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The younger generations at the Institute and at the Academy had been split up into teams. And today Forge had picked up some intel about a Friends Of Humanity hit planned to go attack a local politician, Brendon Webb, who was going to be making a speech about how ‘all men are created equal’ should include mutants too. Forge looked over the list of the teams and decided he’d call on Taylor’s team, well the four oldest as he was not going to send Ororo who is only twelve or Junior who is only eight out on the mission. Getting the alert to report to the lab Taylor, Marco, Stephan and Nathan all headed down to see what Forge needed. “What's going on?”, Taylor asked as they walked into the lab. “Suit up boys you have a mission.”, Forge said spinning on his stool to look at them. “A mission?”, Stephan asked. “Yes. Brendon Webb is going to be making a speech today down at the docks. Kind of trying to reach the average working class citizen. Well one of the stands of his campaign is everyone is created equal, including mutants. I picked up some FOH chatter. They plan to go after him. You four are going to hang back the best you can and intervene if and when it happens.”, Forge explained giving them the basics. Taylor smiled, finally a mission. “We’ve got it covered. Come on guys. Let’s get going then.”, he suggested. “Are you sure I should go on this?”, Nathan asked spinning his bracelet. “You got a doctors note from Mikali or Kisa? No? Then yeah you go.”, Forge said pointing to the door. Nathan nodded with a small smile before following after the others to change.
Forge wasn’t the only one to pick up this information. Azazel had received the same information and called for one of this teams. Esabelle, Tyler, Jordan and Justice all walked in to stand in a row before the Demon King. “Yes grandfather?”, Esabelle asked standing with her hands folded behind her back, shoulders back and legs slightly apart much like a military stance. Azazel smiled at his granddaughter before his yellow eyes casted down the row Tyler and Jordan quickly taking the proper military stance Justice blinking then quickly following their lead. She was still new, so it was excusable to him. “I have a mission for the four of you. A Brendon Webb, some human politician that’s they to put on a good face saying he is okay with mutants, plans to make a speech by the docks. He’s running for some office I don’t care what. There is word that the Friends of Humanity intend to be there and start trouble. Now I could personally care less about this human politician. However I don’t want Friends of Humanity filth in my town. So you four are to go and take care of them, to the best of your abilities without of course getting arrested.”, Azazel explained. Esabelle nodded. “As you wish grandfather. Let’s go guys.”, he said giving a nod to her grandfather before walking out. Tyler, Jordan and Justice followed quickly behind her. Tyler may be the eldest of their team, but Esabelle was the one in charge being the granddaughter of the demon king.
So the board was set, Taylor’s team headed down to the dock in their X-Men team Alpha uniforms planning to stay out of sight till it was necessary to show themselves. “Marco and Nate, need you two to be doing a telepathic sweep of the crowd. See if we can pick out these guys so we know who to keep an eye on. Stephan find the highest point you can that will still let you stay in the shadows, you’ve got the best eyes of us so want them fixed on Mister Webb and the stage. I’ll try to be off to the side ready to pull aside anyone Marco or Nate identifies”, Taylor said giving the run down as they arrived at the docks. “Got it.”, they said. Stephan made his way up one of the buildings to stay mostly out of sight and keep his eyes on the stage. Marco and Nathan found positions out of sight and started doing a mental sweep of the area. In Nathan’s scan he came across the four Academy students. ‘We aren’t alone guys. Esabelle, Tyler, Jordan and Justice are in the crowd. And they aren't here just to hear the speech or show their support for Mister Webb.’, he thought to the team. ‘Noted. Let’s keep an eye on them too, but the FOH are our primary assignment and keeping Mister Webb safe.’, Taylor answered.
“Jordan start scanning for our targets. Everyone else keep their eyes open.”,Esabelle instructed before walking in a separate direction as the four divided up to stand in different areas of the large crowd. Jordan nodded linking their four minds, he may not be the strongest telepath of the Frost line but he was good enough. Tyler was looking in various directions and spotted Taylor off to the far edge of the crowd. ‘X-Brats are here. Not sure how many. Spotted Taylor.’, Tyler advised via the telepathic connection. “Don’t worry about them, yet. Jordan try to see if you can figure who from the institute is here.’, Esabelle instructed. Jordan tried to scan to find their minds but found nothing. ‘I can’t find them. Which means their minds are being shielded. I may not be the most powerful telepath of my family but if I’m being blocked...’,Jordan started to say. ‘Nathan.’, Esabelle groaned. She knew that of the institute students there was one that could without trying block possibly even the combined telepathic ability of the Hive it was Nathan Shadow. ‘Which if there is a Taylor and a Nathan that means their team is here. So Marco and Stephan at the least. I doubt they’d bring their younger members.’, Tyler concluded. Esabelle sighed, her cousin was here then. She didn’t like having to go against family, but if it came to it she would. She was loyal to their grandfather. ‘Will they be a problem?’, Justice asked. ‘No it’s fine. If they interfere we deal with them. But no one touches Stephan. I will deal with my cousin if it’s necessary.’, Esabelle instructed.
‘Jordan just tried to do a scan for us.’, Nathan instructed. He was far more powerful than Jordan and easily knew when he tried to find them. ‘You keep him out?’, Stephan asked. ‘Of course. He may be a Frost but I’m a Grey. Greys always beat Frost in a telepathic fight.’, Nathan smiled. ‘Lets not get cocky.’, Marco said. ‘You two find our guys?’, Taylor asked changing the subject. ‘Yup. Count about thirty in the crowd. They’ve spaced themselves out. None are carrying guns, however all are armed with blades. Also we have a problem, one is on the stage. Guess they infiltrated his campaign. Stephan got eyes on the beefy looking man in the suit far right of the stage?’, Nathan asked. Stephan looked and focused his eyes on the man in question. “I’ve got him in my sights.’, Stephan said. ‘Keep him there. There are a few that are standing near the front by the stage but based on their thoughts big man there is the one who’s supposed to take Webb and the others are to get involved if he fails.’, Nathan said. ‘Think you or Marco can get some of these guys in the crowd to change their minds and walk away? With Esabelle’s team here I’d like to lesson their potential kills.’, Taylor asked looking around the crowd and spotting Tyler. ‘We can try. It’s going to take some major energy to get control of that many minds.’, Marco answered. ‘You up for this Nate?’, Marco asked. ‘Lets do it. Forge says my braclet should keep me in control.’, he nodded taking a deep breath.
Marco started trying to work his telepathy on some of the identified FOH members in the crowd. He managed to get about five to walk away from the event. Nathan stood off in the shadows, the more he concentrated the more his left eye started to glow and spark, his bracelet starting to shake under the pressure of his power. He was about to get thirteen to walk away before he had to stop his wrist burning from the bracelet not being able to take the level of power he was using. Stephan noticed Nathan leaning back against a building like he was out of breath, eyes closed but still the light sparking from his left. ‘Nathan?’, Stephan called. Nathan took a couple deep breaths and nodded. ‘I’m alright, have to stop. My bracelet it can’t take me tapping much more into my powers. And without the bracelet to regulate I..I don’t know what will happen.’, Nathan explained. ‘It’s alright. How many are left guys?’, Taylor asked. ‘I got five to walk.’, Marco reported his head hurting a little from straining to get that many. ‘I dropped thirteen out. So we have a dozen left. I couldn’t get to the big man on stage though.’, Nathan said. ‘That’s fine. We can handle a dozen and Esabelle’s team. You both did great.’, Taylor smiled just watching the crowd now.
‘There were just thirty FOH in the crowd now it’s down to twelve...’, Jordan reported. ‘X-Brats must have used their telepathy to get them to leave. Why they bother trying to save those mutant hating pieces of shit...’,Tyler shook his head finding a place to stand. ‘Doesn’t matter how many there are or aren't. We have our orders. We take down as many as we can without getting caught.’, Esabelle stated taking her position. ‘Everyone just have their masks ready. Remember we are not to get caught. If things get back everyone centers on me and I port us out.’,she instructed. ‘Understood’, the others answered taking positions within the crowd. All attention turned to the stage as Brendon Webb stepped onto the stage and up to the podium. “Thank you all for coming out today.”, he greeted. He got some applause of his supporters in the crowd, half assed claps from the FOH that had remained. “Thank you...thank you all. As many of you know that I am running for congress this November. And if I get the seat in congress it will be because of people like you. Recently I have come under heat about my opinion when it comes to the mutant ‘issue’.”, he said making air quotes. “Notice the air quotes because I don’t think it’s an issue. We are all Americans, we are all citizens of this great nation. We should not be so divided. Our country sadly has a history of dividing itself over trivial things such as the color of our skin, our genders, or sexual orientations, and now mutation.”, he addressed the crowd smiling.
Stephan crouched closer to the edge still staying out of sight as the speech began. He could see the larger man on the stage starting to reach for his jacket pocket. ‘I think it’s going to start soon.’, Stephan advised. ‘Yeah they are all waiting for something, for a point in the speech I guess.’, Marco said doing a mental sweep. ‘It’s going to start’, Jordan informed the others. “Our sixteenth president said this best and I will paraphrase him to fit our situation. A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently, half anti mutant and half pro mutant. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved...I do not expect the house to fall...but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other. Either the opposers of violence against mutants will arrest the further spread of it, and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in the course of ultimate extinction; or its advocates will push it forward, till it shall become lawful in all the States.”, Brendon spoke with conviction. Over the years the political debate had always raged about what to do about mutants. And it was becoming even more of a clear dividing line. As he spoke some police officers started to casually walk around the crowd as well. ‘Guys heads up. We’ve got the Delaney brothers on site.’,Nathan said feeling their minds before actually seeing them. Colby and Azriel were walking with Holly Boland in street clothes but to the trained eye you could see they were all carrying their guns under their jackets.
‘Doesn’t change or mission. We just be mindful of the police and especially the Delaney brothers.’, Taylor commented. Esabelle noticed some police officers walking around. ‘We’ve got pigs now too.’, she informed the others. ‘Do we back off or what?’, Justice asked. ‘We stick to the plan.’, Esabelle stated. The larger man on the stage took his cue and stood up pulling out a knife from his jacket pocket. ‘Stephan...’,Nathan said hearing the man’s thoughts as he was ready to stab Brendon in the back rather literally. ‘On it. Just...’,Stephan said getting ready to get Brendon out of harm's way. ‘I’ve got your back.’, Nathan assured moving a bit closer. Stephan swooped down grabbing Brendon at the same moment someone in the audience screamed. “KNIFE!”, a woman scream. Brendon didn’t have much time to react as Stephan swooped down and picked him up getting him off the stage safely. Nathan’s left eye was starting to flicker as the man holding the knife was suspended in mid air. “What..What’s going on!?”, the man demanded. Colby, Azriel and Holly had drawn their weapons as had other police in the crowd. “Everyone get down. Mister Webb?”, Colby was looking around pretty certain he saw Stephan Wagner save Brendon. Stephan had carefully set Brendon down by the vehicle Brendon had arrived in. “You should go Mister Webb.”, Stephan said. Brendon blinked looking at his rescuer. Stephan was not using his HAG. So he stood there before Brendon Webb in his black kevlar uniform with its gold X insignia on the right collar and the Alpha on the left, his large white wings, white lion’s tail and feet easily seen but it was his face, with his owl like features that Brendon was focused on. “Tha...Thank you.”, he stammered getting into his car and telling his driver to get him out of there.
