New York City

Jack stood before the warehouse, a wide grin plastered across his face. He looked down at the letter in his hand.

To whom it may concern.

You have been selected to participate in a series of... shall we say, experiments.

Allow me to give you some context.

Have you experienced... strange occurances? Time playing in reverse for a few moments? Everything stopping around you? Something to that effect? If not, then please put this letter down, as it is not polite to read other people's mail. If so, then I believe I have a proposition for you.

I will not bother to tell you what exactly I will do, but I will say this. I will explain to you the origin of your abilities. And they will be put to their proper use.

Please meet me at the enclosed adress.

Sincerely,

The Timepiece.

Jack smiled at the letter. Whoever this timepiece fellow was, he sure had a flair for the dramatic. That was something he could appreciate. He adjusted his everpresent hat and smoothed out his three piece suit. He figured if this was going to be an important meeting, he may as well be dressed for it. He looked about, making sure if there where any others about who'd recieved a similar letter.

Jack turned towards the voice. A woman, dressed rather informally, stood before him. "Oh, me? No, I am not. Otherwise, I would be inside the warehouse proper rather than standing here. I assume you recieved the letter as well?"

The traffic had been just horrendous. The constant beeping of the irritated vehicles was branded into Adelaide's mind. She could still hear the angry shouts of citizens running slightly late from their long-houred occupations. She had always hated being on the New York road, but things could have been much worse than just angry drivers. At this while, Adelaide stepped around the corner of a large warehouse. She turned around, giving her cab driver an okay wave before continuing onto approaching the building. Adelaide wore a tight and slim, long-sleeve V-neck shirt with also tight, dark blue jeans and on her feet, she wore knee-high black heeled boots. Her hair was laying on her shoulders as usual, and she was buttoned underneath a black coat - she thought she looked dress for the occasion.

Adelaide fumbled with the piece of paper that she stashed away in her coat pocket. The letter had come quite a startle to her, but she had not a clue on who had sent it. She mentioned not a word about her abilities to a soul, even not to her own parents. She kept the world oblivious to the hidden capabilities she could do. Inside of the pocket, she crunched the letter in her palm. Whoever this Timepiece person was, she demanded to know the purpose of being in the presence of this old building. With her palm growing sweaty from the anxiety she was forming, she let go of the letter and kept her hands to her side. Her heart was picking up it's pace now, and butterflies were devouring her stomach. Just get this over with.

As Adelaide kept on walking, she noticed two figures standing just beyond her. At first, she couldn't make out what they actually were, but as she got closer, she made out the figures to be a man and woman (at least she wasn't the only one there.) She approached them, unknowing what to say. Perhaps one of these two were the Timepiece? Well, there was only one way to know - "Hello," she said to the both of them. "Are any one of you two a being by the name of Timepiece?"

"Oh," Lucinda said. "Yes, I got a letter."

Was it possible to feel disappointment, relief and excitement all at once?

There were more people like her! It had crossed her mind over the years. You only needed to see one white crow to know that not all crows were black. So this man could adopt the abilities and skills of other people, too? She felt more at ease. Birds of a feather flock --- a man's voice, from behind them. Lucinda turned and nodded her head.

"Yeah."

A few moments later and they were joined by a well-dressed woman. Lucinda wondered if she should have dressed a little more formally for the occasion, but she'd been trying to look inconspicuous.

"None of us are Timepiece, ma'am," she answered. "But ... I assume we all can take abilities from people in the past, yes?"

Anxiety crept in as Ivan neared the location printed on the letter he had revived from "The Timepiece." He had packed everything he could into the two suitcases that he owned, bought a plane ticket with what little savings he had, landed, got a cab, and disclosed to the cab driver the address of what he assumed was going to be some kind of secret meeting. Now he had to wonder if that was the best idea. His job wasn't promising so leaving that wasn't hard however he had no idea what the hell was about to happen... Oh what had he done! "The Timepiece..." He mumbled "....Like that clock from Beauty and the Beast?...." His head spun. "Damn! This is a scam."

