted, “Hey fag! Just what do you think you’re doing!?!”

Kyle replied, “Now now, you be still hubby! This won’t hurt too much kay baby?” Before Juggernaut could stand, Kyle grabbed onto his arm where his skin was partially exposed. He was attempting to absorb the Juggernaut’s powers. The absorption process was in full effect but Juggernaut didn’t seemed to be phased at all. Kyle’s hand glowed with a white aura and so did Juggernaut.

“OH… I see… You wanna get a taste of daddy by trying to absorb my power?! HAHAHA… Well SWEETIE…. I’ll give you a taste of what it feels like to get a piece of me!!” The tremendous amount of raw and malicious power flooding into Hideki was incredible. He was being overtaken by Juggernaut’s rage filled mind. Kyle began to scream and yell as his muscle mass began to bulge slightly. He was covered with raw static energy that caused him to freak out.

Kyle shouted while still latched onto Juggernaut, “I’ll kill you Charles!!! YOU AND ALL YOUR PATHETIC LITTLE X-MEN!! I’LL MAKE YOU SUFFER JUST LIKE PAPA MADE ME SUFFER!!! THEY LOVED YOU MORE THAN meeee!! NOT ME !! I HAVE TO DESTROY YOU!! I MUST….. AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!” Kyle screamed as he was being possessed by the Juggernaut’s rage filled mind. However the absorption assault had finally taken its toll on the Juggernaut. He was becoming woozy.

Hideki knew that Kyle needed to stop or risk getting stuck with the Juggernaut’s conscience in his body for good. Hideki rarely tapped into his ability to fly as he hadn’t quite perfected it. But now was the time to get to Kyle fast. He converted his body mass to a semi-light form and hovered above the ground. Hideki zipped over to Kyle and grabbed him from behind. “Kyle you have to let him go!! Release it Kyle let it GO!!” Hideki pulled Kyle who was still screaming and thrashing about. Kyle them shoved Hideki and took to the sky expelling raw white energy into the atmosphere. Hideki flew after him calling to him, “Let It GO Kyle!! He’ll never escape your subconscious if you don’t!! Remember what Professor said!!” with that Kyle had expelled that last of the energy stolen from Cain Mark the Juggernaut and Kyle came plummeting down toward the ground. Hideki was afraid that he couldn’t convert Kyle’s body mass in time enough to fly with him in hand. However Stinger was able to catch Kyle before he hit the ground.

Marko staggered slightly. Trying to regain his strength. His mystically based energies were beginning to recharge him. “Hey lover boy… that really smarts! Whoah… I’ve got the spins… what were you trying to do to me Heidi Klum date rape me?! Uh..” Marko said sounding slightly woozy. The Juggernaut was wearing down but he wasn’t out just yet. He could still take them on.

Hideki called the professor on his phone. Charles who was in his meeting with Annabelle over heard. And alerted the X-men telepathically. “Students there is a disturbance downtown with a man known as the Juggernaut. He is not a mutant but he is highly dangerous! It will take a team effort to take him down. He is almost indestructible and feels little pain. I do not wish to place any of you in danger but I fear your assistance will be needed. I will be setting out to join Stinger, Frenzy, Kyle and Hideki now.” Charles then ended his transmission and turned his attention to Annabelle. “I am most sorry for this interruption! Please feel free to remain here and get settled in. In this envelope is your room assignment. You can come with me if you desire but I must ask that you try not to get too involved. I don’t want you hurt.”

Scott, Logan, Vincent, and Philip all heard the professor’s voice. Scott spoke, “You all got that?”

Logan replied, “Yep, let’s go!”

The Molocks having heard of the increase in anti-mutant sentiment on the surface decided to strike out. They sent a scout, the mutant known as leech, to venture up to the surface to look out for any opportunity they could jump in on. The Morlocks didn’t feel brave enough to launch an attack on the humans without the aid of another party. Juggernaut’s assault on the city was the perfect opportunity for them. As long as they stayed out of Juggernaut’s way, they would have a better shot at dealing a blow to the city since most forces would be crippled when trying to stop the unstoppable Juggernaut. With Leech’s return to the sewers and his report on the activity currently taking place, Callisto gave the okay to launch the attack.

On the surface Alliyah joined the group of X-men trying to subdue Juggernaut. “so who poked the bull with the hot poker” she asked.

Stinger replied, “Kyle here did. He did a little flirting with the big guy and let’s just say he got a bit too grabby and went haywire. The Juggernaut must have been affected cause he’s looking a bit groggy. Kyle is still trying to pull himself together. His absorption attack was about the only thing we could do that was effective against him. Mine and Hideki’s attacks only seemed to tickle the big lummox.”

Alliyah then said, “what’s the plan?”

Charles, Erik and Annabelle had arrived on the scene to help. Charles replied, “The plan is to distract him enough so that we can remove his helmet. Then I and perhaps our new student Annabelle can launch a Psychic assault on him. Telepathy and Mystical energy are about the only forces that affect him. Unless you are about as physically strong as him, which very few are.”

Frenzy added, “Yeah I was barely going toe to toe with him. He’s a bit much for me. And Kyle here is really strong as well and he seems to be just below the Juggernauts strength level. I don’t see how those who are here will be able to remove his helmet so easily.”

Magneto added, “Help is on the way.” After Magneto concentrated to see if Juggernaut had any metal possession on him it was only his helmet. The latches that attached the helmet were made from another alloy that was pretty tough. Magneto then said, “I fear this won’t be as easy for me as I had thought it would be…”

Just then the Morlocks flooded into the streets from the sewers. Many crude and odd looking mutants attacked the humans nearby on Callisto’s command. Storm was the technical leader of the Morlocks however in her absence she allowed Callisto to become acting leader of the group. Storm was indeed away not only from the Morlocks but from the X-men at the moment. Therefore Callisto could make negative decisions for the group without consequence from Storm.