The other eleven FOH pulled out their weapons looking to start a fight now. One went to go after Holly but found himself surrounded by a ring of fire. “I don’t think so.”, Taylor said stepping out. Holly turned taking a step back from the flames and looked to the masked teen, she wasn’t exactly sure which one it was but she knew he was institute so he was there to help. “I’ve got this..”, Holly nodded. Taylor let the flames fall and Holly disarmed the man starting to cuff him. Marco and Nathan had moved into the crowd trying to contain the FOH members so the police could arrest them. However they ran into some issues. Marco getting knocked to the ground as Justice barreled into him in her rock form. Tyler had set fire to the stage. “God damn it…”, Colby said as he and Azriel grabbed fire extinguishers trying to put the flames out. Nathan’s eye started to flash even more as he expanded his telekinesis to surround everyone on the stage and lift all six people, including the FOH man, away from the flames and got them away safely. The flickering of his eye however had gotten him noticed. “GET HIM!”, a group of the FOH shouted realizing he was the one that had stopped the assassination. “Oh crap….”, Nathan said having to release his hold on the large man. ‘I’ve got a problem guys. My bracelet...it’s burning up...I’m putting too much power...and I’ve got about seven of them on me now.’, he said to the others ducking into a building he was near. The men right behind him. ‘NATHAN! Marco!’, Taylor yelled. He spotted Justice standing over Marco. “I don’t usually hit girls…”, Taylor said rushing at Justice his entire body going flame. Justice of course didn’t fall over but she did get pushed away from Marco grabbing Taylor’s wrists trying to keep her rock form to withstand the heat Taylor was putting out.
‘Stephan, find Nate!’, Taylor said keeping his grip on Justice. ‘On it.’, Stephan said taking flight to try and find Nathan. Jordan rushed to try and help Justice focusing his telepathy trying to get into Taylor’s mind. Which with Marco knocked out and Nathan a bit occupied he was able to. Taylor’s flames started to die down as he held the sides of his head. “Fucking Frost…”, Taylor groaned in pain. Justice changed back to her human form grabbing Jordan’s wrist and trying to disappear into the crowd and police were starting to head their way. ‘Let’s get out of here team.’, Esabelle instructed as she teleported a couple FOH up thirty feet and let them drop to their deaths. Tyler found his way to Jordan and Justice and in another second Esabelle was with them. Esabelle looked around at the chaos. Police trying to arrest the FOH, a few people injured and she knew at least a couple were dead. “Our job is done, let’s go.”, she said teleporting her team away. ‘Where did Nathan go?”, Stephan asked scanning the area. Stephan knew that if his bracelet malfunctioned, if it couldn't handle the power things could go nuclear. Nathan was more powerful than even his mother and couldn’t control it all at once. Stephan was desperate to find him before it got to that point. Nathan was inside a building trying to fight off the seven armed attackers. His bracelet went from shaking to exploding burning his wrist as he tried to use his telekinesis to keep some of the attackers back to make combat easier.
“Fuck..”, Nathan yelled rubbing his burned wrist. Without the bracelet to help regulate his power things started to get out of hand. A couple of his attackers managed to tackle him while he was in pain from his wrist, one stabbing him in the side. His eyes both went white with an overload of his powers, some of his hair slowly turning white in the front going from root to tip. His powers surged out from him, the whole building starting to shake and raise up from it’s foundation. Taylor was getting to his feet helping Marco up, seeing the same thing that Stephan was seeing from the air. “EVERYONE DOWN!!!!”, Taylor shouted pulling Marco behind a van not wanting to be in the blast that he was sure was about to come. Colby grabbed a couple people and got them down, Azriel grabbed Holly and with others got down as the ground began to shake. Stephan landed using another building as cover. Things in the warehouse started flying out as an explosion of his powers shot out. The two men that had tackled him were thrown away dying as they landed into bent pieces of metal from where the building had separated from its foundation. The other Five were hit with a telepathic blast that Nathan hadn’t even intended their brains basically becoming nonfunctional falling to the ground dead. And then without warning just as it started it suddenly stopped. Nathan’s body couldn’t take the power and he’d gone unconscious. Once everything stopped Stephan, Taylor, and Marco,who’d gotten to his feet again, all rushed into the building and looked around. The seven men were all very much dead and at the center of everything they saw Nathan on the ground. “Umbra!”, the three yelled using Nathan’s codename rushing to him.
“Get these bastard loaded up and to the station.”, Colby instructed running for the building after the mutants. He wasn’t sure who all from the institute was there and for a moment his heart felt it was going to beat out of it’s chest with fear that his son Carter was there, and hurt. Marco carefully checked Nathan’s neck for a heart beat and sighed a little in relief. “He’s still alive.”, Marco nodded. Stephan and Taylor both sighed in relief but looked over their shoulder hearing footsteps and saw Colby. “Who?”, Colby asked looking at them getting closer. He felt a sense of relief when he saw it wasn’t his son. “We need to get him out of here. He needs my dad.”, Marco said moving to try and lift Nathan. Stephan nodded in agreement and helped lift Nathan. “I’ll take him. I can fly there. You two take the car.”, Stephan said. “All four of you need to get out of here quick...I’ll cover the best I can for you.”, Colby said looking around seeing the seven dead men and looked back to the unconscious Nathan. “Thanks Mister Delaney.”, Taylor said. “Get him to recovery.”, he said looking to Stephan. Stephan nodded and adjusted his grip before taking off through a broken sky light to get Nathan back to the institute and to a healer. Taylor grabbed Marco and headed for a back way to get to the car to head back. Colby let out a haggard breath running his hand over his face. It wasn’t Carter, this time. But Carter was still going to become an X-Men like his mother. And then Colby would have two people to worry about.
Stephan went straight for the recovery center at the institute with Nathan. “MISTER HAMILTON!? MISSES KEARNEY!?”, he shouted not sure which was on call as he laid Nathan onto a table. Mikali came rushing hearing his name. “I’m here Stephan what’s…”, he stopped seeing Nathan on the table. He was bleeding from his left side and his breathing looked shallow. “Go get Jean.”, Mikali instructed. Stephan didn’t move though he couldn’t as he looked from Nathan to his hands that were stained with Nathan’s blood from carrying him. “Stephan! Go get his mother! And then get Forge.”, Mikali ordered. Stephan blinked and nodded pulling off his mask as he rushed out of the recovery center. “Misses Shadow?!”, he yelled skidding at her office door. Jean was sitting behind her desk working on some paper work. “Stephan? What’s wrong?”, she asked. “It’s Nathan. Mister Hamilton wants you in the recovery center.”, Stephan explained out of breath. Jean’s eyes grew wide with fear as she got up and rushed past Stephan. She knew the day would come that him wanting to be an X-men like her he’d get hurt, she just hoped she had more time. As she ran she took out her phone and sent a message to her husband. ‘Nathan’s been hurt on a mission. In recovery center at school.’, she sent as she got to the recovery center.
“Nathan…”, she rushed over to him. Mikali had gotten the top half of Nathan’s uniform off and was healing the stab wound when she came in. “He’ll be alright Jean. I can take care of the stab wound. Can you do a quick check of his mind while I do this. Stephan is supposed to get Forge, his bracelet is gone.”, Mikali said being calm. Stephan headed for the lab bursting into the room. Forge blinked looking up from a tablet he was fixing, Ororo spinning on her stool as it was her tablet Forge was working on. “Stephan? What’s...is that blood…”, Ororo asked getting up from the stool. “Mister Hamilton wants you Forge. Nathan...his bracelet...he’s been hurt.”, Stephan tried to explain. “Okay..Ororo your tablet will wait.”, he said getting up grabbing one of the backup bracelets from a drawer and heading out of the lab. Stephan leaned against the wall shaking a little. They’d been training their whole lives for missions like this. But this was different. This wasn’t a danger room session,. This was real. His friend, his roommate, his teammate was stabbed and it was Nathan’s blood that stained his white fur. “Oh god...”, Ororo covered her mouth when Stephan said Nathan had been hurt. She was worried about Nathan, he was one of her friends after all and part of her team. But she was a bit more worried about Stephan at the moment. Nathan was being taken care of by one of the healers. Stephan however was shaking and looking at his blood stained fur. He had a phobia about blood, how it stained him. And then just thinking about those men that Nathan killed, even if it was unintentional and mostly in self defense. They were still dead. He’d never seen a dead body before.
Ororo walked closer and with a soft sight wrapped her arms around Stephan hugging him tight. “He’ll be okay….Mister Hamilton will heal him. It’ll be okay.”, she said softly trying to reassure him as she started rubbing circles slowly on his back just below where his wings connect. “Let’s wash your hands...you can change out of the uniform, take a shower. Whatever. It’ll be alright.”, she suggested softly. Stephan’s breathing was a bit erratic as he kept looking at the blood but as Ororo’s arms went around him and she held him close, speaking so softly he started to calm a little. He wanted to just pull out the stained section of fur, his wings were still twitching. Ororo sighed and pulled back a little from him and took hold of his claw like hand. “Come on...it’ll be alright.”, she leading him out of the lab and to the elevator. “You can go up to your room and shower, it’ll be alright I promise.”, she said still speaking softly holding his claws gently. As the doors opened on the first floor Taylor and Marco paused seeing Ororo with Stephan. “Stephan? Hey man...where’s Nathan is he okay?”, Taylor asked. “He’s in the recovery center. Mister Hamilton is seeing to him. I’m getting Stephan upstairs so he can clean up..”, Ororo answered for Stephan who was still twitching his eyes on the blood. Marco and Taylor both nodded. “Alright get him situated. We’ll head down to the recovery center.”, Marco said getting into the elevator with Taylor. They road to the second floor where Ororo stepped out leading Stephan before they headed back down.
“Should we have left Stephan with just Ororo?”, Taylor asked as they rode the elevator down to the sublevels. “Why not? Ororo will take care of him. Girl’s hung up on him and everyone but him knows it.”, Marco questioned as they got off and started down the hall to check on Nathan. Jean had done what Mikali asked and ensured that her son’s mine was intact no damage from the overload of power. Forge had gotten a new bracelet on his wrist for when he woke. Demitri had raced out of the shop leaving his employees in charge and if he’d taken his car would have broken speed limits, but instead he ran using his super speed to get to the institute and opted for the stairs instead of waiting for the levator. He was a blur when he went past Taylor and Marco leaving them spinning. “Mister Shadow is here..”, Taylor said holding the wall to stand straight again. “Yeah.”, Marco agreed as they started back down the hall. “Is he alright? What happened?”, Demitri asked stopping when he got into the room. Jean went over and hugged Demitri knowing he was worried. He’d been worried about Nathan since the day his powers first activated and they showed extremely high levels even at a young age. And Demitri worried even more when Nathan said he wanted to be an X-Men instead of keeping neutrality of the Haven. “Stephan brought him in, he’d been stabbed and was unconscious. I’ve healed the wound but he’d still out. His bracelet wasn’t on and well as you can see his bangs have gone white.”, Mikali explained looking to his best friend.
Taylor and Marco walked in and softly coughed. “Boys. What happened?”, Forge asked looking to them. “We went on the mission as planned. Things had been going alright. Nathan almost overloaded his bracelet when trying to using his telepathy to get a number of the FOH from the crowd to leave. Then hell broke lose. Stephan saved Brendon and we fought the FOH. Academy kids were there too and started trouble. Tyler set fire to the stage. Nathan used his telekinesis to get everyone off the stage. He apparently got spotted and a bunch of them went after him.”, Taylor started to explain. “I got knocked out by Justice. When I came too Taylor had me behind a van for protection and I could feel Nathan’s telepathy all around him and the building he’d run into was pulled from it’s foundation five feet in the air. Then there was a huge surge, a blast of energy and the building fell back down. We raced in. The seven men who’d chased Nathan in there were scattered around very much dead. And Nathan was on the ground out cold. His bracelet was just soote it’d burned up. We had Stephan fly him back since it would be easier than us trying to get him here by car.”, Marco explained not taking his eyes off his best friend. Forge sighed and looked at the bracelet on Nathan’s wrist. “I need to try and make these better. He’s just got so much power. It’s hard for them to contain when he uses them a lot.”, Forge sighed.