"You need something?" The cabbie looked back for a second, confused.

"Nah..." Stop talking to yourself dork. Ivan pulled the letter out of his jean pocket. He was betting a lot on this letter. He just hoped for once in his life he wasn't wrong.

"We're here kid. Twenty-seven straight." The cab driver said, almost as if he'd grown tired with Ivan already.

"Keep the change." Ivan fished two twenties out of his wallet. He always over compensated for his awkwardness with money. He saw four people standing with anticipation near the warehouse which was his destination. As Ivan was grabbing his luggage he became very aware of his limp. How he hoped his entrance hadn't attracted too much attention. Before Ivan lifted his luggage out of the trunk he smooth a wrinkle out of his L337 HaXor shirt. Lifting his luggage he pushed the trunk closed with one of his cases and waived the cabbie off.

Making the few awkward stumbles toward the gathering of strangers Ivan said the first thing that came to mind. "How many more X-Men are we waiting for? He smiled a big smile. What a dork!

Adelaide's demand for an answer made her stomach do flips inside of her. If they weren't this "Timepiece," then who was? Her eyebrow cocked up as more and more people were crowding around the warehouse. Who were all these people, and why in the world were they all called out to be here? She scanned each and every one of them, trying to read their expressions and make out anything in particular. One thing was for certain is that she knew they all shared the same strange phenomenon in different forms. She glanced back at the woman who grew curiosity. She, too, had to chuckle at the false accusation that the woman made. "As much as I wish to gain intelligence from the past," she said to the woman, "I simply cannot do such a thing as you."

Adelaide didn't mention to the woman on what she actually could do. These people were strangers to her, and she wasn't about to just let her secret spill out right before them - all would come out in time. However, her eyes ultimately widened when she saw the well-dressed man disappear in before her very eyes. Her mouth slightly dropped, unknowing on how to react to something as strange as this. It only took a seconds before he was back into reality, seeming as if nothing had happened at all. She glanced at the cut on his cheek. It looked like something horrible had happened to him, but at the same time, she noticed that he acted in no impulsion. She was a bit anxious about this but all the while, she was intrigued.

Should I show them what I can do?

Adelaide decided against it. After all, the time would come when she would show her abilities to them. For right now, she continued to watch as people were flooding in to the area. So far, she noticed that she and the other woman were the only two females among the group. It wasn't a very complex observation but one nonetheless. ...and why did I choose to wear these boots today?

Gene donned a long sleeved polo shirt and pants, both white. His mother brought them to the hospital, where he unofficially discharged himself. Two thoughts bothered him: how loosely they now fit him, and their stark lack of color, no doubt forced upon by the color blindness of Genevieve. He remedied the former with a roll of gauze tape in place of a belt, and the latter with a pale lavander wildflower picked out of the lawn beyond the hospital's main door, dull from the city smog, which turned a garish purple in his hands, placing it into his shirt pocket.

He flagged a cab as it cruised along the traffic-laden streets. Gene shot furtive glances at his watch in the back seat, on the other hand, the letter from the Timepiece. Twenty minutes into the ride, Gene, impatient, began playing around with his watch, the hands flying around wildly--and stopped. A nasty habit of his, no doubt reawakened by the unconditioning of his long unconscious slumber. He found out he couldn't return the watch to its normal timeframe, afterwards--and had to rewind it manually.

It was slightly more inaccurate now.

He handed the driver an extremely crisp and new ten dollar bill, and closed the door behind him.

As the sound of the cab's tyres faded down the road, the image of a dark warehouse faded into view.

Great, Gene thought, Now I really stick out in these clothes.

He heard voices inside. They didn't sound hostile, which was a good sign. With that, he entered the building.

Ivan was listening to everyone around him explain their powers and he realized he didn't really know how to explain what he could do. Could he heal things? No, it didn't work with the dog. How can that be his power? Moreover what did his power have to with time? He hoped that The Timepiece would show up soon and start giving definite answers.