Juggernaut looked around having caught a second wind, and saw the large group of Morlocks. “Well if it isn’t the local mutant sewer rats! What brings you vermin to the surface to be clobbered?” He asked the leader Callisto.

Callisto, who now stood on top of a nearby car, replied, “Oh… We Morlocks decided it was time to teach the surface dwellers to respect their mutant superiors. We’ll try not to get in your way Mr. Juggernaut. We couldn’t help but hear your magnificent work up here and we wanted to join in on the party. You don’t mind do you big boy?” Callisto smirked.

Charles interjected, “Brother stop this immediately! Why must you hurt innocent people?!”

Juggernaut saw Charles and became enraged. “You RELLY shouldn’t have to think that hard egg head! Now that you’re here… I really think the Morlock intrusion is welcome!” Juggernaut then turned to Callisto and replied, “Sure scareface! Keep Xavier busy and I’ll even let you carry my boots!!”

The morlocks began to go to town on the surrounding area and the X-men were getting prepared to engage. Just then the Blackbird flew overhead. The hatch opened and out jumped Wolverine claws extended. He landed on Juggernaut taking him down. He stood on top of the man ready to strike. Scott, Vincent, Cain, Philip, Agent Six, Sabertooth, and David jumped from the jet as well Vincent lowered the group down using his telekinesis.

Fuyumi and Mutt also joined to group, Mutt drove his vehicle. Charles then Telepathically communicated with Ace, Max and Mia. “If I could ask of you all to handle the Morlocks that would be a great help. There are many of them and they are seeking to capitalize on this opportunity to settle a long standing vendetta against humans. Juggernaut is also a force to be reckoned with and will require everyone’s assistance to handle as well. I will also contact an associate of mine for his assistance as well. We will definitely need all the help we can get.”

Juggernaut smacked Logan off of his chest sending him flying into a building. The juggernaut stood to his feet ready for the challenge. “Oooo yes!! Now this is what I’ve been dying for!! A chnce to ruin the X-men!! Come on kiddies!! Papa Juggernaut is ready to RUMBLE!!”

Mutt Ant

Mutt smiled at Fuyumi’s bow, bowing slightly himself if it was slightly awkwardly. He was a very respectful man and was open to most ways of life, though he didn’t have much practice of it. He quickly sent out a message via the two group’s twitters and Facebook pages, deciding that it was the quickest way to get a response off of any of them these days.

“As for Weapon-X…”

He listened intently to the explanation taking a mental note on it all. He’d obviously known and met Vincent before and as always had known he was a mutant but he hadn’t taken him to be one so powerful.

“I’m glad they managed to find him though.” He nodded encouragingly. “These bastards need to be stopped before they can get their claws into anymore mutants.” The radio stuffed somewhere in the back of his van erupted into life at this point. “There are confirmed reports of a mutant brawl in the middle of town today…” The news reader read out.

“It looks to me, Fuyumi, that I can’t stay but don’t worry I’ll be back. I need to keep those reporters from broadcasting their taint!” He gave another awkward bow before turning and leaping into his van’s driver’s side, “Are you coming?” He called out after his brain had kicked in that she would probably wish to go and help the X-men involved.

Annabelle asked Charles, "What's so special about the helmet?"

Charles replied, “The helmet protects his mind from mental probing and psionic assaults. Similar to Magneto’s helmet., which he rarely wears now.”

Erik chimed in, “It’s because I trust Charles, that I don’t wear the helmet anymore. Actually I’m not afraid for him to scan through my mind anymore.” Erik gave Charles a glance and grin.

Sabertooth cut in, “Why don’t you two just fucking get married already?” He couldn’t pass up the opportunity to poke fun at Professor X.

Vincent ran over to Xavier and gave him a hug. He then hugged Erik. They were very glad to see him and have their son back. Cain stood and watched with a smile. He longed to give the two a hug as well but he felt that he should formally introduce himself to his parents before trying to embrace them. Cain felt the emotions Vincent did for his parent’s, his lover Philip, Vincent’s friends and family at the X-mansion like Vila. He longed to relate to them all in the same manner that his brother and other-self did. However he knew that they didn’t know who he was like he knew all of them. It would be odd for him to act so close to them when they didn’t realize that he indeed did know them.

Just then a tall and very muscular man approached the group. Logan got up from the rubble he’d been knocked into and looked and the costumed man. “Well I must be seeing things… Colossus?” Logan said to himself. He hadn’t seen Colossus in a few years since he’d last left the X-men to spend time at home in Russia. His little sister had wanted to see Colossus and he could never resist her call. Logan shouted, “Peter, just in time tin man!!”

Peter smiled and replied, “Logan!! I was in the city and planning on visiting when Xavier called me. I see our big buddy Juggernaut wants to play some more. Colossus here to help.” Peter noticed Stinger holding Kyle, whom he had never met before, and was concerned. “Is the little one alright?” He asked.

Kyle had begun to wake up and saw the new face staring caringly at him. ‘God he’s handsome…’ Kyle thought. Kyle, always ready with a cool come back, replied with a wink, “I’ll be even better if you helped me up Mr. wonderful.” Colossus blushed and gave Kyle a hand.

Aidan O’doherty had arrived at Charles’ request. Erik didn’t approve of Aidan and was slightly cross with Charles for calling him. However he didn’t make a fuss due to the fact that they indeed needed his help. Aidan was a very strong mutant and he could help them get the upper hand over the Juggernaut. “Charles why can’t you control your brother…?” Aidan said as he drove up to the group and got out of his car.
Scott decided to interrupt Aidan before too much time passed so that they could begin to take action. “Sorry to cut off the reunion Professor but Juggernaut isn’t going to wait and we need to take him down. Shall I take command?”