“You’ll figure it out Forge. You always do.”, Jean assured. “Boys go change into street clothes and check on Stephan. Get his mother I know he has issues with blood so he should not be alone.”, Jean said pointing to Taylor and Marco. “He’s with Ororo, so not alone. But we will still get Misses Wagner.”, Taylor said before him and Marco left. “How did Ororo get in this equation. She didn’t get sent on the mission did she?”, Jean asked looking to Forge. “What? No I didn’t send all of alpha just the older boys. Duncan would have my head if I sent his twelve year old on a mission. Ororo was in my lab, I was doing some upgrades to her tablet, when Stephan came to get me.”, Forge explained. “Alright, just making sure. But I suppose leaving Stephan with Ororo is alright. She cared about him so she’ll take good care of him.”, Jen nodded. “Oh I’m sure she will. And eventually Stephan will wake up and realize just how much that kid cares about him.”, Mikali commented. “Any idea how long my son is going to be out?”, Demitri asked looking at Nathan. “None. It’s up to him at this point. he’s stable and perfectly healthy. His body is just..well it was overloaded. It’s not able to sustain the levels of his powers. I’m sure with the bracelet on to help regulate he should spring back. However he should talk to Isis after he wakes up.”, Mikali sighed.
“If the boys are right he did take seven lives today, granted he didn’t mean to but he still did. Maybe have him talk to Professor Logan if you want him to talk to someone who’s had to kill before.”, he suggested. Demitri and Jean nodded. “Yeah he’ll definitely need to talk to Isis. If he wants to talk to someone who’s been forced into the situation of killing he’d got options beyond just Logan. Still weird as hell to me that you guys call him ‘Professor’. He hasn’t been your teacher since we were teenagers. You’re adults, you have kids. Shit freaks me out any time Jean calls him that. She tried to bang him back in the day.”, Demitri commented. Jean went to elbow her husband but he moved to gast. “I told you to never ever ever talk about that Demitri.”, she glared. Demitri just smiled. “I know you did. But still freaky when you call someone you wanted to screw ‘Professor’. Like the start of a bad porno.”, Demitri teased. “Oh that so? Well maybe for the next few weeks pornos will be the closest you get to sex.”, Jean said. Nathan groaned holding his head. “Mom...dad...please stop talking about sex. I’m going to barf already I don’t need the imagery of mom and Mister Howlett.”, he groaned slowly sitting up.
“Nathan!”, Demitri and Jean both said stopping their playful argument and hugging him. “We weren’t sure how long it would be before you woke up. Mikali was able to heal the stab wound and Forge got a new bracelet for you.”, Jean explained. “So you pass the time by talking about when you were a teen and wanted to sleep with Mister Howlett? If I had stayed out longer would the whole bisexual relationship with that guy who’s mutation allowed to him switch between genders at will be the next topic?”, Nathan asked shaking his head. Demitri chuckled. “Maybe.”, he smiled as Jean reached over and hit him in the arm letting Nathan go. “Let’s just not. Nathan you need to get some rest. Why don’t you go up to your dorm and sleep. We can talk about everything tomorrow.”, she smiled. Nathan nodded. “Alright. I could use some rest.”, he agreed carefully getting up. The adults watched him carefully as he walked out of the recovery room. All hoped that he would be alright. The events of the day hadn’t even fully settled into Nathan’s mind as he walked down the hall for the elevator.
Ororo had gotten the slightly twitching Stephan to his dorm and was leading his to his bathroom when he started to try and scratch at the blood stained fur. “Stop it Stepan. We can wash it out.”, Ororo scolded tightening her grip on his hands. She let them go long enough to get water running in the sink. But as she turned back he was pulling at the fur. “Stephan!”, she scolded taking his hands away. “Please stop doing that.”, she sighed. She brought his hands over to the sink running the water of them and getting the soap scrubbing at the red areas, the water and bubbles taking on a pink color as she worked out the blood. Stephan was still twitching watching the swirling blood stained water and soapy bubbles going down the drain. Ororo sighed a little as she continued to work at getting the blood out. “It’s going to be okay Stephan. I’m right here, you aren’t deal with this alone. She got as much as she could with the water and soap before reaching into their sink cabinet and found what she was looking for, hydrogen peroxide. “Okay this should do the trick.”, she said first drying his fur then getting a cotton ball wet with the peroxide and starting to dab at the remaining blood that had clung to his pure white fur. With each stroke of the cotton ball more and more blood was removed till it was finally gone. “See? It’s alright Stephan. It’s all gone. Why don’t you take a shower? You’ll feel better.”, she suggested hugging him.
Stephan nodded a little. “Thank you Ororo.”, he finally spoke and hugged her back. “I just…”, he shook his head. “You don’t do well with blood. It’s okay Stephan.”, she smiled looking up at him. They were a bit cramped standing there in the bathroom between the wall and the sink hugging. Nathan raised an eyebrow and looked into the bathroom seeing Stephan with his arms around Ororo and vice versa. “Um I interrupting something?”, Nathan asked. Ororo and Stephan both quickly released the hug. “Nathan.”, Ororo smiled. “Of course you aren’t interrupting. I was just helping Stephan…I’m so happy you are alright.”, she said her voice trailing for a moment as she looked at Stephan then quickly looked back to Nathan. “I’m glad you are okay. I was worried.”, Stephan said. Nathan saw the blood in the drain and realized it was probably his since Stephan didn’t seem injured. “You brought me back? Even though I was bleeding?”, Nathan asked. He knew Stephan’s issues with blood. “You needed to get back fast and I can fly faster than Taylor could drive the car through traffic.”, Stephan nodded. “Thanks man.”, he nodded. Ororo looked at Nathan and blinked now noticing the white bangs. “Whoa what happened?”, she asked trying to carefully squeeze between Stephan and the sink, having to press into Stephan a little as she did.
Stephan drew in a sharp breath as she pressed against him to move out of the bathroom. “What do you mean? I mean we went on the mission. Shit got crazy. My bracelet broke and I over loaded on my powers.”, Nathan questioned confused. “Your...your hair..”, Ororo said reaching up and touching his now white bangs. “My hair?”, he questioned leaning into the bathroom and looking at the mirror. “Holy fuck I look like Rogue!”, he exclaimed looking at his bangs. Stephan stepped out of the bathroom to give the space to Nathan laughing a little. “Oh your bangs are white. My whole body is covered with white hair, fur and feathers.”, Stephan sighed. “Yeah well you were born that way dude and I’m sure chicks dig it on you.”, Nathan said casually glancing at Ororo who glared a little at him but her cheeks turned a light shade of pink. “Oh I’m sure girls are going to like the new look Nathan. They already stare at you.”, Ororo teased. “Yes but Nathan’s particular and turns most down.”, Stephan commented. “What I just don’t want to settle for just anyone. If I have learned nothing from Uncle Merrick it’s you should be picky and wait for the right girl. Unlike most of my friends I didn’t grow up in the same school as my right girl. But I suppose looking for the right girl is better than being oblivious to her being right in front of me.”, Nathan said glancing to Stephan who turned a slight pink under his feathers.
Taylor and Marco had been about to go find Isis when they went past Nathan and Stephan’s open door. “Hey are we having an unofficial Alpha meeting in their bathroom?”, Taylor asked walking. “Glad you are back your feet Nate.”, Marco commented. “Thanks guys. And no, I don’t think we are. Ororo was keeping Stephan from going all Lady MacBeth about bloodstains when I showed up.”, Nathan explained. “Glad to see you two are alright. Wish I was old enough that dad would let me go on missions with the team.”, Ororo pouted a little. Stephan shook his head. “It’s good you didn't go. It was chaos and Esabelle’s team was there. Hate for you to have gotten hurt.”, Taylor stated. “What you think I can’t handle myself against the likes of Esabelle or her douche boyfriend Tyler or Jordan and his rocks for brains girlfriend Justice? Let’s recall who kicked who’s ass in our last danger room session Taylor and don’t even give me the line you let me.”, Ororo said going full defense. “Whoa...Stephan call your girl off me.”, Taylor laughed holding his hands up. “She’s not…”, Stephan started to defend when Ororo punched Taylor in the stomach hard causing him to double over. “Let’s get this straight right here and now Taylor Orlando Hampton, I am a damn good fighter who can and will kick your ass any day of the week. And I’m not Stephan’s girl. We clear?”, she asked. “As crystal O.”, Taylor said a little out of breath.
Marco and Nathan started laughing at Taylor. Stephan just sighed a little at Ororo’s reaction. Most days she was the sweetest girl you’d meet, but there were moments when she would get angry and well she certainly held up the ‘Fear’ part of her last name.His shoulders sank just a little at the conviction she said she wasn’t his girl. “Good.”, she said as her phone started to go off. “Crap that’s Shawn. Better take this. Glad you are okay Nathan. And you seem to be doing better Stephan now that the blood is out. Bye boys.”, she said hitting answer on her phone. “Hi Shawn.”, she smiled. “Hello gorgeous. Guess who just got you a new gig modeling for Dior?”, Shawn greeted. Stephan’s jaw tightened hearing Shawn’s voice. “That’s awesome!”, Ororo smiled as she moved past the boys to leave the room. “We will need to talk to your parents as it will require you being gone a lot this summer working fashion shows as Dior is putting a new teen line.”, Shawn explained. “Most of the summer…”, Ororo repeated glancing back to the bedroom at her teammates and mostly to Stephan. “Yeah it’ll be great. So I’ll send the information over to your parents and they can decide. But this is a big deal for you. This puts you out there more than any other gig before this.”, Shawn explained. “Yeah I know. It’s amazing. Thank you Shawn. I’ll have to talk to my parents and see what we can do since one of them would have to go with me.”, she said as she walked down the hall.
Nathan saw Stephan’s reaction to Shawn called and nudged him in the side. “Seriously dude. Just say something to her. Put all of us out of our misery.”, Nathan smiled. “Say what? That I don’t like her manager?”, Stephan asked pretending to not know what Nathan was talking about as he sat on the edge of his bed. “That you like her.”, Marco rolled his eyes sitting on Nathan’s bed. “What? No. She’s Ororo. She’s one of the team. She’s one of my friends.”, Stephan defended shaking his head. Taylor sat down next to Marco shaking his head. “And your point? Carter and Nikki date and are on a team. Nash and Aaliyah date and are on a team. And we all started out as friends with our girlfriends. Well except me but Riley I didn’t meet here.”, Taylor commented. “She’s twelve, she probably isn’t even into boys yet.”, Stephan shook his head. Nathan shook his head and sat down next to Stephan. “Depends who the boy is. Most of them no she’s not into.”, Nathan shrugged. “Doesn’t matter guys. Ororo is...well for one she’s the headmaster’s daughter meaning untouchable. And for another she’s a model I’m just some freaky albino sphinx. The phrase ‘out of my league’ comes to mind. Now if you’ll excuse me I’m going to take a shower and get out of this uniform.”, he said standing up going into the bathroom. The others sighed shaking their heads. “I need to get some rest. So later guys.”, Nathan said pointing to the door. “Yeah rest up.”, Marco said as him and Taylor left the room.