As the group started to introduce themselves Ivan moved his eyes to acknowledge each individual. James Kirkland, could have well been James Dean, Then there was Lucinda Don't Call Me Lucy Frost, not much more needed to be said about her at the moment. As Ivan waited for his moment for introduction he finally sat down his luggage. He'd been holding it the whole time, how embarrassing.

“I'm Ivan Rodderick.” He took a moment to gather his thoughts concerning his power. “...And I can heal things.....” Ivan was getting flustered. “..... I think... I don't really know...I'm here for that answer and a lot more really...” Ivan took in a lot of air and gave a hard exhale.

As more people showed up Ivan's head was reeling. How many people were there? Was this going to be some sort of Time Army? Was this some sort of set up to get all the 'special people' in one place and kill them? Ivan had no fighting skills... he couldn't even articulate his skills. How he hoped one of these folks knew some sort of kill move.

As more people started talking about waiting Ivan felt the need to point out what he thought was obvious. “We're only waiting as long as The Timepiece wants us to. We all have some form of time power right? So it's only right to assume he does too. So he could be here like now if he wanted.”

Still Ivan wondered when 'now' would be.

Adelaide just stared at the man with the cut on his face. Once more, her eyebrow cocked as she looked at him. Well, what exactly was his ability? Could he just disappear out of no where and suddenly come back with wounds all over his body? But then there was Lucinda - she was an interesting one. Adelaide found her ability to be extremely pleasant; she could gain knowledge from incredible scholars from any century! She found it extrordinary to say at the least. God only knew how much information she had gained just from the famous speeches of intelligence from the past. If only she had the power to do that, she would become far more superior.

It seemed as if people just started to flood the place now, and it was becoming rather crowded. Who had the Timepiece invited? The entire town of New York City? It was very odd to her that so many people had similar abilities that she did, but at the same time, it was rather nice. Adelaide wouldn't have to feel like a freak or an outcast any longer. There were people just like her here, and she couldn't be more happier to see them - even if they were just strangers.

"I guess it's my turn," she said to them. "My name is Adelaide Volshka, and I-..." She had to pause. Should she show them what she could do? Oh to hell with it. "...I'm quite thirsty, but I shall return in just one second."

In an instant, Adelaide had disppeared but not in a literal stance. She took one step in front of the other and from her point of view, the essence of reality began to immediately slow down to a sloth's type of movement. She could see the people's movements decrease as if they were beginning to paralyze. All she had to do was to just simply run. She ran from the warehouse, feeling a pressure behind her as if she were being pushed, and made her way to a local coffee shop along Central Park, only to knock the entire coffee stand over. In a literal second and one blink of an eye, Adelaide returned back to the warehouse with a white coffee cup in her hand.


When she stopped, Adelaide felt reality finally take back into coarse. The people, she saw, could move now reguarly, and she began to pant. Whenever she entered her 'running state,' it always wore her out. She took one gulp of the steaming liquid, letting it burn the back of her throat. When she was done, she threw the cup into a nearby dumpster. Her heart was still beating twice as fast as it did when she was running, but the only thing she could think of was what they thought of her ability. Sure, it wasn't as spectacular as Lucinda's, but hey, it was a time ability nonetheless!

Jack impressed Adelaide once again by his five sudden appearances. Despite being indulged into his ability, she failed to even give it a name. She scanned every single one of the five Jacks, and she couldn't remember who the real one actually was. Well, technically, all of them were real at some point in time, but the present one was just unnoticable to her now. She crossed her arms, continuing to stare at Jack's copies before she heard an obnoxious female voice from behind her. Oh, God, was this woman a joke? She turned around, scanning the Kali woman now. She hadn't even noticed Will appear - she was only wondering if that woman would ever stitch her lips together.

May as well keep my thoughts to myself.

And so Adelaide did. She kept to herself, watching everyone else as they pondered the place in curiosity. It wasn't before long to where Will approached her. Still with her arms crossed, she just stared at him when he asked her about her "story." An eyebrow cocked again while she stared up at him. "All in good time," she said to him.