“Yes please.” Xavier replied.

Scott spoke loud enough for the others to hear, “Alright everyone, Juggernaut is invulnerable and highly dangerous. Psionic attacks are his weakness but they won’t work unless we remove his helmet. He’s not a mutant and his power is mystical in nature so that gives him an advantage over us because he won’t tire out as fast or for as long as we will. We need to work as a team, those with superior physical strength should try to work together to keep him occupied. Those whose powers don’t affect him should focus on subduing the Morlocks. I need not have to tell you that you are to try to harm them as minimally as possible. Once juggernaut’s helmet is removed we can launch a psionic assault on him and subdue him so telepath’s be on standby. Be careful and stick together. X-men, let’s move!”

Terra

They had traveling with the Morlocks for some time now, as much as Terra appreciated all the help Callisto had given them he couldn’t help but find the whole thing strange; especially due to the fact that one of the mutants tried to hit on his adopted sister Canann. ‘Wait now that I think about it where is she’ and Terra’s look of calm flickered into a more worried look but it quickly passed. Getting up he looked around hoping to find her; but alas he did not and began to ask around as to her whereabouts ‘Aye dios mios! She has firkin white hair how can they have nor noticed her, is it because they have already seen stranger things than a 6’2 girl with white hair And a God damn tail!’ coming back to his sense he heard some people yelp.
Without realizing it Terra had made the earth tremble a bit and some rocks jutted out of the ground causing some people to trip and panic a little. 'Oh crap' and with a well-defined blush of embarrassment Terra walked away fast hoping no one knew it was him, pulling up the hood of his jacket for good measure.

Walking around a bit cleared his head some and he heard a couple kids screaming. It was the kind a child would make when they had fun. It brought a small smile to his lips and he headed towards the direction of the screaming to see what it was they were having so much fun about.

Turning a corner he found Canann crouched down on the ground looking at something on the ground; noticing that there were no lids and assumed she must have scared them off. He gave a light chuckle and leaned against a small structure his hands in his pockets and watched her. After a while a walked over to her and touched her on the shoulder "hey you alright" his voice soft and full of worry.

Canann

having been bored for an incredibly long time she decide to explore what little space she could of the Morlocks sewer home. She thought the people here were nice enough but her adopted older brother Terra didn’t think so. 'Ugh why does he have to be so protective of me' completely unaware of the real reason Terra got mad. "If the situation had turned to That i would a have killed the ugly bastard myself or at least hurt his manhood" and she giggled to herself imagining the Morlocs face if she did so.

Cananna’s mood lightened a bit but was still irritated by what happened the other day. She then came upon a group of kids each one with distinct markings somewhere on the persons that clearly said they were mutants.

Watching them play Canann became jealous of how happy they were 'they have such a nice childhood while mine was-' she shook her head to keep thinking of her past; whispering harshly to herself. "No, no, no i will not think of that i will think happy thoughts and that’s it" repeatedly hitting her head as if by doing so it would stay.

Upon doing so the kids noticed her and ran away scared of her little tantrum leaving behind the pieces of the game on the dirty floor. "Hey wait-"reaching out to them she took a step forward stepping on a plastic jack. Her face instantly light up with joy as she remembered this game as the one Terra taught her when they first met.

Smiling softly Canann thought about Terra and all the things he did for her and she was glad she met him. When a hand touched her shoulder for a moment she thought it was someone she didn’t know until she noticed the scent. 'Ahh Terra' turning to face him she suddenly stood up giving him a giant hug." Terra I’m so glad we met did you know that and don’t worry i forgive you about yesterday okay i still think you’re awesome!” she said smiling into his face.

Terra&Canann

Surprised by the sudden hug Terra fell backwards on his butt and blushed as Canann said he was awesome rubbing the back of his head in the process. "Yeah i guess i am, well um any way could you maybe get off me please" he asked and Canann complied and sat back on her heels looking at him with a mischievous smile. "hehe don’t be so mean Terra so what are we gonna do today?" her curiosity in full.

"umm i don’t know really want to train for a bit or something?" he replied. Standing back up, brushing off the dirt that was on him. Not that it would ever go away fully as he was always dirty no matter how hard he tried.

"Oh i know lets go see what Callisto has for us today" and grabbed Terra’s arm pulling him towards where she assumed the leader of the Morlocks was.

"Canann I’m sure Callisto is busy right now" but Canann simply looked back at and shrugged "i don’t care i wanna see how their doing" and with that she continued to pull Terra behind her despite his outcry of letting him go.

Finally reaching the Morlocks main base they saw Leech one of the scouts go inside informing Callisto of something. After that Callisto had all the able bodied Morlocks to go to the surface and wreak havoc above.

Canann curious as to what was going down followed them up to the surface Terra close behind. The two covered their eyes as they adjusted to the light after being underground for so long. What lay before them was a fight between an incredibly large man vs. mutants (he guessed) some in uniforms; who were trying to hold the big guy back. The opposing mutants then began to attack the group of Morlocks that had swarmed to the surface.

“Hey why are they attacking us for?” Canann looked towards Terra awaiting an answer. And as a reply Terra slammed the palm of his hands into the ground, sinking into the pavement. With a load groan terra then began to pull his hands out of the ground, which resulted in the pavement to follow. The pavement rumbled a multiple mounds appearing the size of large bears. For a moment nothing happened then with a loud rumbling the mounds cracked and shook and uncurled to reveal large Golems. Their eyes glowed and each had a kind of stone in their chest that seemed to glow.