Esabelle and her team returned to the Academy to report in with Azazel. “So?”, he questioned looking at the four of them. Jillian was sitting on the arm of the chair Azazel sat in her tail swishing a little with her wings folded neatly behind her. She looked over the four her fangs showing slightly as she smiled a little at them. “Stephan’s team was on sight. They did prevent the assassination of the politician. There was a number of local police on site as well. We were able to cause injury to a number and kill three.”, Esabelle reported. Azazel nodded smiling a little. “You did well. You four may be dismissed. Please send in Kevin’s team.”, Azazel instructed. Esabelle nodded. “As you wish grandfather.”, she said giving a small bow to her grandparents. Sure Jillian was not her grandmother biologically speaking, but she was married to her grandfather and that was enough reason for respect to be given. Esabelle’s team walked out and she went up the stairs to find the members of Kevin’s team. “Sophia, Larissa? Grandfather wants to speak with you.”, she instructed finding the two girls in their shared bedroom. “Um alright.”, Larissa said a little confused what Azazel could want with them. But her and Sophia got up anyways to report to him. Tyler found Kevin and Gregory. “Guys, Azazel has asked to speak with your team.”, Tyler advised them. Kevin froze for a moment never liking having to meet with Azazel. Since everything that had gone down with his Aunt Wanda and then his own brother leaving he feared that retribution would eventually come. “Alright. We will be right there.”, Kevin sighed setting down the xbox controller and heading out of the room. Gregory frowned he was actually winning but he set the controller down and followed Kevin.
“You requested to speak with my team sir?”, Kevin asked as the four walked in standing before Azazel and Jillian with hands clasped behind their backs in the militant stance. “Yes I did. Esabelle’s team just returned from a successful mission. I have a mission for your team. More specifically for you and Larissa to handle. Sophia, Gregory you may be dismissed.”, Azazel instructed. Gregory glanced to Kevin but nodded and nudged his cousin to leave. Once they closed the door it was just the Durvo children standing before the Demon King. “What is it that you ask of us sir?”, Kevin asked keeping his attention on Azazel. “There is a group of Friends of Humanity in Laurel Hollow that have been starting to harass some local mutants in that area. I would like the two of you to send a message that it will not be tolerated. The Frost brothers recently visited that area and have recruited four new students whose families were killed by these people just for having mutant children. Which...Jillian please have the new recruits brought in.”, he instructed looking to his wife. Jillian nodded getting up from the arm of his chair and walking to the doors opening them and beckoning someone forth. Kevin and Larissa both turned their heads to the doorway.
Jillian stepped aside and in walked four children. They were young, Larissa would have guessed around Lucian’s age. It was obvious they were two sets of siblings. The tallest of the group a boy with dark brown eyes that were almost black like his hair was keeping, what looked to be the youngest a girl with nappy dark brown hair who shared some facial features with him, right close to him. The other pair looked about the same age keeping their arms clasped looking to maybe be a set of twins the boy wearing glasses but the girl not however both had the same dark hair and nose as well as eye shape. “Kevin and Larissa Durvo I would like you to meet Chase and Jada Royer their parents were hung to crosses on the lawn of the church that they were ministers at. And the Torres twins Luna and Rohan. Their parents were murdered at their bakery. All because their children are mutants and because they didn’t believe mutants should be treated as lesser beings.”, Azazel explained. Luna blinked a little and in her own fear just looking at Azazel and remembering how her parents died she hide her whole body camouflaging to look like the hallway she stood in front of. Larissa took a deep breath gulping a little as Azazel described the horrors these kids had been through. When she saw the one girl camouflage herself she blinked and without even thinking moved forward to the four kids, specifically the girl who’d tried to hide and knelt down.
“I am so sorry. My brother and I…”, she said glancing back to Kevin before looking to the kids. “We will do whatever it takes to make these people pay for what they did. To make sure they don’t do this to anyone else, to ruin a family for their own fears.”, Larissa assured her voice gentle. Luna blinked and her camouflage went away and she hugged Larissa crying. Jada moved from her brother already holding back tears at being reminded of her parents and hugged Larissa. “Shh...it’s alright girls. We will make this right I promise.”, Larissa sighed hugging the two girls. “You’ll be safe here. And here you’ll learn to defend yourself so that no one can hurt you.”, Kevin assured. He looked to the two boys and nodded, he knew in a way how they felt. They wanted to protect their sisters. Just like he wanted to protect Larissa. He had to now that Malcolm was gone, Malcolm walked out and it was a hurt that Kevin still felt. Kevin turned to Azazel. “What do want us to do sir? Do we have targets? Do we know how wronged these children?”, he asked. Azazel smiled, he had known that the tale of these children would pull at the soft hearts of the children of Lorna. “These two individuals, the children did identify as being associated with the FOH in their town. They did not get a good enough look at those who directly caused the death of their parents.”, he said offering a manila folder. “I want you to make an example of these two. Via whatever means you find necessary. I want a message sent that this will not be tolerated.”, he instructed.
“It will be done.”, Kevin nodded taking the envelope and resting a hand on his sister’s shoulder. “Come on Larissa we need to go handle this.”, he said. Larissa nodded standing up and walking out with her brother. “Let’s get you kids settled into rooms. I will assume that my appearance and that of my wife might scare you. It’s alright little ones. We are accustomed to it. To make it easier for you though..”, he said pressing the button on the watch he wore his appearance changing from that of a red demonic mutant to an average man with black hair, a few whispers of grey near his temples and in his goatee. Jillian followed his lead pressing her watch and becoming a woman with dark black hair. All four blinked in shock. “We have certain technology that like you young Luna allows us to blend better. Come children we will show you to your bedrooms.”, he said leading the way. The kids nodded silently and followed him with Jillian walking behind them. It was important to Azazel that any young mutant brought to the school trusted him and trusted Jillian. He needed their loyalty and he knew that loyalty could not just be forced. He could not scare them into follow him, Wanda had done that and it got her behind bars at the institute. No he needed his future Acolytes to believe in him and not question because they didn’t see a need to. Which was part of why he’d sent Kevin and Larissa on the mission, he wanted to test their loyalty to him. he had after all usurped their Aunt.
Unaware that anything bad was going to happen Gwen and Christopher Fayte were getting ready to go for a drive, having to reluctantly attend a meeting of the Friends of Humanity. At one point in their lives what the FOH stood for and believed in did line up with their ideas. But everything changed when their daughters came into their powers. It was through the love of their daughters that they realized mutants couldn't all be murdering monsters that needed to be stopped. They had known about a school for mutants, but given that even rebuilt the school had been a location the FOH had once attacked and tried to wipe out. They couldn’t risk letting their daughters near the school as it would put them under the FOH radar and risk all their lives. Instead they lived their lives as normal to not draw attention. Their eldest, Crista was able to easily pass as human her mutation being telepathy. It had taken her a number of years to really get it under control but now she could ignore the voices of other’s minds. They were so proud of her, she was going to be starting her sophomore year at Stony Brook for a degree in Art History and Criticism. She wanted so much to work at an art museum. Their middle daughter, Persephone also passed for human. Her mutation just made her good with technology, which she helped her father with their old car a lot and people just thought of her as a tomboy for it.
Then there was their youngest, Delilah she could not easily pass for human. Her mutation was a bit more physical as she’d started to grow antlers and her feet had always been like hooves not to mention the little deer tail. They’d been able to hide the hooves and the tail while she was growing up. But as the antlers started to come in it was harder and it pained them to have to use a saw to cut the antlers down to nubs and otherwise keep her out of school for weeks at a time. They had to hide her the most,they knew what their friends would do to her and she was their baby they couldn't let someone hurt her. Crista was still over in Stony Brook having picked up a job at the university library and not wanting to be too far from her college ‘love’ Joseph Bonham a Marine Vertebrate Biology major at Stony Brook. he seemed like a nice enough young man, but Christopher reserved the right to pass judgement on the boy or any boy that became interested in one of his girls at any time. Tonight they were leaving Persephone and Delilah at home, Persephone was to be in charge. “Do you have to go?”, Delilah asked as her father grabbed his keys and her mother got her purse. “Unfortunately yes. Now that you kids are older we can’t exactly use the excuse that we don’t have a sitter to skip these things.”, Gwen sighed giving her daughter a hug being mindful of the antlers that were still growing from the ebony hair of her youngest. “You’re dad is going to need to cut these before they get much bigger.”, she sighed looking at the antlers. Christopher looked over and smiled at his youngest. “I’ll take care of it tomorrow morning. Now Persephone will be in charge. We shouldn’t be gone more than a couple hours. So you two just stay out of trouble.”, he smiled giving her a kiss on the cheek heading out to the car.
“So we good to go Perse?”, Christopher asked walking out to his old chevy seeing his daughter’s feet poking out from under it. Persephone rolled out from under the car with a smile, a little bit of grease on her cheek and some oil in her blonde hair. “Yup all set dad. Just finished the tune up”, she greeted getting up and lowering the car from the jack. “Thanks kiddo.”, he said kissing her clean cheek. “Persephone...you are such a mess.”, Gwen sighed walking over taking a tissue from her purse and starting to wipe the grease of her daughter’s face. “Mom..I was under a car it happens. I’ll take a shower don’t worry.”, she assured trying to dodge the tissue. “Leave her be Gwen. If Perse wants to walk around with grease on her face and oil in her hair fine.”, Christopher said shaking his head. “Not like I’m trying to impress anyone mom. Crista’s the one with the boyfriend not me.”, persephone sighed. “Yes well keep looking like this isn’t going to help you find one either.”, Gwen argued. “If she doesn’t want to find a boyfriend yet that’s fine by me. The longer I can go without my girls all going boy crazy on me the better.”, Chris said opening the car door for his wife. “Dad I am already boy crazy. I’ll happily tell a guy if he’s hot or point out the good looking ones. I just intimidate them because despite being a blonde I crush the stereotype by being smarter than them and known way more about cars.”, Persephone said proudly. “That’s my girl.”, Chris smiled. Gwen sighed and go in. “Dinner is in the oven take it out in about half an hour it’s tuna noodle casserole and there’s a toss salad in the fridge for you girls to eat.”, Gwen advised leaning her head out the car window to speak. “Alright. We’ll see you when you get back. Bye mom. Bye dad.”, Persephone nodded. “Bye Pers.”, Chris said before getting into the car and driving away.
While Kevin and Larissa formed their plan and made their way from Bayville to Laurel Hollow Chris and Gwen were sitting though a meeting of the local Friends of Humanity chapter. The main topic was the disaster that happened up in Bayville where Brendon Webb was saved by a mutant foiling the organization’s attempt to shut him up permanently and how a number of their members died at the hands of some masked mutants. Specifically they were discussing the destruction that one particular mutant caused that resulted in a building being pulled from it’s foundation and seven of their members killed in a blink of an eye. This announcement was frightening and disturbing to everyone. For Chris and Gwen yes it did worry them that there was a mutant who was that powerful out there, but their feeling of fright and being disturbed was more that their chapter was going to the point they were going to assassinate other humans all in the name of humanity and protecting it from mutants. They couldn’t voice that opinion though. No they needed to keep under the radar. The last thing they wanted was these people to come after their daughters. To protect their children they’d risk their own lives. They knew some might try to say they were hypocrites for sitting in that meeting when they had mutant daughters, but keeping up this appearance is what kept their daughters safe.