Will Monroe looked slightly familiar to Adelaide as well. Where had she seen him before? Wasn't he some type of athlete? Her brain finally caught on whenever she thought of - for some reason - track. "You're that runner," she blurted out to him. "I saw you a couple of times in a few magazines. I hear you're pretty fast." I'm just going to see exactly how fast you are.

"However, I'd have to beg to differ. I don't believe you're very fast at all. I bet I could take you in a challenge, if you'd like, I bet I could beat you at your very own sport."

Adelaide eyed him for a second. It was against her nature to go and do something as crazy as that, but why not? She was growing bored of just standing there - she definately wanted to give this man a run for his money.

Lucinda was struck speechless by Jack's group of clones. Or future or past selves, more like, if time was involved. That was someone who could multi task. God forbid anyone try to mug him on the street.

She watched a few more people arrive, and some gave demonstrations of their abilities. She'd wondered her entire life if there were people like her, and it seemed there were, even if what they could do involving time was different.

It was almost like discovering a family you never knew you had.

Ivan stood watching new comer's show off their abilities and Ivan was waiting for someone else to try and heal something. Maybe that would explain what he was doing wrong, so at least he could do it right from now on.

Each display of power got more and more extravagant. Ivan got the impression that everyone felt they had something to prove, too bad Ivan had no way to prove his ability. Not definitely. Then he noticed the cut on Jack's cheek.

Remember back to his dog, Spots, Ivan had think about how he was able to heal his dog. Although it wasn't permanent. All Ivan had to do was remember his dog healed. Maybe it would work with Jack too. Just as Ivan was about ready to give it a shot. Two of the members of the group decided to issue a challenge. Then one of the girls of the group stepped in between, acting as though it was her duty to keep the group in line until their destiny was revealed.

Ivan smiled for what felt like the first time since he'd came on the scene. He looked at the girl in the middle of the group. “I say let 'em do it. Like I said earlier we're dealing with some one who deals with time. If he wants us here at a certain time or he wants to be here a certain time he would be. So let the race begin if you ask me.”

By the time Will could even manage to say 'three,' Adelaide had already pushed off from her heel. As soon as one foot was in front of the other, once more, the world began to slow down. Nearby hummingbirds' wings had initially looked as if they were flapping very slowly. She was in her running stance now, and she was determined to beat this so-called gold medalist. However, in the back of her mind, she immediately regretted challenging him. She wasn't the one to just speak up as she did, but Will's nature just made it impossible for her not to. It seemd as if she was envious of his ability, but none of that really made sense. They both were the same, but the question remained - who was faster?

The running force's pressure bumped against Adelaide's back. The Brooklyn Bridge wasn't too far from the warehouse, but when she was in her running state, it felt like it would have been hours just to get there. She knew that this much running would most likely cause her heart to burst, however, she wasn't worried about that right now. To the others' point of views, they could no longer see Adelaide; it was as if she had just disappeared. Her mind was going in a massive rush, and her thoughts were jumbling up in her head. The only thing that was really on her brain was to devour Will Monroe at his own game. Well, technically, their own game.

As Adelaide kept pushing herself to go faster, plain running to her just simply sounded boring. Why not make things a bit interesting? No, it would just cause harm to herself and possibly other innocent civilians around her. She knew, however, that her time would come. As for right now, her mind was set on touching the Brooklyn Bridge road and then returning back to the warehouse to proclaim her victory.

Lucinda watched as the two 'runners' vanished and turned her attention to Ivan's offer to heal Jack's ... future or past inflicted? ... scratch. The sound of the old, rusted door being pushed open made her look over, wondering if they would have another newcomer or the Timepiece himself. Or herself. Or whateverself it was. It was another man, wearing a Guns N' Roses t-shirt, so she decided a newcomer. Fashion was not her expertise, but she didn't think Timepiece would show up wearing classic rock band shirts.

"Lucinda Frost," she said. "And, no, none of us are."