“Alright time to fight boys!” Canann smiled excitedly and ran off to confront the mutants in uniforms going straight towards a man his hair almost in the shape of ears .(OOC: Wolverine) The Golems followed after her lead some of the Morlocks were afraid at first then some jumped on top of the Golems riding them. The Morlocks lead Golems towards the opposing mutants while others ran off and began to trash the place. Terra watched everything from where he stood not really wanting to go head to head, besides he had to concentrate on keeping the Golems from falling apart.

Annabelle was shocked that a metal could stop telepathic waves but didn't dwell on the thought instead she focused on the battle currently happening, she listened to Cyclops' orders and took into account what Xavier had told her earlier,
"I must ask that you try not to get too involved. I don’t want you hurt."
She watched as more people joined the fight, mainly the Morlocks, if they came near her all she'd really be able to do was make them fall asleep and even then that wouldn't do much they'd just wake up 5 minutes later. 'I'll deal with that when I have too.' She thought to herself and returned to the fight before her.
Annabelle mainly focused on dodging anything thrown at her, but her dodging style consisted mainly of dropping to the ground or jumping away from any object flying towards her, but whenever she noticed civilians trapped or too scared to move she'd help them.
Annabelle took note of the Stone golems attacking some of the X men, when she looked back at Juggernaut she was met by a dust bin being hurled towards her, she was knocked through a window with the dust bin. She got up and clutched her chest, she took in heavy breaths as the bin had winded her and made it sore to breathe. She looked back up to the battle and tried to get up but she was far too weak and ended up on all fours gasping for air. "Maybe I should just stay here." She wheezed, not noticing the shards of glass around her and the pieces that managed to lodge themselves in her skin.

Mutt Ant

The engine to Mutt's van rumbled as they arrived at the scene, smoke was already billowing from some of the nearby buildings and there had evidently already been quite a bit of damage made. He pulled the handbrake up and pulled it out of gear. “Shit…” He muttered under his breath as he scanned the ensuing destruction, it took some time for his senses to kick in and everything else come to view. The Morlocks had apparently decided now was a good time to make most of the chaos and had spilled forth from their sewer and Juggernaut appeared to be fighting with them.

Mutt couldn’t deny he was in awe, the fanatic in him was running about wildly in his head screaming for joy at this opportunity to see this level of mutant prowess first hand but he had his own duties to fulfil first, already news reporter vans had filled the scenes and many were already spewing the generic anti-mutant propaganda that was the norm for these sorts of events.

Taking out his phone he alerted his followers to the scene in the hopes for backup to stop the media lies. Until then however he would have to do this alone, he picked out the nearest reporter and ran flying into them butting them out of the shot. “It’s all lies! Only some of the mutants here are bad! The big guy there! He’s the bad guy! The X-men are good! They want to help! Don’t listen to the mediaaaa…” He was pulled out of the shot by the sort of person who thought necks were a band and flung into the road beside them.

Mutt pulled himself to his feet and gave himself a quick brushing down, that plan wouldn’t work twice and that guy didn’t look like he’d let it happen a second time anyway. ‘Looks like it’s onto Plan-B.’ He thought to himself as he ran back to his van, Mutt threw open the back doors and grabbed at his radio equipment switching everything on as quickly as he could before he began spouting off information about the scene ranging around behind him.

Ryan walked calmly and quietly through the halls of the Mansion. After he'd squeezed Jonathan, he'd kind of... well... run away. He said he was sorry and he really meant it. He hated that about himself. How he couldn't do much of anything without hurting someone or inconveniencing someone. Even his stupid tail was a nuisance. Just as he was about to go up to his room, he caught a glance of something happening on the TV in one of the bigger rest rooms. It was the X-men. They were fighting again in the city not too far from the Mansion. Ryan didn't recognize the behemoth they were facing, but he did recognize that the mutant they were fighting was beyond them and they weren't just fighting to suppress him, they were fighting for their very lives. Just then, more mutants burst from the ground and began to attack the X-Men who fought back. Ryan shook off his discomfort with Jonathan. He could apologize properly later, now he was needed.

Ryan ran outside and sat in the grass. He'd been practicing this for a little while, but he'd never really had to use it before because he'd never ground his scales down so hard before. Ryan could use his healing factor to regenerate his scales. However, he had to focus very hard. The scales were obviously a part of his body, but they had no nerve endings. That's why it didn't hurt when he ground his scales off in the morning. Ryan concentrated as hard as he could. He thought of the scales as a part of him that was missing, like a layer of skin. As soon as he had accepted that fact, as hard as it was, and made it a reality in his mind, Ryan noticed an itching sensation on his whole body, however he couldn't open his eyes and look or else he'd lose focus. He sat there, with his eyes closed and thought. If he did this, he'd have to accept who he was. He wasn't even close to looking like a human. The thought scared him. What would the others think? What would they say? What would they do? He'd spent his whole life trying to run from this. From the image of his parents telling him to leave, tears in their eyes, and telling a six-year-old Ryan he wasn't welcome in their house anymore. Worse yet, what would his new family say? Doctor Xavier, Thantos, Memory and Jonathan, Logan, Scott, Jean, Fuyumi, his other friends at the Academy, what would they think? Ryan thought long and hard. Was he sure this was what he wanted? There was no turning back after this. The whole world would be watching the place he was going to. Was he confident enough in himself to show who he really was to everyone in the world? Could he really do this? All of that was irrelevant, he was needed. Ryan's own pride, his own reservations would have to step aside. His family was in danger and he wasn't going to let an incident like Vincent's happen again.

While Ryan was lost deep in thought, his scales were growing at an accelerated rate, covering his body in a matter of minutes with thick, hard protection. Spikes jutted from his body, out from the sides of his forearms, from his spine, and from the end of his tail. The spikes were an extension of his scales, rock-like and sturdy. Without his knowing, since his horns were also an extension of his scales, they had grown as well, and now stood at their full length of 14 inches. The horns themselves were sturdy, buttressed, and black as midnight. They swept back around the sides and top of his head, protecting it from attacks. Ryan's fists became heavy and powerful, he felt strength fill his whole body as he finally stood and faced the city.