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The younger generations at the Institute and at the Academy had been split up into teams. And today Forge had picked up some intel about a Friends Of Humanity hit planned to go attack a local politician, Brendon Webb, who was going to be making a speech about how ‘all men are created equal’ should include mutants too. Forge looked over the list of the teams and decided he’d call on Taylor’s team, well the four oldest as he was not going to send Ororo who is only twelve or Junior who is only eight out on the mission. Getting the alert to report to the lab Taylor, Marco, Stephan and Nathan all headed down to see what Forge needed. “What's going on?”, Taylor asked as they walked into the lab. “Suit up boys you have a mission.”, Forge said spinning on his stool to look at them. “A mission?”, Stephan asked. “Yes. Brendon Webb is going to be making a speech today down at the docks. Kind of trying to reach the average working class citizen. Well one of the stands of his campaign is everyone is created equal, including mutants. I picked up some FOH chatter. They plan to go after him. You four are going to hang back the best you can and intervene if and when it happens.”, Forge explained giving them the basics. Taylor smiled, finally a mission. “We’ve got it covered. Come on guys. Let’s get going then.”, he suggested. “Are you sure I should go on this?”, Nathan asked spinning his bracelet. “You got a doctors note from Mikali or Kisa? No? Then yeah you go.”, Forge said pointing to the door. Nathan nodded with a small smile before following after the others to change.
Forge wasn’t the only one to pick up this information. Azazel had received the same information and called for one of this teams. Esabelle, Tyler, Jordan and Justice all walked in to stand in a row before the Demon King. “Yes grandfather?”, Esabelle asked standing with her hands folded behind her back, shoulders back and legs slightly apart much like a military stance. Azazel smiled at his granddaughter before his yellow eyes casted down the row Tyler and Jordan quickly taking the proper military stance Justice blinking then quickly following their lead. She was still new, so it was excusable to him. “I have a mission for the four of you. A Brendon Webb, some human politician that’s they to put on a good face saying he is okay with mutants, plans to make a speech by the docks. He’s running for some office I don’t care what. There is word that the Friends of Humanity intend to be there and start trouble. Now I could personally care less about this human politician. However I don’t want Friends of Humanity filth in my town. So you four are to go and take care of them, to the best of your abilities without of course getting arrested.”, Azazel explained. Esabelle nodded. “As you wish grandfather. Let’s go guys.”, he said giving a nod to her grandfather before walking out. Tyler, Jordan and Justice followed quickly behind her. Tyler may be the eldest of their team, but Esabelle was the one in charge being the granddaughter of the demon king.
So the board was set, Taylor’s team headed down to the dock in their X-Men team Alpha uniforms planning to stay out of sight till it was necessary to show themselves. “Marco and Nate, need you two to be doing a telepathic sweep of the crowd. See if we can pick out these guys so we know who to keep an eye on. Stephan find the highest point you can that will still let you stay in the shadows, you’ve got the best eyes of us so want them fixed on Mister Webb and the stage. I’ll try to be off to the side ready to pull aside anyone Marco or Nate identifies”, Taylor said giving the run down as they arrived at the docks. “Got it.”, they said. Stephan made his way up one of the buildings to stay mostly out of sight and keep his eyes on the stage. Marco and Nathan found positions out of sight and started doing a mental sweep of the area. In Nathan’s scan he came across the four Academy students. ‘We aren’t alone guys. Esabelle, Tyler, Jordan and Justice are in the crowd. And they aren't here just to hear the speech or show their support for Mister Webb.’, he thought to the team. ‘Noted. Let’s keep an eye on them too, but the FOH are our primary assignment and keeping Mister Webb safe.’, Taylor answered.
“Jordan start scanning for our targets. Everyone else keep their eyes open.”,Esabelle instructed before walking in a separate direction as the four divided up to stand in different areas of the large crowd. Jordan nodded linking their four minds, he may not be the strongest telepath of the Frost line but he was good enough. Tyler was looking in various directions and spotted Taylor off to the far edge of the crowd. ‘X-Brats are here. Not sure how many. Spotted Taylor.’, Tyler advised via the telepathic connection. “Don’t worry about them, yet. Jordan try to see if you can figure who from the institute is here.’, Esabelle instructed. Jordan tried to scan to find their minds but found nothing. ‘I can’t find them. Which means their minds are being shielded. I may not be the most powerful telepath of my family but if I’m being blocked...’,Jordan started to say. ‘Nathan.’, Esabelle groaned. She knew that of the institute students there was one that could without trying block possibly even the combined telepathic ability of the Hive it was Nathan Shadow. ‘Which if there is a Taylor and a Nathan that means their team is here. So Marco and Stephan at the least. I doubt they’d bring their younger members.’, Tyler concluded. Esabelle sighed, her cousin was here then. She didn’t like having to go against family, but if it came to it she would. She was loyal to their grandfather. ‘Will they be a problem?’, Justice asked. ‘No it’s fine. If they interfere we deal with them. But no one touches Stephan. I will deal with my cousin if it’s necessary.’, Esabelle instructed.
‘Jordan just tried to do a scan for us.’, Nathan instructed. He was far more powerful than Jordan and easily knew when he tried to find them. ‘You keep him out?’, Stephan asked. ‘Of course. He may be a Frost but I’m a Grey. Greys always beat Frost in a telepathic fight.’, Nathan smiled. ‘Lets not get cocky.’, Marco said. ‘You two find our guys?’, Taylor asked changing the subject. ‘Yup. Count about thirty in the crowd. They’ve spaced themselves out. None are carrying guns, however all are armed with blades. Also we have a problem, one is on the stage. Guess they infiltrated his campaign. Stephan got eyes on the beefy looking man in the suit far right of the stage?’, Nathan asked. Stephan looked and focused his eyes on the man in question. “I’ve got him in my sights.’, Stephan said. ‘Keep him there. There are a few that are standing near the front by the stage but based on their thoughts big man there is the one who’s supposed to take Webb and the others are to get involved if he fails.’, Nathan said. ‘Think you or Marco can get some of these guys in the crowd to change their minds and walk away? With Esabelle’s team here I’d like to lesson their potential kills.’, Taylor asked looking around the crowd and spotting Tyler. ‘We can try. It’s going to take some major energy to get control of that many minds.’, Marco answered. ‘You up for this Nate?’, Marco asked. ‘Lets do it. Forge says my braclet should keep me in control.’, he nodded taking a deep breath.
Marco started trying to work his telepathy on some of the identified FOH members in the crowd. He managed to get about five to walk away from the event. Nathan stood off in the shadows, the more he concentrated the more his left eye started to glow and spark, his bracelet starting to shake under the pressure of his power. He was about to get thirteen to walk away before he had to stop his wrist burning from the bracelet not being able to take the level of power he was using. Stephan noticed Nathan leaning back against a building like he was out of breath, eyes closed but still the light sparking from his left. ‘Nathan?’, Stephan called. Nathan took a couple deep breaths and nodded. ‘I’m alright, have to stop. My bracelet it can’t take me tapping much more into my powers. And without the bracelet to regulate I..I don’t know what will happen.’, Nathan explained. ‘It’s alright. How many are left guys?’, Taylor asked. ‘I got five to walk.’, Marco reported his head hurting a little from straining to get that many. ‘I dropped thirteen out. So we have a dozen left. I couldn’t get to the big man on stage though.’, Nathan said. ‘That’s fine. We can handle a dozen and Esabelle’s team. You both did great.’, Taylor smiled just watching the crowd now.
‘There were just thirty FOH in the crowd now it’s down to twelve...’, Jordan reported. ‘X-Brats must have used their telepathy to get them to leave. Why they bother trying to save those mutant hating pieces of shit...’,Tyler shook his head finding a place to stand. ‘Doesn’t matter how many there are or aren't. We have our orders. We take down as many as we can without getting caught.’, Esabelle stated taking her position. ‘Everyone just have their masks ready. Remember we are not to get caught. If things get back everyone centers on me and I port us out.’,she instructed. ‘Understood’, the others answered taking positions within the crowd. All attention turned to the stage as Brendon Webb stepped onto the stage and up to the podium. “Thank you all for coming out today.”, he greeted. He got some applause of his supporters in the crowd, half assed claps from the FOH that had remained. “Thank you...thank you all. As many of you know that I am running for congress this November. And if I get the seat in congress it will be because of people like you. Recently I have come under heat about my opinion when it comes to the mutant ‘issue’.”, he said making air quotes. “Notice the air quotes because I don’t think it’s an issue. We are all Americans, we are all citizens of this great nation. We should not be so divided. Our country sadly has a history of dividing itself over trivial things such as the color of our skin, our genders, or sexual orientations, and now mutation.”, he addressed the crowd smiling.
Stephan crouched closer to the edge still staying out of sight as the speech began. He could see the larger man on the stage starting to reach for his jacket pocket. ‘I think it’s going to start soon.’, Stephan advised. ‘Yeah they are all waiting for something, for a point in the speech I guess.’, Marco said doing a mental sweep. ‘It’s going to start’, Jordan informed the others. “Our sixteenth president said this best and I will paraphrase him to fit our situation. A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently, half anti mutant and half pro mutant. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved...I do not expect the house to fall...but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other. Either the opposers of violence against mutants will arrest the further spread of it, and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in the course of ultimate extinction; or its advocates will push it forward, till it shall become lawful in all the States.”, Brendon spoke with conviction. Over the years the political debate had always raged about what to do about mutants. And it was becoming even more of a clear dividing line. As he spoke some police officers started to casually walk around the crowd as well. ‘Guys heads up. We’ve got the Delaney brothers on site.’,Nathan said feeling their minds before actually seeing them. Colby and Azriel were walking with Holly Boland in street clothes but to the trained eye you could see they were all carrying their guns under their jackets.
‘Doesn’t change or mission. We just be mindful of the police and especially the Delaney brothers.’, Taylor commented. Esabelle noticed some police officers walking around. ‘We’ve got pigs now too.’, she informed the others. ‘Do we back off or what?’, Justice asked. ‘We stick to the plan.’, Esabelle stated. The larger man on the stage took his cue and stood up pulling out a knife from his jacket pocket. ‘Stephan...’,Nathan said hearing the man’s thoughts as he was ready to stab Brendon in the back rather literally. ‘On it. Just...’,Stephan said getting ready to get Brendon out of harm's way. ‘I’ve got your back.’, Nathan assured moving a bit closer. Stephan swooped down grabbing Brendon at the same moment someone in the audience screamed. “KNIFE!”, a woman scream. Brendon didn’t have much time to react as Stephan swooped down and picked him up getting him off the stage safely. Nathan’s left eye was starting to flicker as the man holding the knife was suspended in mid air. “What..What’s going on!?”, the man demanded. Colby, Azriel and Holly had drawn their weapons as had other police in the crowd. “Everyone get down. Mister Webb?”, Colby was looking around pretty certain he saw Stephan Wagner save Brendon. Stephan had carefully set Brendon down by the vehicle Brendon had arrived in. “You should go Mister Webb.”, Stephan said. Brendon blinked looking at his rescuer. Stephan was not using his HAG. So he stood there before Brendon Webb in his black kevlar uniform with its gold X insignia on the right collar and the Alpha on the left, his large white wings, white lion’s tail and feet easily seen but it was his face, with his owl like features that Brendon was focused on. “Tha...Thank you.”, he stammered getting into his car and telling his driver to get him out of there.
The other eleven FOH pulled out their weapons looking to start a fight now. One went to go after Holly but found himself surrounded by a ring of fire. “I don’t think so.”, Taylor said stepping out. Holly turned taking a step back from the flames and looked to the masked teen, she wasn’t exactly sure which one it was but she knew he was institute so he was there to help. “I’ve got this..”, Holly nodded. Taylor let the flames fall and Holly disarmed the man starting to cuff him. Marco and Nathan had moved into the crowd trying to contain the FOH members so the police could arrest them. However they ran into some issues. Marco getting knocked to the ground as Justice barreled into him in her rock form. Tyler had set fire to the stage. “God damn it…”, Colby said as he and Azriel grabbed fire extinguishers trying to put the flames out. Nathan’s eye started to flash even more as he expanded his telekinesis to surround everyone on the stage and lift all six people, including the FOH man, away from the flames and got them away safely. The flickering of his eye however had gotten him noticed. “GET HIM!”, a group of the FOH shouted realizing he was the one that had stopped the assassination. “Oh crap….”, Nathan said having to release his hold on the large man. ‘I’ve got a problem guys. My bracelet...it’s burning up...I’m putting too much power...and I’ve got about seven of them on me now.’, he said to the others ducking into a building he was near. The men right behind him. ‘NATHAN! Marco!’, Taylor yelled. He spotted Justice standing over Marco. “I don’t usually hit girls…”, Taylor said rushing at Justice his entire body going flame. Justice of course didn’t fall over but she did get pushed away from Marco grabbing Taylor’s wrists trying to keep her rock form to withstand the heat Taylor was putting out.
‘Stephan, find Nate!’, Taylor said keeping his grip on Justice. ‘On it.’, Stephan said taking flight to try and find Nathan. Jordan rushed to try and help Justice focusing his telepathy trying to get into Taylor’s mind. Which with Marco knocked out and Nathan a bit occupied he was able to. Taylor’s flames started to die down as he held the sides of his head. “Fucking Frost…”, Taylor groaned in pain. Justice changed back to her human form grabbing Jordan’s wrist and trying to disappear into the crowd and police were starting to head their way. ‘Let’s get out of here team.’, Esabelle instructed as she teleported a couple FOH up thirty feet and let them drop to their deaths. Tyler found his way to Jordan and Justice and in another second Esabelle was with them. Esabelle looked around at the chaos. Police trying to arrest the FOH, a few people injured and she knew at least a couple were dead. “Our job is done, let’s go.”, she said teleporting her team away. ‘Where did Nathan go?”, Stephan asked scanning the area. Stephan knew that if his bracelet malfunctioned, if it couldn't handle the power things could go nuclear. Nathan was more powerful than even his mother and couldn’t control it all at once. Stephan was desperate to find him before it got to that point. Nathan was inside a building trying to fight off the seven armed attackers. His bracelet went from shaking to exploding burning his wrist as he tried to use his telekinesis to keep some of the attackers back to make combat easier.
“Fuck..”, Nathan yelled rubbing his burned wrist. Without the bracelet to help regulate his power things started to get out of hand. A couple of his attackers managed to tackle him while he was in pain from his wrist, one stabbing him in the side. His eyes both went white with an overload of his powers, some of his hair slowly turning white in the front going from root to tip. His powers surged out from him, the whole building starting to shake and raise up from it’s foundation. Taylor was getting to his feet helping Marco up, seeing the same thing that Stephan was seeing from the air. “EVERYONE DOWN!!!!”, Taylor shouted pulling Marco behind a van not wanting to be in the blast that he was sure was about to come. Colby grabbed a couple people and got them down, Azriel grabbed Holly and with others got down as the ground began to shake. Stephan landed using another building as cover. Things in the warehouse started flying out as an explosion of his powers shot out. The two men that had tackled him were thrown away dying as they landed into bent pieces of metal from where the building had separated from its foundation. The other Five were hit with a telepathic blast that Nathan hadn’t even intended their brains basically becoming nonfunctional falling to the ground dead. And then without warning just as it started it suddenly stopped. Nathan’s body couldn’t take the power and he’d gone unconscious. Once everything stopped Stephan, Taylor, and Marco,who’d gotten to his feet again, all rushed into the building and looked around. The seven men were all very much dead and at the center of everything they saw Nathan on the ground. “Umbra!”, the three yelled using Nathan’s codename rushing to him.
“Get these bastard loaded up and to the station.”, Colby instructed running for the building after the mutants. He wasn’t sure who all from the institute was there and for a moment his heart felt it was going to beat out of it’s chest with fear that his son Carter was there, and hurt. Marco carefully checked Nathan’s neck for a heart beat and sighed a little in relief. “He’s still alive.”, Marco nodded. Stephan and Taylor both sighed in relief but looked over their shoulder hearing footsteps and saw Colby. “Who?”, Colby asked looking at them getting closer. He felt a sense of relief when he saw it wasn’t his son. “We need to get him out of here. He needs my dad.”, Marco said moving to try and lift Nathan. Stephan nodded in agreement and helped lift Nathan. “I’ll take him. I can fly there. You two take the car.”, Stephan said. “All four of you need to get out of here quick...I’ll cover the best I can for you.”, Colby said looking around seeing the seven dead men and looked back to the unconscious Nathan. “Thanks Mister Delaney.”, Taylor said. “Get him to recovery.”, he said looking to Stephan. Stephan nodded and adjusted his grip before taking off through a broken sky light to get Nathan back to the institute and to a healer. Taylor grabbed Marco and headed for a back way to get to the car to head back. Colby let out a haggard breath running his hand over his face. It wasn’t Carter, this time. But Carter was still going to become an X-Men like his mother. And then Colby would have two people to worry about.
Stephan went straight for the recovery center at the institute with Nathan. “MISTER HAMILTON!? MISSES KEARNEY!?”, he shouted not sure which was on call as he laid Nathan onto a table. Mikali came rushing hearing his name. “I’m here Stephan what’s…”, he stopped seeing Nathan on the table. He was bleeding from his left side and his breathing looked shallow. “Go get Jean.”, Mikali instructed. Stephan didn’t move though he couldn’t as he looked from Nathan to his hands that were stained with Nathan’s blood from carrying him. “Stephan! Go get his mother! And then get Forge.”, Mikali ordered. Stephan blinked and nodded pulling off his mask as he rushed out of the recovery center. “Misses Shadow?!”, he yelled skidding at her office door. Jean was sitting behind her desk working on some paper work. “Stephan? What’s wrong?”, she asked. “It’s Nathan. Mister Hamilton wants you in the recovery center.”, Stephan explained out of breath. Jean’s eyes grew wide with fear as she got up and rushed past Stephan. She knew the day would come that him wanting to be an X-men like her he’d get hurt, she just hoped she had more time. As she ran she took out her phone and sent a message to her husband. ‘Nathan’s been hurt on a mission. In recovery center at school.’, she sent as she got to the recovery center.
“Nathan…”, she rushed over to him. Mikali had gotten the top half of Nathan’s uniform off and was healing the stab wound when she came in. “He’ll be alright Jean. I can take care of the stab wound. Can you do a quick check of his mind while I do this. Stephan is supposed to get Forge, his bracelet is gone.”, Mikali said being calm. Stephan headed for the lab bursting into the room. Forge blinked looking up from a tablet he was fixing, Ororo spinning on her stool as it was her tablet Forge was working on. “Stephan? What’s...is that blood…”, Ororo asked getting up from the stool. “Mister Hamilton wants you Forge. Nathan...his bracelet...he’s been hurt.”, Stephan tried to explain. “Okay..Ororo your tablet will wait.”, he said getting up grabbing one of the backup bracelets from a drawer and heading out of the lab. Stephan leaned against the wall shaking a little. They’d been training their whole lives for missions like this. But this was different. This wasn’t a danger room session,. This was real. His friend, his roommate, his teammate was stabbed and it was Nathan’s blood that stained his white fur. “Oh god...”, Ororo covered her mouth when Stephan said Nathan had been hurt. She was worried about Nathan, he was one of her friends after all and part of her team. But she was a bit more worried about Stephan at the moment. Nathan was being taken care of by one of the healers. Stephan however was shaking and looking at his blood stained fur. He had a phobia about blood, how it stained him. And then just thinking about those men that Nathan killed, even if it was unintentional and mostly in self defense. They were still dead. He’d never seen a dead body before.
Ororo walked closer and with a soft sight wrapped her arms around Stephan hugging him tight. “He’ll be okay….Mister Hamilton will heal him. It’ll be okay.”, she said softly trying to reassure him as she started rubbing circles slowly on his back just below where his wings connect. “Let’s wash your hands...you can change out of the uniform, take a shower. Whatever. It’ll be alright.”, she suggested softly. Stephan’s breathing was a bit erratic as he kept looking at the blood but as Ororo’s arms went around him and she held him close, speaking so softly he started to calm a little. He wanted to just pull out the stained section of fur, his wings were still twitching. Ororo sighed and pulled back a little from him and took hold of his claw like hand. “Come on...it’ll be alright.”, she leading him out of the lab and to the elevator. “You can go up to your room and shower, it’ll be alright I promise.”, she said still speaking softly holding his claws gently. As the doors opened on the first floor Taylor and Marco paused seeing Ororo with Stephan. “Stephan? Hey man...where’s Nathan is he okay?”, Taylor asked. “He’s in the recovery center. Mister Hamilton is seeing to him. I’m getting Stephan upstairs so he can clean up..”, Ororo answered for Stephan who was still twitching his eyes on the blood. Marco and Taylor both nodded. “Alright get him situated. We’ll head down to the recovery center.”, Marco said getting into the elevator with Taylor. They road to the second floor where Ororo stepped out leading Stephan before they headed back down.
“Should we have left Stephan with just Ororo?”, Taylor asked as they rode the elevator down to the sublevels. “Why not? Ororo will take care of him. Girl’s hung up on him and everyone but him knows it.”, Marco questioned as they got off and started down the hall to check on Nathan. Jean had done what Mikali asked and ensured that her son’s mine was intact no damage from the overload of power. Forge had gotten a new bracelet on his wrist for when he woke. Demitri had raced out of the shop leaving his employees in charge and if he’d taken his car would have broken speed limits, but instead he ran using his super speed to get to the institute and opted for the stairs instead of waiting for the levator. He was a blur when he went past Taylor and Marco leaving them spinning. “Mister Shadow is here..”, Taylor said holding the wall to stand straight again. “Yeah.”, Marco agreed as they started back down the hall. “Is he alright? What happened?”, Demitri asked stopping when he got into the room. Jean went over and hugged Demitri knowing he was worried. He’d been worried about Nathan since the day his powers first activated and they showed extremely high levels even at a young age. And Demitri worried even more when Nathan said he wanted to be an X-Men instead of keeping neutrality of the Haven. “Stephan brought him in, he’d been stabbed and was unconscious. I’ve healed the wound but he’d still out. His bracelet wasn’t on and well as you can see his bangs have gone white.”, Mikali explained looking to his best friend.
Taylor and Marco walked in and softly coughed. “Boys. What happened?”, Forge asked looking to them. “We went on the mission as planned. Things had been going alright. Nathan almost overloaded his bracelet when trying to using his telepathy to get a number of the FOH from the crowd to leave. Then hell broke lose. Stephan saved Brendon and we fought the FOH. Academy kids were there too and started trouble. Tyler set fire to the stage. Nathan used his telekinesis to get everyone off the stage. He apparently got spotted and a bunch of them went after him.”, Taylor started to explain. “I got knocked out by Justice. When I came too Taylor had me behind a van for protection and I could feel Nathan’s telepathy all around him and the building he’d run into was pulled from it’s foundation five feet in the air. Then there was a huge surge, a blast of energy and the building fell back down. We raced in. The seven men who’d chased Nathan in there were scattered around very much dead. And Nathan was on the ground out cold. His bracelet was just soote it’d burned up. We had Stephan fly him back since it would be easier than us trying to get him here by car.”, Marco explained not taking his eyes off his best friend. Forge sighed and looked at the bracelet on Nathan’s wrist. “I need to try and make these better. He’s just got so much power. It’s hard for them to contain when he uses them a lot.”, Forge sighed.