Ryan knew what he looked like, he looked like a monster. However, if a monster was what was needed, Ryan would be it. Ryan crouched low to the ground, after a second of hesitation, Ryan blasted forward towards the city in the distance. It wasn't that far, about a ten minute drive by car. Ryan would have to do his best to pace himself and get there fast. Making the distance in about 20 minutes, and surprisingly without tiring himself as much as he tought he would, Ryan surveyed the battle field and was shocked at what he found. A white haired girl was engaging Logan and there were massive stone... men? Ryan shook off his doubts, it must be someone's power. Ryan looked over to where he could smell Doctor Xavier was. Ryan could see the Professor and... what was that smell, that shape... it smelled like, it was! Vincent! Ryan was so glad he was safe, however, now was not the time for reunions, there was work to be done. "Professor, Vincent, it's me, Ryan." Ryan thought as hard as he could, directing his thoughts toward his teachers "I'm here to help. I realize you might not recognize me like this but... if this is what is needed, this is what I will be. I can be a monster for my family if a monster is what they need. You're all my family, so it's you I must protect. I will not let what happened to Vincent ever happen to anyone again!"

With that he roared, making his presence known. The roar was long and loud and filled with Ryan's primal might and urge to protect his family. With that, he leaped off the ground, again, a bit faster than he anticipated and jumped onto the nearest stone man. What was different, Ryan felt so... powerful. It wasn't at all like he used to be. Was it because he had accepted who he was? Or was it because he was a terrible monster. Regardless, he raised his fists and smashed the thing's face in, pummeling the rock until the giant no longer had a head. However, when he jumped off to attack another, the giant was still moving. Ryan dodged it's fists and tackled the behemoth, smashing its chest in and ripping its arms off. Finally, the thing had stopped moving and that weird rock in the center of its chest had stopped glowing. Good. Ryan roared again, the force of his bellow shook the dust from his body. Ryan was here, and he wasn't going to let anything happen to his family again.

Ace

She attacked the first Morlocks that she could reach taking them down easily as they fought with very little style or for they were like animals in her opinion. Reaching into her shadow she drew out a small knife to cut down one of the street signs making sure to take off the sign itself; twirling it around a bit to get a feel for it twirling it backwards with a thrust knocking out the morlock that had tried to ambush her “idiota” mumbling under her breath. She ran towards the nearest one and seemed to dance as she took out the morlcoks but more just kept on coming. “Damn there’s more than I thought”. She rushed to the Prof. “Oi Prof. would you like me to constrict Juggernaut so you guys can take his helmet off, it’ll be difficult so you guys will have to move fast.

Agent Six

Landing lightly on her feet she left the group of X-Men, walking away from the battlefield. Tracing her hand on whatever reflective surfaces she could reach and noticed the oncoming news reporters as they tried to get close to the battle and filming it for the whole world to hear and criticize her people. Stopping short she got to a flipped over car placing her small pale hand on its window and closed her eyes. Suddenly she heard the yelps and whines of the news reporters as their cameras stopped working as the lens went out. ‘humans are such fools no matter how many times you try to fix it as long as I can get to it I can do whatever I wish’ for almost every camera in the vicinity had an observer spirit on the lenses and other reflective surfaces.

Terra

Terra observed the battle before him with calculating eyes and noted the black figure that had destroyed one of his Golems. Then another was destroyed and he could feel a deep aching in his chest as he felt their pain as they became lifeless piles of rubble. “Damn I didn’t think they would find their weakness so soon”. With a heavy sigh Terra slowly got on his feet and headed towards the black figure that let out a terrifying roar. (OOC: Ryan) he weaved around the fighters and caught sight of Canann fighting a burly guy with metal claw-like things coming out of his knuckles. ‘You better be careful Canann you’re not invincible’. Looking away from the two he continued on his way to meet the strange creature that managed to destroy one of his precious Golems, his anger building up inside of him and sent it to all the awakened Golems; who in return let out terrifying roars that shook the ground, their roars sounded like stones grinding against each other letting out a reverberating echo.

The stone golems attacked Logan. He was taken by surprise to see the stone beings charging at him. Logan was rushed by the giant stone figure. Wolverine leaped on the Golem’s head and slashed away. “This thing ain’t alive… Something or somebody’s controlling them.” Wolverine said under his breath. He struggled with the stone figure that began to thrash about in an attempt to dismount Wolverine from its head. Wolverine was finally knocked from the golem’s head and he tumbled away on the ground with a broken nose. “Son of a… AH!” Wolverine griped as his body began to recover the injury.

Aidan had decided that he would do little in effort to stop the juggernaut he felt it would simply be too easy for him to speak immobility or something similar over Juggernaut and stop him. Aidan was a serious narcissist and he would only subdue the Juggernaut if Charles or Magneto literally begged him to lend that sort of help. He simply stood watching the happening and decided to aid in the subduing of the Morlocks. One of the Morlock men charged at Aidan wildly, the man spewed acid from his mouth. Aidan dodged and when the man came close enough, Aidan sidestepped kneeing him in the stomach. The Morlock man doubled over. Aidan then began to activate his power and spoke, “You are struggling to breathe.” The man started gasping for air that refused to fill his lungs and immediately fell over. Aidan waited just before the man would completely suffocate before saying, “You’re lungs have all the oxygen they need.” The man narrowly escaped death but he had now passed out.