“You’ll figure it out Forge. You always do.”, Jean assured. “Boys go change into street clothes and check on Stephan. Get his mother I know he has issues with blood so he should not be alone.”, Jean said pointing to Taylor and Marco. “He’s with Ororo, so not alone. But we will still get Misses Wagner.”, Taylor said before him and Marco left. “How did Ororo get in this equation. She didn’t get sent on the mission did she?”, Jean asked looking to Forge. “What? No I didn’t send all of alpha just the older boys. Duncan would have my head if I sent his twelve year old on a mission. Ororo was in my lab, I was doing some upgrades to her tablet, when Stephan came to get me.”, Forge explained. “Alright, just making sure. But I suppose leaving Stephan with Ororo is alright. She cared about him so she’ll take good care of him.”, Jen nodded. “Oh I’m sure she will. And eventually Stephan will wake up and realize just how much that kid cares about him.”, Mikali commented. “Any idea how long my son is going to be out?”, Demitri asked looking at Nathan. “None. It’s up to him at this point. he’s stable and perfectly healthy. His body is just..well it was overloaded. It’s not able to sustain the levels of his powers. I’m sure with the bracelet on to help regulate he should spring back. However he should talk to Isis after he wakes up.”, Mikali sighed.
“If the boys are right he did take seven lives today, granted he didn’t mean to but he still did. Maybe have him talk to Professor Logan if you want him to talk to someone who’s had to kill before.”, he suggested. Demitri and Jean nodded. “Yeah he’ll definitely need to talk to Isis. If he wants to talk to someone who’s been forced into the situation of killing he’d got options beyond just Logan. Still weird as hell to me that you guys call him ‘Professor’. He hasn’t been your teacher since we were teenagers. You’re adults, you have kids. Shit freaks me out any time Jean calls him that. She tried to bang him back in the day.”, Demitri commented. Jean went to elbow her husband but he moved to gast. “I told you to never ever ever talk about that Demitri.”, she glared. Demitri just smiled. “I know you did. But still freaky when you call someone you wanted to screw ‘Professor’. Like the start of a bad porno.”, Demitri teased. “Oh that so? Well maybe for the next few weeks pornos will be the closest you get to sex.”, Jean said. Nathan groaned holding his head. “Mom...dad...please stop talking about sex. I’m going to barf already I don’t need the imagery of mom and Mister Howlett.”, he groaned slowly sitting up.
“Nathan!”, Demitri and Jean both said stopping their playful argument and hugging him. “We weren’t sure how long it would be before you woke up. Mikali was able to heal the stab wound and Forge got a new bracelet for you.”, Jean explained. “So you pass the time by talking about when you were a teen and wanted to sleep with Mister Howlett? If I had stayed out longer would the whole bisexual relationship with that guy who’s mutation allowed to him switch between genders at will be the next topic?”, Nathan asked shaking his head. Demitri chuckled. “Maybe.”, he smiled as Jean reached over and hit him in the arm letting Nathan go. “Let’s just not. Nathan you need to get some rest. Why don’t you go up to your dorm and sleep. We can talk about everything tomorrow.”, she smiled. Nathan nodded. “Alright. I could use some rest.”, he agreed carefully getting up. The adults watched him carefully as he walked out of the recovery room. All hoped that he would be alright. The events of the day hadn’t even fully settled into Nathan’s mind as he walked down the hall for the elevator.
Ororo had gotten the slightly twitching Stephan to his dorm and was leading his to his bathroom when he started to try and scratch at the blood stained fur. “Stop it Stepan. We can wash it out.”, Ororo scolded tightening her grip on his hands. She let them go long enough to get water running in the sink. But as she turned back he was pulling at the fur. “Stephan!”, she scolded taking his hands away. “Please stop doing that.”, she sighed. She brought his hands over to the sink running the water of them and getting the soap scrubbing at the red areas, the water and bubbles taking on a pink color as she worked out the blood. Stephan was still twitching watching the swirling blood stained water and soapy bubbles going down the drain. Ororo sighed a little as she continued to work at getting the blood out. “It’s going to be okay Stephan. I’m right here, you aren’t deal with this alone. She got as much as she could with the water and soap before reaching into their sink cabinet and found what she was looking for, hydrogen peroxide. “Okay this should do the trick.”, she said first drying his fur then getting a cotton ball wet with the peroxide and starting to dab at the remaining blood that had clung to his pure white fur. With each stroke of the cotton ball more and more blood was removed till it was finally gone. “See? It’s alright Stephan. It’s all gone. Why don’t you take a shower? You’ll feel better.”, she suggested hugging him.
Stephan nodded a little. “Thank you Ororo.”, he finally spoke and hugged her back. “I just…”, he shook his head. “You don’t do well with blood. It’s okay Stephan.”, she smiled looking up at him. They were a bit cramped standing there in the bathroom between the wall and the sink hugging. Nathan raised an eyebrow and looked into the bathroom seeing Stephan with his arms around Ororo and vice versa. “Um I interrupting something?”, Nathan asked. Ororo and Stephan both quickly released the hug. “Nathan.”, Ororo smiled. “Of course you aren’t interrupting. I was just helping Stephan…I’m so happy you are alright.”, she said her voice trailing for a moment as she looked at Stephan then quickly looked back to Nathan. “I’m glad you are okay. I was worried.”, Stephan said. Nathan saw the blood in the drain and realized it was probably his since Stephan didn’t seem injured. “You brought me back? Even though I was bleeding?”, Nathan asked. He knew Stephan’s issues with blood. “You needed to get back fast and I can fly faster than Taylor could drive the car through traffic.”, Stephan nodded. “Thanks man.”, he nodded. Ororo looked at Nathan and blinked now noticing the white bangs. “Whoa what happened?”, she asked trying to carefully squeeze between Stephan and the sink, having to press into Stephan a little as she did.
Stephan drew in a sharp breath as she pressed against him to move out of the bathroom. “What do you mean? I mean we went on the mission. Shit got crazy. My bracelet broke and I over loaded on my powers.”, Nathan questioned confused. “Your...your hair..”, Ororo said reaching up and touching his now white bangs. “My hair?”, he questioned leaning into the bathroom and looking at the mirror. “Holy fuck I look like Rogue!”, he exclaimed looking at his bangs. Stephan stepped out of the bathroom to give the space to Nathan laughing a little. “Oh your bangs are white. My whole body is covered with white hair, fur and feathers.”, Stephan sighed. “Yeah well you were born that way dude and I’m sure chicks dig it on you.”, Nathan said casually glancing at Ororo who glared a little at him but her cheeks turned a light shade of pink. “Oh I’m sure girls are going to like the new look Nathan. They already stare at you.”, Ororo teased. “Yes but Nathan’s particular and turns most down.”, Stephan commented. “What I just don’t want to settle for just anyone. If I have learned nothing from Uncle Merrick it’s you should be picky and wait for the right girl. Unlike most of my friends I didn’t grow up in the same school as my right girl. But I suppose looking for the right girl is better than being oblivious to her being right in front of me.”, Nathan said glancing to Stephan who turned a slight pink under his feathers.
Taylor and Marco had been about to go find Isis when they went past Nathan and Stephan’s open door. “Hey are we having an unofficial Alpha meeting in their bathroom?”, Taylor asked walking. “Glad you are back your feet Nate.”, Marco commented. “Thanks guys. And no, I don’t think we are. Ororo was keeping Stephan from going all Lady MacBeth about bloodstains when I showed up.”, Nathan explained. “Glad to see you two are alright. Wish I was old enough that dad would let me go on missions with the team.”, Ororo pouted a little. Stephan shook his head. “It’s good you didn't go. It was chaos and Esabelle’s team was there. Hate for you to have gotten hurt.”, Taylor stated. “What you think I can’t handle myself against the likes of Esabelle or her douche boyfriend Tyler or Jordan and his rocks for brains girlfriend Justice? Let’s recall who kicked who’s ass in our last danger room session Taylor and don’t even give me the line you let me.”, Ororo said going full defense. “Whoa...Stephan call your girl off me.”, Taylor laughed holding his hands up. “She’s not…”, Stephan started to defend when Ororo punched Taylor in the stomach hard causing him to double over. “Let’s get this straight right here and now Taylor Orlando Hampton, I am a damn good fighter who can and will kick your ass any day of the week. And I’m not Stephan’s girl. We clear?”, she asked. “As crystal O.”, Taylor said a little out of breath.
Marco and Nathan started laughing at Taylor. Stephan just sighed a little at Ororo’s reaction. Most days she was the sweetest girl you’d meet, but there were moments when she would get angry and well she certainly held up the ‘Fear’ part of her last name.His shoulders sank just a little at the conviction she said she wasn’t his girl. “Good.”, she said as her phone started to go off. “Crap that’s Shawn. Better take this. Glad you are okay Nathan. And you seem to be doing better Stephan now that the blood is out. Bye boys.”, she said hitting answer on her phone. “Hi Shawn.”, she smiled. “Hello gorgeous. Guess who just got you a new gig modeling for Dior?”, Shawn greeted. Stephan’s jaw tightened hearing Shawn’s voice. “That’s awesome!”, Ororo smiled as she moved past the boys to leave the room. “We will need to talk to your parents as it will require you being gone a lot this summer working fashion shows as Dior is putting a new teen line.”, Shawn explained. “Most of the summer…”, Ororo repeated glancing back to the bedroom at her teammates and mostly to Stephan. “Yeah it’ll be great. So I’ll send the information over to your parents and they can decide. But this is a big deal for you. This puts you out there more than any other gig before this.”, Shawn explained. “Yeah I know. It’s amazing. Thank you Shawn. I’ll have to talk to my parents and see what we can do since one of them would have to go with me.”, she said as she walked down the hall.
Nathan saw Stephan’s reaction to Shawn called and nudged him in the side. “Seriously dude. Just say something to her. Put all of us out of our misery.”, Nathan smiled. “Say what? That I don’t like her manager?”, Stephan asked pretending to not know what Nathan was talking about as he sat on the edge of his bed. “That you like her.”, Marco rolled his eyes sitting on Nathan’s bed. “What? No. She’s Ororo. She’s one of the team. She’s one of my friends.”, Stephan defended shaking his head. Taylor sat down next to Marco shaking his head. “And your point? Carter and Nikki date and are on a team. Nash and Aaliyah date and are on a team. And we all started out as friends with our girlfriends. Well except me but Riley I didn’t meet here.”, Taylor commented. “She’s twelve, she probably isn’t even into boys yet.”, Stephan shook his head. Nathan shook his head and sat down next to Stephan. “Depends who the boy is. Most of them no she’s not into.”, Nathan shrugged. “Doesn’t matter guys. Ororo is...well for one she’s the headmaster’s daughter meaning untouchable. And for another she’s a model I’m just some freaky albino sphinx. The phrase ‘out of my league’ comes to mind. Now if you’ll excuse me I’m going to take a shower and get out of this uniform.”, he said standing up going into the bathroom. The others sighed shaking their heads. “I need to get some rest. So later guys.”, Nathan said pointing to the door. “Yeah rest up.”, Marco said as him and Taylor left the room.