Aidan had noticed Annabelle nearby. There was a trash bin that flew in her direction. She seemed to have glass stuck in her skin. Aidan couldn’t resist saving the damsel in distress, it usually yielded praise. Besides this thought, he was a doctor and naturally he couldn’t stand to look at a patient in distress without wanting to try to fix the problem. Aidan casually walked over to Annabelle who was on all fours and offered her his hand. He brought his power into activation and spoke, “The glass is painlessly removed and your wounds are healed.” The glass in Annabelle’s skin simply surfaced and fell out painlessly as Aidan had spoken. The wounds healed and Aidan smiled at Annabelle. He simply relished in his work.

The Xavier and Vincent noticed Ryan’s arrival and both smiled. They were however shocked by his sudden change in appearance. Charles thought to himself, ‘amazing… his body has undergone such a drastic transformation yet I believe it’s controllable. I believed Ryan’s transformation to be of a similar nature as Hank McCoy’s or Kurt Wagner’s but no… I do believe Ryan could possibly change the intensity of his physical mutation at will. I do believe Ryan has a chance at a more human appearance.’

"Professor, Vincent, it's me, Ryan." Ryan thought as hard as he could, directing his thoughts toward his teachers "I'm here to help. I realize you might not recognize me like this but... if this is what is needed, this is what I will be. I can be a monster for my family if a monster is what they need. You're all my family, so it's you I must protect. I will not let what happened to Vincent ever happen to anyone again!"

Vincent communicated telepathically with Ryan, “Ryan! You don’t know how glad I am to see you. Gosh friend you’ll have to tell me how this new look came about! Ryan I know there is little time, but do know that one’s appearance is not what makes them a monster, it’s their heart and their actions. You my brother, are no monster. You have the heart of an angel. Never forget that, your heart is your strength and that is what we’re all depending on Ryan.”

Aaliyah and Vila then sent their thoughts toward the Professor, “PC think you can do a force filed or something around the area this lands it will and to it and give it more umph. It won’t hurt anyone but it will put someone off balance or nock them.” Aaliyah said.

Charles replied telepathically, “Unfortunately Aaliyah I don’t have the ability to project a shield to suite that need. However there is a mutant present who can. I will get in contact with him and in a few moments you shall have the shielding you require.” One of the news reporters nearby was in fact a mutant and a former private student of Xavier’s named Clark Van Pelt. Xavier contacted him telekinetically and Clark was able to help them out.

Clearing her mind Vila called out to the Xavier “I…I have an idea that might be able to stun the Juggernaut giving us the time we need to get to that helmet but it is rather risky…..If was can take the hydrates getting him wet I can zap him with some lighting from above. I just would need to know if everyone is in the clear so no one gets hurt. Once zapped we might be able to go in for the helmet….I, I don’t know if it will work or not is thing but it might be worth a try.”

Charles replied, “That sounds like a good plan. However it will take a lot of coordination to pull off. I’ll have Cyclops and the others try to get Juggernaut into position. I’ll tell you when you are clear to attack.” Charles relayed Vila’s plan to the others.

Ace rushed to the Prof. “Oi Prof. would you like me to constrict Juggernaut so you guys can take his helmet off, it’ll be difficult so you guys will have to move fast.

The professor replied, “I think that would be a good idea in an effort to help out. But please be careful, Juggernaut is too dangerous to get close to, so you would should coordinate your attack with Colossus, Frenzy and or Kyle. They are close to his physical match. Also be warned that Vila intends to wet Juggernaut with water and electrocute him. Be sure not to get doused as well.” Charles didn’t want anyone other than juggernaut getting electrocuted.

Stinger then warned, “I wouldn’t waste your time trying to electrocute the guy. My electric attacks didn’t even phase the guy one bit! And they are just as bad as being struck with thunder. I say we try something else.”

Cyclops stepped in and said, “Let’s try this then.” He then proceeded to blast Juggernaut in the chest with a powerful optic blast. Juggernaut fell backwards abut he wasn’t phased badly at all.

“Oooo one eye you gotta do better than that!” Juggernaut taunted as he stood to his feet. Scott intensified his blast but Juggernaut blocked it with his hand and began to charge forward toward Cyclops. Juggernaut reached Cyclops and grabbed his head in his large hand halting Cyclops’ optic assault. He then hurled Cyclops at a parked car. Scott was now temporarily out of commission.

Frenzy moved in on Juggernaut and jump kicked him sending him backward destroying the concrete he was scrapped through. Cain then took action. He lifted several nearby vehicles with his magnetic powers and hurled them at the Juggernaut. He then told Agent Zero (David) to fire on the gas tanks of the vehicles that were about to hit Juggernaut. David followed suite and there was a volley of explosive vehicles hurled at Juggernaut. Juggernaut was getting annoyed. Cain was also growing annoyed.

Flare (Hideki) went after some of the Morlocks. A few of them charged Hideki. Hideki smirked, “Finally, enemies I can blast away.” Hideki hurled a grenade of light at the group and it exploded into a hot dome of multicolored light. The Morlock attackers fainted under the intense heat their bodies sizzling. Philip launched a volley of Time Bombs at a Golem causing some of the rock men to crumble.

As the battle continued to rage around him, Ryan heard Vincent's voice in his head. "Ryan! You don’t know how glad I am to see you. Gosh friend you’ll have to tell me how this new look came about! Ryan I know there is little time, but do know that one’s appearance is not what makes them a monster, it’s their heart and their actions. You my brother, are no monster. You have the heart of an angel. Never forget that, your heart is your strength and that is what we’re all depending on Ryan."

Ryan thought quietly to himself, "Thank you Vincent. Maybe being who I am, being like this... Maybe it's not so bad." Just then, Ryan whipped his head around. He smelled that metallic tang in the air, and smiled. It could only be... it had to be... "Thantos!" Ryan called out, as he whipped his head around to see Thantos dive out of the air and smack a golem in the face. Ryan liked fighting with Thantos. The two were good friends and even better partners. Thantos appeared to be having some issues. He wasn't as effective as he usually was. However, he was doing ok, he managed to bring one down.

Just as Ryan was in the process of disassembling another golem, they all backed away from him and grouped up. He'd found destroying them was more difficult that he'd previously anticipated, they started to reassemble unless you smashed the gem in the center. Ryan disengaged from the fight and adopted a defensive posture, he was down on all fours, his tail lashing wildly. The golems were all grouped around a single boy with black hair (OOC: Terra). Should he fight with this boy? It seemed ok to destroy the golems, they were just made out of stone. However, in this new form, could he hold himself back against something made of flesh? "I don't want to fight with you!" Ryan called out to the boy, "If you're controlling these golems tell them to stand down. The X-Men here, under the direction of Professor Charles Xavier, are simply here to detain that giant monster." Ryan said, pointing to the Juggernaut. "We have no reason to fight with you. Just turn around and we'll leave you alone. If you all retreat, you'll be allowed to leave peacefully. Our only concern here is that thing." Ryan said, once again referring to the Juggernaut.

However, it seemed the boy and the golems, who appeared to be under his control, had other plans for Ryan. Instead of talking, like Ryan would have preferred to do, they all shifted forward, challenging Ryan, who had struck first. Ryan slunk lower to the ground, a low growl rumbling forth from his throat. The golems answered back with a roar of their own. It was so loud, it shook the ground and grated against his ears like the sound of an earthquake. Ryan stepped back. They weren't backing down. Fine, Ryan would do what had to be done. "So be it!" Ryan roared and dove forward towards the golems, sprinting towards them on all fours. He leaped high into air, landing on top of one and smashing its gem.

Ryan jumped off as it crumbled to the ground. Roaring in defiance of the giant golems. Just as he was about to jump on top of another one, he felt a vice like grip attach itself to his tail and he was whipped into the air. The golem swung him around, smashing him into the ground. Ryan's body was being tossed around like a rag doll, however, something was different, strange even. The impacts didn't hurt that much. The bruises and scrapes weren't forming. Sure he was covered in scales, but they couldn't negate all the damage he had to be taking. Was he healing... faster? "No time to test this out," Ryan thought. "I gotta get out of here." Ryan whipped his legs around, stabilizing himself mid-air while the golem flailed him around. Ryan grabbed onto the golem's arm with his arms and legs and held on. When the golem finally stopped shaking him, Ryan planted his feet on the ground, dropped his hips as low as he could, and hip threw the giant golem, tossing it over his shoulder and smashing it onto the ground, roaring as loud as he could while he did it. It let go of his tail and he jumped on top it, and punched it directly on its gem and it smashed easily. Ryan jumped off as what was left of the golem shattered and returned to the ground.

"We can't keep this up." Ryan muttered to himself. Ryan looked over at the boy with the black hair, who seemed to be studying him, as if he were some foreign anomaly. He was the one who was controlling them. If Ryan took him down, the golems would stop. However, it wasn't as simple as he thought. The golems were regenerating slowly. Not wasting anymore time, Ryan charged at the boy with the black hair, intent on getting him to stop his geological assault.

Scott laid propped against a car unconscious. He imagined being with Jean. She wasn’t doing anything spectacular but sitting in a window reading a nice book. Scott liked the simple times like that. His head began to throb increasingly. The dream was ending and Scott was coming two. “Uhg… Wha-what?” He grumbled. Scott slowly opened his eyes.

He saw a young lady defending him from the Morlocks. The Juggernaut approached the girl and grabbed her. Scott wanted to help, he slowly reached for his visor so that he could blast the Juggernaut back but his arm was throbbing in pain. Just then a shadow wrapped around Scott’s body and he felt pulled under. Ace had pulled him into the shadows and into safety. Scott couldn’t say much but he was grateful that he was saved. However Annabelle was still in danger and the soldier mentality in Scott wouldn’t let that go.

Colossus and Frenzy fought off a seemingly endless army of Morlocks. The good thing was that once Colossus and Frenzy hit them they stayed down. Colossus and Frenzy could knock down buildings with their strength. They made their way toward Juggernaut. Ace had begun to constrict him with a coiling shadow. With a roar Juggernaut actually managed to tear through his own shadow and slammed his fist into Ace knocking her back hard. For a brief moment she blacked out and she wasn’t breathing. The Juggernaut was furious as he struggled to move unsuccessfully. After Ace was knocked backward her disposition changed to a more sinister degree. "I’d get the girl if I were you before I kill this ugly bastard" Ace said darkly.

Fuyumi hurried toward Juggernaut and leaped into the air. She phased Annabelle through Juggernaut’s hand and through the ground. Fuyumi and Annabelle rose up from the ground near where Ace had placed Scott. “She’s safe!” Fuyumi said to the others.

Since the interference in the area knocked out all of the camera and television transmissions, Kent and the other reporters were unable to broadcast live footage of the event. He had been covering the event trying to shed a positive light on mutant kind. He took notice of Mutt Ant protest in front of the other reporters unsuccessfully. He wondered if it would be possible to get Mutt on TV for an interview. Kent wasn’t able to ask Mutt because he had ran off. Kent decided that he should help subdue Juggernaut. He was now free to help out without being exposed as a mutant. He created a dome of electrical arc energy around the Juggernaut. He seemed to be in minor pain whereas most others would be screaming in agony under the energy bouncing back and forth inside the shield.