Esabelle and her team returned to the Academy to report in with Azazel. “So?”, he questioned looking at the four of them. Jillian was sitting on the arm of the chair Azazel sat in her tail swishing a little with her wings folded neatly behind her. She looked over the four her fangs showing slightly as she smiled a little at them. “Stephan’s team was on sight. They did prevent the assassination of the politician. There was a number of local police on site as well. We were able to cause injury to a number and kill three.”, Esabelle reported. Azazel nodded smiling a little. “You did well. You four may be dismissed. Please send in Kevin’s team.”, Azazel instructed. Esabelle nodded. “As you wish grandfather.”, she said giving a small bow to her grandparents. Sure Jillian was not her grandmother biologically speaking, but she was married to her grandfather and that was enough reason for respect to be given. Esabelle’s team walked out and she went up the stairs to find the members of Kevin’s team. “Sophia, Larissa? Grandfather wants to speak with you.”, she instructed finding the two girls in their shared bedroom. “Um alright.”, Larissa said a little confused what Azazel could want with them. But her and Sophia got up anyways to report to him. Tyler found Kevin and Gregory. “Guys, Azazel has asked to speak with your team.”, Tyler advised them. Kevin froze for a moment never liking having to meet with Azazel. Since everything that had gone down with his Aunt Wanda and then his own brother leaving he feared that retribution would eventually come. “Alright. We will be right there.”, Kevin sighed setting down the xbox controller and heading out of the room. Gregory frowned he was actually winning but he set the controller down and followed Kevin.
“You requested to speak with my team sir?”, Kevin asked as the four walked in standing before Azazel and Jillian with hands clasped behind their backs in the militant stance. “Yes I did. Esabelle’s team just returned from a successful mission. I have a mission for your team. More specifically for you and Larissa to handle. Sophia, Gregory you may be dismissed.”, Azazel instructed. Gregory glanced to Kevin but nodded and nudged his cousin to leave. Once they closed the door it was just the Durvo children standing before the Demon King. “What is it that you ask of us sir?”, Kevin asked keeping his attention on Azazel. “There is a group of Friends of Humanity in Laurel Hollow that have been starting to harass some local mutants in that area. I would like the two of you to send a message that it will not be tolerated. The Frost brothers recently visited that area and have recruited four new students whose families were killed by these people just for having mutant children. Which...Jillian please have the new recruits brought in.”, he instructed looking to his wife. Jillian nodded getting up from the arm of his chair and walking to the doors opening them and beckoning someone forth. Kevin and Larissa both turned their heads to the doorway.
Jillian stepped aside and in walked four children. They were young, Larissa would have guessed around Lucian’s age. It was obvious they were two sets of siblings. The tallest of the group a boy with dark brown eyes that were almost black like his hair was keeping, what looked to be the youngest a girl with nappy dark brown hair who shared some facial features with him, right close to him. The other pair looked about the same age keeping their arms clasped looking to maybe be a set of twins the boy wearing glasses but the girl not however both had the same dark hair and nose as well as eye shape. “Kevin and Larissa Durvo I would like you to meet Chase and Jada Royer their parents were hung to crosses on the lawn of the church that they were ministers at. And the Torres twins Luna and Rohan. Their parents were murdered at their bakery. All because their children are mutants and because they didn’t believe mutants should be treated as lesser beings.”, Azazel explained. Luna blinked a little and in her own fear just looking at Azazel and remembering how her parents died she hide her whole body camouflaging to look like the hallway she stood in front of. Larissa took a deep breath gulping a little as Azazel described the horrors these kids had been through. When she saw the one girl camouflage herself she blinked and without even thinking moved forward to the four kids, specifically the girl who’d tried to hide and knelt down.
“I am so sorry. My brother and I…”, she said glancing back to Kevin before looking to the kids. “We will do whatever it takes to make these people pay for what they did. To make sure they don’t do this to anyone else, to ruin a family for their own fears.”, Larissa assured her voice gentle. Luna blinked and her camouflage went away and she hugged Larissa crying. Jada moved from her brother already holding back tears at being reminded of her parents and hugged Larissa. “Shh...it’s alright girls. We will make this right I promise.”, Larissa sighed hugging the two girls. “You’ll be safe here. And here you’ll learn to defend yourself so that no one can hurt you.”, Kevin assured. He looked to the two boys and nodded, he knew in a way how they felt. They wanted to protect their sisters. Just like he wanted to protect Larissa. He had to now that Malcolm was gone, Malcolm walked out and it was a hurt that Kevin still felt. Kevin turned to Azazel. “What do want us to do sir? Do we have targets? Do we know how wronged these children?”, he asked. Azazel smiled, he had known that the tale of these children would pull at the soft hearts of the children of Lorna. “These two individuals, the children did identify as being associated with the FOH in their town. They did not get a good enough look at those who directly caused the death of their parents.”, he said offering a manila folder. “I want you to make an example of these two. Via whatever means you find necessary. I want a message sent that this will not be tolerated.”, he instructed.
“It will be done.”, Kevin nodded taking the envelope and resting a hand on his sister’s shoulder. “Come on Larissa we need to go handle this.”, he said. Larissa nodded standing up and walking out with her brother. “Let’s get you kids settled into rooms. I will assume that my appearance and that of my wife might scare you. It’s alright little ones. We are accustomed to it. To make it easier for you though..”, he said pressing the button on the watch he wore his appearance changing from that of a red demonic mutant to an average man with black hair, a few whispers of grey near his temples and in his goatee. Jillian followed his lead pressing her watch and becoming a woman with dark black hair. All four blinked in shock. “We have certain technology that like you young Luna allows us to blend better. Come children we will show you to your bedrooms.”, he said leading the way. The kids nodded silently and followed him with Jillian walking behind them. It was important to Azazel that any young mutant brought to the school trusted him and trusted Jillian. He needed their loyalty and he knew that loyalty could not just be forced. He could not scare them into follow him, Wanda had done that and it got her behind bars at the institute. No he needed his future Acolytes to believe in him and not question because they didn’t see a need to. Which was part of why he’d sent Kevin and Larissa on the mission, he wanted to test their loyalty to him. he had after all usurped their Aunt.
Unaware that anything bad was going to happen Gwen and Christopher Fayte were getting ready to go for a drive, having to reluctantly attend a meeting of the Friends of Humanity. At one point in their lives what the FOH stood for and believed in did line up with their ideas. But everything changed when their daughters came into their powers. It was through the love of their daughters that they realized mutants couldn't all be murdering monsters that needed to be stopped. They had known about a school for mutants, but given that even rebuilt the school had been a location the FOH had once attacked and tried to wipe out. They couldn’t risk letting their daughters near the school as it would put them under the FOH radar and risk all their lives. Instead they lived their lives as normal to not draw attention. Their eldest, Crista was able to easily pass as human her mutation being telepathy. It had taken her a number of years to really get it under control but now she could ignore the voices of other’s minds. They were so proud of her, she was going to be starting her sophomore year at Stony Brook for a degree in Art History and Criticism. She wanted so much to work at an art museum. Their middle daughter, Persephone also passed for human. Her mutation just made her good with technology, which she helped her father with their old car a lot and people just thought of her as a tomboy for it.
Then there was their youngest, Delilah she could not easily pass for human. Her mutation was a bit more physical as she’d started to grow antlers and her feet had always been like hooves not to mention the little deer tail. They’d been able to hide the hooves and the tail while she was growing up. But as the antlers started to come in it was harder and it pained them to have to use a saw to cut the antlers down to nubs and otherwise keep her out of school for weeks at a time. They had to hide her the most,they knew what their friends would do to her and she was their baby they couldn't let someone hurt her. Crista was still over in Stony Brook having picked up a job at the university library and not wanting to be too far from her college ‘love’ Joseph Bonham a Marine Vertebrate Biology major at Stony Brook. he seemed like a nice enough young man, but Christopher reserved the right to pass judgement on the boy or any boy that became interested in one of his girls at any time. Tonight they were leaving Persephone and Delilah at home, Persephone was to be in charge. “Do you have to go?”, Delilah asked as her father grabbed his keys and her mother got her purse. “Unfortunately yes. Now that you kids are older we can’t exactly use the excuse that we don’t have a sitter to skip these things.”, Gwen sighed giving her daughter a hug being mindful of the antlers that were still growing from the ebony hair of her youngest. “You’re dad is going to need to cut these before they get much bigger.”, she sighed looking at the antlers. Christopher looked over and smiled at his youngest. “I’ll take care of it tomorrow morning. Now Persephone will be in charge. We shouldn’t be gone more than a couple hours. So you two just stay out of trouble.”, he smiled giving her a kiss on the cheek heading out to the car.
“So we good to go Perse?”, Christopher asked walking out to his old chevy seeing his daughter’s feet poking out from under it. Persephone rolled out from under the car with a smile, a little bit of grease on her cheek and some oil in her blonde hair. “Yup all set dad. Just finished the tune up”, she greeted getting up and lowering the car from the jack. “Thanks kiddo.”, he said kissing her clean cheek. “Persephone...you are such a mess.”, Gwen sighed walking over taking a tissue from her purse and starting to wipe the grease of her daughter’s face. “Mom..I was under a car it happens. I’ll take a shower don’t worry.”, she assured trying to dodge the tissue. “Leave her be Gwen. If Perse wants to walk around with grease on her face and oil in her hair fine.”, Christopher said shaking his head. “Not like I’m trying to impress anyone mom. Crista’s the one with the boyfriend not me.”, persephone sighed. “Yes well keep looking like this isn’t going to help you find one either.”, Gwen argued. “If she doesn’t want to find a boyfriend yet that’s fine by me. The longer I can go without my girls all going boy crazy on me the better.”, Chris said opening the car door for his wife. “Dad I am already boy crazy. I’ll happily tell a guy if he’s hot or point out the good looking ones. I just intimidate them because despite being a blonde I crush the stereotype by being smarter than them and known way more about cars.”, Persephone said proudly. “That’s my girl.”, Chris smiled. Gwen sighed and go in. “Dinner is in the oven take it out in about half an hour it’s tuna noodle casserole and there’s a toss salad in the fridge for you girls to eat.”, Gwen advised leaning her head out the car window to speak. “Alright. We’ll see you when you get back. Bye mom. Bye dad.”, Persephone nodded. “Bye Pers.”, Chris said before getting into the car and driving away.
While Kevin and Larissa formed their plan and made their way from Bayville to Laurel Hollow Chris and Gwen were sitting though a meeting of the local Friends of Humanity chapter. The main topic was the disaster that happened up in Bayville where Brendon Webb was saved by a mutant foiling the organization’s attempt to shut him up permanently and how a number of their members died at the hands of some masked mutants. Specifically they were discussing the destruction that one particular mutant caused that resulted in a building being pulled from it’s foundation and seven of their members killed in a blink of an eye. This announcement was frightening and disturbing to everyone. For Chris and Gwen yes it did worry them that there was a mutant who was that powerful out there, but their feeling of fright and being disturbed was more that their chapter was going to the point they were going to assassinate other humans all in the name of humanity and protecting it from mutants. They couldn’t voice that opinion though. No they needed to keep under the radar. The last thing they wanted was these people to come after their daughters. To protect their children they’d risk their own lives. They knew some might try to say they were hypocrites for sitting in that meeting when they had mutant daughters, but keeping up this appearance is what kept their daughters safe.