Juggernaut harnessed the raw energy of his magic and broke free of the Shadow bindings and the electrical shield. “AAAARGH!!! YOU PUNY LITTLE TWERPS!! GET LOST! NONE OF YOU ARE A REAL CHALLENGE FOR THE JUGGERNAUT!! I’LL END YOU ALL AND THEN KILL YOU CHARLES!!” Juggernaut yelled.

Juggernaut charged at Kent and punched wildly at him. However Kent protected himself with a shield. The sound of Juggernaut’s pounding on the shield sounded like he was hammering iron with a steel hammer. Kent wouldn’t be able to protect himself from the Juggernaut’s assault forever. “I… Can’t hold out any longer…”Kent said as he began to look tired and finally the shield shattered. Kent collapsed onto the ground exhausted.

The Juggernaut was about to finish Kent, lifting his large fist into the air. “I told you Silver Fox, I’m the freaking JUGGERNAUT!” Just then Colossus and Frenzy simultaneously punched the Juggernaut in the head sending him flying Backward.

“Sorry we took so long my friends. There were too many sewer mutants wanting to stop Colossus and Frenzy.” Colossus said.

Just as the Leviathan was closing in for the kill, a girl tackled him. The pair tumbled to the ground, but the Leviathan wasn't playing around. His claws found his their mark around her throat. He lifted her into the air, growled at her distastefully, and threw her from him. She wasn't the rock giant and she wasn't the boy with the stick, and she was in his way. This seemed to have displeased the giant, it yelled and ran over towards her, "Canaan! Canaan wake up! Are you okay? Canaan say something!" but all Canaan could do was look around before she passed out.

"Canaan!" The giant let out a deafening roar full of anger and pain, it turned to face the Leviathan, who lowered to all fours and once again, prepared himself to kill the monster. The giant charged, the earth around him began to tremble and crack, his arm began to regenerate; the earth once more becoming his armor. Tensing his legs the giant jumped high, his fists raised above his head and he brought them down, intent on crushing the Leviathan. Just then, the Leviathan felt a pulling sensation on his hind legs. He looked back and saw the boy with the stick, that he thought he'd discarded, reaching out towards him. As the giant fell on top of him, the Leviathan realized he wouldn't be able to dodge. He growled impatiently, attempting to get free. Thinking fast, the Leviathan jumped back, his movement aided by the pulling on his hind feet. A large crater formed where the giant's fists smashed into the ground, cracks began to form as the pavement broke away forming piles on top each other.The giant reached out towards the body of the girl the Leviathan had discarded, picking her up gently in his large arms and walking away; ignoring the Leviathan. The Leviathan no longer sensed fighting spirit. Killing unwilling and unprepared prey was worthless. It wasn't worth it if the prey wouldn't fight back.

The Leviathan, did however, turn his head towards the boy with the stick. It seemed he'd hampered him from attacking the giant, but he'd also saved him by providing extra backward propulsion. The Leviathan kicked off his shoes. The pulling sensation from earlier seemed to be coming from them, there must be something special about them. Regardless, the Leviathan sensed fighting spirit, and he wanted to see what it tasted like. He charged the boy with the stick, pouncing on top of him, and pinning him to the ground. The Leviathan growled softly, looking deeply into the boy's eyes. There was sadness there. He didn't want to fight for the glory of it, and he wasn't fighting to kill the Leviathan. It was a strange look, but it obviously didn't want to fight anymore. The Leviathan decided he could live. However, if he tried to hamper him again, the Leviathan could die. Scaring him away was his best bet. The Leviathan roared as loud as he could in the boy's face. If that didn't scare him away, he deserved to die foolishly.

The Leviathan leaped off of the boy, looking around for worthy prey. He saw a massive creature throw off bindings made of shadow and light. It was strong. It was, however, giving the multiple people it was fighting trouble, and deep, somewhere in his psyche, the Leviathan felt something pushing him towards the monster. He needed to protect the people there. He felt a deep bond with the group of people engaging that raging behemoth. He charged off into the battle. He was tired, and slowing down from his fight with the stone giant, but he felt a need, more pressing than hunger and survival, to bring down the behemoth in order to protect the people it was fighting. As he ran over to them, a pair of mutants punched the monster in the chest, sending him flying. The Leviathan changed direction, heading straight for the monster, who was now slowly getting up. Roaring his presence to the new prey, the Leviathan leaped into the air, pouncing on top of the behemoth and setting him off balance.

The Leviathan struck at the behemoth's head, pounding it with his fists and scraping it with his claws, but nothing seemed to phase it. It's head was odd shaped and hard, nothing was even wounding it. He appeared to have some sort of covering on top of him, bound in place by some odd mechanism. He kicked at it with his powerful legs, attempting to dislodge the cover and expose his real head. Just as he could feel the mechanism loosening, he felt a vice like grip enclose around his body. The behemoth's massive hands had found him, and were tightening very quickly, threatening to squeeze the life out of him. The Leviathan felt his body compress and howled in pain, clawing at the hands that held him and biting the soft flesh. He managed to get his knees underneath the monster's fingers and kicked out as hard as he could. At first nothing moved, but slowly, the grip loosened. The Leviathan roared in defiance, pushing against his bindings with all of his strength. Then, the Leviathan felt something change. The spines on his back and his horns lengthened, his scales thickened, and his canines grew. His claws became more jagged and wicked, growing longer and harder. The Leviathan felt his whole body strengthen, he pushed even harder against the monster's hands with renewed vigor, until the Leviathan was almost completely free of them. However, it seemed the contest of strength bored the behemoth, who reasserted his grip around the Leviathan's body in an instant and threw him. The Leviathan flew through the air until he felt something stop him. The air pressure from the speed he was moving made it impossible to move his tail and limbs to adjust his body mid-flight. He crashed into a building and blacked out instantly, his body exhausted, and his mind fading. The Leviathan's eyes slowly closed and he drifted off into sleep.